1,000 Gifts

Some part of the art of life is the art of believing — that the grace in the pocket is sufficient for today...I get enough, because I get enough Jesus — and for me,  Jesus is enough.

3379. Little girls done with school
3380. Bonfires and s'mores
3381. Kayaking with Marie
3382. A long walk for icecream
3383. A brother on his birthday
3384. Sweet potato french fries
3385. Softball games
3386. Celebrating Dad
3387. Exploring Minnesota
3388. Visiting with Leah and Aaron
3389. Roadtrips
3390. Exploring Canada
3391. Sunsets over the lake
3392. Stranger's hospitality
3393. Andrew's wedding
3394. Mini-Thailand reunion
3395. Books on tape
3396. Friendships that are stronger than distance
3397. Strawberry picking
3398. Lunch with Danielle
3399. Making strawberry pies
3400.  A new do
3401. An icecream stop on the way to the lake
3402. Boat rides
3403. Wind blown hair
3404. Spray in the face
3405. Blacksmith tacos
3406. Playing games around the table
3407. A star-studded sky
3408. Tubing
3409. Whitty's laugh
3410. An afternoon nap
3411. Sunshine
3412. Family time
3413. Thunderstorms
3414. Kayayking
3415. Dan surprising Dad and Mom
3416. Dad and Mom's 40th anniversary
3417. Their commitment through the good and the bad
3418. And through it all, their constant love
3419. Family dinner at Acqua

1,000 Gifts

"Our habits are us. The patterns of our lives reveal the form of our souls. Habits are small gears that leverage your life — and the habit of hope can resuscitate anything. Make gratitude your attitude of habit — there’s no other way to make joy your life."

3348. Shooting tips from the pro
3349. Cherry Berry after school
3350. Nightly games of cribbage
3351. A perfect spring day with the girls
3352. Playing four square
3353.  Bringing s treat to a little broken-armed Whit
3354. First softball game of the season
3355. Playing outside with my nanny kiddos
3356. Spring Swing shopping
3357. A 16-team softball tournament
3358. Money raised for missions
3359. Rain holding off for almost the whole day
3360. Family time
3361. Volleyball and cornhole
3362. Bonfires
3363. Laughing
3364. Swedish pancakes
3365. Almost the whole family, hanging out for the entire day
3366. The beauty of the national parks
3367. Afternoon naps
3368. Eating dinner outside
3369. Men and women who loved liberty more than life
3370. Having Dan home for the long weekend
3371. Whit spending a few days with us
3372. S'mores
3373. Music around the fire
3374. The traditional after the book sale stop at Dairy Queen
3375. Sleeping with windows open
3376. Wedding shooting
3377. Sun breaking through clouds
3378. The sun setting over wide open fields

1,000 Gifts

"Love is always for us. God is always good and we are always loved. That defines everything. Everything."

3330. The smell of fresh-cut grass
3331. Monday night volleyball
3332. A new girls night series
3333. Sunshine
3334. Spring everywhere
3335. Coffee and lunch and good conversation with Christina
3336. Hanging out with the Strommes for moving weekend
3337. The first 5K of the season...running for LIFE!
3338. Mother's Day
3339. My amazing Mama-Bear
3340. Fresh flowers on the table
3341. Mini cheesecakes
3342. A package from Lydia
3343. Baking with Whitney
3344. A night at the gun range with Bri
3345. Cribbage with the fam
3346. Shooting a wedding
3347. {A challenging listen}

1,000 Gifts

"My truest calling as a follower of Jesus is to love God fully and others fully. How much more to show that than giving them my full attention when present with them? Because this is the place where our lives and God’s purposes intersect. This one life we’ve been given. How will we use it today?"

3295. {Psalm 37}
3296. Flowers budding
3297. The smell of spring
3298. A weekend in Duluth with Mom and Dad
3299. Ella and Whitney's drama night
3300. Getting off work early on a beautiful spring evening
3301. Sunday night game nights
3302. Dinner with Lois
3303. Volleyball
3304. {Psalm 16}
3305. Friends being safe in the Ecuador earthquake
3306. Spring rain
3307. Tulips in bloom
3308. Sleeping with the windows open
3309. Good deals on fabric
3310. Girls night
3311. Chatting with Danni
3312. Listening to Bri talk about the Iraq War
3313. Lunch money from mom
3314. Burgers with fried egg and avacado
3315. Visiting Lydia!
3316. Frappuuccinos
3317. Small towns
3318. Sight and Sound Theater
3319. God's relentless grace
3320. {Hebrews 11}
3321.Gluten free snacks
3322. Outlet mall shopping
3323. Ice cream and walking around Gettysburg
3324. Pennsylvania in the spring
3325. Movie night with kettle corn and chocolate covered almonds
3326. Ultimate frisbee
3327. Playing Dutch Blitz
3328. Airport "see you laters"
3329. Coming home

1,000 Gifts

"(God) says to us, You know what? I have dreams for you and they are good, but they likely are not what you’ve envisioned. But with every little bit that we loosen our white-knuckle grip on control, God moves..."

3275. Easter dinner with the family
3276. Wedding planning
3277. Coffee with Dena
3278. Pizza and movie night with Priscilla and Alyssa
3279. Lunch with the girls
3280. Bridesmaid dress shopping
3281. Picking out clothes for my little Compassion girl
3282. Sparkly shoes
3283. Sunday night dinner
3284. Playing games
3285. Chatting with Rachel
3286. Being back in Spanish classes
3287. Long runs
3288. Talking with Dan
3289. Spending a night with the little girls
3290. A "slow season" photo shoot
3291. Dad doing my taxes
3292. Finishing up writing/editing the GE curriculum
3293. A new series for 'girls' night'
3294. A letter from my newest little Compassion girl in Ecuador

1,000 Gifts

"We are the resurrection People who know that hope can rise from the dead places and that impossible stones can be rolled back to light and right now all the sad things are becoming undone. No matter how the world turns, there's no turning that stone back now. We're the Resurrection people who believe that we can turn back, that people can turn back, that situations can turn around, because we've seen that stone's been rolled back. Nothing and no one is impossible now because impossible stones have been rolled away. We're the Resurrection People and the brave Hosanna is our forever song. The way we roll-is that the stone's been rolled away."

3233. Dinner at Dyna's

3234. Celebrating Marie

3235. Little boys playing neighborhood baseball

3236. No coat

3237. Birds chirping

3238. A package from Rachel

3239. 70 degree weather in March

3240. A letter from one of my Compassion girls

3241. Chatting with one of my little Ecuador campers on Facebook

3242. {What no one tells you about how to live an extraordinary life}

3243. Scouting out photo locations

3244. A brother engaged

3245. A celebration dinner

3246. Steaks on the grill

3247. Key lime pie in a jar

3248. Applebees with Mom, Dyna, and Marie

3249. Piano Guys concert with the girls

3250. Cello music

3251. Lunch with Amy

3252. Friends who encourage

3253. A brother receiving his second medal of valor

3254. The little ladies sleeping over during their spring break

3255. Road trip with mom!

3256. Visiting the Mackenzie clan

3257. Holding newborn babies

3258. Gluten free cupcakes

3259. Time with Danielle

3260. Friendship that has lasted generations

3261. Playing Pandemic

3262. Spring break adventures with my nanny kids

3263. Building a snowman with Whitney

3264. Doodling

3265. The Easter story

3266. Jesus choosing the cross so we could walk free

3267. <<Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom>>

3268. {God rested on the seventh day}

3269. {When every hope seems lost}

3270. <<This darkness is a small and passing thing>>

3271. {Jesus is always faithful}

3272. Good Friday service

3273. The promise that no matter what you're facing, Sunday's coming

3274. {Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful}

1,000 Gifts

"Pressing in and pressing on is pushing against the tide of sin and disbelief, and pushing towards what you've made a habit of clinging to in calmer waters: that Jesus is enough."

3185. Chatting with Leah
3186. Packing up
3187. Early morning take-offs
3188. Traveling with dad and mom
3189. Palm trees outside the airport
3190. In-N-Out burgers for lunch
3191. Mexican coffee in Old Town, San Diego
3192. A harbor full of ships
3193. Sunset at La Jolla
3194. An afternoon with Ari
3195. Sand that glitters
3196. Walks along the beach
3197. Friendships that spans time and space
3198. Root beer floats
3199. Picking up Dan from the airport
3200. Visiting with Jordan and Nikkia
3201. Gardens in bloom
3202. After dinner games
3203. The ocean
3204. Listening to the sound of waves crashing against the sand
3205. Meeting extended family
3206. A nap on the beach
3207. Sand between your toes
3208. Frozen yogurt
3209. Antique shopping
3210. Sitting in the hot tub at the end of the day
3211. Road-tripping up the Pacific Coast Highway
3212. Ocean meeting mountains
3213. Little towns by the sea
3214. Picnic lunches
3215. San Francisco
3216. The Golden Gate Bridge peeking through the fog
3217. Andy and Rachel joining the crew
3218. Dinner in China Town
3219. Peanut butter milkshakes
3220. Looking at the city from the other side of the Bay
3221. Adjoining rooms
3222. Lunch at Fisherman's Warf
3223. Big Sur
3224. Lighthouses along the coast
3225. A huge rainbow appearing in the sky
3226. Fields full of flowers
3227. Family devotions
3228. A last day at the beach
3229. Walking to Starbucks
3230. Savoring the last moments together
3231. Airport coffee
3232. Parents who prioritize family vacations

1,000 Gifts

“Courage is what is elemental to living — composed of two parts fierce hope, and one part wild believing. It’s hope that can create a quake that cracks all despair. It’s hope that stands in your dark with a lamp lit with prayers. And it isn’t the likelihood of your hope that sustains you, but the object of your hope that sustains you. We lay our hope, full and tender, into the depths of Him.”  

4166. A weekend with Dan
4167. Antiquing
4168. Rube Dube!
4169. Going to a movie with the fam
4170. The bravery of the US military
4171. A hamburger with egg on it
4172. Frozen yogurt
4173. Praying with mom
4174. Sunshine
4175. Melting snow
4176. Chats with Rachel
4177. Going for a run in a t-shirt
4178. Coffee with AnaLise
4179. A weekend with the girlies
4180. Crafting together
4181. Lunch with the Stromme girls
4182. Waffles and nutella and strawberries
4183. {love the life you never wanted}
4184. {this song. on repeat}

1,000 Gifts

"You've got to taste His love. You've got to grab a pen and count gifts. You've got to look for the glory and seize the beauty in ugly and laugh brave and defiant in the dark. And you can lose everything, but nothing can steal Jesus, and He is enough."

4128. Sunday naps
4129. Sunday night dinner with the fam
4130. Playing games together
4131. Snow days
4132. Braving the blizzard to go to a movie
4133. The way the snow sparkles in the sun
4134. The new season of Downton Abbey
4135. Tickets booked to visit the roomie
4136. Parents who get up for early morning airport runs
4137. Reuniting with friends
4138. Dinner with the Pallocks
4139. Chats with Leah
4140. Staying in a "tree house"
4141. Hot tubs
4142. Waffles with nutella and strawberries
4143. Devotions together
4144. Good coffee + good friends
4145. Exploring new places
4146. Homemade ice cream
4147. Walking the river walk
4148. Breakfast with Rachel and Micah
4149. Touring the capitol
4150. Catching up with Emily
4151. Sunshine and t-shirts and flip flops
4152. The big-sky Texas sunset on our drive back to Dallas
4153. Lunch with Laura after church
4154. Ecuador memories
4155. Mission trip friends...I'm convinced they're some of the best people you'll ever meet
4156. Window seats
4157. {Compassion in Ecuador}
4158. GE prayer meeting
4159. New recipes
4160. A new little girl to sponsor
4161. A good deal on some needed camera equipment
4162. Coffee with Allie
4163. Ella hugs
4164. Valentine cookies
4165. Brian on his birthday

1,000 Gifts

"Every day, every moment, you only have one decision to make: what will you do with time."

4099. Taking my family on the "virtual tour" of Ecuador
4100. Sunday night games
4101. Dinner out with Marie at Jakes
4102. A burger and fries
4103. Girls nights
4104. Grace for missed flights
4105. Curriculum writing weekend!
4106. The Forman's hospitality
4107. Brainstorming for story ideas
4108. Reminiscing about missions trips
4109. Shooting movies
4110. Warmer weather
4111. Palm trees
4112. Some afternoon volleyball
4113. Church with the Colemans
4114. Taco lunch on the beach with Grace
4115. Ocean air
4116. The sound of waves
4117. Hanging out with Ashley
4118. Shooting videos
4119. January thaw
4120. {Make time and space}
4121. Set your hope fully upon the grace that is to be revealed
4122. Reading with Whit
4123. Catching up with Dan
4124. Breakfast with Priscilla and Alyssa
4125. Going for a run at the end of January
4126. Saturday night dinner with Andy
4127. Movie night with the bro

1,000 Gifts

"Thanksgiving isn’t only a celebration when good things happen —- thanksgiving is a declaration that God is good no matter what happens."

4006. Parents who get up in the middle of the night for airport runs
4007. The goodness of God in working out every detail for me to be able to go back to Ecuador
4008. Making it through the massive check in line in time to make my flight
4009. Airport reunions
4010. Hanging out in the airport with Lydia for eight hours
4011. One last American meal before leaving the country...a burger and fries!
4012. Last minute messages from friends telling me that they will be praying for our team
4013. A safe, albeit late arrival, in Ecuador!
4014. The view from Casa del Padre
4015. Our first morning of kids' programs
4016. Seeing all of our translators again
4017. Sunshine and clear skies
4018. Reciting verses in Spanish
4019. Having Andrea and Taty on my team to translate
4020. A much needed after lunch nap
4021. Meeting the kids at our afternoon program
4022. Eating at all the familiar places
4023. Team devotions
4024. Being greeted with "Good morning, teacher"
4025. Little Ava running up and giving me a hug every time she saw me
4026. Practicing Spanish...
4027. ...and helping the kids practice their English
4028. Afternoon coffee runs
4029. Going to the back of the room during a skit and seeing Edgar there watching us!
4030. Time to just play with the kids
4031. A God who promises wisdom to those who ask for it
4032. Dinner with the translators at Andrea and Martín's house
4033. Joining in on Ecuadorian new year's traditions
4034. Photos and hugs and goodbyes with the kids in our Quito programs
4035. Market shopping with Lydia
4036. The amazing view from the top of the Teleferico...what an awesome God we serve
4037. New Year's Eve dinner at Pastor Benjamin's house
4038. "Spoons" with the team until midnight
4039. Going outside and watching fireworks and paper lanterns being set off all over Quito
4040. Spending New Year's Day in Otovalo
4041. The view from the balcony of Hostel Curinan
4042. Mochaccinos from the cuteste coffee shop in town
4043. Market finds
4044. A day of rest
4045. Playing volleyball with the team
4046. Going back to the church we worked with this summer and doing a program with the kids
4047. Playing with Jordy!
4048. Devotions and hot cocoa by the fireplace
4049. Saturday night service with the kids at Iglesia Inaquito
4050. Seeing some of our camp kids and helpers
4051. Sunday morning service in Carapungo...reconnecting with more kids that we had worked with in the summer
4052. The church's generosity in feeding us all
4053. Heading off on our Cuenca adventure
4054. Bible verses from Mom to read everyday
4055. A safe drive through the mountains
4056. Andres and Taty - our new translators
4057. People from the church fixing us dinner our first night in Cochapata
4058. A short afternoon hike
4059. Pastor Gonzales and his family
4060. The beauty of our surroundings
4061. A roof to keep us dry
4062. Being able to share the gospel with a group of single moms
4063. Their eagerness to hear what we were saying and spend time with us
4064. Holding babies
4065. Cooking out
4066. Warm showers
4067. Seeing how many older kids wanted to come to the kid's programs
4068. Sophie and her huge smile
4069. When I can use my camera to connect with kids
4070. The opportunity to plant seeds of truth in the lives of children
4071. The promise that God's Word will not return void
4072. And the reminder that God does the saving, we just need to be faithful in doing the telling
4073. Playing soccer with the kids after the program
4074. The book of Romans
4075. Having Andrea and Darren come work with us for an afternoon
4076. A time of prayer with Pastor Gonzales
4077. Sleeping in a real bed after camping
4078. {The Testimony and example of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and the other three missionaries who gave their lives in Ecuador...he is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose}
4079. A little time to explore Cuenca with our sweet translators
4080. A final dinner at Tommy and Martina's house
4081. Playing games together
4082. One last night together as a team
4083. Airport food vouchers
4084. Having Lydia with me on the flight home...she's the best roomie/travel buddy I could ask for
4085. Starbucks!
4086. Finally making it home
4087. Family hugs
4088. Sleeping in
4089. Good talks with mom
4090. Papa John's pizza for dinner...so bad, but so so good
4091. Sorting out souvenirs and gifts
4092. Going back to work
4093. Warm cocoa on freezing cold days
4094. Catching up with Rachel
4095. Thursday with Whittie and Bri
4096. Movie nights
4097. Friday errands with mom
4098. Game night with Ted, Sarah, Kara, Christina, and Daniel

1,000 Gifts

"The Light never comes how you expect it. It comes as the unlikely-straight into Bethlehem...and Christmas whispers that there is always hope. It doesn't matter how dark the dark is; a light can still dawn. God favors the darkest places so you can see His light the brightest.When you really believe in Christmas, you believe there is really hope for everyone."

3904. Singing Christmas carols
3905. Whitney's delight in looking at the manger scene
3906. The last family photoshoot of 2015
3907. Chats with Rachel
3908. More Ecuador donations
3909. Homemade spaghetti
3910. "The most brilliant, beautiful Person in the universe lost His physical attraction so that we, being spiritually unsightly, could be beautiful in the eyes of God"
3911. Editing photos and watching Downton Abbey re-runs
3912. {Mild He lays His glory by, born that men no more may die...}
3913. Christmas letters printing
3914. A pot of warm soup
3915. A quiet afternoon at work
3916. Snow falling
3917. Christmas carols playing
3918. Wrapping up surprises
3919. The sun breaking through the clouds
3920. Prayer cards sent out
3921. The sound of the rain on the windows
3922. Logic problems with Grace
3923. {Isaiah 9:2}
3924. Little boys snuggling on the couch
3925. {Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed}
3926. Reading with Luke
3927. TV mix
3928. Gymnastics with Max
3929. A "the rest of your trip is payed for" donation
3930. Judging debate
3931. Sweet gifts and notes from my little piano students
3932. A Thursday afternoon in the kitchen
3933. Getting ready for a brother to come home
3934. Sleeping in
3935. {The poetry of baseball: finishing well}
3936.  A trip to the tree farm
3937. Hot apple cider
3938. Checking things off the to-do list
3939. The little town of Bethlehem all lit up
3940. St. Paul at golden hour
3941. The Christmas tree glowing in the corner
3942. Girls night
3943. Meeting a friend's new little baby
3944. Little fingers and toes
3945. A night with my Johannsen kiddos
3946. Coming home from work to the bro's car in the driveway
3947. Dan safely home
3948. {a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn}

1,000 Gifts

"The very least you can do with your life is welcome in Hope. And He has a name. And the very best you can do with your life is build a life with Hope."

3873. {C.S. Lewis on the Incarnation}
3874. Tacos and root beer floats
3875. Sunday night Boggle
3876. New dresses
3877. An open sunroof
3878. Running errands in a sweatshirt
3879. Merry Christmases everywhere
3880. "Shopping" with mom and Dyna via text message
3881. Ecuador donations
3882. Mom getting up to make me cocoa before work
3883. Uno with Grace
3884. "The pillow game" with the little crazies
3885. {Heaven's love reaching down to save the world}
3886. An Easter egg sunrise
3887. December rain
3888. God with us
3889. Wrapping presents with Christmas music playing in the background
3890. The setting sun
3891. Bare trees
3892. Last minute photo shoots
3893. Candy making
3894. Advent devotionals
3895. {O come o come Emmanuel}
3896. A fun new coffee shop
3897. The little girls' Christmas program
3898. Ginger bread house making
3899. Church bells ringing
3900. Stringing for Erin's tree, listening to Christmas stories
3901. Dinner at "Peppers"
3902. Looking at Christmas lights
3903. Watching the Grinch with the girls

1,000 Gifts

"We only find out where we are when we find out where He is. All our moments, all our waking -all the globe is a looking glass to God, and the wise keep seeking the presence of Christ in a thousand places..."

3805. Birthday cards, calls, texts, messages, and snap chats from all over the world
3806. Running in shorts and a t-shirt on November 15
3807. Homemade pizza
3808. Gluten-free angel food cake
3809. Owl presents
3810. Apps at Applebees with Marie
3811. Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies
3812. Late night premiere of The Mockingjay
3813. {The greatest thing you could do today}
3814. A phone call with Leah
3815. Stormclouds
3816. Late November thunderstorms
3817. A box full of birthday surprises from Danielle
3818. Brilliant sunsets through bare trees
3819. Coffee with mom
3820. Lunch with Grace
3821. A trip to the conservatory on a cold afternoon
3822. A fun bracelet from Bri
3823. An Ecuador necklace in the mail
3824. An evening with the Johannsens
3825. Playing charades and tickle monster with the kiddos
3826. Chatting with Danielle
3827. Afternoons in the kitchen
3828. Dad fixing my flat tire
3829. Catching up with Rachel
3830. A weekend with little girls
3831. The Peanuts Movie
3832. Steaks on the grill
3833. Dad on his birthday
3834. Finishing my Spanish class
3835. A brother safely home
3836. Watching the little girls run in and hug Uncle Danny
3837. Thanksgiving
3838. Loaded tables and being surrounded by family
3839. Mercies that are new every morning
3840. Playing games
3841. Black Friday shopping
3842. Wild rice soup
3843. Late night movies with the fam
3844. A quick photoshoot
3845. Overlooking downtown Saint Paul at the golden hour
3846. Setting up the Christmas village with Dan
3847. Family dinners, celebrating birthdays
3848. All of us being together for the first time since August
3849. Looking through the Ecuador photo book
3850. Zantigos for lunch before Dan left
3851. The first snowflakes of winter
3852. Brothers who scrape snow off cars
3853. Trading autumn decorations for Christmas
3854. Christmas music floating through the air
3854. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight"
3856. This advent season
3857. The familiar sound of "silver bells" ringing outside of stores
3858. Christmas lights
3859. Candles in windows
3860. Thursday mornings with Whitney and Bri
3861. "Pull the car over and get out of the car to take a picture" kind of sunsets
3862. The promise that what is broken won't forever be
3863. Planning winter adventures
3864. Ecuador plane tickets booked
3865. Making wreath cookies with the girlies
3866. Green tongues
3867. Girls night
3868. Wrapping up presents
3869. The traditional baking weekend with mom
3870. Recipes passed down through generations
3871. Stirring up, rolling out, sprinkling on
3872. A shelf, filler with cookie tins

1,000 Gifts

"If you don't recognize the worth of the masterpiece you already have - 

you can waste your life looking for more that doesn't matter."

3765. Hamburgers off the grill
3766. Final photoshoot of the fall
3767. Morning runs
3768. Pumpkins piled on doorsteps
3769. The last of the autumn leaves hanging on the trees
3770. This "Summer" that keeps hanging on
3771. Geese flying south
3772. The crunch of leaves underfoot
3773. Sunny days
3774. {The lines have fallen in pleasant places}
3775. Flip flops in November
3776. An open sunroof
3777. Starting an internship with Global Encounters
3778. Operation Christmas Child shoebox shopping
3779. Seeing a brother so happy
3780. Family Friday night
3781. A bonfire on a chilly fall evening
3782. Having Leah home
3783. Little girls sleeping over
3784. {Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above...}
3785. Signing up to go back to Ecuador!
3786. Visiting with Christina and little Elizabeth
3787. Lunch with Mom at the Afro Deli
3788. {Then Your spirit gave me life, opened up Your word to me...}
3789. Sunday naps
3790. Afternoon runs
3791. November thunderstorms
3792. Little boys who are so quiet and cuddly after nap time
3793. The men and women who serve our country
3794. Thursday lunch with Bri and Whittie
3795. A little owl to add to my collection
3796. Grand Avenue shopping
3797. Punch Pizza
3798. Starbucks
3799. Turn Style finds
3800. An afternoon with Mom
3801. Staying up late to watch Columbo
3802. Ice packs and neck rubs to relieve headaches
3803. Breakfast and catching up with Phil and Jess
3804. Gluten free pancakes

1,000 Gifts

"We only rise because of the Gospel — that astonishing news that grace grabbed the unworthy and Christ cleans the unbearable and God redeems the unlikely and we live the unexpected. The grace we’ve received from the heart of God is the grace that extends our arms to the world."

3729. An afternoon with the Mackenzies
3730. Watching "My Fair Lady" in theater
3731. Dinner at Applebees
3732. Game night with Danielle
3733. Award travel
3734. Airport Starbucks runs
3735. Familiar faces at the airport
3736. Reuniting with Ecuador teammates
3737. Passion4Christ Summit
3738. Rooming with Lydia
3739. Good teaching
3740. Dressing up
3741. Zip lining
3742. Being reminded that eternity is for real. Live accordingly.
3743. Voices raised in worship
3744. Golden leaves everywhere
3745. Midnight snacks
3746. Hair parties with Danielle
3747. Lunch with Jesus
3748. Seeing Dan!
3749. The best volleyball team
3750. Talks with Carissa
3751. Kayaking with Alyssa
3752. Essential Oils
3753. Fellowship with like-minded friends
3754. The awesome and holy God we serve
3755. Dan driving me to the airport
3756. This sermon. How great is our God. 
3757. Family Bible study
3758. Ella's speech meet
3759. Spur of the moment lunch with Mom, Dyna, Michelle, and Marie
3760. Dinner with the Kanowitzs
3761. Catching up with Nikkia
3762. End of year planning
3763. An extra hour of sleep
3764. Chatting with Rachel

1,000 Gifts

"The mercies of God cannot and will not fail 

and His faithfulness is not merely great–  it is unwavering."

3707. Sunday afternoon naps
3708. Crisp autumn air
3709. Leaves turning colors
3710. The smell of a bon fire
3711. Little girls playing in the backyard
3712. {He is worthy of our hopes and dreams}
3713. Autumn skies
3714. Fabulous photoshoot weather
3715. Friday night family dinner
3716. Michelle home for the weekend
3717. An afternoon with Marie
3718. Cousins coming to my hair rescue
3719. Dinner with Priscilla and Alyssa
3720. {If we can keep our minds and hearts on His will, everything else will flow from that}
3721. Walking kids to and from school
3722. The Hope of the Gospel
3723. Putting orders in the mail
3724. MEA weekend with the girlies
3725. Thursdays in the kitchen
3726. Coffee with Dena
3727. Dinner with Kara and the Sands
3728. A surprise gift in the mail

1,000 Gifts

"A million little things will happen this week — and there are always really only Two Choices:  You get to decide whether you want to Complain.  Or whether you want Communion. Holy joy lies in the habit of murmuring thanks to God for the smallest of graces."

3665. Leaves rustling in the wind
3666. Morning light streaming through the windows
3667. Quiet morning quiet times
3668. My sister-in-law Dana on her birthday
3669. Spanish class
3670. Peaches in the freezer, ready for winter
3671. Watching the sun come up
3672. Early morning runs
3673. Beautiful last summer days
3674. Adventuring
3675. Making pies
3676. Friends getting married
3677. Pennants hanging from clotheslines
3678. A picture perfect wedding to photograph
3679. The setting sun turning the world golden
3680. Driving to Vermont for the afternoon
3681. Late night cribbage with Danielle
3682. Early morning coffee
3683. Traveling with mom
3684. Plane rides
3685. Friendships that have spanned generations
3686. Final softball games of the season
3687. Meeting Baby Elizabeth
3688. And chatting with her mommy
3689. Lunch with Allie
3690. A Saturday morning drive through the heartland...watching fog roll back and the sun come up
3691. Catching up with Rachel...
3692. ...and Ari
3693. God's faithfulness to Israel
3694. Whitney Erin on her 5th birthday
3695. A beautiful autumn night spent around a bonfire with family
3696. Skyping with Dan
3697. The blood moon
3698. Cool breezes
3699. Quiet afternoons
3700. Balloons in the sky
3701. A sister in Heaven
3702. The promise of eternity
3703. A trip to the zoo with Max
3704. Afternoons in the kitchen
3705. A little running buddy
3706. A weekend spent with the girlies and Brian

1,000 Gifts

"Life is a gift. Time is a treasured commodity. When we open our hands and give what we have to Jesus—be it our moments, our gifts, our time, or simply room and space for Him to show up—we find life to be a sacred journey. When we do life with a consistent awareness of God’s presence in our midst, we find joy."

3646. Game night with Danielle and Mrs. Wiesner
3647. Zucchini hotdish filled with market-fresh vegetables
3648. Catching up with Nikkia
3649. The State Fair
3650. Food on a stick
3651. The Thin Blue Line
3652. Church with Marie
3653. Last days of summer vacation
3654. Long walks
3655. {A good read}
3656. {A good listen}
3657. {No ear has heard, nor eye seen...}
3658. Early morning runs
3659. Mornings to sleep in
3660. Days at home to get things done
3661. {Wherever God is looking, God is acting...}
3662. Chats with a brother
3663. Afternoon cornhole
3664. Another beautiful sunset

1,000 Gifts

"In every season, we can trust that He is good, because we know He always is. But in summer, this summer, in the midst of her unexpected storms and beautiful miracles, I could feel His goodness surely. He goes before and behind and He is always faithful."

3629. Family photos
3630. An afternoon at Bri and Dana's
3631. The two weeks of fun we had with Dan home
3632. A safe drive back to Michigan for Dan
3633. Dinner and trip stories with Phil and Jess
3634. Andy on his birthday
3635. Cribbage games
3636. A picnic lunch with the girls
3637. Como Town
3638. Little Whit being a trooper with her broken arm
3639. A day with mom
3640. Panda Express and Starbucks
3641. Cool running weather
3642. Cleaning out
3643. A Saturday at home
3644. A trip to the Farmer's Market
3645. Dinner outside