goodness of God in my life this week

• the ministry of the library (the way the librarian was serving and blessing the sweet couple was stunning!!) 
• the gift of a sabbath day 
• the strength of the Lord and his victorious right hand (and how often that has come across my eyes in the past week or so)
• the shipping ships meme:

• we found eli's wallet!
• how easy and respectful and self-sufficient the chase kids were (are)
• emma's poppyseed chicken
• beautiful assignment:

• "i'm zoe's mom." (what a joy! what a privilege!)
• pretty pretty flowers from lauren (birthday reversal)
• date night!  so thankful for time and conversation with nick. 
• good questions that led to sweet conversation:

• chicken salad chick with the lovely molly!
• chicken salad chick cookie with a cup of coffee 
• walks with friends and how very refreshing they are (the walks and the friends)
• God's faithfulness throughout my whole life. (getting to share my story was such a good reminder..."all my life you have been faithful.  all my life you have been so so good.")

thankful.

• the kindness of the folks at the end of mountain brook to let us extend our walk onto their property 
• "we meditate on your unfailing love...your strong right hand is filled with victory." parts of psalm 48:9-10 
• nick's preaching on sunday (and the friend who snagged the picture)

• talking about snacks and slippers with jesus
• "let all that i am be consumed with who you are" 
• caroline sending a picture of the cookie cake she was bringing home for us (and the cookie cake she brought home for us!!)

• "if you refuse to be hurried or pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace." - amy carmichael
• eli's hard work and contributions...that he doesn't want recognition for...
• zoe's enjoyment of the swing at mrs. victoria's

• "i won't be formed by feelings. i hold fast to what is true." (YOU are true!)
• cheeseburgers and fries and a tree burning and friendship
• zoe had her first ballet class and loved it -- "i get to do this every thursday?!" 

waffles and bucees and lots of other things I'm thankful for

• waffle friday (it's been a while!)
• cottage put to good use on a pretty ordinary Friday morning
• worshipping next to and behind friends that i love so much
• cereal + candlelight + Zoe's amazing hair

• sleepover success (easy bedtime, slept past 8!)
• celebrating yaya - what a gift God's given the world! 
• finally taking care of something that took all of 5 minutes but has been on my mental to-do list for 5+ months
• cash family stop at bucee's (gotta say, the hype is right)

• zoe's prayer at lunch
• cheering for the dawgs
• Trader Joe's shopping spree!
• nick's phone takes such good pictures
• incredible views, wonderful time together, all around fantastic 48 hours in Chattanooga 

• delightful dinner at the Davidson's 
• pointe shoes for Emma at a fraction of the cost 
• when friends pray and those prayers have tangible (nearly immediate) results
• Emma's joy in giving to Eli (literally threw money at him for his Impact program!)

• catching up with Jonathan and Stephanie
• playing bolt and penny with Zoe (and how puppies are much quieter than 4 year old girls)
• Delaney's cookies 
• Caroline's help/initiative to clean up the other day 
• finding what we were looking for at Goodwill

new year, same blog (peace sign) (title creds: caroline)

• emma's opportunity to go to great wolf lodge with friends
• resetting and cleaning up
• mr. wright's thoughtfulness to bring magazines and activity books (and the immediate enjoyment of them by sarah and zoe)

• carport to play in when it's raining
• new year's day families potluck!
• lots of good bottle on a stick

• zoe's enjoyment of puddles (and her boots!)
• 2 bouquets from nick...and his phone call 
• little girls in trees (maybe this is a repeat?!?  but i'm thankful everytime...and this one is little girls in trees after playing in puddles...even better!)

• the way gina speaks about/compliments her friends
• 5 for about the price of 1
• easy peasy trip to the dentist (and a friend who climbs in the chair with you)

• when my dad calls at pretty much the exact moment that i'm about to call him
• good questions that start meaningful conversations (particularly at tuesday time this week)
• firm foundation - such a good song

• no matter the result of a football game, all will be well 
• caroline is feeling better 
• another generation of kids playing games at the cash table

• windshield fixed and new key fobs...the pilot is ready for 10 more years. 
• wingspan with nick, eli and caroline
• happy mail sending