because He told me to: February 2020

27 February 2020

how lexi rescued me during an awkward conversation :)
francis chan's "letters to the church"
plate from bulgaria, mug from benin, doughnut + coffee, significant time on the window seat

"what would please God most?" (rather than thinking of what we would enjoy or asking others what they would like)
teenage boys hanging out at our house
walking over to see our neighbor...sweet sisters (so fun to think we've got a toddler, a tween and a teen! these girls are wonderful.)

caroline came out to the car to give me a hug
how God can drop a thought/idea/plan in your head/heart and in a moment you know exactly what to do
gummi bear valentine messages

eli's room is cleaner than it's been in a while
getting to do a reference form/recommendation for team marquez. it's easy to recommend remarkable people.
incredibly thoughtful doorknob valentines for all of us (including Sweet Little One) from emma - she put different verses on the back of each one

baskin robbin's birthday gift cards lasted me all the way to february 19
robert's time/generosity/help with the next item on the list
we've got windows in our bedroom! (this is the first one going in....)(or out?!)

making marvel movie references
we get CFA rewards points when using giftcards (smart move CFA. smart move.)(and thank you)
not only did yaya keep the 2 littlest ones at our house so they could nap, she folded laundry, and made us poppyseed chicken and quiche!!

hearing skip and ashley's life stories
the renewal that comes from community
"sometimes all you hear about is the hate, but there is more love and kindness in this world than we could possibly imagine."

when you say the right words at the right time and you don't even really know it (until later when someone shares how God used what you said)
laura lea's willingness to clean out the sink strainer (that's one of my least favorite parts of being an adult)
when they enjoy each other and laugh (even when it's late!)(see one of our new windows in the background!)

roman's arrival!
peace and connectedness with my favorite person on the planet. i love our marriage.
good reminders:

excellent podcast from mike foster on communication -- "we don't hear what someone said, we imagine what they meant." "what do you need right now?"
texting with gina
thursday morning wake up call from amy ;)
sweet little ones playing sweetly together. peaceful moments in toddler town.

the giggles (and the workout) that came from the girls as they were pulled around on the blanket
even when it feels overwhelming, it's really not all that hard to get everything reset and cleaned up
such delicious breakfast for dinner. community group food is so good.
helpful math tool that saved our morning/day

emma recopied 2 pages of my thankful journal after a ketchup packet in my bag exploded on it
how eli checks in/sees how my day is going
"This is for all of the insecure kids. This is for the adults who feel like they're a kid at the grown-ups table. This is for all of you who don't fit in. For all of you who feel you tricked everyone into thinking you are a normal human being. For those who don't feel smart enough, cool enough, talented enough, or important enough. My name is Brad and I feel the same way. Every. Single. Day. Fight on. Keep going. You matter."