The Joy Dare is the hunt for 1,000 Gifts in 2012.  How many can you find?

243. The confidence that He goes before us in all things.

244.  A consistent message to my heart, “Do not fear.”

245.  Pretty much a picture postcard day.

246.  “Jesus Loves Me So” and how she sings it all day long.

247.   A chatty girl at breakfast.

248.  A prayer team.

249.  Friends who call — even when I am the worst at answering.

250.  Cheering each other on in the hardest job of our lives.

251.  The calmness after surrender.

252.  Giving our loaves and fishes and watching how He multiplies with abundance.

253.  Learning from other women who shine.

254.  Power house encouragers speaking your name.

255.  Birthday cake.

256.  Twizzlers

257.  Dreams that rise from brokenness.

258.  Teaching my 5 year old how to swing a bat.

259.  Sunset and girls running crazy.

260.  Date night after a busy week.

261. The Sabbath gift.

262. Spring break is here, ahhh!

263. That hope blooms, even when you think it won’t.

But thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

221.  “Just Love” – 60 days of verses compiled by my girls.

222.  Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins.

223.  Sunlight dancing on the wall.

224.  Pig tales on my  2 year old.

225.  He is faithful to His promises, always.

226.  Just singing on Wednesday nights.

227.  Today is a season of grace.

228.  God speaks when we ask Him.

229.  5 smooth stones in my very small hand. All His.

230.  A friend to remind me that with God all things are possible.

231.  Planning two really great events for women locally that will bless their socks off!

232.  Joy filled husband finally getting to go over to Bike Week.

233.  4 sweet, vibrant, girls to shop for.

234.  Buying the same size shoes as my daughter.

235.  Telling stories that point to Jesus.

236.  Salad Night.

237.  My sweet friend who made cake pops for a bake sale, and then bought 4 — for my girls.

238.  Rejoicing over the ministry of Love Orlando.  Lives changed.

239.  Oh, the blood of Jesus, that washes white as snow. {hymn sung on Sunday}

240. Your life is in my veins, you’ve broken all my chains… {song by Christy Nockels}

241.  A bulb planted 1 year ago by my girl, is going to bloom any day now.  Oh the joy it brings!

242.  He gives. He gives. He gives.  That is who He is.

:::

The Joy Dare is counting 1,000 gifts in 2012 because of #242…really how can we not count?

The Joy Dare is counting 1,000 gifts in 2012.  Take the dare?

200.  Hearing my girls play with their dolls together, giggling and telling stories.

201.  Just being in the Word.

202.  A song that reminds me “He is faithful – forever.” Wow.

203.  My daughter has passed me up in height.  For real.

204.  Really good coffee, after having really bad coffee.

205.  Encouragement from other Write It, Girls.

206.  Chocolate milkshakes every Wednesday night.

207.  For now, she loves me because I am ‘pretty’ and ‘cook good’. She is 5.

208.  Words that build up.

209.  Sun rising all yellow in the morning.

210.  Sisters teaching sisters.

211.  Hearing her sing Jesus Loves Me to her baby dolls.

212.  Listening.

213.  Home “alone” with my little on Friday morning.

214.  My daddy is still cancer free!

215.  Breakfast with lovely sisters.

216.  Date night.

217.  Dreaming.

218.  A pink and green sundress on a rainy day of worship.

219.  Naps on Sunday.

220.  How the Potter stays at the wheel, molding, & making this lump of clay.

{I am also writing over at Sisters in Bloom today, and I’d love to see you there as well.}

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}