The Joy Dare for February

I loved the idea of having a separate blog for Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare, but it's just not working for me, so I've gone and moved it all over to here instead. Then to really change it up, I did it by the month for this post. To top it all off, I had a difficult time coming up with all of the topics this month. Not that I'm feeling ungrateful or even miserable. They were just hard thinking! I also apologize for the lack of photos. I just can't seem to get at the desk top. I kept hoping I would and it didn't happen and now it's April and I still haven't posted February. So here's February's and hopefully later this week, I'll get March's posted too -- maybe even with some photos ;o)!

So, finally February's Joy Dare (and the last three days of January):

January 29 a song heard, a soft word, where you saw light

• Oh Come All Ye Faith. Off key and really loud by two little girls
• Quiet chatter as the two Littles play in the same room, but separately
• Dancing across the fireplace in the great room

January 30 three old things seen new

• Dresser. Bought at a garage sale almost sixteen years ago. Looking forward to paint and new handles.
• Glass jars made colourful.
• Fabric made into something for some special people (I can't say what or whom because they read here regularly.)

January 31 a gift found on paper, in a person, in a picture

• wisdom from the scriptures
• warm words from my husband
• seeing photos of all the changes in our family

February 1 A gift found at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, at 6:30 pm

• sporadic sunshine for the girls to enjoy while playing outside
• a quiet moment for tea
• children happily playing downstairs while another one dries dishes with Daddy

February 2 Three things overheard today, all gifts

• I can read to you
• I like your hair, Mommy
• Your kids are so well behaved (Hah! You don't live in my home ;o)!)

February 3 Three gifts found in writing

• A letter from one of our Compassion children
• An evening devotional that applied directly to one of our children
• Daily encouragement from a devotional sent to my inbox

February 4 Three gifts found when bent down

• Crumbs under and around the table. It means everyone ate today
• Dirty footprints on the floor. It means that it still not really that cold out
• Socks found under chairs. It means our home is warm

February 5 One gift stitched, one hammered, one woven

• A cross stitch I have been working on for years. If I ever get it done it will be very fun to have hanging on my walls.
• Coffee table (and end tables) made many many years ago by my dad that have stood the test of time.
• A mat at the kitchen sink given to me by my mom.

February 6 Three gifts found outside

• moonlight on the water.
• another dandelion in bloom.
• increasing birdsong.

February 7 Three gifts red

• a wooden box made by one of my Middles.
• a beaded heart made last year.
• red velvet cupcakes made by one of my oldest girls.

February 8 A gift broken, a gift fixed, a gift thrifted

• A ceramic bird that belonged to my Oma.
• One of Squirts favorite toys -- fixed by Grampa!
• A special dress for a special girl.

February 9 Three gifts that were surprises -- unexpected grace!

•  Seeing my orchid every morning and having to remind myself that it's not real.
• a matching bunny for my frosted glass one that I've had for at least fifteen years.
• realizing how tall and slim my three oldest are getting. They change so quickly!

February 10 Three times you heard laughter today

• The two youngest giggling at the antics of Little Bear on their DVD.
• Big brother teasing sister number three.
• Oldest two daughters chatting and giggling when they're supposed to be in bed and off to sleep.

February 11 Three gifts found in working

• three sparkling bathrooms.
• shiny floors.
• the contented hum of the washing machine.

February 12 Three hard eucharisteos

These come in the bodies of three beautiful little girls named:

• Bella
• Bright Eyes and
• Peanut

February 13 Three gifts you found behind a door today

• my lint mop (aka the second dog as it's usually loaded with black fur when in use).
• leftover chocolate chunk cookies
• big blue buckets for washing floors and soaking dirty cloths. I love my buckets!

February 14 Three ways you feel the love of God

• through children who forgive when I lose patience.
• a husband who uncomplainingly does dishes every night after supper. Yes, he does!
• weather that surprises. (Waking up to freshly falling snow).

February 15 A gift in losing something, in finding something, in making something

• dare I say it. My missing flute that still has not been found. At least I don't have to play for anything :oS.
• hair elastics everywhere. I'm abundantly blessed with daughters!
• a beach bag completed for a sweet friend.

February 16 Three gifts in shadows

• a sleeping doggie
• a basket with knitting treasures that awaits
• my devotional in the tentative early morning light

February 17 Three gifts found in giving/serving

• laughter.
• closer friendship.
• meeting new people/making new friends.

February 18 Three gifts on paper

• books that are hard to put down.
• school newsletters that (help) keep me on top of some things.
• encouraging notes from church family.

February 19 Three gifts that were "Plan B's"

• having friends over and
• keeping them extra long
• going to same friends for an evening. All these things weren't the original plan.

February 20 A gift at breakfast, lunch, dinner

• frozen blueberries in my oatmeal 
• grilled cheese sandwiches on bakery white bread
• rhubarb crisp for dessert

February 21 Three gifts white

• seeing at least some snow this winter
• mounds of crisp white fabric to hopefully be made for a project I have in mind
• new t-shirts for the girls and I

February 22 Three gifts that changed today

• sunshine -- improved the mood.
• a good book
• a HOT cup of coffee (those are rare in my life)

February 23 A gift of tin, of glass, of wood

• a container that belongs to my mom on the mantle.
• pretty little jars thrifted
• the handmade cross on my wall from a sweet friend

February 24 Three gifts before 11:00 am

• coffee
• quiet time
• exercise

February 25 A gift nearly worn out, a gift new, a gift made-do

• my hot pink house coat. I continue to appreciate its warmth every morning.
• my  Life Application Study Bible. It's so good to be able to apply what I'm learning in Bible study with the help of this Bible.
• the coffee pot. It's over twenty years old, missing the lid to the reservoir, and the carafe, but stills makes a mean cup of java. I chose to make do until it quits working.

February 26 Three gifts seen as reflections

• moonlight dancing off our "pond"
• sunlight sparkling on our "pond"
• reflected trees dancing in the wind on the computer screen

February 27 Three ugly-beautiful gifts (see beauty in ugly)

• broken and dirtied fingernails -- usually means I've been doing some work around the house
• fingerprints on windows and walls -- means a houseful of busy happy children
• scratched and dented table top -- lots of meals, stories, and laughter shared around the table

February 28 Three gifts from the past that help you trust the future

• Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
• Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
• Isaiah 40:31 but those who wait up the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

February 29 A gift dull, a gift shimmering, a gift cleaned

• new spoons for stirring big pots 
• sunlight dancing off the coffee table and end tables
• the stove top