Tag: friends

Posted on in Being Gracious, Food and Nutrition, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Making Hungry Hearts Happy

Each week varies, but weekends at our house have become pretty relaxing. I complete a few routine tasks, preparing for the coming week. But, we also enjoy seeing friends or special events when they pop up.

Mostly, Lydia goes outside to play with the neighbors! At times, several kids will be in my garage or another one close by. It’s quite fascinating at times to watch them interact! I have learned so much about hospitality and life by watching these group dynamics.

chalk

Personally, I can get caught up on having things “just right” before someone comes to visit. The pressure to host Pinterest-perfect parties doesn’t help, does it?!

But, with kids, it’s much clearer.

Children don’t care about having the right foods, beverages, or atmosphere. They just want to have fun! If there is food involved, great! If not, they’ll make do with toys and friends (real or imagined). Kids create warmth and welcome with their own laughter and joy.

Kids don’t care if you cleaned or not. They easily overlook the fact their ‘playground’ is half a garage filled with balls, scooters and bikes, a wagon containing My Little Ponies, Barbies, and other toys.

Even my own ‘work’ table has become a place to color and build with play-doh… Yes, when given the opportunity, children will make themselves right at home! I don’t mind…

toy-mlp

Occasionally, I’ll coach a child (mine or otherwise) on including everyone or sharing. But, overall, everyone plays really well. Even little brothers join in on the fun!

Sometimes I offer light snacks… Thankfully, there are no food allergies! Popcorn, fruit, cheese sticks, and even popsicles have all made appearances. It’s pretty simple, really.

This past Sunday was especially fun… I had four little girls, including Lydia, in my garage and driveway playing “water buckets.” A few years ago, filling two five-gallon buckets with water was my solution for beating the heat. It’s been a hit ever since!

Sure, we could go swimming, play at the splash pad, or run through the sprinklers. But so far, water buckets seems to do the trick! On hot sunny days, the kids toss toys in the water and fish them out. The laughter mixed with splashing is well worth it!

I always enjoy hearing each child’s stories and funny perspectives. Talking with them is certainly a delight, but I also see it as an investment in building healthy relationships. I’m not sure who is learning more—me or them!

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On Sunday, the kids also went next door to play with an adorable puppy. When some of the girls went home for dinner, three boys came over for coloring and riding bikes. As I chatted with two of my friends, Lydia said she was hungry.

“Mom, can we please have a snack?”

Quickly, I considered the options. It was dinnertime… We could corral the kids and make them stop playing on a gorgeous day…. OR…I could feed the kids, avoid potential meltdowns, enjoy the weather and conversation with my friends… and head inside later.

After checking with the other moms, it was an easy choice!

romans-12_13

I ran inside to make a handful of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I cut them in half and sliced up a two apples. I headed back out to the garage, also armed with cups for water.

Feeling a little like a camp counselor, I set the food on a table and pulled up some chairs.

Voila!

These four hungry kids probably ate better because of positive peer pressure. It’s funny how something like a pb&j sandwich can pass for hospitality!

While the kids were happily filling their bellies, I got in some much needed time with my friends. Hopefully, these moms also left feeling encouraged and energized like I did!

Yes, on Sunday, the key to hospitality was making hungry hearts happy…

Peanut butter and jelly for the win!

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Thank You, God, for great neighbors and hospitality! Thank you for simple joys like a child’s perspective, laughter, and pb&j sandwiches. Please guide each of us as we learn and grow. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What was your last funny topic of conversation with a child? Did their perspective change yours? What did you learn?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #27

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

mums

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

  • So many interesting things happened this week! Lydia started her first week of preschool. So that was pretty big! She did great and is enjoying it so far. And, we are both adjusting to have a (more) set routine. I’m thankful for this transition year before school ‘full time’ next year!

  • I lead at team at my church; our goal is to plug people into volunteer ministry. We discussed upcoming events, changes for this fall, and welcomed another member to our team! It is an honor to help people understand how God made them and watch them thrive in their God-given strengths.
  •  This week the neighbors on our street had a block party. After living here for about six years now, we still have never met everyone. So, the party was a great opportunity! Lydia played well with all the kids, and I met some “new” friends too. We had so much fun staying up late. We got home around 10:30pm!
  • Today, while Lydia and I ran some errands, we enjoyed perfect weather of lower seventies and sunny skies! We also picked up some pretty mums, two mini pumpkins, and some bulbs for spring. It is fun decorating for fall!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #26

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

autumn leaves

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

  • Lydia and I had another full week! We had preschool orientation, where Lydia had fun meeting new friends. Truth be told, she did fine—but I was the one who needed the heads-up! Parent handbook, school pictures, fundraisers, and birthday treats…serious stuff!! I should have known, but somehow I hadn’t even considered the additional things to remember each week (or month)! Lydia will do great, no doubt. But I’m praying for a smooth transition…for ME! 😉

  • On Thursday and Friday, we had play dates with good friends at two different parks. Both families have two girls, and each of my friends has a girl close to Lydia’s age. It was great to catch up with my “mom friends” and encourage each other. In one case, the little girls came home with me while their mom ran an errand. At that point, it was just after the area schools let out, and the neighbor kids also came over. So there were about six lovely little girls all playing together! It was so much fun to watch them interact! (And by God’s grace, it was drama-free!)

  • Today, while I was mowing the lawn, I noticed one of my new trees is starting to change colors. About 30 leaves are already turning red! I have also seen a few red trees on our block—so pretty! We’ve started to have some cooler temps, though nothing out of the ordinary. In the next month or so, the weather will change dramatically! Thank You, God, for the beauty around us!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous

Full Circle: A Gift from Around the World

Last Thursday, Lydia and I went to a memorial car-and-bike show! This is the fourth year Dave’s employer, Caterpillar, has held it in his name. Yet, this year seemed extra special.

Lydia looked forward to the car show all morning. “Is it time to go yet?” she kept asking. She dressed herself, and proudly wore her light pink CAT sweatshirt. “I’m ready!”

Lydia_2016 car show

Each year has been a little different, though I always come away in awe at how much love and effort is put into the show. This year was distinct because Lydia is now old enough to learn a little more about Dave and remember where he worked.

For the first couple of car shows, Dave’s 1965 Chevelle was present. With God’s help (and a cool story), I sold it last year. Lydia doesn’t (really) remember Dave, but I am so thankful she remembers his car!

As usual, we ate lunch at the car show, and saw a few familiar faces. We visited with Dave’s coworkers and caught up with old friends.

Then, we went on a tour of the facility. I have been on several CAT tours over the years, but this was the first time Lydia was able to follow along and ask questions.

Every so often, I would pause to clarify anything she was unsure about. I pointed out different projects Dave had worked on and equipment he helped set up. Dave loved working for Caterpillar and I am still so proud of all he accomplished there.

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We passed several pictures of employees being recognized for achievements. One section held three pictures—a memorial wall. Dave’s photo was first.

Lydia asked, “Why is my Daddy’s picture up there?”

I don’t always know how to answer her questions, so with tears in my eyes, all I could manage was, “Because they loved him so much.”

I was honored to see Dave’s picture, but in that moment I felt the deep loss. Not just for myself, but for Lydia…and all the potential one life can hold. We moved on, and I was thankful for the safety glasses (hopefully) hiding my mixed emotions.

Later, we met a man whom I vaguely recognized. Perhaps I met him on a previous tour, but he jumped up to say hello when we were introduced. He also greeted Lydia and answered a few questions about his machine before we left. Soon, we were on our way to another area.

Minutes later, we observed another machine at work. I noticed the man (from before) had followed us and was waiting patiently to talk with us. As we finished watching, he held out a small, brightly decorated drum.

Lydia_Drum from Singapore

“What’s this?” I asked.

“It’s a drum from Singapore,” he said. “One of the ladies there…hmmm… what’s her name?”

“Jennifer?” I suggested.

“Yes, that’s it!” He replied, with a curious look on his face. “Jennifer gave it to me.” His voice grew soft, “And lately, I have been looking for someone to give it to…”

He nodded toward Lydia, and gave me the drum. “I would like her to have it.” Astonished, I thanked the man for the drum and then told him about when I met Jennifer.

“Jennifer was part of the Singapore group that visited several years ago, to learn how to run their new CAT facility. Dave helped them with the set up.”

I went on, “When I was pregnant with Lydia, they came to see everything firsthand. Dave made hotel reservations, rented a mini-van, and drove them all around town!”

“I met Jennifer and her coworkers (most had English first names) at a team building event out in the country. The whole group excitedly took pictures of tractors, corn, and cows! Dave stopped along the way so they could document their trip. We had a lot of fun!”

Drum from Singapore

When Dave died, the Singapore employees sent condolences, cards, and a (monetary) collection. They said how much they enjoyed working with Dave and appreciated his help. I couldn’t believe their generosity and compassion…it was amazing.

Back then, I was touched to receive such kindness from so far away.

On Thursday, receiving the beautiful drum was certainly unexpected. But, for me, it was a poignant reminder of love sent around the world. It was just what I needed in that moment. Only God could bring it full circle all these years later!

Dave was always thinking of how to help others. The drum also serves as a memento of how even small, thoughtful acts can impact so many people.

Lydia does not understand all of this just yet, but to me, the whole day—tour and drum included—was a huge blessing. Now whenever I have a sad moment, I am going to look at that pretty drum and remember that God sees us and knows exactly what we need.

He cares about every aspect of each person’s life and provides encouragement when we need it most. Yes, God uses each little detail to piece together a beautiful story of grace!

Praise God!

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God, thanks for Your grace. Thank You for loving me so much. Help me turn to You in the difficult moments! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you had a ‘God moment’ lately? What did you learn?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #24

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

orange dahlia

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

  • This was a full, but exciting, week! In addition to our normal routine, each day had something fun to look forward to. Lydia was pretty excited about her dentist appointment on Monday. 🙂 Then, on Tuesday, I worked with a client, at her office instead of mine. So, it was nice to have a change of scenery that day.

  • Wednesday brought the delivery of my new dining room table and chairs. Perhaps I will post later about this, but it made me feel really special. The table is so pretty and I was thankful for God’s help finding a good deal on it!
  •  On Thursday, we attended a special car show—put on by Dave’s employer to honor his memory. This is the 4th year of the car show, but Lydia was more aware of it all this year. Perhaps this will be another post as well, but it was amazing to see God’s grace all over again. I was reminded of how beloved Dave was and it was great to catch up with his old friends and coworkers.
  • Yesterday (Friday) was also very good. We met my friend, Amy, and her kids for bowling. Amy is also a widow, like me, so we have much in common. We discussed some big decisions and I was so glad to help her process them. While neither of us would have chosen to be in our circumstances, it is helpful having someone who understands how it feels!
  • And then today, I enjoyed texting back-and-forth with my friend, Kim, while watching the women’s triathlon on the Olympics. Kim is an Ironman Triathlete. Not me…though I did manage a little online shopping and paperwork… 😉 But it was fun to cheer on Gwen Jorgenson as she won the gold! Her husband’s family is from Fargo, so that is a cool connection!

Watching the Olympics is pretty much the same as working out, right?!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #23

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

pink sedum plant

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

  • This week was loaded with God’s goodness and grace! Earlier in the week, as I worked on Wednesday’s post, I was overwhelmed by God’s goodness over the years. It took me awhile to craft just what I wanted to say…my heart was bursting with gratitude for all that the Lord has done for me!

  • I took full advantage of my birthday week, which also coincided with the Olympics. I stayed up late each night watching swimming, gymnastics and other activities. I slept in late most of the mornings too. It felt like a mini vacation!
  •  Over the last few weeks or so, I’ve been selling some old house items and replacing them as I go. I sold my dining room table and chairs a couple weeks ago, but hadn’t found anything I liked until this week. We have been using a smaller table in the meanwhile. I probably looked at a dozen different stores (online and in-person). On Wednesday, I looked at an online sale and then went to the store to see a table in-person. The table was not on sale in-store, but they honored the online price anyway! I was glad to save money and was thankful God worked on my behalf.
  • Also on Wednesday, my neighbor and her mom were dividing a sedum plant and shared two of the sections with me. I was able to fill in a couple gaps in my flower bed. With a little help, I was able to envision a couple changes for this fall to make the flower bed look better. I was thankful for their generosity!
  • Yesterday (Friday) was my birthday and it was a wonderful day. Lydia actually acknowledged my birthday, instead of forgetting it or thinking it was HER special day. 🙂 We talked with several friends and family; had lunch with a friend; opened a few gifts that were sent in the mail; and enjoyed a local minor league baseball game. It was so much fun seeing Lydia’s excitement during the game! She followed along and enjoyed cheering. She had her first cotton candy experience and loved the fireworks at the end.

  • I also received many birthday wishes, cards, texts, emails this week. This was in addition to kind comments on social media and my blog this week. It is always so cool to see how many people we still have encouraging and supporting us, both near and far. Thank you!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #21

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

under the sea

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

  • This week was amazing in many ways. While I have intentionally put a few bigger projects on hold, this week filled up fast. In addition to several house maintenance and reorganization projects, I had many great conversations with friends and neighbors. Also, Lydia played with many of the neighbor kids throughout the week. I’m so thankful for these families doing life with us!

  • For several weeks, Lydia kept asking to see The Little Mermaid at our local outdoor amphitheater. I found an online coupon and bought two general admission tickets before our trip to Illinois. After we returned to Fargo last week, I was mowing my lawn and a neighbor offered me three more general admission tickets….free.
  • After some consideration, I decided to take her tickets and invite another friend to the show. Then, I gave my two tickets to my next door neighbors. The mom was excited to surprise her little girl—apparently, The Little Mermaid is their favorite show! It was so much fun to be a blessing to them.
  • God’s grace goes even further in that the friend I invited is from Africa and had never been to a theater production before (let alone a cool outdoor show like The Little Mermaid)! She has been so generous to us, and I enjoyed treating her to a fun evening. We went to dinner and had a great time with Lydia. My friend said the show went well beyond her imagination! It was an honor to take her with us!

  • Finally, I met a new friend from church who needed some encouragement and direction this week. God showed up in our conversation and she left feeling much better. I was so happy to meet her, point her on the right path, and connect her with others. It is such a blessing to see God 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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #19

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

purple rose

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

  • The theme of this week was meetings. I generally don’t have many meetings other than coffee with friends. 🙂 But this week was different. I prayed before each meeting—for church, work, and financial planning—because I wasn’t sure what to expect. There are changes coming in each area, and sometimes, change is difficult for me. Still, each meeting went so well and I could see God at work in each one! I am now excited for the fall and to see what God is doing all around me.
  • This morning, I was outside running on a country route I take often. I never run with headphones, because I like to hear and see traffic coming. Today, a certain delivery truck came barreling down the road behind me. I heard him coming, saw he wasn’t slowing down, and jumped in the ditch. The driver did not slow down or move over to his side of the road. Later in my route, we met near a T-intersection. I heard him coming fast before I could see him; my vision was blocked because of the tall corn. There was another car coming from the another direction; that car had the right-of-way. I saw a potential accident unfolding before me and stopped about thirty feet away, unsure of the outcome. The delivery truck driver barely stopped and almost collided with the car. Perhaps the driver of the car saw me and slowed down before running into the delivery truck… Either way, I am thankful for God’s grace and protection today!
  • Today, Lydia and I are going to a wedding for a dear college friend. We are both excited! It is a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding. God is good!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

A Road Trip to Lake Superior

Over 4th of July weekend, Lydia and I went on another road trip! We drove through several small Minnesota towns along Highway 210. We went through Duluth and on to Bayfield, Wisconsin, via Route 13.

Bayfield was once a booming town on a prominent shipping route. Today, it’s a small town along the Lake Superior South Shore, gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Lake Superior

We drove the six or seven hours from Fargo to meet my parents and two other couples from their sailing club (in Illinois). The eight of us had a fun adventure together!

I was looking forward to seeing my parents and crossing some items off my “travel bucket list.” I have wanted to see the Minnesota countryside, including some of the “10,000 lakes” and Duluth. I have also wanted to explore Lake Superior for quite some time.

But guess what? We almost didn’t go!  It was a lot of work to prepare for the trip. I had to pack for two, reschedule a commitment, plan for our return, etc. I have a couple other big plans (and projects) for the summer, so I wondered if taking time away was a good idea. Still, I was excited for the opportunity, and I am so glad we went!

Lake Superior at night

Lydia is an awesome little traveler, and we had a special time away with my mom and dad. Usually when we travel to Illinois, there are other people or plans vying for our attention. We stayed together in a cute bed-and-breakfast and had perfect weather for the entire trip.

What a blessing!

Our new friends were very eager to show us around. Excellent hosts, they generously took us all on their sailboat, speed boat, and dinghy to explore several of the Apostle Islands.

The first night (Friday) we went out to see the stars. We used the ‘Sky View’ app to learn about the constellations! Lydia loved going fast on the boat ride!

Devil's IslandCove at Devil's Island

Saturday included a dinghy ride to see an old shipwreck. The water was so clear! We also motored out to Raspberry Island to see a light house. We toured the buildings, and it was compelling to think about the history and importance of lighthouses. Such brave men (and their families) gave up everything to ensure the safety of sailors and other travelers.

Sunday was spent on an all day trip to one of the farthest islands. On Devil’s Island, we saw another lighthouse and natural sandstone caves eroded by years of wind and water. The colors were beautiful and I took pictures of the caves, water, and ships passing by.

On Sunday evening, we experienced the Big Top Chautauqua (think old tent revivals). The Chautauqua has been around for 30+ years. Its concerts bring many famous acts, but also showcase local talent. We attended a show called ‘Riding the Wind,’ a musical history of the Bayfield/Apostle Islands area. Lydia clapped along with everyone else. But when asked what her favorite part was, she enthusiastically said, “The hot dog!”

Sandstone Caves at Devil's IslandOn the Dinghy Lydia asleep on the boat

Monday was the 4th of July, and truthfully, the best Independence Day celebration I’ve had in years! With just me and Lydia, the holiday has not been all that exciting. This year, we all boated over to Madeline Island for a parade. Lydia received a beach ball, small root beer float, ice cream sandwich, and some candy. Pretty good for her first parade! She was a little timid at rushing into the street for candy (two things I generally don’t encourage!). But she got the hang of it and had fun!

Monday afternoon, my dad and I joined a blindfolded dinghy race! Dad wore the blindfold while rowing and I was his skipper. We raced around a buoy and back to shore, where I talked Dad through a mini obstacle course. We came in third, but had so much fun!

In Northern latitudes, it seems fireworks start around 10:30 pm, just as it starts getting dark (at the peak of summer). In the past, keeping Lydia up hasn’t seemed worth it. This year, however, Lydia enjoyed her first ‘real’ fireworks show. We sat on the dock and watched a couple different shows with several other sailors!

4th of July 2016

I wonder if the fireworks could be seen in Canada?!

Originally, I planned to drive home Tuesday. But, everyone kept asking, “Do you really have to leave?” Now, if I have learned anything these last few years, it’s that life is short. Sometimes, it may upend our plans. Sometimes, it may be costly or inconvenient. But there are limited chances to spend time with loved ones. We will never regret those moments in the future. Also, an open invitation from new friends doesn’t come often.

I realized that as much fun and adventure as we received, we also brought the same to our hosts. When I thought about all we would’ve missed if we hadn’t made the trip, the choice was clear: We really didn’t have to leave Tuesday. So, we stayed for another great day…and enjoyed a few more adventures!

Deep colors

 We all walked knee-deep in the Sisikiwit River, and Lydia loved the hands-on learning! We found two types of wild ferns, wild roses, and a hummingbird nest. We played in waterfalls and saw many types of beautiful trees. After enjoying a steak dinner on the way back, we saw the most gorgeous sunset heading down across the lake. A front was coming in and the wind picked up. But, we all got some great pictures!

Front coming in

It was a memorable trip, one I hope to repeat. If we had stayed home…the easy choice…we would have missed so much. And, I earned a new perspective on what’s really important!

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God, thanks for a great adventure! Thanks for the grace and freedom You bring into our lives. Help me to have the flexibility to make changes when needed and live the life You have for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: Have you been on a road trip lately? Where did you go? Did you learn anything new on your adventure?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #15

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

daisies in the rain

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

  • As I reflect on this past week, I can’t help but feel like I am in the exact place I need to be. I am excited to be a part of what God is doing in my life.
  • I found a free online writing summit and of 41 speakers in ten days. I am thankful because it would be very expensive to see this many well-known authors at an actual conference. (Each interview is available for a few days, so I can pace myself.) I have been encouraged and motivated as I listen, and am content feeling like God has designed me a certain way. I have laughed many times when these authors describe many of my own habits and quirks as their own! Praise God!
  • Lydia had a big week this week. She finished her swimming lessons, and I pleased to report that she passed! I’m so proud of her! It was a time-consuming commitment, but so worth it. She also “helped” dig in the dirt and spread mulch when our three trees arrived to be planted. Otherwise, we’ve gotten along better, and Lydia has been catching herself before she loses her temper or starts whining. I am thankful for encouragement from other parents. It helps knowing we’re all in this together!
  • I met a good friend for coffee this week, when she came to Fargo. She and her family moved away last fall, but we have stayed in touch. Her two girls and Lydia always play well together. It was great to catch up with this mom, hold her precious 4-week-old baby boy, and hear what was on her heart.
  • Also, another family who moved away came to visit for a couple days. They moved away a year-and-a-half ago, but were key players in our cancer journey. Lydia spent a lot of time at their house when she was little, often at a moment’s notice. I seriously don’t know where we would be without their friendship and support! Lydia loved playing with their three boys, and I enjoyed catching up with old friends!
  • I have to water my three new trees every day for the first couple weeks. I came out to the garage this morning so Lydia could play, while I wrote today’s post and watered the trees. It looked like it might rain, but not very much. As I finished with the last tree, it started pouring! I quickly raced around the house to put down the gutters, happy because my yard needs the rain! (Lydia ran inside the neighbors’ house when the rain came.) So there I was…alone in my garage… writing this post and enjoying the soothing sounds of the thunderstorm. 🙂
  • After the storm, Lydia came home. We ate lunch before riding our bikes around the neighborhood and enjoying the sunshine…only half-trying to avoid all the puddles!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?