It has been more than a year

It has been more than a year since I began the gratitude journey. As I look back I am grateful for having read the book 1000 Gifts by Ann Vonskamp. The book has changed my life!

Looking at the character of Christ, who He is and what He has done in my life has been a great reminder of His love, His grace and His mercy towards me and others around me so today ...  more than a year later I am continuing to count my gifts:

701. Freedom in Christ
702. knowing I am His co-worker
703. His provision not only for my needs but often for my desires
704. the golfer getting up early to provide for us
705. good friends

706. knowing I have been chosen and appointed
707. knowing that I am dairy intolerant and now after months of feeling physically sick I feel so much better
708. the crisp morning air
709. a book that is "rocking my world"
710. a son with the gift of hospitality (I just love my only son so much)
711. a wonderful teaching job to go back to  tomorrow (beginning my fifth year at EB)

grief and loss

I received an e-mail message from a dear friend and partner in the ministry of prayer this week that he lost his wife to a short battle with cancer. Loss can be so hard on me personally. For I have found that the bigger the family and the bigger the network of friends one has the bigger and harder the loss.

Because this friend is one who I love dearly in the Lord and was one of the first persons I knew to be a pray-er and taught me to pray the connection spiritually is so strong even though we have a distance between physical location. I so would love to be with Steve during this time and because I am unable to I wrote this note on the Caringbridge site.

Please if you are reading my blog today would you agree in prayer for my dear friend and co-labor in Christ Steve. Could I also ask that if you have read and prayed that you would encourage my heart by leaving a comment below. This is a hard time for all of us who have been touched by Steve and Marilou.


Oh Steve,

How very sorry I am to hear of the loss of your love, your best friend, your wife and my dear friend and fellow pray-er. My mind is in shock and my heart is heavy for you, me and others left behind. I rejoice in the hope of heaven and a time when we will be reunited with those we love, but for now I am sad, so sad for your loss. May memories of Maryilou bring you and your family comfort during this time of loss. Words cannot express how my heart hurts and how I want to be by your side, encouraging, supporting and hugging you during this time, yet distance makes that impossible. Please my friend, the one who first taught me to pray, may you know that now, more than ever, I uphold you in prayer knowing full well that "Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted."

May we all remain In His Arms, B