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.