I love...

This is one of those "things that make me smile" type posts, because, after a long four day weekend of introspection, and facing some of the harder things in my life right now, I needed to remind myself about some of the beautiful ones. So I used one of the journalling prompts from Kim McMechan's seminar a couple weeks ago, and this is what I came up with. Rather than titling it "Things that make me smile", this is simply a list that begins, "I love..."

I Love…

• The flicker of candles in my darkened bedroom

• The convenience of my laptop computer
• Hot pink crocs
• Trident peppermint gum (in the dark blue package)
• Steve Bell’s song “Restless”
• The prospect of lunch dates with various friends this week
• The wavy ikea mirror that hangs on my wall
• The crucifix on my wall from my trip to Mexico – it reflects the tenderness of Jesus, even as he hangs on the cross and suffers. A tender, suffering Savior.
• Chocolate crème oreos
• Having all my books neatly organized on shelves.
• Passion tea from starbucks
• The warm relaxed feeling after a long, hot, bubble bath
• My hair on a really good curly day
• Cute shoes
• Milk chocolate
• Photos of friends and family all over my bedroom
• Art that has hidden meanings (even if only I know what they are)
• Curling up with a novel and losing myself in it
• Stumbling upon a writing that is breathtaking in its beauty
• Laughing with friends
• Really good emails
• Encouragement from friends
• Praying with people who know my heart
• Time spent with Kari
• Dinner and movie dates with Megan
• Hearing someone’s redemption story
• Watching M*A*S*H*
• Particularly idealistic characters
• Making beautiful things
• Turkey breast subs from Subway, on wheat, with lettuce, cucumber, sweet onion sauce, mayo and sub sauce
• BBQ Pork Vietnamese noodle bowls
• Cold, refreshing water
• Hiking Ptarmigan cirque early in the spring when no one is there yet, and you can really enjoy the beauty of the mountain peace
• Sharing the things I love with friends
• Knowing I’ve connected with someone, and eased their burden, if only temporarily
• Rooibos tea
• Any particularly cosy piece of clothing
• Coming home from work and putting on jeans and a hoody
• Encountering Jesus in the really surprising moments
• The Gospel of Mark