Thursday, January 19, 2012

A Joy Dare {Try New Adventures Thursday!}

Really enjoying this...

Take it from me--if you go into the hospital to have a baby during one year and get discharged in another, you're going to feel a bit confused. Behind. Still bewildered that it's January...halfway through January!

My goals for the year have yet to be nailed out. My reading list is still in the works. My laundry is undone. The days fly.

The one beginning-of-the-year thing that I have faithfully started is a tool to help me slow down and savor--to still my heart and contemplate the mercies of God every day. I'm continuing my gratitude journal, using Ann Voskamp's January Joy Dare as a prompt. My good friend Christina is joining me, and each day we'll text each other one or two of the gifts we documented that day. It helps me be accountable to follow through, and it's a sweet way to glimpse God's kindness in both of our lives.

A few of the gifts I've treasured...

Total sweetness napping in my arms...

284. Friends' sweet wishes and prayers for us through the last 2 weeks.


286. A little boy on a Chick-fil-A date with his mommy (just the two of us!)

Day 12: Close up on some baby fingers. {swoon}

287. The hum of a smoothly running car.

288. The rythmic rocking of the baby swing.

289. Little newborn grunts.

My sky...on our walk. Day 8 of #janphotoaday

290. Florida dusk.

Bible reading buddy

291. Staring into baby's perfectly-shaped, dark blue, alert eyes--something that made me quiet.

292. Milk and cookies and whipped cream. :)

I'll keep sharing my gifts periodically throughout 2012. Are you listing 1000 gifts this year?
_________________________________


 Share your Thursday adventures below! Just link up your blog post, link back to Alicia's Homemaking, and try to visit around and leave a few encouraging comments on other participant's blog posts. Our twitter hashtag is #TryNewAdventures!






Share/Bookmark

13 comments:

  1. I love this. I have the app on my phone, but I haven't been super great about writing in it. I really should.

    Thanks for sharing and encouraging us with your grateful heart!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! My phone's typing capabilities have been compromised so I haven't made much use of the app, but I did print out the calendar to record the Joy Dare list items.

      Delete
  2. Why do I never find out about these things until they are almost over? I know I could always jump in on the Joy Dare at any time,but I just can't do that... Why do I have to be so particular about these things, I have to start at the beginning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mandi, I'm pretty sure she's going to do a Joy Dare for each month, so if you want to "start at the beginning" you could probably start in February! I started a little bit late and just "caught up." :D

      Delete
    2. I started late too. My girls are doing it too, but writing down one thing per day. They actually worked backwards as well to fill in the couple of days that they missed. =p

      Delete
    3. @Joyceandnorm: I love that your girls are doing it, too! :D

      Delete
  3. Beautiful pictures! I saw this on Ann's blog and I really wanted to do it, but then I forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can't seem to be able to comment on any of the blogger sites from the link-up. I'll try again another time I guess.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's so important to be grateful. I need to resume the habit of a gratitude journal. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and blessings with us!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks so much for sharing this Alicia, I'm going to start now and if there isn't one for February I'll just do January next month.

    Those photos are fantastic and make me excited for times to come!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure she will do this for the rest of the year. She has an app available for the 1000 gifts too if you have a smartphone.

      Delete
  7. What a neat idea!!! loved your blog I just found it... I will be back :)

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments. :) I know your time is precious, so I appreciate the time you spend reading and giving feedback.

Please be respectful of others and kind with your words.