MarillaAnne: 1000 Gifts

At Christian Women Online, Ann Voskamp invites us to make a list of 1000 gifts as we receive them. Of her experience in this exercise she says:

Too often I miss Him, oblivious, blind. I don't see all the good things that He is giving me, gracing me with, brushing my life with. True, He is everywhere, always. But maybe, before The Gift List, I thought of Him as further off, not so close. When I started to see all the things that I love bestowed upon me, I started to see Him as near, present, everywhere, showering me with good things. Seeing the things I love all around me gives me eyes to see that I am loved, that He loves me.

It is happening to me as John Milton wrote: "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."

Everyday epiphanies everywhere, indeed: gifts... Grace.

"... the smell of the florist's... the sound of kernels of corn streaming, tinkling.... leaves floating in puddles..." Just writing them down as they happen.

Personally, this last year has been incredible ... so I will be listing a little past and present ... as they come to mind. I hope to finish my list by January 6 or Epiphany or The Day of the Kings.

1. DVD's of my children's weddings.
2. A husband who loves my children.
3. A husband who wants to watch the DVD's of my children's weddings.
4. A washer and dryer.
5. A beautiful, sweet dog.
6. My father who created the DVD's.
7. Oh how about my kids? Yes. Them, too!
8. My mother who was inspired to give me a new camera.
9. The $1000 gift that allowed Billy to come to NY for his interview.
10. Gracious park custodians who made special provisions for Billy's camping needs.
11. Our first Thanksgiving Feast, alone.
12. Great pastors for my kids' weddings.
13. The arrival of our first boxes from Oregon.
14. Locating dog's favorite food.
15. Warm coffee shops and the comforting smell of coffee.
16. Turkish coffee at home
17. Flannel sheets
18. Down comforter
19. Fresh cranberries cooked in "Sugar in the Raw", chilled, with Clementine oranges and granny smith apples added
20. Thanksgiving phone calls with Billy's siblings and his nieces and nephews.
21. Thanksgiving phone calls from friends.
22. Surprise donations to my tip jar!
23. Skype
24. Raising rabbits stories
25. Fireworks
26. Chili cook off stories
27. New nephews
28. More cranberries
29. Blogs to read
30. A husband who thinks me growing a blog is a fascinating thing.
31. A husband who thinks I could really be a writer ... even when I'm mostly unsure.
32. Women who believe in causes
33. Women who don't mind being real about the victories and stumbles of faith.
34. Ditto the two above re men.
35. The communication power of the Internet
36. Trains whistling and rumbling through town.
37. The great swamp.
38. The setting of the sun in treetops that are nestled down in the swamp.
39. The fascinating longevity of stone walls and bridges.
40. Heaters.
41. How water.
42. Extra virgin olive oil.
44. Clementine Oranges on sale.
45. A husband that bakes round two of dressing and cranberry sauce.
46. Being more or less free to change our minds about what we will do or won't do ... in a moment's notice. (There are bennies to growing the kids up.)
47. Airplanes that can take me to family.
48. Warm gloves.
49. Soft hats.
50. Fuzzy scarves.
51. Boots
52. BDU pants sooo comfy (Battle Dress Uniform ... uh no ... never been in but my husband was ... i get the hand-me-downs).