Lists.

What is it about lists that is so appealing to me!?

Grocery lists.
To-do lists.
Packing lists.
Reading lists.

I have recently come up with two additional lists that I am going to try to keep running over the course of this year.  The first is an idea that I got off of Pinterest.

Now, I haven't actually bought the flashcards yet.  And not having the flashcards, I haven't dated them or anything like that.  BUT, I have started a list on my cellphone of a memory each day so far this month.  I plan to buy some flashcards and date them.  Perhaps I will purchase a cute little box to store them in and set on the kitchen table, and I would love to keep this going.  Our days are so filled and so busy, but they are also flying by at an unbelievable speed.  I would love to look back and see what fun things we've done this year.  (Is it just me or is it harder to remember things?  I think it's the babies.  And pregnancy.  And nursing.  They suck it out of me.  Literally.)

 

Here is a snapshot of the list I have begun on my phone.  Hopefully soon I will gather the materials for the tangible list, but I think it will be good to have my list so easily accessible.

Ok, on to my other list.  I mentioned in an earlier post that I am reading a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  I know many people have read it or are reading it.  I don't want to give too much of the book away to those who would like to read it themselves, but let me give you a quick summary from the inside cover of the book:


"How," Voskamp wondered, "do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does a life of gratitude look like when your days are gritty, long, and sometimes dark? What is God providing here and now?"


A beautifully practical guide to living a life of joy, One Thousand Gifts invites you to wake up to God's everyday blessings.  As Voskamp discovered, in giving thanks for the life she already had, she found the life she'd always wanted.

The author is led by the Lord to understand that ingratitude is a major cause for lack of joy and fulfillment in God.  She sets out to grow in thankfulness by creating a list of one thousand "gifts" that she finds in her everyday life.  These are small things.  However, they are gifts nonetheless right before that she was too self-focused to realize where there.  I haven't read but a few chapters of the book, but I am gathering that Ms. Voskamp will be challenging me to begin recording one thousand gifts.  So, in an attempt to grow in my gratitude and appreciation for what the Lord has given me here and now, I would like to start my own list.  There is actually a free iPhone app called "One Thousand Gifts" that allows you to record them and take pictures to document them.  Just today I downloaded it and added my first three gifts:

1.  A quiet moment to put on my makeup by myself.
2.  Sounds of giggles and belly laughs as Liam and Nora play with Daddy.
3.  Nora and Liam playing chase together.  "Ready.  Set.  Go!"

These are small starts, but they are starts nonetheless.  I look forward to recording the evidences of God's grace in my life in the little things.  Do any of you do other things similar to this?