For you are great and do wondrous things

you alone are God. - PSALM 86:10



Some of the wondrous things I've seen from the hand of God lately...

501. unseasonably warm weather
502. lovely walks outside
503. our favorite city walking destination is the local public library, we walk up a hill of charming homes, down a busy street past old building which house a bakery, bridesmaid dress boutique, and an Urban Farm House store (those are my favorites for window shopping anyway), then past two beautifully architectured (not a word, but conveys meaning) churches, and on to our quaint library
504. story time with other happy little ones
505. a picnic in the park with my sweet girl, these are surreal moments as a mom

506. reflecting on past friendships as I read through lots of letters during a recent organizational endeavor
507. seeing God's kindness in encouraging me each step of the way
508. hearing words of affirmation to my husband from another wise man
509. newly formed friendships of all kinds
510. discovering more of Henry County, Kentucky where we minister including "Our Best" restuarant and their delicious fried chicken!
511. fresh crappey (spelling?) fish from a generous church member
512. watching Moriah's joy on (toy, battery powered) Gator rides with her three year old friend Sullivan
513. wise words from women who've walked before me trusting in Christ through life's seasons
514. the power of Scripture to really transform our hearts
515. learning more of what it means and looks like to meditate upon Scripture and God through it
516. life as a mom, I longed for these days for years never feeling certain of God's plan, may I praise Him in it now
517. words, words, words that Moriah is learning... lately "John Deere!" (also learned from Mr. S. our little friend)

518. time out doors which is the best place for little ones and gives me a greater love for all I see in creation
519. baking cookies to share with others
520. looking forward to the birth of a friend's baby soon
521. knowing that the Lord would use me to minister
522. relying on His grace and work not my own attempts toward perfection, oh do I fall short every time
523. bath time for Moriah, the joys of bubbles and splashing
524. my husband who loves well
525. long nap times after full mornings of fun
526. dogwood trees in bloom, my favorite

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. - PSALM 86:12

an abundant life

from Jesus in John 10:10 "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
My abundance comes primarily from the person of Christ, beyond every precious and lovely gift listed He gave Himself at the cross that my constant disobedience and struggles could be forgiven and made right through the perfect life He lived. Praise the Lord for Christ and most importantly for His rising from the grave, showing all that He has power greater than death, the death I deserve. Instead He ushers us into eternity joyful in His presence and walks each day with us now, changing us to be like Him more and more.

462. a husband who works to provide for us well
463. shirts to be ironed for the hard working husband
464. a sleepy baby who tells me when she's tired these days
465. kisses from my little love spontaneously throughout the day, often accompanied by "pats" as she says
466. little boys who love the thrill of a "big job" and "hard work", a shadow of life in the Garden perhaps when even work was holy and without toil
467. growing green onions in a vase, an amazing Pinterest help
468. household chores in small bits each day
469. a happy baby who's on the mend after a long stretch of illness (my little friend Molly who I spend days nannying)
470. the joy of marriage, watching it on the face of a dear friend
471. opportunities to share the Lord's goodness in all of life
472. late community groups full of fellowship and time seeking the Lord
473. mutual encouragement from the body
474. walks in warm weather
475. a "Dutch baby" for dinner (aka oven pancake)
476. perfect provision even when it feels hard
477. a flower girl dress found and purchased used
478. snowsuits on little ones
479. the twinkle in his eye when he offered up his John Deere hat to my sweet daughter
480. the hope of a producing garden this summer and hands on learning
481. a full day off to learn
482. a daddy-daughter day while I go
483. safety in tornados
484. waiting out the storm with lots of friends and babies who consider it a play date of sorts
485. greater efficiency in the home
486. life less cluttered with things that don't offer purpose or beauty
487. tangibly pursuing the Lord with my husband
488. seeing the body at work in a local church and community group, needs being met
489. a rocking horse on the move through the efforts of a tiny girl
490. sin confessed
491. meal preparation often from the pantry
492. check book calculations off in a favorable way
493. talking with a friend just because
494. no big injuries thus far in the life of little girl, even after a week of a few bumps and bruises
495. teaching born first of the Word then transferring into daily living
496. a mid-week day off
497. sleeping and waking all in my own home
498. the opportunity to serve
499. the early enthusiasm of a chatty girl
500. stopping to hear the birds singing throughout the day as we go to and fro, little ones don't need help seeing the most important things

more and more to be thankful for

it's been longer than I wanted to wait before making another list of many things we can be thankful for, I'm sad to say that I know I can't possibly remember all of the Lord's good work in my life over the last two (or three?!) weeks... I'll do my best to remember and also be reminded that unless I acknowledge Him along the way I'm so prone to forget though His abundance is rich

431. did I say this already, an unexpected financial gift paying for half of Matt's summer class
432. a hard working husband who's reading, reading, reading these days to complete book reviews
433. a sweet husband who will read in the same room as me, just because I love being close (and I try to stay quiet)
434. walking with happy girls on a lovely day
435. children's consignment sales (I may have mentioned this before too?!)
436. slowly simplifying our life
437. realizing the Lord's provision and choosing not to cling to things for some sort of security
438. cleaning out closets and possessions that we can do without
439. recipe organization
440. kind people who become quick friends
441. generous hospitality of those who are far more "settled" in life yet still willing to share
442. quality resources shared among churches, being challenged by a "Money" book discussion out of an Acts 29 church
443. cold water when thirsty
444. little hands wondering where something went
445. a burst of energy after feeling a bit sick
446. God's timing which alone can be fully trusted
447. the joys of a library
448. birdwatching while I work
449. red headed downy woodpeckers, tufted titmice, and nuthatches all entertain as I wash dishes and watch children
450. filling up birdfeeders
451. a little man who hauls heavy loads in his Gator!
452. a three year old friend who asks why I have to go
453. roasting all kinds of vegetables together for a delicious side dish
454. the excitement of a wedding to celebrate
455. children sleeping
456. cooking with kids who love to help
457. loyal dogs
458. a storage unit
459. a baby girl who is more flexible than I realize
460. honey shared, local from a beekeeper in our church
461. cardboard box bulldozers

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord...

and all your saints shall bless you! ~Psalm 145:10



How right it is to give thanks to the Lord for His daily graces to us... join me as I thank Him, the source of all

401. a body which can exercise
402. children's consignment sales which are helpful as a buyer and seller
403. a husband who leads with love and sacrifice
404. books that challenge and build up
405. conversation into the night
406. conviction of sin and God's grace in Christ even still
407. unwavering love from my husband in spite of sin
408. freedom apart from perfection
409. waiting to scrub the shower, choosing not to be frantic
410. learning time management through the lens of people over tasks
411. considering simplicity and longing for it
412. clearing out excess (starting with a storage unit from my former teacher days)
413. a quarter received which allowed for laundry to be cleaned, God is in both big and very small
414. chocolate sheet cake baked to share
415. mashed potatoes with cottage cheese, remembering my favorite childhood lunch at Grandma Nettie's house
416. a healthy 18 month old baby girl
417. His word which stirs my heart
418. hearing a testimony of faith from 70 years ago, "30 were baptized in the creek that day"
419. specific prayer
420. kind conversation with moms as we walk with our little ones
421. a van that can be repaired... today
422. the imitations of a helpful little girl as she cleans with me
423. classes with familiar faces all around
424. learning organization without perfection
425. books, books, books with my sweet girl
426. hash browns cooked in the oven, so much easier
427. leaving the world in the smallest of ways, finding contentment in the Lord instead
428. music leading to worship
429. clear and sunny skies today
430. my husband who works so very hard

blessed by 400 gifts

362. time at home with our little family together
363. the start of a new semester for my husband, the Lord is sustaining us through the seminary journey
364. generosity of so many
365. a loaned car to drive
366. pacifiers that can soothe
367. new friendships growing
368. homemade dinners in every element

369. a Ranch dressing recipe shared
370. the smell of banana bread baking
371. seeing God in the journey He leads others on
372. walking alongside those in similar ministry settings
373. the opportunity to pray specifically
374. knowing the Lord has used me to be a blessing to another
375. sharing God's work with a wise counselor
376. rejoicing with a newly engaged friend :)
377. an altered dress that fits just right
378. sharing resources that the Lord has used in my life
379. ironing clothes
380. glowsticks in a baby girl's bath... lots of fun for all

381. a sky painted with pinks, purples, and oranges as the sun rises on a new day
382. preventative medical care
383. listening again to God's work in drawing Matt and I together six years ago
384. the purity of the Holy Spirit's work rather than our often tainted feelings
385. days off to be a homemaker
386. books that are slow to absorb, providing much to think upon
387. a stack of books waiting to be read
388. fresh air circulating
389. little girls playing together

390. the Lord knowing that this season would be one of good and needed refinement, not letting us go on without it
391. a new chapter of friendships and fellowship
392. a sink, full of dishes soaking
393. the Psalms which give us words
394. sharing hope for a thankful life with others
395. grand daughters who love to be at great grandma's for the weekend
396. a softening heart
397. giggles at the discovery of another novelty in the world (through the eyes of an 18 month old)

398. "mama tickle" from Moriah's mouth
399. "mama pat Moriah" at bedtime as sleep approaches
400. a walk outside in January, only jackets needed

always more to see

322. for a willing and wise supervisor to oversee Matt's Applied Ministry class this semester
323. one more week of everyone home each evening, before the semester begins
324. those who kindly buy lunch though unexpected
325. coupons which help, this week I'm excited to find one for $1 off Crock Pot liners, one of my favorite winter cooking helps
326. creativity in meal planning
327. the opportunity to encourage those who've been faithful yet haven't seen earthly "results"... God is in control still
328. Matt's clarity and Spirit-filled sermons through Jonah over the last few weeks
329. life as a two car family (when one goes awry the other is especially helpful)
330. stories from the past, reminding us that though things change God is eternal and unchanging
331. the opportunity to welcome others into our home for a meal
332. Moriah's Sunday afternoon nap, in her crib for a normal nap rather than in the car
333. safety when the van's problems happened, we were able to cruise right into the parking lot of our mechanic shop (without myself, Moriah, and a van full of groceries stalling in the midst of city traffic on roads without shoulders)
334. Monday off to have the problems assessed without needing transportation to work
335. sweet tea
336. knowing that there are some who not only espouse solid theological thought but actually live it out when the rubber meets the road, lately we've been blessed to read many writings by the Wilson family in Moscow, Idaho (I've read one of Nancy Wilson's books Matt gave me for Christmas regarding the role of a wife, just finished their daughters "Loving the Little Years" and am currently reading Douglas Wilson's marriage book... Matt is reading ND Wilson's "Notes From the Tilt A Whirl")
337. giggles from a sweet girl enjoying time with her daddy, yesterday it included time in a fort sitting on his lap reading books
338. for Moriah's growing vocabulary that let's us know what she wants/needs most of the time, though we're learning that our vocabulary must include some responses that don't fit with her clearly articulated desires
339. Crock Pots
340. babysitting swaps which make date nights more frequent and affordable
341. Seminary Wives classes starting so soon
342. an unexpected vacation from work as the family travels
343. like mindedness
344. an abundance of weddings and babies in our broad circle of friends and acquaintances, all occasions for celebration
345. library story times, ours always include books, songs, and Moriah's favorites: bubbles at the end along with the "sleepy bunnies" song in which tiny little children lay down pretending to sleep, then wake up hopping like bunnies - so precious

always more

I'm continuously recognizing all of the graces that draw me to see the Lord in my midst...
302. safety in spite of storms
303. sirens to warn
304. basements for safety, even comfortable finished ones
305. a basement picnic enjoyed by little ones
306. the ever increasing vocabulary of my chatty little girl (Matt thinks she's taking after my mom and I!)
307. painting fun with Moriah
308. bubble baths and the last splashes Moriah insists on before it's time to get out
309. spontaneous hugs and deliberate kisses from her in the midst of life, in those moments I'm amazed that a 17 month old knows how to love so well
310. a generous gift
311. sharing sincere words, showing others that we're coming from similar backgrounds while hoping in Christ to bring about transformation and change
312. fellowship cultivated naturally through the Holy Spirit's work
313. that Christ comes to us, all the way, when we have nothing to muster
314. neighborliness... sharing help, asking for help, meeting simple needs that bless
315. children who are never bothered by runny noses
316. trips to the library with little ones
317. the simple fun of someone else's train table
318. seeing the Lord in complete strangers (a family that seemingly had been grown by adoption today and their Godly interactions together)
319. the Lord's work in weaving together so many stories, we feel like it's a coincidental small world, though that cannot be the only answer
320. books that bring about serious thought and laughter too, recommended reading "Loving the Little Years"
321. my husband who treks up and down the stairs outside in hot, cold, rain or shine to do our laundry, he serves us well