Category: Gratitude

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Finding Grace #495

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 Monarch Echinacea photo and picture

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

This was a great week, and I saw God work all around me!

On Monday, I started a ministry training class at church. We will be covering two courses this semester and two next semester. It will be a commitment, and also a great opportunity. I don’t know all that God has in store for me, but I am excited to learn and grow!

Work was steady but really good. There is always a lot going on, but it always feels worthwhile. I am happy to be where God has me, making a difference!

On Tuesday, I had an appointment which has me thinking about possibilities and answered prayers. I might have a decision to make, but I am still researching the information presented. I am grateful for how God guides and cares for me!

This week, I received garden-fresh beets and carrots from a friend at work. I roasted them last night, and they are delicious. After that, a neighbor gave us some freshly-picked sweet corn! I love it when people share the bounty of the season!

I woke up early this morning with lots of energy and ideas. I decided to organize a few spots around the house and started right away. I did not complete all that I wanted to do, but now I have a plan. 😉 I also mowed, did laundry, and cut up watermelon. With the long weekend, I hope to make more progress!

This afternoon, Lydia and I attended a little friend’s third birthday party. It was fun to see how much she has changed in one year! I pray God will do mighty things in her life and that she will one day trust in Him as her Lord and Savior.

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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, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

Power = Strength + Speed

As a Registered Dietitian, I am required to complete a certain amount of continuing education each year. There are lots of ways to accomplish this, and I often buy a book and test worth a lot of credits all at once.

I’m currently working on a course and book titled “Hold Onto Your Muscle!” by Robert Iafelice, who is also a dietitian. The content is really good so far, and I am able to use the information in my work.

It has taken me months to get through the book because I am being reminded of fascinating things I already learned, or looking up new things I am questioning. Additionally, I am filling out the test as I go, so it takes a little time to read and make sure I understand what is being said and that my answers are correct.

Free ai generated woman success illustration

Sometimes I visit the local bookstore to enjoy a cup of coffee while going through the material. I also did this when writing my book, because it is quiet and helps me stay in one spot (so nothing gets disturbed) without feeling like I need to clean or do chores at home.

Recently, I was in chapter eight and came across the ‘equation’ that power = strength + speed. Now, in context, this was important. But, immediately, I thought about God’s Power. I envisioned His strength and His speed in helping us.

God’s power is renowned in the Bible and throughout history, in various capacities around the world. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are included in how this manifests through us. But God doesn’t really need help from people; He likes to include us!

In Nehemiah 8:10, we read that the joy of the Lord is our strength. We find our rest in Him and all He has done for us. We don’t fight for Victory, we fight from Victory!

Then, in Ephesians 6:10-18, we learn about putting on the full armor of God. Thankfully, there’s no need to fight battles fully exposed!

 God is so powerful that all He has to do is speak, but we also see references to God’s outstretched right arm. I envision God’s power in this way: He is more than able and willing, plus He is quick to help when we call on Him.

“Natalie needs me? Watch out, here I come!”

May be an image of text that says 'BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER EPHESIANS 6:10'

God’s power is best seen when He comes to our defense or aid. Come Hell or high water, there’s nothing He can’t do for us! So, we don’t need to try to do everything on our own. Check in frequently with Him and tell Him what you need. (That’s prayer!)

One example of this is Peter walking on water and then falling into the water. He was brave but faltered and cried for help. Jesus was right there immediately to pull Him out! (At least Peter tried when no one else did. It does not require faith to stay in the boat!)

God always moves when we have faith in Him, and in the New Testament, Jesus mentioned that the people’s unbelief hindered him. We may not fully see what God is up to, and it might take a while to understand. But He will never let us down!

In fact, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us and is at work in us! God is with us and for us. He wants to use us and make us more like Jesus. But, we have to let Him! Let’s be malleable and see what He will do!

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Heavenly Father, You are so good. Thanks for always helping us in time of need. May we be in awe of Your power, strength, and speed. Help us trust in You, even when we can’t fully see or understand what You are doing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever envisioned yourself putting on the full armor of God each morning? Would that help you connect more with God’s power and Holy Spirit?

Tasks: Read more about the power of God’s outstretched arm! Find joy in Him today!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #494

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 Sunflower Yellow Flower photo and picture

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

This week felt really busy, which is right in line with the start of the school year. We had a mix of meetings, errands, and back-to-school night.

My nephew, Alex, started Kindergarten in Illinois on Wednesday, and Lydia started 8th grade on Thursday. I am sure they will both have a great year. Lydia seems to have a well-paced schedule with some easier classes interspersed among the more challenging ones. She was excited to see her friends, too!

Work was quite busy. I taught a couple extra classes and saw some extra patients. All went well, but it was just… a lot. I ended up staying almost two hours later than usual yesterday. But, I am glad I have the option as a part-time employee!

After work yesterday, I ran some errands and then went home to mow with Lydia. We had pizza and watched Back to the Future. It was a fun end to a busy week!

Today, Lydia and I went shopping for shoes. Lydia came home with a pair of sneakers and a pair of dress shoes. I have plenty of shoes so didn’t get anything! We got up early to beat the Saturday rush, and then we came home to relax. And by relax, I usually mean catching up on housework and getting ahead for the next week, lol.

I forgot to mention last week that I have officially been blogging for ten years! I am fairly happy with my platform, and although I could do something differently, I am not planning to change anything for now. Thanks for being here and for reading along! I hope my words bring encouragement, insight, and challenge you in your walk with Christ 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)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Let Us Salad

On Sunday, Lydia and I served at church during a lunch gathering for the Older Adults Still In Service (OASIS) ministry. This is for seniors to enjoy fellowship and implies that although they likely have retired, they are not done living, giving, serving, etc. God still has a good plan and purpose for each person until He calls them Home.

Lydia has a heart for the elderly, so I arranged a time for us to help out. My goal is to let her experience various ways to serve. We really enjoyed it! We set up tables and chairs, then added place settings, and more. Later, we picked up garbage, cleaned the tables, put away the chairs, swept, and so on. We did not do it for recognition, but many people thanked us. I think we will do it again!

Free Appetizer Background photo and picture

The potluck meal’s theme was “salads,” and people brought a variety of dishes. I recognized a retired NDSU nutrition professor, and we agreed that some were definitely from an old church cookbook somewhere! 🙂 We sat with her and enjoyed talking with all the seniors around us. We met some new people but also saw several we knew, including a few who have watched Lydia grow over the years.

In the Midwest, it seems just about anything can pass for a salad. We had taco salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, cucumber salad, multiple jello-type salads, fruit salad (with whipped cream, of course), a couple more dessert salads, and one token green salad. Many of the older adults took home leftovers, which made me happy as a Registered Dietitian.

After everyone ate, there was some worship time followed by a short sermon. We sang several hymns, and then the pastor asked us if we wanted another salad. We were all pleasantly full, but he went on to talk about the “let us salads” of Scripture.

Free Salad Fruit photo and picture

Here a few:

Romans 13:12 (NIV) says, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV) says, “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Galatians 5:25-26 (NIV) says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

There are even some “let us nots!”

Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV) says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV) says, “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

Well, I will never look at the phrase “let us” the same way again. It was a creative tie-in and pun, as well as a fun memory for us while we helped others. Let us spur each other on to good works!

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God, thanks for helping us spread Your lovingkindness to others. May we serve with joy and a grateful heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite type of salad? Where do you like to volunteer?

Task: Read through more “let us” phrases. Some are just part of the narrative, but some of them are very applicable to us today!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #493

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 relaxing at first and then picked up later. We were on our road trip Sunday, then I was off Monday and Tuesday to celebrate my birthday.

For my birthday, I enjoyed a quiet early morning with coffee, reading, writing, and exercise. Late morning, Lydia and I visited another little flower garden, refilled my peach balsamic vinegar, and bought a half-flat of peaches for a Youth For Christ fundraiser. In the afternoon, we watched Freakier Friday, read at Barnes and Noble, and ate at Crave. Then, we walked around the mall before getting ice cream for the surprise chocolate cake Lydia made me. It was a great day, and I felt a bit like a celebrity with all the birthday greetings and well-wishes! Thank you!

On Wednesday, it was back to work, but it was manageable. Ironically, I did not have to bring lunch any day this week. Besides being out of the office on Monday/Tuesday, on Wednesday, we had a potluck, and on Thursday, we had a birthday treat for me, so I just brought a light snack. I also don’t stay long enough on Friday to need lunch there. 🙂

After work on Friday, I went to the bookstore to do some continuing education while drinking a latte. Then, I went home to mow before taking Lydia to a friend’s house. After that, I worked on another project. It felt good to get so much done, and I also squeezed in some reading before Lydia got back!

Today, I did various chores and made a peach galette. It tastes delicious, but fell apart and wouldn’t look good enough to bring anywhere. Maybe next time, I will leave the fruit on the bottom and make a cobbler with the crust on top!

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

A North Dakota Roadtrip Adventure

Over the weekend, we had an awesome two-day North Dakota road trip adventure! I wanted to do something special before my birthday (yesterday), and almost our whole trip involved places we hadn’t been before. We stayed in Rugby and went to the border to see the International Peace Gardens (Lydia’s first time through Customs). We enjoyed the fountains, trees, flowers, and saw way more cacti than I knew existed (some gigantic, some tiny). We met some really sweet Canadians at a vendor show and bought some souvenirs.

The weather was partially cloudy, with sprinkles on and off, but we made the best of it. Truthfully, I was a little irked at first. I was hoping the rain would hold off, and of course, I left my umbrella at work. We decided to do the Canadian driving portion first. That helped, but then it started up again in spurts (on and off, for most of the day).

Lydia and I walked when we could and jumped into and out of the car to see some of the sights. We were glad I had thrown a couple of beach towels in last minute, and Lydia kept laughing about it all. Later, I overheard a dad telling his child, “Well, it seems God wanted it to rain today, so we aren’t going to argue with Him.” I took that to heart and just went with it after that. In fact, perhaps because of the rain, we saw so much on Saturday!



Then, we drove to nearby Lake Metigoshe State Park and knocked out a few fun roadside attractions (see below). We even made it to Minot, which was larger than I expected. We enjoyed the Scandinavian Heritage Park. I thought of my mom many times on Saturday, surrounded by beautiful flowers and some Danish cultural items.

On Sunday, we drove home another way, this time going the northern route around Devils Lake. Lydia had been that way before on her way to camp, so it was fun to see her recognize some landmarks. We visited Graham’s Island State Park and then went on to Grand Forks for lunch. We even made it home early in the afternoon, so I could mow!

Lydia hopes to take her driver’s permit test in a few months, so we discussed the rules of the road along the way. We talked about our goals for the upcoming year and other trips we would like to take together. It was great spending time together and making memories!

Traveling can be a lot of work, but we tried to keep this one simple. We took our own snacks and treats to save money, although we also picked up a few items on the way. We cut out another large swath of driving and decided to save that destination for another trip. I had wanted to visit the Peace Gardens since my birthday trip to Medora last year, and I am glad we made it happen.

More importantly, I want Lydia to know what North Dakota is all about, since she was born here. In five-ish years, she will likely go to college, and then we will have limited opportunities together. So, I want to make the most of our time. Sure, we tend to stay home a lot, but when we do travel, we make it worth our while! 🙂

A road trip is also a good way to connect with God. His beauty is found in Nature, and His provision in timing, safe travels, and new adventures to do or see. Taking a step away from our routine helps us appreciate what we have when we get back home. Thank You, Lord!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for being with us on our road trip! Life with You is always an adventure. Rain or shine, You are so GOOD to us. Please continue to lead us and guide us along the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Have you been on any summer road trips this year?

Task: Become a tourist in your own state. Take a day trip or stay somewhere new overnight. I’d love to hear all about it!!

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

Finding Grace #492

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 Zinnia Composites photo and picture

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

This was a busy, but really good week!

Work was surprisingly light, even though I covered for a few appointments and classes. Lydia and I also had dentist appointments on Monday, so the day flew as I left work early to pick her up.

On Friday, someone came over to give me an estimate for some landscaping. It won’t be anything too exciting, but just some dirt and rock around the foundation of my house. I might add some flowers, but we’ll see. Still, I am looking forward to seeing the estimate and hopefully getting this long overdue project completed!

After that, we jumped in the car to head a few hours to Rugby, ND, for an adventure. For the most part, we just relaxed once we got to the inn. It was nice to just chill after a long week. As a side note, Rugby happens to be the geographical center of North America, so it was interesting to see the small monument in tribute.

Today, we headed to the US/Canada border to see the International Peace Gardens! It was on my ND bucket list for some time, and I knew August is a month where a lot of flowers are in full bloom. Lydia loved going to the Canadian side, her first trip over the Northern border! Later, we toured more of North Dakota, heading west to Minot and several random tourist sites. I’ll give more details on Wednesday!

For now, we will rest and have some more fun on the way home tomorrow!

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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

Finding Grace #491

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 Bee Honey Bee photo and picture

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

This was a pretty quiet and smooth week! 

Nothing new to report for work. Or, at least I don’t think anything unusual happened! I had nice patients and good conversations with my coworkers.

I did a lot of organizing around the house this week. I went through some piles of clutter and also tossed some old papers and boxes. I shredded some documents and cleaned part of the garage. It feels great to get things squared away before the seasons change!

Today, Lydia went to hang out with a friend and I stayed home. I caught up with some chores and mowing. I also weeded and did some trimwork outside.  Tonight, we worked out together for a little bit and then played three mean games of Sorry!

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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, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Just Keep Growing

As a parent, it’s fun to see our kids learning new things. Lydia has been lounging for most of the summer, and I have been happy to let her. Sure, I have given her chores several days a week, but I also realize we are only young once.

Teenagers need more rest, and I can let her sleep in. She prefers to have a small to-do list, so if I don’t have chores for her that day, I encourage her to make her own. I might suggest practicing her viola, reading, spending time with Jesus, cleaning her room, showering, etc. I don’t worry if she doesn’t get it all done.

Someday, Lydia will have to get up and go each summer morning. So, I relish letting her chill for now. It has been an interesting summer in that when I get home, Lydia is eager to chat and hang out. It probably helps that I put some time limits on her phone and internet use! 😉

Since she has a lot of downtime, Lydia enjoys making wish lists of things she wants to buy. She has limited cash, of course, so either she will have to burn through her funds or I will have to chip in. I have to laugh because a lot of what she is picking was popular when I was a kid: faded jeans/shorts, sweatpants, baggy shirts, and Birkenstocks.

Lydia is my only child, and she is generally an easy kid, so it would be easy to spoil her. However, I set good limits and remind her to look for value and a good deal. I rarely buy the first thing Lydia sees and make her research the best price for the quality. I tend to resist buying name brands and ask for a list of the pros and cons since I don’t want her to feel entitled. Sometimes I will splurge, but often we’ll split the cost, shop at a thrift store for the item, or buy a knockoff.

It has been fun to see how Lydia has grown this summer, moreover, in the last two weeks! She’s grown a little taller, yes, but she’s also impressed me lately in other areas. Lydia has shown more responsibility and initiative around the house. She has grown in spiritual maturity, too, asking her friends if she can pray for them. She has texted them the most thoughtful prayers on their behalf! I love seeing her heart for her friends!

All on her own, Lydia also found a website that encourages people to write to the elderly. She plans to start doing this regularly, though I am not holding her to it. We bought some cards, stationery, and other supplies so that she can bless these strangers. (She’s a little timid to write to people she knows, but I hope she will in the future.) I will review what Lydia writes to ensure it meets the guidelines, but my mom would be so proud because she had her own card-writing ministry!

As I reflect on these points above, I am reminded that each of us has a special way of helping others. Serving and loving people is not about giving a lot of money, but about having a compassionate heart to bless others and spread the love of Jesus.

As much as I am proud of Lydia, just think about how much God loves you and is proud of you. Let that sink in for a minute!

If you have not connected with the Lord for a while, now is your chance. Call out to Jesus, and He will be right there with you. He loves you so much and wants the best for you. He has good plans in store, so just keep growing in Him!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all the ways You love us and help us grow. Help us continue to draw near to You and mature in our faith. May we love others like You do! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How has God blessed you this week? How can you serve someone else today?

Tasks: Use your unique gifts, skills, personality, opportunities, and interests to love God and serve others. Let your roots grow down into Him… and read Colossians 2:7-9. Pray about what to do and then move forward!

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

Finding Grace #490

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 has been pretty calm, compared to some weeks! 

Work was steady but good. No big changes this week, lol. Visiting the chiropractor was greatly needed and appreciated; I am glad to have access to quality healthcare benefits. I feel way better than I did a year ago!

I talked with one of my best friends late one night. We always end up laughing a lot. We’ve been playing phone tag for a while, but finally managed to catch up just as I was ready to turn out the light and go to bed. It was worth staying up another forty-five minutes to chat with her! Good friends are good for the heart!

On Thursday, Lydia got her final orthodontic retainers (meaning she doesn’t have her Invisalign trays anymore). The change was rather subtle since she didn’t have actual braces this time. She did when she was seven, but we opted for the trays a year and a half ago instead. She’s happy with the transformation and will soon only have to wear the trays overnight.

Yesterday, I dropped off Lydia and a friend at the Redhawks baseball game, where they met the youth group for a fun outing! After that, I visited the NDSU horticulture research plot nearby. I took several pretty pictures of flowers (phlox above) and reminisced about the times I would call my mom from there to tell her about the flowers and get her insights on life. She’s been gone five months, and it seems like forever.

After we arrived home from the Redhawks, Lydia was in the mood to chat. It’s always at bedtime, lol! But, as my dad reminded me this morning on a phone call, these times go by so fast, and it’s good to be available for her. Lydia did say she’s glad she can tell me anything, so I’m grateful to take advantage of the opportunity!

Today, we are mostly relaxing after a late night and sleeping in. Tonight, we worked out together for a little bit and then played three mean games of Sorry!

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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)!