Multitudes on Monday's - My Madrina

 So much to be thankful for every day of the week and I appreciate

where the challenge lies for "multitudes on Monday's."  My list continues, but this week instead of placing my list on this page, I am thanking God for my children and the precious gift they are to me.  I enjoy being a mother, I enjoy spending time with my children, and I enjoy watching my children become involved in their community here in Ecuador.  It is a thrill as a mother to see your children being a light for God around them and I pray that my saved children will be testimonies and live lives for the Lord. 

Gabriella had the opportunity to be the "madrina" for the Liga de Loja soccer team that her brothers play on.  Their coach asked her several weeks before the event and she was really looking forward to the day that she could dress up like a princess and lead the team on the day of the inauguration.  Caedmon was asked to escort her, which was really special, and they both did a fantastic job.  As is the custom here, judges select one of the madrinas to be the winner, and Gabriella was selected!  She received flowers, a sash naming her as the "Nina de Deportes de 2011" and she also found her way in to the newspaper.  One paper had an article covering the event and the other newspaper even included her picture.  It was a special day!  Now, we are looking forward to the start of the tournament so we can watch our boys in action on their respective teams.  Vamos Liga!  Let's Go Liga!

Gabriella before the big event!

Caedmon and Gabriella prepared for the big day!

My four precious gifts from the Lord...

The big day...

Gabriella waiting with the other madrinas

Gabriella after being selected and awarded

The teams...

Blessed beyond measure....

I have so much to be thankful for.  I am really trying to focus on the beauty around me every day and the little gifts that are given by the hand of God.  He is always at work around me, but sometimes in the hecticness of life it is very easy to lose sight of all the many little things that He does or gives to us so that we might glorify Him and give Him praise.  I am trying to teach my children to give thanks....for God has truly given us so much more than we deserve. I want my children to see the little things around them as being gifts from an extremely gracious God.  

So the list continues....

61.  listening to the rain outside the window

62.  the smell after it rains

63.  time spent with my parents

64.  food to eat when we are hungry

65.  clean water

66.  healthy kids...who like to be together : )

67.  good health

68.  a husband who loves God and desires to serve Him

69. an exciting ministry

70.  a forgiving and patient God

God is ever good to us!  He is so worthy of our praise.  I am so thankful I can even go into His presence and recognize it is only because of Jesus Christ.  

Multitudes on Monday's!

The challenge has been given for blogging people to willingly list their "one thousand gifts".  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading others who have posted what they recognize as gifts given from the hand of God, little and large.  The challenge is to post on Monday's and let the list keep getting larger.  I am going for the challenge.  Even if I miss a Monday here or there, over time I will have listed JUST one thousand of the many gifts that God has given to me, His child.  These are in no special order, simply random.  Thank you Father for your gifts! 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  James 1:17

1.   cuddling with my kiddos

2.  the sunshine peering through the window

3.  a loving and understanding husband

4.  salvation, rich and free

5.  fresh fruit

6.  prayers out of the mouths of children

7.  chocolate

8.  forgiveness

9.  hearing sweet voices of the kiddos when they wake each morning

10.  SKYPE to keep in touch with family afar

11.  Godly parents and in-laws

12.  freedom to read the Bible

13.  family dinner time around the table

14.  hugs from loved ones

15.  sock slippers on a chilly morning

16.  living walking distance from downtown

17.  the privilege to be called a child of the KING of KINGS

18.  time spent with family

19.  the ability to read

20. story time with the kids