Tag: Fargo

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

Finding Grace #378

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 another great week with so many things to be grateful for! First off, Lydia was baptized at church on Sunday! She has been following Jesus personally for years, and we have been discussing baptism for a while. But, the timing just worked out best on Sunday. It was even more special that it was also Pentecost!

Monday was Memorial Day, so I was off from work. We took one of Lydia’s friends to ‘The Little Mermaid’ in theaters. The music, the actors, the graphics… It was all so good, and I highly recommend it!

On Wednesday, Lydia attended youth group again, and she had so much fun. She was a little nervous but wanted to go in by herself (leaving me in the car, which is always a good sign!). It is great to have others building into her life and reinforcing lessons we discuss at home. I’m grateful for other godly examples for her to follow!

On Thursday, we had dentist appointments. Everything went well! I always have to laugh at all the conversations the staff likes to have with you when you can’t say much. 🙂 One good thing is that I learned our dentist goes to the same church as us. I will have to look for his family tomorrow morning. Small world!

The healing garden at work is starting to bloom. Day by day, flowers are opening up and blooming full force. Notice the bright pink peonies are at it again!

Yesterday, I ran some errands after work. I went to Costco for some routine items and just happened to find a large wind chime. I love my smaller one from my family, in memory of Dave. I placed the new chime next to the little one, and the deeper noise brought a beautiful balance. This morning, I enjoyed my coffee on the sunny deck before the heat set in. It was so relaxing hearing the chimes in the breeze! Every “song” is always new and unique. I could’ve listened to that music all day!

It’s been hot this week, so I mowed the lawn last night when it cooled off a bit. Then today, I bought some new tools to help me weed more efficiently. It helps my back to have extended tools that do the job! I also did the trimming and deadheaded some plants. It feels good to get my yard in order! 

Otherwise, today was pretty normal. I was on-call but didn’t have to go in to work. Lydia had a birthday party in the afternoon, which gave me a little free time. I caught up around the house, but tonight, we are just relaxing!

**********

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, Parenting, Personality, Worship

Baptism Blessings

This past Sunday, Lydia took a big step in obedience to Christ. She got water baptized!

She first accepted Jesus into her heart on July 29th, 2017 (by asking for forgiveness for her sins and inviting Him in). Thankfully, we remember because I wrote a note in her Jesus Storybook Bible! I love how this little kid’s Bible explains God’s heart and the Gospel.

Back then, she felt close to Jesus because we talked about Him often, as we do now. But, she had not yet made a decision to live for Him. That day, we were reading in her Bible about Pharoah and the Egyptian plagues. Her sense of justice made her feel the Egyptians deserved all of God’s wrath! This led to a conversation about Heaven and Hell.

Lydia was confident she was going to Heaven, but when I explained that we all deserve the full punishment for our sins (death, Hell), she was surprised. I asked her if she had ever asked Jesus for forgiveness and gave her the opportunity. We prayed right then and there!

Because Lydia was only five years old, I waited to have her baptized. I wanted her to be able to make the decision on her own. Older believers may get baptized right away, but it was important to wait until she understood the commitment more.

At any rate, it’s been a topic we’ve discussed more over the last two years. We hoped to have family come to celebrate with us, but that’s difficult to coordinate all the variables and line it up with a baptism date. So, in the end, we just did what worked best for us.

Over the course of a couple of weeks, our pastor spoke about baptisms, one with water and one with the Holy Spirit. He talked about obedience to Christ and following His precedent, among other points. It was just the boost Lydia needed. We both agreed the timing was right! So, I filled out the paperwork, and she picked out her clothes and towel. 🙂

Leading up to Sunday, however, Lydia said she was nervous. She had made a poor decision (for her), which made her feel unworthy. I explained how none of us are worthy; that’s why we need Jesus!

Then, the night before, Lydia said she thought she would be more excited. I reminded her that we don’t need to ‘feel’ anything to be obedient. Each of us may exhibit excitement in different ways. Some people bounce off the walls with giddiness, and some calmly move forward with less energy and a smile. At least, this is more in line with Lydia’s (and my) personality. We can get excited, but we are pretty stable overall.

Sunday itself was awesome. Lydia and about forty other people decided to take the plunge! And it just so happened to be Pentecost! This is when Jesus’ disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit; they began speaking in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit rested on certain people, but now He lives within us! So, it was an extra special blessing to be baptized on this day!

Afterward, Lydia and I went to Panera for lunch and then to Scheels for a new pair of shoes. That evening, we talked with family on Zoom, and my parents told her how proud of her they were. At bedtime, Lydia said she was really glad that she was brave and had a good experience! What a turning point for her!

**********

Heavenly Father, thanks for washing us clean and making us whole. Thank You for sharing Jesus and the Holy Spirit with us! Help us live for You every day. In Jesus’ Name Amen

Question: What is one step you can take to follow Jesus more closely today?

Task: Check out this sermon on baptism from my church. It starts at 39:33 and is called “A Fresh Look at Water Baptism.”

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

Finding Grace #377

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 week! We watched our friend’s baby on Sunday and had fun “showing her off” on Zoom to our family (they know her mom). She was crying a bit but every time I stepped out on the deck, she grew calm. It was funny! And, my friend brought us ice cream and some patriotic flowers (above) as a thank you!

On Tuesday, I took part of the morning off to go to Lydia’s school. She earned an academic award and a certificate of achievement for her elementary years. I am proud of all her hard work. Also, it was fun to cheer on all the kids, some of whom are our neighbors!

On Wednesday, Lydia attended youth group at church for the first time. Now that she’s going into middle school, she is eligible to go. This is something Lydia’s been looking forward to for some time, but she was still a little nervous. Thankfully, she saw a few people she knew, and one person she met last week remembered her and called her over when she arrived. It was a blessing, and Lydia was really glad she went!

Thursday was Lydia’s last day of elementary school. She will miss seeing all her friends, but she will still go to the Y for a couple of days each week (at the school). So, it will be a smooth transition into middle school next fall. We ‘celebrated’ by mowing the lawn that night, lol!

Work was busy but manageable. I taught three classes on Wednesday, saw several back-to-back patients the rest of the week, covered a coworker while she was on vacation, and got ahead for next week. But, it went well and I enjoyed it!

The weather was hot and sunny this week! The wind made it really nice, and I took the scenic route due to some road construction.

Today, we helped out with a high school graduation party. We stayed for about six hours! Lydia played with her friends, and I met new friends and caught up with dear friends and served in the kitchen. We chopped up cooked chicken, refilled various entrees and sides, washed a ton of dishes, etc. Lydia said she heard us laughing as they walked through. It was good for my soul!

**********

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, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

Sensing God’s Presence

The heat is already setting in here in Fargo, so it seems Summer will soon be upon us! At the same time, that means Construction season is also here, so all the orange cones, neon clothing, and flashing lights are in view.

Really, I don’t mind, except when I have a detour that gets me lost or makes me late! But, sometimes, I just find a new way to get somewhere or enjoy a scenic route I would have otherwise missed. Either way, Spring and Summer help me be in tune with all my senses, which in turn, point me to God.

On my walks in to work from the parking lot, I hear motorcycles and other traffic, lawnmowers, birds chirping, etc. I am grateful for my hearing because I serve many Veterans who have lost some or all of their hearing.

I love seeing all the beautiful trees: red/pink crab apple, dogwood, and who knows the rest! I have also enjoyed the multicolored tulips,  green grass, blue sky, and yellow sun!

Free Flowers Petals photo and picture

We have also enjoyed tasting fresh veggies, salads, and fruit. Especially blueberries, watermelon, pineapple, or maybe even a fruit popsicle. Oh, I do love s’mores as well!

That reminds me of the smells associated with campfires and grilling. Also, I have had people give me fresh flowers two weeks in a row. Thanks to my family and the friend who gave them to me!

We mowed the lawn last week and felt some of the grass tickling the back of our legs (yes, it grew faster than I expected!). And, on Sunday, I spent time on the deck barefoot!

There are two other senses that often get overlooked. These are vestibular and proprioception. These are related to the sense of touch and involve movement and balance. For this example, Lydia and I have had fun playing outdoor games, riding bikes, and going for walks.

That makes me curious… how do you experience God in your day-to-day life? Where do you sense Him at work? Do you hear His voice… and listen? Do you see His hand moving in your circumstances, working everything for your good? Do you feel His love personally or through others? Do you taste the goodness and joy around you? Do you catch a whiff of His grace? You can use your imagination a little here, but it’s worth some serious thought!

Each of us may sense God differently, as He made us all unique, but His Truth stands firm. While seasons come and go, God never changes! He is our solid Rock, and according to Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” He is with us and for us always. May we find joy in the beauty around us, and may it lead us to Jesus!

**********

God, thanks for designing me to yearn for You. Draw me near and speak to me in ways I can understand. Don’t let me miss what You are doing in my life. Let me join you and help serve others! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your responses to the questions above? How can you seek the Lord today?

Tasks: Watch this 3-minute video about the colors of creation. It goes through how our eyes perceive colors and how that changes throughout the day. God is an amazing Creator!!

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

Finding #376

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. We had a mini staycation, which included a quiet Mother’s Day on Sunday. We hiked, relaxed, and played a little soccer game with the neighbor boys…perfect! I am so grateful to be Lydia’s mom, but it’s also a little bittersweet since it reminds me of being a single parent since the anniversary of Dave’s death occurs around the same time.

On Monday, I took the day off from work and enjoyed celebrating Dave’s life with Lydia. We tried to make the best of it, though we’ve been missing him for ten years now.

The weather was really nice this week! I loved seeing all the flowery trees! Lydia helped me mow about half the yard on Wednesday, so that helped save me a lot of time! I did the trim work and then finished the lawn. Then today, we enjoyed going for a walk all around the neighborhood and later played ball together!

**********

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

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

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

Finding Grace #375

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 another relatively calm week!

The weather was both rainy and sunny this week! Soon, I will have to mow!

Work went well, and I gave a talk on gut health for my coworkers. I spent quite a bit of time preparing for it, but it went well. I am glad I had the opportunity to present on such a complex topic!

On Tuesday, Lydia and I went to the middle school for a meeting on what to expect. We also started the rental process for her viola and got to look around the school. We are excited! We also learned that next year, the school day/timing is changing, but it works in our favor. This was something I have been praying about for a couple of years, so it feels like the Lord made the change just for us. 🙂

Yesterday, after work, I ran some errands and then relaxed a bit. I also received a beautiful flower delivery from my sister and brother-in-law. You can see the lilies in the picture above!

Today, we have been mostly relaxing. We made some brownies, watched a movie, and played some games. A perfect Saturday!

**********

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, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Worship

Finding Grace #373

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 Bird Female photo and picture

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

This week stood out to me, and I saw God’s grace every day. It was a week of old friends, good conversations, and throwback music. I even saw a cardinal at work, which I rarely see because I still have young trees at home. Just what I needed!

My friend, Krystal, now lives in Colorado with her husband, Owen, their three boys, and a new baby girl. Krystal was in town for a family event and brought two of her kids, including the baby. She and our friend, Sara, who also has a new baby, came over to visit with a third friend. We caught up over a few hours, and it was just like old times. (You may remember them from my book.) It was fun to see how much our lives have changed over the years.

Work was a little more relaxed this week, and it has been a nice change of pace. I appreciate our managers have listened and helped set up some better boundaries as far as our patient load. As it was, I still had several other calls to make, such as patient issues that popped up, as well as some projects to work on. I still needed to cover a few areas, but I’m glad I had a little margin.

On Thursday night, Lydia and I went to see a living legend, Steven Curtis Chapman, in concert at the Fargo Theater! Lydia wasn’t really sure who he was at first, but soon felt an emotional connection to his music. It could be that they have the same birthday, but she related our missing Dave to his own losses and grief. Hearing him discuss faith and perseverance was the best! It encouraged us to keep moving forward!

Last night, Lydia and I played a game and watched the birds outside in the yard. Today, we worked on some projects and organized around the house. Lydia also went on a little bike ride in our neighborhood with a friend. It feels great that Spring is here!

**********

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

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

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #372

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 Bird Long-Tailed Tit photo and picture

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

This week was good. Seeing all the little songbirds on my deck brings me great joy!

I took a half day off from work on Monday and finally got my front door lock replaced! So, I am grateful that it went well.

 The weather was a little cooler (again) this week! 🙂 We got some flurries and a little accumulation later in the week. Much of the snow has melted, though. The river is high, but I don’t think it’s too bad right now, thankfully.

Work was a little calmer as well. I had plenty to keep me busy, but it all worked out just fine. I changed my tour on Friday to attend a school music program for Lydia. It was fun to see her friends and I was able to run a few errands before heading in to the office. It was a win-win!

Last night, Lydia got invited over for an impromptu sleepover. She had a blast and returned this afternoon, so I had some time to just relax. Actually, I did some cooking and cleaning, along with other “Saturday chores.” But, it was nice to not have anything pertinent to do!

Tonight, Lydia had to do some schoolwork and then tried on some skirts. She usually dresses more casually, but I wanted her to have some fancier items on hand. She helped herself to some of my high heels, and I could not believe how grown up she looked as she was twirling… such a beautiful young lady!

**********

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, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Finding Grace #371

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 week was filled with God’s grace. We had some company in the earlier part of the week. It’s always fun to have visitors, and we were especially glad to celebrate Easter together!

I’m thrilled to report I saw our first robins of spring! Today, I saw about twelve all sprinkled through my lawn. They enjoy my deck and trees, as do several other birds: finches, juncos, sparrows, starlings, and swallows so far!

The weather finally warmed up this week, although it will be chilly again for the next few days. The snow is melting more, hour by hour, and the grass is growing a little. I wonder if my tulips will even come up this year since they are usually already up and gone again! Perhaps I will be surprised!

Work went well this week; still busy, but I had a good discussion about the workload with my manager. Hopefully, we will figure out some manageable strategies in the coming weeks. We can only bend so far before we “break” or burn out. I took off the day on Friday for an appointment and some R&R, which really helped.

Today, Lydia and I watched our friend’s little girl! We enjoyed cuddling with her and catching up with her momma when she returned. We will probably relax for the rest of the evening, maybe watch a movie or play a game!

**********

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

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

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Like A Flood

On Monday, I saw my first robin of Spring, well, at least three of them all at once in my backyard! I saw a few other cute little birds, too.

That means Spring is officially here in my book! And the snow is melting fast. Every day, another foot of grass is showing. My deck is now completely clear when it was still covered in a foot of snow just a few days ago. It all melted in less than twelve hours!

At the same time, our governor declared a statewide emergency to access resources ahead of the annual flooding. My neighborhood will be fine, as my town has a diversion that can help control the excess water. It was one thing Dave and I considered when we moved here.

But, I do work in Fargo, right along the Red River. Technically, there is a wall or dike along the federal property, but the VA has had to evacuate in the past. I trust all will be well.

The Red River and a few other river branches flow north into Canada. Essentially, the southern parts of our region thaw earlier and get backed up as they head north. So, the rivers flood and can potentially wreak a lot of havoc.

Free Flood River photo and picture

A flood moves fast but also makes me think about how quickly God’s blessings add up. While a water flood is dangerous and damaging, God floods us with grace upon grace.

North Dakotans are good at fighting flood waters. Everyone pitches in to fill sandbags and place them where needed, around buildings and houses near the river. It is great to see the people in our community support one another.

Similarly, God is sure good at providing and covering for our every need. The first part of Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.”

Maybe Life has you feeling like you are in over your head. Let God’s grace carry you through the floods. He cares for you so much!

Our God is strong and mighty. He who parts the waters will see you safely through one way or another. No flood is too powerful for His overwhelming love, grace, and provision. Put your faith in Him!

**********

God, You are so good to us! Thanks for Your grace and provision. Lord, when we feel overwhelmed, please carry us Remind us of Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What can you trust God for this week? How can you be the hands and feet of Jesus and help others?

Task: God may part the waters, or maybe He will hold you close and be your lifejacket, or maybe He will carry you like a lifeboat. Don’t limit Him. Call out to Jesus, watch Him show up and work on your behalf!