Five Favorites!

Yeah...it's Friday! And after work today I plan on kissing my hubby goodbye as he leaves with a bunch of junior high teens for the Life::Redefined youth group retreat for the weekend. And then......it's just a Friday evening with NOTHING that MUST be done!! Neither of the girls have any obligations, nor do I......Saturday is a bit full but again.....we have a 3 day weekend due to the Columbus Day holiday on Monday so.....my plan is to finish housework, get my youngest daughter the next size up violin, and then do some hiking in the Adirondacks on Monday......if it doesn't rain!!

And...again...thanks to Susanne for hosting this fun meme each week!

Here are my five favorites things, in pictures, from this past week:

This quote! Because it reminds me of what is making the top of my fave five list this week: a phone conversation with one of my dearest friends. This friend was also my counselor for a season many years ago.....back when my oldest daughter was just a 3-7 year old!! For 4 years she ministered to me and also became a great friend. We even did ministry together for about 6 years in a crisis pregnancy center. Her youngest and my oldest played together and her oldest girls used to babysit for my girls. We were very close and she knew everything about me! We used to attend the same church and then the Lord called both of our families to separate churches although we have still kept in touch. We hadn't talked since June (she lives in a town south of me by about 15 minutes and also works part time so we are both busy and hardly ever get together). I had called her, desparate to discuss something and had to leave a message. She called me back later that evening and we ended up talking for over an hour! This is how it usually is with us. And because of the unity we share in Christ, it was like no time had passed at all. But...the great thing that God did that evening was that He opened my eyes to some truths that I was needing to hear and He knew she would be the vessal which would carry those truths to my ears and to my heart. I love how he uses the people who know us the most intimately.......she knows my past, she understands my struggles....she accepts me for who I am....and she helps me to believe in my future and reminds me that we have a Hope that is steadfast and sure! So....thank you to Cheryl S. for that phone call! And it also reminded me to not take my other friends for granted nor to neglect any new friends that God has put in my path......we need each other on this journey!!

This rainbow!!
I caught this shot on my cell phone just as I was leaving from the HizKidz Praise rehearsal. I had been there at 5:30 to work with a vocalist and then left while my 10 year old attended rehearsal. During my vocal coaching duties, it began to pour! As I was leaving the church to run an errand, this rainbow appeared over the church and was a perfect arch. Unfortunately my cell phone could not capture the entire arch! It makes my fave five this week because it reminds me of God's Promise and that ALL His Promises are TRUE!!

A Saturday evening bike ride with my youngest daughter.
We were all home on Saturday evening but my oldest daughter did not want to bike, nor did my husband. So...Claire and I went out (before a late dinner) for an early evening ride. It was just gorgeous. This is a cemetery located about a mile north of us that Claire likes to ride in......it's very peaceful there!

This banner that one of the LIFE club officers made for the Homecoming Parade last Friday nite at my oldest daughter's high school. Courtney had to be the one to organize who was marching and get permission from the building principal.....due to the fact that several of the club members are in Marching Band, Courtney ended up marching with just 3 other LIFE club friends. BUT...Praise God! This was the first time LIFE club had a banner and had a representation in the Homecoming Parade!! For those of you who don't know: LIFE Club is the on campus Christian club for high schoolers who want to live their faith out loud. My daughter is the secretary this year and one of her best friends from youth group is the vice president. It is a blessing to have a high school where Christian clubs are welcomed.

Here she is again, in her school colors. This was right after school, before the Homecoming parade and game. The blue fleece she is lying on is called a Quillow. It is a cross between a quilt and pillow...the quilt has the school name on it and the team name (Bison) and it folds into a pillow. She uses it on her bed all winter and brings it to the beach house in the summer or on our camping trips...it gets lots of use! This pic makes my fave five because I am thankful for my teenager and excited that she is loving school and all the things that are happening in her junior year!!

So...what about you?

Do you have a favorite thing that happened this week or a favorite event you want to share?

What were some of your favorite moments this past week??