Happiness: Friday's Fave Five

Friday January 28, 2011

Time for a rundown of my favorite things from this week. Once again, a great time to look back and count your blessings! Thanks to Susanne from Living to Tell the Story for hosting. Visit Susanne and join us.

Here are five of my week’s blessings:

1. The satisfaction that comes from a job well done. My students are working on what I consider necessary and they consider an evil – their research papers. We’re now 2/3 of the way through the process. They’re taking their last set of notecards this weekend and shaping up their final outlines. Soon they’ll be writing rough drafts, and it’s downhill from there. Many of them have made great progress, and the process is beginning to make sense to them. That’s rewarding.

2. Joy that comes when your kids are happy. It’s hard to send your kids off to college when it’s several states away, but it’s so much easier when they’re happy. One of my boys is student teaching. How did that happen? He’s loving the classroom and it’s great to see them doing what they love. And the college freshman? He’s doing an awesome job in so many ways. It brings smiles.

3. Joy that goes beyond circumstances. My oldest son, Aiden’s daddy, is waiting for the right job. That’s tough, and so is a lot more about their lives right now. It hurts a mom’s heart. But when you see them hanging on and making the best of things, hanging onto each other and the Lord, and looking forward with hope, it does a mom’s heart good.

4. A grandson’s laughter. Yes, I got a video on my phone of Aiden just laughing away. It was precious. Music to my ears! (We’re hoping to see him again soon…)

5. A quote about family. Ours is spread across the country and involved in all kinds of different endeavors. But joined for life we are, and our lives all are fraught with beautiful memories. As George Eliot wrote:

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.

Happy Friday – and welcome, February. Hope this finds you happy.

20 comments:

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

I love that quote, Laura-- it's so true. And your son is simply living out what was modeled for him by you and your husband. How wonderful.
Have a blessed weekend. :)

Melissa said...

Great list! My son is young enough that he hasn't yet started college or a job, but I pray that he will be as joyful and as faithful as your sons are. :)

Jean Wise said...

What a great list. The laughter of a child is one of the best sounds in the whole world.!

April J Harris said...

What a lovely post, and I love the quote from George Eliot - it's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

So glad your kids are happy in their endeavors! I can identify with #3 -- my middle son has been out of work for months, finally had an interview last week, but after going through the process then they told him it was not full time. He really would have liked that one but needs a full time job to support his family and pay off school bills. It's taking continual readjustments of focus to keep our eyes on the Lord and keep trusting that He will bring about something for them.

That's a lovely quote at the end.

rjerdee said...

great list, especially the part about the grandson's laughter!!!

Lisa notes... said...

I’m having my daughter write a research paper right now and she hates it, but I’m not sure why. Just a matter of steps. Then again, I love to write and she does NOT. ha. Praying your oldest son finds the right job soon. That’s tough—yes on him and on you. Glad you got to hear Aiden even if over the phone. Precious!

ellen b. said...

it is good to know our kids are well and being at peace with their circumstances. What a blessing. How fun to enjoy your new grandson from afar with the technology available.
Love that quote!

Karyn said...

It's hard to watch your kids go through the rough spots. We want so much to rescue them - but then, how do they learn to rely on God?

A grandchild's laughter is one of the best gifts God ever thought up, isn't it? Even if it isn't in person.

Willow said...

Joined for life! I love that since my children, too, are scattered around the world.

Do you just play that laughter on the phone over and over?? I would!

Have a great weekend!

Brenda said...

#2 is so true, when our kids are happy, we are happy too. Sounds like a good week.

Faith said...

love the quote so think I might post it to my FB status! it's a good one!!
also, good for you...your son that is waiting on the job, going thru hard times yet clinging to the Lord means that YOU did a great job in training him up!! And yup..when the family is happy it makes for happy mamas! :)
have a great weekend!!

Julie Gillies said...

Oh Laura, I love getting those phone videos. They make my day!

I completely relate to family being spread across the country, as our is as well. It's not easy, but we do what we have to do. And thank God for the good memories and times to come.

Amy Sullivan said...

Love your list of blessings. I especially love #3, although that can be tough for me to practice.

Karen said...

Yes, when the kids are well and happy it does do wonders for my thankfulness. "Human souls joined together," that's great!

Anonymous said...

Ha Ha as a teacher myself, yes you are right the research paper is an important project...especially for the college bound kids. :)
Joy that goes beyond circumstances......love how you shared about your son and his struggles. I can see how it will warm your heart. :)

Cindy said...

It is hard to watch your children go through rough spots in the road. The good thing is it seems to always smooth itself out. This is great that you are so close yet so far away. Thanks for the quote and the post.

Susan @ FruitfulWords said...

Once again you've written a list that could have been my favourites except for the grandson's laugh (no gk yet). How cool that his laugh is even recorded!

So glad that your week has been a pleasant one surrounded by content family and hard-working students.

Love the quote. Having a sense of connection with others is very important for me.I am blessed to have this with family and friends.

Karen said...

Beautiful quote!

I loved research papers. Doing the research, drafting, rewriting. It was so satisfying to have the finished product, all freshly typed and ready to turn in.

Rose said...

great post you list some fantastic blessings. the quote is very true. tanks for sharing rose

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