I’ve spent a lot of time on the couch the past few days fighting some kind of yucky holiday virus.
I’ve eaten chicken noodle soup more than one meal.
I’ve been thinking of hopes for 2014.
But first am wanting to end 2013 in thanks to God for the joy He can never stop giving.
Was watching the Charlie Brown New Year cartoon program on TV tonight with the family. As Charlie, Lucy, Pattie, Linus, Sally and the rest are ice skating on the pond, Snoopy and Woodstock with two other birds skate into the picture.
The yellow birds each held a sign – the first bird’s sign said “New”; the second bird held “Happy”; the third bird held “Year”. New Happy Year
With a scolding look on his face, Snoopy corrected the birds order so their signs read, “Happy New Year”.
But what’s wrong with “New Happy Year”? Or better yet, “New Joy Year”:
It’s a fresh start.
To count the joys that God gives as gifts.
In 2014.
Take the challenge! In a notebook, a journal, a blog!
Today three years ago I would’ve never imagined myself counting. But I’m glad I took the dare.
Will you?
It’s all a God praise – for all things. Even things that are hard to be thankful for. But they’re gifts that “help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:3-4) {in memory of you, sweet SF}
Thanking brings joy…
Joy unto the Lord!
Hoping you’ll discover new joys in 2014!
Here’s the gifts to thank God for to end 2013
#1814 listening to piano music of Christmas songs at night with only the light from the Christmas tree, alone, and writing
#1815 husband’s job
#1816 fun date night with husband at his work Christmas party and photo booth
#1817 decorating cookies with small group
#1818 dancing!
#1819 seeing a bright blue bird this cold winter morning on the bird house
#1820 All the friends to send Christmas card to
#1821 All the cards we received from family and friends that hang around the door
#1822 The start of Christmas break
#1823 Advent wreath on the kitchen table
#1824 lights in windows
#1826 being surrounded by witnesses
#1827 The Advent Good Morning Girls study with other women
#1828 the hope Jesus brings
#1829 the joy Jesus is
#1830 Libby’s teacher
#1831 Dinner with friends at Olive Garden
#1832 sitting outside in December on an afternoon 70* outside
#1834 movie night downtown Graham with family
#1835 husband loving to cook breakfast outside on a chilly Christmas Eve Eve morning
#1836 driving through neighborhoods to see lights with family
#1837 donating to Feed the Hunger
#1838 buying gifts from Angel tree with daughter
#1839 Christmas Eve traditions…yet a few unavoidable not the sames
#1840 Sugar cake gift from friend to use as Jesus’ birthday cake
#1841 lighting a candle on the sugar cake Christmas morning and singing Happy Birthday song to Jesus
#1842 giving gifts
#1843 being with my family on Christmas
#1844 hard eucharisteo – sister’s family sick and not able to be with them on Christmas yet still able to even for a day a couple days later
#1845 surprise seeing our friend who’s deployed on TV the day after Christmas
#1846 a becoming tradition of visiting with childhood friends and their families
#1847 chicken noodle soup when you’re sick
#1848 my pillow
#1849 my bed
#1850 father/son project
#1851 father/son playing on the new basketball goal
#1852 ugly eucharisteo – loosing a sister through Christ to cancer yet there is still joy knowing she’s healed and laughing her great life on Glory’s side
#1853 hearing stories about her
#1854 Unto the Lord! (with hand raised high)
{726 joys and thanks to God in 2013}