SURPRISE FAVES

We are getting towards the end of Holy Week and I had a tough one.  But there were so many little things that turned into very special blessings that I'm here to share with few words and several photos.

I find FIVE FAVE things from the past week and then link up at Susanne's site to read what other people are thankful for.  It is good to give thanks to the Lord!

• SURPRISE HIKE!  Last Saturday was the first hike of the season for the group I lead (Fit and Fun Social Group).  I have a few women from church in the group and a couple of women whom I've known from other hiking groups.  There were just 3 of us heading up Buck Mt  (small, just under 2500 feet) in the Eastern Adirondacks.  It was NOT a good trail as was all water from snow melt and in the last mile, it was all snow and ice so we had to bushwhack. All of this was a total surprise although I did expect some snow on the trail near the summit. It was NOT a great hike. One woman sprained her ankle on way down. I'm thankful we all made it back to car safely! Here are some highlights:

Ingrid and Cindy G walk along the flat part of trail
13 April

We had to climb over this blowdown!

view of Lake George from the summit of Buck Mt
Note the snowy ski run in the distance:  Gore Mt

• SPRING BLOOMS! After church on Sunday, Dave and I arrived home to discover we have some of our perennials blooming in our front yard. Made my heart smile. I'm so thankful for spring flowers!

They come up every April and stay until early June

• SURPRISE MAIL:  On Tuesday I noticed a package for me in the mail from Amazon but there was no note or anything with it. I had NO idea who sent it to me. When I opened it I discovered this new Adirondack Hiking Challenge!  This is a brand new book and challenge although I've hiked to many of the waterfalls already, I will have to repeat them to get credit towards the patch.  Found out by posting it on Facebook that my dear friend from central NY, whom I hike with often, had surprised me with it. I'm so thankful for thoughtful friends.

Hike and document all 50 Waterfalls hikes
in the book, and earn a patch!

• SMALL GROUP SURPRISE:  Wednesday evening was the last small group meeting and we held it at a fave local diner for dinner.  The ladies all surprised me with a special card with handwritten notes in it about why they liked being in the study or thanking me for being their leader plus a gift card to my fave crepe place along with some extra money!  I'm so thankful I decided to stay a small group leader and I'm thankful I got to meet 3 new women this year because of it! (I'm also thankful I'm on a break from leading, until September!).

• SURPRISE EMAIL:  I emailed my senior pastor and his wife about a prayer need we have for Dave's parents. I won't go into details but neither one of them are open to the Gospel.  And his dad isn't doing well physically so it burdens my husband...it's heart wrenching to know they haven't accepted Christ. Well, Pastor got back to me this week and I was able to forward his message on to Dave. His words to us were very encouraging and we are so thankful for him and his promise to pray.

That wraps up my faves.

I hope you have a very blessed and joyful Easter celebration!!