Author: Jenny Irvine

Laying Low

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We are laying low over here. Momma is flying solo as dad travels for work. Some of my littles seem to have caught a little tummy bug as have I. Momma is not a fan of the twisted tummy but such is life;

We will continue with our #1000gifts list (sick style) …..
1. Ginger tea to sooth upset tummy’s
2. Doctors who care for us when necessary
3. Rest
4. Togetherness 
5. Warm Fall days to air out the house
6. Falling leaves that paint a picture out my from window
7. Friends who run errands for you when you can not
8. Good books 
9. Snuggles and cuddles
10. Mommas chicken soup

A Eucharisteo Dare

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Over the past month I have been reading 1000 Gifts by: Ann Voskamp. She wrote this book based on a dare to live fully right where she was at. A friend dared her to find “1000 gifts” in ordinary everyday living.

The book is based on a Greek word “Eucharisteo“; a verb meaning, to be grateful, to feel thankful and give thanks. “Eucharist” is the act of giving thanks and remembrance for Jesus who died on the cross for our sins: “charis” meaning grace, and “O” referencing whom should  do these things; “I“. Ann’s story depicts what she believes to be the key to experiencing life’s full joy; based on this word “Eucharisteo“. 
It is through the act of giving thanks for all things despite the circumstances; receiving and extending grace to those people and situations around us we experience joy. The “well of joy” is always available to us but do we choose to fully accept it and drink from it? 


This idea of “Eucharisteo” really made sense to me and of coarse got me thinking. How might I get my family involved in such a way of living? Today the world seems to be filled with such negative; everything from the news on television to ungrateful people, greed/jealousy, and deceit in our daily lives. The negative surrounds us like a bad perfume. It is no wonder so many people suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. Where have we gone wrong? Could it help even a little to go back to our Latin and Greek roots for answers? It’s worth a try, right? 

The power of the mind is amazing to me and so much of our day to day living depends on it. When we are grumpy in our “head” it shows on our face and comes out in our actions. Is it even possible to be “grumpy” when giving thanks for all things; all day, everyday? I began to try this as a mental exercise for myself and do you know what; it is near impossible! I wrote down nothing but throughout my days found “gifts” and gave thanks regardless of how good/bad the situation. I was amazed and still slightly am shocked at how this works. Our mind; our thanks “giving” to God in all things free’s our mind of the ugly that has the ability to ruin days.

Try it; I dare you! 

We are doing a 1000 Family Gifts join us and share some of your “gifts” with us. We would love to hear them. 



Reflections of Grace

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It is November my friends; can you believe it? I hope you all enjoyed the 31days of Food Intolerance’s series (even though I missed a few…oops). I would love to hear from you; do you have any questions or want to learn more, please let me know.

This month I will be putting my family to some real life challenges and you are going to be journeying with us. It is the month of “Giving -Thanks”. I am very excited to share with you on Monday just how we will be putting things in motion.

Since Friday is my day of “rest” in a sense. I will be linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker and some other friends (yes, they are real people…I officially met many of them in(RL) What a blessing it was to squeeze them and not have a screen between our words. Join me as we write for 5 minutes, unedited, on a given prompt. Today’s word; Grace

Go….

Being a Mom it can bring out the best in us and the worst. Our patience is tried in so many ways. We are pulled in every which direction between; meeting our families needs and seeing that our personal needs are met too.

We train.

We teach.

We learn.

We live.

We judge.

We fall short.

We stumble.

We fall.

But…we get back up. God is there with us always. He stands at the top of the mountain cheering for you when you might feel as though you don’t deserve it. His grace surrounds you and the door to forgiveness remains open for those times we are less that obedient. Keep true to yourself and who you were created to be. Know that there will be bumps in the road but there is always a hand on the other side waiting for you to reach out.