1478 - 1485

1478 october 20. 70 degrees + sunny. need i say more? 1479 molly a little more needy than usual, so much extra cuddle time 1480 those little laughs in the swing and down the slide - JOY 1481 an attentive landlord who takes good care of us and our apartment 1482 no hair in the shower drain 1483 i started the process of becoming a patient at dr. denboer's office - i LOVE their philosophy on healthcare and i can't wait for my initial health assessment... [lindsey made me do it] <3 1484 windows open, fans on, t-shirt. okay, i needed to say more. 1485 vitamin d and sunshine and pink cheeks and h a p p i n e s s

1471- 1477

1471 her joyful eyes over skype while she shared how he got down and one knee and now she wears the most gorgeous sparkle on her hand, how he in all patience and Christ-likeness won her heart and her future, and will you stand with me while i make this promise to him? yes, definitely yes. june 24, 2016. 1472 a day out with my molly, a walk through rozelle park on quite possibly the last beautiful day of sun and no coats 1473 the wind that whips through the neighborhood at the top while the leaves still hang on for dear life 1474 a letter in the mail from newaygo county - always joy to find it there in the mailbox and to read heart words on lined paper 1475 unexpected facetimes from jan, especially when baby olive is the first face on the screen like some sort of tiny adult "just calling to say hi" 1476 nate bargatze - my type of comedian, dry, stoic - a gift on these dreary days and sun and warm evaporate into clouds and cold and i need a reason to laugh 1477 the way that molly illicits real laughter from me, the kind of joy that comes from a deep place of knowing the preciousness of grace and gift and dependence and naivete, of promise and hope and safety

1461-1470

1461. surprise interruption face time call from beauty Tammy! she knew we'd be up. i am so glad she called.

1462. a hair dryer gifted to me from mr martin. thoughtful and kind. it's not really a necessity, but i really would use it almost every other day. it was kind of him to grab one for me

1463. little Ginny Martin. a sprite of fresh air and light. love her and honored to have met her and befriend her.

1464. lemon ginger tea that somehow made the cut into the suit case from home. so thankful to have this taste of familiarity here.

1465. much more walking and movement than what i would have pushed myself at home. walking is a neccesity and it only increases my health. i am thankful for the ability to do so.

1466. rainy days here remind me of lindsey bebe. drops hit the window, the sky all sort of grays. stormy and moody-it reminds me of something i love, so the rainy days can be something i love too.

1467. little messages to let me know i am not forgotten. 

1468. a gift of uplifting words on my behalf. thankful to see them as just that, and nothing more. no emotional tie to it, no search for hidden motive. just a gift. and that's what my prayer has been in situations like this. thank you Father for walking with me in light and in truth. 

1469. thankful for the flexibility, up beat attitudes, and adaptability of my children. it has been such a gift of encouragement that my children are thriving and doing well as we have made this huge change. 

1470. carved out time for devotions, prayer, journaling, and meditating on God's Word.

1452- 1460

1452 15 leaders, an hour, cozied in the cabin living room, bread + wine, sharing heart words solely from His words 1453 chilly afternoon of team building at cran-hill 1454 running into 2 of the howe trio at starbucks [of course] - always joy, always gives way to life 1455 a warm cup in my hand, caramel apple spice, complete gift, completely unexpected 1456 when i'm holding molly and she pushes away a bit and looks me in the eyes 1457 "uh-oh" coming from that no-longer-tiny baby who walks now too 1458 those few tired cuddles that she still gives out, even though involuntarily 1459 alissa. listener. truth-teller. vulnerable. loves like Jesus. 1460 short phone conversation with a dear brother. also listener and vulnerable and one who speaks truth.

1441.-1451

1441.  oh i don't know...going from 50% funded for England to 90% in less than 8 days?!! Thank you Thank you Father for your good and perfect gifts. You are our Provider.

1442. the generous generous families of Crossroads that have graciously poured into our tiny ministry with joy, sharing in their hard earned resources to get us to England. this communicates to us that they believe in what we are doing, and push us forward in blessing.

1442. a renter for our house while we are gone. trustworthy people that were found through trustworthy connections. 

1443. a very kind and generous property manager that has taken the load off of us considerably and is helping in so many ways.

1444. a 4 hour heart to heart with the wounded one, and yet, little pockets of joy and laughter were found. a baby budding friendship has been formed. 

1445. letters written. letters responded to. love is spoken to me this way.

1446. steadfastness, integrity, and honor found in my husband. over and over again, i watch him make good, hard, decisions with discernment and not giving in to what the popular, easier way may be. he chooses the right, God honoring way-whether people are watching or not. 

1447. i needed to still purchase shampoo and conditioner for when we are gone because i don't know what will be available to me when we get there and i am also worried about the hardness of the water, so i really wanted to invest in some good quality product and yesterday chelsea handed me two brand new bottles of my favorite shampoo and conditioner from the salon. wow. wow. how are you so aware Father of even my littlest needs?

1448. a generous and thoughtful family has opened their basement for us to store extra belongings and furniture so we don't have to pay for a storage unit. 

1449. lunch with rod and libby. honored to be given their time and friendship. humbled that they would choose to pour into us and offer wisdom and tenderness. encouraged and uplifted by them in this upcoming season and we feel so thankful knowing they are in our corner. 

1450. the paternal love we receive from neil. he is kind, gentle, humble, and one of the smartest human beings on the planet. thankful for his encouragement, guidance, and patience as we figure out how to get there..

1451. thankful, thankful, thankful. everything is a gift. 

1432 - 1440

1432 these last few sunrises on the way to work 1433 open windows and cool nights for optimal sleeping 1434 open doors and good conversations, walks downtown, new friends, iced tea 1435 applesauce pouches operable by the sweetest little molly babe 1436 a quick sams club trip with linds, for healthy food and plastic plates 1437 a successful argument, diffused, forgiven, baby bird maturity 1438 more time with rach. better boundaries, whole, healthy. 1439 katie's renewed health and joy and long friendship 1440 philippians 2. be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. do nothing out of selfish ambition. have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage, rather He made Himself nothing...

1422-1431

1422. fall. structure. schedule. school. 

1423. another good bike ride and those concrete steps on division.

1424. a 3.2 run. completed. 

1425. solid preaching and teaching. truth to rely on.

1426. genuine friends. who I never have to be fake with. to be known and still loved.

1427. MLB baseball game to see matt.

1428. smoothies every morning.

1429. children's hospital so close to home. just a flu. nothing worse. and the resident director personally helping. 

1430. some direction. some plan. some movement. not the direction I hoped but I know it's in His hands. 

1431. a restful and full summer. good memories with the girls exploring northern Michigan.