Gratitude is the fairest blossom...

We have soooo very much to be grateful for!
I'm well on my way to 1,825 -- 5/day for a year -- and I almost feel like 5 a day isn't enough.

Highlights from this week:
...the incredible love of God.
...the opportunity to be pastoring for over 8 years.
...the flexibility in a small congregation to try new things.
...living within 15 minutes of the ocean.
...for having Mondays set aside as Family Day for over 8 years.
...for the ability to walk and exercise (and for actually exercising 5 days this week!)
...for Loni's caramel pecan cheesecake bars (that's why I had to exercise everyday) =p
...for the complimentary Starbucks drink my husband gets after working each shift - and how he brings it to me. What a sweetie! =)

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Gratitude Journal

In preparing for my message at church this past week I ran across some powerful stories from people who began a "Gratitude Journal" and how it impacted their lives. All they did was simply write down 5 things they were thankful for each and every day. I decided that would be very doable for me and it would help give me fresh eyes with which to see the world each day.

So, on Sunday, September 20, 2009 I began a 'Gratitude Journal' section in my regular spiritual journal (I journal on a netbook now instead of writing by hand in a notebook.) I also made the commitment that if I skipped a day of writing in my spiritual journal, that I would still go back and list 5 things for the day that I missed -- so that by the time Sept. 19th, 2010 rolls around, I will have a log of 1,825 things I am thankful for.

I may post excerpts of my lists here from time to time.
Gratefully,
~Anne

Blogging update!

I think I just figured out how to import my blogs into facebook so I'm going to give that a try and see if I can keep up with blogging, facebooking, twittering & journaling - plus homeschooling, youth pastoring, worship leading and camp directing (not to mention parenting and 'wifeing')

We shall see....

Blogging...Keeping updated....

facebook....myspace....twitter...blogging.....I just can't keep up with it all.
The best place to find my writings and what I'm up to these days is on my facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/anne.cady.stapleton