Just Ten Things-Book Giveaway II

More Autumn Blessings--Just Ten Things 

(and book giveaway!)

In an earlier post, I discussed the power of gratitude and how creating a simple habit of giving thanks each day for just ten things can dramatically alter our feelings and attitudes for the better. I did a book giveaway for those of you who left a comment to share something you're grateful for, and Kelly Ropson won a book.

Well,  I'm doing another giveaway. To be entered, leave a comment like last time, sharing your top three reasons for gratitude today. In this beautiful Autumn season there is so much to be grateful for. I'm starting us off with my list for today  (the illustrated version--with pictures!).

Here goes: 

1. We recently took a trip from Ohio to New Hampshire and Maine, and were fortunate enough to be visiting  at the height of the "colors"--that is, the fall, when the leaves change. I'm grateful, Lord, for your beautiful Creation!



2. Good friends became better friends as we shared four nights and five days together in their rustic retreat on a pristine Maine lake. Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of godly friends who share their blessings!






3. In New Hampshire, we renewed ties with relatives we hadn't seen in a decade. (And with their dogs, too! Below, meet Lila, Noah and Moses.) Thank You, Lord, for family, both far and near. 




4. We got to "ooh" and "ah" all along the way, both coming and going. Thank You, Lord, for leading us safely there and back. 


                                                 Every turn in the road was postcard-pretty.


5. Our friends were perfect tour guides, taking us from remote mountain views to off-the-beaten-path good eateries. Thank You, Lord, for hidden blessings that You bring forth in their time--and for those still in store for us during life's journey. 
            Here I am, with Pete and Sandi. I found out Sandi is an intrepid hiker who will leap tall boulders for a single photo! Me? Not so much.





6. The picture below was taken only three days after the similar one, above (3rd from top of post). Notice how much the maple on the left changed in so short a time. Thank You, Lord, for the fleeting beauty we glimpse on earth--just a taste of what awaits us in heaven. 



7.  Coming home has blessings all its own, like these marigolds which I never expected to last this far into the fall. Thank You, Lord, for unexpected, small pleasures.



8. In the front, my geraniums are proving hardier than expected, too!



9. We don't have mountains or a lake just steps from our back porch, but I'm grateful for our little woodsy spot in Ohio, anyway. 



10. For all the responsibilities of home and family, which make vacations so very special. Thank You, Lord, for appointed times of refreshment! 



                                          Above: Back at the lake. The view from our room. (Sigh.)

Now it's your turn. Leave a comment with your top three reasons to be grateful today, and I'll draw a winner (to win a free book of mine) from among the commenters. To choose a book, you can see what I've written  along the right side-bar of this blog, or you can click through to my website and see more about my books  here.  

Comments accepted for the drawing through  October 31st.  I look forward to hearing from you!
                                                            Saying goodbye is sad to do!

18 comments:

Pencildancers said...

It looks like you had a wonderful time.
I'm grateful for rain. Sounds odd but we're in a drought state and our well has run dry. Hauling water isn't fun--especially as the days grow cooler. So rain is a blessing right now.
Diana
www.dianabrandmeyer.com

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

We have a well, too, Diana, so I completely understand. On one side, neighbors have so much water that they must have a sump pump running continually 24/7, 365. On the other side of us, their well runs dry at the first hint of drought. Happily, we're right in the middle. Not too much, never too little. But we're grateful for rain, too--just in case.
Thanks for stopping by!

chappydebbie said...

Gorgeous pictures! I am so grateful for the beauty that surrounds us this time of year. And for my grandchildren, who make my days, and finally for the people I have connected with through various blogs and sites. So much inspiration and love.
debsbunch5@jesusanswers.com

The Crazy Cat Lady said...

Love the post! Gratitude is a dying commodity, these days. I think my gratitude may not be exactly what you're looking for, but it is some things I'm grateful for anyway.
1. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for my Saviour who loves me enough to tell me 'no'.
2. I'm grateful for a Saviour who loves me in spite of myself when I rant at Him when He does tell me 'no'. (yes, tantrums aren't just for toddlers. I've a whole blog post about it.) ;)
3. I'm grateful for the most wonderful family God could have ever blessed me with. There are so many other things I'm grateful for, that it's rather difficult to stop at only three!
Thanks for the fun, Linore!
amanda38401 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post, both for the photos and the heart of gratitude. I have a sister that lives in New Hampshire, and when we visit her, the trip through the Vermont mountains is breathtaking.
Today I am thankful for so many things. For a home and a roof over our heads. For the blessing of living in a safe place where there are no wars or bomb blasts. For a loving husband. For a gracious God who always meets our needs and often in a dramatic way.
also thankful for this reminder to count my blessings. :)

Unknown said...

I really needed this challange today and your post. Fall is my favorite time of year.It's been a ruff couple of days. I really need to focus on what I am thankful for because I sure didn't this morning.

1. my kids, I love to hear them laugh, sing, and it always warms my heart when I see them working on something together.

2. My friends, family, and coworkers that make me smile. Sometimes just hearing their names is enough to bring me a little bit of joy on the tough days.

3. Forgiveness, I'm so thankful for that. I feel I am always asking God for his forgiveness and he grants it! It's amazing to me. I'm praying that one day I won't have to ask for forgiveness for the same thing all the time.

Thank you for your post, pictures, and the opportunity to win a book! This post could not have come at a better time for me.

Loraine Ertelt said...

Love your fall pictures and we have been enjoying beautiful fall colors as well here in Colorado. I'm grateful for a skilled doctor who will perform surgery on my husband's neck in two weeks to relieve his severe pain. I'm grateful for prayer warriors who have prayed my husband through the past 5 1/2 months of back and neck pain. I'm grateful for a son and daughter in "love" who have supported me so strongly through this difficult time. And I am grateful for God's blessing of a first grandchild who has been the light through this valley.

ASC Book Reviews said...

Let's see three things...hmmmm.
1.The place I live. I am grateful for that because it is safe, warm, and a haven from the world.

2.Our animals. Because they bring such joy and humor to our lives.

3.My parents. Because they reaised me to love God and Jesus, they help me find my way through His will, and they let me dabble in and learn anything I want to try!

Thanks Linore. I was having a hard day and now I'm feeling better!

Blessings and Hugs!

Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)

Pat Cochran said...


1. I woke up this morning, feeling
every ache/pain, but I did awaken
to bright sunshine. Thank you, God!

2. I'm thankful for my family, im-
mediate, extended and otherwise.

3. I'm thankful my sister, who is
hospitalized, is reacting well to
the medications being administered
to her.

Thanks for your wonderful post!

Pat C.
p-cochran@juno.com

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Good to see you here, chaplain debbie. Yes, online connections can be fulfilling, too--if we work at them. Some of my best friends who are authors too started out as casual online connections.

Amanda--thank you for sharing. Any and all reasons for gratitude are welcome here, and yours are really good ones. :) (From someone who's had her share of tantrums.)

Thank you, Kathleen. You listed things we all seem to take for granted so easily.

Dear mbm--thank you for the kind words! As many of us know, posting to a blog can feel like a thankless labor. Words like yours make it all worthwhile. :) Soooo glad you were blessed!

Loraine--I'm grateful you shared your reasons for being grateful! You've been though a lot, my sister. How wonderful it is to hear your gratitude despite the world, the flesh and the devil trying to bring you down. Please keep us posted about your hubby. I know I'm adding him to my prayer list.

Amada, pronounced A.m.a.t.h.a.--:)Welcome back again! Great to hear of Christian parents who raised their child right!

Thanks, all of you. Your blessings, when shared, become ours, too.

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Wow Linore. Those are beautiful pictures! Love the pictures of the dogs too! and I might mention, you look FABULOUS DARLING!

Melanie Dickerson said...

Beautiful pictures, Linore! And I agree with Debbie Lynne. You look FABULOUS!

karenk said...

a wonderful posting...i'm grateful for: today, my family, my life

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

DianaLWard said...

I have Many things for which to be grateful, but my top 3 today would be:

1. Grace. Grace is always first, where would I be without it?

2. My daughter-in-law Nicole, who is friend and daughter to me too. We have lived together (by choice) most of the years since she married my son and without this family I doubt I'd have survived the loss of my best friend and husband in 2009. She is high on the list today for having come and hugged me first thing this morning.

3. I am grateful that my parents taught me to be curious and to enjoy learning and that I have never stopped finding joy wherever I can.

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Pat, thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about your sister being hospitalized. I pray for my subscribers, so she will have some prayers from this direction!

Debbie Lynne and Melanie--thanks so much! You realize you two are the "author friends" I mentioned who started out as casual online connections, right? (They are now two of my dearest friends, readers.) I'm at 27 pounds (lost) now!

Karen, thanks for sharing. You're in the drawing.

Diana--nice to hear from you. :) I love hearing about m-i-l-s and d-i-l-s who get along so wonderfully. I pray for such a privilege when my boys are married!
You are blessed, indeed.

Anne Payne said...

My husband and I would love to visit Maine someday! The photos are beautiful and only make me long to go there even more.

I'm thankful for God's comfort, the perfect husband/father/poppy for me, my children and grandchildren, and coffee ;)
Like Amanda said though, there are so many more things I am grateful for. The Lord is good!!!

You don't have to enter me for a book. I have them all :)

Debbie Lynne Costello said...

Linore the feeling is soooo mutual! I love your pictures. I'd love to go back up to Maine. Joe and I loved it up there. Beautiful country!

Linore Rose Burkard, Novelist said...

Thanks, Anne and Debbie Lynne. Maine seems to be one of those places you can really call "God's country!"

Good to see you here, ladies. :)