Gifts 14201-14300

14201. The rain bringing cool breezes.
14202. Hearing Midway prays every Wednesday night and feeling
            stronger.
14203. Good long rest always a gift.
14204. A break from Türkü.
14205. Laughing on the balcony with Rain, Sage, and Marin about 
            boyfriends and kissing.
14206. Good prayer time on the balcony. Asking for daily needs to
            be met.
14207. Good news from mom about Ezra.
14208. Remembering God is unresting and unhasting. He is 
            working even when we can't see it or when we quit. But he 
            does things the slow way, the right way.
14209. Cooler temps.
14210. Remembering to ask for daily bread. For enough strength 
            for today.
14211. Sharing sorrows with Ismahal.
14212. An ATM that I can both withdraw and deposit money.
14213. A nice dinner.
14214. Remembering the hard process of getting here and then 
            thankful I'm here.
14215. My emptiness and hunger are driving me to the Lord in a
            desperate way.
14216. Hebrew goodness.
14217. Jesus: a thousand years, a thousand tongues are not enough
            to sing his praise.
14218. An obedience to cease striving at least for one day.
14219. Waking feeling rested.
14220. Cake for Funda, serving her was healing for me.
14221. Evi initiating a good conversation.
14222. Good Laughter with Leslie and Ginny Lou.
14223. My mom is coming!
14224. Abundant grace upon grace favor at immigration.
14225. Erdal asking me to bring the card game.
14226. A fun day at Festiva with the Suiter kids.
14227. Worship and tears, thinking on the fact that Jesus would not 
            only not destroy us but would take our guilt, shame, 
            punishment, wrath.
14228. Things resolved easily with landlord.
14229. Shay having listening ears as I shared.
14230. Scooter ride.
14231. Shelby contacted me!
14232. That milkshake, yum.
14233. Getting to be a part of Caroline's wedding. Remembering 
            the multitude I used to worship with.
14234. Aunt Jamie saying one of our neighbors told her they loved 
            us.
14235. Boldness with the E family to share truth, and yet we are 
            still friends who can laugh together.
14236. One paper down.
14237. Meditating on how God created me fearfully and 
            wonderfully.
14238. And if he can give everyone such different personalities,
            how much more complex is He. Ten thousand years will 
            only be the beginning of knowing him and worshiping him 
            for that.
14239. Jude saying he's my friend.
14240. Donuts!
14241. Accomplishments.
14242. A mall near the bus stop and Sbarro's pizza.
14243. Ice cream on the bus.
14244. A kind taxi driver who liked making jokes.
14245. Hanging with Sarah C and the Mills.
14246. Sarah going to the airport with me.
14247. My mom made it!
14248. Jenni out of town meaning quality alone time with me mum.
14249. A sweet, sweet letter from Shawna.
14250. CFS, always a treat.
14251. Selma telling my mom how much she loves me.
14252. Ismahal and husband's eyes lighting up when they met my 
            mom.
14253. Gurme breakfast.
14254. Plenty of ticket to ride.
14255. Dinner with CFS, Tuğba, and the director.
14256. A day to rest.
14257. Anne together.
14258. Monica in town and wanting to meet. A nice blast from the
            past.
14259. Wise advice from Pelin about the bread guy.
14260. Nazire's excitement at meeting my mom.
14261. E family loving on us and making sure my mom knew we 
            are loved.
14262. Hamam fun with my mom and Jenni.
14263. Homemade hamburger buns.
14264. Wedding fun with the Durak family.
14265. Şerife taking us to the bridge.
14266. Waterfall and greenery beauty.
14267. More loving from the E family.
14268. An honest cab driver, a cheaper rate.
14269. Finding some food.
14270. The beach to decompress.
14271. A kind and cute waiter.
14272. A good massage.
14273. Surviving the metro episode.
14274. A nice hotel.
14275. Pizza Hut.
14276. Discovering the beauty of Uber.
14277. Sushi!!!!
14278. Kissing and making up with my mom.
14279. A cheap taxi to airport.
14280. Goodbyes stink but there is a reason.
14281. Two front seats to myself for a bit.
14282. Sickness enabling reflection and time for prayer.
14283. Reminded of the vision of what we are working towards.
14284. A sweet day with the Altays.
14285. Abundant laughter from Eray badly playing his game.
14286. Truth reading and then sharing with Funda.
14287. Unrestrained mercy -Ps 40:11
14288. God our shepherd is leading and caring for me in such a 
            way that I will thank him eternally. -Ps 79:13
14289. Three abis here to pray and encourage.
14290. Snapchat video Laughter.
14291. Praying for good relationships with neighbors then invited 
            to a neighbor party.
14292. A good, healing, soul-telling cry.
14293. A fun time with Yasemen.
14294. Sherry's kindness to us.
14295. İsmail Abi giving us his number and being on our side.
14296. Jude telling Jenni she is awesome and me that I’m beautiful.
14297. The Samsun guy and his sermons.
14298. Seeing Şenda after a while of not seeing her.
14299. A day to rest and read and wisdom to do so.
14300. Seeing Semra for the first time in months.

Gifts 14101-14200

14101. Çiğ köfte wrap.
14102. Having the wisdom to rest.
14103. Walking home from the pazar with neighbors.
14104. Ismahal and her daughter coming for tea.
14105. Laughter with them.
14106. Catching up with Brooke.
14107. Quiet Hebrews sermons.
14108. Chill and ambient breakfast.
14109. Giant white dandelions.
14110. A break in between the translating.
14111. A whole day of sermons, art, and generally vegging out.
14112. Campbells buying a dolap on their own.
14113. Talking with my bro and co.
14114. Talking with Caley.
14115. Remembering I could make menemen, thus no need to leave
            the house.
14116. Laughter with Lisa always easy. 
14117. Finding shade to walk in.
14118. Air conditioned spaces.
14119. A ride to fellowship.
14120. Jude's loving. A freely given hug, well kind of.
14121. Lisa taking me home cause she wanted to.
14122. Also offering to make my plate. 
14123. Delicious cold strawberries.
14124. Delicious dinner too.
14125. Ismahal borderline hugging me.
14126. Phone problems resolved- miş. 
14127. New phone number a reason to say hey to all my friends, 
            remind them I'm here.
14128. Selma at home and welcoming.
14129. Good conversations with her son.
14130. Atapark with her, her daughter and Murruvet.
14131. Laughing with them.
14132. Cool evening requiring a jacket.
14133. Missing my dad but remembering I have a Father who won't 
            leave me or forsake me, isn't too far, won't get weak or sick
            or die.
14134. Remembering one day I will be home, no more lack.
14135. Swimming on a hot day.
14136. Watching the parade with Suiter kiddos.
14137. A 4th dinner celebration.
14138. Blueberry pie with ice cream.
14139. Belting out "Im proud to be an American" with Lisa riding
            around Atapark.
14140. Catching up with Megan.
14141. Getting bank phone number issue resolved easily.
14142. Finally mailing some stuff.
14143. Laughing with Rain and Sage.
14144. Catching up with Jenni.
14145. And Meredith.
14146. Sushi!!! And I didn't have to make it.
14147. Finding cheap blueberries!!
14148. Remembering that He is the best Author of stories and mine
            will be great.
14149. Invitation to tennis, made my heart happy.
14150. Funnel cakes.
14151. Pursued by locals.
14152. Zekiye giving her son ear drops and then kissing him
            because she knows it's uncomfortable. A picture of how 
            God draws me near in the discomfort to let me know it's 
            done in love for my good.
14153. Cranky neighbor saying she loves Jenni and I.
14154. Her holding the door all the way open and smiling big at
            Jenni.
14155. Surprise that Selma came back and is getting married.
14156. A great massage.
14157. An enjoyable evening with Campbells and the Altays.
14158. Talking about American history in my second language.
14159. Jenni going with me.
14160. Quick and easy dinner.
14161. Dutch Blitz with the Altays and the fact they loved it.
14162. A Sunday spent with them like we would with our families.
14163. Seeing and chatting with my dad's family.
14164. Heath reminding and insisting I get some rest.
14165. Hebrews beauty shared, fostering worship.
14166. Fire that my Jesus, my Lord not be belittled.
14167. Catching up with other single gals.
14168. Cafe Lal pizza.
14169. The carpet store, such beauty. 
14170. Fun times with Funda and Ayşe.
14171. Ashton's good questions and observations. Her willingness
            to come out late.
14172. An evening to chill.
14173. A cool summer night requiring a sweatshirt and hot cocoa.
14174. An afternoon to rest my brain.
14175. Blogs to empty my brain.
14176. Getting invited to the kız isteme because I am family.
14177. Having friends to go to the circumcision celebration with.
14178. A package arriving in less than a week.
14179. A surprise note from my dad that is so him.
14180. Lessons learned through the shamelessly persistent 12 year
            old and how I should be that way with God.
14181. For it being easy with Buket's family. They are our family.
14182. Playfully bickering with them over the game.
14183. Jenni sitting back all cool sipping a mineral water and 
            chatting comfortably in her third language.
14184. Evi sharing more verses.
14185. Di seemingly in a healthy place.
14186. An opportunity for her to share.
14187. An unexpected cool evening and morning after the irritating 
            heat.
14188. Waking to the sound of rain.
14189. The creativity of a God who came up with so many varieties 
            of delicious foods. Peaches and figs and strawberries and 
            olives and tomatoes and avocados and cucumbers. Yum.
14190. And this is the cursed version of these things, only the 
            fringes.
14191. Remembering the hard early days but seeing how he held 
            me fast.
14192. Morning rest.
14193. Grace that I don't always understand or communicate well.
14194. A few minutes catching up with Lisa.
14195. Hacı Anne getting tickled at Ekin which made me laugh 
            too.
14196. Erdal fixing our kitchen cabinet doors.
14197. Fried okra.
14198. Fresh warm homemade chocolate chip cookies.
14199. Breezy Atapark.
14200. The shaded sidewalks and reprise from the heat.

Gifts 14001-14100

14001. Jim T saying he can see the joy of Christ in my face in 

            photos. 

14002. A timely word from Kathryn: "Ah, Lord God! It is you who 

            have made the heavens and the earth by your great power 

            and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." 

            -Jeremiah 32:17

14003. A prayer from Aunt Beth for strength to not just endure but 

            be able to see him working all around me. And that I be 

            filled and blessed and given opportunities beyond what I 

            can imagine.

14004. Zek coming to mind in prayer and then running into her. 

14005. Cafe Lal pizza and waffles. 

14006. Believing that pr walking is beneficial. 

14007. Lots of truth packed into my last 15 minutes with Sherry. 

14008. Bold and firm answers yet respectful. 

14009. Focus and HS given answers. 

14010. Lisa's family visiting but being family to us as well. 

14011. Microwaved grilled cheese that I didn't have to make. 

14012. A bounty of blueberries. 

14013. Live music and lots of voices at fellowship. 

14014. Kids time too. 

14015. Share time, hearing other likeminded people speak. 

14016. A short sermon but filled with these truths: 

           *Gods spirit has not stopped being poured out. 

           *The spirit showed up and stayed this time. 

           *God planted us in the right place just like disciples at 

             Pentecost. 

           *Gospel is relevant where condemnation is in every corner. 

14017. "He wraps himself in light and darkness tries to hide and 

           trembles at his voice."

14018. Pelin, an example of hope and peace to T. 

14019. Babysitting time yielding prayer time. 

14020. An easy evening with them. 

14021. Jude saying he didn't need me but then asking where I was 

            going. 

14022. Friends at the handmade goods shop remembering me. 

14023. And the lady at Kanyon. 

14024. Chasing Jude for hugs. 

14025. The closest pharmacy was the one on call. 

14026. Laughing so much at the Office. 

14027. A day of fun with Türkü. 

14028. Menemen. 

14029. Ice cream cones. 

14030. A great day with Zekiye. 

14031. Deep conversations with her. 

14032. She's not a brick wall. 

14033. Fun picture of the Vaughns, Suiters, Smiths and Campbells. 

14034. Brice saying he wants to include me in his family. 

14035. More Office laughs. 

14036. Long sabbath rest. 

14037. Feasting on Hebrews. 

14038. Time to paint. 

14039. More sleep this morning. 

14040. More feasting on Hebrews. 

14041. Poor bankrupt souls who feel and know the hell of sin 

            within, come boldly to the throne of grace the Lord will 

            take you in. 

14042. By grace alone somehow I stand where even angels fear to

            tread. 

14043. Jesus eternally opened the way into God's presence. 

14044. His indestructible life. 

14045. Jim B's words: Building your ship can feel isolated but don't 

            give up. We don't know the end of our stories, but 

            thankfully father does. He has made an incredible path for 

            you, and has a plan for the entire thing. So, when you feel

            less than enthusiastic about your current situation, or the 

            number of passengers on your boat, remember a man who 

            spent more than an our expected lifetime building a vessel 

            that would change all of mankind."

14046. Fish still alive. 

14047. Chatting with Di for a few. 

14048. Proud of a painting. 

14049. J buying me a piano mug just because. 

14050. An ER finished. 

14051. Office laughs and a brain break. 

14052. Time with Zuch and useful Hebrews 2 study with her. 

14053. Cherries, strawberries, mulberries, yum!

14054. An invite to the E family. 

14055. Getting to walk home afterwards. 

14056. Also bumped up to family member twice, getting to help do

            dishes. 

14057. Selma, leaning out over the balcony sending love. And for 

            always making me smile. 

14058. A slow morning with the word. 

14059. Strawberry lemonade. 

14060. The love of Buket and Ekin. 

14061. Surviving the unexpected hours with them. 

14062. Friday, a break for us. 

14063. Seeing Neslihan. 

14064. Chatting with Jana. 

14065. Headache leaving. 

14066. Meeting up at 2 instead of 12. 

14067. A nap in the midst of a long day. 

14068. Chatting with family too. 

14069. Seeing Mary's wedding. 

14070. Sibel asking if we wanted her niece to send us any 

            American goodies. 

14071. Laughter after the dog followed and the E family watched 

            us leave. 

14072. Having a laughing partner watching The Office. 

14073. Laughing with Lisa. 

14074. The best Ticket to Ride game. 

14075. Blogging time. 

14076. Rich Hebrews time. 

14077. Waffles and bacon. 

14078. A day of rest. 

14079. Watching my mom laughing and making silly faces. I want

            to freeze it in my mind forever. 

14080. Special time with Sage. 

14081. Easy bedtime with Suiter kiddos. 

14082. Fun hanging with Şerife. 

14083. Seeing Kader and Cemile again. 

14084. Campbells here!

14085. Chatting with Neslihan.

14086. Feeling stronger with 12 than with 8. 

14087. Sweet worship and prayer time remembering What a 

            Beautiful Name it is. 

14088. Yummy breakfast burritos. 

14089. Fire to boldly speak truth. 

14090. A nice breakfast with CFS. 

14091. A break after grocery shopping. 

14092. A yummy and healthy dinner. 

14093. Fresh peaches and cherries one of the amazing perks of 

            living here. 

14094. Gurme breakfast. 

14095. A cool quiet place to sit. 

14096. Figuring out my phone problem easily. 

14097. Time with Kaderler. 

14098. A large entourage to escort me home. 

14099. Oversleeping but not by too much. 

14100. Lisa saying my writing has greatly improved. 

Gifts 13901-14000

13901. Night noises amounting to nothing. 

13902. 10.5 hours to catch up on lost rest. 

13903. Long time in the Word. 

13904. Pazar lessons from Cemile. 

13905. A shirt that almost said Tennessee. 

13906. Reading time. 

13907. Warm water for a shower. 

13908. A bath robe towel. 

13909. Serving at the sergi. 

13910. Two naps today. 

13911. Ice cream to cool. 

13912. A cool breeze. 

13913. A quiet and calm town. 

13914. Jets. 

13915. Them finally letting me contribute. 

13916. Quiet time on the bus, remembering he intercedes for me

            rather than condemns me. 

13917. A timely bathroom. 

13918. Funny t-shirts. 

13919. Shelter from the rain. 

13920. Nice views from the castle walls. 

13921. Timely water and a bathroom. 

13922. Reading time. 

13923. Finally, a conversation of depth. 

13924. Nice Turkish music. 

13925. Time to journal, process. 

13926. A yummy open breakfast buffet. 

13927. Fun old homes, narrow stone steeets. 

13928. Kids playing in the streets. 

13929. Blue skies, sunshine, cool breezes.

13930. Finding an open church to visit.

13931. K taking a DVD. 

13932. Sharing the sights with the kids and my parents. 

13933. Coming back home for rest. 

13934. Long night rest. 

13935. Laughter at me making the fish talk. 

13936. A bungalow type seating area. 

13937. A timely bathroom. 

13938. Bright sunshine on green grass. 

13939. Laughter. 

13940. Music jamming with Yasemin. 

13941. Bonding with Cemile over Shlok and Astha. 

13942. Lisa and Liz affirming that its ok to want to leave earlier 

            rather than later. 

13943. A long time in the Word. 

13944. A chance to serve. 

13945. A shower and a nap. 

13946. Tickets bought. 

13947. Decent conversations today. 

13948. Fun watching Sister Act. 

13949. Seeing Zekey after kindergarten graduation. 

13950. A chance to talk to my mom. 

13951. Encouragement from Lisa. 

13952. New email working. 

13953. Candies from home to keep me sane. 

13954. Truth sharing with Aunt Jamie.

13955. A chance to work on update. 

13956. Cemile to help me buy watermelon seeds. 

13957. A fun evening laughing and joking with Kader, Cemile, and 

            Mehmet. All I had been hoping for. 

13958. A quiet place, a place where one can see the stars. 

13959. Rememberjng Jeff D and his legacy. 

13960. H apologizing. 

13961. Home!

13962. Burger King with the Suits. 

13963. Long rest. 

13964. Mert and Burcak playing and loving each other at the park. 

13965. Mac-n-cheese. 

13966. Laughing so hard at The Office that I couldn't breathe. 

13967. A day with Di. 

13968. Some morning chill. 

13969. A chance to serve the Suits. 

13970. Yummy comfort food. 

13971. The bus stop bench with Jenni, always a good chat. 

13972. Catching up with Caroline. 

13973. Funda asking to come on Tuesday meaning a day of rest!

13974. Time to chat with my family. 

13975. Hebrews 11 goodness. 

13976. The old pazar reopened. 

13977. Seeing old friends.  

13978. A rainbow of fresh produce. 

13979. Mercimek köftesi. 

13980. Organizing my office. 

13981. Successfully getting my phone registered. 

13982. Successfully buying bus tickets for Lisa, requesting the 

            right seats, asking for discounts, etc. 

13983. Watching Ismahal laughing so hard about teaching me a

            new idiom: Dondurma kaymak yemeyen manyak: the ones

            who don't eat ice cream are maniacs.

13984. Breakfast with Şenda. 

13985. An ice cream and some rest. 

13986. Reunited with Buketler. 

13987. A sweet yellow rose. 

13988. An ended conversation. 

13989. A day to chill and process. 

13990. Prayer walking to fight the frustration. 

13991. Hebrews 12 goodness. 

13992. Friend of Sinners truth filled words. 

13993. Seeing Shelby for a bit. 

13994. Finding Texas towels for the Campbells. 

13995. A timely bus. 

13996. The Özdilek movie theater, so nice, so quiet, such a gift. 

13997. A movie in English. 

13998. Time to chat with my family. 

13999. Cindy's words: encouraged by my sacrifice and challenged 

            by it. Grateful I push through the hard days. Reminder that

            my light shines powerfully in darkness even when I don't 

            see or feel it. Praying for strength and for intimacy with 

            Jesus. 

14000. Ayşe coming over. Hugs and we mutually missed each 

            other. 

Gifts 13801-13900

13801. A carry on option. 

13802. Oh so yummy sushi. 

13803. Time with Crystal and Caley. 

13804. Laughter on the way home. 

13805. Waking early for truth time. 

13806. Big family breakfast. 

13807. Strength to love well and encourage. 

13808. Valley views. 

13809. Family picture time. 

13810. Corn dogs. 

13811. Ticket to Ride with the fam. 

13812. Delicious hobo packs. 

13813. Zeke holding my hand in the movie. 

13814. Worshiping with others. 

13815. Mary selecting some songs for me. 

13816. A chance to be there to encourage Greta. 

13817. Good questions and an eager audience. 

13818. Good afternoon with my sister. 

13819. Seeing her home, city, work. 

13820. Christina driving up to see me. 

13821. Finding a lightweight suitcase. 

13822. A quiet drive home. 

13823. Prayer with the Cooks. 

13824. Signing the painting. 

13825. A sweet time with the Vaughns. 

13826. Sushi with Caroline and Bennett. 

13827. Good for my soul hang out with the Boltons. 

13828. Hugs from Dwight and Betty. 

13829. Idea for The Vine time. 

13830. Long time in Hebrews. 

13831. A nap. 

13832. Lunch with Pap-pa. 

13833. Book Club reunion. 

13834. Seeing Erin and Jason too. 

13835. Laughter and reminiscing about Badmintion class. 

13836. Seeing Jon and McKenzie. 

13837. Ralph's donuts. 

13838. Massage. 

13839. Peace over the Di situation. 

13840. Fun time sharing with the kids. 

13841. Some more support. 

13842. My face on fridges. 

13843. Prayer time with niecphews. 

13844. Slumber party too. 

13845. A field of purple flowers. 

13846. A patch of yellow ones too. 

13847. A doctor visit in English. 

13848. In and out. 

13849. Game time and food with my mom and Crystal. 

13850. Laughing til we cried over Snapchat videos. 

13851. Dodgeball with the kids. 

13852. Packed together in the car. 

13853. S'mores and bonfire together. 

13854. Crying, releasing. 

13855. Finding ways to laugh amidst grief. 

13856. Hugs and tears galore. 

13857. Ticket to Ride via Skype with Caley, Josh, Ezra, and Mom. 

13858. Those purple flowers at the cemetery. 

13859. Valley views. 

13860. A highway patch full of color, full of flowers. 

13861. All the luggage was good to go. 

13862. Making it through without special treatment. 

13863. Free internet to continue talking with the folks. 

13864. Sushi once more. 

13865. Chatting with my sissy once more. 

13866. Off and away. 

13867. A kind travel partner to help me with my bags. 

13868. Hearing about his fascinating life.

13869. Sleeping 6 hours, more than I expected. 

13870. My travel partner helping again with bags, food trays, table 

            trays, dragging suitcases, and a nice encouragement. 

13871. The passport control officer telling me he would have helped

            me and just kindness in general. 

13872. Skipping ahead in security line and grace for them not being 

            nit-picky. 

13873. Making it in time. 

13874. A kind amca curious about my life. 

13875. Another man to help with my bag. 

13876. Bags coming. 

13877. Mercy from the customs guy for not making me throw away

            my vitamins and medicines. 

13878. The random dude who agreed to help me with my very heavy

            bags. 

13879. Making it to the 10:00 bus with enough time to buy water and 

            use the bathroom. 

13880. Home. 

13881. Good, long rest. 

13882. Hanging out with the Suiters in sunshine. 

13883. Heath having such a good trip. 

13884. Glad not sad that I'm back. 

13885. Funda and Yagmur rearranging plans for us. 

13886. Seeing Di for a bit. 

13887. Turkish not as bad as I thought it would be. 

13888. Getting everything finished. 

13889. A taxi coming. 

13890. Making it to the airport in time. 

13891. Rest on the flight. 

13892. Green tall grasses. 

13893. Surprised by fields of poppies. 

13894. Flowers of every color. 

13895. Hard and deep early morning rest. 

13896. Choosing joy over stress. 

13897. More flowers. 

13898. A symphony of wheat in the wind. 

13899. The way it dances like waves in the oceans. 

13900. Enough water and toilet paper.