On Thursday, the first day of The Thankfulness Experiment, my friend and mentor gave me a touching gift at Bible Study when we announced the launch of the experiment. It was a Thankfulness Tree she made for me. She asked each lady in our Bible Study to write one thing they were thankful for on an ornament, and they hung them on the tree. But that's not all... she also made milestone markers in 500 increments, so I could track our progress towards reaching 10,000 reasons. And last night, I got to hang the first milestone ornament (it's the orange ornament, front and center). I'll continue to post pictures of this tree as we reach each 500 milestone.
The journey to thankfulness can be challenging. I'm learning this as I navigate through my day... when things don't go as planned, what do I choose to do? To give thanks or complain? I must admit that I've got a ways to go until I choose thankfulness even in tough situations. That's why I rated myself as a 5 on the Thankfulness Scale from Day 1. I am definitely more thankful that I was a year ago, but not quite where I should be yet. I'm looking forward to see how I transform over the next 61 days by putting thankfulness into practice daily.
In order to help me with thankfulness, I'm memorizing a thankfulness verse each week. This week's verse is Psalm 69:30: I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. Today, I'm praising Him for 500 reasons and how reading what you write inspires me to be more thankful.
Here's my list for today...
1. My 7 year old snuggling with me and falling asleep on my lap this morning. It's not often that happens as they get older and I treasured each second.
2. Playing LEGOs with the boys.
3. Having friends who are praying for me, encouraging me and helping me navigate through the technology involved with this experiment.
4. Getting to hang the first 500 milestone on the Thankfulness Tree.
5. For God's patience with me and His amazing forgiveness.
Here's to 10,000 reasons... only 9,417 more to go...
1. I am thankful for a night of cookies, apple cider and reality tv with my favorite neighbor.
ReplyDelete2. I am thankful for those favorite neighbors that invited me and my husband to visit a church more than 3 years ago that has now become our church home, with such an incredible church family.
3. I am thankful for kiddos sleeping in the car on the way home from the zoo allowing me to catch up wih my awesome sister-in-law.
4. I am thankful for friends that love my kiddos like their own.
5. I am thankful for a God that loves me more than I can imagine.
I am thankful for my prayer group.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for the sunshine today.
I am thankful that I am healthy and able to do my housework (somehow it's not so bad when I think about the fact that I CAN do it when many can't).
I am thankful that no matter what happens today in the election, God is in control and He has a plan.
I am thankful for blue jeans.
I am thankful for my neighbor who prays with and for me.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for my right to vote....and exercising it today.
I am thankful that my husband will be home tonight.
I am thankful that my kids still think I'm cool enough to invite to their "tea party" and "fix my hair".
I am thankful today has been a low-key day full of relaxing.
1. I am thankful for Louisville Bible College
ReplyDelete2. I am thankful for my friends who encouraged me to go to LBC.
3. I am thankful that my hardworking husband had the day off and got to get out and enjoy this beautiful day on the golf course.
4. I am thankful for our giant fuzzy blue blanket.
5. I am thankful for my sweet daughters willingness to share said blanket :-)
Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying this experiment, being thankful is my favorite !
Rosie T. is thankful for...
ReplyDeleteDay five - Today I am thankful for the GREAT report I got on Amelia at Parent Teacher Conference day,
for an opportunity to talk with all my kid's teachers,
for a good conversation with their dad,
for the opportunity for my kid's to spend more time with their dad and
that I got to go dancing tonight!
Rosie T. is thankful for...
ReplyDeleteDay six - Today I am thankful for having the opportunity to VOTE,
for a walk this morning with my dear neighbor, Jenny;
that I have money to pay my bills - I got an unexpected car repair bill today -
that I was able to encourage my car repair guy, Joe, to go vote. He promised me he would. It probably helped that I prayed out loud at his register that God would do whatever it took to get Joe out the door to vote. :-).
The last thing I am thankful for is I got to talk to my dear Mother - in - love who recently moved to Montgomery, and she sounded SO HAPPY. The move was very stressful for her and my Father -in- law.
Thankful for
ReplyDeleteGod including us in what he is doing
Great neighborhood with friends close by
A low-maintenance haircut
The ability to run
The new dress the wife bought - can't wait to see her wear it
I am thankful for God revealing Himself to me every day
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for classical music
I am thankful for the little breaks in my day
I am thankful for getting most of my homework done
I am thankful for the rain
1. I am Thankful we have the freedom to vote (or not).
ReplyDelete2. I am thankful I had patience and serenity during Day #2 of horrible traffic and multi car accidents.
3. I am thankful for my job.
4. I am thankful for my cube mate at work – she always listens and tries to keep me positive!
5. I am thankful for my vehicle that gets me where I need to be.
Nancy
1. I am thankful for people helping understand my son Toby
ReplyDelete2. I am thankful for the laughter Toby and Ev put on my heart
3. I THANKFUL TO BE THE VOICE FOR TOBY AND OTHERS WHO CAN'T SPEAK
4. I am thankful for all the obsticals I will face and have to face for they make be a better person
5.i am thankful for prsyer
1. Flexibility of my new bosses
ReplyDelete2. The benefits Starbucks has offered me
3. Free coffee :)
4. Family dinners
5. New medicine