A rainy Friday here. Fall has definitely come to our part of the world. The folks who seem to know tell us we won’t be seeing a lot of color, with leaves just turning brown before they fall…oh well. I will capture what I can and share with you.
Here are my Friday Faves:
1) Nicest Place in America – On one of the morning TV shows this week, the winner of a national contest was announced. It was Reader’s Digest Nicest Place in America. Now, if we were asked what we considered “the nicest place in America”, there would probably be a myriad of answers. This year’s winner of the contest was Yassin’s Falafel House in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Square
Tennessee Falafel Shop Named Readers Digest Nicest Place – Good Morning America
Yassin is a Syrian refugee who loves people and loves America. He also has both the gift of Syrian hospitality and Syrian food sense. Next time, I’m in Knoxville, I will be eating there for sure.
Photo Credit: Yassin’s Falafel House
This year Richmond, Virginia had its first Egyptian Food Festival. I would love to see a falafel restaurant in Richmond. So…if we don’t have Syrians like Yassin in Richmond, maybe we have some Egyptians with the same knack for good business. I sure hope so.
[What would you say is the nicest place in America? Comment below.]
2) Combating Anxiety – It’s such a crippling experience…anxiety. I’ve written about it before – here and here. Counsel helps – from professionals and as well as those who have figured how to pull themselves out of crippling anxiety. Here is a piece I found helpful.
What have you found to be helpful when anxiety creeps in?
3) Accountability Partners – Accountability can be uncomfortable…too much push. However when you find yourself in accountability partnerships where everyone wants the same thing and are all figuring it out together…that’s the best.
I recently met two women who without their knowing have become strong influences in my life…accountability partners in a way because they inspire me to move out of my comfort zone on to meaningful action.
Shelby Brown with Mission From the Heart and Wendy McCaig with Embrace Richmond, author of From the Sanctuary to the Streets, are those two women. I am thankful for their lives and their example.
Two friends have also become accountability partners. Together, we did a 6-week course on justice. Arise – a Study on God’s Heart for Justice. Now we’re done, but not really. In a month, we will gather again to see how it is going in applying our new knowledge and greater awareness to some real life situations. Accountability in its most fundamental application is the “ability” to “account” for…filling in the blank for whatever is at stake. I’m grateful for the partnership we have because it takes the passion already present and turns up the heat to move passion to action. 
What God does in guiding us to opportunities to “do justice” is something I strongly anticipate…for myself and all of us.
5 Steps to an Effective Accountability Partnership, and 2 Things to Never Do – Marissa Levin
4) Christmas Shopping – It’s still weeks away from Christmas, but some of you are already out there checking off your lists. You are my heroes. As I’ve gotten older and with the changes in our culture, Christmas shopping has become tricky. We all want to give those we love something special for Christmas, but it isn’t easy. Now with our more minimalist younger generation, challenges abound. Fortunately, we are getting help through online lists (like the ones below). Many families want experiences for their children more than toys. We have gone the route of a small toy and then money toward college. These lists help guide conversations and then buying. What would you add?
Photo Credit: Lena @WhatMommyDoes
50 Non-Toy Gifts For Every Age – Becky Mansfield
5) Heart-thrilling Music– Our whole family are music enthusiasts. With a son who is a professional classical guitarist, we are beyond blessed with rich beautiful music on a regular basis. I love choral music as well, and although I’ve tried to get Nathan to sing on some of his pieces, it hasn’t happened…yet.
Below you will find two very different choral artists who have given us heart-thrilling performances.
Pink (with her tiny daughter) and Ken Medema.
Enjoy!
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Have a sweet weekend. Be gentle to those around you…and to yourself. Good memories are to be made…right in front of you.
Bonuses:
Pastor John Piper’s Favorite Bible Verse – 
Photo Credit: ScriptureMe
Have you ever been curious what @JohnPiper's favorite verse in the Bible is? Hear him explain it in this clip from @LifeWayLead's Pipeline Leadership Conference: https://t.co/XJoXvhNFDL pic.twitter.com/nj6cQBeE7p
— LifeWay (@LifeWay) October 23, 2018
Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? A Memoir – Roz Chast (a hilarious and poignant book with incredible illustrations on the subject of aging)
Love Chast’s illustration below – one of many from her book (my kids all the time tell me, “Mom, don’t run!”)
30-Day Declutter Challenge – Becky Mansfield
Photo Credit: Facebook, The Light FM
Artist: Jan Priddy
