Tag: work

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #448

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-filled week! I worked hard but also intentionally rested.

Work went well, and we started a new fiscal year. I had several good patients and had a mix of meetings, webinars, and problem-solving.

Yesterday, after work, I went to a park nearby to read and walk around. It was beautiful! I stayed about two hours and then went to some gardens by NDSU, where I spent another hour or so. The flowers were so pretty. While I was there, I called my mom, and I loved catching up!

After that, I met six coworkers for dinner at a local speakeasy-type restaurant. It was dark and hidden, though not really a secret! We split some yummy appetizers and laughed a lot. We can’t wait to go out again soon!

This morning, Lydia and I met some friends for coffee. We stayed nearly three hours chatting with the mom and daughter! It was fun, and I am sure we could have stayed a lot longer! 😀

Later, we did a few chores but mostly relaxed. I did a little exercise and also took a nap!

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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, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Pivot

Finding Grace #446

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!

Free Foliage Branch photo and picture

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

This was a full and busy week, but I knew God was at work all around me.

On Monday, I went to the chiropractor. I was hoping that she could just “pop” my hip in place and fix the impinged nerve, but it will still require more mobility work. Either way, it is something that didn’t occur overnight, so it will take time to heal. I see it as preparing my body to shovel snow this winter without causing more issues!

On Wednesday, I worked a little more than half a day, then needed to leave for a some appointments. I left work later than intended due to patient care. But, we were still on time for Lydia’s ortho appointment. Because she is diligent to wear her equipment, she will likely finish six months sooner than expected! Woohoo!

The second appointment was a financial check-up over Zoom. It was good to review things and make a few changes. I am grateful for help with planning for the future. God is so good at providing for us. Thanks, Lord!

On Thursday, I drove with two coworkers to Grand Forks. We attended a nutrition training at the University of North Dakota (UND). It was fun to meet other dietitians. We learned some new things, but also were able to share some of our knowledge with them!

On Friday, I stayed later at work to help a patient and solve a problem for him. It was gratifying to answer his questions and provide excellent care! Next week, I will contact his medical team so they can make things right for this Veteran. I also had some input from two other coworkers, and I appreciate the teamwork!

Last night and today, I’ve been watching the virtual version of ChosenCon running this weekend in Orlando! I enjoy watching the portrayal of Jesus and His disciples in The Chosen, and it is fun to see the actors and all the memorabilia behind the scenes. We learned that the company will also produce other shows about Moses, Joseph, and the Book of Acts. They will even run a show with The Chosen actors going on adventures in the wild with Bear Grylls, as well as a children’s animated show. I can’t wait!

Otherwise, today we are mostly relaxing after a busy few weeks!

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

Finding Grace #445

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!

Free Butterfly Flower photo and picture

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

This was a fun week full of various social interactions, some planned and unplanned!

I saw a monarch butterfly; I don’t recall the last time I saw one in person! I’m sure I will notice more now that I am aware.

This week, we had another birthday celebration at work. I also enjoyed some good conversation and a couple of lunchtime walks with various coworkers. I am grateful to work with a fabulous group of ladies!

Lydia has naturally curly hair, but we had fun straightening it this week. It was just a whim, not an everyday thing. She has asked to try it many times, and I found a way to do it easily. I don’t expect to do it often, but she was happy when all her friends noticed! 🙂

On Wednesday, I attended an informational meeting at Lydia’s school for a cool opportunity in the Spring. I saw one of her friends, a girl from our neighborhood. They were good friends in grade school, but during COVID, they ended up on different paths. In middle school, they have grown close again. The mom and I got to catch up this week, and I am grateful for another family cheering us on!

On Friday, I mowed again after work since the next several days will be busy. I think the weather is starting to change, so I hope I won’t need to mow too many more times!

Last night and today have a bit of a whirlwind. Last night, Lydia went to hang out with a friend. When I went to pick her up, I talked with the girl’s parents for quite a while, discovering we have some mutual friends. We had such a fun time laughing and playing with their puppy. I even asked for their input on something, and God answered a prayer by giving me peace of mind. Then, I came home and had a good long conversation with my uncle for an hour! It was also very good to chat with him, though it was a late night before an early morning commitment.

Today, we had a special church event in the morning. It was a celebration of sorts and an opportunity to encourage volunteers. We had some yummy food and heard a good message from a visiting pastor. I am grateful for all God has doing!

Tonight, we are meeting up with my Aunt Terry! She came from Illinois to see some of her extended family as she did in 2021. It will be wonderful to see her!

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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, Kindness, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #444

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!

Free Orange Flowers Flowers photo and picture

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

This was a fairly peaceful week! 

We enjoyed having Monday off for Labor Day. I used it as a free day for the most part! I caught up with a few small projects but also tried a new recipe, read a book, and played a game with Lydia. It was fun just to spend time together!

Work went well Tuesday through Friday. I had friendly patients and did meaningful work. One of my coworkers returned from maternity leave, so catching up with her was fun! We also celebrated someone’s birthday, and it was my turn to bring a treat! I made magic cookie bars, and they were a hit. Yum!

This week, a new family moved into the house across the street. We brought some cookies and met some of the family. One of the girls is about Lydia’s age. I hope to get to know them all better!

Yesterday, after work, I ran a few errands and then decided to mow. The grass was indeed long enough, but it was also a beautiful day in the 70s! I enjoyed being outside. As I was mowing, two of the kids across the street stopped by to check out my little free library. They said they love to read!

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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, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Grace #443

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!

Free Bank Relax photo and picture

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

This week seemed special, as I found God moving my heart. 

Work was great, and I met another author as my patient. I saw him again the next day as he left a key fob in my office. He seemed like a whole different person, and I know God changed his heart after our conversation! I was touched to see God moving through my story in an unexpected way.

I checked in with several friends this week. Many have kids starting school, and I wanted to tell them I am praying for them. I also prayed for some needs and heard about praises from other prayers being answered. God is so good!

Yesterday after work, I went to a local park along the river and read a book. I saw several people enjoying the beautiful day. It was very peaceful, and I hope to go again when the leaves start to change colors, if not before!

Lydia and I mowed earlier in the week, as the grass was quite long. It was also helpful to free up our weekend!

Today, we did our usual Saturday chores and tried some new recipes. Lydia has a slight cold, so it was nice for her to rest. I exercised and worked on some projects. I even fit in a short nap!

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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 Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Waiting For Motivation

This week, I met a Veteran who was waiting for motivation before making some changes. Well, God showed up, and we had a great conversation! He walked into my office with some incorrect assumptions, and I had to help him work through them to find a plan that would work for him.

He started by telling me I had “such a difficult job” because most people, like him, are set in their ways and don’t want to make changes. He was nearly twice my age and was fed up with people “telling him what to do.” He misinterpreted some nutrition information years ago, and it seems to have set him back in his desire to follow through. Unfortunately, he didn’t think eating healthily was very practical and struggled to find any motivation.

Now, I usually start off by asking a lot of questions and taking notes. Then, I dive into the education piece and answer any questions. This time, I just prayed and rolled with his resistance. I listened and acknowledged that he must’ve done something right to reach his upcoming next decade of life. Then, I asked how I could help and what he needed from me.

Free Bench Meadow photo and picture

He continued talking and soon mentioned excessive snacking as he wrote a book about finding resiliency in people. He was surprised when I mentioned I had written a book, too! It was not about promotion but about connection. We talked quite a bit about writing, and he asked about my story. He was deeply affected and could tell I understood more than he had given me credit for.

We briefly talked about how, in the Old Testament, Joseph grew through his trials and kept following God. I tried to find a segue back to nutrition, but I also wanted to stay in the moment and meet this Veteran where he was. We talked about how life changes over time, and our nutrition needs do, too. I explained that it is good to be healthy and prepared since we don’t know what life will bring us. Eating nutritiously and adding some movement will also help us enjoy the good times as much as possible.

After a little while, I showed him my book’s front cover online, and then he excitedly showed me his. We started laughing because while mine has a bench set in some lovely woods, his had an antique chair set on the prairie. The sentiment was identical!! After that, we were on the same page, and I was able to put him on a good path nutritionally.

Free Bench Fence photo and picture

We talked about the futility of waiting around for motivation, similar to writers waiting for “the muse” to appear. The muse is always running late and shows up after we get started! Thus, no motivation leads to no action, which leads to no results. But, if we just take action, we will get results, which fuels motivation to continue. This really resonated with him!

We chatted about a few other topics, such as our career paths, psychology, and faith, all led by the Veteran. It was a bit of a wild goose chase, and I just jotted a few notes when I could. I smiled when, at the end, he said, “I can tell you are very practical and know a lot about this. You’ve been very helpful!” He even agreed to come back to continue our discussion!

It was so fun to step aside and let God kindly guide our conversation. It was nice to connect with another author and also help him in a ‘practical’ way. 🙂 It was good to pay attention to the Holy Spirit, too. He always knows exactly what we need!

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God, thanks for giving me a good job. Help me continue to honor You and do my best. Use me to make a difference in the lives of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How has God been working in Your life this week?

Task: Don’t get stuck waiting for motivation or the muse. Just take action so you can get results; then motivation will come!

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

Finding Grace #441

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. I enjoyed my birthday on Monday, and we returned home from Medora. Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

On Monday, I went to the chiropractor again. My hip is still bothering me, but I don’t think it is a new injury; rather, I think it’s just from daily life building up over time. I found an online deep stretching program I will try in addition to the other things I do. After only three days, I still have pain, but I am noticing a difference in mobility!

At work, I had a full schedule but also fit in six additional patients! It will take some time to catch up with charting, but that’s okay. Two fun things happened, though. We celebrated my birthday with chocolate cake on Tuesday. Also, a coworker and I went for a walk when it started to pour, so we had to jog back to the office. We were drenched but laughing. A fun memory for sure!

On Wednesday, I was involved with a very minor fender bender with a state vehicle! I was behind the car at a stop light and rolled into it when my foot accidentally came off my brake. It could have been because I was sitting funny related to my hip. My back was a little sore, but my car is totally fine. I called the police to file a report, and I got a simple warning for “following too close.”  It was definitely my fault, and I am grateful there were no major issues with the other driver. He was very understanding!

Yesterday after work, I met a widow friend for lunch at a newer little French bistro in town. We had fancy coffee and a delicious meal, along with great conversation. I took home a couple of giant croissants to share with Lydia. 😀 Then, in the evening, we met some old friends, Owen and Krystal, who were in town visiting. They now live in Colorado with their four kids, but they were a huge part of our support system when Dave was sick (as mentioned in my book). It was fun to see them!

Today, I was on-call for work. I had to go in for two patients, but they were fairly easy. Later, I spent time with Lydia, roasted some veggies, took a nap, and made phone calls.

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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, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #440

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!

Free Sunrise Grass photo and picture

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

This week was busy because we were trying to get a lot done before heading out on a birthday adventure. We had to get a few chores done early, pack, etc., in order to be gone for a few days. It was all worth it, of course!

Work was full, and I had a lot of paperwork. It all turned out well, but I added a few patients to my already full schedule. The fun part was that we celebrated a coworker’s upcoming wedding and met and another coworker’s two-month-old baby!

On Monday, I went to the chiropractor, and I am so glad I did. My back needed adjusting, but my hip was even worse. It has been locked up for a couple of months! It was sore afterward for a few days, but hopefully, it is on the mend now. Otherwise, I will have to check in for another adjustment next week.

This week, I saw a lot of cool birds! First, I saw a young red-tailed hawk on my deck! I was so surprised I didn’t get a picture, even when it came back and peered in my window! On a different day, I saw a bald eagle flying over the highway on my way to work. I also saw two (and later four) cute pigeons on the windowsill at work. Certainly not as exciting as a hawk and eagle, but they still made me smile! 🙂

Yesterday, after work, Lydia and I drove out west to Dickinson, ND. We drove on the Enchanted Highway and saw several gigantic scrap metal sculptures! We also saw many birds we don’t see often in Fargo since there are more people!

Today, we are visiting Medora, a little further down the road. I haven’t been since I was pregnant with Lydia! We will drive through Teddy Roosevelt National Park and see the Medora Musical tonight. The rest will be an adventure, but it will be fun to see what God has in store for us!

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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 Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

Doing A Good Job

It’s Olympics season, and it has already been a wild ride! I have not been able to follow along as closely as I would like, but I have been catching clips of various events.

It is fun to cheer for those who consistently win, such as Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Katie Ledecky. But it is also fun to cheer for the underdogs.

You may have heard about the US Men’s gymnastics team yesterday. It has been many years since they earned a medal, but yesterday was their day!

People all around the world are talking about specialist Stephen Nedoroscik. He only came to the Olympics for one thing: pommel horse. Choosing him was controversial because he is not as skilled in the other areas and could possibly hurt the overall team score.

But yesterday, he aced it with a laser focus. He knew what he needed to do and came through with flying colors. I saw a quote where he said he was not bothered to be last. He looked at it like he could be an “exclamation point” at the end of the long day! That is a great perspective!

I can’t imagine how many hours and years of practice it takes to be an Olympian. But, I do know they have to keep showing up, working hard, and getting back on track over and over again. They know they have a job to do, and no one else will do it for them!

Free Old Gym In Hot Springs Fordyce photo and picture

As Christians, we also have a job to do, though it looks different for each of us. The main thing we have in common is Jesus. We are on His team and follow Him. But beyond that, He created each person for a unique purpose. I love that we are all different!

Yesterday, I also learned of the recent, sudden death of a lady who inspired me to move forward with my blog. In 2015, I had started writing blog posts in May, but didn’t go live until my birthday in August. That week, I attended a conference hosted by this lady, and I told her I was nervous to “put myself out there.” She validated my concern and encouraged me to go live anyway. I am so glad I did.

We cannot live to please others, only God. But, each of us can influence each other toward success. We cannot afford to waste time since so much is at stake. The comments and condolences on my friend’s social media page showed she did her job well. She knew she was on a God-given mission and went after it with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

When we don’t do our job, there are consequences—too many to list here! Of course, we never know when our last day will be, so we should always do our best and aim to finish strong. May we hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I want to be known as someone who is dependable and who comes through in a pinch. I may not be the best at everything, but I can be the best at being who God made me to be. Even if I am still figuring it out! 😉

I may not have all the answers, but I can keep pointing you and others to the One who does. I can show up, pray for others, and encourage them not to give up.

We all have it in us to be good neighbors, friends, family members, and employees. We often don’t understand our impact until much later! Yet, our primary goal should be to bring honor and glory to Jesus, not ourselves! So, bottom line, let’s do our job (whatever that is) and do it well. We can trust God to take care of the rest!

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God, thanks so much for Your kindness in calling and equipping us to follow You. May we always do our best and serve you with joy as an act of worship. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite Olympic sport to watch? Do you know your God-given mission in life?

Task: Create a mission statement for your life. Pray about what God has created you for and how He wants to use you. Then, seek Him with all your heart and do your best!

 

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

Finding Grace #438

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!

Free Us Navy Military photo and picture

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

This week was pretty exciting!

Work was busy but good. I had some complex patients and appreciated working with other providers to serve them. Eating or not eating affects everything, and I felt I made a difference this week!

On Monday evening, I decided to mow my lawn. I knew it would be hot later in the week, and it needed to be done. However, I was surprised when the ‘Frecce Tricolori,’ the Italian Air Force Aerobatic Team flew over my house (twice)! I later learned they stopped in Fargo to refuel on their way to the Oshkosh, WI, air show. It was fun to see the green, white, and red colors of their flag trailing behind!

Also, this week, the US Navy Blue Angels are in town for the Fargo Airsho today and tomorrow. The airport is off the same road as the VA, so for a couple of days, I saw them practicing as I went out for my lunch break. I probably stood in awe more than I walked! I have already seen them flying over my house today but we may join some friends tomorrow to watch as well. (Note: The picture above is a stock photo, not mine!)

Ironically, the VA also hosted a brass quintet from the US Navy! I followed some sailors outside as I headed out for another lunchtime walk. On my way back, I paused to watch and listen to them play!

Yesterday afternoon, I took Lydia to the music store for a quick check-in before school starts next month. It turns out she has outgrown her 6th-grade viola and came home with a gorgeous new rental! It was perfect timing for the upgrade, and we already love the sound!

After that, we went back-to-school shopping. I bought Lydia some new shoes and a few notebooks, highlighters, and pencils. She can reuse much of what she had last year since she no longer needs “little kid” things like scissors and glue!

Then, last night, Lydia had a friend sleep over. They played games, painted their nails, walked to the gas station to get snacks and slurpies, listened to music, watched a movie, and stayed up late. I was mostly in the background, but it was fun to hear them giggling so much.

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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)!