so many gifts (271-280)

271. A fun night celebrating a friend's birthday.

272. Finally having time to unpack the rest of my boxes and very nearly get this new home set up :)

273. My new dining table, which now ranks among my favorite/best craigslist finds.

274. Spending Saturday evening playing this ridiculous but fun game with friends.

275. Getting to serve in preschool at church and play with some of the cutest kids ever.

276. These cookies, which the lovely Sabrina made for our Bible study...and which I loved so much that I made a batch myself the next day. (Yes, cookies are making my top-ten list of things for which I am thankful this week. They were that good. And I maybe have a bit of a sweet tooth...)

277. Getting to spend more time with a dear friend from church, now that we're coworkers :)

278. This is unoriginal, as it makes the list nearly every week (and the weeks it's not actually here in writing, it's very much in my heart)...but I am just oh-so-thankful for this amazing body of believers that I'm blessed to be a part of.

279. Getting to do lots of cooking/baking in the past few days.

280. This post from my pastor's wife, which I just came across tonight (though it was written earlier this month). Very timely for me, and very much something I need to learn/remember.

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave!

- Matt Maher

Monday again!

This past week absolutely sped by; how it's Monday again already, I'm not sure! But, it is, so here's this week's glimpse at some of the blessings God's given me:

71. A brother who is not afraid to speak the truth to me in love, even when it's not easy for him to say or for me to hear.

72. The Gospel, and the reminder that there is never so much as a second in my life when I'm not utterly in need of my Savior.

73. Lots of opportunities this week to bake (and, consequently, a new blog!).

74. That Paul got back safely from Haiti last week.

75. Anticipation of my upcoming trip to Tennessee this weekend (so excited to see friends and family, and for the mountains and all the beautiful fall colors!)

76. That my washing machine is now usable (now just need to get the dryer up and running!)

77. A new candle

78. This month's hymn of the month at my church

79. That my hope is in Christ and that nothing is impossible for God.

80. Silly moments with friends

so thankful

41. My wonderful church, and the opportunity to connect with other women and be taught during the semi-quarterly LifeGivers meeting.

42. A surprise gift of flowers from a friend, just to say thank you.

43. A cute card and fun letter from a dear friend.

44. The opportunity to go to my first college football game ever.

45. The fact that God teaches me even through yucky days and miserable failures.

46. The wit and wisdom of Elisabeth Elliot (and her newest-to-me book, which is already one of my favorites).

47. Getting to sleep in today!

48. The Bible study that my "flogos" group is starting to go through on this passage; I am really excited about this!

49. Beautifully expressed words of wisdom from a friend, and the fact that God seems to be teaching both of us the same thing right now.

50. Raspberry peach cobbler.

A thankful heart

The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.
-- Henry Ward Beecher

31. I watched The Sound of Music last week for the first time since I was a child. Loved the movie growing up, love it even more now!

32. Big powerful thunderstorms.

33. Wonderful time spent assisting my dear chef friend Sabrina make fajitas on a blustery afternoon.

34. My first close as a shift supervisor went way better and more smoothly than I'd expected, thanks to having great coworkers. I cannot express the immense relief of having made it through this "first"!

35. Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough

36. A long-overdue meeting with Sabrina and Everly for our book study

37. A super-cute and sweet card from Birdie

38. Proof that chivalry does still exist.

39. Lots of opportunities this week to bake!

40. For God's "comfort in affliction", and for reminders from several sources of how to minister to those who are suffering.

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