3 gifts carved

1. Themed carvings at the Kalahari. A few days to catchy breath before the busy season ensues.

2. 6 a.m. and I am wide awake. Springing forward to use the time carved for me for meditation.

3. Carving our way through the air in a tube on a raft. Acting like a kid again in the waterpark.

3 gifts loud

Joy from the weekend

1. Roar of motorcycles at the circus

2. Boom of cannon expelling the human cannonball

3. Giggles and over-exuberant shrieks from a happy girl.

3 gifts hard to give thanks for

1. Loss

2. Lessons learned from mistakes made

3. Choosing to trust in God's unfailing love, even when His gifts don't match your human desires. ...all is grace...

3 gifts wore

1. Pants that fit better

2. Smiles

3. Wore out from a tough workout

3 gifts green

1. Greens in my salad.

2. That which I can not see under the snow = hope of Spring

3. Watching a 3 year old boy take great delight in seeing the world through a transparent plastic green clipboard in church today.

3 gifts at 3:00

I had been looking forward to 3:00 with this joy dare, because every time there is a time gift hunt, something special happens. At 3:00 I started an intense conversation with my mom, it started snowing (again) and I had to go grocery shopping. Not what I was expecting, but still memorable time and God's blessings are always profoundly close to us.

1. I have a mom who loves me lots and her physical presence on this earth is truly a gift not to be taken for granted.

2. I didn't have an accident (like many others) in the thick, slick messy slush -- and neither did Mark.

3. So thankful for truly nutritious food.