Friday and time for the Five Faves!!
This is a writing exercise for looking back at our week, finding the blessings from it, and sharing.
Join in by linking up with our hostess, Susanne from Living to Tell the Story.
A difficult week. Read why by clicking here if you're interested.
I can find some blessings, after an afternoon of reflecting back. This is later than my usual posting time but I really needed to spend some time reflecting. Here are what I consider to be my five blessings from the past week:
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| image taken from DD website |
- COFFEE DATE WITH BEST FRIEND! My friend Lynn and I had a coffee date late Sunday afternoon. I was busy. Overwhelmed. Sad. It was good to get out of the house on this Sabbath day of sadness and just meet for an hour of chit-chat and good peppermint mocha lattes from our fave coffee shop!
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| at the company Christmas party 6 December 2012 |
- CHRISTMAS PARTY! Thursday evening we attended the company Christmas party that Dave's boss throws for all employees and spouses each December. It is held at this gorgeous venue. Oh.my.goodness. What fun! From the hors d'eouvres and martini's to the main entree and merlot....from this band to the ballroom dancing we did.....we had a blast! It helped take my mind off things...and to think I didn't want to attend it because I was so tired and drained. It really perked me up and the added blessing? The lead singer announced my birthday! Such fun! (the owner and drummer of the band is married to my friend mentioned in the above fave!) Dave and I danced a lot and my back felt just fine! a true blessing!!!
- PLUMB! She is one of my fave Christian singers. This song is my theme song lately. Watch it. Be blessed.
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| Claire on evening of the Chorus 8 Christmas Concert 4 December 2012 |
- CHORUS CONCERT: Our daughter is in her last year (8th grade) of junior high school. She had her Chorus concert on Tuesday evening and because of the tragedy that hit our school district and the one in the next town north of us, the student bodies have become united. You can read that story here: http://www.fox23news.com/news/local/story/Crash-kills-two-Shenendehowa-High-School-students/dBdKAPooJ0exwydajDIaVg.cspx?autoplay=1 On the evening of the 8th grade, 7th grade, and Syncopella (all male chorus) Christmas concert, the music supervisor for our district (North Colonie) had us hold a moment of silence. The blessing? almost every student's head was bowed. Even the students who are of a different religion (there are some Muslims and Hindus in our district) were reverant. People were praying! (one of the Shen students is a member of our church's senior high youth group...Claire is friends with his little sister!) And.....actual CHRISTmas songs were sung...there was even a Hebrew song that my daughter's chorus sang. It was about peace (Shalom). It was just beautiful and poignant considering this tragedy that has struck our school and the other district. (our school didn't lose a student...she will be ok and is now home from the hospital!). I am proud and blessed to be a parent and a staff member in the North Colonie schools! For those of you who think that public schools have taken God out of the districts....think again! HE IS IN THE SCHOOLS just like HE IS EVERYWHERE! and we have teachers, staff, admins and students who recognize that truth. We are blessed.
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| Dutch Wooden Shoes Claire's are red/Courtney's are green 6 December 2012 |
- TRADITIONS! Even in some sad or hard times, traditions being carried out bring a sense of comfort, stability and blessing. Here are the shoes that Claire and I put out (I put out Courtney's for her since she is still at college until a few days before Christmas) on Wednesday evening. My daughters have celebrated St Nicholas Day every year since my youngest was 1. This is a special tradition for us but I thought the girls might not want to do it now that they are in college and junior high. WRONG! My oldest texted that YES she still wants to do it and of course my youngest wanted to. So, I bought special candies and filled their shoes. Claire loved coming down the stairs to the front foyer on the morning of St Nicholas Day (December 6th) and seeing her chocolates. It's a blessing to have girls who are still excited about childhood traditions and our Dutch/German ancestry on my mom's side. Even more special this year now that Mom is with the Lord.
I hope you've had a peaceful week and are looking forward to the weekend.....let's keep our eyes focused on the Reason for the season!
6 comments:
A belated happy birthday to you!
So neat that your school allows real Christmas carols.
I've been surprised, too, at the Christmas traditions that have meant much to my kids that I didn't think they'd want to continue as they got older. Such fun!
You certainly did find some real blessings during a very difficult week.
When many faiths come together, it is really a blessing to be united.
I left a reply to your comment on my blog. Here I'll just say for this "holiday" show...they only played Christmas songs!
Sounds like you had a very blessed week. Lots of singing going on this season.
It is such a sad week for you but I'm glad you still looked for blessings in the midst of it and noted them down.
I love that your girls still want the traditions. Kids just love those and will pass them on to their own children. I asked my grown up kids, one of whom has moved away if they wanted to discontinue certain traditions now that they are grown and they all gave me a resounding No!
Ah, I love that tradition with the shoes! We have a German background but have never done this. We do an Advent calendar though. Isn't St Nicholas also refered to as Sinterklas?
Glad you had a nice birthday. Love the pic of you and Dave!! The shoe thing is cute too :)
Your daughter is adorable!
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