1908-1920.

1908. summer mornings where I can stay in bed a little longer than usual.

1909. Michigan lakes. so refreshing w all these hot summer days.

1910. God keeps His promises.

1911. being reunited with jana and jeanne and chels. a retreat and time to rest, laugh, and just be together.

1912. friends who encourage me and call out my fears and give me truth to fight them.

1913. camping. lots of camping this summer. time to simplify and just be Wh friends. to ride bikes. to hike. to eat smores. to hammock. to swim.

1914. pedicures.

1915. summer thunderstorms. loud thunder. downpours.

1916. introverted bike rides.

1917. a season w emily in house. she is more of a blessing than she knows.

1918. pike place coffee and white mocha creamer. everyday.

1919. Leena lost her first tooth. bittersweet.

1920. being provided for. thank you God.

1902.-1907

1902. two plush green majestic palms, gifted by my husband upon returning home, knowing i have been researching and pining away for the perfect plants in my house. i love them. they are tropical and sturdy and their fingers dangle in relaxation. i pray i can keep them alive.

1903. gray gray gray, how is just now that i am completely falling in love with that color? lindsey..i see what you see:)

1904. little vases filled with fresh flowers, all gifted by different friends. they are such a sweet reminder that i am loved and cared for-known by ones close to me. i do not need to choose isolation..

1905. a soft contentedness that is just now arriving in my spirit, a peace that i am now here, i can gently move past the mourning-but not dismissing the forgetting, but welcome joy and dust off the red dirt on my shoes, and allow them to dirty with this new journey ahead. praise You God. You always walk with me. 

1906. summer has been so hot and that has been such a gift to my little brown body. 


1907. even more sun and heat and no agenda coming up in august..

1895-1901

1895. soft pencil gray paint carefully stretched across our living room walls. the room has bloomed open and it is ripe for creativity in crafting a cozy sitting area. 

1896. safe and smooth flight from Oxford to Chicago. 

1897. the sun has greeted us in welcome home cheers every single day since we've arrived back to the US. the air is warm and the sky is soft pink and tired blue when dusk comes. Michigan is so beautiful. 

1898. a slow but steady process of re entry. reading, writing, learning, sharing, all little tiny steps to a healthy transition. i sit with goodbyes and hellos in both hands. 

1899. the freshest salsa and hot chips from On the Border. nothing beats it. 

1900. baby Liv, snuggled beneath the quilt next to me..ben, koko, along with their grandpa and dad late summer night fishing at the pond. a bit of peace. 

1901. i am not afraid of this desert i have walked into. i welcome it and place my trust in Him. Speak Lord, for your servant is listening with a soft and broken heart.