The Iron Diva: Days 14-18 - Party Popper: The Weekly Digest [40 Days of Gratitude 2024]

Looking out the window....

A lovely sunny day. A perfect fall-ish day for a Sunday drive.

A cool experience...This week, I had the privilege of attending a campus-wide function in our nearly-completed Armstrong Center. The open house and dedication were earlier in the fall, but I was unable to participate.

Darn cottonwood trees!

Anyway.

I didn't arrive early enough to tour the building before the meeting started, but I at least get a peek at the chapel (pictured below). The auditorium where we met isn't quite finished, but it's coming along nicely. They plan for us to meet there again in February, so many more elements like projector screens and extra lighting should be done.

I know it's just a building to some, but to me, it's a testimony to many hours of work, prayer, and patience. The project was delayed for several months because of litigation (can you say "frivolous lawsuit" children? I knew you could.). God was faithful through the whole process. Now we get to enjoy finishing and beautifying the inside, seeing the new library filled with books, and having music and drama events conveniently on campus.

Favorite quote(s) of the week...

I don't like the stolen valor of fake plants.- Josh Johnson, comedian.

There have been men before now who got so interested in proving the existence of God that they came to care nothing for God Himself...as if the good Lord had nothing to do but exist! There have been some who were so occupied with spreading Christianity that they never gave a thought to Christ. - C. S. Lewis, The Great Divorce.

Asking God for what we want without thanking Him for what we have reveals a heart that is not right before Him, perhaps a selfish or greedy heart. A heart without gratitude is very unattractive to God.. - Joyce Meyer, The Power of Thank You, p. 105.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. - Albert Schweitzer

I'm thinking about...

My 25 for 2025 list and my one word for the year/season. Though I won't reveal them until the first of the year, I think I've narrowed down my options. Some of the 24 for 2024 items that I didn't complete will either be added to the new list, or retooled prior to adding to the new list.

What I read this week...

How Can I Practice Christian Meditation by Joel Beeke ✮✮✮✮
The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis ✮✮✮✮
Eternity is Now in Session by John Ortberg ✮✮✮✮
Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis ✮✮✮✮

I'm currently reading...

A Year of C. S. Lewis by C. S. Lewis
Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon
The Power of Thank You by Joyce Meyer
God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Good Leaders Ask Great Questions by John C. Maxwell
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis

This week's blog posts...

Caught in a Snare: The Weekly Hodgepodge is here.
Days 08-11: These Feet Were Made for Waling...Gingerly [40 Days of Gratitude 2024] is here.

I am thankful for...

My design wall.

The Posh Paper Lady. Her YouTube channel has a plethora of instruction videos for paper crafting projects. I've been able to create many gifts because of her easy-to-follow guidance.

A fun family memory of an inside joke. I saw these at the Dollar Tree and thought of my family. Even though we don't really know where this came from, our daddy was the first one we ever heard refer to a sandwich as a "sammich." I'm sure the other shoppers thought I was nuts for taking a picture of these in the cooler while cackling like a hyena.

The near completion of the Armstrong Center (mentioned earlier).
Making my first therapy appointment for January.
Trifocals.
People in my life who love and appreciate handmade items.
Christmas parties with friends.
Our Poco a poco kids choir cheerfully singing carols (most of them) in the foyer of the church.