It started back in January like this:

1. A place to find joy amidst my sorrow.

And I continued counting.

In sorrow.

In pain.

In happy.

In mundane.

When I didn’t feel like it.

When I was drained.

It was in my little green notebook,

I lessened the pain.

It was true Joy I sought.

Slowly. Surely.

Eucharesteo revealed.

Thanks … it’s in the giving.

Joy … it’s in the counting.

And counting I did,

One through one thousand.

Jotting each joy,

turning sorrow to praise.

And thankful,

so very thankful,

He’s filled my heart with such grace.

986. staging
987. advent with my girls
988. party blogging
989. together in ten
990. true life when we’re connected to the source
991. a night out for momma
992. riding lessons for Wynter
993. elf antics – having way too much fun!
994. a Christmas angel
995. more party planning
996. Bibles for Iran
997. stocking sneaking, tippy-toeing
998. voxing with my sis
999. stovetop fragrance

One Thousand!!

5 years; 4 deployments; and my Army Ranger nephew is home for good!

This journey, this counting … has brought me many blessings. But most important, it’s taught me to find blessings hidden in the mess. I’m not gonna lie, there were days I’d have to scrape at the very depths of my soul to find thanks, to find joy, to find blessing.

But every time, if I was willing … with my heart raw and wide open to receive … there it was.

There He was.

There hidden in my ugly, imperfect mess was the teeniest glimmer of joy. Until it became easier and expected, and not so teeny and difficult to find. It was more than a glimmer and easier to see … this joy journey. This road to eucharisteo.

I’ve counted to one thousand. Written down 1,000 joyful blessings. Tonight I will begin again, starting with 1,001.

Join me? It will change you. There is joy to be found everywhere, anywhere … and no better time to start than now. Shall I dare you?