Tag: freedom in Christ

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Florida 2.0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

New Beginnings and Blessings

This is another red-letter week for me!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom

No Problem!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I guess you could say God loves a good story!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding Grace #178

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

When in Duluth

This past weekend, Lydia and I went to Duluth, MN, with a friend. We had been planning the trip for a few months, but as it grew closer, we started to second-guess ourselves. We didn’t know if it would be worth the time, energy, and money to go.

But, in the end, we decided we’d be sad if we skipped it. After all, seeing the North Shore had been on my bucket list for years! We had a great time!

We left Fargo on Friday morning and arrived late afternoon in Duluth. I’d been through there a few times but never stopped long enough to explore. After we checked into our hotel, we made our way downtown to Canal Park.

I really wanted to see the Aerial Lift Bridge up close. We drove over the bridge to park my car and then walked back over to dinner. We watched the bridge go up and let some smaller boats pass through. It was so cool! We didn’t wait for the larger ships because they were delayed due to some light rain.

The next morning, we explored the North Shore! We hiked through Gooseberry Falls State Park and saw the beautiful waterfalls. Lydia was hot and tired of hiking, but she perked up when I let her dip her bare feet in the water!

Then, we drove to see the Split Rock Lighthouse. That was my favorite part of the day. I loved the history and stories of the people who lived there. And, I loved seeing the vastness of Lake Superior. Unsalted and shark-free! 😉

We spent a good portion of Saturday hiking, so it only seemed natural to eat dinner at Betty’s Pies. 😉 After our dinner, Lydia and I split a delicious blackberry peach pie with crumble topping…ala mode, of course!

Then, we enjoyed swimming and the hot tub at the hotel.

On Sunday, we slept in and then went back to the waterfront. We enjoyed coffee, went shopping, and even watched a glass blowing demonstration! Later, we walked along the shore and watched the fog roll in just before it started to drizzle rain.

I loved watching the fog roll in. It was cool listening to the foghorn too. I can definitely understand why so many ships have wrecked in Lake Superior!

On Monday, we headed ~5 hours back to Fargo. I loved driving through the Chippewa National Forest. I’m so glad we decided to go to Duluth after all!

I’m always grateful when I take the opportunity to rest and let God surprise me with His goodness. It’s always a sweet adventure of soaking up His love and grace. Thank You, Jesus!

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God, thanks for keeping us safe on our trip. Thanks for the great weather, even the rain, and for helping us to enjoy the downtime. Thanks for walking with us on this Great Adventure. Help us trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Do you have a vacation—or even a staycation—planned in the near future?

Task: Let the Lord determine your steps and plans—rest in His grace and provision. He has great things in store for us!

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

Finding Grace #177

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

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

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

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

This week was full of awesome surprises! On Sunday, we sat outside with neighbors to watch the ‘Fargo Airsho,’ featuring the US Air Force Thunderbirds. It was fun to see the jets doing tricks and circling around. We didn’t attend the show, but enjoyed it from a distance… and the comfort of our own homes!

Then, our neighbors gave us tickets to see ‘Freaky Friday’ at our local outdoor theater (pic). We went with a friend and had a great time. The show was so well done! Funny, great singing and acting, and great stage setup. The weather was also perfect.

On Monday, Lydia and I had an awesome day together. We ran many errands and accomplished everything on our to-do list (for once!). We bought school supplies, groceries, and went out for lunch. Then we bought some household goods, donated some gently used items, and got haircuts. It was great to spend time with Lydia and see what she likes and thinks about.

Lydia had an orthodontist appointment this week. It went well and she received a new (fourth) bracket. She received praise for how well things are going and enjoyed picking out new rubber bands. I never had braces, so this a new experience for me too. I’m so proud of how Lydia is handling the accompanying mouth pain. Thankfully, it is not too severe.

This weekend we are traveling! We drove to Duluth, MN, yesterday for a long weekend. We convinced a friend of ours to come with us for a fun road trip! We don’t necessarily have an agenda, more like a few key things we’d like to see. Here’s to a relaxing weekend with great weather as we explore the North Shore! It’s been on my bucket list for years!

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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 Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Singing in the Rain

Usually, by this time in July, my grass is crispy and brown. But this summer, we’ve had more consistent rain. We’ve had some big thunderstorms lately, and the grass is still green!

One day last week, I woke up to a gentle rain pounding on the roof. It was still early enough that I could have slept more, but I kept listening to the rain instead.

As I thanked God for the new day, I heard a little bird singing in the rain!

What a cool surprise! Between the rain and my excitement about the little bird, I couldn’t sleep anymore. The bird caught my attention because it chose to sing instead of retreat.

The steadfast song really made my day. I don’t know if the bird expected the storm or if it caught him by surprise. But, I’m sure it thrilled God’s heart to hear him sing his heart out!

We have a similar choice to make.

When storms come, we can retreat into our comfort zone. Or, we can look beyond our difficulties and sing about God’s faithfulness and goodness.

Singing in the rain and stepping into uncertainty is not for the faint of heart. It takes a fair amount of grit to persevere. In fact, many of the beloved old hymns were written out of excruciating heartache. Despite all odds, these famous songs are filled with the truth of God’s loyal love.

For example, the author of “It Is Well with My Soul” suffered great loss including the death of five of his children. The song was his response to the painful tragedy. Powerful.

The author of “Amazing Grace” also recorded his thoughts and feelings of gratitude after God saved him from a life of sin and disgrace.

There is freedom when we see storms of life as opportunities to sing and shine for God. We release ourselves to God’s care and shift the burden back to Him, where it belongs. Then, He gets the glory for what happens next.

Peace comes when we realize we don’t have to figure out all the details. God already knows what to do. He is more than capable, and His mercies are new every morning.

God is worthy of our praise no matter what circumstances we’re facing. He is faithful and true. So come as you are… He longs to be with us, help us, and show us His loyal love.

Rest assured… it’s okay if you can barely carry a tune! All of us can still make a joyful noise. Let’s use whatever gifts we have and praise the Lord. 🙂

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Heavenly Father, thanks for your mercy and grace! We have so much to be thankful for, despite life’s challenges. Open our eyes so we can see all of Your goodness. We’ll give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you a bird watcher? What can you praise God for today?

Tasks: Make a list of all you are grateful for, and start singing your praises! If you don’t know where to start, try Psalm 117.

 

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fruit, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Personality, Wisdom, Words

In Defense

“Maybe we should stop disliking people for what we have heard and be grateful God does not dislike us for what He knows.” –TobyMac

That quote reminds me of the impact of our words. Recently, someone was talking negatively about a friend of mine and put me in an awkward position. Yes, my friend certainly has faults, but I still enjoy their company.

I couldn’t discern if the person talking to me was jealous of my friend or actually had valid information. Either way, I heard an earful of unwanted gossip and was caught off guard.

While I tried to defend my friend, I don’t think I did an adequate job. Now that I’ve collected my thoughts, I’ll be sure to speak up next time. In the meanwhile, here’s what I should have said to the other person, but didn’t.

I don’t know about all that, but I really appreciate my friend! They have been good to me. They have selflessly helped me in countless ways over the years, often putting their own tasks on hold. I have learned so much from them, just as they have learned from me.

We have prayed for each other, and we have seen each other grow in Christ. Yes, perhaps they still have things to work on, but I’m grateful for how far they’ve come.

Furthermore, I want to see the good in people and hope they do the same for me. God knows I have faults too. But, because of Jesus, we have received mercy, grace, and forgiveness. We should extend the same toward others.

Similarly, let’s offer the benefit of the doubt. We weren’t there, so we don’t know the full story. Even if we were there, we wouldn’t necessarily know why things happened.

That doesn’t mean we ignore bad behavior, make excuses, or skip accountability. Yes, restitution is important, but there are many complex factors involved. It’s not always an easy, black-and-white answer.

Instead, when I sense an issue needs to be addressed, I ask my friend for their input and perspective. We don’t always agree, but we trust each other. We don’t make assumptions; we try to understand each other’s heart and intentions.

Remember, each person has God-given potential and a unique purpose. If we define someone by all their faults and failures, it’s likely they’ll never rise above them and fulfill God’s plan for their life.

They won’t come higher unless we raise our expectations of them. Let’s challenge them and encourage them along the way. Let’s agree with God and call out the good we see.

Let’s focus on everyone’s strengths, and cover their weaknesses with love. Let’s pray for people and mentor them, when possible. Not everyone is our responsibility to reach, but we can still set a godly example and point people to Jesus.

We need to be very careful not to ruin someone’s reputation with hearsay. So, let’s walk in a worthy manner and be wise in our interactions with everyone. We never know what they may glean from us… positive or negative influences that shape who they become.

We cannot change anyone, but we can extend grace toward everyone so they see Jesus and come to Him. Watching our words is difficult at times. But with Jesus, nothing is impossible.

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God, thanks for Your great mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Please help us continue to grow and get along with each other. Give us the unity of heart and purpose. Strengthen our relationships with each other so we can bring You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you deal with gossip? What else should I have said?

Tasks: Before you talk about someone, check your own heart. Memorize Ephesians 4:29, which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)

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

Finding Grace #175

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

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

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

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

This week was a little overwhelming… but still very good. You know it’s a busy week when you run into the grocery store for a few items before swimming lessons and notice bread is on the list three times in different places. 😉

This week and next, Lydia is taking swimming lessons in the late afternoon. Learning how to swim, is in my opinion, non-negotiable. It is a matter of life and death. Still, two weeks of lessons get kind of stressful. It’s two of the busiest weeks of our summer! But again, I am grateful for the opportunity for Lydia to take lessons!

On Thursday, a friend brought a homemade strawberry-rhubarb pie to our ladies small group Bible study. It was so yummy… a real treat with ice cream on top (pic). We all had so much fun talking and catching up. Then, my friend left a piece for the next day, too. Lydia and I each had a small portion for breakfast (no ice cream in the morning)! 🙂

This week was filled with important errands and paperwork and meetings. All good things, but each of those tasks was added to an already busy week. I reminded myself periodically to take breaks and have fun with Lydia. I can always catch up on housework and other tasks, but I can’t get more time with her or other important people in my life.

Today, Lydia and I went to the county fair with another family. We watched their oldest son play drums in a band. Then, looked at 4H projects and other judging events. We ate some fair food and walked around to scout out games and rides. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun with our friends. I’m grateful!

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

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

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

Sweet Celebrations

Here we are in July! This summer, I feel more relaxed yet more proactive than I have in the past. I am content to go with the flow, but I am also making plans and stretching myself more than normal. It feels good.

This feels like a season of celebrating for me. Each year that goes by, grief seems less strong. I don’t define my life by losses or challenges, but I am now grateful for them.

Right now, I am celebrating that Lydia is able to do more on her own. She can read to herself and is growing in independence. It’s a challenge at times to see her make mistakes, but she is growing and learning through it all. I’m so proud of her!

This summer, reading with Lydia is a joy. It has been so fun to see her interest in the stories. She can identify with the characters and is shocked when they go through their own trials. It is interesting how she is learning life lessons through fictional friends.

I’m really grateful for where we are right now. I know life constantly is changing, but God has us in a good spot. We are reaching out to those around us and have a lot going on, but we aren’t chaotically busy.

With the slightly slower pace, Lydia and I are enjoying good food, friends, being outside and being together. I’m loving fresh fruits and vegetables! She’s enjoying ice cream treats…

This summer, I’m learning a new level of trusting God. I always feel like I have a lot of personal responsibility as a single parent, and it is sometimes overwhelming. I’m being more intentional with my time, and there is freedom in not having to figure it all out.

I’m also celebrating sweet answers to prayer. Lately, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see God come through for me in ways that I could have never predicted. Praise the Lord!

God always is working in our lives, but when we cooperate with Him, it goes much better! 😉 We do our part, and He does His. He is faithful.

This week, as we celebrate our freedom(s), take time to celebrate what God is doing around you. Praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness. Rest in His love, grace, and peace. He is so good!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for the freedom and protection we have in Christ Jesus. Thanks for all you are doing in our lives right now. Help us trust You for greater things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any 4th of July plans? How are you celebrating God’s grace in your life?

Tasks: ‘Let go and let God’ take care of all that concerns you. Imagine how freeing it will be when you see Him move on your behalf. Trust Him!