End of January Faves!

I can't believe it's Friday already!

The week really flew by for me!  

It was a tough week in many ways because we had a couple of hectic evenings, plus I was the listening ear for a dear friend who is going through some struggles....this all leaves me feeling a bit emotionally drained...but...God is good all the time and all the time, God is good!  And we can always find blessings or favorite moments throughout our week, where He shines His special Love on us.  Let's take a moment to walk back through our weeks and find five faves...then head over to Susanne's to link up!

• TOTALLY RELAXING WEEKEND!  Last weekend, from Friday at 4 pm until Sunday at 1 pm, I had the house to my self for the first time in 18 years!  Dave and my 13 yr old were away for a junior high youth group Winter Retreat in the southern Adirondacks, and I enjoyed watching movies with instant streaming from Netflix, reading/finishing a novel, baking, cooking, catching up on photo-books, chatting on the phone with one of my sisters, playing piano, And I had time to journal, time to write letters to far away friends....basically just doing things I hardly ever get to do during the school year! It was heavenly!!

our house as drawn by Courtney for Drawing Class 2009
c. CourtneyETpics 2009

• SCARLATTI SONATA's  Since I was alone all weekend, I had lots of time to sit at my very out of tune piano and play favorite sonata's that I haven't played in years! (and deciding that getting it tuned is on the to do list for spring break!)  I was a piano major at a Christian college in western NY, and I just really miss spending time at the piano.  I quickly adjusted to the fact that reading the notes is very different with eyes that need progressive lenses......lol....but it was so enjoyable to just sit and PLAY!  I am on a new kick where I plan on putting some serious piano time in on the weekends.  My husband enjoys hearing me play and it's relaxing and challenging to try to get back to the level I was in college!  Here is one I am working on: (one of his "easier" ones)

image taken from werner icking music archive

• DINNER DATE WITH FRIEND  My good friend, M, asked if she could meet with me.  She needed someone to really talk with, pray with, listen, encourage...this is doing life together....our vision as a small group.  She is very dear to me and I enjoyed our 2 hours at Panera's while Claire was in her ballet class and Dave was at home doing some work. It is so important to "be there" for our friends...and there's nothing like "face time".  Texting, FB, phone calls and skype just don't cut it, do they?  True intimacy grows deeper when face to face and faith to faith. I'm thankful I could be there for her like she's been there for me in the past.

• An "I LUV YOU" TEXT!  Claire texted me the simple message that all moms love to hear (and dads, too!)......she did this before the bus taking them on the winter retreat even left the church parking lot! It made me smile......and yes, I texted her back :)

• Freedom!  This might sound weird, but the topic of freedom from fears makes my fave list this week. I have feared a certain situation regarding a friend who became very upset about something I wrote to her in a letter before she moved away. She didn't fully understand what I was trying to say, and sadly, I didn't express my self very well, I guess.   But guess what? I no longer fear the situation.  I am going to continue to press in and pray for her, to continue to send special cards when holidays or birthdays come up, and just continue to love her in the love of the Lord.  This is what we are supposed to do as Christ followers. We DON'T need to fear people or what they think.  By extending mercy and grace, or patience, it shows others that we really can be more like Jesus.  And that is always a fave, right?  Freedom from these kinds of fears...what people think.....are so good for our souls.....I deeply care for this friend.  She may no longer talk to me or write me back, or acknowledge me in any way. but i know what we enjoyed as brief friends.  I know we had fun on our families' vacation. I know her deepest hurts and I know that we bonded because of them.  I know now how to be a friend even if one person can't handle certain things...I know what it means to NOT be a friend, too!  And I know that by having this  freedom in Christ, I can continue to love on her and pray for her and that gripping fear is gone!  Part of this occurred because of a sermon series our pastor did so he makes my fave list, too!

have a great weekend!