1368-1375

1368.  letter from rome, in an airport, from him, the kind and gentle shepherd. so humbled and thankful and full of joy that he would take the time to write me back after offering him a tiny humble gift.

1369. a renewed love for the Word. Here i've been watching this whole time, as Lindsey eats the Word every day, holds it in her hands, digests it, and breaks pieces off and shares it with others, and i hadn't eaten it for a long time. And now, i find myself craving it. wanting to taste the choice fruits, the Bread of Life. I am sorrowful for the meals i skipped, but thankful there is plenty still to feast on. The Word is Life. 

1370. a day of showering, blow drying my hair, and relaxing time of actually putting on makeup, which is a little delight to me, and finding a bit of beauty for that day. it was a little gift for me to tuck in my heart since beauty days seem so far and away these days. 

1371. two little white dresses on my girls. golden pineapples and crosses make my heart melt. 

1372. 3 whole days of blemish free skin on little olive. we are still hopeful she will be washed white as snow and be free of this stupid skin disease.

1373. dinner with James and Lex. real and raw and so life giving. 

1374. dinner with just Libby. humbled and honored to have her sit at my table and eat my heartfood. 

1375. mom has cancer but it is much more hopeful than first thought. it is aggressive, it HAS spread past the lump, but not to vital organs or lymph nodes. Praise God. It will be removed. there will be chemo and radiation, but God is faithful and will walk with us. 

1360 - 1367

1360 pool-side chats with reem - truth-teller - reminding me what's good and important and lasting 1361 park trail bike rides with littles, one new 2-wheeler-rider!!! 1362 fresh fresh black raspberries bursting with antioxidants and... stainability 1364 successful olive garden surprise for our very-loved lindsey joy 1365 new activity agenda complete with new app and bridge run looming ahead 1366 online shopping with amazon points. so. many. free. things. 1367 that Christmas-morning-feeling when a new brown package lands at my door

1346-1359

1346. summer adventures with my little girls.
1347. sitting on the beach watching leena dig in the sand.
1348. running around the zoo with liv and leen.
1349. hiking at rosy mounds on a cloudy evening.
1350. camping in cadillac in our new popup camper. 
1351. campfires & smores.
1352. a new swingset in the backyard.
1353. that my friends are in israel learning and experiencing where Jesus walked. 
1354. staying in contact with friends even when they are across the country or the world. good practice for this next year.
1355. 31 years of life. and hope that year 31 will be better than year 30.
1356. a weekend up north with some of my favorites. relaxing. peaceful. restful. fun. joyful. 
1357. a steadfast God in spite of a broken world.
1358. sleeping in.
1359. christmas is less than 6 months away :) 

1336 - 1345

1336 the Grand Tetons 1337 pine tree-lined mountain lakes 1338 a stand up paddle board with room for a little one to ride along and for me to learn some balance 1339 24 hours in the car with leah (and olivia), time to catch up on e v e r y t h i n g 1340 sweet little girl who talks more than i can keep up with and can do [almost] everything that an adult can 1341 downtown victor, a mile up the road 1342 the coolest cruiser bike that i'll enjoy for the next few days 1343 making the nate + laura + tripelroot brewery connection 1344 a long nap for little o and some quiet time for me 1345 i reached ezra yesterday, after a long study from saul to david through the kings and exile in babylon - our God was just as faithful then as now

1329 - 1335

1329 all the kings who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" 1330 san chez birthday dinner with the dearest friends. and fritos de queso azul, sangria, flourless chocolate torte. 1331 unexpected little gifts - granola from supermom jeanne, chalkboard treasures from thoughtful gift-giver lindsey (the same one who shares so much of her time with me), that meal, free for me, from baby c and carol - not cheap, and so kind, and san chez will always remind me of you two. 1332 st. louis weekend with this sweet friend, this friendship that started in jerusalem almost 9 years ago, and she welcomes me to her home to make my time here special, amidst the chaos that she feels 1333 cora-sue. that smile and those eyes. tiny baby, gift to these 2. 1334 city museum adventure. the craziest "museum" you'll ever see. designed by an artist - hours of wandering, climbing, crawling, sliding through this giant play place for both adults and kids. blew my mind. 1335 birthday dinner with kate and gina. pizza and south-of-the-boarder chopped salad. both most delicious. and conversation about jesus and grace and family, death and life.

1323.-1328

1323. two large peonies cut by the neighbor and sent along with my littles.  they gave them me along with the message, "God loves you Mom!" could not have come at a better time.

1324. a dear sister friend, stopping by at a moment's notice, with lunch, to minister and encourage, to offer wisdom. she can be trusted at all times. 

1325. pico de gallo

1326. our vision and next step forward being received and supported fully by our beloved church family.

1327. the gentle demeanor of my husband. he is tired and worn from working hard core continually to provide and prepare our fam for the next step and i came home crying and discouraged and so disheartened. he woke up [i did not wake him] and turned on the light and listened and listened to me spill the nights unfoldings and offered gentle encouragement and warmth. he is such a safe haven. 

1328. my son is learning to have a character of thoughtfulness and unselfishness. he serves his sisters, assists me in so many ways, and i am just so thankful at who he is becoming. like jesus. 

1316- 1322

1316 those bold purple irises in bunches, all tall and regal next to grey-blue houses 1317 mini pansies, especially the two-toned violet ones 1318 a fellow walker that baby m and i passed this morning and she gushed over the happy baby and her sweet little name 1319 humbling and life-giving message and job recommendation from someone who has apparently observed my interactions for some time 1320 katie's [totally unexpected] notice that next weekend will be eventful 1321 photobook for j+e - pictures from last summer that i didn't think i would ever find 1322 lower numbers on the scale