Mid-May Faves

 

Well, I'm busy today packing and getting the house ready for us to leave very early tomorrow morning for our New Mexico vacation. But I wrote these during the week so I could participate in this gratitude meme known as the FAVE FIVES and hosted by Susanne. 

I find it important to stay grateful when life is all about change and trials along with the triumphs and joys.  

me with my oldest daughter Courtney
at church 

new flowers!

• MOTHER'S DAY!  Courtney sat with me during the 11 AM service since Dave had to work on the Production team.  Claire joined us for lunch at my fave local Italian restaurant.  Claire had to study for a chem final so didn't go to the farm with Courtney and I to pick out flowers for the deck.  But she gave me a beautiful card and Courtney had bought me a mini oil watercolor painting she found at Tulip Festival the day before. My girls are definitely blessings that make me say "Thank You, God". 

the Orchard trail through Crossings Park
Albany, NY

into the Ramble at Crossings Park

• MORNING and EVENING WALKS:  This past week, I have been able to get plenty of morning walks and a couple of evening walks in for some fitness.  One morning I went to the south side of town to walk in this park and another morning I walked in the north part of town at our town park. Every evening, I've walked in the neighborhood. Walking helps the upper back pain to go away. It comes back when I'm done but at least I can usually walk pain free! I'm so thankful there are many places to walk safely in the Capital Region.

our fellowship corner where we chat,
have coffee, drink wine and read books

our outdoor dining area

• DECK DONE!  Monday was a gorgeous, perfect spring day, as was Tuesday. I put the 2nd coat of stain on the deck floor and called it done. Tuesday afternoon it was dry so I set up the chairs, etc and finally had a chance to sit and relax in the late afternoon. I also cleaned out the grill and grilled our first burgers (vegan meat) for Tuesday's dinner. I'm so thankful this project is done before we had to leave for New Mexico. I'm also thankful for this beautiful, peaceful space we own and built with our own hands. It's now 29 years old and has held up well. (and the house is almost 31 years old!!) 

• CENTERING PRAYER WORKSHOP:  Wednesday morning was the last official meeting for the class I've been taking at church every Wednesday.  The class goes from 9:30-11:30 AM and for this last meeting, since we finished the book study, one of my friends and one of the teachers in the class (Diane) was in charge of leading us through Psalm 139 utlizing centering prayer and meditative worship.  She had a paper for each of us with four prayer prompts and 3 Scriptures per prompt.  She would read 2-3 verses from the Psalm and then we would sing a worship song. Then, with no talking, we all looked in our Bibles for the particular Scripture for that prompt and wrote key words that jumped out at me. Each Scripture either talked about God as Father, Jesus the Son, or the Holy Spirit.  Then after one of the prompts, she had us take 2 of the 3 rocks we were given and write one word on each rock that represented a burden or care that we are facing/enduring.  I wrote "Spine" for one of mine.  Then if we wanted to, we could lay them at the foot of a lighted cross and place them in a basket there for God to carry (metaphorically speaking).  It was a powerful time.  Everyone prayed quietly while the keyboardist played soft worship music and then for the last rock after the Psalm and prayer time was completed, we were to write one word that God spoke to us during our silent prayer time. I wrote "Trust".  I had confessed that I had been very anxious about my spine health/pain and was starting to doubt God.  I asked God to give me more trust in Him as He alone knows the outcome. This was one of the most powerful prayer times I have ever experienced. I'm so thankful for my church and the leaders who made up this class this past semester. 

image courtesy of nerdwallet

• SAVINGS!  I have the T*rget reward card and yesterday I wanted to get 2 more chairs for the deck in blue.  They didn't have exact matches to what we already have  but they did have ones in blue which look fine on the deck.  The good news is, one was a little over $20 off and my red card saved me $33 altogether (I bought the 2 chairs,  some salmon and some body lotion). I love a good savings and am thankful for it. 

That's it for me!  I won't be joining in on the FFF next week as I won't have my laptop in NM.  

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend!