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???).

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.

thankfulness: 151-160

151. A wonderful conversation over coffee this morning with a sweet friend from church.

152. A phone call from Paul in Haiti, even though the connection was so jumbled I couldn't hardly understand a word he said. But, it sounds like he's doing well. And he was able to go to Port au Prince Fellowship yesterday and stay at Heartline for a day, which is super exciting. (Edit: And I just got an email for him, to make up for the lame-o conversation attempt; yay!)

153. I was able to attend a Haitian Creations purse party the other night and got to buy a purse to support Heartline's women's ministry! (If you are ever looking to support a ministry in Haiti, support Heartline! I seriously cannot say enough about this wonderful ministry!)

154. My "Swinging Christmas" Pandora station -- love it!

155. Decorating for Christmas.

156. Dinner with a friend.

157. My one-year-in-Texas anniversary was last Tuesday; soooo excited about this! It's been quite a year! Though it took me awhile to warm up to CS, I truly, truly love it here, thanks to dear friends and coworkers and my amaaaazing church.

158. Sweet, encouraging words from a fellow church member.

159. This music, by a friend of a friend.

160. A simple yet profound prayer by a child during Lifegroup.

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:

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.