November's Joy Dare

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

#916 - #1005... November's grace-gifts... from the Giver of good gifts, the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

3 gifts eaten:

:: A quick drive-through McDonald's meal with my girl before going to serve the least of these.

:: KitKat chocolate bars!
:: A fruity kefir smoothie at lunch!

3 gifts worn:
:: My warm fleece zip-up sweater for cold November days.
:: My warm woolen socks.
:: My trusty old pair of jeans!

3 gifts that start with N:

:: Nature's beauty.

:: Nurturing friendships.
:: November's arrival.

a gift gathered, given, good:

:: A gathered church Leadership Team; breaking bread at Sunday's lunch!

:: An opportunity given to be a listening ear.

:: A good God... who always loves! ♥

3 gifts acorn-small:

:: Brown sugar cubes for my morning coffee.

:: Yummy grapes for snacking.

:: Sushi for dinner!

3 gifts government:

:: Order in society.

:: Social programs for the needy.

:: Education for everyone.

3 gifts from your window:

:: Our bare ash tree's sculptural branches.

:: Bright orange rose pods knocking on my window with the wind.

:: Sunshine streaming in.

a gift sweet, salty, sipped:
:: Cinnamon buns!
:: Hummus chips!
:: A fruity smoothie!

3 gifts harvest:
:: Honey crisps apples!
:: The last tomatoes from the garden.
:: A bunch of kale from the garden as well.

3 gifts found in Bible reading:
:: Inspiration.
:: Encouragement.
:: Strength.

3 gifts of remembrance:
:: To remember is to work for peace.
:: A moment of silence.
:: A prayer for peace.

3 gifts at noon:

:: My boy home for his lunch break.

:: A short break from work to spend some time with him.

:: A kefir smoothie for lunch.

3 gifts behind a door:
:: God opening a door... new opportunity on the horizon.
:: Seeing my boy... at the front door, at the end of the school day.
:: Peeking at my baking, through the glass oven door!

3 gifts silent:
:: Silently listening as a new friend pours her heart out.
:: A silently peaceful and quiet house.
:: All alone with my thoughts and silently seeking God.

3 gifts golden:
:: Golden sunshine, after weeks of cloudiness!
:: Golden melted cheese on pizza.
:: Gold bands on my finger! ♥

3 gifts hard eucharisteo:
:: Being too hard on one's self...

:: Difficult decisions... to continue supporting an organization or not?!?

:: Encouraging my boy to focus on being thankful, even when it's hard to.

3 gifts of laughter:
:: Children's laughter as they pack Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes!
:: Happy laughter as my boy's LEGO Mindstorm robot is finally doing its thing properly!
:: Laughter as a community of family and friends share dinner together!

a gift made, shared, passed on:
:: German chocolate cake, with coconut frosting!
:: Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting and {early} Christmas sprinkles!
:: A recipe for beef ribs in the crock pot!

3 gifts Autumn:
:: Warm sunshine through the window.
:: Bare tree branches.
:: Honey crisp apples!

3 gifts of traditions:
:: Christmas music by the end of November!
:: Decking the halls!
:: Putting up the Christmas tree!

3 gifts family:
:: Togetherness.
:: Safety.
:: Love!

3 gifts grateful:
:: Grateful for blessings in abundance.
:: Grateful for opportunities to share those blessings.
:: Grateful for the joy that is found in serving "the least of these" in Jesus' name.

3 gifts only in Christ:

:: My life.
:: My strength.
:: My song.

3 gifts humble:
:: Attending a marriage mentoring training... humbling.
:: The gift of being able to walk humbly with God.
:: How He chooses to use us... humbling.

3 gifts ugly-beautiful:
:: The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season...
:: Children living in extreme poverty... released in Jesus' name!
:: Encouraging a sister who is feeling burned-out in ministry.

3 gifts preparing:
:: Hearts to celebrate Christmas meaningfully!
:: Dinner...
:: Looking over study questions before Home Church.

a gift handmade, held, happy:
:: Christmas urns for the front of our home!
:: Cupping a newborn baby's head in the palm of my hand.
:: Our whole family volunteering together at Upward Basketball.

3 gifts in community:
:: Chatting over lunch with my sister and her friend.
:: A vibrant youth community that our kids belong to at church!
:: Growing relationships at our Home Church.

3 gifts red:
:: Red Christmas ball ornaments by the window.
:: Red apples in the Christmas urn by the front door.
:: Red Christmas plates!

3 gifts astonishing!:
:: The way God loves!
:: How He pours out unending grace...
:: His mercies... new every morning.

Click on the banners below to learn more about counting to 1,000 Gifts...

Jump in... I promise you will be blessed!

Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!