Waving farewell to another month, I rejoice in a glance back at my October Occasions joining Heather Gerwing as she hosts a monthly feature called, Share Four Somethings, where writers share the fourth Saturday of each month something in each of four categories from the previous month.
Many readers notice I choose a theme for each month, which often reflects lessons or themes from my personal life. This month’s theme is “occasions”, which looks to happenings both pleasant and challenging. My occasions this month involve learning to trust God’s goodness in both the pleasant and challenging.
Each month the four categories remain the same: something loved something gleaned, something braved (or saved), and something achieved.
The premise delights me; the new categories falling right in line with my one-word 2022 journey with Resilience! Looking back over the previous month through these four categories helps me linger with God’s goodness and ignites my gratitude.
something loved
My 64th birthday on October 4th kicks off my October Occasions with delightful time with my daughter and granddaughter and fun activities with my husband. My little granddaughter Grace made me a lovely autumn canvas which she painted with broccoli!!
We attended another fund raiser for Schreiber Pediatric in a neighboring town, which they hold every year, called The Chocolate Walk.
For a specified donation you enjoy walking through this quaint town and shops, while picking up complimentary chocolate offerings of every type imaginable!
Enjoying a long weekend away for the first time in 3 years, we visited a favorite from long ago in our early married days: New Hope, PA. Several quaint towns, antique shops, fabulous restaurants, a juried art show featuring local artists at an historic grist mill, and a little-known local theater mystery production provide a few highlights.
Of course, Halloween has not yet occurred, but my little granddaughter Grace enjoyed dressing up at Dutch Wonderland in her Goofy costume for fall fun. For the past two years she wanted a Goofy costume which was nowhere to be found, so she is super thrilled with this year’s costume!!
something gleaned
Stumbling upon a brief but powerful gem in “The Red Sea Rules: 10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times”, I found solid biblical advice on moving from fear to faith in trials. The book’s author, Robert J. Morgan is the teaching pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee.
Based solely on the story of the Israelite crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, Morgan shares ten practical principles gleaned from the story during his own difficult trial through which he saw no way out.
The tagline says it all, “The same God who led you in, will lead you out”, or remember God has not abandoned you.
Far from earth shattering, the ten “rules” offer nothing new to the seasoned pilgrim, but taken as a whole, they strengthen, encourage, and breathe hope into even the most hopeless situations, by equipping you to walk by faith not fear.
something braved
One of my more challenging October Occasions came in the form of a new laptop upgrade from work at the same time Epic, the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) underwent a major overhaul, changing all my systems which I use daily.
Epic is the largest EMR used nationwide by hospital systems and physician offices; its complexity as an EMR is formidable and facing another two eight-hour days of new training, was distasteful at best.
Neither the laptop transfer nor the new Epic implementation went smoothly, which created stress in the outpatient scheduling, chart documentation and a dozen other little functions I readily take for granted.
Even something as mundane as having to log into over a dozen websites with new credentials and two-factor authentication became wearisome after several endeavors at getting the laptop up and running.
Happily, the worst is now over, and except for stumbling through a few new processes, Epic and I are back on speaking terms.
something achieved
Rounding out my October Occasions: Share Four Somethings, is a category, dedicated to things achieved. For goal setting geeks, this category offers an opportunity to shine. But even if goal setting makes you squeamish, right here is the place for celebrating even baby steps towards getting things done.
Celebrating the occasion of completing my newest devotional, “The Grace of Gratitude: A 21 Day Journey Through Grace to Gratitude”. An e-book offering, the devotional is another in a long line of FREE resources I offer through my website.
Born out of my own struggle for deeper gratitude in my relationship with God, this transformational journey is designed to transform your perspective on gratitude through scripture, prayer, unique activities, and journaling.
Stay tuned for its debut on October 31st, just in time for November gratitude seekers, though appropriate for anytime of the year.
october occasions: share four somethings
Thank you for taking a leisurely walk back through my October Occasions with me! I am grateful to Heather for creating such a creative way to review the moments of our days which often slip by so quickly. Sharing Four Somethings is a way to savor one more time those things we loved, gleaned, braved, and achieved!
But you don’t have to be a writer or blogger to enjoy this practice. Why not take a few moments and think back over YOUR October Occasions and share four somethings with me in the comments! Meet me back here at the end of November for more joyful somethings!
My something loved was a leisurely drive with my husband to enjoy the beautiful leaves. I had missed being able to do that earlier due to illness so even though it wasn’t at the peak of color the leaves were still pretty and I felt refreshed.
Something gleaned would have to do with reading slowly each day a section in Gracelaced. It brought many reminders to me and I found such peace as I went through the pages and beautiful artwork.
My something braved would be going through COVID as both my husband and I took each day for what God had for us.
My something achieved would be seeing a progress on a project that I have procrastinated doing.
Dianna, these are beautiful reflections on your month! How I enjoy seeing the vibrant fall colors of the leaves, somehow it never grows old! Gracelaced has so much to glean, and the beauty of the artwork always delights me. Going through COVID definitely takes bravery and grace, I pray you will be feeling more like yourself soon! Good luck on your project, may you continue with the momentum you started!
Congratulations on your new devotional. It is fun and encouraging to reflect back over the month. My husband and I began leading couples retreats again something we have talked about for a while but found difficult while caring for my mom full time. We’re thankful for the time God gave us to spend with her and thankful for this new season.
Thank you, Donna for your kind encouragement! I do enjoy reflecting over the past month, it keeps me focusing on God’s goodness. How wonderful you and your husband are able to lead couples retreats again, may God richly bless your ministry!!
I’ve never thought of painting with a broccoli before! I’ll have to show my 7yr old – she’s always drawing and painting all sorts 🙂 Congrats on your new devotional and a happy belated birthday. The chocolate walk sounds fun.
Me neither Wemi, my daughter is all things art, and came up with the idea. All you do is put some tempera paint or acrylic paint on a paper plate and let them dip a broccoli floret and then dab it on paper-totally cool! Thank you for your kind wishes!
Your birthday card from Grace is so creative! I’m sure you treasure her so much.
Having to switch computer systems is never fun. 🙁 Hopefully the benefits of switching to that and to a new laptop will be worth it soon. I’m afraid I’ll need a new laptop within the next year and I’m already dreading it (although I know in the end, I will be glad I did it!). 🙂
Thank you, Lisa, Actually Grace painted a frameable canvas with the broccoli! I should have included a photo of the finished painting!! She is indeed a light in our lives.
UGH, technology is wonderful, but I hate the changing over, though, yes, now all is well and like it never was a problem!
Your October sounds lovely! So full of things to love and memories made! Happiest belated birthday wishes!! And congratulations on finishing another publication. I look forward to checking it out! Thank you for making them available to everyone – what a blessing! Here’s to another beautiful month ahead!
Thank you, Jennifer for your kind birthday wishes! My October was indeed a month full of God’s goodness. Praying my new resource blesses many!
A belated happy birthday, Donna. The Chocolate Walk sounds wonderful, and I’m glad you were able to push through all the computer and systems changes at work. I’m glad you were able to complete your devotional in time for November! Hugs, friend.
Thank you for your kind words, Lois! The Chocolate Walk was both unique and fun, a great diversion from the technology trials!! So love when you visit-hugs to you too, my sweet friend!
Happy (late) birthday! Looks like you are making some wonderful memories with your granddaughter! Congratulations on completing your devotional!
Thank you, Cindy! Memories with my granddaughter are true treasures!
Happy Birthday, Donna! October was a fun month for you! From the chocolate walk to your precious granddaughter in her goofy costume. “The same God who led you in, will lead you out.” Now that is a truth I want to remember! I always enjoy these monthly farewells.
Thank you for the birthday wishes, Joanne! It was a great month of blessings for me. And the quote you mention, is one that truly gives me peace!
Happy birthday. And how gorgeous is that goofy costume.It’s a very fun time of year! #ShareFourSomethings
Thank you, Lydia, for stopping by! Autumn is my favorite time of year! My little Grace simply loves her Goofy costume!
Happy birthday! I would totally sign up for The Chocolate Walk every year. 🙂
Megan, the Chocolate Walk boasts many return visitors! In fact, this was our first time, and we were shocked at how many “veterans” came with large containers to store all their chocolate goodies….LOL
Happy Birthday, Donna! I’m so glad you were able to do the chocolate walk and visit New Hope. Both trips sound wonderful! Technology can be so stressful! I’m so glad you are on “this side” of your transition. Congratulations on your new devotional, Donna! I’m looking forward to reading it.
Thank you for your kind birthday wishes, Lisa! The Chocolate Walk was fun, and we truly enjoyed returning to New Hope after almost 30 years. Thank you also for your kind wishes for my Gratitude Devotional-I am praying it will bless many!
Happy belated birthday Donna! 🎊🎉
What a busy month you’ve had, thank you for sharing this with us, I enjoyed traveling along with you! 😊
Blessings sweet friend, 💕
Jennifer
I’m glad you enjoyed your birthday celebrations. The chocolate walk sounds like fun, and I have never heard of painting with broccoli before! Well done on completing your devotional too!
Thank you, Lesley, my birthday celebrations were so much fun! I never heard of painting with broccoli either, but my daughter is so artsy and loves to paint herself, she came up with the idea and the end result was beautiful, plus Grace had so much fun doing it, she painted TWO pictures!
A chocolate walk sounds wonderful, Donna! Excited for your gratitude resource too. Blessings to you. P.S. Your birthday is one day ahead of mine!
Sarah, the Chocolate Walk is loads of fun, and such unique chocolate offerings! WOW! our birthdays are so close, so glad you were able to enjoy yours with family!!