1000 Gifts: Eight weeks

We've been home from China for 8 weeks.
Eight fast-paced and mildly chaotic weeks.
Eight overwhelming and calendar-full weeks.
Eight exhausting and often-times strenuous weeks.

Yet...
Eight glorious weeks, clearly marked by the Maker's hand.
By His generosity, His compassion, His care.

A couple weeks ago, I snapped these shots. Since that time, the leaves have changed color, and many have fallen to the ground.  While the mighty oaks are still laden, the maples are almost bare.  The nights have turned cold, but many days are still splendidly warm.

And most of them continue to look like this...

For all His gifts, I give thanks,
and I continue to add to my list.

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:1

1000 Gifts: November begins

Now that October has come and gone, I look ahead to November and Thanks-giving... 

and I pause to truly give.thanks.

Lord, may I not forget….

maple leaves turning from red to orange and yellow

hot apple cider

the crunch of leaves under foot

I'm sorry.

naps

a couple days that feel almost like summer!

and the last of the impatiens-- still in bloom

summer's final bounty-- a few tomatoes still ripening on the vine

three-year old laughter

and the sibling antics that make her smile... every single time

library books

little hands, brushing my hair... just like I brush hers

homemade applesauce

helping hands

a finished project

"Ooh, it's cold out here!"  Fall.

and the list continues....

Treats, for sure!

1000 Gifts: Home

We've been back in the states for almost four full weeks...
and life is good!

God has been wonderfully gracious to us-- our little "Tornado" (as the boys have affectionately nicknamed their youngest sister) is doing remarkably well--
she eats everything
she sleeps soundly
she's playful and well-adjusted, friendly and kind
she certainly brings a new energy to the household as she does.not.stop.until.she.drops.

The language barrier has not been nearly as troublesome as I originally thought it might-- yes, she still jibbers and jabbers in her native tongue, but her comprehension is astounding... her new vocabulary list growing by leaps and bounds.

In the past four weeks, I think I've stayed up beyond 9pm two or three times at the most-- we ALL crash in to bed every single night... weary and bone-tired but oh so grateful for all.

Our littlest adores her siblings, and they adore her...
How could I ask for more??

So... giving thanks for the endless graces, the daily mercies, and the newfound blessings, I add to my never-ending list~

Home

And our family of seven... together

A three-year old sister

God's amazing grace

His mercies new every morning

And His faithfulness to all generations

Laughter and understanding

New words and child-teachers

Shared snacks and trampoline lessons

Buddies 

The support and care of loved ones
Meals delivered, refrigerators stocked
Cards and calls-- love expressed in countless ways
God's provision, His most generous supply.

Our cup overflowing...

Thank you, Lord.

1000 Gifts: Myrtle Beach

#1200: A beautiful end to a wonderful (all-be-it wild & crazy) summer~

 Thank you, Gramoggie & Poppa, for loving us so well!!!

and the list continues....

1000 Gifts: The beach

Last September, I stopped counting. After entry #1181, I simply set my "pen" aside and silenced the habit I'd grown to love.

Now, almost one full year later, it's time.
Time to dust off my camera and find a nugget-o-time
to capture our journey and savor the goodness...
to acknowledge His goodness and marvel at His grace,

His love too wonderful to miss.

O LORD, our Lord, 

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8:1

1182
Cape May, NJ... my mama's childhood stompin' ground

1183
For one whole week

1184
Brothers

1185
The roar of the ocean

1186
The porpoise at play

1187
Waves to jump, shells to collect

1188
And color-- COLOR!-- everywhere

1189
Chairs for resting

1190
Company for keeping

1191
Rocks for climbing

1192

And time.

To soak it all in, to cherish each bit, to taste and see...

1193

That HE is good!

1194 

Critters for finding

1195

And walks along the shore

1196

Cat-naps on the sand

1197
And seaweed hair

1198
Endless laughter

1199

Together.

Thank you, God.

Could we with ink the ocean fill

And were the skies of parchment made

Were every stalk on earth a quill

And every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry

Nor could the scroll contain the whole

Though stretched from sky to sky

O love of God, how rich and pure

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints' and angels' song

~F.M. Lehman

and the list continues...