thankful: fifteen and sixteen

i'm writing this blog in my quiet, quaint little guest room at the LivingStone monastery in Newport News, VA. i arrived yesterday and, though i'll be leaving the monastery tonight, i'll be in Virginia until Sunday afternoon.

i have had so much to be thankful for these past two days. here are just a few from my list:

country roads; friendly cashiers; cheap gas (thank you, VA!); authentic worship at LHOP; God speaking to me so clearly...in the prayer room...while i'm journalling...even in my dreams; cherry blossoms; warm rain; the most decadent piece of chocolate cake i think i've ever eaten; sweet prayers from sweet friends; new connections and the excitement of meeting a dear friend for the first time; reading by candlelight; hospitality; poetry; cozy cardigans; curling up in the library with my book and a cup of pumpkin coffee.