7 Quick Takes Friday [vol. 9]



--1--

 

Big, happy sigh. It is soooo good to be home on this Friday night. What. An. Exhausting. Week. I really just feel like not coming out of my house until Monday. Actually, make that spring--which it just might feel like tomorrow! Fifty degrees and sunny...I'll take it! This is how my brain works lately. Multi-tasking, thinking of multiple things at one time, stringing from one topic to another and forgetting where I started. It makes for a frustrating, exhausting week. I wish I could just focus on one thing at a time and one moment at a time. But I've been trying to do that for years...

 

 



--2--

 

Besides being incredibly busy and tired lately, I've also been a little down emotionally (which is probably due in part to the busy-ness and tired-ness). As much as I wanted to just come home after work today, I went to Stations of the Cross service at church. (For my non-Catholic friends, it's a beautiful set of reflections on 14 different 'stations' of Jesus' journey with the cross to Calvary and His death there for us.) The particular devotional we use has a lot of Old Testament Scripture mixed in, which is just beautiful (Isaiah 53, Psalms, and more).

 

My fragile emotional state coupled with the beauty of the Scriptures and the renewed realization of Christ's suffering and love for us made me just about lose it right there in Church. He, too, knows weariness and struggle and pain and how it feels when evil seems to be pressing in all around. He knows what it feels like to fall face-first onto the ground. But He gets back up. And He carries His burden. And He looks to the Father.

Speaking of fathers, I heard sniffles from my dad beside me during Stations. He too was moved by reflecting on our God and His goodness. Sigh. I love my daddy. Such a strong and tender heart that reminds me of my Heavenly Father.

 

I also saw S., one of the men from our RCIA class who will be joining the Church this Easter. He's a quiet and humble man, but it's so evident from the joy and peace in his face that he's solid about his journey and the One who's walking with him. It really made me tear up all over again.

 

It helps me to remember that there really are still good men in the world, aren't there?



 

--3--

 

And three of my favorite good men are down in Florida on a mission trip this week-- my twin brothers, and the man I love. This trip is the one where sparks flew between me and P. last year. I was so sad not to be able to join them this year because of my work schedule!

Last year's trip

 

 

--4--

 

I'm in the mood for some crocheting. I found this pattern on Pinterest for boot cuffs. How cute are they? I think I'll be making a trip to JoAnn Fabric this weekend!!

 

 

--5--

 

My sweet little S. that I sponsor from Tanzania turned 12 in February! She was 6 years old when I started sponsoring her. How beautiful it has been to see her grow and change and learn. My dream is to visit her someday...so if you know anyone with connections to Tanzania, let me know!! Are you interested in sponsoring a child? It's an amazing and rewarding journey. I've really been thrilled with CFCA (Christian Foundation for Children and Aging). They provide not only material assistance but also a lot of education for the sponsored children and adults. They also use very little of your money for adminstrative/fundraising, so over 93% goes to the programs. Love them! And love my sweet S.!



 

--6--

 



We had our women's share group, Challenge, on Tuesday night. It was snowing and icy, so there were only four of us, but it really fed my soul. These three women are sincere and real and encouraging. Praise God for the friendships of women. Hey-- and happy International Women's Day! Here's a great quote I found on Facebook tonight (see! There goes my brain hopping around!):

 

 

--7--

 

Ah! It's already 8 o'clock! I have so much I want to do, yet I have a friend coming over for muffins and girl talk tomorrow morning...hmmm...let's prioritize. Green clay mask, a cup o' tea, Pinterest, journaling, prayer time, and cleaning up dinner. NOT in the order of importance, of course. ;)

 

Happy Friday, dear friend! May your weekend be beautiful and blessed!