Category: Finding Grace Weekly Recap

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

Finding Grace #12

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

full rainbow

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

    • On Monday, I went to an all-day women’s conference in Fargo. I wasn’t thrilled about sitting down for almost 10 hours, yet we had several breaks throughout the day, and this year was the best yet! Each speaker was so good; I enjoyed every minute. I even met a Registered Dietitian I have followed for years. So that was really cool! I’m so thankful for a 10-hour drop-in daycare and that Lydia is fairly flexible and enthusiastic in these situations. “Lydia, you will get to eat breakfast and lunch there…but I will pick you up before supper time.”  I packed her bag full of fun, healthy foods and she was set. “Oh, YES! I’m so excited!”
  • On Tuesday, I mowed the lawn. Not super exciting, but the forecast predicted rain all week and I wanted to stay on top of it. Then, I decided to water the grass because it was extra crispy. I haven’t watered the grass in three years, but since it is so early in the season, I needed to do something about it! Lydia played with the neighbors the entire time. We didn’t go to bed until after 9pm that night. It was so beautiful and sunny. We thoroughly enjoyed our time outside!
  • On Wednesday, I woke up sore from moving the water hose around the yard…only to see it raining. (I actually love a good rain storm and even saw a rainbow later!) Lydia had been hoping for rain all week so she could use her new Hello Kitty umbrella! So, we headed outside to walk around in the rain for a few minutes. Then, we stayed outside so Lydia could enjoy the experience. 🙂 Hey, life is short! She rode her bike in the rain, jumped in a large puddle, and picked clover “flowers.” We also played catch with a tennis ball. It was great to see her delight in such simple joys.
  • Friday afternoon’s weather brought a thunderstorm and a couple ‘little’ tornadoes in a neighboring town! Later, we spent the evening with my friend, Amy, and her family. Amy recently graduated from college and I am so proud of her. We were introduced by mutual friends, after our husbands died of cancer. We’ve been encouraged by each other over the last couple of years, as we have shared our stories. Amy has three young school-aged children and has worked so hard these last few years to provide for her family by pursuing (and finishing) her degree. College is difficult enough, but I cannot imagine doing it with kids. Like me, Amy has also relied on God to get her through. What a testament of His grace in her life… empowering Amy to do the impossible!
  • Today, Lydia and I had a special day together. We went to the Fargo zoo, had a picnic lunch at the park, had a tea party, painted her nails at home and few other activities. Our week was jammed with many fun and interesting activities, but these are the highlights. I am continually amazed to see how diverse our experiences have been each week. God is writing a wonderful story, and I am so thankful for His grace as I see it unfold day by day.

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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 see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #11

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

orchids

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

  • This week has been awesome. We’ve had visitors all week! First, my mom, aunt, and sister came for a few days. After they left, a dear friend from college came to visit for a long weekend. We all had a blast laughing, sharing our stories, shopping, and eating delicious food. It was a fun and fairly restful week, even though we all stayed up way too late enjoying ourselves! We had gorgeous weather, and I also enjoyed catching up with my neighbors outside.
  • My sister and brother-in-law gave me a beautiful orchid this week in remembrance of Dave. There are many different types of orchids—what variety! But I like the purplish/fuschia ones the best. (My sister didn’t know it, yet that’s the one she gave me!) I think they are so pretty! I am amazed at how delicate they are, yet their blooms last for longer than many other plants.
  • Yesterday (Friday), my friend and I went to a ‘junk market’ where we perused vintage, antique, and up-cycled items. We saw many interesting objects, and I found a couple small heart magnets for the fridge. Lydia got some hair clips from someone who also has an online Etsy shop. I also bought some locally made raspberry and strawberry jam! As we walked around, I thought about how God remakes us to be more like Him. We are His masterpiece. We each have a unique, God-given purpose—He doesn’t make mistakes. He restores us and makes all things new! (see Ephesians 2:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17)

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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 see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #10

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

cherry-blossom

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

  • This week was all about relationships. I had multiple meaningful conversations each day of the week. Deep conversations are my most favorite way to connect with people, so I was thrilled! I talked with neighbors, fellow writers, church friends, moms, widows, and old college friends, among others. We made changes on projects, made new plans, discussed difficult phases of life, and just caught up on other things. With the plethora of people I talked with, I felt the Lord was reminding me that I am not alone. And, I impact other people’s lives, too. We’re all in this together!
  •  I have been praying about and reflecting on the third year mark of my late husband’s death, as mentioned in my last two Wednesday posts (here and here). I’ve noticed each time I read my Bible, I come across at least one scripture verse that says God is our refuge, shelter, strength, and shield. Isn’t that cool?! Actually, I just realized this pattern a day or so ago, but it has been going on for the last few weeks.
  • It seems as that anniversary of Dave’s death grows closer, the magnitude of God’s grace and love has increased. It’s as if He is pulling out all the stops to encourage me! Not only has the Lord surrounded me with an increase of amazing people all around, but He also has reminded me that He is My Refuge, My Protector, and My Defense.

“But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.”

Psalm 59:16-17

  •  I love all the flowering trees in Spring. I wish they could last all year, they’re so pretty! To think that each type of blossom or tree reflects only a small part of who God is (not to mention the diversity in everyone and everything else)… What beauty and creativity! God you are so good to 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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #9

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Mother's Day 2016

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

  • This week oozed with grace. And I certainly felt the need. At every turn, I felt God calling me to let Him handle my concerns. Previously, I would have felt overwhelmed by all the items on my “should-do” list. This week, I purposefully delayed some of those tasks, which included postponing a writing deadline by two days.
  • I was consistently pulled in many directions this week. You too?! But, I laid aside my work to play My Little Ponies and Barbies so as not to miss important moments with Lydia. Yes, she can entertain herself much of the time, but I know these opportunities to connect with her won’t always be there. Someday I will wonder where the time went. Lord, help me stay present!
  • The weather actually got up in the upper 80s/low 90s a couple days this week!! Hot and windy! Lydia and I enjoyed picking up some mulch and other items at a local store. I also bought my first LED lights for inside, so hopefully, I won’t have to constantly change light bulbs. However, I recently changed several around the house, so it might be awhile before I get to use the new LED ones! At any rate, I am thankful for a wonderful house and simple fixes to keep it up and running.
  • Just in time for Mother’s Day, I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my parents on Lydia’s behalf. They came on a day I was frustrated with that pesky “should-do” list. Perfect timing. Lydia surprisingly denied having anything to do with the flowers. Still, I snapped a cute photo (above) of her holding them! 😉
  • In addition to the lovely flowers, I received a handful of thoughtful and heartwarming cards in the mail from close friends and family, acknowledging me as a single mom. Kindness counts. Lydia obviously isn’t able to do much in the ways of gifts, nor do I expect them. But, I love words of affirmation. Thank you to all who sent me encouraging notes!
  • And thanks for reading my Wednesday post, Because He Is Good. I appreciated all your comments and shares—I am eternally grateful that our gracious God redeems our pain and makes beauty from our mess. Even when our plans go awry, He makes all things work out for our good and His glory (see Romans 8:28).

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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 see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #8

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

green grass

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

  • My mother-in-law came to visit us this week. We always have fun with her and were glad she came. She watched Lydia for me a few hours each day so I could work and write without daycare time limits. It was such a blessing not to have to rush to pick up Lydia! That meant, she and Lydia had special activities each day, including making rice krispy treats, seeing a movie, swimming, and going to the library. Lydia was in heaven! We planned her next visit and will see her later this summer.
  • Lydia played outside with the neighbors on Thursday and Friday. She made a May Day basket with Grandma, and delivered it to her friends across the street. We had rain earlier in the week, so it was nice to get outside!
  • Later in the week, on two different days, we babysat some little friends. Lydia loved holding the babies and being the ‘big helper.’ I was glad to help these moms because I had other friends help at a moment’s notice years ago when Dave was sick. We are all in this together, and it feels good to help others in a pinch. Pass it on! 🙂
  • All the rain meant…I needed to mow! Yep, I mowed for the first time in APRIL. It’s usually at least the middle of May before that starts up. But, again, I am thankful for God’s grace. For three summers, a few of Dave’s coworkers rotated through the mowing each week. They took good care of my lawn when I was struggling. As Lydia has grown older, I have done the mowing. These guys bought an ‘almost-new’ mower for me, and resold my old one after fixing it up. I’m so thankful for their help and generosity. Mowing my lawn makes me realize just how far God has brought us. Thank You, Jesus!
  • I love the changing of seasons. While I was mowing, I saw several buds on the trees. New leaves will pop out soon. It feels like summer will be full force soon!

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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 see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #7

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

river banks

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

  • I loved the rainy weather at the beginning of the week. Besides getting to wear my fuchsia rain jacket, it turned everything green! 🙂 We also enjoyed some sunny days too. Soon I will have to mow the lawn, but I will choose to praise God for the beautiful weather!
  • Lydia loves playing outside. One evening as she played with a neighbor girl, I worked outside picking up debris in our yard. I raked a few small areas and set up the table and chairs on the deck. I swept the garage and organized a few tools for the summer season. Finally, I put out the windchimes that were given to me as memorial to Dave. With the high winds we have in Fargo, we think of him often! Completing those tasks made me proud because a few years ago, I was far too overwhelmed with grief and an active toddler. I had no desire to do anything extra and needed a lot of help with house maintenance. Praise God for His goodness and healing!
  • It felt great this week, to donate lots of STUFF around the house. While having stuff is not a problem, it can distract us from God as our Provider. It takes our eyes off Him and makes it appear we are in control. Ironically, when everything falls apart (and it often does!), we quickly realize how untrue that is. We can’t depend on ourselves, but God is more than enough for our problems. It’s good to acknowledge Him ALL the time, not just when we need Him to bail us out.
  • Usually, the beginning of the week is quite busy with deadlines, work, and more. So by the end of the week, I try to cram in a bunch of household chores, time with Lydia, and other important tasks. This week, my schedule unexpectedly opened up on Friday. I had lots of plans, but as the day continued, I made changes. By God’s grace, I decided to rest a bit! I ran a couple simple errands and caught up on some reading. I also made some DIY beauty products (with Lydia’s help!). It was a fun experience, and I feel rejuvenated instead of worn out. It’s a constant challenge to rest, but I’m thankful God knows when I need a break!

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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 see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #6

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

robin

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

  1. This week I felt like a social butterfly. I had many great conversations and connections with a wide variety of people…on the phone and in person. One day, I met a friend to catch up. We’ve both been through a lot these last few years. I was so glad to hear what God has done in her life lately. God is so good!

2. Monday evening was spent with other friends, celebrating the job relocation of a dear couple. It was bittersweet, but it is always amazing to see how God directs us on new paths. He weaves our stories together, and then moves us on to learn, grow, and impact a new set of friends.

3. My monthly MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group met this week. These ladies have been good to me, and I have learned so much from them. MOPS was a real lifesaver for me those first several months as a single mom. I appreciate discussing motherhood and parenting challenges in a warm and welcoming place. I’m thankful for the friendships I’ve made there. Lydia always begs to go back too, so that’s a bonus!

4. Today, I saw a robin hopping around my yard. We had a very mild winter this year, and robins are rather basic birds. But, I consider them one of the first signs of spring. Growing up, a pair of robins nested in our tree house each year. Each spring, we watched the bright blue eggs hatch and the little birds grow!

Three years ago, when Dave was so sick, we had a very long winter (with snow even into May). Seeing robins back then gave me hope in that dark time.

God never fails to bring the 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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #5

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

tulips

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

  1. This week was unusual in that I got a new water heater on Monday! But first, I had to “rough it” for a few days. I was so grateful for God’s provision. Be sure to read all about it in ‘Water Heater Heroes’.

2. On Monday, Lydia and I saw a friend from church at the bookstore in the mall. She helps with the children’s ministry and knows Lydia. She gladly helped us find a Phillips, Craig & Dean CD, which Lydia has been asking for since we saw their Christmas concert in December. We have since enjoyed singing many of the familiar songs.

3. Starting with the new water heater, this week turned out to be heavy in the home improvement area. (Nothing else major, and I am thankful for simple fixes.) Several electronic items, from games to tv remotes, needed new batteries. Light bulbs always need replaced, and many of them are difficult to reach. This week it’s a light in the garage door opener. I’ll have to ‘phone a friend’ since I can’t figure out how to get the cover off. While light bulbs are relatively minor, I am thankful for the kindness of others!

4. This week, I needed an extra dose of God’s grace for parenting. Yes, I lost my temper a few times when Lydia was being disobedient or not listening. Later, I apologized, but God gently reminded me to lay aside my agenda and play with Lydia or read to her. We enjoyed finding hidden objects in a picture book, reading together, and talking about our day. Many times, Lydia said spending time together was her favorite part of the day!

5. This year, I’m focusing on implementing more rest in my daily and weekly routine. It’s still a struggle at times to stop and take a break, but I managed to soak my sore feet while reading. (Yay, me!) Lydia was very interested in this, so I let her try it out too. She loved it! Interestingly, it opened up dialog about being a servant to others, and I explained the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet (see John 13). I was thankful for the opportunity to show-and-tell my little girl about 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 see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #4

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

heart cloud

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

  1. On Monday, I had a ‘12-Hour Turnaround‘ on our road trip back to ND. I am so thankful Lydia is a good traveler; she didn’t notice my funky mood. She happily gazed out the window and pointed out shapes and creatures in the clouds. The rest of the week was spent getting back into our routine after traveling. And, I have been thanking God for His work in my life.

2. On Monday, we were in the car so long the radio repeated songs two or three times each. My heart has been full this week as I overhear Lydia singing worship choruses, while playing or trying to fall asleep. It’s a joy listening to what is on her little heart.

3. I firmly believe in sending handwritten thank you notes. This was instilled in me as a child, and Lydia will learn this too. Daniel Tiger (a PBS kids show) has an episode dedicated to “Thank You Day.” Lydia was excited to have her own Thank You Day, where she made cards covered in stickers for relatives who gave her little gifts and trinkets at Easter. I helped write in the cards, of course, but Lydia signed her name. I sent my own notes too, and Lydia volunteered to sign her name on them to show her appreciation as well!

4. Yesterday, we celebrated a sweet little girl’s birthday with an indoor pool party. She was born three years ago today, when Dave’s health was rapidly declining. Her proud daddy visited us in the same hospital after she was born. I’ve enjoyed watching her and her siblings grow over the years, and I am so thankful for her and her family. They have been good to include us in many activities.

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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 see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #3

I love the concept of 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 defined as God’s unmerited favor. I often find grace overflowing in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Easter egg pic

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

1. This week we drove almost twelve hours to Illinois to visit family for Easter. We left before dawn and within five minutes, I heard, “Are we there yet?!” Lydi was very excited to see everyone! We chatted about the moon and watched a glorious sunrise. We pointed out cows, sheep, and points of interest. Lydi colored pictures, read some books, and napped. Thanks, God, for safe travels.

2. Historically, when we’d visit Illinois, I’d try to see as many people as I can…extended family, old friends, former coworkers, etc.  However, I’d end up exhausted from driving all around the state. I have discovered it works better to organize mini gatherings of people to see several people at once. We did that this trip; it was so refreshing! I am so thankful for my family!

3. I told Lydia that the Easter bunny is “kind-of-like-Santa Claus” (not really real). Don’t worry. She wasn’t phased. As a matter of fact, she quickly directed me, “Well then, YOU can still do something with the Easter eggs.” 🙂 I love my little negotiator!

Then, my brother, my sister-in-law (his wife), and my brother-in-law all helped me hide eggs for a fun egg hunt. I was blessed to have some help in creating fun memories for Lydia. God has given Lydi wonderful aunts and uncles who love her!

4. Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday. I am encouraged by Romans 5:8 which explains ultimate grace, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” There is nothing we can do to deserve God’s love.

Jesus loved us when we were unlovely and covered in the darkness of sin. He doesn’t love us more when we act well, or love us less on our bad days. He died in our place and triumphed over Death. He rose and conquered the grave…and makes us alive with Him. Thank You, Jesus! We’re more than conquerors too—if we love Jesus and accept His sacrifice on our behalf! (Have you done that yet?)

5. I can easily get caught up in the busyness of every day life in Fargo. Being a single mom takes special effort too. Sometimes, it is best to lay aside my to-do list and rest. One day, in Illinois, ‘Tappa’ (my dad) took us to the local zoo. As we reached an outdoor exhibit, we looked for the animal. I didn’t see anything right away, but Lydia did. “Wow, look at all the little cardinals!”

After this relaxing trip to see our loved ones, and seeing Lydia’s joy in little things, I am reminded that God knows just what I need.

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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 see or experience God’s grace this week?