One Thousdand Gifts - Session 2 - Grace in the Moment

This is week two in this bible study - One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.  I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratefulness. The video is very well done with wonderful images. There was good attendance.

Session 2 - Grace in the Moment
This week Ann talked about accepting the hard things along with the easy things in life with the same open hand.
Thanksgiving for all that come provides grace in the hard moments.

She talks of a friend who could not think of a single advantage of always being in a hurry but many regrets to many broken and missed moments due to haste.

Live in the moment where time slows and God is present and you are paying it your full attention.

Habits can free you!

Those who keep a gratitude journals experience.
1.  Absence of stress
2. Progress toward personal goals
3. Higher levels of determination and energy
4. Feel closer in their relationships
5. Increase their happiness by 25%


I want some of that!  How about you?

One Thousand Gifts - Between Sessions

There is Between Session work in the One Thousand Gift bible study.

It prompted us to start out our Gift List with 20 gifts, identify 3 moments in our life which changed our lives, and choose 5 Eucharisteo Mentors. It suggested sending a card or email Thanking them for their example.

I designed these new Nifty Notes, printed some and will bring them to class for participants to use in communicating with their mentors.

I have a couple of cards prepared to send off to ladies which have been a calm and steady influence in my lif.


The clock I designed this week.  I chose a vintage clock image to which I added a deep tree back image and a horizontal blur image.

The floral still life is one I designed in January.  Check it out here.  

One Thousdand Gifts - Session 1 - Attitude of Gratitude

I started leading this bible study today - One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.  I have seven ladies registered and I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratefulness. The video is very well done with wonderful images.

Session 1 - Attitude of Gratitude
The book was the result of a challenge to Ann from a friend to write down 1000 gifts.  Joy came in the writing down - in the naming the invisible became visible. 

One of the images from the video that resonated with me was the act of making bread. In this session Ann is making bread.  I really enjoyed that imagery as my mother makes bread every week so it is a comforting reminder of love for me.

We are encouraged to live with our hands wide open and not close fisted.

Gifts in my life:

1. Family
2. Friends, Fellowship
3. Time
4. Health
5. A desire to be useful

Check out this 100 day calendar where you can start writing your your blessings.  Take the dare.  Start today!

Share Your Cup - This Week

I was on the sewing machine again this week.

I made this tea cup coaster from fabric, fiberfill, and lace.  I have been thinking of an event I will be part of in May.  My idea is making these as favors for this event.  I'm hoping to connect with the quilting group in hopes of spreading the work if the concept is accepted.  I would like to pair that with ladies bringing in tea pots which we would use as center pieces at the tables.  This would provide an opportunity for those at the table to learn about the teapot, the lady that brought it and those around the table.  I used the template from Stephanie's blog Enchanting Rose. UPDATE: You can find the pattern here. 

I'm reading this book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  Ann was looking to change her life to be happier when she was challenged by a friend to write down One Thousand gifts in her life. It changed her life and made her happier.  I would highly recommend it.

I will be teaching this bible study in February.



We had our fellowship group meeting today. 

We had this wonderful dish which was described as a mix between cinnamon buns and french toast. The maple syrup was there for the main dish.
It was very good!!

Fruit is always welcome.  Several books were exchanged which made everybody happy.

It was library week.   I did finish this book within the deadline.  This was a good book with stories about several people who came to a grand house in Ireland which opened as a bed and breakfast.  Some of the stories were intertwined an others were totally individual.  One of them was a woman who had taught at a school for many years.  She was given this trip as her retirement gift.   She was used to controlling all things and could not embrace the experience.  She left early and did not enjoy the experience at all.

The hostess of the bed and breakfast was living her dream after spending many years in a boarding house in New York City.  An experience which stood her in good stead in this new venture.

I would recommend this book.

I found this chair at the thrift store a while back.  It needs to glued and re nailed to be less wobbly.  It  needs a good cleaning but I am not going to change the finish at all.  Of course the fact that it was yellow was appealing and the price was great as well.

I have several goals for photography this year and I plan on using this chair as a prop in my photography.  It could be for a teddy bear, a tea party or who knows what else. It will appear later in the year here on my blog.

Sharing with Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs Olson - Sharing Your Cup #232.

Be Present for Christmas - Gratitude

I'm teaching a class I've called "Be Present for Christmas" and the first class is tonight.  It is a class to help people slow down, focus on the reason for the season, and prepare their hearts for Christmas.

I am starting with Gratitude.  I've read Ann Voskamp's 1000 Gifts from which I have taken a small excerpt about this very subject.  Living with an attitude of gratitude changes us.