Tag: Fargo

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

Finding Grace #422

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 great week. Most of the week was fairly normal with work and school. Friday probably had the most excitement, as you can read further below.

On Sunday, we celebrated Easter. Lydia and I went to one church service and volunteered at another. The kids were very excited, and we had some funny experiences together.

The weather was perfect this week. Although the mornings were cooler, by afternoon, temperatures reached the 50s and 60s.

One cool thing that happened on Thursday was that I finally hit 100,000 miles on my Subaru! I will have had it for eleven years in August. At first, I put a lot of miles on it, driving back and forth to see family in Illinois. But I haven’t done that for a few years, so this milestone took a little longer than I expected. Thankfully, my car is in good condition. I am going to try driving it another 100k!

Lydia’s orthodontist’s wife apparently works at a spa next door to his office. So, on Friday, I received one of three free hour-long facials as a courtesy. Orthodontics are expensive, so this perk is appreciated! Lydia said my face is now glowing…. I’ll take it!

Yesterday was also my parents’ 49th wedding anniversary! They are a blessing to so many, and I am so proud to call them Mom and Dad. I appreciate how they have invested in my life, and I continue to learn from them!

Also yesterday, Lydia and I went to a the funeral visitation for a coworker’s dad. I wanted to go support her, and I also wanted to make sure Lydia had the experience. She has been to funerals before, but it is always good to know how to act in those often sad and uncomfortable experiences. 

Today, I was on-call for work, though I didn’t get called in. I woke up early to prepare and then did a lot of cleaning while waiting for my phone to potentially ring. I descaled my coffee machine, did three loads of laundry, helped Lydia organize her bedroom closet, made some Amazon returns to UPS, and caught up with some reading and bills. It felt great to be productive!

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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, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #421

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 Robin Red-Breasted photo and picture

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

This Holy Week was good. I did a daily Bible devotion on YouVersion about Jesus’ las week, and it was good to keep that at the forefront of my mind.

On Sunday, I met with a dear church friend for coffee. She has been growing in her faith but is working through some tough issues. I am so proud that she mentioned her questions to me, and we were able to discuss them. She was dealing with fear, and I encouraged her and challenged her to not give up. As long as we keep moving forward toward Him, we will have Victory!

Work was surprisingly slow! I had a lot of patients, but a few canceled or no-showed, and some rescheduled or just didn’t want to talk long. I was able to stay on top of my charting and am fully caught up! I was able to do a few projects and even cleaned my desk!

Otherwise, it was a quiet week. I have enjoyed the calm, and often, during these peaceful moments, I can hear from God best. Of course, He has given me a few new things to think about and pray through. 🙂

Today, I saw my first robin of spring! I had just woken up, and the bird was singing on my deck. I was delighted and am sure there will be many more in the coming days!

Finally, three people mentioned my book to me. One asked how to get a copy for a friend, and two gave positive feedback. I love that my works are encouraging others! It’s been awhile since I shared the link, but here is how you can get one (or three!).

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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, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #420

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 fairly normal week. It was good and routine, perfect for the start of Spring!

Work went well with everyone back in the office! I am returning to my half-day on Fridays, which is good for me! We transitioned to our usual duties, though we will probably still include some of the streamlined methods we picked up over the last few months of making do. It’s a win-win!

I put together a nutrition bulletin board (above) for the hallway outside my office. Two other dietitians helped bring my idea to fruition. It is as if we are looking down at a table from the top. And then, underneath, you can lift the “placemats” and read some nutrition facts. I am pleased with how it came together!

On Thursday, Lydia started another round of orthodontia. She decided against braces and opted for the clear trays instead. It is nice that she can take them out to eat and brush her teeth. She’s also glad it makes her mouth look normal, especially since she must wear them for several months (a new tray every week).

Today, we mostly relaxed since Lydia felt weak, thanks to POTS. This is somewhat typical for Saturdays, unfortunately, but her teeth were also a little sore. Nonetheless, I took some time to watch a webinar, exercise, cook some food, and make some phone calls. Lydia and I are going to watch a movie next. It was a good day!

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

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

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Words

A “Walk-By Fruiting”

Recently, I had a really funny patient who wanted to make some nutrition changes. He loves cooking and preparing meals for his family, which is good because he said his wife only knows how to order pizza for her turn in the kitchen!

This Veteran made me laugh and certainly had unique ways of saying things. For instance, he said that butter means love in his family. So, when someone makes potatoes or toast (or whatever!), they “add a little love.” He had been “adding a lot of love” based on his lab work! Yet, he had already made a break with butter by the time we met. He was still using some but had reduced it.

He also “had a feeling” for Baby Ruth candy bars since he associates them with comfort and good memories of his youth. Regarding my recommendations, the Veteran was willing to get rid of something else, if needed, and leave those alone. I was 100% okay with that since he is not eating too many.

Finally, he used the phrase “walk-by fruiting” to describe the little basket of fresh fruit in their walkway between the kitchen and living room. If he is hungry, he can grab a piece of fruit as he walks by! It makes total sense, right?!

March is National Nutrition Month, and of course, fruit is food! But, fruit is also used to describe evidence of growing closer to God and becoming like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Words matter, and I have been thinking of walk-by fruitings ever since!

Whenever I read my Bible or hear a verse from Scripture, I will think… walk-by fruiting! It’s catchy and encouraging! Whenever I reconnect with God during my day to find new strength… yes, that’s a walk-by fruiting!

I am also reminded that one of my friends had a funny word for extra food after a meal. Many of us call them leftovers, but he called them “remainders” like he learned when doing long division in math class. Spot on, really!

That is not too much of a stretch here. Jesus calls us to remain in Him; in doing so, we will bear much fruit. Just by staying connected, we can’t help but grow. Conversely, if we cut ourselves off, our faith will wither and die. It’s not really about doing more but resting in God’s love. Jesus has already done the most difficult work on the Cross.

Remaining in Jesus is a matter of the heart as we let Him position us where He wants us. So, let’s remain close to Jesus because we have Life and Victory in Him!

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Father, thanks for showing us new things daily through the people we meet. Open our eyes and hearts so we can learn and grow. Help us stay close to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Does your family have any cute sayings that have carried through the years?

Task: As you connect with God throughout your day, think about the growth that will occur over time. It takes diligence and intention, but I hope you are encouraged and keep coming back for walk-by fruitings!

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

Finding Grace #419

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 fun and a little unusual!

I took Monday off work to spend time with Lydia for her spring break. We ran a few errands together, and then I walked to Starbucks to meet a friend for coffee. We had a good chat, and she mentioned how grateful she was for my help as she’s been going through a difficult time. Then, I walked back. It was less than a mile round trip, but it felt good to be out enjoying the beautiful weather. It reached the 60s that day!

I worked my full tour on Tuesday but didn’t arrive at the office until 1 o’clock. That’s because I went to see three Veterans first. I went to a nursing home and two private residences in Fargo and Moorhead. The nursing home is very close to my house, so it made sense to start there. I noticed a goose on the roof, which made me smile to think it was guarding the facility! The rest of the day was spent charting, but I felt rather productive!

Wednesday was another short day since I had my taxes done before work. It was also RD Day, and we had lunch and a game for staff. This included trying to match fun facts with each coworker. We laughed a lot, and the two ladies on maternity leave brought in their babies so we could see and hold them.

Thursday was another lovely day, perfect for walking to the middle school for Lydia’s teacher conference. She is doing well and has received all good reports. It is great to see how she has grown this year! As a side note, someone confirmed Lydia is officially taller than me!

Friday was the last day of working extra hours. The last four months have been very good. But, I have been nonstop busy with patient care. I was grateful for the money and time to complete my work. But it will be nice to get back to my normal routine on MONDAY when the two dietitians return! We also had a new worker start, and we are all grateful to be fully staffed again!

Today, we were invited to a coworker’s house to visit. We took Sandy’s donuts and hung out with my friend, also named Natalie, her husband, and two little boys. It was fun to chat about all sorts of fun topics and see Natalie out of our normal environment! 🙂

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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, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Worship

Happy Registered Dietitian Day!

Woohoo! March is National Nutrition Month, and today is Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist Day! When I think of my career, I always enjoy looking back on God’s faithfulness. In college, I saw how practical nutrition and dietetics can be at home and as a service to others. Everybody needs food – it can be both fuel and fun!

This year, RDN Day seems to have come a little faster. Perhaps that’s because my team at work has been extra busy with coverage needs. Time has flown by, but we made it! In fact, our two coworkers are coming back next week!

Returning to our former routine will be good, but I also look forward to seeing my friends again! They have been missed! Can you tell I am really grateful for my team? We are always eager to help one another, but we also laugh a lot and care about each other.

I am also so thankful for God’s grace and provision. When I was asked to cover the home-based role last fall, I was a little nervous about driving in the winter weather. But God worked it all out. Only one day out of the last four months had snow. That day, I saw two Veterans and got permission to go home early. Win-win!

Naturally, there are days when I am tired or not feeling excited about going to work. When I get stressed, I feel like I am short on time. I don’t like missing deadlines or feeling like I let someone down! Reflecting on this, I have noticed a couple of patterns.

If I don’t take time to take care of myself (exercise, solid meals, sleep), I feel run down, which can affect my stress and mood. On the other hand, I have noticed that if I do make time for self-care, I can have the same chaotic schedule and feel good – energetic even! Regardless, I often walk into work and see someone I know, and instantly, I am glad I came!

Free ai generated salad vegetables illustration

As with anything, I can commit my day to the Lord and honor Him with quality work. I can show compassion to the many Veterans with pain. I can be cheerful when patients are running late. After we finish our appointment, I can take time to direct them to their next appointment. I can be patient when someone gets frustrated with the changes they feel they should make. I can call to check if someone is feeling better or applying what we discussed. When appropriate, I can joke with my patients as a way to build rapport.

I like to dispel nutrition myths, though it would be nice not to have to! I also enjoy using analogies to show how the body works. Basic principles don’t change, but my job is to tailor the information to what the person needs individually. I love teaching people how food helps them operate and feel good! In doing so, I hope they have peace with food and grow to trust their choices. I love seeing them give themselves grace and make progress with their health goals.

Although it is tough work sometimes, I am grateful to work as a nutrition professional. I can see and feel God moving in my life, and that overflows into everything else! Occasionally, I meet someone open about their faith in God. In those moments, we can talk about spiritual food – a whole new level of health!

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God, thanks for shaping my career over the years. Thanks for letting me serve people in practical ways. Help me nourish them and point them to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Have you ever met with a Registered Dietitian? (That’s different than someone who took a ten-hour class over the Internet!) How can you see God at work in your life?

Task: Whatever you do today, consider how you can glorify God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength. In terms of nutrition, keep it simple. Remember these principles: balance of each food group, variety within each food group, consistency in daily habits, and moderation.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Worship

Finding Grace #418

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 Geese Pond photo and picture

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

This was a good week, and it flew by! I found myself praising God for many things, including less stress, beautiful weather, Lydia, His provision, and more!

Work went well and was very full—no surprise there! I needed to squeeze in an unexpected home visit and was grateful two coworkers volunteered to take a few of my scheduled patients. I love my team—they are all great ladies and helpers!

Beyond work, I did not feel overly stressed or rushed. I had plenty to do, but I could go slower and relax a bit. As a result, I had the energy to tackle a few small projects without hurrying. So, I feel really good about that!

The weather was great this week. We had a few flurries but no real snow accumulation. It was in the 30s and 40s, with a mix of clouds and sun. I am starting to see and hear a lot more birds, too. Spring is on its way!

Today, I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee, but she had to reschedule. So, while I was out, I ran some errands to pick up a few groceries and home maintenance supplies. I also did a little reading, walking, and played a game with Lydia.

Don’t forget Daylight Savings Time starts again tomorrow! Be sure to turn your clocks one hour forward tonight!

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

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

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

Finding Grace #417

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 Reed Lake photo and picture

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

This was a fulfilling week in so many ways! It was incredibly challenging at times but I felt good how it all turned out. For instance, work was mentally taxing, but I did my best, was thorough, and did quality work.

I felt like I was taking an eight-hour test every day of work. I had my own patients, plus several others. I took care of those two new tube-feeding patients, covered home-based primary care, and helped cover the rehab unit. Today, I was also on-call and had a patient to see, so I returned this morning! He was very sweet, and I was happy to see him. Whew!

We had a blizzard on Tuesday, which meant Lydia stayed home from school. I had to go to work, of course, and had a busy day, as usual. Driving to work took twice as long and was an adventure, but God protected me!

My coworkers and I spent several hours preparing for a heart health fair, and I was concerned the weather would cancel it. Thankfully, it went on and was a success. We had a visual lineup of twelve foods with fat, ranging from olive oil and other plant fats to butter, bacon grease, and other saturated fats. It was fun to see the response and explain the differences. In short, plant fats (oils) are liquids at room temperature and don’t clog up the arteries, unlike saturated animal fats.

On Tuesday afternoon, I had two home visits, one in Fargo and one in Dilworth (MN). The weather wasn’t much better, but I made it home safely afterward. My driveway was full of snow drifts up to my knees, so I parked on the street. My hired snow service came overnight to clear away the snow. Much of the snow is already gone!

Thursday was Leap Day! I enjoyed a game of Qwirkle with Lydia at home, but earlier in the day, I had a timely conversation with one of my coworkers. Her dad is in the hospital, and I encouraged her. I hugged her and prayed for her on the spot, which I hadn’t planned to do but just was in the moment. It was so cool when she said she prayed, asking God for direction and encouragement today. I loved being His instrument!

I really enjoyed calling my parents last night. They are full of parenting wisdom, which I love to soak up! Otherwise, today has been mostly catching up and relaxing after the busy week.  Have a great rest of your night!

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

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

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

Finding Grace #416

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 Heart Wooden Heart photo and picture

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

Overall, this was a refreshing and encouraging week! I did lose my temper at one point, and Lydia and I had to address some communication issues. We both apologized, chalking it up to stress and puberty. 🙂 Then, we hung out together, which also helped. Thankfully, we usually get along well, and we can continue growing together. Every so often, we need to be challenged; otherwise, nothing ever changes.

I always enjoy seeing and chatting with my family via Zoom on Sundays. We catch up, share news, tell jokes, and laugh. Sometimes, we share prayer requests, too!

On Monday, Lydia and I were both off for Presidents Day. It was a good day to get things done around the house, but we also relaxed a bit. We did a little painting for fun!

Work was good and flew by for the most part. That’s because I was extremely busy with patients and various things that popped up! I had full days of my own patients, but I also prepared to cover some home-based patients next week. I picked up two new tube-feeding patients from other hospitals and had a lot of related tasks. These included contacting dietitians and patients, discussing formula options, doing calculations, writing notes, printing handouts, ordering supplies, and notifying other staff who might need to cover my other work to squeeze them in when they come next week. Whew!

On my lunch break, I celebrated Black History Month by reading about John L. Canley, who earned the Medal of Honor for his inspiring service in Vietnam. I also watched a ceremony honoring the all-Black 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (often called Buffalo Soldiers). In 1917, there were riots in Houston, TX, and nineteen of these soldiers were wrongly court-martialled and executed!! Many years later, it was determined that their sentencing was racially influenced and thus reversed. So, on Thursday, new headstones were revealed to reflect the normal details received with honorable discharges. You can read more here. 

Lydia had an orchestra concert on Thursday night, so we walked down the block to school. Seeing how much the 6th graders have grown in a few short months was fun. Lydia was a little nervous but did a great job. She plans to continue playing viola next year, so I look forward to many more concerts!

Today, Lydia and I did a ton of cooking. We made waffles for breakfast using a local mix we found while shopping. I roasted sweet potatoes and also prepared some soy curls, which I will use instead of chicken for fajitas. Additionally, we made some black bean and corn salsa, refried beans (dried beans and water only), and some chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies (the classic kind!). We’ll have some yummy meals over the next few days!

The weather has been soooo nice this week. It reached the 50s today, and Lydia went to the park with some friends while I sat outside and did some reading. It’s hard to believe it’s February, and our yard has no snow. Any parking lot piles are 99% smaller than normal! Next week, we do have a chance or two of snow, but it shouldn’t amount to much!

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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 Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Worship

Let Me Count the Ways

Happy Valentine’s Day! Do you have any special plans today?

Typically, I keep this day fairly simple, though I usually give Lydia a little chocolate or a token gift, such as jewelry or flowers. She loves little surprises!

Valentine’s Day can be difficult for some people. You may or may not have a “date” today, but either way, perhaps you can still appreciate all the different facets of love.

God is love, so we can look to Him to fill us with His love and let it overflow to others. Love is meant to be given and received, shared. As such, it takes work (even in the best circumstances). It’s not always a piece of cake or a heart-shaped box of candy!

Lately, I’ve been counting all the ways I see God’s love and grace in my life. (Remember the cottage cheese?!) I hope that by sharing them with you, you will be inspired to look for Him in your daily routine, too!

Free Leaves Frost photo and picture

So here goes! We got a little snow last week, and it is already melting! Perhaps Spring is not too far off, as I have heard more birds singing! I also saw a few geese in the river, which has been thawing intermittently.

I attended an online meeting this week. The host greeted me (and others) by name, which made me feel seen. It would have been very easy to say, “Hello, everyone!” and just move on. I actually felt like I was more a part of the team, even though I didn’t know half the people present!

I went to a home visit about an hour away for work. I enjoyed listening to the radio and heard several songs about God’s love. It was a peaceful drive, and I was glad to spend the time with the Lord… while getting paid! 😉

The two-hour round trip flew by, and I enjoyed the beautiful flat view. I am a Midwesterner, after all! It was such a sweet surprise to see two hawks and a bald eagle when it flew across the road right before me!

Later, I stopped for gas and used some store rewards for eighty cents off a gallon! I previously had trouble getting my account to work correctly, which is why they all built up over months. However, one of the store employees took the time to help me and explain why it all was disconnected. He also provided a phone number for more extensive customer service, promptly fixing everything!

Recently, I noticed a cute little heart in the bottom of a cup after I finished my drink. It brightened my day. Another time, I picked up some fancy bread from Great Harvest Bread Company. Oh my, it was divine! I’m calling that an extra bit of God’s grace… taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Free Thailand Leaves photo and picture

To clarify, all of the above examples are just a small sampling — truly, there are plenty of times when it doesn’t go my way. Even so, I can “count them all joy” because they help me lean on God all the more. It’s not all about me!

God’s love, mercy, and grace are endless toward His children. In fact, we are blessed to be a blessing. That means we can serve others with a cheerful heart and gratitude for all God has done for us. We can even choose to be inconvenienced so others can have it a little easier. Then, they may draw close to Jesus, too!

During another home visit this week, I met a Veteran who was still adjusting to his new home. He was having a difficult time but started beaming when I fixed the problem with his bedside radio. He loves classical music, and I hope it brings him a little peace.

At work, I took some difficult calls to help out a friend. On another day, I offered a coworker my (cleaned) earplugs to help her focus when construction noises interrupted her concentration. I took someone else a couple of Papa Murphy’s pizzas to help her during a rough time. I love my coworkers and count them as dear friends!

God’s love permeates all we do. His grace is all around us; it overflows in abundance. As you notice Jesus in your life, be sure to thank Him! You are perfectly loved, known, and accepted. There’s never been a moment where He left you alone.

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God, thanks for all the ways You love me! Open my eyes to Your blessings and help me share them with others. Help me point people to You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Where have you seen God’s love and grace in your life this week?

Tasks: Trace God’s blessings in your life this week, and then see how you can bless others!