Friday’s Fave Five April 27

Purposefully reflecting on the past 7 days and looking for what makes me grateful, is a weekly exercise I greatly enjoy. Here are the top five from this 3rd week in April 2012.

1.  A CLEANED out supply closet. One of my volunteer teacher’s tackled the huge job of sorting the supply closet for children’s ministry. Last week she sorted the Kindergarten/1st Grade classroom. At one point while talking about the chore, Patricia said, “You can go now. I got it.” I smiled as I walked away.

2. Two VISITS with a British friend (Judy) I met during our England days. Judy and her husband now live in Washington state. She is in the area for 2 weeks on business. Judy is just as forthright AND as kind as I knew her to be. The visits have been fun and encouraging. We hope to have one more visit before she drives home next week.

3. CHOSEN to read and write a review on “You are a Writer (so start acting like it).” The book challenged me to (1) Write for myself. Write what makes sense to me. Use my style and my words.  (2) Stop using my energy in frivolous ways because I only have a finite amount of energy. So use my energy wisely. (3) Be brave and tenacious. (4) Believe and act like a writer because I am one.

4. Still so RELIEVED that taxes are done (several weeks ago). I am still feeling the whoosh of freedom of accomplishment. I want to remember this whoosh so that I can get myself motivated to finish those dreaded tasks earlier.

5. Ten people VOLUNTEERED to help in Children’s Ministry (CM). Pastor Mike told the congregation we’d have to stop CM during the second service unless we had more help. These 10 shared the same sentiment: they loved the kiddos and wanted to share Jesus with them.

Your Turn . . . What makes your top FIVE list from this past week?

To read more Friday’s Fave Fives, go here.

another week of blessings (April 6)

Below are five things that caused me to be grateful. Each one of these gratitude encounters has the common denominator of a person or people. It is apparent that I NEED people in my life. And I am THANKFUL for them.

1. Met at a local establishment for a fill up on coffee and encouragement (with 2 seminary friends).

2. Grateful for a team of people who came together to plan for and signed up to help with the Easter breakfast and egg hunt at church this coming Sunday.

3. I appreciate being able to serve at a friend’s mom’s memorial service. She is a dear friend and I was pleased to help. It was awesome to be there with a couple of others. A task divided is indeed more bearable and FUN.

4. Honoured to have lunch with my daughter, son, his girlfriend and some of her family. Interesting conversation and good food. I always LOVE and appreciate spending time with my kiddos and their friends/family.

5. Two special gals helped me tidy up, decorate, and move things so that the Easter breakfast can take place in the Children’s Education wing at church on Sunday. Not only was work going on, relationships were deepened.

THANKS to all these folks who have been in my life this past week. You guys ROCK. You helped me and others, and you did it with a sweet spirit.

Your Turn . . . What person or people would you like to thank? Leave a comment here or go to Susanne’s Friday’s Fave Five to link up your post.

NOTE: I’s Good Friday for us today because of what Jesus did about 2000 years ago. On THAT Friday it seemed like the WORLD won. Scheming, injustice, pain, disillusionment, and death swirled about Jesus. But keep hope. Watch this S.M. Lockridge sermon about HOW Sunday is COMING!

Grumpy Changed to Content as I Focused on Week’s Blessings

This is being written in the wee morning hours of Friday. My asthma is acting up and I couldn’t sleep. So when I started this list, I grumpily thought, “There’s not much to be thankful for this week.”

But as I wrote, my memory righted itself. In truth I had to cut this list D-O-W-N to 5.

To read the FFF list of others or to share your own, go to Susanne’s meme, Friday’s Fave Five (FFF). Mine is below.

1. Reviewed. I did a last review of my Winter Bucket List. I enjoyed doing a monthly review during this 3 month to-do challenge. Because of this accountability I believe that I . . .

• Did more of the things that make me content (read, write, create, and bake).
•  Did more of the things that are good for me (save money, eat better, and declutter more).
• And doing such a review helps me remember the important ”people” and past lessons in my life.

2. Dreamt. As I have noted elsewhere, I like to write lists. It is a fun exercise to try to capture some of my dreams and pin them to a list. Plus writing such a list works for me in regards to actually living a more focused life.

So this past week I wrote a Theological Bucket List, 11 Recipes & 1 Food Technique to Master List  and a Spring Bucket List. Does writing such lists help you accomplish more, pay attention better, or crystallize your thoughts as to who you are?

You know what’s cool about my Spring List? It is actually ALL doable for this next 3 month season! I LOVE being able to check off all the boxes on a to-do list. I think that’s going to happen with my Spring Bucket List 2012 pdf.

3. Listened. Rain poured and poured several days. I went to sleep with the sound of rain. I woke up to the sound of rain. I read and napped to the sound of rain. For some reason this sound is so soothing. And besides what I GOT out of it, we NEEDED the rain for the land.

4. Prayed. Monday is my favourite day because I have the opportunity to sit and share with my prayer partner. We don’t always understand about the heartaches in life. But we both KNOW Someone who does. We don’t always see immediate answers to our prayers. But we are both convinced our prayer is doing good. And it’s a privilege.

Two blessings of this prayer time are as follows: (1) It has deepened my trust in God. (2) It has given me a soul-friend.

5. Ate. After our staff meeting we usually go out to lunch. I got to pick the place this week in honour of my birthday (last week). I chose Thai food. I had a peanut sauce over chicken and steamed veggies. Absolutely delicious. And in honour of my birthday, I didn’t have to pay.

Your Turn . . . Which one of these verbs did you engage in this week?

Blessings From Mid March

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story, hosts a blessing meme each week. We list five things we are grateful for from the previous week. You can write your own post and link up there or leave a comment here sharing blessings from your past week.

Here are five things from this week’s gratitude list . . . 

1. Driver’s License – Renewed on time even though I waited until the last-minute to make this happen. I was  in the DMV for only 45 minutes and everyone I talked to was pleasant.

I had to get a new photo taken. When I said I hoped the new picture would be better than the old one, the gentleman helping me said, “Well, it will look like you.” (Was that a dis?) “Yes,” I replied. “But I’d like it to look like my idealized self as opposed to my dragon lady look.”

NOTE: I received my license today (Friday) and the picture is GREAT. I don’t care how much weight I lose this year, I am NEVER giving up this license!

My muscles and joints are not very pliant so I wasn't able to bend down to gracefully roll the ball ALONG the floor. I am afraid I delivered many "plonks" ONTO the floor.

2. Birthday Bash – I turned 54 on Monday and have been celebrated all week: Homemade goodies, a lecture and worship with a long-time friend (30 years+ strong), 2 dinners, the traditional ice cream waffles, and time with my kiddos.

Of course gifts were in the mix as were birthday greetings via cards, phone, texts, Facebook, and email. I even had a bowling party. Yes, bowling at my age!

3. Good Health Report - A friend got back the results from a CT scan on her liver. The tumour and lymph nodes shrunk some. Still 30 weeks left of treatment for her cancer, but for today, this is good news. If you think about it, please pray for ME and family.

4. Rosetta Stone for Spanish – Generous gift made it possible to buy this program. I am looking forward to putting this program to use to reach my goal of becoming fluent.

A small group of us are forming a Spanish support group. We will gather once or twice a week to practice our lessons. Another friend who is fluent in Spanish will act as our guide when we get together for a conversation group.

If you are looking for a free online course, check out SpanishDict.com. We are only in the beginning phases of using this program, but it looks helpful. As soon as the Rosetta Stone CD’s arrive, I will spend my time using these instead of SpanishDict.com.

I rather like this effect!

5. Cool Features on Photo Program  - At my bowling party I was fiddling with a new setting and many of the pictures came out blurry. I don’t have a lot photos of me with my kiddos so I was disappointed these didn’t turn out.

Then I tried pencil sketch on Picassa 3 and this was the result.

My Vacation Blessings

Spur of the moment, I went on a 5 day vacation last week. My daughter graciously let me stay at her place. She worked. I vacationed. My list of 5 blessings is from my vacation.

To share your blessings or read others’ list, go here.

The following photos show my gratitude for . . . 

We made cookies shaped like hearts, stars, & flowers.

1. Making mug rimmed cookies (an item on my Winter Bucket List). I saw these cookie cutters here.  And through a Facebook hook up, I had the cutters within an hour or so. My daughter and I made ginger cookies for an Indian themed dinner party at her home that night.

Elizabeth didn’t have a cookie jar, so I stored the leftover cookies in her Peter Rabbit Tea Pot.

The cookies were free of gluten, dairy, and eggs. And they were tasty. I will make them again!

To read about the chicken flavoured frosting, go to this post. Start reading at the first point, Baking.

We watched the movie courtesy of Amazon Prime. It was a free movie.

2. Having an at home movie night. We prepared for comfort by coddling our bodies with snuggly blankets and pillows and satisfying our sweet tooth with ginger mug cookies.

We watched You’ve Got Mail. We haven’t seen it in years. And it was the perfect movie to end our day.

The King’s Speech is also a free Amazon Prime movie. But we wanted something sweet and so went with the Ryan/Hanks movie. I will make a date with Colin Firth soon though.

I went to Vics Chaat and Market twice.

3. Outings. I basically stayed home to rest, read, write, think, eat, and rest some more.

But I did have a few outings.

• Vics Chaat and Market: The first time I went with Jenn to eat (snacks) and drink Chai. The 2nd time I went (with my daughter) to buy 20 pounds of basmati rice. The rice is in the cute bag my daughter is holding.
• Los Canteros Taqueria: I had the best pork tamales and Agua Fresca here (across the street from Pixar!)
• Fenton’s Creamery: Andrew and I both had their Black & Tan. It was DELICIOUS and too much to eat in one sitting. It made a great breakfast before heading home Tuesday morning.
• Cost Plus Market: This store had all 3 cookie cutters that inspired the baking of the mug rimmed cookies. Thank you, Jenn, for taking me here and for introducing me to Vic’s.
• Friday night dinner at Jon and Celeste’s home was a comfortable outing and the food was YUMMY. We had shrimp tacos, chicken tacos, and Mexican rice.

In the front row are 4 hyacinth bulbs starting their stretch into the world.

4. Enjoying my flowers. I brought this arrangement with me from home. My daughter and I enjoyed looking at it and watching it GROW every day. It was quite amazing to notice the growth.

It was also heart-warming because the arrangement was given to me (by my son and his girlfriend) in memory of Chip.

My apartment patio is too shady to make many plants happy enough to grow. Someday when I have a sunny space, I will grow mounds and mounds of Spring bulbs.

Every blanket fort needs pillows, a mattress, hearty blankets, and a heating pad.

5. Sleeping in a blanket fort. I got to my daughter’s home before she did (Thursday) and I was so surprised to see a blanket fort in her dining room. I peeked inside and this is what I saw – her mattress and blankets.

My daughter has surprising habits.

The first night went okay. However, the 2nd night when I came back after a potty run, I knocked over a pole and the whole thing came down upon us.

The next day the fort was totally disassembled and we slept in my daughter’s bedroom. But it was brightened by the glow-in-the-dark planets and stars on her ceiling.

Or you can leave a comment on this post to be entered into the giveaway.

Bonus 1.  I have the good fortune to partner with Fawnda from Fireflies and Jellybeans for a giveaway of her tote pattern to a Fruitfulwords reader. (I was one of her pattern testers.)  Go to this link for the details. The deadline to enter is February 26th, 2012. Or leave a comment on this post to be entered into the giveaway.

BONUS 2. Watching 40, a Lenten allegory. 7 minutes captured my attention. … Only 7 people are left in LA. … Where is everyone else? … There are 14 episodes of 40. … The nest episode is EPISODE 2: A BIG ENOUGH BOAT – Friday, February 24th. … Watch episode 1: ASSEMBLY here:http://40theseries.com/reflections/

“A thrilling, post-apocalyptic drama … [on their website, Youtube, Vimeo and Facebook, with updates available through Twitter] … to help further one’s Lenten experience … takes storytelling to a whole new level and has simply never been done before. … is not just a series, it’s unique in that it also serves as a Lenten allegory. … At the heart of each episode are questions and scriptural meditations designed to enhance a person’s Lenten journey.”

Grateful for 5 Things That Put Life into Perspective

It’s time to share my post about last week’s blessings. If you’d like to share yours or read other’s posts, go to Living to Tell the Story.

The following are five things (plus 1 bonus answer) for which I am grateful. 

1. I am grateful for movies that help put life into perspective (like Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close).

2. I am grateful for gardening. “Playing” in the soil helps me put life into perspective.

3. I am grateful for friends who listen and then give advice. These twin actions help me put life into perspective.

4. I am grateful for God’s Word. When I take the words in and think on them, I am able to put life into perspective.

5. I am grateful for a good night’s rest. I have rested well these past 3 nights (in large part to Nyquill knocking out my cold symptoms for the night). Getting consistent rest helps me put life in perseverance.

6. I am grateful for prayer from friends. This definitely helps me see perspective.

These past 5 weeks have been hard with Chip’s rapid health decline and then death. I am surprised at how hard I am taking this. So I am very appreciative of things that help me put life into perspective.

Your Turn . . . What do you do to put life into perspective?

Related Posts From Other Bloggers That Give Me Perspective. . . 

• 5 Graces When a Woman Prays
• 12 Relationship Truths We Often Forget
• 13 Reasons to Read the Bible
• Because Your Story Matters More Than Your Stats
• How to Create a Care Package
• The Hope of Christ’s Return
• You Get to Choose

These Blessings Are Not Disguised: My FFF

List your five favourite blessings from the week on your blog, on Facebook, or in the comments. Go to Susanne’s place, Living to Tell The Story to link up or read what others have written.

Here are my five faves.

1. I decluttered my bookcases and gave away 4 bags of books. It was hard and it was rewarding to give away these books. I am in earnest about paring down what I own. I want to make room in my life for whatever adventure comes up next.

2. I did a review on what I’ve done so far on my Winter Bucket List. I don’t normally accomplish so much. It has been a blast. Writing these seasonal lists, looking at them, and then doing some of the activities has made me be more aware of my surroundings and the people in my life.

3. I was part of a pattern testing group and made this cute double wine tote. Since I made it for my son, I did not add flowers. I am thrilled with how it came out. And it was quite fun to make especially since a friend and I visited while making it. You can buy the pattern here.

4. I’m still drinking my green smoothies. It has been a consistent 26 days. Today I even bought a bag of Southern Greens Blend. It has greens like collards, mustard, and turnips. These greens are new food-territory for me. I am feeling more brain energy and I’m thrilled that I am finally getting an adequate amount of vegetables into my diet.

5. My brave “Little Man” is still not feeling well. We’ve been to the vet again and had a phone consult. Chip is now on a narcotic pain medication which causes him to NOT want to eat. Unless something miraculous happens, Chip is days, maybe weeks, away from death.

So why is this on my FFF? I am grateful for the memories we’ve shared. And I am especially grateful that I’ve been able to spend time with him every day just cuddling. We start our day and end it in close contact. I Love you, Chip.

Because it Helps, I Share My Weekly Blessings

I am doing this Friday’s Fave Five because it is helpful for me to think on the blessings that pass my way each week. You can do the same by going here. Or leave a comment.

1. Because I had to have new front brakes and a new roter, it was discovered I also needed a new radiator. So glad this was found out BEFORE I took my impromptu trip to Berkeley on Tuesday.

2. Because I was feeling down in the dumps (about my car and my dog‘s ill health), I decided to drive to Berkeley/Emeryville be around my kiddos. It was great timing because I got to celebrate my son’s 29th birthday with him, his girlfriend and my daughter.

3. Because my morning was fairly quiet at work, I got to take care of the piles on my floor. Now I just need to tackle my desk. Hopefully that will be resolved tomorrow.

4. Because Chip was ill when I came home from work, I cancelled my plans for the evening. It has been a lazy night which is something I could use after this busy week. The next three days will also be quite busy.

5. Because I kept Saturday free (just in case my boss asked me to work at the marriage seminar we are having at church), I am free to do something else he asked me to do. William Jessup University is having  a 3 class seminar on book writing/publishing. I will take notes for the both of us at this first class and then we will go to the other classes together.

Your Turn . . . What is something that has blessed you this week?

5 Blessings for Friday’s Fave Five

Friday’s Fave Five is here again. That’s when I look over my past week and share five blessings. If you’d like to do the same, share in the comments or write a post and link up to Susanne’s blog at Living to Tell the Story.

This green smoothie is purple because I added blueberries. It is so yummy.

1. For years I have needed to take control of my eating, especially my night-time eating. The last week in December I decided to not eat after 7pm and to have a green smoothie for breakfast. I have been consistent on both since then. In fact it seems easy to do these. I attribute the change in mindset to answered prayer.

2. I tend to follow the rules in a black and white kind of way which was hindering me in getting X’s. You see I mark on the calendar how well I do each day regarding my morning smoothie and no eating after 7pm. A couple of days this past month I’ve gone to a party that had food. I made allowances in my food plan and did not over eat. I wasn’t sure if I could legitimately get a mark on the calendar. Then a friend asked, was the goal to not eat after 7 or to not have a wild night of overeating. Well, it was the latter. That simple conversation helped me to clarify how and when I get X’s.

3.  This week I was feeling the need to get with my sista’s family to play a game. Turns out they felt the same way. We played Scrabble. I haven’t played that game in y-e-a-r-s.  It was such a lovely evening. Even though I came in last, it’s a game I understand and can do (unlike many of their video games).

One of my nieces helped me create winter scenes in 2 children's classrooms at church. The snowflakes we made turned out so well.

4. I am not a winter lover. This week I decided I needed an attitude adjustment even though our winter has been very mild! So, I wrote a post on 5 reasons I love winter. It was a great reminder that there are plenty of reasons (well at least 5) to rejoice in this season.

5. This month I’ve been working in the nursery on Sundays at church. I don’t typically do that. Besides getting to visit with the other worker, I have been able to love on and be loved by the little ones, hear a great Bible story, colour the corresponding Bible page, and we even played with the musical instruments. It has been an enjoyable time. And I know that working there is more than fun, it is important.

BONUS. Another answered prayer. I have been recruiting folks to work in the nursery. I mentioned this to one of our volunteer receptionists. She said, “I used to be on the substitute list, but no one has called me in a l-o-n-g time!” “Oh,” I said. “Would you like to be put back on the list and would you like to help out this week?”  Her answer to both was “Yes.”

Your Turn . . . Take some time to think and then comment here on what blessings have been yours this week.

Related Posts . . .

1. How I’ve been tracking these two goals
2. I’ve been consistent for 12 days.
3. 5 Reasons I Love Winter 
4. “5 Reasons I Love” Series
5. 10 Reasons Why Involvement in the Nursery is Important
6. 10 Actions Parents Can Take for a Happier Morning at Church

Recounting Blessings at the Start of the New Year

Here is the first Friday’s Fave Five of 2012. To join in with your own faves, link up at Living to Tell the Story. Susanne is the initiator and hostess.

1. Thank you’s. This week I spent time writing thank you notes. Yes, it is sweet to receive physical presents. But I think it is even sweeter to receive acceptance … encouragement … friendship. Writing these notes made me think on how blessed I am by relationships.

2. Tea area. My daughter re-arranged my office over Christmas break. I now have room for tea-things. I hope to have a cup of tea and reflection once a day. Sandra visited me and “initiated” my afternoon ritual.

3. Laughter with friends. My Wednesday night small group and I met for bread pudding and hot drinks at Bobbi’s home. Just for fun. No agenda. Thanks for that,  Bobbi. This is more than a group of ladies going on the same spiritual path. We are sisters and friends who laugh, support, and love on each other.

4. Robes. Chip and I both got robes for Christmas. Perfect for lounging. Mine has that snuggly fleece (or is it velour?) in one of my favourite colours.

5. Piggy bank. I have been saving coins in my pink, plastic pig. Last night I scooped them out and rolled them. $162.00! This is going into my Disneyland Fund. I hope to go to Disneyland next year when it is decorated all Christmassy. This is an item on my Winter Bucket List.