I thought I’d share a few happy things with you today. Click through when you feel the urge, or just keep reading and scrolling.
First Happy Thing: The Legacy Project is FULLY FUNDED! When the Help One Now bloggers got the word from on high (practicing my Advent terminology) that God wanted a real school built at the Yaveh Shemah home for children in Haiti, I honestly didn’t have any doubt it would get done. Not even when we realized God wanted the money raised by Christmas. I know the generosity of people like you, and it was a no-brainer. Still, however, seeing it actually happen was SO. MUCH. FUN! Yesterday, the final dollars came rolling in. It was like watching an auction in reverse — the balance due on the tally sheets kept getting smaller and smaller. Thank you! To those of you who gave, or prayed, or cheered us on! Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
Second Happy Thing: 26 Moments That Restored Our Faith In Humanity This Year. Thanks to Helen at A Work of Heart for linking to this the other day. I clicked through every single link and watched every single video and smiled for the rest of the day.
Third Happy Thing: SNOW!!! Isn’t it pretty? After the hottest summer ever and a full on drought, water on the ground in any form is a good thing. Of course, this snowfall required that I bake bread. From scratch. Yum. I also drank hot apple cider by the mug full. You’ve heard of chain smoking? Well, whatever that translates to with cider, that was me. I will be happy about this for about 48 more hours. Then, I’ll be ready for 80 degree weather again. I’m fickle like that. But for now, this makes me smile.
Fourth Happy Thing: Books! Books! Books! This week, I’ve read three spectacular books:
- When I was writing 31 Days in My Brown Skin, Ann Kroeker recommended Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White
by Claudia Mair Burney. It’s a love story, and it’s tastefully sexy, and I didn’t feel as if I needed to hide the book inside a copy of Better Homes and Gardens while I read it in public. - I finally got my hands on a copy of 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker. Have you read that book? Can I just tell you how funny it is? It’s also serious. I hung out with Jen in Haiti last October, and I can tell you first hand that she is truly THAT funny. And serious. And smart. When I think of Jen I hear her saying, “So dear.” It’s the term she uses to express her appreciation and I can honestly say that Jen herself is, indeed, so dear.
- Kimberlee Conway Ireton wrote The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in the Church Year. I didn’t grow up with a tradition of observing the Church Calendar, but many of you have introduced me to the richness of the liturgical year. I can’t even believe I just typed “liturgical year.” That wasn’t even in my vocabulary a year ago. Anyway, Kimberlee wrote a book that unpacks the holy seasons of the church. I read it through once, and now I’m reading it again — like a daily devotional (only, not really daily).
by Claudia Mair Burney. It’s a love story, and it’s tastefully sexy, and I didn’t feel as if I needed to hide the book inside a copy of Better Homes and Gardens while I read it in public.
by 
. I didn’t grow up with a tradition of observing the Church Calendar, but many of you have introduced me to the richness of the liturgical year. I can’t even believe I just typed “liturgical year.” That wasn’t even in my vocabulary a year ago. Anyway, Kimberlee wrote a book that unpacks the holy seasons of the church. I read it through once, and now I’m reading it again — like a daily devotional (only, not really daily).
Fifth Happy Thing: Online Communities! I am blessed to be part of two incredible online communities. I know that ultimately I have God to thank for my involvement as Managing Editor for TheHighCalling.org and monthly contributor for (in)courage, but in both cases, God used Ann Voskamp to open the door. She’s not the kind of person who goes for accolades and recognition. If she were here to see you nodding and smiling, she’d quickly redirect us all to God. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t let you know just how much she means to me, and what a big role she has played in my life these past few years. Through those two communities, and the community here at JumpingTandem, I’ve made some of the most incredible friendships, and that includes you! You make me smile.
Sixth Happy Thing: THIS version of the Christmas story. It never gets old:
Lest the members of my family think me mad…of COURSE they make me smile! They are my flesh and blood. We share the same, crazy DNA and a predisposition toward under-planning and overcompensating. My love for them cannot be counted on a list. They’re my favorites!
What are your happy things? Will you share them with us?