Things I Love Thursday ♥

I feel like I'm traveling back in time. A couple of years ago, I randomly started doing Things I Love Thursday, and for exactly one year, I never missed a Thursday. I wish I still had those old lists, because I know I'd still be repeating many of the same things. Happiness comes with change, but some of the deepest joy can be found in things that stay the same. Here is my list for this week. There won't be a Seven Smiles on Saturday...I'm sorry I haven't been doing that as regularly as I promised. Life gets in the way some times, and I wanted to take the time, right now before I go to bed, to share with you the Things I Love Thursday.

My friends.

At Our Generation Summit

They're the best!

My family.

You've seen my immediate family in plenty of pictures, but here's an extended version of my mom's side (Grandparents, grandkids, and great-grandkids):

 Other things include:

cream soda from a glass bottle • old fashioned preaching, singing, worshiping • that moment when your eyes are opened to the vast expanse of your blessings • meeting strangers, and having one common burden and desire: win people to our great God • organization • washing your face at the end of a long day • waking up and still having 2 hours of sleep left • goals for an amazing 2013 • those moments in a car, by myself, just soaking up the words to a song • my nephews, they will never know quite how they brighten up a day • quotes • missions • my church family, I love my church family so very, very much • these lyrics:

"Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross."