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Marching Out of This Month…and Grace and Truth Link Up

March 26, 2021 by Lauren 30 Comments

Bottom o’ the month to ya!  I hope everyone is starting to thaw a bit.  Spring has pretty much sprung here in Texas.  We never really know how to dress this time of year.  The morning chill begs a sweater, but the afternoon sun cooks you in it.  75 degrees feels warm and glorious in the sunshine but rather frigid with clouds and wind.  I will long for it all, though, in a couple of months when it’s 100 degrees all…the…time.

 

Allie started this Women’s History Month by treating us to a school choir concert themed Pop Music of the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s.  If I closed my eyes I could swear I sat in MY high school auditorium instead of hers!  Spiral perm, gravity defying bangs and all.  She sang a fun and peppy rendition of Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves.  I love to watch her perform – especially accompanied by Chuck, Shelby, my parents and twin sister.  That’s  her  in  front  in  the  green  shirt!

 

My girl left the concert to go straight to our church’s version of Disciple Now weekend.  The next week she competed in a classical solo and ensemble contest.  We still await results.  Shelby started back to school that week as well.  I hear the angels singing the Hallelujah chorus now.  Her recovery progressed remarkably.  However, mom and dad worked hard to care for and entertain her lo those long weeks.

 

My niece Olivia turned 10 on the 11th and treated family and friends to a private screening of the new Tom and Jerry movie.  We enjoyed the company more than the show.  That kicked off a week’s Spring Break from school for my kids.  Since my husband took off work two weeks previously to help with Shelby’s post op care, we stayed home and kept it low key.  He did take one vacation day to take us to the Dallas Zoo with a few thousand other people.

 

The last weekend of their school holiday, Allie went on a mini-mission trip.  Shelby went to stay with my mom, dad and PawPaw.  The earth has traveled around the sun quite a few times since Chuck and I have had two nights alone in our house.  A good time was had by all.

 

This week I had a rather frustrating start back to work after nearly two months off.  I confess I’ve complained too much.  But I also gave thanks on March 23 for 4 years of cancer freedom.

 

I’ve done a little more reading and a little less TV watching in March.  Probably a good thing.  After hearing several people I follow talk about Open Book by Jessica Simpson, I gave it a look see.  Celebrity memoir isn’t usually my go-to, but I wanted to learn about her transition from Baptist preacher’s kid to Hollywood sexpot alcoholic.  Very interesting to see how she weaves her faith in God – even if it’s very different from mine – throughout her life.

 

Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey helped me escape tougher things with a romantic comedy obsessed heroine’s quest for love AND the job of her dreams.  I used Prayer:  Approaching the Throne of Grace ($3.69 on Kindle as of this post) for my daily time with God and my prayer life did receive a much needed boost!  (Full disclosure:  I’m a contributing author.)  And speaking of being an author, Steal Like an Artist:  10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon gave me good ideas in a quick and easy read.

 

Eating Mindfully:  How to End Mindless Eating and Enjoy a Balanced Relationship with Food by Susan Albers contained no real new information for me.  But my latest read, If I Were You by Lynn Austin, may just be the best novel I’ve devoured in a long time.

 

My husband and I did watch the short series Defending Jacob on Apple+.  I had to limit us to 1 episode a night – and it had to be pretty early – for me to be able to sleep.  This peek inside the criminal mind was dark, twisted and pretty fascinating.  We also started the new Superman and Lois. If you have recommendations for reading or watching, please do us the favor of leaving them in the comments!

 

Well, I pray as time is ticking closer to Easter that you take more of that time to turn your mind and heart to Jesus.  And as always, I love you, I thank you, and I pray April treats you well.

 

Now for this week’s featured link up post!

 

Laurie from Meditations in Motion managed to entertain me, lead me to empathize with her, encourage me and mention one of my favorite authors all in one post!  Check out Guilt, Shame, and a Little Grass Skirt!

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 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!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

 

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Filed Under: Christian, entertainment, Grace & Truth Link Up, monthly review, prayer, Uncategorized Tagged With: choir, Disciple Now, mission trip, school holiday, spring, spring break, Women's History Month, zoo

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    March 26, 2021 at 10:49 am

    Love how this post satisfied some of my nostalgia for high school musical productions! Hope the results of the audition are favorable!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 26, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      Thanks, Michele. I always enjoy watching her perform.

      Reply
  2. Kara says

    March 26, 2021 at 11:06 am

    It’s always fun getting a peek into someone else’s week. Thanks for sharing! 😃

    Kara
    amidstthebroken.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 26, 2021 at 12:50 pm

      Thanks for reading, Kara!

      Reply
  3. Laurie says

    March 27, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    Oh, those gravity-defying bangs of the 90s. So funny!

    I am glad to read that Shelby recovered and is back at school. Good luck to Allie in her competition.

    Thank you for the shout-out, Lauren!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 29, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      It is always my privilege to feature you, Laurie!

      Reply
  4. Debbie-Dabble says

    March 28, 2021 at 5:35 am

    Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!!
    I really appreciate it!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 29, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      Same to you, Debbie!

      Reply
  5. Cindy Wilkins says

    March 30, 2021 at 8:02 am

    Thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us! My life is much quieter than yours. The busyness made me smile, taking me back to when my children were teenagers. Wishing your daughter much luck in her competition! God bless, your Inspire Me Monday neighbor, Cindy

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 30, 2021 at 9:57 am

      Thanks so much for coming for a visit, Cindy! I hope to see you on the interwebs again soon.

      Reply
  6. Shelbee on the Edge says

    March 30, 2021 at 2:55 pm

    Lauren, thanks for sharing your month with us! I am so ready to bid March farewell and welcome in some real springtime weather. I have been watching too much television lately and not reading nearly enough. But now that the weather is warming up, I will take my books outside away from the tv and get some reading in!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 30, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      Reading outside in spring time weather. That sounds amazing!

      Reply
  7. Paula Short says

    March 31, 2021 at 6:12 am

    Lauren thank you for sharing highlights from you month. I enjoyed reading about them. Blessings.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 31, 2021 at 2:31 pm

      Blessings to you, Paula.

      Reply
  8. Suzette says

    March 31, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    That was a full March! Sounds like things are getting back to more normal for you guys. I remember many solo & ensemble weekends with my son. Good times!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 31, 2021 at 5:31 pm

      Thanks for following along with me, Suzette. It means so much to me.

      Reply
  9. Jeanne Takenaka says

    March 31, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    Lauren, such a fun read. 🙂 It sounds like you guys had a good March. Springtime in Colorado can have us in the 60’s in one day and with a high in the 20’s and snow the next. True story.

    How fun that you and your honey got two nights alone in your house. I can’t remember the last time that happened for us. 🙂 And speaking of performances, my son’s only concert for the year (as of now) is tonight. I can hardly wait! Have a great week!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 31, 2021 at 5:30 pm

      Oh, I know you enjoyed every minute of your son’s show. Thanks for being in community with me, Jeanne.

      Reply
  10. Gail says

    April 1, 2021 at 1:23 am

    Great to see you in #WowOnWednesday! Thanks for the recommendation of Defending Jacob, will give it a try!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 1, 2021 at 8:36 am

      It’s dark, but fascinating. And happy Easter!

      Reply
  11. Theresa Boedeker says

    April 1, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    What a full month. Love Lynn Austen’s books. Thanks for letting me know about this one.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 3, 2021 at 10:42 am

      I think this is the first Lynn Austin I have ever read but I will be looking into more.

      Reply
  12. Susan Shipe says

    April 1, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    Lauren, I enjoyed your podcast with Sue Donaldson, very much.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 3, 2021 at 10:42 am

      Thank you, Susan. I was surprised and delighted when she invited me. I really enjoyed talking with Sue.

      Reply
  13. Joanne Viola says

    April 1, 2021 at 8:17 pm

    I always enjoy posts like this as they provide a look into the fun events in the lives of others.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 3, 2021 at 10:41 am

      Me too, Joanne. I was inspired to start a monthly recap after reading others. I always found good recommendations and felt like I got to know the author a little better!

      Reply
  14. Barbara Harper says

    April 2, 2021 at 6:08 am

    I love Lynn Austin’s books and have that one on my shelf waiting for me! The books on prayer and creativity sound good. Glad your daughter is recovering well.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 3, 2021 at 10:40 am

      I think this is the first Lynn Austin I have read. Loved it so much that I will be looking for more.

      Reply
  15. Tea With Jennifer says

    April 2, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    You’ve had a busy time Lauren!
    Happy Easter, He has Risen!
    Bless you,
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 3, 2021 at 10:38 am

      Happy Easter, Jennifer.

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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