Refreshing

Saw a manta ray and a sea turtle today while kayaking in one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

God provided comfort and joy and peace in lots of unexpected ways this week.

And two weeks from now, I'll be in St. Louis with my family.

Can't lie, not much else matters right now and that's a refreshing feeling.

:)

"What is"

New favorite artist... Anna Vandas. I found her on my Norah Pandora station. She has a song titled "What is" that talks about love and the world's way of distorting it. 

The following lyrics are from the chorus of the song, and I think they might sum up the best questions to ask ourselves in hard moments and difficult situations. 

"What is good?

What is pure?

What is right?

What is love?

What is truth?

What is holy in your sight?

.....................................

Can we be holy in your sight?

... We are holy in your sight"

Great Day...

Such a refreshing day:)

So blessed to have such encouraging people in my life.

Met new friends. Laughed with the kids I watch. Hung out with old friends. Was surprised with sweet things by my very thoughtful boyfriend.

God is creative sometimes.

He knows just what I need and when I need it.

And today that just makes me smile in thankfulness.

:)

What a gift

I've talked to my dad every day this week.

At least once.

Today twice.

Yeah... good thing I have such a great one.

... for all the times when I'm tired and confused and hurt and sad.

For all the times when life is just too much.

He listens and encourages and stands up for me along the way.

And this year, this week, today especially... has kinda kicked my ass.

So thanks God, for giving me a father who loves me so well.

... All the time.

... Just because I am his.

And thanks for doing that tenfold for each of your children.

What a gift.

Opposites attract...

Richard's reaction to potentially stressful situations. Slightly different than mine... 

Thankful list

I'm thankful for:
- rainy days in Hawaii
- my brothers; my two actual ones and the many others who treat me like a little sister
- fun nail polish colors
- thrift stores
- Richard
- Indian food
- the ocean; even though it separates me from people I love
- the ability to be physically active
- my family; the best in the world
- laughter
- coffee
- my dad who demonstrates fatherly love so well
- angry birds
- friends
- freedom
- brightly-colored running shoes
- brightly-colored running shorts
- long days at the beach
- Taylor swift albums
- times to work hard
- times to play
- blogging

The missing note

My mom, as many of you know, works at a high school in St. Louis. She takes care of more kids than any normal person would ever want to, and she is great at it.

This week was an especially busy time for her and I wanted to send her flowers. I looked at some websites and found similar problems: too expensive, flowers looked crappy, and no one advertised "willing to walk around a crazy high school and search for curly-haired lady who is most likely doing something ridiculous like trying to stop a fight or help a pregnant student get to the hospital".

So I asked my pseudo little sister Stephanie to pick out flowers and write a note from me... and hand deliver them. She was a great sport and took them at just the right time!

Unfortunately, the letter got misplaced. It happens, no biggie.

But since I'm not going to have her rewrite it, I'd add it to the blog where it can be read whenever:)

The note read:

"Mama,

I know these are very busy days for you, and I just wanted to say I love you and think about you all the time. I wish I could be there this week so badly, but I suppose it all works out because I know there are so many kids there that need your time and attention. Thanks for being an incredible mom to me, the boys, and half of inner city St. Louis ; ) We are all so blessed to have you!

Kates"

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, especially my family:)