well, this time next monday, i'll be on state road 19, slipping into a winter coat and tossing off the flip flops (and probably in drastic weather shock) as i pull into the Waterman homestead, back home again in indiana..
everyday the ladies ask me when i'm leaving, when i'll be back. to go quickly. and return faster. everyday i tell them my mind will have so much suffering and sadness being away for a month...as it seems to be with most goodbyes, the reunion is so so sweet...my second mind will always be where i'm not...

well yesterday we wrapped over 30 beautifully decorated saris for this year's christmas celebration. and again my appreciation and love of sarah grows as i reflect on how she has instilled in us, in me, the importance of celebration. in the midst of suffering, pain, discouragement, there's still space for celebration. and we do a heck of a job at it, in my humble opinion...
we also decorated the flat with some sweet and horribly tacky christmas decorations...and accompanied by some kenny g christmas tunes, i think we're definitely ready for the holiday season...(kristin i had flash backs of our charlie brown tree...making all things new right?)
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i love when the sb ladies start laughing so hard they can't breathe...especially when they're laughing at poop stories, some things are absolutely universal...
i love that i have to use a blanket at night, and its chilly enough to wear a sweater during the day...and then kyle reminds me its still in the 80's...
i love that the gospel of jesus is rocking my face off these days, and that its revolutionary counter cultural message never loses its power...
i love that people are excited to see me when i get home...and that my brother is making a chachi's home for christmas to do list, that include the breakfast house, ihop, and lots of beef...
i love the horrid decorations in our living room, and that kyle made a christmas alien head as the center piece on our bookshelf...and that it will probably not be moved until after the holidays...
i love that even after a hard day...there's still things to smile about.
and that every day mercy is made new, even to me.
goodnight.
see you soonly!!!