Friday, October 09, 2015

Friday's Fave Five #349


Welcome to Friday's Fave Five.  This weekend in Canada is Thanksgiving so we already have our minds towards being thankful.  But it's always good to look for things in our everyday to be thankful for whether the calendar date officially tells us to or not.  Please join us as weekly we turn our hearts to look for good blessings in our lives.

1.  Operation Christmas Child kick-off.  Sunday was the official start of Operation Christmas Child   (U.S.A. site) at my church.   Being the one heading this up, I always look forward to this time of year both with excitement and a bit of nervousness.  The announcement went well and lots of boxes went out the door to be prayerfully filled for children in the throes of war, poverty or disease.  Children who have never in their lives received a gift before.  Such a small thing for us who have so much in this country.  I am always amazed when I see the colored map and see only a handful of countries that pack the boxes and pretty much the rest of the world receiving them at some point.  God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to those who have not and to bring joy and the gospel.  What a privilege to be able to be a part.

And just in case you ever wondered if it really makes kids happy to get one of these boxes this is one of my favourite videos recorded by somebody there, not a put together promotional video.  Here is the pure unadulterated reality:


Makes me smile everytime!

2.  Bio-Freeze.  Last month my massage therapist had given me about 3 sample sizes of Bio-Freeze to try out at home.  It's a professional strength cold (cyro)therapy.    I took it out of my purse, put it on my dresser and promptly forgot about it.  Then this week my sciatic nerve was acting up and giving me major grief.  Anyone who's had a sciatica pain knows how awful and consuming it can be.  I was having to get up in the middle of the night to take more advil.  Then 3 days into it I remembered the Bio-Freeze.  It helped. A lot.  It didn't totally remove the pain but boy oh boy it helped to tone it down a whole lot.  I am so going to buy some of this stuff to have on hand.

3.  A trip to the salon.  It's really amazing how a nice trim and refresh of the highlights perks me right up.  It seems like overnight my hair is too long and won't do what it's supposed to do. And the fresh highlights just brightens it all up.  Yup I am very grateful that as of now I get the chance to have someone do this for me.  There have been times in my life where I had to do my own color and let me tell you, I don't have the knack for getting it really nice.  It's not a I will die without a salon highlight, in reality it really is a 1st world problem,  but it sure is a blessing when I can have them.  

4.  A full dayhome once again.  Back in the spring I knew I would be losing two kids to grade 1, but seeing I was having carpal tunnel surgery in the summer, I didn't work real hard to replace them.  I wanted to give myself time to heal properly.  Well come September, in an unusual occurrence, I didn't get one suitable call.  But now just this week, I've got a couple newcomers that seem to be a really good fit.  I like when the dayhome is full.  It really is easier for me than having it only half filled.   I enjoy the fun and laughter when all are here.

5.  Good Reads.  I've been on a roll with some good reads lately.  I always love that.  Add a cup of  good coffee, some beautiful Indian Summer weather and some uninterrupted time and I'm a happy camper!



What were your blessings this week?





And Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian bloggy friends!



10 comments:

Gattina said...

I personally refuse to think about Christmas yet ! I am still a little bit in summer although it's not summer at all anymore ! In Belgium too many organizations take care of the poors and that's very good so ! One of my painting classmates had to stay home because of sciatica pain, apparently it is awful ! So far I can't complain about anything.

nikkipolani said...

It's so neat that you have been heading up Operation Christmas for your church these many years, seeing people respond to the call to reach out to children all over the world.

Good to hear that you found some relief in the Bio-Freeze just when you need it. And how God provided some new kids just in time.

Faith said...

love all your faves!K! yeah for OCC we are starting that at our church too! yay for good books, coffee and HappymThanksgiving weekend to you folks!! for us we are celebrating Columbus discovering America! yay for no work Monday!!!,

Barbara H. said...

Happy Thanksgiving! Operation Christmas Child is such a neat ministry. I had not heard of Bio-Freeze - will have to look for it! Glad you found some new dayhome kids who are a good fit. I had been planning to go get my hair cut today, but am feeling stiff and tired so had almost talked myself out of going. Your #3 is making me rethink that. :-) Good books are always a favorite.

ellen b said...

That Bio-freeze sounds interesting. So glad you have a full dayhome again! A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Jerralea said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you! I'm glad the Bio-Freeze gave you relief. I'm also glad your day home is full. I pray for peace and joy among all your little charges.

I definitely know about being thankful for a trip to the salon. I've not always been able to do it, but I'm really thankful I can right now.

I'm unable to link up today with the FFF crew due to my blogging commitments at the 31 Day Challenge, but wanted to drop by and say hello. My Fridays don't seem the same without stopping by!

Susan said...

I really enjoy OCC, too. That video made me LAUGH because the boy's joy was so exuberant. I sometimes worry about the contents of my box; will they really bring that kind of joy to the recipient. I know, probably a silly worry.

Happy Thanksgiving. Did you try any new recipes or was it all family favourites? We normally go to the beach for TDay, but this year, for several reasons, that isn't happening. So I am not sure what we'll be doing.

Bio Freeze is such a HELPFUL topical med. So glad you remembered it and that it helped.

I hope you get some GREAT reading time in this weekend.

Willow said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada style, to you this weekend! Enjoy your holiday with pumpkin, coffee, and everything yummy.
My friend heads up the Operation Christmas Child project in this area. I enjoy getting the updates from her, too.
I love how everything worked out for you to have the right kids and the right timing for your dayhome group.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Susanne - I thought I was too late to join in, so just did my own thing this week. Hopefully I can join in next week. We have done Operation Christmas Child boxes in the past, when my son Josh was a little younger, and he sure enjoyed picking out the little things to place in the box. I haven't packed a box for several years, so maybe this is the year to do it again! So glad your day home is happily filled again! I will have to remember that Bio-Freeze and try to get some next time my shoulder is acting up. Have a great week!

Karen said...

The video brought tears to my eyes. I'll have to tell my friend about the Bio-Freeze. I assume it's something you can buy without prescription?

I so agree with you about a trip to the salon being something to feel grateful for. I colored my hair myself the last time, to save a little money. Oh, my gosh, it turned out so dark! I keep thinking it will fade, but it won't be soon enough:/

What are you reading these days?