so many good gifts. so many.

• lauren's excellent care of the kitties while we're away (complete with pictures and updates)
• tim keller's sermon on contentment
• post-its on a certain daughter's wall

• caroline surprised us and came home for 24 hours!!
• dakota got the promotion!
• lightboard artwork creations

• "i'm so glad it's sunday." - joseph
• delicious cups of coffee (and one last boberry biscuit!)
• yes. this: 

• sharing about missions and ministry
• getting to see jacob play soccer
• the way he loves us all 

• the dominos seem to be all lined up and ready to be set in motion
• peace and patience in the process
• the wildcats!! 

• all my favorite chocolates in one perfect bundle!!  i have THE BEST valentine. 
• well on our way with renewing all the things for everbe (and it's not making me cry)
• one of the jeeah's hope stories
  

here are some things i'm thankful for.

• when discipleship happens through coffee making
• friends who do hard things (really hard things) for the sake of obedience
• gathering ingredients for evil brownies

• cut up fruit
• bucket o' banana laffy taffy
• tables are set 

• long nap (just so right on a sunday afternoon)
• jeeah's hope 15 year celebration family dinner went well!
• so many beautiful stories shared

• welcoming joseph to the cityscape team
• all the things got done/taken care of before leaving town
• double date with eli and logan!

• sleep. rest. naps. walks. a break from regular. 
• time away with nick. 
• zoe's sewing lessons with yaya - pearly grace has a new blanket

things i'm thankful for.

• having eli, logan and talia around
• purposeful water bottle collecting
• folks that invest in my kids with kindness and food (the big kids in the background and the littlest kid in the middle of katie's lap!)

• all of nick's reading time with zoe (and with all of our kids through the years!)
• laughing with the folks at the jokes
• so much flip seven!

• southeast restoration.  grateful to know who to call. 
• tre's chocolate croissants
• the fairy house building and rebuilding

• jacob and emma brought panda express
• carrying cares with folks
• late night recital in zoe's room

• francis chan and Joni Eareckson Tada interview
• ct scans that come back clear
• the first daffodil of the season

• "i've never had a full tank of gas." (being reminded of things that i take for granted)
• the way mrs. jean kent poured so much love into me as a kid and teenager
• this (and getting to practice it): 

• watching step sing...cutest sheep ever. 
• "i know the Lord will provide...my God is not empty handed....everything i need, my Father has it!"
• nick is only gone a few days...not a whole year. 

 

blessings and bright spots

• reading through old journals (and laughing)
• zoe's enjoyment of online piano lessons
• pearly grace arrived...and she loves skyjo!

• daily devo - sing! 
• fancy dinner (thanks to jonathan & katie!)
• waking up to a winter wonderland sunday morning

• doughnuts and coffee
• fun friends who bring yummy food to watch the national championship game
• it's just so pretty!!!!!

• good turnout for Breathe
• watching katie steward infusion days so well 
• grilled cheese and tomato soup

• new to me toyota camry (grateful for nick's research)
• brioche buns
• the tiniest of touches....perfect magnetic sparrow

• rental car is back safe and sound
• raising boys and girls podcast
• monday waffles/ray's reading of the MLK day prayer

• "dressed in His righteousness alone faultless stand before the throne."
• JH 15 year celebration dinner is coming together
• beautiful prayer initiative by clement arts

• emma got her license!
• safe people to share stories with
• azul! 

• "i'm grateful for all the time i've spent laughing this week!" - caroline
• matt and sarah's willingness to share their house
• Shalom - good song
  

list of thankful things

• aldi had all the muffins and doughnuts! (super cute doughnuts)
• plenty of sunday after the 8:00 service
• testing out some office/school hours at cityscape

• sunday afternoon panda express and matcha with eli
• i can trust God with all the hearts and all the things
• good reminder:

• hearing the steiner's life stories
• tasty pizza at community group
• a little flower mister with cleaning spray in it....makes life a little more delightful

• fettucine alfredo.
• walking in the CS parking lot 
• the deer and the damage (practicing giving thanks in all circumstances!)

• french onion dip
• free shipping and $10 off 
• celebrating yaya

• 9 years of the pilot!
• tre's treats! (bread and cookies and such)
• little jason's surgery went well!

attemping to let gratitude shape my heart

• worth and value are not dependent on UGA football
• soup with jim and shelley
• epiphany fire (and potluck!)(and fabulous friends to share it with)

• chocolate covered things (in this case strawberries thanks to emma and jacob)
• when lyrics wreck me -- "i will preach the gospel. i will die and be forgotten - as long as you get the glory."
• good reminders:

• sourdough cinnamon rolls...and the husband who bought them! (and the hands that prepared them)
• "may gratitude shape my heart." - lectio
• time with emma

• worship initiative SING daily devo
• having eli and caroline home for so long
• "behold Him and be satisfied" (and how the Lord is using the word "behold" in so many people's lives)

• all 6 cashes around the table monday night
• borrowing emma's sweaters
• candace's vegetable soup (soup is my favorite way to eat vegetables)

yielding to and receiving His love in (often) tangible ways

 very serious lack of pictures this week...

• yaya's surgery went well
• good covers of good songs
• sweet friends to gather with on new year's eve

• "of the greatness of His peace there will be no end." - isaiah 9:7
• going to buy something and finding it on sale
• these 2...and golden chopstix (new spelling, who dis?) on the 27th

• God is for us. He is with us. He keeps His promises. 
• caroline and eli and their friends/new years plans
• christmas brunch and games with the quintards.  nice long enjoyable visit! 

• a very tangible example of moving in the unforced rhythms of grace
• such a good walk. 
• zoe's oh so clean room (baseboards and all!!!)

• when sermons/podcasts have the same words/phrases...
• putting away christmas (i love christmas...i also love to reset our house)
• good questions: