365 Days of Blessings, Days 216 and Day 217

Giving Thanks and Praise for:

1. Sunshine sparkling on snow.

2. Glittering diamond crystals that invite skiers and boarders to enjoy the treasure of snow.

3. 360 Face - my youngest daughter's favorite Black Diamond run at Snoqualmie Summit


4. Snow trails


5 and 6. Bundling up for cold weather.




7. New Year's Day Skiing


8. Warm chili for lunch.

9. Many layers of clothing.

10. Pink cheeks.

11. My husband's snowboarding class.

12. Celebrating my husband's birthday a few days early.

13. Setting a cake ablaze with candlelight.

14. Family laughter.

15. Dilbert Desk Calenders - my hubby's favorite.

16. The sight of my hubby, curled up in a blanket, listening to "our" team play. Maybe, just maybe, the Seahawks will win.

17. My Dad is cancer free!!! He had test results back a few days ago, and we have been quietly rejoicing.

18. My husband is good at standing up for himself when needed.

19. My husband's sweetness.

20. God makes all things new! Happy New Year, and Happy New You!

Scripture Blessings:
"In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'" Luke 22:20

365 Days of Blessings, Days 177 and 178

I'm continuing to count my blessings, and give thanks, but today's post is bits and pieces of writing from my journal yesterday and today . . . which I think link up to make a numberless list of blessings.


snow crunching walk by
moonlight, staring up at branches
dancing overhead in gusts
and the white covering the mulch
of leaves and brambles,
my dogs bound with ears flying
and I leap after them, renewed
by wonder, starlight, the deep bite
of cold on my cheeks and a thought
of God’s love made manifest in
this moment, and long ago
in a stable, and all the moments
when we share His joy


and

delicious fat flakes floating gently downward remind me of:
snowball fights, forts snowmen, and snow angels

laughter echoing on still streets

neighborhoods full of play with cars buried in snow

famlies making soup and hot chocolate

warm kitchens that glow, card games

neighborhood enemies making peace for a shared hearth

my dad teaching me how to drive out of a spin in an icy parking lot

flurries of snow hitting my windshield as I drove to work at a ski area at 16

the one time our car broke down on the way home from skiing, and after growing wet and cold inside our snow gear while slushing down the road, someone gave us a lift, and we melted puddles onto the DQ floor while we drank hot chocolate in sleepy warmth

skiing with snow whirling around, biting my face, a glorious adventure of fun in the elements, staying warm from the downhill runs, and huddling together on the chair lifts

Plus, I'm also extremely thankful for:
a family from our Monday co-op who gave us a ride home yesterday

my dad, at age 73, helping me retrieve my car


and then yesterday there were these wonderful moments of joy:
writing and sharing snow and Christmas stories with my writing class

making snow goons/people

my daughters trying to sled down Grandma's little hill

helping my dad change the tires on his car, and getting the smell of grease on my hands, remembering how to jack up a car, and how to use the tools that he taught me to use so long ago

eating dinner by candlelight


Scripture Blessing from this morning:"Again he said, 'What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yes when planted it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.'
With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say antying to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything." Mark 4:30-34

365 Days of Blessings, Day 176

1. Shoulder rolls that loosen up the shoulder and neck muscles.

2. My oldest daughter Anna is still sick, but feeling better today.

3. My youngest daughter enjoyed auditioning for a part in the Christmas program and is excited.

4. Seeing my youngest snuggle on the couch with my oldest, trying to help her big sister feel better.

5. My oldest daughter did a science experiment involving crayons, candles, and an old camping fry pan. Fun stuff. I think we have a mixture cooling outside on top of the dog house.

6. My youngest, not able to find her book and wanting to read, picked up her sister's newest book and is avidly reading it.

7. The challenge of the NaNoWriMo. Whew! Hard work, but good for the writing soul.

8. My characters still aren't to the island yet, but I just switched up a few plot points. They met the griffins and their riders, and had a battle at sea. Tomorrow, they land on the island whether they like it or not . . . I just have to picture the place better in my head before tomorrow morning.

9. Snow outside before Thanksgiving! Amazing, cool powdery stuff with bare footprints in it from my youngest . . . we only have a small smattering here.

10. My Dad took my youngest to church! Praise God! My husband was in the sound booth from 7:30 a.m. until he left early to try and go to a cancelled softball game. My older daughter and I stayed home with her flu bug, and my mom stayed home with back spasms. So where is the blessing? Wait for it, wait for it . . . when I was growing up, my dad only set foot in churches with great reluctance. He agreed, with some groaning, to go with my mom after he retired from working the night shift. I think, although I'm not certain, this is the first time my Dad has willingly, happily gone to church without my mom. Yes, I asked him to take Trisha to church . . . but he was happy about going! Hallelujah!

11. God grows the seeds of faith.

Scripture Blessings: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." 1 Corinthians 3:6-8