Holy week gratitude...

When I hit publish on my weekly gratitude post last Sunday afternoon,

writing that I wouldn't be blogging or be online during holy week

while I spent the week at the International House of Prayer with a few ladies from our church, 

I didn't realize how much my soul needed that downtime.

We spent five days soaking in the atmosphere of worship and prayer in the prayer room,

reading our Bibles and journaling, praying and worshipping.

There were six of us, three of us in our fifties, two in their forties, and one very sweet 15 year old.

I went there more weary in soul than I realized, and came home refreshed.

I believe there were two things that helped to wash that weariness away,

each one equally important.

The first was receiving hand's on prayer ministry from some of the team

 that works in the healing ministry of the prayer room.

As hands were gently laid on my shoulders, I sat there with tears streaming,

and felt the soul weariness flow out and the healing and comfort of the Holy Spirit flow in.

The second was the conversation and laughter with the other ladies. 

Laughter really is good medicine, as the Bible says.

 I didn't realize how much I needed both, but God did, 

and He provided just what I needed when I needed it.

I'm so thankful He did.

******************

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 green journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#5951-5975-

3-30-15-

-safe flight and travels to Kansas City

-the privilege to worship, pray, read the Word and journal for five days with no other pressing agenda

-late night talk with the other girls

3-31-15-

-interceding for Israel

-a fun afternoon break showing the other gals The Plaza in downtown K.C. 

and eating a meal of fabulous half price appetizers at Brio

-Misty Edward's leading the worship set

4-1-15-

-receiving prophetic ministry

-God ministering to my soul weariness

-getting to see and visit with our good friend that lives near K.C.

-laughing as one of the gals and I tried to do PIYO together

4-2-15-

-a good report from a gal in our church that her cancer is only a stage one 

-a tiny little black girl leading the prayer set, (she was amazing! probably 6 or 7 years old)

4-3-15-

-immediately so many, many people praying when I received a phone call 

that my 25 year old nephew has a brain tumor, (prayers appreciated, he is having surgery Tuesday)

-getting ministry from the healing team

-a safe flight home

4-4-15-

-my son-in-law, today is his birthday!

-lunch with my hub's

-a nap to catch up on rest after all of the late nights staying up and talking with the gals

 -a good, long walk

-the smell of homemade dinner rolls baking for tomorrow's Easter dinner

4-5-15-

-Christ is risen!

-the best Easter photo ever of the two youngest granddaughters 

(one prima donna, one melting down-she was unhappy about how mama did her hair and she said her shoes hurt)

-a sweet 87 year old friend/ church member who is very dear to us 

getting to come to Easter service

-rejoicing that He lives in worship, the Word and communion

-Easter dinner with the whole family at youngest daughter's future in-laws

gratefully yours,