Tag: house maintenance

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #521

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 good!

I had another orthodontic appointment and can now turn my MARPE device every day to widen my palate. There’s no gap between my front teeth yet, but I am expecting one soon!

I had a full work schedule and had several interesting patients! I prayed specifically for two Veterans that I could show them God’s love and care. Many eating issues are not always about food, but rather fear and other factors. The conversations we had were especially good, and I am glad the Lord could use me!

Lydia and I had fun babysitting for two little boys last night! We played, fed them dinner, read lots of books, and put them to bed. Their mom was hosting a women’s event, and we enjoyed the opportunity to help out. It ended up being a late night, but I told Lydia we could see it as a sacrifice so God could use our friend to bless others.

Lydia and I both had an early morning today. She had another Speech tournament, and I was on-call and had to go to work! Lydia ended up placing seventh in extemperaneous speaking. I spent the afternoon doing house projects, making calls, listening to podcasts, and catching up on other Saturday 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 Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

The Old Made New

Happy New Year!! As I reflect on 2025, I see many answers to prayers. God was definitely at work and did some pretty awesome things in my life!

I think of how my life was at the beginning of the year and how it is now. In some ways, things are similar, but if you look deeper, they are very different. I have grown and have been transformed by renewing my mind and letting go of the old to grasp the new.

Naturally, the biggest life change was my mom’s death in February. Yet, this was the best year of her life because she met Jesus face-to-face! We miss her, but are grateful she is with the One who died so she could live forever. I hear my mom’s voice in Colossians 2:5-7 below:

5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Some people get stuck after someone dies. But for others, Death can be a catalyst for change. When we’re reminded how short Life is, our perspective shifts from complacency to “it’s now or never.” There is no time to waste!

Although Mom is not with us physically, we certainly will carry her memory and legacy with us. I want to make her proud and live out the calling God gave me, which she cultivated. The Colossians passage above is like a parting reminder: Continue in Jesus, stay rooted in Him, remember what I taught you, be grateful.

Lydia and I visited some new-to-us places in North Dakota, and she also went to Washington, DC. We each started new activities, too. Lydia participated in a program called Congress, and I started a leadership training program at church, something I have wanted to do for a long time. We have both learned a lot this year!

I made some changes around the house, including finally getting some landscaping done. It was several years in the making. I am so glad it is finished, and I love how it turned out!

Praise God, I am now mostly pain-free in my neck, back, and hips – it has been years since I felt this good! I am giving all credit to Jesus, my Healer. He has done all the hard work; I have just walked it out with some new tools, habits, and mobility training.

The Lord provided for me in new ways this year. I picked up extra hours here and there at work, which helped bring in a little more money. In other areas, He showed me how to adjust my spending habits to stretch my dollars when needed. He is so faithful and good!

Speaking of habits, I finally realized that going to bed and getting up early is non-negotiable! This meant I’ve had to say “no” and strengthen boundaries. But I feel better all around when I get a short walk and stretching in early. Also, my morning time with Jesus is top priority. With His help, I have been fairly consistent in both areas. It feels good to get into a rhythm… and coffee certainly helps!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This year was full of challenges, but Jesus made old things new again. He brought things to completion and answered prayers. I grew in my faith, and my life was transformed. And you know what? Jesus wants to change your life, too! So let Him! 

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Heavenly Father, You are so good. Increase our faith and transform us from the inside out. Your Word is Truth – help us live it out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How have you grown this year? How has Jesus transformed you?

Task: Keep a running list of all the ways you see Jesus moving in your life this next year. Praise Him along the way!

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

Finding Grace #506

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 Mountains Forest photo and picture

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

This was a pretty good week, and I felt God moving in me and through me.

On Sunday, Lydia and I brought coffee to some friends after church. They had a rough couple of days with their little girl being sick, so we wanted to encourage them. By the time we arrived, she was feeling better, so we hung out for a little bit! We had fun playing and catching up!

Tuesday was Veterans Day, and we had a relaxing day. Time off in the middle of the week was just what we needed!

Work was full but went smoothly. It was helpful to have the holiday in there to break things up! My coworker on maternity leave visited with her baby girl, and that was also a bright spot!

Yesterday, after work, I went to lunch with a dear friend and fellow single mom. We also enjoyed some carrot cake and talked for over two hours about every topic imaginable. I love how God encourages me and uses me to encourage others!

Today, I did the usual Saturday chores and tasks, but also washed my bedding and organized some bookshelves. Neither is very difficult but takes some effort, lol, so it felt good to get them done. I also studied, made some food, and caught up with some podcasts!

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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 Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Personality

A Rejuvenating Day

Yesterday was Veterans Day, so Lydia and I were off from school and work. I appreciate the sacrifices Veterans have made for us, and I am so grateful to serve them every week! It was a nice day off in the middle of the week!

We mostly had a quiet day at home. It was a glorious day of rest and rejuvenation. I did many different things, but felt relaxed while doing them. I was able to get several small tasks done, but in an unhurried manner, which makes all the difference!

I slept in an extra hour or so, which was glorious. Then, I enjoyed a homemade cappuccino and breakfast while reading my Bible and spending time with Jesus. I also did a little mobility work and planned my day. Lydia slept until just after 8:30 a.m., so I had a couple of hours to myself!

Free Fall Autumn photo and picture

A day off can quickly be wasted, so I jumped into my to-do list early! I started a load of laundry, organized my work backpack, washed a few small dishes, and paid a bill. I did all of this while catching up on some podcasts. Then, I supervised Lydia while she filled my car tires with air. I also showed her how to check the oil and windshield washer fluid, since she hopes to get her driver’s learning permit soon. Might as well teach her about car maintenance now! It wasn’t that chilly in the garage, but I also wanted to test out my new outdoor winter gear! Win-win!

Later, Lydia went to the gym with a friend, while I made brownies and chopped up some veggies for the week. It’s all about balance, right?! I bought some online birthday gifts for Lydia and did a little reading. When she returned, we ran some errands and got some food. Then, I worked on a project while watching a movie. 

Life is made up of many small moments together, and yesterday was one of those really enjoyable days where life just slowed down. Normally, I am on the go, and the little tasks just build up. They take a lot of mental space, but it is difficult to make headway on them. 

So, yesterday felt like an unexpected gift, even though I knew about the holiday for a while. It was just what I needed. Thank you, Veterans, and to Jesus for the freedom we now have!

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God, thanks for a relaxing day off! Thanks for the freedom we have in America and also in Christ. Help us walk worthy of the sacrifices made on our behalf. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What do you like to do when you don’t have anything specific planned?

Task: Take a few minutes to tackle some small items on your to-do list. Don’t wait until the timing is perfect. Just get started and see how it goes. Set a thirty-minute timer, and when it goes off, you can move on. Often, the little tasks take two minutes or less, but they add up and can quickly become overwhelming!

 

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

Finding Grace #504

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 Autumn Gold photo and picture

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

Happy November!! This week was full, but also fun.

My neck and shoulders are feeling better day by day. I was able to do more exercise this week, and I think that helps them, too! As it has been said, motion is lotion. 🙂

The weather was again windy, cloudy, and drizzly. One day, we also had some frost! As a matter of principle, I try not to wear my winter coat as long as possible. The longer I put it off, the shorter winter seems to be. So, I made it through October at least! I did put my coat in my car, just in case I need it. 😉

I had an important appointment this week… Most likely in January, I will be starting what will be a few years of orthodontic care. It’s something that has been brought up for decades, but I only recently learned more about what that would entail. I see people every week with mouth and tooth issues, so I would like to avoid anything like that! Perhaps I will share more later, but for now, I have peace and am trying not to think about the pain and awkwardness too much, lol. I appreciate your prayers!

Work was busy with lots of little fires to put out. But I kept a good attitude and just tackled things as they came. Our dietitian team had fun dressing up as Dominos for Halloween!

Lydia had an orchestra concert on Thursday, with a Halloween theme. It was fun to listen to the 6-12th graders each perform some classic scary songs! Just about everyone dressed up, which means I got my money’s worth for her honeybee costume! She’s worn it at least three times already!

Lydia joined some friends for trick-or-treat, while I passed out candy at home. I didn’t have a ton of kids, but I enjoyed seeing those I did! It is a good time to catch up with neighbors, too!

Today, we traveled an hour south to Wahpeton to see my Aunt Terry, who is there visiting her mom’s extended family. This has been a little tradition for us the last few years. This time, we met for breakfast at a local truck stop and caught up for a couple of hours. Lydia and I also just happened to see “the world’s largest catfish,” too!

After that, we did our usual Saturday things, and I studied for my class at church. I also tried on some new winter gear for the season. After fifteen years in Fargo, I needed some upgrades!

PSA: Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour tonight!

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

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

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #501

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 Pumpkins Vegetables photo and picture

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

This was a very full and fulfilling week with lots of personal connections! On Sunday, after the service, we served during lunchtime in the Oasis, which is the older adults ministry. Then, in the evening, we had family Zoom!

On Monday morning, I heard the landscaping company would be coming over. I was very pleased with their work, though I had them make a slight change. I’m proud of myself for speaking up and for finally getting this project done!

That night, I had my leadership training class. We talked about discipleship, which goes hand-in-hand with evangelism. It was cool to learn about the differences and how to do a better job of both. I also saw some friends and caught up with them while we ate dinner… Panda Express!

Work was pretty full this week, and I definitely relied on God to help me complete my tasks and direct my path. I saw lots of patients and taught three classes. I prepared for another round of classes and got my charting done in a timely manner! 🙂

On Wednesday evening, I went to visit my coworker/friend, Natalie, and her family. I got to hold her one-month-old baby girl for over an hour! She is so little and cute! We always have fun talking about life and spiritual matters. I am grateful for the opportunity!

Thursday after work was Lydia’s school conferences. I met with her four core teachers, and they all told me she is doing well academically. A few mentioned she is quiet but eager to learn and help others. I also heard she is a great writer, and I am not surprised. 😉 She has spent several evenings diligently preparing for her next “Congress” meet, too.

Yesterday, after work, I went to visit another mom, my coworker, Maddie, who had identical twin girls in June. She will be coming back to work soon, but I wanted to encourage her and get some more baby snuggles!

Today was more of a typical Saturday, one day to rest before another full and busy week! We did a few chores, studied, made some calls, practiced for Congress, etc.

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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, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality

Landscaping and God’s Love

For the last twelve-plus years since Dave died, I have been thinking about my landscaping. Yes, that’s practically forever! I’ve known I needed to do something, but I wasn’t entirely sure what to do. So, I did nothing.

I wasn’t being lazy; I was at an impasse. Part of me realized that once I make a decision, there’s no real going back if I don’t like it. However, on some level, it was overwhelming to make decisions on my own. Dave was so good at the outdoor projects!

Then, two years ago, my parents visited, and I took notes when Dad provided me with ideas and exact details. Nothing fancy, just adding soil around the foundation, as well as river rock and a border. That was awesome, but I just didn’t know where to start or who to call. So, I forgot about it.

Finally, this summer, I requested a quote from a local company, but the timing was delayed since summer is their busiest time of the year.

On Monday, I heard they would be coming that day. I was eager to get it done, but I had to be at work before they came. Initially, I thought the foreman would come and outline where everything would go. But I decided not to worry about it.

I got home that night and was impressed by how much had already been done. The three men said they would return the next day to complete the task. I noticed one area of concern, but did not mention it. Instead, I thanked them before heading out to an evening activity. It’s been a packed week!

Then, yesterday morning, upon review, I still felt the border layout was too close to the deck. It could become a tripping hazard around the stairs, but it also didn’t look quite right to me. Yet, the work was done well, and exactly according to the quote. I wasn’t sure if I should say anything or just live with it.

I briefly texted with my family, and they encouraged me to speak up, so I had no regrets. I worked with the foreman to resolve the issue. We decided to extend the border by another foot or so on two sides to match it all the way around.

I apologized that it would take more effort to undo and redo the line, but the foreman was gracious. They even offered to add two flat stones to make a landing spot off the stairs, and I agreed. I was at work this whole time, so I had to trust them!

After work, I went to check it out. I LOVED the final result! I could not be happier with how it turned out! It’s exactly what I wanted and how I imagined it. I texted the foreman to express my gratitude and sent pictures to my family.

I am in awe of how the project turned out, and even more so, of how good God is. He stretched me and gave me the courage to say what I needed. He provided the overall plan through my dad and the foreman, and the money for the work to be done. I am both relieved and joyful about the final result!

It took me a long time to reach this point, but I am also praising God for bringing me this far. He is so faithful, and this is one more way He pressed me to keep moving forward. When I look at my landscaping now, I will think of His gracious love for me and His good plan for my life!

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Lord, thanks for giving me the courage to follow through and speak up when needed. Thanks for all the ways You challenge me and provide for me. Help me honor You in all I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How has God been stretching you lately? Is there something you have been putting off that you know you should do?

Task: Go ahead and take a prayerful first step. If you are trusting God, He will make sure it goes well. There may be some bumps along the way, but He will work it out for you.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #499

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 Dahlia Flower photo and picture

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

This week was calmer than the last two!

I got to meet my friend’s baby girl on my way into work! It was such a highlight for me! It pays to look in your rearview mirror!

The weather this week was absolutely perfect! It was sunny and calm, with bright blue skies and temperatures in the 70s. Seriously, I could not have asked for a nicer week! On Thursday, an Air Force band performed outside. A coworker and I listened to them play a few songs!

On Friday after work, I ran a few errands and then came home to do some outdoor chores. I cut back some dead flowers and replaced four long fluorescent lights in the garage. I have wanted to do these things before it gets too chilly! I also mowed the lawn. It felt good to get so much done!

Today, I did some projects, and Lydia made some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. They are delicious! Then, we hung out with a friend who came over to visit.

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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, Pivot, Wisdom

Finding Grace #498

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 Flower Herbstaster photo and picture

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

This was a full week, but good overall.

Monday was the busiest day I’ve had in quite a while. I had a big presentation at work, which went really well. I prayed for God to help me and had total peace. Then, I had about five patients in five hours, so I didn’t really get a lunch. That night, I had a church training, which went well, but I didn’t get home until 9 p.m. or so, just in time to say goodnight to Lydia. Whew!

The rest of the week was a little less “busy” but still had a lot going on. One highlight was helping Lydia with her Congress preparations. She wrote some awesome responses for real pieces of legislation. I listened to her, timed her, and provided some feedback. I’m really proud of her!

I mowed the lawn on Wednesday, which was perfectly timed before a few rainy days! We had just the right amount of rain, in that I could use my umbrella but didn’t desperately need it. It was a bit cooler, just perfect for autumn. I even noticed a few of the trees are turning colors now.

I talked with my sister and dear friend back-to-back on Thursday. It was fun catching up with their lives and asking for some advice on mine. I’m grateful for their godly wisdom and support.

On Friday after work, I went to see the Downton Abbey Grand Finale. I liked it overall, and it was a little bittersweet that it is “over.” I enjoyed the costumes and seeing all my favorite characters, though! I also had a coupon for a cheaper ticket and free popcorn, so that was good! 🙂

After the movie, I ran across the street to introduce myself to our new neighbors. They have been there for a couple of weeks, but I was waiting for them to get settled. The family has two elementary-age kids. I hope they stay there for a long time, so we can get to know them better!

Today, I was on-call and went in for two patients. I did some grocery shopping and bought myself some flowers on the way home. Then, I came home to do ‘Saturday things’ and do some studying. For dinner, Lydia and I had lasagna, grapes, and salad. It was delicious!

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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 #496

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 Black Eyed Susan Yellow Daisy photo and picture

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

This was an interesting and lively week! I am glad it all worked out well.

On Monday, we had a quiet day at home on Labor Day. I did a few small chores and some studying but really tried to relax ahead of this super busy season!

I had a full schedule at work, but ended up having some cancellations. I thought I would have some free time, but little things kept popping up. Nonetheless, I am grateful for God guiding my steps and helping me accomplish what I needed to do!

Lydia decided to join an extracurricular activity called Congress this semester. I had her put together an impromptu presentation to tell me why she wanted to do it, and we both think it will be a good opportunity for her. She and her peers will visit the state capitol in Bismarck and practice speaking on various legislative bills (pros, cons, amendments, etc). It is a competition, and participants will earn points, similar to those in debate and speech events.

Today, I again woke up with some more ideas about reorganizing my house, basically picking up where I left off last weekend. I still have more to do, but it feels really good to make progress. I also did my usual Saturday things and took Lydia and her friend to see the movie version of Hamilton. I went home to study while they were there!

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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)!