1000 Things...

...to thank God for this season. A working post inspired by Ann V. in this post.

1. That there is a God afterall.
2. That He made a way for everyone to be saved from sin and death.
3. He gave me the desire of my heart: Jesus--I'd have never followed Him by myself.
4. For choosing my Husband too.
5. The beauty of His Word.
6. The living nature of His Word.
7. Parables.
8. Proverbs.
9. Epistles.
10. Gospels
11. Prophetic promises.
12. That there is still faith among men.
13. The water cycle.
14. That He grew wheat from the ground to make the bread in my kids' pb&js.
15. And the fruit for the jam.
16. Or for His gift of life to the bees that made the honey.
17. For growing the peanuts for the peanut butter.
18. He gave life to the cow that gave the milk that they drink with their sandwich.
19. He, alone, can grow the tangerines or grapes or apples that sit alongside.
20. Green leaves against a crystal-clear blue, blue, blue sky.
21. The brightness of night when it has snowed with a full moon.
22. That there are no sidewalks to shovel in South Texas.
23. Two-wheelers in small sizes.
24. Training wheels for the child who is afraid.
25. And for helmets and gloves and knee pads and elbow pads.
26. For the moments when Dumpling chooses to trust me more than her fear.
27. For the compassion I feel for her in the moments that she doesn't.
28. When my child solicits my attention just to say, "I love you."
29. When Dumpling seeks out Fifi to show her some great thing that has happened.
30. To hear Fifi validate her with her rapt attention and praise.
31. Hymns learned in the morning, sung throughout the day by little voices.
32. The incredible wiring of the human brain.
33. How God honors the effort to use it to read, learn and love His Word.
34. God's sovereignty that lets me rest from my anxiety -- when I let myself.
35. God's omniscience that knew me and knows me and what will become of me.
36. God's omnipresence that comforts me, envelopes me and keeps me near to Him.
37. The sound of children reasoning -- with the other parent!

38. For a husband who loves me as Christ loved the church.
39. That I believe in the virtue and nobility of the calling of help-meet.
40. To be completely contented with my calling.
41. That my husband is gainfully employed.
42. For the home he has purchased, in which we dwell, laugh, love and learn together.
43. For washers and dryers and irons and hangers.
44. For a small but separate room in which to store and use those tools.
45. For tiny hands that come of age to help with the work that pours from that space.
46. For the quiet that comes after all are tucked into bed.
47. For the rare times that Cuddlebug comes down with one more excuse to see us.
48. For little voices that morph into something heavy and poised too soon.
49. For little voices that hum or chant or sing or whistle...
50. When thier accompanying bodies skip or run or work or walk.
51. Cuddlebug's affection.
52. Dumpling's humor and whimsy.
53. Fifi's tender heart and capable hands.
54. Husband's wisdom and strength.
55. Cuddlebug's dimpled smile.
56. Dumpling's infectious smile.
57. Fifi's delicate features, and her poised and private nature.
58. For doctors.
59. And a Godly pediatrician.
60. For hospitals.
61. Medication.
62. Thermometers.
63. Cool-mist vaporizers.
64. Tea tree oil.
65. Air conditioning.
66. Forced-air heat.
67. Cameras.
68. Computers.
69. Blogs.
70. The human ear.
71. Recorded music.
72. Bach.
73. Mozart.
73. Buxtehude.
74. Ravel.
75. Handel.
76. Debussy.
77. Rodrigo.
78. Chopin.
79. Beethoven.
80. Barber.
81. Verdi.
82. Biset.
83. Alison Krause.
84. Johnny Cash.
85. Andrea Bocelli.
86. Celia Bartolli.
87. Compact discs.
88. MP3 players.
89. The human eye.
90. Children's literature preserved from a simpler, more virtuous time.
91. The trees God grew that contributed to the pulp that makes the paper.
92. Authors with a passion for history.
93. Authors with a concern for virtue.
94. Authors with an appreciation for the beauty of words and phrases.
95. Homeschoolers who have gone before and paved the way with great reading lists.
96. Homeschoolers who have gone before and fought for the right to educate our children.
97. My public library system.
98. Internet shopping and holds that my librarian pulls and has waiting for me...for free!
99. Times I can skip the library shelves that are replete with offensive materials.
100. A library card for everyone in the family -- with 50 books/card allowed.
101. For the ability to read.
102. For the ability to have taught three very different little girls to read.
103. For their endurance to the end, and the joy they have found in their new ability.

104. For the initiative of children to use their newest skill.
105. For Dumpling's cartoon-symetrical smile as she shows me the "book" she wrote at lunch.
106. For colored pencils.
107. For staplers.
108. For stickers.
109. For imagination.
110. For scotch tape.
111. For scissors.
112. For cloth scraps.
113. For glue sticks.
114. For art lessons.
115. For the foresight to put off art lessons until they're older -- a lot older.
116. For perspective.
117. For Cuddlebug's "people" who all have horizontal lines for eyes...
118. One vertical line for a nose...
119. A longer horizontal line under that for a mouth...
120. And a triangle dress -- if she's a girl.
121. For Dumpling's "people" who all have silicone lips and loooooong lashes.
122. For volumes of Fifi's "people" over the years -- proper ladies in floor-length dresses.
123. The vague memory of being that age and entranced by the beauty of being a woman.
124. For the way Cuddlebug asks her big sister's help in drawing a picture of Esther.
125. By the kind way Fifi has of accomplishing the favor.
126. By the mutual love and concern of these three very different girls.
127. That He has answered my prayer that these girls rejoice, and never envy one another.
128. The effort Cuddlebug goes to, to formulate a thought and push it past her vocal chords.
129. That she is too determined to give up when it gets difficult or discouraging.
130. That Dumpling is willing to let me correct her grammar a dozen times a day,
131. And that I'm beginning to hear it make a difference in her speech.
132. For the way Dumpling's giggles turn into hiccups.
133. When Dumpling and Cuddlebug build together with blocks or Lincoln Logs.
134. When my "puppies" actually act like puppies -- one on a leash and the other leading.
135. For their maternal instinct.
136. For the daily prayers offered by one or more of the children...
137. That the Lord would, "please send us more babies."
138. For children's prayers that deviate from the norm and the verse,
139. Because they are truly speaking to their God about something in the moment.
140. For Dumpling's enthusiasm for shopping.
141. For Cuddlebug's desire to learn and do all the chores.
142. For Fifi's interest in the homemaking arts; she wants to manage the house!
143. For clean sheets on Saturday.
144. For drawers freshly stocked with socks and other things.
145. For shiny, black, buckled shoes on little feet in the pews.
146. For girls who don't know "hand-me-down," but are excited they're finally the right size.
147. For barrettes and ponytail clips.

148. For ballet classes that begin with prayer.
149. For playgrounds and old friends with which to "catch up."
150. For news of a new marriage...
151. And of new babies on the way.
152. For brissle blocks and the boats they become in the hands of Dumpling.
153. Because Dumpling sees roadways for her matchbox cars in our wood floors.
154. Because Cuddlebug insists on taking out the kitchen trash -- and does it well!
155. For the way Fifi picks out new tunes on her violin...um, er...her fiddle.
156. Because Fifi can't help herself but practice her hymns to perfection for her teacher.
157. For a $75 garage sale piano.
158. For the softeness of babies.
159. The way they stare a hole through you when their tired.
160. For the sweet smell of clean scalps on little girls who spent the day in the dirt.
161. The joy in watching a child learn a new game, tutored by new friends.
162. For little fingers that stroke Mommy's hair while she catches a cat-nap on the couch.
163. Because little voices hush each other in concern for their resting mommy.
164. For hugs and kisses and stories at bedtime.
165. For love in the home: loyal love in difficulty and delight in the pleasant times.
166. For every morning that we heartily pray for Daddy's safe return to the dinner table,
167. And for every evening the Lord says, "Yes."
168. For when many hands are willing to make the work light.
169. For a tidy living room and dinner preparations that promise a special evening.
170. Candles' warm glow.
171. Weekly replays of the excitement that comes with the first day of autumn.
172. Morning chill.
173. Afternoon breeze.
174. Wide open windows.
175. The clean, natural scent of Murphy's Oil Soap.

176. The sacrificial love of one child for another when God's love reigns in the home.
177. For the strains of Fifi's violin diligently practicing a new and difficult skill.
178. The sound of Dumpling practicing the piano -- and naming the notes.
179. For sopranos.
180. For tenors.
181. For altos.
182. For basses.
183. For conductors.
184. For an audience that will come and share in beautiful sounds.
185. For invitations to lunch...
186. ...with accommodations for my girls too.
187. For the soft eyelids of sleeping children.
188. For knitting needles in the hands of Fifi.
189. Fifi's uplifted countenance by the simplest words of praise.
190. Dumpling's drama.
191. Cuddlebug's stealthy movements, and the laughter that follows.
192. Husband's thoughtfulness...
193. In cooking up pudding that is waiting in the fridge after choir rehearsal.
194. Husband's friendship.
195. Husband's wisdom.
196. Husband's confidence.
197. Husband's blessing.
198. Husband's good health.
199. My good health.
200. The good health and the hope of long life for each of my girls.
201. The way Dumpling takes care of Cuddlebug.
202. And teases -- with so much affection -- Fifi.
203. The way Cuddlebug and Fifi race to be first on the scene to help with chores.
204. The way Dumpling doesn't...
205. Unless the need is urgent -- and then's she's leading the charge.
206. For all the ways the Lord preserved me today.
207. For His work that I can see...
208. And for His work that is hidden from me.
209. That He has the hairs of my head counted.
210. And sees every sparrow.
211. And that the biggest problems are still small in His sight.
212. For a best friend that is perfectly reliable,
213. Perfectly honest.
214. Perfectly wise.
215. Perfectly worthy.
216. Perfectly loyal.
217. Perfectly capable.
218. Perfect in love.
219. For my best friend's Spirit abiding in me.
220. That my best friend created all things and holds it all together.
221. That for reasons I don't know, He wanted to be my friend.
222. For the confidence that His presence affords me.

223. A call to prayer before singing -- with a secular choir!
224. God's gracious blessing on our performance.
225. The profound joy of singing about the Christ -- even in languages I don't know!
226. A family that cheerfully pitches in to cover my chores on performance weekend.
227. The sincere smile of acceptance offered me by a collegue.
228. The friendly smile given me by a stranger.
229. The confidence to pay that simple deed forward.
230. Fridays: full of promise and anticipation of a great weekend.
231. Sundays: full of freedom to delight only in the things of the Lord.
232. Balloons hovering in the corner fromthe little girls' trip to the store.
232. The steamy November weather that sharpens the contrast to...
233. The cool front that is moving in at a slow jog.
234. Open windows.
235. Open screen doors.
236. The breeze that invites itself in through the back door...
237. And leaves through through the front without stopping to say hello.
238. The tinkling of the windchimes that have waited so long to be exercised.
239. My laptop computer that lets me be near my husband while I post.
240. A programmable remote control.
241. The History Channel
242. C-SPAN
243. The Classic Movie Channel
244. The Animal Channel
245. NPR productions
246. Bravery amongst men.
247. Soldiers endowed with this attribute who fought in The Great War.
248. Soldiers endowed with this attribute who fought in WWII.
249. Soldiers endowed with this attribute who fought in Vietnam.
250. Soldiers endowed with this attribute who fought in Korea.
251. Soldiers endowed with this attribute who fight in Iraq.
252. Soldiers endowed with this attribute who fight in Afganistan.
253. That there are those who survived these conflicts that still live today,
254. And share their stories with us.
255. For oral histories that are so rich with meaning and feeling.
256. For Veteran's Day
257. For Fifi's love of history that knew today was actually Armistice Day.
258. Because she was awake when I got home...
259. ...and wondered if I had heard the WWI Living History Project on NPR.
260. Glimpses like that of what wonder it must be to be her.

261. Blankets
262. Fireplaces
263. Wood to burn
264. Fire
265. Architecture designed with acoustics in mind.
266. Ladysmith Black Mambazo! Fifi's first concert -- in utero.
267. The beauty of God's broad brush stoke that is cultural diversity.
268. Acapella music.
269. The wondrous sound of multiple voices raised in song -- any song.

270. Energy.
271. The hope of new energy tomorrow.
272. That Husband came home safe and sound from work today.
273. And yesterday...
274. And the Friday before that...
275. That he is the most cheerfully helpful man I know,
276. Because he always offers to stop at the store on the way home,
277. And never grumbles when I take him up on the offer almost daily.
278. For the promise of a windy morning tomorrow.
279. And the forecast for a very cold Thursday morning.
280. For a woman who would accept Fifi as a volunteer on her farm,
281. And that Fifi works hard,
282. And enjoys the chores,
283. And gives them her best effort,
284. And all the while she is interacting so closely with God's creation.
285. And that's better than our "nature journal" that never got off the ground.
286. And that the last time we went, there was a new colt to see.
287. For a sweet visit with Mr. Tony at the neighborhood post office today,
288. And that three girls each left with a purple lollipop.
289. That there are only 9 days left until Thanksgiving.
290. That there are still 9 days left before Thanksgiving!
291. The anticipation of Husband's expertly-smoked Thanksgiving turkey.
292. The excitement of a fully-decorated table.
293. Lists to keep me on track.
294. For little ballerinas being blessed by a new teacher.
295. For step-ball-change.
296. And run, twirl, leap.
297. For whimsical music that Cuddlebug tells me about days later.
298. For teacher and student, hand-in-hand, mentoring new steps.
299. For "show time!"
300. For Dumpling's attentiveness to the world around her,
301. And the little yellow butterfly she scooped from the sidewalk,
302. And the way she explained that it's proboscis was still curled up,
303. And how she tenderly deposited it in a plastic bag when we got home.
304. Because Fifi is writing a book!
304. And that the Lord has blessed her with a lyric writing style.
305. And for the illustrations that will accompany her narrative.
306. And that it was all her idea.
307. For the end of concert weekend with my choir,
308. And that the rich, wonderful music is still with me.

309. Glimpses of open prarie via the tall waving grasses of the freeway median,
310. And the "oooohs" and "aaaaahs" that proceed from Dumpling as she admires
311. The wind that makes me think of the Scripture that say, "the wind bloweth as it listeth..."
312. For the strength to take Fifi clothes shopping tonight.
313. And that there are girls' size 16 pants with adjustable waists for my long, lanky daughter.
314. That my girls do not have the habit of complaining about their want.
315. For sewing machines and fabric because most stores don't sell skirts for girls anymore!
316. For fleece gloves,
317. And fleece hats,
318. With ear flaps for little lobes,
319. For a $5 fleece jacket in yester-year's Baskin-Robbins' colors (pink and brown) for Fifi.
320. A one-liter bottle of Aquafina water when I'm really thirsty.
321. A nice, warm, soft bed to climb into when I feel that little tickle in my throat.

322. A husband who helps
323. With dishes
324. And cooking
325. And children
326. And the sweeping
327. And scrubing the tub
328. But not the laundry
329. Or making the bed
330. Or changing the sheets
331. Or ironing.
332. And that he kindly spends the $ to have his dress shirts laundered,
333. And relieves my guilt by telling me it's because they can starch them better.
334. That Fifi has been working so very hard on an assignment long overdue,
335. And that in the process, she has become excited about her efforts!
336. That I feel the start-of-cycle fog lifting today,
337. And took a good, long nap and feel refreshed.
338. That I found the energy to accomplish some laundry,
339. And felt happy to iron my nice husband's hankerchiefs.
340. That I called my sister today to tell her happy birthday,
341. And she sounded happy to hear from me.
342. That my favorite Aunt is coming for Thanksgiving.
343. And that I love her so much,
344. And trust her so much,
345. That I'm not going to let logistics or asthetics steal my joy.
346. For the cozy scent of a cinnamon broom.
347. For the inspiration to decorate it with ribbon and fake fruit,
348. But mostly for the enthusiastic approval offered by Fifi,
349. And Dumpling,
350. And Cuddlebug too.
351. That God gave these three girls to be my children,
352. And that I get to be their mother!
353. And that I like them -- alot.
354. And that I get to spend time with them -- alot.
355. And that they see my flaws, and are so forgiving.
356. For a new church.
357. For strong, sure church government.
358. For the Bible,
359. And men who are gifted to come along side and teach its precepts.
360. For the thrill of anticipation of good things.

361. For lovely Aunts.
362. For helpful children,
363. And the blessing that is their sense of accomplishment.
364. For giggles...
365. In the car,
366. On the playground,
367. In the front yard,
368. In the backyard,
369. In the living room,
370. In the closet,
371. At bedtime,
372. All the time.
373. For the little voice that awakens me in the predawn hours,
374. And climbs into my bed because she's scared.
375. And pets my arm to fall asleep.
376. For flannel sheets,
377. And ceiling fans for nights that are still too hot.
378. For the cold front on the way!
379. For freshly-washed slip covers on a tired couch
380. And clean, new accent pillows
381. To make a nice space to welcome an overnight guest.
382. For an overnight guest.
383. For the living Word of God,
384. And how it changes me when I eat of it.
385. And how it makes His children wise,
386. And kind,
387. And compassionate.
388. Because God says, "Thus saith the Lord..."
389. And because He is never wrong,
390. And He never fails,
391. And He is in complete control,
392. And He is worthy of my trust.

393. For phones with which to visit with friends.
394. For wisdom from God to shepherd our children.
395. For Godly young women that set a good example...
396. ...like Sarah Malley who wrote...
397. ...Until You Meet Prince Charming.
398. That God called me to homeschool my daughters,
399. And thereby protected them from the undue influence of peers.
400. So they can be themselves...
401. ...and walk confidently in their identity...
402. ...that is in Christ.
403. Chilly weather.
404. Christmas trees.
405. Capable children to help in the set-up.
406. Excited children to accomplish the work.
407. A fireplace to gather around.
408. Tree skirts that anticipate pretty gifts.
409. Popcorn strung on a string to add a warm, homey feel to the tree.
410. Wreaths.
411. Table runners.
412. Candles.
413. Greenery.
414. Invitations for fellowship with a holiday theme.
415. Christmas carols.
416. Scripted plays and costumes of the Christmas Story.
417. Friends who have it all worked out.
418. The body of Christ...
419. Each exercising his gift to the glory of God,
420. And for the benefit and betterment of the Church on earth.
421. People brought across my path who intrigue me,
422. And teach me,
423. And inspire me
424. With a simple phrase,
425. Or just a good example.
426. For Jesus' love,
427. And patience,
428. For His commitment to me,
429. For His care for me...
430. ...that makes me feel like His favorite.

431. Diphenhydramine
432. Acetametaphin
433. Heat
434. Flannel Sheets
435. Dish T.V.
436. Husband who knows how to work it.
437. Old programs from the 50s we record...
438. And share with the children...
439. And the way it makes them giggle,
440. And sometimes cackle!
441. Fleece
442. For sick days that force me to stop...
443. Cancel my schedule,
444. And rest.
445. For popcorn strung on thread -- at the hands of Fifi!
446. For quiet.
447. For the noise all day that makes the quiet precious.

448. That God allows man to reflect His attribute of creativity
449. For patrons
450. For composers
451. For directors
452. For vocalists
453. For string musicians
454. For pianists
455. For woodwinds
456. For percussionists
457. For brass players
458. For sketch artists
459. For photographers
460. For animators
461. For costumers
462. And scene designers
463. For story tellers
464. And historians
465. And historians who are story tellers
466. For Mary's submissive spirit
467. And strength of faith to endure the scorn
468. For Joseph's sensitivity
469. And the dream that revealed to him, the truth of God's plan
470. And Joseph's strong faith to believe
471. And his dedication to honor and compassion.
472. For God's sweeping hand of sovereignty in the bringing forth of Emanuel.
473. For the awe experienced byt he shepherds at the angel's herald
474. For the wise men who followed the star
475. And knew not to go back by way of Herod
476. For my Redeemer come in the flesh.
477. That He entrusted himself to mere sinners
478. And grew in grace and stature
479. Before both God and man

480. For God's "hard-wiring" of girls and boys
481. For big bows on little heads

482. For Cuddlebug's good stewardship habits
483. For Dumpling's sweet repentance over sometimes wanting stewardship habits
484. For Cuddlebug's ability to articulate her feelings to me
485. For the Holy Spirit Who helps me perceive what Dumpling won't say aloud
486. Because Fifi's love for her sisters always wins over her frustration in the end
487. That my girls respect themselves enough to protect themselves
488. For eyelids to close out what we ought not see
489. Seeing something common become brand new through the eyes of a child
490. For "little brains" who scatter like "wild rabbits,"
491. Because they delight with wild abandon
492. In the simplest moments,
493. And over the simplest things
494. That the Lord God let me be Mother to my favorite 3 girls in the world
495. Cloud cover that moves and parts randomly with the wind
496. And the prompting of The Spirit that puts me outside to pray
497. That the Lord searches me and sees the wicked ways in me
498. And is faithful and able to reveal them to me
499. Maple tree leaves that change color, even in South Texas
500. 70 degree days between Christmas and New Years

501. God's faithfulness
502. To never forsake me
503. And that He has left us His revelation
504. And His Spirit, Who acts as a teacher
505. Guide
506. Counselor
507. and Friend
508. That He knows the end from the beginning
509. And all the moments in between
510. That He grants repentance to me
511. And her
512. And restoration is quick and complete
513. For shelter
514. Especially in an ice storm that has shut down the city
515. For a heater
516. And electricity
517. A fireplace
518. Blankets
519. Candles
520. And a plan, should the electricity fail