An attitude of gratitude - Day 7

Day 7

1) It is another sunny day here in Oamaru!

2) I rented an amazing costume for the upcoming Victorian Heritage week coming up. I look all girly. Pictures will come.

3) Coffee and time spent with friends at the lovely Riverstone cafe/

4) Being able to hop in the shower and ignore the phone ringing and beeping.

5) Being able to walk around with Kap while her knees heal from a bad fall.

An attitude of gratitude - Day 6

I had such a busy Saturday that I completely failed to get back home before midnight and get a blog written! But I find that I had so much to be happy about that I can fill this up quickly!

Day 6

1) Homemade pavlova! A yummy kiwi dessert, this time made in honor of Tuhi's birthday.

2) An amazing musical piece played in church by some amazing young women. Made tears come to my eyes!

3) Potluck! I love potluck!

4) A good Bible study on criticism. Always good to have news ways and ideas of dealing with tough times!

An attitude of gratitude - Day 5

As the week winds down, I am happily and exhaustedly sitting here munching on hummus and tortillas. I have so much to be absolutely thrilled about! Though there were serious rough patches in the day, I have no complaints, just joy!

Day 5
1) I am thankful that my family was not hurt by the shootings at Ft. Hood today. I was born there some years ago, my family is military, my dad goes to post to shop and see the doctor and my cousin is in the Army. And none of them were there. THANKFUL!

2) There are people who seem nice and then there are people who actually are nice. Today I am thankful for two of those really, truly genuine nice people - Maureen and Memma.

3) My awesome banker. She makes money happen. Money happening is good!

4) My visa application has been sent off and officially I am ready to stay here another year if they accept me:)

An attitude of gratitude - Day 4

With my life at the moment being filled with a routine of painting rooms, dig up gardens and cramming in everything else around the fringes, I find myself being thankful for the smallest disruptions in the pattern.

DAY 4

1) Eating dinner with a friend (at a restaurant!) last night.
2) A free cup of coffee from my favorite cafe as I hit number 6 on my frequent buyer card.
3) Groups of people who have so generously given their time and energy to help out around this church building, getting it into good working order. Without their hands, the job would never be done!
4) The amazing sale at The Warehouse that let me buy some AWESOME dishes.

An attitude of gratitude - Day 3

Day 3

Today I am thankful for:

1) Organic shampoo and conditioner being on sale! I get paid quasi nothing, so this is a bonus!
2) The rich, warm smell of coffee
3) The library called to tell me the books I requested are in.
4) My fleece PJ's.
5) The warm breeze that hit me when I wandered out in said Pj's to water the new plants outside.
6) Facing decisions that make me run to God asking "OK, now what?"

An attittude of gratitude - Day 2

After a day filled with painting, applauding hard work and study, I have so much to be thankful for! This whole project (one month of a daily record of what I am thankful for, inspiration courtesy of Ang*) just seems to snowball. I find myself checking everything with a "Am I thankful for this?" and a conversation in my head about why or why not.

Day 2

1) Subway in NZ has an amazing veggie patty to go on their subs. Makes for a happy, full belly.
2) Being forgiven for forgetting a birthday. So thankful for forgiveness!
3) Helpers in painting the basement of the church.
4) Waking up early in a good mood!
5) My wise mentor, Mel, who calms me down and talks sense into my head.

*check her awesome, inspiring blog at http://anglouise.blogspot.com

An attitude of gratitude - Day 1

Inspired by Ang, this next 30 days will be a feast of thankfulness. Everyday I will post something(s) I am thankful for. Though November is classically a time when we think of the things we are grateful for, I want to join Ang in the quest for living life with a more positive focus.

Day 1

1) I am thankful for The Murphy Clan and Jeanette, champion weeders and gardeners who have helped transform one flower bed of doom into a potential feast of color and variety! Our church is soooo blessed to have such great people in it!
Before - All doom and gloom
Not that you can tell, but the plants were in terrible repair and blocked the view of the church entrance.

After - It's got possibilities oozing out its ears!
Funny enough the sun disappeared just in time for me to take this shot.

2) My Mom and Dad, who, though far, far away still make me feel loved and listened to every time I call or e-mail. Their reassurance is so inspiring and encouraging. I love my parents!

3) Sore muscles. Playing cricket, painting and digging are all conspiring together to make me a stronger woman. Look out Hulk, there's a new game in town!