What a beautiful week we've had.
I'm overflowing with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done!
******************
Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my little black journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)
#4835-#4866
6-30-13-
-seeing a bald eagle on the drive to catch the ferry
-seeing a pod of orca whales from the ferry!
-a safe trip to Victoria, B.C.
-a free upgrade to a large king size suite with a living room, dining area and kitchen
-beautiful weather
7-1-14-
-day one of the Sermon on the Mount devotional with She Reads Truth
-midmorning tea and a currant scone with devonshire cream and jam at our favorite tea shop
-a long walk to the shore
-dipping my tired feet in the cold water
-breathing in all the beauty
-delicious Greek food for dinner
-resting before going to the fireworks
-Canada Day fireworks-WoW!
-munching on sweet and salty kettle corn
7-2-14-
-waking up to blue skies and the sounds of boat horns in the harbor
-a long walk around the whole harbor
-an evening staying in and relaxing
7-3-14-
-heading toward home-crossing the border back into the USA
-getting my favorite teriyaki for dinner and eating it at my favorite place,
on the shores of Lake Washington
-God speaking to me through Colossians 3
7-4-14-
-having a fourth of July BBQ at my sister-in-law's with her family
and second born daughter and her family driving up to join us
-talking to our oldest granddaughter on the phone and
her excitement in telling us all she's been doing on her week away with her friend's family
-going to the fireworks, (so fun! with live orchestra music during the show!)
-my oldest grandson holding my hand as we walked back to the hotel
7-5-14-
-a safe drive home
-the blessing of a sweet time away and the blessing of coming home again
-hydrangeas full of blooms-blue and pink and purple
-Shasta daisies in the backyard
-another sweet phone call from our oldest granddaughter
7-6-14-
-expecting a sleepy holiday weekend Sunday morning but God surprising us with really powerful worship,
an awesome sense of His Presence, and an amazing message (Thank You, God!)
-lunch with friends, then our oldest daughter and her family joining us
-youngest grandson's smiles and coos
still following,
so beautiful those pictures are a treat, and oh that grandson is adorable... sweet little smile. great to see you enjoying life so much. good job doing self care.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I appreciate your comment. I don't think I'd survive the stress of life if I didn't "get away" now and again.
DeleteI mean this sincerely when I say that your thanksgiving never, ever, fails to uplift me. I read the things for which you're thankful, and somehow it makes me more thankful too.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to compete with baby pictures, but I have to say that when I saw the picture of the sign that said "Welcome to the United States", my heart just did something. I have never seen one of those signs before. Crazy, but I didn't even know they existed.
Debbie, coming back over the border into the US, I felt great joy tinged with great sorrow. Our beloved country is in such a precarious place right now, having strayed so far from it's foundations and spiritual roots.
DeleteSuch a lovely post........so encouraging, and so needed in this day and age we live in............all your pics so pretty and that baby is so sweet. Loved all the pictures of Canada, and really loved seeing the sign Welcome to the United
ReplyDeleteStates of America.........I have never seen one of those signs, and it just made
my heart swell with pride and Thankfulness that we get to live here..........
Thanks for taking the time to do this post, it truly is a blessing to all who
read it..............
Blessings for a great week ahead hon,
Nellie
Nellie, it's funny how thankful I felt when I crossed the border to "home", and yet our country is so dangerously straying from it's foundations, so I felt a sadness as well.
DeleteA beautiful list as always, Elizabeth. Isn't He so good to us? I'm so grateful for fellow bloggers who list their gifts. Your newest grand is the sweetest thing.
ReplyDeleteI am kind of sad that Ann seems to have discontinued the link up for us gratitude gatherers.
DeleteGood Monday morning, Elizabeth. Your gratitude list and pictures are wonderful. We spent our honeymoon in Victoria and went back once with my brother and his family. After seeing all of these wonderful pictures I want to go back again. Thanks for sharing your wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteDebbi
You should go back to Victoria. We're fortunate to be able to get there fairly easily living in the PNW! It's such a lovely place.
DeleteI always enjoy your gratitude list and the pictures you share. Great fireworks shots. I have the hardest time capturing those. Sure looks like a wonderful week was had. Blessings xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Beth! I studied up on how to photograph fireworks, but then just had to play around will my camera settings and learn by trial and error. I'd say that even then only about 50% of the shots turned out.
DeleteWhat beautiful photos and sentiments! You are inspiring. And today, you have inspired me to look around and be more grateful for the many blessings that surround me.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with Beth - great captures on the fireworks! We live in the mountains, so no fireworks here. So, I'm thankful for the chance to see yours!!
GOD BLESS!
Sharon, I studied up on how to photograph fireworks, but then just had to play around will my camera settings and learn by trial and error. I'd say that even then only about 50% of the shots turned out.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I missed this one in all the stuff going on with us - camping and the 4th and other fun things! I LOVE your photos and your trip was something I hope to do sometime again. I haven't been to Victoria since I was twelve years old. Loved seeing that sweet baby boy - and his smile makes me smile. What a precious miracle!
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~