1181 - 1185

1181 an hour with prasanth, jordan, and julie and j+j's precious kids. connect 4, frozen yogurt, and conversation in spanish and english. 1182 brian ivie's testimony or how God showed him his need and changed everything. 1183 The Drop Box movie. story of one man's selflessness, because, as p put it, pastor lee loved out of his own fullness[Jesus], not because he was striving to fill any lack. 1184 these sunrises on the way to work 1185 molly's giggle

1171-1180

1171.  the sunshine bursting through the windows

1172. the soft reminder from a friend where my vision and heart for the kitchen belongs. thankful for the renewed desire to serve the ones i love over serving the masses, and to perfect my few recipes well, rather than cranking out half assed ones.

1173. thankful for the stupid ymca that we all the sudden have been headed to 3-4 times a week to train for Israel. as much as i hate it, i am thankful for a spot to work out, step outside of my comfort zone, and kill pride that thinks i don't need to be there. because i do. and it is good and healthy to care for my temple.

1174. tiny toms for olive.

1175. murgh mhakni. made by my little hands.

1176. russ' lunch date with ben. so fun to get him all to myself and listen to him talk more than he normally would. thankful for the young man he is becoming.

1177. thursday mornings.

1178. met for coffee with e. and you know what? it was peaceful and good. there is a quiet mutual respect there that wasn't there before. we are equal and that is a gift i am so thankful for. she is not above me, nor am i below her. we walk the same ground and we move forward in peace. beyond thankful.

1179. its easier with the other e too. God is just giving me gifts of peace among men and helping navigate war zones with love, patience, and a gracious spirit. Only in Him can rest and reconciliation be known.

1180. torah class was so good and full of God's word and new revelations. thankful for the ability to learn.

1168-1170

1168 just the right amount of sleep last night so that i can get things done when baby takes her naps, i'm not even tempted to fall asleep with her 1169 this girl asleep on my lap, exhausted, because she has a respiratory virus, and with it the most terrible-sounding cough you ever did hear coming from a little 4-month-old body. but, the gift in all of it is that she falls asleep all the time, and still smiles the other half of the time, and i get all the cuddles 1170 challenge from a good friend, an assertive one, she challenges me to stop and think about my feelings because my tendency would be to neglect myself and to push forward to achieve what's best for everyone else. but. God works through our feelings. and so i stop to consider them. and in that quiet place, i learn more than in the busyness.

1159- 1167

1159 flip flops in february. 1160 a pedicure gift. and the greatest new OPI color. chelsea, can you tell me what it's called? i can't remember. 1161 touring a new city with an old friend 1162 dallas art museum, with a like-minded art lover. european, impressionism, realism, photorealism, furniture design 1163 klyde warren park. opened in 2012, a major highway was rerouted underground to create space for this park in the middle of downtown dallas. amazing. 1164 challenging conversation, spending time outside of my regular element. a refreshing perspective. 1165 a possibility in the future? and that it asks for greater dependence on God's timing and His wisdom + my patience and obedience. 1166 a changed flight, to avoid an ice storm 1167 a few days away. a breath of fresh [warm] air

1143 - 1158

1143 a saturday where his kiss awakes me but i get to stay in bed all bundled in flannel sheets with milly at my feet 1144 this new schedule of paint then cut and color than paint 1145 alone for a few hours catching up on photo projects and reading blogs ive missed 1146 the shadows on this wall my fingers dancing along typing 1147 someone knocks at the door and i have the luxury to ignore it as im stuck in my bed 1148 the soothing gray of the walls 1149 that we are this far in our thankfulness adventure andthat i have friends who love to love their lives with me 1150 hibernation 1151 a day spread out in front of me with nothing to have to do nowhere to have to be nothing i have to be a day of rest 1152 i am loved 1153 the look on his face when i introduce him to clients 1154 clients that i love and that love me and that i learn to connect and become family with 1155 the way paint drips down a canvas in a convenient and satisfying way 1156 fellowship and giddy laffing (I know thats spelled wrong I wanted to try it) last night with two kindred spirit friends 1157 fish tacos 1158 hannah

1133-1142

1133. the sound the electric tea kettle makes as it buzzes and rattles to let me know a hot drink is ready to be made. 

1134. hearty laughter and quality time with T, staying up till 2:30 in the morning laughing over "feature family films" or is it "feature family for friendly films"? ha. i guess we'll never know. that and new eyes for us to examine, praying with her that one set of eyes would mirror her own heart and soul..

1135. grace for the weak and tired moments. rest for the weary and worn out times. permission and actual command to be still and know Him.  in these weird sick and worn down seasons, it is a gift to recognize His presence and joy in the mundane.

1136. overhearing words of kindness and tenderness between my son and his little sisters. 

1137. peach prosecco candle, along with pineapple coconut lit at the end of the night to signify rest and quiet for me. 

1138. nutella. strawberries. bananas. semi sweet chocolate.

1139. the gift and delight that comes from giving and surprising, not always from receiving.

1140. little updates from her, encouraging us that our prayers have not been in vain, and that little bits of fruit are being revealed to an ever growing garden of healthy  newly planted fruit.. [by their fruits you will know them.]

1141. putting away clean laundry. 

1142.  "new" boots given to me by my sister, all the way up to the knee.  love them.

1143-1154

1143. heart cookies with purple frosting for our neighbors

1144. it wasn't a struggle to think of a gift to give 

1145. the old school version of the parent trap

1146. everyone cuddling on the couch

1147. a warm crackling fire

1148. reading for almost an hour in Barnes and Noble with no kids and a Starbucks coffee 

1149. second movie out in a week

1150. shared food and drink

1151. healing from strep throat

1152. my journal and my Bible

1153. books

1154. this truth: "Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." {Romans 8:35,37}