Tag: adventure

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

In Every Moment

Yesterday, after work, I was thinking about my blog and what I should write for today’s post. Nothing, in particular, came to mind for my blog. So, I let my mind wander and thought about different topics. Mostly, I thought about how good God is.

On my way to pick up Lydia, I decided on a whim to take a detour and enjoy the gorgeous autumn day. Instead of driving on the highway, I found a different road that led through town and made a couple of stops on my way. It was a nice change of pace.

As I drove and sang with the radio, I praised God for all He has been doing in my life lately. In between songs, I considered more ideas for my blog.

Sometimes, I get lots of blog ideas all at once or sometimes they come over several days, but yesterday was one of those times where I didn’t have any outstanding ideas that would be good for an entire post (most were just snapshots I can build on later).

The more I thought about not having a big idea, the more thankful I was that I didn’t have any ‘major’ issues to discuss or document on my blog. That doesn’t happen often!

And you know what? I was totally okay with not having a bright idea! I just kept praising God for the peace and joy I felt in His presence. I felt so blessed as I thanked Him.

Then, it hit me.

We don’t need a specific time or reason to praise God. He deserves ALL our praise! When times are good, and times are bad… He is always worthy.

When we have a lot on our mind, or nothing at all… we can praise God!

Of course, my care-free attitude yesterday doesn’t mean my life is perfect. To start, the dishes from last night will most certainly sit in the sink a little longer. And, the two stacks of papers and mail on my dining room table will be shuffled elsewhere when my friends come tomorrow. I haven’t vacuumed all week, and I still have laundry in the dryer. 🙂

Nonetheless, I am choosing to worship in the here and now, not worrying about the dishes or bills or dust or what to wear. In fact, at every moment of every day, we have every reason to praise God!

All creatures great and small… everything that has breath, praise the Lord!

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God, I love You! You are so good to me. I’m in awe of Who You are. Let me never take You for granted. May I praise you in every moment and in every circumstance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What can you praise God for today?! What are you thankful for?

Task: Instead of just asking God for help today, spend some time thanking Him and praising Him for all He is and has done.

 

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

On Religion vs. Relationship

Recently, Lydia and I have been reading a book series I loved when I was growing up. We just finished reading the fourth book (out of eight) in the Addie McCormick series.

Lydia enjoys the fun adventures, and I enjoy seeing her engage with book characters. She has really gotten into the books! She can relate to some of the same concerns the characters are having, and then we discuss them together.

As a parent, I appreciate how the characters reflect godly principles. In addition to solving mysteries and making friends, they also go to church, pray, and talk about God.

On Monday night, we were reading at bedtime. The main character, Addie, was thinking about the difference between someone who is religious and someone who is a Christian.

Of course, Lydia also wondered about this, so we were able to discuss it in simple terms. I told Lydia, “Yes, we can go to church, pray, give and serve… and still miss Jesus.”

“What?! How is that possible?” Lydia was surprised.

“Well,” I replied, “If we only focus on doing all those things, even though they are good, it’s like me saying, ‘Here’s your dinner, here’s your laundry, here’s your shoes.’ I would be doing all the right mom things, but I wouldn’t necessarily connect with you.”

“Oh, I see,” Lydia said.

I continued, “The difference is when I say, ‘Hey, for dinner, do you want pasta or potatoes? Did you have fun at school today? Do you need help folding your clothes?’ Instead of just serving you, I actually want to talk with you and enjoy being with you.”

Lydia easily understood my point, but it was a timely reminder for me, too.

Whether in life or in faith, it is easy to get caught up in the to-do lists full of never-ending tasks. With our misguided expectations, sometimes, we make life unnecessarily difficult.

Being overwhelmed by all I have to do is my first clue that I should take a step back and reevaluate what I am doing, my priorities.

Has my to-do list become my idol? Has my ‘religion’ become just that? What is really important, and am I doing it? Why or why not?

As we gain perspective, the gift is that we have the ability to make adjustments. However, switching gears requires courage and discernment. It doesn’t just happen!

Thankfully, as soon as we realize we are off track, we can ask God for help and forgiveness. He can redirect our paths and maximize our efforts.

The great part is if we seek His input first, that is relationship instead of religion, we can get where we need to more quickly. And when I bring it all to Jesus, He gives me grace and freedom. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

Interestingly, no other major religion besides Christianity offers a personal relationship with God. Instead, people are left always trying to earn their salvation. I’m so grateful Jesus, God’s own Son, did all the work for us by dying on the Cross. Thank You, Lord!

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God, thanks for setting us in right relationship with You. Help us focus on loving You and being with You, instead of just doing more things for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Is it easier for you to DO or just BE? Have you accepted God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ?

Task: Haha, just kidding… there is no task for you to DO today. 😉 Lay aside your list, even if only for a few minutes. Then, just spend time with Jesus and soak up His great love for you!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

Finding Grace #184

I love 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 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?

So many awesome things happened this week!

We had several days of rain, which I didn’t mind. I was happy for the sunshine when it came, but I really loved running to my car after work and getting soaked from head-to-toe!

On Sunday, I contemplated mowing but knew the rain would make the grass grow even more. I decided to wait until today (Saturday) when the weather improved so I could focus on other things! However, on Tuesday, a friend volunteered to mow for me (again!). Then, he asked if he could trim the two trees in my front yard. This was a blessing and answer to prayer. I had just told a neighbor I needed to figure that out. The trees and my yard look so good!

On Wednesday, I caught up with a dear friend over the phone. We shared our recent updates and successes, along with some prayer requests. It was just what I needed, and I’m grateful for godly friends. Iron sharpens iron!

Then, on Wednesday evening, we started AWANA at church. It is our first year being involved, and Lydia and I both had fun. I have six little kids in my group. I’m praying these kids learn God’s word and learn about His love for them!

After we returned home on Wednesday night, a new friend contacted me for help. We don’t know each other super well, but she needed a safe place to stay overnight while some personal issues were resolved. This friend does not have family nearby, so I was honored she asked. I’m grateful God has given me a house with a spare bedroom to use as a blessing to help others. My friend’s issue resolved and she went home the next morning. She is brave!

This week, my ladies Bible study had a breakthrough of sorts. These friends have grown quite close, but God took our relationship to another level. One lady shared a part of her testimony (how God saved her and forgave all her mistakes). As a result, another friend was finally empowered to share her similar story, too. She has carried her past burdens for many years, and I have been praying she would find relief and forgive herself. It was a true transformation. Our stories of God’s saving grace are such a precious gift! If we are willing, He can use our failures, weaknesses, and mistakes to bring life to others! Thank You, Jesus!

Work went well, and I am still learning new things. Each week, I take on a little more responsibility. I learned about the MOVE! program, covered the nutrition clinic (scheduled appointments), and covered the walk-in clinic while someone was off. I am proud of myself!

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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 Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Worship

All Good Things

The last few weeks have been exciting and intense, fun and challenging. It’s been quite a ride, and I am loving it! But with so many changes, I need to focus on the little things.

I have only been able to accomplish a few things each evening after work. Sometimes we have evening activities or other obligations, so I’m keeping it simple at home.

We’ve had a lot of leftovers, which really isn’t too far from our normal! 😉

Ironically, even though we are busier than usual, I am not super stressed.

I have been giving myself a lot of grace, which often means only doing what really needs to be done for the next day. That includes meal prep, reviewing Lydia’s school day, etc.

I have cut back on frivolous timewasters (ex. social media). I’ve changed my blog writing days and have saved certain chores for the weekend. Even so, I am confident God has a purpose in this season. I know I am covered by His grace!

Ephesians 2:10 says, ” For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

As soon as I heard about my new job, I sensed it was God’s plan for me. Similarly, Lydia’s teacher and the YMCA after-school program were specifically laid out for her this year.

God made plans for me, just as I made plans for Lydia. Yes, we’ve both had to adjust and ‘make room’ for these gifts of God’s grace, but they are worth it!

I have heard all good things about my new place of work, Lydia’s teacher, and the YMCA program. I am not naive to think everything will be perfect, and there certainly are some challenges and learning curves. But I know God has all good things in store for us. 

We just have to ‘walk out’ the plans He has made. So when my dishes sit in the sink or I wait another day (or two or three) to mow… I can still keep my joy because I am covered by God’s grace. That brings me a special peace because I am right where God wants me!

He has made a special planned provision for us during this time, so I am not going to worry about all I can’t or won’t accomplish. Which is a lot! 😉

That doesn’t mean life is easy or trials won’t come. But, I know God will be with me in those times, too. He loves me so much and will help and empower me then, as well.

I know, with God’s help, eventually, the important things will still get done. He will work it all out at the end (Romans 8:28). I am going to praise Him for all good things!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for giving us all good things! You are the Master Planner and have such good plans for us. Give us wisdom and discernment as we walk this path. Draw us close to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What does this season bring for you? Are you keeping the status quo or looking forward to new things?

Tasks: Praise God for all good things!

 

 

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Florida 2.0

Last weekend, Lydia and I had a fun trip to Jacksonville, Florida! My parents were thrilled we squeezed in a quick trip before starting my new job. It was our second time there since my parents moved over a year ago.

We left Fargo early Thursday morning and arrived in Jacksonville early afternoon. It is the rainy season currently, and we flew in just before a thunderstorm hit. I was grateful we landed safely because, soon after, flight delays occurred due to lightning. Thankfully, the rain didn’t last long… just pop-up showers that quickly dissipated.

My mom picked us up at the airport and then it was game on!

Dad joined us after work, and it was even better since he took Friday and Monday off.

We celebrated my birthday on Thursday evening. My mom helped Lydia get some lovely gifts, plus Mom and Dad also blessed me with several gifts. Thank you!

Then, we went to a local adventure park on Friday. The place was huge. It had mini-golf, laser tag, batting cages, water slides, lazy river, arcade games, and more.

The weather was partially cloudy, but the sun and blue sky were beautiful. Thankfully, it was warm, but not unbearably hot!

We really enjoyed the water park, go-karts, and arcade games. Lydia and my dad ‘raced’ motorcycles, while I was a ‘Fruit Ninja’! We lounged in the lazy river and even fed alligators!

On Saturday, we slept in, which was awesome (and much needed)!

Then, we went downtown to the Museum of Science and History (MOSH)! It was fun to see ocean exhibits, dinosaurs, and a show at the planetarium. Then, we learned about the history of Florida and the City of Jacksonville. That evening, we went to The Metro Diner for some delicious Southern food!

On Sunday, we went to church with my parents. It was a nondenominational church, and I could feel the Holy Spirit’s presence during the worship time.

It always encourages me to see God’s people meeting together. The style of worship really doesn’t matter if we all love Jesus. The sermon topic really doesn’t matter as long as we’re discussing Truth. I can feel at home anywhere because of the unity of believers!

Next, we went to Waffle House for lunch (my first time).

Then, we went to the beach! The weather was hot, so being near the water was ideal. We took snacks and beach toys for a full afternoon of fun! We even saw dolphins off the shore!

We flew back to Fargo Monday afternoon. We had two flights with a longer layover in Minneapolis-St.Paul. Thankfully, we had enough time for pizza, shopping, and people watching! We arrived home fairly late, at around 10 pm (perfect timing for my new job!).

I’m so grateful we took the opportunity to go to Florida. Previously, I was concerned I wouldn’t have much downtime to get ready between my old and new jobs. But God always knows just what I need.

We had the best time, and I was able to fully relax. We made tons of great memories with my parents, and we can’t wait to go again!

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God, thanks for giving us just what we need. Thanks for keeping us safe and letting us spend time with family. You are so good! Please continue to lead and guide us in our new endeavors. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever needed a break or vacation, but didn’t realize it? Where is your favorite vacation spot?

Tasks: Let God direct your path. It may mean taking a trip or staying home. He knows exactly what you need… trust Him!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #180

I love 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 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 really full, but fun week.

My birthday was on Monday. It was rainy but Lydia and I enjoyed the day anyway. I appreciated all the love from family and friends!

On Wednesday, I had my last day at work before moving on to my new job next week. It was a busy day and a little bittersweet. I’m grateful for the stability of that job, but I’m really excited to keep moving forward.

On Thursday, Lydia and I flew to Florida to see my parents! We wanted to make the most of the opportunity before work and school begin again. Our fun has included going to an adventure park and the Museum of Science and History (MOSH). It was cool seeing different exhibits, including the history of Jacksonville (Spanish, French, British, and Civil War influences). It has been fun trying new things and eating yummy food!

I’m extra thankful for the neighbors and friends watching our house while we are gone. Thank you!

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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, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

New Beginnings and Blessings

This is another red-letter week for me!

First, Monday was my birthday! I received some great calls, texts, emails, cards, FB messages, and really cool gifts. I feel blessed to have so many people cheering me on from around the world. Thank you!

To celebrate, I had lunch with a friend and a fun day with Lydia. The last week has also included a massage, a movie (The Lion King… so good!), pizza with my neighbors, and another friend mowing for me. Life is good!

A couple of weeks ago, it was really touching when Lydia set up a ‘private meeting’ with my mom to discuss my birthday options. She is so thoughtful, and I love the bracelets I received from her (with Mom’s help). We will celebrate with my parents later this week!

I always enjoy looking back on the previous year and seeing all the Lord has done for me and through me. This last year was amazing. I left some big things in God’s hands, and it has been inspiring to see all that has happened as a result of trusting Him more.

Today, I am finishing up my job at a local clinic. This job was a blessing to me after the company bought out my previous job. For me, I felt God ‘grandfathered’ me into the system when many people would have been otherwise cut.

I have appreciated my time there, and I am grateful for my coworkers. God always provides for me, protects me, and prepares me for what is ahead. And, I’m happy to report that next week, I start a new job at the Fargo VA Health System!

This, too, is no coincidence. Years ago, when Dave was very sick in the ICU, my dietitian friend, Laura, gave me a much-needed, well-timed hug and walked into his room with me. Dave was on a ventilator and Laura was able to explain all of his details to me.

Then, this past February, I contacted Laura to explain how much that hug meant to me. It felt like Jesus Himself was embracing me. It was a turning point for me and just what I needed in the midst of such uncertainty.

Similarly, Laura said the experience impacted her and changed how she views patients. It reminded her that those critical patients are someone’s husband, son, friend, not just a calculation, or tube feeding, or problem to be solved.

A few weeks after we talked, I learned that Laura’s two-year-old twin daughter is fighting leukemia. I have been praying for the family, along with several other people I know who are sick.

Then, in early July, Laura contacted me for this opportunity. It just seemed like a good fit, and I trust God is in this. The timing, connection, and even the different job requirements all add up to be a big blessing. The job seems to cater to my strengths, but also will provide a place to challenge myself and grow.

It will be a transition, though, and I appreciate all your prayers! I will be working more hours and days (still part-time), and that means Lydia will need to be in the after-school YMCA program. Thankfully, it is at her school and close to home.

It seems each year, God stretches us a little more than the previous year. Thankfully, it is a slow process. He is so gracious.

Still, I’m so excited to see how we both grow and change. Lydia is a little nervous, but I reminded her that God’s plans for us are good. The best is yet to come!

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God, there is no one like You! You are so good! Thank You for leading me on this new path. Thanks for blessing me with peace, provision, and protection. I commit it all of this to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: As you survey your life, can you see God’s provision and protection? How is He preparing You for greater things? How can you trust Him more?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “God of this City,” by Chris Tomlin.

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

Finding Grace #179

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

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

This was an exciting yet fairly unpredictable week.

After church on Sunday, my friend, Naa, came to visit. We ended up making zucchini noodles, zucchini fritters, and shortbread cookies. It was a fun day!

On Monday, I went to a local float spa to use up a gift certificate. It was very interesting to float in such a high concentration of saltwater. Apparently, it is good for all kinds of ailments, though I haven’t seen any research on this. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I don’t think I would try it again. I was thankful for the experience though!

On Monday evening, I attended a basic life support class. Several years ago, I was CPR certified but let it expire. Now I need it again before I start my new job. It was even better this time around, and I appreciated the hands-on experience with the dummies. My friend, Sara, volunteered to watch Lydia for me, which was so kind of her!

On Tuesday evening, we had a really cool surprise. An old friend came to visit! John and Dave both started at Caterpillar in Decatur, IL, at the same time. John doesn’t work for Caterpillar anymore but was in Fargo for other engineering work. I was so honored he stopped by, even without Dave, and I got teary-eyed as we caught up since it has been a few years. It was also fun to video-chat with his wife, Jess, and their toddler, Anna! I was so touched that Dave’s legacy lives on. A true highlight of my week!

This week we went to a meeting Wednesday evening and had my ladies’ small group come over Thursday evening. But between those two events, we had a whole lot of other things pop up! 🙂 Lydia had a dentist appointment, we went shopping for shoes and groceries, and ate pizza for lunch. Then, we ran home because a friend said he could mow for me. I was grateful because I had too much going on. Then, I headed out again to a picnic to briefly say hello to someone else. Lydia ate a hot dog at the picnic before we picked up another friend and ran home for small group. Whew!

Yesterday morning, I got a pre-birthday massage. All this week, I asked God to direct my steps. I felt overwhelmed at times, trying to keep up with meetings and appointments. The rest of the month is go-go-go, so I wanted to take advantage of the moment and relax.

Yesterday afternoon, when another meeting was canceled, I was grateful. On a whim, I took Lydia to see “The Lion King” matinee. It was a spontaneous adventure and my friend, Naa, was able to join us last minute. It was a great way to celebrate such an interesting week!

Today, I am trying to get ahead for the rest of the month. I am doing laundry, getting work and school stuff ready, and packing for another quick trip. Lydia is excited to go to a sleepover tonight, and I am grateful for friends who are gracious to help with 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 Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom

No Problem!

For a planner like me, interruptions to my schedule used to throw me off. If I had several tasks on my to-do list, but then someone needed something, it would stress me out. It’s not that I didn’t want to help or hang out, but my perfectionistic personality was easily overwhelmed as I (most likely) tried to figure everything out on my own.

If I spent time with people, I sacrificed getting anything else done. But if I focused on tasks, I felt like I was neglecting friendships. It was frustrating and I rarely felt like I was doing a good job at anything. I was stumped. 😉

Of course, people take priority. And, life is full of interruptions and distractions (some good and some not so good). Thankfully, God took my gnarled mess and helped me adjust.

To start, parenthood, cancer, and grief, all provided dramatic circumstances for God to transform me. With His refining, the hidden blessing is I now have balance.

When people request my time, I see it as God’s gentle reminder to take a break and have fun… or serve others with my whole heart. When I do have more time to myself, I feel free to work on projects and tasks without guilt. I have learned both work and rest are good.

Now, I can usually just roll with it, knowing God will help me accomplish everything I’m supposed to do. After all, He knows exactly where and how I need to spend my life.

Lately, I have been thinking about how God orchestrates our lives in perfect timing. Similarly, our struggles can be perfect opportunities for God to show up. From ancient times, we see He has a certain dramatic flair and enjoys displaying His power and might!

Creation started with His words, “Let there be light,” as if He was setting the stage. Then, He created a vast universe, which we still have not fully discovered. Wow!

In the Bible, we see lots of other dramatic interventions where God steps in to save the day. He rolled back the Red Sea to save the Israelites out of Egypt. He helped David defeat Goliath with five smooth stones. He protected Daniel in the lions’ den. He walked with the three men in a fiery furnace; they came out unsinged and didn’t even smell like smoke!

God even forewarned King Nebuchadnezzar and then made a fool of him by making him act like a mad cow, eating grass on his hands and knees for seven years until he repented of his prideful ways. Can you imagine?!

Jesus was born of a virgin, made wine from water, calmed a storm, walked on water, and paid His taxes with a coin from the mouth of a fish. He healed many people, raised the dead, and performed other miracles. He also died on the Cross to pay for our sins (with a dramatic earthquake and tearing of the holy veil from top to bottom). Boom.

Then, God’s power raised Jesus from the dead precisely when He said it would happen (cue another earthquake rolling away the tomb!). Later, the Holy Spirit enabled uneducated outcasts to perform miracles and turn the world upside down as they spread the gospel message. Whoa!

I guess you could say God loves a good story!

Seriously, God can do far more than we can ask or imagine! And, if you let Him fight for you, it’s likely He will come through for you in creative ways you would have never guessed possible. Just wait on Him!

Whatever challenges you are facing, bring them to Jesus. Sickness, debt, sadness, anger, frustration, fear, confusion, disappointment, bitterness, resentment… big or small it all matters to God. He knows how to handle it.

Example: Recently, one friend had her (rather large) bill from surgery forgiven, while another friend received back pay from an old job she had forgotten about, and still another friend got a new job with more pay. It was cool to see how God creatively provided for each of them according to their unique needs!

Nothing is too big or impossible for Him! It’s no problem!

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Ah, Lord God! Nothing is too difficult for You! Your plans for us are good! Help us trust You as we wait for You act. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What challenges are you facing right now? How can you trust God more? Are you willing to let Him move on your behalf?

Task: Make a list of all your previous challenges and then mark down how God was faithful. Watch for His creativity and look for hidden blessings.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #178

I love 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 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, we hit the ground running after our time in Duluth! It was a fairly normal week otherwise, with work and daycare, and a few deadlines. We finished off July returning library books because the summer reading programs are nearly done!

August is a pretty full, but exciting, month for us so I spent this week planning ahead. Among our normal routine, we have school registration, back-to-school night, my birthday, more travel plans, and then I will be starting a new job, right before the first day of school! I’ll share more about the new job later, but it is a really good opportunity for me.

With the new season of school and work ahead of us, I am trying to maximize my time now. This could mean stocking up on certain necessities, making freezer meals, or deep cleaning. But for a foodie like me, it also means trying out a few new restaurants before we get too busy! 😉 On Thursday, Lydia and I tried gyros at a new Greek restaurant. The food was delicious, and we happily brought home leftovers. Then, today, we met friends at a new waffle bar in downtown Fargo. We enjoyed our food and walked around downtown. Thank you, God, for good food and good friends!

Last night I started a wooden puzzle, pictured above. It had been on my mind for the last two weeks, but we’ve been focused on other things. It took me a few hours and I stayed up way too long (haha!). The pieces were cut in very unique shapes, plus the colors were a little different from the picture on the box. It was a challenge, but I also enjoyed the quiet sense of determination. Often, we want to rush ahead and see quick progress, but puzzles provide a different type of satisfaction. Unless you’re someone who hates puzzles! 😉

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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)!