Thursday, October 20, 2011

Things That Make Me...

1.  Laugh.  This week my friend MARILYN brought me a cup of coffee at the end of my class.  The barista had written her name on the side of the cup.  But it was spelled MARYLAND.

2.  Smile.  Spending several hours Wednesday evening with my daughter Kiti who was in Los Angeles for business meetings this week.  Chatting, laughing, talking over a yummy Thai meal, I realized that there is no substitute for face to face conversations.  Skyping, texting, and chatting are great but sitting across the dinner table is best.

3.  Relieved.  My grad student son who has been wandering around Indonesia for three months is back stateside.  When I saw that the phone call I missed during class Thursday morning was from his 'domestic' cell phone, I realized he was 'home'.

4.  Pleased.  With another finished sweater.


and buttons sewn on this one.


5.  Thoughtful.  The combination of what I have been learning in my Precepts Bible Study on the book of Daniel (that guy in the Old Testament--you know, the one who got thrown into the lions' den), my discussion group about the book The Power of a Whisper, Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond by Bill Hybels, and my continued (slow) reading of Richard Foster's Freedom of Simplicity has provided me with ample thought-provoking and challenging material to meditate on this week.

My week has been one that has simply made me grateful to be alive and well here in my own little corner of California.  Thank you, Susanne, for providing the opportunity to link up for Friday Fave Five!

19 comments:

nikkipolani said...

Wonderful post, Willow. I wish I could've had the mental capacity to do Precepts Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation at the same time!

Willow said...

Wow, Anne, that would just be information overload with no time to digest or meditate on what you were learning!

Hazel said...

Is your son gathering data (for dissertation or something) in Indonesia... wow! Just wondering. I agree about face to face interaction being best over skyping or texting.

Tracy said...

So many good moments for yo this week, Willow... And LOVE to see your knitting! These sweaters are wonderful--great colors! I love the oatmeal-beige cardigan. :o) Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

Lisa notes... said...

Laughing was one of my favorites this week too. Always good. Glad your grad son is back stateside! Makes mom feel better, I'm sure. :-) The sweaters are beautiful.

That's the second place I've seen "The Power of a Whisper" today. Maybe I should be listening to that whisper to read this book.

ellen b. said...

Maryland! That would have made me laugh, too.
Glad your boy is stateside again and that you were able to have a good time with Kiti. Have a wonderful weekend...

Hollace said...

You have a great list; I can see why they're your "fav five". Your knitting looks perfect and oh-so-inviting to put on. And there's nothing like the kids coming home.

Last year my Bible study group did Beth Moore's study on Daniel, and this year we are following it up with Kay Arthur's study on 1 & 2 Thess. So good! The Daniel study sure has a lot to say to our generation and culture.
Hope your next week is just as excellent.

TXDidi said...

Isn't it great having your son back in the States? I'm always amazed when I realize my son and his family are only a 3 hour plane trip away as opposed to a 28 hour plane ride away. Love the finished sweaters. Keep on smiling!

Sharon Lynne said...

How nice to have time with your daughter. Yes there is nothing like seeing each other in person. And glad your son is home safe!

If you are interested, I've posted my story that was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Barbara H. said...

#1 is very funny! A good laugh can make one's day.

I agree with #2 - we Skype with my son each week, but I am so looking forward to seeing him @ Thanksgiving.

So glad your son is stateside!

That sweater is nice.

You have a lot to think about!

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

The little sweater with buttons is SO cute! Glad to hear your son is back. And I agree, nothing beats that face-to-face.

Have a great week ahead!

Susanne said...

Lovely post summing up a wonderful week.

Bethany said...

I'm so glad your son is back home! And that you got to spend quality time with your daughter! Nothing beats face to face. At least there is email, though, for those times we can't get together. Hope you're doing better. Your books sound really interesting!

Brenda said...

I love the way you did this post. Its always such a relief to know our kids are home safe, even when we don't get to speak to them in person. Tiny sigh of relief every time they come home, right?

Susanne said...

I love those kinds of weeks! And I agree all those electronic chatting things are great but nothing is as wonderful as having your grown up child sitting right across from you talking face to face. So glad your son got home safe and sound.

Susan@FruitfulWords said...

How lovely that "laugh" made your list. Also lovely that your laugh came with a cup of coffee. That is a sweet friend to treat you at the end of your class.

You are zipping along with your sweaters. I bet you always have a project and a book in progress.

I'd like to read your "whipper" book too. I look forward to a review.

Kiti said...

We forgot to take a picture of me in the February Lady sweater!

Unknown said...

Kak Willow, this is a nice post...i like especially that part where your son called and a domestic number registered. I try to much to spend as much time as possible with the children. One moment, they were toddlers..and suddenly they are teenagers. I think I always hold on to them all the time...never can let go. Have a blessed week :))

Colleen said...

Nice post Willow. I think I will add that to my Favourite Five blog posts. It proves that there is more to life than just stuff. And the simple things in life are often the best.