Category: Food and Nutrition

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Journey of Grace, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #167

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 week I saw God’s grace all around me. On Sunday evening, Lydia and I were playing frisbee in the front yard when a lady from South Dakota stopped by my little free library! She was searching for the geocache inside and laughed when she found it. She was visiting family in Fargo and commented on the variety of books inside the LFL. It was gratifying to see her enjoy herself.

On Monday, I walked Lydia and a friend to the park in our neighborhood. It was a beautiful day to be outside! While we were there, we saw the family of one of Lydia’s classmates. I hadn’t seen them for a while, so it was really nice to catch up!

Wednesday was the 6th anniversary of Dave’s death. After work and school, we invited some neighbor friends to meet us for frozen yogurt. Afterward, they invited us to their house for dinner! It was a good day and I was grateful for all the loving support we received both near and far. Thank you!

This week, my tulips finally bloomed! I love the pink color. I also noticed the leaves on my trees finally popped out! Our grass is growing well, and I’ll have to mow it soon. 🙂

On Friday, Lydia stayed home from school because she was sick. It must’ve been a 24-hour GI bug. We enjoyed a quiet day of rest, though I washed several loads of laundry and did some deep cleaning related to her being sick. I’m glad she is feeling better now!

Recently, a friend who winters in Arizona gave me some fresh lemons when she returned home. These lemons were the biggest, juiciest ones I have ever seen! I also just happened to find a healthy recipe for lemon curd, so used the lemons for that. It is so tasty! (see pic)

Today, it was rainy, windy, and cold. We decided to go see the new movie, “Ugly Dolls,” currently in the theater. It was really cute, and I appreciated the message of accepting others who look or act differently than you. I’m grateful God makes us all unique!

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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, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #150

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 week flew by, but went well. Recently, I recorded a video about my story and grief for church. Lydia and I were there when the video was shown Monday evening. Now she thinks I’m famous (haha!). I love her current age and stage!

Tuesday and Wednesday were fairly normal. It’s been chilly all week, but it hasn’t snowed. I’m really glad I haven’t had to shovel or blow away snow lately!

This week, I caught up with people in four different states. On Thursday, I caught up with a dear friend, who moved away this summer. Then, on Friday, I talked with three other people!! I also invited a friend over for an impromtu dinner. It made me feel so good. What a blessing!

Today, Lydia and I hung out at home. Our neighbor boys came over to play for a few hours. We played, ate snacks, and watched the new Carmen Sandiego show on Netflix. I also made up a game called ‘Apple Zombie Tickle Monster’ which was a hit! Basically, it was me chasing and tickling all the kids much to their delight. 😉 Creativity for the win!

This evening, Lydia and I also caught up with my parents, and discussed tomorrow’s lunar eclipse (in addition to the super blood wolf moon)! We also ate leftover veggie enchilada bake and some cherry cobbler I made yesterday. A grand finale to an awesome week!

I’m grateful for how God always directs our path and blesses us. He is so good!

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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 Food and Nutrition, Miscellaneous, Worship

Taste and See: Carrots vs. Cheetos

This week, I worked with a dietetic intern to lead a diabetes support group that meets once a month. The topic was ‘how to eat healthy on a budget.’ As nutrition experts, we often hear that eating healthy is so expensive. I can understand that perspective, but often, there is more to the story.

As the intern and I reviewed our options for the class, I saw a handout I had made a few years ago when I had compared prices of foods in a local grocery store.

In almost every case, the fresh fruits or vegetables in-season were cheaper than junk food.

One comparison still makes me laugh. At the time, a (2.87 oz) small bag of Cheetos cost $1.49 while a (16 oz) small bag of baby carrots was on sale for 99 cents. Woohoo!

While I’m not ‘anti-Cheetos’ and do eat them on occasion, the similarities and differences between these two items are striking. Both Cheetos and baby carrots are around the same size. They are both orange and crunchy. But, they have vastly different nutritional properties and effects on the body.

The bright, shiny Cheetos bag certainly seems more glamorous than the simple baby carrots. On the surface, it is easy to see why the Cheetos are so enticing. They ‘promise’ a lot more fun! However, looks can be deceiving.

With Cheetos, you get a cheap thrill—and not much more. The fake neon powder eventually comes off after you lick your fingers (er, wash your hands)! The long-term cost is more than just financial. In excess, these bright orange puffs will take a toll on your health!

(PC: Frito Lay)

Carrots, on the other hand, bring far more to the table—even if you don’t find them on sale. Their nutritional value is worth any extra cost. They have real nutrients such as beta-carotene and other phytochemicals that protect the body.

It’s physically difficult (or impossible?) to overeat carrots. At any rate, they are low calorie, low fat, low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan… Regardless of your nutritional needs, carrots are usually a win!

It may seem like a sacrifice to eat wholesome foods. It can be difficult to see an immediate payoff, but the long-term benefits of health and disease prevention outweigh any short-term expense.

While Cheetos are mainly eaten out of the bag, carrots are versatile! To start, they can be eaten plain or with dip and cut in a variety of shapes. Overall, carrots can be found fresh, frozen, or canned and contain similar nutritional values.

Also, carrots can be added to muffins, casseroles, stir-fries, soups, smoothies, or salads. I enjoy them raw, roasted, mashed, steamed, and spiralized, too!

Spiritually, I see a few parallels to our daily life and relationship with God. And while our financial stewardship (aka. keeping a budget) is important to God, the currency of TIME is one we often overlook.

We can spend all of our time doing activities that seem good at the moment but don’t have lasting value. These may include watching television, reviewing social media, staying up late, etc. It may even include reading, cleaning the house, or paying bills.

Some of these things are not only good but necessary. Yet, they, too, have a place. If we neglect to spend time with the Lord, we will soon see the toll it takes.

If we don’t spend quality time with God, we can quickly lose our peace and joy. We may lose our sense of the Father’s love as well. And when that happens, the effect is compounded. If we don’t receive grace and love for ourselves, we surely won’t offer it to others!

With Jesus, we can look forward to good things every day. Even in the midst of trials, we know the best is yet to come. We may not perceive His many blessings, but they are always there. We just have to look for them!

The Lord is not limited to any budget, and He is not bound by time or space. The options are endless because nothing is impossible with Him! Hallelujah!

Following Jesus always costs us something. That will look differently for each of us, but may include offering up our money, our time, or even our attitude! All have immense value when brought with a sincere heart.

Still, each ‘offering’ is well spent and yields eternal rewards! Like choosing carrots over Cheetos, spending time with Jesus is always worth the sacrifice of our time.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for giving us the blessings of health and delicious food. You are so good to us. May we honor You with our choices and our resources. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your favorite fruits and vegetables? Do you eat the recommended 5+ servings/day?

Tasks: Listen to this song by Paul Baloche. Also, for some healthy cooking tips, check out one of my favorite websites: Fruits and Veggies More Matters

Posted on in Being Gracious, Food and Nutrition, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Smells, Spills, and Splatters

Yesterday, after school, Lydia and I went to get a few groceries. The store is a well-known company and I generally feel my money is well spent. However, I have noticed that their grocery bags have gotten super thin and flimsy.

When we got home, I unloaded the groceries while Lydia went to play with a friend. Right away, I noticed a leak with the first two bags I carried. I thought it was just condensation from the frozen vegetables. Nope. I put the bags on the kitchen rug and soon realized a glass jar of olives had broken!

So, I had to clean that up after putting the other items away. I also had to wash the rug, knowing if I didn’t it would stay smelly forever. Hmmmm….

Then, I went to the car to clean up more olive juice, before grabbing another round of grocery bags. But the second two bags also had holes in them—which I didn’t notice until a large bottle of balsamic vinegar fell out the bottom and crashed on the garage floor!

Yeah….. I stood there for a few seconds trying to figure out what to clean first. My new dress pants were splattered, my socks and shoes were drenched in vinegar and glass, and the dark puddle quickly expanded in two directions. Under the car and out the garage door.

I like the smell of balsamic vinegar, but a little goes a long way!

I quickly checked the remaining grocery bags and saw that every single bag had holes—some big and some small. Annoyed, I grabbed what I could before heading inside to change clothes.

Thankfully, the weather was the nicest it has been in months! It was in the 40s that day, so I put on a pair of shorts before rinsing my shoes, socks, and pants. (I didn’t want to ruin a pair of long pants!) I put my shoes by the bathroom sink to dry and the other items in the laundry.

Then, I spent the next 45 minutes trying to sweep up glass shards and pour buckets of water all over the garage floor. I used my broom to sweep the vinegar and water towards the drain. It was a real mess!

After I finally came inside, I put on warmer clothes and rinsed off another pair of shoes before making dinner and putting away the rest of the groceries. It was rather chaotic because Lydia also came inside ready to eat.

So, we threw together a few easy items—tacos made from leftover ingredients and veggies. I added some salsa to my tacos and later realized a little salsa had spilled on the counter before dripping onto the floor. Agggh!!

Finally, I cleaned up the dinner mess and washed a few dishes. That’s when I accidentally splashed soap suds onto the counter next to the sink. By this time, I was checking in with the Lord.

“Um, God, is there something you are trying to tell me?” 🙂

Then, I just had to smile because I realized each of these messes were mere inconveniences. They cost me a few dollars in grocery money and more than an hour out of my day. But, no real harm had been done.

Besides, my floors and garage needed some extra cleaning anyway. One area of the kitchen was still slightly sticky from when Lydia spilled her fruit cup (full of juice) the day before. And, the garage had a ton of little rocks and dirt from the crazy winter.

I was glad I turned to the Lord to check in with Him…even if it did take a few mini-disasters first. It was just a good moment to reconnect with Him. I was disappointed about the bags and mess, but I quickly saw my problems were of not big in light of eternity. There are much more important issues at stake, and smells, spills, and splatters were not worth losing my joy or peace.

Often, God uses minor problems to correct us or help us avoid major issues. The key is to connect with Him even before problems come!

Every day, Jesus covers us with His grace, guides us with His wisdom, and helps us navigate through life’s messes. Always ready to help, He cleans us up and sets things right.

From here on, I will be more diligent to use my reusable bags that are always in the back of my car. Lesson learned… It might take awhile for the stench of vinegar to leave my garage, but, I guess spring cleaning is off to a good start!

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God, thanks for keeping me calm today and turning my focus back to You. Thanks for covering me with Your grace. Help me turn to You quickly whether life is going smoothly or not. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How does God get your attention? Do you turn to Him quickly or wait for disaster?

Tasks: At the first sign of trouble, check in with Jesus. Ask for His help and guidance immediately!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Miscellaneous

Small Blessings, Big Results

Yesterday afternoon, I made some popcorn in the microwave for a quick snack. I enjoy popcorn because it is quick, easy, and fairly healthy. I don’t mind adding spices, but if it is fresh, I enjoy it plain too!

I added perhaps a quarter-cup of kernels to a little silicone container that folds down. I got this popcorn popper around Christmas, and it’s pretty awesome… (no affiliate links!).

I may have overloaded the container though… After a minute of popping, the top flew open and popcorn started pouring out and popping over the sides! 😀

By my estimate, that small amount of popcorn kernels made close to six cups of popcorn! A few pieces even fell out of the microwave when I opened the door.

I was going to make some popcorn separately for Lydia, but we ended up sharing the first batch instead. There was plenty for both of us!

It was so fun to watch, and as I did, I saw a picture of God’s abundant, over-the-top blessings in my life.

Just like popcorn, there is great potential contained in every blessing or gift. What joy it is to see the blessings unfold and grow! When I follow God’s directions and let Him lead, good things are going to happen!

God’s blessings sometimes pop up unexpectedly. Just like popcorn exploding in the microwave, God’s grace and love abound in our hearts. I love having little “God moments!”

Yesterday, I expectantly watched the popcorn, waiting for the final result. Similarly, God is also watching us to see what we will do with the blessings He’s given us.

As our God-given blessings multiply, I usually have more than enough to share. I could keep the lid on and contain my blessings—but most of them are meant to bless others. Let’s be generous!

Even something as little as popcorn can show us God’s love. It’s amazing to think that a small little kernel can represent so much blessing!

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Heavenly Father, You are so good. Thank You for all the blessings You’ve given me. Help me use them wisely to bless others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you like popcorn? What toppings do you prefer?

Task: Make a list of God’s blessings or gifts and how you can use them to bless others.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Finding Grace #79

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 in 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 a fun week with many unexpected blessings. On Sunday after church, Lydia and I had lunch with dear friend and her parents. I’ve known them for awhile, but haven’t seen them much lately. We shared fun stories and good food. It was a real treat!

Monday was Labor Day and pretty low-key at first. However, the evening perked up when a friend stopped by with banana bread. We shared some chocolate zucchini bread with her and enjoyed great conversation. When she left, another friend brought over a Papa Murphy’s pizza for dinner and books for my little free library. We also had a good time together! Seeing both friends (and eating yummy food) was just what I needed!

One day after school, Lydia and I Skyped with Dave’s sister and her family. It was great to see her, my brother-in-law, and all their kids. They live in Florida, and are keeping an eye on Hurricane Irma. They don’t live in the direct impact area, but anything is possible at this point. The trajectory could change at any time. They’ve made wise plans, and I am keeping them and the entire region in prayer. Lord, have mercy!!

The rest of the week was spent with work, school, writing, and cleaning. Not super glamourous, but important. I bought a new vacuum and enjoyed trying it out. It is cordless and lightweight which makes going up two flights of stairs much more manageable. My old one was broken in two places and always seemed to miss a lot of debris and dust. So, I am happy to finally get a machine that holds up to the hype!

Lydia and I received two yummy surprises in the mail this week. She got a package of cookies and other treats from another dear friend in Florida to celebrate the start of school. This sweet lady is also on my prayer list this week! Then, I received a box of garden fresh tomatoes from my uncle in Ohio. He’s the one who also helped install my little library during his visit last week. We both felt honored to receive such thoughtful gifts!

Earlier in the week, I did laundry and mowed the lawn… so today has been relaxing! We read some books, talked with my family in Illinois, and are having dinner with the neighbors tonight. God is good!

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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 Food and Nutrition, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Worship

Tacos: A Happy Update

I had an interesting realization yesterday while I was preparing dinner. I had invited my friend (and recent roommate) over for ‘Taco Tuesday.’ She is a good friend and we’ve enjoyed several meals together in the six months she stayed with us. Our favorite meal together has been tacos!

As I was making my black bean and corn salsa, it struck me that I am eating tacos again! I blogged about tacos previously (a year-and-a-half ago). Back then, it was a difficult meal for me. Dave loved tacos so much and always helped me in the kitchen. Tacos reminded me of him and made me sad. I had to make other foods (or variations) instead.

Well, yesterday, I realized that making tacos is no longer a problem! My friend and I happily (and unknowingly) created a new experience regarding tacos. With that, I felt a deep sense of God’s grace and goodness. He has healed another portion of my heart and brought me joy again! That’s a huge Victory!

I hadn’t even noticed the healing process these last few months. I’ve been focused on other things. But yesterday, I was reminded that when we trust the Lord, He always comes through. He is faithful.

I had no expectation that when I opened up my home to a friend in need that God would help me too. I simply wanted to be a blessing. Yet, God has blessed me too!

Occasionally, a wave of grief still comes my way. I’m sure that will always be the case, to some degree. But, I no longer avoid tacos or other things that cause me pain. I am able to face each challenge head-on, without too much difficulty. Thank You, Jesus!

Whether we’re dealing with emotional pain (like grief) or physical pain, we want healing to happen right away. We want to feel good again! But healing takes time and occurs step-by-step. It’s a process.

Indeed, it takes God’s special touch to bring complete healing. We may look okay on the outside and think we are good… But then something may surprise us (like making tacos) and we see a whole new layer of healing has occurred!

When we focus on the Lord, we naturally give our pain less attention. I’m not saying the pain doesn’t exist—but rather, Jesus is worthy of our devotion. He is magnified instead. Similarly, when we serve others, our problems seem less important.

Enough time has passed since the original ‘taco post’ that I haven’t even thought about tacos since then. Until yesterday, I didn’t remember that tacos were once a challenge.

Still, I am grateful that God had me making and eating tacos for several months before I became aware of the difference in my heart. Truly, all these months, it hasn’t been a struggle to eat tacos! 😉

Now tacos are associated with positive memories, like my dear friend and ‘Taco Tuesdays.’ And, I can see just how far I have come. It makes me love the Lord even more, because He has made me stronger. He’s brought me healing through helping someone else. Praise God!

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Heavenly Father, You are so faithful! Thanks for Your healing touch. Thanks for walking with us, step-by-step, through each challenge. May we trust You more and more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Can you see the Lord working in your circumstances to bring a good resolution? How can you trust Him at a deeper level?

Tasks: Meditate on Psalm 89:8 and Philippians 1:6. God is faithful!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #70

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 in 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 an exciting week! In addition to work and our normal activities, I met with two amazing couples from church. We had great conversations related to the class I facilitate as a volunteer. It’s always fun to learn how God made us and how we “fit” with everyone else!

A friend posted online seeking help for a swarm of honeybees. I suggested she call a local beekeeper to come get them. Thankfully, the swarm was captured and found a new happy home. It reminded me of my beekeeping years (and also the hard work involved in managing several hives!).

Tuesday was Independence Day. Lydia and I enjoyed a relaxing day and later celebrated our freedoms with neighbors, dinner, s’mores, a campfire, and fireworks. We watched a beautiful sunset, made even more awesome by a storm passing through. The lightning made a great backdrop for the fireworks!

Now that Lydia is good at riding her bike, I want to take rides together. I haven’t ridden much for quite awhile, years really, since before she was born. My old bike was not a good fit, and it needed lots of work to make it rideable. So instead, I bought myself a new bike! It is a lot more comfortable and fits me well. Already, we’ve enjoyed several miles together! We’re ready for some great adventures!

As a foodie and Registered Dietitian, I always look for new foods to try. Today I enjoyed a farmer’s market and a new food co-op! I walked downtown Fargo this afternoon and enjoyed the warm, sunny day. I didn’t buy much, but did sample a few things. I did get a couple items for Lydia. At home, we tried a coconut-date roll (not bad) and an apple cider drink (it was interesting…but probably won’t buy again). Anyway, I am glad we tried something new! I also helped Lydia make strawberry-infused water. 🙂

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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, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #69

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 in 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?

I saw God move in many ways this week. I’ve received a lot of encouragement and practical support over the years, and I know how much of a game-changer that can be. So, now I challenge myself to look ways to help others. Sometimes, that means just encouraging someone; other times, I’m able to help in a more tangible way. This week, I was able to do that with two different friends with different needs. I am excited to see what God is doing in them, with them, for them, and through them!

The Lord graciously provided friends to watch Lydia. I had a work meeting out of town and preferred not to send Lydia to daycare the entire day. Then, God lined up my schedule perfectly so it matched up with my friend’s availability. On another day, a different friend watched Lydia early in the morning before daycare opened so I could maximize my time to meet an deadline. That day, Lydia was able to sleep in and I was able to reach my goal.

I love sticky notes. I generally have a million of them around the house. I’ve tried to go electronic, but still prefer old-school pen and paper. I recently decided to actually use my planner as a list-keeper instead of just a time-manager. (Great idea, I know!) Wouldn’t you know, I have felt less stress lately because I can write a task or project one time instead of over and over on various notes. Now, I can focus on just enough tasks for each day and cross them off once, yet still see progress on what I’ve accomplished. (It’s the little things…!)

I enjoy long holiday weekends! Today started off chilly, but has turned out bright and sunny. I ran about five errands (and didn’t have to wait long in line!), mowed the grass, laid down mulch, made sun tea (unsweetened), and worked on a few projects. Lydia played inside for a bit and has been outside too. The perfect day!

As I am writing this, Lydia is eating dinner on the deck. I ate with her but finished before she did. She would have finished sooner, but she’s been “yelling” back and forth with the neighbor girl who is patiently waiting to play. From inside, I just heard: “Hold on! I’m just eating now because my mom made me. I have two more broccolis and one piece of pizza. I already ate my strawberries. They are really healthy. Did you know that my mom is a dietitian? It starts with “d” and she tells people if they are making healthy choices or not.” 🙂

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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, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #66

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 in 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 good! I worked as usual, but also squeezed in an important (non-work) meeting in my car one day. I clocked out of work, drove around the block to find shade, and left my car running for the a/c while I made my phone call. I didn’t want to open my windows because the road construction nearby was stirring up a lot of dirt in the air. After my meeting, I drove back to work to finish out my day. I usually am home for that routine meeting, but didn’t have time to go home and come back. The things we do to make ends meet! Thankfully, no one really minded me talking for an hour in my car!

This week, Lydia attended Vacation Bible School. They talked about God making each of us for a purpose. Lydia enjoyed playing, singing, making art, and eating “really good” snacks. She had a great time and already has asked me to go again next year! 

I bought my first watermelon of the season this week. It was delicious, of course! One night at dinner, Lydia told me, “Mom, I’m feeling really loved because you’re giving me lots of watermelon.” I posted what she said on my social media page. A friend of mine hosts a morning radio talk show. She quoted Lydia, reminding us to savor the simple things of life. That was really cool! Later, I tossed some of the watermelon into a fruit salad with grapes, oranges, and strawberries. Yum!

Weather-wise, it’s been another warm week. Thankfully, the wind blew strong and it really didn’t feel too bad. We played with the neighbors on several days. Tonight, we ordered pizza with friends and ran outside to a local ice cream truck that was passing through our neighborhood. Always a fun treat!

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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)!