Tag: spring

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #268

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 went really fast. Lydia had fun playing with a friend on Sunday and Wednesday. Plus, we got to Zoom with family!

I enjoyed a good amount of problem solving this week. There were a number of issues that popped up, both personally and with others. I am glad I was able to come up with creative solutions for everyone involved. Thanks, Lord!

This week, the weather was variable, but today is sunny and beautiful!

Today, Lydia and I hung around the house for awhile. I did laundry and some meal prep for the next week while catching up on a couple podcasts. Then, we went to the mall to walk around. After that, we read at the bookstore. I love that Lydia enjoys reading like I do!

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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, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

Tenderhearted

As we go through April, I have been reminded that the 8th anniversary of Dave’s death is drawing near. May 15th will be here before we know it! Overall, I am doing well.

But, I’ve noticed a few issues steering me toward elements of grief. First, I’ve seen a few memories pop up on my phone or online. One was a video of a four-month-old Lydia “talking” to me. This was a few weeks before Dave’s sudden cancer diagnosis, so it is quite poignant. Sweet little Lydia babbling away, while none of us realized what was coming.

Second, I’ve received several prayers for health concerns. It may be entire families dealing with COVID (parents and children), or others receiving heartbreaking news or diagnoses. Some of these issues are acute and some are chronic.

One family, who I’ve known (loosely) for many years, is not dealing with cancer but other long-term health issues, which came on suddenly after a recent accident. The doctors are hopeful, but they have a long road ahead of them.

Online, the family shares the realities of their hardships, but they also shares songs and words of hope. It reminds me of when Dave was so sick and it felt like I was trying to run the race of faith for both of us. It was exhausting, but feeling everyone’s love made all the difference. Thanks for your prayers!

I do not see these memories and issues as mere coincidences. They aren’t just popping up though it feels that way at times. Instead, I sense God drawing me close and leading me to stay sensitive to His Holy Spirit. I’m grateful for these gentle reminders.

In addition to memories and prayer requests, I have been reading my NLT Chronological Bible and am learning some new things! Also, I am watching the Chosen television series. I downloaded the app and usually watch it on my tablet.

This series is powerful and it helps me see the Bible come alive. I love the character development, and it’s a great way to draw close to God’s Truth. From portraying the generosity of Jesus’ Mother to Matthew’s history and behaviors, which set him at odds with the other Disciples, the show has a lot of plausibility.

While there is no substitute for Scripture, I like to look up the Bible passages that are seen in each episode. Still, I really appreciate the creativity. It opens my imagination and helps me see God at work in my life, too.

There are some very moving moments, and I find myself thinking about the show for days. I even get a little choked up when I consider that millions of people all over the world are also watching… and learning… more of Who Jesus Is.

Those who know me best will tell you I tend to get teary-eyed when the Holy Spirit gets ahold of my heart. Sometimes it is a little embarrassing to cry easily, but I am calling it a win for being tenderhearted!

I don’t normally describe myself as such, and I used to try to be more stoic (in order to appear strong, perhaps?). Keep it together, Natalie! 😉 Yet, pain and the heartbreak of grief brings a new level of emotional acuity.

So, I don’t apologize for my feelings anymore. We don’t live by our emotions, but they can help us see Jesus more clearly…. and the needs around us.

If anything, I hope other people are encouraged to be themselves and sit with their feelings. Stay tenderhearted before the Lord and see what He will do in your life and through you to bless others.

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God, I praise You for using all my circumstances to make me more like Jesus. You are so good. Help me trust You and keep my heart pliable before You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you describe yourself as more stoic or tenderhearted? (I can be both, depending on the situation!) How can I be praying for you today?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “Jesus I Believe,” by Big Daddy Weave. Instead of running from pain, let it turn your heart to Jesus. He loves you so much!!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #267

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 seemed long, but I can’t really explain why! 🙂 I think I just didn’t get enough sleep. It was a good week overall!

We had cooler weather for much of the week and  some very light snow, which is not ‘unexpected’ for this time of year. Nonetheless, the today and yesterday were bright, sunny, and warmer! We’ve enjoyed the longer days, too.

This week, I caught up with several people through calls and texts. Some people had big prayer requests, such as health issues. And some people were praising God for what He has done for them. I’m grateful.

Today was pretty relaxing, though it didn’t quite go as expected! Most of my original plans fell through! Instead, I enjoyed a slower pace and cooked various items for the week ahead. We ordered Chinese food for dinner. I’m grateful for God’s redirection! 

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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, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #266

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 productive week! I enjoyed a slightly slower pace at work filled with a few meetings, good conversations, yummy treats, and a fair amount of laughter. My coworkers and I were learning how to use a new tube feeding pump so we can educate our patients. It reminded me of the classic joke… how many (dietitians) does it take to change a light bulb?!

Lydia’s school was doing some state testing this week. She forgot her iPad at home because she was charging. I wasn’t able to bring it since I was already all the way across town at work. Thankfully, she borrowed one from the school library.

On Thursday evening, Lydia and I went out to eat with coworkers to bid farewell to our dietetic intern! She has been with us since January, and we all appreciated having her. She helped us with our work and was quick to learn everything we threw at her!

While at dinner on Thursday, I got to hold a coworker’s sweet four-month-old baby girl. She was so cute and alert! This baby was born the same month as Lydia so there are many similarities in the timing of her growth and development. As such, it meant a lot to me that I got to hold the baby, specifically because Lydia was the same size and age in April right before Dave got sick in May. Whenever I see a baby that age, I think about those few weeks and consider them a sweet spot before all Hell broke loose.

I went to the college campus on Friday to teach my class. It was on renal disease, which is kind of a complex topic. But, I did my best and felt good about it overall. In addition to covering the material, at least on a basic level, my goal is to give my students practical guidance to set them up for success. I also enjoyed catching up with some of the staff, too!

This week, the weather was windy and rainy at times. But, we need the rain and I was thankful it wasn’t snowing! Then again, it was absolutely gorgeous today, and I enjoyed hearing the song birds and seeing some crocuses popping 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, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Worship

Finding Grace #265

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, though some days seemed long! I don’t have anything really new to report, but there was just a lot going on every day! 🙂 Work and life went well, overall, and I also enjoyed chatting with my sister!

Lydia received a box of Easter goodies in the mail this week. She was so excited for some candy and a few Peanuts/Snoopy items. We called our family to say thank you, and I was so surprised when Lydia offered me one of her Reese’s peanut butter eggs! It was totally out of the blue, but she said she knew how much I like them. It melted my heart, and I told her how much I appreciated her generosity. Her whole face lit up in pride!

The college was on Spring Break this week, so I didn’t go to campus yesterday. I still have some grading and such to do, but instead of doing those things, I ran some errands and got my oil changed. It was so sunny out, and I enjoyed having some quiet time to myself.

Then, Lydia and I went to church for the Good Friday service! After it was over, we caught up with friends and met a three-week old baby boy! He only weighed about five pounds at birth, since he was three weeks early. He is so tiny and precious!

The weather was all over the place this week. It ranged from being in the 30s to 70s and at times was very windy. We were serenaded by some robins on several mornings. We also noticed buds on the trees and some tulip leaves popping up! Today, it has been warm and beautiful!

Today, one of Lydia’s friends came over for a few hours to visit. They decorated Easter eggs, watched a movie, played outside, ate lunch, drew pictures, and more. She is a sweet girl and very easy to be around. It’s so fun to see their friendship grow!

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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, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

Finding Grace #264

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. It had many highs and a few lows. I heard of several prayer requests, some regarding relationships and many for health issues. I’m grateful God’s grace is constant. He knows exactly what we need even before we ask!

Work went well, and I had fun participating in various meetings and helping my coworkers. I had friendly patients and feel like I made a difference!

I caught up with a couple of dear friends this week. One is a widow, like me, and we typically work through our similar experiences and cheer each other on. We met today for bowling and frozen yogurt with our girls. It was a fun few hours…just what I needed!

The other friend is a Caterpillar wife and we enjoyed catching up as well! We haven’t seen each other in a long time, but we talked for an hour on the phone. God is so good, and I loved hearing how He is taking care of everyone!

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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, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #263

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 fun week!

On Monday, Lydia and I attended her parent-teacher conference over Zoom. I was pleased to hear how well she is doing (even in a pandemic). Her teacher explained she is excelling in her school work, but she also has a great work ethic. I really was proud to hear she has a positive attitude and does not complain!

On Tuesday, we caught the replay for a 6-week online Bible study for tween girls. (It’s LIVE on Mondays, but we missed that due to her conference.) The study discusses the concept of loyalty in the book of Ruth. Lydia and a friend had fun completing the workbook later in the week! I’m glad she can study God’s Word with a dear friend.

Wednesday was St. Patrick’s Day. It was a pretty normal day, overall, but Lydia and I discussed how we don’t need luck because we have God on our side. He is a such a good provider for us, and we reviewed some of the ways God has blessed us lately.

This week, I had several great conversations with coworkers, patients, and students! I also had four great phone calls with family. I’m grateful!

Today was in the 60s, but fairly windy so it doesn’t feel that warm. Lydia and I went through some of her books… to save, sell, or donate. It was a little bittersweet to review old memories. She is growing up, and some of the books are a little young for her!

Happy First Day of Spring!

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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, Books and Movies I Like, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #262

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!! On Sunday, we Zoomed with family. It’s been so fun to check in every week! It has become one of my favorite things to do every week!

On Monday, I dropped of my tax documents to my accountant. I have various things to keep track of, and it’s good to have help! As a single mom, it’s one less thing for me to have to do. It’s always nice to get a refund, but this year, it was split. I owe some and get some back! No matter what I am so grateful for God’s provision!

I had many friendly patients this week. It’s so fun to talk with Veterans who are eager to learn about nutrition. It’s more than that though. It’s good to make the ‘human connection,’ and that was a highlight of my week!

We got a little snow this week, after it was mostly melted away. This snow won’t stick around for long, but it triggered my snow removal service to come. I was very happy about that, as I got to sleep until my normal alarm went off.

On Wednesday, I called Fitbit customer service for help. I happened to talk to someone who was working from home… in Jamaica! We had a good conversation while he answered my questions. Turns out, Lydia’s device is out of warranty, but he gave us a 35% off coupon so we could order a new one! She was so grateful and excited!

Today has been beautiful, with warmer weather and little wind. Lydia went to a friend’s house to play, while I visited with a couple friends, ran errands, and tackled some chores around the house. When Lydia returned, we took a walk to other ‘little free libraries’ and delivered some books we were done with. I also updated some of the books in ours!

Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour tonight!

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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, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #261

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! On Monday, I woke up not feeling the best. Mostly some back pain and GI issues. These tend to come and go, but Monday, I decided to stay home from work. Normally, I would just push through (like I usually do). I am proud that I rested and took care of myself instead. That set me up well for the remainder of the week.

Lydia ordered something online this week, an inexpensive toy she really wanted. She paid for it herself. She kept asking if I had received delivery notifications and excitedly opened it when it came. I order so many “boring” household items online, mostly to save me time later, so her anticipation was fun to see!

On Friday, I picked Lydia up after work and we went shopping. She requested some new pants, pajamas, and other items since she continues to grow. Imagine that! We had fun looking around at three stores, though she had to take everything home to try on. We will need to make some returns, but I’m glad we got to spend time together. After that, we went to Panera and used a gift card for dinner. We also ran into some friends!

Today, Lydia and I had a heart healthy discussion about fats, after she saw some of my props for teaching my students yesterday. This included a timely topic about body image and the importance of making good choices. Later, she played with a neighbor, while I worked on collecting and organizing my tax information!

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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 #221

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?

If this week could be described by all the food we ate, I would say it was very tasty! On Sunday, a dear friend came over to visit and we ate African food and played games together. She briefly hopped on my family Zoom call to say hello to everyone.

Once again, work was busy and was productive. I ate yummy leftovers of a bean soup with Middle Eastern spices all week for lunch. I also shared some dark chocolate espresso beans with a coworker.

Early in the week, I worked on some assignments for my online cooking class. I blanched, parboiled, and gently cooked some broccoli. I also made garlic mushrooms and leeks. I did not have all the right ingredients, but used other versions (ex. dried garlic instead of fresh) based on what I had at home. Thankfully, I still earned 100%. The chef/teacher couldn’t believe I had gotten such good results, but I’m glad they recognized my effort. 😉 Next up… roasted carrots!

I ran some errands after work one evening, and then Lydia got deli sandwich from a nearby food truck for dinner.

Today, I mowed early in the day and noticed my pretty tulips. Then, I called my mother-in-law, and later, joined a baby shower over Zoom. It was fun to see old friends in at least three time zones! During the ‘party,’ Lydia and I split a cookie we bought a few days ago at the bookstore to celebrate the end of school. Yum!

Finally, this week has brought many conversations about injustice and racial inequality. I discuss these issues with Lydia, and it is an ongoing conversation. However, there is more to do in order to bring about change. This week, I bought some more resources to continue educating myself. Please pray for peace and speak up for justice.

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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)!