everybody needs a friend like molly

here's a mashed potato poem  (bits and pieces all smashed together)(i just made that up), in honor & celebration of my amazing friend, molly.    

Everybody needs a friend like molly.

Caring. Kind. Real. Raw.

Everybody needs a friend like molly.

Passionate. Thoughtful. Committed. True. 

Quick to offer a word of encouragement, Truth and prayers.

Quick to offer most anything.

Dedicated – wholeheartedly dedicated - to the ones she loves…

Tirelessly? No. (mamas are often tired) 

Inexahaustibly? Yes. (always giving, always loving, always serving)

Always giving, always loving, always serving.

Today, more than ever, I celebrate my friend molly.

She's on the other side of the world – that part I dislike.

But the part I love?  We’re forever connected and side by side….no matter the continents and oceans that are between us.

I miss the waves (& dance parties) through the windows.

I miss the magical gate that connected our lives.

I miss the shared coffee…and shared parenting…the daily sharing of hearts and lives.

Oh, how I miss my friend molly….

She’s my friend…and my life is forever better.

Everybody needs a friend like molly.

happiest of birthdays, dear one.

"try giving thanks"

• children that my children have a hard time saying good-bye to
• friends who come visit at the guest house
• silly moments of drinking sparkling apple juice from a fancy glass.

• the "morningside view" (maybe next time i'll take my camera)
• "staying close to Me IS staying on course." - jesus calling 
• sweet sleeping girl on my lap (exhausted from the fun at the beach)

• jack's candy crush compliment and commentary
• celebrating mighty on the beach
• mr. brian's football clinic in the park 

• coffee cake and card from shea
• eating previously mentioned cake 
• beautiful girls + lovely weather + jungle gyms

• the jonesies are back!
• a trip to the park without a single piggy-back ride  
• thoughtful little gifts for the kiddies from miss amy

entering His gates...

• there's always someone to give me directions/point me the right way
• skype worked (just in time for grandaddy's birthday!)
• coffee at the blue zoo

• "God desires that we grow in our ability to see Him in everything and to realize the importance of seemingly insignificant circumstances if they are used to deliver a message from Him." - henry parkhurst
• "best pillow fight ever."
• nasty feet (they had a great time at the playground)

• me to God "my heart's just not into it." God to me "that's ok - Mine is - always."
• treasures found at the park
• and a beautiful girl enjoying the treasure

• eli's enthusiastic greeting for remy
• shea and remy - in person!
• dinner at the rotating restaurant

• dessert trolley!
• texas trash
• uShaka beach - great way to spend the afternoon

another week, more gifts

• hot milk for coffee
• laura came to the guest house to visit
• the discovery of a tasty new treat (it's chocolate covered caramel)

• worship at glenridge
• walk to the coffee shop
• good reminder at the alligator park

• "God, and He Alone, became my all in all." -george mueller
• a walk that included cappuccino and rusks
• beautiful views

• "it's who i am"
• pain that doesn't last
• little girls worshipping and planning a worship service (though i doubt they'll ever agree enough to make it happen)
• "i do not drive you to be what you are not." - jesus calling

it's who i am

i am absolutely loving this song right now.   maybe you can take a few moments (or a lifetime) to enjoy it, too.  the song, the words, the Truth...He's a good, good Father - and i am loved, loved, loved.  it's who i am.

Good, Good Father: Lyrics

Oh, I've heard a thousand stories Of what they think You're like.

But I've heard the tender whisper Of love in the dead of night.

And You tell me that You're pleased And that I'm never alone.

You're a good, good Father.

It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are.

And I'm loved by You.

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am.     

 Oh, and I've seen many searching For answers far and wide.

But I know we're all searching For answers only You provide.

Because You know just what we need Before we even say a word.

Because You are perfect in all of Your ways!

You are perfect in all of Your ways!

You are perfect in all of Your ways to us!

Oh, it's love so undeniable, I can hardly speak.

Peace so unexplainable, I can hardly think.

As You call me deeper still,

As You call me deeper still,

As You call me deeper still,

into love, love, love ... 

i am Loved by Him...it's who i am.  during church yesterday i was doodling...cause that's what i do sometimes...and i simply wrote "loved by you...it's who i am" at the top of a fresh page...and in my heart i felt like God said "let me tell you who else you are...keep writing."  so i did.

it's who i am.

who are you?  ask Him.  He's a good, good Father...it's who He is - He'll tell you who you are.

on and on and on

• "i'm doing the very best i can, and i'm doing it at home, where it counts." psalm 101:2/3 (msg)
• sitting outside with a non-port view -- non-port smells -- non-port sounds
• a lovely guest house to stay in during dry dock (with a warm welcome of candy bars & a nightly breakfast order to fill out!)

•  fun times at the circus
• "everyone who runs towards Him makes it." 2 samuel 22:31 (msg)
• getting to wear flip flops

• dogs barking didn't keep us up all night (sometimes i'm most thankful for things that don't happen)
• nick's greeting
• windows that can be opened, breezes that blow through

• "i'm peckish." - caroline
• "His capacity to bless me is unlimited." - jesus calling
• a little desk to work at

•  "you are a good good Father..it's who you are.  i am loved by You...it's who i am." -  
• comfy bed and clean sheets
• sweet little girls taking coffee orders and delivering the coffee with sweet notes

•  expressions of grace
• made it to the stretta cafe with nick.  
• mail from KJ!  

• having a nice park so close
• "jesus...experienced a LIFE giving birth and a death-killing death." 1 john 5:6 (msg) 
• learning that "damselflies" are for real. 

• heartfelt responses to emails
• joy's willingness to braid my hair
• sweet new sneakers/runners/tennis shoes for 3 happy cash kids

gift upon gift upon gift

• the kindness of God in the little things (like when the salt shaker is right there on a table that it's not supposed to be on right when i was hoping for one)
• just the right song on sunday (revive us in zulu)

• the way nick coaches our kids to bless me ("mom, is there anything i can do to help you get us ready to go?")
• perforated saran wrap = brilliant
• monster cookies + katie & jordan + the gods must be crazy

• starting the day right
• hands on learning experiences

• johnson's passport - tangible answer to prayer
• butcher boy & creme brulee

• avett brothers + sunrise + beach front run
• scooter & rollerblade races on deck 8
• "spa masks" with caroline and emma

• rain on the window
• making cookies with sherry
• eli working in the dining room

• helping get the library back in order
• caroline working in the laundry room

• "God's grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ." - oswald chambers
• elisha's blessing to us 
• lights in trees

• doughnuts & coffee
• laura's kindness to keep our kids for date night
• it is possible!  eli's cabinets are organized!