Friday. Another ending to what started out as a great week but once again, reminded me of how fragile life can be. Tragedy struck our school district again on our first day back (Wednesday).For the 4th time in 48 months. We learned that one of the 5th grade boys from one of our elementary schools (not the one I work in) died suddenly from complications of the flu. Teachers, staff and children who knew him are devastated. It seems like tragedy is just really wreaking havoc in our lives lately. Also, one of the students in the classroom where I work, disclosed a "secret" she told me during lunch duty yesterday. I took the necessary steps and am praying for her and her family and that the perpetrator will be arrested. Sigh.....who would have thought that the year would begin with such sadness?
But God reminded me of how He loves each one of us......the sick, the abused, the abuser, motherless, the fatherless, the proud, the humble, the saint, the sinner....all of us. And because of His Love, He brings blessings......many blessings. It's just sometimes difficult to see them through the anguish.
Most of my week, aside from these two hellish events, had some good moments. I'll share my Five along with others who are linking up with Susanne from Living to Tell The Story.
But God reminded me of how He loves each one of us......the sick, the abused, the abuser, motherless, the fatherless, the proud, the humble, the saint, the sinner....all of us. And because of His Love, He brings blessings......many blessings. It's just sometimes difficult to see them through the anguish.
Most of my week, aside from these two hellish events, had some good moments. I'll share my Five along with others who are linking up with Susanne from Living to Tell The Story.
- WEEKEND GUEST! Our niece, Beth from MA drove out to visit us before she heads back to vet school on Prince Edward Island. She was hoping to take our gently used love=seat from our family room back with her. We hauled it across the 7 inches of snow we had received the previous day in snow that was lightly falling and made it to her car in the driveway. Alas....it wouldn't fit!! SO....back to the family room until her dad (my husband's older brother) can come pick it up later this month with a bigger vehicle. BUT...she did enjoy romping in the snow with Courtney and Claire.....while she was here we received another 3 inches of the powdery white stuff. Yes, winter has settled upon eastern New York State! It was lots of fun having Beth stay with us this past weekend....we most likely won't see her for many months. It's a blessing to open our home to extended family.
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| Beth in the hood and Claire in the hat! 29 December 2012 |
- TOTAL RELAXATION! We said goodbye to Beth early Sunday morning and after church we had a good friend come over for a late lunch/early dinner. She is on the worship team at church and is a single woman who is my age. We love Lynne and for Courtney's last couple of years of high school she served as a spiritual mentor for Courtney. I made a big pot of chili and homemade multi-grain bread. And we ate, talked, laughed and totally relaxed. All day. It's such a blessing to have good Christian friends to fellowship with.
- NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION! This year we decided to have a small party. We used to have large parties with 8-10 couples. Then a few years ago, we started either going out to parties or just staying in with the girls. This year, Courtney wanted her friend Amylia to come over so I also invited her parents whom we are friends with from church. Our next door neighbors, who are also good friends with us, also popped in for a few minutes. We enjoyed a bottle of wine, had some snacks (Sharonbeth made a delicious dip of cranberries and salsa!) and played a rousing game of Balderdash, a word game we haven't played in a long time. Even our 14 yr old played with us. And won!! It was a fun night that ended about an hour after "the ball" dropped down in Times Square. Friends helping us ring in the new year is always a blessing.
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| image taken from vintagegameworld.com |
- Courtney's Help Courtney really stepped up and helped me with taking down the tree. I had already done the ornaments in the morning and Claire was helping with dishes and her bedroom. New Year's Day is usually one for us to organize the home again after the holiday festivities, do some menu planning for the rest of the week and catch up on laundry. We also save some time to just be together and read and chat. It was a huge blessing to have the girls help this year in getting the house ready for the return to the routine.
- SCRIPTURE from MATTHEW 11:28 These words from Jesus have comforted me last night and this morning. I am clinging to this promise for the weekend and in the weeks to come. I think it is going to feel like a very long school year. I am praying some of these tragic events end in 2013. I'm hoping the winter goes quickly and as I wait I will work out and prepare to do some hiking in the mountains.....and sit at lakes, and walk through my beloved woods. My soul yearns for that. For now I will be content to walk along snowy roads and condition with Pilates and surround my home with the scented candles of balsam and cedar. and for now...I will give Him my burdens....and let Him carry the heavy loads. I will rest in His Word, and practice the Presence of God. It's a blessing to have God's Truths to hide in our hearts.
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| image taken from flickriver.com |
8 comments:
Sounds like a lovely week! We usually spend New Year's Eve with a big group of friends, but hubby had to work so the boys and I stayed in. It was fun.
It's nice to have the children help I know for sure!
Love the verse, Faith! Blessings to you!
I'm sorry to hear about the heartaches. The rest of your week sounds wonderful!
Amen to the verse you quoted. Thank You, Jesus, for giving us rest when we are weary from this life.
It's so sad that there is tragedy all around us. So sorry to hear about both families. But in the midst of sadness, one has to live, and I'm so glad we have scripture to help us through. I'm glad HE will bear our burdens with us. I'm glad, too, that you had a wonderful friend to fellowship with! Days spent with a true friend means a lot!
Thank you for visiting my blog! I love how you've focused on the good things despite the tragedies. Your niece attends college in PEI? Wow! My dh and I went to PEI on our honeymoon 13.5 years ago. (I'm a big L.M. Montgomery fan, of course.). I intend to be more intentional about inviting others over this year.
I enjoyed reading your post. I responded to your questions on my blog.
How sad about the two school-related tragedies. I hope God provides His grace to all involved and that nothing bad or sad happens again for a while.
All the company sounds fun! We used to play Balderdash at my mom's house years ago. Quite fun!
It's so great to have help taking the decorations down and getting the house back in order.
Weekend guests and total relaxation sound wonderful to me!
So sorry to hear of yet another loss in your school district of a student. May God's grace be with you all and with the immediate families.
You look like you've had a bit more snow than us. Our weather has been so back and forth this year. One week really cold and almost overnight almost balmy.
We played Balderdash at last year's new years. It's such a fun game. Lots of laughs always with that one.
Happy New Year to you and yours!
I've been in your same situation and had to be the one to 'make the call'. So hard. I'll be praying for you.
Your New Years party sounds just right--not too big.
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