As I traveled through Spain in the last few weeks I experienced a lot of new flavours, in food, but also in people. I was invited to join some meal times with newly-made friends and discovered that the culture in Spain is rich in love for family and friends. I found it interesting that most parents wait until their 30's or 40's to have kids and some wait decades between having kids. I met a 7-yr old girl who had brothers in their 30's, and whose dad was in his 60's, such neat dynamics! After staying with some locals in the mountains for a few days these are the things that tickled me with joy and filled me with a love for God's creation:

45. fresh-picked oranges
46. homemade raisins
47. snow and cactus, orange trees, palm trees and pine trees, all in the same view!
48. laughter between elderly parents and young kids
49. children's knack for learning (the 8-yr-olds were fluent in Spanish and English!)

I moved on to different locations a few times and met fascinating people on the bus and on the streets. The towns I visited have a high population of British folks as well as Spanish, and I am always delighted to converse with the English, I feel that my IQ and vocabulary elevates. Not only is there variety in people groups and vegetation, but in landscape too. These are the things that implore me to give thanks:

50. the ease of transition from stranger to friend
51. long conversations rich with knowledge of culture and history
52. vibrant, expressive vocabulary!
53. mountains and the sea in the same view
54. all four seasons felt in one week
55. kinder surprise eggs

The first full day of our relax-refresh-rejuvenate conference imbedded an extended time with God into the schedule, and I reveled in it. Not only did I enjoy my date with God, but I witnessed others enjoying their dates with the Father. Sitting on the beach and "dining" with my Lover, these are the things He gives, the good gifts of a loving Dad:

56. fresh air. fresh wind. fresh temperature. refreshed soul
57. lovers holding hands on the beach
58. sunlight on my face
59. girls swinging in a hammock
60. the art of photography- watching others capture God's gifts
61. beach glass- sharp edges buffeted smooth
62. the sea. the waves. the splashes. the gentleness. the power.
63. an older lady singing in Spanish in the distance
64. circles- wholeness, completeness, a reminder of God's never ending love
65. mandarin oranges
66. bird in a nest- protecting her young under feathers as the Bible says God does for us
67. a man fishing
68. a sparrow on the fencepost
69. kids throwing rocks into the sea

To name a few.