Friday, August 12, 2011

All Good Things Come From Above

"Holding my head in my hands, I ask it honest before God and children and my daily mess: "Can we really expect joy all the time?"

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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