30 April 2015

counting a few of the blessings that make this world o' mine vibrantly alive


  • clarity and direction
  • 2 naps & early bedtime
  • strawberry pie from erin


  • the way whipped cream makes a cup of coffee so very delicious
  • emma & caroline playing so beautifully and creatively together on deck 8
  • "My power flows most freely into weak ones aware of their need for Me." - jesus calling
  • long term crew gathering - the joy and dancing and fellowship! (and a great excuse to make "cookie cake cookies" -2 chocolate cookies sandwiched together with vanilla icing --  i just decided that's what they are going to be called)
  • special dinner with the walls and stulls


  • "the earth is vibrantly alive with My blessings, giving testimony to My presence." - jesus calling
  • the creativity of "box day" in the academy


  • the leadership and example that the oldest students in the school set.  so proud of them and their participation.  (favorite quote:  "...so i'm an ocean goddess...or something...i just wanted to make a crown.")


23 April 2015

another thankful list.


  • a whole pan of mr. josh young's cinnamon rolls
  • friday morning off with nick
  • blessing upon blessing upon blessing (note from KJ, granola from Krystal, treats from KJ...triple K blessing)



  • 4 sweet hours in reception (2 of which were spent with a lovely friend)
  • "strong work" (translation:  good job)
  • finding my laundry folded in a pile in the laundry room (that's much better than finding it tossed into a basket)
  • 2 super sweet videos that remind me that i'm the mom God wants my children to have
  • fantastic malagasy milkshake with an even more fantastic friend


  • listening to katie read to caroline
  • naps
  • the fabulous barstools at adam & eve


  • spur of the moment participation (and victory!) in trivia night
  • 3 cashes do not have pink eye
  • seeing josh callow worshipping on the dock - the instrument happens to be his camera 


16 April 2015

things i'm thankful for...


  • goldfish and cheez-its 
  • nick's creativity in teaching


  • the way KJ ran to open the door for me
  • successful daddy daughter dance


  • being considered/thought of
  • erin's sensitive and kind spirit (and chocolate covered espresso beans)



  • conversations/prayers after community gathering
  • those parenting moments that are SO HARD - yet so necessary and so good.
  • sweet moments between sisters


  • the moment after all (or at least most) emails are caught up on and before any replies come back in
  • tuesday night's run to the port gate
  • jar of granola stuff and note from mirjam



  • "mom, can you take me and mark to the weight room?" - eli
  • how one little "tip" can make such a difference (highlight the downward strokes...font life)
  • emma's doing math


  • the way Amy Kay chooses thankfulness and positivity
  • making cookies with my pink starburst friend
  • talking to nick
  • the relationship ally and emma have


  • having mr. josh back on the ship and over for lunch
  • the academy creative arts night


09 April 2015

'tis thursday...a good day for giving thanks.


  • we are in Easter people
  • He is ALIVE!
  • opportunities to die to self
  • glowsticks (and surprise pictures of letters made from glowsticks)


  • cadbury creme eggs
  • watching KJ work her starbuck's magic
  • field trip to the lemur park


  • little strong bits of Truth scattered here and there...written on coffee cups, said in passing, said during communion
  • 7:56am on a ship holiday monday morning and everyone is still sleeping
  • "though you are an earthen vessel, I designed you to be filled with heavenly contents." -jesus calling
  • getting to spend most of the day outside



02 April 2015

thankful i am


  • "you are all i long to see in me." - rend collective song
  • the softest pieces of tasty beef jerky
  • recognizing passionfruit flavor in the skittles
  • cookie dough for snack


  • caroline's courage to be in the play
  • just enough time to get things done for the support raising seminar
  • aforementioned seminar is done...and seems to be bearing much fruit.
  • eyeliner from amy


  • "you make it easy for me to want to do for you" - such encouraging words
  • the way Kayla's teaching style so beautifully lines up with caroline's learning style
  • the way a space can be transformed (the queen's lounge into the upper room)
  • date night at darifify
  • getting to be a part of one man's incredible display of obedience, honor, thoughtfulness & excellence


  • wanting only apples & water when so much junk was on the table (that was a first...made me wonder who i was and what had happened to the real dianna)
  • laughing
  • remy's dessert treat
  • emma's notes (and rings and rocks and all kinds of other thoughtful things) on our pillows


  • a nap in the shade on the beach
  • the way the man helped get the vehicle unstuck - so quickly, so expertly
  • really good hotdog (on the beach, no less)
  • nick's excellent teaching abilities


  • eli's help making the easter cookies
  • mada 3 mixed tape CD
  • "low maintenance fashion"