"A time such as this" ... to finish my list.

976). the ability to comprehend His kind of love

977). the carpet on the floor of my bedroom

978). a very nice house in the small town of Clarkston

979). living in Michigan where we have 4 different seasons

980). living in the United States of America

981). growing up in the small town of Fenton

982). growing up in a two parent household

983). having a job where I can use my hands

984). having a job where I can have one-on-one relationships

985). having a husband who still loves me

986). having 2 beautiful, healthy children with stability

987). having parents who made me go to church

988). being able to read

989). being able to write... and type

990). having a computer

991). never missing a meal

992). always having enough money to put gas in my car

993). always having enough money to buy food

994). always having enough money to buy clothes

995). having enough money to be able to travel to see my kids

996). my imagination... to close my eyes and be anywhere

997). so many people who like me

998). so many people who love me

999). God's Mercy

1000). God's Grace.

Lord, I especially thank You for bringing me into this world at a time such as this. As I say goodbye to 2009, I thank You for revealing Yourself to me everyday and for showing me the obvious places where I have no other choice but to smile and be grateful. Making this list has helped me appreciate all of the gifts that could only come from You. I don't ever want to take any of them for granted! I have learned that no matter what happens in the future, You are more than enough for me. When Beth Moore said, "Sometimes you have to praise first and feel it later," she was right... I definitely feel it today! I am blessed. I am SO very blessed!

I have no idea where God will take me in 2010. I am looking forward to continuing to Believe Him to do the utterly impossible in my life and I am going to privately continue to count my blessings!

Happy New Year!

By faith... Angie

xoxo

966). college basketball

967). sons still asking me if they look okay

968). the fact that both of my kids are happy today

969). my sanctuary... my workout room... where it all began

970). still trusting God in these scary days ahead

971). freedom to say anything I want on this blog

972). being content staying in tonight on New Year's Eve.

973). getting invited to parties

974). a friend to join me in cross country skiing

975). a quiet dinner with my husband

grateful to have one more day to finish

949). lunch with John

950). John running around with me doing errands

951). being stubborn enough to start & finish a project

952). making our lower level feel a little more cozy

953). e-mails from patients who care about our office

954). finding a great list of my favorite music this morning

955). seeing a nice skating rink on the pond in town

956). memories of the skating rinks my dad made us

957). the lights in our small town of Clarkston

958). great news about a friend's surgery

959). popcorn and hot chocolate

960). hearing the guys laughing downstairs watching movies

961). the smell of up north fires (while still home in Clarkston)

962). a warm house while it's absolutely freezing outside

963). having a son who shares his feelings with me

964). our Clarkston coffee shop

965). a new "idiot box" (that's what my mom used to call it)

My 2009 Final Cut

938). Born Again... by Third Day

939). How He Loves... by Kim Walker


940). In Christ Alone... by Travis Cottrell


941). I Surrender All... by CeCe Winans


942). Bring the Rain... Mercy Me


943). Restoration... by David Brymer


944). Holy Spirt Come Fill This Place... by CeCe Winans


945). Be Still My Soul... by Selah


946). Finally Home.. by Mercy Me


947). I Will Rise... by Chris Tomlin


948). Amazing Grace.. by Chris Tomlin

no better gift

905). dinner w/ Lisa

906). realizing I like the pronoun "we" better than "I"

907). dependence always works better than independence

908). knowing I'm a lot more than what people see on the outside

909). someone stopping by my blog because I was on their mind

910). "there is a time for everything" is a gift, not a curse

911). my kids live in this country

912). a dirty house from so much company & kids

913). He doesn't change

914). He was rejected

915). He felt like an outsider

916). He is my comforter

917). He is my defender

918). He is jealous for me

919). He is compassionate

920). He brings me joy

921). He gives me peace

922). He is my hope

923). He is faithful

924). He is trustworthy

925). He is my friend

926). He is my counselor

927). He is my healer

928). He will provide

929). He is all powerful

930). He is my strength

931). He forgives me

932). He will never leave or abandon me

933). He loves me like nobody else can

934). He knows

935). He cares

936). He is able

937). He chose me

By faith... Angie xoxo

another family gathering

875). watching my brothers-in-law play rock band

876). watching Larry celebrate his 100% on rock band

877). seeing John impressed w/ an 8-year-old play ping pong

878). Morgan teaching me to use the timer on my camera

879). Lexi laughing so hard

880). Larry & Liza having everyone at their house

881). when Linda comes to town she gets us all together

882). being one of the girls and kitchen talk

883). talking hair products with the girls

884). seeing kids dressed up in costumes

885). big families

886). sleeping in

887). starting a new book

888). no plans

889). the olive wood cross Linda brought us from Israel

890). lighting a brand new candle

891). laughter

892). about 30 people talking at the same time

893). a Sunday afternoon nap

894). a totally quiet home

895). reconnecting with old friends

896). someone saying, "I'll see you soon"

897). relaxing and reflecting

898). hearing the car door

899). hearing the front door open

900). hearing "hi, mom" when my son walks in the door

901). pizza parties with the Baylis family

902). playing charades at a family get-together

903). kids telling me they enjoyed all the family time

904). hugs from my kids

additions to my list

825). Meghan & I having our annual Starbucks while shopping

826). our annual run-in with Christina S. while shopping

827). having my kids both home at the same time

828). meeting a new dentist for the first time

829). feeling a little bit better about my job situation

830). good first impressions

831). someone caring about my first impression with a "whew"

832). having a bigger than usual Christmas Eve gathering

833). cabbage rolls & meat pie just because it's tradition

834). a house full of people

835). an idea for a new "corny" gift exchange game

836). the e-mails that followed the new "corny" game

837). a gift that makes you want to cry

838). a gift that costs nothing but means the most

839). Pattie giving me her most treasured pewter pegasus from Vic

840). Pattie complimenting my style & sense of humor

841). nieces & nephews driving 2-1/2 hrs through snow & ice

842). anyone who makes family their #1 priority

843). being included instead of left out

844). going to the Christmas service with out of town family

845). the best part of the service ...hearing "O Holy Night" again

846). knowing only God can take the weight off my chest

847). walking in the house and smelling dinner cooking

848). meeting the newest family member ...Trey

849). left-overs

850). hearing my mom laugh as hard as I've ever heard her laugh

851). all of the hard work my mom put in to our gifts

852). seeing John put a new Christmas ornament on the tree

853). seeing my kids interact with their aunts, uncles & cousins

854). kids noticing the qualities in their extended family

855). my family's compassion for my mom

856). calls from out of town family on Christmas Eve

857). going to the movie on Christmas night

858). not having to go in debt to buy Christmas gifts

859). a new suitcase and an airline ticket

860). gift cards

861). a house big enough to accommodate everyone

862). knowing I have a little more time with Meghan home

863). knowing the real meaning of CHRISTmas

864). if our family grows any bigger, we'll need to rent a hall

865). seeing my kids hug each other

866). watching kids (who live in the south) sledding

867). having all of the lights off except the Christmas tree lights

868). having an "other side of the family"

869). popcorn at the movie

870). making our tie blankets to give away

871). the mess after opening all of our gifts

872). the orange danishes we have every year

873). sending the kids off to be with their dad to celebrate

874). seeing Lincoln holding a baby

safe travels

807). dinner with our "first-ever" small group

808). playing a new family interaction game

809). laughing until my stomach hurt

810). a reassuring conversation with my favorite guy

811). a cozy rug under my feet

812). the Christmas service at a new-for-me church this year

813). hearing "O Holy Night" & crying again

814). seeing my friend, Sue

815). the good kind of tears

816). hearing Sue introduce me as her best friend

817). the kid behind me in the dollar store

818). a whole string of notes back & forth between family

819). Meghan coming home tonight (hopefully!)

820). hugs from so many of my patients today

821). so many patients requesting to see me

822). patients who are also friends

823). my daughter making it home for Christmas

824). a friend who noticed I was counting wrong on this list :)

Lord, please make sure Meghan makes it home safe & sound tonight.

still more

788). getting a picture of John wearing a James Bond hat

789). watching my son trying on suits ...he's getting old

790). laughing so hard with John in the car

791). watching my son tying a tie

792). Meghan telling me about exciting opportunities

793). being on speakerphone with Meghan & Kendall

794). cinnamon and eggnog ice cream

795). dinner out with our good friends

796). getting a lot accomplished

797). having a house big enough to accommodate our whole family

798). our traditional cabbage rolls & meat pie

799). the idea of "presence" instead of "presents"

800). plan B

801). finding that perfect gift

802). compromises

803). running into a friend I haven't seen in a long time

804). "berry merry Christmas" plaque from my sister

805). the way a couple of days to digest things makes me feel

806). watching MSU basketball with John

779). dinner with my two favorite men on the planet

780). hearing law school stories

781). being happy for T. while sad for myself

782). 25 years of a wonderful job

783). 2 enchiladas and a real coke for lunch

784). having God's promises in there somewhere

785). job security for a long time

786). benefits not taken for granted

787). knowing in my head that no matter what, God will provide

extremely blessed today

752). the pink clouds this morning

753). my patient who sent me her homemade wash cloths

754). my patient who asked me what question I'd ask God

755). my patient, 21, sharing his favorite hymn

756). my patient giving me ideas for Christmas gifts

757). my patient with ALS who is still alive and as sweet as can be

758). my patient, 30, almost engaged & battling cancer with a smile

759). my patient who brought in an article... just for me

760). the box from Karen

761). the gift Meg slipped into my purse yesterday

762). a hand written note in the mail

763). believing there is Heaven

764). believing there is Satan

765). believing I'll see my loved ones in Heaven one day

766). believing Jesus died for me

767). believing God is God and I'm not

768). believing there is more than just this life

769). believing Jesus was rejected, too & the comfort that gives

770). having my son come home in a few minutes

771). having my son sleep in his own bed for a couple of weeks

772). stocking the fridge with some of his favorite things

773). pizza sticks from Rudy's Market

774). improved dental homecare

775). memories of The Academy of Sacred Heart

776). John's text telling me not to worry

777. the 1/2 hour I had with him before his friends... :)

778). grateful his dad and stepmom picked him up from airport

He gives me Joy

721). such a nice Insights Christmas brunch

722). a new book shared by a friend

723). listening to my nephew, Loren's message online~Advent

724). any of the Holy Spirit's gifts people might see in me

725). snowflakes falling slowly

726). cardinals making me think of Aunt Alice & my sister, Vicki

727). a new day and a better mood

728). anticipation of John coming home tomorrow

729). wrapping my first Christmas gift

730). birthday celebrations with old friends

731). my neighbor who loves to hold her grandchild

732). listening to music while running errands

733). a totally quiet home

734). Meghan wanting to spend time with me next week

735). waking up in the morning with a song on my heart

736). He makes all things new

737). He takes my sadness and turns it into Joy

738). someone telling me they love my laugh today

739). friends remembering the details I've forgotten

740). the corner of east & high street in Fenton

741). seeing the cement blocks my dad laid years ago

742). seeing the 150+ year-old-house where I grew up

743). talking-non-stop with Jan today

744). seeing how far we've come over the years

745). a life-long connection with my very first friend

746). walking through our elementary school & the familiar smells

747). learning although we are different, we are the same

748). Jan using the word profound and me in the same sentence

749). the santa on my window sill my dad painted

750). our nativity scene

751). laughing so hard from deep within

(For Jan)

xoxo

Memory verse #24

I really shouldn't even be writing this right now (but I won't have time tomorrow). Let's just say, I'm in a bad mood. I didn't have a lot of patience today. I was super busy at work. It started out with technical difficulties regarding our xray machine and didn't get much better as the day continued. Right now if I am being completely honest, the one thing I feel like adding to my gratitude list is: I'm glad it's over.

Lord, thank You for giving me this not so perfect day, so I'll be reminded of how much I need You in my life. You know how prone I am to wander. Carry on...

I thought it was only appropriate to make this my final verse to memorize this year...

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." ~Phil 1:6 (NIV)

He's not done with me yet. He has only begun. At the end of the day...

720). I am grateful for whatever it takes to bring me to Him.

By faith...Angie

xoxo

All of my 2009 Memory Verses

By faith...Angie
xoxo

Sunday morning

696). a very timely e-mail from a brand new friend, Linda

697). realizing every one of these gifts are huge

698). Tom & Patty going all out at the Christmas party... again

699). Patty's cream puffs

700). Patty's chicken divan

701). having friends of all ages

702). having money to buy some Christmas gifts

703). my favorite Serenity white wine

704). a relaxing Sunday morning

705). being okay about missing church some Sundays

706). seeing 3 deer playing right outside my kitchen window

707). writing our Christmas cards

708). finding my final memory verse of the year

709). Lake Michigan

710). sitting on a dock with my feet in the water

711). walking on a beach

712). pontoon boats

713). our waverunner

714). canoe trips and good memories

715). my kayak

716). being 12 inches from a hole-in-one

717). realizing how many of these gifts are just "things".

718). walking around the mall & realizing I don't need anything

719). every single person on my Christmas card list

687). Beth Moore's ministry and obedience

688). Beth Moore's contagious love for Jesus

689). the snow glistening from the sun

690). a bank statement that balances the first time

691). XM radio 70's station

692). a friend who makes me laugh

693). a friend who holds me accountable

694). seeing my mom on facebook

695). working out when I didn't feel like it

grateful to be "normal"... and held...

654). a nice Christmas luncheon today

655). my husband's amazing staff

656). our volunteer, Christine

657). godiva chocolates

658). a committed husband

659). God's hand in my marriage

660). a nice cup of hot tea in the evening

661). the health of my family

662). a broken heart for parents who lost their son today

663). a broken heart for L., whose husband asked for divorce

664). a broken heart for C. & K. whose marriage in deep trouble

665). a benign (negative) breast MRI

666). normal ovaries & uterus on my ultrasound

667). CA-125 within normal limits

668). pap smear normal

669). a normal glucose tolerance test result

670). cholesterol within normal limits

671). thyroid study normal

672). blood count normal

673). a new very thorough doctor

674). my driver's education teacher's lessons on ice

675). the love of friends when I was rejected back then

676). my friend, Patty who came over immediately

677). my friend, Pauline who helped so much

678). my friend, Sandy who listened ...and listened

679). all of the hours my friends gave me back then

680). the way candles make me feel

681). the way a song affects me

682). tears of sorrow

683). tears of joy

684). to really know what it means to be held ...by God

685). a good cry

686). Peace

Thursday

631). dinner out with Jenny in the middle of the week

632). having a friend for their whole entire life

633). seeing someone's very first home out on their own

634). seeing someone's very first Christmas tree of their own

635). getting home safe and sound through the ice & snow

636). holding a baby on my lunch hour

637). seeing a baby's chubby little wrists

638). a fresh haircut

639). taking off the makeup (mask) at the end of the day

640). hearing Sheila humming in the next room over

641). thinking about my dad whistling

642). electric toothbrushes

643). the making up part after a fight

644). seeing lights already on when I get home

645). a nice warm home

646). My patient, Jim F. starting his 1000 grateful journal

647). Jim telling me he isn't afraid anymore... because of me

648). Kate getting me the best hot chocolate & chocolate grahams

649). Kate giving me Natalie Grant's Christmas c.d.

650). when someone says, "who knows" I know that I know

651). when my car says 11 degrees outside... I'm warm inside

652). needing zero medications

653). at a time such as this... I am grateful

random

612). hearing news that Maggie, R.N. passed

613). seeing all of the encouraging words for Maggie on fb

614). hearing my son made it through another exam

615). actually looking forward to a snow storm

616). sisters... sisters... sisters

617). the sweet smell of various perfumes

618). Christmas wreathes

619). talking with Zack on the phone

620). Kev coming over to fix my blinds

621). a beautiful cemetery I pass on my way to work

622). a son who likes tradition as much as me

623). not stressing out too much about Christmas shopping

624). did I already mention chocolate covered oreos?

625). a daughter who shares her weekend pictures with me

626). not being afraid of driving in the snow

627). having a garage to protect my car from snow

628). finding a new special ornament

629). a Savior who never changes

630). classical music

reminders...

611). Lord, thank you for the gift of "A Fresh Advent" by Beth Moore.

grateful before I decorate

580). having outside temperature on my car... 19 degrees

581). searching for the perfect Christmas tree

582). the smell of our frasier fir Christmas tree

583). having a good hair day

584). being able to put together a nice outfit this time

585). hearing stories about how couples got engaged

586). hearing a new mix of oldies music

587). playing euchre & l-r-c with our friends

588). having our faces hurt from laughing so hard

589). wrinkles from laughing so hard it hurts

590). discount coupons for 30% off

591). friends who kept me company while waiting for servicemen

592). talking on the phone for hours

593). watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

594). watching "It's a Wonderful Life"

595). watching "Christmas Vacation"

596). watching "Prancer"

597). watching my new "A Fresh Advent" while decorating our tree

598). watching kids with santa

599). knowing the real meaning of Christmas

600). fun Christmas concerts

601). white Christmas lights

602). the church ornament I gave Linc before we got married

603). the Christmas wreath my mom & dad painted

604). the santa my dad painted

605). the tree skirt Sue's mom made for a wedding gift

606). a great Church service about restoration

607). a private prayer answered

608). a man offering up his seat for me today at concert

609). super huge Praise report from my friend Dianne

610). prayer requests via text message ...I love technology

last week this time

574). imagining singing "In Christ Alone" on the mountain top

575). waking up to the first coat of snow

576). do-overs

577). second chances

578). having a day off to get a lot done

579). being able to close my eyes and imagine I'm somewhere

"cast aside your fear...and be thankful"

as if it were the first time

543). hearing, "O Holy Night" as if it were the first time
544). patients sharing their lives with me
545). secretly praying for each of them
546). beautiful Christmas lights
547). Christmas ornaments with special meaning
548). real Christmas trees
549). memories of family Christmas'
550). all of my grandparents I never knew
551). all of my aunts, uncles & cousins
552). all of my siblings & their spouses
553). all of my nieces & nephews
554). Linc's client was understanding
555). Linc's fender-bender was just that
556). they can come tomorrow to install a new water softener
557). we have the money to replace the water softener
558). being busy at work this week
558). ear plugs for me this week... and John, too!
559). I don't have to have "willpower"... I can have God's power
560). annual Christmas parties
561). down comforters
562). cozy sweaters
563). good relationships with co-workers
564). e-mails from former co-workers
565). someone asking me for a recipe
566). a husband who isn't afraid to pray in public
567). a back up car when we need it
568). friends praying for my kids
569). God's protection for my husband today
570). lessons learned about drive while talking on the phone
571). knowing God alone is responsible for answered prayers
572). being totally exhausted in a good way
573). walks with my daughter ...priceless

and the list continues

522). getting through my first MRI ...no worries, just routine
533). the just routine part
534). making the pumpkin pie we missed on Thanksgiving
535). making the turkey we missed on Thanksgiving
536). my friend listening to my concerns
537). my house smelling "homey" right now
538). looking at some fun vacation pictures
539). having a washer & dryer right near my kitchen
540). talking on the phone with a newly retired neighbor & friend
541). my niece sending me a picture of her dress for 1st formal
542). jan phillips johnson... my very first friend

Memory verse #23

As you can see, it is obvious I have so much to be grateful for these days. I find it amazing that one part of my life seems so much bigger than the 500+ things I have listed. It really puts things in perspective, but when it's 3:00 in the morning, I need this verse more than anyone could know. God does.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~Romans 8:28 (NIV)

His purpose... not mine...
Love,
Angie