simply counting

Colossians 2:2

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²[For my concern is] that their hearts may be ^[a]braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively ^[b]more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).

1280. The humbleness that comes with a right heart when taking The Lord's Supper.
1281.  A video that portrays sacrifice - http://getreal.typepad.com/ - January 15 entry.
1282.  Focus on the Family and their willingness to share the gospel during a football game - https://focusonthefamily.webconnex.com/free-downloads?refcd=102307
1283.  Celebrating and praising with dear friends!  Praising that salvation came near and rescued her husband!  Baptism and transformation all at once!
1284.  Celebrating with a friend that has patiently waited for the wonder of being a mom.
1285.  Walking a hard road with another friend who has experienced setback after setback this week as it relates to the mission field and their quest for becoming parents, yet she wants to be relentlessly satisfied in Him.
1286.  What I think are crazy random thoughts that God starts to use to put things in motion to make them not so crazy, but maybe an adventure!
1287.  My older boy love wanting to snuggle.
1288.  My wee one boy love telling jokes.  The fun part is that he's the only one that gets them and he's the first to laugh!  His laugh is contagious!
1289.  Psalm 139 - His pursuit of us.  Discussion in today's Sunday School class that goes right along with my 2012 theme.  We are like a good movie that God wants to watch over and over again because He made it.  He know all there is to know about us and chooses to pursue us.
1290.  Discerning friends
1291.  dentists
1292.  cooking hot dogs at our fireplace and then roasting marshmallows for smores!  The boys loved it!
1293.  great football games
1294.  cold weather
1295.  running laps around the house and down the street because the wee one love just wanted to race.
1296.  welcome home hugs and kisses from my hubby!
1297.  surviving the first sleepover!
1298.  a day off of work
1299.  afternoon naps, whenever possible and for however long
1300.  warm socks

Living Victoriously through 2011 leading to 2012's Passionate Pursuit

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [^[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope].  Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)


For the first time I embarked on a new adventure with a couple of my sweet kingdom sisters.  In 2011 we took Ann Voskamp's challenge of theming the year instead of making New Year's resolutions.  It has been a rewarding experience to walk through life with these sisters as they lived a life of practice and another a life of being faithfully relevant.  It was so wonderful to see the Creator of the universe grow these friends and live out these themes in their lives. 


He did that for me too.  My 2011 was coined the year of living victoriously.  I was eager to learn what that looked like.  I didn't think about it until after I committed to this theme, but in order for there to be victory there must be a battle.  2011 brought many battles, much growth and wow, much more victory than I ever could have imagined.  The month of December brought the most victory specifically in my marriage and in my workplace.  


Now, looking toward 2012 the theme He leads me to is Passionate Pursuit.  He simply wants my life, my whole life and everything in me, to point to Him and His glory.  He is still unveiling this to me.  I do know that He wants more of me which really means less of me and more of Him.  His Word is to roll off of my tongue and be constantly in my thoughts (which sadly is not the case right now).  He has also shown me that if I am not passionately pursuing what He has called me to, then I am living in disobedience.  My callings as wife, mom and women's ministry leader are my focus for 2012, while keeping my other roles in check.  Looking forward to the adventures He alone has prepared.


Happy 2012!!  What will your year be themed?  How will you bring Him glory in 2012?  Enjoy every moment and every adventure He supplies!

Wrapping up another year of counting - #1263 - #1279

Romans 12:9 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.


1263.  When the wee one is supposed to be asleep in bed and he hears me cough.  He then yells, "You ok, mom?"  I smilingly reply, "yes, sweetpea, I'm ok!  It's night-night!"
1264.  Big victories long prayed for
1265.  Small everyday victories that must be intentionally noted or they will be missed.
1266.  loving my man in a new way
1267.  excitement of the season
1268.  projects completed
1269.  projects about to begin
1270.  being heard, being understood
1271.  knowing that she knows that her wee one knows her presence, when the doctors said they don't know how much he will know
1272.  her wee one's sweet dimpled chin and pure sweetness
1273.  her hard questions about why and faith that can handle those types of quesitons
1274.  a dear sister's husband joining His family after praying for this for years!
1275.  a dear sister's victory over sin and its shame
1276.  a dear sister's journey of simplicity and faithfully relevant
1277.  remembering her year of practice
1278.  rejoicing in 2011 - the year of living victoriously
1279.  anticipation of 2012 - the passionate pursuit!

gratefully counting - #1245 - #1262

^29-30"That's why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.   John 3:30 The Message

1245.  another humbling message on Sunday - reminding us of pride, repentance and the power of His redemption.
1246.  getting away
1247.  being creative with no consequences
1248.  seeing my sweet t with her girl love and boy love - what a treat!
1249.  sneaking in a few deep moments of conversations with her
1250. the patient endurance of my grandma
1251.  the joy that Christmas lights bring to little eyes and hearts
1252.  the wee one falling asleep in my arms tonight since he didn't take a nap
1253.  a sister's boldness to confront
1254.  my husband love's willingness to keep the homefront home
1255.  my sister's servant heart overflowing
1256.  cool breezes
1257.  fire pit conversations
1258.  KLOVE online
1259.  freedom in letting go of the past and the reminders and signs He gave to lead my steps
1260.  the hope of staying there!
1261.  hopeful anticipation of the unknown - what it looks like to really trust Him!
1262.  a piano man that tried hard

Counting Thankfully - #1228 - #1244

1228.  The wee one's creativity shining through!  Shortly after dinner, he gets up and moves his chair over to the wall near the light switch.  He stands on the chair and turn off the light as he says in a very dramatic 2 year old voice, "it was a dark, and stormy night..." and then turns the light on and bows. 
1229.  The excitement of the elder boy love's desire to have a real Bible - not just a storybook one.
1230.  Catching up with a friend
1231.  Getting my cell number back!
1232.  Enjoying 5 straight days of not being at work!
1233.  A date day with my husband love to scope out some Christmas presents.
1234.  My sweet caring sister - she's amazing!
1235.  A plain, simple, good, strong, message this am!  Way to go, Pastor David!
1236.  The excitement of my Grandma's trip to FL!
1237.  learning more about Improv (short for improvise) - Use "Yes, And" statements, try not to use your first 3 ideas - go deeper, the ideas get better!
1238.   Football Fever Fun!
1239.  The elder boy's draft call for his Upward team!  Great coach!
1240.  the cool breeze
1241.  the joy of seeing the elder boy love master tree climbing
1242.  The wee one saying, "Mom, I soo love you!"
1243.  effort sometimes means more than the outcome
1244.  Remembering that He is the vine and I am the branch.  It is really about HIM! 

Needing to Count - #1218 - #

Jesus is my Provider!
1218.  dancing because they can and not caring what other's think!
1219.  Thursday night phone calls to my Grandma
1220.  cleansing repentance
1221.  reminder of the transformation that happens with a heart turned grateful
1222.  an unplanned meeting with a friend
1223.  a planned meeting with a friend
1224.  the importance of remembering the truth
1225.  that Jesus performed miracles so we could believe
1226.  the eagerness of her searching heart and her willingness to listen
1227.  the cleansing of a good cry

Thankfully counting! - #1210 - #1217

John 2 - Jesus' first miracle
1210. The many teachings that are packed into this package!
1211.  The thought of giving God my best all the time (fill it to the brim) and the grace that I've experienced for the many times I settle for the status quo.
1212.  The excitement about our Resolution Revolution breakfast! 
1213.  The importance of community
1214.  God's rescue plan - not just once, but continuously
1215.  family fun time
1216.  the excitement of nail-biter bowl game and the plus side of being on the winning end
1217.  opportunities and remembering that God is on my side!