Madi texted me last Sunday from her Sunday school class to tell me she spilled hot chocolate all over her new coat and boots. She was hoping I could come over get her and run her home to change. When I arrived to pick her up, it was evident, that yes the poor girl did get hot chocolate ALL over her new clothes!
So we made a quick trek home to change. Madi changed, I sprayed everything with Oxi Clean and threw it in the washer.
We quickly headed back to church. While driving back we both noticed something rather beautiful off in the eastern sky. Dipping and diving in the sky was a HUGE flock of birds, none like I have seen before! This flock was so graceful as it soared across the deep blue Sunday morning sky. As they drew closer to us, I realized they were snow geese. Madi insisted I pull over so we could watch them better, and as they all flew directly overhead, Madi as any good teen would do, pulled out her cell phone to take pictures of them! We both sat in wonder on the side of the rode watching the beauty in the skies above.
Somewhere during all of our gazing at the flock, I said, “well that sure made going home for the hot chocolate spill worthwhile!!”
That is when my own words hit me……...Madi spilling her hot chocolate ALL over her new boots and coat was miserable, annoying and frustrating!!!
But during such frustrating times, we were able to find such beauty!!
That is how I see my life these days……There are LOTS of miserable, annoying, frustrating, and discouraging times, but it is often in the middle of those times I have seen such beauty demonstrated by friends and family!
And that folks is what seems to sustain all of us! My kids are touched and amazed by such kindness, I am encouraged and helped and Curt has been fortunate to feel so blessed by so many!
I can not even begin to list the many creative ways we have blessed…..let me just give you a few examples;
-
A friend calls one night unexpectedly and says she made some extra chicken pot pie and would like to drop one off for us (Yahoo!!! Dinner was done on a busy basketball night….veggies were in the pie so, it had it all! )
-
A friend drops off a LARGE box of snacks for an upcoming ski trip!!
-
A hug or two from teachers in the hallway of school
-
Friends taking Curt and I out to dinner
-
A friend drives Tyler home from basketball practice, offers to take him and her son out for lunch, then finds out I am nearby and invites me along!
And that was just this past week!!!!!!!!! And that is why that list is my Favorite Fave Five this week!!!
Yes we have had LOTS of hot chocolate spills lately….but the snow geese are still flying overhead bringing beauty to our storm of life!!!!
Thank you friends for being the beauty!!!
And I had to include these lovely pictures somewhere! For the last 3 years Curt has filled in on Dad/Daughter cheerleader night for the same girl whose father is not involved in her life. She is a senior this year and had Curt as a teacher her sophomore year. She’s a real sweetie, and it made for a fun, NORMAL, home basketball night!
Thanks for praying for us dear ones! Please continue to pray as we make some upcoming medical and financial decisions for Curt. We are looking into getting some testing done at NIH in Bethesda, Md. There is so much to think about some days I feel like I am the one with Alzheimer’s!!
Jesus and Dark Chocolate 
Thanks for the reminder… we’ve had “one of those weeks”– nothing of the magnitude you’re dealing with but LOTS of smaller stuff… you helped me stay positive 🙂
Blessings to you!
I love that little lesson. May we find the good in all the trials. Thanks for that great reminder my friend! Praying for you guys!
Dear Sandi,
Loved your descriptions of God showing Himself in so many ways this past week. Especially loved the story about the snow geese. What a neat lesson you and Madi shared. Thank you for sharing ‘real life’ and allowing others to celebrate God’s faithfulness as well as pray for the hard things. Praying for many more moments of beholding His beauty when you most need it and for your upcoming visit to NIH. Fondly in Him, Sylvia (Lori’ friend 🙂
I love how God can take a bad thing and turn it into a good thing. And I love how certain people can FIND those things. You’re one of them, Sandy! Keep seeking.
Love you,
Lisa
Yes! It’s so easy to get bogged down in the negatives and overlook the blessings. I’m glad that you’re able to find those blessings, and that you have such kind and loving friends!
AWESOME list Sandy!!! and yes we’re still praying as is my moms in touch group……will pray, too, about that upcoming trip to MD.
LOVE the pic of the snow geese….I love how God uses His Works, His creation to teach us things and show us some beauty amidst the “stains”….awesome….have a fantastic weekend!!!
What a sweet blessing with the snow geese — and a sweet object lesson as well. How kind of and loving of the Lord and His people to send all this little expressions of love your way.
My heart just aches when I think of your situation, yet I know God has a plan and a purpose and it is a blessing to watch Him bless you.
Isn’t it wonderful that we serve a God that knows us so intimately? He knew you were down and frustrated, and so he sent you snow geese:) You know what this reminded me of? Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”
Thank you for sharing, Sandy!
It sounds like you’ve had a lot of blessings this week! That’s wonderful
Finding the blessing in the midst of a storm…Sandy, just one reason why I love you so much!!!
May Peace guide you as you sort through all the options of man, but knowing and steadfastly trusting that only God brings the healing!!!
“Do not trust in the horses and chariots of man. Trust in Me!”
Bless you and your family!!!!
Hi! It is nice to “meet” you. I only read this post but am going to keep reading because it is obvious there is more to know.
Thanks for taking the time to stop in at Hospitality Lane….and it is nice to know that you are also praying for the Heim Family. I didn’t know anything about them before but you can definitely sense their need for all of the prayers ascending for them now.
Blessings,
Becky K.
It takes time, everything does now. Thank you for the snow geese photo – Mom is long gone but there is always something that continually reminds me of her, this photo did, thanks. We do find a way of turning things around to the good, I try to preach this to the kids so often. Girl, not a week goes by that something in it reminds me of your family and your strength.
Everytime I look at an awesome flock of birds I will think of this wonderful post, Sandy.
Praying that God leads and directs your footsteps in what you need to do and gives you wisdom for all the decisions ahead.
I thought that Curt’s drumming was great this morning. This has nothing to do with the post above.
Your post is definitely a great reminder of looking for the snow geese in a hot chocolate week. Your words encouraged me and also made me giggle a little in the visual imagery.
Thanks for the “snowbird in a hot chocolate spill” lesson. It’ll definitely help me have a good attitude today. (probably more than today, but I try to take it a day at a time). Aloha!
That’s a wonderful lesson for all of us. 🙂 I don’t visit as often as I like, but I should probably tell you that your family comes to mind often when I think about home. And when it does, I pray for you, your husband, and your children.
Hugs
God has given you such a gift of encouragement! No matter how bad things seem you are picking JOY! Bless you!