A New Challenge!

"We never cease working on the the habit of good food, good exercise, good time management. Why is every lessen the habit of our grateful thanks to a good God?"

"And I can sense it in the dark places that we never stop fighting: Focusing on intentional thanks — forces those fears to slink in the face of His Grace.......driving out my habits of discontent and driving in my habit of thanks – eucharisteo. I’m hammering in nails to pound out nails, ugly nails that Satan has pierced through the world, my heart."

Once again, Ann Voskamp has challenged me to go above and beyond my comfort zone! Listing a whole 1000 gifts in one year! Wow! I broke it down, so that it didn't seem so intimidating and came up with about 20 graces per week. I can do that, right?! There's only one way to find out.....make a hearty attempt. Last year I made it to 353, though I can't count those in the new year. So, I'm really gonna have to step it up! Ann also has an encouraging prompter for the month of January.....January's Joy Dare. Check it out!

If you have been wanting to start your own list of the Lord's graces or if you have been and also would like to try the new challenge, go to "The 1 Habit Your Year Can't Do Without"

Counting my blessings and taking the Joy Dare(listing a few prompters here!)
        

3 things about yourself that you are grateful for:

363.    A strong, resolved belief in God

364.  That God made me a creative person

365.   A sensitive heart
A gift inside, outside, on a plate: (photos)
366.    Instant heat: on a cold morning!

367.  The warmth of the sun.

368.  Warm wholegrain cranapple muffin

Something you’re reading, making, seeing:

369.  The study book “Experiencing God”

370.  A slideshow I created about being married 25 years to my hubby.

371.  A movie called,  “What If”. (Very inspiring Christian movie about following God’s call in your life.)

Three graces from people you love:

372.  My patient hubby, who’s willing to pose with me, so that I can get the right photos for my slideshow.

373.  A heart-to-heart talk with my son about life

374.  A phone call from my sister

Linking over at:
Multitudes on Mondays

Sharing His Beauty

Hear It. Use It.

My Mission Statement

^{I've been thinking and praying about writing a personal mission statement, not only for my life, but also as a blogger. As I surfed over the internet on writing a personal mission statement, I came across many rules and suggestions for writing one. My favorite site was over at Inspired to Action: Purposeful Motherhood. In fact, I loved what author, Kat, wrote as her own mission statement and am taking the easy route and copying it down here, with a few changes to personalize it to me! Not because I didn't want to try and come up with my own,  but it really does fit my heart's desires and life's goals. Since our lives change all the time, I may decide to change this mission statement at a later date. I would like to thank Kat for the amazing thoughts and inspirations she shares. So here is my personal mission statement:}

To pursue Jesus with my whole heart and surrender all that I am and all that I have so that I can be fully used by Him.
To make my hubby feel loved, cared for and admired.
To have an open, honest, and caring relationship with my son and help him to be a young man who knows, deeply loves and wholeheartedly serves God.
To live my life in such a way that others are inspired to fully pursue Jesus and desire constant growth in their personal lives.

To read about writing a mission statement and read Kat's mission statement go here

^{I also would like to add a few Bible verses that have special meaning, as I seek to fulfill the mission God has given me as daughter of God, blogger, and encourager to other Christ followers!} 

^{Colossians 2:2-6
     2} My goal is that they(we) may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they(we) may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they(we) may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

     ⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.