One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

(Isaiah 31:21).

I carefully step into the footsteps of those before me. Some spots are more slushy than others. Many have already walked the path before me. Although I get a little more wet than usual, I continue my 5km run and am thankful for the footprints before me.

Many have walked the path before me. They have experienced the sorrows that I have experienced while in the valleys, and they have felt the joy that I have felt on the mountaintops. We are able to glean from the experiences of others and we can follow their footsteps.

More importantly, I am thankful for my Saviour who has walked on this earth before me. I need to follow His footsteps and learn from the life that He lived!

Continuing to give thanks...
#2377-#2400

-for those who have walked the path before me

-Christian mentors
-friend who shared with me a memory of my dad

-last memories of my dad -fond memories
-coffee at our friends'

-the pastor's challenge to know God personally (to meet with Him alone, meet Him with a fight, meet Him for a blessing, and meet Him at our weakness)
-the whole congregation standing in silent prayer before our God pleading for the life of a man who lives half way around the world and who is being persecuted for his faith

-our freedom and privilege to worship the One True God

-Mom-in her glory with all her flowers

-Mom's appreciation for her flowers -gifts to remember Dad
-yellow -his favourite colour

-my hero- my mom
-her strength (after seven years this past week) without my dad
-her joy
-her smiles

-Kleenex
-every one's health has returned

-glasses sitting at the bottom of his nose

-mechanical pencil in his church shirt front pocket

-smiles coming off the bus

-representing her school with her speech (on adoption -her choice, not mine although I eagerly approved!)

-thrilled to be feeling better so that he could play outside

-how she makes us laugh everyday!

-playing games together

One Thousand Gifts (Continued)

"I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

God has been so good to me by giving me energy and strength this past week enabling me to take care of all my sickies. I am so thankful for my health, which I take for granted so often. I take a lot of things for granted and I need to constantly remind myself of my many blessings.

Continuing to give thanks...
#2350-#2376

-God's faithfulness and His promises
-good health
-energy and strength
-God's healing hand
-celebrating the sacred sacrament of communion and being reminded that no matter our past, our wreckage, Christ died for ALL of our sins

-home thermometers
-Doctor office just down the road and on call service on holidays
-arriving at the drug store JUST in time to pick up Curtis' antibiotics

-well used "toys" (especially when one is sick)

-a companion to the sick

-a few days off of school to rest

-my nurse assistant and extra pair of hands

-a fun, hands on class trip

-our gracious hosts

-getting together with cousins and remembering the '80s

-stepping back in time (thankfully for one evening only)!

-homemade cookies (and I don't have to do the baking)!

-Nicole's latest craft project (a curly scarf)

-a new hobby- knitting

-my daughter helping me with my scarf

-her love for crafts

-a quick break outside (the snowman only lasted a few hours)

-spending the day with friends, doing what he loves the most

-scrap booking in the van, (without interruptions) for a few hours

-just when you are beginning to feel like a taxi driver, your son says (with a big smile), "Thanks for driving us, Mom"!

-such a tolerant pet (most of the time)

-showing affection

One Thousand Gifts (con't)

"...I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you"

(Isaiah 46:4).

I will carry you



Even when I am right beside my children, they still fall. They still get hurt. I do my best to comfort them and help them feel better when they get hurt. Similarily, God is always right beside us. We still fall. We still get hurt. However, God lifts us up, He carries us, He comforts us, and He tends to our wounds. What a loving, caring God we have!

Continuing to give thanks...
#2323- #2349

-piggy back rides from big sisters
-God's love for us and how He carries us
-how God took our pain and suffering on Himself


-a love for books (even if it is just comics)


-a cute birthday dress from her aunt

-cousins sharing the same passions/interests

-a love for building

-a love for music

-a love for outdoor activities

-how she pulls on Jesse's pant leg to lay with her on the steps

-finishing her car

-continuing the tradition passed on from generations to put rollers in daughter's hair


-big smiles

-help from another dad (our pastor) building Nicole's car
-being easily entertained by buckles



-Deborah's agility and climbing abilities

-our little get away with the two of us to Niagara Falls
-family who will take the children over night


-enjoying the falls from the American side
-such powerful waters

-hanging out laundry in February

-Curtis' priorities (written on his homework board)

-tickle time on the lazy boy chair with my girls
-my baby feeding me some of her yogurt
-new words being spoken every day
-forts being made outside