We are in what I call Mid-Summer......I love August....cooler temps at night, usually.....lots of sunshine and in the evenings, the twilight begins to creep in a little bit earlier. I was sitting on the deck reading Monday evening and noticed that by 8:30 I needed to turn on the deck lights. I don't mind because as the month continues into late summer, the mosquitoes tend to die down which is nice for sitting out longer.
I'm looking for the blessings in this busy week by joining in with other thankful people over at Susanne's site. Click here to learn more!
There've been many fun things going on but I'll list five that really made me say "Thank You, God".
 |
| image courtesy of the impulsive buy site |
- SPONTANEOUS DRINK DATE: On Friday, my boss informed me that I had personal time to use or I would lose it. So because we only had 5 out of our 12 students in school that morning, I took the time and came home to do some housework and go biking. I loved it. After a quick lunch, I texted my prayer partner and one of my spiritual mentors (my friend Monica) and asked if she was free to have a drinks date at our fave coffee shop. She was! We had so much fun catching up with each other and talking about some deep spiritual things going on in our lives. I needed this! The drink was yummy (Mango Dragonfruit Refresher) and the conversation edifying. We talked for over 2 hours! I'm so thankful for this dear friend and sister in Christ whom I only see every few months but we pick up right where we left off!
- DINNER ON DECK: Friday evening was one of those perfect summer evenings. No central air was needed in the house as it was just perfect temps and no humidity! Dave and I were alone as one daughter was out with friends and the other was working. We made homemade veggie pizza and had this yummy flavored (Black Cherry) beer that we shared. We sat outside on the deck for quite awhile, eating and talking and catching up on just stuff we haven't discussed in awhile. We made some plans for the end of summer and I'm just thankful for these moments we can grab.
 |
| Dave and I ready for the "farm casual" wedding |
- FIRST FARM WEDDING: so apparently, it's a thing (at least here on the East Coast) for Zillennials (the 18-25 year old crowd...the crowd just younger than Millennials) to get married on a farm. Saturday afternoon, we attended the wedding of the son of good church friends of ours. It was quite the experience especially because there was NO tent over the actual ceremony and a huge thunderstorm popped up for about 10 minutes. Thankfully everyone was prepared with umbrellas. The reception was a blast....dancing under a big tent....but the wedding overall was very different from what we are used to. I am thankful all went well and that the new bride and groom are young Believers who are trusting God for their future.
- ANSWER TO PRAYER: Claire's car (my old Nissan) needed some work done before she leaves for NH. We made an appointment with our awesome car mechanic and I prayed that morning on the way to work that the bill would be less than $200. When I got home, Claire informed me (and showed me the receipt) that it was "only" $197! Well...thankful it was less than $200!!
 |
| Ashford Glen Preserve 7 August |
 |
| trail in the Ashford Glen Preserve at dusk |
- MOMS NIGHT OUT! The Fit and Fun Group that I lead (there's about 10 people in the group....all hikers and some go to my church) had a Moms Night Out on Wednesday evening. Only 2 of us showed up! My friend Cindy (also a Christ follower and preschool teacher) and I ate here. I had the "make your own grain" bowl and all the ingredients I chose were so delicious! After we ate and talked for almost 2 hours we took an evening walk through part of a nature preserve we just discovered right here in my town! (she's from another area of the capital region). I've lived here for 29 years and never knew this place existed. (our town is very large..we live in the north end and this is in the northwest end...the south end is more commercial and closer to the city of Albany). Because it was already close to 8 pm when we were walking, we cut it short as it was getting dark and buggy. We're thankful we had this time together and we plan on finishing that trail!
That wraps up my faves.
I love how God answered my prayer regarding the car and since that happened He surprised us with another blessing we did NOT see coming. Claire, about to enter her 3rd year at UNH, was informed that she received a grant of 2000$ per semester for being an out of NH student and she's receiving $2500 this year for work study when we were told by FAFSA that she didn't qualify! Glory to God!!
I hope everyone has an awesome weekend.
5 comments:
Hours spent with friends and loved ones in rich conversation are always a favorite in my book. And on a lovely summer day, all the better. "Ranch weddings" seem to be the thing in our part of the country! They sure are fun! Congrats to your daughter on her school accomplishments.
Oh wow lots of good things going on for you this week - especially financially. But spiritually too. Just a shame that more people didn't make it for the Moms night out.
We're still at very high humidity (70-90% in the day time and 40% or so at night). Wow, great news about the grants and provision for Claire's studies! Neat about the car bill, too. Funny that only two showed up for the Mom's Night Out, but it sounds like you both made the most of it and had a great time. We went to one wedding in an old barn--I was in the seat next to the wall and had to be careful not to touch it lest I pick up splinters! Nice to have some unexpected time off and a friend free to meet with you! And the dinner on deck sounds lovely.
Praise God for answered prayer with the car bill. Our daughter's car is being checked today. We're hoping for a quick fix and a low bill also. I love how you got some one on one time with a friend when the others didn't show. Unexpected time off is wonderful!! You make a very lovely pair for the wedding.
Sometimes we come across a place to walk that we didn't know existed. An walking buddy acquaintance of mine has a goal to walk every street in our town. She is hosting a walk tomorrow evening which we hope to join; I'll ask her how her 'mapping' of the town is going.
It's wonderful to hear how God answered your prayers for both car repairs and tuition help for Claire this school year!
Post a Comment