Thanks-*Giving*

I just finished the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Beautiful, thought-provoking book that truly opens your eyes to what is around you. Inspired, I have begun my *own* list of 1,000 gifts that God has given me...from big ones to the minutest, I am listing them all. What an abundance God lays before me, daily, and has always gone, for the most part, unnoticed! The only way to have a deeper relationship with the One Who loves me most is to thank Him, consistently. The only way I can truly give *thanks* is to notice everything around me.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
~1 Thess. 5:16-18 (emphasis, mine)

I also began 2 other lists...although each just as important as the first. One is specifically focused on the *gift that is my husband* and the other, one, for the children. I find the more I list the beautiful things I love about them, the less I focus on the negatives. :) I have found this practice to be very rewarding. :)

Although I have finished the book...I do intend to read it again someday. For now, I am going to loan it out to a friend and maybe others, for them to receive the blessing God may have for them, in the words of Ann. Again, as I have before, I encourage you to read this book. Buy it, borrow it...either way...read it. You will be blessed.



Although I doubt Ann has found her way to my humble blog among the ga-zillions that are out and about in this blog-universe...I want to express my heart-felt gratitude to her for sharing her heart...every corner, exposed. Not an easy thing to do. She let God use her for His glory and I'm so thankful she obeyed His calling. Thank you, Ann.

(I wrestle in my head...Do I email and tell her I have written a bit of a review of her book, here on my blog, and leave her the link? Or do I just leave it as is...let those whose ears, or eyes in this case, it reaches and just let it be at that, trusting God will bring those to it as He wills? Yes, I think I will do just that. Leave it and if my heartfelt thanks never reaches Ann...then it will be as God wants it. And if it *does*, then may it warm her heart and encourage her in her ministry!)

Some recent things that have sent my heart a-flame with gratitude...

Mississippi, John Wayne, and the sheriff...all ready to ride off on their trusty steads...

Good books...

Beautiful blankets of snow, outside...giving me the chance to thank God for the heat He has supplied us with, in-doors....

The many, sweet, animated faces of Jaxson (who has recently gotten a hair-cut!)...




Our humble home, a work in progress, full of love and joy...

My Christopher...

Aprons...

My beautiful sister (doesn't she look fabulous?) and her precious new daughter, Eloise...

Chris and I were incredibly blessed to take a trip to visit them, after church, today! We had a wonderful time of talking, laughter and baby-snuggling! She is even wearing the new hat I knit her (since the other one I made is too big at the moment)! I was so excited that this hat fits perfectly! :)

Blessed? Yes, yes we are. Abundantly! :)

There is more...more I could write about. More on my heart and mind. But for now...I must close. It's getting late and I am exhausted. I hear my Ruthie-dog snoring in the background as I type, and I must admit my longing to be doing the same! ;)

So, I will be back again, as time allows. Until then, let me close by giving thanks to *you* for visiting me.

Joyfully,
Katy :)

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30