Thankfulness, 1-10. — building small cathedrals

I met my friend Julie over seven years ago when we were going through missionary training in North Carolina and New York City, and I loved reading her and her husband's blog. They frequently had posts throughout the year listing what they were thankful for, one by one by one. I used to practice this in past blogs, but I've long fallen out of practice. In the spirit of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, I want to practice thankfulness each day this month, writing down the big and little things that I see all around me in my beautifully ordinary life. May these small tributes to God's gifts and faithfulness inspire you to look in the everyday and pick out the beauty and grace and name them, one by one by one.

1. Powersheets. I found out about these last year around this time, and nearly cried when my in-laws gave this book to me for Christmas. Lara Casey's creation is something I treasure, and I love working on my goals each and every month. I have a long way to go with maximizing how I use Powersheets, but I feel like the fact that I'm actually thinking intentionally about goals for each month (and for the year as a whole) is a HUGE step in the right direction.

2. Having a beautiful coffee shop within walking distance. I always drive, but hey.

3. I got to catch up with my oldest friend in person this past month, and see her everyday life. It's so special to know a friend's routine firsthand. (Even as I type that, I realize what a novel concept that is to me, and yet it's so simple.) We walked kids to and from school (magical in and of itself), had a special breakfast out (visiting Columbus, OH? You need to go to Pistachio Vera!), and just caught up sitting on a couch instead of talking on the phone.

4. Little Luna. Our pup is growing up! She's five months old now, and so much has changed since we got her in July. She's still a handful, but we can leave her alone for five minutes without worrying that she's destroying the coffee table.

5. Soft sheets.

6. Cooler weather.

7. New black pants that are so comfortable.

8. Finding the perfect fabric for a new project while in Ohio.

9. BOGO pizza coupons for an impromptu date night.

10. Car insurance. Because when that gorgeous oak tree hanging over your car drops a branch on your only vehicle and shatters your windshield, you need it.