January Joy Dare continued…
January 8: a light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely
46. The light reflecting brightly from the snow on usually black shingle roofs
47. The candle reflecting in the myriad of mirrors on my dresser
48. The light in the stained glass square hanging in my washroom window.
Promise of New Mercies
January 9: a gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with
49. Grateful for my new Gratitude Journal purchased as a 3 pack, to share
50. That the Red Cross loans out walkers, wheelchairs and tub chairs for people like me.
51. My iPhone – invaluable to me during this time – always have The Word, and Community close beside me to remind me that INDEED, JESUS is HERE.
January 10: a gift that’s sour, a gift that’s sweet, a gift that’s Just. Right.
52. Pickles (with cheese)
53. Cocoa (covered Claire)
54. 72% Dark Chocolate (with mint)
Winter Tulips
January 11: 3 yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy
55. Ken bringing me home tulips on a day when I seriously needed internal sunshine.
56. A sunset of pinks in yellows showing that, indeed, tomorrow will be a day with new mercies complete with actual sunshine.
57. The Kleenex box, fresh tissues in case I need them for my nose, my eyes or to wipe my fingers after an especially juicy apple.
January 12: something above you, something below you, something beside you
58. Grateful for a ROOF over our heads
59. My beloved bed with the 3″ novaform.
60. My cradle, built by my dad, Papa John, for our first foster child (Christmas 2004) and has been used over and over and over again for babies (and dollies) and will soon hold our new baby.
January 13: 3 sounds you hear
61. Children giggling in the snow
62. The kids encouraging each other on the Wii.
63. Someone ELSE doing household maintenance.
Reflecting Sparkly Joy
January 14: 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God
64. One of my husband’s co-workers going out of their way to say that my blog inspired them to ‘One Thousand Gifts’
65. The fact that I am pregnant – with continuous, painful endometriosis spotting, using a barrier FIVE days before I ovulated with my husband who is also infertile, within a week after signing the adoption papers for our three eldest Graces. They told us getting pregnant would be like getting struck by lightening, twice. And now we are pregnant for the second time…
66. Melatonin. The grace of knowing others who are going along this same path of parenting children with similar needs – who are willing to share what works and doesn’t work for them (and their children).
January 15: one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared
67. My super stretchy, comfy Old Navy pj bottoms that may never get washed (because I don’t like to take them off).
68. I gave up my “feeling sorry for myself” for long enough to hear the hurt in others that I have caused – and discovered that I CAN still be a mom from bed, and enjoy my children, and hopefully encourage them. I am GRATEFUL for the attitude change that came from giving the hurt pride up.
69. Stories. In bed, cuddled with little girls and boy, sharing turns reading…laughing…being together.
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