Gifts 20101-20200

20101. Delicious catfish dinner. 

20102. Huggy nieces. 

20103. No anxiety when I realized my airport time crunch. 

20104. Good reminders of God’s loving care in 'Tattoos on the Heart.' 

20105. Good hug from Brooke. 

20106. Stomach pains leaving. 

20107. Good rest after a long flight and a late night. 

20108. Sharing Cappadocia pics with Beriah and Benjamin. 

20109. A good long walk with Brooke. 

20110. At least one decision made. 

20111. Beautiful and wild Oregon nature. 

20112. Berakah wanting fruit snacks and me able to give her some. 

20113. “Divine love is incessantly restless until it turns all 

            woundedness into health, all deformity into beauty and all 

            embarrassment into laughter.” - Beldon Lane in Tattoos on the

            Heart. 

20114. Lisa’s encouragement echoing the previous quote. Jesus

            pursues us, speaks to us, chases us down. 

20115. Hearing how God is working in Rain and Sage’s heart to help

            them surrender to what he is doing. 

20116. Messy cold house but a warm, slightly sweet hot drink and a 

            book about how Jesus’ most natural instinct is to move toward 

            unclean sinners and restore them. 

20117. The Holy Spirit interrupting Lisa’s neural pathways and telling 

            her how she is acceptable. 

20118. Brooke praying for me on her drive. 

20119. Yummy southern food, even delicious fried okra. 

20120. A puzzle race with Brooke against Berakah and Beriah. 

20121. A morning walk. 

20122. A tree like a hand holding me. 

20123. Spots of blue Oregon sky. 

20124. Caroline texting to say she’s praying. 

20125. Admonishment from Leslie to trust in the Lord and he will 

            provide. 

20126. Lakyn praying that I will have peace in my decision making. 

20127. An answer from Kelly, trying to be grateful even in

            disappointments. 

20228. Beriah’s carefreeness on the beach, drawing pictures and 

            saving jelly dish. 

20129. Beautiful sunset on the Pacific. 

20130. Delicious Thai pizza. 

20131. My seat warmers working. 

20132. A sunny Saturday in Oregon to go hiking and exploring. 

20133. Sunshine extra special because the rest of the week after I leave 

            will be rainy. 

20134. Able to go back to sleep. 

20135. Feeling like I finally heard from the Lord or at least felt a 

            nudge about what to do. 

20136. Hearing Jeremy preach again. 

20137. Others telling me they will pray. 

20138. Smoothness at PDX airport. 

20139. Gökhan calling me and smiling faces all around. 

20140. Hinton's understanding and supportiveness. 

20141. Willing to be raw and real with the Suiters. 

20142. Catfish dinner. 

20143. 11 hours of sleep after a mostly sleepless night. 

20144. A good new half price sushi roll. 

20145. A good session with Jarett. 

20146. Heath’s reminders that they want my best interest no matter 

            what that is. 

20147. Life-giving bike ride in Chattanooga with my sister. 

20148. Gorgeous Oregon pictures. 

20149. Kyla so interested in my trip to Oregon. 

20150. Kyla and Aly wanting to catch up on Berakah and Beriah’s

            lives. 

20151. Laughing with my brother at my mom and the Blossom 

            comment. 

20152. A good, encouring talk with Kelly. Knowing that she wanted to

            hear my heart and listen to my reasonings. 

20153. Not having to defend my ways. 

20154. A fun walk with Lakyn and Cana. 

20155. Heath offering to have conversations on my behalf. 

20156. An afternoon nap. 

20157. My mom making brownies. 

20158. 'All Creatures Great and Small' series and loving every second 

            of it. 

20159. A funny dream about Kevin from the office proposing to me. 

20160. Still a chance for getting an exception. 

20161. The stripped down winter beauty of the Coke ovens. Surprised

            by this. 

20162. Not waking to more conversations. A break. 

20163. Reading Byzantine about their king and realizing God is not 

            that way. 

20164. Byzantine sharing the good news of the gospel. 

20165. A day without heavy conversations about life overseas. 

20166. Feeling inspired to paint and do art. 

20167. Able to overcome my art disappointment and create something

            beautiful. 

20168. Caley and Josh helping on the puzzle. 

20169. Ashley available and wanting to talk. 

20170. Her being on board and even an advocate about my situation. 

20171. Caley’s comment about the no: “Toby. Is. The. Worst.” Making 

            me laugh when I felt upset. 

20172. Caley and Mom willing to go out in the cold for me when 

            they’d rather not. 

20173. Getting to exchange the sketchbook at Hobby Lobby when it 

            probably came from Amazon. 

20174. A fun dinner out with Mom, Caley and Tilinia. 

20175. Caroline writing about her quiet time and how she thought of 

            me. “God is vast and mighty yet tender and loving enough to 

            understand our plights and give us strength when we’re weak.”

20176. “Praying you will feel, see, and experience God's goodness in

             your life. I pray for you to feel God's hand working in your 

             situation, even when it's hard and confusing. Asking that you 

             are able to abide in Him regardless of your circumstances, that 

             your strength is renewed, and that you don't tire of doing His 

             good work which He's called you to and equipped you for 

             (which I think is loving Him and loving the people He's placed

             in your life). Love you, Candace! But much more importantly, 

             God loves you. He treasures you. He rejoices over you with 

             singing!”

20177. Finishing 1000 piece puzzle in an afternoon. 

20178. Dad helping too. 

20179. Good sleep, no dreams. 

20180. Getting to sit with Lori. 

20181. A nice lunch with Caroline. 

20182. Seesaw of feelings toward the Lord staying even keeled for the

            most part. 

20183. A good cry at the Coke Ocens. 

20184. Solitude in the woods. 

20185. Caley getting a job. 

20186. Rummy with my parents. 

20187. My mom reading 'The Glass Castle' to me. 

20188. My counselor reminding me that I’m not alone in decision 

            making processes. 

20189. His wealth of scriptural knowledge. 

20190. Floss to get out the nagging food in my teeth. 

20191. Rummy again with my parents and watching 'All Creatures 

            Great and Small.'

20192. Able to go hiking at Burgess Falls with Lisa. 

20193. Sunshine. 

20194. Powerful roaring waterfalls and how that reminds me of God’s 

            good and holy power. 

20195. Unexpected sunshine warmth. 

20196. Burgess Falls filling me to where I wasn’t in a bad place from 

            the uncertainty. 

20197. $5 Sushi for dinner. My love language. 

20198. Shawna taking time to pray with me. 

20199. A quick trip still on the table. 

20200. Sequence with Jude and Lisa. 

Gifts 20001-20100

20001. My dad reading through the Bible last year. 

20002. Keeping this habit of looking for gifts for ten years or more, 

            I've found 20,000 gifts and still counting. 

20003. Watching Mumford as he debates howling. 

20004. Rising early, quiet house, goodness in Hebrews 12. 

20005. A song written and a testimony spoken that was good for me to

            hear. 

20006. Hugs and greetings from several people. 

20007. A good sermon, timely for me. 

20008. Fun lunch at the Tiebout house. 

20009. Good questions from them. 

20010. Feeling cared for as I shared and the prayer and hug afterwards. 

20011. Seeing and surprising the Suiter clan. 

20012. Feeling a bit more victorious in my battles. 

20013. Getting to see and talk with the Campbells for a few minutes. 

20014. Truth filled quiet time. 

20015. More spurring truth from Hebrews. 

20016. A day at home to rest. 

20017. Getting to drive across Signal Mountain. 

20018. Not being too apprehensive about counseling. 

20019. A free Jimmy John’s sandwich. 

20020. A helpful cashier at Aldi. 

20021. A super quick return at Target. 

20022. Joy telling me how much being with us and being loved for 

            who she is individually was good for her heart. 

20023. Her buying my hot chocolate. 

20024. A good chat thinking outside the box with the Suiters. 

20025. A deep, love-filled relationship with them. 

20026. Catching up with Jenni. 

20027. Hearing Kyla’s personality test results. 

20028. Seeing Caley and Josh for a few minutes. 

20029. A few minutes with the niecphews. 

20030. Delicious lobster bisque and honey butter croissants. 

20031. Heath already taking off short term options. 

20032. He had already contacted Larry, Josh, and Ted. 

20033. Ted told him we get top priority on anyone. 

20034. Heath asking if I want them to find me a new house before I 

            return and getting appropriate approvals for that. 

20035. Wisdom and ideas on visa issues. 

20036. Chip Bugnar rattling the bushes for me. 

20037. Getting to talk to Sarah H. 

20038. Her helping me think through decisions. 

20039. Her and Josh telling me they would love to have me in Izzy but

            don’t want U-town to have the loss. 

20040. Them also telling me to not worry about CLC responsibilities 

            or keeping up with stressful relationships and rather take care 

            of myself. I can be fully in when I return. 

20041. Sarah offering that a quick trip would give me time to find out 

            answers and debrief where to go from there. 

20042. What gift of grace that I can spend this time healing, resting,

            seeking counsel. Many others will never have this opportunity. 

20043. A chance to hear from the Campbells. 

20044. Always fun and deeply encouraging chats with GL and Les. 

20045. Delicious catfish dinner with my bro and his family. 

20046. Laughing hysterically at Peanut Butter Falcon and my mom 

            spitting water all over herself. 

20047. Finishing a puzzle with my mom. 

20048. A good long walk to work out adrenaline and pray through the 

            hard decisions. 

20049. Delicious Red Baron pizza. 

20050. A nap after a fitful night of sleep. 

20051. Another funny yet heart warming movie, Instant Family. 

20052. My mom spitting her water out again. 

20053. Street tacos provided by Caley and Josh. 

20054. Games with them. 

20055. Abundant laughter with Crystal watching Kid History. 

20056. A good walk to calm the anxiety. 

20057. Rain droplets on berries. 

20058. A bunny and tons of red and blue birds on my walk. 

20059. A chance to grieve what might not be. 

20060. Ice crystals on trees. 

20061. Donations from sweet people. 

20062. The secluded bench at Coolidge Park. 

20063. More lobster bisque available for purchase. 

20064. A timely podcast, putting together a lot of the emotional pieces

            my counselor was trying to explain and give some grounds and

            grit for healing. 

20065. A chance to buy breakfast for Heath and Lisa. 

20066. A good time of hopeful prayer, remembering all the unexpected

            ways you’d have shown your provision in the past (Campbells, 

            Roozbeh, 2 year visas, Gökhan) and hoping for you to do that

            again even when it seems unlikely. 

20067. Getting to see Rick and Pat. 

20068. Getting to celebrate Jude’s birthday. 

20069. Him sitting beside me, scooting close and giving a hug. 

20070. Getting errands accomplished quickly. 

20071. Getting to see the book club girls again. 

20072. A chance to understand why I get so mad and a little deflated 

            when people ask if I should just stay. 

20073. Working through that anger reinforcing my desire to return. 

20074. Another glorious chicken biscuit. 

20075. A chance to walk a bit to get to and from my meeting. 

20076. Bumping into Jason Gaw, Caroline and Eli. 

20077. Seeing Eli and it made me happy because he seems like such a

            sweet boy. 

20078. Good Thai food with Crystal. 

20079. Walking with my mom. 

20080. Lisa finding out info from Rod for me. 

20081. Laughter and likemindedness with Heather. 

20082. Learning that our eyes are like a 576 megapixel camera. That’s 

            why 12 megapixel phone cameras can’t capture the beauty we 

            see. 

20083. Zeke holding my hand in the parking lot. 

20084. Watching the kids’ joy and merriment at ice skating. 

20085. Zeke cuddling in the van. 

20086. Zeke cuddling on the couch. 

20087. Chattanooga Choo Choo beauty. 

20088. Daddy working on my puzzle and finishing it. 

20089. Hannah sending me a message saying I was heavy on her heart

            and praying. It had been a discouraging day and I felt cared for

            by her and by the Lord. 

20090. Zeke and Kyla enjoying Qwixx. 

20091. Laughing with B&E. 

20092. Bro. Barry’s desire and leading us to exalt the Lord. 

20093. Remembering that God is higher than all gods, and definitely

            higher than human rulers. 

20094. Seeing Caley’s joy at an unexpected long awaited for gift. 

20095. Mom noticing me and how I’m doing and writing a note to 

            encourage me. 

20096. Erdal calling to talk through my issue. 

20097. Good encouragement from Lauren. Grateful for a like-minded, 

            same age single lady. 

20098. Hannah’s spot on encouragement. 

20099. A good long walk. 

20100. Blue blue skies. 

Gifts 19901-20000

19901. A good game of rummy with my mom. 

19902. Finding old funny videos of Zeke when he was so little. 

19903. My sister and Josh winning Elf Trivia. 

19904. Getting to read to my family. 

19905. No headaches two days this week. 

19906. Some processing time alone at the Coke ovens. 

19907. A second try on the Good Shepherd piece. 

19908. A good cry. 

19909. A drive past the Sequatchie River. 

19910. Josh making dinner for us. 

19911. Fun time in the car with Caley. 

19912. My buddy Mumford. 

19913. Laughter in Catch Phrase. 

19914. A good walk with my mom. 

19915. Playing Life with the niecphews. 

19916. A decision about not going to TX. 

19917. A good sermon reminding me of God’s love. 

19918. Working on the puzzle with Zeke. 

19919. Singing Rudolph with Zeke from separate rooms. 

19920. Sharing Mama Bosco with the Niecphews. 

19921. A lazy Sunday. 

19922. A nap two days in a row. 

19923. Out of quarantine! 

19924. A trip to Chattanooga with my dad. 

19925. Finishing up Christmas shopping. 

19926. Getting to talk with Mildred and Özkal. 

19927. Finding Rudolph for my mom. 

19928. Seeing the Christmas Stars - Jupiter and Saturn. 

19929. A still small voice in the mall when I felt like I was about ready 

            to fall apart. God is with me and sees me. 

19930. A good, long walk and a cry. 

19931. Chris eating a giant spoon of cookie dough. 

19932. Watching 'The Chosen' with my parents. 

19933. Daddy singing 'Baby Its Cold Outside.' 

19934. A nice Christmas Eve with my immediate family. 

19935. Laughter playing catch phrase. 

19936. A sweet photo book from Chris and Tilinia. 

19937. A sweet Christmas morning with my parents. 

19938. My mom’s awesome reactions to good gifts. 

19939. My dad’s joy at being with all of his kids. 

19940. Ping pong with my brother. 

19941. A puzzle with Aly. 

19942. The kids’ reactions to good gifts. 

19943. Choosing the shirt Tilinia had picked out. 

19944. Zeke being quiet as he played with legos. 

19945. Finishing 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' with them. 

19946. Watching A Christmas Story. 

19947. Enjoying my book. 

19948. Delicious quiche. 

19949. A day of gaming and snacking with Crystal and McKenzie. 

19950. Crystal constantly making me laugh. 

19951. Brother Barry asking prayer for me and then asking about 

            where I am afterwards. 

19952. Getting to walk with Tilinia and the girls and my mom. 

19953. Delicious quiche and baked beans. 

19954. Yummy blueberries. 

19955. Quiet reading time. 

19956. Ping pong with Zeke. 

19957. Finding crossword puzzles on a free app. 

19958. Sleeping through the night. 

19959. A good long walk. 

19960. Finding Skee Ball on sale at Walgreens. 

19961. Playing Skee Ball with my parents. 

19962. Beautiful sunset sky. 

19963. Finishing a good book. 

19964. My counselor helping me be more reasonable with myself. 

19965. Also his heart for singles and validating my views on it. 

19966. Grateful God has him here helping me not in Mexico even

            though that’s where he wants to be. 

19967. Finding amazing and delicious cherries at Aldi. 

19968. A hot chocolate for my ride home. 

19969. Thoroughly enjoying 'The Chosen' with my parents. 

19970. A nice lunch with Crystal. 

19971. Her wanting me to stay but for my sake wanting me to return 

            and telling me so. This is the essence of hesed love, wanting

            what’s best for someone at cost to yourself. 

19972. A chance to walk. 

19973. Thinking about my problematic situation and 'The Chosen' and 

            remembering God does things in weird ways. Jesus didn’t 

            come as a fighting conqueror to kick out the Romans but rather

            he came to save us from a worse enemy, sin. Perhaps in my life

            too, he doesn’t do the ideal, he does better than the ideal. 

19974. Spending time with my sissy and parents playing Skee ball. 

19975. Suiters coming over. 

19976. Lisa making fun of my nerdiness. 

19977. A fun puzzle from them. 

19978. Knowing Sage well. 

19979. Talking real life and struggles with my sis and mom. 

19980. Hebrews 11 goodness and good timing for me. 

19981. Shawna’s joy at seeing me. 

19982. More cherries at Aldi. 

19983. Time to read in the car. 

19984. A sushi feast with Crystal and McKenzie. 

19985. McKenzie’s sweet giggles. 

19986. A Brownie Batter milkshake. 

19987. Crystal getting to meet Heath and Jude. 

19988. Finishing 'The Chosen' with mom and dad. 

19989. Abundance of rain. 

19990. We survived 2020. 

19991. A funny text from Duygu. 

19992. Sweet sweet John and Marilee and their care and

            thoughtfulness. 

19993. Caley offering to give me Mumford for my loneliness. 

19994. Getting to talk to my homies. 

19995. Hearing Ahmet say Homiecim and Teyze. 

19996. Laughing with Buket and Ekin. 

19997. The girls asking how my counseling is going. 

19998. Abundant laughter playing games with Crystal and my mom. 

19999. Much joy playing Skee ball. 

20000. A spontaneous trip to Steak-n-Shake for milkshakes. 

Gifts 19801-19900

19801. Zeke waving at Ms. Shirley twice. His care for others. 

19802. Mama getting so tickled about things in the truck. 

19803. And when watching Elf. 

19804. The fall leaves hanging around, extending the season. 

19805. A good long walk. 

19806. Sushi goodness in Dunlap. 

19807. Gingerbread cookie dough. 

19808. Lacey walking by and shouting, “We love you Miss Candace.”

19809. Good counseling advice even though it seems impossible. 

19810. A chance to ride alone. 

19811. Heat in my car. 

19812. Crystal writing to say she appreciated our lunch. 

19813. Getting to pick out a Christmas tree with my mom and dad. 

19814. Getting to decorate it with my mom and sister. 

19815. Laughing through The Sandlot with Caley and my dad. 

19816. My dad’s chuckles during the movie. 

19817. A day without a migraine. 

19818. My sister scolding me for going places and not telling people

            where I am. Her desire to take care of me.

19819. Good exercise in helping my sis move. 

19820. A chance to go get groceries and have some alone time. 

19821. Mary, Anna and Christian coming to help. 

19822. A long bath after a hard physical day. 

19823. Ten hours of sleep. 

19824. Good reminders from Lisa. 

19825. A good lunch with Crystal. Laughing about JL and hearing how

            our chats are helping her. 

19826. Delicious catfish and sweet potato fries. 

19827. Mouthwatering rolls. 

19828. An empty Coke Ovens. 

19829. Twenty or so turkeys just strolling by my car. 

19830. Watching a turkey run like a chicken with it's neck moving

            back and forth. 

19831. Surprised by a blue sky and a rainbow. 

19832. Making my daddy smile. 

19833. Daddy trying to help with the puzzle. 

19834. Making my mom laugh with my Heartland commentary. 

19835. Working through my review and remembering that God was 

            faithful this year. 

19836. Baby Gab is here! 

19837. All the ways that God helped her get here: Campbells watching 

            Meg, Gökhan allowed to be inside, the friend giving him a ride

            to find diapers. 

19838. Joy in my heart at this birth. 

19839. Hearing how FBC had so many interested people. 

19840. Unexpectedly seeing my brother. 

19841. Joy and abundant laughter after talking with Brooke. 

19842. My mom getting tickled at Cedar changing all the faces. 

19843. Laughing about my dream of hanging out with the queen of 

            England. 

19844. A sunny drive to Cookeville. 

19845. Yummy Cookeville roll. 

19846. Early to bed. 

19847. Good moments during worship through singing. Come and see 

            what God has done. 

19848. Lori Chatman bringing me a bag full of puzzles. 

19849. Caroline’s desire to pursue relationships with those far from

            God. 

19850. Another time of sharing burdens with Hannah. 

19851. Her and Nahum’s care of me. 

19852. A fun game with Jude. 

19853. Eylül taking a video of my plants. 

19854. Jude not wanting me to leave and giving theee hugs. 

19855. Finally finished the hard puzzle. 

19856. Christmas cards ready to go out. 

19857. Really grateful for the good gift of a good counselor. Grateful 

            for his words and action that are what I need to see and hear. 

19858. Grateful he admitted something hadn’t been the best approach.

            Humility. 

19859. Finding light on my walk. Hope coming a little easier. 

19860. Gorgeous Sequatchie Valley sunset. 

19861. Zekey singing in the shower and in the kitchen. 

19862. Kyla’s biopsy going well. 

19863. Laughter with Caley and Josh and the rents. 

19864. Seeing God’s face and presence through the Suiters and 

            Campbells in my very worst days. 

19865. The shaking stopping. 

19866. Getting to go in a fun old building with fancy elevators and 

            bathrooms. 

19867. Gettjng to be there for my mom. 

19868. A funny lawyer. 

19869. Puzzle time chilling me out. 

19870. David Nevue holiday radio. 

19871. Jim B’s encouraging emails. 

19872. A nice day for time with Lakyn outside. 

19873. Fun talking with Jenni. 

19874. Laughing with her as we talked about Cappadocia memories. 

19875. Laughing so much with my parents watching Christmas 

            Vacation. 

19876. Mom’s deposition getting delayed. 

19877. Book Club meeting getting postponed as well. 

19879. A chill day alone. 

19880. Painting at the Coke Ovens. 

19881. Reading 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' with my bro and 

            family. 

19882. Getting some good chuckles from the book. 

19883. Getting lots of things marked off my to do list. 

19884. Getting to talk with GL and Les. 

19885. Ability to chew again. 

19886. Ten hours of sleep. 

19887. A good family day with all ten of us. 

19888. Only sitting in line for an hour and a half for the Covid test. 

19889. The test not being too bad. 

19890. Some alone time at home. 

19891. A negative result. 

19892. Headache going away. 

19893. Jarett giving me space to cry if I needed it. Showing care. 

19894. Him also telling me I was doing a great job and that I should 

            take a nap if I need one. 

19895. A chance to walk around the yard in the sunshine. 

19896. The hills being good for me to burn nervous energy. 

19897. Laughing at the Office podcast about frisbee golf. 

19898. My dad buying frozen pizza for me. 

19899. Getting to look at Christmas lights with my parents. 

19900. My mom watching Dumb and Dumber with me.