Welcome to the first Friday's Fave Five of November 2023. Yikes, how is it November already? Crazy how fast the days, in fact the whole year, seem to be flying by. Good thing for this weekly pause to take note of blessings in my life. So important for me, and for everyone, really. The world is a crazy, crazy place right now and if all we fill ourselves with is the news and all the negativity all over the internet, we will very quickly go from a place of seeing our lives as good gifts and being thankful for it to one of fear, anger, depression, insert whatever else emotion that spirals us downward. I'm not saying that feeling fear, anger, depression, whatever is wrong. God gave us emotions and we should feel those given certain circumstances that come upon us. Burying and denying them will only bring problems of a different sort but if the negative is the only place we live we will soon drown in it. Taking note of the blessings in our lives and being thankful helps us to work through when we do feel those feelings. It helps us to keep our heads above water and keep our perspective in a healthy place. Please join me as we look for our blessings, give thanks for them and live lives of gratitude no matter the circumstance.
~ moments of soaking up the sun ~ In a cloudy week, there were moments of sunshine poking through which warmed us as we played outside. Even our fur-ball enjoyed a snooze or two soaking up the rays.
~ moments of quiet ~ one of my favorite things to do is just take a bit of time to browse through the local library. Not looking for anything in particular, but just checking the "new" shelves, the for sale shelves and even the re-shelve carts. It's a blessing of peace and quiet, time to just breathe with no pressure, letting my mind wander being in the middle of something I love: books. It's a self care thing for me and I enjoy every moment I can partake in it. Thankful that we have such easy access to buildings full of books that we can enjoy and check out.
~ bible study with a friend ~ my friend and I are still doing the book of Romans and we've finally hit Romans 12. I'm really enjoying this more personal kind of study with a friend. We pause the tv (we are doing this study) whenever we have questions or comments or need to clarify and discuss. We don't feel time pressured to wrap up the study by a certain date. We are just taking our time working our way through. It's just what I needed at this time in my life.
~ hard working hubby ~ so thankful Hubby took time out of his busy day to winterize my car for me. He changed my tires over to winter tires, checked filters and whatever else you need to check. This weekend he'll get my oil changed and my car will be all ready for the colder weather to come. Very thankful he is still willing and able to do all this!
~ annual meeting over and done ~ once a year there is a mandatory annual policies and procedures meeting we are required to attend. I was not looking forward to it. A two hour meeting tagged onto the end of a 10 hour work day is not my idea of a good time. But it was informative and I learned a few things and now it's done for another year. I'm grateful to have learned some things that were important to help me out in the future so it was not a waste of time.
What have been your favorite blessings this week?
10 comments:
We had some very warm weather last week as well. Although I'm not ready for winter quite yet I must admit that I would rather it be cool in October.
First of all: GREAT Thoughts in your opening paragraph. A close friend of mine and I had a long phone chat and we were discussing her depression and anxiety. I reminded her that yes it is SO OK to have these negative feelings. It allows her...us...to give them over to the Lord and learn to TRUST Him. We made a plan to have one phone call a week to check in and pray/read Scripture, etc as she goes through this period. Your words resonate and confirm things we shared.
LOVE the photo with the quote at the end!
I too spent time just browsing in our town library. In fact, I picked up forms to possibly become a volunteer there 2 mornings a week!! It's one of my fave things to do...browse the shelves, find good books, new to me authors....
YAY for a productive meeting. And sunshine moments!
I just got my oil changed yesterday and was astounded at the cost!! All i needed was the oil change and a new cabin air filter as mine was full of pollen and wowza. And i went to a chain place NOT the dealer! Glad your husband can do all that!!
I hope you have a restful weekend full of good books and good coffee!
Glad you had a good week. That's nice that your hubby helps you get your car ready for winter. That Bible study sounds interesting. I may have to listen to it. I hope you have a good weekend. See you again soon!
My blessings this week was a red running nose, coughing, and feeling lousy ! Since Rick is gone I have something all 5 minutes. And with that I should move !! My son is coming this weekend to take care of his old mother !
I copied down this quote about emotions this week from Alistair Begg...
"Emotions make a great servant but poor master. They can serve us in doing the right things, but they cannot be our guide for what we should or shouldn't do."
Hats off to hubby for winterizing your car. Greg is busy finishing up the tiling in our master bath so my winter tires aren't on yet. Thankfully we still haven't gotten that real first snow. Your Romans study sounds great. Those first two verses in chapter 12 are the bomb! Happy weekend to you.
You're so right about stepping away from the news. It isn't that we don't care or ignore, but our minds and hearts need a refocus.
I like the format of your Romans study very well: taking time to discuss, maybe look something up, share and grow together.
Glad you have that meeting over and done with. It makes for such a long day!
Yes, time just accelerates. Thank you for continuing this valuable tradition of weekly remembering.
The Professor winterized the motorhome this week. I am so thankful he does that and I don't have to!
At least that meeting wasn't a waste of time. I'm glad you were able to gain some useful information.
Having been to the local library today and doing the same kind of browsing, I agree that libraries are a place of peace and relaxation.
I hope you have a good weekend with plenty of sunshine.
This is the fist time in a long time I wasn't able to get a Friday's Fave Five together. I was in atrial fibrillation most of Thursday. :-/ Then Friday morning Jim had two appointments, and I had errands in the afternoon. But I'll catch up next week.
Amen to your first paragraph.
I've never done a Bible study one-on-one with another person, but that sounds like a great idea. Our church ladies' Bible study has been going through Jen Wilkin's Abide, covering 1, 2, and 3 John. It's been so good.
Glad you had some sunny spots in your week! And that you had some quiet time at the library, and your hubby got your car all ready for winter. I'm glad your annual meeting was profitable and is done.
I agree, the world is crazy, and I try to stay away from news for the most part. I have to trust in the Lord daily. Bible journaling really helps. I might go to the used bookstore in my city. I am reading a book I got there at my last visit. Kathy Lee Gifford's trip to Israel. We don't have to winterize here is So. CA. Enjoy your weekend!
I love moments of quiet and am also thankful to have a library nearby. Mine wasn't a quiet week overall though lol. Hope you've had a good weekend.
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