“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

317. chickadees in the backyard

318. a cleaner bedroom closet

319. the scent of Easter lilies

320. new shoes and lively lilac polish on my toes

321. eye exams given by a sweet, long-time friend

322. celebrating her accomplishments in Scripture memory

323. their encouraging prayers for me to be bold

324. sunshine

325. apple pie

336. popcorn for lunch on Friday

337. marriage

338. his handwriting

339. giant cookies with lots of icing

340. all his 37 years

341. a juicy baby-pit ham for Easter

342. their delight in hearing hymn stories

343. their voices taking turns as they sing “Up from the Grave He Arose”

344. I Will Carry You by Angie Smith 

345. a quarter moon at daybreak on Easter

346. new clothes for church

347. how He carries me as I tell my testimony

348. the simple joy of blowing bubbles in the backyard

349. their excitement in decorating eggs — especially the watermelon one

350. a short Sunday walk, chasing pink scooters

351. strong daddy arms that carry her back to the van

352. big band-aids for her scrapped up elbow, knee and shin

353. a Sunday evening drive around the lake

354. flowering kalanchoe

355. Gramma’s funny stories about raising chickens

356. his delight in strawberry swirl cheesecake

357. coffee that even a non-coffee drinker gets excited about

358. how she begs to do the resurrection eggs

359. the peace that guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus

360. his kind, encouraging words

361. her taking time to listen and letting me know she needed to hear my story