Tag: Lydia

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Travel, Wisdom

A Homecoming

There is something about home that makes you feel safe, like all is right in the world. Amid grief and loss, the familiar environment and the presence of family bring comfort. Shared memories bring healing and laughter, too!

Driving from North Dakota to Illinois always gives me time to reflect. God has used those long country miles to refine my heart over the years! Typically, each landmark I pass reminds me of my college days at NIU or further back to my youth, much of which involved my Aunt Deb. As we mourn for her this week, I can trace a pattern of blessing through her life.

Aunt Deb had a big smile and loved to laugh. She loved bright colors, flowers, music, cooking, and hospitality. She had experienced grief and loss, so she knew how to help bring God’s comfort to others. She loved serving and using her gifts.

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I will never forget Aunt Deb’s prayers and support for us after Dave died. She was a diligent reader of my blog, and most weeks, she sent me an encouraging word, like, or comment. It always made my day to hear from her, and I will really miss that.

While no one is perfect, God is always faithful to complete His works in our lives. Aunt Deb and my mom had a complicated relationship for over thirty years. They both have passionate personalities, in addition to having the same first and last names (since they married brothers). You can imagine how that was with small-town gossip!

Well, God graciously did a miracle in both of their hearts. He orchestrated circumstances so that Mom and Aunt Deb were each ready to give up their anger and forgive around the same time. They finally could see each other’s strengths as positive. Then, over the next two decades, they became close friends and prayer partners.

Their relationship shows what God can do when we submit to Him.

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While we are experiencing the shock of loss (all is not right) on this side of Heaven, I do know this: Jesus conquered Death and is making all things right and new. Furthermore, Aunt Deb was ready. She was prepared for eternity, knowing there are no guarantees of tomorrow. Aunt Deb wisely built her life on the Rock, and now she is truly Home.

The funeral was held at the local Catholic church (pictured above). I was not raised Catholic but spent plenty of time there for various events. These included midnight masses with my grandparents at Christmas and many potlucks in the basement (church bazaars and funerals alike). And let me tell you, that old church basement looks exactly the same!

Yes, the last several days have been emotional, but being with family has been a balm. I also loved seeing so many friends, including former classmates and teachers. 

Even though my family lives across many time zones now, we always have each other. We shared pizza, pool time, car rides, stories, laughter and tears. It was good to be home.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for the gift of family and doing life together. Thanks for Your Presence when we go through loss and grief. Help us feel Your comfort and perfect peace during this time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Is your first response to draw near to God or turn away in difficult times? What is He saying to you about this? Have you put your faith in Jesus yet? (Today is the day of salvation! Make sure you are prepared for eternity. Let Jesus give you a new heart.)

Tasks: Reach out to your family and tell them you love them. Spend time together as often as possible. Consider starting a group chat via text or a weekly Zoom meeting to check in!

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

Finding Grace #422

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. Most of the week was fairly normal with work and school. Friday probably had the most excitement, as you can read further below.

On Sunday, we celebrated Easter. Lydia and I went to one church service and volunteered at another. The kids were very excited, and we had some funny experiences together.

The weather was perfect this week. Although the mornings were cooler, by afternoon, temperatures reached the 50s and 60s.

One cool thing that happened on Thursday was that I finally hit 100,000 miles on my Subaru! I will have had it for eleven years in August. At first, I put a lot of miles on it, driving back and forth to see family in Illinois. But I haven’t done that for a few years, so this milestone took a little longer than I expected. Thankfully, my car is in good condition. I am going to try driving it another 100k!

Lydia’s orthodontist’s wife apparently works at a spa next door to his office. So, on Friday, I received one of three free hour-long facials as a courtesy. Orthodontics are expensive, so this perk is appreciated! Lydia said my face is now glowing…. I’ll take it!

Yesterday was also my parents’ 49th wedding anniversary! They are a blessing to so many, and I am so proud to call them Mom and Dad. I appreciate how they have invested in my life, and I continue to learn from them!

Also yesterday, Lydia and I went to a the funeral visitation for a coworker’s dad. I wanted to go support her, and I also wanted to make sure Lydia had the experience. She has been to funerals before, but it is always good to know how to act in those often sad and uncomfortable experiences. 

Today, I was on-call for work, though I didn’t get called in. I woke up early to prepare and then did a lot of cleaning while waiting for my phone to potentially ring. I descaled my coffee machine, did three loads of laundry, helped Lydia organize her bedroom closet, made some Amazon returns to UPS, and caught up with some reading and bills. It felt great to be productive!

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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, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #420

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 fairly normal week. It was good and routine, perfect for the start of Spring!

Work went well with everyone back in the office! I am returning to my half-day on Fridays, which is good for me! We transitioned to our usual duties, though we will probably still include some of the streamlined methods we picked up over the last few months of making do. It’s a win-win!

I put together a nutrition bulletin board (above) for the hallway outside my office. Two other dietitians helped bring my idea to fruition. It is as if we are looking down at a table from the top. And then, underneath, you can lift the “placemats” and read some nutrition facts. I am pleased with how it came together!

On Thursday, Lydia started another round of orthodontia. She decided against braces and opted for the clear trays instead. It is nice that she can take them out to eat and brush her teeth. She’s also glad it makes her mouth look normal, especially since she must wear them for several months (a new tray every week).

Today, we mostly relaxed since Lydia felt weak, thanks to POTS. This is somewhat typical for Saturdays, unfortunately, but her teeth were also a little sore. Nonetheless, I took some time to watch a webinar, exercise, cook some food, and make some phone calls. Lydia and I are going to watch a movie next. It was a good day!

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

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

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

Cornerstone

Lately, I have noticed a subtle shift in my house. It is a good and natural thing, but it has surprised me. I recognized it this week, which helped deal with it. At least for now!

Basically, I have been a little short with Lydia, and it bothered me. She’s a great kid and doesn’t deserve that. I couldn’t figure out the issues until I prayed about it on the way to work Monday.

I think my feelings of frustration were related to a few factors. First, Lydia is growing more independent. So, she wants to have some say in what we do. I also want this for her, but to do that, I need to let go and let her. And that’s complicated sometimes. 🙂

Part of this is related to “puberty brain.” Normally, Lydia is obedient and reliable. But now, she “forgets” to complete tasks or wants to negotiate. That’s fine sometimes, but I put my foot down this past weekend and reset some boundaries. I know this is just the beginning, and communication will morph over the next few years. Again, this is all normal!

Another factor is that I have been the only adult at home for over a decade, which is a lot of responsibility. And, I have expectations about my house and space! Over time, I have taught Lydia to do various household tasks, but if she doesn’t follow through or moves like a sloth, I either have to do it or reinforce it… again. Both take more time and dilegence.

Free Medieval Castle Detail photo and picture

On Monday, I was also nervous about the timing of things at work. I had two complex patients coming on top of my regular patient load. They were expected to come back to back and had a lot of similarities which I needed to keep straight. I lost a little sleep about this, and so I was just a little grumpy with all that on my mind. 😉

Then, before work, I had to remind Lydia to move her shoes after I tripped on them. She knows not to leave them in the middle of the floor. I yelled out of exasperation and had to apologize. It all worked out, but on my way to work, I prayed and asked God to help me readjust… and as soon as I did, He did a little heart work!

On the radio, I heard a few songs, like Tasha Layton’s “Look What You’ve Done.” There’s a line about God tearing all the roots up from our hearts, getting rid of lies and replacing them with His Truth. I envisioned God taking my fears and grumpiness as I soaked up His love for me.

Then, I heard the song, “Cornerstone” by TobyMac. It was a great reminder of what really matters: Jesus. My identity is found in Christ alone, not in if the dishes get done (or if Lydia remembers them or not).

Jesus is my cornerstone, the perfect foundation. My security is found in Him. He is my hope, my joy, my peace. Jesus encompasses all I am, and His expectation is that I walk with Him. His mercy and grace cover all I do. No more, no less.

As Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Life can quickly change, and no two days are alike. If we let our circumstances or emotions run the show, we’ll keep spiraling out of control. One minute, we are “happy” when things go our way, and the next, we are losing our temper over towels left in the dryer. Ahem.

We can’t always predict how things will go, but we can run to God, who is our Rock. He is strong and steady, a sure place to land. He is the only thing that matters in the end.

I know the Lord will keep working in my heart and household. I have invited Him in and give Him full reign (sometimes hour by hour!). I am excited to see what Jesus does in me and who Lydia becomes in Him.

So today, instead of getting bent out of shape, I will let God shape me. He is the beginning and the end and knows all things. His plans for me are good and trustworthy! He can use any challenge for His purposes. Nothing is impossible for Him!

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God, thanks for being my foundation, my cornerstone. Thanks for the reminder that I am not in control and don’t need to be! Help me trust You more and let You direct my path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: Are you relying on God to steady you this week? How has He come through for you lately?

Task: Let God strip away everything that is not of Him. It is painful at times, but worth it! Check out this final song I heard on the radio, which helped tie everything together, “One Thing Remains” by Passion ft Kristian Stanfill.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #416

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 Heart Wooden Heart photo and picture

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

Overall, this was a refreshing and encouraging week! I did lose my temper at one point, and Lydia and I had to address some communication issues. We both apologized, chalking it up to stress and puberty. 🙂 Then, we hung out together, which also helped. Thankfully, we usually get along well, and we can continue growing together. Every so often, we need to be challenged; otherwise, nothing ever changes.

I always enjoy seeing and chatting with my family via Zoom on Sundays. We catch up, share news, tell jokes, and laugh. Sometimes, we share prayer requests, too!

On Monday, Lydia and I were both off for Presidents Day. It was a good day to get things done around the house, but we also relaxed a bit. We did a little painting for fun!

Work was good and flew by for the most part. That’s because I was extremely busy with patients and various things that popped up! I had full days of my own patients, but I also prepared to cover some home-based patients next week. I picked up two new tube-feeding patients from other hospitals and had a lot of related tasks. These included contacting dietitians and patients, discussing formula options, doing calculations, writing notes, printing handouts, ordering supplies, and notifying other staff who might need to cover my other work to squeeze them in when they come next week. Whew!

On my lunch break, I celebrated Black History Month by reading about John L. Canley, who earned the Medal of Honor for his inspiring service in Vietnam. I also watched a ceremony honoring the all-Black 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (often called Buffalo Soldiers). In 1917, there were riots in Houston, TX, and nineteen of these soldiers were wrongly court-martialled and executed!! Many years later, it was determined that their sentencing was racially influenced and thus reversed. So, on Thursday, new headstones were revealed to reflect the normal details received with honorable discharges. You can read more here. 

Lydia had an orchestra concert on Thursday night, so we walked down the block to school. Seeing how much the 6th graders have grown in a few short months was fun. Lydia was a little nervous but did a great job. She plans to continue playing viola next year, so I look forward to many more concerts!

Today, Lydia and I did a ton of cooking. We made waffles for breakfast using a local mix we found while shopping. I roasted sweet potatoes and also prepared some soy curls, which I will use instead of chicken for fajitas. Additionally, we made some black bean and corn salsa, refried beans (dried beans and water only), and some chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies (the classic kind!). We’ll have some yummy meals over the next few days!

The weather has been soooo nice this week. It reached the 50s today, and Lydia went to the park with some friends while I sat outside and did some reading. It’s hard to believe it’s February, and our yard has no snow. Any parking lot piles are 99% smaller than normal! Next week, we do have a chance or two of snow, but it shouldn’t amount to much!

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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, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #415

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 Hearts Stones photo and picture

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

This was a great week! I had a good chat with one of my dear college friends. It was just what I needed. We might even get together this summer!

Work was full as usual, but I had some really sweet patients. On Wednesday, one of them popped in to see me; I usually talk with him on the phone because he lives a couple of hours away and doesn’t like to take time off work. The first time I saw him a couple years ago, he had just had a feeding tube placed, so he was rather uncomfortable and grumpy. But this week, he took some time off work for the appointments and to spend time with his wife on Valentine’s Day. I loved seeing he has greatly improved. He looked much better and was so sweet talking about his wife. It made my day to see him, and we were able to joke about a few things, too.

Lydia had a special appointment with a pediatric cardiologist this week. We got confirmation that we are doing everything we can for Lydia’s POTS. She does not need medication and it’s really not a heart problem. In essence, she’s very healthy, just her body needs to communicate with itself better. 🙂 It was a great outcome!

Today, Lydia and I went to see The Chosen, Season 4, Episodes 4-6 in the theater. It was amazing. The storyline and cinematography were so well done and really helped put the Bible into first-century context. The actors have done a wonderful job, and the three episode flew by. If you have a chance, see it in the theater (or in the free app when it is available… soon!). Even if you know nothing about Jesus or The Chosen, it’s worth it.

The weather was a little colder but still good. It felt like Fall today because the leaves were blowing in the wind, but it was bright and sunny!

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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 Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Worship

Trusting the Process

This week, I met with a patient with some gut issues. We’ve met a few times before, and he has changed his diet over time. Things have come full circle, in that some of the foods just aren’t working for him and his goals. He’s still having irritating symptoms, which tells me it’s time to try something different.

That led to me going deep into the molecular structure of FODMAPs, many of which are complex carbohydrates. FODMAP foods are typically quite healthy, but for one in seven people, they can cause discomfort. In those cases, it is often best to briefly reduce or eliminate these offenders to let the gut rest. Then, we slowly reintroduce them and see what happens. The ultimate goal is to be able to eat as much variety as possible.

So, I devised some funny ways to explain what was going on internally. Perhaps my on-the-spot bus analogy needs refining, but it made the point. 🙂 We strategized for his next appointment and discussed how FODMAPs are broken down in the body.

While general nutrition principles apply to everyone – think balance, variety, consistency, and moderation- each solution is tailored for the individual patient. FODMAPs, in particular, have many nuances and require a lot of skill and interpretation.

In some ways, nutrition is just common sense. We all know fruits and vegetables are good for us. But, my job involves rebuilding someone’s habits to reach their specific goals and needs. That’s one reason online searches for nutrition information can be ill-advised.

Premium Vector | Caffeine molecule 3d

When I came home, Lydia was doing a science assignment about molecules. Hers was a digital process where she added atoms in a school app to form various molecules. (Note one of my favorites in the picture above!) She does not know how most of these molecules and chemicals are used in real life, but she had fun learning and was surprised when I told her about my day. What timing!

I was reminded of the hours I spent in college putting little plastic molecule kits together with my friends. We spent weekends trying to cram all the details into our brains. It was a group effort in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry!

The experiences with my patient and Lydia caused me to reflect on my career, the people I have met, and all I have learned. It has not always been predictable, but I have landed in a good spot by God’s grace! 

As you know, Life is full of twists and turns. Some are expected, and some catch us by surprise. But God can and will use anything to achieve His purposes. His plans for us are always good. Even when that includes random molecular science kits.

Whatever you are struggling with today, don’t give up. Someday, you will see the payoff. In the meantime, remember that God is good and loves you dearly. Connect with Him along the way. He is always working things out for your good and His glory. Remove distractions so you can hear Him more easily and move quickly to obey. Trust Him and the process!

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God, thanks for guiding my journey. You are so faithful through the ups and downs, twists and turns. Help me trust and obey as You lead me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: As you think of your own journey, what similarities and differences do you see between then and now? Do you see any links along the way?

Tasks: Write down a list of all the ways God has come through for you over the years. Try looking back a few months and go from there.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Finding Grace #413

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!

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

This was a good week!

Work was a little unpredictable but fairly normal! I ended up staying a full day on Friday to help cover. I had several patients where it seemed like God had assigned them to me specifically. I was able to encourage them and discuss topics beyond just nutrition. It felt gratifying!

The weather was in the 40s, and we might have broken a “heat” record for January. I think most of the snow is now gone, though we didn’t have much to begin with. I’m not holding my breath that it will stay like this. It is only February, so anything is still possible!

Lydia had an impromptu friend sleep over last night. They had a fun time and stayed up until after Midnight. They watched a movie, played games, and made some treats. I’m grateful Lydia has good friends. I heard a lot of laughter, which was music to my ears!

This afternoon, Lydia and I went to the theater to see The Chosen. Currently, Season 4, Episodes One through Three are showing! Each episode was very different, but so well done. There was a tragic shocker at the end… I recommend going to see it for yourself!

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

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

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #411

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 Hut Blizzard photo and picture

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

This was a good week with a bit of stress. Mostly, I was tired and work was busy. Nothing new and it was “all good” overall. 🙂 

Work was busy all day, every day. It’s a good problem to have, though we spoke up to see if there are some changes we can make. We came up with a new solution, and I think it will still be busy, but hopefully a little more manageable.

The weather was chilly but not too crazy! El Nino is making our North Dakota weather warmer than usual with less snow. I love winter, but with even the little bit of shoveling I have done, my back, shoulders, and arms being sore. I try to use ergonomic shovels and techniques, but I am grateful for a little reprieve! 🙂

Lydia had a routine well-child appointment. She is doing well with all her water and salt, but she still feels not-so-great sometimes. Prayerfully, I thought a cardiology appointment would be our next step, and her doctor agreed to put in a consult. I expect that Lydia is “fine” (besides POTS), but it would be good to see if there are any other tools available to us and to verify that nothing else is going on. Prayers are appreciated. In other news, she will be taller than me soon… my guess is she will match me by spring!

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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, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #410

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 Storm Winter photo and picture

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

This was a busy but solid week. It felt a little long at times, probably because it was a five-day work and school week! 😉 It was good overall. 

At work, I enjoyed visiting three Veterans at their homes. One person didn’t have an extra chair but offered me her wheelchair. I stumbled a little over the footrest, and we joked that if I fell, I might have to move into the nursing home for rehab and be her roommate. We laughed, though she didn’t want to talk over thirty minutes because she was headed downstairs to lunch. 🙂 It was a fun experience!

The weather finally reached negative temperatures this week! We got a tiny bit of snow and have had blizzard conditions (due to snow in the air). But it’s all been manageable, and we are safe!

Lydia’s school entered a new quarter, so that means she is starting a foreign language sampler. She will be trying out Spanish, French, German, and Latin. It will be fun to see which she likes best!

This afternoon, I made a beef and vegetable stew, made some calls, and did some paperwork. Lydia went to the Fargodome with a friend’s family to assemble meals for Feed My Starving Children. We did that a few years ago, and Lydia had fun again today!

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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)!