glad i didn't eat cow-tail soup for dinner.

• messaging with KJ.  goodness she makes me laugh.  
• when the cookies come out just right
• ani in action. what a tailor! 

• nick got the songs...and we danced...
• the way he knows me. and loves me.  
• the 2 of us together...i like it.  

• unexpected trip to El Dorado
• swimming out to the platform
• ben brought emma milk and cookies...and then just talked to her and listened to her.  

• snoop dogg jokes over coffee
• michelle's gift to emma (name book)
• dinner, monopoly deal and ci gusta with ally and amy

• "i know how much you love me - even more than you know that you love me..i know how much you love me."  ihop prophetic word from misty edwards
• sundaes on sunday in honor of nicole and kathrin
• the lovely & purpose-filled life of lydia grace

He's so generous!!!

• sakate sweet tea
• arbre de vie - john and ashley, jillian, justin and rachel - incredible ministry and incredible people
• holding babies. (these are triplets that a sweet mama didn't know she was having!! extra info: they aren't orphans - they are part of an infant feeding program that arbre de vie helps make happen.)

• "chaco's, yeti cups and big sunglasses" friendship
• well spent ship holiday
• caroline willingly, happily and excitedly went with us...and loved on some babies and children so beautifully.

• the blessings and treats that come from filling in in reception
• remembering amy & jon's anniversary 
• watching community in action (friends decorating another friend's office entry way)

• evening stroll on the dock
• talking with monica
• tough good-byes (so so so very thankful for real friendship that makes me want to go throw up in the ocean after saying good-bye - but ONLY good-bye for now!)

• washing little girls' hair in the shower at the pool..makes life so much easier
• shelly's hospitality - she truly is the hostest with the mostest.  
• celebrating brian and leanne

• coolness in the air after the rain
• cinnamon honey butter
• really wonderful packages from aunt amy and from yaya

• loaves and loaves and loaves of love bread
• moana with nick and suzanne 
• eli's opportunity to do work experience as a kindergarten teacher

• when i'm moving clothes from the washer to the dryer and the dryer is empty and the lint filter is clean
• nick's laughter (especially thankful for the messaging between him and sam during the football match)
• hiding easter eggs on the ceiling

• hearing sweet new (to me) songs that i've managed to miss since living on a ship off the coast of africa (the luckiest - ben folds and thinking out loud - ed sheeran)
• cozy sweatshirts
• lydia grace's lovely life (and her mama). strong. beautiful. purposeful. yes. 

more and more

• pink starburst (and the hope of having a bag of only pink starburst someday)
• laundry pods from KJ (just in time)
• a "tuesdays at 10" authentic conversation
• cookies on a brownie

• life of the beloved sermon by Henri Nouwen
• late afternoon nap
• thursday morning run/walks with justine
• celebrating nick and eli

• leftover butter chicken
• a real mail day.
• ani watching with a kind, funny, faithful friend
• truth on the instagram feed

• old navy order arrived and the jeans fit just right
• late afternoon nap
• the body of christ loving and supporting my best friend and her family
• west african sunsets

• perfect erevan outing.  quick in, quick out.
• ridiculous llama clip  
• smiles all around during karaoke
• such a special bracelet from such a special friend

• the Advance Team
• being sheep of the Good Shepherd
• joel's kindness to take our family to get icecream
• "where You are, Lord I am free"

gratitude is a good thing.

• kj + cheesesticks + kittens
• deck 8 + dancing + cupcakes (+fun commentary)
• discovering amazing pens in the things keverly left

• kind comments on facebook about our transition from Mercy Ships back to Columbus
• jamie & sandrine's style - the perfect combination of cute and comfy and modest
• delightful icecream cone

• overhearing cecily, our amazing guest & crew services manager, remind her team that they are bringing the kingdom of God to this ship when they clean - bringing order and cleanliness to the dirt and chaos...that's what God is all about!  
• coffee and conversation with joli
• llucy the llama i llike you gift tag

• God's gentle reminder to rejoice in the day He has made...not dread it. 
• wearing my ani-made dress for the first time
• a clean uncluttered counter

• what seems like good conclusions to really difficult situations
• "feels like a day at the beach" -- time at the pool, dinner out, icecream, little sunburned
• fabulously amazing person to eat aforementioned icecream with

• watching/hearing jonathan & lisa singing no longer slaves
• surprise messenger call from the lovely shea
• knowing she is walking/running by lakes and mountains

rain and spaghetti and such

• little drops of rain on my face and arms
• schwind adoption is official! the schwind 6 - for the glory of God!
• sweet friendships and creative art gallery viewing

• communication across the miles...the convenience of messenger
• jenelle's kindness:  cheez-its & faithfully rolling up the gate thing in the cafe
• opportunities of a lifetime - specifically caroline interacting with Graca Machel, Nelson Mandela's wife

• the strengths of the Advance Team
• perfect bowl of golden grahams 
• homemade pasta and the lovely couple that shared it with us!

• end it movement
• michelle's thoughtfulness in bringing me a cupcake 
• "snack saturday" - 2 sweet girls practicing kindness and hospitality 

• tough conversations handled with truth and grace
• richard & abdulai...they went above and beyond in their cabin cleaning service 
• the youth leaders

• enjoyable books
• sleep.
• GAiN - amazing organizations doing incredible things - clean water for thousands!