Day 23: 3 Gifts only in Christ

251. JOY: this has been my "word" for several years now. I am constantly on the lookout for what brings me joy and I try to focus my time and energy on those things rather than waste my time (which is a precious gift) on things that pull my heart away from joy. Since joy is really Christ revealing himself to us in different ways, when we put our energy into things that don't bring us joy, we are focusing on things that pull us away from God. But by looking more to Christ, we will see him more in our daily life and in turn find joy, real joy that can only come in Christ. "Concentrate on Christ and life becomes pure concentrated joy"

252. HOPE: The lyrics to one of my favorite songs, "Cornerstone" by Hillsong are: "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby to conquer all of life and death. I am so glad we have a hope that stirs us onward even when life seems bleak, that God is in control and has defeated death. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

253. LOVE: The Bible is full of examples of God's love for us. A few words that come to mind that describe his love for us are: unconditional, conquering, giving, sacrificial, living, merciful, saving, humble, caring, rich, steadfast, faithful, for us and for others. This is the kind of love that can only be found in Christ!
To see Bible verses that explain God's love go to: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/20-inspirational-bible-verses-about-gods-love/

Day 22: 3 Gifts Grateful

248. I am so grateful for my students. I have conferences on Monday and Tuesday next week and I have been thinking a lot about each of my students and who they are as a child of the King. They are all such good kids and work so hard at their schoolwork even though it doesn't come very easy for them.

249. I am also grateful for Janelle. She is my mentor and my friend. I am so grateful I get to watch her interact with students, teachers, and parents at school and learn from her. She is so kind, and always lets the kids know they are loved and valued and allows (and encourages) them to take ownership of their schooling. Life is all about the choices we make and each choice has a result, so she encourages them to think about what result they want and what we can do together to help them get there. Wow, school has changed even since I was in elementary and middle school.

250. And I am beyond grateful for the home I have to come back to at the end of each day, the love that fills it, and the learning that happens each day inside it.

Day 21: 3 Gifts Family

245. Looking back on our shopping weekend last weekend, I just love spending time with my family. Last week especially, I am thankful for the ladies in my family that I have to look up to and learn from. They are so generous, wise, kind, thoughtful, loving, and fill my life with laughter. We always have such a great time together!

246. I am also thankful for the men in my family. They spent all of last weekend hunting up north together. I know they do so much laughing and goofing off together (and I'm thankful they spare us all the details:). But I am so thankful for the role model my father is for Scott, Nick, and Charlie and that they can share these experiences together.

247. This year, as I look forward to new traditions Scott and I will make, I am so thankful for my own new little family. Scott has been my best friend for almost my entire life, and I am so grateful for all the he is, and for all that he encourages me to be. He has so many gifts and is full of wisdom, and I am so glad I get to learn by his side each day.

Day 20: 3 Gifts Traditions

242. Snow Days :) Today we had our second snow day. I'm not sure if this is a tradition exactly, but in Michigan, they are expected at least a few times a year. My "tradition" on snow days is to sleep in! I love the surprise of extra sleep. Then I get to lounge around all morning and get a run in, and catch up on some home projects.

243. Baking cookies! Today I am baking a ton of cookies because it is my turn for staff treat coming up. I am trying out a few new recipes and one good old favorite (crisco oil cookies). This day filled with baking reminds me of our Christmas cookie baking day at Grandma's house. Every year, we get together at Grandma's house and fill her kitchen with all sorts of Christmas goodies. Then we divide them up and get to take some home to share at parties and with friends during the Christmas season.

244. Another tradition I look forward to is watching the Thanksgiving day parade, looking through the ads in the paper, and watching football in the afternoon on Thanksgiving Day. What a great day spent with family celebrating everything we have to be thankful for (and there is oh so much!).

Day 19: 3 Gifts Autumn

239. The earth is completely covered in white so it is a little difficult to find gifts of Autumn, but I still have my fall decorations up because I want them up for Thanksgiving. However, tonight I began switching a few things that just didn't seem to belong for some snowman plates and mugs and snowflake magnets.

240. I made a beautiful banner that reminds us to "Give Thanks" in this Thanksgiving season to display until I'm ready to put out more Christmas decor.

241. Sipping a warm mug of spiced cider with Scott while catching up on our favorite TV shows.

Day 18: A Gift Made, Shared, Passed On

236. We had a snow day today and Scott was home, so we SHARED breakfast in bed this morning. What a great way to start the day!

237. I also have staff treat this week, so I spent some time MAKING Ghirardelli Chocolate Shortbread Cookies. Mmmm.... They are one of my favorites!

238. Nick Balcer came over tonight to watch basketball with Scott so some of my cookies got PASSED ON to their bellies. They approved :)

Day 17: 3 Gifts of Laughter

233. We have a winter weather warning for tonight and tomorrow. According to the National Weather Service the forecast shows snow, wind, and thunder?! Janelle and I had a good laugh about this.

234. The things my students say each day. We do a lot of laughing together.

235. TV - Scott and I have been watching a show called Ridiculousness (very similar to America's Funniest Home Videos). Although sometimes this includes a lot of adult humor, it is always fun to watch the silly things other people do.

Day 16: 3 Gifts Hard Eucharisteo

230. Time apart from Scott, although it makes being together so much more special

231. Having to keep such a close eye on our money. However difficult this may be, it keeps me grounded and more thankful for what I do have.

232. My friend Ally's dad had a heart attack, and is really having difficulties. It is in our weakness that God shines through. We are fully confident that He is in control and will work things out according to His will.

Day 15: 3 Gifts Golden

227. Wrapping paper in window displays

228. New earrings that are oh so sparkly

229. The hearts of the women in my life who I got to spend the whole weekend with: Grandma, Mom, Jenn, and Alyssa

Day 14. 3 Gifts Silent

224. Enjoying a cup of coffee in the quiet of the morning.

225. Tuning out extra noise to concentrate on snowy roads

226. The sound of our hotel room while I lay awake because I cannot sleep. For some reason I could not sleep very well. Maybe a new bed in a hotel room? Maybe it was just too hot because we could not figure out our thermostat in the hotel room :)

Day 13. 3 Gifts Behind a Door

221. The cleaning supplies behind this closet door kept me company tonight.  I spent some time cleaning our home. This closet door hides all my Norwex products, vacuum, and a few miscellaneous kitchen objects. I love nights I have to myself to clean and vacuum. 

222. I love coming home to this door. I love my handmade wreath that hangs from it and all the warmth and love I find behind it. 

223. I also love the front doors to Zeeland Christian School. I love all the beautiful people I find behind them, the encouragement they share with me and all the things I learn from them. I also love the children's smiles and laughter that fill the halls and classrooms each day. I am so grateful for all the relationships I am building here. 

Day 12: 3 Gifts at Noon

At noon today, I was in a meeting at Cafe 58 at City on a Hill right across the street to ZCS. We were talking about our 8th graders transitioning to high school. Weird to think that we are planning for this already in November, but we want our students to be prepared and we want parents to know their child is in good hands and have their questions answered when the time comes.

218. So, I was extremely grateful for Janelle. Once again she amazes me. I am so thankful to be working alongside her. She gracefully introduced me to everyone, since I did not attend these meetings last year, inquired about each student we sent their way last year (and in other years) and even bought me lunch from the cafe.

219. I am also grateful that we all want to support these children of the King in the best way we can and that we always seek out the best in them and focus on those strengths rather than just their struggles. One of the questions the high school team wanted to know was not only what their academics look like but also what their interests are and what they plan to be a part of when they get to high school. They want to be able to connect with each child on a more personal level than just the person who has to make them do math or whatever they need to get done at the time. What an inspiration to me!

220. I was even thankful for the chilled fresh air and the light snow flurries that began to fall as we returned to ZCS feeling encouraged that we are sending our students into good hands and inspired to continue to make sure we know and understand each student and their story and not just judge them based on one area of their lives, academics.

Day 11: 3 Gifts of Remembrance

215. This beautiful teapot is from my Grandma's collection. She had a beautiful display of teapots on the tops of her cupboards in the kitchen of her log cabin in the woods for as long as I can remember. My sister and I always dreamed of one day having one to remember her with. She has not passed away, but she did downsize her collection a bit and let us each pick a teapot to have. I chose this one because it shows their beautiful log cabin in the woods surrounded by pine trees and covered in a blanket of snow. What a beautiful way to remember Grandpa and Grandma.

216. There are so many things around our home that remind me of the special day when Scott and I were finally pronounced husband and wife. We were surrounded by all of our close family and friends and now their thoughts, love, and prayers fill our home every day. I keep a basket of our cards on display as a reminder of their support and generosity as we began our new life together.

217. I also have a few Precious Moments figurines passed down to us from Grandparents and Great-Grandparents. This is one we received from Grandma Van Wylen's collection. Scott and I chose this one because it reminds us of Grandpa and his cars. Another beautiful way to remember those who have taught us about life and love.

Day 10: 3 Gifts Found in Bible Reading (actually 4 gifts)

211. "I will praise the Lord at all times; I will constantly speak His praises." Psalm 34:1. I love this reminder to always speak praises, not only to God but to others (which in turn praises Him also).

212. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9. Ask God to strengthen us day by day to be able to do good wherever we go.

213. Psalm 89, all of it! But especially verse 8: "O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord and your faithfulness surrounds you." This chapter is full of praises to our almighty, faithful, and compassionate creator.

214. Because I can't resist, Psalm 23 is my favorite verse. I usually try to pick something more unique, but this one fits just perfectly into my life in this translation, "The Lord is my shepherd, I LACK NOTHING." Since God is leading me through every step of my life, I have everything I need! And what he has not already given me, he will provide in His perfect timing. What reassurance this is in a world that constantly tells us we need more, bigger, better than everyone else. God tells us we already have what we need, and in our case in North America, we have even more than what we need.

Day 9: 3 Gifts Harvest

208. I had so much fun decorating my new home this fall! I had some things from gifts last year and things I have made to place and hang. I wanted to find just the right places for it all. I just love decorating and I tried to keep a HARVEST theme this year with leaves and pumpkins. I also added some burlap, twine, and candles to help illuminate the darker evenings we are having.

209. The leaves were so beautiful outside our home this fall. We have a lovely tree in our courtyard that drops its leaves in a heap where the wind can't get to them. I decided to collect a few to place our the house to add some natural fall colors.

210.  I also decorated with painted pumpkins on our front walk. I got to spend an evening painting with Ally, and another evening painting with Alyssa. I had never painted pumpkins before and was pleasantly surprised (and pleased) with the outcome. I love being greeted by them when I come home.

Day 8: A Gift Sweet, Salty, Sipped

205. Scott and I stocked up on SWEET, delicious, giant muffins from Costco. We got pumpkin muffins and cinnamon apple muffins. They are huge and oh so yummy when they've been warmed up. They are a perfect snack or dessert :)

206. My go-to snack these days has been SALTY tortilla chips with red pepper hummus. A little sweet and a little salty. Mmmm...

207. Last time Scott and I went grocery shopping, Gevalia K-cups were on sale at Meijer. We decided to try the caramel macchiato ones, and I have fallen in love with SIPPING this sweet goodness. They not only come with the K-cups, but each one is also paired with a foaming powder that you put in the bottom of your cup before you brew the coffee. As the coffee pours over the powder it foams up creating a beautiful cappuccino drink to SIP all cozied up.

Day 7: 3 Gifts From Your Window

202. I love the view from my front porch. The cozy coffee table and the all-around windows allowing me to see outside from every angle.

203. Today my view is full of yellow leaves covering the ground and rain dripping down the windows. What a cozy day to stay wrapped up in a blanket and watch a good movie.

204. Today was Grandparents Day at school so the view outside my office window was full of smiling grandparents seeking their grandchildren and many of them were also seeking their own friends. It was full of chatter and laughter from all.

Day 6: 3 Gifts Government

199. We just had our elections on Tuesday. I love being able to have a say in what our local, state, and national governments decide. I am also so very thankful to every man and woman who has fought to protect this right. Here is what the outcomes were this year:

200. We also have a "government" so to say in our school. The leaders of ZCS are so loving and personal. They understand the realities of "real life" but also have a passion to make the world a better place through education. I am so thankful for the government at ZCS, and for being to work so closely with Janelle who is in that "government". She is such a great influence on me and I learn so much from her every day.

201. This one isn't really government but it has to do with leaders in entertainment. Tonight was the CMA awards hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. I have loved Carrie Underwood since her first audition on American Idol. And I am so excited that she is one of the leaders in country music. She is such a great Christian role model who is not afraid to share her faith through her music. Her newest song, "Something in the Water", is a perfect example of this. What a powerful song to rock country music and spread the great news of the gospel through popular entertainment. We need more people like Carrie in entertainment today.

Day 5: 3 Gifts Acorn Small

196. The bag of kisses I keep in my desk to give my students for a treat. I offer to give them a kiss if they work really hard or do something well :)

197. These are a little bigger than an acorn, but my dad helped me cut up a birch log from my wedding to make ornaments out of. I really don't want my Christmas tree to be bare this year, but I don't have a fortune to spend on ornaments either. This project won't cost me a dime, and will give me something to do while I watch the CMA awards.

198. My favorite pearl earrings. A staple to almost every outfit I wear. Dress them up or dress them down. Hair up or hair down. They go with it all!

Day 4: Gifts Gathered, Given, Good

193. Blankets GATHERED all around Scott and I as we spend the evening on the couch together before he leaves for Iowa tomorrow. He will be gone until Saturday. Oh how I will miss him!

194. Scott called me after school and told me not to clean up when I got home. He was heading out hunting with my dad and left all his dishes around the kitchen, but he wanted to make sure I wouldn't clean them up. He said, "Go home and relax. I will pick up when I get home." What a love! This was a gift GIVEN to me. 

195. The movie Grease was on tv tonight. This is such a GOOD movie and one of my favorites. The cheesy story line and adorable characters make for a perfect girly movie. I also love the 50's era styles and music. It was fun to watch this for a little while tonight. Oh those summer nights! 

Day 3: 3 Gifts that Start with N

190. NFL Kicker Jason Hansen was the speaker tonight at the Hudsonville Christian School Foundation Dinner. He spoke about the importance of Christian education. One of his points that hit home with me was that "even Jesus had training".

191. Newlyweds - Brian and Jill asked Scott and I to stand up with them at their wedding. We are so happy for them and to be able to support and encourage them as they enter into this new journey.

192. New stockings! I had some time to kill this afternoon so I stopped at Hobby Lobby and browsed through their Christmas sections. They had the cutest decor and I found some great stockings for Scott and this Christmaas. It made me so excited that I almost turned on some Christmas music... But decided I'd better wait a few more weeks :) 

Day 2: 3 Gifts Worn

187. When I wear boots in the fall, I love that I don't have to match my socks because nobody sees them! Today, these were the first two I grabbed and I didn't have to look anymore.

188. I also got to get dressed up for church and for Alyssa's Blessing of the Hands Ceremony for nursing school. I love my comfy JB and Me leggings, my Free People slip, my sweatshirt with the added lace, and my Lenny and Eva hope necklace. I also love watching Alyssa grow and learn to use her hands for God's kingdom work. What a blessing her hands are going to be for so many people. I hope she not only uses her hands while she's working but also is able to touch the hearts and lives of her patients by the way she acts and shows them God's love.

189. My day ended in comfy cozy clothes and dinner at Grandma and Grandpa DeBoer's house. Oh how I love this warm jacket on cold days. And I love the sporty purple pattern on it :) 

Day 1: 3 Gifts Eaten

I just read a challenge Ann Voskamp (author of 1,000 Gifts) posted to a Joy Dare - 60 Days of gifts, each day with its own special challenge of gifts to be on the look out for. I am accepting the challenge!! Day 1 is to find 3 gifts eaten. Since I'm getting started a little late, today's gifts are raw and real life.

184. Cinnamon swirl bread, toasted, with peanut butter

185. Taco Bell shared in the company of family

186. My Spaghetti Squash Casserole experiment that actually turned out pretty tasty! 

Halloween - Soccer - Good Wifey

181. Last night I got to enjoy Halloween from the adults side for the first time. I handed out candy with my mom to all the cuties who braved the cold last night. There were lots of Queen Elsa's, and an Everkept garbage truck, and Scooby-Doo! I also got to goof off a little with Alyssa and her friends Louiza an Abigail. 

182. Today, I spent the afternoon watching and cheering on Unity's boys soccer team at the state finals... And reminiscing about my Unity soccer days. They are some of my favorite memories to relive. And the boys won today over Williamston which made it all the better! 

183. I am learning to take advantage of the evenings and nights that I have the house to myself while Scott is working. Tonight, I made a casserole for dinners this week, cleaned the house, caught up on some laundry (and some reading), and just relaxed. I am also planning on going to bed early and truly enjoying the time change tonight :)) 

  

First Snow!

180. Today I saw our first snow of the season! I love snow more than most people but even I was a little reluctant to rejoice at the sight of flurries in October. I truly enjoy fall with the beauty of the colors and the crisp air. However there is something so exciting about the changing of seasons, bringing new adventures and experiences. As I look forward to this winter, there will be so many new things and "firsts" for me. Scott and I will cut down our first tree and decorate it together, have our first Christmas as husband and wife, start our very own winter and Christmas traditions, and cross each thing off our winter bucket list. And I feel completely at peace knowing that God is the one who holds the future and that we can rely on His promise to bring each new season year after year. What a gift! 

Breakthrough

176. Yesterday after school one of my most difficult students relationally was waiting after school for her mom to pick her up quite a while after everyone else had gone home. As I saw her I reluctantly asked if she needed to call anyone. To my surprise she very politely responded, "No thanks. My mom is on her way." This sounds small, but is a huge breakthrough for us! After seeing how she responded, I proceeded to ask her about the book she was reading and we had a very pleasant short conversation before I continued on my walk to my car.
177. Scott and I went to play Euchre at a family friends house last night. It is always a blessing to catch up with them and spend time with our close friend Nick. We shared lots of laughs and friendly competition.
178. I have gotten to have Scott home every night this week except Monday due to some training he is doing for his department. I just love coming home and not having to rush him off to work.
179. On my drive to school this morning, the roads were covered in bright colored leaves, and although it was so dark you would have thought it was 2:00 in the morning, the rain made them shine in the headlights of each passing car. What a beautiful distraction to what has become a mundane commute to work.

I'm trying to turn over a new "leaf" this fall to get back into my 1,000 gifts challenge. I find that if I truly seek out the small blessings in each day I am more empowered to fight off the devil and the ways he tries to bring me down. Join me as I seek out the extraordinary in my ordinary life.