Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts a weekly opportunity to record and share blessings. She started this over 16 years ago, and I’ve enjoyed participating for most of that time. Today, though, I almost didn’t join in. It’s not been a bad week, but I just couldn’t think of anything to share. I decided to spend a few minutes thinking, looking through family texts for reminders, and jotting down what came to mind. I ended up with way more than five blessings. That’s one reason this exercise is so valuable. We can let God’s gifts go by unnoticed because we don’t take time to ponder and be thankful for them. So today, I am thankful for Susanne and Friday’s Fave Five. In addition:
1. A fairly easy return. I needed to return an item I had ordered online from a company where I shop once or twice a year. In the past, they included an invoice with the purchase that had a section to fill out for returns and a prepaid label. This time, I was perturbed to see they had outsourced their return procedure. I had to go to a website to initiate the return, get a QR code, and find where to return the item. The closest place was 15 minutes away in an area that was off the beaten path for me. But it wasn’t a bad drive, and the process was relatively painless. There was a long line, but it moved quickly. I didn’t even have to repackage the return–they scanned my QR code, printed off a label, and gave me a receipt.
Then, my GPS took me a different route on the way back to my area, and I discovered the road I was on turned into one road and then another that I was familiar with. I’m directionally challenged, so it was a light bulb moment to realize those connections.
2. Settled plans. Our Connect Four group had planned to meet this weekend to make Christmas cards. But one lady had to go out of town and left it up to the rest of us whether we wanted to reschedule or go ahead. The other ladies had not responded to a series of texts asking what we wanted to do. Since we were supposed to meet at my house, I needed to know what we were doing so I would know how to prepare. Finally I got word this week that one lady was sick and not planning to come, and the other had out-of-town family coming in. So we decided to cancel and regroup when everyone was back together. I was partly relieved, partly disappointed, but mainly glad to know for sure what the plan was.
Also in this category, we got the dates my oldest son is planning to be here in December.
3. Yard and window cleaning. Jim cleared out the dead plants, cut back the roses, and even cleaned some of the outer windows that had a bunch of spider webs in them. It all looks so much better.
4. A successful shopping trip. I got several things accomplished one afternoon. I found everything I needed for my Operation Christmas Child box at the Dollar Tree and spent gift cards at Hobby Lobby and Crumbl cookies. 🙂
5. A light snowfall. I’m very glad it was just that–a light dusting of snow.
Bonuses: I’m thankful for those who serve our country and the opportunity to honor them on Veteran’s Day. The Northern Lights were in our area again this week. It was too cloudy to see them from our house, but I saw many beautiful pictures on Facebook. Timothy got his upper braces this week, and, though they’re uncomfortable, he weathered the experience well.
I hope you’ve had a good week!
Stray Thoughts 
a great way to remember God in our stuff, and count our blessings. thank you for sharing your experiences this week.
I really enjoyed reading all the little blessings you shared this week. Successful returns are always things I appreciate. I guess that’s why I online through Amazon – they make it so easy.
I’m glad you were able to finalize your Connect 4 group plans – even if they are delayed.
I was also thankful that our snow on Monday was just a dusting. Especially since I was going to Asheville the next day. Our driver (my daughter-in-law) said that she and her mom saw the glow of the northern lights on our way back from Asheville that night. I must have dozed off, because I missed them entirely!
I get most things through Amazon, but have not had a good experience getting clothes there for myself. But some of the other places I order from have very high shipping charges.
Oh how I remember the braces age! Our oldest needed them due to smallness and tightness of adult teeth. Our youngest, according to the very honest ortho, said she really only needed them for cosmetic reasons and to save our money. So we opted out and her teeth are gorgeous. 🙂 Glad T’s experience went well.
Yay for having plans finally settled and for errands/returns done.
I popped into our Five Below store last week for OCC items and couldn’t believe all I could get for the amount I allowed for the box. I may go back and get some raffle prizes for my small group’s Xmas party-game night. Glad your Dollar Tree had items you could get.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Five Below was going to be my next stop if I couldn’t find everything at the Dollar Tree. They’re both in the same shopping center. We have two Dollar stores here–Dollar Tree is great, and the other one . . . is not. 🙂 Five Below is a little more expensive than a Dollar store, but not as much as other places.
I’ve had weeks like that too and I can see the value in these posts since it forces you to look for the good 🙂 I’m “directionally challenged” too and like you, I think it’s fun to go a new way and have that “aha moment” when I realize where I am and how the paths connected. On another note — thanks for the heads up about that caves in TN. They sound like good places to visit!
What a lovely week of blessings you’ve had, Barbara. I understand how you felt about wanting to know the date of the Connect Four…whether it was a go or not. I also understand your mixed feelings…relieved and yet disappointed.
We had about an inch of snow Sunday night through early Monday morning. It was so beautiful on the trees.
Glad Timothy did well with getting his braces, we went through that with our daughter when she was a senior in high school.
Hope your weekend is as blessed as your week has been, friend.
We had about an inch of snow, but it melted the next day.
Jim did a great job on all the chores. It’s so nice to have all the fall clean up done.
It’s surprising how many blessings we find when we really take the time to look. Hope Timothy is getting used to his braces. Well done on your shopping and returning.
I can imagine the frustration with the Connect 4 meet up – I’m part of an evening book club and getting people to respond to messages on the WhatsApp group is worse than pulling teeth sometimes. Hopefully you’ll be able to arrange your meet up soon.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Hi Barbara, sounds like you had a nice week. I always say that life happens. I hope you can find a day with your friends. I always feel a bit disappointed when a girl can’t make it to a Bible journaling meet up. This Tuesday is my last meet up for the year. It doesn’t snow where I live, but we are getting a lot of much needed rain. Have a great weekend!
It’s hard to believe it’s been 16 years! Amazing.
I’m glad you survived the return process and have helps like GPS to guide you there and back.
Coordinating stuff can be difficult — I’m glad there was clarity for your Connect Four group this time.
I love what you wrote in your first paragraph. So very true. Sometimes blessings go right by us because they are so entwined in our everyday we don’t even notice unless we intentionally pause to take note. We had snow, too, last week but it was just teasing and melted by the next day. Always nice to get those outdoor chores out of the way. Our windows desperately need cleaning but I think it’s gotten too cold now.