Monday, September 30, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 30



Daily Gift Challenge

3 Gifts Shining

My wedding ring

The night sky filled with sparkling stars 

When the sun dances on the water, through the leaves, across the sky
















Sunday, September 29, 2013

Giver of Gifts







September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 29


Daily Gifts Challenge

3 Gifts Together

Going through life with my husband, side by side, through good times and bad times, together

Time with family, always good to be together

Time in our life group, doing life together, learning to grow deeper in faith & friendship






Friday, September 27, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 27


Gifts Challenge for September 27th

3 Gifts Warm


Hot apple cider on a cold, Fall day

Soft blankets to wrap up in

A bowl of homemade soup





Thursday, September 26, 2013

Find Joy in the Journey



Life goes by very quickly, so enjoy each step of the journey. Enjoy the small miracles, the daily gifts, & your loved ones along the way!











September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 26




Gifts Challenge

3 Gifts Accomplished or Overcome



I have never liked heights, especially over water.  On my birthday, I overcame a long time fear, and walked across the swinging bridge that goes over Kootenai Falls.  I had to walk across, then walk back.   The first few steps were pretty terrifying but I was determined to overcome the fear, and I did.  





18 months ago, I finally accomplished getting a degree and a diploma in higher education.  I started the journey after high school, but did not finish college at that time.  It felt great to finally finish that journey!
  

I have been accomplishing a work out regime since mid-March.   I have a ways to go, but I have accomplished a routine of working out and feeling better.  











Wednesday, September 25, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 25

Today's gift challenge

3 Gifts Restored

Restore-to refresh, renew, repair, revive, re-establish

Trust, through some new friendships.

My faith has been restored, revived, through digging deeper into God's word and getting in groups with people who challenge me to grow.

My life has been restored, renewed, redeemed because of putting my faith in Jesus. 


Tuesday, September 24, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 24



Today, find a gift in

the morning

the afternoon

the evening


Morning - a hot shower, a gift not everyone has. 


Afternoon - a much needed neck massage. 


Evening - beautiful sunset between rain storms.



Monday, September 23, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 23


September 23rd Gift Challenge


3 Gifts Funny




 Today I watched three little chipmunks, who were quite comical. One was bold and bossy, one was shy and ran at the smallest sound or movement, and one was somewhere in between the two. They reminded me of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.



There are fun gifts all around us, if we look for them.  























Sunday, September 22, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 22

Gift Challenge


3 Gifts Quiet



Time on the prairie watching the sunset 


Morning time connecting with God, reading, & drinking coffee


Sitting next to a lake, just listening










Saturday, September 21, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 21

Gift Challenge 

3 gifts before noon

Meeting with extended family for breakfast

I woke up, with new opportunities to make a difference today

Spending time with my hubby, drinking coffee, having conversation




Take The Step


Sometimes all it takes is making the first step forward.  










Friday, September 20, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 20


September 20th

3 gifts of salvation


I was, and am given, a fresh start, a clean slate because of Christ's death on the cross.  I have forgiveness.

God gives amazing, unconditional love that is so deep, we cannot understand it.  

I am given unending grace. 




Thursday, September 19, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 19







Today's gift challenge is to find 3 gifts in conversation.  

Early morning talk with my husband

Catching up today with a friend

Remembering to use my words today to be a gift to those who read and hear them...words that lift up, not tear down.  Words that are kind, not mean.  Words that are thought out, not just speaking what I think.  











Wednesday, September 18, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 18

Today's gift challenge....




a gift fixed

a broken gate latch



a gift folded

freshly washed towels, folded by my hubby



a gift freckled

my niece's nose





Tuesday, September 17, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 17

Today's gift challenge 

3 things ugly beautiful 


UGLY - the way things often start out

BEAUTIFUL - the way things can end up




Brokenness and sin into healing, hope and mercy through the love of Jesus. 



My tomato plants are ugly right now but are producing beautiful tomatoes. 



Some caterpillars are not the prettiest, but they turn into beautiful butterflies.









Does your focus need to be changed so you 
can see past the ugly, to the beautiful?  



Saturday, September 14, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 14


Joy Dare/Gift Challenge for September 14th
a gift scented, a gift scrawled, a gift started





A gift scented, my favorite








A gift scrawled:
27 years worth of handwritten cards from my husband










A gift started, great book!








Joy isn't a function of what happens. 
Joy is a function of what I think. 
Joy is a function of how I thank. 
~Ann Voskamp







Friday, September 13, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 13

September 13th gifts challenge:

3 Gifts Music


Music is a comfort to me, it inspires me, and and it brings me to a place of worship to God. 

What does music do for you?














Thursday, September 12, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 12

Today's gift challenge should be a little easier.  Just look around and find your 


3 Gifts of Today


Mine are a harvest of tomatoes early this morning, to put in the freezer for soups and sauces this winter;  spending a couple days off with my husband; and beautiful, warm sunshine. I am enjoying every drop of it we can squeeze out before the cold months creep in.  

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 11

Today is a day of remembrance, honor, and respect.  





In honor of this day, today's gift challenge is 3 gifts of remembrance.  

Mine are communion, remember the ultimate sacrifice for me; handmade hutch from my Grandpa; two old pictures that my Gram had for years, now hang in my home.





Tuesday, September 10, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 10

Gifts Challenge/Joy Dare September 10th

Water moving to create a breathtaking waterfall






 My sweet dog and her happy, wagging tail, and her demanding that we move with her every day by taking her for a walk.







The gift of my body's ability to move.  It can be a gift we take for granted every day, but it truly is a gift if we have the privilege to move.  







Monday, September 9, 2013

September Challenge, See the Gifts, Day 9


September 9th Joy Dare/Gift Challenge....3 gifts framed

Mine are a handwritten recipe that was from my Gram's recipe box, family photos all over our home, and a cross stitched handwork that my mom made.