One Thousand Gifts: What Happens When You Intentionally Count Gifts…

August 6, 2012 • 16 Comments

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One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

will change you ~ I promise…

You may be wondering how such a bold statement can be made. The boldness, my boldness comes from the life change I’ve experienced since I began counting gifts last year.

Some have counted longer, with gifts numbered in the thousands and beyond.

Some are new counters, desiring to live every moment to the fullest in His majestic presence, by acknowledging His loving gifts.

Either way, lives are changed.

This book took me out of my daily life of expectancy and sat me right at the place of thanksgiving…a place not visited nearly enough. I am learning to worship more completely by being thankful daily because of Ann Voskamp’s sharing and teaching. ~ Wonderfully Reflective, July 17, 2012 via Amazon Reviews

In simple terms, it is a book that challenges us to open our eyes to all the amazing ways that God shows His love to us, and to be thankful. It challenged and blessed me so much that I ordered eleven of them, (10 hardbacks and one audio), and gave them to those I love, and those who I knew needed to be encouraged. ~ Sarah C, July 12, 2012, Amazon Reviews

I found myself challenged to look for those things in my life that are gifts. To be thankful for them. Deeply thankful to God. ~ lauraofharvestlanecottage, May 20, 2011, Barnes & Noble Reviews

This book has changed how I look and perceive everything around me! I am learning to see God’s gifts in my life and experiencing joy like never before. While I have always been thankful for God’s blessings, the naming of these blessings has caused me to see God in the details of my life and to be more grateful. I am overwhelmed by God’s goodness and love for me. God has gifted Ann with incredible and beautiful writing and I am very thankful for her willingness to used by Him. ~ Miss Claire, January 21, 2011, Barnes & Noble Reviews

You may have a testimony of how counting one thousand gifts has impacted you, influenced you, changed you. If you do, please share it in the comment section below. Additionally, I’d love for you to share at least one gift from last weeks list in the comment section, as well. May we all rejoice together!

My one thousand gifts continue…

{723} A quiet morning with my family. No TV. No radio. Nothing but good books and nice conversation…

{724} Listening to my little man humming Come, Thou Fount as he dozes off to sleep…

{725} Watching Olympic swimming helped our little guy gain more passion for swimming, perfecting the strokes and competing…

{726} During last week’s prayer meeting we had to add chairs to accommodate those in attendance…

{727} “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ~ Romans 10:13 (NIV)

{728} Listening as Alex sings quietly while he plays…

{729} Eavesdropping as Alex and Dan play Mario Cart on the Wii. Heated competition…

{730} Iced Tea with lemon on a hot Texas afternoon…

Now, as I near one thousand gifts, I’m confident I’ll count on.

One thousand gifts and one…

One thousand gifts and two…

And so on…

Buy the Kindle version of One Thousand Gifts for $4.99 here…

Multitudes on Mondays

Image Credit

http://www.heartchoices.com Debbie

Counting gifts has changed the way I look at my day. I am on the lookout for those every day blessings. I find I live in the now with more awareness. I also have some friends at work who are not believers. They look forward to reading my blog posts when I am counting my blessings. Some of the things I mention are happening at work and it makes them more aware to be thankful too.

Blessings and love,
Debbie
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  I love the fact your list, in addition to being a blessing to believers, is being used as an evangelistic tool. Now, that’s awesome!!
  
  I, too, have become more aware of how blessed I am and how giving my heavenly Father is. It’s not in the “big” miracles/gifts, but in the daily, consistent thought He has for us.
  
  Have a wonderful day, Debbie!
SouthernGalThoughts

How can I not be grateful and know I’m truly blessed after counting gifts day after day? The gift of watching a friend who is a foster mom loving on her foster kids before they are sent off to their forever family this week really touched me. Those children’s lives have been changed forever in the last 11 months that she and her husband have had them. To see what God is capable of has been thrilling.

Thank you for listing your gifts here. It’s so encouraging to read how God is working in the lives of others.
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  What an inspiring story!! Your friends have gifted their foster kids beyond words and ways they won’t actually understand for years. What a beautiful example of selfless giving!
  
  Thank you for stopping by to visit. I’m very grateful.
http://newlifesteward.com/ Mary Beth

I don’t “officially” count gifts with Ann, but certainly reflect on them. A recent gift was a beautiful Saturday morning spent with my son and husband. We had breakfast and played on the playground, they watched football practice together, then we played in the University’s fountain and finished it out with pizza and a long nap. That’s a lot of gifts and great memories!
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Good Morning, Mary Beth!!
  What a sweet gift! Counting is nice, but becoming aware, just as you are, is the key.
  Thank you for visiting and sharing.
  Have a wonderful day.
http://twitter.com/kendalprivette Kendal Privette

new to this blog – love your list!
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Welcome, Kendal, and thank you!!
  - http://www.facebook.com/jenferguson1 Jennifer ‘Miner’ Ferguson
    
    Kendal is coming to the SDG retreat!
    - StefanieYoungBrown
      
      Really??? I’m really thinking about driving down. With Allume shortly thereafter and my husband going to Guatemala the same month, I’m not sure I can swing it. He’s in Wales this week, so I plan to ask him when he comes back:)) We love Austin and come frequently. In fact, we’ll be there 9/1 for a massive LEGO event. Our 9 year old loves LEGOS!!
      
      Thank you for letting me know:))
http://www.facebook.com/jenferguson1 Jennifer ‘Miner’ Ferguson

Even though I am not great about writing down the gifts, I find that with the mindset of counting, I can always rattle off ten things. In the mundane moments, I have learned to be grateful. Just this morning as I walked out to get the paper, I was overcome with gratitude that I had a house to walk out of, a paper to receive, and a cool breeze on a normally humid morning.
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  You know, Jennifer, it’s all about becoming aware. Lists are nice, but walking in the spirit of awareness is where we fully see Him and His gifts. I tweet a lot of my gifts, because I’m not always in a place to actually write them down. Then, I go back and review them. It words for me:))
  
  By the way, it’s extremely humid here in North Texas, too. Hoping for RAIN!!
http://www.healthyspirituality.org Jean Wise

Stefanie i love your list, especially number 724 with your little man humming away. what a wonderful gift to behold.

I was reading the comments below and wanted you to know I am going to the SDG conference too. Flying from OHio to Texas. Have a dear friend in Austin who I am bringing with me. Will be fun to meet up with other from SDG. Hope you can come!!
- StefanieYoungBrown
  
  Thank you, Jean!
  
  I’m really considering driving down to the SDG conference. My husband returns this weekend and I’ll run it by him. He’s super gracious, allowing me to travel and attend conferences of my choosing. My only concern is, I head to PA at the end of October for Allume. That’s 2 weekends away in the same month. We’ll see…
  
  So glad you stopped by today!! Maybe I’ll get to see you in October )
  - http://www.healthyspirituality.org Jean Wise
    
    I debated Allume too but have an opportunity to go on a spiritual pilgrimage to Scotland and England the end of October so jump for that instead this year. That too made me hesitate re committing to SDG at first but my friend in Austin – a really neat lady – wanted to hear one of the speakers and God seemed to open all the doors so I said yes to both. I know what you mean about having a terrific supportive hubby. Sounds like we are both blessed!
    - StefanieYoungBrown
      
      When I read “Scotland and England”, I had to pause!! My husband is currently ministering in Wales. We typically go to Great Britain 2-3 times a year, building a youth camp network through our stateside camping ministry, LIFT Ministries. If God called us to go there, we’d go in a heartbeat! I absolutely cannot wait to hear about your trip.
      
      Allume is fantastic and last year it was a life-influencing time; however, having this opportunity to head overseas seems God’s perfect mission for you. Maybe next year you can consider Allume.
      
      SDG… I’ll know something this weekend:)))