Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Day 14

We are two weeks into The Thankfulness Experiment.  I'm so glad you decided to join me on this journey... not only because I need the accountability, but also because I love reading your lists.  It's touching to see you choosing to be thankful for tough situations by shining some sunshine on them with your thanksgiving... it makes me smile to see your sense of humor and appreciation for simple things... like llamas, for example.  It's inspiring to see you give thanks for people in your lives... people who have touched you or people you love dearly.  I so appreciate how you are using this blog to put your thankful thoughts out there... to make known among the nations what He has done (Psalm 105:1).  We have no idea how God is using our thankful lists to encourage or inspire someone else who's reading through the comments. 

I had a teachable moment with my son tonight.  He was working on his homework and was stumped.  Unfortunately, the nature of the homework would not allow me to help him without doing it for him.  I gave him some examples, but by that point, he was beyond frustrated.  So, I told him to take a break, eat a snack and we could revisit it after some TV time.  About 45 minutes later, he was ready to start again.  And this time, he knocked it out quickly.  I asked him what he learned from this experience, and he said "Sometimes you need to take a break and try again later."  Lesson learned.

This same lesson applies to us.  I wonder if any of you have days where you sit down to write your thankful list and you completely draw a blank.  Nothing comes to mind.  Your day, quite honestly, stunk.  We all have days like that... so maybe taking a break and reading through other comments - not only on the current day, but also on previous posts (and maybe even reading your OWN lists on previous posts) - will give you the "break" you need to start again, newly inspired.  Be faithful, dear friends.  We're on our way to making thanksgiving a habit, one reason... and one day... at a time.

Today, I wanted to take some time to address a question I was asked yesterday.  What inspired you to start The Thankfulness Experiment?  It all began in March, 2011 when I read 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  This book gives an incredibly raw, honest account of Ann's journey to joy through thanksgiving.  There were times where I wondered if she had read my thoughts... because I could completely relate with her struggle.  And the transformation began with a simple challenge from her friend to keep a journal of 1,000 gifts, or 1,000 things she was thankful for.  Writing that list changed Ann's life.  Her story inspired me and I began keeping my own list of 1,000 gifts.  Remember how I told you I needed accountability for this experiment?  I discovered this need for accountability while writing my own gift list.  I would get started and be diligent - even up to 44 days in a row... and then I would fall off the wagon.  I did reach 1,000 gifts in February 2012, almost a year after I started. 

After reading Ann's book, thankfulness was on my heart.  I felt like God wanted me to do something with it, but I didn't know what.  Maybe a Bible Study, I thought.  But each time I tried to start studying, I would quickly lose motivation.  This Fall, I was encouraged to start using social media, and God used that encouragement, combined with some thoughts He planted in my head over the summer, to bring The Thankfulness Experiment to life.   So here we are, 14 days into this 66 day Thankfulness Experiment.  I'm noticing positive changes in me already, and I hope you are experiencing positive changes too. 

Thanks to those of you who shared your favorite praise and worship songs along with your thankful lists yesterday!!  If you're looking for some new worship songs, check out the comments on Day 13.  I look forward to listening to them so I can continue to put Psalm 105:1-2 into practice:  Give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known among the nations what He has done.  Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts." 

And now for today's thankful list... I am thankful for:

1.  Two loads of laundry washed, dried and put away
2.  Another organization project completed - this is a major breakthrough!  Three this week!!
3.  Fuzzy socks that keep my feet warm and cozy (I'm not a fan of cold feet)
4.  Bedrooms clean and vacuumed (I was on a domestic roll today!)
5.  The sounds of childhood laughter filling the house

Here's to 10,000 reasons... Only 8,240 to go...

19 comments:

  1. I am thankful for :
    Cinnamon febreeze
    Zumba
    White chili
    The ACC youth group
    My amazing, loving, encouraging church family
    :-) Bonnie Lawrence

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    Replies
    1. I need the recipe for that white chili. Along with points value and serving size too please :)

      LisaD

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  2. (1) I am thankful that I bought my turkey yesterday. It was the last big one they had left.
    (2) I am thankful that I got all my shopping done yesterday.
    (3) I am thankful I cleaned half of the house yesterday.
    (4) I am Thankful that I could use a menu for another day. (I forgot to get the chicken out.)
    (5) I am thankful that out of the blue my granddaughter tells me I love you mammaw many times during the day.

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  3. Today I am thankful for:
    1-Oatmeal with Bananas
    2-My friend Rose and her family that have made us family
    3-Even though I do not have contact with my brother Don I have hope that Jesus will bring him home
    4-My boss Kelly that is also my very good friend
    5-That I find it crazy that Lilly like to shoot guns and hunt but the absolute joy it has brought her

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  4. 1. I am thankful for heather who started this it helps me focus on the positive
    2. I am thankful for being able to sleep in
    3. I am thankful for my warm clothes
    4. I am thankful for big fluffy pillows
    5. I am thankful that my baby blanket is still holding up after 27 years of use

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  5. Purple Pam
    1)Thankful that purple once again broke the ice & got a shy lady at Kroger's to smile & talk!
    2) Thankful that, once again, almost everything I need from the grocery was on sale.
    3)Thankful for findng Christmas sweaters in Tiff's size & she loves them.
    4)Thankful for an incredible Bible Study! Lord, You amaze me!
    5) Thankful for Hydration & all the women sharing this study.
    6)Thankful for WOW & watching sweet women grow in the Lord each week.
    7)Thankful for ACC, it just gets sweeter as I walk my path.
    8)Thankful that, Father God, You keep Your promises.
    9)Thankful that You, Sweet Jesus, HAVE overcome the world, no matter how crazy it gets.
    10)Thankful for all the sweet blessings that I never realize.
    -I am so blessed!-

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  6. I am thankful for:
    1. getting a haircut today
    2. going out to lunch with my mom
    3. getting to sleep in
    4. good books to read
    5. my brother coming home in a few days :)

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  7. 1. I am thankful for having one class today
    2. I am thankful that my teacher daughter's doctors appointment went well
    3. I am thankful for our caf being in the top 25
    4. I am thankful for the cold weather
    5. I am thankful for the little things

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  8. 1. I am thankful for the smile my grandson gives me when I pick him up after he's taken a nap.
    2. I am thankful for the potstickers my son made for my husband and me.
    3. I am thankful that God is orchestrating a different (and I hope blessed) Thanksgiving this year.
    4. I am thankful that our Lord is stronger than any fear.
    5. I am thankful that I watch college basketball and football with my husband and actually enjoy it!

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  9. I am thankful for:
    1. Oliver and Aubree, my teacup pig friends,
    2. women laughing and enjoying fellowship at Bible study
    3. Godly counsel
    4. a request to mentor a wonderful young woman
    5. the power and effectiveness of prayer
    6. students making progress at the Clubhouse
    7. the volunteers at the Clubhouse who have poured encouragement and hope into their students
    8. the cleanliness of my floors after a big scrubbing project today
    9. the speed of travel by airplane
    10. a newspaper article about a young man with a perfect ACT score, and how the writer of the article chose to include the Christian characteristics of this young man

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  10. 1. I'm thankful for a sweet encouragement note from a friend.
    2. I'm thankful for God's wonderful answer to prayer(s).
    3. I'm thankful for a beautiful late afternoon walk through my neighborhood.
    4. I'm thankful for my husband's enthusiasm in leading our church.
    5. I'm thankful for God's reminders in my life that I need Him everyday, every minute!!

    I have been posting these on my iphone, only to realize at midnight last night that they weren't coming through. I am thankful that God knows what I wrote, even if it didn't make the list.

    My favorite worship song (from yesterday), is Wonderful Merciful Savior. IT was the theme song from my Emmaus walk, and will always mean so much to me!

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  11. 1. Women on Wednesday group.
    2. My sister.
    3. Long-time friends.
    4. That I'm off work tomorrow.
    5. Paper products - toilet paper, paper towels, tissue.

    Debbie D.

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  12. I am thankful:
    1. that my husband was able to fix the leaky sink in less than 30 seconds.
    2. for chicken pot pie.
    3. that I get to go to my Book Club meeting tomorrow night.
    4. that I had an afternoon at home alone to get things done.
    5. that my daughter is so excited about her upcoming baptism.

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  13. Double dipping again
    :-)
    Angela Thomas and the Brave study
    The comfort only GOD can give
    Kleenex ( snot agape) :-)
    Hugs from loving friends
    GOD's protection of my daughter and I on I64 today
    That GOD does have it all worked out so no need to worry.
    Ivory soap
    Left overs for dinner
    The DC men's study taking a few weeks break :-)
    Fluffy towels
    Hot water
    A boatload of air mattress's on loan from some generous friends !
    sweet dreams
    :-) Bonnie Lawrence

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  14. 1. For kiddos that make me laugh
    2. For good Christian friends
    3. For funny movies
    4. For God, He is so good
    5. For the dog letting Daniel take him out for like the first time ever in his 3 years of life with us ( the dog won't go out for anyone but me uggg

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  15. 1. Getting so much done at work today (esp. the little niggly projects that can go neglected for so long!)
    2. Coming home to a wonderful surprise meal delivered by my sweet mother-in-law.
    3. Being the cool Mom and dying my middle-schooler's hair for Mix It Up day.
    4. Snuggle sandwich with the Bug and her Daddy this morning.
    5. Being reminded EVEN DURING THIS EXPERIMENT (shamefully!) to be thankful for what I've already been given instead of being so child-like and asking for the next wish granted while forgetting about the one JUST granted.

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  16. 1. I am thankful for the wisdom of my daughter's doctors.

    2. I am thankful for God's amazing protection.

    3. I am thankful for encouragement and love from friends.

    4. I am thankful for hot chocolate.

    5. I am thankful for the strength that only God can provide.

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  17. 1. I am thankful for Acc
    2. I am thankful for cuddles
    3. I am thankful for sensory toys
    4. I am thankful for easy dinners
    5. I an thankful for sweet tea

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  18. 1. Air conditioning
    2. Flip flops
    3. Being offered more hours and a raise at the office job after 3 weeks working there
    4. That Bekah came in to see me at Starbucks today while I was working
    5. Meeting Bekah's new puppy
    6. Spending some time with my family after being gone for 5 days
    7. A refreshing evening dip in the pool
    8. The Lawrence's dog Wendy that has kept me company at their house while house sitting
    9. Patience of my Starbucks coworkers as I've been learning to make drinks
    10. That God's love never fails!!

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