About the author
Ann Voskamp is a farmers wife, home educating mother of six children, author, story teller, photographer and a columnist for various Christian publications, She was named by “Christianity Today” as one of 50 women most shaping culture and the church today and her “blog on the web” is one of the top 10 Christian blogs in the World.

About the Book
It is about Grace and the counting of blessings which unlock the mystery of joy. Joy hiding in gratitude and thankfulness. In “One Thousand Gifts” Ann Voskamp, “beckons you to leave the parched ground of pride, fear and white knuckle control and abandon yourselves to the God who overflows your cup” It is more than just a book to read. It is a book from which truths of God’s blessings, despite the circumstances we might find ourselves in, can be taken to heart. The book speaks of how, when days are filled with mundane, disappointment, sadness or even darkness, you can break through these sorts of days and take control of your life by embracing everyday blessings that will immerse you in Christ’s fullness. She freely quotes from Scripture and refers to other renown authors whom she quotes, to support her views.
Each of the eleven chapters starts with a short meaningful quotation and these chapters can be grouped into five sessions for a further in depth study of her content, as well as an opportunity to engage further by answering some practical questions she poses. Enticing session titles include, 1 Attitude of Gratitude, 2 Grace in the Moment, 3 All is Grace,, 4 Trust – the bridge to Joy, 5 Empty to Fill. There is a supporting Dvd recoding.

Some extracts from her book
A quote. “Christian hands never clasp and He doesn’t give gifts for gain because a gift can never stop being a gift. It is always meant to be given”

Some of her simple everyday gifts for which she expresses thanks to God, makes us realize just how often we take so much for granted instead of opening our eyes to all that surrounds us, even in the small insignificant things and giving praise and thanks to God for all of this.
Moonlight on the pillow Kisses in the dark
Leafy life scent of the florist shop Cry of the bird from its branch
The last cry of geese Laughter at twilight
Kettle whistling for tea on a cold day Scooping out squash all steaming
Toothless smiles Forgiveness of a sister or brother
Jam piled high on the toast The creek of old knees.

She addresses such questions as, “ What in the world, in a world of certain loss, is Grace?” and “Could I live the choice to open my hands to say yes to receive whatever He freely gives …….’
Ann listed a “1000 gifts” , blessings, which she gave in thanks to God to offset the tragedies and disappoints that challenged her. Read the book and make your own personal list of blessings and gifts. You will find the exercise very rewarding!
(The book and Dvd are available from our own resource centre “Connection”)