thank.full.

I'm so thankful...for so many things.

Yesterday was one of those days when I took a breath, looked around and realized that:
God. Is. So. Good.
I smiled....and giggled.


My day tried to start out awful [locked kitchen doors, lost keys, late breakfast], but because of the faithfulness and...just plain *awesomeness* of some friends of mine [whose names all start with the letter "J"], everything was fine. Fine and dandy. Thank you, "knights-in-shining-armor!"  I am forever in your debt.

Yesterday, I [mentally] looked around and felt my heart g.l.o.w. I am blessed to be here, and knowing that I am *exactly* where God wants me puts a smile on my face and a skip in my step. He is constantly guiding me, even when I can't feel it.
Especially when I can't feel it.

Do you have a friend or two that when you think about them, you can't help but smile, and maybe laugh a little from the sheer joy of knowing them? The kind of friends who you feel like you've known forever, even though it's been much less...who you can laugh about absolutely nothing with...who know what you're thinking and what you're going to say before you say it...who radiate the love of Christ.  I have some friends like that. Like radiant orbs of sunshine, and joy, and Jesus; I'm drawn to them, touched by them, loved by them, blessed by them. I just [fervently] pray I can have a big of an impact on their lives.

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There's something about creating a meal out of a few simple ingredients that is exceptionally and overwhelmingly satisfying.  My favorite food to create is good-ol'-from-scratch baked goods. Cakes. Pies. Cookies. Bread. To me, these things whisper of love and thoughtfulness and warmth...of artistry and times forgotten.


I got to bake today. *insert sincerely delighted smile*

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it's cloudy and rainy. there's coffee.
and melancholy music.
#perfection

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My two youngest sisters, ages 12 and 8, are here for days and days and days. With their presence comes lots of laughter and hugs and silliness and questions and adventures and coffee [truth].  #happinessuponhappiness

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I feel His love welling up on the inside of me. It is precious and vital and oxygen and all I will ever need. The world tries to tell me different, but He is jealous of my heart, and has promised me He'll keep it safe. He holds the key. He is watchman of my soul and guardian of my heart. There is no other. No other worthy. The enemy will stop at nothing to try and worm his way into my heart. To lie. To deceive. To tell me that I can make it on my own, and why am I fighting so hard to stay pure and holy? The world, though enticing at times, holds nothing but empty promises.... My Beloved is watching out for me.

For this I am unquestionably....irrevocably....eternally grateful.