Tag: family

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #129

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 another great week filled with God’s grace! My mother in law stayed until Tuesday morning. We always enjoy showing her around town and doing fun activities that we normally forget about! She watched Lydia for me during a meeting on Monday night.

A coworker shared some peaches with me at work, which was an extra blessing to me. The peaches were part of a local fundraiser, but I didn’t get a chance to buy any this season. So, the peaches felt like a personalized gift from God!

We met Lydia’s teacher for this upcoming school year. She seems really nice and Lydia likes her. This is her first year of teaching, and Lydia is excited to have fun learning!

I had some great conversation with friends this week, including one friend who we met for coffee (today). We spent about two hours chatting and catching up. This friend is a bright spot in my life and it was encouraging to hear what God is doing in her life.

This evening, Lydia and I took a bike ride to the splash pad in our neighborhood. We ate a picnic there and then rode back after she was done playing. Then, I weeded a couple areas of my yard while she read some books and played with friends.

It’s been a great week! Thank You, Jesus!!

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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)!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #128

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 birthday week! The week went by quickly with work and daycare, and then, my mother-in-law came to visit. We also received notice of who Lydia’s teacher will be this year in school. Our time is short before it all starts, so I am glad we had a fun week!

On Thursday, Lydia and I met a friend for coffee. We had such a good conversation that we totally lost track of time. We spent about three hours chatting, but it was really fun and encouraging. I love how we can each share what God is doing in our lives. We build each other up and then bless others with the overflow!

My mother-in-law came to visit this weekend! Today, we went to Barnes & Noble for a special reading day about dinosaurs and saw three paleontologists. All three ladies shared about their experiences, passed around a couple of heavy (petrified) dinosaur bones. They shared cool dinosaur facts and answered our questions. Then, we went to a local farmer’s market, Sandy’s Donuts, Kohls, and visited a newer park a little south of us.

It’s been a great week! Thank You, Jesus!!

**********

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)!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Travel

MN/WI/MI Summer Road Trip 2018

Wow, what a week! We started off last Wednesday afternoon for Superior, WI (next door to Duluth, MN). I left work a little early, which helped make the 5+ hour trip a little better. We made a few rest stops, including Serpant Lake in Crosby, MN. We stayed overnight on Barker Island and enjoyed walking around the marina. We even saw a boat from Fargo!

On Thursday morning, we headed out to see friends in Bayfield, WI, which was on our way. We met Gary and Judy back in 2016 when we went to the Apostle Islands. We had a bite to eat with them, and went searching for fresh local fruit. Before we left we stocked up on blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and apple cider. Yum!

Our time in Bayfield wasn’t long enough [only 2 hours] so we’ll have to get back there again soon! Then, we continued the drive into Michigan… We spent the night in Marquette in the Upper Peninsula (UP). I had never been there before, but loved the gorgeous never-ending trees. We drove through SO. MANY. state and national forests this trip!

Friday was our third day of driving. That afternoon, it was raining lightly as we crossed the iconic Mackinac Bridge, which is 5 miles long! (But just before that I got pulled over by a Michigan State Policeman! He didn’t give me a ticket, though Lydia got a teddy bear!)

Due to rain and timing, we skipped a few activities and opted just to reach our final stop. We finally arrived in Cadillac, MI, for our family reunion just as other family members were showing up. Perfect timing! We saw family members from Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Louisiana, New Mexico, Colorado, and Greece. So much fun!

Before our trip, I had wanted to go hiking or kayaking. But when I had the opportunity, I changed my mind. The details just didn’t add up. Nonetheless, I was happy with my choices and thankful for time spent with other family members. It is good to hold our plans loosely so we don’t miss other (better) God-given opportunities!

On Monday, we started back home to Fargo. We crossed the Mackinac bridge again, but this time it was bright and sunny! I am not joking…the water was turquoise. Amazing! I would have taken a few pics of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, but of course I was driving. 😉 Thankfully, we picked up a couple magnets and postcards along the way…

We also stopped elsewhere for a few pics of Lake Michigan before continuing the nine hour trip to see friends in Minocqua, WI. We arrived in Minocqua around dinnertime to stay with friends I’ve known since I was a teenager. Years ago, Cathie and Randy were my youth group leaders and were eager to have us visit. 

Lydia and I were able to cram in a lot of fun activities in a few short evening hours! Our friends live on the lake, so I was able to kayak after all! Lydia fished off the dock, while I tried stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) for the first time. It was awesome! We also saw bald eagles, went boating and hot tubbing, and sat around a campfire.

The next morning, after a good night’s sleep and delicious breakfast, Lydia went paddle boarding, jet skiing, and tubing with Cathie before we left. She even squeezed in another round of fishing with Randy! Lydia will be talking about this trip for quite awhile!

Our last visit was in Grantsburg, WI. We stopped to see some friends who used to be Fargo neighbors. Elissa and her three boys were swimming at the public pool, so I let Lydia jump in for a quick dip before continuing on our trip. Elissa and I caught up too! It was the perfect break for a long day of driving.

A few takeaways from this trip…

I spent 99% of the trip on back roads with no way around cars ahead of me. I had plenty of time to think of life situations where you just have to ‘follow the leader’ whether you like it or not. Takeaway #1: Life works better when you are cheerful. Perhaps God allows ‘slow cars’ and detours to refine us? You will still get where you need to go, but it sure does help having a good attitude when circumstances are out of your control!

My family helped load up our belongings before heading home. When my sister told me she even tossed my dirty laundry bag in my car, I had to laugh! Takeaway #2: We all have our quirks or negative traits, but a good family overlooks our messes or our ‘dirt.’ In fact, a loving family will help you get through it (or in this case, help keep it all contained)!

On the way home, we stopped for a quick break. Lydia pointed out a coffee cup that said “Super Mom’s Coffee.” She said, “Oooh, Mom! Make sure you get some coffee!” I’m by no means a perfect parent, so Lydia’s comment made me happy that she thinks I am worthy of that title. Takeaway #3: You might feel like you’ve totally blown this parenting gig, but your kids are resilient and forgiving. Do your best and they will be just fine!

Finally, after spending five of the last seven days in the car, we arrived home in Fargo around 9pm last night. 1776 miles with 5 of 7 days driving. Lots of memories. Little sleep. Totally worth it!

Despite plans changing a bit, God directed my path. We had an even better experience than I could have imagined. Special thanks to my friends and neighbors who mowed for me, checked my mail, and watched my house while we were gone!

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God, thanks for a wonderful road trip to see family! Thanks for protecting us and providing so well for us. All glory to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you been through Michigan’s UP before? Do you like road trips?!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #125

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 a little crazy at first, but I felt God’s grace and direction even more! On Sunday, Lydia and I went to a campfire/potluck with some friends from church. We enjoyed a relaxing evening and fellowship. I’m so glad we went.

Then, I hurried to clean, fold laundry, pay bills, work, and pack for a ‘little’ road trip. We went to a family reunion in Michigan and also stopped along the way to see friends! The drive through the gorgeous Upper Peninisula (UP) was fairly relaxing and for once I didn’t have every detail planned. 🙂

On our trip, we saw three of the five Great Lakes! Superior, Huron, and Michigan. We even crossed the iconic Mackinac Bridge! (It is a five mile long suspension bridge.) We mapped out a few fun events along the way, but decided to skip them due to light rain on those days and timing. We were excited to hurry and see family and friends instead!

Once again, this week’s road trip provided a gracious timeout from daily life. I’m grateful for all the time we get to spend with loved ones. Thank You, Jesus!

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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)!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer

Finding Grace #123

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, with the heat and relaxed schedule, it has really felt like summer! Monday was an awesome day for me. I met an important deadline and received a letter from a dear friend in Sweden. Also, a new friend came over with her three children. The kids were all a little older than Lydia, but she had a lot of fun playing ‘big kid’ games with them. My friend and I had a great discussion about prayer and all that God has done for each of us. Later in the evening, we joined some neighbors for ice cream. It was a smile-filled, red-letter day for me…and as if that’s not enough, I even had a good hair day! 😉

At work, I had some really friendly patients, who were all eager to learn. As a dietitian, it’s my job to help people make healthy changes. It’s great when people want to learn and modify their habits. Believe it or not, that doesn’t always happen…change can be difficult! So to have ALL my patients on board is really fulfilling. On one of those work days, our neighbors volunteered to watch Lydia, instead of having her go to daycare. It was a big help to me and a great day for Lydia! 

On Thursday, another friend came over to catch up and chat about our plans this fall to do ministry together at church. It was fun to hear all that God is doing in my friend’s life and we challenged each other to keep moving forward. God is good!

The summer always coincides with lots of ‘togetherness’ for Lydia and me. She grows more independent every day, but also needs to be reigned in from time to time. (It’s not all popsicles around here!) 😉 This week, we addressed our ‘bad attitudes,’ not listening, and showing respect. It was a good reminder to keep open communication and make sure we are connecting every day. Going to bed early to get enough rest might also be a wise idea…but also a challenge! 🙂

The rest of the week was spent relaxing; planning ahead; eating ice cream, watermelon, and corn-on-the-cob; talking with people; and doing routine activities around the house. On Friday, I talked to several different people, and joyfully spent 2.5 hours on the phone in three different conversations. 🙂 I’m grateful for my flexible schedule and am glad to be available to encourage and help other people when needed. Thank You, Jesus!

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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)!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Fruit, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom, Words, Worship

Philippians 4 from a Child’s Point of View

On Sunday, Lydia and I unexpectedly slept in! It felt great, but since it was rather late, we didn’t make it to church. I don’t like to miss the weekly opportunity for worship and fellowship… So, Lydia and I made time for God by having our own devotion time together. It was time well spent!

In the Bible app on my phone, the verse of the day was Philippians 4:6. On a whim, I decided to read the surrounding verses and share our ideas.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Line by line, I asked Lydia for her thoughts on the text. We answered basic questions, like “What did you learn about God?” and “What did you learn about yourself?” and “Why do you think it says…?” Here are our combined thoughts on Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)…

Verse 4: First, Lydia picked up on the word rejoice. She thought it meant to praise God. I explained how we can have joy regardless of what is going on in our lives. For me, choosing joy takes consistent effort. For Lydia, the concept seemed relatively easy—at her age, she takes things at face value and lives primarily in the moment. Duly noted!

Verse 5: For the next verse, we discussed how our gentleness to others could make God’s love for them more obvious (evident). I explained how some people might feel God is mad at them (perhaps because they don’t know Jesus wants to forgive them). So, loving people well could help them want to know God. Lydia also said we should be kind because God is with us. We represent Him!

Verse 6: Per Lydia, “don’t worry or be mad.” (That’s it, pretty simple!) In other words, be thankful for what God has done for you and trust Him to answer your prayers. Don’t be afraid to ask God for what you want or need. He already knows what you are thinking!

Verse 7: God’s peace is special. We may not quite understand it, but per Lydia, “it’s like God locks up our hearts. Then, Jesus stands guard” so nothing can take our peace. I had never thought of it like that…

As I explained some of the text to Lydia, I was forced to adjust to her level of understanding. She didn’t know the historical context of persecution surrounding Paul’s letter written from jail… yet, going back to the basics actually brought new life to the text for me, too!

Normally, I enjoy researching Biblical topics and looking up details about each verse. But sometimes I can make it more complicated than necessary. On Sunday, my devotional time with Lydia was refreshing. While we didn’t use any fancy Bible study tools, we both learned something new and sensed God’s love for us!

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Heavenly Father, Your Word is alive and active! Thanks for the new perspective on child-like faith. May Your Word flourish in our hearts! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What is your favorite way to read and study the Bible?

Tasks: Read a few verses of the Bible with a child or a new believer in Christ. Let them explain the text before you chime in. (Or, check out The Jesus Storybook Bible!) Maybe you will learn something new, too!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #113

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 God’s grace! I had enjoyed each day and was able to catch up with my family and several friends in-person, and via texts or phone calls. Thank You, Jesus!

I worked extra hours this week, but it was all fun and purposeful. This week, I lead a diabetes class with an intern. In my volunteer role at church, I also started another three-week class. I teach this class regularly and we discuss several topics related to personal development. I enjoy teaching others and it feels good to have a positive impact on others’ lives. It makes me glad to use the skills God has given me!

Thursday was an all-around awesome day. First, I met up with a friend to catch up and pray. We walked outside to enjoy the beautiful day. After that, I took a bike ride to a local park. It was the perfect day with bright blue skies and no wind! Later, I walked Lydia and a friend to another park to play. I read a book before we walked back home for an impromptu picnic! I felt refreshed as I soaked up the sun and God’s grace that day!

Lydia played outside today, while I mowed for the first time! I also put out a few items for clean-up week. Next week, the City will pick up just about anything we leave curbside. I put my items out early in case someone else wants my old treasures (still in good condition)… I noticed one item is gone already! 🙂

Today was the Kentucky Derby! I don’t normally follow horse races, but this one caught Lydia’s interest, too. So, we watched the movie, Secretariat, last night so she understood a little more. Then, we watched the race this evening. It was a fun way to spend time together!

Where did you find God’s grace this week?

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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 Books and Movies I Like, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Book Review: When Breath Becomes Air

This week I finished a book that has been in my queue for quite some time. The book, When Breath Becomes Air, was published in 2016, but in all honesty, I wasn’t ready for it back then.

Several friends recommended the book, but I didn’t know if I could handle the intensity at the time. I didn’t want to get sucked into another cycle of grief!

Now, however, I am in a much different place. I decided to listen to the audio version, but I do have a copy of the physical book as well. I highly recommend this book!

The book was written by Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013 at the age of 36. He died in March 2015 just before his 38th birthday, and this book tracks his journey from physician to patient.

The story is quite compelling on its own, but even more so because of our own experience with cancer. I was struck by the similarities between this story and ours.

Mr. Kalanithi was on the verge of reaching his career goals—yet was sidetracked with sickness. Like my late husband, Dave, he did his best at work—regardless of how he felt physically. Both men loved their jobs!

The book also discusses how terminal illness can make a marriage and other relationships stronger. That happened to us too. Mr. Kalanithi sought to secure a good future for his wife, Lucy, and infant daughter, who was born while he was sick. He was always thinking about them.

As his death grew nearer, time seemed to slow down for the author. All of his accolades and accomplishments did not matter. He just wanted to soak up time with his wife, little daughter, and other loved ones.

Mr. Kalanithi was particularly close to his family, and I appreciated the fact that they were so supportive. I, too, am grateful for all the support we have received from family and friends!

For much of the book, it was as if I was hearing Dave tell his side of the story. I found it comforting to perhaps understand a little more about how Dave might’ve felt.

The book was different enough from my experiences that I didn’t have a hard time listening. Yet, the last few chapters were quite compelling because the author’s thoughts, feelings, and physical limitations paralleled what I went through with Dave.

Despite the heartbreak, it was reassuring to hear the same types of questions we dealt with regarding chemo, palliative care, and end of life decisions.

I was encouraged to hear Mr. Kalanithi talk about his faith and hope. He knew the risks and statistics about lung cancer but was never hopeless. He wanted to live his life to the fullest and sought purpose and meaning each day.

Both Mr. Kalanithi and Dave were in their mid-thirties when they were diagnosed and died. Mr. Kalanithi had lung cancer and Dave had colon cancer, but both are not as common in younger people. (Though, that may be changing now.)

Both men had young daughters too little to remember their fathers. Cady Kalanthi was 8 months old when her daddy died; Lydia was 17 months old when Dave died. I’m thankful for the legacies these men left behind.

Neither the author nor my late husband spent much time feeling sorry for themselves. They didn’t complain, but were brave and set an example for others!

If you haven’t already read this book, please consider it! It was helpful to remember that my story is not all that unique. Instead of focusing on all I have lost, I can cherish what I do have: Lydia and precious memories.

Praise God, I also have hope and a good future ahead of me (Jeremiah 29:11)! Yes, Life has turned out differently than expected, but Jesus has been so faithful all these years.

He is so good to us!

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Dear God, thanks for taking such good care of me. Thanks for Your protection and provision through life’s ups and downs. Thank You for your grace! I trust You for a good future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you read any good books lately? Do prefer physical books or audiobooks or ebooks?

Tasks: Check out this book! Let me know what you think!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #109

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 was intentional about staying in the present moment. As usual, we had a lot of potential activities to do each day. But, I postponed some on purpose to stay focused on the Lord. It was a peaceful week!

Recently, the students at Lydia’s school held a small fundraiser for a local boy battling cancer. Just with spare change, they raised around $1100! When the little boy stopped by the school this week, the students surprised him with a song. Lydia was so excited to tell me all about it…but it unexpectedly took me back a few years…  Later, I watched a video of that day and could see how encouraged the boy and his family were. I’m glad the community is rallying for this little boy. And, I’m thankful Lydia is still somewhat unaware of how much turmoil cancer can bring.

My parents celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on Thursday and have been in Florida for a little over a week! What a way to start off a new year of marriage! I’m grateful for all they have accomplished and look forward to how God will use them next!

Today, some neighbor boys came to play for a few hours. We always enjoy when they come to visit! Then, Lydia went to a birthday party at SkyZone, which is a trampoline park. She ended up riding with the family hosting the party, so I had a couple hours to myself! 🙂

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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 #107

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 rather low-key but good. We have been on-the-go for much of the last three months, so a quiet week was much appreciated!  It consisted of writing, cooking, catching up with friends/family, and even some online shopping. 🙂 

We had a light dusting of snow early in the week, and a little more snow today. Thankfully, it has been fairly nice and “warm” in the upper 30s most of the week, so the snow shouldn’t stick around for long. It always seems like spring takes awhile to come… But I saw tell-tale signs of spring on Friday morning: Robins and buds on the trees!

Work went well this week. This month marks one year since our merger happened. I can’t believe how fast the year went… and how much God has blessed me. I am thankful for a stable job that still provides a good amount of flexibility.

This week, I finished up a class I lead at church. I met with some new friends afterward and also ran into about twenty other people I know. Sometimes, our feelings get the best of us and we forget how connected we are. But Wednesday was a great reminder of belonging. I am grateful for all the wonderful people God has placed in my life!

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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)!