A Thousand Gifts

We spent several days last week in a cabin in Georgia meeting with Randall (and his family), our team member in the Texas adventure. We also had the privilege of meeting two families who will be moving with us to Texas. It was a lovely time of getting to know each other, laughing, and looking to the future.

Hello, Team Texas!

We didn't arrive home from Georgia until Friday night so New Year's Eve included a very early bedtime (7:00 for the kids and 7:20 for Brian). I would like to say that I was in bed early as well, but I was wide awake for whatever reason. I finally dragged myself to bed about 11:30 only to wake up at midnight when our neighbors decided to use up their July 4th stash right outside our bedroom. :)

Saturday was spent taking down the tree, packing all our Christmas decorations and realizing that the next time we pulled them out, we'd be in Texas!

When I saw A Thousand Gifts posted on Becky's blog several weeks ago, I knew immediately it was something I was going to start in the new year. The theme for our family for 2011 is Transition, and I know myself well enough to realize that even though many good things are going to happen for us this year, moving to Texas means alot of change, alot of time in transition for our family. And I am most definitely at my worst during change and transition. A Thousand Gifts is exactly what I need to help keep my mind focused on the things, big and small, that the Lord is doing in my life rather than focusing on how difficult the change might be. 

1. new friends

2. old friends

3. safe trip to and from Georgia

4. all the snow in Georgia which made a cabin in the mountains seem even more fun

5. for the sweet service we had yesterday and a generous gift from our church
6. for the privilege of having Rory fall asleep in my arms last night

7. for an early morning, which signifies getting back on schedule

8. for this verse in Romans I read this morning. (Romans 14:1 from The Message) "Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with - even when it seems that they are strong on opinions, but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently."

9. for having Brian off work for one last day

10. for starting off the week with a clean house
11. for the three baptisms at church yesterday morning