day 118. 2015

3 Gifts found in the Dirt

1. Newly planted seeds. I am planting marigold seeds. Hopeful that in due time I will have a sweet little area of bright colored flowers.

2. Roots. I love imagining the dirt and roots twisted together underground. The roots stretching, reaching, growing providing the nutrients that the plant needs. Nature is amazing.

3. Getting dirty. I've worked and played in the dirt. What a wonderful experience to get dirty from work and play.

Today was a long and hard day at school. So much was wrong with this day and yet I'm hoping and trusting in the One who sees and knows and understands in all the ways I cannot. He makes wrong things right and takes brokenness and restores. He comforts those who grieve and brings strengthens the week. Jesus, you are Life, Hope and Light in dark places. Come.

day 117. 2015

3 Gifts Orange

1. Cuties. AKA California Mandarins. Yummy! We are going through a lot of Cuties.

2. The bright orange sunshine on the patio today. I sat waiting for a bird to visit our new bird feeder.

3. Orange construction paper with sweet notes from 6th graders.

I sold my camera. It felt like I was parting with an ole' friend. I bought Rebel almost four years ago from our friends, JJ and Ashley. They were upgrading to a nicer Canon and I was stepping up from my point and shoot. Rebel was a great camera for me to experiment and grow with. 

A sweet college student bought Rebel. She was giddy with excitement to have her own camera. This eased the parting knowing she would get as much pleasure out of using it as I had. I have been looking for a couple of weeks for a used Canon 5D body. I'm missing having a camera to capture the beautiful moments around me. Hopeful that a 5D is out there for me.

Goodbye, Ole friend. 

day 115 & 116. 2015

day 115

3 Gifts Moving

1. Time. We are 4 weeks from summer vacation. I'm ready for the rhythm of summer.

2. Zach on the track. I love watching him run.

3. "Your love is moving among us" I recently heard these words in a song by Christy Nockels. He is inviting us in, drawing us, wooing us . . . Invitation.

day 116

3 Gifts Ugly-Beautiful

1. Tears.

2. The little plant that I left in the frozen night. It has three small green sprouts.

3. Me. I'm a beautiful mess. Sometimes my ugliness, a quick temper, an impatient remark, a demanding spirit, reminds me of the ugly but I'm always brought back to His redemption and love towards me. He makes beautiful things out of us . . .

4. I'm adding another gift.  Fritz. Fritz was our dog before moving to Korea. We got Fritz from a rescue facility. A sweet Bichon with cataracts, a cherry eye and an under bite. Oh, Fritz! Sweet, ugly, beautiful Fritz.

Thanks, Amy G for the reminder. 

day 113 & 114. 2015

day 113

3 Gifts Fragile

1. The wounded heart. Reminded often to love genuinely, compassionately and tenderly the one whose heart has been bruised and wounded.

2. The petals of flowers.

3. Christmas Ornaments . . . I think every year when we decorate the tree something breaks. One year we had a record of 3 or 4. The happy family decorating moment was me showing anything but the spirit of Christmas. Oh my! Thankful for my family who loves me still.

day 114

A Gift Cloth, Steel, Wood

1. Freshly cleaned and dried towels. To get out of the shower with a warm towel from the dryer is wonderful!

2. The St. Louis Arch. I went to see Sufjan Stevens this week. He mentioned visiting the Arch and taking the tram to the top. I grew up taking yearly field trips to the Arch. Gateway to the West. It's a symbol of possibility, vision, adventure and sacrifice.

3. The Wooden Cross . . . we have a large wooden cross standing at church. It's a weekly reminder of my Hope.

day 112. 2015

3 Gifts Reflecting

1. Waiting and delay produce faith.

2. Hope deferred makes the heart sick but hope realized makes the heart full. It's as if suddenly every longing and dream is realized and the wait seems but a moment.

3. Our stories can be broken and messy but a miracle is waiting. My friend Jane said, don't meddle with the mystery. God is inviting us into a surprise party. I like that.

day 110 & 111. 2015

day 110

3 Gifts in Christ

1. Relentless Tenderness.

2. Kindness.

3. He Rescues, Restores, Redeems.

day 111

3 Gifts Close

1. Summer vacation. We are only 5 weeks from a slower pace, longer days and rest.

2. There is a frost advisory tonight. I brought all of the herbs and flowers in and covered the strawberry patch. The stars and moon looked so close this evening. After I had everything inside, I returned outside to stare in wonder at how beautiful and awesome the night sky is.

3. Bedtime. I am thankful for sleep.

day 109. 2015

3 Gifts from a long Monday

1. A much needed and welcomed nap.

2. A friend who will share and encourage me in my traveling anxiety. Thankful for her text and encouragement and prayers.

3. Sufjan Stevens with Rie. Rie and I drove two hours to St. Louis for the Sufjan show. Thankful for the space to talk and be with Rie. We enjoyed a yummy meal at Grand Pho and Sufjan did not disappoint. Beautiful. 

day 107 & 108. 2015

It's been a full day. I arrived at the church early to help with set-up for the retreat. After a day with the ladies we headed to Kansas City to celebrate a friend. We stayed with our friends, Glen and Nancy. What a gift these friends are. There is an ease with them. Laughter, thoughtful conversation and encouragement.

day 107

3 Gifts of Saturday

1. Early morning set-up and serving along side other women.

2. Worship. Songs sung that point my heart to the One who loves me and whom I love.

3. Birthday trip to KC. We were able to celebrate our friend, Amy G today. Amy turned 40 and her friends all gathered to celebrate her. I appreciate the gift of Amy in my life. She is kind, generous, witty, unpretentious, humble. A lover of beauty and values people well. A beauty inside and out. Kansas plains, large wind turbines, pie, long chats, hugs and huge plates of beef, rooftop adventures and restricted access roads . . . I need this woman in my life.

day 108

3 Gifts of Sunday

1. Slow morning sipping tea and reading in the Kahlers kitchen.

2. Watching birds with Nancy.

3. Lunch with Lia in Brookside. We chatted, shopped and explored. It was good to be with my girl.

4. Bonus. Afternoon sitting side by side by treasured friend Rachel. Aka. Ray-Ray. 

day 106. 2015

3 Gifts from Friday

1. Dinner and conversation with a new friend, Lisa. She is easy to be with. Quiet, gentle in spirit and strong. We share the same wedding anniversary.

2. Lives, stories, season shared with other women. This weekend is the CF Women's Retreat. I have shared life with some of these women for 28 years. Thankful.

3. Laughter. Women laughing, hugging, and playing together.

day 104 & 105. 2015

day 104

A Gift in a Bag, in a Box, in a Book

1. A special bag filled with treasures to celebrate a dear friend.

2. Special delivery from Dos Tacos, Korea. Zach's favorite shirt is his Dos Tacos shirt from Korea. We frequented this little taco spot in Seohyeon often. Zach has outgrown his shirt and after a valiant effort by friends to surprise him for his birthday, we had to send a Facebook message to Dos Tacos asking if I could purchase a new, larger shirt for our growing boy. The owner said, "Please let me send you a new shirt as a gift for your son." He sent two shirts and a hat. Awesome! I love Korea!

3. "I have lived my life on the prairie and a line of oak trees can still astonish me." " . . . in all that deep darkness a miracle was preparing." John Ames, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

day 105

3 Hard Eucharisteos

1. Letting your kids experience struggle, difficulty and challenge. Growing up and experiencing the hard parts of life is hard. Pointing their hearts to what's True and Lovely and Good.

2. I've said this before but HORMONES. Some days I seriously feel like someone has taken over my body. Giving thanks through the crud is sometimes hard.

3. Believing God is good and not aloof to our circumstances. Today I was with two friends who are fighting to believe and rest and hope.

day 101. 2015

3 Gifts Worn

1. My Bible. The pages are thin and torn. The outside lettering is gone. I love the feel of it in my hands. I lost it once when I sat in on top of our car and drove off. For three days I couldn't remember where I could have possibly left  it. Todd said, "Just get a new one." That wasn't an option. I prayed and searched for three days. A kind lady searched all the Kim Stewarts' in town and found me. This beautiful elderly woman and her granddaughter were driving down Broadway and found it in laying on the road about a mile from our house. Amazing. Grateful.

2. Books. Many of the books I have are like ole' friends. I reread them often. I would much rather read a book and feel the pages in my hand than read from my computer or Kindle or phone.

3. Lia's Pink Blankey. It's no longer pink but that her faithful companion for the last 10 years is still part of her rest at night or long car trips. That thing has been lost and found so many times. Once in Kansas City our friend, Justin found it in a parking lot. Lia called him her hero for quite sometime. Another time it was left on a bus in Korea. I was sure it was lost forever. She made us pray every day and to our amazement, it was hanging on the front of the bus when we got on one day. Our Father in heaven even cares about a ole' worn, once was pink blanket.

day 103. 2015

3 Gifts Found Looking Up

1. Little Jimmy. Little Jimmy is our class pet squirrel. Don't worry, he is just a cute stuffed animal that we have in our class to remember something that for the life of me I can't remember right now. Oh My! Little Jimmy has a friend, James Bond. They go missing from time to time, obviously on some great mission. Little Jimmy was found perched in the projector machine.

2. Small, red Cardinal bird perched in the branches. He was singing a pretty song.

3. Bright blue skies with fluffy, cotton ball clouds. I seriously need to get a kite.

day 102. 2015

3 Gifts Bright

1. My new bright pink tennis shoes. 4 stores, I can't even remember how many different shoes I tried on and runs through the store. I finally found a pair that my feet felt good in.

2. Bright, happy, enthusiastic 6th graders despite testing week.

3. Bright smiles as the track team broke two school records in the 4x400 and 4x800. Way to Go, Knights!

day 100. 2015

We are 100 days into 2015. It's Spring. April showers and sunshine are bringing new life. The transformation that happens this time every year has begun and I'm amazed once again how beautiful and grateful I am for seasons and the changes that remind me that He makes beautiful things out of ashes and brokenness and my selfish heart.  

100 days x 3 Gifts = 300 gifts

3 Gifts Blooming

This is our first spring in our house. We have baby trees and a sweet little strawberry patch. Thankful for new life, new discoveries and beautiful blooms.

1. Tree blooms.

2. Strawberry patch.

3. Colorful surprises.

day 99. 2015

3 Gifts Opened Up

1. Fresh bag of coffee beans. I love the smell of fresh coffee. I can't drink Darlin's french roast in the morning but I love the smell of a new bag of beans when it's opened.

2. A heart that has wrestled and fought and has hidden is slowly opening.

3. A brand new book. I enjoy the pages in my hand and the smell of a new book.

Today is my youngest sister, Stephanie, birthday. We have 6 years separating us. She works hard and loves faithfully. She has faced many challenges and disappointments and health issues but she presses forward with courage. I wish her the Happiest of Birthdays today. I pray that this year is filled with love, truth, health and strength! Love you little sister!

day 98. 2015

A Gift Hiding, Held, Heard

1. Seeds planted, hiding under rich black dirt and ready to break ground.

2. I held a sweet little puppy today. School is better when there are puppies. Puppies are awesome.

3. 6th graders practicing for their upcoming play. It's wonderful to see them shine in their roles.

day 97 2015

3 Gifts Nailed Together

1. Our platform bed. I asked Darlin for a bed like we had in Korea. He made it happen.

2. Lia's loft bed. Lia wanted a loft bed and needed space in her room so Daddy made it happen. Last summer when we moved she wanted it painted blue like the sky.

3. Zach's desk. Zach needed a quiet work space and once again, Dad delivered.

The man has skills!

day 95 & 96. 2015

day 95

3 Gifts Waited For

1. Todd, my Darlin.

2. Zachary Todd

3. Lia-Joy Meng Yue

Waiting can be one of the most frustrating, confusing and disappointing seasons in our lives. My three gifts today were longed for and waited for. In the waiting I wrestled and grew weary. In the waiting I had hope and trusted. As I reflect on the journey of each of these gifts, I am grateful for the days that felt long and confusing. I am grateful for how my heart grew to trust in God's faithfulness. 

I am grateful for answered prayer. 

day 96

3 Gifts Rising Up

1. Hope. For new beginnings and healing. Many stories around me of HOPE RISING . . .

2. Me. After a long slumber in my soul, I feel like I'm waking, rising.

3. Zach. The boy is at least 6'1''. He can rest his arm on my head when he stands next to me. How did this happen?!

Track Meet. 

Track meet. I was so focused on the races, I didn't take any pictures of my boy running. He PR'd his 400 meter race and his relay team broke the school record for the 4x400. Go Knights!

day 94. 2015

EASTER. HE HAS RISEN. 

3 Gifts at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM

1. 11:00 AM. Gathered with our community to celebrate our Risen Savior King.

2. 2:00 PM. Around the table with friends sharing a meal with laughs and smiles and stories.

3. 6:00 PM. Operation surprise decorating to celebrate a friend. Shhhh!

day 93. 2015

These gifts come from my reading for Holy Week. Today I read John 12-21. There are so many gifts in these chapters but these three struck me today. 

3 Gifts from His Word

1. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet . . . (John 13:5)

2. "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe in Me." (John 14:1)

3. And He, bearing His cross . . . (John 19:17)

Todd and I woke up extra early to watch for the Blood Moon. We were able to see the eclipse but the moon dropped in the horizon and we missed the red moon. Slightly disappointed.

Got my hands a little dirty today. Planting herbs.

Basil, Lavender, Mint, Rosemary

day 92. 2015

3 Gifts Surprisingly Found (or maybe not so surprisingly but found)

1. His Story, The Story, still amazes me and undoes me each time I read, meditate and remember. "He who knew no sin, became sin for us . . . "

2. In the middle of Columbia there is a beautiful Audubon trail. It was quiet and beautiful. COMO has so many outdoor treasures.

3. When going on a very long walk it's important to wear good shoes. That said, my blisters and sore hips were very, very small reminders of the enormous, crushing pain of the cross.

Audubon Trail.

Audubon Trail.

Audubon Trail.

Audubon Trail.

day 90 & 91. 2015

The past few days were hidden by a cluster of pretty awful migraines.

Migraines are always awful but this week they seem to have hit me with a vengeance.

I'm thankful for peppermint oil, dark rooms and ice packs. I'm thankful for medicine and sleep.

day 90

3 Gifts Round

1. The round, hand made glass ball that holds a tea light candle. It was given to us by our favorite Swede, Karin many years ago. It glows when there is a lit candle.

2. The sweet little birds nest I saw as I walked to school.

3. My round cup and bottle filled with specially brewed coffee. My friend Jamie's husband, Gary, loves coffee. He roast and brews and takes great care in researching and finding great beans. Gary sent a bottle of his specially brewed coffee for me this week. It's smooth and doesn't have the acidity that normal coffee does. The following morning I made a cup. Much to my delight, my stomach didn't hurt. Thank you, Gary! I am a tea lover but I do love a good cup of coffee that loves me back.

day 91

3 Gifts White

1. Simple and silly but my white bed sheets. A few months ago, Todd bought us new bed sheets with a higher thread count. They are so soft and cozy.

2. Tiny white petals on little tree.

3. The sky has been amazing the past few days. Big, white, fluffy, clouds. Some have been gray and dark and have brought April showers but the beautiful white fluffy ones have been fun to watch roll across the sky.

After the storm.