Tag: Lydia

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Travel, Wisdom

Finding Grace #230

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 another full and busy week, but it went fast! Early in the week, I went in for some extra hours at work. I was thankful for the opportunity and was happy to help!

The weather was great this week. It was perfect for an adventure with Lydia! We went on a road trip to see family. We stayed at a hotel along the way, and ended up swimming, watching some good shows, etc. She is a great road trip buddy!

I’m happy to report we finally got to meet my new little nephew! He is so cute, and Lydia was very excited to see him. It was also great to see other family, as well.

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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, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

A Short List

Well, this has been a full week so far. On Monday, I received some awful news that a friend’s brother died in his sleep. A husband and father of two. A beloved son, brother, and friend to many. It was completely unexpected, and it certainly rocked the small community where I grew up. This hit home for many reasons, besides the fact that he was about Dave’s age.

Sadly, this is not the first young man I grew up with, who has suddenly passed away in my peer group or hometown. My dear friend and classmate, Seth, died when we were in high school. In college, my cousin, Nick, died, as well as another friend, Wes. More recently, these premature deaths included another classmate, Clint, and another friend, Ryan, among others. And now, Nathan. All different circumstances, but tragic nonetheless.

I explained a little of my heartache to Lydia, but there is so much she does not yet understand. Even though Dave died when she was little, she doesn’t remember him. She doesn’t feel the anguish I have felt over the years, especially as death steals away those we know and love. Of course, she feels a different pain than I do.

Still, this week has had many silver linings. Celebrating life with Lydia on a fancy dress-up day at daycare. My brother’s birthday. Progress on a couple projects. Cheering a friend on a difficult path. Talking with my family and remembering the brevity of life.

If you are still alive, God has given you much grace and much mercy. I hope you will acknowledge His deep love for you today. Reach out to Him; He is right there with you.

Through several texts, my family had a side conversation about grace and forgiveness, and I was reminded to keep ‘a short list’ with others. We never know when our time is up.

When I think about my interactions with others, I think about how I want to be remembered. What will people say about me when I die? Will it be positive or mixed? Did I focus on what really matters? That is, loving God and loving people.

Furthermore, if my actions today set the stage for how I will be remembered, what should I be doing differently? I want to live my life fully with no regrets, doing all God has for me to do before He calls me HOME. Hopefully, many decades from now!

My ‘short list’ includes extending grace and forgiveness to others; telling my family and close friends how much I love them; encouraging people; staying present with Jesus; and telling others by telling others how He changed my life. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so do the most important things today!

Indeed, life is so short, and in our current circumstances every situation seems full of drama and uncertainty. This year has been loaded, for sure. It can be scary at times, but, we do not have to fear death or anything else!

We will never have all the answers for why bad things happen. There are so many variables, and the rain falls on us all. The best thing you can do is to let Jesus be your PEACE. He’s got this.

When I meet Jesus face to face, I will give an account about how I lived my life. None of my good works will make a difference for whether or not I get into Heaven. The only thing that matters is if I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on Earth.

The good things I do will be rewarded, yes, but only if I know Jesus first! We can never be good enough on our own. So, it boils down to this: Knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I am thankful that everything that really matters is secure in Jesus. He comforts us in the midst of tragedies and redeems our pain. Death does not get the final word!

God is Our Rock and Our Refuge. Everything we need is in Him!

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God, thank You for the gift of Life. Please comfort those who are facing grief and loss today. Continue to walk with them and draw them near to You. Pour out Your love on them, Jesus. In Your Name, Amen

Questions: What is on your ‘short list’ in life? How do you want people to remember you? What are you doing differently as a result? (if anything)

Tasks: Call or send a card (or if appropriate, show up!) to comfort those who are struggling right now. This could include grief, loss, physical health, mental health, or other COVID related issues. Be the hands and feet of Jesus!

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

Finding Grace #228

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 fun and full! Work went well and I enjoyed seeing more Veterans face to face. Lydia practiced cooking at her daycare, and she even came home and made dinner for me one night! She made ‘lasagna cups’ using wonton wrappers in a muffin tin!

On Wednesday, I finished my final exam for my online cooking class! It was a fun class and I enjoyed brushing up my skills on plant-based dishes. I am sure we will continue making them as time goes on. Even just adding more vegetables every day can go a long way to bringing health!

Yesterday, I felt worn down and claimed a rest day. I did some chores and activities, but mostly relaxed. Lydia and I played some games and I worked on a few small projects. We listened to music, prepared some food, called a friend, and watched a movie. It was just what I needed!

Today, another friend called and we had a great conversation, mostly about listening to God and watching our words in this trying time. I encouraged her that God has us covered and we praised Him together! Then, I did some more chores, and later, mowed my lawn while Lydia played with the neighbors. I went over to say hello after I was done. Tonight, we are taking it easy and making some recipes together!

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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, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #227

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 flew by! Lydia and I participated in our usual activities, such as work and daycare. Behind the scenes, though, we kept busy at home on various projects.

I have some upcoming deadlines for my online plant-based cooking class, so I had several recipes and lessons to finish. I ran to three different stores for various ingredients; the recipes were specific. Then, I spent many evenings watching movies or listening to podcasts while chopping up vegetables and washing dishes! I also had to document each recipe process with pictures and a writeup. It is worth it though!

On Friday morning, I took Lydia with me to get my driver’s license renewed and Real ID. I had made my appointment in advance, but I wasn’t sure how they would handle bringing a child (even though Lydia is well-behaved). Sure enough, they said only I could go in per pandemic requirements. But to my surprise, the lady had a creative solution! She let me fill out the paperwork outside while I stood with Lydia. When it was time to go inside to take my new picture and check my eyes, they let me use the station next to the window so I could see Lydia and one of the workers with her. God’s grace was apparent in the way the workers cheerfully helped everyone else, too, while they are trying to get everyone caught up from the last three months! Thank you!

Yesterday afternoon, Lydia was invited to swim with a friend and then sleep overnight at her house. I decided not to join them for swimming, choosing instead to focus on my cooking class assignments. I stayed up really late so I could finish a couple of the recipes and clean up. I was thankful for the space and peace to get my work done. It really helped, and I made significant progress!

With Lydia still at her friend’s this morning, I squeezed in a ten-plus mile bike ride along the river. It has been on my bucket list for awhile, but I decided to take advantage of the timing today. It was the first time I’d gone on an early morning ride since last summer when Lydia had a sleepover with the same family. And, it was my first real downtime since February (apart from Lydia with no parenting responsibilities). Self-care is so important, and I felt and extra dose of God’s grace. Thanks again to our friends for the break!

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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, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Travel

Finding Grace #226

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?

Happy Fourth of July! Lydia and I usually keep this holiday simple, but we are grateful for our American freedom and the heavy price that was paid for it. (I see this often, working at the VA, too.) Typically, we watch our neighborhood fireworks and hang out with friends. Tonight, we are also watching Hamilton on Disney Plus!

On Sunday, Lydia and I went to the local zoo. It was free for healthcare workers, so that was a nice bonus. The weather was warm and windy, but it was fun to walk around. We enjoyed seeing the otters, the prairie dogs, the goats, and the dairy cow, among others. We loved feeding the baby ducks! We social distanced and wore masks, too!

Lydia had a particularly great week at daycare. On Monday, she participated in a ‘Reader’s Theater’ that was based on a bunch of popular video games. On Tuesday, there was a fun water day planned, followed by a birthday celebration on Wednesday! I am grateful she’s having an awesome summer!

Yesterday, Lydia and I joined some friends for strawberry picking in Park Rapids, MN! It was hot in the sun, though we went in the morning. Lydia and I picked a full flat (see picture) of berries. So far, we have made some quick jam, smoothies, and frozen some for later. Yum!

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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 Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Full of Surprises

A few weeks ago, Lydia’s daycare informed us about a special surprise scheduled for yesterday. We learned she was to bring her swimsuit and towel, so naturally, Lydia packed her bag right away. Yes, she was lugging these items back and forth every day in anticipation!!

Then, yesterday morning we woke up earlier than usual to get ready. Lydia didn’t want to miss any of the fun. She wanted to arrive with enough time to “prepare.” 🙂

As we ate breakfast, I looked outside and noticed it was overcast. I didn’t say anything to Lydia, but I quietly checked the forecast. Thankfully, it was just cloudy, with no rain.

Personally, I was relieved knowing the clouds would hide some of the sun’s heat. It was supposed to be near 100 degrees originally, so I was happy with the mid-80s!

I mentioned to Lydia that her plans would probably be just fine weather-wise. At the same time, I thought about how many times we worry about our plans not working out.

Often, we see clouds and assume all is lost! Woe is us, it might rain!

So what if we occasionally get wet?

Sometimes, clouds are an answer to prayer. God’s protection and provision.

On the way to daycare, I prepped Lydia so she could manage her expectations. She was hoping to go swimming. But, I didn’t want her to be disappointed if they didn’t go to the pool. She decided to embrace the surprise no matter what it was.

I dropped Lydia off thirty-five minutes earlier than normal and about fifteen minutes before her surprise was to start. As such, I was able to enjoy a thirty minute walk along the river before work! I hadn’t planned that, so it was nice surprise!

As I walked, I saw plenty of people walking, running, biking, and roller skiing! I saw a few dogs and  covered ground I hadn’t seen before. After about fifteen minutes, I had to turn around and walk back to my car. I kept wanting to see what was around the next bend! However, I decided to return another day so I could explore more. 

By this time, the sun was peeking out. It was already humid and I worked up a good sweat. I should have brought an extra shirt! Nonetheless, it felt great to get some outside exercise before work. I eventually cooled down once I arrived at my office. 🙂

When I picked her up in the afternoon, Lydia told me about her day. The surprise included various stations with exciting water activities. There were water balloons, a dunk tank, and a foam bubble machine. An ice cream truck even stopped by with treats for all the kids! Lydia had so much fun and was glad she kept an open mind!

You know, God is always full of surprises! He fills our lives with good things. When uncertainty comes, we don’t have to “figure it out” or second-guess His love. Instead, peace and joy come when we let God take care of us. Nothing is impossible!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for filling our lives with goodness. Help us walk in Your love as we live by faith. Help us spread your peace and joy everywhere we go! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Has God surprised you lately? Is there something you can do to surprise or bless someone else?

Tasks: Keep your eyes open for all the ways God showers His love on you today. Live with expectation of His goodness. You might just be surprised!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Wisdom

Wiggle It Out

When I was a kid and had a loose tooth, I wiggled it like crazy until it came out. It was a fun challenge and felt like a rite of passage. For Lydia, not so much.

By now, she has lost a number of teeth and should be used to it. But, whenever she has a loose tooth, she gets upset about the impending loss. She feels lightheaded and is worried about the potential pain. Like her dad, she doesn’t like the sight of blood.

So, this last weekend, it all came to a head when Lydia had yet another loose tooth. I convinced her it would come out faster, and cause less pain overall, if she wiggled it.

Well, of course, Lydia grew a little woozy and wanted to stop. I offered to help and/or pull it out and she waffled. I didn’t want to pressure her, so I let it go.

Eventually, after more encouragement, Lydia let me have a turn. Thankfully, it was mostly ready and came out with a little effort. She ran to look at her mouth in the bathroom mirror. She bravely overlooked the small amount of blood.

Soon, Lydia came back to me with a huge smile on her face. She was relieved. With a sigh, Lydia said, “Wow. I feel like a load is off my shoulders!”

A little while later, she came over again and said, “Mom! My new tooth is already poking through. Gosh…. That was fast!”

The new adult tooth was just waiting on the baby tooth to leave!

That night, Lydia and I talked about how her sense relief was far better than her fear. She had been worried but realized she didn’t need to be…

Baby teeth have purpose for a time, before giving way to adult teeth. Losing them is totally normal and natural. Similarly, God’s plan for us also is perfect and purposeful. It doesn’t need to be scary or odd!

Interestingly, on Monday, Lydia was excited to watch me get my teeth cleaned at the dentist! Going to the dentist is kind of uncomfortable, but of course important.

As we drove to daycare and work after the dentist, we talked about teeth and also how fear plays out in other areas of life.

Often, we stop short of what God is calling us to do because we are afraid. We may fear missing out or what is required. We may want to play it safe and stay comfortable.

Still, we cannot have Victory when we give in to fear and doubts. Instead, when we have questions, we can take them to Jesus. In His presence, our worries fade and we grow stronger in faith.

When we let Jesus write our stories, He brings a better outcome than we could have imagined. It may look different than expected, but He always gives us something good.

Sometimes transitions are tough. They might make us wiggle and squirm! But change and growth are always worth it. We don’t have to be afraid.

God is trustworthy and faithful. He has a special purpose for each of us and will never let us down! Now that’s something to smile about!

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Heavenly Father, thanks that Your burden is easy and Your yoke is light. Thanks for doing the most difficult work on our behalf. Help us trust You more and follow Your lead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is something that you need to let go? Do you need to change your mindset or adopt a better attitude? What about changing your schedule or trying something new?

Tasks: Don’t be afraid of change. Let go of anything that is holding you back. God’s grace is more than enough.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #224

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 relatively calm week. Lydia and I enjoyed our family Zoom video chat and loved ‘meeting’ my new nephew, Alexander David. He’s so cute! 

During this pandemic, I signed up to take some free online classes on various topics. This week, I finished a couple of them. I learned a lot about photography and a couple of phone apps. I still need to finish my (paid) online cooking class though!

Yesterday, I noticed some great messages left in my little free library. I also mowed the lawn. It wasn’t very long, but I knew I would be crunched for time (or weather) later. Plus, it was a beautiful day! Lydia went to play with our neighbors and jumped on their trampoline. That was a huge help to me!

Today, we have really enjoyed relaxing. Lydia and I slept in, made pancakes, exercised, and made a few calls. I worked on a couple projects and did some laundry. Then, we played some games and watched Netflix. 🙂 I’m grateful for a slower day without a full agenda!

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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, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Victory in Volunteering

Raise your hand if you like to volunteer! It has been said many hands make light work.

Recently, Lydia and I had a couple of opportunities to serve our local communities. While it is always my goal to set a good example for Lydia, I also hope she can feel more connected to Dave this way. He loved to serve others and was always so good at it!

Last week, I helped a friend deliver Meals on Wheels. Several of my patients over the years have received meals through this program, and I wanted to see more of it behind the scenes.

On Friday, we drove to our friends’ house in a nearby community. Leading up to this, Lydia had been excited to help. That is, until she realized we were “just” delivering the meals to everyone’s door. She mistakenly thought we were going to make the meals, and she was eager to cook and put them all together.

Sensing a teachable moment, we started talking about serving others and volunteering. I mentioned how I didn’t really know what to expect, since I hadn’t done it before, but that we would just show up and do whatever was needed. When we are volunteering, we really don’t get to call the shots!

Lydia thought about this and we role-played how it would feel for someone to “volunteer,” yet tell everyone exactly how they were going to “help.” We talked about how that could make some people feel, to be told what to do when they didn’t ask for any input.

In the end, there was not much room for the food and Lydia and her little friend, so they stayed to play while the other mom and I went into town.

As a side note, later, I did explain how sometimes partnerships occur when one party offers services or something specific to the other party, and together, they agree on how to best use the resources. That kind of helping is a little different than straight-up volunteering, though!

Then, on Saturday, Lydia and I volunteered with a program at our church. The goal was to distribute huge boxes of fruits and vegetables FREE to anyone who stopped by. No strings attached.

Once again, Lydia was so excited to help! She wondered if we would be working hands-on with the food. Of course, I worked to managed her expectations for this event, too.

We ended up inside, helping check people in and out. Even though we had a small part, I explained that each job is important. If we didn’t do our part, it might prevent someone else from doing theirs. She was so proud to help!

We had a lot of fun and even met some new faces. We look forward to the next opportunity to serve at church in a couple weeks!

This week, Lydia and I have continued to talk about what it means to serve. For example, I asked her what would make a good volunteer.

We brainstormed ideas and came up with these: Show up on time and be ready to work. Be willing to do whatever is asked of you. It’s okay to be out of your comfort zone. Have a good attitude and don’t complain. Always give your best to God. Don’t be showy or expect a reward for helping, but be grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.

Honestly, I used to second-guess my ability to help others. My skills didn’t always match up with what I thought was needed. But, I have realized (usually) just doing something is better than doing nothing. There is room to grow, but no time to waste.

For me, this is Victory: To stretch myself on behalf of someone else. To let God use me in new ways. To keep showing up without getting credit or always seeing the final outcome. Perhaps, by serving others, I can even help someone else find freedom, too!

There are many ways to love and serve others, even if it looks different than you expected. Really, you can be kind and generous any day of the week, even if it is not at an official event. Smile. Carry groceries. Bake a pie. Show up. Speak out. Hold the door. Create space for others, too. Either way, it is important for us to “do,” not just talk about what to do!

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God, thanks for giving us the heart and capacity to serve. Help us have right motives and glorify You in all we do. Help us be difference makers and draw people to You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you volunteer regularly? Where do you like to serve? Are there any challenges around you that could be remedied with a little help?

Tasks: Next time an opportunity to help someone presents itself, jump on it! Don’t be afraid or overthink it. Just do something! Be wise with your resources and pray how to best use them. Don’t be foolish or selfish; let God work through you to love others!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding #219

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 fantastic week! Mother’s Day was really fun. Lydia gave me some great gifts, with my mom’s help. She even threw me a beach party (with decorations) in the living room. Later, we Zoomed with my family again. I’m really enjoying our weekly chat!

Work was busy, but really good. All my patients listened to me and were making progress on their goals, which is always fun to see. It was gratifying to know I am helping them!

Friday was the seventh anniversary of Dave’s death. I prefer to celebrate his legacy and that he is in Heaven rather than give cancer and death any more press. It also helps remind me that, because of Jesus, death is not the final word. We have Victory over death!

The weather on Friday was absolutely gorgeous. Lydia and I went walking along the river, listened to birds sing, and found a little free library. We enjoyed Caribou drinks and some chocolate truffles from my sister and brother-in-law. I always give Lydia a gift in Dave’s honor, so yesterday she received some STEM toys (dealing with various topics like, gravity, electric circuits, and lasers). Then, my neighbor/friend came over to chat. We talked for hours and it was so great to catch up! I appreciated all the calls, texts, phone calls, and gifts from friends and family. Thanks so 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)!