Here's my continuing Multitude Monday post which is part of a series started years ago on Ann's wonderful, amazing blog that is a favorite of mine. If you've never checked it out, do yourself a favor and click on over. She's an amazing, gifted writer, a wonderful friend and an inspiration (not to mention a mother of 6)!

"One Thousand Gifts"::

3174. free Starbucks :: I ordered at the drive thru and when I got to the window the guy informed me that their computers were down, so they couldn't ring me up. They could still make my latte, they just had no way of charging me for it. How great is that?
3175. a new babysitting job for Bekah
3176. 1/2 way through Kirb work trip and no major problems
3177. Kirb getting back home safely
3178. parenting with a partner again :: so much easier as a team!
3179. listening to my kiddos perform :: Bekah singing and Jake on the trumpet
3180. a super fun night with TONS of friends at a girlfriends annual gathering with probably close to 100 other ladies (my once-a-year night when I stay out WAY, WAY past my bedtime)
3181. having my parents over for lunch
3182. a nap on a cold, gloomy Sunday afternoon (following my late night)
3183. hearing from the mom who drives Jacob to jazz band 2 mornings a month what a nice boy she thinks he is (who doesn't love hearing good things about their kids?)
3184. friends who give our kids rides to stuff
3185. a hearty conversation with a girlfriend about running :: it amazes me that I would actually choose to carry on a conversation about that particular topic at all!
3186. waking up to NO fresh snow on the ground for the first time in a lot of days :: there's still plenty of the white stuff on the ground, but no new snow overnight for once!
3187. cross things off my to-do list
3188. taking time to make some cards :: it had been a LONG time since I had done that. I almost forgot how much I like it!

May you realize all the blessings the Lord brings your way and take the time to make note of them. (you'll be glad that you did!)

encouragement

Today is National Day of Encouragement. What? You didn't know that? Ok, neither did I until about 2 weeks ago, but the minute I heard about it, I was on board What could be more up my alley? So I sent a few extra cards this week (I was a bit bummed that no one to whom I mailed cards could get them on the actual National Day of Encouragement, since it's a Sunday, but since I'm quite sure none of them even knew of the "holiday", I guess I don't feel too bad). I started my little business because of my passion for encouragement and making a difference in people lives. There are many ways to do that. Usually, I choose to do it through something I've made myself, but sometimes the truth is there just isn't time for that. I always keep some extra-great store-purchased cards (blank notes mostly, but some with greetings as well) around for the times I want to encourage someone and haven't the time to make them the perfect card myself.

One of my favorite verses, a life-verse of mine, and the one I based the name of my business on is this:

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
I Thessalonians 5.11

I encourage each of you to encourage someone today! A simple note or card in the mail (or hand delivered) is a simple, quick way to do that. Without too much effort at all, you can make a positive impact in someone's day . . . and often it's a much bigger impact than you would have imagined. Go for it!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for the mail. I love to get mail, especially personal mail. It totally makes my day! Getting the mail is something I look forward to each day . . . the hope that there might be something unexpected and fun in the black plastic box at the end of my driveway. A hand addressed envelope . . . or dare we even hope for a package?

I also love to send mail. Mail trucks, stamps and blue boxes on street corners make me happy!

Yesterday I got 3 pieces of personal mail when I made my daily trip out to the end of the driveway. How fun is that! 1 is a treat {and doesn't happen often enough} . . . 3 is nearly unheard of!


How about you . . . does something hand-addressed in your mailbox completely make your day too? Do you send much mail these days?

I know it's a little outdated, but I just think an e-card or an email or a facebook wall post isn't at all the same as getting your well-wishes through the mail! It just doesn't cut it in my book. Generally speaking I'm a pretty "green" person and don't like unnecessary use of resources -- for example I can't stand junk mail! and I use cloth diapers, for crying out loud! -- but I don't find sending personal mail to fit in that category. I think cards, notes, letters and packages are necessary for one's emotional health! And when did the majority of the world decide it was ok to stop sending thank you notes? {Sorry, that's just a personal beef that I struggle with, I'll stop now.} So, call me old-fashioned but I'm going to keep using my hand, a pen and some cute paper to do a good share of my correspondence and then hand-write an address on the front of an envelope, stick on a stamp {I am thankful for the technology that has saved us from the yucky task of stamp-licking!} and enjoy the feeling of placing it in the big blue box in our neighborhood. Then I will imagine how my note might be just the bright spot someone needs in their day!

and the winner{s} is . . .

Ok, I've decided that I'm not at all good at this giveaway thing. I feel bad for the people who didn't win and I want to give everyone a prize. But, alas, I don't have that many Valentine's. So, the winners are::comment #6 and comment #5::

lucky #6 is jen who said:

hey! is it too late to win?? i have to think of something you don't know about me...
i love to go out dancing. you've never been out dancing with me and i bet you never will be, but i'd love it if it did happen!!! that would be one of the best days of my life...for many reasons!! :) anyways, now you know.

Tue Feb 09, 03:12:00 AM

and #5 is JoAnn, who said:

Fun fact about me: I raised pigs in highschool.

Mon Feb 08, 03:37:00 PM

Jen has been my friend since she was born {lucky girl!} and JoAnn . . . I've never met her, but she seems to have some cute little kiddos! JoAnn, email me with your address and I'll send you your Valentines ASAP {and hope they arrive in time for you to give them out.} YaYash {that's what I -- thanks to my oldest, Jacob -- call Jen}, I already know your address, so yours are going in the mail in 2 minutes! To the rest of you::I'm so sorry you didn't win. Try again next time, ok?