Friday Blessings – {#231 – 241}

 

Today I have two weeks worth of Friday blessings to share with you, so let’s get started.

{#231} – Ministry Donation – A precious couple, who I am honored to call dear friends, made a donation to my ministry recently. What a blessing! I promised them that I would pray and see where the Lord desired me to invest the money. HE got right on that request, and showed me exactly where the money should go. I made a donation of a supply of my When Words Won’t Come devotion books to the ministry, and I’ve already gotten great feedback from them. Not one penny stayed in my pocket, but rather was poured out to other ministries in order to bless many people. Thank you so much to my dear friends for investing in the Kingdom of God, and allowing me to be part of blessing others.

{#232} – Shopping, Sushi, and Suitemates – A couple of Mondays ago, Bree and I went school shopping. She was getting ready to move back in at Young Harris College and needed a few items. I, being the compassionate friend that I am, could not let her shop alone. So, off we went to Atlanta. We checked out the new outlet shops in Woodstock and blessed those merchants with a bit of money. The highlight of the day was getting to have lunch with Bree, and her suitemate Kaycee, who has been an overnight guest in our home a few times this summer. Lunch was SUSHI, which I am crazy about, but don’t get to eat very often. Blairsville, Georgia is not exactly the sushi mecca of the state. Spending time with young women and eating sushi. Bliss!!

 

 

{#233} – Peaches and Memories – I stopped on the side of the road last week and bought peaches from an old gentleman. I’ve wanted to make some jam and these were wonderful Freestone South Carolina peaches. I found out that he was a native of my town, and knew my Daddy and my grandparents.

 He said, “Wayne was the best Ordinary this county ever had.” My Daddy was in county politics for a brief time in the late 70’s. He held the dual position of Probate Judge and Commissioner. In those days the commissioner was called the Ordinary. Don’t ask me why. No clue.

This old gentleman went on to say, “Wayne signed a note for me one time.” I was not at all surprised to hear this, even though I didn’t know the man. At my Daddy’s funeral, my Mother, sister and I were told over and over how Daddy had blessed so many other people. He gave money to save houses from being taken over by the bank. He purchased washing machines and dryers and had them delivered to homes anonymously. He loaned money. He gave jobs to people who desperately needed them. He lived out the command to love other people. This old gentleman was just one in long line of folks my Daddy helped.

{#234} – Tomatoes – Greg wanted to can some vegetable soup, but realized our tomato plants would probably not produce enough to can much soup. One of his patients asked him if he wanted some tomatoes, since she had canned all she was planning to can. He accepted her offer, thinking he would get a small bag of tomatoes. Mercy, did she ever bless him with tomatoes—2 washtubs full! So, last weekend we canned 14 quarts of vegetable soup. It will surely be a blessing to the taste buds and tummy this winter.

{#235} – Radio interview – I had the opportunity to be a guest on The Whole Woman with Lisa Shaw Radio program a week ago Thursday. Lisa is a precious woman of God, who ministers with her husband in central Florida. She has a smile that would light up New York City, and a heart that is full of Jesus. We talked about life, struggles, ministry, writing, and so much more. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be Lisa’s guest and to be Lisa’s friend. If you missed the program, you can go here to listen and/or download.

{#236} – Tuesday Bible Study – My Tuesday morning small group started our autumn Bible study on August 13^th. I am super excited about the study, although it is very different than anything we have ever done. I am even more excited about being back together with this wonderful group of women each week.

{#237} – Canning bounty – As I said above, Greg and I canned last weekend. We ended up with 14 quarts of vegetable soup and 15 half pints and 6 pints of peach jam. Canning truly is one of the best things about summer.

 

 

{#238} – Feeling better – Last week I battled a nasty little upper respiratory bug that completely drained my energy. I worked through it, for the most part, but probably should not have. I’m not a very good ‘rest-er’. I keep going and going until I can’t go any longer. I am so glad to be feeling better and back in the swing of things.

{#239} – It’s the Relationship! – Y’all, I am so thankful for my relationship with Jesus. I love that He loves me. I love that He loves me, IN SPITE OF ME. I love that He speaks personally and intimately to me, if I will open my heart and ears to hear. Do you know Jesus and have that personal relationship with him?

{#240} – Cool weather – This has been the MOST unusual summer I’ve ever experienced. This past week (MID AUGUST) we had a high temperature around 70 degrees. It was so awesome! I love that kind of weather, and it is especially incredible when we are blessed with it in August. I’m ready to say ‘Bye, bye summer, Hello Autumn’.

{#241} – Prayer – There is a precious older lady in our church, Zelda Merritt, who has served the Lord faithfully for many years. In the past few years, her health has not been great, but she continues to find ways to serve. One of the ways is through a dynamic prayer and encouragement ministry. She has scores of people she prays for on a regular basis, and I am privileged to be one of them. Every month I receive a HANDMADE card from her reminding me that she is praying for me and for my ministry. What a blessing!! Here is the latest card I received. Isn’t it adorable?

{#242} – Shooting Range – We are gun people around our house. Greg is an excellent marksman. Me, average, at best. We took Bree to the range recently. She had never shot a gun. We were amazed. The girl is good. She enjoyed her time at the range, and we enjoyed watching her try something new. She is shooting my Lady Savage .243 in this picture. She is a such a blessing to Greg and me!!

What blessings are you counting today?