a few more and a few more and a few more

• "He is my God and i trust Him."  - psalm 91:2
• easy trip to warrenton (and from (to ft.jackson)...and to...and from (to columbus))
• nick graduated! 

• mexican on main street with papa and lane and laura lane (+ cash six)
• family feast...the way nick intentionally leads us is incredible
• the RELIEF that nick's presence back at home has brought (physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally...in every way, we are better when he is here with us)
• tasty lunch at b.merrel's with yaya and grandaddy
• hearing eli sing and play guitar
• celebratory homemade cookie cake from katie 

• "holiness is deeply compelling." - suzie silk, church of the city
• monday morning walk with molly.  love her and her honest heart. 
• celebrating God's creation of my dad
• the culprit behind the car seat that wouldn't move was discovered

• eli filled the hummingbird feeders (his idea, did it without mentioning it...saw something he wanted to do and did it...and now we're enjoying hummingbirds flying around)
• date night is back!  
• God's reminders that it really is ok that zoe isn't going to preschool (and not only is it ok, it's His best for her to be here with us)
• caroline passed her driver's test!!

• caroline's first act as a licensed driver was to take her sisters to get icecream and on a target run
• sleep. it's a gift. 
• delightful lunch in opelika with beth (amazed that this dear friend is close enough to meet for lunch!)
• comfy sweatshirt and PJ pants

more and more and more

• coffee on the porch with my siblings (2 out of 3 isn't bad)
• all of lane's service to us this weekend (he's such a servant!!  the world needs more lane mcmichaels!!)

• Amy came to Columbus!  Starbucks + Pedicures = super awesome blessing
• celebrating Caroline!

• the kumps kindness and love for caroline 
• molly's love and care for caroline

• "...he will hold me fast for my Savior loves me so..."
• unexpected walk with Amy T. 
• hearing about the boat finder app and already knowing it will be so fun at SSI next summer
• time in the car with caroline 

• good first classes of the semester at csu for eli and caroline
• more good stuff from written to speak: 

• walking with lauren...everytime is a gift. every.time. 
• finding all the things on the list (except watermelon...but i bet i can find that)
• just right afternoon at the playground

• nick is coming home TOMORROW. 

bits and pieces of God's goodness

• sitting at the table working on stuff with everybody else working on stuff, too
• how rhythms and routine have made the past 2 days pretty wonderful for a certain 12 year old in the cash casa
• time with a new friend...love it when God brings kind, easy, authentic folks who really love Jesus into my life
• tank of gas and a Saturday well spent - Trader Joe's, Cali n' Tito's, walking around UGA (time in a fountain included), frozen custard, time with/at Amy's, seeing my brother and dad and niece and future-brother-in-law, karaoke in the car on the way home...and NICK. 

• the way nick just makes life better 
• 8 days until nick is HOME.
• gift card from the summer reading program!
• able to make copies at the library (saved a trip to Office Depot!)
• Truth sidewalk chalked on our porch by AB Baby ("God is love. He will help you.  Come to Him.  He loves you.")

• chicken pot pie from sam's
• "the Lord is good and does what is right." psalm 25:8
• just right walk around lamb's lake and super tasty Panda Express with Christal
• really good glass cleaner
• a cup o' scuppernongs (and hundreds more on the vine)(we'll see if the deer beat us to them once they are ripe and ready)

•  nick's pinning (around minute 9:30 is when he actually gets pinned!). so proud of that guy. 
• Worship Initiative on shuffle
• 72 degree August morning
• the pool pump has been replaced
• a shower pretty much every time i want one

giving thanks...trying to live out God's plan for me

• "...for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs." - George Eliot
• knowing so many who are faithfully living a hidden life - seeking the Lord and serving the best they can 
• breathe on me breath of God (and the whole idea that it's His breath in my lungs that enables me to live/praise/worship/be)
• yaya's (and grandaddy's!) help with getting girls where they need to be...and keeping Zoe so that I can hang out with friends 

• "in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God's perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thes 5:18
• lexi saved the day when I realized I didn't have the right vehicle for transporting all the folks
• riding Emma's bike to put mail in the mailbox....feels like freedom
• celebrating that Emma can chew/bite again (those braces have done a number on her!)

• J&L can be away from CityScape and everything still ran beautifully...mark of excellent leadership.
• a hint of coolness in the air (oh so rare for august)
• CS Students SR High leadership retreat....especially hearing how they commissioned the seniors
• Eli's cutting of the lawn (and his enjoyment of it!)

• "book club" with Katie, Meghan and Molly
• eating at Clean Eatz in Old Town and feeling like I'm in a movie (AND I liked clean eatz!!!)
• surgeries that go well 
• worshipping through weeding

• getting to be a tiny tiny part of what the Lord is doing in/at/through TruthSpring
• how God assembles the right people for the tasks...
• it was just a trashcan
• 2 weeks and a day until nick's graduation

gifts along the way. always more along the way.

• a better week this week than the last 2 
• eli's home from Impact! 
• quite possibly the best facetime call with nick yet.
• the best portrait of Jesus that i've ever been given. 

• good news from my dad's appointment.  yay for a heart that's back in rhythm!
• we have internet again!  (and patrick at WOW did a pretty decent job of making up for the 2 weeks of stress and frustration)
• cheryl has made it to the Global Mercy!
• SSI sticker on the pilot...to match the one on nick's car :) 

• a jeeah's hope check, free bag of peanuts and a jebco mailbox at ACE home hardware on St. Mary's Road 
• a daughter handling some tough things with wisdom and grace and peace
• keeping the nursery with ashley - it's fun to serve and have time with a friend!
• yup. this: 

• "ok, you don't have to" - the response when i said i didn't want to do something
• mail from nick! and lauren! and beth! 
• the journal made it to sweden
• sweet little girls having a tea party

• an 108-days-early birthday present from Jen.  goodness. her thoughtfulness and generosity and kindness are uncommon and so very lovely!  (and the gift itself is wonderful!!!!)
• the neighbors were kind enough to cut the few feet of our grass that connects to their property out by the road 
• knowing that the motivation will come back (it's ok to not feel like doing something...)
• the real reason we have 2 sinks (i'm really thankful for these cats.)

• cake batter milkshake, delightful friendship and an afternoon by the pool
• molly's (and AnnaBeth's) willingness/eagerness to have Zoe for a sleepover
• teamwork making the dreamwork to get the spider/web down 
• passing on my one and only driving trick to caroline (which isn't even my trick!  it's nick's!)

• having/getting the right amount of copier ink to get the CS job done
• sisters watching high school musical something or other together
• comfy PJ pants. 
• sweet time with emma (and her cute braces!)

• fun little projects to work on with Laura Lea
• crepe myrtles blooming
• caroline's fruit and veggie board.  
• a few "volunteer" zinnias!  

treasures.

• quick and easy internet connection at the library (and plenty for Zoe to do while I do my thankful Thursday list!) 
• more good books to read
• sweet connections made at breathe
• James was able to cut the grass
• seeing Eli on impact's instagram
• salad eating girl!

• thinking through all of the things that ARE NOT broken...thankful for all the things that ARE working
• 2 naps in one morning
• the omojolas have their daughter!!!
• got the rearview mirror back up (and it's staying)
• encouraging quote from Mr. Chambers: "My Heavenly Father knows all about this."
• challenging quote from Mr. Chambers: 

• nice trip to warrenton. just over 24 hours well spent.
• got to see nick!  (and even earlier than we anticipated!)
• tasty Mexican food on Main Street
• papa's Rice Krispies and chocolate cake
• lemon pepper boneless chicken that came out super fast (such a significant reminder that God gives good gifts even in the midst of frustration)

manna on the ground no matter where i go

• papa pulling a toothbrush out of his pocket (i'm still laughing)
• months and months of uninterrupted internet
• lost in your love
• sweet girls to share a sweet time at Callaway with....butterfly center and circus...lovely way to spend a few hours and make the most of our trip to pine mountain to drop Eli at Impact

• being butterflies with the big butterfly (AB's idea)

• just right jeremiah's ice with emma (strawberry shortcake that included biscotti bits)
• a simple swap that brought life back to a beloved pen 
• i was loved
• this guy...thankful for the way he loves the Lord and pursues Him...thankful for the way he thinks...thankful that he's at impact in an environment where he thrives and learns and grows

• church sunday morning...the way Jonathan weaves cityscape culture into the things he says and does (intentionally and unintentionally)(and that communion bread was so very delicious)
• trader joe's treats from ella
• paying attention to the words from honey in the rock and realizing what a wonderful song it is
• "the usefulness of my life is His concern, not mine..." - dominique voillaume

• mr. wright's help with the fuses/breakers
• getting to talk to nick
• molly's tip about the things on sale at target (saved more than i spent)
• a house full/pool full/day full/table full - FULL - of middle schoolers.

• FINALLY getting somewhere with the wonderful WOW folks (here's hoping)
• emma's enjoyment of all the dance classes
• lauren's refreshing friendship (and cookie bringing skillz)
• friends and siblings who went down to the river to see eli and ella grace

• eli's wifi hotspot (doesn't make sense....but we're grateful)
• mail from nick!!!
• emma's grace and understanding when things took alot longer wednesday morning than i anticipated
• amazing incredible news from the omojolas!!
• that smile on eli's face

• life is not always as complicated as it has felt this week
• blood levels that miraculously get into normal range and allow friends to go to maine
• a little wednesday night pickleball with yaya (and that the gate opened)
• caroline's excitement about her sandals getting here