God's Blessings in November 2017

God's Blessings in November 2017

1. A daughter who wants to help a friend raise funds for a mission trip

2. Celebrating family birthdays together over dinner

Spunky Jane battling well and rocking her new hairdo

3. Andy being recognized as a man of integrity; A's desire to turn a company around to the benefit of discouraged employees

4. Walking with L through the college selection process- college tours

National Honor Society Induction

5. SCT choreography collaboration- watching God give an idea and weave it together

6. Teachers who take students on field trips to Washington, D.C.

7. Warm clothes, space heaters, fuzzy bathrobes and socks, on a chilly day

8. A productive rainy day

9. Dress rehearsals and photographers who post their really good shots for sharing

10. Showtime- pride and joy at seeing our daughter do what she was born to do

11. Celebrating a fantastic performance with hot chocolate and shared desserts at Nonnah's

12. Watching scenes from between the wings while helping out backstage






             and a win for the Gamecocks!

13. Family dinner... even if not home-cooking

birthday cookie skillets

14. Nibbling mint chocolate protein bars for breakfast during carpool- making them last

15. A teenaged son getting up at 4:45 in the morning to work out at the gym before school

When a daughter has lots to do she starts baking or practicing her music!

16. Braided challah bread

17. Helping people connect

18. Live School itinerant seminary training technology

19. The beauty of orchestral music and the long hard hours of rehearsal paying off

20. Icy Hot, Advil, and heating pads to help an injury heal- remembering that I am not entitled to a pain-free forever young body

21. A few days off

22. Being able to comfort

23. Offering hospitality in the form of warm cider in a musically themed mug

The family gathering at Mimi's

24. A family dinner without (that much) "buffoonery"

25. Working far enough ahead that I can enjoy the holiday moments; focusing on a more simply approach and choosing not to do some good things in exchange for margin- being ok with not doing it all

26. A new couch with no stains!

27. Memorizing Scripture with college students

28. Enjoying the decorating now that it's done: feeling the love of home

My ridiculous remote addiction

29. Planning holiday parties and Advent adventures



30. All things hygge (hoo-guh): comforting, warm, snuggly

God's Blessings in October 2017

God's Blessings in October 2017

1. Misty dawn overlooking Texas Hill Country

2. The ability to help a neighbor

3. Praying friends to call upon and plan trips with

4. Friendly banter from a committee

5. Someone to confer with on buying new tires... a courtesy shuttle that drops me off at the mall for Altar'd State shopping while they change them

6. W reading a book out loud

7. Having a family that is open to having "a house full of teenagers" over on a Friday night

8. The joyful news of both L and B placing into Region Orchestra

9. The surprise of having a friend come to my pilates class

10. Hearing cello music be played (voluntarily) in my home

11. Walking and talking with a neighbor

12. The excitement of something long-awaited's arrival

13. Fall Retreat- where my oldest shares the moment when she recognized that her faith was her own

14. Mimi coming over with two cakes- one for our 18th anniversary and one for Natalia's birthday

Mimi being willing to "help" Brennan with his Spanish food project

15. Going out to a nice dinner on a special occasion with a daughter who shares our special day

16. Being able to pass something down grandmother to mother to daughter and grandmother to granddaughter

17. Cool fall temperatures, pansies and pumpkins

18. Kids hunting for conch shells on the beach... and getting along!

19. A fancy French dinner...just the two of us, and trusting our kids to manage burgers and a movie without us

20. A walk on the beach with my daughter- photo shoot

21. Safe journeys without delays

22. A lighter, fresher choice chosen for dinner after vacation gluttony

23. Della, joyful to see us again

24. Watching a pirate movie in a theatre... in the Caribbean

25. Remembering a friend's birthday and times gone by

26. Churches being planted around the world- Good triumphing over evil- fundraisers, dinners, and meetings

27. A dog who longs to be with me- puppy face in the window

28. Early morning mystery- fog settling over the pond and the daily search for blue herons

29. Shopping for vintage treasures with mom; going to lunch in a small Southern town

terrarium housing my antique postcards

30. Laughter with good friends

31. Calming dog playlists from the internet on Halloween night