Discover Joy 2012

Before May is over and done I make return to the gifts for April and put them on paper.  I reflect and recount the manifold ways He loves me. 

April's Joy Dare
Counting Gifts from #1622 - 1710

• 3 gifts round…color changing pencils, strawberry chapstick, bubbles
• 3 gifts white…clover, kitchen trash bags, antibiotics to heal hand swollen from insect bite
• 3 gifts surprisingly found…neighbor turns garden spot, tomatoes planted, Princess daughter using cookie cutters to make BIG bubbles

3 gifts in His Word…Psalm 23 as I consider Jesus journey to the cross - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…You prepare a table before me", Zephaniah 1:7 "Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near, The Lord has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated those He has invited."

A gift at 11 am, 2 pm, 6 pm…Gold-hearted mom okay after oral surgery, exchange Princess daughter's clothes - sale price - she ends up with a pair of shoes as well, Precious husband cleans kitchen

3 gifts nailed together…His hands, His feet, my sin to a bloody cross

3 gifts waited for…Our turn to get in plane, anniversary lunch, Sunday is on the way!

3 gifts rising up…Precious husband, Princess daughter, and I in a plane - anniversary surprise, hope, Jesus - He Is Risen!

A gift hiding, held, heard…Mystery of God revealed in Christ, Truth - Scripture, Christ in me - the hope of glory

3 gifts opened up…windows open to let breeze through, conversation with Library Director - and a book recommendation, jar of plum preserves made last spring

3 gifts budding/blooming…yellow flowers in field, roses in front of house, honeysuckle

3 gifts bright…sun on face and arms at baseball games, lamp on desk falling on the Word, Illumination of God's Word

3 gifts found in looking up…plane we flew over farm, hawk flying over pasture, Challenge son's eyes looking like Precious husband's

A gift in a bag, in a box, in a book…concrete to complete block laying for cabin, new shoes, Library Director recommendation "See You in 100 Years"

3 hard eucharisteos…goat babies born premature and not surviving, parenting children into adulthood, knowing when to stand firm and when to let go

3 gifts worn…cross necklace, wedding rings, Precious husband & Challenge son in uniform

3 gifts woven together…Princess daughter's hair - braided, chain link fence for dog run, me - "woven together in the depths of the earth" Psalm 139:156

3 gifts inherited…My father's height - or lack thereof, daughters curly hair from Precious husband, Challenge son having Precious husband's eyes

3 gifts square…cinder blocks, slips for prayer request at Bible study, light experiment box at homeschool meeting

A gift stacked, stashed, stilled…fish on plate - dinner with J&A, socks in sock drawer, goats settling down to graze

3 gifts found in Christ…Colossians 3:12 - I am CHOSEN, HOLY, DEARLY LOVED

3 gifts close…Tony's freshly shaven face next to mine, us packed in van for Sunday afternoon drive, Holy Spirit

3 gifts reflecting…Christ followers reflecting Christ, moon reflecting sun, word for 2012 – reflect

3 gifts fragile…Life - changes so quickly, time - ours here is short, relationships - shattered so easily

A gift cloth, steel, wood…fabric for Sensitive son & Princess daughter's DVD pencil cases, posts in basement - in place, milking stand

2 gifts moving…Sensitive son baseball- flying toward fence-a double, work on cabin,

2 gifts "ugly beautiful"…rebuilding - 1 year after major tornado outbreak in Alabama, drove 1 1/2 hour to possibly purchase a vehicle - owner could not give clear directions - frustration - stop in Lowe's and found waterline for cabin on clearance,

3 gifts orange…scissor handle, highlighter, case of oranges from farm stand

3 gifts in dirt…seeds planted in garden, flowers Princess daughter potted in hanging basket, G playing in dirt while we plant garden

A gift made, given, sacrificed…Izzy's artwork, Princess daughter buying her artwork, a gift for both girls sacrificing for the other (one her art, the other her money)