Eucharisteo

“Giving thanks for one thousand things is ultimately an invitation to slow time down with weight of full attention. Thanksgiving is what precedes the miracle of salvation being fully worked out in our lives.”

Ann Voskamp – One Thousand Gifts

There is no better time than now to live fully, right where I am. I am completely humbled and broken … the best place in life to offer genuine thanksgiving. I’m ready! Plus, I cannot think of anything better that I could do as we prepare for the adoption. So, I have taken the Ann Voskamp eucharisteo challenge (inspired by Kari Pattterson, check her out at www.karipatterson.com) and am hungry to taste life. God.


1. Honesty … raw, exposed truth
2. God’s Truth … never changing
3. Asking at 6pm to my little brother, “Want to drive to Canada tonight?” Response, “Ok, l’ll be over in an hour.”
4. Kind words from people who don’t know me
5. Learning patience and more patience … sitting for 10 hours on hard wooden chair. Yes, thank-you for teaching me patience. I have so much to learn.
6. Jesus Calling devotional … it has changed my life
7. Walmart at 1am for snacks
8. 4 hours in a real bed
9. Techy things that let us search the internet while driving, not to mention extra adaptors, double plug-ins, ability to charge phone, GPS, and computer simultaneously … still boggles my mind
10. A glimpse of my sweetheart. O, how I love him.
11. Clean red clothes
12. Visitation
13. Kind officers, so kind they bring tears to my eyes
14. Real stories about life
15. My hubby being strong and wise
16. Getting to know family more, deeper. The way I always wanted to know them.
17. God’s fingerprints everywhere. There is nothing He has not touched today.
18. Driving more than 5 miles down a busy road. Park. Get out. Find cell phone on top of car. Seriously?!?
19. Mercy
20. Unfailing love
21. The Gospel Matthew
22. The song “Blessings”
23. Lillian chipper “I love you Mama. Morning Mama. Kitties, doggies, elmo … bla, da, be, go, princess, fa, ra, ggg, llooo, froggie,yes … bye, bye Mama.” My heart melts.
24. Staying melted, pray that I am not hardened quickly
25. Surprise meeting arranged on Saturday
26. Real opinions of trusted ones; so thankful to not be alone
27. Generosity
28. Prayerful friends
29. Prayerful family
30. Prayerful people I don’t even know
31. Knowing that God hears all prayers …. Then I fall asleep
32. Meals delivered from friends … yes, I am so hungry. Thank-you for reminding me.
33. Understanding supervisor
34. Tender hearts
35. Genuine words at 6am in hotel lobby
36. Warm coffee in parking lot
37. Tears
38. Compassion
39. Connection
40. Sitting in the grass, cool breeze, stillness, love
41. Solid, safe car
42. Be brave lovely letter. Special message.
43. Psalm 56:3-4
44. Stocked refrigerator and pantry
45. Lillian dancing in her new “pretty shoes”
46. Fresh, clean, cool water … anytime I want it
47. Beautiful handpicked flowers bursting with splendor, bouquets everywhere
48. Bothers who mow our lawn and trim edges … simply because they know it needs to be done
49. Brothers who fix my tires, change my oil, and get car aligned … smiling the entire time
50. Dad who washes my car
51. Mom who does my laundry and changes sheets
52. Home with the man I love
53. So many things to be thankful for I can’t imagine how I can contain it in only 1000. Words can’t capture the gratitude that penetrates my soul.
54. Wondering if I can write 1 million things I am thankful for and not limit myself to 1000???
55. Kisses from heaven
56. Wisdom from friends
57. Sweet marioberry pie and flaky crust melting in my mouth
58. Left over marionberry pie that my hubby devours
59. Loved, pink handkerchief with tiny white embroidered edged and purple bursts of flowers. Delicate. Treasure. God’s way of showing me that he holds every tear in his hand.
60. Listening to my hubby talk about work (aka: serving others … those who this world overlooks)
61. Knowing my hubby is the first to grab a hammer to help get’er-done
62. Carson peeing off my back porch. Proud. Arched back. So funny!
63. Lillian instantly pulling down her pants and trying to pee in the same spot! So so funny!
64. Two minutes later Lillian peeing in her pants, down her legs, and pooling over her feet. A little less funny! No, really … so so so funny!
65. Lillian buns frolicking through the grass. Joy.
66. Good chats with new friends
67. Feeding ducks slugs from under the recycling bin. Kids love it! Friend squirms.
68. All God’s Children International Adoption Agency
69. Trust
70. Surrendering control to The One who knows best
71. Nap
72. Lillian’s birthday cards. There is nothing sweeter than her masterpieces.
73. Watching Lillian and the dog play for hours. Giggles. Licks. Ear inspections. Tail wagging the entire time.

74. Going outside and picking a dinner from our garden. Washing. Preparing. Enjoying. Yum!