Glimpses of Gratitude

While we were in Germany, a few new neighbors moved in at the tire house. They’re very sweet and very determined in their work. They’re also so incredibly hungry. You’ve never seen worm and bug hunts like these before!
I’m so grateful for our new neighbors.
These moments of gratitude have really caught me lately:
~ how Todd captures the Minot, North Dakota community as they pull together during an overwhelming flood that has erased half their community.
~ the handmade housewarming gift we received from Janery. I’ve never received a housewarming present before, and I am in love with our new kitchen towels.
~ this “unleash your joy” painting ready to hang above my desk.
~ this photography blog project that connects past stories with present ones.
~ the three day weekend with family, fireworks, and watermelon in America.
~ for TWO new Gadanke journals at my desk, ready to be built. Ready to share. Ready to be loved.
~ dreams. There should be no boundaries with the dreams we create for ourselves.
~ for this note:
Dear Katie, my husband wound up in the hospital. It was a whirlwind of MRIs and talk about brain tumors. So scary. I was in the waiting room, worrying and fretting. Then I saw your little things journal in my purse. I’d haphazardly stuck it in there the other day. Little did I know, right?
I started writing in it. I found myself reflecting on all the really good stuff my husband and I had to be thankful for. In the time of pain, you showed me hope. You showed me gratitude. Thank you for that. –M
(p.s. No brain tumor!! All is healthy and good.)

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And let’s not forget the lucky winner of a {Journey} travel journal. It’s…

SARAH R!
She writes, “it would be so hard to choose one place to go! i always love returning to my “home” of the Netherlands, but i would also love to see greece or israel, or head out to thailand. but, feeling as tired as i do this week, a nice, simple, quiet vacation in a cabin in the mountains would hit the spot. :-)”
Send me a note, Miss Sarah.
Now you all have me thinking of travel and adventure. Sheesh! We’re trying to settle down, people!

Please share a gratitude you have in your heart today. Is there a link? A person? A moment?
Love could never be so grand and powerful if we held no gratitude in our hearts.








June 30th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
I have gratitude you mentioned the flood in Minot! It’s my hometown as well and although I’ve lived in Minneapolis for 10 years now I still consider it my home. Thank you for your shout out… hopefully it will increase people’s awareness and a few more people will donate to the Minotredcross.org. So I am grateful for you :)
June 30th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Oh I am so sorry, Danica! My heart is so full thinking about Minot. I hope your family is staying strong.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
I’m beyond grateful for the power of the internet. For inspiration, ideas, motivation … it sounds cliche and silly, but it keeps me connected with loved ones even though we are miles apart …
Thanks for this post …
June 30th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
I’m grateful for health. I visited two neighbors in tremendous pain, one with diverticulitis and one with interstitial cystitis.
I wish there was something I could do for either of them, besides run them to er in the night or hold them and love them as they weep with pain.
It makes me grateful that all I had was pneumonia. No pain, I peacefully slept two weeks away as I got well.
Could all the readers send up a prayer for my friends, Emily and LuAnne? I know every prayer is heard.
thanks Katie
love you
~a
June 30th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
What a sweet post! It’s just overflowing with gratitude. I’m grateful for so many things… at the moment: my blog friends, the three bunches of basil we received from our CSA today, and the whole day Erik and I have designated for ourselves tomorrow. (We’re going to walk around Oakland and eat and enjoy the day!) Mmmm!
June 30th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
What a beautiful request, Annie. Your neighbors are so lucky to have you and your love with them. From a distance, we’ll see what we can all give.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Such a lovely post & I love the glimpse of the new neighbors. I’m feeling gratitude for the reconnection I’m experiencing the past month & a half with my best friend from high school. We lost touch for almost 20 yrs and now we’re making a point to get together when we can. Making time. Being open & sharing. My spirit leapt with joy when I heard she was trying to contact me.
July 1st, 2011 at 12:32 am
Gratitude for Katie who shares her sunshine with us via her blog!
July 1st, 2011 at 3:47 am
What a lovely post Katie! I’m grateful for my son FINALLY being healthy after months of sickness. :)
July 1st, 2011 at 5:00 am
I’m thankful for a three-day weekend with my husband and daughter. I can’t wait to spend so much time with those two. Happy birthday, America!
Oh, and I’m also grateful for the bun in the oven. I plan to order the You are Loved journal for his baby book. I’m so excited I stumbled upon your blog!
July 1st, 2011 at 2:07 pm
I am grateful for the extended period of low humidity we have been having lately. I know the sultry air will work its way in soon enough, but I am grateful for each day of picture perfect weather we have been having.
July 2nd, 2011 at 1:43 am
I’m thankful for my healthy family, for being able to celebrate my son’s 4th birthday & for the long weekend=)
July 5th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
I love that the family was able to find strength through one of your journals!
I’m thankful for: my friends, above all else. My health. And also for the kind words about your new towels. :)