The Gifts List
As we look back over the year and consider all of our blessings, we know that the things we have to be thankful for are truly gifts from God Himself. We are most thankful for the gracious gift that He gave by sending His Son Jesus to us. Jesus, loving and compassionate teacher, sinless, offering His own self as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins as He died upon the cross. And, the glorious miracle of His resurrection, again demonstrating that He is the Son of God, and allowing that one day we have the privilege to live with Him forever in heaven. There are no adequate words...
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
We are also immeasurably thankful for the gift of our family. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for this gift, more than I ever could have imagined, this love that we share that grows bigger every day. My heart is overflowing.
We thank God for our parents, our in-laws, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and our extended families.
Besides these blessings, our family has complied our own "Gifts List" this year... the things that we are thankful for. From random thoughts to happy memories from throughout the year, we hope that as you read our list you reflect on the gifts that God has given you too.
The Gifts List
Childhood memories
Ocean waves
Colorful flowers
Swimming pools
Listening to Grace on the piano and Clark on the drums
Family vacations
Eggs and bacon for breakfast
Dr. Pepper
The way the sun sparkles on the water
A cool breeze on a sunny day
Fall leaves
Softly falling snow
Crackling fires in the fireplace
Our jobs
Spending time with each other
Looking back through old photos
Forgiveness
Our marriage
Our church
Family group hugs
Doing something that really matters
Being embraced
Sleeping in
Starting over, again
Animals
Technology
Belly laughing with the kids
Visiting with good friends
Knowing that it's all in His hands
Possibilities
Good health
Rocking chairs on the front porch
Fuzzy socks
Stuffed animals
Trying something new
Playing games together
Making presents for other people
Knowing when you've made the right decision
Clouds reflecting on the water
Dreaming of the future
Reminiscing about the past
Watching movies together in bed
Trying something different
Hot showers
God answering prayers
Feelings of accomplishment
Having goals to work toward
Watching our children sleep
Fields of sunflowers
Watching a full moon rising
Picking peaches straight off the tree to eat
Enjoying one-on-one time with each member of our family
Late night desserts
Imaginations
Warmth of electric blankets
Learning something new
Things that are "black and white"
That 1+1=2 and that the sun always rises
Letters in the mail
The creativity of our children
Sweet aromas in the kitchen
Picnics
Hiking
Getting braces off
Scottish Rite Hospital
Blanket tents in the living room
Holding hands
Strawberry jam on homemade bread
Back scratches
Date nights
Favorite books
Colored pens and pencils
Helping people
Our Compassion kids
I Love Lucy reruns
Knitting
Drawing
Sweet tea
Freedom
