Welcome to Friday's Fave Five! Are you ready to take a pause in the busyness of the holiday season and just think about and be thankful for the blessings God has placed into your everyday? We can get so caught up in the rush that we don't even notice what is truly a blessing in our lives. Let's take that moment and intentionally pause and consider what has blessed us this week.
~ volunteering at OCC processing center ~ definitely a highlight of the week was our day of volunteering at the Operation Christmas Child processing center. This was our second time and this time around our son joined us. It was so much fun. In our 3 hour morning shift over 12,000 boxes were checked and taped and packed for shipping to children all over the world and in the afternoon over 8,100. And there is still an evening shift that happens. That is just one volunteer day out of schedule. It really is an amazing thing to experience.
~ weekend with the kids ~ Of course, travelling to the processing center meant we could spend the weekend with 2 out of our 3 adult kids. I always look forward to this. We had a nice dinner out together, watched a movie and attended a Christmas Market and just had some much needed down time together.
~ Christmas market ~ for the first time ever we attended the Spruce Meadows Christmas Market. Spruce Meadows is an international world class show jumping facility. And at the beginning of the holidays it transforms into a huge Christmas Market. Gone are the horses and in comes everything you could ever think of to buy. Apparently ranked the 4th must see Christmas market in the world, it is quite the place. After 2 1/2 hours we'd only seen about half of what was there but we were wiped out and decided to head home. We still had the drive back to think about. But it was fun to experience such a huge market.
~ nativity picture ~ we picked up this lovely picture at the very first booth we went into at the market. Both Hubby and I laid eyes on it at the same time and just loved it so it's our Christmas gift to each other to go above the fireplace. I wish I knew who the original artist is of this print but I can't find anywhere on the picture. If anyone knows let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.
~ Southern Alberta weather ~ After a lovely weekend, we had a coupld of days of absolute frigid weather. But it's Southern Alberta so if you don't like the weather just wait a minute. Sure enough a chinook blew in and overnight the temperature went from about -24*C [-11.2*F] (feeling like -31*C [-23.8*F] with wind chill) to a balmy 0*C [32*F]
What were your five favorite blessings this week?
12 comments:
That is nice that you got to help out at the processing center. I was supposed to, but my family Christmas party was moved up and I have been busy wrapping presents. I did help out at out church with the distribution and collection of the boxes. Our church was a drop off location. That picture is beautiful!
That's nice to send boxes for Christmas to kids all over the world. I hope nothing is sent to the UK because just heard this morning post will be on strike before Christmas ! How kind ! I have seen so many Christmas markets in Switzerland from which I just returned that I won't go to any more ! Finally they all look the same.
Hi Susanne. That Christmas market sounds like so much fun. We don't have anything like that around here. Wish we did. I love that nativity picture you got for your home. So glad you could volunteer to help process OCC boxes, and it's an added bonus that your son came and volunteered as well. OCC is such a great way to help spread a little joy around the world. Have a good Friday!
It's just amazing how many Christmas shoe boxes go out. So glad you got to go and help pack them. And how fun that took place where two of your kids are. It's wonderful you all had that time together. That Christmas market sounds like a marvel. That painting is so nice and realistic. I love the perspective. I am so glad I don't live where the weather is that cold. I'm chilled now and we're not nearly that low. I'm glad it "warmed" up for you.
Oh I LOVE Christmas markets and that one came up in a google search I was doing believe it or not!! The painting looks like it's from a local artist. They often don't sign their work. (I only know this is probably from someone just starting out because my artist girl says most people who have established a name for themselves leave their signature or an identifying mark). It's lovely though and I LOVE how they depicted some of the animals looking out at us vs at Baby Jesus.
YAY for helping with OCC. One day when I am finally retired, I hope to volunteer at GF as we are a huge center for collecting the shoeboxes and getting them shipped down to NC. So far I heard we had over 3500 boxes just from our congregation. It's such a great thing you did and the plus is that you and your Dave got to see your kids!!
Balmy weather here for over a month now in eastern NY. We are all saying "where is winter?" hahah definitely autumn is lingering and I'm ok with it! 58 degrees F on Wed for my walk. I loved it.
HAPPY WEEKEND
What a beautiful picture of the nativity! You should keep it up all year 'round! It's great to be able to do things together as a family. OCC is a wonderful organization! I wish my church participated. I'm glad you were able to volunteer there.
Your week sounds great! I love the print, it will be nice to see how you choose to frame it. It's so neat that you could share OCC with your son, and then spend time with your kids. Those moments mean so much and are better than any present at Christmas.
Oh I am so glad you were able to spend some time with two of your three children! And to serve with them is an added blessing. (good job, mom, on training them to serve others!)
I know that helping in OCC is always a highlight for you. What an amazing ministry and I'm happy you can be a part of it.
Balmy 32F? I know you are thankful for the 'moderating' temperatures.
That Nativity picture is perfect!
Have a good weekend~
Win win on being able to help at the center and then to have time with your kids. Wonderful. We are having snow, snow and more snow!! Happy weekend to you coming in late but still sincere. :)
Well, I'm already adding to my fave that we never see those temperatures! (We are whining here when it hits 30F at night.
That is so cool that you got to see your kids, attend a world class market, and participate in a wonderful volunteer experience. What a week!
I love your nativity picture! What a nice gift to yourselves:) And that market sounds wonderful....while the day at OCC sounds exhausting!! LOL:)
Beautiful blog
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