524. For the sun trying desperately to make an appearance here in Maui.

525. That I am in Maui for my first time ever!!!

526. Bob is grateful we got here. :-) That we found the place where we are staying at midnight Maui time last night instead of having to stay in the car overnight. (It was 3am California time when our heads hit the pillow!)

527. To have the music of the waves all night long. (Even if the night was short! LOL!)

514. Deep sleep when it comes.

515. The joy of hitting a tennis ball well.

516. The camaraderie I enjoy with a tennis doubles partner...and even better when we thrill to a VICTORY over our opponents!

517. A pastor who demonstrates authentic joy in the Lord.

518. A daughter who is my biggest fan.

519. A son who gives me so many reasons to laugh (and cry!) but who still loves to hug me--even at 19 years of age.

520. The wonderfully encouraging words of a literary agent who is the best in the business.

521. The anticipation of a new season of life.

522. New friends who become prayer partners.

523. The privilege of praying for and preparing for a retreat with women in Washington State. I can't wait to see what God does with us at the end of March!

507. Daisy, the golden retriever, sleeping (gasp!) peacefully (double gasp! gasp!) on the floor. What a picture of REST she is...resting from her typical frantic (and psycho) busy-ness.

508. A sweet word of encouragement God gave me through my sister who says she has experienced unconditional love from me. That has to be the Lord. I am so grateful that when I am a mess, He continues to move in and through me. Lord, I praise you!

509. Disneyland...always thankful for and in awe of all that is there. I think of the way God has created man in His image and Disneyland is evidence of the creativity and brilliance of God's creation! Man has done so many incredible things. From simulating flight (Soaring over California) to the giggles on Star Tours in the Naboo scenario...there is no end to the amazement I feel while there! And to think that God has created us! He is a bizillion times more creative, more fun, more brilliant! HA! (And a bizillion more times than that...and than that! And than that!)

510. Fuzzy horse necks, thick with winter coat and perfect for hugging.

511. Clobbering the bejeebers out of a tennis ball is a blast!

512. Nuzzles from our rescued pound dog, Jordan, who I think finally thinks he has come home.

513. Soft couch cushions.

501. For a crystal clear sky...ever wonder why God made the sky BLUE? It is such a beautiful color...and so "fairy tale-ish!!!"

502. The contrast of the green of the trees against the blue of the sky. Thank you, Lord, for the LIFE that is present in the world around me. In You, everything lives and moves and has its being.

503. Birds flying...God gave them hollow bones to lighten their load. Birds don't get pregnant...they'd be too heavy to fly if He had done that! Even their GI tracts are specially suited to enable them to drop waste easily, without storage, so they continue to be light enough to fly. I love the way the flight of the birds speaks of God's creativity, genius, and attention to detail!

504. For friendships on the tennis court with ladies I would never have had the joy of meeting had I not picked up a racquet again after a 15-year lay-off. I am so thankful for the broad spectrum of personalities that I have had the privilege of getting to know over the last year.

505. For technology that lets me share with friends across the world on the internet! Leading a live (in real-time) online chat with 15 women all over the globe or for the friends and visitors to the various blog sites. :)

506. That You speak even from the mouth of a donkey. You use jack-asses :-) and people who are so very different from me to speak truth into my life. I am so thankful that I don't have to agree with everything someone believes or says or thinks in order to receive a touch of truth through their voice. Thank you, Spirit, for being present ALL the time...not just when everything fits according to my perfect little plan.

#492 - That even though it has been a year since I have posted anything here that I am grateful for, my life has been flooded with blessings!

#493 - For the sweetness of a quiet hour, spent in the presence of the God of the Universe! That He joins me here.

#494 - That choosing to see life, situations, and people with an eternal perspective transforms life into a rich adventure where I see that God is, indeed, doing a new thing (constantly) and He is at work!

#495 - That these light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all!

#496 - That God is taking family trials and using them to connect my sister and me at a deeper level. I sense He is wooing her and I am so eager to see what the future holds, even as my mother nears the end of her life.

#497 - Technology is amazing! It allows me to come together with 15 other women (or more) every Wednesday in a real-time chat, to encourage and to support one another. I am so thankful for this blessing!

#498 - For the joy that comes in various pleasures that God has provided--and that this pleasure, no matter how intense or wonderful--serves only as a taste--a shadow--of the pleasure that is to come in Heaven. Psalm 16:11 says: You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

#499 - For beautiful places such as Dana Point that remind me of the promise of Heaven.


#500 - For my husband...again...afresh...

#482. For a good "family meeting" last night that helped bring a sense of unity.

#483. For Bill Cosby's "Dentists" sketch. Even after all these years it sure can make me laugh!

#484. For the prayers of God's people.

#485. For dear friends who are willing to reach out to my kids and love on them.

#486. For a gifted pastor who is willing to say the difficult things in love so that God's will can be accomplished in a life. Thank you, Pastor Drew!

#487. For gifted authors who are willing to be God's tools in bringing authenticity, truth, and encouragement God's people in need.

#488. For TurboFire -- it has been a lot of fun to use it to exercise for the past 3.5 weeks. Endorphins really do help to offset depression and darkness. God is a genius! (No kidding!)

#489. For Holiday points during Birthday Month!

#490. That even when I am superficial, God loves me.

#491 That no matter how depraved and impoverished I am, God's abundant grace and rich mercy and compassion covers it all.

#474. That God has chosen to put TRUTH in to His Word.

#475. That the TRUTH in the Word of God is WORTH everything to build my life upon.

#476. That no matter what else changes, the Word of God remains the same and the God of the Word is trustworthy.

#477. That I can choose to thank God for this season of suffering. He is painfully personal to me in it and while it is impossibly painful, to attempt to fathom this time devoid of the hovering presence of His Spirit is terrifying.

#478. For physical health. I have never been so thankful for physical health and I will not take it for granted.

#479. For a dance with my husband on Sunday night. God used that simple spontaneous gesture to reach down to deep places in my heart and to begin (yet another) healing work.

#480. For the crispness of the morning fall air. The chance to feel it reminds me that I am alive.

#481. For the prayers and love of so many people!