147/366

The joy of standing on the shore of the lake that seems as wide as the ocean, next to people you cherish with love deeper than the sea...

146/366

“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” 
― Frederick Buechner

145/366

My favorite part of culture- food.
We've not consumed tacos in 17 days.
But we have had burgers and root beer in Denton.
Curry and pho and good midwestern fresh vegetables and stone fruits.
Rhubarb pie and rhubarb cake and rhubarb crisp and rhubarb pastries. (Rhubarb! We mourn the absence of rhubarb in south Texas...)
Pickled baloney and aged cheese and Vernor's ginger ale.
Ice cream! Cinnamon at Ted & Wally's and lemon soft-serve at Charley's & Traverse Cherry at Kilwin's...

And even so, ready for tacos in a few more days!

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Possessions are only the traveling luggage of time; they are not the stuff of eternity. It would be sensible therefore to travel light. 
—John Stott

143/366

“…[G]rown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
- GK Chesterton, as quoted in "Remembering What We Mean," by Doug McKelvey

The day was full. Prayer and worship and lunch and party and party and party. But our hearts are full too. I am grateful for friends who are tremendous examples of checed, in the everyday ordinary walking through life, in easy-but-yet-so-generous hospitality, in mundane faithfulness, with extraordinary "do it again" vitality, even in the hard things. Our time together was much too brief and passed in a blink of the eye. Ah, but for the expectation of eternity and the end of good-byes!

142/366

She called to tell me that she needed another 45 minutes, so I dawdled for an hour. I stopped for a really good cup of coffee and maybe grieved just a bit that we didn't have this stop in the 'hood back then. Or in my current 'hood either. A phone chat set me straight to finish well. I found my way to her new home. And realized that the best thing I could do is spring for a slushee and pray.

141/366

So Spirit, come, put strength in ev'ry stride,
Give grace for ev'ry hurdle,
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful.
As saints of old still line the way,
Retelling triumphs of His grace,
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When, with Christ, we stand in glory.
- "O Church Arise," by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend

140/366

There is a holy discontentment. It is not a nail-biting uncertainty about our standing with God. It is the increased appetite of those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2–3). It is the pursuit of those who have been pursued and captured by the strong arms of love. “Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12).

-John Piper in “The Danger of Drifting Away,” Desiring God blog

139/366

We spent the day sharing about the kingdom work on the US/Mexico border, and being encouraged by those who have faithfully partnered with us in prayer and in finances and in short-term visits. Over and again this week, we marvel at how our God has worked out such wonderful timing, gatherings with people at events we could never have planned or hoped for on our own.

138/366

How can you really explain the wonder of a day at the zoo? We oohed and aahed as if it were all new for the first time. The technicolor plumage of tropical birds. The regal lions and tigers. The sleepy bears in the sun. The elephants, still acclimating to their new home, wander slowly. A 900 pound polar bear floats effortlessly. The monkeys charm. (The gorillas, eek! Privacy, please!) The jellyfish mesmerize. We duck bats in the jungle. We watch the giant sea turtle pursue the scuba-clad diver like a pup wanting his back scratched. And bonus, all with the companionship of old friends willing to change their plans for a day to meet us. Truly, it's all happening at the zoo.

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I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world.
- Sadako Sasaki, in Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

135/366

The day was clear and cool and we quickly realized that we are altogether acclimated to south Texas heat. My temperature finger was numb the entire day. Thanks to a steaming bowl of Pho to work the magic of warming us up.

134/366

Would that be New Old House or Old New House? What delight to squint and imagine all the possibilities that the future might hold while adding new stories for these old walls to tell...

133/366

The road unfurled before us through the entire day of travel.
Isn't it a wonder how wide-open spaces look so different from place to place?

132/366

Dear written word,
I owe you an apology.
I confess, I have been much too easily distracted.
Yes, I have allowed nonsense electronics to come between us.
I have spent much too much mindless time with Panda Pop and such.
It hasn't been restful and it certainly is not edifying.
Please forgive me.

But,
brown girl dreaming reminded me that I have loved words and stories and books, the page turning of books, for as long as I can remember.
Then I picked up Gold after a long winter's rest on my bedside shelf and didn't want to be distracted until I knew exactly how it would end.
A bit of time for browsing through the musty aisles turned up two new finds to add to my travel collection.

I'm back.
We need to spend more time together; I know we do.
Can we still be friends?

Yours truly,
k

131/366

Prematurely daylight turns to dark.
Lightning flashes.
The rain comes in waves.
We begin to remember what severe thunderstorm season looks like.

130/366

Already there are stories 
in my head. Already color and sound and words.
Already I'm
drawing circles on the glass, humming 
myself someplace far away from here.
- brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson 

a pass through the car wash and making ready for the road ahead.

129/366

Blessed to spend the day with these three who call me mom.

128/366

Gratitude-
slow morning,
slow run,
flowers in bloom,
fields full and growing,
dogs who run with me,
dogs who don't bite,
a drive down the road,
community,
friends who are role models,
girls who sit next to me,
rejoicing with those who rejoice,
a snickerdoodle and tea with lemon,
laughing, hard,
moments to catch up, even in the street,
a really good calzone,
a really good book,
the promise of worship tomorrow.

127/366

Worked up a sweat on the Gravity Ropes.
Assassinated by my own daughter in Laser Tag.
Utterly inept at Dance Dance Revolution.
Marginally average on the Alpine Race slopes.
And yet, somehow managed to own the 10 pin lane!

126/366

The Italian beef? Pretty much a disaster. (This happens. Google "can you eat the thing under meat in packaging"...)
But the French Silk Pie? THAT made up for all other wrongs!

125/366

The day breaks full of promise at 6:50, when it's just you and your sneaks and the 'hood getting started on the day. But it didn't seem to take long before I felt nearly done in. We went to watch Jesse Owens run in the theater and then much too soon after faced the frustrating reality of race conversation in my own world. I splurged on a rare pedicure but waited clueless when I didn't know the Asian dialect of the salon or the customs of the service. I later sat next to a friend and translated the reasons for laughter and stumbled across lines of language and culture over and again. It was a day where I never really felt fully anywhere- another day in the "already and the not yet" kingdom.

124/366

Oh how we love these people! This evening we finished another semester of Conversational English classes at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Over the last nine months, we have had the opportunity to meet 50 different people who all came in the doors hoping to improve their English skills. We have had the opportunity to teach English. We have had the opportunity to know our neighbors. We have had the opportunity to learn about one another and share joys and trials and sorrows and to pray for one another. And we have had the opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ, to share the reason for our hope. They thank us, but really the blessing is ours. Well done, friends!

123/366

Roadside gawkers on the morning run...

122/366

after the (toddler induced) earthquake...

121/366

Turning one,
just begun,
happy first birthday to our favorite little monkey!

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...)