Weekly October 7

 

DATE:  October 7, 2024

WEATHER: We are heading into lower temps this week and it will finally feel like fall. Right now, it's 65 degrees and will be in the upper 40s tonight. Humidity is also supposed to be down.

READING:  Jack's Life by Douglas Gresham. Douglas was C.S. Lewis' stepson. He wrote an excellent book about Jack (C.S. Lewis) called Lenten Lands. That book dealt with Douglas's childhood and growing up. Jack's Life is about Jack exclusively.

THANKFUL FOR:  Cooler temps and God's unfailing love. I've been emotionally fragile the last few days and reading His word has been such a comfort. Also thankful for those who are putting themselves in harm's way to deliver supplies and life-giving water and food to those who cannot get their own. And for those who are rescuing people and animals trapped, unable to get to safety. It's times like this that my faith in humanity is restored.

PONDERING/PRAYING:  I've been in prayer for the victims of Helene - both in east TN, western NC, Georgia and Florida. And now, there is a major hurricane heading for the west coast of Florida. I have a daughter and son-in-law, grandson and his family, granddaughter and her family and some dear friends right in the bullseye. This is all part and parcel of life in Florida but it's very difficult to be 

600 miles away from them. I'm also praying for our country, for the upcoming elections, for Israel. . . 

A lot to pray for!

A PEEK INTO MY LIFE:  

I laughingly tell people that I tried the Clingman/s Dome walking trail and got "this far". It's a steep trail and beyond my abilities right now. This was probably less than an eighth of a mile into the trail.

FUNNY OF THE WEEK

Funny. . . . not funny.

This is courtesy of my daughter who, along with my son-in-law plans to sit tight and wait it out in Venice. I think she speaks for all Floridians right now!

QUOTE:

SCRIPTURE:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all

liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

James 1:5

Forgive this rather somber "Weekly Chat". So much on my mind and heart. For those who have been already affected by storms and hurricanes, you are in my thoughts and prayers. For those about to face another one, you are in my thoughts and prayers. 

"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Friday Fave Five

 

It's been a frustrating and hectic week and I'm glad to finally be able to sit down and count the blessings despite the frustrations. It's during those times when you have to dig deep to see the blessings but if you look long enough, you can find them! Thank you, Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for giving us this spot.

1.  Bank issues straightened out: On Memorial Day, I received an email from my bank that a couple charges had come through on my debit card that looked suspicious. They were declined and I was notified. Indeed, they weren't from me. Consequently, the bank blocked my card so Tuesday morning I was in the bank to get a new debit card. Thankfully, my bank is vigilant and caught things early. 

2.  New phone: Then the next day, I discovered the text app on my smart phone had quit working. This was not good since I use that app a lot. A year or so ago, my phone had fallen to the floor resulting in a couple cracks. Things still worked fine - that is until the cracks began to spread. The helpful man at the phone store verified that was the issue. I had also noticed it becoming very slow. So, yesterday, UPS delivered my new phone. My sweet daughter in love helped me set it up and I now have a lovely, speedy phone. It's also very similar to my previous phone so I don't have as much of a learning curve. I'm so glad for this quick fix. We live in an age that when our technology breaks down, we're lost!

3.  Some clear direction: I have been dealing with a personal issue for some time. Sometimes, you can be our own worst enemy, you know? I've been praying about some clarity regarding some matters, and I finally felt a breakthrough and some clear direction. I feel like a weight has come off my shoulders. God is good!

4.  An upcoming audiology appointment:  I've been dealing with a progressive hearing loss for a while which has really interfered with life. I finally have been able to get an audiology appointment as a first step to see what the problem is. I'm really hoping I doesn't involve hearing aids but if so, so be it. I'd really like to hear well again.

5.  A new book coming: Those of you who have visited my blog probably know that I am in love with the Mitford series by Jan Karon. She is such a gifted writer and her characters come alive and jump off the pages. She wrote 14 novels about Mitford and then announced years ago that she "has said all she was going to say about Mitford." In other words, no more news of Father Tim and the gang. However, at the seasonal Mitford Spring tea in Hudson, NC a week or two ago, she announced that she was writing the 15th Mitford novel. My guess is that it will probably be available sometime next year. I'm over the moon!

I hope you all have a great weekend! It's getting quite warm in some places here in the U.S. Here in Tennessee, we're having mild temps and I'm really enjoying them!

Weekly Chat

 

DATE:  April 23, 2024

WEATHER: 59 degrees at the moment. It was 40 when I first got up. Sunny skies and it's pretty out there. 

READING: I began to read "Summer in the Scottish Castle" and quit by the end of chapter 2. Too much profanity for my liking. I'm expecting an Amazon delivery tomorrow - "Lenten Lands - My Childhood with Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis buy Douglas Gresham. Ever since reading "Becoming Mrs. Lewis" I've been fascinated with their story. Meanwhile I'm still in "The End" by Mark Hitchcock. Reading about prophecy and the Apocalypse is heavy stuff!

FUNNY OF THE WEEK: I might have shared this before, but this describes my brain right now!

THANKFUL FOR: Less knee pain and a daily walking program that my daughter has suggested. I'm even more thankful that so far, I'm committed and haven't missed a day.

KNITTING:  I'm in a stall here. I'm not really liking the shawl I was working on and am thinking of something else - beginner-like, that I can use this beautiful yarn. A while back, one of the hanks of yarn snarled pretty badly when I tried to wind it into a ball. I tried but got frustrated and put it in a ziplock bag for later. When my daughter was visiting, while we chatted, she un-snarled. Such patience! You can see the 'before' and 'after' in my previous post.

PRAYING FOR: For Israel and Jerusalem. For various family and friend needs. For our country and the upcoming elections. 

A QUOTE:

"Human history is the long, terrible story of man trying to find

something other than God, which will make him happy."

C.S. Lewis

SCRIPTURE:

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you."

Psalm 122:6