Weekly Gratitude Journal

One of the extra blessings God gave us when our daughters got married were their in-laws. Our middle daughter's in-laws have passed away, but both our oldest and youngest daughters hit the jackpot when it comes to great in-laws. It's a real blessing to share grandchildren with people that love and serve the Lord and are amazing grandparents. 

Our youngest daughter is married to an only child. So since her in-laws are retired and their only son and their only grandchildren moved to Florida last year it makes sense that they have decided to sell their home in Oregon and join them in Florida! They are having a brand new home built and will be moving in just a couple of weeks. I'm happy for them and also for our kids and grandkids to have one set of parents/grandparents living near them. 

When our kids were here visiting from Florida they helped pack the moving pod for my son-in-laws parents. I helped watch the grandkids while they packed. Then we all had a big fourth birthday party at our house for our granddaughter followed by a lovely weekend with my daughter and grandkids staying with us while our son-in-law went to the little cabin on the Umpqua River with his two best friends. (Yes, our daughter's in-laws will be keeping their family cabin in Oregon. 😊) All too soon, Monday came and we had to say goodbye, not just to our kids and grandkids but to my son-in-law's parents. The last couple of years have had altogether too many goodbyes in them! But there's always something to be thankful for, like two more good reasons to visit sunny Florida!

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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)

#16,607-#16,655

1-23-2023-

-the antique mirror of my dreams for free by the time the vendor reduced the price and I sold the mirror it is replacing, etc.

-Matthew 17:5, John 17:23 

-a beautiful time of connection and praying for one another at tonight's growth group

1-24-2023-

-baking for my grand babies who are coming to visit from Florida

-praying with my husband

-such encouraging reports from all the growth groups

-a beautiful sunset on my walk

1-25-2023-

-an answer to prayer

-a fun day playing with my grandbabies

-my granddaughter's huge grin and my grandson's big hugs

-an adventure walk in "the woods" (near our oldest daughter's church)

-cousin time for the Florida grandkids and the Oregon grandkids

1-26-2023-

-a whole day with the grandkids!

-"Nana, tell me a funny story....tell me another one."

-two fed, bathed, happy grandkids snuggled in our bed

1-27-2023-

-our youngest granddaughter's 4th birthday

-homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast

-my granddaughter and grandson helping to decorate her birthday cake

-a houseful of family celebrating together

-our Oregon granddaughters having a sleepover with their Florida cousins

1-28-2023-

-cousins having so much fun together

-"mantime" for our five year old grandson and Papa while the girls went shopping

-time with my daughters and granddaughters

-baths, books and songs with my grandson and granddaughter before bed

1-29-2023-

-my husband playing the keyboard and leading in worship-

(he used to do so of necessity, but now it's a rare treat)

-a powerful message

-the grandkids feeding our nephew's chickens

1-30-2023-

-one last morning with the Florida grandkids and our daugher before they go back home

-a quiet evening with my guy after the  full and happy days with the grandkids

-the amazing relationships God is building in our growth groups

1-31-2023-

-a quiet morning in the Word

-our home

-texts with my granddaughter

2-1-2023-

-February 1st! "Love Month"

-knowing that God is hearing and answering our prayers

-feeling better after another cold

2-2-2023-

-a sweet time of prayer

-God's provision in the little things

-a beautiful reminder in our Bible study on what it means to be redeemed

-hope

2-3-2023-

-Friday date day with my guy

-our middle daughter getting involved in ministry again

-being certain that He Who began a good work in us will complete it

2-4-2023-

-a brunch meeting with Natalie and Desi

-pink and white tulips

-my sweet five year old grandson's amazing brain

2-5-2023-

-coffee and quiet time before heading to church

-God is doing amazing things!

-my grandson shouting "I love you, Nana!" when his mom was on the phone with me

still following,