Friday's Fave Five

Almost back to normal blogging again... And it's Friday... that means, yes, it's Friday's Fave Five again!!!

It's been a pretty average week, as far as life these days goes... more moving (no, we're STILL not out of the other place yet- God help us, we only have a week left to move the rest of the stuff and get the place cleaned out... LOL... yes, I'm laughing- it's so much easier than crying! LOL), more of trying to adjust to the "new normal" in life, and more of trying to heal from the last few months. BUT- as always, God is in charge and I just take things one moment at a time, trusting HIM to direct my path, thoughts and words.

In spite of an average week, there are a few things that jumped out at me as being special, aka worth writing about. So..... without further adu, FRIDAY'S FAVE FIVE!!...

1. Last night I made my favorite Macaroni and Cheese recipe. I found this recipe years ago, and it quickly became my favorite. Isn't mac and cheese the ultimate comfort food.... after mashed potatoes, that is?

2. A weekly (most of the time) event that I've been attending is the newly created Friday evening Revival Praise and Worship events that are going on in the diocese. I love the chance to visit with my friends, to praise God in word and song and to spend time with my wonderful Lord and Savior!! Tonight the Revival is a bit out of town, but a bunch of us from the area are carpooling, so it should be a really fun evening!! (If you're in the Capital region of New York State, please come join us!!)

3. Once again, I need to thank God for the incredible healing of my dear friend and priest, Fr Nigel. Back in October, he contracted that DAMN (yes, I can say that) H1-N1. We are now hearing how VERY close we came to loosing him. He shared with us recently, that on October 10th, he collapsed and stopped breathing- that news in itself took MY breath away. He was rushed to the hospital, where he spent the better part of two months mostly in ICU, and mostly on a ventilator. Somewhere around October 16th, the doctors told his wife that there was nothing more they could do for him. That was where the thousands of his prayer warriors stepped into action. I vividly remember that night falling to my knees and screaming at God to save my dear friend. I cried, begged- pleaded for his life to be spared. In talking with others, I have found that I was not alone in my actions that night. This man is SO deeply loved by SO many people all over the world!! Anyway... fast forward to today....!!! Fr Nigel is home, doing VERY well in his recovery. He's not back to work yet, but has been visiting us on occasion. (It's been SO good to see him- gosh I've missed him!) Hopefully, he'll be back to work, at least part time, by the end of February. (Or so that's what I'm hearing.) Not a day goes by that I don't praise God for his incredible healing!! Fr Nigel himself has said, that he knows that he is still here because of the prayers of the people. God has heard our cries for mercy and has healed our friend! He is walking, talking and BREATHING proof that God DOES indeed heal today! Thank you God, thank you Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit, thank you Holy Trinity!!

4. I was in a "next to new" store the other day and bought a CD by The Priests. I'd never heard of them before, but liked the titles of the songs on the CD. Oh.... my.... gosh.... this CD is fantastic. The voices of these men are beautiful and totally touch my soul. Needless to say, this is my new favorite CD- I've been blasting it constantly (over the secular music downstairs in the bar LOL) in the apartment. Talk about "market place evangelism"! LOL But seriously, check these guys out (well, you know what I mean)- you won't be disappointed!

5. We've had exceptionally beautiful weather here this last week. Yes, a few days with some snow, but even then it was a warm (for this time of year) day. I went for a long walk around the village the other evening, and almost felt like it was spring! Today, the sun is shining brightly... little Liebe has found a wonderful "sun spot" on my bed and is sleeping sweetly and soundly... even kitties are loving this weather! Thank you God for sunshine and warmth!!

Yes.... it's been a good week! I'm SO blessed!!

**To read more "Friday's Fave Fives" and to participate yourself check out this website.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... January 4, 2010

Outside my window... dark and snow covered, cold-- soooo cold- praying for an EARLY (like next week) spring!

I am thinking... how good it feels to be back doing the daybook again... it's been too long.

I am thankful for... cold wine coolers, that take the edge off a long, long, long day

I am wearing... jeans, brown/tan/black/green sweater

I am remembering... my wonderful Mom, who went to Heaven seven years ago next week- gosh, it still hurts soooooo much-- does it ever get easier?

I am going... to bed- VERY soon!

I am currently reading... Psalm 91 Handbook

I am hoping... (and praying) for Fr Nigel's return to work VERY soon... (soon, right Sandra- SOON?) after almost three months of being out sick with that DAMN H1-N1 which turned into pneumonia and put the poor guy on a ventilator (in a medically induced coma) for 40... yes forty days!!!! Gosh, I miss him!

On my mind... see above

Noticing that... God has been teaching me about patience lately- I don't like patience... I don't have the patience for patience!!!

Pondering these words... "When your out-put exceeds your in-put, then your up-keep will be your down-fall" (by British evangelist J John)

From the kitchen... cinnamon rolls and molasses cookies- requested for the reception after an ordination this weekend (Congratulations (soon to be) Fr Scott!!)

Around the house... packing, packing and more packing

One of my favorite things~ wine coolers :-)

***to take part in the fun go to this wonderful site***

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Lesson from a Crocheted Scarf...

In an attempt to avoid doing anything remotely productive yesterday morning, I sat on the sofa wrapped in a snuggly comforter, a large mug of hot chocolate on the end-table, and kitty Liebe sitting dutifully by my side, happy to help tangle my yarn at any given moment. Several weeks ago I began an attempt at a crocheted scarf for myself, but with moving and all, just really hadn't had time to work on it much. Trying to avoid packing, laundry and doing dishes, was the perfect excuse to pick the project up again.

As I was working on the scarf, I realized pretty quickly that I was not likely going to have enough yarn to make anything close to functional ie- it would have been VERY short. I also realized that it seemed very wide- what was I thinking when I first started it.... hmmm!! I knew that if I started over, making it a bit less wide, I'd be able to make a scarf that was functional and beautiful. So, I began the "painful" process of unraveling what I'd begun... tearing it apart.

This is where God spoke to me. He showed me that my life was similar to that scarf. What I'd begun just wasn't working out so well and He needed to help me start over. So, similar to the tearing apart of the scarf, He needed to, in essence, tear apart my life to make it functional and beautiful. The last few months have been horribly painful, and I know that the pain is not likely over. I haven't even begun to deal with my grief/loss yet, and I know that will be a time filled with many tears. But I also know that God wants to re-make me. He will provide the healing, the right people to support me, and the direction that He wants me to head. God knows the "big picture" here. I am (most of the time) content with knowing that He can see what I am not able to. So, if He feels that perhaps some "tearing apart" is necessary to make something more beautiful and functional, then I'm ok with that.

I was able to complete the "tearing apart" and "re-making" of my scarf yesterday. It did turn our beautiful-- just like my life will. Every time I look at the scarf, I will be reminded of God's love for me- that He loves me SO much, that He knew I had to be "torn apart" to be made new. Thank you God!!

Happy New Year, everyone!! 2010 looks to be the BEST year ever!!