Counting Gifts

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

~my mom.  she brings me a gift on HER birthday.


~my father-in-law. He gives me a gift the day after HIS birthday.


~breakfast with my grandma, aunt, sister and mom.  Lots of laughter.  Better than therapy.


~beautiful yellow, fresh flowers in a vase


~trading Tamoxifen stories with a friend.  Sarcastically calling it our “friend”


~while giving my daughter a haircut, she peeks at me through hair in her face and says “Oh Thank you, Mom, for cutting my hairs!!”


~a phone message from my dad, saying he just wanted to hear my voice.  Hearing his settles my heart, as only a father’s love can.


~feeling feminine


~freshly juiced vegetable juice


~Dr. Hinze.  His gentle care. His sense of humor.  


~cancer nutrition books from a “never met” friend


~a quiet week coming up, time for much needed reflection & meditation


~family forgiveness.

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

{354 through 369}

~retreating with the women at my church Women’s Retreat

~sharing my story with these women and keeping composed while doing so

~same women, whom I am joined to by His body.  Their hearts open and beautiful–they hear, receive and hold my heart.

~my pastor’s wife. Her eyes & face–so pretty. Eyes flooding and full of compassion, care & concern.  In them, I see a pure love for me.

~waking to the scent of coffee & waffles made by loving hands

~Gina.  Her song and her guitar.

~late night word exchanges while lying under top bunks. Life’s hardships discussed and reflected upon.

~fresh fruit salad…its bright and brilliant colors and shapes.  God’s art.

~revelation of pride, selfishness, unbelief and worry–Yes, Lord.  I agree.  Please take it from me.

~church bells on a sunny Sunday

~being fully known and fully loved by God

~a hurting heart and hope. I know He will heal.

~green tea with hints of citrus

~physical fatigue and emotional pain forcing me to cancel plans and be still.

~a sound of a lawnmower, reminding me of spring growth and how far He has brought me.  Church bells mix with its sound, playing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

~that I can place him & her & them & that & this –all safely in His hands.

~a new week, with nothing cancer related on my calender! (oh.. except to go get my port flushed…that is easy}

~a retreat walk, my camera captures cross kisses.

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

301~being wooed by my Creator
302~His presence in adversity
303~that He is everywhere at every time
304~youngest one’s cheek stretched into my front seat car area each morning for a “goodbye-send-me-off-to-school” kiss
305~60 degree sunny spring days
306~home organization
307~house cleaning service gift extended a month
308~my Carm and Wendy’s offer to come and spring clean help
309~a carpet cleaner man heard about my sickness, sent an offer to free clean
310~God showing me He heard my hearts desire
311~eye shadow, earrings & girly things
312~”Oh, How He Loves Us!” song stuck in my  head
313~”Exceeding Abundantly above all I can ask or imagine” verse stuck in my head
314~youngest birthday sleepover fun at Grandma and Grandpa’s
315~physical wounds that are not healing–gives break for emotional wounds to heal
316~the promise of the fruit of the Spirit, grown in the canyon–gentleness, kindness, patience
317~the promise that He is in control when I have feelings of “craziness & out of control”
318~Me-“I don’t feel like me”  God-“I will show you who you are”
319~Forced stillness
320~Forced surrender
321~Being broken and built
322~old replaced with new, even if painful
323~words of hope in suffering
324~promises that He is enough. His plan is made perfect in my weakness
325~clarity to write the gifts, less “static”
326~envelope in mail with perfect words just for me
327~Garlic Lime Pork Tenderloin and Rice, a surprise meal made with love from my Wendy

328~the moment my head is in hands, I’m asking God to show up, “I need to see you and feel you, God…this is hard!” A knock at my door, surprise visit from a friend.  She comes with a check in hand.  “God has blessed us, we want to bless you.” Time stills for a second as I open and read it.  It beyond blesses.  It frees!  It turns God’s “I am here” whisper to a shout of “See, I AM… I AM.”  It eliminates a large chunk  of our medical debt.  How does one say thanks?