Savor. 651-700

651. Nickel Creek's "Doubting Thomas" & remembering all the stories & youth connected to it

652. Finding a 7-11 in Kanab, UT - which means a yummy Slushie.

653. Buying way too many bags of Trolli egg gummies.

654. Realizing that our hotel in Kanab is right next to the Escalante Staircase Visitor Center

655. Driving down a road just far enough to see if we could catch the sunset

656. Seeing at least 20 deer cross the road and chase their friends

657. Belgium waffles at hotel breakfasts.

658. Walking next door to the visitor center to register for the Wave

659. The fact that they only let 20 people hike the wave every day - to keep that land protected

660. Being the number four in the lottery for The Wave

661. Speaking German with a French/German couple

662. Not winning a permit for the Wave on Saturday

663. Driving three hours north east to the Hole in the Rock dirt road. 

664. Only getting to mile 16 out of the 26 miles on the dirt road.

665. Exploring the 25 mile Wash.

666. Stepping into mud or quicksand and being able to laugh about it and get my boots out

667. Climbing a cottonwood tree

668. Getting off the Hole in the Rock road before it rained on us. Didnt' want to get stuck in the mud.

669. The beautiful scenery that changes before your eyes

670. A second morning eating Belgium waffles - I really like them! So yummy!

671. Watching a couple from Japan celebrate because they got a permit for the Wave 

672. Driving over to Arizona for the day.

673. Finding a Sonic & drinking a Route 44 Cherry Limeaid

674. Sitting at the edge of Horseshoe Bend, AZ

675. New adventures

676. Experiencing Red Mountain Resort with Michelle

677. Yummy and healthy food

678. Access to a variety of hot tea all day long

679. Early morning hikes in the Red Rocks

680.  Trying new workouts back to back

681. Riding bikes to have coffee in a neighboring village

682. Laughing. A lot.

683. Trying to open wine without a wine opener

684. Sabbath by lying in a hammock for the afternoon

685. Walking the labyrinth by myself surrounded by red mountains

686. Meeting Deedre and Kim on one of the morning hikes

687. Running into Abby while getting my haircut with Merrill! I love small reunions!

688. Experiencing The Summit Youth Ministry conference for the second time.

689. Catching up,with Anne at dinner in Atlanta

690. Lunch with my YMCP guys

691. Meeting & listening to the guy behind the Kid President share how God is using them

692. Listening to speakers and feeling so thankful that I do what do & how we do it

693. Sonny's barbecue

694. A slice of pizza from the best pizza place ever in Atlanta

695. Love when friends come into town

696. Wine tasting with Candis at Arrington Vineyards

697. Talking about guys with Candis and her friends

698. Yard Sales. Don't like them but thankful for the people who give and the people who buy so my youth can raise money

699. Laughter with my youth after an entire today together at the yard sale

700. Face timing with my dad and Grace

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." - W.T. Purkiser

Savor. 551-600

551. An afternoon with Mary Arthur in Nashville. 

552. Finding a masseuse at Massage Envy who helps me be ready for the marathon.

553. My community. All of my friends who cheered me on through text, fb and in person during my 20 mile training run.

554. Falling asleep on the couch with Nathan while waiting for Brenda's flight to get here.

555. Life changing conversations with Brenda.

556. House sitting with Toly and Yana.

557. Long conversations about life and faith and brokenness with Yana.

558. Building a little trust with both of them.

559. The invitation to sing at the church for the first time.

560. Learning a new song in two days.

561. The congregations sweet response when they realize that I can sing.

562. Driving down I-65 with Brenda & Ingrid with Mumford and Sons playing loudly.

563. Rereading "Love Does" by Bob Goff.

564. Giving Susie my copy of "Love Does". 

565. Celebrating Susie's birthday in a small way by decorating her hotel room in gator colors.

566. The gift of a free flight to Pensacola with Gene.

567. Feeling I was coming home when we got to Pensacola.

568. Trying to see many of the people I love while in town.

569. But also giving myself permission to not see everyone so I could rest well.

570. Meeting Clay and having a new friend in ministry with him.

571. Getting to share what I love about all of the amazing youth he works with. 

572. Meeting Lisa's new boyfriend.

573. Candis was in Pensacola at the same time I am!

574. Meeting Heidi and Denise to run at Bagelheads on Wednesday morning.

575. Laughter with them. 

576. The fact that they mocked me for forgetting my running shorts  and I wore a skort instead. And they though I was just wearing a khaki skirt and no underwear. Ha.

577. Play and laughter with Cora. And Stacy and Ben. 

578. Pedicures, songs,friends and good food in honor of Susie.

579. The fresh, cool breeze when I got off of the plane in Nashville. 

580. Getting back to Nashville in time to spend a couple hours with Nathan before he went on a retreat for the weekend. 

581. Meeting Becky and Emily E. to run twelve miles on the greenway.

582. Experiencing Shari's Run - one of Lebanon local 5k's with church members.

583. Gorgeous weather to run in. 

584. Freedom to leave work early to get my haircut.

585. Catching up with Merrill.

586. Spending an evening exploring live music on Broadway with Nathan.

587. Stories about our families and experiences that shape us into who we are right now.

588. Inviting middle schoolers to be open to a life of faith filled with adventure at Winfree Bryant Middle School FCA.

589. Spontaneous photo of all the middle schoolers from the stage.

590. Short nap on the middle of the afternoon.

591. Listening to suicide survivors tell their stories at the "Never Alone" rally.

592. Being asked to do the opening prayer at the rally.

593. Getting to take care of Nathan after he injured his knees at Ultimate frisbee.

594. A weekend in Black Mountain, NC.

595. Having sweet and wise friends to sit with when my world is turned upside down.

596. The risk of opening my heart to someone else.

597. Bubbles in the mountains.

598. Roasted broccoli with parm and lemon.

599. Local Carolina brews.

600. Friends who are family.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Photo by Susie Schmidt at the Knob.

Year Four. Day 23.

"Celebrate"

Spent a gorgeous day on the lake!