Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others. When they do these things, they will save a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future. That way they can take hold of what is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:18-19

Happy Friday, friends! Yes, I know this is another difficult week in the history of the world (please read Ukraine, feeling helpless in the face of something huge...), but we still need smiles, and thankfulness, and light, and reminders of grace.

Photo Friday aims to do just that.

Rebekah:

I will start with Rebekah. She’s been making me smile since our first date in February of 1977; and very much since returning from her Bahrain adventures. It has been great to have her back home this week, and especially wonderful to hear her practice the ukulele. She has taken over what used to be the dining room as her study. It’s where she works, writes, takes music lessons, and practices.

I enjoy the sound of the uke while I am working upstairs, or in the kitchen cooking. My favorites at the moment are “Rainbow Connection,” “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” and “Fields of Gold.”

Miami Grands:

Rebekah and I are so proud of David and Beks, and of course Geoffrey always makes me smile. David (4th grade) and Beks (3rd) both earned honor role certificates this week. They kept their learning up to speed during the pandemic, and their excellent performance at school this fall shows it.

Both children are kind to their peers, respectful of their teachers, and generally helpful at school.

Meanwhile Geoffrey (15-months) is becoming our little “friend of all the animals.” He loves the cat and dog at home, and he thinks visiting his friends at the zoo is the best.

Cook Cooking:

Finally, a couple of foodie shots. The photos are not the best (I need to work on “presentation”) but both dishes represent a lot of work following a couple of new recipes.

The chicken is served on a bed of kale and apples – surprisingly delicious, the beef is accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes made with crème fraîche, the broccoli preparation involved things like browning and lemon zest, and it all came off very nicely.

I am yet not ready to do a lot of high-level cooking again, but I sure did enjoy it.

No matter what is going on – either internationally or with the elderly people next door – creativity and excellence and gratitude are always good for the soul.

Enjoy the images, and be inspired to live what Jesus describes as, “more and better life than (you) ever dreamed of” (John 10:10)!

Grace and Peace – DEREK