I know it well after a day smattered with rowdiness and worn a bit ragged with bickering, that I may feel disappointment and the despair may flood high, but to give thanks is an action and rejoice is a verb and these are not mere pulsing emotions. While I may not always feel joy, God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving.
True saints know that the place where all joy comes from is far deeper than that of feelings; joy comes from the place of the very presence of God. Joy is God and God is joy and joy doesn't negate all other emotions - joy transcends all other emotions.
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
...Thankfully, God never gives what is deserved, but instead, God graciously, passionately offers gifts, our bodies, our time, our very lives. God does not give us rights but imparts responsibilities - response-abilities - inviting us to respond to His love-gifts."
- Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
August 4, 2011
146. A view of the starry night sky that nearly took my breath away
147. A soft and sweet newborn to cuddle
148. Mrs. Baldwin's colloidal silver gel to put on chapped hands and knuckles
149. God's provision of eggs in a baking pinch!
150. Children's artwork made with love
151. The eyes of a child - windows to the soul
152. Brownies that turned out to be a sweet success!
153. The joy of looking forward to making well-loved recipes from home
154. The discovery of whole wheat flour at the grocery store
155. Watching formerly abandoned/street children play "house"
August 9, 2011
156. Catching up with Mom on the phone yesterday after three weeks of no communication
157. Hearing of God's wondrous works in China!
158. Orange sunrise muffins fresh out of the oven
159. The delight of giving tastes of yummies to eager little people
160. Beholding gratefulness
161. New friends at church
162. Cool breezes
163. Mountainside beauty
164. The rich, velvety pink and purple colors of a bougainvillea in full bloom
165. God's patience with me
166. Spiritual discussions with the older children after watching the Train film at a church fellowship
167. Volleyball under the palm trees
168. The coming of travel sized toothpaste from God's provision at Care Net!
169. A taxi driver's extra kindness and care for our crew during night travel
170. Encouraging phone conversations with two very good friends
171. My niece's adorable smiles
172. A Spanish book from which to study
173. Granola bars baked with Sara
174. Getting the stomach bug on my days off!
175. A return to health
176. Chatterboxes whose constant prattle reminds me to be grateful that they can at least speak
177. Fond memories from RGBI as another school year starts
178. Water
August 11, 2011
179. Baby dimples
180. Newborn coos
181. Green salad sprinkled with a confetti of colorful veggies
182. Hymn singing to sick babies
183. The discovery of a favorite cook book at House 1!
184. My Ergo baby carrier
185. Pacifiers
186. Babies sleeping peacefully
187. Toddling steps and outstretched arms
188. Provision of a ride home with Tío David
189. New light bulbs
190. The smell of freshly baked bread
191. Warm sunshine
192. Gifts of snack foods in the grimy fists of children eager to share
193. Flowers worn in the hair
194. Refreshing cool patches in shadows cast by towering trees - a taste of forest!
195. Twittering birds in the trees
196. Childlike fascination with a small broken bird's egg
197. An obedience lesson learned
198. Heaping bowl-fulls of fluff white popcorn
199. Water from a container outside to supplement our lack of water in the house today
200. Sweet sleep
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