30 March 2017

glad i didn't eat cow-tail soup for dinner.

  • messaging with KJ.  goodness she makes me laugh.  
  • when the cookies come out just right
  • ani in action. what a tailor! 


  • nick got the songs...and we danced...
  • the way he knows me. and loves me.  
  • the 2 of us together...i like it.  


  • unexpected trip to El Dorado
  • swimming out to the platform
  • ben brought emma milk and cookies...and then just talked to her and listened to her.  


  • snoop dogg jokes over coffee
  • michelle's gift to emma (name book)
  • dinner, monopoly deal and ci gusta with ally and amy


  • "i know how much you love me - even more than you know that you love me..i know how much you love me."  ihop prophetic word from misty edwards
  • sundaes on sunday in honor of nicole and kathrin
  • the lovely & purpose-filled life of lydia grace

23 March 2017

He's so generous!!!

  • sakate sweet tea
  • arbre de vie - john and ashley, jillian, justin and rachel - incredible ministry and incredible people
  • holding babies. (these are triplets that a sweet mama didn't know she was having!! extra info: they aren't orphans - they are part of an infant feeding program that arbre de vie helps make happen.)


  • "chaco's, yeti cups and big sunglasses" friendship
  • well spent ship holiday
  • caroline willingly, happily and excitedly went with us...and loved on some babies and children so beautifully.


  • the blessings and treats that come from filling in in reception
  • remembering amy & jon's anniversary 
  • watching community in action (friends decorating another friend's office entry way)


  • evening stroll on the dock
  • talking with monica
  • tough good-byes (so so so very thankful for real friendship that makes me want to go throw up in the ocean after saying good-bye - but ONLY good-bye for now!)


  • washing little girls' hair in the shower at the pool..makes life so much easier
  • shelly's hospitality - she truly is the hostest with the mostest.  
  • celebrating brian and leanne

  • coolness in the air after the rain
  • cinnamon honey butter
  • really wonderful packages from aunt amy and from yaya


  • loaves and loaves and loaves of love bread
  • moana with nick and suzanne 
  • eli's opportunity to do work experience as a kindergarten teacher


  • when i'm moving clothes from the washer to the dryer and the dryer is empty and the lint filter is clean
  • nick's laughter (especially thankful for the messaging between him and sam during the football match)
  • hiding easter eggs on the ceiling


  • hearing sweet new (to me) songs that i've managed to miss since living on a ship off the coast of africa (the luckiest - ben folds and thinking out loud - ed sheeran)
  • cozy sweatshirts
  • lydia grace's lovely life (and her mama). strong. beautiful. purposeful. yes. 

16 March 2017

more and more


  • pink starburst (and the hope of having a bag of only pink starburst someday)
  • laundry pods from KJ (just in time)
  • a "tuesdays at 10" authentic conversation
  • cookies on a brownie


  • life of the beloved sermon by Henri Nouwen
  • late afternoon nap
  • thursday morning run/walks with justine
  • celebrating nick and eli


  • leftover butter chicken
  • a real mail day.
  • ani watching with a kind, funny, faithful friend
  • truth on the instagram feed


  • old navy order arrived and the jeans fit just right
  • late afternoon nap
  • the body of christ loving and supporting my best friend and her family
  • west african sunsets


  • perfect erevan outing.  quick in, quick out.
  • ridiculous llama clip  
  • smiles all around during karaoke
  • such a special bracelet from such a special friend


  • the Advance Team
  • being sheep of the Good Shepherd
  • joel's kindness to take our family to get icecream
  • "where You are, Lord I am free"

09 March 2017

gratitude is a good thing.


  • kj + cheesesticks + kittens
  • deck 8 + dancing + cupcakes (+fun commentary)
  • discovering amazing pens in the things keverly left


  • kind comments on facebook about our transition from Mercy Ships back to Columbus
  • jamie & sandrine's style - the perfect combination of cute and comfy and modest
  • delightful icecream cone


  • overhearing cecily, our amazing guest & crew services manager, remind her team that they are bringing the kingdom of God to this ship when they clean - bringing order and cleanliness to the dirt and chaos...that's what God is all about!  
  • coffee and conversation with joli
  • llucy the llama i llike you gift tag


  • God's gentle reminder to rejoice in the day He has made...not dread it. 
  • wearing my ani-made dress for the first time
  • a clean uncluttered counter


  • what seems like good conclusions to really difficult situations
  • "feels like a day at the beach" -- time at the pool, dinner out, icecream, little sunburned
  • fabulously amazing person to eat aforementioned icecream with


  • watching/hearing jonathan & lisa singing no longer slaves
  • surprise messenger call from the lovely shea
  • knowing she is walking/running by lakes and mountains


02 March 2017

rain and spaghetti and such

  • little drops of rain on my face and arms
  • schwind adoption is official! the schwind 6 - for the glory of God!
  • sweet friendships and creative art gallery viewing


  • communication across the miles...the convenience of messenger
  • jenelle's kindness:  cheez-its & faithfully rolling up the gate thing in the cafe
  • opportunities of a lifetime - specifically caroline interacting with Graca Machel, Nelson Mandela's wife


  • the strengths of the Advance Team
  • perfect bowl of golden grahams 
  • homemade pasta and the lovely couple that shared it with us!


  • end it movement
  • michelle's thoughtfulness in bringing me a cupcake 
  • "snack saturday" - 2 sweet girls practicing kindness and hospitality 


  • tough conversations handled with truth and grace
  • richard & abdulai...they went above and beyond in their cabin cleaning service 
  • the youth leaders


  • enjoyable books
  • sleep.
  • GAiN - amazing organizations doing incredible things - clean water for thousands!