The Happy List

So Michelle has been urging me to make a blog, and for so long I have been hesitant. I don't know. I just don't think my life is that interesting enough to write continuously about. However, this idea provided just the right opportunity! I admit, though, I can't take full credit. Gaining inspiration from Ronny's book "14,000 Things to Be Happy About" by B. Kipfer, I've decided to make my own "Happy List"! Amazing how much you can learn about a person, just by reading about what makes them happy. I understand that not everything will make sense to everyone, but I'm hoping my friends will learn more about me, and as I look through the list later in life, I'll probably be able to learn more about myself - being able to see my growth and hopefully remembering what happened and how I felt when I wrote something. Each one tells a story. 

I am SO EXCITED! Oh, and also, I'm going to try to end every blog entry with at least one new addition to the list. That way, I'll try to find at least one thing to be happy about every day (that I blog)! & The BEST part is: if I ever need a pick-me-up, I'll simply peruse through my list to put a smile on my face, and hopefully on others' as well. :) HERE GOES!!!!!! (Once I got started I couldn't stop. So I warn you, this WILL be long. Two of my pens ran out of ink before I finished in my journal.)

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY:

1. My source of utmost joy is simply Him. I love you, Lord. <3

2. Good ideas - like this

3. Lone drives on sunny days with the windows down, sunroof open, hair blowing in the wind, and singing at the top of my lungs to just the right worship song blasting through the stereo

4. Songs that speak personally to me

5. Days to contemplate

6. Stream-of-consciousness writing

7. Literature that touches your soul, as your heart rises and falls with the undulations of the unfolding plot

8. Friday morning Bible Club at F.B. Middle School

9. That tiny old man who wears rubber rain boots and sells newspapers by the road (His smile gets me EVERY time.)

10. My brother Ronny's wise, hilarious insight (e.g. "Well, if we got it right all the time, we'd be Jesus.")

11. Perpetual summertime on Guam

12. Quiet afternoons on the couch, under my favorite knit blanket with a good book

13. Rainy nights with hot chocolate

14. Books with personality: frayed edges, food-stained pages, crumbs within the spine, highlighted, underlined, and messy scrawl in the margins

15. The crisp pages and smell of a new book

16. CLEAN bare feet 

17. Divine revelations

18. Church - my happy place

19. Sunday morning worship

20. Good, powerful radio sermons

21. Song inspiration

22. The Brady Bunch

23. Night drives with good friends, good conversation, and good music

24. Driving all day and the gas gauge has barely moved

25. Having a camera when you need it

26. Heartfelt hugs

27. The feel and smell of Mom's skin

28. Random hugs from Ronny to "Tabba"

29. Kisses on my head from Daddy as he says, "Love you, baby girl."

30. When my parents call each other "sweetheart"

31. Quality family time

32. Sunday afternoons with no homework

33. No homework. Period.

34. Girl time

35. When God brings just the right people into your life, right when you need them the most

36. The peacefulness of Cecile and Craig's living room

37. Reminders of God's love

38. People who shine with God's love

39. A plethora of pens

40. Inspiring testimonies

41. Finding just the right scripture

42. Leaving messages on Michelle's voicemail before my first morning class

43. The fact that Abby's always ready for spur-of-the-moment "plans"

44. The mutual understanding known as "Guam Time"

45. Cecile's tiramisu and afternoon talks after an exhausting day

46. The sound of mom's voice and piano resonating throughout the house as she prepares her worship lineup

47. Finding the right words to say

48. Billy's silent laugh that makes him cough and eyes bulge

49. Island hospitality

50. Cars that signal

51. When people wave after you've allowed them to change into your lane

52. Scaring Craig

53. FACEBOOK

54. Looking through old pictures

55. Non-awkward telephone conversations

56. Listening to Ronny practice in his room

57. Starry nights

58. Bubbly shakes on a hot day

59. Walking to class and seeing the ocean view

60. The fact that nothing is arbitrary

61. Reminders of God's personal involvement in my life

62. Quiet time

63. 80's music

64. Snow cones during the Liberation Day parade

65. Handmade/hand-written cards

66. Having a good song stuck in your head

67. Literature class

68. The smell of Daddy's cooking when I wake up

69. My lunch pail packed by Daddy (even when I'm in college)

70. Life's soundtrack

71. Acts 9 - my namesake

72. The names "Noah" and "Esther Rose"

73. Little children smiling and excitedly yelling my name

74. Group hugs

75. The thought of teaching elementary school

76. Tearful talks on the bed with Mom

77. Sneaking out onto the roof to watch the stars and wait for sunrise

78. The thought of seeing real snow one day

79. Someone saying, "I was thinking of you today."

80. Wednesday night Bible study with some of the most godly people I know

81. Being called a "nerd"

82. The prevention of a potentially humiliating experience

83. Going around the island

84. Lunch with friends

85. Hair falling onto my face in just the right place

86. Knowing that God provides

87. Falling asleep in a pile of unfolded laundry fresh out of the dryer

88. My personal library cubicle

89. When people say my car is clean (albeit rare)

90. "When I talk to Tabby, I feel like I'm reading a novel." - Richard

91. My obsession with pneumonic devices

92. Playing with my hair

93. Nights at the YWAM base

94. Surprise parties

95. The pile of typed, completed paperwork that I measure between my fingers

96. Joy William's voice

97. Blistex

98. Knowing I'm never alone

99. Mom greeting me at the back door when I get home

100. Our first attempt at a family photo shoot (I'm laughing out loud)

101. Catching embarrassing moments on camera

102. Messages from friends

103. Corny Caser Family gatherings, complete with songs by the piano and color-coordinating outfits

104. The availability of rice

105. "Walks along the beach"

106. Flowers on Valentine's Day

107. Balloons for every occasion

108. Chris Rice, Michael Buble, Nathan Angelo, John Mayer, Jason Mraz

109. Giving gifts "just because"

110. Google

111. Girl coffee dates

112. Photo montages

113. Old people

114. Babies

115. Matching plumeria clips

116. The smell of clean

117. Great days of fellowship

118. The power of prayer

119. Cheesy comedies that make girls gasp, tear, and go, "Aww!"

120. Curled toes

121. "The perfect bite" (TM)

122. Yummy left-overs

123. Buy one, get one free

124. Free t-shirts

125. Grandma Sue's hugs

126. Soft, springy grass wet with morning dew

127. Triple rainbows

128. Feather quills and old-fashioned keys

129. Old papers from elementary school

130. My name which I wrote in permanent marker beneath my doorknob when I was three

131. The mohawk-ed carabao man at Fort Soledad

132. Walking arm-in-arm with Daddy

133. Chocolate-covered gummy bears

134. Finding forgotten snacks in my bag that are still good

135. Reading what someone scratched out

136. The letter "Z"

137. Watching others misjudge the depth of a puddle

138. Swimming

139. Having a good song stuck in my head

140. Group hugs

141. Sleepovers, minus the sleep

142. Camera self-timer + tripod

143. Grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches

144. The magical disappearance of a pimple

145. Daydreaming

146. Pigtails, sundresses, and lace socks on little girls

147. How rain can stop in 2 seconds on Guam

148. Clear nail polish

149. Cool Whip

150. A full refrigerator

...& There's more to come.