I guess no one has to guess why I chose this title for a month-ending wrap up when that month is January 2021. Or the 13th month of 2020 as some call it. In case you don’t have a TV, computer or other news source, an angry mob stormed the United States Capitol on January 6. This punctuated what has been a maddeningly contentious election season. The riot led to the evacuation and lockdown of the Capitol, and five deaths.
We swore in the 46th president of our nation with a subdued but widely watched inauguration celebration on January 20. We also welcomed the first black and asian female vice president in our history. After watching it all, I vote for Amanda Gorman – the youngest inaugural poet ever – for president someday. And from our homes we wait with bated breath for our chance at a Covid-19 vaccine while numbers of cases skyrocket. I heard today that the virus has now touched every…single… county in the US.
Personally, my husband and I held down the fort as we exchanged one weird year for another. We did manage to get away for the first time in at least a year to celebrate our 22nd anniversary. I could really get all mushy here about Chuck and our time together, but I won’t. I’ll just say that I feel sorry for all of you because you don’t get to be married to him.
We flew to Atlanta, feeling comfortable with our antibodies to once again fly on a plane. Once settled in our hotel, we got massages and took ourselves to see the new Tom Hanks film News of the World. I highly recommend it even though this was the most crowded theater we have been to since Covid turned us upside down. There were another 6 whole people there. The employees looks so bored that I wish we had needed their help with sometime besides our one popcorn tub and 2 drinks.
The next day my best friend and her husband drove over to spend the day with us. We went to Marietta Diner, which appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, for lunch and then I dragged everyone to the Gone with the Wind Museum. We drove around looking at fancy historic homes (to see how the other half lives), and then got dressed up to go to JCT Kitchen for a fun and delicious anniversary dinner. The next morning we ate breakfast at Pancake Social in Midtown and looked around Ponce City Market. We love spending time with this precious couple and thank God for them in our lives.
As we landed back in the real world Sunday, I discovered 4 hacked accounts and family drama raging. Oh, well. The escape was nice while it lasted. To distract myself, I read three books this month. I first finished up a festive novel, A Christmas Surprise (Love in the Cascades #1) by Kimberly Rose Johnson, then completed Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others Without Sacrificing Conviction by Caleb Kaltenbach. A lighter read, Two Weeks by Karen Kingsbury rounded out my literary pursuits.
Since we quarantined and recovered for part of the month, we binge watched like it was our job. Especially since we decided to cancel Netflix at the end of this month. Don’t come for me. We pay for way too many services. Maybe not the most productive or beneficial use of time, but the virus fatigue hit us like a shovel to the face. We watched The Queen’s Gambit – a fascinating look at someone both tragic and gifted. We loved series Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias, and the later reunited me with Brooke Elliott from Drop Dead Diva!
Allie joined us for season 3 of Cobra Kai. Too much language for me, but oh, the 80’s nostalgia for this Karate Kid fan! We rounded out our Netflix chilling with a very Hallmarkesque Falling Inn Love, George Clooney’s The Midnight Sky (very slow at first, but the ending packs a punch), and Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On. Fan or not (fan here!), his rise to fame intrigued us. We also hopped over to Disney+ and checked out one episode of Prop Culture. The one about The Muppet Show.
Over the next month we plan for a lot more reading and viewing time. My oldest daughter underwent spinal fusion surgery yesterday to correct her 64% scoliosis curvature. If all proceeded according to plan, (I’m writing this in the waiting room), she endured a 6-8 hour surgery and is now in ICU. Due to the length and severity of the surgery, the powers that be here granted my husband and I an exception to both sit at the hospital. So grateful. She faces a 6-8 week recovery now and we covet your prayers. Thank you so much for being a community I can ask that of.
I also pray now for a calmer February. How about you?
As always, I love you, I thank you, and I hope the next month treats you well. Now for this week’s featured post!
It was hard to choose just one post to draw your attention this week. So many great blogs, but I settled on All of Him Loves All of You by Wemi of reflectionsinthemess.com. I always love Wemi’s writing, but this sweet encouragement about our even sweeter Lord may be just what you need to see this week.
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).
We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Congrats on your anniversary! And I’m so jealous you got to have massages and go to the cinema – my two favourite things ever; I have not done either in a year and as we are still in lockdown in England, I think it’s not going to be for a while yet. I enjoyed reading your post – praying for complete and perfect recovery for your daughter. Thank you for featuring me – I’m honoured 🙂 x
Those are some of my favorite things too, Wemi. Thank you for your prayers and it was my privilege to feature you.
Happy Anniversary! So lucky you were able to get away to celebrate! Will be praying for your daughter’s recovery.
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill.
We were very lucky. And thank you so much for the prayers.
It has been quite a month, for sure, Lauren! I really enjoyed reading this post. I loved The Queen’s Gambit and Virgin River. And Gone with the Wind is one of my favorite books of all time. I would love to visit that museum! I saw about your daughter’s surgery on Facebook and began praying immediately for you all. I hope her recovery is speedy and as pain free as possible. My nephew had spinal fusion surgery a few years ago so I know what an intense procedure that is. Oh, and a very happy anniversary to you!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you for weighing in on all my stuff!
Lauren, you have had one challenging month! I hope you will keep us in the loop as your daughter recovers.
Happy anniversary! So glad you got to celebrate in a way that was meaningful and fun!
Thank you, Michele.
Ahhh, Lauren, it has been QUITE a month. I’ve already said a prayer for your daughter’s recovery, and for your mama’s heart as you all walk out these next number of weeks.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! It sounds like you and your man had a delightful time away.
I’d never heard of Cobra Kai before December. My niece introduced my two sons to the series, and they binge-watched the entire first season in a day. It brought back memories for this Karate Kid fan as well.
Here’s to a much calmer February!
Here, here! Thank you for the prayers and anniversary wishes!
Oh, I’m praying for your daughter, Lauren! It sounds like you had a CRAZY month. I enjoyed the first season of Virgin River, I’ll have to start watching again :). Have a blessed February!
Thank you for the prayers, Anita.
Sounds like you had a wonderful outing with your husband. I look forward to being able to do things like that again one day too. Our anniversary is Sept 4. Maybe by then things will be much different than they are now.
We enjoyed watching The Queen’s Gambit too. I’ve currently being paying for CBS All Access as well, but we finished watching the shows we got it for, so I canceled, only to find out that my yearly subscription couldn’t be prorated (boo!), so it’s ours until September. Oh well.
Praying for your daughter to have a speedy recovery!
That is a boo! But thank you so much for the prayers.
Lauren, happy anniversary and prayers for daughter. Thanks for the show recommendations too!!! xo
Susan, let me know if you try out any of the shows and how you like them!
I agree with your assessment of January – the 13th month of 2020 and your willingness to vote for Amanda Gorman for president someday.
Happy anniversary! You and your hubby know how to celebrate! Too bad your arrival back home was an abrupt return to reality.
Praying for your daughter’s speedy recovery.
Thank you for the prayers, Laurie. They mean so much.
This has been a pretty calm January for us – last year it was spinal fusion, the year before my husband had an aortic heart-valve replaced and a lung lobe removed due to cancer found in the heart surgery prep! While it hasn’t been the January I wanted – it has been a January of blessing. Happy Anniversary – your trip sounded fantastic! Praying for your daughter’s recovery – and for your family as you help. ~ Maryleigh
Your prayers mean everything, Maryleigh. So far my daughter is doing remarkably well. Kids (even 20 year old ones) are so resilient.
A crazy month indeed—but I’m so glad you managed to get away with your sweetie! Anniversaries are SO worth celebrating! (I also love Virgin River and The Queen’s Gambit!) Stopping by from #TellHisStory 🤗
Thanks so much for stopping by and weighing in, Laura!