3 gifts of remembrance

1. Humility -- remembering sacrifices made by others on my behalf

2. Faith -- all of the touchstones in life that remind us of God's faithfulness

3. Joy -- In 41 years there are more happy memories than I could possibly count in a lifetime. I am blessed by countless friends, family -- and friends who are family.

3 gifts found in Bible reading

1. Grace -- Underscored reminders that I am deeply loved despite being deeply flawed.

2. Hope.

3. Truth to rely on even when life gets rocky.

3 gifts harvest

1. McIntosh apples

2. Canned tomatoes for fresh sauce

3. Trees full of color

A gift sweet, salty sipped

1. Mark doing the "icky" work in the attic blowing insulation.

2. Wisdom from the Bible -- earthy and healing

3. Morning coffee that Mark went to get.

3 gifts from your window

1. Sunshine

2. Helpful coworkers and store associates

3. Amazing staff at Enterprise that always takes care of me

3 gifts government

1. Democracy gives us an opportunity to choose our outcomes.

2. We can speak freely and engage in debate about our personal beliefs.

3. A volunteer military made of individuals willing to give their lives for mine.

3 gifts acorn small

1. Dinner with a precious friend.

2. Making new friends.

3. Gratitude from a coworker.

A gift gathered, given, good.

1. Consensus that allows everyone to have a voice

2. Grace to recognize that while I may disagree with a decision, the decision maker must make that decision in good conscience and live with the results. 

3. Voting -- a process that not only symbolizes our freedom, but gives us an opportunity to ensure that it exists.

3 gifts that start with "N"

1. Nine-year-old homework/bonding time. 

2. Night for resting

3. New information/challenges build character and strength

3 gifts worn

1. Worn like the Velveteen Rabbit -- proof of being deeply loved.

2. Remembrance worn closely to the heart during today's "All Saints" service.

3. Socks that always keep my feet dry -- thankful that my basic needs are always met.

3 gifts eaten

It is November! Let the consistent thanksgiving postings begin!

1. Stir fry cruciferous veggies 

2. Trader Joe's triple ginger cookies

3. Scrambled eggs that Mark made

Weekend Reflection

Friday was brutal. It started well and ended horribly. When one aches, we all ache. Saturday we all felt a little bruised and beaten -- and we held each other with gentleness.

It is these moments when I am so deeply grateful for the teamwork our little family employs. It is all grace. I am grateful for how we truly love each other -- and how each of us knows we are deeply loved.

I am grateful that our home is a haven -- even though it is small and sometimes messy.

I am thankful for friends who listen and pray.

I am sad for those who do not know the kind of love that we share. The love that Jesus so clearly taught us -- our Source for loving each other.

A gift made, masked, marveled

1. Char helping in the kitchen

2. Phantom masks and happy singing

3. Marveling at God's persistent grace in Jonah 4

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.

3 times you heard laughter today

1. Boss laughing at my sarcasm

2. Hannah, Grace and Char skyping

3. Mark and I laughing about the difference in long distance calls when we were 8, 11 and 12!