I'd rather be in a battle of praise

Praiseworthy things for today:

• Mama-bears! You know who you are and the sacrificial and Christ-like way you love.
• Children who jump up and down when you come home.
• A temp job, to help pay for some terribly expensive dental work.
• Car-pooling with the sister for a week.
• Hearing from the other sister, sometimes I miss her without realizing it. :)
• Celebrating a year-old church plant with new friends in a city I love.
• The baby tearing up things just because... he is so curious!
• The ability to turn to God for whatever, whenever.
• Friends a world away who you sometimes catch in the middle of the night on Facebook.
• Free speech.
• The gift of writing. I'm so thankful Ms Davis and Mrs Jeter told me to write all those years ago.
• Hope amid sadness and troubling times.
• A new governor for Kansas, one of the few republicans who defends the oppressed and fights for social justice.
• Hearing the voice of God through wordless music.
• Missions Sunday coming up and the chance to sing my heart.
• A funny friend who makes all things silly and fun, or serious, when they need to be. But mostly fun.
• Working out and losing weight and feeling positive about my health.
• The man being home. I truly did miss him more than my macbook.
• The boy, who can't wait to sign his name on a letter to God.
• The girl, who keeps me on my toes and lets me brush her hair.
• The baby, who cuddles after naps. 
• Thanksgiving's soon arrival, and with it a family gathering of most of my favourite people. I can't wait till heaven when every family gathering will include every family member... oh, it will be fun. :)

I think today I could go on and on. Because God is good and speaks to us if we listen. And sometimes speaks to us even when we're not listening. He surprises me that way. I'm not the best listener... so glad He knows me.