Gifts 16801-16900

16801. Ability to joke with Hans. 

16802. Bilal’s cute stares. 

16803. Headache leaving with food. 

16804. Hans’ desire to serve. 

16805. Abundant laughter at Snapchat pictures. 

16806. Playing Joker with Suiters. 

16807. Pre-vacay hugs. 

16808. Chatting with my parents. 

16809. A bus coming quickly, always a gift. 

16810. Izmir ride favorites: the giant curvy gulf, the fairy 

            chimneys, beautiful farmlands, the volcanoes, Sardis, giant

            mountains. 

16811. Friends to ride with. 

16812. Villa exceeding my expectations. 

16813. Beautiful views. 

16814. Light gray and turquoise water lapping against the rocky

            sand. 

16815. Hebrews and Valley of Vision reading my heart, exposing, 

            correcting. 

16816. Sharing where I am with GL, Les and Lindsey. 

16817. Painting by the sea. 

16818. Laughter and understanding with these FPO friends. 

16819. One on one time with Leslie. 

16820. Lindsey and my journeys being so similar these past 

            months. 

16821. Sleep in spite of neck pain. 

16822. Good morning word time in Hebrews. 

16823. My greatest need is protection from unbelief not a 

            comfortable life. 

16824. Time to fill my painting needs. 

16825. A well needed and helpful deep tissue massage by Lindsey. 

16826. Sushi for dinner. 

16827. Wisdom to walk away and find peace and quiet. 

16828. Sermon and painting time. 

16829. One last time in the sea. 

16830. Doxology righting my heart. 

16831. Seeing wild hogs and their little babies. 

16832. Sushi for lunch. 

16833. International fellowship reminding me that I like our small 

            local one better. 

16834. Izzy folks excited to see me. 

16835. Marc taking us to the bus station. 

16836. Introvert time on the bus. 

16837. The sweet hotel guy allowing us to use the room as late as 

            we want. 

16838. A shower after all the sweat. 

16839. A sweet last day with Lindsey. 

16840. Understanding how to get around in bigger cities. 

16841. A nice, quiet, cool bus ride. 

16842. A quick Servis. 

16843. Breakfast with the Suiters. 

16844. Complaints turning to prayer. 

16845. Lisa picking me up after the bus did not. 

16846. Ice cream and nertz with the Suiters. 

16847. Good long sleep at their house. 

16848. Breakfast together. 

16849. Sweating through the phone call with my landlord but 

            thankful it’s over. 

16850. Pursuit by Türkü, Tuba, AB, Esra. 

16851. A good massage. 

16852. Buses coming fairly quickly. 

16853. Homemade pizza, my favorite. 

16854. An invite to Suiter vacation. 

16855. My landlords coming to take care of my hot water heater. 

16856. A squeeze from the wife as they were leaving. 

16857. A good chat with Kelly. 

16858. Feeling at home with the Altays. 

16859. Good strong words from Lisa and care from her. 

16860. My new friend not asking one pointed question about my 

            life. A simple prayer heard. 

16861. A chance to chat with my sister. 

16862. Clean, organized cabinets. 

16863. Allison’s hope-filled perspective on B’s knowledge of GN. 

16864. Showers being a place of refuge for me. 

16865. A clean balcony. 

16866. Mostly enjoying my day with T. 

16867. Good soul meditation: “The Lord knows how to order

            things better than I; the Lord sees further than I do; I see 

            things but at present, but the Lord sees a great while hence; 

            and how do I know, but had it not been for this affliction, I 

            had been undone?” Afflictions feel like they are undoing me

            but perhaps the purpose is to keep me from being undone. 

16868. Elvan Hoca inviting me to hang with her at the studio.

16869. A chance to serve her and be a buffer for her. 

16870. Chatting with my mom and dad. 

16871. Clean mopped floors. 

16872. The resurrection changes everything. 

16873. Worship music truth aligned with scripture overcoming lies. 

16874. “The night is dark but I am not forsaken

            For by my side, the Saviour He will stay

            I labour on in weakness and rejoicing

            For in my need, His power is displayed” 

16875. The reassuring truth that Jesus always lives to intercede for

            me. 

16876. A friendship with the Suiters that means I can invite myself

            over. 

16877. Turkishisms and Turkish Memes pages making me laugh. 

16878. Fun talking to and getting to know Allison. 

16879. A possible trip with Crystal. 

16880. Heath’s reinforcement of a previous victory reading from 

            'The Storm Tossed Family.'

16881. Making scones with Sage. 

16882. A walk after lots of sitting. 

16883. Healthy peach breakfast cobbler and cream. 

16884. Yahtzee with McKenzie and Crystal. 

16885. Healing hands via massages in this dark, stress-filled place. 

16886. Running into Şerife at the massage place. 

16887. Seeing Selma at Bim and her informing me I’m going to

            stay put this winter and we will sit together. 

16888. Buket running errands with me. Having a buddy makes it 

            less frustrating when the package is not where it’s supposed 

            to be. 

16889. Sibel helping me can salsa. 

16890. The ability to laugh with the E family. 

16891. Candlelight dinner on the balcony due to no electricity. 

16892. Catching up with Brice and Ashton. 

16893. Catching up with Christina. 

16894. A night of sleep without bad dreams. 

16895. Going back to sleep. 

16896. Laughing with Buket about old language mistakes. 

16897. A good time with her despite my wishing to withdraw. 

16898. The kind village lady, who always gives me something. 

            This week it was a melon. 

16899. Ismahan holding packages for me and getting sassy because 

            I haven’t spent time with her. 

16900. Partnership with Ashton and Brice. 

Gifts 16701-16800

16701. BH memorizing Col 1:9-14 and praying it for me. 

16702. Elbert sound bites and remembering his deep 

            encouragement and care for us. 

16703. Laughter with Rebecca. 

16704. A gathering with more locals than foreigners. 

16705. From L: “Just felt like saying I’m grateful for you and your 

            partnership in the GN. It matters.”

16706. Working on art 4 days in a row. 

16707. Turkish breakfast and good convos with Rebecca. 

16708. Having had more guests over the last six months than the 

            last 4 years. 

16709. Güneş Pide, best pide in Turkey. 

16710. An opening for a massage. 

16711. Pazar shopping finished quickly. 

16712. The Lion King in English. 

16713. Popeye’s in Uşak and dinner there! 

16714. Ashton taking me to water flowers. 

16715. The Lion King making me remember that true kings give 

            rather than take and when the true king is in the rightful 

            place, everything is in harmony. 

16716. The Lion King also reminding that the Father, the Good 

            Shepherd, will always place himself between his son/   

            daughter and danger. 

16717. Having Ashton as a partner. 

16718. Prayer walking and stepping away from the world, the 

            book, etc. 

16719. A chance to play the piano. 

16720. A sweet smile from the downstairs neighbor. 

16721. Sweet baby Ahmet sleeping. 

16722. The reminder of the church as spread out through every 

            country, every point of history. We are not alone and we 

            joined millions yesterday in praising our glorious God. 

16723. Realizing that God loves us without expecting anything in

            return. 

16724. Remembering the gospel and how ridiculously wonderful it 

            is that God loves and gives grace to sinners like us. 

16725. Hans’ relationship with family restored. 

16726. Hans’ relationship with his boss better. 

16727. Crissy wanting a piece of art and finding I had made one for 

            them. 

16728. Impromptu dinner with them and the Campbell’s. 

16729. My brother making time for me. 

16730. Hans as a brother and a partner. 

16731. Sabbath. 

16732. A three-way chat with my sissy on her birthday with my 

            mom and nieces. 

16733. A good book to read. 

16734. Processing with and wisdom from Kelly W. 

16735. Feeling emotions start welling up and overcoming them. 

16736. A sweet and relaxed time with Şenda and Umut. 

16737. Their insisting on bringing me home. 

16738. A good massage. 

16739. Accidentally calling Ekin but it made the way to spend time 

            with people. 

16740. Some quiet before guests. 

16741. Shade, cool breezes and air conditioning to cool down from 

            the immense heat. 

16742. Jenni’s here. 

16743. Suiters are back. 

16744. Sweet rest. 

16745. I was spared because Christ was not. 

16746. Hans’ immediate desire to obey. 

16747. Chatting and sharing with my sissy. 

16748. Mark R’s mini sermon and emotion as he reminded himself 

            of beautiful truths. 

16749. Jenni’s boldness and how we work better together. 

16750. Laughter with Kader and her mom. 

16751. Remembering God’s goodness in yeses and noes, in happy, 

            peace-filled days and in dark, sad days. 

16752. Rebecca embodying selflessness, outdoing others in honor. 

16753. A morning of rest when I couldn’t find a whole day. 

16754. Avoiding the crazy fight at the pazar. 

16755. Continued amazing favor about L’s visa. 

16756. Home earlier than expected from the E fam house. 

16757. No headache finally. 

16758. Meditating on Hebrews. 

16759. Good convos with Megan and Nia. 

16760. Calm and quiet at their house. 

16761. Bringing to light my anxious feelings and learning I’m not 

            alone. 

16762. A quiet, empty, calm bathroom in a mall teeming with 

            holiday shoppers. 

16763. Laughing with Lisa and Jenni. 

16764. Hintons are back. 

16765. A way back when I forgot about holiday travel and 

            discovered the buses were full. 

16766. Finding a way to be alone in a van full of people. 

16767. Yasemen making a special trip to see Jenni and I. 

16768. Comfortable with her enough to tease her. 

16769. Hans’ desperate desire and excitement about getting 

            dunked. 

16770. Watching how his life has been radically changed. 

16771. Watching Lisa in her element sharing good news. 

16772. Fresh meat and grilled veggies. 

16773. Nine hours of sleep after a few weeks struggling to get good

            sleep. 

16774. Finally a day at home to rest. 

16775. A fun puzzle to work. 

16776. Another evening at home. 

16777. Hearing that C is asking good questions, reading for herself. 

16778. Lisa F challenged by my endurance, perseverance and heart 

            and her admonishment to press on because He is worth my

            efforts and will do it. 

16779. Patti M: Praying that you will be surrounded by light that 

            pierced the heaviest dark places. 

16780. Meg’s sweet face singing “What a Beautiful Name it is.”

16781. Enough alone time that I was tired of being alone and 

            wanted to be around others. 

16782. A chance to talk to Meredith and her pray for me. 

16783. The Honey Lady always throwing in a few extra veggies 

            with my purchase. 

16784. A chance to see Dwight and Betty. 

16785. Lisa’s limitless visa and awe at the favor and provision of 

            the Lord. 

16786. A party to celebrate that goodness. 

16787. Marin and Meg’s sweet puppet show.

16788. A clean home. I’m always thankful for that. 

16789. A great team that feels more like family than colleagues. 

16790. An evening with Kader and her mom. 

16791. Good feedback on my art. 

16792. A chance to talk to my dad. 

16793. Unity with Lisa about E. 

16794. Time to read and pray not wasted. 

16795. Abundant laughter with B&E. 

16796. Truth convos too. 

16797. Rude statements laughed off because my worth lies in much

            deeper things than my waist size. 

16798. Abundant laughter at old Suiter kids' videos.

16799. A ride home and a late night convo with Lisa. 

16800. Meg hugging me while we sang. 

Gifts 16601-16700

16601. A good laugh with Azize and Sude. 

16602. Lisa giving two rides. 

16603. Lisa listening and speaking truth. 

16604. Able to go back to sleep. 

16605. Evi coming. 

16606. The littles requesting “Oh my soul.” 

16607. Jude with hand raised and eyes closed. 

16608. Evi helping clean up. 

16609. Chill time with a puzzle, AC, and truth from Piper. 

16610. Mangal deliciousness. 

16611. Introducing Allison to the E family. 

16612. Worship through watercolor. 

16613. Getting to talk to Caroline and mutually encourage one

            another. A day alone but not alone. 

16614. Writing an update helping refocus my life and reminding 

            me of truth. 

16615. Eylül bragging on my artwork. 

16616. Reading over previous gifts and remembering that Jesus 

            loved and gave time to those unwanted and overlooked by

            society. Then an opportunity to love Mrs. Bennett, a hard 

            person to love. 

16617. Smiling and serving in light of gossip and not being wanted

            and it being a slap in Satan’s face. 

16618. Initial encounter with M over and looking at long term 

            opportunity to be light rather than focusing on one failed 

            chance. 

16619. Encourgement from Bud and hearing he is sharing too. 

16620. Friends to do art with me. 

16621. Friends to encourage me. 

16622. Spider-Man in English. 

16623. Friends to watch with and laugh with. 

16624. Sibel watching the kiddos so we could go. 

16625. An afternoon nap. 

16626. Elvan opening up to me. 

16627. Sharing sushi love with friends. 

16628. Haley laughing til she cried at my dad quotes. 

16629. Jodie saying I turned every hardship into shining light. 

16630. Lianna: I thank the Father that He gives you strength to 

            continue and rise each day to the challenge that is before 

            you. I am reminded that He is inside us and He is light. The

            darkness may seem more powerful than us, but CANNOT 

            overtake us. You are not only punching holes in the 

            darkness with truth conversations, your presence brings his 

            light no matter what you’re doing. The darkness cannot 

            overtake your apartment building because you are in it and 

            he is in you. Press on, my friend. We are lifting you up and 

            cheering you on.

16631. A ride from the pazar. 

16632. Massage driving away headache pain. 

16633. Treehouse with Lisa and Haley. 

16634. Crying laughter with Heath and the Morins. 

16635. Creamiest homemade ice cream. 

16636. A full tank from Morins and ready to be with locals. 

16637. Hang out time with Elvan prompted from prayer. 

16638. Cool breezes. 

16639. Freezer food providing supper. 

16640. Lisa and I landing on the same page, going seems like a 

            good idea. 

16641. Yasemen’s kind look. 

16642. An amazing creme horn type dessert. 

16643. A well-received and sweet GN convo with Jasmine. 

16644. Getting to talk about the thing I love most. Body language 

            showing too as our faces ended about 3 inches away from

            one another. 

16645. God honoring my request to keep the trip within my wanted

            boundaries. 

16646. Making it in time to eat with the group. Getting to clear out

            the leftovers. 

16647. Elvan introducing me as her friend, not her student. 

16648. The vomiting passing quickly. 

16649. A day to rest, sleep and recover. 

16650. Yasemen’s willingness to delay the trip by a day. 

16651. DG contacting me and asking me to visit after the 

            awkwardness. 

16652. Her letting Yasemen and I stay with her. 

16653. Sickness transformed into a gift of deep rest. 

16654. Leftover food finding a good home and avoiding the 

            awkwardness of always being the provider. 

16655. A chance to correct gently. 

16656. A day to recover. 

16657. Yasemen calling to check on me and offering to bring me

            things three times. 

16658. Sibel checking in and offering dinner. 

16659. How easily Ahmet smiles at me. 

16660. How abundantly Ekin loves me. 

16661. Stressful dreams end with the morning. 

16662. Heath and Lisa quickly reconfiguring to make time with me. 

16663. Francis Chan encouraging me through sermon. 

16664. Yasemen giving me the forward seat and her taking the one in the very back. 

16665. Sunflower field country. 

16666. Not getting irritated with normal irritations. 

16667. A decent night's sleep in a new place. 

16668. Waking before others for time with the Father. 

16669. Menemen for breakfast. 

16670. A meaningful conversation while eating Arby’s. 

16671. A friend to help take care of things as we travel. 

16672. Protection from what could have potentially been a not 

            great situation. 

16673. Getting a bus home earlier than expected. 

16674. Sleeping til 10 after two long days of Turkish. 

16675. Delicious tomatoes from the pazar. 

16676. Fried chicken, okra, and sweet potatoes with Heath and 

            Lisa. 

16677. Jude sharing a pillow with me. 

16678. Reading a book with Jude in the swing at breakfast. 

16679. Sitting with Azize. 

16680. Hanging with Buket and Ekin. 

16681. A ride to the Suiters. 

16682. Family night with them. 

16683. Homemade ice cream. 

16684. Yağmur not coming to my house when I wasn’t there and 

            had forgotten to tell her not to come. 

16685. An unexpected ride home. 

16686. Laughter with the Suiters at breakfast. 

16687. A fun day with Buket and Ekin, sipping Starbucks and 

            eating oysters. 

16688. An early evening at home. 

16689. Seeing Zekey’s missing tooth on Skype. 

16690. A picture of me and him on his tablet’s background. 

16691. Getting to wish Mrs. Rusty happy birthday and her sweet 

            laugh. 

16692. Another simple answer to prayer, a changed mind.

16693. Hans and I tag team sharing with his sister. 

16694. When I remembered Hans I remembered I’m wasn't alone. 

16695. Potatoes on a stick and badminton with Hans and his family. 

16696. Oysters for the second day in a row. 

16697. Finally making it home. 

16698. A day of rest, reading, painting, cooking and working a

            puzzle. 

16699. Rebecca came!

16700. Morning quiet time art. 

Gifts 16501-16600

16501. Packing fun with Tim. 

16502. Talking to my dad on Father’s day. 

16503. Secret Life of Pets 2 with the kiddos. 

16504. Mickeys caring for me and others. 

16505. Summer tomatoes. 

16506. Tutku cookies. 

16507. Finally getting with Megan and Nia. 

16508. Jenn taking me to the bus station. 

16509. Golden wheat fields. 

16510. Ashton picking me up at the bus station. 

16511. Turkish children performances with dances, cute costumes 

            and cute kids. 

16512. Sushi treats from the Morins. 

16513. Ismahan holding packages for me. 

16514. Waking to Scripture song and a “thinking of you” from 

             Jenn. 

16515. Enjoying Ebru and Elvan Hoca. 

16516. Running into my homie. 

16517. Living in a walkable city. 

16518. Rich chicken broth. 

16519. Dinner with the Campbells. 

16520. Order in my art room. 

16521. Birthday card surprise. 

16522. Running into Cemile. 

16523. Fresh foods from the pazar. 

16524. Running into Elvan and Ismahan. 

16525. Doing ministry with Ashton. 

16526. An email from David Burnett. 

16527. A “thinking of you” text from BV. 

16528. A sweet time with Esra. 

16529. Turkey’s slow mornings. 

16530. A funny movie with the Campbell’s. 

16531. Turkish breakfast. 

16532. Timely article truth: Emotions Make Terrible Gods. 

16533. T&O not staying long. 

16534. Evenings alone helping to develop a relationship with 

            Allison. 

16535. Time to organize and clean out.

16536. Time to paint. 

16537. My bro making me laugh. 

16538. A chance to speak truth to Hans. 

16539. A chance to encourage Crissy with truth and with what God

            is teaching me. 

16540. Playing Monopoly Deal with Buket. 

16541. A chance to chat with my sister. 

16542. Conviction to remove idols/joy drainers. 

16543. Good long rest. 

16544. Sushi Go with Suiters. 

16545. Teyze and anneanne laughing together like normal sisters. 

16546. Ismahan greeting the neighbor shop owner and how it 

            represents the value of community here. 

16547. Yağmur doing a great job. 

16548. A day of getting stuff done. 

16549. God delights in me as my daddy and mama do. 

16550. Running down to get a bag turning into two hours, a tea, 

            and GN sharing. 

16551. Boys going down easy. 

16552. Imaginative play on the sports equipment. 

16553. Giggling boys in the play area. 

16554. A taxi when the bus didn’t come. 

16555. Silly giggles at dinner. 

16556. Elliot faking being asleep, but grinning like a little stinker. 

16557. Teaching them to play Monopoly Deal. 

16558. AC and TV after a long, hot, busy day. 

16559. A quiet home. 

16560. Rearranging furniture a good distraction for my thoughts. 

16561. Finding some light pants for summer. 

16562. Talking to my bro on his birthday. 

16563. Waking to Lisa’s encouragement. I showed up to an 

            important life event showing they have value. My presence 

            matters as the fragrance of Christ. It was obedience albeit 

            small and her prayer that God encouraged my heart in it. 

16564. I slept until 11. 

16565. Z pursuing me in relationship. 

16566. Şenda inviting me to stay the night. 

16567. Turkish meal richness. 

16568. Cool breeze relief in summer. 

16569. Sitting in the garden. 

16570. Prayer walking. 

16571. Chatting with mom and dad on the road trip. Technology to

            do so. 

16572. A package from Corinne and Caroline. 

16573. A sweet time feeling like a normal person with UG and 

            Şeyma. 

16574. Worship music opening places in my heart. 

16575. Missing the bus but walking ahead to catch it in time. 

16576. Grace that I’m not there yet with E. 

16577. Fasting to hear the Lord’s heart and hearing whispers here

            and there. 

16578. Comfort in the morning. 

16579. Empty so as to be filled by the Universe Maker and 

            Sustainer. 

16580. Overcoming lies. 

16581. Sweet prayer time and feeling not so empty afterwards. 

16582. Feeling almost new as I walked to the massage place. 

16583. Good conversations with Sultan. 

16584. A fun time at Ebru with Ashton and friends. 

16585. Good painting time with B&E. 

16586. Sushi and fortune cookies good for my heart. 

16587. Rest and a sermon at the Teyze’s house. 

16588. Grace to leave early. 

16589. A ride to dinner. 

16590. Sage’s excitement to go to my house. 

16591. Being in Heath and Lisa’s trust zone. 

16592. Jude’s given freely loving and hugs. 

16593. Fun drawing exercises with the kids. 

16594. Watching the parade with my bro. 

16595. A day with no headache. 

16596. God is persevering me in faith albeit it seemingly small 

            ways. 

16597. Good strong, convicting words from a fellow single. 

16598. Desiring God and the richness of resources there. 

16599. Ivy pursuing me. 

16600. Making sushi for Azize and family and their enjoyment of

            it.