It's mid-November, Friday, and time to be intentional about looking for the blessings in the last week.
It's been a tough few days....I won't go into it...but let's just say....life is hard sometimes...financial worries ....old cars falling apart....back pain on and off ..and I haven't lifted anything heavy and certainly haven't hiked up or down a steep mountain! My husband has had a horrible cough for a little over 2 weeks and is miserable.... Sigh....even with all these complaints though, I can find some blessings in the week that brought happy moments.....what about you? How was your week? Were you like me and needing to just sit with our Savior and allow Him to bear the burdens? I'm trying! While I wait for my heart feelings to catch up with my head knowledge that God's got this, I'll share FIVE of my FAVES from the week and link up at Susanne's with others who are sharing.
FIVE FAVES
- BRUNCH/GIRL TIME! One of my very best friends (she's 4 years older) from my high school/church youth group days (our parents have been friends since before we were both born!) met me in a favorite diner about half way between our two towns on Saturday morning for brunch. Oh what a great time we had! We lingered over Belgian waffles and coffee for a good 2 hours! Then we went to some local stores and did some Christmas shopping. It was so much fun to connect with her. I hadn't seen her since last spring! We're planning a February get together if the winter is a mild one. I'm thankful we had part of Saturday together.
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| The Mark Cemetary On the National HIstorical Register in my neighborhood on the edge of the woods 10 November 2019 |
- THREE DAY WEEKEND: Dave and I both had Veterans Day off and we needed it. We got some errands and chores done around the house and yard (I cleaned and baked while Dave raked and bagged leaves), we read books, I took a nice 2 mile walk throughout my neighborhood, we worked on the final FAFSA form (our youngest will be a college senior in 2020/2021 school year so this was a huge cause for celebration although we really don't qualify for any real aid, just a small federal loan); we did a little Christmas shopping for extended family, took naps, browsed the new books section at the library, curled up with hot cups of tea. I'm thankful for three day weekends which allow for chores and yet also some restful times.
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| Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate with Blueberry |
- TREATS! Our oldest daughter Courtney was away from Friday morning until late Monday evening. She was visiting her friend Nate in Maryland and when we picked her up at the train station she said she had treats for us. She had bought these amazing chocolates from Ikea.......we tried the blueberry first and it's delish! We'll tuck them away for when we want a taste of chocolate. If we leave them out, they'll be gone in two days! I'm thankful she had a great trip, was safe in her train travels and for thinking of us with treats.
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| First snow of this school year! 12 November 2019 |
- TWO-HOUR DELAY! On Tuesday morning we awoke to freezing rain coating everything. And then around 6:30 a.m. the snow started lightly falling. We only ended up with a dusting but it was enough to put me in the Christmas spirit so with the delay of needing to get to the school, I wrapped my in-laws gifts as I had bought them back in Sept and we will be seeing them at Thanksgiving which is when we deliver the gifts. It was nice to have those 2 extra hours after the long weekend and I'm thankful our cars all started well because some bitter cold temps arrived with the snow!
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| Operation Christmas Child goodies |
- OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: Our family has been doing this since Dave and I were newlyweds. We just love participating with OCC/Samaritan's Purse. Our church last year collected just over 1000 boxes. This year we are trying to top that! I had so much fun getting items for a 2-4 yr old little girl. My oldest daughter Courtney will shop for an older girl. I had Claire choose the age group for my box as she isn't able to be here until December and our church needs the boxes by Nov 24. The church she attends while at UNH doesn't participate in this ministry. That is the last day we can get them to the church. Our church is also a collection center for other churches or schools to drop off the boxes that they collect! I love volunteering with this ministry. I'm thankful that we can still be a part of this vital organization.
Those are a few of the things that brought a smile to my face. Like I said, between the gloomy, colder weather, and the financial woes along with some things that are going on in the workplace, it was a tough week. But there's always something...even little things like my list...to make me smile and be thankful.
Have a restful weekend!
7 comments:
I'm glad you had some nice things to reflect on during a tough week. I hope you have a good weekend.
I'm sorry it has been such a rough week. I hope your husband gets better soon. I wrenched something in my shoulder this week just opening the fridge--oddest thing. Thankfully it was bad only part of the day, though it's still a little tender now. I sure hope your back feels better soon as well. No one in our family was off Monday--I'm glad you had that time and the 2-hour delay the next day and a nice visit with your friend.
Funny, your comment on my blog came through while I was commenting on yours. :-)
I hope next week is a little easier for you. We had some snow but nothing that stuck to the ground. I am looking forward to the first ‘real’ snow.
How fun that you got to see an old friend and spend some time with her. That is always such a blessing when we can reconnect with people we hold dear. Those chocolates sound good. I have to hide that kind of stuff too or I'll eat it all in no time flat just picking away at it. We got more snow last weekend too and in central Alberta it rained first and then snowed quite a bit making the roads trecherous and wouldn't you know that is the weekend my kids were meeting up to have a sibling weekend. Lots of prayers went up for my travelling kids let me tell you. Praise God they all made it there and back safe and sound.
Love you shoebox gift! It is Collection Sunday at our church this Sunday too and then I'll load them up and take them to one of the area collection centers on Monday. It's always fun and exciting to pack the boxes but this year especially so having experienced first hand the joy and impact they bring. Did you include a picture and/or personal note? The kids LOVE that!
Oh, Faith. It does sound like this is been a trying week. You’re in my prayers.
How wonderful that you had some time with one of your best friends. Food, shopping, and a leisurely talk are all great medicine.
Hooray For getting the FAFSA completed. Completing that was always such a chore every school year. Your three day weekend with your hubby sounds like just what you both needed.
How wonderful to be ahead of the Christmas to-do list. It is a treat to be able to get two extra hours in a day especially when we’re not expecting it.
I love Operation Christmas Child as well. Our boxes are due tomorrow at our church. But we had a churchwide packing party last week. As you might guess, it was a lot of fun. What a cool idea to have Claire choose the age of a box. That way it seems like she was participating with you.
Stay warm and safe.
Susan from FruitfulWords.com
I'm glad you and mom got together! And it was nice seeing you again (you look great!). Ohhh I love doing the Operation Christmas Child boxes!!!
UGH to snow and freezing rain. Makes me wish for my daycare back. I didn't have to leave the house in that!
Our church also does the OCC Christmas boxes!
I'm sorry you've had a hard week. I hope this week is going better.
Maybe you won't have more snow this week :)
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