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. 

Gifts 16401-16500

16401. Reminded by Heath and the Word that our thoughts are too 

            small about what the Lord is up to. 

16402. Hans and Crissy’s love and hospitality. 

16403. Catching up with Les and GL. 

16404. Heath’s concern for me and my mom. 

16405. Surprised by a field of purple flowers. 

16406. The rainbow of colors on the bus ride and the many 

            beautiful shades of green. 

16407. A 204 bus coming. 

16408. Time to read. 

16409. My mom calling when I was stressing. 

16410. No travel hiccups. 

16411. Phone tax paid and a chat with those sweet lady friends. 

16412. Laughing a lot with my mom and teacher during Ebru. 

16413. Pide for dinner. 

16414. Meryem and Evi both coming. 

16415. Strength for the task at hand. 

16416. Grace for me in my sin. 

16417. Phone registered!

16418. Prayer making the next day better. 

16419. Leaving out an agenda also helping. 

16420. Aladdin in English with Americans. 

16421. Internet papers signed and mailed off. 

16422. A good time with Zekiye for the first time in a while.

16423. Buses coming quickly. 

16424. Lots of laughter at the pj party. 

16425. A chance to encourage Hans. 

16426. Time with the Lord finally.

16427. Yummy mangal. 

16428. Sleeping in. 

16429. A switch in attitude, determined thankfulness and joy. 

16430. A bus finally coming. 

16431. Fun with Neslihan. 

16432. Opening up to my mom. 

16433. Chatting with Allison. 

16434. Team prayer time good for my heart. 

16435. Laughter on bumper cars and the roller coaster. 

16436. Taking time to enjoy my mom. 

16437. Her living her best life with potatoes on a stick, corn in a 

            cup and a light up balloon. 

16438. Prayer walking with her. 

16439. DG letting me know what was wrong. 

16440. Celebrating Buket. 

16441. Her surprise that I pray for her. 

16442. Seeing Smyrna ruins. 

16443. Sushico. 

16444. Forgetting how much Jessica makes me laugh. 

16445. Pork! 

16446. Daily naps. 

16447. Wandering on Santorini and finding beauty. 

16448. My mom as a traveling partner rather than the others. 

16449. Making it to the Athens excursion and the Parthenon. 

16450. Righteous anger combating the BS. 

16451. IKEA with my mom. 

16452. Her willingness to come so far and deal with the culture shock and me being a stress case. 

16453. Goodbye not too hard. 

16454. Easy bus to Yenikapi.

16455. A quiet place to read at the port. 

16456. A chance to process emotions, sort through sins. 

16457. Others willing to come love and serve. 

16458. Stranger-like friends who sometimes are as close as family. 

16459. Good rest and feeling better. 

16460. Sharing my story resparking my desire. 

16461. An evening nap. 

16462. A quiet, refuge-like room. 

16463. He is Exalted. Remembering what he has done and what he 

            deserves. 

16464. Catching up with Haley and Hope. 

16465. Brothers and sisters in other places laboring too. Picking 

            their brains for how to labor wisely. 

16466. Sea views for days. 

16467. Getting to do life with the Suiters and Campbells. They are

            a gift. 

16468. Getting to participate in worship with other locals. 

16469. Chances to sleep in and get good rest. 

16470. Illness passing quickly. 

16471. Love from Canon and Finley. 

16472. Beautiful Aegean landscape at dusk. 

16473. Vivid sunset mixed in with cloudy rain. 

16474. Good, good parents who were not self-centered. 

16475. Amy H telling a gal she needed to come live with me. 

16476. Internet company on top of it and easy sending of 

            documents. 

16477. Sitting with Ivy and her daughter. 

16478. Seeing other neighbors and friends while out. 

16479. Lisa calling to check in. 

16480. Breakfast with her and Heath, some of my favorite people 

            and one of my favorite things to do here. 

16481. “Lifted high on that day 

             Behold the lamb that was slain 

             And I’ll know that every tear was worth it all.” 

             The gospel bringing me back to right thinking. 

16482. The Word exposing my entitlement. 

16483. Trying to encourage Evi and encouraging myself in the 

            process. 

16484. Asking for God to use the bit of truth in me to share with 

            Elvan and he did. 

16485. Sweet cuddling Campbell boys watching Cando stories. 

16486. Morins appreciating my presence there. 

16487. An unexpected massage. 

16488. And a chance to speak some truth. 

16489. A ride to the Suiters and their prayers for me. 

16490. Jude’s sweet hugs. 

16491. Sushi Go party playing with the Suiters. 

16492. Phone calls from my homie saying she misses me. 

16493. Wheat fields waving in the wind. 

16494. Evi dwelling in peace all week, choosing to trust no matter 

            the outcome. 

16495. Remembering the ways the Lord has been faithful to her. 

16496. Bus time to get some work done. 

16497. Wheat fields reminding me to keep my hand to the plow. 

16498. Beauty in the sunset sky. All the colors of the rainbow 

            showing up and transforming into a wide array of beauty. 

16499. An afternoon nap. 

16500. Being a favorite part to Joanna and Tim’s day. 

Gifts 16301-16400

16301. Akdeniz pizza with Brice and Ashton. 

16302. Beaming as I chatted with Şule and Ülkü about my art. 

16303. Brooke’s art piece of the Body surrounding me. 

16304. Wisdom to go out and do work at Starbucks. 

16305. Sleeping better. 

16306. Anxious lies coming and fighting them with truth. 

16307. Time and energy to research internet options. 

16308. A desire, for the first time in a long time to be with locals. 

16309. Sandal weather. 

16310. Beautiful flowers and a chat with Semra. 

16311. Ismahan taking me to the pazar. 

16312. A massage. 

16313. Art with Rain. 

16314. Hearing from Buket’s teacher that she speaks highly of me. 

16315. Chatting with my Daddy and hearing his funny quotes. 

16316. Feeling surprisingly better this morning. 

16317. Joy for the first time in a long time. 

16318. An enjoyable evening with Aunt Jamie. 

16319. My love for her also bringing light. 

16320. The reminder that Jesus and the cross are clear proof that 

            God is here and God is good. 

16321. Encourging words from Heath. 

16322. And an unexpected hug. 

16323. Wiffle ball fun. 

16324. The dad-blasted puzzle finished. 

16325. The puzzle teaching perseverance and that unclear things 

            eventually make sense in the overall picture. 

16326. A chance to talk to mom, dad, Pap-pa and Crystal. 

16327. Spring weather, painting, Tim Keller. 

16328. Avengers: End Game. 

16329. Internet updated. 

16330. Altays curious about my birthday wishes. 

16331. Ashton giving me a ride. 

16332. Getting to talk to my sissy on my birthday. 

16333. Real Jimmy Dean sausage. 

16334. Amazing sausage balls. 

16335. Birthday messages from Turkish Friend’s. 

16336. A shower. 

16337. Bananagrams with Suiter kids and Ashton. 

16338. Homemade pizza and cake with Suiters and Campbells. 

16339. Chatting with GL and Les. 

16340. Showing my dad around Atapark. 

16341. Sweet Altays and the notes and treasure box from the girls. 

16342. Chatting with Jenni. 

16343. Chatting with mom and Sandy. 

16344. Chatting with my bro and the kiddos. 

16345. Feeling abundantly loved today. 

16346. Going back to sleep after waking at 6:30. 

16347. Birthday package came. 

16348. Doing art with Rain. 

16349. Sweet potatoes. 

16350. M being softer and sweeter. 

16351. Ashton going to Ebru with me. 

16352. Sibel’gil and Lisa’gil coming to my house for a bit. 

16353. Finally meeting up with Yasemen. 

16354. Getting away to the bahce evi. 

16355. Yummy Turkish-like eggplant meal. 

16356. Yahtzee with Crystal and McKenzie. 

16357. Chatting with Zekey buddy. 

16358. Babysitting Ahmet and it went well. 

16359. Getting him to sleep. 

16360. A headache meaning an excuse for an early exit. 

16361. A walk in the sunshine. 

16362. Fun doing notecards and envelopes in Ebru. 

16363. Sushi, fried rice and fortune cookies. 

16364. Ted B saying U-town is a priority. Feeling cared for in this. 

16365. An amazing massage. So thankful for Sultan. 

16366. News that Allison is going to be my roommate! 

16367. A good chat with Kelly and the decision to spread those out. 

16368. Obedience to call Evi in her need. 

16369. A safe, warm place for her and T. 

16370. Lisa’s spurring on meaning more passionate sharing than I 

            would have had done. 

16371. Ashton going with me to Buket’s school. 

16372. Good, intelligent conversations with her class. 

16373. Avoiding a ride with Shelby’s brother. 

16374. Cheap blueberries. 

16375. Strawberries, blueberries, bazlama, village butter, cream 

            and honey goodness. 

16376. Migraine medicine available and it removing the headache. 

16377. Meeting Katie K that day on the plane. 

16378. Encouragement and truth from her. 

16379. Hearing of how God is working globally to bring cousins to 

            himself in some of the hardest places. 

16380. Reminders that God does it, not us, and it’s done through 

            prayer. 

16381. A fun day with Rain, Marin and Jude doing artsy things. 

16382. Sharing a fun dessert with the Altays. 

16383. Hans encouraging me to persist with Evi. 

16384. Evi coming. 

16385. A good day of T fellowship. 

16386. Seeing CFS for the first time in a long time. 

16387. Chatting with my family. 

16388. Lots of Ebru processed and ready. 

16389. Internet ball rolling. 

16390. Dinner of leftovers with the Suiters. 

16391. Sleeping long at their place. 

16392. Yummy Iskender with the Altays. 

16393. Ekin enjoying our weird conversation from the previous 

            week. 

16394. Funda coming. 

16395. Prayer with Lisa. 

16396. Rain finding an excuse to come to my house next week. 

16397. Good quality time with him. 

16398. Washing machine finally working. 

16399. Asking for a solid STS and finding a way to talk about it 

            now that makes sense. 

16400. Time with Ismahan. 

Gifts 16201-16300

16201. A long walk in sunshine, praying, looking for hope. 

16202. A semblance of peace at peace park. 

16203. Tiny blue flowers. 

16204. Selim excited to see me. 

16205. Surprised by art sales. 

16206. A nice Ebru class. 

16207. My mom bought tickets! 

16208. Heath listening and advising. 

16209. Hudson and Elliot snuggles during devo time. 

16210. New pazar cart ordered. 

16211. Catching up with Brooke a bit. 

16212. Lisa inviting me to Rain’s swim meet. 

16213. Not struggling with singleness with all the talk of 

            engagements. 

16214. Jude freely hugging. 

16215. And choosing to be on my team. 

16216. Fun playing Phase 10 and eating brownies with the Suiters. 

16217. Sleeping in. 

16218. A break from the heaviness and sadness. 

16219. Picking up my package on an unexpected trip. 

16220. Getting two things done in a day. 

16221. Having enough money to pay the notary. 

16222. Serving Lisa on her birthday. 

16223. Dinner with the Campbells. 

16224. Seeing the Hintons. 

16225. Understanding hugs from Sarah. 

16226. An unexpected hug from Marin. 

16227. Holy Spirit reminding me of earlier truths. Jesus is my good 

            shepherd. He doesn’t leave me and run from danger but gets

            in front of me and the danger. This thought driving away 

            dark clouds of despair. 

16228. Feeling God during fellowship. He leaves the 99 and cares 

            about the least of these. 

16229. A beautiful afternoon for a walk. 

16230. An afternoon nap. 

16231. Catching up with Caroline and Bennett. 

16232. Ashton coming over, in it with me. 

16233. A nice evening with the E fam. 

16234. Sage bragging on Heath’s teaching. 

16235. Crying with Lisa on the phone. 

16236. Marin’s happy thought is getting to come to my house with 

            Türkü. 

16237. Marin saying I’m more important than a family movie 

            night. 

16238. Getting to be a part of Suiter and Campbell kids’ formative 

            years. 

16239. He has stored up abundant goodness for me. He covers, 

            hides, shelters me. He hears my pleas and cries. He 

            preserves me.  But I need to be strong in waiting. -Ps 31

16240. A clean home. 

16241. Kelly W reminding me of deep healing truths. 

16242. Mickeys, Ashton, Rexroths, Morins, Hope, Mandy praying. 

16243. Brice reminding me I’m going to be strong and I already 

            was strong. 

16244. Lisa reminding that I’m fighting not floundering. 

16245. Evi praying for me. 

16246. Caroline thanking me for mentoring and telling me I’m one 

            of the first she shares deep/hard things with. 

16247. Realizing that feelings lie. 

16248. Cruise paid for!

16249. Not letting the wave take me under. 

16250. John M. saying it is an honor to take me before the throne. 

16251. Chaos yielding a short truth-filled convo. 

16252. The Father’s voice returning. 

16253. The way of death leads to life. The darkness leads to light. 

            The valley ends in glory. 

16254. Peace in my heart. 

16255. Early to bed with pj girls. 

16256. Chocolate chip cookies taking me back to my house as a 

            child. 

16257. Marin choosing me over Lydia. 

16258. Hans and Crissy encouraging. 

16259. Wanting to be with the E family. 

16260. Chatting with the niecphews. Learning Aly made the 

            cheerleading squad. 

16261. Sabbath rest to process, paint, talking to Lindsey. 

16262. Bus bling. 

16263. A quiet pazar cart. 

16264. Overpowering sunshine. 

16265. Nourishing rain. 

16266. An umbrella. 

16267. Funny videos with Lisa. 

16268. Bought wrong plane tickets but only lost $22 because they

            were so cheap to begin with. 

16269. Sarah H. checking in. 

16270. Getting to share easily and naturally. 

16271. Buket going to bed early. 

16272. Catching up with Caroline. 

16273. Ashton buying cookies with me. 

16274. Art therapy. 

16275. A chance to meditate deeply on his death, the rich crown of 

            thorns. 

16276. A chance to encourage Marin. 

16277. The Case for Christ, good for Good Friday and good 

            reminders of my deep and certain hope. 

16278. Mildred and Ozkal’s contagious joy. 

16279. Mildred loving our Easter dinner. 

16280. Mildred hearing of my struggles, angry and praying against 

            Satan. 

16281. More people prayed than ever. 177 watched the video. 

16282. Crissy reading Romans 7&8 for the first time. 

16283. Elliot saying he loved me. 

16284. Zeke saying he loved me. 

16285. Brice’s affirming words and constant encouragement. 

16286. Anxious thoughts fleeing quickly with the tool of thinking 

            about what is motivating me and thus causing the anxiety. 

16287. A good conversation with Allison, encouraged by her

            responses and honesty. 

16288. “God’s purpose in setting Job up was fulfilled - the 

            revelation of the value of God.” -Piper

16289. “In all his [Satan’s] blasphemous designs he is, in spite of 

            himself, doing the work of God.” -William Henry Green

16290. Truth from Job and Piper that comforts my soul. 

16291. Kelly Ward

16292. Is He Worthy? Response hymn living in the reality of 

            brokenness and hoping for a new creation. 

16293. Fresh village butter. 

16294. Rich chicken broth. 

16295. Sweet time flower picking with Ekin. 

16296. AT wearing my coolest nephew shirt. 

16297. Surprised by karnıyarık. 

16298. River Flows Through piece at the recital. 

16299. Sibel B a gift to us all. 

16300. Childlike pride at my heart and wave piece. Not boasting in 

            myself but delighting at this act of worship and what God 

            did through me.