last chance to give thanks in 2015.

• hearing the bells on Christmas morning
• the offering that was Christmas morning brunch
• an AMAZING gift-giving husband (he's amazing...and the gifts that he gives are amazing)
• playing in the waves (twice)

• lovely friends who take incredible pictures
• anchored hope sweatshirt
• "God is not dead nor does He sleep"
• redemption in a bracelet

• pictures on websites...cause that's easier than taking a picture of my own bracelet
• 48 hours AWAY
• playing hand ball with caroline
• psalm 103

thanks on christmas eve

• sea salt chocolate caramels shared with love
• "i love you more than you think i do." - emma
• a day outside with hikes and lemurs and waterfalls and beautiful views

• the way caroline will just come and put her arm around me
• puppy chow production
• the acoustics at carols by candlelight (or "candles by carol light" as caroline was saying)

• my God is unchanging - no matter how changing i am
• "container only" box snuck in by crew mail (no charge!)
• sunshine filled quiet moment on the edge of the dining room
• pulling silly faces at grandaddy and yaya over skype

• linden's joy and kindness
• rain on the window
• safe arrival of the logos hope
• 2 vessels, side by side

• "Christ in me, the hope of glory."
• salted caramel hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream
• home alone + popcorn + miss remy's classroom
• cash christmas tradition of driving (walking) around looking at christmas lights (doors)

• impromptu bell playing during our "driving around looking at christmas lights"
• cabin full of kids + christmas movies
• time to work on blog posts during previously mentioned situation

'tis the season for gifts. here are just a few of mine from this past week.

• waffle mix sharing friend
• intentional moments to stop and BREATHE and talk about what God is doing
• picnic in the palm grove
• crowder's "come as you are"
• getting to give gift by way of our door

• missing alison - thankful to have a friend on the ship that i miss when she's away
• children singing
• Spirit Fall song
• joining in with Laurin and Esther's wedding via skype

• lisa schwind is back onboard
• "facing the emptiness inside you is simply the prelude to being filled with My fullness." - jesus calling
• walking in an AFM winter wonderland
• a crew member's maturity in a particularly tough situation

Spirit Fall - song of the week

just press play...worship...soak it in...be refreshed...may the Spirit fall on us again and again and again.


You breathe life, You restore
Awaken my soul, I know that I've been made for more You speak truth, You renew When I'm in Your presence You show me the glory of You Spirit fall, Spirit fall Fall on us for we are Yours Fall on us for we are Yours You will make, all things new Until you return all creation cries out for you There is power in Your presence Hope and healing in your presence There is freedom in Your presence Spirit fall

always more...

• amazing song
• saturday full of community
• 3 incredible cash kids & the fact that i get to be their mom

• kids' weekly skype call with yaya and grandaddy
• my worth and value do not have anything to do with my cookie making/decorating abilities (or lack thereof)
• anytime cake shows up outside of our door

• hot, fresh potato chips
• friends & pizza at our table 
• christmas cards!!

• billy madison references
• 5 miles with zodi 
• extremely meaningful thanksgiving card from the McMichaels

more than i thought.

• "my life is in the hands of the maker of heaven."
• when i have more to be thankful for than i thought
• beautiful song lyric on a deck 3 door

• bike ride + 501 + shea + breakfast
• refill of passion fruit syrup
• tin of buttons that remind me of beautiful friendship

• the excitement of kids about christmas
• time with nick and suzanne
• koontz cookies

• shea's willingness to take caroline to the pool
• "needing Me is the key to knowing Me intimately, which is the gift above all gifts." -jesus calling
• so much creativity at AFM christmas craft night

• burgers at la braise (and the company that was even better than the burgers)
• snap happy red nail polish
• kind words from jamie for everyone in the room

• sneaky coffee 2.0
• sneaky coffee thursday version
• just the right note at just the right time on thanksgiving day

• the report from the advance team about benin
• community gathering ended right on time 
• delicious seashells from steph