Tag: house maintenance

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

Finding Grace #324

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 Nature

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

This was a good week, full of interesting surprises!

Work went well overall. It was busy, but I had some time to finally catch up! We helped collect food items for homeless and food insecure Veterans. Then, we put items in bags, trying to provide balance for two to three days worth of meals. Not enough to solve all their problems but enough to get them through a crisis where they can get more support.

 Lydia wasn’t feeling well this week, but was quite the trooper anyway. She stubbed her toe pretty badly and was limping all week. It was purple and swollen but I don’t think it was broken. Even if it was, there’s not much to do for a toe!

Early in the week, I hired someone to dethatch my yard. Then, I put down some grass seed. There are several other things that need to be done, including some mulch I need to put down and hiring a crew to stain my deck. Being a homeowner is expensive at times, but worth it!

Friday was good. After work, I went to see the new Downton Abbey movie! It was so good and I recommend it. It would be great to have another movie, but if this is it, they tied up everything really nicely. It might be my favorite thus far!

Then, I went to get some estimates to fix my car! My driver’s side mirror got hit yesterday on my way to work. The other driver took full responsibility and even paid me directly to repair it. (The quote was for $473; he rounded up and apologized for the inconvenience he caused me.) I was amazed because I wanted to trust him to keep his word and make it right, but I also know that doesn’t always happen! I could tell he was a hard worker and perceived the prompt payment was a point of pride for this man (plus more convenient than going through insurance). Ultimately, I am safe and the minor repairs will be done in the next week or so. A good lesson about believing the best in other people.

This week, I mowed for the first time this season. I also noticed my pretty pink tulips are starting to bloom and my trees are full of tiny leaves! The grass is beautiful and green…. besides the bare spots…. and I am going to put more effort into keeping it nice this year!

Today, Lydia is resting after a long week. I ran a couple errands and am getting caught up around the house. I made a lasagna which turned out really good! Perfect for a cooler, overcast day!

**********

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, Parenting

Finding Grace #317

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 great week! God answered some prayers, showed me His blessings and reminded me to rest. I also saw the first few robins of the season. Just what I needed!

On Sunday, Lydia started a program called BioGirls with two friends. This is a local program that focuses on friendship, self-esteem, and other life skills in the pre-teen years. This includes some exercises, devotional time, and other fun activities. It will be interesting to see her grow and learn!

After that, we went out to eat at a local Italian restaurant! It was on a whim, but we had a coupon and wanted to try something new. JoJo’s is just off the highway and has been open since September. We had some delicious focaccia bread with herbed ricotta cheese. Lydia ordered chicken fettuccine alfredo and I ordered a small pizza–we each had leftovers for about four meals! We will definitely go back!

Lydia and I each had a good chiropractor appointment. We are starting to space them out now, so we don’t go back for two weeks. The doctor was very pleased with how both of us are making progress. I am feeling really good and can’t believe I waited so long to go!

Work went well, and I had a few meetings but a lighter patient load! That helped me get and stay caught up, so hopefully next week I can work on a few small projects!

At the beginning of the week, I noticed all my snow had finally melted. Then, on Tuesday we got about three more inches! It was a surprise, but not a huge deal. We just took it in stride, and I am happy to report most of it is melted again. I wonder what the poor robins thought about the weather!

This week, Lydia and I spent some quality time together. We did Week 2 of the Miriam study at True Girl ministries. We did the BioGirls exercises together (to practice for her Sunday class), and we also went clothes shopping and bought two items for Lydia. We even wore matching earrings one day and didn’t notice until that evening! I love my girl!

Today, Lydia and I did our “Saturday tasks” and then I took a much-needed nap. When I woke up, Lydia mentioned that she started a load of laundry for me. That was super thoughtful of her, and I was very appreciative. It helped me have a little time to work on other things and eventually relax, too! Thank You, Jesus!

**********

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, Parenting

Finding Grace #315

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! Lydia and I had fun with our family in the Phoenix area, and we enjoyed being in the warm desert. We saw cactuses, palm trees, and even a pretty type of bush called a great bougainvillea (pictured above). Arizona doesn’t participate in daylight savings time, so we had a jumpstart into the rest of the week!

Lydia and I went to the chiropractor on Monday. She was adjusted for the first time ever and said, “My back feels so fresh!” 🙂 I don’t think we are 100% just yet, but definitely feeling better day by day. Thank You, Jesus!

Work went well, and I had a lot of great patients. I also had someone confirm I am right where I need to be, which feels great! Also, someone in our department volunteered to make us omelets on Friday! So yummy!

I had a fun conversation with some church ladies on Wednesday, totally unexpected but so rewarding. I am grateful for the women God has placed in my life!

On Friday, I got my taxes done and had an interesting conversation with my accountant. She was rather talkative and shared with me more than usual. It made me really thankful for how God has taken care of us, for who Dave was, and how hard he worked.

Then, yesterday evening, Lydia and I went to Scheels as well as the mall to look around. It was so nice to enjoy the beautiful weather! Lydia promised me she didn’t need her coat! We made some purchases, but it was really just fun to spend time together!

Today, Lydia and I updated a couple of our electronic devices, read books, and caught up on chores. I usually have a lot going on at home on Saturday, but I tried to take a relaxed approach to my to-do list.

**********

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 #308

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!

Winter, Flow, Frozen, Snow, Riverbank, Nature

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

This was a great week! I received satisfactory answers for some of the unknowns I faced last week. Not quite the answers I expected, but answers filled with God’s grace. I’m grateful He holds us close and watches over us!

The weather was cold, but we didn’t have any blizzards. So that made driving fairly easy, which always eases my mind. I was able to host some friends one night, so I was very glad the weather was decent!

This week, I was able to learn more about gut health through an online (nutrition) continuing education course and also a seminar today. What’s even cooler is that I was able to help a patient with that information! Another bonus is that my own gut health also stands to benefit!

I enjoyed a productive work week this week! My office is still a little chilly, but the space heater has been working well. I attended some good meetings and had great collaboration on some projects with my coworkers!

Today, I had the gut health seminar, and we caught up around the house. I worked on some home maintenance issues, such as fixing some wires in my ceiling fan. Also, a friend came over to hang out, which was great since we haven’t seen each other for awhile!

**********

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, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #302

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!

Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Christmas Baubles

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

This week was quite memorable! On Sunday and Monday, we were still with family celebrating my dad’s birthday. We flew home Monday afternoon, but we are so grateful for the fun and memories we made together!

Tuesday through Friday went fast. Work went well, though several cancellations meant I could get caught up on some tasks and help others!

Wednesday night was the children’s ministry Christmas party. Lydia really had a lot of fun! But even more important, she has learned more about God’s word!

Friday was Dave’s birthday in Heaven. Congratulations to Jordyn B. who was the winner of the book giveaway in his honor. It was a fun thing to send off the book today!

Today, I finally bought a new snowblower. Every year, I have tried to coax my old one along. It was so finicky and often wasn’t up to the task. I spent a couple of hours yesterday at the store, and even more online comparing prices and features. I reached out to some friends who were able to help me make the final decision. It helped that they have a truck and that I found an online coupon which was honored in-store!

Tonight, Lydia and I are going to finish decorating the Christmas tree. We started it before our trip, but haven’t gotten back to it until now!

**********

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

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

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

Finding Grace #294

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!

Pumpkin, Leaf, Autumn, Gourd, Vegetable

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

This week went fast! I didn’t feel well on Monday, so I stayed home from work. I was on the fence because my symptoms weren’t contagious (no COVID symptoms) but rather just a variety of other things. However, my gut kept telling me to stay home, and I am glad I chose to listen! I was proud of myself for choosing to rest because like many people, I usually just push myself to go-go-go. In the end, I felt like taking one day off was going to help set me up well for the rest of the week. I’m calling it a win!!

Lydia and I met with her teacher for this semester’s school conference. I am grateful Lydia is doing so well. She always loves visiting the coinciding book fair, too. We bought a book for her classroom, and one of her classmates is already enjoying it!

Yesterday, I quickly did my errands after work and picked up Lydia early from daycare. We ran to a couple of stores and bought a few decorations for her room and some organizing supplies. It was so fun to see what she likes and spend time with her.

Today, we made a few family phone calls and did housework while listening to audiobooks. Lydia and I both spent time cleaning and organizing our bedrooms! It feels good to have a relaxing, productive Saturday at home! This organization will pay off in the coming months when things are easier to find.

**********

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, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Grace In Store

Recently, I went to a local store, which happens to be part of a national chain, to purchase some basic toiletries. I was planning to use a coupon, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for. No worries. I decided to look online instead.

I went to the online store and had everything in my cart to be shipped directly to me. But, then I had to reset my password and my phone app locked up. I was trying to do this quickly and didn’t want to log in to my computer and get distracted late at night.

So, I removed everything from the cart and went to another online big box store. Sure, I could have waited to go in person, but I was just there last week. And, it was bedtime.

Well, that didn’t work so well either! A couple of things were out of stock, and I wanted to have the order delivered rather than pick it up. Otherwise, I would have just gone inside myself!

Supermarket, Ecommerce, Expense, Market, Conad

After once again clearing my cart, I decided to buy from yet another online company… the third time’s a charm! They had slightly different versions of what I was looking for, though I was able to save a few dollars.

Those items might take a little more time to be delivered, but I don’t mind waiting. It was more about convenience and peace of mind. You know, so I don’t have to make another list!

In the end, I sure am glad God does not make us change passwords, log in, log out, and jump through a bunch of hoops before we come to Him. I am grateful He is never offline, and His grace is never out of stock.

God never sleeps nor grows weary. I can rest knowing He is watching out for me, protecting me, and delivering me. He provides for me and sets my feet on the right path. Yes, He knows exactly what I need!

Shopping, Online, E-Commerce, Fashion, Tablet, Coffee

Speaking of purchases, my parents recently bought a cute little house, painted several rooms, and moved in. They are still getting settled, but their internet was down for a couple of weeks. It was a bear to get it all up and running again!

However, Mom told me a funny story of how they bought a used washing machine and dryer. They looked online and found a deal for a front-loader set. As they slowed down to find the correct house number, a man ran out to the street to flag them down. He was very friendly and easy to work with, so they just went with it.

They went inside and the machines were a top-loader set. The man offered to help them load them into my dad’s truck, which was much appreciated. The details weren’t “quite right” but it seems they just misread the details.

Folded, Laundry, Stack, T-Shirt, Red, Clothes, Clothing

Then, after they returned home, the seller of the front-loader set contacted them asking if they were coming or not. Turns out they picked up the wrong laundry set! Later, my mom was reading online poor reviews about the machines they did NOT purchase. God really saved them the headache of getting something unreliable. He also saved them $100! 

Mom and I had a good laugh about her new-to-her laundry machines. It was a win-win for her and the seller! God found them a good deal on a used lawnmower, too! 😉

Mom reminded me that what God has for me is… for me. He orders our steps and has good things in store for us. He is not a genie at our beck and call, rather His plan and promises are sure. He is a faithful, loving Father for those who place their trust in Him!

**********

God, thanks for always being there for me and for providing so well for me. Help me use my resources wisely so I may be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you prefer online shopping or in-store shopping? What’s the craziest thing you’ve bought online?

Tasks: Next time you are shopping online, pause and praise God for His provision! Thank Him for blessing you, and ask Him if there is someone you can bless in turn.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #293

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!

Sparrow, Bird, Animal, Green-Backed Sparrow, Small Bird

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

This was a solid week, full of God’s grace! I had Monday off from work (Columbus Day), and I spent it catching up around the house. Then, I had some friends from church over in the evening. It was a much-needed fun and relaxing day!

Tuesday was quite busy at work and at home. I changed my work hours slightly to accommodate a later patient. Thankfully, I was able to squeeze in a quick appointment beforehand. But, the rest of the day kept me on my toes.

After I picked up Lydia, we ran to the grocery store. Thus, we arrived home about an hour and a half later than normal. That’s when I realized I wore blue jeans instead of my usual dress pants to work! Thankfully, no one else noticed either, including my boss! (I told her and some of my coworkers the next day; we all laughed and agreed it was probably due to stress!) Whew!

My mom’s birthday was yesterday. It was a special birthday (number-wise), and I enjoyed chatting with her after work. It was great to have her all to myself! I am grateful I get off early on Fridays. 🙂

Today, I spent some time exercising in the morning and later went shopping for some new fall and winter decor! It’s fun to get new things from time to time. Lydia was invited to a friend’s house for a playdate, so it was nice to have a few hours to myself on such a beautiful, sunny autumnal day!

**********

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, Books and Movies I Like, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #292

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!

Tree, Deciduous Tree, Sunbeams, Sunrays, Linden, Autumn

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

This was a great week! Over several evenings, I raked up as much of the dead grass as I could. My neighbor boy and Lydia helped a bit, too!

It was another busy work week. But, it all went well. I picked up some extra patients, but I also had some cancellations. As usual, I always leave it all in God’s hands. That helps me feel good about what I accomplish (and not to take it too hard when I don’t get it all done).

I had some great phone conversations this week, as well as some fun texts with friends and family. I talked with a woman whose boyfriend of many years died a few months ago. I also talked with my parents in Florida, and it was great to hear their voices. I also talked with my sister and her family in Illinois. My little nephew is in a really fun stage of toddlerhood!

Today, I woke up early and well-rested because I actually went to bed early! Imagine that! 🙂 I took advantage of the opportunity to finish the last round of raking before the rain came. While raking near the bike path, I talked with a lady and petted her two dogs, an Australian shepherd named Rudy and a Yorkshire terrier named Walter. So fun!

Then, I walked a few miles on my treadmill and did some chores before spending the rest of the day resting. I did some cooking and caught up on some reading. I am reading a book called, The Other Half of Church. It was a little therapeutic to relax on a rainy day!

**********

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, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Wisdom

Finding Grace #290

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 red-letter week for me with many God moments. On Monday, I met with a small group of friends. We are coaching other small group leaders at church, and we met for a time of refreshment and encouragement. We enjoyed a meal together, shared stories, and prayed for each other.

I had a short, but full work week, and it went really well. It is mentally taxing at times, but also rewarding, and this week made for a good balance. I took off Wednesday and part of Thursday for a special nutrition event outside of work. But, I was thrilled another coworker joined me!

The three-day event was through the ND Soy Council and was a complimentary showcase of soy foods. We cooked a meal of various soy foods and taste-tested tofu, tempeh, soy milk, soy yogurt, soy nuts, edamame, and other items. I am familiar with many of these, but it was fun to see them used in new ways. We then toured a local soybean farm and also a processing plant. We saw how tofu and soymilk are made! I even won a door prize, which was a generous gift card to a local grocery store! I almost decided against the event because I had to get creative with child care. But, I am grateful my neighbors helped out on Tuesday and church was an option for Wednesday.

As a dietitian, it is important for me to set a good example in what I eat. That does not mean I eat only ‘healthy’ foods, but that I have a healthy relationship with all foods and my body. All foods can fit, but research definitely shows the benefits of a diet rich in plant foods. I’m grateful for God’s leading this week to show me ways to help others and include more plants in my routine. I’m excited to try all the creative ideas!

Today, our original plans got canceled because a friend was sick. But, Lydia and I had plenty to do anyway. We did a few house chores and she prepared for a birthday sleepover. I made some good food, raked the yard, and then settled in for a relaxing night solo. I’m grateful for God’s goodness and rest!

**********

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)!