Friday Faves!

It's Friday already!!!

And of course I am participating in the Five Favorite things from the past week meme that my blogging buddy Susanne hosts. THANK YOU, SUSANNE!! Check out her blog by clicking here.

I actually have SIX Things this week but only FIVE pictures........enjoy!!

This pic of my oldest daughter (in the cowboy hat) and one of her best friends (Karissa) from school......Courtney has never dressed up for Halloween as we don't celebrate that holiday but her youth group at church (Life::Redefined) was having a Saturday evening harvest party....and the teens were allowed to dress up. She asked and we approved. Her school friend normally does not attend this youth group as she has her own at her church, but Courtney invited her to the party. They are both a part of the LIFE club at the high school, which is the on-campus Christian club.

This is my new favorite jam. I just discovered this at my local grocery store the other day. I had bought a loaf of French Bread (which my youngest loves at breakfast or as an after-school snack with a wedge of cheddar cheese). For lunch this week I have been eating the bread with this jam and some fruit or salad. Along with the wonderful tastes of raspberries and peaches together, there is an underlying taste of lemon. It is delicious!!

Yummy......here is half of a pumpkin chip bread I made this week. My youngest daughter loves a slice of this for breakfast and my oldest likes it as an after-school snack. I like it in the evening with a steaming mug of African Honeybush tea. This is my favorite recipe that my mother handed down. It actually makes 2 loaves so one is in the freezer for later in the month or I have unexpected guests in the house.....it is also great to serve if having a friend over for coffee.......

These tiny cookie cutters from a collection I bought from Pampered Chef. It is rare that I order from them..I think they are overpriced and I much prefer Crate and Barrel. However, a couple of years ago, a neighbor was having a party so I told her I would order 2 things. I love how perfect this little pumpkin and leaf are for making cookies this time of year. I plan on baking Chocolate Shortbread Cookies with these little cuties.....

This Scripture from Psalm 25. Actually, several verses from this psalm make my "favorites" list this week. This entire Psalm is so full of hope and promise, is it not?? Just what I needed during this busy week where nothing really seemed to go right or easy....but....God is a good God....He guides us, guards us and guarantees peace and hope!! Glory to Him!!

My final favorite thing actually happened last weekend. It was the day after meeting with my friend for our Bible study. Our chapter was about forgiveness. I usually forgive wrongs fairly quickly. I do not like unforgiveness to fester in my heart and turn to resentment or bitterness or even rage. So......over the years I have learned to forgive.

About 12 years ago I forgave someone who needed my forgiveness. He didn't ask for it. He didn't think he had done anything wrong. But....he did.....(no it wasn't my husband....just an old friend). I had to forgive him in order to move on and receive emotional and spiritual healing. I forgave him, we talked on the phone, I rarely heard from him after that. Recently I received some news about him that totally threw me.....I started doubting my faith, started to not trust the people the Lord has graciously put in my life, etc. Last Sunday I decided to finally just let it go....God broke through (you can read about some of it by scrolling down until you see the post titled "Breakthrough"). The news I received was bad but....not surprising to me. My reaction was surprising...I thought I could handle it. I struggled but.....God reminded me on Sunday just who my real friends are. He reminded me that He provided me with a husband who loves me and will protect me in all ways...he is my spiritual covering. He reminded me that He is my FATHER IN HEAVEN.....that I can run to Him and He will never turn away. And that all the work I have done over the years to heal emotionally from something is still that: a healing. I can claim it. It is truth. And sadly, there are some truths that we do need to face, in season, when God allows us to face them. But.....if we press in to Him, we also can conquer them.


And that is my most favorite thing of all: VICTORY IN CHRIST!!

Have a great weekend and leave me a comment about one favorite thing from YOUR week!!