Counting still - #708 - #729

Philippians 4:6-7 - Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.  (The Message)


708.  the colors that God has created for our eyes to feast upon

709.  how each flower displays His creativity, attention to details and unique ability to individualize each of His creations.  Stunning!



710.  how His sacred echo follows you all day long splashing it on others sometimes too

711.  Girl Scout Cookies (thin mints and samoas especially)

712.  a tall glass of cold milk

713.  a surprise phone call from a dear sister

714.  pictures around the farm that remind me of God's stories
715.  that I must be carefully reminded that my heart can be hard as a rock and grow nothing.  But oh how wonderful it is when my obedience keeps my heart soft, moldable and teachable.

716.  We can't be like the one stalk of corn here.  We need one another to grow and prosper.
717.  While the house looks sound and livable here, up close and inside it isn't safe.

718.  Storing up treasures in Heaven!

719.  Watching my big boy son compete well on the court - making baskets, rebounds, steals and much more!  Most importantly, he had lots of fun!

720.  Upward Awards night!

720.  Savored phone calls to Grandma

721.  Letting the tears fall unexpectedly as, "I can only imaging" plays on the radio

722.  Learning that the same song was on the radio when my husband went to his mom and dad's home the night his mom went to be with Jesus.

723.  disposable diapers

724.  clothes hangers

725.  ceiling fans

726.  a husband who takes pride in our yard and does the work to keep it up

727.  a wee one who is asking lots of good questions and repeating every last word that is heard

728.  John Deere tractors and combines

728.  the goodness of earning vacation days and looking forward to the opportunity to take them!
729.  what we can learn from children - He wants us to come to Him like that!



Still Counting - #684 -

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.  2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.  3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.  Psalm 1: 1-3

684. That my sweet Grandpa lived as a Psalm 1 man!
685.  The way my Grandpa adored my Grandma and she adored him.  Pure sweetness!
686.  "Hold each other close and put God in the middle." -- marriage advice my Grandpa gave my cousin
687.  A field with a blanket made of hundreds of white geese heading to their northern home
688.  Ice covered ponds preparing to melt

689.  Sunrises that remind you that God makes things new every morning because your life has entered a new phase.

690.  The thrill of seeing big tractors and combines on the family farm.
691.  Remembering that there is so much more to farming than just planting the seed.  Today's farmer must be involved in the chemistry, science, economics, technology, production, marketing and so much more of the farming business.
692.  A sister road trip to IL full of fun and great conversation
693.  That my Grandma displayed the strength of the Jesus who now holds her hand, as my Grandpa once did.
694.  The purity and sweetness of a small community church family
695.  The celebration of a life that went on for hours and I know continues in Heaven
696.  Flowers and plants from friends and businesses to celebrate His life
697.  His favorite hymns - "It is well with my soul", "Victory in Jesus", "In the Garden" and more
698.  His favorite verses - Romans 8:26-29
699.  Discovering poems he'd written that no one knew about
700.  The wisdom etched on the pages of his Bible that went with his earthly body.

701.  The wheat that was symbolic of his profession and his life for Jesus - etched on his casket and planted with the dirt
702.  A husband who was willing to serve me by staying home with the boys
703.  Beyond the Sunset
704.  Precious prayer time as a family
705.  Seeing younger cousins grow up to be great Godly men like their dad and Grandpa!
706.  the privilege of savoring the moment
707.  that I was able to take some more fun pictures that I'll share during next week's counting!

Multitude Monday - #664 - #683

664.  http://withoutwax.tv/ - Surrender - 2/7/11

665. http://withoutwax.tv/ -  Everyone Needs Healing - 2/8/11

666.  that God is bigger than this
667.  sharing the One Thousand Gifts with others!
668.  trusting Him again after being derailed by doubt.  It's good to be back on track!
669.  sharing Jesus with a Jewish friend.  She's almost ready!
670.  the elder being a good example
671.  the wee one saying, "I see you!!" with an amazingly varied inflection as he peaks through his art project of a lady bug with 2 eyes attached to a Popsicle stick.
672.  a date night with my hubby
673.  that I know my grandpa is with Jesus
674.  that Grandpa is now holding my sweet Aunt Nancy Jean who went from life in the womb to life in Heaven.
675.  Memories:  how grandma and grandpa were always touching:  holding hands, hand on the other's knee, arms locked, etc.
676.  Memories:  the way he looked at her with love overflowing
677.  Memories:  riding in the car with grandpa and grandma; seeing flashing blue lights in the back window.  Grandpa says, "Oh dear!  What do I do?"  Grandma says, "Well, I think you need to pull over."
678.  Memories:  that he always went somewhere with a cap on his head that he affectionately referred to as "his lid"
679.  Memories:  how he loved Jesus!
680.  God's amazing irony of how sorrow and joy can co-exist
681.  The promise that he turns mourning to dancing
682.  remembering the importance of savoring the moment
683. anticipation of a sister road trip!

Multitude Monday - #635 - #553

635.  You are the one!
636.  writing napkin notes for the elder's lunch box
637.  when he decides to write back!

638.  Hearing the boys say "I love you" to one another
639.  Hearing the boys say "I love you" to us
640.  Knowing order matters to God
641.  Considering that even the Creator of the Universe is concerned about the minute detail of the songs I will listen to on the radio while patiently waiting in the elementary school pick-up line.  Heard "Dancing in the Minefields" and "No Matter What".  I just looked up smiled and giggled.
642.  http://www.birthverse.com/ - it's pretty fun!
643.  Playing "ring around the rosies" with the boys which, of course, ends with the boys falling on me!
644.  being brave enough to color my hair with color in a box
645.  listening to my dear husband as he disciplines the elder - so thoughtful, kind, yet firm and thought provoking (at least we hope so!)
646.  that the elder is thankful for swinging on the swings.  Why?  Because it's fun and scary at the same time!
647.  Celebrating life - the wee one turned 2!
648.  Realizing and confessing that I need to have more self-discipline/self-control when it comes to my schedule
649. That my dear husband and I are studying Hosea (he's teaching it in Sunday School).  Funny thing is I made that part of my book outline back in November.  God has it all planned out!
650.  antibiotics for the wee one
651.  the adventure of getting the antibiotics into the wee one's mouth
652.  a day off to celebrate family
653. much needed rain
654.  a rose bush that won't die (not that I want it to - it's just amazing that it keeps sprouting new growth).
655. getting to splash Jesus' love on 3 clients in one day - Now that's having fun at work!
656.  that my dear husband would drive 25+ miles in the rain in an un-air-conditioned car with a toddler to help me get my keys because I locked them in the car.  He must really love me!
657.  a good solid afternoon nap on a rainy, chilly afternoon
658.  the unmistakable roar of US military jets practicing in the dreary, cloudy skies above
659.  singing to Jesus, not just singing about him
660.  getting lost int he counting
661.  learning that when Jesus fed the 5,000 He first took the little that was there and gave thanks then made more than enough.  (Thanks, Ann! She mentions this in her new book One Thousand Gifts.)
662.  "The eneies to a great life are not tragedy, heartbreak and hard times.  The enemy of having a great life is to simply lead a good life."  Lysa TerKeurst in What Happens When Women Walk in Faith
663. the solution that scrubs the protein off my foggy contact lenses so I can see clearly again

Multitude Monday - #604 - #635

604.  That He loves me for me (JJ Heller's song puts it to words and WOW!)
605.  the azure blue sky undisturbed by clouds on a bright sunny morning
606.  Being blinded by the bright sunshine and still being able to see the moon
607.  A friend walking the same exact road as me
608.  The joy of walking that road together
609.  How soap washes the dirt away
610.  How Jesus washes the sin away
611.  The sweet smell of my favorite perfume and how I feel wearing it
612.  The sweet aroma that Jesus gives me and how I feel when I choose to wear Him
613.  The healing salve of stopping and giving thanks
614.  Pondering the comparison of rest and trust and how they are so much alike
615.  Holding onto the promises of the Promised Land and my obedience
616.  the car radio and CD player
617. that He is Provider - not me!
618.  the amazement of when Holy words, His words, meet me right where I'm at
619.  the knowing that the boys need me
620.  the rawness I feel when I can't be there
621.  the trusting that He fills in the gaps
622.  letting tears fall and not caring what others think
623.  messing up and getting over it
624.  family celebrations
625.  running outside holding the wee one's hand
626.  sleeping with the wee one when he doesn't feel good
627.  celebrating the elder's basketball successes
628.  that the elder is willing to stand his ground with the neighborhood "meanies"
629.  that he commented on my haircut
630.  soft pillows
631.  that we can go to the doctor when we need to
632.  microwaves
633.  that the car battery died at home instead of somewhere else
634.  that we have another car to get around in
635.  that we were able to get another battery and the car works now!

Multitude Monday - #580 - #603

Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

580.  Forever Love
581.  Letting God teach me how I can know others love me
582.  uncertainty - it makes me trust Him more
583.  brothers hugging
584.  brothers playing
585.  the elder getting high up in the tree, getting scared of coming down and climbing down anyway
586.  preparing for the wee one's birthday
587.  great sermons on the radio on my morning commute
588.  the opportunity to minister to 2 co-workers
589.  that she loved fearlessly even though it hurts now
590.  being ok with situations in which there are no words to comfort who you're with
591.  that He is my shield
592.  that He lifts my head
593.  that He is the extra in extraordinary and the super in supernatural
594.  the anticipation of a sister's mission trip
595.  the hope of God working through impossibilities
596.  looking forward to visiting grandparents
597.  that God isn't just a hero; He is my Savior (from Truth for Life - Alistair Begg)
598.  the way he looks deep into my eyes
599.  good football games
600.  the joy of helping someone
601.  great sister friendships
602.  how the sun melts the frost in the morning
603.  that we have meteorologists to tell us their guess of what the weather will be so we can dress accordingly.



Multitude Monday - #551 - #579

551.  "It is Well With My Soul"

552.  "I love you, brother." spoken by my boys to one another

553.  That my oldest son is now my brother!

554.  Friends that love you no matter what

555.  The connection of a sister

556.  Grandma traveling so far to see the basketball game

556.  Grandparents staying south for a while

557.  Long weekends

558.  days off from work

559.  sharing the joy that keeping a Multitude Monday list can do for you!

560.  He is the Rock of Ages

561.  He is Healer

562.  He is

563.  He is a keeper of His promises

564.  He is Freedom Giver

565.  He is Life Giver and Life Taker

566.  He is Joy Giver

567.  He is worthy of our praise

568.  the thought of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that He Is Lord!

569.  that he will put bodies back together in the rapture

570.  He is the Good Shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me (John 10:14)

571.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life

572.  He is Provider (My oldest loves the story about Abraham taking Isaac up to the mountaintop for sacrifice.  I asked him what his favorite part was.  His response was simply, "that God provides the ram.")

573.  He is bigger than anything we face

574.  He wants us to dream big, so we can give him more glory and trust him more!

575.  He is the Giver of Grace

576.  He is the Mercy Seat

577.  While He's all these things and more, He simply asks me to receive what He offers.  What a beautiful picture! Thank you, Jesus!

578.  Dreams with possibilities because He is who He is!

579.  Enjoying the journey of loving with a 1 John 4:18 love!