Sleepy but thankful :)

91. This blog, written by the wife of the former deacon of music at my church. Aaron and Heather moved their family to Haiti in August (I am not-so-secretly envious of this), and Heather updates her blog regularly with very honest (and often quite humorous) glimpses into her heart as she and her family experience both the beauty and the ugliness of life in Haiti. Her posts are not only very well-written, but they're also simultaneously challenging and encouraging and point straight to God and the truth of the Gospel.

92. So thankful for the time I was able to spend with Lina in Nashville last week!

93. Re-reading a favorite childhood book

94. Conversations with friends about what the Lord is doing in our lives (whether we understand it, exactly, or not!)

95. Officially becoming a member of this amazing church tomorrow!

96. I can absolutely and confidently trust in God's promises. Like this one: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

97. Christmas Blend is back (err, well, for us Starbucks people, that is; guess the rest of y'all still have to wait a few more weeks). Anyway, excited for the upcoming Christmas season (though I still don't understand how it's possible that we're almost to November...)!

98. Band-Aids. A very important part of a klutz's life. I should probably buy stock.

99. Little kids; love them!

100. Cool, breezy nights.

Lina Lou

hey beth thank you for coming that was nice you are the best sister in the hole world. i wish i can come to texes to see paul. and the krafts. well i have a qustion can i come to texes to see your cat. if she donsn.t skrach me that would be good well i will come to vist you any time you want thanks love you bye love lina

Just got this email from Lina :) So glad I got to see her this week in Tennessee! She was selected, along with another boy from her school, to accompany their music director to Nashville to participate in a presentation the director gave on music and working with special needs kids. It's actually really neat all the director is doing to collaborate with other musicians and students with special needs from all around the world; maybe sometime (when I'm not exhausted and needing to get to bed), I'll write a post with more information about that.

Anyway, for now, here's a video of Lina leading the audience in a Kenyan song, along with Dr. David Akombo, who was participating via Skype:

Jesus, Thank You

This is one of my current favorite songs (from this album, which is actually full of beautiful Gospel-centered songs) that I've been playing over and over again. Anyway, until I have time to write an actual post, I thought I'd share these lyrics:

Jesus, Thank You
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You

But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

As it is written: "None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one." Romans 3: 10-12

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

a Tennessee Monday

81. Visiting my grandparents in east Tennessee.

82. Glorious fall-colored mountains and lovely weather, and the opportunity to spend an afternoon at Cades Cove (one of my favorite places on this earth).

83. My grandmother, who has Alzheimer's, walking into her kitchen as I pulled muffins out of the oven and saying, "I love you; it seems like it's always been like this." (Not entirely sure what she was referring or if she really knows who I am most of the time, but it was a very sweet moment.)

84. Visiting over tea with my lovely sister/friend/cousin Sabrina.

85. Seeing the sunset over the Smoky Mountains from the Foothills Parkway

86. A good conversation with my pastor

87. Encouraging texts to let me know a friend is praying for me.

88. "Hellooooooooo ma'am!" Never fails to make me smile. Thank you, Sir Green Shirt.

89. Technology, which allows me to listen to the sermon I missed last night while I drive across Tennessee this afternoon.

90. New music to play over and over on "Nonny" (my non-iPod) that keeps me focused on the Gospel.

Monday again!

This past week absolutely sped by; how it's Monday again already, I'm not sure! But, it is, so here's this week's glimpse at some of the blessings God's given me:

71. A brother who is not afraid to speak the truth to me in love, even when it's not easy for him to say or for me to hear.

72. The Gospel, and the reminder that there is never so much as a second in my life when I'm not utterly in need of my Savior.

73. Lots of opportunities this week to bake (and, consequently, a new blog!).

74. That Paul got back safely from Haiti last week.

75. Anticipation of my upcoming trip to Tennessee this weekend (so excited to see friends and family, and for the mountains and all the beautiful fall colors!)

76. That my washing machine is now usable (now just need to get the dryer up and running!)

77. A new candle

78. This month's hymn of the month at my church

79. That my hope is in Christ and that nothing is impossible for God.

80. Silly moments with friends

ever so thankful

61. The opportunity to make a quick trip to Houston to have lunch with my dad while he was in town for a business meeting.

62. A wonderful Sunday of fellowship with my Life Group, dear friends, and at church.

63. my new Lesley Gore pandora station. I anticipate this being the soundtrack to much future baking.

64. Fun with coworkers painting mugs during our store party.

65. Trying out new recipes!

66. Sunday afternoon book study with Sabrina and Everly

67. Perfect tea-drinking weather (so far today I've had two cups of Earl Grey and one cup of Vanilla Rooibus...mmm!)

68. Texts from friends, keeping me accountable about spending time in God's Word

69. Julie and Julia movie night with Sabrina, Everly, and Birdie

70. A phone call from my brother in Haiti while he was at Notre Maison; I was able to get an update on "my" baby (she's doing very well and can sit up on her own now!).