Weekly Gratitude Journal

With my seven year old grandson from South Carolina here for a visit we've been spending as much time as possible with the other grandkids that still live near us and having some summer fun together. Today, the cousins weren't available and Papa was working, so just he and I went on a little adventure. Recently, we discovered that we have some lovely waterfalls so ridiculously near to where we live that I can't believe we've lived here almost six years and only recently discovered them. I decided to take my grandson to see them. In walking together on one of the trails we found a beautiful swimming hole in the river that some young families and teenagers were enjoying. The waterfalls and the swimming hole have always been there, but it was only when I made an effort to explore the area that I discovered them. Similarly, it was only when I decided to explore this idea of keeping a gratitude journal, of counting at least three blessings every day, that I discovered the truth that hidden in my ordinary life were blessings I'd just never noticed before. There is always something to be thankful for!

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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)

#14.669-#14,692

7-12-2021-

-a new journal

-knowing that God is at work in us, in our family and in our church

-our tender hearted seven year old grandson

-an all clear cat scan on my husband after a little scare

-heart talks with our son-in-law

7-13-2021-

-God is able to keep/guard that which I entrust to Him

-this time with our grandson

-gathering with the women from our church

7-14-2021-

-a long walk to the river with three of the grandkids

-reading a favorite book to the littlest grandkids over and over

-a sleepover with just our youngest granddaughter 

7-15-2021-

-a lovely early morning walk before it gets hot

-a fluffy cotton tailed bunny hopping across the sidewalk in front of me on my walk

-encouraging texts from women in our church telling me the changes that God is making in their lives

-our Bible study on the book of Romans

7-16-2021-

-breakfast with friends

-our nephew inviting our grandson to spend the day playing with his son

-going to bed early with a good book to read

7-17-2021-

-my husband helping me with some chores

-him spoiling our grandson with new swimming shoes and goggles

-a fun afternoon at the lake

7-18-2021-

-unity and God's presence as we worship

-a powerful message to our church from our friend/guest speaker

-a phone call from our oldest granddaughter

still following,