day 246

09.06.2015

3 Gifts Growing

1. The plants that I thought I killed last March. They are now thriving.

2. Zach. He is now 6 feet 2 and a half inches. 

3. A growing contentment in my heart. There are still dreams and longings but my heart is at rest. 

day 260

09.19.2015

3 Gifts in Conversation

1. Always learning to listen. It's a gift to hear what a person is saying not just what I think thy are saying. 

2. Encouragement. What a gift to both encourage and be encouraged. So often there is a tension inside me of feeling like I'm not enough or I need to do more. Both may be true but to have a friend come along side and strengthen you with the gift of encouragement is beautiful. 

3. Laughter. I am so thankful for friends that I can laugh with. This week I was able to have several conversations where we laughed. At ourselves and life and the fun silly things our kids do. Laughter is indeed good medicine.

Cookie Bandit

Sam and Deb

These two make my heart happy. 16 years of friendship.

day 259

09.18.2015

A Gift Fixed, Folded, Freckled

1. Kia. Kia was in the repair shop twice in one week. Two tows. Two rescues. I am thankful that Kia is fixed and running well and for the service agreement we have with the dealership. I am also thankful for friends who rescue you not just once in a week but twice. Cost for repair: $50

2. Origami Cranes. Lia is mass producing cranes for the upcoming 6th grade business day. 

3. The freckled face 6th grader who is working hard to do well. This week during lunch he thanked the lunch server by saying, "A good day to you fine sir!" Seriously?! Awesome!

day 258

09.17.2015

3 Gifts Ugly-Beautiful

1. Recess treasures. The tiny inch worm crawling across her arm.

2. Tears. I think I have said this before but it's so true. I sat with a friend recently who after trying to hold her tears back finally let them go. It was ugly-beautiful and gave her much needed release from her burden.

3. The struggle of growing up. The emotions can be ugly and yet seeing the growth and change and maturing is beautiful. There is a tension in my Momma heart to stand time still but I also love seeing them come into who God has made them to be.

day 257

09.16.2015

3 Gifts Shared

1. Time. Thankful for time spent with a friend that refreshes and renews.

2. Hope. That a new day is coming, that His mercies are new every day and our stories aren't over.

3. Todd and I shared a grapefruit ale. It's kinda my new favorite and I want to buy more. Must be careful because it just taste like grapefruit. Moderation. 

day 255 & 256

day 255

09.14.2015

3 Gifts Drawn

1. Unicorns. Pages and pages of unicorns. She of course is a unicorn so it makes perfect sense.

2. Early morning wake up call. The blankets drawn up close and all snuggled in. A long stare before the good mornings are spoken.

3. Drawn close, held tight, I love you's whispered.

day 256

09.15.2015

3 Gifts of Today

1. A friend to travel with.

2. Our friend Christian's knee surgery was successful. 

3. His perfect peace with me as I traveled the dark highway road home.

More from Todd's 50th celebration!

day 254

09.13.2015

A Gift Scented, Scrawled, Started

1. Peppermint oil to soothe my headache.

2. All the little scribbles in my Bible that remind me of Lia when she was small. 

3. Sour Dough. Todd put together a sour dough starter to make fresh bread.

More from Todd's party . . .

day 253

09.12.2015

3 Gifts in His Word

1. For the past several weeks Psalm 25:2 has been this beautiful reminder of God's strength and presence in my life. He is my Peace. He surrounds me. I am safe.

Like the mountains that surround Jerusalem so the Lord surrounds His people.

2. And great multitudes followed Him . . . Gospel of Mark

3. Do not be afraid, only believe . . . Gospel of Mark

Today we celebrated Todd's 50th with friends and family. 

What a gift to have so many of the people we love gathered together to celebrated my Darlin. He is a good man and celebrating him was so much fun.

day 252

09.11.2015

3 Hard Eucharisteo

1. Constant hip and back pain. It's easy to complain but I'm trying to rest and find God's grace in that rest. It's easier to be busy and active. The pause encourages me to listen.

2. This date 11 years ago. For so many this day is a painful reminder of the events that shook our country. Reflecting and remembering today and giving thanks that Jesus makes all things new.

3. Saying I'm sorry to Zach when I frustrated him and added to his disappointment.. Sometimes silence is better than words. Sometimes your presence is all that's needed.

day 251

09.10.2015

3 Gifts Moving

1. The black and yellow garden spider spinning her web. She's beautiful and creepy. 

2. Preschoolers riding their big wheels on the playground. Lookout!

3. Junior High soccer team. Their first game of the season. Big Knights Win! Way to go boys!

day 250

09.09.2015

3 Gifts Framed

1. The tea pot and tea cup prints painted by Kimmy Sue. Every time I look at them, I think of her and smile with a full and thankful heart.

2. Family pictures. We are all growing and changing. 

3. Zach's pictures from his trip out West a few years ago. He had a series of pictures taken as he watch the sun rise over the Grand Canyon. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunities he has had and the generosity of friends. 

day 249

09.08.2015

Today is Larry Todd's birthday! He is 50. What a milestone! This morning I got up to make him breakfast and he said, "50 always seemed so far away but here it is!" He's still looking good and like a fine wine is sweeter and stronger and more wonderful then ever. At dinner tonight the kids and I each shared what we love about Todd.

3 Gifts Todd

1. Lia. My Daddy is strong and nice.

2. Zach. I am thankful for Dad's patience. He is smart and always willing to help and teach me.

3. Me. I am thankful for Todd's steadfast, faithful and humble heart. He's a giant in all of these ways.

day 248

09.07.2015

3 Gifts Given

1. Cheers and Encouragement for Phil as he ran one of the toughest marathon courses in America. Way to go, Phil!

2. Lia and I had a little bit of a hard day. She has been struggling with following directions and arguing when asked to do simple things. At bed time she asked for me to come to her room. I did and she said, "Mom, I'm sorry for my attitude today." She is spicy and compassionate and tender. Hugs and kisses given and hearts at rest.

3. Thankful for the generosity of friends. Over the past few days people have given their time and resources and kindness. 

day 247

09.06.2015

3 Gifts Growing

1. Our kids. Wow! The days pass so quickly. It seems like yesterday I was rocking them to sleep and watching them take their first steps. Thankful to be Zach and Lia's mom!

2. The plants that died but have come back to life. In March I left two plants outside and they were hit hard by the cold. Both were black and wilted. We trimmed them back to tiny stems. Honestly, I didn't think they would make it. This summer with care, watering and sun, they have flourished. Amazing.

3. The world's growing attention to the Syrian crisis. It's heart wrenching and requires a response. Come Lord Jesus, Come!

day 245

09.05.2015

3 Gifts Autumn

1. Today while walking across Stephens College campus Lia and I passed through some leaves that had fallen early from their branches--early because it doesn't feel even a little like fall. As we crunched through the leaves Lia said, "This is what I love about Fall, crunchy leaves!" Me too.

2. Reds, oranges, yellows. 

3. Pumpkin. All things pumpkin. Pumpkin patches, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie. 

day 244

09.02.2015

3 Gifts Cut

1. Fresh nectarines. Sweet and juicy.

2. Freshly baked bread. Lia and Todd have been baking french baguettes, ciabatta and Italian loafs--they love their bread.

3. Samples of Todd's birthday cake. Our friend Valerie is making Todd's favorite, carrot cake for his birthday. She made a cake for us to sample--it was of course A-MAZ-ING!

The Knights had another hard fought battle on the soccer field tonight. After double OT they had to shoot it out with penalty kicks. This guy had two penalty kick saves--which isn't easy to do. Way to go Knights! Another great win. 

Everyone congratulating my goalie boy!

day 243

09.04.2015

A Gift Cool, Warm and Sun Soaked

1. The breeze blowing under the trees on the playground. It made it bearable to stand outside during recess today.

2. The sourdough rolls being pulled out of the oven.

3. The faces of sweet 6th graders after recess. Hot, red and sweaty.

A little bonus of thanks. This week was packed full. I was out of words and energy. I am grateful for the evening with Darlin, on the couch, watching the US Open--I should have been a tennis player. I love the game of tennis. 

day 242

09.03.2015

3 Gifts Yellow

1. Yellow sunflowers. A friend from KC posted a picture of a spontaneous early morning trip to watch the sunrise. Along with the beautiful sunrise, a field of sunflowers. Kansas is beautiful despite all those who say it's flat and boring. I see it differently.

2. Yellow safety patrol belts worn by proud 6th graders. Today we inducted our 24 6th graders to serve as safety patrol officers for the school. 

3. Lemons. They make lemonade. Today I had a passion lemonade ice tea because I was so hot and it sounded refreshing. I know my friend Amy is happy for these hot days of summer but I am ready to move on. 

These pretty sunflowers are from Rachel's yard. 

day 241

Happy September 1

3 Gifts of Summer

1. Long days of light. 

2. Those long days of light lead to long evenings to play games and watch baseball.

3. Afternoons by the pool sipping ice tea, reading a book and listening to the laughter of happy kids. 

More from Ray's 30th dinner party. Because it was one of the best summer evenings of the whole summer.
And these people are special and beautiful in so many ways.

day 240

240 days x 3 Gifts = 720 GIFTS of GRACE

8.31.2015

3 Miracles

1. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. I have done nothing to earn, deserve or merit His unwavering grace upon my life. 

2. When I was lost, He found me, rescued me and called me his Beloved daughter. 

3. I experienced physical healing twice in Korea. The first was when my foot was trapped in the bus door. It felt crushed. The outside of my foot was swollen and my baby toe looked was huge. We iced, prayed, took some ibuprofen and prayed again. Before leaving my friends house, the pain and swelling were gone and I was able to walk. The second was after two long months of planters fascitis my friend Dionne prayed with me and the next morning I woke to no more pain and it never returned. There is more to that story--perhaps I will tell that some time. 

Knights first home game of the season. 

Knights Win in double OT 2-1 -- Zach had some pretty great saves!

day 238 & 239

8.29.2015

day 238

A Gift One, Two, Three

1. Today we helped our long time friends move into their new home. Our history with these friends goes back to their youth group days--we have known them since they were in 7th grade. I am grateful for sweet history with them. I am grateful that I have friendships that span over lifetimes. 

2. Traveling to KC for 24 hours with my Darlin. It was like an extended date night. 

3. Celebrating our friend Rachel, AKA Ray-Ray. What an amazing evening! Rachel threw the loveliest dinner party I have ever been too. It was beautiful in every way and the food was magnificent! She turned 30 and served us all with her amazing gifts of hospitality and love. I love you, Ray! You are one-of-a-kind!

8.30.2015

day 239

3 Gifts Very Small

1. Morning fog. I once read that fog is tiny suspended water droplets. This morning as I woke from our 18th floor hotel room the city was covered with these tiny suspended water droplets. It was beautiful.

2. We went to breakfast at a new spot in KC before heading home. One of the servers had blue and orange hair and wore the best 80's outfit that I've seen in a long time. She was working the juice bar, dancing to the rhythm of the music as she prepared fresh juices. She had two tiny moon tattoos on each of her cheek bones. I really wanted to hear her story. 

3. Our car had issues on the way home. 25 miles outside of the Columbia we struggled to get off the highway and safely pulled into the truck stop. We were towed back to Columbia by Kyle who talked about his wife and two kids, picked up by Nan and brought safely home. Little gifts of grace along the way. We found out that the issue was a tiny sensor that had failed. 

day 237

8.28.2015

3 Gifts Long Waited

1. Zachary Todd. After years of loss and delay and a challenging pregnancy, he arrived. Our long awaited boy! Jehovah has remembered.

2. Lia-Joy. Long seasons of prayer asking when and from where would our daughter come. Then a trip to China opened it all up. Our daughter was in China! 

3. For most of the past four years I have felt hidden and honestly wanted to stay hidden--I was sad. Transitioning back to a place we had lived for 20 plus years wasn't easy. Leaving Korea wasn't easy. I have felt a little lost. My prayer often was, "Jesus awaken my heart again." Slowly over the past 7-8 months I have started feeling more like myself--my heart awakening from a very long winter slumber.