120/366

Oh April-
You were One Very Full Month,
full of rejoicing and mourning all the way through,
full of busyness and calendars marked up and places to be and things to do,
full of people and meetings and parties and appointments...

Paul David Tripp writes, "It's at the intersection between sadness and celebration that the true love of our hearts is exposed."

Today I find myself thankful that He who redeems my life from the pit also crowns me with steadfast love and mercy.

(and I am thankful for girls not-too-old for bouncy field trips, singing in the car, a quick book stop, fresh brewed ice tea, and just-right evenings)

119/366

He was only interested in me because I had a handful of Chocolately Cats.

118/366

We are weary, give us rest,
  ignorant, make us wise unto salvation,
  helpless, let thy strength be made perfect
    in our weakness,
  poor and needy, bless us with Christ’s
    unsearchable riches,
  perplexed and tempted, let us travel on
    unchecked, undismayed,
      knowing that thou hast said,
‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’
Blessed be thy name!

- from The Valley of Vision, "Fourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient."

116/366

Now's the time for sitting, spinning,
threads for the finest clothes...
- "Spinning Song from Kashmir"

The choir lyrics from years past echo in my memories.

115/366

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
    you cover him with favor as with a shield.
- Psalm 5:11-12 (ESV)

In the middle of the busyness, a place to be still.

113/366

you reminded me with your letter about the need to be fully present for both the good and the bad. it's so easy to claim with gratitude the moments we want to savor, but it's harder to want to feel fully the emotions that go along with disappointment or anger.

i struggle with how to feel both - with not stuffing down or negating the emotions that can be seen as negative. there are so many times that i feel like i don't have the luxury to sit with my emotions or feelings. it's hardly convenient.
- from hello there, friend blog 

On this morning, I knew the rare luxury of sneaking out early and sharing moments and sharing life. The struggles still fresh, the unknown still unnerving, yet hope always balm.

112/366

The suspension of judgment is our only hope. I place next to it the benefit of doubt, which I like to call the sacred benefit of doubt. That if we would be kind enough to ourselves and others to stop short of assuming we know or have gotten to the bottom of someone, we could avoid a lot of heartbreak and suffering.
- David Dark in "Attention Collections and Sneaky Religious Stories" by Stephen Lamb in Art House America blog.

111/366

A day that began with remembering what I had forgotten and forgetting what I had remembered. A day punctuated with unexpected giving up. And in the end, His grace always remains sufficient for me.

110/366

The beginnings of In the Beginning...

109/366

a stitch in time.

108/366

A missed opportunity for nap and a house full of folk, the sweetest of blessings, both.

107/366

gratitude-

For consider what great things he has done for you. (1Samuel 12:24)
morning faithfulness
timely phone calls
God's provision
beautiful girls
sweet friends
the message of a single glance
ease around the table
laughing 'til you cry
really good food and really good fellowship
SENTRI
falling in my bed at the end of a very full day

106/366

... and a good time was had by all.
(and where I realized once for all, I am too old to stay up that late.)

105/366

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet together; 

righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs up from the ground, 

and righteousness looks down from heaven.

Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, 

and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness goes before him 

and will make his footsteps into our pathway.

Psalm 85

104/366

Remember back when you thought, "when will I ever need to know how to do this math in real life..."?
Turns out that sewing class is more than needle and thread.

103/366

Some days the unplanned moments, the brief stops in the midst of everyday life, remind me of just how precious ordinary grace can be. St. Augustine once described friendship as "sweet beyond the sweetness of life." I am blessed to be able to agree.

102/366

Repair shop for the daily commute- thankful for the handiest of handy men.

101/366

National Sibling Day- who makes these days up? But nonetheless, a reminder to give thanks for my sister with whom I share both DNA and life experience, who is infinitely loyal and immeasurably talented, who forgives the childhood bully and know-it-all who lived the next room over and who loves beyond measure. She is still as wide-eyed and smiley today and I am grateful.

99/366

I believe in a peace that flows deeper than pain
That broken find healing in love
Pain is no measure of his faithfulness
He withholds no good thing from us
No good thing from us, no good thing from us
- "Open My Hands," by Sara Groves 

Everytime I walk in, I see more possibilities for the future and what this place could look like, full and overflowing...

98/366

Who knew the mental health benefits of a last minute detour for coffee and a drive through the car wash?

97/366

My God is reconciled; 
His pardoning voice I hear; 
He owns me for His child; 
I can no longer fear 
With confidence I now draw nigh, 
With confidence I now draw nigh, 
And "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise 
Arise, my soul, arise. 
Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise 
Arise, my soul, arise. 
Shake off your guilty fears and rise

- "Arise My Soul Arise," Charles Wesley, 1742

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The simplest joys- sitting around the table, smiling at the smiles.

95/366

There was a roaring in the sky;
The sea-gulls cried as they blew by;
We tried to talk, but had to shout-
Nobody else was out.

When we got home, we had sand in the hair,
In the eyes and the ears and everywhere;
Whenever a good nor'wester blows,
Christopher is found with
Sand-between-the-toes.

- A.A. Milne, "Sand Between the Toes," in When We Were Very Young

94/366

Perhaps the highest honor from a 6 year old- I get to be R2D2 in Candyland...
(and even so, I lose badly...)

93/366

gratitude-

to the praise of His glory,
early morning text,
friends faithful beyond measure,
voice message with prayer better than I would know how to ask,
beautiful girls and handsome guys,
hand in hand with my groom,
my grands,
Christian moving to the front row,
the grace of our pastor who knows us well,
my sister and her sweet tunes,
my kids all weeping,
that gaze and those smiles,
a prayer of 22 years answered today,
so many beloved faces in the crowd,
the embrace of dear ones,
those who stay 'til the end and put away tables and chairs besides,
the tasks completed and I don't even know who to thank,
a house-full,
a deep breath of thankfulness at the end of the day,
blessings all mine with ten thousand besides.

92/366

final preparations and all the details falling into place.

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oh so grand!

90/366

I want to believe my faith in the gospel of grace is not limited to the “spiritual” things but is exploding onto every single mundane moment in my life. I want the shrapnel of this explosion to embed itself in every enjoyment, and failure, and celebration, and tragedy coming my way.
- Matthew B. Redmond, The God of the Mundane

89/366

Last go around on drivers ed. Times two.
((deep deep breath))

88/366

Midday prayers at Isaiah 55 ministries-
prayer for the neighborhood of Aquilles Serdan, for the city of Reynosa, for the state of Tamaulipas, for the country of Mexico, for the world...

Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)

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M&M malt eggs.
Watch out Robin Eggs.
You may have been replaced.

86/366

what is it about a puppy?

(ps- the pup is NOT ours. I am the Iron Lady when listening to any pleas for puppies. We only were loving on him for a bit...)

84/366

ok.
maybe NOT with the MOB dress.

83/366

I wasn't even wearing my Adventure shirt, which is good, except that it just goes to show that I can get a flat tire any ol' time...

(and I'm not ashamed to say, MAN. Am I thankful for the men I work with?!)

82/366

Comfort food.
alas.
not "I'm on a healthy living" food.

81/366

Morning looking east is bright. Except when you know even a hint of what is through that tiny door at the end of the street.

I am ever praying those who are in darkness will walk in the Light...

80/365

I really did plan on going home this night. But the bridge line was long. And staying put was just fine.

79/366

Team Arrives Day-
vans. check.
pick up. check.
narrative of life in south Texas/northern Mexico on drive home- check.
first dinner. check.
new friends for our kids. check.
ever thankful. abundantly so.

78/366

So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
- Matthew 10:31 (NLT)

75/366

"Love has its own exigencies. It weighs and counts nothing but expects everything. We know only too well that the gospel of grace is an irresistible call to love the same way."

- Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel 

74/366

Pi Day

73/366

Abide with me; falls the eventide; 
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. 
When other helpers, fail and comforts flee, 
Help of the helpless, abide with me.

Thou on my head, in early youth didst smile; 
And, though rebellious, and perverse meanwhile, 
Thou hast not left me, though I oft left Thee, 
On to the close Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence, every passing hour. 
What but Thy grace, can foil the tempter's power? 
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? 
Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

- Abide with Me by Henry F. Lyte (1847), Justin Smith (2007)

72/366

Hours fly,
Flowers die,
New days,
New ways,
Pass by.
Love stays.
- Henry Van Dyke (as quoted in Betsy's Wedding by Maud Lovelace Hart)

71/366

Her name fits her perfectly, a precious one and ever intense. We knew it on the day she was born and its true now too. What a privilege, on this wandering pilgrim road, to share life with these folks (even if it means neon lights and loud music on a Friday night...((grin))

70/366

On this evening the after dinner chatter overwhelmed, and we snuck out the door, me and my pup, for a hike around the 'hood. I heard the parrots; I knew that I heard the parrots. We turned the corner and they launched from the tree, winging back and forth across the dusky sky. I will never tire of parrot sightings!

The mantra continues-
more parrots, less grackles.

65/366

Oh my God hear my cry 
From the depths I call out to you 
You give your mercy and light 
In the dark, in the wilderness 

Chorus 
My soul finds rest in God alone 
My salvation comes from him 
My soul finds rest, God is my home 
I will not be shaken, I will not be shaken. 

You are my shield and my strength 
Train my feet for this battle 
Our God is mighty to save 
I will wait, I will wait for him (Chorus) 

O my strength, I sing praise to you 
O my strength, I sing praise to you 
In joy or pain, I sing praise to you 
Night or day, I sing praise to you (Chorus) 

- "My Soul Finds Rest (Psalm 62) by Sandra McCracken

64/366

Many eyes go through the meadow but few see the flowers in it. 
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

63/366

We finished dinner and I called the dog. Always willing, he shakes when I take the leash off the hook. We take a trot around the 'hood, just as dusk slides to dark. We hear echoes of barks and see dark eyes of the neighborhood cats shine as we amble on. The ups and downs of that day slip away as well. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. 

62/366

Some hearts are built on a floodplain

Keeping one eye on the sky for rain

You work for the ground that gets washed away

When you live closer

Closer to the life and the ebb and flow

Closer to the edge of I don’t know

Closer to that’s the way it goes

Some hearts are built on a floodplain

And it’s easy to sigh on a high bluff

Look down and ask when you’ve had enough

Will you have the sense to come on up

Or will you stay closer

Closer to the danger and the rolling deep

Closer to the run and the losing streak

And what brings us to our knees

Some hearts live here

Oh the river it rushes to madness

And the water it spreads like sadness

And there’s no high ground

And there’s no high ground

Closer to the danger and the rolling deep

Closer to the run and the losing streak

And what brings us to our knees

Closer to the life and the ebb and flow

Closer to the edge of I don’t know

Closer to Lord please send a boat

Some hearts are built here

- "Floodplain" by Sara Groves

61/366

I have said it myself, the days can be long but the years are short. Until now. The days are too short, too.