I haven't actually read this book (although it's on my list), but here's what Amazon has to say about the book:
Just like you, Ann Voskamp hungers to live her one life well. Forget the bucket lists that have us escaping our everyday lives for exotic experiences. 'How,' Ann wondered, 'do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long--and sometimes even dark? How is God even here?' In One Thousand Gifts, Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts. It's only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted...a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. We come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved--by God. Let Ann's beautiful, heart-aching stories of the everyday give you a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of being present to God that makes you deeply happy, and a way of living that is finally fully alive. Come live the best dare of all!
I can't take complete credit for this idea. I've seen this on several other blogs too. Ultimately, Wesley and I want to teach Eli (and any future children) to recognize, be thankful, and give praise for the gifts God has given us-the big stuff and the small stuff! Here's our list:
Every good and perfect gift is from above...
James 1:17
- Our salvation
- Rebecca being raised in a christian home
- Wesley being raised in a christian home
- Parents who are an example of a committed marriage - 30+ years!
- Eli
- A healthy pregnancy and safe delivery
- Laughter
- Fictional books
- Vacations
- the beach
- sweet summertime
- Christmas time
- our jobs - and working together
- Auburn University
- texting
- fresh flowers in the house
- blue jeans
- clean sheets and a comfortable bed
- Caitlin
- Clark
- Madelyn
- Zach
- Katie
- snuggling on the couch
- our church
- our BFG
- our coworkers
- blogging
- digital cameras
- monograms
- sweet tea
- a working fireplace during the winter
- working AC in the summer
- being able to talk and laugh with my husband
- my car
- family that helps
- Skype
- Chick-fil-A
- blow dryers, straighteners, make up
- education
- Eli's laugh
- Eli's hugs and kisses
- Our physical health
- good TV
- Seeing movies in the theater
- Diet Coke
- Dr. Pepper
- fall weather following a hot summer
- our time at AU, getting to go off to college
- chapstick
- old friends
- our house
- making our house a home
- books in a series
- Tylenol
- listening to the wind chimes on the back porch
- spring weather
- sandals and flip-flops
- being able to pay our bills
- cooking
- having 10 weeks off during the summer, 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week in the Spring to be off with my family --- not something I take for granted
- praying with Eli
- Watching Eli learn to feed himself
- Wesley's coaching position
- naps
- hot showers
- all of the Christmas cards we get each year, and the families they represent
- Domino's pizza
- family nights at home
- the extra oomph a new outfit or shoes gives
- desiring/working to be healthy and have healthy habits
- Scripture that penetrates the heart
- the Holy Spirit that brings Scripture to mind at just the right time
- the iPhone
- Christmas decorations
- m&ms
- DIY projects
- my sewing machine
- my mom who helps me sew
- being able to recall very few "gifts" from past Christmases and birthdays, but remembering my parents never missed a church performance, school event, band/flag performance
- pictures in pretty frames
- encouraging words from friends
- make up
- hot showers
- weddings
- my wedding rings
- a good run
- extended family/"surrogate" grandparents who live in town and help out!
- that feeling after a good workout
- "Aubie" car (Wesley's car)
- memories with Jam-mama
- Eli's school/teachers
- wonderful coworkers and friends
- 5ks with my Husband and/or Mom
- NCIS marathons
- sweet friends for Eli
- Eli's love for sports and the outdoors
- contacts
- nail polish
- Amber
- Aidan
- Landon
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