Category: Finding Grace Weekly Recap

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Travel

Finding Grace #442

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!

Free Plant Leaves photo and picture

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

This was an exciting week! It was a little busy at first, but good overall!

Lydia had her first day of seventh grade on Wednesday. She has some interesting classes and already likes her teachers. She is going to have a great year!

Yesterday, I took my car in to have something checked with the oil. I knew it was not leaking, but I had a question about it possibly burning oil. I ended up just talking with them, and we decided I should keep an eye on it and add oil when needed. It is likely related to the age of my car (11 years!), and replacing the engine would cost around six thousand dollars! I am grateful they were honest and upfront. I really appreciate that they don’t try to upsell their cars or services. I hope to keep this car for a few more years!

Today, I took Lydia and a friend to Detroit Lakes, MN, about an hour away from Fargo. We went searching for some giant trolls, created by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo! We hiked all over and found them all and even an evil golden rabbit (part of the storyline). We also enjoyed some ‘famous local pizza and ice cream! I am so glad we went!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #441

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. I enjoyed my birthday on Monday, and we returned home from Medora. Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

On Monday, I went to the chiropractor again. My hip is still bothering me, but I don’t think it is a new injury; rather, I think it’s just from daily life building up over time. I found an online deep stretching program I will try in addition to the other things I do. After only three days, I still have pain, but I am noticing a difference in mobility!

At work, I had a full schedule but also fit in six additional patients! It will take some time to catch up with charting, but that’s okay. Two fun things happened, though. We celebrated my birthday with chocolate cake on Tuesday. Also, a coworker and I went for a walk when it started to pour, so we had to jog back to the office. We were drenched but laughing. A fun memory for sure!

On Wednesday, I was involved with a very minor fender bender with a state vehicle! I was behind the car at a stop light and rolled into it when my foot accidentally came off my brake. It could have been because I was sitting funny related to my hip. My back was a little sore, but my car is totally fine. I called the police to file a report, and I got a simple warning for “following too close.”  It was definitely my fault, and I am grateful there were no major issues with the other driver. He was very understanding!

Yesterday after work, I met a widow friend for lunch at a newer little French bistro in town. We had fancy coffee and a delicious meal, along with great conversation. I took home a couple of giant croissants to share with Lydia. 😀 Then, in the evening, we met some old friends, Owen and Krystal, who were in town visiting. They now live in Colorado with their four kids, but they were a huge part of our support system when Dave was sick (as mentioned in my book). It was fun to see them!

Today, I was on-call for work. I had to go in for two patients, but they were fairly easy. Later, I spent time with Lydia, roasted some veggies, took a nap, and made phone calls.

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #440

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!

Free Sunrise Grass photo and picture

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

This week was busy because we were trying to get a lot done before heading out on a birthday adventure. We had to get a few chores done early, pack, etc., in order to be gone for a few days. It was all worth it, of course!

Work was full, and I had a lot of paperwork. It all turned out well, but I added a few patients to my already full schedule. The fun part was that we celebrated a coworker’s upcoming wedding and met and another coworker’s two-month-old baby!

On Monday, I went to the chiropractor, and I am so glad I did. My back needed adjusting, but my hip was even worse. It has been locked up for a couple of months! It was sore afterward for a few days, but hopefully, it is on the mend now. Otherwise, I will have to check in for another adjustment next week.

This week, I saw a lot of cool birds! First, I saw a young red-tailed hawk on my deck! I was so surprised I didn’t get a picture, even when it came back and peered in my window! On a different day, I saw a bald eagle flying over the highway on my way to work. I also saw two (and later four) cute pigeons on the windowsill at work. Certainly not as exciting as a hawk and eagle, but they still made me smile! 🙂

Yesterday, after work, Lydia and I drove out west to Dickinson, ND. We drove on the Enchanted Highway and saw several gigantic scrap metal sculptures! We also saw many birds we don’t see often in Fargo since there are more people!

Today, we are visiting Medora, a little further down the road. I haven’t been since I was pregnant with Lydia! We will drive through Teddy Roosevelt National Park and see the Medora Musical tonight. The rest will be an adventure, but it will be fun to see what God has in store for us!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #439

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!

Free Flowers Gardening photo and picture

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

This was a good, straightforward week, and I was able to soak up God’s grace!

Work went well, and I managed to take several walks during my lunch break. The weather was hot, but I am glad to be able to enjoy summer rather than just stay inside at my desk all day. It really is a good reset for me, which translates into how I care for my patients. I am calm and focused as I listen to them and help them develop creative solutions. Win-win!

On Wednesday, there was a little afternoon storm. The rain brought cooler weather and I was able to mow the lawn after work. This felt like a personal gift because it was getting long, and God knew I needed to get it done. I finished a few minutes before another little bout of rain! Thanks, Lord!

On Friday, I took Lydia and a friend along to do some shopping. We went to the mall and a couple other stores. I let them walk around together while I did my own thing. We checked in from time to time, but it is really fun watching them make decisions and grow together!

Today, Lydia and I spent time doing chores, laundry, and cleaning. It felt good to get things done, and I plan to relax tonight!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #438

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!

Free Us Navy Military photo and picture

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

This week was pretty exciting!

Work was busy but good. I had some complex patients and appreciated working with other providers to serve them. Eating or not eating affects everything, and I felt I made a difference this week!

On Monday evening, I decided to mow my lawn. I knew it would be hot later in the week, and it needed to be done. However, I was surprised when the ‘Frecce Tricolori,’ the Italian Air Force Aerobatic Team flew over my house (twice)! I later learned they stopped in Fargo to refuel on their way to the Oshkosh, WI, air show. It was fun to see the green, white, and red colors of their flag trailing behind!

Also, this week, the US Navy Blue Angels are in town for the Fargo Airsho today and tomorrow. The airport is off the same road as the VA, so for a couple of days, I saw them practicing as I went out for my lunch break. I probably stood in awe more than I walked! I have already seen them flying over my house today but we may join some friends tomorrow to watch as well. (Note: The picture above is a stock photo, not mine!)

Ironically, the VA also hosted a brass quintet from the US Navy! I followed some sailors outside as I headed out for another lunchtime walk. On my way back, I paused to watch and listen to them play!

Yesterday afternoon, I took Lydia to the music store for a quick check-in before school starts next month. It turns out she has outgrown her 6th-grade viola and came home with a gorgeous new rental! It was perfect timing for the upgrade, and we already love the sound!

After that, we went back-to-school shopping. I bought Lydia some new shoes and a few notebooks, highlighters, and pencils. She can reuse much of what she had last year since she no longer needs “little kid” things like scissors and glue!

Then, last night, Lydia had a friend sleep over. They played games, painted their nails, walked to the gas station to get snacks and slurpies, listened to music, watched a movie, and stayed up late. I was mostly in the background, but it was fun to hear them giggling so much.

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #437

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!

Free Flora Leaf photo and picture

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

This was a good week!

Work has been perfect lately. I’ve had plenty to do with adequate time to do it! That’s a great feeling. I am enjoying what I do and also have the mental space to be creative and work on projects without rushing.

On Wednesday, I ran some errands after work because Lydia opted to stay home from youth group. It was sweet because although she wasn’t feeling great, she encouraged me to go to a store with summer hours. I had been twice already, and it was thoughtful of her to let me know I didn’t have to rush home before church.

Last night, Lydia hung out with a friend for the evening. I stayed home and did a little cooking. I also watched a couple of shows on Netflix. One was about Simone Biles, and the other was about Reading Rainbow, the show with LeVar Burton. Both were inspiring, and I would recommend them!

Today, I woke up early, so I walked through the neighborhood to get in some steps and enjoy the quiet morning. Then, I met a friend for coffee before having lunch with Lydia. We might hang out with some other friends tonight.

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #436

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!

Free Flower Plant photo and picture

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

This week was a really peaceful week!

Lydia was at church camp Monday through Friday, so my evenings were relatively free and quiet. I did most of my usual things, such as mowing, writing, and running errands. I got my haircut and walked with a lady from church.

This week, I gathered mail, mowed, and watered plants for our neighbor. I covered for Lydia while she was gone and noticed lots of bunnies! The neighbor’s hollyhocks remind me of my grandpa who used to grow them. It was a good way to spend time outside!

On Friday, I didn’t have any patients scheduled, so I asked to take the day off. I rarely do that, so it was a gift to myself. I slept in and did some chores at a nice, slow pace. Later, I did a little painting and reading before picking up Lydia.

Today, we are spending time with my mother-in-law, who came to visit for the weekend. We went out to eat, shopped a bit, and also attended “exotic animal races” at the horse park. We’ve never been, but we wanted to see camels, ostriches, and zebras racing. It was hilarious, and we even won ten dollars on a horse race after someone gave us their tickets because they decided to leave early due to the ~90+ degree heat. Overall, we had a lot of fun!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #435

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!

Free Flower Dahlia photo and picture

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

This week was pretty calm, but that is a good thing! Practically each day had a “chance” of rain. Even if it was only for a few minutes. So, it was warm, but cool at times, with both the sun and beautiful clouds.

Work had a good ebb and flow. It was busy, but I had some downtime to get caught up. It was really nice to have less stress! Plus, I was able to take a walk most days. Perhaps that’s my ideal work week!

On Thursday, Lydia and I had a quiet Independence Day. We pretty much relaxed. I enjoyed coffee on my deck and did some reading, cooking, and exercising. Lydia joined me a bit and also packed for camp next week. We were grateful to have the freedom to do all that in peace.

Today, we did a few chores, and tonight, Lydia and I are going to a friend’s house for dinner. They are hosting us and a couple of other families from church. I’m bringing a tossed salad with blueberries, mandarin oranges, honey-roasted sliced almonds, and a homemade vinaigrette. So, I am looking forward to good food and fellowship!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #434

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!

Free House Sparrow Bird photo and picture

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

This week was fairly simple and felt just right. As we often do, we enjoyed seeing family on Zoom. We always have a good time!

Work went well and was manageable. I had easier patients and a little more open time to catch up. Later in the week, I had some walk-ins and random issues pop up, but thankfully, I actually had the time to fit them in without any stress. I love that. 

On Thursday, I left work early to meet a widow friend for an impromptu chat. We met at Nichole’s Fine Pastry for coffee and dessert. We stayed for a couple of hours catching up and encouraging each other! I was grateful not to be so busy at work so I could go. I’m sure that was part of God’s plan, and my manager was also very understanding.

Lydia also hung out with various friends this week and went to two friends’ houses. As Lydia is an only child, I appreciate she can keep up her connections with some really sweet girls. This means a lot to Lydia, too.

This week, we enjoyed the slower pace by reading books, listening to music, and bird-watching. This was helpful since I still have been coughing all month! Thankfully, my doctor prescribed a short-course steroid to calm down my lungs. I am already starting to feel better… praise God!

Yesterday, Lydia and I also got to do a little shopping together. This was after we mowed the lawn and worked on a painting project—we earned it! We walked around a furniture store for fun, tried on some clothes, perused lotions and soaps, and even went to Scheels!

Today, I woke up early and had some quiet time to myself. I listened to some Bible lessons and cooked! I made crunchy chickpeas, bean burgers, jacket potatoes (baked like they do in Britain), and some tofu. I was excited that everything turned out so well! Later, Lydia and I tried making some homemade jello using fruit juice and agar-agar. Fingers crossed on that one!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #433

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 week was really good, and I felt God directing my steps. On Sunday, Lydia helped my friend who was sick. I am so glad we were available to take care of her and her kids!

On Monday, Lydia and I had dentist appointments. We both had a good report! Then, I went to work. Because of logistics in drive time and appointments that were an hour apart, I only worked for a few hours. It was a nice change, and I still had a productive day!

Wednesday was Juneteenth, now a federal holiday. My coworker invited the rest of us to her lake house, a little over an hour away. I drove with Lydia and three other ladies for a fun day! Three other coworkers and a couple of their teens also came. We ate good food, took a pontoon ride, relaxed in the hot tub, and just caught up on life. We all agreed we don’t know many other people who WANT to spend time with coworkers on their day off! Such a blessing!

On Friday, I walked with Lydia down the street to our neighbor’s house to see what Lydia needs to know in order to help watch the house while they are gone in July. She will water the plants, mow, and check the mail. I’ll go with her each time in case she needs help, but Lydia is excited to make a little money!

After that, Lydia and I went to the downtown library to return books and check out some more. Then, we window-shopped and went out to eat at an Italian restaurant. We enjoyed our food and had tiramisu for dessert! We took home lots of leftovers! Afterward, we took a little walk and noticed some beautiful roses and other flowers in the Catholic parish next door. 

Today, Lydia and I made some cinnamon rolls with self-rising flour and Greek yogurt—they did not rise as much (a little dense) but were really easy. I also made a veggie pot pie with sweet potato in the crust! I will definitely make both again! Otherwise, I made some calls, did some laundry, read a book, and mowed the lawn. Maybe we’ll watch a movie tonight!

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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)!