Cleaning Convert and Joy Dare Day 11

I am freshly home from this week's Abide with a renewed spirit, in light of what's going on around me in the lives of others.  God freshly reminds me that He is the shelter in the storm and in Him we can find rest.

Today, although my heart is still heavy for my friend, I am able to rest in God's peace as I pray for them and focus on other tasks, like cleaning my kitchen and can I tell you... I have become a Norwex convert!

Have you heard of Norwex?  A friend at church sells these amazing environmentally friendly household cleaning products.  If truth be told, I was a bit of a skeptic... that is until I went to my first Norwex party a week or so ago.  Sure, I was still a skeptic going in, but by the time I left I was willing to give these products a fair shake.  Can I tell you something though?  I'm sold!

I started with these:

Enviro Cloth, Window Cloth and Dusting Mitt

... and started right away trying them out when I got them unwrapped.  Using nothing but water and the Enviro and Window cloths, my mirror covered in finger prints was spiffy clean.  Then I tried a touch of this:

Norwex Cleaning Paste

... on my stainless steel kettle and WOWZERS... shined that sucker right up!  This afternoon when I got home from Abide I went to work on the kitchen sink using a touch of paste with my Enviro cloth and man, oh man... does that sink SHINE!  I kept going on the counters, etc.. and my kitchen looks like I slaved over it, when it took all of about 15 minutes.  PLUS... didn't use any products except water & the paste!  A M A Z I N G!  Needless to say though, the products aren't cheap but if you're not purchasing a ton of extra products then over time they are a huge cost savings.  My girlfriend is lending me her broom to try out before I invest in one of those and oh mercy me, I have a whack of other products on my Norwex wish list now!  YIKES!!

Before I drive you nuts with my latest obsession... here is today's Joy Dare.  Day 11's challenge was to note 3 yellow things that strike me as fresh mercy.  My 3 things are:

Sunshine

I LOVE the sunshine, especially during the winter months when it is like a fresh smile from God shining down, warming the cockles of my heart.  The other day I was especially mindful of the sunshine as the temperature was cold, yet I could feel the hope of Spring in the warmth of the sun on my face.  Sigh!  Definite mercy!

Daffodils

These friendly daffodils remind me of my Mom's beautiful spring garden, bordering the driveway.  A warm sunny welcome as we came home from school!  They also represent to me the promises of God as they spring forth each year in gardens around my neighborhood.  No matter the "winter" we go through in our lives,  it is just a season and "spring" will shoot up and bring forth new life before we know it!

Yellow Balloon

I really couldn't think of anything for this third yellow mercy so by default I thought of a yellow balloon, representing the gift of freedom Christ has brought to my life.  As the balloon lilts through the sky, carried by the winds, I feel God carrying me through life's currents.

One last little note today too... being Groundhog Day & all... I just want to wish my very first niece a VERY Happy 39th Birthday!  How did she get to be 39?  I was just told last Saturday that I looked 39!!  We must have been "twins", don't you think??

Well... that was a nice diversion for the day!  Off to see what else I can clean with my new Norwex products!!

Laying Down Your Isaac... and Joy Dare Day 10

This morning at Abide we were discussing the next chapter in our study from Linda Dillow's book, "Satisfy My Thirsty Soul: For I Am Hungry For Your Presence".  (An amazing book btw!).  This morning's chapter was on bowing our will in worship to God.  Not an easy task to be sure!  As I stood at the front reading my review my mind was FULL of thoughts of not only my "Isaacs" past and present to be laid on the altar before God, but of the huge requests God was making of some of the people I know to lay their "Isaacs" down.  Ouch!

Laying down those things that are nearest and dearest to our hearts is excruciating.  Abraham knew it when God asked Him to take his one and only son up a mountain and use him as a sacrifice.   Jesus knew that heart-wrenching pain too when He was asked by His Father to lay down His very life to pay the price of OUR sins!  Nope, it wasn't easy for either of them BUT they both did it... obediently and willfully.  The faith of Abraham is something I wish so dearly I had had back when God asked me to give up my biggest "Isaac" to date - giving up my expectations, hopes and dreams of having a child.  It was excruciating! And... it was a process.  A process that took many years of God, finger-by-finger, releasing my clenched hand until I was able to lay that "Isaac" with open hand to Him.  And like for Abraham, God provided.  For Abraham God provided an actual ram to replace his son from the altar of stones and wood.  For me, God provided peace and comfort.  Healing so deep in my soul that I can barely remember how excruciating the pain really was.  God did it!  And He can do it for you too!  Do you have an "Isaac" that God is asking you to release to Him?  To lay it down at the altar of God and walk away in trust and obedience?  It may be a person you love dearly, or something you love dearly.  Whatever it is, can I encourage you today to trust in the One who knows the beginning of time to the very end of time.  He knows you better than you know yourself and He has GREAT things in store for you!  Let go!  I know it's hard, but when you do, you release God's power to work in your life.

On that sort of note, here are my day 10 Joy Dare gifts:  a gift that's sour; a gift that's sweet and a gift that's "just right".

The gift that is sour is the lemons in my life - those things that make the cheeks pucker like my infertility struggle, losing my Mom before my 40th birthday, watching friends' and family hurt and suffer with illness... these sour things of life are a gift.  A gift you might ask?  But they are a gift... because it is through these things that God proves Himself real and true.  It's where He stretches our faith and makes us more like Jesus!

The gift that is sweet is ...

the lemonade that God makes of those times of squeezing.  The gift of learning more about Him, trusting Him and loving Him.  The gift of seeing how strong you really are when you get to the other side of a situation and you look back and see His faithfulness, holding you up, so clearly.  Yes... this gift of lemonade is the sweetest... because it takes those sour lemons and turns them into something refreshing and delicious!

And the gift that's just right...

and the best gift of all... the Cross and what it represents.  Jesus, fully God and fully human, taking on the sins of you and me.  Beaten, abused, ridiculed, abandoned.  He died... so we can live... and that we can live ABUNDANTLY!  Yep... this is the gift that is Just Right!  And the best news of all... it's FREE to anyone who chooses to accept it!  Talk about JOY!!!

Joy Dare Day 9

I was trying to think of a catchy title for today's post but nope... nothing coming for that!  Perhaps once I get writing something more profound and interesting will spark, but today is rather a gray, blah kind of day and I don't really have anything super exciting to share other than my Joy Dare challenge for Day 9... a gift in my hand, a gift I walked by, a gift I sat with...so without further ado...

The first gift, a gift in my hand, I reinterpreted today and chose this...

My wedding rings

these... a gift on my hand, symbolize a promise.  A promise made to me almost 18 years ago that my beloved would stand by my side, through thick and through thin.  He promised to love me, cherish me, protect me and provide for me.  And he has done all that and more!  Those rings symbolize my promise back to him... that I will care for him, nurture him, respect and honor him, love and give myself to only him.  And together, along with his (that he no longer wears because it's too tight... which reminds me I need to take him and the ring to the jewelers to be resized... that is the ring resized... his size is just fine!) symbolize a vow of commitment until death do us part.  These rings also represent to me a greater promise... one made by God, that He will return one day and I will be His bride, and He my Bridegroom.  How exciting to be blessed with two great loves of my life, one here on earth and one in eternity!  I am beyond grateful for this!!

The second gift, a gift I walked by (or rather walk by each day) is this...

A recent Christmas Gift of Inspiration

This beautiful inspirational picture hangs in the upstairs hallway where I pass by every day to and from our master bedroom.  It was given to us by my NC sister and it reminds me daily of God's love for me, which is the greatest gift of all!  It says (in case you can't read it):  

GOD is FOR ME

God is

... with me

... in me

... for me

... around me

... moving through me

... surrounding me

... leading me

... directing me

... loving me

This is the confidence we

have that if we ask

anything according to 

His will He hears us

1 John 5:14

When I think of this picture and all it says, I am also SO grateful for the gift of these promises from His Word, and I'm also thankful for my NC sister and the beautiful friendship we share not only as biological sisters, but as sisters in Christ!

Lastly today, my gift I sit/sat with ...

My laptop

A couple Christmases ago, Hubby totally surprised me with this... my pretty pink laptop.  The first year of owning it though I didn't consider it a gift in that this particular laptop had a ton of issues and had to be sent back a couple times to get it right (or at least manageable).  Although I'm not a huge Dell fan, (and would never buy another of their products), my laptop is a HUGE gift for which I am abundantly grateful.  My laptop is like a best friend to me, in that it links me to many of my best friends, both online and in person.  It aids me in ministry and allows me to research.  Unfortunately it more often than I'd like to admit robs me of precious time, but overall this gift is one that God has used to bless me, comfort me in dark days, to bless others through the ministries He's given me both on & offline.  It allows me to maintain our home with sites for banking, recipes and cleaning tips.  Yes, one would think it a little odd, but I consider this little hunk of components and plastic parts a true gift from God!

Take time today to contemplate the gifts in your hand, that you pass by and that you sit with today!  It might be a person, a place or like me, things but stop for a moment today and just be thankful!  Joy will soon follow!

At Home In Heaven and Joy Dare Day 8

Yesterday would have been my Mom's 81st birthday.  I can't believe that Mom was only 73 when she went "Home" to be with Jesus over 8 years ago.  My how time flies!  I thought of my Mom this morning as I had my time with God.  The devotional was talking about music and how our worshipful tunes here on earth are just a rehearsal for when we get into God's presence full-time in Heaven.  At Home there, singing before her King every day.  Lucky her!

The devotional also spoke of how the church is like music - all the different "notes" coming together making beautiful music together.  It said, "Music is a wonderful metaphor for the church because everyone participates by doing what he or she does best.  We all sing or play different notes at different times, but we all perform the same song.  The better we know our parts, and the better we follow the conductor, the more beautiful the music".  Isn't that cool?!

At first I was stumped by today's Joy Dare but then suddenly all became clear as I thought on my interpretations of today's challenge: light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely.  Here's how I "saw" these 3 gifts:

A Light That Caught Me

This little light sits in my kitchen, catching my eye every day as I turn it on, illuminating this corner with warm light.  The message on this lamp catches my heart as I think of the verse in 1 Corinthians 13 that reminds me that the greatest of these is LOVE... and that God's love for me is greatest of all!

A Reflection that Surprised Me

Can you see it?  That tiny little hand print on my tv screen that looks like a face?  That little "gift" left over from our family party Dec 30th, reminds me daily of the gift of children.  Little Baby "E" laid his precious little hand there and I haven't yet wanted to erase it from the room.  What a great gift children are in our world... our families... our homes.  You don't have to be a Mom to understand what Jesus said when He called the children to Himself.  He reminds us daily of the value of these important members of our families!

A Shadow That Fell Lovely

These shadowy figures represent the beauty (and gift) of sisterhood!  Spending time with my Sister's family on our recent cruise was a true gift, especially since they live so far away.  Although many miles separate us logistically, through Jesus, we are bonded close together and for that I am forever grateful!

Has THE Light caught you yet?  Has His reflection been surprisingly present in you and through you?  Has the  warm Shadow of the Almighty fallen lovely over you lately?  May His glory shine upon you and His love shine through you today!

Taking a Breath and Joy Dare Day 7

It's been a few days since my last post and that's because Wednesdays and Thursdays are my crazy busy days.  Abide, our church ladies' group, meets on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings and it seems those days whip by so fast my brain can't catch up.  It's Friday today and that means I'm taking a great big breath ... and doing laundry!  Exciting, I know!!

Today's Joy Dare has got me a little "stumped", particularly when it comes to capturing the day's Joy moments in picture.  The task for this day's challenge is "3 graces from people you love".  When I think of the word "grace" I always think of it as "unmerited favor", so with that in mind... without pictures, here is today's Joy Dare:

The first "grace" that came to my mind was the gift of gardening my Mother-in-law has shared with me.  Bless her heart ... this Fall she spent days digging in my garden beds, planting the Spring bulbs, only to have the crazy squirrels dig each and every one of them up!

The second "grace" that comes to my mind is the gift of himself that my Hubby gives me each and every day.  He is a hard worker (sometimes too much so), a wonderful provider, my best-friend, lover and amazing example of Christ's love.  I still pinch myself after 17 years that God gave this man to me!

The last and most important "grace" that I think of today is THE grace... the grace of God, my Heavenly Father, who loves me despite my ugliness inside and who sent His One and Only Son to die a criminal's painful death, despite His sinlessness, all to pay the price for my sinfulness.  THIS brings me JOY... knowing that God cares THAT much about me... and YOU!

What brings you joy today?  I hope you'll take a moment to think on God's grace which allows for all other grace in this world!

Duty and Joy Dare Day 6

Back again with another two post day ~ can you stand it?!

This afternoon, Hubby and I had to head down to the police station in the town next to ours.  They wanted a statement from us about the "Creeper" that was in our backyard last September (You can read about it HERE). We met the officers at their lovely new building at 4:30 and each of us were taken in by a separate officer:  Hubby with the female, me with the male.

On a side note, it is interesting the difference between a Suburban Canadian police station and say the one I was at Friday morning in Niagara Falls, NY with my girlfriend.  In Niagara Falls (a suburb of Buffalo) we had to go through security like the airport, our bags going through a scanner and us through the walk-through thingy (my friend being "wanded" when she beeped going through).  Here, in our area, we just walked right into the station with nary a security device!

Anyhoo... back to today.  I sat with the Constable for about an hour, recounting to him what occurred that Sept 12 evening.  Fortunately for me I didn't see the Creeper's face so after that hour I was done and head back out to the lobby to wait for Hubby.  He, on the other hand, had seen the guy's face so his interview was longer and included a "line-up" of photos of suspected perps.  Another hour later, Hubby finally emerged and we head off in the direction of home.

I had asked "my" officer while in the room about the occurrence of these incidents with peeping toms.  He told me that unfortunately they were more common than one thinks.  How sad is that?  Our memories are amazing instruments in how sometimes we can block out unpleasant situations.  Hubby and I were talking on the way home about how blessed I was to have not seen the guys face.  I tend to have a photographic memory and had I seen him, I'm not sure I would have been able to block his face out.  Our neighbour at the other end of our complex was not so fortunate!

So, while I reflect on how grateful I am for the gift of our policemen and women who seek out such vial and sick individuals as our "Creeper", let's focus on today's Joy Dare.

Today's challenge was to find the gifts: one thing in my bag, my fridge and my heart.

In my bag I found this:

I'm grateful for this "gift" for a couple of reasons.  One is I am grateful for the country in which I live and the freedom I enjoy.  I also am grateful for this gift as it is my "passport" to adventure to various countries around the world, although most, if not all, my stamps in this particular one are from the U.S.

In my fridge is this gift:

I am truly thankful for the gift of water and milk - for the good they do my body in refreshing and strengthening it.  Too often I take both of these for granted!

Lastly, my heart...

My Honey!

This man captured my heart fast and furiously over 18 years ago and he continues to capture it day after day, year after year.  This man is my biggest gift from God outside of salvation!  My Hubby, who I adore with all my heart.  He teaches me daily about God's love and grace and I cannot ever thank God enough for him!!

So that's what I'm grateful for today and where today's joy comes from.  How 'bout you?  What's in your purse, fridge or heart today that you can thank God the Father for?

Procrastination Is My Name...Plus Joy Dare Day 5

Today I am in the midst of writing up my chapter review for this week's Abide but I'm having a terrible time with procrastination.  No, it doesn't help that I'm chatting with my friend, Tammy on Yahoo... or that I just joined Pinterest and am playing around on there.  Oh no... doesn't help that my dear Dad called for computer help from Florida.  Nope...  none of that is getting my work done, so... while I'm procrastinating, there is no time like the present to catch up on Day 5 of the Joy Dare:

Day 5's challenge is to snap a photo of these 3 gifts:  something I'm reading, I'm making, I'm seeing.  Here are today's pics:


Today I was reading this gift:

Photo Book from our Latest Trip

I am so grateful for this book and what it represents - the gift of vacation and the gift of family!  Our photo book that I made on Shutterfly just arrived today.  It was exciting to sit with Hubby this aft and relive our trip from November.

The gift I'm making today is this:

Baby Blue Baby Blanket

We're still in the beginning stages of knitting this, but this gift for someone else reminds me of the gift my Mom gave me 29 years ago - the gift of knitting!

And for something I was seeing today...

The view from my back window

I am always grateful for the gift of seeing, and this is what I viewed outside my living room window this morning - a light blanket of snow - our first real blanket - from last Friday's storm.  I normally wouldn't consider snow a "gift", but when I reflect on the good that snow brings (and it's beauty) I am reminded that it is indeed a gift from God as it waters the earth in preparation for Spring.

So... what brings you joy today that you're reading, making or seeing?  

Adventures in Buffalo... and Joy Dare Day 4

I didn't even wait for the alarm to go off this morning!  It had been one of those nights of "awareness" during my sleep while I awaited the alarm.  My brain was ready to get going before the sound of my phone alarm so I got up at 5am and quickly got ready.  My friend, "L" was coming to pick me up at 6am.  We had an "adventure" to take care of in Buffalo (Niagara Falls, NY to be precise!)

This morning wasn't exactly the perfect morning for an adventure 90 minutes south to the land of winter and snow, but it was an adventure not to be missed.  You see, while over the border on Monday, an unfortunate incident happened for "L".  Her purse was stolen in Target (fortunately it was recovered as were almost all her possessions).  She had to return this morning to see the DA at the court house.  Not knowing what to expect, she asked if I was free to join her on her journey.  I gladly obliged, particularly because I had sensed God wanted me to join her (and I never need an excuse to want to go across the border!!)

What made our adventure even more exciting this morning was the fact that we drove down in our first major snowfall of the year.  The conditions were nowhere near ideal, but with much prayer covering us, and "L"s expert driving skills, we arrived in just over 2 hours.  We got turned around on the streets a bit and finally made it to the court house with lots of time to spare and we ended up sitting there for almost 2 hours waiting for "L" to be called in to speak to the DA.  Her time with the DA was a brief 5-10 minute chat and then we were on our way... back to Target, Tops (for my fav Bigelow French Vanilla tea that I can't buy at home) and Olive Garden for lunch.

By the time we head home at around 2pm, the weather had improved, the roads cleared and the drive was much less stressful (that is until poor "L's" eyes got weary from the early morning and long day and took a quick 'nap' before jolting awake in surprise).  It was a super fun day for what could have been a super stressful time for "L".  God was beyond gracious in giving us safety on the highways and bi-ways and it was a super fun bonding time... which brings me to my Day 4 of the Joy Dare:

Today's challenge is:  one gift old, one gift new, one gift blue.

This weekend as it begins for me is about spending time with friends and that is my something old and something new for today's Joy Dare.

PA is my oldest, and dearest friend.  We met in 7th grade youth group at church and have been besties ever since.  We are more like sisters than friends and I treasure the relationship God has blessed us with through the ups and downs, twists and turns of life.  To have a friend is a gift... to have a lifelong friend is a treasure!

PA & Little Miss H

My oldest and dearest friendship

and her beautiful daughter she shares with me!

L is a newer gift in my life.  Although I've known her for many of our years at our current church, it has only been in the past year and half that our friendship has been blossoming.  L & I work together on leadership of Abide and today, we had our first "big adventure" as girlfriends!  I value this new friendship as we learn from one another and we enjoy laughter and ministry together.  God is so good in bringing new friends into our lives to bless us on life's road!

"L", my "new" friend and co-minister in Abide

My something "blue" gift for today was a lot more difficult to figure out.  I wandered around my home thinking about what something "blue" I could add.  What I realized, sitting her just now that my "blue" gift isn't something you can hold in your hands, but rather a place.  My gift of "blue" is here - my dining room!

My "blue" dining room

I chose my dining room because it is in some ways the heart of my home.  It is where Hubby & I entertain guests, have deep meaningful conversations around the table and create culinary treats (especially when I'm baking since my kitchen counter top area is small).  I am so grateful for the gift of this room and it's furniture and all this room represents!

I dare you to think of the new, old and blue gifts that bring you JOY today!

Words Gifts ~ Joy Dare Day 3

The alarm went off early this morning as the rain pitter-pattered on the roof above me.  One of those mornings I'd love to have stayed snuggled under the covers for at least another hour or two but that was not to be.  Nope.  This morning was the kick-off of another semester of Abide, our church ladies group.  I stayed up late last night after Abide PM to do the last minute items on my "to do" list for the morning, before heading off to bed so that I didn't have to rush about this morning.  Instead, when the alarm rang, I hit the snooze once...okay... twice and got myself dressed, ready with laptop, book, notes and carrot cake in hand.

The morning ran smoothly as we sang about God's power allowing us to soar during times of waiting, and we studied about making those moments in God's "waiting room" an act of worship.  I ended our time with a perfect song I'd found on youTube by John Waller called "While I'm Waiting" from the soundtrack to the movie Fireproof.  Here is the video I used as the women meditated on their own personal times of waiting:

My afternoon was crazy busy as I head to my chiropractor for a much needed neck adjustment to relieve a huge knot in my neck (which I believe has now moved down to my right lower back/buttock) and then home for a quick bite of lunch before a friend dropped off her 2 young daughters for an hour while she ran to an appointment.  You may recall a few years ago my posts about "Baby C" ... who is now 2 and a cutie pie to boot!  She and I watched "Backyardigans" while her baby sister slept in her car seat (for a short while).  I have to confess that sometimes I'm not the most willing babysitter inside.  I think not having had my own children, and having had niblings up the wazoo since I was 8 yrs old, I'm not so much a "baby" person (either that or it's true that people without kids are selfish and I like my own time and space too much).  But all that said... it was a fun afternoon and once again God has shown me that saying "yes" in obedience brings blessing - not only to the Mom I'm helping out, but to me too!  Funny how that works!

So... as my heart was filled with Joy this afternoon helping my friend, I bring you today's "Joy Dare" tidbits.  Today's challenge... 3 lines you overheard that were graces.

First off, can I be honest.  I didn't really get where Ann was going with this one but I'm assuming it is 3 quotes that were like gifts (as grace is a gift unmerited).  So... without further ado here they are:

1. Your faith is not to help you avoid problems, but to go through problems with stability ~ Joyce Meyers
2. God is salty; He makes you thirst for more of Him ~ Diane Eble
3. But those who trust in the LORD, will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint ~ Isaiah & God

I would covet your prayers tomorrow.  I'm accompanying a girlfriend to Buffalo for an appointment she has there at 9am and they are calling for snow throughout our 90 minute drive there and back.  We do hope to squeeze in a little shopping therapy while across the border too (of course) but need angels to guard and protect us on the roads.  It's the first real snowfall of the season so people (even though they live in the North and see snow yearly) tend to drive like maniacs at the first official sight of any substantial amount of snow.  

Well... off to get ready for my 5:15 am wake up call but first let me leave you with a bonus "quote" I read today... "Target is my Disneyland..."  Buffalo or bust baby!! (preferably Buffalo... am I really saying that?!  If you've ever been to Buffalo you'll understand that!)

Much Needed Joy... Day 2

The day started off fine.  I was excited to tackle Day 2 of the Joy Dare I'd started yesterday.  I even took a photo, first thing when I came downstairs because I knew what my "outside" gift was today (more on that later).  I busied myself in the kitchen, baking a carrot cake for Abide kickoff tomorrow morning and making pastry for the Turkey Pot Pie I was making for dinner.  Julia Child would have been proud of me!  Yet, somewhere in the middle of the afternoon things went south and all godliness went on a mini-vacation.

I'm so not proud of myself, nor do I long to admit that I am the biggest sinner going, (thanks be to God's great gift of grace and forgiveness!!), but this afternoon... um... I could have made a sailor blush with the pent up frustration that spilled out of me from who know's where as things fell on my head from overhead cupboards, and fell on my feet from the under the sink cupboard.  "Calgon... take me away" was the cry of my heart... (that and JESUS.... HELP ME!!!!!).

So... it is with MUCH NEEDED focus on the gifts of gratitude and the need of Jesus' JOY, I bring you Day 2 of my Joy Dare.  Today's challenge (if you're playing along) was:  a gift outside, inside and on a plate.

For my outside gift today I chose this:

Sunshine!

Waking up to the sunshine in the winter is a warm and wonderful gift from God above.  Doesn't this picture make the sun look like a) a star and b) a snowflake? (Thanks to my dirty windows it looks like icicle particles on the edges of the sunburst).

For my inside gift a few things had popped through my mind - my oven (as I was baking the carrot cake for tomorrow morning), the furnace... but it was while talking to my sister in NC, and I was telling her about Ann Voskamp's book (from which this Joy Dare comes), she gave me this... as my inside gift:

My Cordless Phone and Headset

I love my cordless phone and headset!  There are days when my sister (who lives a 14 hour drive away) and I sit for hours on the phone, talking, laughing, praying... all while cleaning our homes with our handy dandy phones strapped to our waistbands and headsets safely attached on our heads.  "Would you like fries with that?"

Lastly, for my "on a plate" gift, I chose this... our dinner tonight.  

Turkey Pot Pie

In this deep dish pie plate, covered in "love" pastry, holds our dinner tonight, for which I am grateful for the gift of plenty.  Our bellies never go hungry (for long), our cupboards and fridge always contain something in which to prepare a meal (even if it's just a PB&J sandwich).  I'm grateful for the gift my Grandma gave me in teaching to make my own pastry that is light and fluffy (and almost melts in your mouth).  I am grateful for my oven after all, for without it, dinner would not have been served like this tonight!

I am humbled by this exercise in "Joy" as at times today, gratitude and joy were replaced by grumbling and anger.  I am ashamed that victory was not mine, but am SO grateful for the One in whom my victory can be found!  Jesus!  I need more of Jesus!!

Well, better go finish prepping for Abide tonight.  May God grant me all I need as I feel SO inadequate to be leading tonight!  But for the grace of God go I....

Dare to Find Joy ~ Day One

So many of my friends, both online and in my face-to-face world have mentioned the book One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.  Ann is a gifted writer, farmer's wife and busy mother of six (and also a fellow Canadian/Ontario-dweller).  I bought Ann's book on my Kindle probably about a year ago and started to read it, but in true ADD fashion, I moved on to something else before I finished it, allowing it to fully impact me.  I did however, pick it up last week and started rereading it from the beginning.

My longtime, online buddies, Tania and Jennifer often refer to this book, and Linda, one of my Abide team members sent me an email this morning where I saw this challenge:  The Joy Dare

Now, I recognize that I am 10 days into January so I'm already a week and a half behind, but that's not a big deal in the grand scheme of life.  I figure I can either play "catch up" and double up on entries or I can take my time with it and drag the dare into February.  Time will tell which path I take on that!

The other night, a friend who used to attend our church, asked on Facebook where, outside of her children, is her joy.  She then sent the question out to her FB friends.  As I thought about it, I realized that truly my joy comes from knowing I'm walking close to God, and to be honest, lately my joy has been waning.

I mentioned the other day in my post, after taking down the tree decorations, this: "I'm just reminded as I type those words that sometimes that's how my life feels when I lose the warmth of The Light by replacing it with the stark coldness of the things of this world..."  What I felt at that moment, taking down the warm and sparkly lights is how they so represent the warmth and glow of Jesus in my life.  There is something almost "magical" about how Christmas feels with the lights twinkling and the fresh, green (albeit fake) boughs hanging around the furniture.  This is how it feels inside me when I am walking close to God... an almost mystical, unexplainable feeling of joy and well-being.  I'm not sure if I'm able to articulate what I mean.  But, in contrast, like the sparse feel of the house after the last box has been packed after Christmas, my soul feels empty and barren when the warmth of Jesus has been snuffed out by either my selfishness or distraction away from the things of Him.

When I am living in close communion with Him, living life with a grateful heart my joy bubbles up and over and I have confessed to Him recently (and do so now to all of you), that of late, I have lost that "lovin' feeling".  But... I want it back!  I need it back and that there (in His presence) is where taking this Joy Dare will help.  Wanna join me?

So... that all being said... let's start:  Ann suggested we "snap a photo or record 3 gifts a day" in the Joy Dare.

Day One

3 Things About Myself I'm Grateful For:

My Eyes... (and even the crow's feet around them)

 that can see the beauty of God's creation around me...

(and tell of the joy that I've experienced)

  

My feet... that carry me to the 

masterpiece places (like the ocean's sands) 

and mundane places of life

My Hands... that give me opportunities 

to create and connect with life around me

What are 3 things about yourself are you grateful for today?