it's thursday 2 time zones to the east...

• conversation with Courtney
• laughing (especially about honkability)
• cheese dip (especially cheese dip with best friends)
• birthday cake icecream

• "from GA to Guinea" book - what a sweet surprise from 'chelle!
• we got to come to the beach a day early
• getting to leave the bed unmade
• God is "breathing room for my soul" psalm 62:2
• cousins napping

• walks on the beach
• my siblings
• Atlanta braves baseball on the TV
• new UGA hat

• a sister who brings me exactly what I asked for
• caroline and her ukulele

• worshipping on the porch (with previously mentioned girl & instrument)
• the awesomeness of my husband.
• low country boil (tastes even better at the beach)

the song stuck in my head

The Words:

I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all your goodness
Hope to feel your presence
And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel you
Hope to feel something again

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You change me from the inside
And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

But you have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I will go where you will lead me Lord
You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I will go where you lead me Lord
Where you lead me
Where you lead me Lord

And I will be Yours
I will be Yours for all my life
So let Your mercy light the path before me

I wish I had the words to explain what's been going on in my head and my heart these past two weeks...I wish I had the words - not to share on this blog - but so that I could make it all make sense for my own sake (and for the sake of those around me).  Traveling to the states from the ship...being home...being at the beach with my family...living a wonderful life - yet feeling so out of sorts.  I wish I had the words to explain it...

...trying to let go of everything that I might be holding on too tightly to...trying to let Him change me from the inside - trying to let Him determine who I am (well, He HAS determined who I am...I am just seeking to live in that determination). 

I will go where He leads....even if it's uncomfortable and unfamiliar (and even if it's the familiar that should be oh so comfortable).  I will be Yours for all my life...please help me know how to do that.

Oh, my God, how I need you.

lots of thankfulness in words...the camara is on vacation...

• people who pray for us (and with us)
• safe travels
• empanadas.
• sips of amy's peach milkshake
• how very much caroline enjoys taking a bubble bath
• walking with carey (what a wise & insightful friend i have!)
• meeting Jacob
• being with molly - face to face! in person! in the flesh!
• watching emma play with ruthie
• being at CCC on sunday
• pam's hug
• emma napping on nick during church
• holly price's wave in the parking lot
• people that we know and love who have started going to CCC
• friendships that "pick back up where they left off"
• the generosity of the taylors
• visiting with lee & amy
• new prayer cards
• nick's thoughtfulness (book, giftcards, ipod)
• quickness of the internet
• going without shoes
• stamps delivered to our mailbox (that was easy)
• nick's dad's beef jerky
• time at the white house (not much beats cherry coke & cheeseballs and genuine friendship)
• CRAVE!
• time at burger king
• day full of sweet treats (starbuck's, capp blast, peach milkshake)
• how easy it is to be around Austin & Gwen
• cool morning...nice for a walk/run
• dinner with the wells
• i haven't forgotten how to cook! 
• how delicious poppyseed chicken is
• grapes, strawberries, blueberries, cherries...all mixed together!

many thanks.

• peaceful arrival
• shea's willingness to watch the kids spur-of-the-moment so that nick and I could go run
• running with nick (and the fun fact that juan snapped a picture)

• garbage skips (aka dumpsters)(it's nice to have somewhere convenient and simple to take the trash)
• the classmate & friend eli had in alex

• "God is at their side; with God's help they make it." psalm 24:5
• breathtaking beauty of God's creation - ocean, mountains, sky, sand

• scooters for the kids to ride into town on
• a whole roll of pinks AND a whole roll of greens

• fantastic playgrounds
• memory making day

• nice car ride on a beautiful day with great company (x2)
• the fun caroline has with youcam

• oreos & milk (pretty sure that's the 2nd or 3rd time that's made the list)
• eli's calendar/excitement

• tomorrow.

thankful.

• achieved the 2 goals for the week: 1)stay peaceful and calm 2)not too much screen time  for the kids
• the AWESOMENESS of our God
• the Advance Team and ALL they are doing to prepare for the ship's arrival in the Congo

• pizza picnic
• nice walk on deck 7
• peaceful departure from Guinea

• watching the sound of music
• no seasickness to speak of
• time on the bow

• the fun notes & quotes in the dining room (thanks to trudy)(who reminds me significantly of the lovely christy collins!)
• being cold!
• fun new return address stamp

• the way emma asks me to pray for her
• my dad (talking about nick): "he's really something special, isn't he?"  my reply: "yes, he is."
• open mic night (and nick's emcee abilities)
• successful journey to the canary islands.  we are here!