890-893

890. an hour workout encouraged by tamm-every time is a chance to catch up on our friendship, as well as burn off some crusty fat. we also laugh a lot too and that's always fun.

891. shiny bright vibrant alive smokin' hot soup with my husband..it was so good i took a nap for the next hour and a half. :)

892. Bengal Spice and Country Peach tea by Celestial seasoning. yum!

893. kettle corn popped corn

894. quality time/lunch/shopping time with sh, it is rare these days, but what a delight when we carve time to do it!

895. the good Father continues to teach and mold and refine- i am thankful and humbled, hard as it is, that He still continues to invest in me, to make His path known in my life, and be so faithful and attentive-small and insignificant as i am. He has been teaching me to keep my eyes focused on Him and Him alone, find joy and fullfilment in Him alone, and to not worry who or what is to the left or the right of me, leave my fears and insecurities at the door and to press into my Lord and Saviour. May He be praised.

896. heated seats in the van.

897. financial stability for the moment. all and all of anything and everything belongs first and formost to the Lord, He can give and both take away, but for now, we are so content and thankful for His generous provision.

884-889

884 days like these where M and I are peacefilled, hand in hand, in agreeance on, well, everything, talking TENDERLY to each other, being small soft and sweet, intentionally grooming the other for love and goodwill. 885 i feel overwhelmed often with love for people but today I am thankful for this tiny little puppy that lays at my feet keeping them warm, so quick to lick my face and so excited, always, to see me. I adore her. 886 comfort of this little home. warmth. 887. I feel wealthy and I am thankful for that, because I want to feel wealthy even when I dont have much. and I do feel wealthy. 888. this verse that resonates in my heart and my ears... "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.... seek first the kingdom and all these things will be added until you." 889. the ability to perhaps train up young and new stylists.

883

883 chapter entitled "twenty-five" in bittersweet, by shauna niequist

868-882

868. that God made Himself small and came to dwell among us as a person. 869. that God brings light to the darkness. 870. and that He says to me if you take on My light, I will take on your darkness. 871. a home that works so well to host gatherings with family and friends. 872. material gifts that are not needed or deserved but still nice. 873. my very own kitchen aid mixer. 874. hope 875. the healing to get over some of my insecurities 876. confidence in who God made me to be 877. kindness. 878. time spent this week and today with him. 879. a really good nap. 880. three beautiful daughters who bring joy every day 881. a hike through the woods to explore. 882. an abundance of God's love and mercy showered on me this season.

858-867

858 all [18] of us together for christmas eve 859 tradition. every december 24. 860 lunch of red, green, white. this year: creamy tortellini casserole with broccoli, red+green jellos with cranberries, salami wrapped pickles, sun-dried tomato focaccia, caprese salad 861 carice 862 kids and wrapping paper: natalie's all-consuming smile and micah and johnny's overwhelmed gladness for new playthings 863 ross' new job[s] - contentment and excitement, though he didn't put words to it, i could hear it 864 she said it wasn't a big deal, but that cozy gray blanket, twin size, reminds me how my dear friend loves me so well 865 rocking baby b to sleep, all smiles and boppy 866 when a man offers to start my car 867 worship together, christmas eve night, candles + family + we're small while He is exalted

851.-857

851. three of the tiniest wooden spice bowls for bengali mama's kitchen. gifted by one who has take the time to know me over time, pursue me well in purity, just outside my first love, he never tops or tries to compete in any way, yet he is there, consistent with words, thoughtful gifts, and acts that let me know i am loved.

852. her, tiny tiny elf, her knee high socks black boots shoved up against my brown knees. we only grow, share, and the commonality between us only grows. she listens to me as i am learning how to navigate friendships, and i listen to her as she learns how to do the same. so glad he found her and so glad i found her too..

853. a sturdy, yet delicate tiny sky blue tea pot, perched on the back burner of my stove top. reminds me of them and their thoughtfulness.

854. liv is doing better. no fever, back to scooting her fat belly across the carpet and cooing and screeching just as loud as ever.

855. 4 wrapped gifts so proud and tall, all in a row. i hope my friends like them. 

856. Great Lakes Red by Leelanau Cellars. one of my favorite tasting wines, humbly priced as it may be.

857. tried out a new soup today. a spinach and sausage butternut squash ravioli soup. it turned out really well and it got me excited that i hit it-you know when you know? our guests were so encouraging and vocal about it, i felt so special that it turned out and i can't wait to make it again tomorrow. it affirms me and encourages me as a home cook that i am continuing to grow and get better and able to draw from my experience and knowledge about tastes and textures and flavors that should go together..i still have so much [always have] far to go, but i am thankful i am steps ahead of the beginning of my cooking endeavors..

836-850

836 that our chelsea is back to listing with us <3 <3 <3 837 chewy salted dark chocolate caramels just camped there on the countertop 838 a quiet sleepover with 2 well-trained pups 839 aspen's lovely eyes: one brown, one blue 840 another beautiful westside home, kept and decorated by 2 beautiful hearts 841 that give time and energy and selflessness to yet 2 more young ones with no home and no one to care for them, but for now 842 an hour at the gym with that friend who tells me over and over again that i am capable 843 salty and garlicky, even greasy and starchy, but much too tasty to surrender before it was all gone 844 the spanish language - must. learn. 845 just up the road, homemade breakfast and tea and time and honesty and forgiveness 846 cozies with sick baby, alluding some of the discomfort that she carries in that little body 847 that christmas gathering at that new home where that gorgeous friend is just as hospitable as ever 848 giant bowl of red + green fruit, topped with juicy jewel pomegranate seeds 849 a perfect gift, noticed without pressure or obligation, lifted from the shelf to the cash register to the car, waiting for those sparkly eyes and smiles and squeals 850 smooth matte gold earrings - all-time favorites - rediscovered

827-835

827.  indian food so generously brought over by dear friend PP. teaches me humility to step aside in my own kitchen to let him at it, and to offer his own wonderful gifts of good eats. i am thankful. 

828. that husband of mine...he continues day after day, to pursue, edify, and harvest me. he is purposeful with the word of encouragement and affirmation-all the nooks and crannies that are darkened with fear and insecurity, he makes a bee line for those dusty places and sweeps out the cobwebs and build up and flings open the shades shedding vibrant light life and freshened air. i am forever thankful for how the Lord waters me through the gift of being this man's wife. He thoughtfully serves me and cares for me in both weakness and strength. 

829. the other week i had to be single* mom of three and by His grace and His ability in me, it was a peaceful and successful week and the peace that only He can give was present in a very tangible way. I could physically, emotionally, and spiritually feel it. the kids were so helpful and sensitive to what we were all up against-navigating without dad, and responded so appropriately and so well. i am so proud of them, and even a little bit of myself that i was capable and equipped to make it through the week.

830. the next week did not go so well, but that is not to say at all the God did not come through for me. because he so did. And i am also thankful for bits of joy and saving grace amidst chaos and trials of overwhelmness. [i know that's not a word, but so what.] the couple who is heavy with child, picking up their quiet evening to drive all the way out to my van, failed with a flat tire, and remove it, patch it up, replace it-all in the rain, and drive it all the way back to my house, good as new. the dear 1 of my 6 best friends, lindsey, who also, gathered her relaxing afternoon and drove out to rescue me and my littles stranded at the gas station and bring us all the way home, not even a question or a hesitation. 

831. my 6 best friends. all for different wonderful reasons, for length, for tenderness, for pursual, for consistency, for commonality, for taking the time to give as much as receive, for thoughtfulness, for wisdom, for beauty and love-all these they all possess these qualities so well, and I am overjoyed and thankful that God would choose to gift me with such intimate friends. cece, m&m, habibT, inditwinsie, jeanniebaby, caseypeanutbutter, and stephy...i love these women so much. 

832. tams introduced me to the tiniest most delightful puerto rican restaurant and i am in. love.

833. tamm and i got to hang out all week and it was so fun. i love her and am so thankful at how our friendship has only deepened over time. 

834. surprise visit from james and lex at the christmas party!! 

835. little pockets of reconciliation.

826

WHAT THE HECK
you guys I am so thankful for you!!! you have been so faithful to thank the LORD!!! this is so cool!! until tamm told me recently you were still doing this I had NO IDEA!


Also, I'm making a point to blog again, I just miss it, I miss reading up on your blogs and I miss this... and so now I hopefully will be joining you in your writing adventure of gratitude..


also I made a new one with my new last name :) chelsmichalwrites.blogspot.com... love you all.

825

825 this guy. dad. turned 70 years old last week.

818-824

818 wild bird swarm over 131 and 196 interchange 819 dull sunset over grand rapids cityscape 820 church steeples peeking over the concrete buffers - st. adalbert's basilica and...that other one 821 rush hour patience 822 trees silhouetted against winter sky, pieces fading to smaller and softer 823 lindsey's steadfastness in the chaos 824 this car. paid. mine. gratitude today for its consistency. and my malibu speaks my love language.

811-817

811. that words are most important to me, better than dessert, warm blankets, and peanut butter combined. I am learning that words given to me in encouragement and meant for uplifting are so life giving to me and i cherish them as choicest morsels. I am thankful that i have discovered this as i grow into myself and learn how to love, that i can love others in this way too, knowing that is is a gift to others as well.

812. that he, whom i hold in highest regard, a place of honor and respect, he is a teacher and a shepherd, he knows what a gentle answer is as well as a firm and loving admonishment. him, who i adore from afar in the purest way, took the time to respond to a little sheep like me, showing a true character of a shepherd, tending to even the littlest of sheep. 

813. this special gift of peace that only could be given by the Father as i mother three kiddos alone for 4 days. anxiety and short temper rises up in me when he has to leave, and i dread the days he is way from me and them. but this time, no anger lingered. no fear or clenching resentment. only peace. only grace. only a sweet delicate love for my littles and a cherished time that i get to be with them. thankful that they have been helpful and obedient and this time that i parent and do life alone, is in fact not walked alone, but He breathes in and out with me, and keeps me company.

814. my son's mind. how brilliant it is! so thankful for a boy that loves to learn, explore, create, build, so aware, and his heart shines just as bright. it is tender, thoughtful, kind, and quick to serve.

815. she, who takes the time out of her family life, out of teaching and grading papers and putting rubes to sleep, drops it all to come sit with me and drink tea and speak of dreams, laughter, and lovely things.

816. teeny tiny little 3 year old norah bunsies and teeny blue undies to hold them. 

817. the lip color Thalia by NYX. a dreamy, dewey romantic matte color, and it feels pretty to wear it.

801-810

801 bedtime cuddles with little e. this girl, who i've known for only 2 1/2 years, has so much of my affection that it scares me. it pains me when she's hurt or scared or sad that she doesn't get to hug mommy before she goes to sleep. i worry that she'll grow up and go off to college and that she'll forget who jesus is. i cherish the way that she puts her little hand on my arm, mirroring my own hand on her back. and she drifts off to sleep. and i see one small keyhole, how i've learned, how i'm learning, to love the way Love Himself does. 802 the 6-year-old birthday party up the street, the one that i discovered at the last possible minute that we were attending tonight. this flexible way of life, also learned, that i embrace [almost always] as yet another adventure 803 birthday pizza [paradise pizza] for dinner, unexpected, but my favorite food is always always a welcome treat 804 reem. always remembers what's going on in my life. always asks. always cares and offers some word of approval. 805 a lynn afternoon. i get hungry, craving these times when i learn a little more of her story and she mine. and this friendship came from out of the blue, but orchestrated most definitely, because she knows my language, hears my heart, and speaks always to the untruth that i believe. i walk back to my car empowered, i believe in me because i believe God. He holds it all together. He knows what He's doing. 806 that joyful tyler friend. though you didn't leave a note, its the thought, so thank you. 807 my j. so tender tonight, glued to my side while we find a chair and a plate. 808 andrea. new friend. mother-to-be. 20. i don't know her well but i think i like her. and this summer i'll know her more, also that new face, personality, potential that is hers to cultivate. God, here i am, send me. 809 wet pants. oh my, okay. how much did you pee? a little or a lot? oh, a lot. so much pee, she responds back to me, i don't have any left. these small moments where tone and eyes say more than any of the words could. 810 borrowed pants and dora the explorer undies.

792-800

792 a memory, walking into that bathroom stall - the time i woke in the corner of the floor unsure of how i ended up there 793 that brown, brimmed hat that was likely one of the factors that guarded me from any head injuries 794 the gym at cu. a perfect alternative to offer all necessary space and all possible respect to my friend 795 those qualities: honesty, integrity, deep dependence on our good and faithful Father 796 time: healing 797 helplessness, mine, and it being the very thing that exalts our Stone of Help as long as i am willing to keep eyes upward 798 jennie's wood-burning furnace 799 bittersweet, book by one of my favorite favorites, captures all the words that go unsaid and puts them into images of her own, lettered with neatness and mess simultaneously but overall, beauty 800 writers - friends - who walk before us, offer wise counsel, promise that God will see you through this too

781-791

781 God's power to change leper's spots and melt the heart of stone 782 true friends who take time to listen and care about my heart 783 prayer and its power 784 my mom and how she takes care of my girls every Wednesday and loves it 785 encouraging texts and notes sent my way 786 sufficency in God 787 peace that passes all understanding and guards my heart and mind 788 hope of eternity with God 789 knowing this life is a mist and gaining an eternal perspective 790 cuddling with Leena every night 791 God's faithfulness