Heart Choices: A New Year to Continue Counting Everyday Blessings -->

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A New Year to Continue Counting Everyday Blessings


It's a new year; a new opportunity to look for those unexpected and everyday blessings in life.

I reviewed many of the photos I'd taken and found this one.  I was on a walk when I took this shot of a butterfly perched on a colorful flower.  I had a new found excitement looking at this photo.  I remember how the children in our Pre-K 3 class learn about caterpillars and about their transformation into butterflies.  Somehow the photo had more meaning for me at this time in my life.

Although I am across the country from my family, how thankful I am for Facebook.  I communicated with  many family and friends online during the past two weeks.  And on Twitter, I had fun tweeting new year's greetings to many.
Here's my dad on Christmas Day in Florida after receiving my gift to him.  I may not have been there in person but I was so grateful to see the smile on his face and of course, hear his voice on the phone.  That's a  photo I took of the Lone Cypress along 17 Mile Drive in Carmel, California.  I won a giveaway and UPrinting took my photo and put it on a canvas.  Dad loved it!

I've missed the children in our Pre-K class and my co-workers.  But it's been a nice two week rest.  We all seemed to keep in touch online and that was fun.  But I'll be happy to see the sweet smiles of the children as they return to school.
I recently joined a group of Brooklyn Norwegians on Facebook.  My parents were born and raised in Brooklyn, New York but moved to Long Island after they married.  I've had fun getting to know people with similar backgrounds and Norwegian customs.  Many of the familiar phrases like "takk for matten" and "vaer sa god" were revisited.  And yes, we continue to say those phrases in my family for "thank you for the food" and "come and get it".  LOL.

#293 Viewing old photos with a new perspective
#294 The beauty of nature
#295 Keeping up with relatives in all parts of the county and even the world through the internet
#296 Making new friends with a similar background and rediscovering old friends
#297 A clean car with new tires and brakes
#298 A new year and a new focus to live intentionally
#299 Choosing a new word for 2012 ~ Adventure
#300 Going to church on New Year's Day with my friend Helen
#301 A unique church service where we got to pray with one another and minister to each other
#302 The excitement of seeing what God has in store for me in 2012

I'm linking up with Ann Voscamp of A Holy Experience as I continue to count those everyday blessings.  Won't you begin to write them down too?




Blessings and love,

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Debbie Petras
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6 comments:

  1. Oh I love #293...isn't that the joy of having God give us new eyes? I see it everyday when those around me aren't noticing the preciousness of something that is just...regular. Then I pick up pictures and I too see them in a whole new way.

    What an awesome gift for your Dad...how creative and how resourceful also.

    Yea on the new tires and brakes...what a true blessing!

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  2. Keep counting! - I counted a blessing a day from one birthday to the next. Still they keep coming.

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  3. Enjoyed reading your list, getting a snapshot of your break and love the word "adventure". Hope and risk seem to resonate for me. Had a great time in Phoenix. It is always beautiful there! Blessings to you.

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  4. Hi Debbie,

    Beautiful picture of the butterfly; I love how they represent transformation. It reminds me of my continuous walk and spiritual growth towards transforming my mind and body into what He wants me to become. :)

    I enjoy reading your blessings; my list has made me stop and realize just how much I am blessed throughout the day! :)

    Blessings and hugs,
    Denise

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  5. The picture you gave your dad is beautiful! It must be so hard living so far away from your family. We live a little more than an hour away from my parents, yet it seems we don't get to see them very often. They are busier than they ever were before they retired! ;-)

    May 2012 be a year filled with love, joy, and peace for you and your family.

    Blessings...

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  6. Awe, look at that smile on your dad's face! I bet you cannot wait to be with your kiddos again! Happy new year dear friend.

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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