Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Sayonara to September…and Grace and Truth Link Up

by 30 Comments

I can’t believe we are about to wrap up another month.  It passed quickly…you know, for as slow as 2020 continues to be.

 

I want to start by thanking those of you who prayed for my husband’s job search.  Chuck landed internally with his company right before Labor Day in a Human Resources role.  He is officially called the “People Operations Lead” and I have believed for years that this position suits him perfectly.  Encouraging, listening and developing others  comes naturally for him; and I can’t wait to see how God uses him to bless others.

 

Since yall are obviously so good at prayer, let me add something else to your list.  The dry needling and physical therapy I told you about here only worsened the discomfort in my heels, so I am seeing a new doc and trying a new treatment or two.  Allie is continuing PT for her ankle to improve range of motion since her break and surgeries.

 

We entered a “new normal” as our girls went back to in-person learning.  First, our family paid a visit to my parents and PawPaw (who I wrote about here last week) over Labor Day weekend.  School is definitely different with masks and social distancing and procedures for contact tracing.  The youngest is tackling three Advanced Placement classes so the challenges take many forms.  We give thanks for it all, though.  Most of the time.  But we thank our teachers and administrators all of the time.  Their tireless work make this kooky year possible.

 

Access-Life, a Christian organization bridging the gap for individuals and families living with disabilities, brought their expo to Lake Grapevine on the 12th.  We enjoyed boating, kayaking, arts and crafts and a food truck on a beautiful morning.  So thankful for the opportunity to share some fun in the sun with Shelby.

 

In the middle of the month we went down to the Texas Hill Country to see my husband’s family and “bee” (that was the theme) present for my niece’s 1st birthday party.  We enjoyed visiting and drinking in the cuteness.

 

In more stationary pursuits (stolen shamelessly from the Popcast), I read Where Does a Mother Go to Resign? by Barbara Johnson.  Written in 1979, the text is a little dated, but still full of wisdom on parenting when things turn sour.  I think she even convinced me to maintain my maternal post.  I listened to an enlightening episode of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast (#314) featuring Rachel Gilson.  I watched the movie Greyhound with Tom Hanks on Apple Plus, The Kissing Booth 2 (I know it’s a teen movie but there are so few romantic comedies now) with my daughter and my sister on her Netflix, and started the series The Durrells in Corfu on Amazon Prime.  I recommend all – except maybe The Kissing Booth.  

 

Speaking of romantic comedies, the hubs and I ventured out to an actual theater for a movie date.  Twice.  Haven’t done that since Covid lockdown, but we felt completely safe.  The first show, The Personal History of David Copperfield, gave the classic story a fresh multi-ethnic twist.  The Hamilton influence is all over it, and I love.  Chuck, not so much.  We both gave thumbs up to The Broken Hearts Gallery, which offered a unique premise and funny script.  And there were never more than four other people in the theater with us.  That’s what I call social distancing!

 

Last, and maybe least, I turn another year older today.  As does my twin.  Happy birthday, sis!  I’ll sign off by saying, “I love you, I thank you, and I pray October treats you well!”

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

Who Would I Be…Without Jesus? left me worshipping my Savior this week.  It’s a question I’ve never even thought about, and one – thanks to His lavish grace – that I will never have to find the answer to.  Visit Maryleigh at bluecottonmemory.com to find her conclusions.  And here’s a button for your blog, Maryleigh.

 

 

Grace and Truth_Rules

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

 

Grace Truth_Button

 

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

 

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

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Comments

  1. Jed Jurchenko says

    A huge congrats to your husband on the new job! And we are right there with you in that new normal for learning. I’ve got all five kiddos home with me as I type this. It’s definitely an adventure!

    I’m wishing you and your family and amazing week. And thanks for hosting!

    Reply

  4. Laurie says

    Happy birthday, Lauren. I never realised you are a twin. So cool!!! Good luck to your girls with in-person learning this fall. I’m sure their teachers appreciate you showing your appreciation. 🙂

    Reply

  7. Lisa notes says

    Hope you and your twin had a wonderful birthday, Lauren! Praying for you now that the doctors will find a better path to healing for you. That can be so discouraging. I’m about to leave in 30 minutes to visit a doctor with my husband for a nagging shoulder injury he has.

    You’re sweet to thank the teachers often for their work in this crazy year. As the mother of a teacher, I know how taxing it is for my daughter to feel the extra burden not only of teaching all the material, but also keeping the kids as safe as possible from each other and the virus. 🙁

    Reply

  8. Anita Ojeda says

    Aww! Happy Birthday! I’m glad you’ve been able to return to a semblance of normal this month :). It’s hard to believe that this incredibly slow year has spurts of fast-moving periods woven through it!

    Reply

  9. Bethany says

    It is lovely to see people grabbing onto things that seem normal again. We’ve been back at church in real life (with masks in various capacities) and for us it’s been the best way to start feeling normal again. We missed a lot of togetherness with family and friends this summer though. (My hubby also lost his job and just started another as well.) So we’re feeling cautiously optimistic around here but still hoping to see far away friends and family around the holidays.

    Reply

  12. Horace Williams Jr says

    Thanks for stopping by my site with your words of encouragement, Lauren. I just went to in-person church for the first time since December. (I nearly broke my right wrist right before Christmas.) Anyway, I got excited when you said Lake Grapevine. I live in the DFW Metroplex myself! I moved here in 1993. Then moved to the Arlington/GP area to be near my sister and our mother. It is nice to “meet” you. Have a fantastic week and God bless.

    Reply

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