How could I express all my gratitude? I'll keep trying...

• having Chris Tomlin's My Soul Magnifies the Lord in my head and heart most of this advent season
  
• delicious Christmas Eve meal with Yaya and Grandaddy and the Whitts
• Yaya's thoughtful and generous gift giving
• laughter over (and in) the purple Comfy

• huge "hershey kisses" - and especially the words written on the white paper thingy
• Christmas Eve stroll with Yaya and Caroline
• christmas cinnamon roll cake + coffee (and one to take with us!)

• Brandon Lake's song Gratitude
  
• playlist from Eli.  it's so good. 
• gifts from mama Melinda

• "my worth is wrapped up not in what I achieve but in who I am in God's cosmic knowing." - Kayla Craig
• sweet moments by the fire

• "God is not dead not does He sleep." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• "you let us hold you in our arms" - from a prayer read on Christmas morning 
• Peaceful, easy, wonderful Christmas Morning and day and day after Christmas and day after that....

• Papa, Lane, Laura Lane, Amy and Wil all here safe and sound
• table full of incredible folks and food

• watching someone (2 someones) open a gift made especially for them

• help with the washing of dishes
• festivus cookie cake (and korean food)
• plenty of PT (porch time) with Lane
• finally reading Eugenia Price books
• good questions to ponder as 2021 comes to a close:

He gives such good gifts...at Christmas and always.

• "all of the missionaries are free." - news article about the 17 kidnapped in Haiti
• "gratitude and anxiety cannot exist in the brain at the same time." - spoken word in a maverick city Christmas song
• Riley and Olivia's wedding.  such a joy when 2 Christ followers join together in marriage!  
• Zoe's enjoyment of her tea set from trey...happy to give that dirty Santa gift a good home

• christmas light looking with the family (Kirk Franklin in the form of a singing Christmas tree was the cherry on top)
• time with the faircloths (and the delight of sharing the avocado song....)
• max lucado's story "the crippled lamb"...so much goodness and truth in that children's book
• memes that make me laugh

• lovely gathering of ladies for Jeeah's Hope Breathe/Open House (valet parking and all!)
• perfectly wonderful Wednesday afternoon
• Amy Taylor's scones and cookies for sharing
• this friend (and amazing camera angles from the capable Caroline).  i'll say it again - everybody needs a friend like Molly.

• a borrowed bouncy house. wowzahs. 
• Abe Stewart's arrival into the world
• hearing about christmas pizza and wings.  celebrating the growth and wisdom and grace of a beloved friend. 
• danish kringle shipped from Wisconsin...and the friends who introduced us/gifted it.  (pretty sure I single handedly (forkedly?!) ate the entire thing)

• hearing that T-Train is doing well 
• Christmas Adam = Cash Kids + Yaya and Grandaddy's Christmas Eve Eve tradition (it's officially a tradition)(and a tradition that allows me and nick to have an extra long date night!!!)
• time with the quintards. 
• thoughtful gifts from thoughtful friends.

'tis the season for gifts. always.

• sweet time in the kump home...especially when Zoe and Annie got to laughing
• God's got plans that I may not understand...and that's better than ok. 
• this reminder: 

• naps and a long night of rest to kick this cold to the curb
• fun book finds (in this case "snugglepot and cuddlepie" for a treasured friend)
• incredible night of inspiration and worship (and tasty treats and coffee)

• a gentleman's agreement/handshake and the truck is sold!
• Emma's attention...she seems to notice when i get overwhelmed or need some encouragement....
• houseful of middle schoolers (all are not pictured here) to celebrate Emma ("homemade launch" included)

• the part we've been waiting on for Eli's car is supposedly on its way! 
• the way the horses' hay smells right now...it's different - and sweet! 
• delightful and beautiful Christmas tea hosted by yaya and mama suzanne (thrift store shabby chic was the dress code)

• how meghan knows her neighbors' names
• beautiful afternoon for a walk around 1st Avenue
• sipping cherry coke out of our tea cups 

• pizza with the klause family 
• pretty smooth room swap
• perfect Monday lunchtime picnic on the corner of peacock and wynnton road

•  Zoe's enjoyment of yaya and grandaddy's on Wednesday nights...makes date nights all the sweeter
• how the cottage stays booked...even when there are cancellations, it gets rebooked....
• the continued and extreme generosity of the Village Foster Care and Adoption Ministry

some of the joyous mercies

• the compilation of testimonies nick put together for the Jeeah's Hope board meeting  
• decadent gingerbread (and the rest of a delicious meal) provided by Molly for a whole table full of folks 

• community and fellowship and delicious bar-b-que and a not-so-great football game at the walls on Saturday
• so much good stuff in this verse...the promise of pleasures and plenty and joyous mercies...permission to hide in Him...invitation to worship in awe and wonder...the reminder that we've been made holy 

• meaningful conversations on the porch 
• the way Eli cares for the kitties

• a family all together heading back to their mission field
• teamwork making the dreamwork. tangible (and edible) generosity on display. 

• cozy socks
• rainy day!

• laughing with lane on the phone this morning 
• emma's birthday lunch around the island. 12 years with this treasure. so grateful. 

• food for sharing...and folks that don't mind being shared with 
• incredibly beautiful time at the Levi farm...left so full....

keeping a record of His kindness

• the way my dad saw something (the flag and flagpole at the cabin) that needed fiixing and he did something about it (new flag, reset the pole). he's such an honorable man in so many ways. 
• stunning weather. incredible evening skies. 
• elf with the eberts! 
• lovely - in a plethora of ways - morning at two cedar.  amazed by Laura Lea's ability to give and give and give. 
• Emma's creative eye - and especially the way she takes pictures

• questions that affirm what the Lord has been doing in my life
• super easy shuttle run to the airport
• restful Sunday - worshipped and took a nap and finished a book and went for a run and shared some meals and watched some football
• a week saturated with rich and meaningful conversations and interactions
• fun times at a favorite park with some of my favorite kids

• sacred time at Victoria's.  goodness.  God's tender care of us is so tangible sometimes.
• the jump rope from team marquez!!! (such a simple yet SIGNIFICANT reminder of God's presence, his attentiveness to us and his provision)
• long lasting fresh flowers
• "O God, you have made even the necessary act of eating a nurturing comfort and a perpetual delight."  - every moment holy 
• God's word that is SO APPLICABLE:  

• Cracker Barrel lunch (and the leftovers) with yaya and Zoe
• Teen Advisor Christmas Market.  I only cried 7 times (kindness and worship music are 2 of the things that make me cry quickest)
• how one small comment kept things from really getting messed up (i had the wrong date for an event that i was helping to line up food and such for....)
• drum line!!!  #lifeneedsmoredrumline
• complimentary hot chocolate (and hugs and twirls) with my girl zoe at the previously mentioned market

• the sacred mischievous gleam in the eyes of people who want to anonymously bless others
• "I hear you're the child whisperer." and the uproarious laughter that ensued.
• seeing Eli and Caroline interacting with their friends
• trusting God with my kids and their hearts
• figuring out that all the things i need to create a little gift for a super special sister o' mine are already here

such a good day to give thanks

• my kind and capable husband who makes it easy to get out of town for a couple of days
• 4 fun and fabulous kids to hang out with on Monday (and a great reminder that I don't want to be a preschool teacher)(every once in a while is just fine)

• absolutely incredible girls trip to St. Simons
• a weekend of being lavished with love, generosity and friendship (in one of my favorite places on the planet)

• exploring a part of St. Simons that I didn't really know existed (I kind of thought it stopped right around Ft. Fredrica)
• beautiful Spanish moss
• 2 runs and multiple walks

• buffalo chicken dip and other fun football game snacks
• Amanda's apple dumplings (and the apple dumpling dance)
• I got to watch the UGA game - thanks to Christal and Shelley and Carey (and 2 nicks)

• one on one time with each friend on the trip 
• intense taboo and easy going skyjo
• SWEET MAMA'S (sonny's delights not pictured...but thoroughly enjoyed)

• sunday morning sharing/praying/church
• starburst wrapper crafting 
• CRAB TRAP she crab soup

• figured out a way to do the thankful list (it's always a bit ironic that thanksgiving day is one of the trickiest for posting my list)
• molly's dressing making and sharing skillz
• Eli is such a great human (I love that CFA recognizes that :))

• incredible thanksgiving. I love this holiday...and the family and friends who gather at the cabin...and the food...and the weather was perfect....
• everything turned out just fine. 
• kicking off Christmas with a family viewing of Christmas Vacation with the one and only uncle lane (his laughter is about as good as the movie itself)

more and more. He's so generous.

• walking with Amy = gift every time
• crisp cool weather
• gloriously beautiful November day and fun kids enjoying the playground (some of them pictured below)

• "I will look to see what He will say to me..." Habakkuk 2:1
• nick and Emma (and the other dads and daughters) had a great time camping
• Truth (in a lovely and peaceful format):

• "may we have the courage to be quiet." - Victoria S. 
• fun and fabulous time walking through fantasy in lights with my family (and jay!)
• officially my favorite tree at callaway (at night):

• Caroline's company at Aldi 
• ollie is here!  safe and sound and healthy! congratulations, callows!!
• a delightful birthday party for a sweet 3 year old....poor unicorn piñata

• zoe's enjoyment of paint  - she's probably painted 4+ hours this week
• another beautiful breathe event
• getting to share "every moment holy" 

Tangible evidence of His Goodness

•  the birthday blessings just keep coming...laundry detergent and the time change and Marco Polo messages 
• "your goodness and unfailing love pursue me all the days of my life." so.very.grateful.
• getting to listen to and talk to my brother...and how a conversation from earlier in my day connected just perfectly to what he shared.  
• incredible evening sky (this picture does it no justice whatsoever)

• "Our Father is kind, you be kind." - Luke 6:36
• Amy drove down spur of the moment Saturday!
• smooth legs, soft feet, pretty toes (which is reminding me of "clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose")
• pampered/splurged/spoiled by my lovely sister  -- a pedicure, a Frappuccino and Ling Ling all in the matter of about 2 hours.

• gianormous chicken pot pie and apple pie (care team for the win!)
• nick got word that he got the training dates he requested
• dancing and laughing with kids in the car
• when Zoe entertains herself for lots of minutes at a time (and this happens to be a very colorful instance of that)

• Saturday morning porch time with Melissa.  PJs perfectly acceptable. 
• when a new lane at Aldi opens up at just the right time (I appreciate their efficiency).
• assurance, reminders, confirmation
• incredible ladies/friends to stand with for Stand Sunday

• we found Eli's shoes!!!!! God cares about it all.  
• sitting in victoria's living room...sacred conversation and prayer
• just right cup of coffee
• SO MUCH good stuff in Acts 2

10,000 reasons for my heart to find. He is so worthy.

• candy, costumes and chili at yaya's
• chicken dip during the UGA game!
• getting to trick or treat with Molly and kiddos...pretty much every part of life is just better with a good friend to share it with. 
• new decor in our kitchen from Laura Lea (and how it matches our hearts and our colors)
• community and friendship at the scarborough's
• zoe's enjoyment of the swing
• so.much.laughter. "take a knee!  good job." 
• the games. especially the pantyhose face one.  goodness.  (and oh the laughter!)(again)

• the Kelly Family's generosity and the fantastic time Caroline had getting to see NEEDTOBREATHE (who knew it was all capitals and no spaces?! Caroline did.)
• hymn of heaven by Phil Wickham
  
• Phil Wickham playlists on repeat (thank you, God, for modern hymn writers and theologians)
• fresh griddle 
• Kimberly's brain surgery went oh so well. hallelujah. 
• getting to see the braves win
• shelley's building blessing - God's faithfulness is all over her, her business and her building
• portrait of the cash family (Jonas included) circa 2009 (right after Emma was born) by Ella Grace
• shared friendship between the walls and cashes for so many years.  

• the way caroline quotes parks and rec
• fresh bag of venison jerky
• knowing Eli is having an amazing time at the twenty-one pilots show!!
• my apple slicer is home!
• cash kids' crests 
• the connection our newest care team member has with mercy's Jamaican kitchen
• Zoe's big bubble bath at yaya's
• the loveliest of "just for dianna charcuterie board" with delightful company in a just right backyard. everybody needs a friend like Molly. 

• the most DELIGHTFUL Dinner party 
• how clean/tidy the carport is (I love it all over again every time I walk in or out)
• such rich and kind and meaningful words shared around the table
• nice mix of listeners and story tellers...laughter and tears....silly and serious.
• nick's incredible thoughtfulness and party planning

• God gave me my favorite weather on my birthday...cold for GA...gray (but not too gray)
• early morning run...AND a nice "lie in"...the best of the best. 
• birthday messages from all of my siblings
• a whole box of blueberry cake doughnuts
• doughnut + coffee + porch (always thankful)
• the gift of stamps and notecards...feeding my habit/hobby
• "happy birthday" message from community group
• so much fun with party decorations and accessories

• sweet new neighbors.  what an answer to prayers/hopes/desires.
• fresh flowers...and reminders all over the place of nick's love and care
• hearing an Australian accent in person again
• fresh package of sharpies
• treat basket is full to overflowing
• every emotional basket/tank is full to overflowing (except, ironically, not my gas tank)
• beloved tattoos (not real...yet)

• cherry coke in the fridge
• all the lights from the dash are corrected/settled/fixed 
• the discovery of lemon hummus.  wowzahs. i like it. (and realizing that some of the gifts of having a birthday would never be labeled as birthday gifts...but that's exactly what they are)
• that i get to live in Columbus at the same time as the faircloths
• tray of delicious delights. and a beautiful friend to hold it with.

• friends who show up for lunch with lemon pepper boneless wings
• an EXTRAVAGANT gift. and the ability of quite a few to keep it all a secret. SSI, we're coming!
• all the birthday app awards.  what a time to be alive. 
• free birthday coffee
• "I'm awkward, too" - comment from the older gentleman at the coffee shop (in response to my "sorry I'm awkward, sorry" gem of a sweatshirt
• God set aside a slinky for us/Emma at the dollar store. really. 
• all the incredibly kind words to me/about me on nick's facebook and instagram posts
• reconnecting with Anna Marie (who was a part of Zoe's adoption) at the lifeline banquet
• being reminded again and again and again of the gift of Zoe/Adoption
• 2 desserts! (one for now, one for later)
• Emma is already working on Christmas presents for folks
• 10,000 reasons**

**insider information

this post is extra long partly because it's my birthday week and there are extra gifts aplenty...and partly because I realized this morning that I was very, very close to reaching 10,000 gifts on my thankful list!!  I couldn't think of anything better to honor God with in celebration of the 41 years He's given me than to hit this milestone today!  "Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find"  - 10,000 reasons to worship and thank God, to bless Him, to honor our Father who gives and gives and gives. happy my birthday to you, God. :)

i first started my thankful list around 2003 (or maybe 2004? 2005?) when a precious Teen Advisor named Tahna gave each person in our growth group (small group bible study) a "happy book." she challenged us to write down things that made us happy through the week and to share them when we came back together....I did that very sporadically for a while and at some point it became a much more regular part of my time alone with God...I started looking for the gifts along the way (and numbering them) - and, since we so often see what we are looking for, there were plenty of gifts to be seen. 

keeping a thankful list has been huge for me.  i won't go into all the reasons why right now (or all the scriptural basis for gratitude!)...but i wholeheartedly believe that God has saved me from dark places and seasons of depression and has kept me from getting stuck - and the primary vessel He has used, other than His Love and Word, has been through this practice of looking for gifts and being grateful.  it's all grace upon grace upon grace.  

thanks be to God for His indescribable gift(s) - and thanks be to God that He receives my attempts to describe the gifts He has given me.  

now to unwrap the next 10,000...