So I started this gratitude journey over a year ago now, reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. She has taught me to look at the seemingly meaningless things in my life and say a simple thank you to the Creator of good gifts. And to look for the present moments–those moments of presents–in the struggles, too. They’re there, if I just pause and open my eyes to believe, to see, to count them. Into over a thousand now, my note taking has slowed. But the more important is that it taught me this habit of counting. Who knew such a simple exercise of numbering gratitude could have such an effect on a life?

“Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” ~James 1:2-3

What if by “count it all joy,” James meant to count all the joys? To count the gifts that bring joy amidst the trials. Yes. What if?

1,298. evening trail walks and silhouette trees

1,299. shiny summer coats and grass not quite afloat 

1,300. kindergarten field trip to goat farm
1,301. contagious young excitement
1,302. strange tang of strawberry goat milk
1,303. sunshine

1,478. Penelope pineapple
1,479. 8 years before fruit
1,480. avocado accompaniment

1,493. la bible francaise
1,496. town festival commence

1,503. printing tour
1,504. writing part of a 135 year history
1,505. creating fascination
1,506. fascinating creation

1,537. nutella crepes
1,538. memoirs de France
1,539. a friend’s colorful creative discovery1,540. seeing in color
1,541. familiar home trail
1,542. trails yet to be explored