Tag: Fargo

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Immigrant Introductions

Lydia rides the bus to school each week, and I am grateful the bus stop is in front of our house. I, along with a few other parents, stand out there with the kids to make sure everything goes well. I don’t really worry about Lydia, but I do enjoy using that time to catch up with some of the neighbors.

Recently, I noticed two new kids running to get on the bus, a boy and a girl. It happened to be pajama day at school, so the little girl had a cute pink robe. It provided warmth and looked cozy on the slightly cooler morning!

A few days later, the father joined the kids at the bus stop. I introduced myself to him, as well as the kids. I will have to work on learning the kids’ names; I couldn’t quite make them out, even after I asked them to spell them. But, smiles go a long way in these instances. 🙂

Thankfully, their dad had a name I recognized right away. It was similar to some of my other African friends’ names, representing a character quality or similar word in English, such as Courage, Boldness, or Blessing.

Free photos of Children

The father is a specialty nurse at a local hospital. Originally from South Africa, they just arrived in America less than three months ago. I look forward to hearing more about their journey, and I was quick to welcome them. But, I also put myself in their shoes. 

I offered to help, if they need something as they acclimate to their new surroundings. I also asked if they were ready for the winter. The father said he had “never set foot on snow.” I don’t think he fully understands just how cold and windy winter will be!

Winter is just around the corner, and I want them to be prepared. I asked if he needed help finding snow gear. I swapped phone numbers with him and sent some links/pictures of snow pants. I also listed other items, such as hats, gloves, and snow boots. He was grateful.

I wouldn’t normally mention that after just meeting someone, but it seemed important to make sure this family has the heads-up. Lydia and I did this a few weeks ago because I know how fast the season can change and don’t want to be caught off-guard.

Earlier this week, I wanted to check in with my new neighbors yesterday at the bus stop. The kids are doing well, but the dad was at work. Thankfully, today, I met their mom! Talk about perfect timing!

We made introductions, and I asked her about the snow pants. 🙂 I invited her in to show her what I meant. When I opened the closet door, I saw Lydia’s old coat from the last two years! I was so happy because I thought we had donated it, and it was still in good condition! I offered it to her, and she was so sweet and grateful. She quickly understood what I meant about snow pants and coats needing to be thick.

We also exchanged numbers, and she wrote down her kids names so I could see them and pronounce them correctly. I answered some questions and asked if they had found a church, a grocery store, etc. Thankfully, they have been able to find a place to worship and shop!

It is fun to learn about different cultures, welcoming foreigners and making new friends. Sometimes there is controversy if we should allow certain immigrants to come to the United States. That’s beyond the scope of this post, and while I don’t have all the answers, I can certainly help my neighbor. That’s always been important to Jesus.

Of course, it is wise to be cautious; we don’t have to help every person we meet. Though, in this case, I felt comfortable, and it seems like the right thing to do.

I am interested to see how it all plays out and will let the Lord lead me as I try to be a friendly face to these new friends. I want to learn more of their story!

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God, thanks for my new neighbors and the opportunity to show them kindness. Help me be a good witness to them, as they acclimate to their new home and country. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you enjoy meeting people from other countries? Do you have any fun stories to share?

Task: Open your eyes to see the people around you. Be willing to speak up, ask good questions, and help out if the Lord leads you.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #341

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 Lake

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

This was a great week! On Sunday, we rearranged Lydia’s room which made it look a little bigger. We simply swapped the bed with the dresser, but she is quite happy!

On Tuesday morning, my trees were professionally trimmed! They look so good, and I am glad I finally decided to do it. The cost was in the middle of what the quote stated, so I also feel good about that.

On Thursday, Lydia went with friends to Biogirls while I went to the chiropractor. My back is feeling really good these days, and I am grateful. I also have been strategic in my workouts so that I feel good longer between adjustments.

Last night, we visited our friend with her newborn daughter! We brought Chinese for dinner and enjoyed a movie and baby snuggles! I hope we can do that again soon!

Lydia had a good week at school. She was especially happy to be chosen to ‘help’ the Kindergarteners during their lunchtime. She and a couple of classmates showed them how to go through the lunch line and use the keypad payment system. They also helped them find seats and opened milk cartons. Next week, there will be some other 5th graders chosen to help, but Lydia said how cute the Kindergarteners were!

Today, Lydia went to another birthday party to swim at a hotel. I worked on a few more organization projects around the house and cooked some meals for the week ahead.

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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

Finding Grace #339

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 Wheat fields

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

This week was a good week, made even better by the excellent weather! Slightly cool mornings and 70-80s in the afternoon. The sunshine and blue skies are absolutely perfect. It should be like this for a couple more months, give or take!

Work was busy but good. Right now, I am seeing both my own scheduled patients and walk-in patients. There can be a lot of traffic in the hallway, which makes it noisier than I’d like and a little difficult to concentrate. When I am not with patients, I keep my door ajar so people know I am available. But, I don’t really mind since I know it is temporary; it’s good to keep me on my toes! I actually volunteered to help my team this way, and it does make the days go fast!

Yesterday, I stayed at work an extra hour to finish some paperwork. I didn’t get everything done, but I least I tried. Then, I went to get a facial! Some friends had given me a gift card a while back, and I decided to pamper myself. It was a fun way to relax! Then, I went shopping for some household items and used some coupons before they expired.

Today, we cleaned and mowed. I changed a light bulb on the stairs with a ladder all by myself and took apart a table to hopefully sell. Then, Lydia and I put up the outdoor Christmas lights early! It sure beats a freezing cold, windy day in late November! We also cleared out some cobwebs for the umpteenth time from our porch/entryway. It’s that time of year, I guess! 😉

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

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

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

Finding Grace #338

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 full of God’s refreshing grace. The weather was good, some days sunny and some days cloudy and cool. We even saw some foggy, rainy days. Fall is just around the corner in the Northern Plains!

At work, I will be sitting downstairs in the walk-in nutrition office, covering for my friend on maternity leave. It was so sweet having several Veterans ask if my coworker had her baby. These men were all over-the-moon to hear she had a precious baby boy! Having grown men –tough soldiers in their past lives– gush about a little baby was heartwarming. Sitting downstairs means I am also available to mentor a newer dietitian, also Natalie, who is still learning her new role. It was fairly busy, but it was also fun. 

This week, I woke up extra early to work out before my day started. I joined some friends online for a month-long accountability challenge. I did various things but met the daily goal of thirty minutes at a time. (Recently, I have been breaking it up throughout the day or staying up really late to squeeze it in… and sacrificing sleep.) Anyway, overall that meant I had to prioritize my evening schedule and chores in order to go to bed earlier. We’ll see if that kicks off other healthy habits. So far, so good!

On Thursday, Lydia started 5th grade, and it was fun to meet some new neighbors at the morning bus stop. Lydia’s teacher seems friendly, and it was encouraging to hear she has similar education philosophies to Lydia’s teacher last year, where she thrived. Here’s to her final year of elementary school!

Today, we cleaned around the house, and then Lydia played with friends while I met another friend for coffee and catching up. It was just what I needed. We lost track of time and talked for nearly three hours! We prayed together before we left. I really appreciate godly friends!

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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 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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Personality

Finding Grace #335

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 nice week and went smoothly overall. Despite some challenges, I found myself smiling a lot. God is so good!

At work, I filled in downstairs for two mornings while someone was out of the office. It was fun to do something different! And, I stayed later at work on Friday to catch up on some paperwork. It was a little unpredictable at times, but we all pulled together for a team effort win. 

I focused on some housework and maintenance this week. I replaced a light in the pantry, organized my office (an ongoing project), and prepared for the last few weeks before school starts again.

The weather was variable this week, but I am not complaining! The temperature ranged from the 70s to 90s; some days were calm, and others were so windy. One day was a little muggy and hot, but overall it was a beautiful, sunny week! I enjoyed more seasonal flowers in the healing garden at work!

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

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

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, 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 Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Comfort Amid Grief

Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time, and sometimes, that place is church! This past Sunday, I had a God moment at church that I want to share with you.

About a year ago, I met a woman and her husband. They had been watching online through much of COVID, but I met them the first Sunday they decided to “try out” our church in person.

They were really sweet, and I was glad to meet them. Flash forward to the present, and the husband’s dementia has progressed. He is now in a nursing home, about an hour and a half away. His dear wife visits him every other day, though he does not fully recognize her.

I have encouraged this wife whenever I see her; she has become a friend. Though my experience was with cancer, I know how it feels to be a caregiver and decision maker in an end-of-life situation. Watching your beloved spouse decline is difficult, and I have been cheering her on.

So, when I saw this lady on Sunday, I stopped to greet her after the service. She was so happy to see me and shared how she had been struggling. I affirmed her statement that she is already grieving, though her husband is still alive. I agreed with her sentiment that she hopes he “goes soon” rather than have this continue over months or years. (Either way, we know he is in God’s hands and that his suffering is not in vain.)

I listened while my friend conveyed her lack of motivation. In these challenging times, I confirmed it is normal to need to get groceries but feel overwhelmed leaving the house; or, to finally prepare a meal but have no desire to eat it.

She mentioned she keeps forgetting about a support group at the VA (where I work), and I coached her with some tips. Marking her calendar in advance, while she is thinking about it, might help her not feel surprised whenever she gets a same-day reminder.

I also offered to help connect her with someone at the VA who could help guide her through the funeral and cemetery details (when the time comes). As she talked it through, she started to smile, and I could see her burden was lifted a little.

I gave this dear woman a big hug, and she just fell into my arms. I prayed for her on the spot, and she just melted in surrender. Not that my words were so deep, in fact, they were rather simple, but she felt seen and understood. She said it was just what she needed.

We only talked for a few minutes after the service, but it felt like a God-ordained moment for both of us. I am grateful He has used my story and experiences to help and guide others along the way.

I was reminded that we don’t JUST go to church to worship God but to be His hands and feet. My friend said, “And to think, I wasn’t even feeling up to coming today. I was going to stay home and watch online. But now, I am so glad I came.”

2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT, says that God “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

During the well-timed sermon, our pastor mentioned this all is like a game of tag. God comforts us…and then it’s our turn to comfort others with the peace, strength, and grace He has given us. Tag! You’re it!

So, don’t discount your story or experiences. God can use all your pain, grief, and life’s ups and downs to make something beautiful… if you let Him!

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God, thanks for my friend. Would You please encourage, strengthen, and comfort her? Please meet her needs (spoken and unspoken) and remind her of Your grace and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you seen God at work in your life story? Have you seen Him use your pain and grief in someone else’s life?

Task: Listen to this song! God will never fail you, no matter what.

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

Finding Grace #332

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 fun week!! You can read some of what happened in Wednesday’s blog post, but the rest of the week was great, too!

On Sunday, we went to a dear friend’s baby shower. This is her first baby, and it is a cool miracle story. It’s not really my place to tell it, but it is wonderful to see God’s faithfulness in giving her what she has desired for so long. We had a lot of fun celebrating her and can’t wait to meet her little baby girl.

On Wednesday evening, we took care of our neighbors’ cats while they were out of town. We fed them and played with them. One is a Maine Coon, and the other is a Persian. They are as gorgeous as they are sweet! I sent a couple pictures to family, and my two-year-old nephew was so excited that he video called me! That was a first, and I was honored (even though it was a mistake). 🙂

We had beautiful weather this week, warm and sunny but not humid. On Thursday, we had a gentle rain, and everything greened up again! It was perfect!

Work went well, and I worked extra on Friday again. It gave me a little extra time to get things done, but I also saw a few patients. We also had a going away party for my coworker. We had some treats and enjoyed our time together. We will miss having her on our team, but we know she will do well in Colorado!

Today, we prepared for the coming week, and now a friend is over to visit. We might order some Chinese food and watch a movie, but it is always fun to see them either way!

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

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

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

Finding Grace #331

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 week was really good!! We finished up puppy sitting, and Lydia finally understood why an adorable puppy is not in our future. They simply require more time and effort than we have to give right now. We did have fun, though!

Work was very busy, and I was able to work longer on Friday. I usually only work four hours going into the weekend, but sometimes I have the opportunity to stay longer. That means I can see patients, help my coworkers, or get caught up. This week, it was well-timed because there was much to do! Thankfully, I finished a few important things on my to-do list!

This past weekend, a beloved pastor in our community died suddenly. Pastor Cal was well known not only in North Dakota but also had an impact on ministers all over the world. He spent ~30 years at my local church but also led mission trips to Chicago and served elsewhere in our community. His visitation and funeral were on Wednesday and Thursday, with over 1550 people attending in person and over 2000 people watching online. It was amazing to see how much one person can have for Jesus when they live and love intentionally. He will be greatly missed!

On a personal note, I appreciate that Pastor Cal visited us, encouraged us, and prayed for us all those years ago when Dave was sick. He was always full of exuberant joy, but he did not have a lightweight faith! Pastor Cal’s funeral was the first I have attended at our church since Dave’s, which gave me mixed emotions. I was sad but also happy both of them are with Jesus, worshiping Him. I also know they are cheering me on. 

Today, Lydia mowed a bit while I did some weeding. Then, I finished the yard while she showered. It was only her second time, so I want to ease her into it! She’ll probably do all the yard once she gets better at it! 😉 Later, we ordered some pizza and are mostly relaxing after a long, busy week. Thank You, Jesus!

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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)!