1000 Gifts


About 13 years ago, my daughter, Jenna, told me about this amazing book that was all about gratitude and giving thanks. She kept talking about it and so I bought it… 1000 Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. 

Life was busy, there was lots going on as our daughter Adrienne had just got engaged. I finally started reading the book, and it really challenged me — Give thanks in everything! Make a list, write three things every day, be thankful in every circumstance!!  


But then, on December 31, 2011, our granddaughter, Janae, was born. 

In Virginia. 

Emergency c-section. 

Meconium aspiration. 

Rushed to NICU 

Worked over her for hours

No news for more hours. 

And finally we heard, she’s being life flighted to UVA in Charlottesville.  


I cried. 

I put that book away. 

I would not and could not give thanks for this!!  


We had planned a trip to Virgina in mid January to meet the baby and have a belated family Christmas celebration! Steven and Jenna would come with their two little girls from a couple hours away, Graham was coming from Canada and we were going to make more wedding plans!!!


We took the trip. And celebrated Christmas together, but not how I imagined it would be. Our baby Janae was still in the NICU! 


Yet God is so gracious. The NICU staff allowed everyone in to take a turn holding Janae, even our little boys who were just 7 and 9!! I marveled at the gift. My Father was doing a work in my heart, because He knew that in just one year I would be the one spending a month in a hospital bed….


We came back home and I eventually picked up 1000 Gifts again. And began counting them. I even got a little notebook for the boys and started writing their thankful thoughts every night before bedtime prayers. 

(How I treasure that book now!!)


Christmas 2012 found everyone one at home in Oregon except the newlyweds from Canada.  

Jenna put this book together while I was in the hospital. 

Three weeks later, I fell those awful 17 feet out of the attic  and was rushed to the hospital where they said I had a very broken neck. I have a very vivid memory of those words and my prayer — To God be the glory. 


These past eleven years I have continued to practice and preach gratitude. I’ve given 1000 Gifts to friends and family. If I heard too much complaining from my kids I’d make them give three thankful thoughts!   There are times when I have to make myself give three thankful thoughts! 

And then a few years ago I discovered that Graham and Adrienne live in the same community as the Voskamps. How cool would it be if I could actually meet Ann someday?!  

Well someday happened this week. 

I met Ann Voskamp, the beautiful, humble soul who wrote1000 Gifts, the book that God used to change me in more ways than I can count. She is an incredible woman, just as I knew she would be!

And before I left Canada, Adrienne gifted me with this Gratitude Journal from The Keeping Conpany, which is owned by Ann’s son, Caleb and his wife, Melba. It’s time for me to journal the gifts again. The pain never lets up, but the lens of gratitude makes life not only bearable but beautiful!! 


“So I throw up my hands, 

And praise You again and again

Cause all that I have is a Hallelujah!”


https://youtu.be/0NX6hU_J38o?si=1ea_3objhjxlVhJX

Take a listen to “Gratitide” by I Am They

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