Category: Travel

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Travel, Wisdom, Worship

Grand Forks Getaway

As I previously mentioned, Lydia and I had a special getaway last weekend.

We had a great weekend about an hour north in Grand Forks, North Dakota! I had made a short list of potential activities and places to visit. But, as always, God took my loose plans and put His own spin on them!

On Friday evening, we visited dear friends at a park and were visited by the ice cream truck! My friends have three kids, ages 2 to almost 6, and they are all so cute. The little boy, the middle child, wanted to hold Lydia’s hand, sit right next to her, and have her carry him. It was fun seeing Lydia respond favorably to him and his sisters. As an only child, she’s not used to siblings!

Then, Lydia and I drove across the border to Cabela’s in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. She loved it and even came out with a new stuffed animal! Soon, we crossed the bridge back to the North Dakota side. We walked around downtown before heading back to Minnesota for our car. Later, Lydia lived it up at the hotel arcade. She even won first place in the racing game! Reminds me of her dad!

On Saturday morning we had breakfast with the same friends, this time the kids were left at home. The man was one of Dave’s Caterpillar coworkers and a pallbearer at his funeral. After Dave died, I gave him Dave’s Bible. It felt like the right thing to do to bless this ‘CAT guy.’ God has blessed that small act of faith, and it has been fun to see him lead his family toward Jesus.

This man was mourning the lost of his best friend, who had just died from COVID-19 complications earlier in the week. So on Saturday, we talked about faith, Dave, family, our Caterpillar connection, and more. He acknowledged that our visit seemed like God-ordained meeting. I am so grateful I could encourage this couple because they have been such an encouragement to me!

Then, Lydia and I drove around town, visiting Widman’s confectionery and the University of North Dakota/Ralph Engelstad Arena (known for intense ice hockey games!). Later, we went to the Blue Moose Restaurant and ate tapas, walked around the mall, and visited a local indie bookstore. Lydia also drew a crowd with her marksmanship skills at Scheels!

Saturday night, we spent a couple hours at the water park in our hotel. It was huge, and we had a blast on the water slides and practicing Lydia’s swimming skills. We even ran into another friend! Then, we relaxed and watched a movie while eating some snacks.

On Sunday, we drove about 20 miles west to Turtle River State Park. We had fun hiking around and were glad we went early to beat the heat. It was gorgeous! Then, we came back home and listened to an audiobook on the way. Lydia played with a friend while I did some yard work before family Zoom.

When making our plans, it took me awhile to decide what to do and where to stay. I was trying to decide about the water park and what other attractions to see. I was also uncertain if I should contact my friends since it had been a few years since we saw them. I didn’t want them to have to adjust their plans. Turns out, I contacted them on the same day they found out about the loss of their friend. Wow!

Our whole trip was covered by God’s grace. I’d like to take Lydia to Medora, ND sometime, too, but this was the best weekend we’ve had in awhile!

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God, You are so good and faithful! Thanks for leading us and for guiding our steps. Thanks for helping us encourage others as we honor Dave’s life and legacy. Help us continue to be a blessing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you been to Grand Forks or Medora? What do you like to do on vacation? Do you like to relax or go sight-seeing? Do you make big plans or just meander?

Tasks: Next time you are considering a trip or step out of your normal routine, prayerfully go for it! Invite God to direct your path and see how He moves on your behalf! You never know just how He may use you to bless someone else.

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel, Wisdom

Reflecting on God’s Goodness

Last week, Lydia and I traveled to Illinois for a fun road trip! We saw some family and a few friends. We even met my new baby nephew; he is so sweet and little!

While I don’t always enjoy sitting still for hours of driving, I do love how a road trip brings the opportunity to reflect. In my usual state of busyness, I often forget how important this is. But, when I take time away from my normal routine, I gain perspective on what is really important. I’m grateful for the reminder.

As I drove through Minnesota and Wisconsin, I thought about the current pandemic, mask requirements, and the upcoming school season. The entire situation is a little odd (and sad), but instead of fear or worry, I praised God for keeping us safe and providing so well for us during all the uncertainty. It felt good to see the big picture, and it was interesting to see how other states are dealing with it, too.

I also thought ahead for how I will spend my birthday, which happens to be today!

In Illinois, my family surprised me with a delicious chocolate cake (decorated to represent the healthy ‘plate method’ of a balanced diet). It was so funny, and I brought some of it home with me. I put it in the freezer so I can have it whenever I want!

From week to week, I probably don’t take as much time to rest as I should, so I took today off from work and planned a massage. While Lydia is at daycare, I will run a few errands and probably work on a project (deadline ahead!). I may read or take a short bike ride, too. I appreciate having a little quality time to myself, because that is rare!

Yes, I will enjoy some pampering and continue to reflect on God’s goodness. Then, we will do some other fun activities later in the day!

Today, three things come to mind as I celebrate the life God has given me and look forward to the year ahead. Joy, peace, and gratitude.

I feel joy as I think of how much God has blessed me. I am excited for what is ahead, even though there will be some difficult moments and some tough days. But, I also can enjoy myself, trusting that God will help us and take care of us. He is faithful!

I have peace because I have seen God come through for me in the past, and I see how He is working out all the details for my good and His glory. Even with challenging circumstances, He is with me and for me. He never lets me down!

I am so grateful for all God is doing in my life and don’t want to take any of it for granted. He has given me so many gifts, including Lydia, family and friends.

It is only by His grace we have come so far! Thank You, Jesus!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all the ways You bless me and take care of me. Thanks for Your love and grace. Help me to reflect You with joy, peace, and gratitude. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you see God moving in your life? Have you praised Him for His goodness today?

Tasks: Take some time to reflect on all the goodness in your life today. Give God praise!

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

Finding Grace #231

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 wonderful week seeing family in Illinois! We did not get to see everyone, but it was good to see my parents and new nephew, among others. We tried to be smart by wearing masks, as needed, and social distancing as best we could. We didn’t have any specific plans and tried to limit errands as much as possible.

We had perfect weather in Illinois. While the summers are typically hot and humid, the first part of August usually brings a cooler spell. My mom and I were both praying for a reprieve and God made it happen. It was sunny and in the mid-70s most days!

Lydia and I stayed in a hotel in Wisconsin on the way to Illinois and back. It helped us break up the long drive and not feel so rushed. I’m grateful for traveling mercies and no major traffic incidents along the way. There was plenty of cars and trucks, not to mention boats and RVs, but the  roads didn’t seem to be as crazy busy.

As we ease back into our normal routine, I am taking the vacation vibes and extending them! I am catching up with laundry and such, but I am reminding myself to relax and not stress about this upcoming season. I enjoyed mowing the yard this morning, paid some bills, and put together two puzzles with Lydia!

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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, Travel, Wisdom

Finding Grace #230

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 full and busy week, but it went fast! Early in the week, I went in for some extra hours at work. I was thankful for the opportunity and was happy to help!

The weather was great this week. It was perfect for an adventure with Lydia! We went on a road trip to see family. We stayed at a hotel along the way, and ended up swimming, watching some good shows, etc. She is a great road trip buddy!

I’m happy to report we finally got to meet my new little nephew! He is so cute, and Lydia was very excited to see him. It was also great to see other family, as well.

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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, 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, Food and Nutrition, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #178

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, we hit the ground running after our time in Duluth! It was a fairly normal week otherwise, with work and daycare, and a few deadlines. We finished off July returning library books because the summer reading programs are nearly done!

August is a pretty full, but exciting, month for us so I spent this week planning ahead. Among our normal routine, we have school registration, back-to-school night, my birthday, more travel plans, and then I will be starting a new job, right before the first day of school! I’ll share more about the new job later, but it is a really good opportunity for me.

With the new season of school and work ahead of us, I am trying to maximize my time now. This could mean stocking up on certain necessities, making freezer meals, or deep cleaning. But for a foodie like me, it also means trying out a few new restaurants before we get too busy! 😉 On Thursday, Lydia and I tried gyros at a new Greek restaurant. The food was delicious, and we happily brought home leftovers. Then, today, we met friends at a new waffle bar in downtown Fargo. We enjoyed our food and walked around downtown. Thank you, God, for good food and good friends!

Last night I started a wooden puzzle, pictured above. It had been on my mind for the last two weeks, but we’ve been focused on other things. It took me a few hours and I stayed up way too long (haha!). The pieces were cut in very unique shapes, plus the colors were a little different from the picture on the box. It was a challenge, but I also enjoyed the quiet sense of determination. Often, we want to rush ahead and see quick progress, but puzzles provide a different type of satisfaction. Unless you’re someone who hates puzzles! 😉

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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 Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

When in Duluth

This past weekend, Lydia and I went to Duluth, MN, with a friend. We had been planning the trip for a few months, but as it grew closer, we started to second-guess ourselves. We didn’t know if it would be worth the time, energy, and money to go.

But, in the end, we decided we’d be sad if we skipped it. After all, seeing the North Shore had been on my bucket list for years! We had a great time!

We left Fargo on Friday morning and arrived late afternoon in Duluth. I’d been through there a few times but never stopped long enough to explore. After we checked into our hotel, we made our way downtown to Canal Park.

I really wanted to see the Aerial Lift Bridge up close. We drove over the bridge to park my car and then walked back over to dinner. We watched the bridge go up and let some smaller boats pass through. It was so cool! We didn’t wait for the larger ships because they were delayed due to some light rain.

The next morning, we explored the North Shore! We hiked through Gooseberry Falls State Park and saw the beautiful waterfalls. Lydia was hot and tired of hiking, but she perked up when I let her dip her bare feet in the water!

Then, we drove to see the Split Rock Lighthouse. That was my favorite part of the day. I loved the history and stories of the people who lived there. And, I loved seeing the vastness of Lake Superior. Unsalted and shark-free! 😉

We spent a good portion of Saturday hiking, so it only seemed natural to eat dinner at Betty’s Pies. 😉 After our dinner, Lydia and I split a delicious blackberry peach pie with crumble topping…ala mode, of course!

Then, we enjoyed swimming and the hot tub at the hotel.

On Sunday, we slept in and then went back to the waterfront. We enjoyed coffee, went shopping, and even watched a glass blowing demonstration! Later, we walked along the shore and watched the fog roll in just before it started to drizzle rain.

I loved watching the fog roll in. It was cool listening to the foghorn too. I can definitely understand why so many ships have wrecked in Lake Superior!

On Monday, we headed ~5 hours back to Fargo. I loved driving through the Chippewa National Forest. I’m so glad we decided to go to Duluth after all!

I’m always grateful when I take the opportunity to rest and let God surprise me with His goodness. It’s always a sweet adventure of soaking up His love and grace. Thank You, Jesus!

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God, thanks for keeping us safe on our trip. Thanks for the great weather, even the rain, and for helping us to enjoy the downtime. Thanks for walking with us on this Great Adventure. Help us trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Do you have a vacation—or even a staycation—planned in the near future?

Task: Let the Lord determine your steps and plans—rest in His grace and provision. He has great things in store for us!

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

Finding Grace #177

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 was full of awesome surprises! On Sunday, we sat outside with neighbors to watch the ‘Fargo Airsho,’ featuring the US Air Force Thunderbirds. It was fun to see the jets doing tricks and circling around. We didn’t attend the show, but enjoyed it from a distance… and the comfort of our own homes!

Then, our neighbors gave us tickets to see ‘Freaky Friday’ at our local outdoor theater (pic). We went with a friend and had a great time. The show was so well done! Funny, great singing and acting, and great stage setup. The weather was also perfect.

On Monday, Lydia and I had an awesome day together. We ran many errands and accomplished everything on our to-do list (for once!). We bought school supplies, groceries, and went out for lunch. Then we bought some household goods, donated some gently used items, and got haircuts. It was great to spend time with Lydia and see what she likes and thinks about.

Lydia had an orthodontist appointment this week. It went well and she received a new (fourth) bracket. She received praise for how well things are going and enjoyed picking out new rubber bands. I never had braces, so this a new experience for me too. I’m so proud of how Lydia is handling the accompanying mouth pain. Thankfully, it is not too severe.

This weekend we are traveling! We drove to Duluth, MN, yesterday for a long weekend. We convinced a friend of ours to come with us for a fun road trip! We don’t necessarily have an agenda, more like a few key things we’d like to see. Here’s to a relaxing weekend with great weather as we explore the North Shore! It’s been on my bucket list for years!

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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, Travel

Finding Grace #173

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 was went really well. On Monday, I had the painter from last week come back to paint an accent wall downstairs. I really like how it turned out!

All throughout the week, I had great conversations with good friends. It is fun to see how many people God has put in my life from all walks of life. I’m so thankful for the encouragement, support, and wisdom they share!

On Thursday, my friends and I discussed our Bible reading plan on contentment. We had a good time catching up. Someone mentioned that contentment is when we turn our “what ifs” into “even if.” We give our worries to God and trust Him even if things turn out differently than we wanted. Wise words! We also had fun making indoor s’mores!

On Friday, I worked on a project while Lydia read some books and played outside with friends! Then a friend came over for pizza and catching up on a Netflix series we enjoy!

Today, Lydia and I went to Detroit Lakes, MN, with another family. It is about 45-60 minutes away, perfect for a fun day trip. We played mini golf and had a picnic. Then, we heard reports of severe weather at home. So, we came home early. The weather improved on the way back, so we hung out longer. Tonight, Lydia’s having an impromptu sleepover with the little girl (at our house). I’m thankful for God’s protection and summer adventures!

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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, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Procrastination, Travel, Wisdom

2018 Annual Review

Happy Boxing Day!! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. 😉

Lydia and I had our best Christmas yet! We really appreciated receiving some invitations to join others, but we ended up doing our own thing instead.

On Christmas Eve, we hosted another family from church. We enjoyed celebrating Jesus with them! We ate yummy food and had great conversation.

On Christmas Day, we enjoyed a relaxing breakfast and then opened presents. Lydia received several fun gifts, including some clothes, books, games, and science kits.

After that, we talked with some friends and family. We thought about going to the movies, but decided to go sledding instead. We had so much fun and even saw another family enjoying the chilly day. It was perfect.

Later, Lydia played with some of her new toys while I exercised. Then, we put together some bath goodies from one of the science kits. She’s never been so excited to take a bath! 😉

Finally, after a relaxing day, we watched a Christmas movie together. We have the rest of the week off as well, so I’m sure we will do some more fun activities!

This year flew by. Thankfully, it had more ups than downs. We saw God’s grace all around us in more ways than we can count. He is so faithful.

Lydia and I took some fun trips and spent time with loved ones. We stepped foot in at least 6 states. I’m grateful for my car and God’s protection and provision!

This year, we both pushed our limits and tried new things. Everything from recipes to outdoor Christmas lights. One highlight is that we went kayaking and Lydia loved it!

Lydia has done well in school and enjoys learning. My job is stable and I feel like I am making a difference. I’m so grateful for God’s blessings!

This year, I have felt humbled in many ways. I have become more aware of my flaws and all that I still need to learn. (Yes, I’m human!) 😉

I usually set a lot of goals, but didn’t meet most of them this year. I met my most important goals, but still left a lot on the table. In order to prioritize a big project, I kind of slacked off elsewhere! I made progress, but I also have a lot to finish or catch up!

Still, I have learned to accept God’s grace for my perceived failures and trust Him to lead me. I’m grateful I don’t have to be perfect. Jesus is My Righteousness!

I’ll probably set similar goals this year (haha, I can’t help it!). But I have learned to give myself grace and be more present day-to-day.

This year, I have challenged several fears head-on and moved forward anyway. Despite not meeting all of my goals, I have still grown as a person, and am happy with who I am becoming! 🙂

Thankfully, God’s mercies are new every day. I just have to stay focused on Jesus and walk with Him. Everything else will work out in due time!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for walking with us each and every day. Thanks for all the grace You’ve shown us this year. Redirect my path and help me stay focused as You make me more like Jesus. In His Name, Amen

Questions: What were the highlights of your year? What did you learn and how did you grow? What will you change going forward?

Tasks: Consider setting SMART goals for the new year. Don’t worry if it feels like ‘too much’ for you to accomplish. Trust Jesus to direct your path!