But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

Romans 5:8 (CEV)

133.  Love came down.

134.  My daughter decorated our Valentines table with all of her heart!

135.  The gift of Starbucks and M&Ms to and from each other.

136.  Lots of love to give and share.

137.  Moms praying for their daughters.

138.  Friends who walk by faith and  mean it.

138.  An unexpected, “I love you mommy” from my 2 year old.

139.  An extra part in the ballet for my passionate actor girl!

140.  Prayers in the dark being heard by a loving Father.

141.  Driving my happy, healthy lovely girls to school on Fridays.

142.  Getting to teach the same girls at home the other 4 days.

143.  My husband who gives up comfortable to serve and use his gifts for God’s great name.

144. “Mom, you know how sometimes when you worship, you just want to raise your hands – even if you are the only one?” —> yes this conversation!

145.  A little bit of sleep.

146.  A big God sized idea!

147.  The counsel of a very wise woman.

148.  God’s love for Madagascar.

149.  He opens door no man can close!

150.  Thin Mints.

151.  Tents in the living room.

152.  Late night walks as the sun is going down.

153.  His life giving precepts (Psalm 119:93)

154. In Christ we have bold, confident unreserved access to the throne of our Heavenly Father! Wow! (Eph 3:12)

Sometimes joy is slow and steady and slips in beside you when you are teaching school or while you are washing dishes. Sometimes,  it comes bounding down the hall with purple pajamas and messy hair and says, “Mama, I go with you.” You count it all joy because one day she’ll be too big to pick up in a good morning hug.

And sometimes you have to get in, grab on tight and let joy take you for a ride….

You say yes to putting the books away and set “should” aside and you play all day. You eat ice cream, share colas, and let the wind blow your hair crazy.  You count it all joy because life is meant to be lived big and beautiful.

Sometimes slow and steady.  Sometimes big and beautiful.  But, always there is Joy to be counted. (<—-click to tweet)

The Joy Dare = 1,000 Gifts in 2012

112.  Family

113.  Ballet.

114.  The moon sitting low in the sky that catches my breath.

115. Singing my heart out.

116. Playing all day with my kids.

117. Sisters who look out for each other.

118. Laughing at ourselves.

119. Watching my girls discover.

120. Wrapping up my baby girl in a pink towel after bath.

121. Coffee with a friend.

122. Learning that inspires.

123. Others who want to build into my girls.

124. Being a YES mommy….not always my thing.

125. My girls making sweet Valentines with friends.

126. Chatting and praying with 2 of the best women I know. How blessed am I?

127. A kind mention of “Hope for the Weary Mom”. Just wow.

128. Peanut Butter Chex Mix. Yum.

129. Daddy daughter dances.

130. A fun video from my husband of our 5 year old dancing the night away!

131. Hanging out with my littlest while the big girls are at the dance.

132. I was far off, a stranger, with no Hope…but God through Jesus saved me by grace. {Eph. 2}

{linking up today with 1000 gifts at A Holy Experience}

Each day is a precious gift from My Father.  How ridiculous to grasp for future gifts when today’s is set before you! Receive today’s gift gratefully, unwrapping it tenderly and delving into its depths.  As you savor this gift, you find Me.

Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, p 36

Why do I {heart} the Joy Dare? It is a treasure hunt that not only reminds me of the gifts I already have been given, but it keeps me presently looking for the source of those gifts moment by moment.

:::

91.  Women joining in and writing chosen, forgiven, blameless, redeemed, and lavished with grace and posting on Facebook.

92.  A sweet friend who ordered me dinner for delivery.

93.  Photo 365, a way to journal my year with a picture each day.

94.  She took initiative to do her own school work without me asking.

95.  Girls who giggle.

96. He is in the business of making dead things come alive. {Ephesians 2}

97. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread.  It tastes like home!

98. How being from a small town is stamped on your soul forever.

99.  A clear word from The Lord about what I need to focus on.

100. A new community of sisters and friends.

101. Lunch with a Gretchen.

102. Pinkberry Chocolate Carmel Frozen Yogurt is just like a Rolo.

103. My crazy energetic 2 year old who keeps me running after her.

104.  My 2 girls who knew more about birds than anyone else in their class – something they did not learn from me.

105.  The gift of grace and understanding from friends who see me and know my heart.

106. A perfect day for a walk.

107. Singing Jesus Loves Me to my baby girl in the dark and she sings along.

108. A pan of fresh brownies made by my girls.

109.  A soldier coming home to his family!

110.  A watercolor sunset sky.

111.  Sunday dinner.

Want to join me in the hunt? It is not too late to start counting.  I dare you to find 3 gifts each day that bring Joy.   For more information on the Joy Dare, go to A Holy Experience.

{come back tomorrow for day 2}

The Joy Dare

70. The blue light on my new coffee pot telling me it is ready.

71.  The blue in her eyes match his.

72.  Baby blue chipped nail polish on the sweetest hands.

73.  A book about writing from my local library I just happened upon.

74.  A sweet note left beside my bed.

75.  Perseverance.

76.  Good Morning Girls with her and her – what a blessing!

77.  School work at every table.

78.  Family dinner.

79. Warm January days.

80. Being part of an amazing “home school” school.

81.  Friends who send texts at just the exact right moment telling me they are praying for me.

82.  When she tells a table full of ladies I was a good friend.

83.  Friends who have turned into sisters. For real.

84.  Blogging sister girlfriends who share my passion.  Like her, her, and her.

85. “How Great Thou Art”

86. My 2 year old slept all night for the first time in I don’t know how long.

87. God’s Word illuminated in my heart.

89.  A Chessie System Railroad Car that reminds me of my papaw.

90.  Pictures from 20 years ago on Facebook from friends who knew me then.

91. Praising God, when things are hard because He is good, and that is enough.

For more on the Joy Dare, visit A Holy Experience each Monday.

The Joy Dare
“looking for the glorious in the mundane…” (from Christy Nockels)

49. My husbands quick and witty humor.
50. Friends who need strength.
51. Chosen. Blessed. Decreed from eternity. Humbled. (Eph 1:1-6).
52. He is my redeemer…
53. He forgives and releases the effects of sin upon me.
54. He abounds in grace.
55.  God conversations in my kitchen.
56. 70 degrees in January with the bluest skies.
57. How God uses our trials to make us like Him.
58. Teaching my 3rd daughter to read.
59. Watching Downton Abbey with my husband on Friday night.
60. Whispering with a friend during a movie.
61. Feathery clouds.
62. How God makes paths out of the wilderness.
63. Forgiveness from my girls when I blow it big time.
64. Mentors.
65. I’m sorry between sisters.
66. A chicken ministry.
67. Wonderful
68. Marvelous
69. Savior.

—counting 1000 gifts in 2012 was inspired by Ann Voskamp. You can read about it here.