March's Joy Dare

I am taking the Joy Dare and counting to {an extra} 1,000 Gifts in 2012! Will you join me?

#181 - #273... March's grace-gifts... from the Giver of good gifts, the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

3 gifts at 3pm:
:: A full and productive work day.
:: Hubby doing school pick-up, so I don't have to!
:: Looking out the window and seeing a beautiful, picturesque wintry landscape.

3 gifts green:
:: My warm, green wool socks.
:: Spruce needles so green against the white snow.
:: A mug of Japanese green tea.

3 gifts wore:
:: My Birks... love 'em!
:: Blue jeans... they're the greatest invention. :-)
:: The armour of God! ♥

3 gifts hard to give thanks for:
:: Difficult people... a time to exercise grace.
:: Growing pains... a chance to practice perseverance.
:: Dealing with apathy... a call to get on my knees and pray.

3 gifts found:
:: A new dishwasher... the right model, the right price!
:: This song... Grace by Laura Story... just what I needed. ♥
:: His sustaining grace... when I feel like giving up.

a gift bent, a gift broken, a gift beautiful:
:: Bare winter tree branches bending and dancing in the wind.
:: A heart broken for the things that break God's heart.
:: A musical rendition of Revelation 21.

3 gifts in the kitchen:

:: A new dishwasher! Did I already say that?!? :-)

:: The gurgling of boiling water in the kettle... the promise of a warm cup of coffee very soon.

:: Taco night!

a gift loud:

:: My boy playing his trombone.
:: My girl practicing piano.
:: Praise music blasting while I make dinner.

3 gifts carved:
:: Time carved out to intentionally stop and listen.
:: Time carved out to serve the marginalized.
:: Time carved out to just enjoy people's company.

3 gifts in Christ:
:: In Christ alone, my hope is found! ♥
:: Abundant life!
:: Life's purpose...

3 gifts read:
:: A Place at the Table, by Chris Seay.
:: Just A Minute, by Wess Stafford.
:: New Testament in a Year!

a gift in wind, in water, in white:
:: A breeze that feels like Spring air.
:: Spring rains...
:: Snow-covered garden in early March.

3 gifts round:
:: A perfectly round mini watermelon!
:: Our round BBQ grill... fired up for the first time this year.
:: Round plates to serve up a simple dinner.

a gift found in silence:
:: Quiet late nights spent reading in bed.
:: Silence coming from my girl's room... she's away this week... *doing* thanks!
:: A quiet evening to overcome writer's block.

3 gifts given away:

:: My girl's March Break at UrbanPromise Wilmington.

:: My boy pitching in to buy muffins for UrbanPromise Toronto's March Break camp instead of buying a new LEGO set for himself. ♥

:: Time... taking a break from work to spend some time with my boy!

3 hard eucharisteos:
:: When bad things happen to good people...
:: The dry seasons in life...
:: Certain memories from my childhood...

a gift turned, a gift folded, a gift hung:
:: Pages in a good book.
:: Memories of grandma's hands folded in prayer.

:: My *eucharisteo* banner! ♥

3 gifts red:
:: Spray-painting letters J O Y in red.

:: Joy Dare! J O Y letters in red hung near window! ♥
:: Red velvet covered photo albums... containing memories!

3 gifts eaten:

:: Green curry chicken with chick peas.
:: Kale chips! Yum!

:: BBQ Korean kalbi beef.

3 gifts that made you laugh:

:: My boy's jokes!
:: My little nephew's antics!
:: Myself... it's good medicine to laugh at one's self! :-)

a gift salty, a gift sweet, a gift just right:
:: Kale chips... did I already say that?!?
:: Chocolate cupcakes with Easter eggs on frosting!
:: The shade of turquoise blue frosting...

3 gifts found in His word:
:: Comfort.
:: Encouragement.
:: Joy!

3 gifts found in women today:

:: My boss... can't ask for a better one!
:: Sisters... through thick and thin, still sisters.
:: True girlfriend... can pick up where we left off anytime, even after a long time.

3 gifts spoken:
:: Teachers' praises for my girl at parent/teacher interviews.
:: Truth spoken in love...
:: Love shown in words and action.

a gift sung, a gift written, a gift painted:
:: Birds singing their song... bright and early in the morning!
:: My girl's reflection... of her compassion trip to Wilmington, Delaware.
:: A basketball free throw line on our driveway! :-)

3 gifts almost gone:
:: Ginger honey tea we bought last Summer at a bee farm in the Philippines.
:: Easter-themed cupcakes baked earlier... time to bake more?
:: Honey crisp apples... 'til next season!

3 gifts redeemed:
:: My broken childhood.
:: My fractured soul.
:: My life.

3 gifts entwined:
:: Arms in a tight hug.
:: Braiding my girl's beautiful jet-black hair.
:: Relieving others' misery and relieving our own.

3 gifts of His promises:
:: His sufficient grace! ♥
:: He will never leave me or forsake me.
:: He loves me with an everlasting love.

3 gifts uncovered:
:: Crocuses... Spring is here!
:: A few more samosas in the freezer.
:: A stack of old photos.

a gift heard, a gift held, a gift hoped for:
:: A Thousand Little Things by Point of Grace.
:: My Bible.
:: The end of extreme poverty!

Click on the banners below to learn more about counting to 1,000 Gifts...
Jump in... I promise you will be blessed!

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!