Tag: adventure

Posted on in Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #337

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

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

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

This was a good week as we eased back into normal life!! On Sunday, we were in Glacier National Park in Montana. We flew home on Monday after celebrating my fortieth birthday with friends. It was a fun and memorable trip, and I am so happy we went!

I returned home to a ‘Happy Birthday’ yard sign, a few cards, and some gifts in the mail. I have some thank you notes to write, but I am very appreciative! It feels good when people think of me. 🙂

On Tuesday, we went back to work and the Y! It felt good to jump in, and I felt refreshed. It was perfect timing because we had ‘The Joint Commission’ walk in to do their routine survey! They come about every three years, and we received a really good report!

On Friday, Lydia and I went shopping after my half-day at work for some school clothes. We only went to one store because the checkout line was so long. Later, we had one of her friends over. We ate tacos and sampled some ‘Crumbl Cookies’ that the friend’s mom brought over. Yummy!

Today, we slept in, made a few calls, mowed the lawn, and prepared for school, which starts next Thursday. In the process of going through winter gear, we cleaned out the coat closet! Now, we have some donations to make. It’s sad when Lydia grows out of items, but it’s also fun to buy new things!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Travel

Forty and Fabulous

Last week, Lydia and I spent a fun-packed few days in Missoula, Montana visiting some dear friends and celebrating my fortieth birthday! Birthdays just aren’t the same without Dave, so this year, I really wanted to do something special. I am very glad I did!

We went to visit one of my best friends, who happens to be one of my college roommates. Katie’s husband is like the big brother I never had, and her kids are both around Lydia’s age. It was great to reconnect since it’s been several years since we met in person! (This is the same Katie in my book, and we have had lots of adventures over time!)

We flew in on Wednesday and hung out that evening. The next day, we hiked the “M” and made it to the top of Sentinel Mountain and looked down in the valley at Hellgate where the pioneers came through. It took about four hours in the heat, but we had water and snacks to get us through. We saw some grouse, a redtail hawk, a hummingbird, and a few chipmunks! We also met an 89-year-old woman hiking with her son and some fellow North Dakotans! Later that afternoon, we went to Splash Montana, a water park with slides, pools, and a lazy river. It was the perfect way to wrap up our day.

Earlier on Thursday, we tried to get a reservation to Glacier National Park, but 500+ tickets were sold out in three minutes! It has been on my bucket list for a while, but in the past, it seems something has always come up. So, while I didn’t visit Montana just for Glacier, I really hoped to go. I decided just to leave it in God’s hands, knowing He could work out the details on my behalf.

Eventually, Katie found a boat tour at St. Mary’s Lake that would let us gain entry for Sunday instead. So, that gave us time to regroup and spend my birthday in another awesome way. Yes, on Friday, we went white water rafting!

After a special birthday breakfast, we rafted the Clark Fork River (Alberton Gorge) with Katie and her kids. Our twenty-year-old guide was very experienced, and no one fell out! We saw three beavers swimming and sunning themselves, as well as a few bald eagles and a huge golden eagle! It was absolutely breathtaking floating through the mountains. The only other time I had been white water rafting was on the famous New River Gorge in West Virginia right before I turned twelve. So, it seemed like a fitting way to celebrate my fortieth!

On Saturday, we attended a ladies’ self-defense class in the morning, and then we went ziplining through the mountains! The course was part of the off-season attraction at a ski resort. It was beautiful flying through the woods, and we had fun racing each other! That evening, some of the neighbors came over for a party! I made a charcuterie board and cheese board to share. It was so cool that one of the neighbors made a carrot cake and a chocolate espresso cake (as well as a cute mini version for me!). She enjoyed reading my book last fall, and so it was an honor for both of us to meet!

On Sunday, we drove three hours to Glacier National Park! It was even prettier than I imagined! We saw glaciers and fire damage, but also waterfalls, fields of flowers, bighorn sheep, and even a moose swimming! We swam in the icy river, too. Actually, the others went swimming, and I fell in while wading. But I think that counts, right?!

All in all, we laughed morning, noon, and night. We stayed up late playing games. We caught some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. We saw magpies, wild turkeys, burros, and a fox, among other animals. My legs are still sore from all the hiking we did, and I wore my swimming suit three of the days we were there! It was just what I needed!

We flew back on Monday, after a brief in Minneapolis-St. Paul. My car was dead, and I flagged down a kind lady who let me borrow her car to jump mine in the airport parking lot after I left the light on last week! We had to connect our two sets of jumper cables, but I was grateful for her willingness to help with no hesitation.

Well, this new decade is off to a great start! I wanted to make this one count, so I don’t look back with regret. It’s easy for me to get stuck in a routine and obligations. But, it occurred to me that occasionally I have to create my own adventure! I only have one life to live, and no one is going to live it for me!
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God, thank You for forty, fabulous years! Thanks for being so kind and gracious. Thanks for the beauty of Nature and dear friends. Help me to live with an expectation of Your goodness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Questions: What adventures have you been on this summer? What is your favorite National Park?
Tasks: Live every day like it is an adventure. Look for ways to step out of your usual routine and have some fun. Walk freely in God’s grace and love!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #336

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 photos of Flower

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

This was an awesome week!! I had a short work week, and then took off a few days to celebrate my fortieth birthday with friends. It was a lot to prepare for but, totally worth it!

Overall, it was definitely a memorable adventure! I will share more about it later, but let’s just say I knocked something off my bucket list! 😉

Work was jam-packed but good. I will have to catch up with charting next week, but I am not letting that take up too much mental space. I am still feeling relaxed from my birthday.

Thank you for all the birthday well wishes! I really appreciate your kind words and prayers!

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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, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Forty-Year Tune-Up!!

Woohoo! In a couple of days, I am celebrating my fortieth birthday! That sounds a little crazy because I still feel like I am twenty-five!

My thirties started off with Dave being sick and then dying, so the majority of that decade was dedicated to processing my grief and making sense of my new life as a widowed, single mom.

I learned how resilient I am and what it means to cling to Jesus. I quickly realized there are no shortcuts when it comes to emotional healing. You have to put in the effort, be willing to accept help, and let God carry you sometimes. The only way through is through.

One big part of processing my grief was writing about my journey here. So thanks for reading, praying, and cheering me on! I appreciate you all.

I also spent a significant amount of my thirties writing and editing my book, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward. It was a labor of love, and I am proud that I finally pulled it off! I am beyond pleased with how my book turned out, and I really appreciate the continued support and feedback. Thank you!!

In short, my thirties were rough at times, but I learned to roll with the punches. God was reliable and gracious. He lead me to higher ground and has let me help others through their grief. I can’t thank Him enough!

Free illustrations of Watercolour flowers

Over the last year, I have been learning how to take better care of myself. This is an ongoing thing, which includes continuing to chase seven or eight hours of sleep, exercise consistently, and eating well. That’s all great currently, but in a couple of weeks things will shift again as we acclimate to the new school schedule. That’s life, right?!

This year, I went to the doctor for my toe (of all things, lol!). Later, I went for my routine physical and a couple of new tests. I found a chiropractor I love and now have a lot less pain, too! It’s like I have had a forty-year tune-up! 🙂

Really, I look at it as setting myself up for success. Not everything can be prevented, but I want to do what I can. That said, you can do ‘everything right,’ and something wild comes from out of left field. But, we can learn to trust God no matter what.

While I have been working hard, I have also been learning to rest more in God’s grace. Thankfully, He is patient with me! I am excited to see where He leads and how He continues to provide for me. He has never let me down!

Lately, I find myself smiling and laughing a lot. I have found joy in clarifying my priorities. It’s a balance of finding ways to care for myself and others, including Lydia. This also includes letting go of what doesn’t serve me anymore and not taking myself so seriously!

Over these last few weeks, I have enjoyed looking back and seeing God’s faithfulness. I am grateful for the Victories He has given me over these forty years, and especially the last ten years. He is so good!

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God, thanks for an amazing forty years! This is just a flash of time to You, but You are so kind to let me walk with You. Thanks for taking care of all that concerns me. Help me walk with more grace and joy in this new decade! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How has God been good to you so far this year? What Victories do you see?

Tasks: Take a few minutes to reflect on how far God has brought you in the last few months or years. Write it down so you can remember it! (It’s easy to forget otherwise!)

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Pivot, Travel

Whirlwind Weekend

Whew! From Thursday to Saturday of last week,  Lydia and I had a whirlwind weekend full of family, fun, a road trip, and two planes. We flew to Chicago and drove with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew to Michigan for a family reunion.
We were only there overnight, but it was well worth the quick turnaround to see our loved ones. Life is short, so it is important to make the most of our time together. We managed to see 31 different state license plates, too!
Then, we drove several hours back to O’Hare (via Lake Shore Drive and Wrigleyville) only to be delayed several hours on the plane. We arrived home at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, and Lydia carpooled to Bible camp in Devils Lake a couple hours away.
All in all, it was a memorable few days, though we could have done without the four-hour delay at the airport. We weren’t overly hungry for dinner on Saturday night, so we ate a few light snacks from our backpacks. I did buy some water before the shops and restaurants closed, but with the delay, we were a little hungry later on.
We had several gate changes and had to wait for our airplane to arrive from another flight. Part of it was a giant storm from Iowa to Michigan, which included Minnesota and Wisconsin, though not Chicago at the time. We had to have three different flight plans before going out of our way to Kansas City and then Fargo.
This change required us to wait for extra fuel. Also, a light had to be replaced on the plane, a cargo net had to be installed, and the lavatory had to be emptied. It felt a little ridiculous at times, but I encouraged Lydia with some juice and a Biscoff cookie from the flight attendant! 😉
Lydia tried to sleep on my shoulder, but she kept waking up with every ten minutes or so. Gotta love noisy conversations late at night and all the captain’s announcements!
The captain and flight attendant went out of their way to provide nourishment and answers as best they could. That was certainly appreciated, though it still required some effort to maintain a good attitude after a whirlwind trip.
Finally, we lifted off after 12:30 a.m. Lydia was awake during that time, and we enjoyed looking out the window like we usually do. We noticed lightning off in the distance probably right where we would have been traveling. We were relieved not to be heading in that direction!
It was a good opportunity to talk with Lydia about how God protects us. Sometimes, we don’t see or understand why we face delays or obstacles, but this experience was a good reminder that God knows best! As we flew above the storms, I also thought about how God lifts us out of our problems. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. He can take us to new heights if we rely on Him.
Another silver lining was that my sister and mom checked in with me during our delay. And, Mom kept praying and encouraging me while we were in the air. She was still up when I let her know we landed around 2:30 a.m. I was blessed to have their support! It was just what I needed.
In some ways, the weekend went even better than I could have imagined. And even when we dealt with the airport delays, God kept us safe and helped us understand Him more. With all the waiting and sitting, it was another reminder to rest in Him and let Him move on our behalf. 
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God, thanks for providing for us and keeping us safe, even when we don’t quite grasp what You are doing. Thanks for friends and family who encourage us! Help us remember to come to You with our problems when we get frustrated. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Questions: Have you ever been in a mandatory rest period? When God has you waiting, do you feel stuck or do you see it as a chance to rest?
Tasks: Instead of rushing through rest, pause and pray through it. Consider if God is trying to teach you something about Him or yourself!

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

Finding Grace #333

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 photos of Marguerite

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

This was a good week!! We jammed a lot in, including work, art, and family.

Sunday was a noteworthy example of God’s perfect timing. He helped me provide comfort to a friend amid her grief. It was good to be in the right place at the right time… at church!

I had a similar experience at work, comforting a widowed Veteran. He said he was lacking motivation healthwise and later mentioned losing his wife fairly recently. I helped him understand changes he can make for his nutrition and health status but also identified that he may need some grief support. It is difficult to move forward if you don’t deal with those strong emotions. I will connect him with someone in the VA but also suggested he reach out to some other local resources. He left feeling much better than when he came in!

I got a new badge at work, ahead of my three-year anniversary in August. Every so often your tech credentials and federal authorization certificates need to be updated. The funny thing is you can’t smile for the picture. I suppose it’s a little like a glorified mugshot! Thankfully, I have enjoyed my three years and hope to have many more!

We had beautiful weather this week, warm and sunny but not humid. I’m trying to soak it in knowing in a few short months it will be cooler!

Today, we are racing back to Fargo after seeing family. We had a great time, though it was a really quick trip! Even so, Lydia is leaving for church camp tomorrow! We appreciate your prayers that everything goes smoothly!

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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 Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom

Stay the Course

If you are ready to give up, give in, throw in the towel, or put a fork in it (you’re done), this post is for you! There are so many things coming at us every day. Life sure is chaotic at times! If you are feeling drained, keep reading!

Some internal factors include the daily stress of getting out the door or getting everything done. Then, add in pain, grief, loneliness, anxiety,  PTSD, financial issues, or chronic health conditions, etc.

Externally, everything from the news to the weather counts. Every week, it seems we keep getting hit by one horrible tragedy after another. Wars, famine, violence, death, and more. These are very real problems with no clear solution.

On a smaller level, work is time-consuming (at the least) and relationships can be messy. It’s tough to gain momentum. Life is tough, no doubt, and it may not get easier any time soon.

Free illustrations of Big bang

Perhaps you are simply tired of waiting for things to change. It’s easy to get antsy or even bored, tired of the same old problems. You’re all ready to pivot toward the new and shiny, but wait! You may not fully understand the problems that come with those gains (because you know there will be problems and challenges, there too!).

Yes, sometimes we crave busyness and excitement, but when we have that we crave the calm of peace and quiet. Generally, it is good to be content wherever we are right now. Though, sometimes God does use discontent to get us on board with the next steps.

Either way, I want to challenge you today: Stay the course. If you are waiting for life to fall into place, you are in good company. I understand your frustration when it seems your prayers have gone nowhere, but God has not forgotten you! You can still choose to enjoy life today.

Maybe He has you in a holding pattern, just a little longer to finishing preparing you or the next set of circumstances. You can keep serving with joy where you are now. All around us people need His love and help!

The problem is we feel like it’s all on us. Some of us work day in and day out to get ahead. But, as Christ-followers, we walk by faith, which means trusting even when we can’t see the path before us. By faith, stay the course and stay close to God.

If you don’t know what to do, stay put. Don’t move until God says to move. If you don’t know what’s next, seek His input. That alone can save you a lot of heartache… and time, if you have to undo mistakes.

If you’re struggling with patience, remember that’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit. He put it in you and wants to cultivate it in your life! You are not alone in your struggle. Let Him help!

If you recall, STRESS can be an acronym for “Still Trying to Run the Entire Solar System.” But, remember, the One who created the stars and calls them by name also made you on purpose and knows you personally.

Just like God hung the stars and guides them, if you let Him, He will guide you, too. He has a wonderful plan for your life, and He is able to redirect you as needed. Stay the course.

God never grows tired or weary, so He’s always got your back. He cares about what concerns you, more than you could ever know. What God has for you, is for you.

As long as you are walking close in step with Him, God Almighty will make sure you get all that He has for you. You don’t have to be afraid of missing out. He is trustworthy and your life is not a small thing to Him… You are covered in His mercy and grace!

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God, You hold all things together in Christ, from outer space to a teeny-tiny ant hill! Thanks for holding my life together, too. You are so good, Lord. Help me trust You more with all the challenges in my life. Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you dealing with S.T.R.E.S.S.?? How can you trust God with it all today?

Tasks: Make a list of all that is bothering you, or the pros and cons of a specific situation. Then, look at it in light of God’s grace and goodness. Wait on Him, and see Him work it out on your behalf. Trust Him!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

Pivot

It’s only the middle of the week, but already it has been jam-packed with God’s grace! I have had so many connections with people, including family, friends, and Veterans.

Almost all of the conversations, however, have been unplanned. It always seems these types of things go in spurts. I usually have fairly routine interactions with people, but sometimes they go into overdrive! I’ve had heartfelt conversations with family and coworkers and some breakthrough sessions with patients.

This week, I also met with a recently widowed mom from church. She reached out and just needed a little direction. She has been reading my book, and I am so glad God is using my painful grief experiences to help her. We went to dinner and had so much fun! I’m sure we will do it again soon.

In order to meet with this friend, though, I had to figure out what to do with Lydia last minute. Thankfully, she had been with another family that day (for an art class and swimming), so she was able to stay a little longer with them. She ate dinner with them and attend one of their son’s baseball games. Whew!

It takes a village, and I was grateful. God organized all the details for me, so I could do what He wanted me to do. I also have made plans with a couple of other friends and families later in the week. Summer is in full swing!

Over and over, this week, it seems like I have been in the right place at the right time. It’s cool how when God does something big in our lives (or those we know), it helps others have faith, too. They see a breakthrough and trust Him for greater things in their lives!

Free photos of Dortmund hbf

I usually try to be flexible, as much as I can, so I am available to serve those around me. But, sometimes it bites me. What I mean is that I try to bend in so many ways, that I can’t meet everyone’s needs or timing. Either I stress about it or I have to say no when someone needs help.

I have learned that’s okay. I don’t have to stand in God’s place! Only He can be all things to all people! I just have to be willing to pivot when God needs me. We can choose to have a good attitude and take it in stride, or we can drag our feet.

Isn’t God good to lead us? If we walk closely with Him and move when He needs us to move, we will never be out of step. He teaches us not only to pivot, but He also helps us navigate tricky situations. Sometimes that means repentance (confessing wrong choices and going the opposite direction) and sometimes it means opening up ourselves to new challenges and blessings.

In fact, you have likely had to make many pivots in the last two years alone. We’ve seen a wild collection of health issues, finances, politics, elections, and the economy!

But, remember this: A pivot is more than just fancy footwork. It opens up new opportunities and blessings! So, check your attitude and keep moving forward!

When plans change and we need to pivot, we also see God’s faithfulness. He is still in control and still at work in us and around us.

So, we don’t need to fear saying yes to God, and we don’t have to fear when He says no on our behalf. We can trust Him; He has us covered!

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God, thanks for working on our behalf and helping us pivot when needed. May we hear Your voice above all the chaos and even our own desires. Help us stay in step with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you good at switching plans at a moment’s notice? Or is it more of a challenge for you to pivot?

Tasks: Next time you need to change last-minute plans, ask yourself whether God Himself is asking you to pivot. Let that process direct your attitude. Serve with gratitude that He has a bigger purpose!

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Lessons from History

“Ok, Lydia, you need to get ready for bed.”

“You’re not going to watch this without me, are you?!”

I had to laugh because Lydia seems to like history and documentaries like me! Well, sort of… some of them are a little gruesome in their realistic reenactments of war. I don’t think she quite “gets” things like I do just yet, but maybe it will serve her well as she learns about some of the topics and people in school.

Maybe I’m a nerd, but lately, I have watched a PBS documentary on Benjamin Franklin; a few episodes on Wondrium about famous American women; and History Channel documentaries on Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. Wow. I am in awe.

Free illustrations of United

Ben Franklin had a lot of flaws, but he was also basically a genius, and this carried over to his skills as a statesman and inventor. We are still operating on principles he suggested in our nation’s infancy.

US Grant was an understated hero. I read a biography about him as a kid but I had forgotten a lot of details. (I put those long school bus rides home to good use!) He was humble and somewhat misunderstood, yet he did his best under tough circumstances. He could be a bulldog at times, but also quite kind and thoughtful. As a side note: He knew or knew of most of the commanders of the Union and Confederate Armies in the Civil War because they went to West Point together and had similar training.

So far, the women have been abolitionists, suffragists, writers, and/or wives of Presidents. I am grateful for the example they set to pursue their passions and channel their ideas for the greater good!

Teddy Roosevelt (TR) was an anomaly of sorts. He was a sick weak child, but he pushed himself. Every channeled his emotions and energy into every challenge he faced. TR was popular, friendly, and full of flare. He was occasionally self-centered, but he was able to fight for the underdog. He brought reform, and I imagine he would have a heyday in our government now! Did you know TR was a young boy and watched Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession outside his grandfather’s New York home?!

Regardless of the storyline, it is so interesting to learn about each person: their personality quirks, family background, wins, losses, and life challenges. We tend to remember their successes, but really, they held prejudices and weren’t always on the “right side” of history.

Still, they persevered and we can learn from them. I would have loved to meet some of these famous people. Not because they were icons, but really to say ‘thank you’ for all they did. Next up: A documentary on the Buffalo Soldiers.

Free vector graphics of Ulysses grantFree vector graphics of Theodore roosevelt

This small sample of men and women had great impact, and I can see how God used them to carry out His purposes. At the same time, I know the vast majority of us will never be famous. Maybe you are well-known among your peers, but maybe not.

But, the cool thing is… our contributions still matter, too! God notices every little thing. He has placed each of us at this point in History. He has great work for us to do!

We may never fully understand how much impact we will have on those who come after us. But, we can’t let fear stop us from living fully today.

For instance, TR had a lot of losses in his life. Yet, he seized the opportunities he had knowing they might never come again. Let’s do the same, knowing God is with us and for us. He stands ready to empower us, so let’s move with His grace and guidance!

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God, You are the Author of History. Thanks for guiding our nation; Lord, we need Your mercy and grace even now. Help each of us to do our part. Show us how to keep living for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you like history and documentaries? If you could have lunch with any famous person, living or dead, who would you pick?

Tasks: Don’t let fear get the best of you. Your life matters! Step out in faith and become all God intended!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Personality, Travel, Worship

Go With the Flow

Last weekend, Lydia and I took a little road trip a few hours into Minnesota! On Saturday, we visited Safari North Wildlife Park, near Brainerd. We fed the giraffes carrots and the parakeets millet. We enjoyed seeing cheetahs, lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!); several types of monkeys and birds (some I had never seen before); kangaroos and wallabies; plus, gazelles, zebras, and ostriches, just to name a few.

We had been wanting to go for a while. In fact, we were going to go a couple of weeks ago to commemorate the anniversary of Dave’s death, but the weather seemed iffy, so we didn’t. Emotionally, I was on the fence because I wasn’t sure what to expect. So, I gave Lydia a fun Yes Day instead.

Even this past weekend, I wasn’t sure if we were going to go. I don’t know the area very well, and I wasn’t sure if there was anything else to do. Plus, there was another chance of rain the entire holiday weekend.

Nonetheless, a conversation with my coworker stirred my imagination and helped me lean toward going. She was telling me of a quick trip to Florida she was taking over the holiday weekend, a babymoon of sorts. They didn’t have much planned but were going to make the most of their time, go with the flow, and lounge on the beach.

On a personal note, I was inspired to just have fun since life is so short. On Friday after work, I ran some errands and was going to just relax. Then, I remembered my coworker’s enthusiasm and suggestions for things to do near Brainerd.

On a whim, I decided we should go that very day! It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day, and while I couldn’t predict the rain, my weather app showed about a forty percent chance later on Saturday afternoon. So, we had a decent amount of time to travel and still accomplish our goal!

I picked up Lydia from daycare and made my proposal. She quickly agreed to throw whatever she could into her backpack and hop in the car. I am so proud of us… we didn’t overpack! We each took one change of clothes, a swimsuit, our toothbrushes, and plus a few other small necessities, but that was it! I knew if we really forgot something major, we could just buy it or do without.

We made a hotel reservation before leaving home. Then, we drove about 2.5 hours to Baxter, MN (next door to Brainerd). I soon realized it was good to break up the drive between two days instead of one long day. On the way, Lydia and I surveyed the scenery and some Amish horses and carts driving along the highway! We also enjoyed some music, laughter, and conversation.

At one point, we heard the song “Jireh” by Maverick City Music on the radio. Lydia asked me what Jireh means. It was a name given to God by Abraham. Jehovah Jireh means ‘The Lord will Provide’ and I reminded Lydia of the story of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham was stopped just before sacrificing his son, Isaac, only to have God provide a ram in the thicket that day… I told her, “It was as if God said, I don’t need you to sacrifice your son for Me, but instead, ‘I will sacrifice my son, Jesus, for you.'”

We also discussed how we had no real plan, but that it was the perfect opportunity for us to trust God. We didn’t know where we would eat dinner, but we knew He would provide. We didn’t have all the details about the zoo, but we would figure it out as we went. We weren’t sure if it would rain, but we were doing our best (by coming early) and trusting God with the rest.

Well, we ended up having pizza for dinner and went on a brief mission to see a couple of local lakes before swimming and watching cable tv at the hotel. On Saturday, we slept in, bought Lydia a Caterpillar hat to combat the sun (a quick stop at Fleet Farm), and then headed to the zoo. I’m glad we came the night before and decided to go with the flow!

Turns out, that day was perfect to be outside with the animals. It was a little cooler and cloudy having rained overnight. So, the animals were wide awake and active! I’m glad we didn’t wait a couple more weeks when it surely will be hot!

We really enjoyed seeing so many animals! We were there for about four hours and could have stayed longer! However, we decided to head back and continue enjoying our long weekend at home. We had the best time together, and it was sweet that God blessed us with an impromptu adventure!

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God, thanks for leading us on an adventure with You. Thanks for being our Provider. We do not need to worry or be afraid because You have us covered. Help us trust Your plans are greater than ours! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How has God provided for you lately? What is your favorite zoo animal?

Tasks: Listen to the song, Jireh, and trust God for your next adventure!