“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24).
We reached our half-way point to our 1000 Gifts
this week. God is in all aspects of our life... the good and the bad. We are fully aware and thankful when all is going well. But, what about when things take a turn for the worse?? Do we draw nearer to Him or do we question His presence? One of the beauties of the Catholic Church is the emphasis they place on redemptive suffering. Our sufferings here on earth unite us to the cross and if accepted with faith, they can have redemptive value! He has left room for us to add to His afflictions. Our pains. Our crosses. Our complaints. Our bothers. Let none of them go un-wasted! Bring them to the foot of the cross with trust and faith and leave them there. For God.... "makes everything work out according to his plan." (Ephesians 1:11). This coming week, I will strive to quietly and prayerfully draw nearer to Our Lord when things are not going perfectly with my plans....Here's a peek at the gifts and graces that God has blessed us with this past week. Thanks be to God for his continual presence with us!!
#479 - many opportunities throughout my days to grow in patience and holiness
#480 - a constant prayer and reminder for myself.... bite my tongue, put on a smile and pray!
#481 - red stickers
#482 - first sweet corn of the season
#484 - good talk with a friend
#486 - date night to celebrate my twin niece and nephew's 14th birthday - dinner, adoration/benediction, painting pottery
#488 - my prayer group
#490 - playing outside 'til "midnight"
#491 - Fone's giggles that are just like his daddy's
#492 - two sleeping babies in my lap during family prayers
#493 - dinner and house blessing with Deacon John and Father Tom
#494 - sharing dinner with my sister
#496 - a leaf flower gift for me made by Mario
#497 - fun at John Deere Ag Days
#498 - pretty girls in pretty bonnets
#499 - little boys who love and cling to their momma so much, even to the point of pulling her shirt down too far and exposing her out in public (the latter is one of those hard Eucharisteo's....)
#500 - kids greeting at Church
#501 - a mountain of waffles made using our double waffle maker
#502 - Pookey playing with bigger kid toys and "neighing" like his horse
#503 - my handsome, handy husband working on mudding and taping in our basement
#504 - cute, chubby baby hands grabbing and eating mouthfuls of popcorn at the movie theater
#505 - the biggest laughs at Winnie the Pooh were from the 3 biggest boys (Neil, Fone and Mario)
#507 - 2011/2012 school curriculum planned and ordered
#510 - bumping into old friends
#511 - peace
#512 - an offer to babysit kiddos to go out on Neil's birthday
#513 - brothers who share their tools
#515 - lots to pray for and to remind us of our need for God
#516 - Melody who is always ready to clean
#517 - Fone and Mario's decorations for a special themed birthday party coming up in August
#518 - Usborne books that have a beautiful way of attracting readers to learning
#520 - brothers and sisters who can play so well with each other
#521 - rocking babies to sleep
#522 - Melody picking out clothes for herself and the 3 littles to help prepare for VBS in the morning
#523 - humble hearts
#524 - there's always room for improvement
#526 - answered prayer and a 2 day old baby girl placed into a loving, faith-filled home
#527 - no raccoon attacks at the lake
#528 - my sister-in-law and I wearing our matching skirts
#529 - my family
#531 - outdoor water play
#533 - leftovers making easy lunches
Won't you join in on the counting of your blessings and/or stop by and encourage these moms who are??
Love it! Thanks for all your gratitude! Makes me smile!
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