Saturday, April 12, 2014

Celebrating Connections


Join Ruth, and many others, to share celebrations from your week. Then read a few celebrations and share your joy with others by commenting. We meet on Ruth's blog on Saturdays.

This week has been my sprig break. As I wasn't going anywhere, I wanted to make sure that this week felt different. I want to go back to school on Monday and say that my break was a good one! So, what am I celebrating today?

As I am writing this I am watching the morning news which shows pictures of the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. Therefore, I celebrate the beauty of spring.

This week has been a celebration of connections. Throughout March I wrote every day for Slice of Life challenge. I maintained my virtual connections very well. My local connections, however, suffered because I was so busy with writing and testing. Add to that the winter that we have had, and my local connections have not received the attention that I wanted them to get. If I did not already know and understand how important it is to cultivate these connections, I listened to a sermon on maintaining your faith network. So this week I did not even write my regular Tuesday blog. I met friends and new friends face to face.

On Sunday I went to lunch with a group of people from church. Once a month we do these "Let's Do Lunch" groups to encourage making connections with people at church. I held up my sign and invited some people individually to join us. We had a small but powerful group. I celebrated new connections and building that faith network.

On Tuesday I celebrated new connections by inviting a new single mom and her children for dinner. What a delightful time I had. Katie and her children were so special! I got hugs and cuddles as a reward! What more could I ask?

On Wednesday it was time to meet with old friends and reconnect in person. I love talking with Penny! There is always something to laugh about, stories about her grandchildren, and little ship talk as well. Dinner with Emily was great! We tried a new place in town. Great woodfire pizza and beet salad. But it really was the conversation that I treasure. I celebrated maintaining my faith network with these two amazing women. I even got to crown my evening by spending time with my small group ladies that I missed in March!

On Thursday, it was meeting with more friends. Lunch with faith is always fun. This time we tried a new Middle Eastern restaurant. We got her wheelchair in with no problem (not always easy in a small restaurant), food was great, and I got new reading material from her that is proving inspiring! Again, I celebrated maintaining my faith network! The evening ended with my regular volunteer hours at the library bookstore. Fun, fun, fun! Who wouldn't want to celebrate books and reading during spring break.

There are a few more celebrations coming this week, but it is time to enjoy the sunshine! What are you celebrating this week?


25 comments:

  1. Jaana, I'm so glad you made so many thoughtful and meaningful connections this week! Please know you've been missed here. :) As your break ends, mine begins! Hoping my break is filled with as many positive connections as your break! So glad you're back!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle, wishing you rejuvenating and relaxing week!

      Delete
  2. Good to know that all is fine with you. You had so many meaningful meetings this week. A rich spring break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This has been a really good break with lots of sunshine!

      Delete
  3. It is amazing how much wonder and joy you can find in a week if you stop to look! PS used to live in Washington and LOVE the cherry blossom festival It is the most magical of moments nestled among the great political poles of government.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One day I wish I could actually be in DC during the cherry blossoms!

      Delete
  4. I value the connections made online, through social media and blogging, but I love the personal face to face moments with people. Have a great week! -Earl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. face-to-face connections have made my break a very rich one!

      Delete
  5. A good week to be face to face with so many in your life. Spring break renews the soul.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jaana, Thank you for this inspiration. I have vacation in one week and am not going anywhere. I will take a page from your book and fill my week with face-to-face encounters with friends. Happy Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer, wishing you many wonderful face-to-face encounters during your week off!

      Delete
  7. I love hearing about all your connections, Jaana. They sound good, for you and for those you are with. Have a good rest of the weekend, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, I am enjoying warm weather and sunshine!

      Delete
  8. "Maintaining your faith network" - what a great phrase. Connecting with friends and new people is a wonderful way to celebrate life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really did celebrate life this week! I feel that I am ready to go back on Monday!

      Delete
  9. It is all about connections, isn't it? Hope you return to school rejuvenated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I am ready! Tweaking my lesson plans for this week and few more papers to grade.

      Delete
  10. It sounds like you had a wonderful week full of new connections. I hope it was restful as well and that you go back to school ready to finish the year strong.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Andrea! I believe that I am ready to head back on Monday!

      Delete
  11. It is wonderful to have you in this virtual world, but it is so important to tend to in you "local connections." So glad you had a rejuvenating week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Julieanne! I think going to the gym helped the rejuvenation process as well!

      Delete
  12. So glad you were able to connect with friends this week. I dashed home from the airport to my book club because I wanted to spend time with these friends even though I hadn't read the book. Love the beauty of spring and I must get off the computer and enjoy today's sunshine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sisters are important, but so are friends! Glad you have both!

      Delete
  13. I think you said what many feel - connections of every kind are important and we need to foster all of them. Hope you have a great week back!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Please stop by again.