Sharing my faith and my life one day at a time.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Day 2: The Gratitude Challenge

The Gratitude Challenge Calendar says:

Use the alphabet as a fun and quick format for making a list of things for which you feel grateful. Share this list with your social network through email, a blog post or a Facebook or MySpace page.

Today I am listing down all the things I am grateful through the alphabet.

A - ATE LISA. Our trusted helper / housekeeper since 2007. She washes and irons our clothes. She does a lot of banking and bills for us. She cleans our bathrooms! Any working wife knows what an incredible blessing that is.

B - BIBLE. My soul depends on it like no other. Reading through the book of Job right now in The Message version.



C - CHRISTMAS. My all-time favorite holiday. So thankful for the most recent one.



D - DISCIPLINE. It is defined as "a systematic instruction given to a disciple." If I would like to call myself Christ's disciple, it involves a wholehearted willingness to love and obey Him at all times.  And yes, that requires discipline.  I thank the Lord He loves me so much He disciplines me.

E - E-MAIL. Technology is a blessing! Especially when you use it often to let other people know how much you think of them.



F - FAMILY. My parents and my sister. And the new ones God blessed me with: Pops, Mama, Eddie/Nikki, Malaika/Chris and the kids. Plus all the FRIENDS who have treated me and Robert like family.

G - GOD. I am nothing without Him. Google and Gummi Bears too. My work is so much easier with it!

H - HAPPINESS. "Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." Denis Waitley.



I - ICE CREAM. Cakes and cookies do not stand a chance to this favorite dessert of mine.



J - JESUS. I cannot imagine not following Someone who willingly died for me so that I may have life. I want to be like Him all the days of my life.

K - KISSES. I get these daily from my husband!

L - LIFE, LOVE and LOYALTY. My life was paid at a price, which is why I continue to live knowing my true value in His eyes. My simple life mission: Love God and Love Others. And I mean really loving God and really loving others (even the ones who test my patience!). People who know me really well know that I stay purposely connected to people friends who have shown loyalty all over the years.

M - MARRIAGE.  One of the best things that has happened to me in the past decade.  Marrying someone who truly loves God (and lives life like he does) really make a huge difference.



N - NO. I appreciate this word now more than ever. In my attempt to adhere to the order of my priorities (God, Robert, myself, family, work, ministry) -- I am now able to say no to things that will bring chaos to the what I value.

O - OATMEAL.  The breakfast of champions!  Love mine with maple syrup and walnuts.



P - PAIN. I have extremely low tolerance for physical pain and yet a high one for emotional ones. Believe it or not, I am grateful for painful moments in the past. Imagine how my life would continue to be independent of God if I always had pain-free moments.

R - ROBERT. The source of my joy here on earth.



S - SABBATH. Setting aside 1 day of rest each week is The Best Idea Ever.

T - TELECOMMUTING. Probably one of the biggest blessings I have received in 2009. Started a full-time work-from-home arrangement. Which means I can work at a coffee shop on days that staying home just doesn't cut it. Or maybe even by the beach.

U - URL. One of the Christmas gifts I got from Robert is my very own URL. http://www.happysammy.com is coming soon!



V - VACATIONS. Most recent ones were Anilao and Singapore! Looking forward to new ones in 2010. Coming up in a couple months: Boracay!

W - WATER. Still, and will always be my favorite drink. Ice cold. Plain and simple.




X - X meaning the Roman equivalent of 10.  There are very few words in the English language that starts with X and most of them I do not know the meaning of.  What am I thankful for?  These past ten years.  Here is a quick recap of the last ten years for me.  Met Robert.  He became my best friend.  Gave my life to Jesus. Became engaged.  Married my best friend.  God has been so good and faithful!

Y - YEAR 2010. I am always grateful for a God who gives new beginnings.

Z - ZEAL FOR THE LORD.  I always want to be in a state of passionate pursuit of Him.  I am thankful for everyday opportunities to practice this. "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." (1 Peter 2:2)

1 comment

*poink* said...

awesome and cute post!

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