1,000 Gifts

"Don’t grieve that it’s gone, wonder that it was. Laugh that you lived and dance that you dared.

Inhale that it happened — and it was grace.The best way to prepare for what’s ahead is to be present to what is now. Be present to the gift of now."

1393. Mothers
1394. My amazing mom
1395. Softball starting up again!
1396. Lemonade stands
1397. Tulips in full bloom
1398. A smile with a missing tooth
1399. Reading books with Whitney
1400. Tree climbing with Ella
1401. You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

1402. You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,

1403. {that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent O LORD my God,

I will give thanks to You forever}
1404. Starbucks outside on a lovely spring evening with Dan and Phil
1405. Chipotle with mom
1406. Flip Flops
1407. Sitting around watching "The Path Through Paradoll Park" with the cousins...oh my, the memories
1408. Playing games together
1409. Getting my car back
1410. Pictures from Thailand up on the wall...reminders of my little girls. :)
1411. Falling asleep to rain hitting the windows
1412. Robins nesting under the deck

No pictures this week...I pulled my camera out this morning to use it for the first time since I left Thailand, and...the batteries were completely drained. I must have left it on. Hopefully more blogging this week.

Lucas: Studio Shoot {Twin Cities Senior Portrait Photographer}

I took Lucas' first session up at Storybook in October. He came in studio a while back to capture his studious side. :) Enjoy!

"Words Fitly Spoken"

1,000 Gifts

When you re-view blessings, you view your life right and you re-joice — and who doesn’t want joy over and over again? Rejoice – it means that: to swell with joy again, again, again.

1309. Goodbye hugs and promises of prayer from friends
1310. Robins hopping along on the snow covered ground - a reminder - Spring always comes
1311. "You were broken that I might be healed..."
1312. A Sunday afternoon nap
1313. My brother coming home!!!
1314. The happy sound of "my kiddos" chattering in the backseat on the way to gymnastics
1315. Sunshine!
1315. Finally being able to go outside with the kiddos!
1316. Impromptu visits from brothers
1317. Reciting The Sermon on the Mount under the stars
1318. Lunch with Mom, Dan, and the girlies
1319. Making chocolate chip cookies
1320. Dinner with the Stromme ladies...the last one with all of us for awhile
1321. Lunch outside
1322. Hamburgers on the grill
1323. Family game night
1324. Side-splitting laughter
1325. Open windows
1326. Birds chirping
1327. The first Dairy Queen of the season
1328. Dinner on Lake Peppin
1329. My big brothers...they're the bestest. :)
1330. Last minute calls, texts, emails, and Facebook messages from family and friends
1331. My travel buddy...thanks for being a good one, Leah!
1332. Anticipation
1332. Meeting up with the team...in Thailand!
1333. A cold shower after a long day of travelling
1334. An overwhelming welcome from the girls and staff at House of Grace
1335. Aryia
1336. Fresh pineapple, mango, and watermelon
1337. Authentic Thai food
1338. Dinner time chats
1339. This article read on an early morning in Thailand
1340. Early morning quiet times
1341. Testimonies of grace
1342. Going out the door to be smothered in hugs
1343. Shoes being brought to all the right people
1344. Little geckos scooting across the wall
1345. The slap of little feet hitting the pavement
1346. The best fried rice ever
1347. Jutiporn - a humble hero of the faith
1348. Asian sunsets
1349. Cool rain
1350. Playing our hearts out on the playground
1351. Praying before shoots
1352. Singing in the van
1353. My hero of a brother
1354. Late night editing laughs
1355. Fresh flowers
1356. Brainstorming on the patio
1357. Listening to the girls sing outside while we were working inside
1358. Worship on Sunday morning...different languages, same God!
1359. Coconut Ice Cream party!
1360. Slowing down and praying and worshiping
1361. Each member of our team...Peter, Mandy, Hannah, Meagan, Leah, Andrew, Nathanael, and our little mascot Caleb. You were all so wonderful to work alongside and hang out with!
1362. Computers, tripods, redlights...the team coming together to create epic-ness
1363. God holding off storms, keeping us healthy, and allowing us to finish well
1364. A sky full of stars
1365. Tam Tams and M&Ms from Mandy...editing encouragement. :)
1366. Family and friends back home who were praying
1367. Watching the House of Grace staff watch the video for the first time
1368. Hugs, tears, and many pictures before leaving House of Grace
1369. Knowing that there's a place, half a world away, where little girls can just be little girls
1370. Plane rides
1371. Bangkok adventures
1372. Chilling on the patio our last night in Bangkok
1373. Watching the sunset from the river
1374. Starbucks together in the Bangkok airport
1375. Watching "our video" together one last time before saying goodbye
1376. Sticky rice in the Bangkok airport
1377. A final "cheesy" airport picture
1378. Exit row seating!
1379. Deep discussions
1380. Changing the world
1381. Hannah navigating us through the Seoul airport and finding us benches to sleep on :)
1382. Heading home
1383. This verse, in an email, in the Seoul airport “Jesus… said, 'Go home to your own people and tell the how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.'” … -Mark 5:19 
1384. Hearing the customs agent say "welcome home"
1385. Mom, Dad, and Ella meeting me at the airport
1386. Minnesota in full-blown Spring...it really is beautiful
1387. Coming home to mom's chicken stir-fry
1388. Spring sheets
1389. Brothers and uncle stopping by to say welcome home
1390. Going to the ballet with Mom and Ella
1391. Sleep
1392. Thinking back on all God did to allow me to travel to Thailand, work with an amazing group of people, and tell the story of the work He's doing at House of Grace in Chiang Rai

I'm leaving for Thailand...

Wow, it seems crazy, but it's true. In about 26 hours I'll board a plane for Chicago, meet up with a couple of classmates, and then we'll step on a 13 hour and 40 minute flight to Seoul, South Korea. After that, we'll board another plane to Bangkok, and I'll be there...in Thailand. Our group will then fly up to Chiang Rai and spend a little over a week at House of Grace shooting a video. Your prayers are much appreciated.