All the things. at least 47 or so

Yesterday I turned 47. I do feel a little older this year – I don’t really know why -maybe because I’m definitely closer to 50 than 40 now. But, I’ve realized that I have so much to be grateful for. I started listing things, and its really quite a list.

I know there are times when we have to remind ourselves to be grateful, when things are painful or just plain hard to keep going. But this is not one of those times for me. I’m blessed to overflowing – and so with a light heart I’m jotting them down. Maybe my list will spur you on towards a thankful heart too.

These things are not big and important by the world’s standards. not a chance. I don’t have a new house, fancy kitchen or fashionable fall wardrobe. But, my list is chalk-full of His goodness to me in simple, ordinary ways, that have become extraordinary to me.

1 Michael

2 Emily

3 Isaac

4 Mackenzie

5 & 6 My parents- Ken and Rose

7 &8 Michaels parents – Johnny and Ellavene

9 My sister (my life-long friend who can’t get rid of me)

10 All of my family and friends near and far- I can not count them all – they could have a list all their own!

11 Ollie & 12 Jojo

13 My home and especially our 14 new back deck

15 Night-time fire around our fire pit w s’mores

16 Peanut m&ms

17 My piano and 18 violin too

Fresh flowers – 19 purple snapdragons and 20 blue hydrangeas

21 A comfy bed

22 Fresh coffee with heavy cream

23 Working technology and especially my new laptop

24 Cozy blankets

25 Hummingbirds at the feeder

26 A fridge full of food – we’ve never had to go hungry.

27 My oven that faithfully bakes loaves of bread and cakes

28 Lunch with friends 

29 New friends at children’s choir 

30 My lemon sugar Himalayan candle from Ace hardware

31 Open windows and fall breeze

32 Cake

33 My forerunner

34 The maple in our front yard, turning red 

35 Hot chocolate

36 Sunshine 

37 My favorite mug 

38 Birthday cake- particularly the Monte Carlo from Federal Bake Shop and thumbprint cookies too!

39 Burt’s bees lip shimmer

40 Footie socks that keep my toes warm 

41 Homemade strawberry jam on toast

42 A new set of colorful felt tip pens

43 My Bible study girls

44 My favorite pocket Bible

45 Front porch mums

46 Trader Joe’s everything seasoning nut mix

47 Thoughtful birthday gifts, including new birthday sweaters, new tote, whisk attachment for my stand mixer, cookbook

48 Sunsets and 49 walks at Chester Frost Park

50 Audible books – my rescue from boredom while chauffeuring my people!

Thank you, Lord, for all of your precious gifts to me.