Tag: summer

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

Finding Grace #381

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 very relaxing week filled with family on vacation! On Sunday, Fathers Day, we hung out with my dad and mom plus Dave’s family at the beach in Florida. It was a perfect day.

Then, on Monday, I tried surfing for the first time. I’m really proud of myself and felt strong and confident. Sometimes, we need to push out of our comfort zone and try something new. I am so glad I did, and I can’t wait to go again!

We flew back later Tuesday and spent the next day resting. Both of us weren’t feeling well, so I am glad I took Wednesday off from work ahead of time. Lydia did manage to go to volleyball practice, but then she skipped youth group and was in bed by 7:30 p.m.

On Thursday, I went to work a little late to make sure Lydia was okay. I wasn’t quite 100% either, but I pulled through. I knew I had a busy day covering for someone else who had been on vacation, too. Lydia just rested all day, which is the best thing she could have done.

By Friday, we were both healthy again. Lydia said the best part of her day was that she felt well. I stayed later at work to finish up some patient care and came home to do a few little tasks.

This week, I tore down a barnswallow nest earlier in the week (after confirming there were no eggs). They had already made a big mess, and I didn’t want them sitting right on my front door. I set out a little plastic owl figure on the step and haven’t seen them since. I hope they find another place to roost, though. They sure are pretty!

Today, we mostly relaxed! Usually, we jump right back into our routine, so it’s been nice to have a slower pace. It rained on and off all day, thus we enjoyed reading and having some quiet time together. I need to mow, but the grass is wet. I’ll take it as a confirmation just to rest!

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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, Travel

Family Time in Florida

This past week, Lydia and I enjoyed a great vacation in Florida! We visited my parents in Jacksonville for a couple of days and then stayed in condos with Dave’s family in St. Augustine Beach.

We were in Florida from Wednesday through Tuesday. Originally, we planned it around the Juneteenth holiday, and later I realized it was also Father’s Day weekend. What a blessing!

We stayed at a nice hotel in Jax with an amazing view. We also tried some local restaurants with my parents. On Thursday, my dad and I took a walk along the St. Johns River. We walked under five of the city’s seven bridges in about seventy-five minutes. I even found public exercise equipment outside under a bridge with cow murals… kettlebells, medicine balls, battle ropes, weights, etc. I had to try them all out!

Then, we hung out at the hotel during a big storm. Before it rolled in, we visited the nineteenth-floor skydeck, which boasted a rooftop pool and exercise room. Later, we enjoyed watching the dark clouds, torrential rain, and lightning strikes from our tenth-floor room. I’m glad we were safe, and I can only imagine how it looks during a hurricane!!

On Friday, we drove to our condos. We see Dave’s mom often but have not seen his brother, Kevin, much lately. We also saw Dave’s sister, Brooke, her husband, Dale, and their family for the first time in nine years. We’d wanted to see them sooner, but they live in a different part of the state than my parents. So we typically can’t see everyone on one trip. Plus, the pandemic didn’t help!

I had so much fun getting to know my four nephews and two nieces again! The kids were as sweet and easygoing as ever. Lydia was really excited to get to know her cousins since she was only two-and-a-half when we last saw them. We periodically video chat, but it’s not the same. Within minutes we set up a family group chat for texting pictures, jokes, and pertinent information. Technology at its finest!

We were right on the beach, so there was easy access for our daily jaunts to the ocean. We swam, made resorts for little fish, played spike ball, and also played with a giant beach ball. We also played card games, played BeanBoozled (the jelly bean game!), and told jokes.

One morning we had homemade lemon-blueberry scones and watched a slideshow of memories as we celebrated my mother-in-law’s recent June birthday. We reminisced about Dave a little, too.

Then, my parents joined us at the beach on Father’s Day. They are well-versed in Florida life now and fit right in. Actually, our families have always mixed well, so in some ways, it was just like old times. Dale and Dad caught up, and my nephews chimed in about the waves, current, and weather conditions.

On Juneteenth, I got to try surfing the Atlantic! One of the girls and Dale gave me some tips on land. Then, Brooke guided me on the water. We paddled out together and had a good conversation in between the waves. She was full of encouragement, mentioning she started two years ago when she was forty, so I am a perfect age to try something new!

We had a blast, and I stayed out for an hour and a half. I was able to catch a few waves body boarding and on my knees. I tried to stand but fell off, as expected. But I’m proud of how I did and even got compliments on my strength and perseverance!

Yesterday, we packed up for our two flights back to Fargo. We were able to spend a few wonderful hours with my mom again before heading to the airport. (Dad was at work.)

Our flights (four total) were uneventful, an answer to prayer. Our entire trip went well, despite some seasonal rain. Thankfully, we made the best of it, and in most cases, the weather shifted very quickly for the better.

In short, this trip felt like a celebration but also a renewal of family relationships. It was just the reset and salve I needed. I look forward to reaching out to everyone with a little more regularity and hopefully seeing them a little more often!

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God, thanks so much for blessing our trip and keeping us safe. Thanks for the gift of family. Help us continue to grow together in grace and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What’s your favorite family vacation? What makes it stand out to you?

Task: Reach out to family (and even friends) regularly. Try once a week or at least a couple of times a month! Make sure to tell others how much you love them!

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Wisdom

Dandelions and Thistles

I have really enjoyed taking care of my yard this summer. It’s nice to be outside and physically active! I’d love to get some flowers and do more landscaping, but I don’t have that much time and energy! I could hire someone, but that gets expensive, especially when I don’t really have a plan in mind.

Besides, I have an ongoing problem.

Lots of hot sun + not a lot of water = dead patches.

I have a little green grass, a fair amount of dry thatch, and a variety of weeds. It’s all a little defeating sometimes because the thatch and weeds are so prevalent.

I actually don’t mind some weeds; right now, they are the greenest, prettiest portion of my yard! I do try to pull the thistle weeds because they hurt, but the occasional dandelion or creeping whatever-it-is-called doesn’t bother me.

Technically, dandelions are good and, perhaps, cheerful, though they may be unwanted. They are even edible, though I don’t think I’ve ever tried them. In other news, I am seriously thinking about planting micro clover! It is bee-friendly, hearty, and low maintenance. It might conserve the soil, too.

Free Dandelion Flower Dandelion Egret photo and picture

As I was pulling weeds recently, I was able to pray and contemplate. During these precious moments, I was reminded of weeds in the Bible.

In Matthew 13, Jesus taught several parables to explain spiritual issues. He used a lot of agrarian principles, such as sowing, reaping, and weeding.

In the first parable, Jesus talked about a sower who threw seeds onto the ground. They landed on 1) the path and were eaten by birds; 2) rocky ground without much soil, which caused the roots to scorch in the heat; 3) a patch with many weeds, where the seeds were choked out; and 4) good soil, which produced an abundant harvest many times over.

It seems the environment and soil has a lot to do with how well the seeds did. There are lots of other insights if I had more time to get into this. But, I’ll keep it simple today and point you to verses 18-23 linked above. Basically, we need to guard the seed, which is God’s Word, dig deeper, and remove distractions.

Later, in another example, Jesus said to leave the proverbial weeds because removing them would ruin the rest of the crop. He promised to take care of them once the Harvest is at hand.  Soon… come Lord Jesus, come!

Free Wildflower Meadow Flower photo and picture

What are the spiritual weeds in our lives? These could represent the concepts of good and evil, which still coexist in the world. But, personally, I’m considering distraction, social media, laziness, disobedience, fear, and more. They choke, entangle, and sap our strength. They hinder growth and may prevent maturity. They keep us from living a full life!

I suppose a lot of my problems would be solved if I would consistently water the grass that’s left. Perhaps it would even sprout in some new areas with some grass seed. Though, I am a little conflicted. Water is a precious resource and the vanity of the short growing season.

So, for now, I will just get the weeds I can and do my best. Unfortunately, they just spread continually. Perhaps more importantly, I’ll diligently remove spiritual weeds, as they also spread quickly. And perhaps I can keep researching that micro clover!

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God, thanks for being such a good Father. Thanks for tending to us and providing for us. Help us remove spiritual weeds from our lives. Give us wisdom as we grow and see You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you enjoy yard work? Do you like vegetable or flower gardening? What spiritual weeds are you enabling in your life?

Task: Read Matthew 13 and meditate on it. Pray about any spiritual weeds in your life. You will need God’s strength and power to remove them for good!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #379

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 Bird Barn Swallow photo and picture

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

This week went by quickly! I stayed home from work on Monday because Lydia was not feeling well. The heat over the weekend got to her, so we focused more on self-care and rehydrating. Thankfully, she felt better by the end of the day!

Work went well, and I kept busy with charting and patient care. I had some friendly patients but also helped my coworkers and read up on various nutrition topics.

After work yesterday, I ran some errands. Then, I came home to find a pair of barn swallows building a nest on my front door. This happened a few years ago, but I hung up a little dangly, twirly thing which seemed to help. This time, the birds were swinging on in and giving me a piece of their mind! They are pretty but feisty! So, I sat outside for a few hours in front of the door to shoo away the birds. I read a book and watered the grass, as well!

Later, I asked for input online and got some good tips to discourage the birds. For now, I put up some pinwheels until I decide which of the tips to implement. So far, so good!

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

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

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

Finding Grace #378

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 great week with so many things to be grateful for! First off, Lydia was baptized at church on Sunday! She has been following Jesus personally for years, and we have been discussing baptism for a while. But, the timing just worked out best on Sunday. It was even more special that it was also Pentecost!

Monday was Memorial Day, so I was off from work. We took one of Lydia’s friends to ‘The Little Mermaid’ in theaters. The music, the actors, the graphics… It was all so good, and I highly recommend it!

On Wednesday, Lydia attended youth group again, and she had so much fun. She was a little nervous but wanted to go in by herself (leaving me in the car, which is always a good sign!). It is great to have others building into her life and reinforcing lessons we discuss at home. I’m grateful for other godly examples for her to follow!

On Thursday, we had dentist appointments. Everything went well! I always have to laugh at all the conversations the staff likes to have with you when you can’t say much. 🙂 One good thing is that I learned our dentist goes to the same church as us. I will have to look for his family tomorrow morning. Small world!

The healing garden at work is starting to bloom. Day by day, flowers are opening up and blooming full force. Notice the bright pink peonies are at it again!

Yesterday, I ran some errands after work. I went to Costco for some routine items and just happened to find a large wind chime. I love my smaller one from my family, in memory of Dave. I placed the new chime next to the little one, and the deeper noise brought a beautiful balance. This morning, I enjoyed my coffee on the sunny deck before the heat set in. It was so relaxing hearing the chimes in the breeze! Every “song” is always new and unique. I could’ve listened to that music all day!

It’s been hot this week, so I mowed the lawn last night when it cooled off a bit. Then today, I bought some new tools to help me weed more efficiently. It helps my back to have extended tools that do the job! I also did the trimming and deadheaded some plants. It feels good to get my yard in order! 

Otherwise, today was pretty normal. I was on-call but didn’t have to go in to work. Lydia had a birthday party in the afternoon, which gave me a little free time. I caught up around the house, but tonight, we are just relaxing!

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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 #377

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 an exciting week! We watched our friend’s baby on Sunday and had fun “showing her off” on Zoom to our family (they know her mom). She was crying a bit but every time I stepped out on the deck, she grew calm. It was funny! And, my friend brought us ice cream and some patriotic flowers (above) as a thank you!

On Tuesday, I took part of the morning off to go to Lydia’s school. She earned an academic award and a certificate of achievement for her elementary years. I am proud of all her hard work. Also, it was fun to cheer on all the kids, some of whom are our neighbors!

On Wednesday, Lydia attended youth group at church for the first time. Now that she’s going into middle school, she is eligible to go. This is something Lydia’s been looking forward to for some time, but she was still a little nervous. Thankfully, she saw a few people she knew, and one person she met last week remembered her and called her over when she arrived. It was a blessing, and Lydia was really glad she went!

Thursday was Lydia’s last day of elementary school. She will miss seeing all her friends, but she will still go to the Y for a couple of days each week (at the school). So, it will be a smooth transition into middle school next fall. We ‘celebrated’ by mowing the lawn that night, lol!

Work was busy but manageable. I taught three classes on Wednesday, saw several back-to-back patients the rest of the week, covered a coworker while she was on vacation, and got ahead for next week. But, it went well and I enjoyed it!

The weather was hot and sunny this week! The wind made it really nice, and I took the scenic route due to some road construction.

Today, we helped out with a high school graduation party. We stayed for about six hours! Lydia played with her friends, and I met new friends and caught up with dear friends and served in the kitchen. We chopped up cooked chicken, refilled various entrees and sides, washed a ton of dishes, etc. Lydia said she heard us laughing as they walked through. It was good for my soul!

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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, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

Sensing God’s Presence

The heat is already setting in here in Fargo, so it seems Summer will soon be upon us! At the same time, that means Construction season is also here, so all the orange cones, neon clothing, and flashing lights are in view.

Really, I don’t mind, except when I have a detour that gets me lost or makes me late! But, sometimes, I just find a new way to get somewhere or enjoy a scenic route I would have otherwise missed. Either way, Spring and Summer help me be in tune with all my senses, which in turn, point me to God.

On my walks in to work from the parking lot, I hear motorcycles and other traffic, lawnmowers, birds chirping, etc. I am grateful for my hearing because I serve many Veterans who have lost some or all of their hearing.

I love seeing all the beautiful trees: red/pink crab apple, dogwood, and who knows the rest! I have also enjoyed the multicolored tulips,  green grass, blue sky, and yellow sun!

Free Flowers Petals photo and picture

We have also enjoyed tasting fresh veggies, salads, and fruit. Especially blueberries, watermelon, pineapple, or maybe even a fruit popsicle. Oh, I do love s’mores as well!

That reminds me of the smells associated with campfires and grilling. Also, I have had people give me fresh flowers two weeks in a row. Thanks to my family and the friend who gave them to me!

We mowed the lawn last week and felt some of the grass tickling the back of our legs (yes, it grew faster than I expected!). And, on Sunday, I spent time on the deck barefoot!

There are two other senses that often get overlooked. These are vestibular and proprioception. These are related to the sense of touch and involve movement and balance. For this example, Lydia and I have had fun playing outdoor games, riding bikes, and going for walks.

That makes me curious… how do you experience God in your day-to-day life? Where do you sense Him at work? Do you hear His voice… and listen? Do you see His hand moving in your circumstances, working everything for your good? Do you feel His love personally or through others? Do you taste the goodness and joy around you? Do you catch a whiff of His grace? You can use your imagination a little here, but it’s worth some serious thought!

Each of us may sense God differently, as He made us all unique, but His Truth stands firm. While seasons come and go, God never changes! He is our solid Rock, and according to Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” He is with us and for us always. May we find joy in the beauty around us, and may it lead us to Jesus!

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God, thanks for designing me to yearn for You. Draw me near and speak to me in ways I can understand. Don’t let me miss what You are doing in my life. Let me join you and help serve others! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your responses to the questions above? How can you seek the Lord today?

Tasks: Watch this 3-minute video about the colors of creation. It goes through how our eyes perceive colors and how that changes throughout the day. God is an amazing Creator!!

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

Finding #376

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. We had a mini staycation, which included a quiet Mother’s Day on Sunday. We hiked, relaxed, and played a little soccer game with the neighbor boys…perfect! I am so grateful to be Lydia’s mom, but it’s also a little bittersweet since it reminds me of being a single parent since the anniversary of Dave’s death occurs around the same time.

On Monday, I took the day off from work and enjoyed celebrating Dave’s life with Lydia. We tried to make the best of it, though we’ve been missing him for ten years now.

The weather was really nice this week! I loved seeing all the flowery trees! Lydia helped me mow about half the yard on Wednesday, so that helped save me a lot of time! I did the trim work and then finished the lawn. Then today, we enjoyed going for a walk all around the neighborhood and later played ball 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, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #338

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 full of God’s refreshing grace. The weather was good, some days sunny and some days cloudy and cool. We even saw some foggy, rainy days. Fall is just around the corner in the Northern Plains!

At work, I will be sitting downstairs in the walk-in nutrition office, covering for my friend on maternity leave. It was so sweet having several Veterans ask if my coworker had her baby. These men were all over-the-moon to hear she had a precious baby boy! Having grown men –tough soldiers in their past lives– gush about a little baby was heartwarming. Sitting downstairs means I am also available to mentor a newer dietitian, also Natalie, who is still learning her new role. It was fairly busy, but it was also fun. 

This week, I woke up extra early to work out before my day started. I joined some friends online for a month-long accountability challenge. I did various things but met the daily goal of thirty minutes at a time. (Recently, I have been breaking it up throughout the day or staying up really late to squeeze it in… and sacrificing sleep.) Anyway, overall that meant I had to prioritize my evening schedule and chores in order to go to bed earlier. We’ll see if that kicks off other healthy habits. So far, so good!

On Thursday, Lydia started 5th grade, and it was fun to meet some new neighbors at the morning bus stop. Lydia’s teacher seems friendly, and it was encouraging to hear she has similar education philosophies to Lydia’s teacher last year, where she thrived. Here’s to her final year of elementary school!

Today, we cleaned around the house, and then Lydia played with friends while I met another friend for coffee and catching up. It was just what I needed. We lost track of time and talked for nearly three hours! We prayed together before we left. I really appreciate godly friends!

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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

Finding Grace #337

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 as we eased back into normal life!! On Sunday, we were in Glacier National Park in Montana. We flew home on Monday after celebrating my fortieth birthday with friends. It was a fun and memorable trip, and I am so happy we went!

I returned home to a ‘Happy Birthday’ yard sign, a few cards, and some gifts in the mail. I have some thank you notes to write, but I am very appreciative! It feels good when people think of me. 🙂

On Tuesday, we went back to work and the Y! It felt good to jump in, and I felt refreshed. It was perfect timing because we had ‘The Joint Commission’ walk in to do their routine survey! They come about every three years, and we received a really good report!

On Friday, Lydia and I went shopping after my half-day at work for some school clothes. We only went to one store because the checkout line was so long. Later, we had one of her friends over. We ate tacos and sampled some ‘Crumbl Cookies’ that the friend’s mom brought over. Yummy!

Today, we slept in, made a few calls, mowed the lawn, and prepared for school, which starts next Thursday. In the process of going through winter gear, we cleaned out the coat closet! Now, we have some donations to make. It’s sad when Lydia grows out of items, but it’s also fun to buy new 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)!