1000 Gifts: 341-400

Well, you'll have to forgive my absence. But this is one ginormous catch-up gift post.  So thankful.

**The 18th, 19th, and 20th Installment of 1,000 Gifts**

341.	Laughing with him
342.	A day at the batting cages with my love
343.	Timbers game
344.	A Monday off.
345.	Remembering
346.	Staying up far too late laughing together
347.	That feeling when you finally fall into bed after a long day
348.	Redbox Rentals
349.	Homemade lasagna
350.	Happy Hour with Beth
351.	A productive night of packing
352.	Feta cheese and merlot
353.	Free rounds of Golf
354.	McDonald's breakfasts
355.	Dinner with a bestie
356.	Mom and Dad's Anniversary  (28 Years!)
357.	Seeing God's faithfulness in small *chance* meetings
358.	Lunch with the ladies
359.	A 14 month-old's handprint on my pantleg
360.	Coming home
361.	Floorplan designing with the husband
362.	The Mentalist - together
363.	A dishwasher
364.	Pink Roses
365.	McDonald's Sweet Iced Tea
366.	Clean laundry
367.	A phone date with my little sister
368.	Home videos
369.	Hood Canal with old friends
370.	Fresh clams for my man
371.	My lobster
372.	Labor Day Weekend
373.	Chicken Isabella
374.	Postcards
375.	Fresh pillowcases
376.	On-Time Flights
377.	When the AC unit in the hotel provides enough white noise to drown out the neighbors
378.	Cinnamon -Raisin Bagels
379.	Panera Bread
380.	Travel Safety
381.	Earplugs
382.	The love, grace, and forgiveness of an incredible husband
383.	When the hotel towels are actually soft
384.	California Sunrises
385.	When I get to go home!
386.	Friday nights
387.	Mexico
388.	When the breakfast bagels aren't stale
389.	Lime tree
390.	Full rainbows
391.	When the campus map is accurate
392.	When there is a parking spot open right outside the office when you're running late
393.	Laguna Beach
394.	When my mother-in-law prays for me everyday.
395.	When you have exact change for the toll.
396.	When they serve Jamba Juice at the college fair
397.	When the water pressure at the hotel is perfect.
398.	When I choose the right lane of traffic
399.	When you can go to the front of the line thanks to Enterprise Plus.
400.	The fact that there are a number of other people on my late night and otherwise  creepy shuttle.

Tweet

Trust Issues

It's been quiet around these parts - and that completely belies the pace of our lives. For the past 5 weeks, I have been in and out of town on the road for work.  It's been a challenging 5 weeks, and we're only just halfway through.  This season has certainly given us a greater appreciation for each other and a greater appreciation for our military families who endure much harder and much longer absences than this.  Either way, it's been tough.

I've sat down to write often, but have never really been able to put my feelings to words.  Then, once I was able to, I didn't like hearing the negativity that poured forth.  You see, these last five weeks have been riddled with loneliness and anxiety; and, lest you think we have it altogether (ha!), I'm afraid that this place would have been a broken record of the two.  

But He is faithful. 

And in the exact moment I needed it, He was there. And in the moments when I was sinfully unaware of my need, He was there too.  Encouraging sermons, edifying books, and sweet Scripture have buoyed those days that are particularly dark.  And then, as if that's not enough, He paints skies like these:

I've been reading through Lydia Brownback's book, Trust; and, I came across a quote that has been a lifeline of sorts as I strive to unbuckle this burden of anxiety and lay it at the foot of the Cross.

"Real faith isn't the belief that God will do a particular thing; real faith is the conviction that God is good, no matter what He does and however He chooses to answer our prayers."  - Lydia Brownback, Trust.

All is Grace.  How quickly I forget.

Tweet