One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him" 

(Matthew 24:44)

The poinsettias are ready for shipping.
How often do we prepare, or get ready for things/ outings?
It's good to be ready for things, but I ask myself, am I ready for Jesus' return?  I would like to think that I am, but I am reminded that the way to prepare for that is to choose obedience.  I know that I fail so often in obeying my heavenly Father.  I am so thankful that He forgives me over and over.  Why bother, then to choose obedience?  The answer is simple:  out of gratitude.  And so my list of gratitude continues...

#3140- #3167
-His grace and His forgiveness
-prayer partner programs
-first poinsettia shipping this week!
-a third grader's obsession with learning cursive
-Paul, our official family taxi driver
-how she lunges over to get a hug from her big brother
-how he excitedly came home and shared with me that his story was chosen for the Tri School Creative Writing competition
-the joy that we experienced from visiting our children's classes
-finding my purpose to cleaning my home and completing my fourth day of 31 days to clean:  Having a Martha House the Mary Way
-getting invited to attend our nephew's church to hear the African Children's Choir

-amazing voices and beautiful singing

-energy and great rhythm

-hearing testimonies of how Children in Africa are making a difference in their home countries through the work of the African Children's Choir
-Deborah sitting in church for the first time (listening to the choir) and asking "More??" every time they left to get ready for their next set

-big smiles and serious faces (secret agents can't smile, he said;  they need to be serious)

-a secret longing to be a kid again (or reliving his water buffalo days)
-his willingness every year to take the children trick or treating

-a beautiful day for the Road to Hope race
-running our race in support of Edu Deo Ministries
-the money raised for Edu Deo Ministries to help children in developing countries receive a quality education rooted in a Biblical worldview (over 65 000 was raised)!

-an eager participant (competing the 1km; maybe next year, she'll do the 5km!)

-beautiful weather and beautiful scenery along the lake

-completing 5 km with my niece and sister-in-law (her first race)

-achieving personal bests!!

-completing his first 10km race (I'm so proud of him)!

-another sister-in-law running her first race (since high school) and making 10km look so easy (so proud of her too)

-the director, running for a great cause!

-a great group of guys that share a passion for running, fellowship, and our Lord Jesus Christ