Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful - Luke 6:36
Welcome to Friday!
Welcome to Friday! How are you doing and how are things working out for you in this weird season of weather? How was your week and how did things go for you during the course of the week? Did you get to see the sun in your neck of the woods this week? Are you expecting and anticipating snow this weekend? I hope and pray that you are doing well and that things have gone well for you so far.
This week has been filled with so many blessings and joys. Last weekend, we enjoyed another great date. The Friday before we went to Kiki's Chicken and Waffles, and that date was excellent. The food was really good. The waffles were fantastic and the chicken wings were more than enough, and absolutely delicious (hot, crispy and well seasoned). This past date night, Trish and I took advantage of a Christmas gift and went out for dinner. I had a great time with Trish all to myself. That alone is the best part of the date. We got a chance to just chat, reflect on the kids, laugh about memories and moments of the week, and just be together. The food was really good too, but the conversation and the company were the best part of the night as usual.
On Saturday I spent time with my parents and my sisters. We worked on a little wall that reminded me of the good ole days when I worked with daddy. Only in most of the good ole days I used a mortar mixer and not a mortar hoe, and on the day after I wasn't realizing that certain muscles hadn't been used in years. After that Trish and I took the girls out for a surprise and had a nice family lunch at Fatz. The best part was the fact that we all got to enjoy the food without the younger two putting on a show. Ava and Emma were well behaved, ate their food (or in the case of Emma, politely sampled her siblings' food). There were no issues, just conversation, fun, food, and a good time.
After lunch we headed out for dessert. For dessert each of the older four had to recite Psalm 100 and Hebrews 11:1, and then we went for ice cream at Marble Slab. The girls got to pick their own ice cream and toppings. Gabbi wins the award for the strangest combination, Cotton Candy Milkshake with sprinkles. Cassarra came in second with coffee flavored ice cream with cookie dough. I shared with Sydney and Ava. Sydney had sweet cream and cookie dough, and Ava had cotton candy.
Sunday the girls and I took a trip up to a great housewarming. It was so much fun to ride up together and laugh on the ride. They watched, and I listened to, Kung Fu Panda on the drive up and on the drive back. Plus on the drive up Cassarra talked about a number of stories and things to keep me entertained and get me caught up on her thoughts and concerns. On the way back we stopped to see my friend and her husband in Rockhill. We stayed just long enough for Paige to get comfortable on the couch, and Ava and Emma to get comfortable bouncing around everywhere else. All of the girls loved the visit and kept remarking about their house, especially the pool. Why they were so fixated on the pool in the winter beats me, but okay.
On Monday Cassarra and Gabriella took a trip to look at Anderson College. Cassarra enjoyed the trip and the visit to the campus. She likes the program, the school, and the opportunity. She even warmed to the idea of a school dress code and chapel attendance. Gabbi wasn't thrilled about having to go, but as it turns out she actually got a good bit of insight and information out of the trip. While Trish and the older two girls were off on their road trip, I had the four younger girls. I spent a good bit of the day contemplating the question my cousin asked, "What are we doing to engage in the modern political landscape? Are we doing our part in shaping the youth?" Sydney and Paige shared what they knew about MLK Jr., why it was a holiday and the importance of his life and legacy. I was happy to know that they thought of it as more than just a day off from school. Ava and Emma enjoyed having their sisters home. We managed to make good use of the day. We had lunch together and then played games at Frankie's Fun Park. Somehow we all managed to play games without arguing, without overspending, and without complaining. And, we even navigated a bathroom break for the little people despite the crowded arcade. I enjoyed watching Paige nearly hit the jackpot on a fishing game, watching Emma barely get the ski-ball over the hump and into a scoring hole, and especially watching Sydney and Ava play "Connect Four." Ava won by the way. Sydney did really well on some toss games, even outscoring my high score with ease. For that matter so did Ava and Paige. The game is fixed, so it didn't really bruise my ego :)
The rest of the week was packed with blessings and joy as well. Especially Thursday when I met with Gabbi's guidance counselor. She raved on Gabbi's grades, potential, PSAT scores, and all the good things she has heard about Gabbi from her teachers. Gabbi just smiled and looked unimpressed with her own outstanding body of work and >4.0 GPA. If you see her please applaud her work and ask her about her future plans for high school and college. After the praise fest, we worked with her counselor on her upcoming schedule for next year, and the counselor encouraged Gabbi to start preparing for school because she was definitely college material. Then, later that afternoon Gabbi was inducted into the Spanish Honors Society at her school. I am proud of all the girls and definitely had a lot to be excited and proud of for Gabbi during today's ceremony and parent conference. Thursday also included Paige showing off a remarkable report card. She was awarded recognition for her accomplishments on Friday morning. It was also great on Thursday to hear Sydney and Cassarra reporting that their grades will be good as well.
In addition to all the other amazing blessings, I also received a tremendous blessing at work. All the details aren't final, but I am so grateful to have a number of new opportunities coming my way. And I'm so thankful for the prayers, encouragement and wisdom of friends and family that allowed me to thrive in 2015. I'm praying that in all things involved in this new role I will be able to serve with wisdom, depend on God for guidance, receive his favor and glorify His name.
In addition to all the other amazing blessings, I also received a tremendous blessing at work. All the details aren't final, but I am so grateful to have a number of new opportunities coming my way. And I'm so thankful for the prayers, encouragement and wisdom of friends and family that allowed me to thrive in 2015. I'm praying that in all things involved in this new role I will be able to serve with wisdom, depend on God for guidance, receive his favor and glorify His name.
Well, I hope you are well. I hope that you are having a great day and that you have had a great week. May the blessings of the Lord continue to pursue you, catch you, and create for you opportunities for breakthrough, crazy praise, and wild success. May the God of peace give you refreshment and renewal. Have a great weekend and as always,
Welcome to Friday!
I am so thankful for
- Friends and family
- Date nights
- coffee
- My friend buying me lunch on Thursday at Bible Study
- Time off with the girls on Monday
- Celebrating the life and legacy of MLK Jr.
- fun at the arcade
- Pizza
- Laughter (even in the not so funny moments after midnight)
- Emma doing her nails
- Emma doing her hair (the amount of grease used was epic)
- Ava taking foreverrrrr to get out of the car at school and then asking Paige to pick her up
- Chicken and macaroni dinner that Trish made
- Cassarra making dinner
- Ice cream at Cold Stone
- Lunch at Fatz
- Spending time with the girls
- Spending time with my parents and siblings
- The house warming party
- Sleeping late this morning
- Helping co-workers
- finally getting me email inbox down to a manageable number
- A new coat and gloves
- Watching Kung Fu Panda
- Fixing dinner for the girls on Monday
With love,
Cassius
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