muchos gracias

• the beloved CUDA disc is safe (it took an unexpected flight from deck 7 and then a swim in the ocean...thankfully 2 workers on the dock came to the rescue!)
• how much emma enjoys school
• sitting with eli first thing friday morning
• catharine fulmer's willingness to organize so many birthday celebrations
• delightful stack of pancakes

• mint chocolate creme covered oreos
• 2 rips are sewn up
• playing "shadows over camelot" as a family
• laughter with friends (as we were spa-ed)(can you really make the word "spa" into a verb? that was part of the reason we were laughing...)
• jacob's white's arrival!  good timing :)
• knowing that my heart is fully alive - i wouldn't be so sad (or so joyful)(or both at the same time!) if my heart wasn't fully alive. 
• seeing "the bracelet" in pictures
• caroline & emma soaking their feet

• package of ALL strawberry welch's fruit snacks
• when a really good song gets stuck in my head
• financial supporters that we don't even know
• "better than expected" (in this case it was a bag of caramel corn "popped" rice cakes...but really most anything that is "better than expected"  is welcome in my world)
• nick's listening abilities
• nick & eli watching football together

• the way nick speaks Truth and greatness into me and our kids
• annie-rose's arrival and the beautiful family she was born into
• yaya's willingness to be my delivery service
• i met carey bray 10 1/2 years ago
• getting to see the moon set 2 mornings in a row (and realize that there is such a thing)
• fun boutique finds for eli and nick

• faithful running partners (i don't think i would run much if i didn't know they were going to meet me on the dock)
• the awesomeness of TAs
• LANE.  what a brother!  (happy birthday!!)
• this sweet moment -- there was just something extra special about it.  he's such a great dad

truth encounter

before i wrote it down, He told me to share it -- seemingly, before He would share it with me i had to agree to share it here...

raise your glass, a toast to obedience!

i've had the phrase "truth encounter" in my head the past little bit....as in "you're about to have a Truth encounter."  those aren't really words that i use - so i thought it might be wise to pay attention. 

as i sat down at our table today in the quiet of our sweet little cabin (i LOVE emma's nap time), i opened my journal and His word...i got ready to read...but He had something else in mind.

----------------------------------

He said, "Will you share it?"

Her response: "What do you want me to share?"

Lovingly, gently He said, "What I'm about to share with you, will you share it?"

With much hesitation and a little bit of sighing she said, "ummm...maybe...if it's not too hard or too personal or too blah blah blah." (does she not trust Him to hold her heart carefully and not ask her to something that is not good and right and best? oh that her response could be a quick & wholehearted "YES!  Whatever You ask, I'll do!")

Once again He patiently asked, "Will you share it?  You're about to encounter truth - will you share it?"

"ummm...........ok (deep breath in)......ok." she quietly replied as she picked up her pen and began to write...

"You are not here for you - you are not here for your children or your husband.  You are here for ME.  Are you going to live like that? Are you going to serve ME wholeheartedly?  Yes, in serving Me you will serve them - but DO NOT forget that it is Me you are serving.  That changes everything, doesn't it?"

--------------------------------

it may not seem like much to you but there's alot there for me to process.  thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

little list.

• really good steak for dinner saturday night
• aaron white (it's fun to celebrate such a special boy!)
• 60  minutes segment was aired & was positive (no one knew exactly what was going to be said/shown before it aired...)(and it was prety much accurate!!!)(the majority of the ship is NOT american)
• the encouragement that comes through facebook (kind of redeems it a bit)
• successfully took a taxi back to the ship
• 3  little girls who had fun at the pool and didn't complain about waiting
• NOT a grumpy cup of coffee (aka an AMAZING cup of coffee!)
• coffee/conversation with krissy
• emma's cuteness (especially when she says, "...and i was like...")
• i attempted to clean our chairs (thankful that i can mark that off my list)
• new coke supplier right outside the port!!
• caroline's determination to carry the cokes (and her impressive strength)
• emma walked quite the distance off the ship
• direct acceses to amy :)
• the way beth prays for me and thinks of me (and lets me know)
• NICK IS BACK

thanks.

• ship holidays - 2 Saturdays!
• the opportunity to hurt with those who hurt...to weep with those who weep
• making snow (we officially had snow in africa)
• playing on the dock
• sweet winnie-the-pooh pictures that reminds me of a middle school friend

• alarm clocks (set it and forget it)
• sweet letter from miss caitlin carr
• caroline & anna's "club show"
• read 1/2 a book today (what a saturday!)
• stephanie buchanan's generosity (and willingness to be here at 6:10 each morning)
• sweet time with suzanne
• the kids' discovery of "youcam" and the pictures they've produced (not sure where caroline saved hers...)

• waking up in the middle of the night & knowing that i get to sleep a few more hours
• freedom.
• excellent timing.
• making rice krispy treats with my girls
• tracey's willingness to keep emma so that the walk to the orange store was a bit easier
• "My Spirit who lives within you helps you to think My thoughts." - jesus calling
• encouraging words from shelley
• the moments when peace settles  in (and when the words in jesus calling are close to identical to things i just wrote in my journal...)
• wonderful afternoon in the cash cabin - cash 3 + 6 extra children...peaceful, joyful playing
• not a single request to go to mid-ships
• emma went to sleep peacefully and easily
• mercy ships will be featured on 60 minutes this sunday

• we can love because He first loved us.  so much love to be thankful for! happy valentine's day.

giving thanks

• best sugar babies ever (a little soft from being in the container/cargo hold)
• milk chocolate covered espresso beans (saved the best for last!)
• kids playing happily and cheerfully together
• mail, packages & container all in one day

• elayne saucier & melany raborn's all around awesomeness (and thoughtfulness/generosity)
• dr. pepper from 'chelle
• monday nights - running club followed by cafe working (caroline), block party (chelle & emma), foosball (eli)
• sweet package of cards & notes from Mama Lou & her Sunday School class
• "God loves you - He always has - He always will" bracelets
• 2 ponytails to donate (pictures forthcoming)
• first christmas present of 2013 :)

• spur of the moment trip to the riviera hotel with eli and caroline saturday
• swinging with the kiddos on deck 7
• braids in little girls' hair
• dinner with friends saturday evening
• the crew clinic! quick & easy!
• kids writing letters

• getting to trust God in a new way
• white camisole tops
• white camisole tops that smell like my sister
• instant pudding (especially of the oreo variety) - so easy, so tasty
• window markers (thanks,  beth!)

• thoughtful husband
• "it ain't what i do in this world what makes me worth something - it's what the Lord's already done that makes me worth something." - a character named Jefferson in Bodie Thoene's "In My Father's House"
• sharing a coke with nick 
• chatting with molly on facebook knowing that it's the middle of the night for her.  what a special friend. 
• hugs & kisses from yaya