Category: Parenting

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Travel

Finding Grace #226

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?

Happy Fourth of July! Lydia and I usually keep this holiday simple, but we are grateful for our American freedom and the heavy price that was paid for it. (I see this often, working at the VA, too.) Typically, we watch our neighborhood fireworks and hang out with friends. Tonight, we are also watching Hamilton on Disney Plus!

On Sunday, Lydia and I went to the local zoo. It was free for healthcare workers, so that was a nice bonus. The weather was warm and windy, but it was fun to walk around. We enjoyed seeing the otters, the prairie dogs, the goats, and the dairy cow, among others. We loved feeding the baby ducks! We social distanced and wore masks, too!

Lydia had a particularly great week at daycare. On Monday, she participated in a ‘Reader’s Theater’ that was based on a bunch of popular video games. On Tuesday, there was a fun water day planned, followed by a birthday celebration on Wednesday! I am grateful she’s having an awesome summer!

Yesterday, Lydia and I joined some friends for strawberry picking in Park Rapids, MN! It was hot in the sun, though we went in the morning. Lydia and I picked a full flat (see picture) of berries. So far, we have made some quick jam, smoothies, and frozen some for later. Yum!

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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, Parenting

Finding Grace #225

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 an exciting week! Lydia and I had some great moments and conversations. We ate some fun meals, watched some movies, and put together a 500 piece puzzle. The puzzle is called “Artsy Cats” and showcases famous artists as cats. My favorite is “Clawed Monet.” We also talked about some deep topics about life and faith.

This week, I am grateful we were able to connect with our neighbors a little more. We have all been social distancing, but the kids have been missing each other. I suppose it is important to find some balance; they can’t stay apart forever! They played over a couple of days, and I handed out snacks, like usual. I have missed having them over!

This week, I had an exciting meeting at a local college, where I am going to teach a class this fall. It is a cool opportunity to teach undergrad dietetics students. I am grateful for the chance to ‘give back’ to my profession and help advance my field. I always enjoyed school and am a bit of a nerd, so academia feels like home! (I am looking forward to doing this in addition to my part-time position at the VA.) I feel so blessed! Now, I need to revise the syllabus and prepare assignments for the next semester. Prayers appreciated! 🙂

Today, Lydia and I enjoyed volunteering at our church again. A couple weeks ago, the church and another local ministry gave out 25,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. Today, we gave out 50,000 pounds of produce!

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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 Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Wisdom

Wiggle It Out

When I was a kid and had a loose tooth, I wiggled it like crazy until it came out. It was a fun challenge and felt like a rite of passage. For Lydia, not so much.

By now, she has lost a number of teeth and should be used to it. But, whenever she has a loose tooth, she gets upset about the impending loss. She feels lightheaded and is worried about the potential pain. Like her dad, she doesn’t like the sight of blood.

So, this last weekend, it all came to a head when Lydia had yet another loose tooth. I convinced her it would come out faster, and cause less pain overall, if she wiggled it.

Well, of course, Lydia grew a little woozy and wanted to stop. I offered to help and/or pull it out and she waffled. I didn’t want to pressure her, so I let it go.

Eventually, after more encouragement, Lydia let me have a turn. Thankfully, it was mostly ready and came out with a little effort. She ran to look at her mouth in the bathroom mirror. She bravely overlooked the small amount of blood.

Soon, Lydia came back to me with a huge smile on her face. She was relieved. With a sigh, Lydia said, “Wow. I feel like a load is off my shoulders!”

A little while later, she came over again and said, “Mom! My new tooth is already poking through. Gosh…. That was fast!”

The new adult tooth was just waiting on the baby tooth to leave!

That night, Lydia and I talked about how her sense relief was far better than her fear. She had been worried but realized she didn’t need to be…

Baby teeth have purpose for a time, before giving way to adult teeth. Losing them is totally normal and natural. Similarly, God’s plan for us also is perfect and purposeful. It doesn’t need to be scary or odd!

Interestingly, on Monday, Lydia was excited to watch me get my teeth cleaned at the dentist! Going to the dentist is kind of uncomfortable, but of course important.

As we drove to daycare and work after the dentist, we talked about teeth and also how fear plays out in other areas of life.

Often, we stop short of what God is calling us to do because we are afraid. We may fear missing out or what is required. We may want to play it safe and stay comfortable.

Still, we cannot have Victory when we give in to fear and doubts. Instead, when we have questions, we can take them to Jesus. In His presence, our worries fade and we grow stronger in faith.

When we let Jesus write our stories, He brings a better outcome than we could have imagined. It may look different than expected, but He always gives us something good.

Sometimes transitions are tough. They might make us wiggle and squirm! But change and growth are always worth it. We don’t have to be afraid.

God is trustworthy and faithful. He has a special purpose for each of us and will never let us down! Now that’s something to smile about!

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Heavenly Father, thanks that Your burden is easy and Your yoke is light. Thanks for doing the most difficult work on our behalf. Help us trust You more and follow Your lead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is something that you need to let go? Do you need to change your mindset or adopt a better attitude? What about changing your schedule or trying something new?

Tasks: Don’t be afraid of change. Let go of anything that is holding you back. God’s grace is more than enough.

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

Finding Grace #224

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 relatively calm week. Lydia and I enjoyed our family Zoom video chat and loved ‘meeting’ my new nephew, Alexander David. He’s so cute! 

During this pandemic, I signed up to take some free online classes on various topics. This week, I finished a couple of them. I learned a lot about photography and a couple of phone apps. I still need to finish my (paid) online cooking class though!

Yesterday, I noticed some great messages left in my little free library. I also mowed the lawn. It wasn’t very long, but I knew I would be crunched for time (or weather) later. Plus, it was a beautiful day! Lydia went to play with our neighbors and jumped on their trampoline. That was a huge help to me!

Today, we have really enjoyed relaxing. Lydia and I slept in, made pancakes, exercised, and made a few calls. I worked on a couple projects and did some laundry. Then, we played some games and watched Netflix. 🙂 I’m grateful for a slower day without a full agenda!

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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 Being Gracious, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Victory in Volunteering

Raise your hand if you like to volunteer! It has been said many hands make light work.

Recently, Lydia and I had a couple of opportunities to serve our local communities. While it is always my goal to set a good example for Lydia, I also hope she can feel more connected to Dave this way. He loved to serve others and was always so good at it!

Last week, I helped a friend deliver Meals on Wheels. Several of my patients over the years have received meals through this program, and I wanted to see more of it behind the scenes.

On Friday, we drove to our friends’ house in a nearby community. Leading up to this, Lydia had been excited to help. That is, until she realized we were “just” delivering the meals to everyone’s door. She mistakenly thought we were going to make the meals, and she was eager to cook and put them all together.

Sensing a teachable moment, we started talking about serving others and volunteering. I mentioned how I didn’t really know what to expect, since I hadn’t done it before, but that we would just show up and do whatever was needed. When we are volunteering, we really don’t get to call the shots!

Lydia thought about this and we role-played how it would feel for someone to “volunteer,” yet tell everyone exactly how they were going to “help.” We talked about how that could make some people feel, to be told what to do when they didn’t ask for any input.

In the end, there was not much room for the food and Lydia and her little friend, so they stayed to play while the other mom and I went into town.

As a side note, later, I did explain how sometimes partnerships occur when one party offers services or something specific to the other party, and together, they agree on how to best use the resources. That kind of helping is a little different than straight-up volunteering, though!

Then, on Saturday, Lydia and I volunteered with a program at our church. The goal was to distribute huge boxes of fruits and vegetables FREE to anyone who stopped by. No strings attached.

Once again, Lydia was so excited to help! She wondered if we would be working hands-on with the food. Of course, I worked to managed her expectations for this event, too.

We ended up inside, helping check people in and out. Even though we had a small part, I explained that each job is important. If we didn’t do our part, it might prevent someone else from doing theirs. She was so proud to help!

We had a lot of fun and even met some new faces. We look forward to the next opportunity to serve at church in a couple weeks!

This week, Lydia and I have continued to talk about what it means to serve. For example, I asked her what would make a good volunteer.

We brainstormed ideas and came up with these: Show up on time and be ready to work. Be willing to do whatever is asked of you. It’s okay to be out of your comfort zone. Have a good attitude and don’t complain. Always give your best to God. Don’t be showy or expect a reward for helping, but be grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.

Honestly, I used to second-guess my ability to help others. My skills didn’t always match up with what I thought was needed. But, I have realized (usually) just doing something is better than doing nothing. There is room to grow, but no time to waste.

For me, this is Victory: To stretch myself on behalf of someone else. To let God use me in new ways. To keep showing up without getting credit or always seeing the final outcome. Perhaps, by serving others, I can even help someone else find freedom, too!

There are many ways to love and serve others, even if it looks different than you expected. Really, you can be kind and generous any day of the week, even if it is not at an official event. Smile. Carry groceries. Bake a pie. Show up. Speak out. Hold the door. Create space for others, too. Either way, it is important for us to “do,” not just talk about what to do!

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God, thanks for giving us the heart and capacity to serve. Help us have right motives and glorify You in all we do. Help us be difference makers and draw people to You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you volunteer regularly? Where do you like to serve? Are there any challenges around you that could be remedied with a little help?

Tasks: Next time an opportunity to help someone presents itself, jump on it! Don’t be afraid or overthink it. Just do something! Be wise with your resources and pray how to best use them. Don’t be foolish or selfish; let God work through you to love others!

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

Finding Grace #223

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 full and busy week! Work flew by and was jam-packed with things to do. I saw a few patients face-to-face and also led a journal club for the other dietitians. It was a lot of fun, and I was happy to share about plant-based diets. Eat your veggies!

This week, I had a lot of random tasks to complete. I didn’t have as much energy and didn’t get much rest. I’m glad I could lean on the Lord for strength!

Yesterday, Lydia and I went to hang out with some friends. I helped deliver Meals on Wheels, too. Then, Lydia stayed to play, while I came home to get some task done. Later, I mowed the lawn before we went to visit our neighbors.

Today, Lydia and I volunteered at our church. The goal was to provide a truckload of fresh fruits and vegetables to people in our community. It was fun, and we had a good conversation about volunteering and serving others!

We had a new baby born in the family this morning. I won’t share too many details here, since I haven’t asked permission, but we are very happy! Also, Lydia and I were both so honored that the baby’s middle name is David. 🙂

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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 Being Gracious, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom

Speaking Up for Injustice

Disclaimer: While the scope of my blog is not political, it is a place where I can gather some of my thoughts on current events. Keep in mind I am a work in progress… thank you!

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Being rather nonconfrontational by nature, I often prefer to avoid difficult conversations. Even now, I generally don’t comment on controversial posts online because I don’t want to deal with the negativity or keep up with all the comments. Who has time for that?! Besides, arguing with people remotely never helps change anyone’s mind.

Yet, over the years, I have learned that sometimes it is better to deal with conflict head-on. At any rate, I don’t want someone to mistake my silence on important issues as indifference. Because, unfortunately, they look very similar… God forgive me.

With a blog called “Grace and Lemonade,” my goal is to glorify God for what He is doing, especially when life is difficult. Often, I wrestle with various issues and consider how to move forward in faith, not fear. My other goal is to bring encouragement and challenge my readers to see God’s grace in their lives. In turn, we can all share these gifts with others.

After all, grace means favor. The essence of grace and refreshing lemonade is meant to bless others, too. It is an overflow of God’s goodness!

Yesterday, Lydia and I were in the car listening to the radio when something was said about staying positive. But, in light of current events, I turned it off to make a point.

I said, “You know, Lydia, it is really good to be positive and focus on what is going well. I think we do that every day. But sometimes…”

“We might ignore talking about what is important,” Lydia said.

I’ve never been so glad she interrupted me! I was a little surprised at her understanding, but it meant that we were on the same wavelength.

I confirmed her thought process. “Yes! If we’re not careful, we might bypass difficult topics because they are unpleasant. But, in that case, nothing changes.” We soon applied this to the topic of racism and the need to change the status quo.

In terms of racism, America is ~400 years behind. It is a complex issue we inherited, and we have been averse to dealing with it as a nation. Now is the time.

 Racism is subtle and will take some unlearning. Quite often, we (or at least me, as a white person) don’t even recognize it! We have to accept responsibility and speak up for injustice. We cannot give up when it becomes uncomfortable or inconvenient.

When I read/watch/hear about George Floyd’s death (and Ahmaud Arbery’s and so many before that), I also think of my cousins, friends, neighbors, and patients who deal with prejudice every day. I cannot fully understand how racial discrimination feels, but I can empathize and speak up when I see it.

I also think about how all this injustice breaks God’s heart. Each of us is made in His image, and each of us invaluable. BELOVED. Furthermore, no one should feel unsafe while jogging or walking their dog or grocery shopping.

Tackling racism can look different depending on the situation, but it is necessary no matter what. On the one hand, I have been working toward this with Lydia since she was little. I have a wonderful multicultural family, and we seek out opportunities to meet people, not like us. We have had age-appropriate conversations and read several children’s books my aunt gave me a few years ago. That’s a great start, but it’s not enough.

So, Lydia and I have been talking more deeply about these issues lately. Her ‘anti-racist’ education starts with me! I have shown her certain news clips showing injustice and what is wrong, systemically. We have talked about white privilege, what that means, and how we can use it to speak up and serve others. This YouTube clip was particularly helpful.

As we went to the grocery store recently, we discussed how masks are somewhat uncomfortable but essential to help with coronavirus. I added how our black family, friends, and neighbors may feel unsafe wearing them and how unfair that is. On our way to work and daycare, I mentioned how, when we get ready for the day, we may think about our outfits or activities, but we never think about getting killed.

These conversations are ongoing, and I appreciate all who have shared resources. Change begins at home, but can’t stop there. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but I am finding teachable moments to plant seeds and will keep watering them over time. I also plan to discuss this further with my friends and extended family. We can’t stay silent.

When it’s all said and done, only Jesus can fully understand the issues and heal our nation. But I can educate myself and my daughter, speak up when I see injustice, and show compassion. I have to give Jesus something to work with!

Bottom line: Don’t do nothing. Speak up. Be an advocate. Educate yourself on racism. Learn about other cultures. Have difficult conversations. Volunteer with an organization. Vote. Love your neighbor. Put a real face with the issues. Don’t spread disunity or hatred. Don’t make excuses or quit when it is uncomfortable.

What holds one of us back holds all of us back.

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God forgive me for the times I have taken this life and the gifts You have given me for granted. Forgive me for when I haven’t spoken up for the things that break Your heart. Teach me Your ways, and help me love others like You do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are you doing to become ‘anti-racist’? How can I help? (This is a newer term to me, so I am still working through it myself!)

Tasks: First, bring all your thoughts and feelings to Jesus. Let Him bring wisdom, understanding, compassion, and if needed, correction. Then, check out these books on anti-racism, which are helpful in understanding the issues at hand. Finally, start reaching out, speaking up, and talking with others. Use your voice for good!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance

See A Victory

“The weapon may be formed, but it won’t prosper
When the darkness falls, it won’t prevail
‘Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph
My God will never fail
Oh, my God will never fail

I’m gonna see a victory
I’m gonna see a victory
For the battle belongs to You, Lord”

–From “See A Victory” by Elevation Worship

This coming Friday marks seven years since Dave died. It doesn’t seem like it should already be that long, but here we are. I am so grateful for God’s faithfulness.

Lydia continues to process what Dave’s absence means for her. It is an on going development as she learns and grows. We’ve had many in-depth conversations in the last six months, in particular. Thanks for your continued prayers.

It is still bittersweet at times, but I am amazed when I think about how far God has brought us. We have certainly had our battles, but each time, God has come through for us.

Just think: God has never lost a battle. He always claims Victory!

I don’t know what life would be like if Dave were still here. He could still be sick or totally healed. But truthfully, it does me no good to think about all the ‘what ifs,’ and I don’t have time or mental space for that rabbit trail.

What I do know is this: I have seen major Victories in my life that I probably would not have noticed or achieved any other way. For instance, I started this blog and put myself ‘out there.’ I wrote a book (details soon!!!) and started a business. I have continued learning various skills and am teaching others. In the fall, I started an awesome job serving Veterans. I have grown through parenting Lydia. That’s the short list! 

If things had turned out differently, perhaps I would not have been compelled to cling to the Lord in the way I have. And, I would have continued second-guessing myself and my ability. Not anymore!

Becoming who I am now has taken time, effort, and a lot of intention. But, I am not the same person. I am stronger and more stable. I make quicker and more solid decisions, without fearing the outcomes like I used to. That doesn’t mean I don’t make mistakes, just that I am more confident when I say YES and when I say NO.

Victory, for me, is choosing faith as my default, not fear.  This big Victory has lead to many smaller Victories along the way. They just keep coming!

As a result, I have much more peace internally. I don’t feel the need to prove myself or do things perfectly. I have stopped putting limits on what I can do! I am happy to be just me, knowing with Jesus, that is enough.

I have also made various lifestyle changes in recent years. I still am involved with several activities, but they are choices I make on purpose. I want to, not I ‘have’ to.

I have taken on more challenges and cool projects as my capacity has grown. We don’t think about grief every day, thankfully, so we are able to handle other things. Plus, Lydia has been able to care for many of her own needs. I still supervise and help, of course.

Lydia and I enjoy doing a lot of fun things these days. When she was little, it felt more like survival mode. She need a lot of care and I was grieving. But now, we are thriving.

For Mother’s Day, on Sunday, Lydia gave me a little book that she filled out all on her own. (Thanks to my mom for buying it and sending it to her!) A common theme was that I have taught Lydia to be brave and not give up. Amen!

Ironically, I could never show Lydia bravery or perseverance if I hadn’t had to face my worst fears. And, I couldn’t do that without Jesus. He taught me what it means to be brave, and now I have the honor of passing those lessons on.

These days, we play games, go on adventures, make food and art together, and laugh a whole lot. On Friday, we will do something fun to celebrate Dave’s life and memory. We may eat his favorite foods, play a game, or go on a walk.

I will also give Lydia a special gift in Dave’s honor. He would be so very proud of her.

Loving Jesus, and living a fun, adventurous faith-filled life… a wholehearted Victory!

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Heavenly Father, all praise and honor to YOU!! Thanks for all the Victories in my life (including many more I haven’t mentioned here!). Help me continue to trust You for greater things! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What Victories have you seen in your life this year? What would you do if you had unlimited resources and there was no way you could fail?

Tasks: Listen to “See A Victory” by Elevation Worship. Trust God and make bold moves today. We cannot lose with Jesus on our side! He has never lost a battle! Victory is His!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #218

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 full and good! We enjoyed a Zoom video chat with family on Sunday. I also enjoyed talking with my brothers a little more than usual as they helped me with some technology upgrades!

We have had several rainy days, with a couple of sunny days in between. I don’t mind, though. It has made the grass green (so much so that I mowed on Friday!).

Friday was very productive. Besides mowing, I upgraded my internet modem and router. I did all the work myself, but my brothers helped me decide which models to purchase and answered a few questions. Then, I did some laundry, helped Lydia with some homework, and we watched a movie (the original That Darn Cat)!

Today, it was rainy again. So, we snuggled, did some cleaning, cooking, and paperwork. Tonight, we are watching another movie (Spies in Disguise)!

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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, Parenting

Finding Grace #217

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 an awesome week! We kicked off the week with a fun family video chat on Sunday evening. We always have a great time and laugh a lot! It took a little coordination since my brother and his wife recently moved to Phoenix, AZ, so now we are in at least three time zones! We hope to do it again soon!

Lydia and I tried to get outside each day this week! We visited with neighbors, did some yardwork, and played some games. I noticed baby leaves on my trees, and Lydia took a picture of some tree swallows. We even went to check out the river one afternoon!

I am really grateful for God’s leading and guiding in my life! The last few weeks, I have been considering various options and decisions. I have prayed, researched, and asked questions. This week, I took some steps forward. I’m excited for what God has for me next!

Yesterday, I called a dear family friend and talked with her for 2+ hours. We hadn’t had the chance to connect for quite some time, so it was wonderful to catch up and learn all about what her family is doing. I loved hearing about God’s faithfulness!

Today, I practiced my kitchen knife skills for our online cooking class. I already feel like that was worth the cost of the class. Somewhere along the way, I realized that working on dicing, chopping, etc., will only make me more efficient and create more sustainable habits. I am a good cook, and this will take me to the next level!

This afternoon, a friend came over to visit. We hadn’t seen them for awhile, so it was great to catch up. We chatted for awhile and ended up playing some games. It was also fun to see Lydia’s competitive side come out!

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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)!