Category: Perseverance

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #528

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 pretty good!

Work and school had their usual ebb and flow. Some busier days and some less. Lydia had a variety of routine tests every single day for school. She is a good student and test-taker, but she was glad when Friday came!

I took Lydia to a cardiology appointment for her POTS. She’s had more issues lately, and it was good to rule out anything else. The doctor was very funny and thorough, and the appointment took two hours! Praise God, all her tests came back great, and we left with some additional ideas for managing her symptoms. Most of these we had heard before, but it was good for Lydia to learn how to better care for herself. She was pretty excited to get a note excusing her from gym, since physical activity seems to be a trigger. School only lasts a few more weeks! 😉

The weather was all over this week! We had everything from the thirties to the mid-seventies! Sunshine with calm blue skies and a mix of a few clouds, sprinkles, and wind. I noticed a few more birds, greener grass, and buds on the trees! The days are staying lighter for longer, too!

Today, Lydia and I relaxed. I exercised, read, and worked on a project. Lydia did a little online driving school, among other things. Later, we made some pumpkin chocolate chip bread!

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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 Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Helping or Hindering?

On Monday, I was teaching a class, the fifth in a series on healthy lifestyle changes. Now, Veterans are at a higher risk of essentially any illness or chronic condition you can think of compared to the general population. This includes financial concerns, relationship problems, PTSD, drug abuse, alcoholism, and homelessness.

Many of the Veterans in my class were struggling with a variety of issues. Sadly, that is to be expected on some level. But the class was meant to introduce some action steps to address some of the health issues and perhaps ease their mental and emotional concerns as well. We talked about nutrition, stress management, sleep, exercise, resiliency, gratitude, etc.

What struck me was that even as the class ended, many of the people were still stuck in the past. One person would ask a question or share an experience, then others would chime in and commiserate. There were some tears and some laughter, and I think it was a good thing overall. However, some of the people almost worked themselves up as a result.

It was as if they couldn’t let themselves rest or relax. I know hypervigilance is common and can be difficult to change, yet letting go of what we cannot control (past, present, and future) is vital. In Romans 12, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I wanted to share that Jesus calls us to bring our burdens to Him, but that wasn’t really the scope of the class. Instead, I sprinkled tidbits of faith here and there. 

I did not feel called to share my story, but I did explain that we all have past hardships, trauma, or grief. No one is immune. But we must check our words and even our thoughts in order to keep moving forward.

Several people made up their minds to try new things, but I’m curious how many of them will let go of their anxiety and worry, understanding that we don’t “have to” live in fear. I will be praying for the class that they might take a step of faith and trust Jesus. I’ll pray they realize how much God loves them and wants to give them His joy and peace.

Our stories — and how we tell them — are powerful. We can rehash all the old hurts and fears, or we can let the Lord redeem them and make something beautiful out of our darkest moments. It’s never easy, but it is our choice to make.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for setting us free from all our burdens – sin, shame, sickness – so we don’t have to stay stuck. Help us walk in that freedom and grace. Keep us close to You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are the stories you are telling yourself (or others) helping or hindering your healing? What’s one step you can take to keep moving forward?

Task: Write down a few key turning points in your life story, whether joyful or painful. Then, rewrite them using God’s perspective – see the story through the lens of Jesus and how He may want to use it for His glory and your good.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance

Finding Grace #527

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 pretty quiet week!

At work, I covered the inpatient hospital all week, so I didn’t see as many of my usual outpatient Veterans. It was less busy than I expected, thankfully! The hospitalized patients were not as complicated as I have seen, and it helped to have several days in a row so I could anticipate their needs.

Lydia had a POTS flare-up this week and came home early from school on Wednesday. She made it to school on Thursday and Friday, but came straight home afterward to rest. to two healthcare appointments. She skipped Speech practices and also her final Speech event today because she felt so depleted. Her energy is a little better tonight, but I am glad we decided to have her stay home and rest today.

With Lydia under the weather, I kept my schedule pretty open in the evenings so I could be available for her. When she feels so weak, I like to stick around to help get anything she might need. We talked again about knowing when to push ourselves and when to rest and relax. A good lesson for us both!

Today, I did some reading and studying. Otherwise, I made some calls and mostly just relaxed! I enjoyed hearing the birds chirp and watching it drizzle a bit as the grass grows greener. God is good!

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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, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot

Finding Grace #525

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 had some ups and downs, but I saw God’s faithfulness anyway. 

First, this week had an element of death. A dear friend had a miscarriage the day after she discovered she was pregnant. A beloved aunt (by marriage) lost her sister after a brief illness, similar to my mom’s. Both of these were very sad, and I tried to support both of these ladies with God’s help. He comforts the brokenhearted and is near to them.

I also have some really good news regarding my teeth and MARPE. I had an X-ray to check on my palate, and it is right on track. Even though the gap between my teeth has been minimal, the X-ray shows I’ve already had a six millimeter expansion! This is close to what I need, so we will hold off on further turns of my device for now. Next month, I will have more detailed scans and 3D modeling to see whether there are any benefits to further expansion or if I am fully done. This also depends on my bottom teeth, which are moving more slowly because of our plan. Either way, I’ll still have the device in my mouth for six months to help things stabilize after we finalize the process. I’ve had ideal progress so far, praise God!

On Thursday, Lydia and I woke up to a chilly house. I didn’t think anything of it at first, except when she mentioned it. I happened to take a look at the thermostat, and it was totally blank (dead). I changed the batteries, but that didn’t help. I waited a little while, prayed, and asked my neighbor who to call. I had a man come over in the afternoon; he just adjusted the batteries, and it turned right on! He double-checked the furnace, then started putting his shoes back on. He said I didn’t need to pay anything, but I offered to pay him something for coming all that way. I gave him twenty dollars for the trouble! Win-win!

My blog website was down for about an hour one evening. The server was down on my blog hosting site. This occasionally happens, but it usually gets fixed right away. I spent some time on the phone with tech support, but there was nothing wrong on my end. Thankfully, I wasn’t hacked and didn’t lose any of my data or posts. Lydia and I prayed for God to protect everything, and it all turned out well!

I saw the first robin of Spring this week! I also saw some other song birds and woke up to their singing. The weather has been windy and cold with a few flurries, but also sunny and warmer on a few days… I also am seeing the grass green up a bit. I love this time of year! 

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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, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Not Luck But Grace

Not quite two months ago, I started my MARPE orthodontic journey. I have had some routine follow-ups, and I am turning the device (cranking it each morning with a small wrench). I now have a small gap between my teeth!

My speech is improving, though sometimes, my words still sound garbled. I think I talk so much for work that my mouth just gets tired! It helps to swallow or drink some water. My patients have been kind and understanding when I explain the situation. I just don’t want to hinder their understanding of me!

Eating is still a bit of a challenge, but I am doing well overall. I am able to eat more variety now. I take my time and eat slowly as much as possible. But at work, it is more challenging. As it is, my lunch break is sometimes cut short due to patient care or interruptions. So, the thirty minutes fly by considering all that needs to be done to eat, brush my teeth, and clean food out of my MARPE device!

Mostly, I am eating simple soft foods, like beans and rice for lunch. I can add veggies chopped up in my food processor, too. I will probably branch out and add new things at some point, but these are easiest for now.

My coworker, another Registered Dietitian, said I was the perfect person to go through the MARPE experience because I can figure out how to eat well. 🙂 Notice the small gap in my upper teeth in this St. Patrick’s Day photo at work yesterday!

This week, I started teaching a multi-week class for Veterans. I will be educating them on how to add more anti-inflammatory foods (such as fruits and vegetables). I told them about my MARPE journey to explain why I might be talking a little strangely. Also, I explained how trying new foods can sometimes be awkward, but it is so important to give it all they’ve got. I said, “If I can do this MARPE journey, which is rather awkward, you can add some broccoli and cabbage and figure out how to cook them.”

Good health is not luck. It is God’s gracious blessing and takes discipline to maintain it. We must build good habits and do the difficult work: chop those veggies, manage stress, go to bed on time, and exercise, etc. I am convinced that even then, it is God’s grace that sustains us. We cannot guarantee a long, healthy life. Sometimes people still die prematurely, yet we can trust that God has numbered our days and will fulfill His plan in our lives.

I am grateful for what God is doing in my mouth through the MARPE. Moreover, I am excited to see how He uses me (and my mouth!) to continue to bless and serve others. He is so good!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for the work You are doing in my life (and my mouth!). Help me use everything You’ve given me for Your glory. May my mouth bring You praise and glory! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What’s one step you can take to promote healthful personal habits today? If you don’t make that change, how will that affect your health over time?

Task: Please continue to pray for my mouth and MARPE journey. My teeth are often sore, and I would still very much like to avoid any further surgeries. Thank you!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

While the Nations Rage

Yesterday, we came home early from work and school because Lydia had what seemed to be a migraine. I gave her some medicine and let her rest. It was an unexpected afternoon off, and while I did some planning and a little cleaning, I mostly rested, as well.

Coming home early also gave me time to check in with a few friends and family. I checked on a couple of ladies who are in-between jobs and a friend who needs to find daycare for her child. I reached out to a relative whose sister is having health issues, too. I was able to lift them all up in prayer because God graciously gave me time back in my day.

I also prayed for America (so many issues!) and situations around the world. I prayed for persecuted Christians in Nigeria and other places that they would stand firm in their faith and that they could still be a witness for Jesus despite the great risks. I prayed for those experiencing famine, drug running, human/sex trafficking, and natural disasters. I also prayed for the various wars that are going on, including the recent Israel/Iran war (which includes many countries).

While I don’t have any great answers to these complex problems, I can trust that God is in control. He loves the world that He created and the billions of people in it. I know He has good things in store for us. I also know things are going to get a lot worse before they get better (read Revelation!).I am grateful Jesus is King. He is the Prince of Peace who reigns over all the chaos.

As Christians, we have the opportunity and responsibility to pray and work toward resolutions. However, online, we can get caught up in arguing with strangers about our causes. We must not fall into the trap that our only arena is the internet. We must show up in our communities and get involved where it matters.

Christians are unique because we have the Holy Spirit’s power in us, and He wants to use us to change the world with His love, grace, and Truth. History shows that Christians are associated with positive cultural change when they are doing what they are supposed to do. If they fail to follow through, then everyone suffers.

We can do our part by praying and taking action, and we can rely on God to do what only He can. Indeed, the Bible shows us God’s love for the nations. In Deuteronomy 32:8-9, we read how God divided the nations and set their boundaries after the rebellion at the Tower of Babel. He took Israel for Himself to serve as an (imperfect) example and to eventually lead the rest of us back to Him.

Check out the following verses:

Psalm 86:9 says,  “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.”

Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” 

John 3:16 says,  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Acts 10:34-35 says, “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.'”
 
Revelation 7:9 says,  “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count,  from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

 And so, we see God’s heart for the nations. No group of people is better than another; we all need Jesus Christ. That’s why we can pray with confidence: it is His ultimate desire that all hearts be turned to Jesus. We can move forward in peace as we share the Good News, knowing He will return soon.

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Heavenly Father, You reign over all the Earth! Nothing catches You off guard. While you hate evil and will soon make it right, in 2 Peter 3:9, we see You are patient so that all can have time to know Jesus. Give us wisdom and courage as we spread Your light to this dark world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are you praying for today? What can you do to help those around you?

Task: Listen to this song by the late Rich Mullins: While the Nations Rage. Remember: You don’t have to be nervous or afraid about the world’s state of affairs. Trust Jesus!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Sitting In the Silence

There is so much going on in the world right now, and much of it can be overwhelming. On the flipside, it is tempting just to ignore it ala ‘ostrich style’ and bury our heads in the sand. We don’t really have that luxury, though!

Here and abroad, violence, politics, and social issues are taking up many of the headlines, not to mention retaliation, fearmongering, persecution, misunderstandings, and twisting the Truth. Some of these issues affect people I know, while others are more distant. But on the whole, they are concerning. We are moving ever-closer to the end (Revelation!).

In times like these, I am more grateful for the hope we have in Jesus. We don’t have to shoulder these burdens alone. We can submit all our fears and concerns to Him; Jesus is more than capable and will take care of them in His timing.

It is good to be aware, stay informed, speak up, and take action. But sometimes, it is best to disconnect from the media and stay close to the Lord. As we fix our gaze on Him, He calms our hearts and instills courage. He may lead us to get involved in an issue, or He may direct us stay the course and carry on with whatever He has already told us to do. It’s unlikely I will change the whole world, but I can impact my little corner of it. (Galatians 5:22-23 and Galatians 6:9).

I find that being too busy is the worst thing when I want to hear from the Lord and find His peace. I have to let go of expectations, turn off the noise, lay aside my phone, and just sit with Him so I can tune in and listen. I might read the Bible or journal. I might sit in silence or sing a worship song. The goal is to seek God’s heart, and that takes time and intention.

Artificial Intelligence can make it difficult to know what is true, similar to someone fired up on the internet! Pick a topic; either way, people make assumptions and generally don’t check the facts or care to present all sides of the issue.

Yet, when we sit in silence and wait on the Lord, we are reminded that all Truth belongs to Jesus because He is the Truth (John 14:6). All details, data, and decisions must be filtered through His lens. Sitting in silence does not mean remaining silent or squandering a God-given opportunity to make a difference. It just means submitting to the Lord’s timing and plan first, waiting on Him instead of forging ahead on my own.

When I read a post online, sometimes I wonder if I am doing “enough.” People debate whether Jesus would do this or that… when statistics show they’ve likely never read the Bible in its entirety. Do they actually know the real Jesus, or just a cultural idea of Him? Then, I think about all I do daily to provide insight or to listen to patients, friends, family, etc. I would much rather pray and respond in my actual life than get into a heated debate with a stranger I’ll never meet in person or someone I only run into a few times a year (or less).

I don’t generally share all my thoughts and opinions in person, let alone on the internet! But that doesn’t mean I don’t have ideas to share. I generally prefer to wait, gather well-rounded information, and share it with those I know personally. We don’t have to agree, but we can have a respectful conversation!

The key for me is sitting with the Lord and listening, so I know what to say when the Holy Spirit gives me the opportunity. His words are life and peace. We have the ability to bring His merciful conviction or gracious comfort to a world in desperate need. But, we can’t be in a rush or ignore Him!

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Lord, thanks for giving us peace, grace, wisdom, and courage. Help us listen to You today and be willing to pivot in a new direction, as needed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have a difficult time hearing from God? What is He telling you today?

Task: Sit with the Lord today. Lay aside any distractions and be willing to sit in silence, if that’s what it takes. Write down anything He tells you for future reference.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #518

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 bit of a wildcard week! It was good all around, but I was definitely depending on God to get everything done!

Monday was the biggest day with potential issues. I had work with several patients, an appointment, and my church training – all required some talking and focus. But, it all turned out just fine, praise God! It helps to have a soft heart!

I had an ortho appointment on Monday and an oral surgeon appointment on Tuesday. I am making good progress with my mouth healing, day by day. I am looking forward to taking the next steps of cranking my device soon!

The rest of the work-week went pretty well. I had some really good conversations with patients. None of them seemed to mind that my voice was still a little garbled post-expander placement (it’s getting better and more back to normal!).

I tried expanding my diet beyond liquids, soups, pasta, jello, pudding, and ice cream this week. Many foods still get caught in my expander, so I just do the best I can. It takes a long time to eat and then clean my mouth/device. I had a small cheeseburger and it took me about half an hour! It probably was not the best idea, so I will probably stick to those easier items for now. Hopefully, things will improve over the next month!

I met a friend for coffee yesterday after work. We spent a couple of hours catching up. We live close by but don’t get to see each other often, so we will have to do better about that!

Lydia had a Speech meet today, and I happily hung out at home. I usually have a list of things to do, but today, I mostly relaxed!

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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 Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

A Soft Heart

Doing hard things requires soft hearts. As we gently move along with Jesus. We don’t have to worry or figure it all out because we trust that He’s got us covered.

As I explained last week, I put off my MARPE journey for many years. Looking back, this was mostly because of my own ignorance, pride, and fear – I didn’t want to learn anymore about it and just kept putting the idea behind me. It was easier to think, “I’m fine.”

Well, I started noticing a few issues in my mouth I hadn’t before. Just normal shifts over time which made me compare old photos and ask questions. I saw patterns in my patients who have lost teeth. The Lord finally got my attention!

When I was going through the decision-making process, I thought of something my mom told Lydia when she started braces seven years ago. She said, “Do everything you can to have healthy teeth and mouth.” She had had a variety of teeth issues all her life and didn’t want Lydia to go through that. I felt she would tell me the same thing, if she were here.

Several times, in the past few months at church, we’ve sung “The Lord will Provide,” and the lyrics settled my soul. “Everything I need, I know my Father has it… So seek first the kingdom and its treasures… Everything else, it will be added, All that I’m needing… I know the Lord will provide.”

Having a soft heart means you are able to perceive what Jesus is doing and where He is leading you. For reference, the picture above was from October. My cute smile is a little crooked, and if you zoom in, you can see my teeth are misaligned, which is one aspect the MARPE should address. God does not waste our pain or our life experiences.

My mouth pain and other symptoms are improving overall. I am actually breathing better through my nose, which is a huge perk! I’m still working on eating and talking clearly, and my smile looks a little wonky (maybe due to nerves?). Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me! I appreciate the calls, texts, cards, ice cream, and cute plant!

A heart soft to God invites peace into every situation. On Monday, I wasn’t sure how my day would unfold. I had four patients, mostly back-to-back. I didn’t know when I would eat lunch, let alone have time to attend to my new mouth routine. I didn’t expect sympathy, but I also didn’t want to confuse my patients with my sometimes garbled words. I prayed about it and just decided to let God organize my day.

A soft heart means less stress, and I was able to enjoy my day as it played out. When I briefly explained my situation, the first Veteran commiserated, “Oh, I was just at the dentist!” The next man said, “I understand – I’m going to the dentist next!” And the other said, “No worries, I’m hard of hearing anyway!” The last patient no-showed, which meant I had adequate time to eat lunch and take care of my teeth. What grace!

In the afternoon, I had an orthodontist appointment, followed by my church training. I added some rubberbands to my new gear and turned the wrench on my device for the first time. I skipped the meal and ate beforehand so I could clean my device thoroughly. A friend brought Lydia home after school events. It all worked out!

Yesterday, I had another busy day, and God worked it out for me in a similar way! I am grateful God softened my heart, and I humbly listened to His wisdom about my teeth. I have learned a lot, and it is already drawing me closer to Him!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your peace and provision. Thank You for ordaining my steps each day. Help me bring glory to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How can you humble yourself and have a soft heart today? What would that look like for you?

 Task: Watch this video on the Pharaoh of the Exodus and the hardening of his heart.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #517

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 pretty ‘chill’ since I was recovering from oral surgery! Lydia had her final orthodontic appointment on Monday, and I had my first! On Tuesday, I had my palate cut and the expander placed, and then I was home the rest of the week!

I’m glad I was able to clear my schedule, other than one appointment, and dropping off Lydia at school and picking her up a few times. Mostly, I was able to take some naps, read, and study (a little) for my training course at church. My coworkers have been great to check in, and they signed a card and gave me an adorable little plant.

It’s funny how long it takes to eat, brush my teeth, and take a variety of medications (separate due to timing). I think it will get better when I am done with the antibiotics. I am taking some kefir to help restore my gut bacteria. It’s helpful to be a dietitian, lol!

Overall, I am grateful for minimal pain and the flexibility I had this week. I still have a little pain and swelling, but I am figuring out what I can eat, and many of my other symptoms are resolving. It could have been much worse. I am determined to make the best of this and praise God for the opportunity to address these issues – staying home in the bitter cold was a bonus!

Lydia had a Speech meet today and placed third in her very first extemporaneous event! I hope to see her at one of her local meets soon!

While she was gone, I did some of my usual Saturday things at home. I enjoyed making some phone calls. I am feeling better day by day, and it was good to practice speaking with the MARPE device in my mouth!

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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)!