Tag: fall/autumn

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #186

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

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

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

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

This was an exciting week!

Work was very busy at times, but also very fulfilling. I am having fun and still learning so much. I feel like I am growing and right where I need to be. Thank You, Jesus!

On Tuesday, a friend volunteered to mow for me. I really have appreciated the help lately, especially because of my current work schedule. It has taken some of the pressure off me to get everything done as Lydia and I ease into this new season! Thank you!

I had several well-timed conversations with people this week. I often have big decisions, deadlines, and questions along the way.  God directed my path and I literally ran into some key people who helped provide valuable input for my current tasks.

God has continually answered big prayers in the last year or so. I saw Him move in more ways this week and am so grateful. He is soooo good to me!

Today, I caught up around the house and prepared for the next week. I paid some bills, cleaned a little, and finished seasonal tasks outside. I put away the deck furniture, organized the garage, and even put up the outdoor Christmas lights. It was good to take advantage of the beautiful weather while it lasts!

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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, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer

Finding Grace #185

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

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

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

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

This was a full, but good, week!

The weather turned quite warm again, which was a nice change from last week. Still, I am ready for cool weather. That said, I am not quite ready for snow. I still need to finish outdoor chores, like getting my patio furniture inside!  I did notice my trees are starting to change color this week!

Work went well and was steadily busy. I felt helpful and productive! I also had orientation on Thursday and Friday, because, in August, I couldn’t make the timing work until Lydia was in school. It was long but worthwhile. I enjoyed learning more about the history and mission of the VA, and the many important services we provide.

Lydia had a good week and let it slip (twice!) that she is really enjoying the Y program, after all. I happily teased her about it because her original attitude was pretty negative. Thanks for your prayers! 

Tornado sirens went off last night after dinner. I was not concerned because I was tracking the thunderstorm and knew it wouldn’t last long. Lydia was a little scared, though, which gave us good reason to snuggle on the couch downstairs. We talked about big topics like “if I were to die, what would happen,” wills, guardianship, and life insurance. Along with grief and death, we are used to talking about the “what ifs” in our house. Lydia’s fear soon left as she realized God is in control and we are as prepared as we can be. It was really sweet to hear Lydia pour out her heart to Jesus and receive His peace.

Today, I caught up with another widowed, single mom friend over the phone. We connected years ago, and she encouraged me after Dave died. She had some questions for me today, and I was able to help her. It was fun to catch up!

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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, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer, Words

Finding Grace #183

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

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

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

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

This was a really good week!

My parents were safe and dry as Hurricane Dorian passed by the Florida coast. It had major impact elsewhere, however. Thanks for your prayers and support!

Work went well, and I felt like I accomplished a lot. I still have a lot to learn, but it has already been very fulfilling. I can see why God placed me in my role. One morning, I walked in during the ‘honor guard’ for a veteran who just died. It was a touching moment as “Taps” was played in the hallway and everyone stood at attention.

Lydia seems to be adjusting to school and the daycare program! Thanks so much for your prayers. We are both being stretched this year, but I am excited for what God has in store. Lydia doesn’t quite understand how this is good for her just yet. I pray she grows and learns important lessons this year. It may be challenging, but I know it is for the best!

This week, I had lots of important conversations and received several well-timed compliments. At different times, I caught up with five different ladies, building them up and cheering them on. I also heard I was doing a good job at work, was doing well as a mother, and also heard quite a few good things about Lydia at school. We can’t live for praise, but the kind words were just what I needed. They were confirmations that we are on the right path. God has us right where He wants us, and I am so grateful!

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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, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

A Caution on Countdowns

This has been an interesting autumn so far! First, we had snow on October 10th which melted away. Then, we had flurries a few days last week, followed by drifting from the wind. I’ve had to shovel snow several times already. It could be a long season…

In Fargo, the potential for snow lasts from October until early May some years. Even if the calendar says spring, it can feel like winter! It’s important to manage expectations, ha!

Honestly, shoveling snow makes my shoulders ache. I do use my snowblower when necessary, but sometimes shoveling is the best option. Let’s just say that for me, snow removal is still a good opportunity for “character refinement.”

As such, I choose to reframe the situation from time-to-time… On those early, blustery mornings, I remind myself to be grateful. For instance, I am thankful for the tools and warm clothes I have acquired over the years to make the process easier. I’m also grateful for my physical health and the ability to take care of all God has given me.

I am thankful for yoga and shoulder stretches which help to somewhat ease the pain. And, I am really grateful for a reliable vehicle with all-wheel-drive to help me get around.

To my surprise, on social media, I’ve already seen a few people counting down the days until spring! But it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!

Apparently, there are around 126 days until March 20th of 2019 (the first day of spring). Perhaps I am the only person to feel this way, but I don’t appreciate these types of countdowns… they tend to mess with my attitude, if I let them.

Don’t get me wrong—I respect that some people love the heat and hate the cold. I get it… To each their own! Even in our differences, I hope we can still be friends! 🙂

In my case, I like spring and summer, but I also enjoy autumn and winter. For me, it is important to celebrate—instead of complain about—each season as God brings it.

(PLEASE remind me of this in late February when my shoulders have had it! Deal?!)

My feeling is that if we were to skip ahead to our ‘favorite seasons,’ we would miss so much. Sure, the grass is always greener in someone else’s yard, but for me the solution is not to countdown to spring. Wishful thinking won’t make winter pass any faster. And, I don’t want discontent to sidetrack me from what God is doing in my own yard or life.

Before we go much further, let me fully disclose that I have already been watching Christmas movies on Netflix! LOL, to each their own, right?

Getting into the ‘holiday spirit’ is full of meaning for me this year, because while this is our 6th holiday season without Dave, it is the first one where I don’t have mixed emotions.

Truthfully, for several years after Dave died, I dreaded the holidays. I really did want to skip the entire season. The holidays were just too painful.

But, I am so glad I didn’t rush through the pain. From a grief perspective, I needed to go through each stage of processing my emotions. I couldn’t ‘skip it’ and still be healthy…

Through each difficult and unpleasant season of life and grief, I have understood a new level of God’s grace and faithfulness. He has brought me through it all with His love and strength! I’m eternally grateful for His kindness to me!

There is a big difference between anticipation and apprehension. One fills me with eagerness and the other expects the worst. One fills me with hope and joy and the other fills me with a sense of dread. It has to do with attitude…

To clarify, not all countdowns are bad. Planning is important, and if a countdown truly brings you joy, great! Technically, a timer on an oven is a type of countdown that may bring you joy… yum!

Rocket ships need a countdown before launching into space. Also, parents of young children may benefit from counting down the minutes before bed time.

In my house… Lydia has been counting down her birthday for several weeks. She hasn’t counted the days, but she does cross the days off her calendar each night. She is SO excited!

My point is to consider the reason for the countdown and your attitude. The takeaway is this: Does it fill you with a sense of God’s grace or a sense of grrr?? 😉

Don’t take for granted what God has given you: time with loved ones, peace in the moment, His presence. His grace is sufficient for this day, so let’s be grateful!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for being so generous and gracious. Don’t let me get ahead of you or be ungrateful. Help me rely on You each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: If you are always racing to the next moment or event, what might you be missing? What other countdowns do you find helpful?

Tasks: Looking ahead can be either helpful or harmful. Consider whether it brings you anticipation or apprehension. Then, readjust. Go with God!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Fruit, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #140

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 non-stop activity, but God’s grace was all around me! It was a fruitful and productive week! He directed every step. Even when I wasn’t sure I could accomplish everything, He helped me do it.

Over the weekend, we turned our clocks back as Daylight Saving Time ended. I planned on getting an extra hour of sleep, but instead, I just stayed up a little longer. 😉 I put that time to good use, though. For the first time ever, I put up outside Christmas lights around my garage door! It was fun and worked out better than I planned. Through a series of events, God also provided extra lights to perfectly cover my entryway!

I worked an extra day this week, to get ahead for the holidays. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were each spent with work, then an afternoon phone call (to various people), followed by an evening activity. Each day was quite busy, but I felt God using me to bless others. I even got to talk to a friend in Oklahoma, which made my day!

Thursday was also full, but really good. I bought groceries before running to an appointment. Then, there was some overlap which made me late for a meeting. Next, I went home to pick up Lydia from the bus. Right after school, our neighbors came over to visit and stayed for dinner. Then, Lydia went to bed and friends came over for Bible study.

On Friday, I had another appointment and ran another errand. It’s that time of year when I try to stock up before winter so I don’t have to go out as much! 🙂 Then, I learned a meeting with my writing coach needed to be rescheduled. So, I used that time to watch a webinar and chat with a friend online. The one hour webinar probably took me two because I kept stopping it in order to text my friend! LOL, both were well worth my attention and I needed to focus!

Last night, a dear friend came over for dinner. We had tacos and she brought dessert, which ended up being delicious cupcakes for Lydia’s birthday in a couple weeks. It was so fun to catch up because we hadn’t seen each other for about month.

The weather has been unusually cold and snowy for this time of year. (Though, really, in Fargo anything is possible!) Today, Lydia and I watched ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and will hopefully see our friend for another round of tacos! Otherwise, it’s been a relaxing day! God is so good to give us a restful day after a jam-packed week!

Where did you find God’s grace?

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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 #138

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 tried to go with the flow and let God direct my steps. He did a pretty good job as usual! I worked extra days this week, but my patients were really fun.

I ran several errands on Thursday. It took a long time going all over town, but I’m glad I got them all done! It helped to free up my schedule on other days. I went to the eye doctor to pick up some contacts, another appointment, Lowe’s to find a certain type of light bulbs, and Costco to get a few items. I like to stock up before the winter!

Friday ended up being busier than expected. I had a phone meeting that went long and a face-to-face meeting that was canceled. I also caught up with someone else on the phone who needed some encouragement. Then, I ended up cleaning the house, working on a project, and trying out my new coffee maker. It was time well spent! 

We had a lot of fun with our neighbors this week. They brought us some apples and homemade applesauce! Then, the two boys came over last night to hang out while their parents went to a concert. They had fun playing with Lydia and watching a movie. Then, everyone laid down to sleep until their parents picked them up.

Today, Lydia and I slept in and enjoyed a slow morning. Next, we’re going to our neighbors’ house to carve pumpkins and eat pizza! A perfect end to a grace-filled week!

Where did you find God’s grace?

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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, Prayer

Finding Grace #135

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

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

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

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

This was a great week! I felt God moving in the spiritual realm and saw subtle answers to many prayers. It’s as if God is laying the framework for His greater plans. I’m excited to see all He as in store for me and for others. He is so GOOD! 

On Sunday, after a funny conversation about initiative with Lydia, I mowed the lawn for the last time this season. However, it took me about twice as long because my mower blade fell off! (It was fine, and thankfully, I found all the pieces. I used that as an opportunity to take the blade to be sharpened for next season.) Then, I borrowed my neighbors’ mower (and their gas) to complete the job. Later, with another friend’s help, I put away all the outdoor furniture and prepared for winter. I’m thankful for all the help!

On Monday, I had extensive phone conversations, one lasting 2 hours with my writing coach. It was long but worthwhile. I’m glad for the flexible schedule! 

Tuesday and Wednesday were fairly normal with work and church. I enjoyed the kids at JBQ and am impressed by how much of God’s word they retain. On Thursday, I had a meeting with some friends at church that also lasted about 2 hours. We had a fun time brainstorming ideas for ministry. I am grateful for all that God is doing through me!

Last week, Lydia mentioned that the geocache in my little free library was missing. It was a friend’s 4H project intended as a fun way to increase traffic to the little library. I was bummed that someone would take advantage of that goodwill. But, the 4H family bought a replacement geocache, and this week, it arrived! Thank you!!

Where did you find God’s grace?

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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 #134

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

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

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

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

This was an awesome week, full God’s grace. On Monday, I video-chatted with a good friend. She called me from Sweden, and we had a good time catching up. I also was grateful for the rainy weather, because it forced me to do some indoor work. I accomplished a lot that day! 🙂

On Tuesday, our local school district was voting on a referendum to build a third high school, improve security at the schools, and more. I voted before work and was happy to find out Tuesday night that the referendum passed. I am thankful for the right to vote, and I always think of the women before me who fought for that right. 🙂

On Wednesday, it was work and JBQ as usual. Lydia did well memorizing her answers for the week. Then, a couple we met in Fargo, who now lives in Colorado, came to stay with us for a couple of days. They have a little boy, and it was an honor to have them visit us. It’s always fun to catch up with old friends, especially those who knew my late-husband, Dave!

I’m leading a Bible study on Thursday evenings, and we’ve had great conversations. The topic is on fear, and it’s interesting to see how each of us relates. We talked for quite a while after the book portion was done. I was so touched when one person said, “You know it’s a good group when you’re still visiting an hour after it was supposed to be over!“

This week, the weather was chilly. Autumn is definitely here! I hope to mow one more time, and have a few other outdoor jobs to complete before it gets much colder. Still, I enjoy this time of year and am thankful for a variety of seasons! One more reason to choose joy ahead of time!

Where did you find God’s grace?

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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, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #133

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

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

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

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

This was a good week, full of fun events. On Sunday, a pastor I know from Illinois visited; he knows my parents too. He gave me a shout out from the pulpit. It was fun to connect with him after the service. It’s a small world!

On Tuesday, I left work late and missed picking up Lydia from the bus. I texted my neighbor, Melissa, who was able to take Lydia home. When I arrived a few minutes later, she asked if Lydia could stay and play. During that time, I was able to complete a few chores and my Wednesday blog post. Then, she fed us both dinner and dessert! I’m grateful for Melissa’s generosity and God’s provision! Thank you! 🙂

Lydia worked really hard, read and studied all her JBQ questions. She was able to answer all the questions correctly and moved on to the next booklet. I enjoyed leading her group and am impressed by how many kids are memorizing God’s word. What a blessing!

I had my “Facing Fear, Finding Faith” Bible study on Thursday. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to lead the group. Going through this with others helps me, too. I’m glad we don’t have to be afraid!

Today, Lydia and I went with our friend, Sara, to a local ‘junk market’ at the fairgrounds, which as you may guess has antiques, upcycled items, jewelry, specialty foods, as well as new house decor. All afternoon, we had so much fun perusing the market! It’s a fun tradition! I bought a few fun magnets for my refrigerator and a couple of pictures.

We’ve had beautiful weather this week, but, it is starting to get cooler. I’ve noticed fewer Monarch butterflies day-by-day…and the Canada geese also are starting to head south. The trees are also starting to change colors. The autumn is a short season, but it is so lovely! 🙂

Where did you find God’s grace?

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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 #90

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

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

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

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

This was a fun week partially due to Lydia’s birthday and Thanksgiving! Lydia’s birthday was early in the week. Then, we celebrated more with family for Thanksgiving. I made a triple chocolate cheesecake to share with everyone at Lydia’s request. My Instant Pot came in handy once more!

I am really thankful for a flexible work schedule! I completed my hours early, so I could enjoy my time off. God is good, and I am so thankful for how He provides for us.

We’ve had great weather and have enjoyed being together. We have eaten yummy food, played games, watched movies, and went shopping. Today, we all put together a double-sided puzzle. It was a map of the world; each side represented one part of the globe. It was challenging, but we had fun!

Otherwise, we are just relaxing. It’s nice to not have ‘planned’ activities. It doesn’t happen often, but I relish doing “nothing” with loved ones… I’m sure we will think of other fun things to do… I appreciated my dad helping with a few house maintenance chores. Maybe we will even put up our Christmas tree this weekend!

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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)!