"I had never really learned the language of “thanks in all things”! Though pastors preached it, I still came home and griped on. I had never practiced. Practiced until it became second nature...Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation...Do not disdain the small. The whole of life - even the hard - is made up of the minute parts, and if I miss the infinitesimals, I miss the whole...There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing. The moments will add up. I, too, had read it often, the oft-quoted verse: “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). And I, too, would nod and say straight-faced, “I’m thankful for everything.” But in this counting gifts, to one thousand, more, I discover that slapping a sloppy brush of thanksgiving over everything in my life leaves me deeply thankful for very few things in my life...Life-changing gratitude foes not fasten to a life unless nailed through with one very specific nail at a time."
- Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
August 16, 2011
201. A toothless smile on a grinning boy's face
202. Little girl lashes so long and silky
203. The shy delight of children enthralled when I enter their world of make believe
204. Dainty white flower petals hanging over a garden wall
205. Laughter around the table during ladies' Bible study
206. Childlike eagerness to memorize and recite God's Word
207. A hundred mushroom dinners being cooked in the backyard by children inspired by "Ratatouille"
208. The smell of toast in the toaster
209. Green smoothies
210. God's love
August 19, 2011
211. The rich, silky nuttiness of homemade almond butter
212. Spring days
213. Piano playing
214. Beloved hymns
215. Being surrounded by books in a church library
216. Chocolate granola
217. The children's excitement over Scripture memory
218. Sparkly gold coins
219. Evening sunlight creating golden halos around little girls' braided hair
220. Playing catch with Edgar at the park
221. Pink clouds
222. Evening talks with Tía Anita
August 25, 2011
223. Birthday candle light flickering in Angel's eyes, reflections of joy and childlike wonder
224. The realization that God is answering prayer and giving me genuine love for these kids and passion for this ministry
225. Continued eagerness to learn Scripture
226. Walking the rest of the way to our destination when the taxi driver didn't understand where I wanted to go - it was good exercise and possibly Divine protection against an unknown mishap...?
227. Ana Maria's body melting into mine as she relaxed into sleep on the bus ride home
228. The ever awe-inspiring, changing tones of afternoon sunlight and clouds over the mountains
229. Wrinkle-nose smiles
230. Phone call to Mema and Papa during family birthday dinner
August 30, 2011
231. New music from the Galkin Evangelistic Team filling my room with joyous strains. A free gift!
232. A bag of American crunch and yumminess
233. The smell of banana bread baking in the oven
234. Brown paper packages tied up with strings...the arrival of all the packages I was expecting!
235. Interior design beauty in the home of another missionary lady - reflecting God's beauty
236. Yellow pineapple and monkey bread
237. Candles flickering...so homey
238. A Sunday school lesson given
239. Transformation at the hands of God
August 31, 2011
240. Baby's breath warm against my skin
241. Warm afternoon nap with sleeping baby snuggled in the crook of my arm
242. Arches of green ivy vines dappled with golden sunlight
243. Teenage girl delighting to hold a newborn babe, awe clearly written across her face
244. Kindness
245. Evergreen needles reaching for the sunshine
246. Wind in the leaves, rustling gently
247. Clippers snipping, pruning, cutting away to beautify
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