THE GIFTS

The month of April this year has brought upon me special gifts.  Diane has listed hers a month or so earlier.  I would like to post mine too, in gratitude to the givers, and to reflect on how they made me feel.  I should like to keep some givers to myself for reasons that they may not like to be publicly known.  Suffice it to say that they will know how deeply they touched my heart and it is very difficult not to say a word.  My thanks to you, and my Praise to the giver of heavenly gifts.

James 1:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1.  A Crucifix with a keyhole and a key and "The Way" printed at the bottom signifying my salvation.  It is a reminder that I have a key to the gates of heaven.  Through Jesus Christ's Cross and Resurrection, I am saved and is given inheritance in heaven.  Thank you, for this beautiful symbol, my dear thoughtful friend.  I will call it My Easter Cross because it arrived a few days before Easter 2012.  And it is an empty cross-a resurrection cross.  It is precious.

2.  A Willow Tree figurine of an angel by Susan Lordi.  Her name is "Thinking of You (keeping you close in my thoughts)."  This is so special because it symbolizes what words could not find enough expression.  Look at the way the angel is holding something close to her ear.  She is listening to the ocean sound in a seashell.  Perhaps, seeking to hear the ocean's roar to where I exist and let the distance melt, to keep us closer.  Thanks to the giver for my name is forever engraved in the tablet of her heart.  She constantly think of me-she calls me her divine appointment.  She is an angel to me and to many. The angel now occupies a spot in my heart and on my bedside table.  So that it would greet my mornings and send me off to rest-land at night.

3.  The little book by Joan Walsh Anglund entitled A Friend is Someone Who Likes You, needless to say a friend is someone who loves you.  Thank you, my dear friend, for the token speaks a thousand word.  Seeing your pen on the first page brought the miles and oceans separating us closer even more..... to my very heart.  You are an angel of a friend, whose words are a whole wealth of God's heart poured out to heal the brokenness of your readers.  I know I can find you in each page of the book.... whether as a brook, where in silence I could sit, just dipping my feet upon your coolness...  you could be a boy or a girl or even a cat.




4.  Another cute book by Fynn (short for Sydney Hopkins) and Anna Fynn, a story of friendship entitled, Mr. God, This Is Anna.  A book review says:

THE TOUCHING TRUE STORY THAT WON THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS OF READERS AROUND THE WORLD!

Anna was only four years old when Fynn found her on London's fog-shrouded docks. He took her back to his mother's home, and from that first moment, their times together were filled with delight and discovery. Anna had an astonishing ability to ask--and to answer--life's largest questions. Her total openness and honesty amazed all who knew her. She seemed to understand with uncanny certainty the purpose of being, the essence of feeling, the beauty of love. You see, Anna had a very special friendship with Mister God. . .

I am positive, I will gain wisdom from the simplicity of Anna's existence.  My gratitude to the giver, not only for the token, but for the friendship that bind us together across the miles, to our ends of the globe.

5.  I was wishing for this thin-line series Bible because it would be lighter to carry wherever I go plus it is very pretty and durable.  I got one from my brother who is now home with my Mama, to attend the graduation of our niece.  Of course, I sent him the website, hoping he would find it in his heart to get me one.  And he sure did.  It also came with a 365 days Early Morning Devotionals.  Am I not so blessed?  Yes I am.....and so deliriously joyful.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, my brother.

6.  April 3, 2012 marks the day my Mama turned  81.  We celebrated her birthday in my sister's home with home-cooked dishes.  Come to think of it, it was like Mama's 18th birthday, 81 jumbled around.  Mama is God's gift to us, her children.  They asked me to lead us in prayer over our meal and I gladly did with thanksgiving over her new year ahead plus a blessing of good health and more years to spend with my brother in the US and home-comings each year.  I also asked God to bless my brother abundantly because he has helped my nieces and nephews to college.  Two of them are in London and now helping their own family.  Another is graduating, come April 11, 2012, from Nursing School..... the reason they have come home earlier.

7.  A handed down TV set.  This was given by my sister which replaced my old battered one, which no longer give clear pictures of channels I love.  It sure needs a replacement badly.  She got a new one, therefore it was practical to pass on the old one to her sister.  I was overjoyed with the gift because a clearer viewing of programs over my favorite  channels is now provided.  Thanks a million, sis.

8.  My COF-circle of friends, blogging from across the States and to the Orient Seas, sharing our hearts and our minds over the WEB.  We have started coming together early this year and we connected and bonded to form our COF.  We are centering on God's word, sharing and encouraging each other with our journey.  I am so blessed to know all of the members, gaining a lot of wisdom and insights from their messages and stories, and arts included.

9.  Lastly but not least, Lolita Shticks, a Shticks' stick figure of myself, created by Ms. Veronica Shticks Anderson.  I have earlier blogged on these two images she did for me.  One picture was of my American Autumn dream and another with my Red Umbrella.  She is such a wonderfully gifted lady who has opened her blog site rendering daily-life humor featuring her own family.


I am counting my blessings, naming them one by one.....I shall treasure, and I declare the goodness of God, for all the time God is good!