Multitude Monday...on Thursday

Once upon a time, my perfectionist/control freak self would have cringed at doing my "Monday post" on any other day of the week (I mean, helloooo...clearly to publish my gratitude list on any other day would mess up the entire order of the universe, right?); we can all breathe a deep sigh of relief that I've relaxed a bit -- Multitude Monday can happen on Thursday; my house doesn't have to be perfectly clean/organized in order to invite people over, and it really is ok to go to the store without mascara (if I'm quick. and it's early in the morning. and I'm reasonably sure I won't run into anyone I know.... K, still working on that one :) ).

It's also okay to humble myself and admit that I need prayer.

That recently I've been easily overwhelmed and stressed.

That I'm really missing my mom.

That yet another sweet baby in Haiti has died, and I hate that this is all-too-common.

And...that I'm recognizing more and more how I idolize control...because when things don't go as I'd hoped...or when I don't even know exactly what it is that I'm hoping for...or when the measliest little comment or occurrence makes me want to go into "self-defense mode" and avoid everyone...that's when I realize that I've quit trusting in the Lord and am instead trying to do things in my own strength.

But I am weak.

Good thing His power is made perfect in weakness.  Real good thing.

So there's drama at work?
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear...Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29, 32)

Potential life decisions to make?
You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:24-26)

Hopes and dreams that are out of my hands to bring about?
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:3-4)


Disappointments?  Sadness?
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him." (Lamentations 3:21-24)

As I type this, Hillsong is playing in the background:

You are stronger
You are stronger
Sin is broken
You have saved me
It is written
Christ is Risen
Jesus, You are Lord of all.


O Praise Him!

481. Praying friends.  You have no idea how much I appreciate y'all.
482. Visiting with Sabrina, Everly, and Birdie at Eyrie Park.
483. Dinner with Jessica; so grateful for her encouragement.
484. Rain outside my window.
485. Clopening with Aja; love this girl and am really going to miss her while she's in San Antonio this summer.
465. Movie night at The Yet-Unnamed Duplex with Paul, Julie, Aja, and Anna.
466. A super fun and yummy lunch with Aja and her mom.
467. Dinner and games at Jason and Meg's.
468. Babysitting some super cute kids with Jessica (favorite moments from the night: snuggling with an adorable two-month-old and learning all about how to make crystals with a crazy-smart seven-year-old).
469. My freshly-mowed backyard (thanks, Paul!).
470. The last meeting of our Biblical Theology class; I've definitely learned a lot over the past few months.
471. Dinner with friends after BT class for Kate's birthday; so fun!
472. This is really cool (at least, I'm fascinated by it...).
473. Sleeping in on Sunday...eating breakfast...starting a load of laundry...going back to bed for two hours...moving the laundry to the dryer...getting up and going out to my hammock...  It was a wonderfully [rare] lazy Sunday :)
474. Lunch with Sarah and Julie; good food, good friends, good times :)
475. Game night at Sarah's...and Rachael's memory trick so that we'll never EVER forget how to differentiate the branches of Islam :P
475. Discovering an unopened bag of Casi Cielo at my house...mmmm!
476. Wonderful Taryn, one of my amazing coworkers with whom I worked for 10 months.  We all already miss her now that she's graduated and moved on.
477. Getting to talk to this amazing woman after church on Sunday; excited to spend time with her family this summer talking about Haiti and practicing Creole.
478. "Roommate night" (this week and last) at Julie's.
479. Joe's moving back this weekend; yay!!!!!!!!!!
480. A surprise from the brother, discovered at 4:30am on my way to work :)

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.  I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see corruption.  You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:5-11

thankful

441. Getting to start sponsoring my Ti Nina!  Oh how I miss this sweet girl.

442. Celebrating Paul's 20th (!!!!) birthday at Eyrie Park.

20!!!

443. Going to dinner with friends after our Biblical Theology class at church.

444. Rediscovering this in my fridge.  I know this is silly, but it's also so good!

445. A very well-timed text from a friend, reminding me to delight in the Lord and in His steadfast love.

446. Breakfast with Sarah.

447. A fun afternoon drinking tea and eating pastries with so many lovely ladies.

448. Our Starbucks girls night, getting all fancy and going out for dessert at a nice restaurant, where...

449. ...we were surprised and so blessed by getting our entire bill paid by an incredibly kind and generous man!!!

450. My dear friend Julie and the way she speaks the truth in love (even when it's hard to hear); so thankful for her biblical perspective and the way she challenges and encourages me to get my focus off of myself and to be grateful.

451. My yard.  And my hammock.  And time spent in my hammock in my yard :)

452. Sunday with the Bacak boys; never a dull moment!

girls night!

453. A much-needed hug and a shoulder to cry on.

454. A picnic at the park with my lifegroup.

455. Laney Rae and her sweet chattering as she helped dry dishes after church.

456. Going to see this movie with friends; loooooved it! (Everly, I definitely want to go see it again with y'all!)

457. Last night's sermon; so very timely.  Probably should listen to it again...several times...

458. So encouraged to see so clearly (this week especially) how God uses the unique talents/characteristics/personalities/etc that He has given each of my friends for His glory and for the edification of both myself and others.  It's so neat to see this lived out.

459. Baking danishes/kolaches for the first time; so fun!

460. An unintentional (but wonderful) Sunday afternoon nap; I'm gettin' kinda good at this napping thing! (Though I probably should get better at the going-to-bed-early thing...)

Justus, Jax, and Treston

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.  (Psalm 103:1-5)

Not my favorite week, but...

...still ever-so-much to be thankful for:

lovely Sabrina at her fiesta-themed shower

421. Sabrina's bridal shower :)
422. Getting to babysit for 3 super cute kids.
423. Watching a friend's son master bike riding without training wheels and seeing his excitement.
424. Getting to host life group at my house yesterday.
425. Seeing my dear friend Meg several times this week :)
426. Serving in preschool at church; love these little ones with all their different personalities!
427. Kind words from a customer during one of my most stressful days at work ever.
428. Much-needed and appreciated hugs and encouragement from friends.
429. Turning on my windshield wipers (though only just briefly) for the first time in months; I've nearly forgotten what rain looks like.
430. Getting to spend an evening with friends helping a family from church move into their new home; it's so neat to be able to serve alongside fellow believers.
431. A movie night with friends.

Treston and his spider

432. A middle-of-the-night cleaning frenzy...or rather, the results of this frenzy.
433. A coffee date with lovely Sabrina.
434. An occurrence which I hope will one day prove to be a very funny story.
435. My new bunga pads that keep me from utterly destroying my ankles when ice skating; it is amazing the difference wearing these makes.
436. Skating with Sarah, and learning from her expertise :)
437. Playing at the park with the Bacak kids (and Treston declaring, "I yike spiders!  I da spider KING!" as he went around picking up granddaddy long-legs).

Whataburger with Sarah

438. An unexpected drop in temperature when I walked out of church; considering the Texas summer heat that is about to be upon us, I will take the coolness for as long as it will last!
439. Having Whataburger for the first time ever, courtesy of Sarah (and this was, I realized, my first hamburger in over 2 years!).
440. Miss Barbara and her stories; love this lady!  :)


Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (Colossians 3:12-17)

Christ is Risen!

Easter 1991

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

O death, where is your sting?

Kevin apparently found all the good Easter eggs that year. 

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

The glory of God has defeated the night

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

Our God is not dead, He's alive, HE'S ALIVE!

(Christ is Risen -- Matt Maher)

401. Kind of accidentally "eavesdropping" on an incredibly amusing comment thread on a friend's facebook photo...hil.ar.i.ous!  Makes me want to be friends with these people that I don't really know.

402. An encouraging card from a friend.

403. Conversations with Sarah.

404. Conversations with Julie.

405. Discovering a new favorite Bluebell flavor: chocolate mud pie!  ohm'goodness, 'tis yum!

406. Kind friends who are so willing to give me rides when Paul and I have car conflicts (since we share a vehicle).

407. Getting off work several hours early on Saturday and thereby getting a longer weekend :)

408. A quick nap on the couch while dinner was in the oven.

409. Babysitting some super crazy fun kids.

410. Getting to help with Truth and Grace during one of the Good Friday services at church.

411. Good Friday.

412. Spending Easter with the Bacaks and Jessica and enjoying a wonderful meal together.

413. Being able to fit in a quick visit to Eyrie Park on Easter afternoon.

414. Making "mufflers" (Sir Green Shirt's name for my experimental raspberry cobbler muffins).

415. That I'm not normally sick..or such a medicine-head as I was last week (my apologies to anyone with whom I may have attempted conversation between Tuesday and Friday; coherency just wasn't happening).  And so thankful to be feeling better now!

416. Since I've managed to refrain from mentioning this for the past several weeks...my church :) So thankful for the Truth that is preached, the Gospel that is lived out, and the fellowship and unity we have as a body of believers.

417. Getting to work with Rachael for several hours today :)

418. Teeny tiny dogs with names like Attila (i.e. The Hun) and Tank.  This just makes me laugh.

419. A lovely phone conversation with Sabrina.

420. "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!" (1 Corinthians 15:20) 

Living He loved me

Dying He saved me

Buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified

Freely forever

One day He's coming

Oh glorious Day!

(Glorious Day -- Jeff Johnson)

better than I deserve

not by my own words that I may boast or I may come

but simply through Your Son the sinless and exalted One

only through the cross am I made clean to draw near to You

saved so that You would receive all glory due Your name

everlasting God from age to age You never change

a true love story remains for all eternity

that all the world would see

the beauty of the cross is that there's One who has redeemed my soul

the beauty of the cross is that I'm finally free and letting go

the beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am

- The Beauty of the Cross, Jeff Johnson

361. Getting to visit with my lovely friend Kim (and eat yummy frozen yogurt)

362. Serving in preschool Tuesday night and getting to play with super cute kids :)

363. Running into two friends from church at the ice skating rink and having a really good conversation right in the middle of the ice.

364. This video, and the reminder to wait on the Lord and hope in His Word, "for with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption" (Psalm 130:5-7).
365. Seeing so many church friends at Starbucks (y'all, I'm not kidding when I tell you it makes my day when y'all come in!)
366. That Run for Compassion was such a huge SUCCESS!  So excited about how much money was raised to support the Child Survival Programs in Haiti and Ethiopia!  (Want to be part of this?  You can still donate!)
367. Running and enjoying my first 5k :)  I especially loved seeing those of you who were holding signs along the way (thanks for the encouragement, Sarah, Rachel, Jessie, Rachael, Cody, Camaaron, and others!).
368. A Pride and Prejudice movie night with Jessica, Stephanie, and Julie...though I have to admit that despite my best efforts, I was only awake for a very small percentage of the last half (it'd been a long day!).
369. These.  Holymoly.  Yum.
370. A lovely Sunday afternoon visit with Sabrina and Everly.
371. That my head was no longer directly beneath the light fixture when it decided to fall and shatter on my table.
372. The sharing of ridiculous/hilarious youtube videos on our church's member site.  Can't say Baptists don't have a sense of humor!
373. Standing in the parking lot talking to Julie and Sarah for a long time after church; I really love these girls.
374. Freshly vacuumed carpets (and the fact that my vacuum is working again).
375. Encouragement from friends.
376. A Saturday afternoon nap in my hammock...soooo wonderful!
377. The expectant hope of what is to come.
378. Beginning to plan for a long-awaited trip back to Haiti (hoping for May/June).  If you want to come (or are in the least bit interested), let me know!
379. Playing "cone ball" with Justus and hearing him giggle every time he made the ball shoot out of the cone.
380. Deandre, one of the little boys at church.  I just really enjoy this kid.

We're always doing better than we deserve.

- C.J. Mahaney

monday

Birdie's 10th birthday - March 28, 2005

321. Forgiveness, and the freedom that comes with letting go of bitterness.

322. Lunch and pedicures with lovely friends on Sunday.

323. Attending a midweek service at the church that planted my church; so cool how "at home" I felt even though I didn't know hardly anyone there.

324. Seeing Jimmy Needham in concert.

325. Hanging out with friends at the park on Friday; while most people played ultimate frisbee, others of us ran around and had a magnificent time playing (yes, playing) on the exercise equipment things...

326. Tuesday was my first time ice skating since I injured my toe in January, and it went really well (and was lots of fun). Yay for finally getting back on the ice!

327. Babysitting (along with 3 college girls) a bunch of kids from church while their parents had a hilarious game night. Seriously, my church has THE cutest and most fun kids ever.

328. A wonderful time with one of my coworkers, getting my hair cut and then completely losing track of time while we visited.

329. Going on a walk with a friend from church, catching up on life since we've barely been able to see each other this semester.

330. Having coffee with another friend from church.

331. Finally getting to see my dear sister/friend/cousins for the first time in quite awhile.

332. God's grace in enabling me to not only be diligent in continuing to train for Run for Compassion but also (and especially!) in enabling me to ENJOY running. It's been amazing.

333. Spending time visiting with one of the church elders and his wife during the fellowship meal after church (pray for them; they're having their fourth baby today!).

334. Eating ice cream, right out of it's little pint-sized container (but no, I did not eat the whole thing at once).

335. My brother and sister-in-law's wedding pictures!!!

336. Hugs from friends.

337. Peace from God that unites hope for the future with contentment in the present.

338. My lifegroup. I love it. So wonderful to meet again after two weeks off for Spring Break (plus the week before SB I was out of town).

339. A lovely Sunday evening chat with dear Everly.

340. Celebrating this dear girl's 16th birthday today (wasn't it just yesterday we celebrated "double digits" in Haiti???).

So many blessings...

...that this week's list is twice as long :)

301. So proud of a friend who decided this week, after much prayer, to quit the band he's played in for several years in order to pursue God more fully. Such a hard decision, but one that I know God will bless and use for His glory.

302. glimmers of hope. and that's all I will say :)

303. Getting to see all of my cousins, aunts, and uncles on my mom's side of the family last week as we celebrated my grandfather's life and the fact that he is now with Jesus.

304. My pastor's consistency and boldness in preaching the Gospel; last night's sermon was really convicting (but in no way condemning). Lots to think and pray through as I seek to be obedient to the Lord.

305. So thankful that the team from my church that went to Guatemala

last week is back and that I've been able to see pictures and hear lots of stories of the Lord's faithfulness to them throughout their trip.

306. Especially thankful that this dear friend is home again; love her! :)

307. I finally made it over to Eyrie Park for a few hours Saturday night for the first time, really, in weeks (which is unacceptable); soooo enjoyed spending time talking and eating brownies with Everly and Birdie :)

308. Filling up a local restaurant after church Sunday evening, when about 1/3 of those who'd been at the service went there for dinner :)

309. Rollerskating/blading with several families/friends from church...complete with green beads and glow sticks for St. Patrick's Day.

310. Out of the mouths of babes... "I couldn't find my skates for a really long time...and then I looked in my underwear drawer." -Justus Bacak, age 6.

311. Starting to run again...for the first time since last summer :/ Trying to get ready for Run for Compassion; thankful that so far, the weather has been beautiful and I've actually been enjoying running.

312. The bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes are starting to come up! I love Spring in Texas!!!

313. Old family photos, seen for the first time in years.

314. Finishing up two really good books and starting a new one.

315. Good conversation with a friend/coworker in her big ol' truck :)

316. Getting to spend time with another lifegroup this week (since mine was off for spring break).

317. So thankful to have the opportunity to know several of the residents at Esperanza, with all their hugs, smiles, and stories (even those I've heard so often that I could tell them myself!). Love these people!

318. Seeing my best friend's wedding dress hanging in her room...eeek! :)

319. Coffee stickers as prayer reminders.

320. My new Haiti-made earrings.

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like You have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours

Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause

As I walk from earth into eternity

- Hosanna, Hillsong United

'tis Monday

291. The business meeting at church and hearing all of the testimonies of those who were baptized. God is so faithful!

292. Sweet time fellowshipping and praying with friends.

293. Getting to spend time one-on-one with Miss Pat on Tuesday and Mr. Jim on Thursday at Esperanza.

294. The guys from Still Creek Ranch taking the time to pray with KM and me when they came by to pick up the donated pastries at Starbucks.

295. The beautiful unity of the body of Christ and the incredible blessing it is to be part of this.

296. Hanging out with new friends and enjoying a campfire and s'mores at Lake Bryan.

297. God's faithful provision: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it . . . But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." (Psalm 81:10, 16)

298. Thankful to have gotten to go to TN a few weeks ago to see my grandpa before he died (3/13/11). So thankful to have had him in my life for 25 1/2 years. And so very thankful that he's with Jesus now.

299. A quiet Sunday.

300. Awakening to the sound of rain outside my window, and being able to lie in bed for a few more minutes instead of having to immediately jump up and begin my day.

wedding week!

281. Kevin and Danielle's wedding!

282. Getting to spend time with Ian and Stephanie after the wedding; so very blessed by these two.

283. Seeing so many Florida friends again this week - Phil and Krystle and their boys; Mr. and Mrs. Seidel; JoeDel; Mr. and Mrs. Fraiser; Ian and Stephanie; AJ; Gibby.

284. Encouraging texts from wonderful church friends, and, similarly, the support and prayers of my amazing church family.

285. Several opportunities to borrow Kevin and Danielle's kitchen and cook/bake so that I didn't go utterly into kitchen withdrawal while in Florida :P

286. Getting to spend time with Kevin and Danielle before their wedding, and especially getting to know Danielle better (since I moved to Texas 3 days after they started dating).

287. Hearing how the Lord is working in the lives of dear friends and family members.

288. Listening to last night's sermon during the plane ride back to Texas.

289. Coming home to Texas!

290. That Sabrina and Donovan have found a venue and picked a date for their wedding - can't wait for September 25th!

so many gifts (271-280)

271. A fun night celebrating a friend's birthday.

272. Finally having time to unpack the rest of my boxes and very nearly get this new home set up :)

273. My new dining table, which now ranks among my favorite/best craigslist finds.

274. Spending Saturday evening playing this ridiculous but fun game with friends.

275. Getting to serve in preschool at church and play with some of the cutest kids ever.

276. These cookies, which the lovely Sabrina made for our Bible study...and which I loved so much that I made a batch myself the next day. (Yes, cookies are making my top-ten list of things for which I am thankful this week. They were that good. And I maybe have a bit of a sweet tooth...)

277. Getting to spend more time with a dear friend from church, now that we're coworkers :)

278. This is unoriginal, as it makes the list nearly every week (and the weeks it's not actually here in writing, it's very much in my heart)...but I am just oh-so-thankful for this amazing body of believers that I'm blessed to be a part of.

279. Getting to do lots of cooking/baking in the past few days.

280. This post from my pastor's wife, which I just came across tonight (though it was written earlier this month). Very timely for me, and very much something I need to learn/remember.

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave!

- Matt Maher

busy, busy week

The beauty of the cross is that there's One who has redeemed my soul

The beauty of the cross is that I'm finally free and letting go

The beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am.

Beauty of the Cross - Jeff Johnson

261. Loving this music!

262. A quick visit to see extended family in Tennessee; so thankful for the opportunity to see my grampa one more time.

263. Awakening to the chirping of birds outside my window.

264. Beautiful spring weather.

265. A quick Sunday afternoon nap beside an open window.

266. The sound of my neighbors' kids playing.

267. Spending my lunch break with a wonderful friend from church, who is also my newest coworker :)

268. An evening playing games at a coffee shop with friends.

269. An especially fun night of bingo at the assisted living home.

270. A belated Valentine's Day party with my dear friends, watching this favorite movie.

Valentine's gratitude

I've found a love greater than life itself

I've found a hope stronger and nothing compares

I once was lost now I'm alive in You!

(Love Came Down)

We love because He first loved us.

(I John 4:19)

So, so much to be thankful for on this Valentine's Day.

251. The amazing, incredible, awesome way God worked out all the details for me and Paul to sublet our apartment and move into our new duplex.

252. Our duplex, with its yard. and attic. and doorbell. and windows. and space. and everything about it that makes us so excited to live here :)

253. The generosity of several wonderful people from church who donated furniture to the couple from Spain who sublet our apartment.

254. Friends who gave up their evening to help us move.

255. A birthday dinner for a friend.

256. The opportunity to serve coffee with coworkers at a benefit concert for a family in need.

257. A movie night with friends.

258. Discovering another kindred spirit.

259. A beautiful afternoon, and time spent under a tree reading through I John.

260. Spending Valentine's evening with girls from church, enjoying a wonderful meal cooked by one of the elders and remembering that "this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

cookies and coffee and snow, oh my!

241. Watching the kids at Lifegroup act out the story of Ruth.

242. A great evening at f(logos) discussing the first chapter of the book we're studying this semester.

243. SNOW!!! and the wonderfully fun morning at work that consisted of running outside every 15 minutes or so to make snow angels (especially enjoyed teaching the proper way to make a snow angel to a customer named Josh from Aruba who had never seen snow), slide around, and basically just bask in the Texas snow!

244. Sitting in the falling snow, drinking a cup of Verona with Sir Green Shirt.

245. Spending time with Bunny at a coffee shop, sharing about what the Lord is doing in our lives.

246. A homemade hat, knitted by a friend in Chicago, which I've had several opportunities to wear again this week.

247. Girl Scout Cookies (I bought Thin Mints and Caramel Delights on Sunday!)

248. This book; so convicting, but soooo good.

249. Getting to sleep in on Saturday after a busy week filled with late nights and early mornings.

250. Getting to visit with Everly and another girl from f(logos) Saturday afternoon.

wonderful week

231. Sabrina and Donavon are ENGAGED!!!!! (Congratulations, dear friends!)

232. Middle-of-the-night set-up for the engagement :)

233. Ice skating to the Tangled soundtrack (so fun!)

234. Barbecue and two-stepping with friends from church.

235. An impromptu slumber party at Eyrie Park.

236. Lots of visits from church friends at Starbucks.

237. An overnight visit from Florida friends while they were in town for a show they played here.

238. The Gospel in Singleness

239. Several good conversations with a sweet friend from church.

240. Spending time with Bunny and Samuel.

let the praises ring

Let everything I say and do

Be founded by my faith in You

I lift up holy hands and sing

let the praises ring

- Lincoln Brewster

friends since forever - Danielle, Seth, Paul, and me

221. A wonderful first ice-skating lesson.

222. Lifegivers, and the opportunity to fellowship with the amazing women in my church.

223. My new FEED bracelet from Aja :) (mine's blue, for Haiti, of course!)

224. Getting to visit Will at his Starbucks.

225. Loved, loved, loved getting to spend a day in San Antonio with dear family friends who we've know "since forever" :)

226. Getting to eat at one of my favorite restaurants (which unfortunately does not yet have a location in good ol' CS).

227. Spending an afternoon/evening at Eyrie Park, for the first time in foreeeever!

228. Listening to a friend's 3 year-old son giggle at dinner.

229. The hopeful anticipation of all that is to come.

230. Yesterday's sermon.

loving life

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights...

James 1:17

211. A fun evening hanging out with friends after a wonderful church service.

212. The first Lifegroup meeting of the year; so good to be back together again.

213. Tuesday night Bingo at the assisted living home with Samuel, Bunny, and friends from church.

214. Baking cupcakes with Willin and Jubilee.

215. The gift of friendship...so grateful for long-time friends; thoroughly enjoying meeting new friends.

216. That my ice skates were able to be repaired (so that I don't have to buy new ones!).

217. This lovely book, which I am currently rereading.

218. A conversation with TGIGM.

219. Watching this fantastic movie again.

220. Hanging out with Paul, Sabrina, Everly, and Birdie at a local coffeeshop.

oh, what a week...

201. Ice skating TWICE last week!

202. A good, honest conversation with a friend.

203. Finally having time to clean/organize the back room at work (now if we can just KEEP it this clean/organized!).

204. Dinner at Blue Baker with friends from church.

205. Watching Sleeping Beauty for the first time ever :)

206. Getting to eat leftover pizza at Eyrie Park.

207. Having a new, fresh week ahead of me (and being able to put last week behind me)!

208. Nicknames.

209. The reminder, however painful, of how very much I need God's grace and mercy, and the fact that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

210. This very timely article.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,"therefore I will hope in Him." Lamentations 3:21-24

such a good week

181. Lots of fun opportunities recently to hang out with friends from church.

182. An afternoon spent driving around with a friend, finishing up Christmas errands.

183. New rubber boots!

184. Unexpectedly meeting up with my dear friends whilst Christmas shopping and getting to spend several hours together.

185. Reading this new book (or rather, the first of these two) by a crackling fire.

186. Going to the midnight showing of True Grit.

187. Taking my 12-year-old cousin to play bingo at an assisted living home in town with friends from church.

188. A wonderful new coat, just in time for cold weather (which finally showed up, after we hit the 80s last week).

189. A low-key Christmas, spent with my brother and my "Texas family". Don't think I've ever gotten to sleep in on Christmas before; 'twas lovely!

190. The crazy, amazing, gloriously awesome way that God has worked throughout all history to bring about redemption. (Check out this and this!)

'Twas the Monday before Christmas...

171. Utterly random text messages from a friend.

172. Super cute new earrings, made by a friend for me for Christmas.

173. Lots and lots of sleep, to [hopefully] finally get me over this icky sickness!

174. Paul made it home safely from Haiti!

175. Christmas break, which means a nearly empty town and thus a few weeks of calmer days at work.

176. Organized closets. Call me strange, but this just makes me so happy.

177. Just finished this book, which I've wanted to read since I was a child. Entirely different from the movie, but I absolutely love both.

178. Getting to go shopping for Heartline's new teen mom home with other ladies from my church. Such a blessing to get to be a part of something so beautiful!

179. The reminder that God's ways are so much higher and better than any plans I could attempt to come up with; His providence is amazing.

180. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Just think about that; what incomprehensibly beautiful, incredible, wonderful, breathtaking news!

of gratitude and mostly Christmasy sorts of things

161. Homemade Christmas cards (though I'm questioning my sanity in deciding to do this...I am so not crafty but am very much a perfectionist. Dangerous combination.)

162. Lunch with a friend from my Bible study.

163. A day of [forced] rest... Though it would have been preferable to have not been sick, I clearly needed a day of doing nothing but drinking tea, laying on the couch, and watching Pride and Prejudice.

164. So excited about Heartline's new teen mom home; also super excited to get together with other women from my church to shop for one the rooms in this new home!

165. This Christmas album, which has quickly become one of my favorites and which I've had on repeat for the past several days.

166. An afternoon outing to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader with my Texas family.

167. An evening at the theatre watching a local production of White Christmas with friends from church.

168. My second year of celebrating Saint Lucia's Day with my Texas family.

169. The comfort (and thrill) of knowing that God places certain people and situations in my life for a purpose, even though it often doesn't make sense to me. It's neat to look back and see how this has been true in the past while realizing that it certainly must be true in the present as well.

170. Christmas lights.