Month: June 2018

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #121

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

Overall, this was a relaxing week! On Sunday, a new friend and her husband came to church. I invited them after meeting her at swimming lessons last week. They enjoyed the services and hope to return tomorrow. She said how friendly and warm everyone was. Later, I discovered she is a writer and we have many things in common!

Speaking of swimming lessons, Lydia passed! I’m so thankful she did because she worked really hard. I’m proud to see her confidence grow and am glad she can move on to the next level soon. I’m sure God feels the same about each of us when we achieve our goals!

One evening this week, our neighbor boys came to hang out while their parents had other plans. Then, when their mom came, she and I chatted and let the kids play. I threw together some food and we had a good time! Then, we went to hang out with their family on another night! I’m grateful for those low-key moments because we can just go with the flow and experience God’s goodness as it comes!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Book Review: And Still She Laughs

I recently finished a book called, And Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering, by Kate Merrick. This book took me by surprise. (No affiliate links!) It is somewhat like a memoir in that the author explains some details of her story. Her 8 year old daughter died of cancer and she shares glimpses into that ordeal.

Even though this tragedy happened years before, the book was more ‘raw’ than I expected. Still, I enjoyed it! While anyone could benefit from this book, I’d highly recommend the book for someone in the early years of grief and loss.

I really appreciated how the author compared her story to three ladies in the Bible. Ms. Merrick and King David’s mistress, Bathsheba, both lost a child under very different circumstances. Yet, God used the ups and downs, shame and embarrassment of Bathsheba’s story to comfort the author. Ms. Merrick wrote how Bathsheba walked with her through this chapter of her life.

Next, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, longed for a child so much that she took matters into her own hands. This created so… many… other… problems. I have read this story in Genesis 18:9-15 countless times—but somehow I must’ve misinterpreted Sarah’s laugh. I always thought she laughed because she was nervous… Nope!

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said.

10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Perhaps the biggest revelation to me in this entire book was that Sarah laughed out of bitterness. I imagine an eye roll with attitude, like, “Ha! Yeah right! I’ll believe that when it happens…” After years of waiting, she had let herself grow bitter with disappointment and unfulfilled dreams. Not only was I surprised by this, I was somewhat convicted too.

Because I realized… sometimes I act similarly. Whenever God shows me something good He wants to give me, but then makes me wait it out, I tend to doubt His goodness and plan. If I’m not careful, I can let that grow into bitterness and reject all the good God wants to do in me, for me, with me, and through me.

God is so gracious to heal and forgive! Sarah trusted God and then named her promised son, Isaac, which means laughter. What joy she must have felt after all those years! After this chapter, I decided to keep an open mind and not automatically laugh away things I don’t understand.

The last Biblical heroine to be discussed was Mary, the mother of Jesus. Again, this was rather enlightening because often, I read her story focused on the action surrounding Jesus…not on how she must’ve felt about all that happened.

It is interesting to compare and contrast these three ladies in Jesus’ genealogy. Where Bathsheba was comforting, and Sarah was convicting, Mary was challenging. Mary just had so much faith in what Jesus could/can do! Despite watching her beloved Son suffer and die on the Cross, she found joy in God’s promises to her.

The books ties up with a glimpse at the Proverbs 31 woman. Proverbs 31:25 says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Regardless of our circumstances, we can choose joy—and even laugh—because of all Jesus has done (and continues to do) for us.

It’s safe to say, I gleaned more from this book than I thought I would.

There is freedom knowing Jesus carries us. We don’t have to solve all our problems; we just have to come to Him. We can laugh (or cry) in His presence and He will heal our hearts.

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God, thanks for the healing You bring. You are so good! Thanks for giving us joy and the ability to laugh despite our circumstances. May we stay in Your presence and soak up Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you read any good books lately? Do you have a recommendation for me?!

Tasks: If you are grieving or know someone who is, consider this book. <3

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #120

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This was another awesome week filled with God’s grace! On Sunday, Lydia and I went kayaking. It had been on my list of things for her to try forever, and we finally accomplished it! I was really proud of myself and Lydia!

I followed up with my work supervisor about our meeting last week and we discussed adjusting my schedule slightly. I had some time to consider what was important to me and we made some win-win decisions. I can help them more, but it still works well for me. I’m grateful for the way God provides for me and Lydia! He is sooo good!

I always love when God directs my steps, and this week was no different. Lydia started two weeks of swimming lessons in the late afternoon. Sometimes, I strike up a conversation if I am sitting next to someone eager to chat. This week, I met a lady watching her granddaughter. Ten years ago, she lost her oldest daughter after dealing with a blood clot (32 years old). We connected and I ended up inviting her to church tomorrow. She is planning to bring her family too!

This week, Lydia and I visited several friends to catch up. Sometimes we just walked and talked, and other times we let the kids play and ate ice cream (or s’mores over a campfire!). We had wonderful weather, and enjoyed some heat, but almost no humidity or wind. Today, in particular, we met with another family and drove to Maplewood State Park for a picnic, hiking, and geocaching. It was a great week with friends!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance

Keep On Kayaking

On Sunday afternoon, Lydia and I celebrated a fun accomplishment! We went kayaking! For me, it was a dream come true…something I have wanted to do with Lydia for quite some time.

Kayaking was a personal victory on several fronts. First, I simply managed to do it! Paddling on a river is one of my favorite things to do—I love the challenge and find it relaxing. Yet, I haven’t gone out in years.

It can be difficult to try new things or go to new places on my own, let alone with a child! Sometimes, I don’t give myself enough credit… In fact, I had previously talked myself out of canoeing or kayaking this month because it seemed overwhelming to coordinate our schedule with the rental facility hours, weather, the water conditions, etc.

Second, I wasn’t sure Lydia would be able to paddle much, and I didn’t know if I could handle everything on my own. Between paddling and safety, there’s a lot to consider! Besides, even if she could paddle, I thought for sure, she’d want to quit after two minutes…and/or start complaining.

Earlier in the week, I decided to scout out the area beforehand so we knew where to go. It was easy to find and there were several vessels available…check. I picked up a ton of brochures to read…check. Lydia seemed to enjoy it…check.

On Sunday, the forecasted rain looked like it might miss us. Then, I showed Lydia a couple YouTube videos on paddling so she knew the basics. (It was better than nothing, haha!!) And, with a leap of faith, we headed over to Moorhead, MN.

I had very low expectations and mostly just wanted to get Lydia some experience. At the dock, I decided to ask a few questions and let the workers give me feedback on if it was a good idea. If they advised against it, I told Lydia we’d go geocaching along the shore instead.

After explaining my concerns, the workers assured me that we could do it! The water was high and the current was fast due to recent rainfall, so they suggested a kayak instead of a canoe because it is lower to the water level. It would be more manageable in the fast water.

So, we put on our life jackets and got a quick lesson in paddling. Then, I helped carry the tandem kayak to the dock and we were off! We paddled up stream and then, later, coasted back. There were other families and individuals doing the same.

I’m happy to report, Lydia totally proved me wrong! She did so well, and went far beyond my expectations. She never complained, she paddled like a machine, AND she asked if we could go again soon. 🙂

We made it under two bridges and I bet next time we can go to the third! We both had a lot of fun and were proud of ourselves. It was very fulfilling. Win-win!

I’m glad I didn’t let fear stop me from taking Lydia on the water by myself. I now feel confident that we can have many more adventures together! We will definitely keep on kayaking… Thank You, Jesus!

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God, thanks for giving me courage and for protecting me! You fill my life with good things. Please direct my path and help me keep moving forward in faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is on your summer bucket list? Is anything holding you back from accomplishing those adventures?

Tasks: Don’t let fear dictate your steps—choose to move forward in faith! Quite likely, you’ll find some blessings and surprises along the way!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Wisdom

Finding Grace #119

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This was a busy but exciting week! Each day was packed with a variety of activities. Lydia enjoyed four mornings of Vacation Bible School (VBS) and during that time, I juggled work and appointments. A coworker was able to pick Lydia up for me one day while I finished my patient charting. I really appreciated her help, which eased my stress. Overall, it was a really fun week as God directed our steps!

I had a meeting with my work supervisor this week about some upcoming changes. The changes are minor and will be good overall, but I will have to adjust (again). Later in the week, I received well-timed encouragement from another dietitian I ran into at VBS! She was the first RD I met in Fargo (years ago), and she reminded me that it is good to stay strong in my skills (or stretch them). Then, I am always ready to do whatever God needs me to do. With that shift in perspective, I’m choosing to have a good attitude about the changes at work! I know God has good things in store for me! 🙂

Our afternoons were also full of fun. We visited a couple local parks and enjoyed beautiful weather. One afternoon, we reunited a dog with its owner. Another day, we joined some friends for a geocaching expedition! Still another day, we went to the public library and then met a friend (and her two boys) for ice cream. We also hung out with our neighbors. It was a fun to see so many awesome people!

All of our evenings were well spent, too. We had a few meetings and opportunities, one of which was speaking with some ladies at Redemption Road. Even though their journeys are different than mine, we can all something from each other. I shared my story and encouraged them to trust God in the midst of their difficulties.

Thankfully, today has been fairly relaxed. We woke up to an awesome thunderstorm, making me extra glad I mowed last night! For breakfast, Lydia and I made pancakes. Then, we read some books and played games before doing some Saturday chores. Tonight, we might watch a movie to cap off another grace-filled week!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Being Gracious, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Procrastination, Wisdom

A Good Day for a Good Deed

This summer, I only have a couple main goals. First, get outside as much as possible. And second, introduce Lydia to as many of my favorite outdoor activities as possible. Pretty simple, but not necessarily easy…

Regarding my first goal… Often, on gorgeous days, I feel “stuck” indoors trying to complete my to-do list. I know that sounds lame, but I rarely feel caught up around the house. Still, I have realized that my chores, bills, and laundry will get done eventually. But certain opportunities—like perfect weather in Fargo—are sometimes few and far between!

I don’t want to miss a chance to connect with Lydia, other people, nature, or God’s abundant grace. I want to make the most of the time I have been given.

For my second goal… So far, we have gone birding and on a few bike rides. I’d also like to take Lydia canoeing locally to get her some experience. I’d also love to go on an extended road trip to hike or camp somewhere, but I might have to settle for some smaller day trips. I want to build up Lydia’s endurance but not make her hate the experiences…

This week, I’m extra proud of myself because yesterday, I had a lot of work inside…but I chose to ignore it until later so we could opt outside. Instead of procrastinating, I chose on purpose to postpone the work. As it happened, we accomplished both of my summer goals!

We went to Lindenwood Park near the Red River (bordering Minnesota). We started off on a new path looking for adventure. Lydia let me borrow a small backpack for my phone and keys, but she kept her emoji stickers so she could document ‘how she felt’ about the hike. Lydia wasn’t happy at first…she really just wanted to go to the playground!

On the hike (which was really more of a glorified walk), we saw a dog. Lydia thought it was a wolf because of its markings. 🙂 After several minutes of no one claiming the dog, I checked the tags and called the owner. Sure enough, the dog was lost!

On our way to meet the owner, we hopped on a (Park) golf cart with a man who was on the same mission. The ride was fun and the dog did surprisingly well at my feet. Lydia thought it was cool we could ignore the ‘wrong way’ signs and that all the cars had to slow down for us. It’s the little things, I guess…!

After we returned the dog, I ran into a coworker and her family. We chatted for a few minutes before I convinced Lydia to walk the half-mile or so to the playground. That quickly turned into a nature walk when she found several pinecones. We also took some selfies and slow-motion videos on the swings. Lydia decided her next emoji sticker would be a peace sign. 

It was an exciting afternoon, and I felt we were in the right place at the right time. As we were pulling up to our house, I ran into a neighbor who is a fireman. He previously agreed to help me replace the batteries in my fire alarms. The timing worked well yesterday, and I now have peace of mind. Also, I was grateful to knock that off my to-do list because the batteries were nearly 8 years old!

It’s funny how I often try to accomplish something on my own, but when I let go and follow God’s leading, it turns into a greater blessing! Yesterday, Lydia and I got to have fun together, experience nature, save a lost dog, take a joy ride, see some friends… And with God’s perfect timing, I still got my fire alarm batteries changed!

It was a good day for a good deed! We had quite the adventure and saw God’s grace in it all. I know if I had stayed inside, I would have missed so much!

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God, thanks for all You do for me! Thanks for guiding me and providing for me. Open my eyes so I can see You at work all around me—in big and small ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any special summer goals or plans? What are your favorite outdoor activities?

Tasks: When possible, opt outside. Let God direct your path and lead you on an adventure. Don’t worry, your indoor chores will still be there when you get back! 😉

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #118

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This was our first ‘real’ week of summer break. Overall, Lydia and I had fun and were able to relax a bit. The next few weeks are full of activities, so I spent this week trying to get ahead. I am thankful God reminded me to just take it day by day… then, I didn’t miss all the ways He wanted to help and bless me.

On Wednesday, a Caterpillar family invited us over for ice cream. It was fun to catch up for a couple hours because we haven’t really seen them in several months. They’ve been a huge help to us over the years, and I am thankful for all the friends that still check in with us from time to time. God is so good!

Mowing my yard hangs over my head each week, while I consider the timing of that vs. my schedule, Lydia, indoor chores, and the weather. On Wednesday evening, a friend offered to mow for me! It saved me a lot of time, because mowing usually takes me an hour, plus time preparing to mow, directing Lydia, cleaning up, etc. Having someone else mow for me freed me up to think about other things the rest of the week. On top of that, my friend also fixed a few small items around the house that were too complicated for me to do on my own. It was a big help and I was grateful!

This week, I converted my treadmill to a walking desk, something that has been on the backburner for a few years. My treadmill is over ten years old and squeaky. Some of the speed and incline buttons don’t always work, but technically, it still does the job…most of the time. Because of the cost, I likely won’t replace the treadmill until it truly dies. (Unless I find a good deal…fingers crossed!) I found a wooden panel in the garage and laid it across the handles to revamp my user experience. If I want to walk faster or run, I can just remove the extra piece. It’s been fun, and I wrote most of this piece while walking at about 2.8 mph! I had to slow down for edits, though. 😉

On Tuesday and Thursday, Lydia and I went to the “Little Red Reading Bus” which drives around town and stops at various schools and parks. It is a new venture with our local school district, to get kids reading every day. We went twice and Lydia picked out two books each time. I think we will make it a regular summer activity!

We also walked to another little free library, similar to ours, in the neighborhood. On the way back, we stopped at a park where Lydia played with two of her classmates from this past school year. I met the kids’ parents and learned about their lives. Both families immigrated to the United States and it was fun to hear about their cultures and experiences. We exchanged contact information and I hope to see them again!

 Where did you find God’s grace this week?

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Prayer, Travel, Wisdom

A Carefree Summer

School is out and summer is in full swing around here! Summer, for many of us, brings exciting changes. Lydia and I enjoy staying up later, swimming, and playing outside, among other activities. This season, I also hope to go camping, hiking, and take a trip or two.

For many people, summer also brings its own challenges. I have to balance my work hours with daycare needs, while others may have other issues.

Sometimes, it seems summer is just as busy as the rest of the year—or busier. It can be a little stressful as we try to cram in so many activities and plans…

While it’s always good to make plans, let’s not forget to check in with Jesus! Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). No matter how much fun we have in store, we will still be missing out if we leave Jesus behind.

God doesn’t just have good plans for us—they are the best! Sometimes, His plans can feel like a detour…yes. But ultimately, we can trust Him when He redirects our plans. He has something better for us!

For me, having a continual conversation with the Lord is the best way to bring Him into each activity I do. Just saying, “Okay, Jesus, now I am going to ….” is a start. Then, I ask if He has anything else in mind for me and ‘listen’ for any redirection.

I like these two versions of 1 Peter 5:7… “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (NLT) and “Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.” (MSG)

The best way to have a carefree summer is to cast your cares on Jesus!

Waiting for the Lord’s peace and input has saved me many times from all sorts of challenges. I have bypassed bad weather, traffic accidents, and more. That doesn’t mean everything will always go smoothly, but in those instances where something happens, I know God is with me!

This summer, whether you are traveling or staying home, be sure to check in with the Lord first. He loves you deeply and knows exactly what you’ll need! Trust Him!

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Heavenly Father, You are so kind and generous! Thanks for filling our lives with good things. God, You are the Master Planner—help us seek You first and then make wise plans accordingly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any exciting summer plans? How do you incorporate Jesus into your decision making?

Tasks: As you brainstorm options for your summer, pray through each possibility before booking anything. Then, stay connected to the Lord as you go about making plans.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #117

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This was a good week, that both felt long and rushed at the same time! We enjoyed a quiet Memorial Day weekend, which included painting two benches (see above) and mowing. Then, Lydia had three more days of school before summer break.

Thursday was Lydia’s last day of school. I tried to get as many errands done as possible before I have a little shadow for three months! Being together ‘all day’ will be a slight re-adjustment, but we are both looking forward to a freer schedule! (Of course, Lydia will also have to attend daycare while I work.)

We caught up with several neighbors this week and ate pizza with one family. Lydia and I chalked up the sidewalks to spread the word about our little free library. We also pulled weeds, laid mulch, and cleaned the garage. We were productive!

My mother-in-law came to visit this weekend, so we have been enjoying time with her! Lydia has been counting down the days for nearly a month. 🙂 So far, we went out to eat, celebrated her birthday, went shopping, saw a movie, and enjoyed cheesecake. We always enjoy having company and have other fun activities planned, too!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!