My daily gratitude for:

1. Our Valentines dinner with grilled Wagyu sirloin and grilled Chilean Sea Bass!!! It was a good night together eating and playing dominoes.

1. Angelea, an RN who over this week showed her incredible acumen and leadership in the ways she managed a critical patient and advocated with gentleness for his family.
2. Winona Johnson. I came across her picture and the agenda of her memorial service and my heart filled with gratitude for her spirit and life.
3. A week of good visits that affirmed my giftedness in chaplaincy.
4. The love and affection of our two dogs, Hershey and Reba.
5. The warmth of a cup of coffee in the morning.

My daily gratitude for:

1. Ryan and Sylvia Mack. Their faith and friendship as a couple will always be a great reflection of Gods love through a family. (Welcome to the new little one too!)
2. Dr. Craig Churchill, one of my profs at ACU who truly empowered my education with his passion for research and books, and his curiosity about my life as a mentor. So much appreciation.
3. The great sushi we made last week.
4. The Facilities folks at TCH who maintain equipment in good shape and work so hard behind the scenes caring for patients.
5. Ryans newfound love for the Imagine Dragons song “Believer.” It’s cute.
6. The big clear blue sky this morning, especially after continuously cloudy skies for three days.

My daily gratitude for:

1. Marriage as the place where iron sharpens iron.
2. Ryans forgiveness. As a parent, his kind understanding is a pure gift.
3. Sally Nash and her pastoral leadership with pastors and chaplains in the UK. Happy birthday Sally!
4. Michael Mercer. Wise people who are open minded and big hearted are hard to come by. Happy birthday Michael!
5. Getting to the end of a container of coffee and knowing I have a brand new bag of great coffee to open thanks to Liz.
6. Our dinner prayers, whether by Ryan or me or Liz. I appreciate it every night.
7. Speaking of prayers, prayer humor…!!!!

My daily gratitude for:

1. Jesus words about being light and salt. These words were quite profound and moving to me, as our church reflected on them yesterday.
2. The entire set of nurses, providers, and staff at Corinthian Pointe that I got to serve and listen to on Friday. They represent all that is best about TCH- being family, connection, and love for those they serve.
3. Taking communion as a family every week.
4. Making sushi rolls with Liz last week. It was a fun class and fun time together.
5. Facilitating Ryans imagination when he is bored.
6. Ryans laugh when watching fails on YouTube, which is so so funny!
7. Hilarious random humor!

My daily gratitude for:

1. Ryan and Tripp getting to hang out and have fun! Their relationship continues to blossom and warm my heart!
2. Liz feeling better today.
3. Kathleen Kososki, one of my fave people and an RN who is constantly encouraging and insightful.
4. Pam Krinock’s consistency and presence being here at 7am every day. It is partially what allows me to have mornings with Liz and Ryan.
5. Getting to listen to others at the hospital. It’s a gift I get to offer, but it’s not just passive.

My daily gratitude for:

1. The pretty hikes Liz and I have taken these past two weeks, including Brazos Bend yesterday.
2. Ryans comfort at and understanding of himself at Bering Drive. This week he even stood in the communion line on his own, contributed offering, and sat through service handing out his own encouragement cards during service. I love this.
3. The lakes and ponds and creeks of Brazos Bend, which held a calming and relaxed feeling.
4. Hala Needham for her focused and calm presence in the CICU, and her leadership both in crisis and normal time.
5. Our Super Bowl hangout time with some wonderful people of our church, especially Gina and John Rebman, Dwain Evans, Rolf, the Hubers, and the Goode’s among many others.
6. Getting a hospitalized 9 year old to smile and laugh today. I have appreciated developing a bond with him.
7. Playing fetch with my dogs this morning.