We have this tradition of brown paper covering tables on Thanksgiving and scribbling down gifts. It may not be fancy but it is rich. We have no fine china in our house, or matching dishes from Great Grandma. But, the blessings flow, and we say grace for it all.

The Joy Dare is looking for 1,000 gifts in 2012.

993. The slower days.
994. First sleepovers.
995. Filling a shoebox for Shelcie in Haiti.
996. Finding a card full of verses written by my 13 year olds hand.
997. Toddler hands on my cheeks.
998. Our first Thanksgiving 10 years ago here we sat 3, now we have 6. Blessed.
999. Gratitude gifts all scribbled out in crayon on brown paper.
1000. The abundance on the table and around it – He is faithful.

:::

I’ve been thinking today, about being thankful—to be the thanks—not just giving thanks. What does a life of being the thanksgiving look like?
Being…
grace
thankful
through it all.

Letting thanksgiving not just be on my lips or on the page, but living it out.
I think it looks a lot like Jesus.

It didn’t even take me one whole year to find 1,000 gifts that bring joy.
I think it will take me a life time to look a lot like Jesus.
I’m so glad He is not finished with me yet.

The happiest of Thanksgiving to you and yours today.

xoxo,

Stacey

This week they pulled on ballet shoes and tutus and I drove them back and forth more than I didn’t. I watched the Nutcracker a total of four times start to finish and I got teary eyed every performance. I fed them way to much fast food and we didn’t hit the books as much as we should. But really, is there anything better than clapping wildly for your children as they take a final bow or cross the finish line with a job well done? No, I think not.

The Joy Dare. . . 1,000 gifts in 2012

973. Thank you cards.

974. Chasing fall.

975. Sunset playdates.

976.Dress rehearsals.

977. The music of Tchaikovsky that is dance, ballerinas, and dreams.

978. An orange Bon Bon.

979. My white Snow Princess.

980. Dancing on pointe for the first time.

981. Teachers who cry because they love your kids so much.

982. Hard work paying off.

983. Words of affirmation for my daughter. Sweet to a mother’s ears.

984. The Great “I Am” who is worthy…

985. My husband finally feeling better after surgery.

986. Women excited to “Pin the Word.”

987. My crafty girl making pom pom pumpkins.

988. Those that love  me when I’m difficult.

989. Hearing stories of those who found “Hope” and were surprised by it.

990. Christmas songs make me weepy in a good way.

991. Reading before bedtime with my girls.

992. Letting my mind dwell on these things.

“It’s the joy of the small that can make life large, and all wonder and worship can only grow out of small and humble things.”

Ann Voskamp, 1,000 Gifts

The Joy Dare…1,000 gifts in 2012

952. Finding silly self portraits on my phone by my girls.

953. Voting.

954. The most beautiful letter from my daughter to her great-grandpa.

955. Lessons that stick for life taught by amazing creative teachers.

956. Potty training success!  Woot! Happy dance!

957. Peppermint Mocha Creamer. Yum.

958. My dear friend Angie who came to our house to help my girl prepare to sing.

959. Shopping with my girl.

960. My cutie almost 10 year old babysitting her sisters and  making cookies.

961. Veterans day, my grandpa’s 91st birthday.

962. Hand written letters to veterans.

963. “God Bless America” as sung by my girl!

964. Inspiring stories of sacrifice.

965. “Hope” in paperback!

966. Sunday nap.

967. God shed His grace on me.

968. Good luck messages in chalk.

969. The sovereignty of God.

970. Laying my burdens on the Word.

971. Those who struggle in prayer for me.

972. Getting caught in the rain.

(I took this photo of a gorgeous Dayspring Canvas called “Hope”. *Find it here.)

This week was crazy. I was trying to get caught up on my mommy duties since being gone for a conference last weekend and on Tuesday my husband had minor surgery. Thankfully, it went well, although recovery has been tough. I’ve had every drop off and pick up of my girls since and trying to squeeze in school and helping to nurse my husband back to health. I’ve felt stretched to the core. But, one evening I sent the girls out to play and watched as all four took off across the grass to the play ground. They were running with pure joy and the sun was setting and it was beautiful.  My heart grabbed the moment, because I’ve been counting for so long it is starting to become a habit. In the midst of crazy, there are gifts to be counted. They are the breath of the Lord on my cheek. He is helping me to remember  He is with me and will never ever leave me alone.

The Joy Dare – 1,000 Gifts in 2012

932. Chili & pumpkin muffins on an unusually cool Florida Fall night.
933. My husband’s surgery went well.
934. Grace for “single” mommying it while husband recovers.
935. A sweet time for my girls on Wednesday night at church instead of doing the normal Trick or Treat thing.
936. Recording Christmas music in October.
937. Ipad school. Yeah for technology.
938. My dad’s check up went great, back in February! All praise to Jesus.
939. Pink sunsets.
940. Popcorn and M&M’s.
942. Friday night movie night with my girls.
943. Catching up with a friend.
944. How God is leading moms to Hope. Breathtaking.
945. God’s Word that richly dwells. Colossians 3:16
946. A fun opportunity to write.
947. Remembering Jesus gives me strength.
948. A card that made me smile because we get the joke, even when no one else does.
949. My citizenship is in heaven.
950. He is Lord, He has risen from the dead and He is Lord.
951. Seeing gratitude spreading on Facebook. It just makes my heart sing.

*affiliate link

The Joy Dare
Finding 1,000 Gifts in 2012

911.  Hope is His message, always.

912. God marketing our book.

913. Over 26,500 downloads of “Hope” in 48 hours.

914. Emails & messages from weary moms saying thank you.

915. Hearing stories of “Hope” from friends.

916. My husband’s constant support.

917. Katie being here to help with the Facebook party!

918. Getting to celebrate WITH Brooke at Allume.

919. Getting to tell the (in)courager story.

920. Talking long with her.

921. Breakfast and dreaming with Holley.

922. How Kristin walked in our room, grabbed Brooke and my hands and immediately began to pray.

923. A challenge to celebrate from Stephanie.

924.  Meeting Tricia Goyer and her amazing session that inspired me!

925.  ”From little things big things grow.” – Problogger

927.  A sweet offer of help.

928.  How God uses anyone who is willing.

929.  Community.

930.  Safe travels.

931. My bigest fans live in my home.

This year marks our 10th year of being in our town. We came here from 1,000 miles away for a job with a promise of only a year. The Lord has met us in this place. He has been only faithful to us. Looking back is so good for the soul, and we see His hand on our lives every step of the way. Thank you Jesus for how you certainly work all things for our good and your glory.

The Joy Dare is finding 1,000 Gifts in 2012. . .

889. Grace on Monday.

890.  Proof copy of “Hope” in my hands.

891. Sweet prayers over launch week.

892. We have access to the One and Only Mediator we need. Colossians 2:18-21

890. My life is hidden with God IN Christ. Amen (Colossians 3:4)

891. She is 3. I just can’t believe it.

892. Sisters who get so excited over celebrating each other.

893. Tricycles.

894. Gorgeous sunny days.

895. Sweet! with my sweet girl.

896. Date night.

897. 1st motorcycle ride and conquering my fear!

898. Like a flood, His mercy reigns.

899. Stories of freedom.

900. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” James 5:16

901. Singing on Sunday.

902. 10 years in our town, look what God has done:

903. He has made a way out of the wilderness.

904. He has made rivers flow in the desert.

905. Sweet friends.

906. A home for our family.

907.  A church we are blessed to part of.

908. A job serving others.

909.  4 girls. wow.

910. Every promise He has made. . . has been fulfilled!