I know it sounds cliche to talk about how fast time passes every week—but it does seem to keep going faster. All the more reason to pause and reflect once in a while. I do that on Fridays with Susanne and friends at Living to Tell the Story. Here are five favorites from the week:
1. An impromptu get-together. Sunday afternoon, Jason asked if we minded if they invited themselves over. They are always welcome, of course. We hadn’t seem them much the previous week because Timothy was in VBS and Mittu was helping with a class. We didn’t have an organized dinner—we rummaged around for leftovers or heat-and-eat things in the freezer. We enjoyed time with them, as we always do.
2. Feeling better. I had a routine cardiologist visit this week—nothing new to report, EKG went well. But that evening and through the next two days, my heart was more fluttery than usual. It wasn’t full-fledged afib. It’s not unusual to have little flutters or abnormal beats every now and then–they say that’s nothing to worry about. But I don’t normally have that many that close together. I was just on the verge of calling the cardiologist back when everything went back to normal.
3. Dinner and flowers. One of the nights I wasn’t feeling well, Jason and Mittu brought dinner and flowers. Timothy either made or helped make cupcakes.
4. VBS, or Vacation Bible School. Some of the FFF friends are from other countries, and I don’t know if they have VBS everywhere. Here, many churches host a week-long Vacation Bible School for kids to have fun, get together, and most importantly learn about God. We weren’t involved this year except to pray and donate supplies. Sunday morning, the kids sang a song they learned and the director told about some things that happened that week. The decorations were amazing. I’m so thankful for the people who pour themselves into that ministry and for the opportunity to share truth with kids. I pray that the seeds planted will be watered and come to fruition. I saw one sweet photo on FaceBook with a little girl who fell asleep holding the Bible she had received that week. This was Timothy’s first time to attend, and he enjoyed it.
5. Machine recovery. I was using the Cricut machine to make a card this week that was rather involved. I usually go for simple designs, but I liked this one so much, I decided to go for it. It had multiple parts to be cut out. On the next to last one, the lights that indicate when to load the machine and when to start cutting stopped working and the machine stopped responding. So frustrating! The power light was still on, so it hadn’t died completely. I tried turning it off and back on and various other things, then looked up online what to do. Nothing was working, and I stated filling out a customer service form on their site. I tried one more thing–and that worked, for which I was extremely thankful. I had to do it for each step, but I was able to complete my project. I’m hoping it just got a little confused with the complicated project and this isn’t a regular thing.
Bonus: a new old song. I was looking for something else on YouTube when one of their suggested videos caught my eye, a song titled “Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul.” I saw it was written by Anne Steele, a hymnwriter from the 18th century known as “the Baptist equivalent of Isaac Watts.” I listened, and have listened many times since then. The words are here.
Also, the nest in the flower arrangement I mentioned last week has two more eggs in it. They came two at a time, which I was surprised at. But the birds are so small, it makes sense that she couldn’t lay all those at once. We caught a glimpse of the mama bird–she’s reddish but not a cardinal. Since this is right by the front door, she startles and flies away every time we open it. So we’re trying to use other doors as much as possible.
That’s our week. How was yours?
Stray Thoughts 
I’m so glad your cardiology appointment went well but I’m sorry you had that fluttering. At least you can tell if it’s a full-fledged a-fib or not.
Mittu and Jason are so sweet to look out for you so well. You are very blessed.
I’m glad you got your cri-cut machine working again. I know you had a lot of cards to make this week.
Ah, I remember VBS well. For years, I worked with those. They were also so tiring but so worthwhile. I’m so glad that Timothy enjoyed it.
I’ve not heard that hymn. Beautiful! Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Barb,
From the picture it looks like there is a cowbird egg in your nest. It should be thrown out so the other little birds can thrive.
I wondered about that since one egg was more speckled.
Ooooh love the eggs and interesting what commenter Rebecca said about the one egg. I’m sorry about the afib after your appointment. I wonder if stress/anxiety etc. from the appointment, or even just the idea that heart-stuff was on your mind that day, could have contributed? Maybe no connection; I just know that for me being stressed about something can lead me to experience symptoms of things. VBS sounds wonderful! Good memories of going and of teaching there too.
The nest is just precious. Rebecca has a good eye. The cowbird will take over and the original babies won’t thrive. Those sneaky cowbirds!
The music is so beautiful, I started listening as I was typing and then paused to take it all in. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad your ‘flutters’ calmed down. VBS was always one of my favorite things about summer, as a child and as a parent. I’m glad Timothy is enjoying it now, too.
what a sweet nest!!
Oh VBS is so dear to my heart. I went every year as a child from 1st through 8th grade. as did my sisters. We LOVED it. And then when I was in college, i directed VBS for my parents’ church (the one I grew up in) and it was so much fun to be the director. Then when we finally found our current church in 2005, (the one where we met and spent 15 yrs as a married couple with 2 young girls didn’ do normal stuff like that) had a VBS every August for children ages 5-11 we brought our youngest who was 6 and she accepted Jesus as Savior that week! Timothy will love VBS!!
Praise God that your cardiology appt went well and that your heart got back to normal and didn’t cause a major issue. God is so fatihful to us.
I hope you have a good weekend .
Yes, I’m totally with you on the time flying. Fridays arrive a lot faster than they should.
Love those impromptu gatherings. Doesn’t matter what’s on the dinner table 🙂 But those flowers certainly make a beautiful centerpiece.
Ugh. So glad you found a way to get your Cricut to work, even with the temporary fix. Technology is great until it isn’t.
Those eggs and the nest look like they’re part of your decoration 🙂
Hi Barbara, glad your heart calmed down. My dad had A-Fib. Those flowers are so pretty! I will be helping out with VBS next week. I signed up for crafts. I have a Cricut but have only used it once. I really need to learn how to use it. It is so much more complicated that the first one I got. They stopped making the needles for it. I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi Barbara! Sounds like you had a nice week with some good family time. I am so glad that your heart recovered after the A-Fib scare. So glad you have a good cardiologist. I am glad that Timothy was able to go to Vacation Bible School last week. I hope you have a good weekend.
You’ve had a great week. I love those impromptu get togethers when the family just decides to come over. Often, we will just say, BYOD– bring your own dinner.
I noticed the one different egg and now I know about it. Cowbirds are sneaky.
I’m glad you are feeling better and everything calmed down after your appt.
Enjoy your week! Willow