771-780

771. Man, our teachershepherd, speaks the truth of God in such a way that my eyes and heart are open and i am fed the most delicious meat. 
772. that he teaches that which makes my heart sing, a spirit of neediness and dependency on Jesus, a life not glamorized or filled with luxury, but marked by suffering and brokenness. 
723. thankful that finances, affirmation, beauty, don't really matter in the kingdom of God. they are all gifts and just that, not be abused or brought to idol status that then replace God. 
724. cheddar cheese and wheat thins, a familiar snack that still tickles my taste buds. 
725. the delight of my children as they decorate the tree with daddy, all the twinkling lights, they hold the shimmery balls so with fragility and wonder.  
726, the shining gold star on top. 
727. rearranging our living room to bring a little change and refresh our love for our small humble home. it is still so cozy and warm, i am so content to call greenfield my home.
 728, two french braids down the back and twisted into a huge pile of bun. 
729. the teeniest tiniest cutest most perfect baby potatoes you have ever seen-surprised to me by tammy-she knows me so well and shares delight in finding joy in the small, she seeks them out for me and i am so loved by her. 
730. we don't have a fireplace so we bring up a fireplace up on netflix and fills the screen and crackles and jumps like a real fire and i love the glow* it brings to our living room. 

759-770

759 rachael's offer to buy my westsider cafe lunch this afternoon 760 the overly friendly stranger who did buy my lunch 761 my lunch. breakfast burrito. and hot salsa. 762 leftovers. 763 time with rachael, rare these days, but we're honest with each other, and time together is iron sharpening iron. 764 molly. straightforward, one of my favorite qualities about her. also, neighbor, and friend for 7 years now. 765 tiniest mist droplets on car windshield. there's beauty there when i shift my perspective. 766 morning sermon on the upsidedown kingdom of God, preached by a man whose life illustrates those same luke 6 qualities of weakness, need, humility. 767 teeny tiny potatoes. trader joes. and jana, whose response to such a gift makes it always worthwhile 768 a seat with jana and natey. 769 a church that cares for single people well and is learning how to do even better. 770 sharing orange pens.

747-758

747 a new home 748 a laundry room next to my bedroom 749 a fireplace with a crackling fire in my house 750 learning to make a full thanksgiving meal 751 eating sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, and stuffing 752 rollerskating 753 family to help me move 754 a new yellow rug 755 wreaths hung on the outside doors 756 December beginning tomorrow 757 wisdom and insight and live from my friend and mentor 758 that God heals and rebuilds and redeems

737-746

737 the shift from novice to advanced - on the track to competency, proficiency, and expertise 738 fall apples, photographed 739 these married friends in my life - compassionate listeners and wise teachers 740 just a little bit of boldness. because freedom says that i am confident. 741 gentle and obedient little norah + her teeny tiny camera 742 olive's cheesy ham post-nap smiles 743 swirling leaves in the parking lot 744 a rapid response, encouragement to keep walking 745 salty lentil soup gift and her gratitude for our common language 746 strong&kind honey mustard protein bars *found this list from a couple weeks ago, but they are still gifts all the same!

730- 736

730 morning reading. with fafe. me colossians, she, the secret garden. the secret garden? really? she's 8. i read that last year. i am proud of this girl. 731 christmas card crafting 732 with christmas music and cinnamon spice tea 733 that conversation with katie elizabeth, friend for 13 years. wise + patient with me. 734 a text message later to encourage me from her husband's perspective too. loved. 735 time in the evening with chelsea + bri + the catratdog. 736 this job, selling flags. finding how much my heart loves to help people.

723-729

723. mashed potatoes, roasted garlic, cranberries and cream cheese with a hint of horseradish, corn, rolls, white meat, marteneli's..this meal was complete with all the classics...

724. older brother was able to make his way around the Great Lakes in his new BMW to rare family gathering. Got friday off so he was able to make it.

725. big sister, strong and confident, keeps us in comunity, opening her small home in order to gather us all together, always stocked with fun drinks and tasty eats. She teaches me a high quality of hospitality.

726. the woman i admire from afar. I read she is a new wife, mother of 6, still serving others, and learning a life of unselfishness and tenderness. I read and read and love her more the more i learn about her. I am reminded to never stop praying for her.

727.  endless patience from spouse, and i mean endless. you just can't find that in every man. it is truly a gift. I spilled 3 different liquids three days in  row [coffee, coke, and beer] on the couch that HE spent time scrubbing clean and restoring luster too, and he responded with frusteration kept in check, and quietness even though we all know he could have said plenty..

728. a hair brush. my hair, now that it's quite long, knots up ALL the time, and i have nests built in all over my head, and if i didn't have a brush to tackle the tangles, i would have to go bald.

729. tiny contact case that travels with me, gifted from my thoughtful mother in law. tiny little gifts like this that are so me make me feel so loved and pursued and cared for.

711-722

711 david asked me if i wanted to ride with him to sara's for thanksgiving. these small things capture. my. heart. 712 those 20 minutes to rockford, priceless, with the boy man who i love more and more 713 the pride i feel when my brother describes his work, the motivation he feels now - when i knew the boy 4 years ago who feared the unknown ahead, with no drive, and now - passion, pride, and planning for the future. my next sister-in-law is one lucky girl. 714 a meticulous tablecloth drawing, addi illustrating and describing 6 of us in her own words, with her own extravagant imagination 715 piled on the brand new corner couch with all the boys and the kids coming and going, climbing and laughing 716 watching football on thanksgiving, house full, joy full 717 natalie's little baby smile in that pink/orange/maroon-striped dress 718 wiggles. as sara + addi have exclusively been calling him 719 addie. with an e. because i remember my tami phase in 5th grade. 720 sleepover with my girl. this 8-year-old (really?) who has become one of my favorite buddies. and the dialogue, real thoughts from a little lady, nail polish, banana ice cream, movies 721 peanut asking for a 3rd movie when she just barely made it through the 2nd 722 the coming-together of that meal this afternoon. 1 dish each, each thanksgiving staple accounted for, colorful + satisfied plates

701-710

701. the shift from novice to advanced - on the track to competency, proficiency, and expertise 702. fall apples, photographed 703. these married friends in my life - compassionate listeners and wise teachers 704. just a little bit of boldness. because freedom says that i am confident. 705. gentle and obedient little norah + her teeny tiny camera 706. olive's cheesy ham post-nap smiles 707. swirling leaves in the parking lot 708. a rapid response, encouragement to keep walking 709. salty lentil soup gift and her gratitude for our common language 710. strong&kind honey mustard protein bars

684-700

684 piercing sun through clouds over lincoln, il 685 cloud layers reminding me of rippled sand as the tide pulls back from the shore 686 eyes to see brothers and sisters in worship this morning 687 humble leadership and community at crosspoint church 688 like we never missed a beat, like we haven't gone 3 years without seeing each other, like israel was just yesterday - a quick weekend visit to see my dear friend 689 the world's best hospitality offered to me through gifts, meals, time, depth of thoughtfulness and selflessness 690 the gift of watching a husband who is attentive to his wife, servant, patient, communicator. shawn, i'm thankful that you are the man to walk through life with my katie. thank you for loving her so well. 691 faithfulness of a wife who is steadfast at the side of a man, diagnosed with dimentia at age 57. happy 58 tomorrow. 692 eggs with garlic powder 693 teal shutters and front door. matches the friend i've known for all these years 694 sharing youtube videos and laughing until we couldn't. joy gift. 695 finishing each other's sentences 696 the generous mention of a visit to grand rapids, and architecture 697 sweet baby girl, who has a name, though it isn't public yet, but i may have squeezed it out... 698 g. + r. + 3 babies. beautiful babies. 699 2142. that home. that peacefulness. another one of many long conversations stuffed predictably into the kitchen space 700 e's date with m this weekend. oh jesus, please guide and direct the next steps

671-683

671. 3 tiny pink candles, so lovingly thought of to poke a delicious flour less chocolate torte for a birthday celebration with my closest friends.

672. that my friends took the time to give me time and generously lavish me with a fun evening together and they took the effort to plan and pursue me. I am so honored.

673. I cam home last night and my husband had unloaded the brimming dishwasher, reloaded it with the day's dishes, swiped down the counters and even cleaned the kitchen table as well. What a surprise and so thankful for a spouse that is willing to tackle those things when i don't get to them, and quietly serves me in this way, with no expectation or search of a reward.

674. my daughter non stop sings and sings and sings. I love it.

675. my son learns and follows his dad's example. he made my bed, cleaned the entire living room, and started on the dishes because he thought i would really like it and wanted to do something nice for me. I am amazed at that 5 year old boy.

676. lindsey and i reconciled what little discord we had and I am so thankful for her friendship and wisdom. 

678. some new makeup goodies i received for my birthday. Makeup is fun and enjoyable to me, i love learning about it and it makes me feel pretty when i wear it.

679. I am losing weight and drinking more water. small steps, but I am thankful for them. Rome was not built in a day. 

680. i don't mind winter as much now that i don't have to drive in it nearly as much. I love being cozied inside, the earth covered in crystal white, and sounds muffled.

681. reading books to my kids. they sit still on my lap and as i read i am always overcome with love and thankfulness for these two brown eyed gifts.

682. deli turkey, slices of italian cheese, mayo on hearty bread.

683. long curly hair. 

665- 670

665 rediscovered boots, from ramallah. i recently noticed them, realizing that i haven't worn them in over a year, but i thought i'd try them one last time before sending them to goodwill. and to my surprise, they're perfect, in every way, and the memories of there will still stay alive here. 666 smooth wood under socked feet and a few fantastic beats 667 a couple dozen texts exchanged with my sweet friend today, that sense of connectedness, to friends who love unconditionally, to our Jesus who holds all things together, that connectedness that has provided for such contentment that has brought me to 29 + joy 668 a gift of being entrusted with someone's home, pets, children. to-my-knees gratitude that people would invite me into their lives in this way 669 anticipation of the summer when little j+e will have 40 hours of my time each week 670 the dazzle of the snow in the trees this morning as i crept around the turns in the road, thankful that i could take delight in it

657-664

657 a gentle call back to the fruit of the Spirit *Jesus, help me to rest in You with these obvious in my life: love. joy. peace. patience. kindness. goodness. faithfulness. gentleness. self-control. 658 "private session" option on spotify?! oh joy. now i can listen to whatever i want. suckers. 659 a quiet week to myself. this has been restful, with space for thinking, for goals, for dreams, for challenges from that still small voice that i've forgotten to listen to lately. 660 running (or walking) pants at sale price 661 angela. such sweet, gentle, humble conversation about Bible translation and the Church and travel. 662 a visit to redemption city, small but thriving church plant, sister to our own, just a few miles south 663 emily's netflix. a small, but treasured opportunity to watch a little bit of tv again. 664 hot green tea lemonade

643-656

643. tiny baby succulent plant
644. eggplant purple heated fleece blanket
645. a surprise visit bearing the gift of pho, a huge bowl of hot asian soup that heats your insides and is the perfect remedy to a sicki like me.
646. Hunter Green Welly Boots, all the way from the United Kingdom
647. a surprise gift from my son, eager to pull out the present from his back pack after school-he had been waiting all day to give it to me, two tiny easels with two tiny canvases to match.
648. a gold bracelet from my daughter norah.
649. breakfast with Chelsea, and though it still be early in the morning, dessert too.
650. all the thoughtful cards, texts, phone calls, and instagram messages, so many gifts in ONE day!
651. hot tea with tamm, hot soup, and her gentleness and laughter that fills my house with peace.
652. the pursual of my husband, he did so well and i could not have felt more special and loved.
653. tiny grapefruit scented candle
654. my brown sister, taking time out of her day, to drop a collection of tiny gifts at my door, to be of a constant encouragement to me.
655. a newly installed red cantina light in my kitchen, surprised again by sweet husband.
656. thankful for a good night's sleep, which is rarer than diamonds over here, so i cherish sleep when i get it.

639-643.

639. welp, i completely fell off my high horse healthy band wagon. of course i would fail. but thank you Jesus for second chances and the ability to make better choices. still eating cookie dough..but with less butter..:)

640. this morning i did not go to church [due to depression and laziness] BUT, i did have a peaecful morning with just my youngest daughter. we took a bath together and scrubbed our outsides, and i think i really needed that, to clear off the grease. we listened to josh garells and i slathered a turmeric honey mask on my face and it never felt so good. 

641. the patience of my husband. i am failing in all sorts of ways as the home maker of the house and i am not doing my job [at all] and my husband remains patient and willing to understand and wait on me. he serves quietly, probes gently, and continues to wait and encourage. 

642. norah sings sings sings all the time and i love it. I am so thankful for her little voice singing on the toilet, singing to soothe her baby sister, singing in the morning before she gets out of bed, singing from the back seat...she is such a gift.

643. i guess its my birthday this tuesday so i am thankful to make it to another year. i AM thankful. 

632.-638

632. I started a phone fast today and i think i love it. I have decided that i am not allowed to have my phone anywhere near me and it can only be settled in one place. Remember when phones used to be on a dock, plugged into the wall? that's the idea i am going for. I am only allowed to check it once, but otherwise, it is only to be used for ingoing and outgoing PHONE calls. that's it. I am so thankful that i have the desire to cut the hold it has on me, let alone do something about it. All praise to Him. And you know what? Starting last night and into today, it's been awesome. I have opened the physical Word of God already more than i normally would have being distracted by that blasted phone.  I have re established a tiny humble reconciliation to my heavenly Father, and He has been so present already. I am floored. I am so excited to see what He does this month and anticipate great things outside of that tiny glowing screen that is making me go blind.

633. I used up the last bit of apple cider that came in a beautiful large glass jug and lid and i am recycling it into my new water jug! Presentation has always been a soft spot for me, and seeing that glistening jug with crystal clear ice cold agua makes me want to reach for it and throw back glug after glug. My goal is one jug a day. Thankful for the chance to revisit the ability to be proactive about my health.

634. speaking of health, i am so thankful to be practicing the fruit of self control in my food habits. November is the month of beginnings, i guess! :) i started small, like my wise friend Tamm suggested and i am cutting out soda at home. i did surprise myself and ordered water when i was at qdoba yesterday, but i like it that i chose to start somewhere. Thank you Jesus for helping me. I also am going to do my best to increase my fruit and veggie intake and make better choices all around.

635. the sermon Rod shared yesterday. wow. What a powerful reminder to again, head to the lowest ground, be the lowliest in spirit, be poor in heart, and be completely in need of Jesus. I love sermons like this. I love them. I always want to learn, to be teachable, be moldeable, and be humbled in every way so that it might make Christ shine all the more brilliantly.

636. thankful to see fruit in my daughter Norah. fruit of gentleness, kindness, and even thoughtfulness and a willingness to serve. Her older brother needed a chair, but did not feel like going all the way upstairs to get the chair. he said he was too lazy. Norah said in her tiny chipmunk voice, "Ben, i'll go get it for you!" And then, she said, "here, take my chair. i will go upstairs and get the chair and i'll use that one." my heart was a puddle.

637. the nail polish color Wooden Shoe Like to Know. i found it! and i'm wearing it. Love the fall color.

638.  grilled onions