Tuesday, March 26, 2013

gifts thirty one through forty.

31. the toilet paper roll, refilled, proudly beaming, sheets hanging over, not under. like a butler in uniform. 

32. thankful for this new found joy that just keeps bubbling out of my heart after taking on the joy project.

33. modern technology has advanced enough that we can talk face to face with our California parents right in our very own living room. my heart is always uplifted when chatting with them, mom and dad English are full of wisdom, laughter, and sunshine.

34. thankful for answered prayers, whether they be yes or no, I am thankful that He responds. 

35. for surprises. unexpected gifts, big and small.

36.  little chalkboard drawings of 3 crooked crosses, scribbled grass, and an empty tomb. Ben said, "I drew Jesus too, but not on the cross." I asked,  "is He in the tomb?" "No, mom! He's just standing there! Don't you see him!"

37. the sound of my mom's soft spoken voice, it breaks and cracks, but it is strong and full of love.

38. I love a loaded dishwasher, closed shut and running. doing its job faithfully, where I once dreaded the dish duty the first two years of marriage without that robotic box.

39. that none of of us are too far from redemption. there is always room for transformation to take place.

40. the gift of health. a renewed sense to eat better and reconstruct my temple. joy is found in activity and boiled eggs.

2 comments:

Lindsy said...

I'm inspired to start a list again... my own joy dare. :-) I'm loving redemption stories also right now. So much to praise him for. And I'm still living without the robotic box, but am praising him that someday (please?) we can have one! Love your heart!

J.K. English said...

i hear you girl! Dishwashers are gifts, because I abhorred doing the dishes by hand. I'm sure you will get one someDAY! And since I have begin the list, it really has impacted me greatly and given me such joy and gratitude for all things. He is so good.