TOPSY TURVY FAVES

 

Wow, it's Friday already...this week has flown.  It's been a bit "topsy turvy" with so much happening in our lives and with my friends and ministries I lead.  But it's time to hit pause and just thank God for the things He brought into my week.  

I'm sharing FIVE of those things that top my list... Susanne calls them FAVES and I'm joining her  and others at this site to share these  blessings. 

FIVE FAVES 

SoulSteps hikers at Upper Goose Pond
l-r: Evelyn, Lisa, Michelle, Lisi, me 

Another group shot, this time by Michelle
 l-r: Evelyn, Lisa, Ridwan and his wife Lisi, me
Missing from photos: Deb and her husband Neal  

• APPALACHIAN TRAIL HIKE:  Last Saturday, I led 7 hikers from my SoulSteps group, on a hike along a part of the Appalachian Trail in the Berkshires of MA. There were 9 people signed up and 8 attended the hike. Two members turned around after the first 1.5 miles because they needed to get some other things done so it ended up being just 6 of us to finish the trail to Upper Goose Pond.  Here are my fave pics from the hike and I am most thankful, that although it was cold, the sun was out and the trail itself, although longer than the guidebooks said it would be (RT was 4.8 miles vs the 3 that we read about!), everyone was safe and everyone had a great time. 

Beginning of the Appalachian Trail at Jacob's Ladder
to Upper Goose Pond, Berkshires 

I finally got to hike this part of the Appalachian trail 
that Dave and I have driven under numerous times 
on the Mass Pike heading to Boston

It was relentlessly uphill for the first 1.8 miles 
with many boulder steps. 

Upper Goose Pond, Berkshires 

• ENGAGED! After the hike, and after everyone had departed from our meeting spot, I received a text on the way back to my house from the church.  Here's what I received in the group text with my husband and youngest daughter from our oldest daughter: 

"FUN FACT" 

Dave, Claire and I were so excited!  On Sunday, after church, we learned the details: Tyler had planned for them to hike up a small mountain in the Lake George area (Courtney doesn't "do" big mountain climbs) called Shelving Rock Mt.  This is where he proposed.  We are so thankful for their engagement, their stand with Christ and for their excitement.  God is good.  

Tyler proposing to Courtney on the summit of Shelving Rock Mt

• Church sermon and Wed afternoon prayer:  Sunday, our senior pastor preached on Jehovah Shalom, with another example for his God Sightings sermon series. The super cool thing was that it was from the same text as my Tuesday book group discussion:  Judges 6.  Pastor Rex took it from a bit different angle but it was such a great supplement to our study that we all discussed the sermon and the book questions on Tuesday evening.  I'm so thankful to be in a church where Truth is preached and where we are encouraged to be better disciples. I also attended our weekly prayer gathering from noon - 1 pm on Wed.  My friend Diane and another younger woman named Tanya lead this group. The group is for anyone, male or female and you can go for the whole hour or stay as long as you want. The prayer room is actually open all day every Wednesday from 9-5. I finally had a free Wed where I could go and the topic was Joy which was very timely for me. I thank God for the power of prayer. 

• Bonfire/conversations with Dave:  Saturday late afternoon, Dave was outside finishing up the mowing and decided to start burning the brush.  We have a lot of brush due to him trimming down all 4 trees this summer (2 maples and 2 cherry).  Thankfully, the pear tree hasn't needed trimming.  We sat around the fire with a nice glass of wine and also did the same thing Sunday afternoon.  I still have more to burn so either tonight or tomorrow night that will happen. We had some great conversations, too which I'm always thankful for. I'm also thankful we have had perfect Autumn weather these last 2 weeks!  And next week looks decent, too!  Daytime temps in the high 50s and low 60s is just perfect with the sunshine and the month of October! 

Fire is just getting started!

• A SPECIAL VISIT:  On Tuesday afternoon, I went to Saratoga Springs, which is just 25 min north of me, to the church camp property where I spent 10 days every July from 1967-1978 (ages 7-18!).  My friend Joan went with me as a support as I knew it would be a day of remembrances, some tears, some good but also some not so good memories.  It was chathartic and although it no longer operates as a family camp, and everything is overgrown and the building are dilapidated for the most part, I was given permission by the conference pastor who oversees the land (long story as to why it's no longer up and running every July), to visit/walk the grounds. I'm glad I did. Parts of it were so hard. But other parts were wonderful.  This is where I became a born again Christian..where I accepted Jesus as my Savior/Redeemer.  It's where my solid friendships were formed. I'm thankful I went and I'm thankful I walked among the pines. I did take a pic of a tree that was near the road.  I had told the pastor I wouldn't take pics of the buildings, etc.  But I liked this little tree and since it was so close to the edge of the property with no buildings around, I thought it would be ok. I'm thankful for a firm foundation in the faith that began at Pine Grove Camp. You can read about that experience by clicking here. 

Tuesday afternoon at Pine Grove Camp

That wraps up my week!  Someone, and I'm sorry I can't remember who, asked me how my 2 study  groups are going that I lead.  The Monday morning group, a Psalms class, is going well.  There were just 3 of the 7 of us Monday as several were sick or dealing with family issues.  My Gideon book group is going amazingly well and 5 out of the 6 of us had great discussion and testimonies on Tuesday evening.  I'm grateful I have time to invest in the lives of other women and am forming friendships with them. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!