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May 2021 Monthly Muster

May 28, 2021 by Lauren 18 Comments

a blue circle in the middle of sunflowers

Spring gives way to summer as June pushes May to the curb.  At least here in Texas.  I can’t believe another school year came and went.  And it’s been a busy one as folks seek to get back to some semblance of normalcy.  

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On the very first day of the month we invited one of our favorite couples over for game night.  They brought dinner.  We provided Celebrity Throw Down! and Code Names.  The later is one of our current faves.  So fun to play.code names board game

 

A couple of days later, my two yoga classes went live.  I have been leading them over Zoom for months, but now teach a hybrid format – some participants in person and some online.  This is quite a challenge, but one I’m thankful to be figuring out.  If a chair yoga class geared toward seniors sounds interesting to you, click this link to join my live class on Tuesdays at 1pm or choose a pre-recorded class to practice at your convenience!  I am unable to share the hatha mat class.

 

I spent my mother’s day a little stressed over some unfortunate family dynamics, but I got to see my mom.  That makes a lot of things better.  And seeing my dad, grandad and sister makes for a pretty good day, too.  If you think about it, I would love some prayers for a tough situation in my clan.  God knows and I appreciate you talking to Him about it.

 

My husband went out of town for a few days and my 16 year old had 3 AP exams.  That makes for even more stress.  But we survived and persevere.  That same 16 year old got her first vaccine so we are one shot away from the whole family being vaxxed!  Yay!  She gave her last choir performance, had her end of year choir banquet, camped out with some of the youth from church and sailed through her final week of school.

 

For a little light escapism, the hubs and I watched Sesame Street:  50 Years of Sunny Days with my 20 year old daughter.  She very much loves still loves Elmo and the whole gang.  We are in process with Big Shot on Disney+, a nice family show with John Stamos as a hot tempered NCAA basketball coach (aka Bobby Knight) who is banned.  He can only get a coaching gig with a girl’s team at the private high school.  My only advice to the show runners – don’t have Stamos jog anymore.  It’s awkward.

 

Tom Clancy's Without Remorse Movie PosterWe watched Without Remorse on Amazon Prime.  Lots of action and Michael B. Jordan!  I don’t even think Chuck fell asleep once!  That’s saying a lot.  We tried Shrill on Hulu and quit it in a matter of minutes due to language and a scene that I hope I can one day scrub from my mind.  We quickly gave up on Dickinson on Apple+ too.  As a writer, I wanted it to work.  But alas…  We went to an actual theater to see Triumph.  I love just about any overcomer movie and this one about a boy with CP is a heart warmer.  My daughter Allie and I (what?) decided to binge together the very light hearted and silly Baby Daddy.  It’s an old school sitcom and those just seem to be my favorite.

 

I read Maggie’s War by Terrie Todd.  My mom, who likes to read in bed at night, passed it on to me.  She tears paperbacks apart so she can comfortably lay on her side with a section at a time.  Yes, she’s a librarian…tearing books.  And after she finishes, she rubber bands all the dismantled sections together and passes it to me.  Although it this point, I can’t imagine chopping a book up myself, I have to admit I don’t mind reading them this way.  I can throw a small section of a book in my purse and off I go!

 

I checked out When Breath Becomes Air on ebook from the library.  I can’t remember who recommended it to me, but I can’t really recommend it to you.  Paul Kalanithi is a beautiful writer and obviously extremely intelligent, but I’m not sure how someone who says he is a believer can grapple with the meaning of life and death without talking about God or an afterlife.  For this reason it fell very flat for me.

 

The last thing I’ll share, my husband and I took another couple to the drive in movie theater for a simulcast Bon Jovi concert.  In the rain.  So we watched and listened inside our truck – even running the battery down and having to get a jump in the middle of the show.  But some good company and tunes made the evening a win.

 

That’s it for May.  I hope you cruise into June and enjoy the start of your summer.  And as always, I love you, I thank you, and I hope next month treats you well.

 

And now for this week’s featured link up post!

 

Back in January, I shared with you that my word for the year is trust.  Barbara Lee Harper of Stray Thoughts:  A Home for the Stray Thoughts of an Ordinary Christian Woman hit on the #1 thing I struggle to trust God with in this season – my children.  Read Trusting God for Our Children’s Safety for an interesting perspective.

 

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).

 

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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

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Praying God’s Word Wednesday #8

May 26, 2021 by Lauren 15 Comments

I’m so glad you are here!  It’s time to pray scripture together.  I want you to know how much sharing this with you is helping me.  This is now the primary way I pray!

 

Today I’m thinking about my many weaknesses and looking at Psalm 27:14. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

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So many ways I could pray for myself from this short passage.  Here’s what came out:

 

Replace the pronouns with the appropriate ones for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

 

Lifting you to His throne in this.  And don’t forget to share this on social media or with a friend who could benefit.  It would mean so much to me.  And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word Wednesday, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

 

 

 

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Mental Health and Me

May 21, 2021 by Lauren 22 Comments

Mental health awareness monthYou might already know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month.  Regardless of your knowledge of or experience with the subject, news reports have been telling us for months that the pandemic has done a number on us.  In the last year and a half, my family has been shaken down in ways I can’t describe by mental illness.  We represent several different diagnosis on different branches of our tree that range in severity and scope.  Because my story is the only one that belongs to me, I want to share that one here.

 

I have, at times, struggled with depression and am currently plagued by anxiety.  The main struggle that has consumed me since childhood?  Subclinical eating disorders.  I battle compulsive overeating, and at one time, used exercise anorexia to cope.  These issues stem from the need I feel to avoid pain or negative feelings.  On the advise of a doctor, medication and professional counseling have been a valuable part of my journey.

 

I recently came across a writing challenge from fellow blogger Ang called, A Thank You Letter to My Body.  Her instructions:  “Write a thank you note to your body.  Be as open and honest as you want to be.  Include at least 3 things your body does that you appreciate.”  I knew right away that I needed to write this letter at this time.  I write for my mental health in hopes that it inspires you to examine any issues you may be experiencing.  .

 

To My Body,

I know you think I’m mad at you.  I mistreat you and say horrible things to you.  For that, and so many other things, I’m sorry.  I admit that the insults and criticism I hurl at you, I really mean.  But that’s wrong.  It’s time for a change of heart.  It’s time I show you the respect you deserve.

Your build – strong and athletic – allows me to continue teaching yoga.  I love that job.  I sometimes overworked and expected too much of you.  My injuries prove that.  But you keep on going.  You fought cancer for me.  Over four years ago, you kicked it to the curb.  How can I thank you for allowing me to continue raising my children?  You care for my family well.  These strong legs stand for long periods of time while I iron clothes, shop for groceries and cook dinner.  Your strong arms lift grandkids, push the lawn mower and care for my Shelby.  For these things and so many others, I thank you.

You do so much for me that I’m not even aware of.  I wish I had been kinder to you.  I’ve fed you junk and ignored your needs too often.  And the yo-yo dieting tortured and confused you.  Please forgive me for treating you like an enemy instead of the friend that you are.  My displaced anger is unwarranted and unfair.

God says you are wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).  A gift from Him.  It’s time I started acting like it.

I love you,

Me

 

Thank you for allowing me to share this cathartic exercise with you.  I accepted this challenge, and now I want to offer one.  Examine your heart and mind.  If you are struggling to cope, talk to your doctor or another trusted individual who can point you to the appropriate resources.  And if you’ve already taken these steps, share your journey when you feel it is safe and appropriate.  You could destigmatize mental illness and help someone else.  But if you fear that you or someone you know might hurt themselves or someone else, call 911 immediately.

 

And now for this week’s featured link up post.

 

I loved Maryleigh Bucher’s Muddy Chess Bars, Not Giving Up.   But don’t just read this post.  Spend a little time on her site.  She mixes faith-building prose, beautiful poetry and scrumptious looking recipes to speak to all kinds of appetites.  Thank you, 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 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

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

 

 

 

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About Me

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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