kind of short, definitely sweet

• fender on the bike...no mud up and down my back
• gathering gifts
• "you've made this like a home."
• molly's offer to get things at the kids' consignment sale
• "walks on the beach" mudlove mug for amy
• amy jones' kindness: iced coffee & homemade granola bars
• having bikes to share
• wagon train on deck 7
• "as you come to know Me more and more intimately, you grow increasingly free." - jesus calling
• fun, free printables

thankfulness: key to contentment

• perfectly timed trip to the victoria beach hotel
• Heroes - Amanda Cook/Bethel song (those 3 amanda cook new releases, actually - "pieces" and "city of hope", as well)
• a thoughtful image added to an email (yes, please)

• "your love crushing every lie, every doubt and fear."
• not caring what the youth think :)
•  Truth on the wall of the Math classroom

• successful (incredibly successful) young adult retreat
• double date with josh and katie 
• fun packaging (creativity!)

• "we're the ones you love" 
• "i am undone - for you see all there was and all there will be - yet you've set your vast affection upon me." - who can compare/matt stinton 
• the kindness of krystal's aunt and uncle

• seeing ms. kim pushing mr. mcgregor on the tricycle on the dock - such joy!
• kids swimming laps in the pool (and it was their idea!)
• skyping into jonathan and katie's wedding

gifts all along the way.

• saturday morning bike ride...pure joy.
• knowing names
• real mail from carey

• "are you a GA fan? me, too!" - a new girl on the ship
• the way nick takes care of our finances
• seashells from the chocolatier

• brandon and katherine jones
• feeling fully alive (on a bicycle in madagascar no less!)
• watching UGA touchdowns (and the game!)

• bits & pieces lunch with the 2 incredible joneses
• peaceful moments with my thankful list, a cup of coffee & a piece of cinnamon streusel cake
• the friend that shared the cake
• saturday's lunch

• matt redman on repeat
• hanging out with elle for an hour
• nick's investments into our community

• sharing our bikes
• tim tam from tam
• BOXES on the container!

• things i forgot that i ordered - suprises!
• surgeries started
• surprise skype date with the lovely molly
• more passion (fruit juice!)

gifts galore

• skilled hands playing beautiful music
• talented crew mates
• sneaky coffee with KJ
• gummi bears for sharing during meetings
• friends on the dock waiting for us

• ultimate frisbee within 6 hours of arrival
• greetings from marina
• perfect timing emails
• solid sleep
• shared Truth and chocolates
• getting the cabin reset
• truth or dare gum (and the thoughtfulness of 'chelle)

• carmen's kindness
• crew services team singing again
• basket full of apples and bananas
• shared coke, strawberries, grapes and whipped cream
• billy's kindness to clean my computer
• fun new fika cup from the boutique (& the sweet reminder of lovely swedish friends)

little list...big thanks

• able to walk on deck 8
• immigration was able to clear us on thursday night 
• breakfast and breadfast
• smooth transfer of extra cargo
• sailing towards madagascar
• questions from caroline
• thoughtful coffee from katie
• holding elle
• running around deck 3
• saying "i'd like a cookie" to just the right person

sites/signs/scenes from my morning walks/runs in durban

one of the highlights of my summer (winter) in Durban was getting to go run/walk most every morning (i walked more than i would've liked because of the massive hills)...  i finally remembered to take my camera one morning and was able to capture a few of my favorite sites/signs/scenes that i passed...

a "locks of love" kind of fence

by "hoot" they mean "honk" (as in don't honk the horn at the gate)

this was the sign for a fun little alleyway cut through from one of the main roads to another...it sort of felt like a secret passageway....

the view from where "Morningside" (the area of town where we were staying) gets its name

surprising view of Jameson Park

i am pretty much absolutely certain that my time of solitude and worship and quiet during my walks/runs was one of my most favorite parts of our time in durban....and it played a really significant part in helping me make the most of and enjoy this particular season...what a gift from God...

gifts gifts gifts

• a day that didn't need paracetamol
• delightful and thoughtful packages from 'chelle
• kids running around and laughing in the rain
• celebrating the lovely & delightful 9 year old caroline

• getting to come home/so long guest house
• the deep sense that the ship is "home"
• huge welcome home hugs
• beautiful views of a durban sunrise

• 2 more runs at uShaka
• critical conversation over a 1/2 price pizza
• peace in marriage
• new floors!