A favorite thing....

I'm not a big collector of trinkets. An annual question on a Bible study questionaire we have ask's "What do you collect?" My answer is usually "nothing." But I do collect things. Things I really like. When we travel and buy souvenirs, they tend to be useful - things I can use in the house. Sometimes they're kitschy but I try to stick to useful. Things that don't collect too much dust. So I thought I'd share these things occasionally.

My first item is not a souvenir. It was a gift. And if you look at the little Blogger ID photo in the left corner, the following might look familiar: My sweet, dear friend - S - made this for me. She is a delightful 15 year old who is artistic and super smart. God has blessed her so richly with these talents and also given her the tremendous courage to live with JRA (juvenile rheumatic arthritis). I admire her immensely and have enjoyed watching her grow from an infant into a fine young lady. I love her mom dearly and it's so fun to love the children as well! Not to make light of it but - that doesn't always happen with friends you grow up with - so we feel very blessed.

Hand-painted ceramic and the layers look almost 3 dimensional when it's lit by candlelight at night. It sits right where we can enjoy it - next to the TV (how sad is that!). Actually, we don't have much space for displaying things so it works out well.

And speaking of favorite things...........

I just put one on a bus this morning. Kendra went with approx. 70 other 3rd graders on their first school ski trip this morning to Davos. They should be just past Klosters by now. Praying for their safety, health and lots of fun. She is a fine skiier so I'm confident from that aspect. It's just - she's my baby and even though I've done this for 3+ years with Rachel already, it still get's to you. Especially when it's their first trip.

And even after 3+ years of letting go for 3 - 5 days at a time, I still don't fully breathe until they're back home. But I have a lot of Trust.

Wishing you a great time Kendra!!!!