"I waited patiently for the LORD; 

he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock 

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, 

a hymn of praise to our God.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;

may your love and your truth always protect me.

For troubles without number surround me;

my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart fails within me.

Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; 

O LORD, come quickly to help me.

Yet I am poor and needy;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

O my God, do not delay."

- Portions of Psalm 40 - 

• knowing my brother is where he needs to be
• edible arrangements
• determination to make technology work
• connections to a rental car company
• sealing the deal on the invitations
• getting affirmative advice from my husband
• insects chirping as a back drop to mother/daughter conversation
• rain drops streaking across windows, thunder rolling in the distance

books to be read, again and again

some favorite read-alouds for that time of day we all look forward to:
Story Time

the best educational tools - picture books and games

empty baskets, waiting to be filled with brand new school supplies

a classroom coming back to life

• unexpectedly having a buddy at school to talk to and gain ideas while working in my classroom
• Skype date: I know I mention it all the time lately, but I can't express how truly grateful I am for this amazing technology that allows me to communicate with my husband when he is across the globe! Our time apart would be so much harder were it not for video chatting.
• dollar deals at Target
• filling backpacks with school supplies for local children in need
• purchasing an address book, instead of searching through my e-mail each time I need to find one!
• help from crafty cousins to get invitations assembled and ready to be mailed
• two desserts, oops!
• shared sorrow for loved ones; praying for peace that passes understanding, strength to keep on, and reliance on God

• "why, why why does it go this way... somewhere down the road, you will find mighty arms reaching for you, and they will hold the answers at the end of the road"
• singing with the praise team in church, looking out over the congregation and watching people of all ages lifting their hands and worshipping our God
• chance of showers, an excuse to scrapbook
• prayers for a dear family
• dessert delivery
• laughter over dinner

• hearing about a beautiful celebration of life, happy to know that my grandpa and his sister are in heaven together
• talking to my love first thing in the morning, still in my pj's
• relaxing afternoon on the dock
• cat nap
• blueberry-lemon coffee cake
• a night of no plans

• helpful coworkers at Reiner, they make label printing so easy
• no line in the post office
• full day of crafting with one of my favorites
• sharing leftovers
• orders for a.j.e.less designs, excited that our baby name blocks are a hit!
• baking cupcakes in "flower pots," licking the spoon
• finishing my wedding scrapbook, looking through the finished product
• central air - relief from the heat

• perfect timing
• experimenting & learning in photoshop, ending in good results!
• buying lunch for dad
• helping out where needed
• list of names and addresses
• amazing camera in my hands again, need to practice, practice
• air conditioning - at home, at work, in the car - so blessed
• family prayers

• a helpful and pleasant man to tow my car, defying my initial stereotype (that will teach me)
• family AAA membership
• talking and laughing with friends of all ages
• enjoying time around, in, and on the pool
• a show that makes me laugh and cry at the same time
• "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." - Psalm 27:4-5