Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts a “Friday Fave Five” in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. Click on the button to read more of the details, and you can visit Susanne to see the list of others’ favorites or to join in.
1. Meeting author Beverly Lewis! She came to a nearby Christian bookstore for a book signing, but spoke to the crowd for a few minutes about her new release, The Missing, and answered questions from the crowd. I mentioned a while back that I had gone to some of these book signings to hear what the authors had to say, but rarely worked up the courage to actually meet them, and was surprised when one of the authors I mentioned plus a few others I had read “dropped in” on that post to encourage readers to stop by their tables. So…this time I did. Mittu went with me (another enjoyable aspect!) and I had told her that I wasn’t sure what to say, so just before we got to Beverly, Mittu said, “Do you know what you’re going to say yet?” I said, “Nope!” But Beverly was very amiable and easy to talk to.
I don’t know why I am looking like I just ate something sour there — someone who knows me, please tell me I don’t wear that expression often!!!
2. Our church’s ladies’ meeting Monday night. I had thought about making this a separate blog post and probably should have. On the way there I was wrestling with anxiety over a certain issue, and the verse kept coming to mind, “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32b). That was a great comfort. Then our speaker told about an opportunity she had to minister in the Philippines this past summer in a Bible Institute in the music department. As the Lord led and provided every step of the way for her to go, she said the verse that kept coming back to her was Psalm 116:7: “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” That blessed me. Then just hearing how the Lord used her stirred me up again for the ministries He has given me, even though mine are different from hers.
…..which included eating out for his birthday dinner at Red Lobster.
Up until this year he would never have chosen seafood, but somehow he discovered he liked salmon. I like their popcorn shrimp, myself, and their baked potatoes are some of the best ever.
And I really appreciated that they were very accommodating to my mother-in-law. We’ve never had a really negative experience at a restaurant with her, but these folks were just especially accomodating, helpful and friendly. This reminds me I meant to write a note to them.
4. Discovering a forgotten gift card while cleaning out my desk.
5. Working in my craft room. I hadn’t done much in there since the initial setting up of furniture, but I got some time this week to start sorting and organizing stuff. It’s fun rediscovering what I have and getting it in order. I’m itching to get back in there.
Happy Friday!
Stray Thoughts 
Red Lobster, yum! Do they still have that yummy coconut shrimp?
How cool you got to meet an author you like. And I am sure that isn’t a permanent look on your face.
Oh, I love Beverly Lewis – her books are wonderful! I love Red Lobster too… although we almost never go there! We have sO MANY seafood houses… we usually choose one that is right on the water. It looks like you guys had fun! Can’t wait to see pictures of the finished room!!!
What a great faves list, Barbara. I would have listed everyone of these. How thrilling that you got to meet and have your pic taken with Beverly Lewis. She’s one of my favorite authors too.
I love the biscuits at Red Lobster. Yummy. And I’m not a huge seafood fan but I love their salmon, too and their clam chowder!
A forgotten gift card found? Yipee. That’s a nice surprise.
Wonderful fives, Melli! Happy birthday to Jesse who looks like he’s pretty happy with not sharing his birthday cake 😉
Sorry, Barbara, I got confused and called you Melli! Of course I know you’re Barbara!!!
😀
What a lovely week you have had. Thanks for sharing.
Barbara, Please send my birthday greetings to Jesse! What a fun dinner party at RL. Isn’t it great to find a forgotten gift card? It’s like getting the present all over again!
Have a happy weekend!
Discovering a forgotten gift card is always a surprising treat!
Have a wonderful weekend!
You got to meet Beverly Lewis!!! I understand completely about being nervous to speak to someone famous.
We moved Wes’ study and my craft room into the boys’ empty room a couple of weeks ago. It’s working well so far, but I haven’t had much time to be in there myself. I won’t be able to use it much on Saturdays, because that’s when Wes does most of his studying for Sunday. Hopefully after our trip I can get in there and organize and play.
Sounds like a great week, I love finding old gift cards, its like getting them all over again!
How cool to meet an author. I would be nervous as well. That’s just awesome. I so love Red Lobster. What a wonderful picture of all of you and with you and Beverly…just wonderful. Have a great weekend my friend 🙂 Much aloha to you and your family 🙂
I hope that you and your daughter by love will grow close and become friends. I hope this is the first of many outings you enjoy together.
Mama Bear
Looks like you had a great week.
God is indeed there for us always.
Oh boy a forgotten gift card! Fun.
Looks like a great week. I love birthday weeks and the celebrations that go with them. I’m glad you got to meet one of the authors you enjoy!
Have a good weekend…
Beverly Lewis came near my hometown also, but I wasn’t able to go see her. Glad you had and took the opportunity. I’m with Jesse: I love eating at Red Lobster. Popcorn shrimp is my favorite, after those delicious biscuits.
I’ve heard so much about Beverly Lewis. I ought to read some of her books. I will try to do some shopping at Christianbook.com.
Happy 16th birthday to Jesse!
Have a good weekend and God bless! 🙂
I love the biscuits at Red Lobster!
Great picture with Beverly Lewis.
So glad to hear the craft room is shaping up! Now you have a “lair.” 🙂