April - What Happened to all my Blank spaces?
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27.9
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27.9
I'm finally getting around to sharing my April Calendar from my handy dandy Dollar Tree Calendar!
What do you have planned for April?
Wow, I’ve got a lot on my plate—maybe even more than I can handle! I’ll definitely be leaning on God for strength to tackle it all with grace and a positive attitude.
NO GRUMBLING ALLOWED!
Tomorrow is our last class fellowship of the year (not the study—we still have three weeks left). This is a time of fellowship and sharing. To make it special, my husband and I baked some apricot Hamantaschen. I felt bad for not bringing them last month for Purim. He took charge of making the dough while I whipped up the apricot filling from dried apricots. They’re all bagged up and ready to share with everyone!
Friday Teen Challenge is coming by to help us out with some weed pulling, especially the pesky Vinca. I'll be busy grocery shopping in the morning, but later in the day, I'm taking a lunch break to walk with a friend of mine at Clover Creek. We'll find a bench to eat our bagged lunch.
I'm so excited for Saturday (and a bit overwhelmed) because it's the first evening of Passover, and the whole family is coming together! 💗💕💘💓
Then, on Sunday, we have our church potluck, and the theme is family favorites. My husband is planning to bring his mom's delicious carrot pineapple side dish, which everyone loves!
- On Monday, we’re excited to have our garage door installed!
- Then on Tuesday, we’ll be getting a free estimate for the leaf gutters—
- Can't forget about the Good Friday service coming up!
- And next Saturday is the Temple Passover Seder! I’ll give you more details on that later.
I used to love having a packed calendar back in the day! I remember using different colored felt pens for each family member, creating a beautiful rainbow of events and activities. But these days, I find I prefer having more blank spaces on my calendar. Still, there are always a few things I really look forward to, and April just happened to be the month when all activities and events collide.
I've been reading some of you who are feeling troubled about world events and our economy. I empathize with your suffering, and the most meaningful gift I can offer is my heartfelt prayer.
Heavenly Father,
You are sovereign over all nations, and nothing is beyond Your control. I ask for Your peace to calm the hearts of those worried about our country and world events. Remind them that You are our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).
Strengthen all of us to be beacons of hope and love in our communities, reflecting Your light in times of uncertainty. Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness and love. I trust in Your perfect plan and know You are always with us. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
Keep your eyes on Jesus
Debby
Wow, you sure will be busy! I am the same as you. I used to love a full calendar, but now that I am older and not as healthy, I just love a week with nothing going on.
ReplyDeleteOh I love a blank week of nothing going on! That is heaven to me!
DeleteLike you I loved a packed calendar back in the day, but now having large empty spaces makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I’m with you. Now I just have to get through the month.
DeleteYour BSF friends will appreciate that treat!
ReplyDeleteMy April is looking the same. Somehow those squares keep filling up.
Isn't it a blessing to know that God is sovereign?
Yes it is a comfort knowing and believing that He is sovereign in this world now and forever.
DeleteYou DO have a busy month.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great prayer. Thanks.
I’m not used to busy anymore.
DeleteFor the first time in many months, our April actually contains more blank spaces than not ... knock wood! I love the idea of a church potluck "family favorites" theme ... and wonder how many backstories will be shared over each dish.
ReplyDeleteWonderful prayer!
Oh I’m jealous. This is as hectic as it’s been in months so it will be interesting how well I do.
DeleteIt is so nice of you to make those cookies for your class. They look good. You know on my calendar I either am super busy or not. Wish it would even out more. I used to love to run all the time - but I do enjoy being home.
ReplyDeleteThey were good and the gals enjoyed them. There were other goodies as well.
DeleteI enjoy being home as well.
For once, we have zero plans for the month (yet). I however, will be weeding some of the garden as soon as the rain dries up and the ground is walkable.
ReplyDeleteThe house and yard tends to suffer when I have too much on my plate. I don’t like that.
DeleteI have been feeling overwhelmed, and made a conscious decision to say 'no' to many volunteering invitations I receive. That's starting to make a dent in my busyness.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry you’re feeling overwhelmed. I get that way as well when too much is going on. I read a book once, “Don’t say yes, when you want to say no” It helped when my boys were little and I had to say no to so many things for my sanity.
DeleteYour bag of treats look so good and I know everyone will certainly enjoy them. It is nice to have those blank days on the calendar but it sounds like your April calendar has very few. April always seems to be a busy month around here. Hope you enjoy your bag lunch with your friend..this sounds lovely! Excited to see your new garage door. Seems like when you own a home, there is always things that you need to do to keep a home in good shape. Enjoy this lovely day...sunshine here today.
ReplyDeleteWe’re warming up here too. It’s been nice. The ladies enjoyed the snack and it was a lovely spread of goodies and savory treats as well. I’ll be glad when that darn garage door is installed. Seems like we’ve been waiting for months!
DeleteThank you for the prayer.
ReplyDeleteEaster is my favorite season. As I have grown older Lent as become more and more meaningful to me. I craved this season this year.
Enjoy your week ahead.
Carla
That’s nice Carla. Lent was never a tradition in the churches that I went to but this new church we joined does it and it’s new to me and has been a blessing.
DeleteYour calendar sounds like its packed with fun. have not had pineapple, carrot but mother mad a delish carrot, apple, bannana, raisin... It's been a long time since I made one. when our church group used to have these type things, I volunteered to buy all the drinks, ice, napkins whatever that did not have to be cooked. no one would want to eat what I cook. if that were not an option I did the deviled egg thing.
ReplyDeleteThat’s what I do sometimes - buy the paper goods etc but when it’s at church, they provide all that. I have to be careful what I eat so I don’t enjoy them. The food smells and looks good but I have to know what’s inside. No more nuts and seeds for me.
DeleteI absolutely loved your prayer, Debby - such sincerity and peacefulness in your words for all of us. Easter is always a busy, yet glorious, time of the year, and I'll gladly give up my blank calendar to celebrate. Blessings always!
ReplyDeleteThank you Martha. I can feel the anxiety of others and I don’t like my friends feeling that way.
DeleteYes Easter is a glorious time of year!
Thank you Debby for the prayer. I am so thankful that our God is sovereign over all.
ReplyDeleteIt seems our calendar has hit a pretty blank time. I miss the things we used to do but cherish our time now.
Yummy cookies with that apricot filling..my favorite flavor. Enjoy your potluck. I really do miss those activities. Our church doesn't seem to be into that. Too sad to my way of thinking.
Sue
My church is small and very personable - like one big family. We’ve got about 150-200 but not all of them come on Sunday. This is one of the smallest churches Ive ever gone to but I like it.
DeleteI know, being retired has only added more events to our calendars, but mostly things like doctor appointments and church events. Easter is a wonderful time of year, and we are looking forward to Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. There is also a wedding on the Saturday before Easter in the afternoon. I can't keep up with all of the activities that are going on, and only participate in those which I feel led to do so. The older we get, the more rest we seem to need in between activities. I am not concerned that much about the economy, etc. I believe God is in control, and these setbacks are only temporary. People need to put their faith and trust in the Lord, and He will see us through. I am very thankful to know that God is sovereign.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the appointments - if it’s not ours, it’s the dog. Yes a hectic month! I haven’t been to a wedding in years! Those are always fun. Well except for my sons wedding in 2020.
DeleteYes I’m in total agreement that we should put our trust in the Lord because He is sovereign. But many still get bombarded with those outside influences that causes worry. I feel for them.
Those apricot pastries look scrumptious, and I wish I had one... or three to go with my coffee right now. ; ) Lots going on for you in April. I know what you mean, the calendars always fill up, and sometimes not so fun days are thrown in there. I am starting to like more blank spaces too. But like you, I've always loved to mark in the birthdays and special occasions with colored markers. Your April calendar is simple and pretty. Yes, I've been hearing about the rallies and people who are truly concerned about things and have questions. And this prayer you shared is so special for anyone who needs it. Thank you.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I should have saved you one or three… they are all gone now! They were scrumptious as one of the ladies said.
DeleteHi Debby, I agree with your prayer and prayed it, too. I thought I'd have lots of blank space in April, but as soon as I get close to a day, someone fills it with something. Ah, that's how it goes this time of year. Looking forward to summer break and lots of sewing!
ReplyDeleteHappy week ending!
Laura
You’re right - it’s just the way it is, this time of the year. Not only does nature start anew but also our social calendars! I’m looking forward to summer to get some cleaning and crafting going on.
DeleteWeeks when I have nothing to do are the best weeks for me.
ReplyDeleteSame with me Jo-Anne
DeleteYou sure will be a busy little beaver. I know will you will be thrilled once your garage door is up. I planted Vinca one time and regretted it. Had to remove all of it because it was so invasive. UGH Janice
ReplyDeleteHope everything works out well for you. Yum, those look tasty. Friday sounds like a good day. Have a beautiful Passover evening. Enjoy the potluck too! Wow, you are so busy. Hope it all turns out wonderful for you.
ReplyDeleteLife always seems to me you either have so much going on in a short time or not much of anything. Doesn't seem like it is ever in an even keel.
ReplyDeleteThose cookies sound and look so yummy. I love the intense flavor of dired apricots.