1921-1927

1921. a successful flight, on my own, traveling from grand rapids to California, arriving safely and stretching a little bit in the independent department 

1922. a gorgeous drive up to Lake Tahoe, special time with mom and dad english, getting them all to myself

1923. attending a surprisingly fun and enjoyable wedding- not because i don't like weddings, but because i was unsure of who i would know or worried if i was out of place or it would be awkward. it was none of those things! so fun hanging out with my cousins and aunt and uncle, even making new friends with people i used to know a long time ago. 

1923. an open bar which again, challenged me to be an adult and confidently walk up to the counter asking for "a gin and tonic please."

1924. deliriously sunny weather every day, and a perfect sunday to sleep in, wine taste and two if my favorite vineyards with mom and dad, picnic, learn about wine, and just a abundance of love and contentment. 

1925. knowing my kids are safe and loved back at home wth my own folks and even nathan watching them a little too..

1926. finding peace in placing ben in a school we feel good about. 

1927. olive's skin! it's actually soft and clear once in a rarity!! 

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. 

1892.-1894

1892. Ken and Mary Giles, a beautiful radiant couple, a literal picture of Christ and His bride, married just shy of 30 years, he still calls her my love and looks at her in a singular way reserved for no one else. and mary, sweet, gentle and compassionate mary, her fingers and eyes drip with grace and beauty, kindness and gentleness, a quiet humility. they opened their home to us, a home with parts built with their own hands. they poured wine and pulled potatoes and courgettes out of their flourishing garden, ken picked up some fresh beef at the market and busied themselves with serving us and grafting us into their home. i was so thankful to have witnessed/experience hospitality in this way,  as well as a solid picture of a harvested marriage. 

1893.  wonderful double date with mom and dad english, attended a posh concert at the Sheldonian Theatre where we listened to the dramatic moving overtures of Hayden, who had himself once stood there where the musicians stood. the music was glorious and epic, i enjoyed it very much. we also took mom and dad to our favorite pub, turf tavern and i knew it would be the last time we got to eat there so that was also a gift.


1894. getting rid of most of our furniture and beds feels so good to have part of that moving done with. only 5 days left.

1886-1891

1886. the faint fragrance of dad's pipe wafting beneath my nose as we explore the wild highlands of scotland and ancient castles with their missing pieces, yet large chunks of stone remain

1887. the clouds that parted, pregnant with rain, ceasing their labor to give way to the sun, so that i might picnic below,  savoring my parisian finds as the eiffel tower stood magestic before me, allowing me to sit at her feet and enjoy her shade

1888. two wonderfully impactful books in 2 weeks. Re-Entry and 7.  Both speaking to me loudly and so time appropriately, perfect gifts from thoughtful ones not even knowing how much i would devour both and learn so. much.

1889. a tiny shepherd's cottage, tucked far back behind usual scottish civilization, green sticking to everything, the piles of moving wool and black eyes, 2 horses grazing near by-one white, one brown, all inviting to explore, smell, touch, and see. my favorites of all our air b n' b's. the shepherdess greeted us, tiny black bugs clinging to her shoulders, her hands strong and weathered from hard work on a farm, her face like softened leather, eyes wise and aged. she was kind and shared of the history and real pictures of shepherd and farming life. "it's a tooth and claw animal kingdom" she said solemnly.

1890. peace and laughter for the large percentage of our road trip. we all put forth effort to communicate and adapt to one another, flex in the opposite direction of our own wants. i am thankful and proud of all 7 of us. 

1891. after hours and hours of driving in the 9 passengar vehicle, the walls still seem to close in, and darkness falls, a hearty comadarie falls on us and slap happy humor comes out to play, and tongues start loosening, and you really get to know a person amidst smelly shoes, stale air, and siri's misread directions.

1879-1885

1879. off the shoulder t shirts for quiet cozy days in

1880. home made iced coffee using husband's expertly made left over brew.

1881. any kind of food served to me in bed

1882. when anyone expresses love and satisfaction after eating/trying my home made food

1883. good, honest goodbyes that give me peace that we did the right thing in staying till our term was over. i don't know where these relationships would have left if we would have left prematurely with no warning

1884. nathan is finished with many commitments and can now be freed up a few ways! any extra time with him is a gift!

1885. His provision, His purpose, His guidance, His calling. that becomes clearer and clearer.