Gratitude Sunday: Challenges and Blessings

Another week with much to be grateful for has come and gone.  There were challenges this week, yes, but also many blessings.  (Please bear with me as I post without pictures this week due to computer technical glitches).

First the challenges:

• I Somehow threw my knee out this week, and so now have a cane as my latest "fashion accessory."  I visited my orthopedic doctor, who took x-rays and gave me a cortisone shot.  It is now somewhat better, but I am still taking things a bit easy.
• Another difficult challenge that has been on-going for several years, reared its head again last week in a new and heart-breaking way.   This is one we are putting in God's hands and we have already seen one miracle this week to help deal with this. 
• 119 degrees in Phoenix this week!  Now if that isn't a challenge, I don't know what is!

 

Now the blessings:

• I was able to complete an online class and one in-person class, both of which will  help me go up on the teacher salary scale in my school district.
• I was able to find the time to make some surprises for my grandchildren, do a little reading and crocheting and take care of some things that had been on my to-do list for a while.
• We experienced  the support of friends and family in dealing with the second challenge mentioned above. They are supporting us not only with their kind words, but also with their prayers, and that means everything!
• My husband, youngest son and I took a road trip to get away from the summer desert heat and had a very nice time.  I got some great pictures which I will share when my technology glitches are solved.
• And of course, what would we do without air conditioning when the temperature is 119!?!

Looking forward to:

• A visit from daughter, son-in-law and three of our beautiful grandchildren this week - always something to be grateful for.
• Quality time with my husband - a summer perk for school teachers.
• No classes this week - I need a break from the books!

Inspiration for the coming week:

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice:  let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them:  let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
"For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield."
                                                                           --Psalm 5:11-12

A Day in My Life - New Blog, Same Me

Welcome to my new blog!  An especially warm welcome to those followers of my previous blog who have followed me to this new online space!  I appreciate your patience while I have dealt with some rather unpleasant "cyber-security" issues, which forced me to make my old blog private.  I know what a pain it can be to go through the extra "sign-in" steps to read and follow a private blog, so I decided to begin anew.  I will no longer be posting to my old blog.

What better way to start a brand new blog withe the name "A Day in the Life," than with a post about a day in my life.

The weather:

Here in the Desert Southwest it is summertime HOT!  The temperature today was 105 and with some luck, it may cool down to 79 or so tonight.

Right now I am:

Writing my first post of my new blog, leaving unpleasant things behind and looking forward with faith to experiencing joy in my journey!

Thinking:

About a full day I have had today, which included writing a final paper for an online class this morning, attending an in person class this afternoon and going to another meeting tonight.

On my reading pile:

Scriptures

Walking into Walls by Stephen Arterburn

On my TV:

Nothing tonight.  My only TV viewing today was Joyce Meyer's program "Enjoying Everyday Life" which I watch almost every morning.

What I found while surfing the net:

Lots of good information on Individual Educational Plans (IEP) since that was the subject of the paper I wrote this morning for a graduate class I am taking entitled "The Psychoeducational Assessment of Preschool Children."  

On the menu for this week:

I don't really know!  I am not much of an advanced menu planner, but we are trying to use up leftovers and things that have been in the freezer for a while.  My husband and on fixed dinner last night since I had an afternoon class - oriental rice with beef.  Tonight, they were going to fix spaghetti until it was discovered that the jar of spaghetti sauce in the pantry was really salsa!  That discovery required going to "Plan B" - Papa Murphy's Pizza!  No complaints here.

On my to do list:

• Making a surprise for my grandchildren
• Taking my son for his senior yearbook picture
• An unexpected visit to the orthopedic doctor after my knee went out tonight and wouldn't go back in.  Quite painful and hard to walk.  It is some better now, but this has been happening a lot lately so it's off to the doctor I go!

In the craft basket: 

That surprise I am making for my grandchildren and some crochet projects of long standing I hope to make some progress on.

Looking forward to this week:

Doing something besides homework, now that my online class is finished!

Looking around the house:

Summertime organizing that needs to be done.  I am trying to have patience with hubby who is a slow, methodical organizer.  Right now, there are too many piles in too many places!

Meaningful scripture:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in time of need."

                                                                --Hebrews 4:16

From the camera:

Some pictures of summertime desert flora from around my neighborhood.

Thanks for joining me for a peek into my day!

I hope you will visit again soon!