Rejoice!

I love all things Christmas! I love the decorating.  I love the shopping.  I love the wrapping and the cookie baking and the Christmas parties and the family gatherings.  I love it all!  But, take away the truth that Christmas is a celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ, and all of the lights and the decorations and the celebrations would be meaningless and hollow.  I love all things Christmas because I know the Christ of Christmas and the joy and hope that He gives to me in this life and for eternity.  That is why I can celebrate with gusto.  That is why my heart overflows with gratitude.

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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 journal.

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

#9202-#9225

11-28-16-

-our youngest granddaughter's birthday

-the She Reads Truth Advent devotional

-a fun family birthday celebration

11-29-16-

-first good walk since I had the cold/flu.  My energy is back!

-Taco Tuesday with our small group

-study and laughter and prayer all in one evening

11-30-16-

-a sun break in this rainy day to take a nice walk with my hubs

-my family supporting me in my quirkiness

-a new fuzzy warm throw blanket 

12-1-16-

-It's December!

-haircut and color day

-God ordering this day

-a great worship and prayer time at church

12-2-16-

-my hubs and I finishing our Christmas shopping for the family 

-the golden fall leaves stubbornly clinging to the trees along the Columbia River

-fog in the foothills

-a relaxing evening while my hubs watches the game

-my hubs favorite team winning the championship!

12-3-16-

-the government of my life is on his shoulders

-all the photos and videos our oldest daughter is sending us from their trip to Disneyworld

-a GREAT annual Ladies' Christmas Dinner with the gals from our church

12-4-16-

-our granddaughter is feeling better from her cold 

(so thankful because who wants to be sick when they are at Disneyworld!) 

-God's presence with us

-lunch and laughter with friends

still following,