Seeing the beauty...

One day after the other, the usually temperamental weather of the Pacific Northwest has given way to blue skies and sunny weather this summer.  It's been splendid!  In the midst of savoring these summer days, there are also challenges in life. That is reality.  To see the beauty of God's fingerprints in the middle of not only the easy to give thanks for things, but even in the challenging things, the ugly, hurtful and frustrating things, is sometimes hard, but one of the keys to learning to trust Him in all things.  And so, in everything I choose to give thanks. 

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

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)

#10,044-10,164

7-17-17-

-funny group texts with our daughters

-a new viburnum plant for our back yard

-praying with my daughter 

7-18-17-

-stopping by to see our youngest daughter and grandson for a few minutes

-a fun visit with my sweet friend

-how I can see that God is working even in a hard situation

7-19-17-

-our two youngest granddaughters staying at our house so they can attend VBS

-all of our VBS volunteers

-our three daughters who stand together for what they think is right

7-20-17-

-children giving their lives to Jesus at VBS

-both granddaughters took a nap after VBS today

-a family BBQ with the cousins

7-21-17-

-an unexpected visit from my oldest brother

-a nice long walk and talk with him

-a fun and delicious steak dinner together

7-22-17-

-sleeping til seven!

-staying home and catching up on things that I need to get done after a busy week

-an immediate answer to a prayer

7-23-17-

-a church nursery full of babies

-our oldest granddaughter coming home with us after church

-watching Doc Martin with my husband 

still following,