Amazed

  Well I didn't finish the Joy Dare. 
  I did however while sitting here looking at FB have an amazing realization. 
 9:30 am is around the time that Josh phones from work. He usually catches me still in bed, usually with a pre-schooler climbing around my head or she's stacking up pillows and using my knees as a launch pad.  Anyway the point is my feet have not yet hit the floor.   I started the Hello Mornings Challenge from Inspired to Action.  
  For the past couple of weeks when Josh calls I'm already done my coffee, and school assignments are started. 
  TODAY.....he hasn't called yet and I've already been to the grocery store and back!!!! Miraculous!  Although I probably wouldn't have left the house if the kids were not attending Spiritual Emphasis Week.   And to be totally honest I wouldn't not have dashed in for a few things IF I had not been totally out of dishwasher detergent. ;)
   Yet I sit here still amazed at what has been accomplished in the time that I would have previously still been in bed! ;)

Joy Dare 19

19. a grace in the kitchen, a grace in the weather, a grace that might never have been.

~ A sink that both sides work, thanks to my handy hubby

~ With this -23 feels like -39 weather I find it really hard to find something thankful.  But the sun is shining and that is bright beauty, we can enjoy from inside.

~ I have a few graces that might never have been.  Right now I'm thankful for a 3yr old girl who came 6 years after her sibs and the little one that will follow her.  Had we been "planning" things they might never have been.

Joy Dare 18

18. 3 gifts from God's Word.
 ~ "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord" Ps.112:7

 ~ "For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice]." Romans 8:3

 ~ "I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who  live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Gal. 2:20

Joy Dare 13 -17

When Josh is home it's hard for me to get over here.

13. 3 sounds you hear.
 ~ The quietness of children busy at their school work.
 ~ The giggles of a 3 year old
 ~The diesel truck warming up outside

14. 3 ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God.
 ~ A hug
 ~ The smiles of my children
 ~ How peaceful they look while sleeping

15. one thing you wore, one thing you gave away, one thing you shared.
 ~Maternity jeans that don't make me feel fat or frumpy
 ~boys clothes that have been outgrown
 ~tears for a friend gone Home

16. 3 ways you witnessed happiness today.
 ~ Hubby's happy about yummy coffee
 ~ Madi's happy to cuddle in bed with me, so am I
 ~ 9 year old happy with getting her Math correct

17. one gift that made you laugh, one gift that made you pray, one gift that made you quiet.
 ~ Josh always makes me laugh
 ~ The gift of praying for a friend
 ~ When my friend left this earth and moved into Heaven

Joy Dare 11 &12

 11. 3 yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy.
  ~ SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!
  ~ Egg Yolk the really bright almost orange ones
  ~ Bananas

12. Something above you, something below you, something beside you.
  ~ A new non-leaky roof
  ~ My sweet Hubby working away to get the furnace installed
  ~ Madalyn drawing away happy as can be with just pen and paper.

Joy Dare 10

10. a gift that's sour, a gift that's sweet, a gift that's just right.

 ~ lemons...yummy and healthy
 ~ brownies and whip cream
 ~ coffee, mmmmmmm

Joy Dare 8 & 9

Yesterday was a very hard day emotionally.  Getting back to what I need, and want to do.  Give thanks.

8. a light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely.
  ~Well it wasn't a physical light, but it shone in my heart, to let me see things a little different.
  ~ Perhaps it didn't surprise me as much as make joy swell within me.  My little girls face pressed up close to mine and my big girls face smiling at me.
  ~ The shadow hasn't fallen yet, but if it does yes it will be lovely in a sad way, but lovely.

9. a gift in your hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with.
  ~in my hand coffee made for me by my eldest
  ~I walked by the girls painting together at the kitchen island.
  ~Morning cuddles with toddler, makes rising and shining so much easier.