Friday’s Fave Five

What are highlights of your week? I share mine on Fridays. Susanne is our gratitude-leader. Join us here or leave a comment on this post with your fave five.

1. My baby had a birthday on Friday. This is Elizabeth’s last year in her 20’s. In her short life, she has done soooooo much. I am proud of her and look forward to what the coming years bring. We will celebrate with the whole family this coming Saturday. In fact, we are celebrating 4 birthdays!

2. Most shots for India are done. I had polio, Hep A/B, and TDaP shots. The nurse gave me cute cartoon band-aids for the “oozes.” I am taking typhoid fever pills. My arms are fine – no side effects. Of course maybe the ibuprofen has something to do with that. 😉 I am also taking some bromelaine to counteract inflammation.

3. New hair-do. At retreat I got tired of my loose hair so I tried a french braid. To my surprise and delight I was able to do it. This is awesome for two reasons. (1) My left shoulder was strong enough to handle that extended movement. Ever since I broke my shoulder 2 years ago, I haven’t been able to do that. (2) It looked good. If I can continue to do this, maybe I won’t have to cut my hair before going to India. I will post a picture next FFF.

My drive-in peeps: Pam, Lynette, Me, and Bip (left to right)

4. Drive-in movie. “At the height of their popularity in the 1950’s, there were over 4,000 drive-in theaters in the U.S. Today, only 366 remain.” One of them is 10ish minutes away from my home. I posted the above quote on my Facebook page and 3 gals took me up on going even though the movie didn’t start until 8:30pm. It was chilly (but I had my trusty blanket, jacket, and gloves). We stayed for only the first movie. We saw After Earth (with Will and Jaiden Smith) which was moderately scary. I only screamed twice. We had plenty of snacks and great conversation before the movie started. This was Lynette’s first time. I want to GO again!

5. Activa yogurt. I am always on the look out for ways to improve my health that are easy to implement. I don’t know how come I never tried Activa before to better my digestive health. It is tasty especially the vanilla. Although it does make me gassy. My chiropractor said that could be a good thing. He said to wait a week or two before giving up this treat. I guess it remains to be seen if Activa will be recalled as a fave.

BONUS: I hope to write-up a fave five list from the Retreat we had over the weekend. If not, all you need to know is that Retreat was awesome.

Your Turn . . . Leave a comment on a fave (or five) that you experienced this week.

Related Posts . . . 

• ONE. ABOUT ELIZABETH: What a MOTORCYCLE Reminds Me About Parenting . . . Figuring Out the Real Meaning of Humane Society
• TWO. ABOUT GOING TO INDIA: Sewing Machines and Lessons Transform Lives in India: Here’s How You Can Help . . . INDIA Trip is More Than Travel Delight; It Includes a Conference, Shoeboxes, & Sewing Machines
• THREE: ABOUT MY HAIR: New Haircut and Making a Decision
• FOUR: ABOUT SUMMER: 5 Reasons I Love Summer . . . 4 Items On Retreat Bucket List 2013
• FIVE: ABOUT SELF CARE: 7 Reasons to Drink Smoothies for Breakfast . . . Ten Ways to Practice Self-Care
• SIX: ABOUT RETREAT: 5 Blessings from Retreat 2011 . . . 11 Reasons Women Attend Retreats

Give These 3 Things for a Successful Trip: It doesn’t take much to make a difference

In July 2009 I spent about 2 weeks teaching English and being helpful to the international workers who housed and fed us. I’ve had some time to reflect on my journey. I’d like to share three things I’ve learned from my trip.

1. It doesn’t take a lot of talent or skill to make a difference. Our main work was talking to the students. Most of us were quite capable of speaking well in our native tongue. We listened to our students. Again this is something that was managed easily. Lastly we showed them affection, compassion and care as the situations arose. We treated all people with dignity. None of these behaviors needed a lot of talent or skill to do well. And yet, the exercise of these behaviors yielded great gain. I.e. One student recently said that until attending classes at the learning center, he hated all Americans. But through the ministry of compassion, listening, and dignity a blinding stereotype was eradicated. That has worldwide as well as spiritual implications!
2. It doesn’t take a lot of time or words to make a difference. The time we spent with individual workers was limited.  And yet, by their own admission, we made an emotional and relational difference because of the time, prayers, and thoughts we shared with them. Our very presence let them know that we placed a high value on them as individuals and as co-laborers.
3. It doesn’t take a lot of donations to make a difference. As you might remember we posted a list of needed items in the CrossRoads and bulletin. We requested such things as aspirin, multi-vitamins, baby clothes, thank you cards, granola bars and chocolate chips. Your response overwhelmed us (“carrier pigeons”) because it was so generous. The workers were surprised and touched as well by your response. Individually we wouldn’t have made such an impact. But together? Together our individual donations made a huge impact and difference.

 As a side note, it was cool to be able to be a “carrier pigeon” and see/experience the delight and warmth of the workers as they realized what and how much you all gave. One of the workers expressed wonderment that people she didn’t know cared enough to send items (gifts) and she recognized that for some this was a sacrificial gift.