Not sure why but the Lord seems to be throwing all kinds of knowledge my way lately... whether I want it or not ;)  I am really trying to trust the Lord and be content with  His plan in His time. Something occurred to me today. Where exactly does it say that because I am a Christian that life will be a bed of roses?? It sure doesn't say that in the bible! The bible does say that he works His plans for the good of those that love Him (Romans 8:28) BUT it does not say we will understand those plans or even like them. I suppose its like how we parents often have to do things we know are for the good of our little ones though they don't have the mental capacity to understand that. The bible is supposed to be an example of what to expect and live by, what is the bible full of? Stories of adversity and trials. The Lord does not always tell these people why they went through what they did. Looking back since we see the whole story, we can. So can I trust God, even when I do not understand His plan? In Isaiah 55:8 the Lord declares " For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways," So I wonder, is me trying to figure out His ways kind of like a squirrel watching me and thinking "WHAT is she doing and why?" 

Well it is a new day! Is it just me or am I particularly cheerful this morning? Hmmm, must be all in my head OR maybe the Holy Spirit is already working on me since I decided to be more joyful. You know what they say- "You can decide to be happy or miserable"... or some jazz like that. Not gonna fool myself into thinking this will always be easy, especially when I am around persons I am still working on loving.

I have to make time this week to finish knitting my newest nephew's baby blanket,  considering he will be here in less than a week! Classes start Monday so Im going to try my best to have the ends weaved in which is all I really have left since Im down to the last few repeats. But God Almighty, is there alot of ends to weave. I really have to learn how to carry the color changes up the side in an attractive way before I make another striped blanket. ugh.

4. My faith. I am so blessed that my boys get to grow up with the knowledge that God does work in their lives. I pray that this foundation will allow them less struggling to accept the love of the Lord as they get older. 

3. Babies! Particularly when they are not yours. You get to smell them and cuddle them and send them home with the mom and you can sleep all night!

In honor of the beginning of my list

I have been tres overwhelmed lately. I joined the blogging community in the link of my post below. It is all about journaling the blessings and gifts of God. As the founder of the 'Gratitude Community' puts it "finding the sacred in the chaos". I pray that as this list of gratitude goes on that my spirit will be uplifted and I will be able to focus on the miracles in my life rather then the daily annoyances. I have always wondered why  people who carried petty grudges on their hearts wasted the time and energy. I was amazed to discover a few days ago that I have accumulated quite a few of these myself. I know the reason for these increased negative emotions is that I am drawing myself closer to the Lord and so am under greater attack from Satan.

SO! In honor of a NEW way of thinking here are the first things on my One Thousand Gifts list -

2. My beautiful, insane, little monsters. Thank God for toddlers, their exuberance for life and joy for the tiny things in life, that we important adults no longer see.

1. My husband. God knows its not always easy but I know he is the instrument of the constant refining and development of my character and soul.

Today is the first day of my blog! I have no idea what I am doing and no idea how to figure it out but I am excited! The basic premise of my blog will be Ann's One Thousand Gifts journal

with some other bits of life thrown in.