Welcome to Friday - 2.13.15

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.  Jeremiah 17:7

Welcome to Friday!

Good morning and "Welcome to Friday!"  How are you doing today?  How are things going for you and in your world?  Did you have the week you imagined, or even better?  I hope that you are doing well, and that you had a week that far exceeded your imagination.  I am praying that you are in good spirits, in good health, and that you are able to bask in and enjoy the day's blessings.  What a wonderful day is just waiting to unfold for you today.

I have had a pretty good week.  I got to experience some of the most amazing sunsets this week as I crossed over the picturesque Lake Murray.  Some nights it looked like a master artist had gone through his paint supplies and cast bright colors across the sky and then, dropped just a hint of sun rays kissing off the distant horizon.  One afternoon the skies were filled with fluffy clouds like overstuffed pillows.  Each cloud a different shade of gray; dark gray, charcoal, misty, grainy gray, and mostly white with just an outline of gray.  Then tucked in the middle of this bouquet was a golden set of gentle rays reflecting from the sky.  Each night was a different treat.  Even last night was spectacular, it looked as if someone had set the sky on fire and the whole horizon was ablaze with glorious reds, burnt oranges, and electric yellows.  

Anyway, it was a really good week and I am so excited and thrilled to have the upcoming weekend to celebrate with my wife, and to go out and enjoy the life we are building together.  I am thankful for another great week filled with blessings:

• Friday night princess ball with Sydney and Paige
• We had one daddy daughter dance
• Paige collected a ton of balloons
• Sydney and Paige had more than their share of cupcakes
• Daddy/Daughter date night with Paige on Saturday
• Free Chick-Fil-A coffee 
• Laughter w/ Paige
• A free car show
• A free cup of Starbuck's cofee on Sunday (yes, coffee is a theme these days.)
• Getting registered for the "Weekend to Remember" marriage conference
• Getting a great (very steep) discount to attend the conference
• Getting an even better discount on the hotel reservation
• Paige had a good check up at the doctor
• My dentist doesn't think it will be too difficulty (or costly) to fix my chipped teeth
• Getting to look at heaven's canvas and the beautiful sunsets 
• Completing our first major Microsoft project at work
• Getting back on track with items at work before the end of the week
• I started the week knee deep in overdue items (overdue on arrival I might add)
• I was chin deep on Wednesday, but mostly in the clear by Thursday night
• Spending time with Trish on Sunday 
• Laughter, lots of laughter between family, friends, and co-workers
• Receiving a $100 donation to our church's Manna Station ministry to feed the homeless
• Sharing in the good news from a friend whose daughter won a part of a contest based on her outreach service at Manna Station

I had a lot of fun this week and last weekend.  It all started with a packed Friday night.  Sydney and Paige invited me to go with them as their date (and ride) to the Princess Ball at their school.  This has become a tradition, and this Friday night princess ball was great.  Paige and Sydney had fun and danced almost the whole night (except when they weren't eating snacks).  Paige brought home about a 1/2 dozen balloons from the party and they were both all smiles.  As predicted they ignored me most of the night, but I had fun keeping an eye on them and talking with other "Ditched Dads."  Sydney of course stayed until the party was almost over, then she calmly got her coat and announced that she was ready to leave.  

On Saturday we had our Outreach ministry at the church.  We served at least 100 people this past Saturday.  It was really cool.  We didn't have the normal big crowd of people helping, but it all worked out.  I even got a chance to talk with an old friend who I met 10 years ago when he came to the church for our Food Pantry.  Since then he is doing much better and has his own place to stay and a steady job.  That is a blessing.  I also met a guy who looked to be about 40 - 41 who had a heart attack one year ago.  He was so thankful, you could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice.  I also met a guy who said we gave him pants to help find a job 10 years ago.  He actually remembered us, and he also is doing better.  He has entered a recovery shelter.  I also had a great time laughing with one of the guests who asked me to sign his volunteer form.  I asked what was I signing it for.  He said, to show that he volunteered his time to come up and eat.  It was too funny!  

Sunday was blessed with funny stuff and great moments.  We had some wonderful, and I do mean wonderful singing by the men's choir at church.  The youth made me nearly bust a gut during our Sunday School class.  They were engaged, funny, excited, and I think they may have actually paid attention the entire time.  I hope they got something out of the lessons about knowing Christ versus just knowing of Christ.  We had a great time after church getting a free cofee, and then some bagels.  Ava and Emma were supposed to share a bagel, but Emma was asleep.  I guess the saying is true, "You snooze, you lose!"  Ava ate most of the bagel, with a little help from Paige.  Gabbi got to see the new baby, but didn't remember to send any pictures.  

Another funny thing happened on Sunday.  Cassarra went to a youth church event with one of her friends and had a  great experience.  They told the group a lot of things Trish and I have tried to tell her.  This time she was all excited about this "good advice" they were giving, and how it all made so much sense, and etc.  It made me laugh.  I wondered, how many times did my parents try to tell me something and I didn't listen to them, but thought it was so wise coming from someone else.  Trish just smiled.  So long as she gets the message, and grows in grace, who cares who she gives credit to.  Or at least, I will try not to get to bent out of shape when she doesn't give us the credit.  :) 

By Monday the week was rolling.  Ava rode w/ me to take the girls to school.  We were running a little late, so I had to just quickly get her in the car.  I put her in Emma seat and buckled her in.  Well, that was a bad idea.  She wouldn't let me hear the end of the fact that I put her in the wrong car seat.  She was quite upset.  She calmed down when I let her play with my remote controlled truck.  She got a kick out of having it make donuts on the floor.  Emma was quite upset that we didn't take her to school also.  She calmed down by chasing after the remote controlled truck.

Tuesday's big deal was finding out that my teeth can be fixed, and it will not cost a fortune.  The dentist laughed at the story, and reminded me that it only takes one good hit to chip your teeth.  He didn't find any real structural issues, so he plans to just have them capped again.  I also got a long overdue haircut.  I guess I had to after Trish got this gorgeous haircut in preparation for our upcoming retreat. 

The rest of the week included things like, Ava and Emma swapping breakfast plates.  Ava took Emma's pancakes and Emma took Ava's grits.  Ava and Emma pretending to be fitness instructors or workout people.  They were jogging in place and counted.  Emma counted one, two, free.  While Ava counted one - two - three.  After a few minutes they'd run off to the next room, come back and dive on the couch.  Then they'd do it all over again.  Jog in place... .  The work week took a good turn.  We are in line for a new project.  We completed

a marketing endeavor at work to hopefully generate a lot of new sales.  I successfully lobbied two new initiatives to our COO.  I made dinner on Thursday again.  I probably made the best grits ever from the microwave (yes, I did it in the microwave).  I also did baked Tilapia at Ava's request, only to have her say she didn't want any.  We also had tator tots and a homemade cheese and potatoes baked dish (cheese, onions, sausage, and sliced potatoes).  The girls had fun talking about Valentine's day, an upcoming Junior prom (I can't even begin to believe this is happening), and their weekend with their granny and Auntie.  Sydney received a D.A.R.E award and a new t-shirt.  She was excited about that.  

There are just so many blessings and wonderful things that seem to happen all around us.  I hope that you will have an excellent day.  Take a deep breath and enjoy the tremendous blessings all around you and provided for you.  I hope that you had a good week and that your weekend will be even better.  May God's tender love rest and bless you deeply this weekend.  May your friends, family and loved ones let you know just how amazing you are and tell you how much you are loved.  Experience the fullness of God's love for you today, and as always -

Welcome to Friday!