Friday, March 29, 2013

Friday's Fave Five #236




Welcome everyone to this Easter weekend edition of Friday's Fave Five.  Thank you for joining me in looking for blessings in our week.

This week has been really busy for me, but there is still blessings mixed in with all the busyness. I just have to slow down, take a breath and notice them.

1.  Back at the gym.  I went back for the first time since injuring my ligament.  The favorite is not necessarily being back at the gym per se, but just being able to get back to movement after a couple of months of literally being a couch potato.  I'm taking it nice and slow, and still did not do any weight stuff that involved my legs but it's a start.  And for that I am grateful.

2.  Saturday Morning Pancake Breakfast.  Not made by me.  Hubby has been getting back into the pancake mode.  We used to have people over regularly for a Saturday morning feed of delicious pancakes, bacon and sausage breakfasts.  But since his last couple of jobs had him working every single Saturday for years, we fell out of the habit.  Slowly over the last couple of months he's been practicing and getting the groove back for cooking large batches of pancakes and we had our first company over.  It was a fun time and very yummy!

3.  Getting the spring decorations out.  Slowly but surely, one step at a time, the spring colors and little decorating accents have been coming out this week as I've had time.  It just lifts my spirits to get those fresh spring colors and scents out.

4.  Beautiful weather.  Every day this week.  Hello sunshine.  Hello warmth.  I'm feeling the spring warmth of the sun.  We've been outside without coats this week.  The spring birds are singing their hearts out.  I'm loving every minute because here in Southern Alberta it can still change up.

5. Focusing on Jesus this week.  In preparation for Easter, I chose the book "Jesus - The Greatest Life of All" from Chuck Swindoll's Great Lives from God's Word series (linked in my sidebar).  I like to choose a book for the couple of weeks before Easter that really helps me to focus on the Lord and His life on earth and what His death and resurrection means for us today.  I've really been drawn in to this in-depth look at historical and biblical insights concerning Jesus.  It always boggles my mind that the Lord of Glory would leave His throne in heaven and come to earth and suffer what He did.  For me.  And for you.  And I'm not just talking about the physical suffering, though that was merciless and horrendous and makes me sick to think of it, but to suffer having the presence of God Himself turn from Him for the first time ever.  E.v.e.r. (we're talking eternity here), while He took my sins just leaves me speechless except to utter words of Thanks.  To wrap my mind around the fact that He came to die and bear that because He didn't want to live without me, and without you, is almost undoable.  To fathom that He saved me from an eternal separation from God is huge.   So I must do it in faith.  With tears of gratefulness.  And hands raised in praise.

And on that note, I wish you all a very blessed Easter weekend.  May you find yourself reflecting on what this weekend is really all about and know that God loves you!






15 comments:

susan said...

Happy Easter, Susanne.

I will check into the Swindoll book. I haven't heard of that title and I, too, like to read such books before Easter.Jesus' actions DO boggle the mind. We are a LOVED people.

Hurray for hubby being able to get back to his pancake breakfasts. Wish I were close enough to attend. I LOVE pancakes.

Gattina said...

I don't have any spring feelings whatsoever ! it has snowed again it's cold and no green in sight ! It's depressing ! Easter is so early this year that I don't even think of it, nobody is in the mood to put some Easter decoration out !

Faith said...

Well you all out there in Alberta had our sun, huh?? seriously, most of our week was drab!!! BUT...today the sun is out and I'm off from work for 10 glorious days and up early to get stuff done and YAY For spring sunshine and the birds!! I love that you are back at the gym...take it slow!! And yay for hubby and the pancakes. We are huge fans of pancakes!! I love what you wrote about Jesus. I have yet another book from you to look up. Charles Swindoll is a fave author of mine so thanks for the title as I haven't seen that one. Happy Resurrection Day to you Susanne and enjoy your weekend!!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I'm happy to hear that you are feeling well enough to get to the gym. We are having nice weather (sort of) as well. I will be walking the beach again by next week...providing we don't get anymore snow.

Melissa said...

I'm glad you were able to take another step toward being up and about, one hundred percent.

The Pancake Breakfasts sound like fun!

Happy Easter, Susanne!

Snowbird said...

A lovely set of blessing here. I'm glad you are getting better and can now go to the gym.
Sunshine....warmth????? what are they?????xxxxx

nikkipolani said...

Wonderful wonderful fives, Susanne. God's graciousness in sending Jesus cannot be overstated. A magnificent gift of life.

So pleased to hear that you are able to get back to some gym work and that your ligament will continue to improve. That pancake breakfast sounds like such fun -- I may have to drop by some weekend ;-)

Jerralea said...

Love your favorites this week, Susanne. I like the idea of reading a book on Jesus before Easter. I'll have to do that next year.

You are the second person today to mention the separation Jesus felt on the cross from His father. I'm wondering if that was worse for Him than the physical suffering. He cried out "Why have you forsaken me," but really said nothing about His physical pain ...

Mary said...

Saturday breakfast is even better when it's made by someone else!
Happy Easter!

Brenda said...

Happy Easter to you too!
It is nice to be able to get back in the groove after being laid up. Of course, my being 'laid up' was simply winter related and not physical.
I love Spring!

Barbara H. said...

The pancake mornings sound great! I'd love to come over for some! :-)

Glad you're able to get back to more movement after your injury.

Love your thoughts under #5.

I didn't put up a Fave Five today just due to time constraints -- out of town company here and not feeling so well. I thought it was allergies but am beginning to think it's a cold or something.

Heather said...

The pancake breakfast sounds like a great way to fellowship and minister!

So glad the weather has been gorgeous for you! It's been the same here. Spring. :)

I love to read. I will have to do that next year. Read a book to help me focus on the crucifixion and resurrection a few weeks before. What God and Jesus did is really unthinkable. Like you said for the first time God would turn from His Son and Jesus did it all because He wanted us to be with Him. Amazing!

Have a great weekend!

Brenda said...

Getting back to the gym is a good thing, and just in time for Spring!

Your pancake breakfast idea and having people over sounds wonderful! I wonder if we should adopt something like that. .

Carrie said...

We have had some downright BEAUTIFUL weather here as well and I'm enjoying it SO much!

Mom24 said...

What a wonderful Saturday morning tradition! I love that. Glad you're able to get back to moving, having anything taken away from you is hard

Enjoy your beautiful weather.