Two beginnings…

It was after the wedding rehearsal dinner, the night before the wedding.

The phone rang, my heart dropped when I saw the name.

I knew it was the call to tell us she was gone,

our long time church member, our friend,

had gone to heaven.

We attended the wedding the next day,

a beautiful, joyous celebration of a dear young couple from our church,

while heaven celebrated the homecoming of one of God’s precious ones.

The beginning of a life together.

The beginning of life eternal.

At all times,

in all things,

blessed be the name of the Lord.

***********

I’ve taken the Joy Dare.

I’m counting one thousand thanks in one year.

I hunt for thanksgiving using the prompts Ann gives us each month.

If you are interested in joining in, click the link above or at the bottom of this post.

I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little green journal…

#1655-1675

3 gifts found behind a closed door

-a closet full of clothes and shoes

-a bathtub full of hot water

-a pantry and refrigerator full of food

3 ways you feel the love of God

-because He says so and He cannot lie

-on my walk – His Presence with me as I walk, worship playing on my iPhone

-His love flowing through others to me

a gift in losing something

-free time lost, but so much gained as I visit my sick friend

a gift in finding something

-the presence of Jesus there in the room with us as I prayed with her

a gift in making something

-the joy in making my husband a special meal

3 gifts in shadows

-during a “dark”, hard week, the long awaited final approval from the county for our church building project!

-the quiet of the house before the sun is fully up

-safe travels on a very dark, stormy night

3 gifts found in giving/serving

-the joy of encouragement received when it’s given out

-the joy of teaching God’s Word

-the strength God gives us when we walk with others through their dark days

3 gifts found on paper

-Valentine cards still perched on the mantel

-journals past and present

-God’s Word

3 gifts that were plan Bs

-two of our three daughters not “planned” by us, but definitely they were God’s wonderful plan A!

-merging with another church 3 years ago, not something we planned, but definitely God’s amazing plan

-youngest granddaughter, a blessed “surprise” to her Mama and Daddy, (who suffered 10 years of infertility and 3 miscarriages before having her big sister), and to us all, but wonderfully planned by God

Gratefully yours,

Elizabeth