Love that it's Friday...the first week back at school since the day before Christmas Eve. Always makes for a tougher week.....little kindergarten students have a tough time returning (usually) and with some of the special needs kids, that transition is even tougher. Which makes my job, and my team's job, a little tougher.....we are tired! I love teaching but it does get tiring as I head into my 50's!
But... the weekend is here, and it's time to find the things that blessed us during this last week. Susanne, our ever gracious host, has details on how to participate over at her site. Check it out!
- EVENING DEVOTIONS with Claire (my youngest): Claire received this devo book from us for Xmas, as she turned 12 a few days before and we had wanted to get her some kind of a "preteen" devo book. This was the best one I found, with topics I had wanted her to begin to "study".
And while she is sitting on my bed completing this before "lights out", I am sitting next to her, going thru this new Bible
that my husband (and Claire!) bought me for Christmas. I have always wanted to read through the entire Bible in one year, and never have. I always have good intentions and then.....fail. I have also yearned to read the Bible history, etc in chronlogical order and as a young girl, I always questioned my dad as to why it wasn't written "in order". Now...I have the best of both worlds! The Bible in one year, chronologically. I am not that enthralled with the translation (I prefer NIV or NKJV) but it's ok...because I WILL finish this come December 31 and the time spent with Claire each evening, doing devotions, is just priceless. We are determined to not miss a night and we even have a plan when she goes away for the youth group retreat!
- STICKY NOTE. My wonderful, whimsical oldest daughter of mine (age 17, Courtney) has a post it note on the inside of her new Bible we bought her for Xmas. She had wanted a "thin" Bible to bring to her high school, that would fit in her tote, and would also be thin enough to cart around on campus next autumn. Now for campus I could understand...she'll be attending a Christian college so needs a Bible. But her high school is public...she explained that she wanted it for LIFE club and to show her friends! I found this Bible at B & N. And...since she was 7 years old, we always get her something "horse" for Xmas (usually a stuffed animal, or an ornament or book). So....this Bible was perfect for her. She was thrilled that it's leather, has gold edged pages and that Jesus' words are in red.
but the thing that thrilled me this week was the sticky note on the inside cover: "PROGRESS, not Perfection"
Wow. Profound. I am soooo very proud of her. (and no, she doesn't know I saw it...i was making sure she had her name inside!)
- GRAPEFRUIT. I'm so thankful for this fruit.....am eating 1/2 a one every morning....now, if they were just on sale a little more often! It sure has felt good on my throat which gets very dry during the night....I crave grapefruit every morning!
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| pic taken from pittmandavis.com |
- WORK-OUTS. I've been blessed that I've been able to carve out chunks of time to begin a good work-out routine again. The holidays made me very lazy! I don't typically make New Year Resolutions but rather, I make goals. And one of my goals is to work out consistently this winter and not wait until April like I typically do! I combine 20 min of power walking (weather permitting) with a 40 minute Wii Fit workout (10 min of strength training, 20 of aerobics, 10 of Yoga). Power walking only occurs about 2-3 days a week in the winter for me, so on the days I'm not outside, I'll follow up the Wii Fit workout with a tennis game or two (Wii Sports). Tennis gets my heart rate going......on the weekends I do The Shred. I have so much more energy after working out....enough energy to have a pleasant evening. I work out about an hour after getting home from work, before dinner prep. (usually while the girls are doing homework). And I'm actually having fun doing it!
- Got Teens? (The small group I lead). I know they've made my fave five list before. But last night was awesome. We discussed discipline vs punishment, natural and logical consequences, and I showed a portion of a Reba show that went along with our topic of discipline and teens. It was a hit. I am so blessed to be able to lead this group and come alongside these sisters in Christ. We are all becoming good friends and I look forward to many more meetings...we are even gonna meet this summer! It really makes my list this week because of all the input everyone contributed in group time last night. We are all getting great ideas from each other. God is good!! I am so glad He doesn't expect perfection in our parenting skills, but rather, progress, perseverance, patience and prayer!
That's it for me!
What is a fave of yours from this past week?? Please share!
If you are a blog author, feel free to join us...just click on Susanne's link.
If you are just a "peeper" here, feel free to leave a comment. I want to hear from you! According to my stats, and visitor thingy I get lots of "hits".....now, how about sharing your thoughts?? All you need to do is leave your initials or first name :)
Be blessed this weekend!! And look for those special blessings from the Lord.....they might come in unexpected ways.....
13 comments:
I've been enjoying the one year bible reading plan that I chose to try, too. I actually think it might be doable for me. I love that your doing it while Claire works on her devotion beside you.
I'm horrible with working out. I want to but actually getting to it defeats me. I'd have to get up super, super early (my nature is definitely not a morning person) or do them at night when I'm already exhausted. I have Wii active and love it when I do it, but have not done it often. Sigh. I know, it's all just excuses.
Susanne, I was the same way about the working out. I love getting up early in the summer months (5:30) and going on my solitary power walks but during the school year it is impossible. I just can't because of needing to get 2 kids out the door, and my self out the door! So...I force myself to do it about 3:30 pm and it is actually giving me more energy for the various evening activities. It also helps revive me during these long dark days and early nites. Start out small. That's what I am doing. Just do 10 min each day and work your way up. Be encouraged...I'll pray, too!
Glad you've found a time to work out that works for you! That's a challenge for me during the school year, too. When I find time to exercise, I always feel better ... but too often I let it slide.
The One Year Chronological Bible is great! We, as a family, read the NIV version one year. There are a few places where it seems to go slow because of repetition, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Gospels in chronological order.
Your devo book looks like a good one. Enjoy it. Love the Bibles and the plan to read through. I wish I could like grapefruit. My daughter loves them. You are being very disciplined with your workout program. Good for you! Keep up the good work.
I'm looking at carving out some time to adjust myself off the couch and back into routine, wii fit sounds like fun.
Nice Bible.
So jealous over the grapefruit. This is something I ate every day then went on a cholesterol med that prevents me from this pleasure.
I love that you're having your devos with your girl - what a great plan!
I'm impressed with your workout - we may have to invest in a WII. I've heard so many good things about it.
Happy weekend!
That is a great cover on that Bible. Love the sticky note :o)
Sounds like a great small group.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I love the motto, "Progress not Perfection!" I definitely need to take that to heart.
I'm surprised you are not fond of the NLT translation, I have always loved it. That is the great thing about the age we live in: we can all find a translation of the bible that we can love! I have the same bible and did the chronological reading in a year. It works great!
I didn't know that grapefruit was soothing to a dry throat. I need to go get me some.
Have a great weekend and God bless!
Your group sounds SO neat. I would love that!
I love that Bible, and the sticky note discovery is just great.
And I'm envious of your workout discipline...! Have a great week.
"Peeper" LOL, a much better word than "lurker."
Well, it sounds like you have the perfect life, Faith! Work, directing your children's spiritual lives, working out AND delightful grapefruit. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Enjoyed your FFF, as always!
Now I enjoy to be retired, but I have always worked outside, I didn't like to stay home at all !
Yay for Wii Fit!
The 'horsey' Bible is great! Bet she loved it! How awesome is it that your teen wants to carry a Bible to High School with her!!!
Good idea to do your devos with your daughter beside you.
I do 'goals' too every year. That way I can't 'break a resolution' :)
Reading the Bible in one year and staying fit by working out with the WII sound like two wonderful goals for the year.
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