Joy Dare v.2

The second installment of The Joy Dare...

Day 6 -  3 Gifts of Government

Religious freedom...so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my church family every Sunday without fear of persecution

Opportunity to vote - am privileged to have a say in my government even if I don't always agree with it.

Land of Opportunity - blessed that we have so many opportunities.  Made me think of something I read in a Max Lucado study once about how those in other countries are just victims of latitude.  How different my life would be if I was born in a different place.

Day 7 - 3 Gifts from Your Window

First few flakes of snow - so many people hate winter but I LOVE it!

My deck - love just sitting out there enjoying some quiet time, or having friends over and lighting up the fire pit

Sunshine - after the last few days of dreary weather am so excited to see beautiful rays of sunshine coming through the window.  Especially after several days of work of going in to work in the dark and leaving in the dark.

Day 8 - Gift Sweet, Salty, Sipped

My niece Jenna - she has such a sweet spirit...love that kid and so thankful to be her aunt!

Nuts - one my no carb diet nuts, all kinds, are a staple and quick snack

Tea - my diet has ruined my coffee drinking days, so I'm learning to like tea

Day 9 - Going with my own theme today!

Saturday mornings to sleep in - after a long week of waking up early, I'm thankful for a few hours of catch-up sleep

Heated blanket - now that its getting cold, I hate going to bed cold...but a heated blanket is amazing!

Queen size bed - way too big for one person, but just the way I like

Day 10 - 3 Gifts Found in Bible Reading

Peace - knowing God has it all under control and that the times I lose my peace is when I'm taking on burdens I was never intended to bear

Armor of God - just finished reading a great devotional by Stormie Omartian on the armor of God and it totally changed my perspective on it.  What a great blessing to be protected by God every day.

Undeserved grace - oh how I take this for granted so often

Day 11 - 3 Gifts of Remembrance

Veterans - on this veterans day, no better thing to remember than the sacrifice of all those who serve or have served our country

Parents - My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past weekend...what an example they have laid out for me.

Grandparents - I only have one living grandparent but am thankful for the time I was able to spend and learn from them.  Also sad I don't really remember my G-pa Nater though except for a few pics I've seen of him.

Day 12 - 3 Gifts at Noon

My job - at noon I'm halfway done for the day  :)

Food - having been in many places in the world where people are lucky to eat once a day, reminded how blessed I am to get to eat any time I want.

Calls to my mom - on my days off, I always try to touch base with my mom...and it always seems to be around noon!

Day 13 - 3 Gifts Behind a Door

Coats - I have more than any one person should have.  As it gets colder, its easy to forget how many people struggle without the warmth of a coat.  

Clothes - again way more than I need...

Car - thankful to have a dependable car that gets me where I need to be

Day 14 - 3 Gifts Silent

Sleep - I have always had trouble sleeping and every little noise wakes me up.  Silence is golden in my book for a good nights sleep.

Peace - its one of the first words I think of when I think silence.

God's Voice - Its in the moments of quiet, when I hear God speak most clearly...need more time to clear out all the senseless noise in my life.

The Joy Dare...

So our Ladies Bible Study on Friday morning is doing the 1,000 Gifts study by Ann Voskamp.  Honestly, with my work schedule I'm going to miss at least half of the study, but decided I wanted to take part in The Joy Dare.  Each day you look for 3 gifts that you are thankful for guided by the daily prompts.  Some are easier than others for sure but all of them make you think a little deeper.  The calendar prompts you to think of the big and little things that are such a blessing...and not always the obvious things.  November is a great month to start this, but I'm really going to challenge myself to keep it up for the year.  There is a great app I'm using on my phone that helps me keep up on the daily part of it.  I have no unreal expectations that I will update my blog every day, but hope to try to update it at least once a week. Will definitely be the most action my blog has seen in a long time, but what better way to use it.  So here goes nothing...


Joy Dare Day 1 - 3 gifts eaten

Coffee - can't drink it much any more but I sure do enjoy a fresh cup when I can to get me going

Green Bean Casserole - one of my favorite things my mom makes for Thanksgiving.  I can make it but its just never quite the same as when mom makes it!

Fresh fruit - especially when its picked right off the tree.  My travels to several foreign countries have allowed me to have some of the best FRESH fruit - mango, banana, papaya (not my fav), pineapple, guava...yum.

Joy Dare Day 2 - 3 gifts worn

Scrubs  - because they are comfy and means I get to go to work and do something I really enjoy most days.

That pair of jeans I've had forever - you know that pair that just fits perfect and are SO comfortable!

My running clothes - these days I spend almost as much time in them as I do any other clothes.  So thankful that I have the strength and health to get out there and run!

Joy Dare Day 3 - 3 gifts that start with N

Nature - I just love this time of year - bright leaves, gray/blue skies, crisp air...it just makes me happy!

Night out with friends - don't do it nearly enough.  Just this past weekend got to spend Saturday night with part of my church family celebrating my friends completing their 1st marathon...fun!

Notes of encouragement - I know hand-written notes are so old school, but I love sending and getting them.  Every once in a while I will run across one that someone sent me and it makes me smile and encourages my heart.

Joy Dare Day 4 - a gift gathered, given, good

Garden - Love in the summer being able to harvest my garden and eat the great stuff out of it.  Plus I love sharing the extras with friends and co-workers.

Forgiveness - for myself and others.  I have been given more than I deserve and am more stingy with giving it than I should ever be.

Friends - you know those ones who know just when to call because you need to talk, or the ones who you don't talk to nearly enough but pick up right where you left off the last time.

Joy Dare Day 5 - 3 gifts acorn small

Teeth - one of those things I take for granted until I crack it on Laffy Taffy!

Sand - nothing like walking on a warm, sunny beach and feeling the sand between your toes...reminds me of my travels as well as my time at PCC in Florida.

Medicine - mainly because during my mission travels, I've seen how many people don't have ready access to it like I do.  Can't imagine not having some Ibuprofen handy for a headache or sore muscles.