Little Faves that Left Big Feelings

Wow...this 2nd full week of school just flew by....but I think it's because I had an appointment or someplace to be every.single.evening. Including tonite's hair color appointment! 

I'm taking the time (Thursday evening) to find 5 things that helped make my week special.  Please join in by going to Susanne's site and linking up!

It is good to give thanks to the Lord!! HE is the One who brings these blessings, whether big or small, into our lives.....

MY FIVE FAVES

• A Hug and Chat:  my pastor's wife came over to me after church last weekend and just made me feel so good...so encouraged.  She asked about my back and gave me some pointers from when her back was bad......and of course we talked about our daughters and college (they are both at the same college, living in the same dorm/same floor!) Just knowing that she cares and is encouraging is a big comfort to me and I am so thankful God has put her in my life. He knew what I needed.....a godly Pastor's wife who is an excellent example of grace, mercy, and godliness...a little blessing that leaves me with awesome feelings of thankfulness.

• ENCOURAGING WORDS! My doctor called me while I was in the waiting room of my chiropractor on Tuesday with the results from the MRI I had last Friday evening.  She said to have him go over the results with me after telling me briefly what the radiologist found; she faxed him the report within minutes and he carefully explained what I at first thought was something horrible. I have a bulging disc due to over-exertion in the lower lumbar region of my back. Basically, because I have degenerative disc disease (arthritis in the back) which was exacerbated by the lyme disease 11 years ago, my back and spine are in weakened condition.  Because I moved heavy furniture, painted, and lifted heavy boxes right after TWO major hikes and then 2 kayaking trips (not knowing all along my back has this condition), the disc "bulged" pressing on the sciatic nerve. I also have a slight bulging one in the mid-section which they are not worried about. The good news: it DOES heal. The bad news: I can no longer lift heavy items, have to learn to bend differently, (not hard...I learned right away), and can no longer push heavy items nor shovel. Basically, I CAN hike and bike and kayak but I can't wear heavy backpacks, lift the kayak up onto the roof rack nor lift up my bike. I can't lift any children in the classroom......the good news, too, is that the sciatica symptoms are basically gone thanks to the amazing lumbar and leg stretches I've been doing as part of my PT with the chiro.  So.....the blessing is that the chiropractor took his time to explain that this is just a warning sign to be very careful in the future and that he CAN get me pain free, it'll just take some more time.  

Claire, Summer 2012
photo taken by Courtney 

• MAKING BEDS AND LUNCHES!  This is just a little thing but it left me with a huge feeling of gratitude for this youngest daughter of mine. She gets up with her alarm every school day morning at 5:30. She makes her bed (most of the time and if she runs out of time in the morning, and I don't get to it, she does it right after school) and makes her own lunch the evening before.  She has decided NOT to buy lunch this year at school so I told her if that was the case, she'd have to help me out in the evenings. (not to mention it's saving us $45 a month for the lunch plan!)  Her helpfulness around the house is much appreciated and I tell her often because even though her love language is acts of service,  I want her to know just how much I appreciate the extra help while I am healing. The blessing, though little (making a bed and lunches), leaves me with a huge feeling of gratitude for this youngest daughter of mine.

Courtney in NYC at the Met Museum of Art
Gordon College, Year One 2011/2012

• CHECKING IN!  Our oldest daughter (shown here from last winter) texted and called me a couple of times this past week asking about my back, the MRI results, and just to tell me what's been going on.  It's always good to hear from her. Even though this is now her 2nd year away at college, I still miss her!  AND.....she  surprised me by talking about her first major graphic design project for the semester. She has to design a logo for a company or some other endeavor. She chose this blog!! So.....at some point during this semester, I might be showing off a new blog logo! The blessing is that, even though a text or cell phone call is just a little thing, the feeling of love when I hear her voice is huge!!

image taken from the-new-healthy.com

• K CUPS for CHILLY EVENINGS!  I've enjoyed a couple of these this week when one day we had a downpour of rain all day long and I came home from dropping Claire off to the ballet studio and then getting groceries, chilled to the bone!  And then last evening was chilly after dinner so I enjoyed another cup while writing up this post.  It's got just a hint of coconut (I don't really taste the "mocha" part) and although it's not my fave brand of coffee, the flavor is just right for the end of summer turning to autumn......the blessing is that I found it on sale!

And I can't resist....I saw the following image when searching some Scriptures online so just had to share this photo with you....I liked it so much I also posted it to my Facebook page. 

Autumn begins this weekend and I thought this was the perfect photo to signify the end of summer........

 and no matter what circumstances you find your self in during the weekend,

take time to magnify the Lord...HE IS GOOD!