To be Thankful

Have you ever wondered what it means to be thankful?
Not just to say "thank you", but to feel that gratefulness from the bottom of your heart?
I have.
It is an amazing feeling that literally brings a smile to my face! :-) Because I can't help but smile when I take notice of the things around me that are true blessings. The small things, the big things; the unseen, and the seen. The things that I see every day, and the things that are once-in-a-lifetime treasures.
I have realized just how much thankfulness changes my heart, my attitude, my very life - and I want to share that with you.
I will be joining Ann and many, MANY other bloggers at A Holy Experience, and count One Thousand Gifts. I haven't even read Ann's book - but in my own life I know the joy of counting my blessings, and I want to share them with you. Linking up provides me with accountability as well - bonus!
So here begins my journey of counting, One Thousand Gifts and beyond!!! Join me, will you? I can't wait to see what God is going to reveal to me as I look for His blessings every day!

1. Waking up early and spending 1 hour with Jesus
2. My brother's tired, contented grin when he gets home from tennis training
3. Home-made stir-fry
4. Watching a movie in my second language. Portuguese
5. Driving with the window down
6. Reading in the dentist waiting room
7. My little hometown
8. My brothers, sister and Mum having devotion before school
9. Microwaving oats for breakfast, and enjoying them - even when they have no flavour
10. Grace to withstand temptation
11. Talking with my man on the phone, parked on the side of the road
12. The future
13. 2 and 1/2 hour talks with one of my best friends
14. Glimpses into what God is doing in my heart
15. My laptop... Even though it needs a service!
16. Birthdays
17. Walking through forests
18. Cute 3-year-old boys
19. Simple chicken and salad meal after a day of party-food
20. Accountability
21. D&Ms anytime, anywhere
22. Exciting news from my best friend!!!
23. Waking up at 6am, ready for Portuguese class
24. Language-learning
25. Bright green nail-polish
26. Wearing frangipanis in my hair
27. The HUGE smile on my friend's face when she saw her birthday present
28. Learning some gymnastics from my sister and her friend
29. Accomplishing the gymnastic move!
30. Walking in the sunshine
31. 30-minute lunch breaks
32. Green mint tea
33. Running to the Rec Centre - 24 minutes
34. Spending time in the kitchen with my sister
35. Sitting with my best friend and her husband. Special, special people
36. My massive friend saying "Boa noite, minha bonita amigo!"
37. Turning off the scratchy CD and winding the windows down instead
38. The bridal [throwaway] boquet from many years ago, passed down from a friend
39. A window at my desk at work
40. My own bedroom
41. Music
42. Card-games
43. Memories
44. Gardening for the first time in years
45. My family laughing together
46. Dinner out with my brother and my grandparents
47. A man who takes care of me
48. Revelations - things from years ago finally making sense
49. Sharing joys with friends
50. Giving gifts
51. Receiving random text messages
52. Knowing that my every need is being taken care of
53. Booking flights!!!
54. Worshipping with my church family

What are two things you are thankful for today?

~Rachel