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. 

1418 - 1422

1418 thick (but not too thick) fog under morning street lights 1419 a quiet hour after work with no tv shows screaming from other rooms 1420 the playground at the kroc center and some of the summer's best laughs 1421 a little sunburn? its been too long 1422 15 glorious minutes of "foot massages" and "back massages" from 2 7-year-old "professionals"

1409-1417

1409. sitting in this dry desert, murky depression clouding our view, but God is here. He is present and He will be a light onto our path.

1410. wisdom gently given by close brothers and sisters offering life boats and rafts for which i am thankful that the life guards keep watch and care.

1411. cleaning the bedroom and vacuuming it so we can take the last pictures to post online to rent our house out. check that off the list. grateful sigh. 

1412. overhearing my husband singing and dancing on the dining room wooden floor. i needed to witness that.

1413. brothers reece and jackson were at church today. so so good to connect and laugh with these gentle hearted giants. never enough time.

1414. choosing discernment and reservation when interacting with her. she is not a threat to me. she has no hold over me. i can be Christ to her, share kindness and gentleness with her and still continue to keep a healthy boundary.

1415.  a couple of random visits on the couch with friends. these fill me up.

1416. 3 new dresses, a pair of pants, and a couple shirts all given to me brand new, straight off the rack, at no charge whatsoever. humbled at the generosity and thankful for the gifts. 

1417. he is sitting next to me, in a solid and ambitious mind set, purposed to get shit done and in pleasant spirits. 

1401 - 1408

1401 all the wind today while driving south, home from the natural beauty of northern michigan [lower peninsula] 1402 the big dip in 131, just south of cadillac 1403 piggyback rides for elsie 1404 campfire s'mores with little braided heads 1405 bike riding with hayleigh and maverick. when i asked mav what his favorite parts of the trip were he named that little evening ride down the trail that stretches for miles just outside the camp 1406 dirty and sweaty with the amey girls - pop-up camper, blue-water beaches, high ropes course, traverse city shopping with free cherry samples and ice cream and [the best ever] pizza 1407 a hat 1408 the anticipation of that patagonia one-shoulder bag coming in the mail

1396 - 1400

1396.  Kelly's wildflower garden with the bending stone path

1397.  Kids rainbow-colored chalk art covering 7 sidewalk squares on my run this morning

1398.  Round 2 of chana masala #janamasala

1399.  Round 1 of Indian food with jan pan. Butter chicken, masala, naan, papadams + chutneys, Punjabi chai <3

1400.  time to listen and talk and release the words that describe the state of my heart. because sometimes just saying the words makes room for joy to reinhabit.

1384-1395

1384. after a day of work, a clean house. 

1385. dory has a new loving home.

1386. with all my friends moving away, a couple are moving back!

1387. August. meaning now there is only 27 days until school starts.

1388. nordhouse dunes.

1389. a five hour drive down the west Michigan coast alone.

1390. rockwells w my girls. 

1391. a beautiful blue coffee mug from up north to remind me to pray for them.

1392. that Jesus came to free us from the sin that so easily entangles our hearts.

1393. available friends to chat at a moments notice.

1394. summer storms.

1395. Elisabeth Elliot. and Jim Elliot. 

1376-1383

1376.  i don't always know what to do with his love that is offered so freely and gently, but i am thankful for it.  such a good good shepherd. 

1377. thankful for the prayers lifted by so many, my mom's name on their lips. thankful we aren't fighting this cancer battle alone. 

1378. thankful for close friends that ever constant in times of accountability needed, in times of needing truth and sound judgment. thankful that sisters are willing to help guide and direct me without harsh or condemning tones. i want to listen and heed their instruction because they are wise and wounds from friends can be trusted.

1379. thankful for a middle ground with her. there is a mutual respect that was not there before. there is peace for the moment and i am thankful.

1380. for the book of Psalms. it is such a drink of water in a parched season. so thankful for this Living Water. thank you Father for your Word. 

1381. exciting things in the works!! top secret for now, but believe me-it is awakening a renewed heart of gratitude and joy. Praise God for His good gifts and His perfect plan. 

1382. Olive's legs look really good for a moment. after a bleach bath, spraying her wounds with vinegar and then sealing her with bag balm, i put tights on her to protect her from scratching. within two days, she is looking so much better. and she isn't on medication right now either. so i am so thankful for any relief she is given, no matter how short. 

1383. a beautiful surprise gift from a dear friend, a lovely dark green dress along with a diamond studded head band. what a gift that so was unexpected and given for no reason. thankful.