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Just Got Through January – Almost

January 27, 2023 by Lauren 6 Comments

Just got throughWe just got through January – almost,  and it’s National Fun at Work Day!  I’m not at work because my oldest daughter, Shelby, had major surgery last Thursday.  She and I will be hanging out together for the next several weeks as she heals and recovers.

 

Two years ago in January Shelby endured a spinal fusion that improved her posture and mobility immensely.  Unfortunately, some hardware came loose in her lower lumbar necessitating a second surgery.  She has taken an anti-convulsant medication for 20 years that affects bone density.  So this time the surgeon bone grafted from her pelvis and added an artificial agent (I’m not even going to try to remember what it’s called) to encourage a stronger bond.

 

January brings insurance changes for lots of people.  That means a lot my work for me and my co-workers.  So I logged lots of hours while I could – knowing I had time off for Shelby’s surgery coming up.

 

 

The hubs and I treated ourselves to an early anniversary date (24 years).  We went to dinner and a night time flight around Dallas in a Cessna Cardinal.  Was so fun to do something different than our normal dinner and a movie date.  Which I also love, by the way.

 

A good friend of mine had a milestone birthday with a fun surprise party and my Papa celebrated a different milestone.  I enjoyed visiting with both!

 

My daughter and some friends started a Friday night bible study at our house and even lead worship using a song she wrote with other one of the teenagers.  These are the things that fill me with so much joy and gratitude.

 

And the day after Shelby’s surgery,  I accompanied my daughter, her friend and her friend’s mom to Baylor Campus for a scholarship event.  Exciting and stressful and nerve wracking.  All the things.  This girl needs some private school money!

 

I Just Got Through This Entertainment

 

Chuck and I have been watching the newly rebooted Quantum Leap.  We both loved the OG starring Scott Bakula.  I don’t think this one is as good, but we are enjoying it enough.  And we are still checking out DVDs of The West Wing from the library.  We’ve made it to season 4 so far.  December was all about Christmas shows and Christmas reads so I put everything else on hold until after the holidays.

 

We went to the theater with Shelby to see A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks.  I found it so bitter sweet.  I laughed and cried.  It probably won’t win any awards because it is so sentimental and a little predictable, but I highly recommend.

 

I am attempting to read Joy:  Poet, Seeker, and the Woman Who Captivated C.S. Lewis by Abigail Santamaria.  I say attempting because I’ve gone back and forth several times on whether or not I should quit it.  It’s a bit of a slog so far, but I’ve mentioned before how hard it is for me to give up on a book.  I’ll keep you posted.  I do certainly hope that this woman’s early years were more exciting in real life than on paper.

 

Now that I’ve gone through what we just got through in January, I would love your prayers for my daughter’s continued healing and recovery.  She’s a tough girl and I’m grateful.  And as always, I love you, I thank you and I hope February treats you well!

 

Now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

In a world that’s so full of darkness, it’s good to be reminded of what happens in the light.  

The Link Up

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

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

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Joy Ride: My Word of the Year

January 20, 2023 by Lauren 8 Comments

The last couple of years have been terrible for everyone.  At least that’s the way it seems.  Covid-19 lockdown snowballed into more struggles, more uncertainty and more pain.  I didn’t realize how universal these feelings were until I heard person after person wishing for 2023 to be a better year.  I hope you don’t fall into this category, but we all know sooner or later, we will have trouble (John 16:33).  Maybe we need a joy ride.

 

People often associate the term joy ride (sometimes spelled as a single word) with stealing a car.  But it simply means a ride for enjoyment.  And I, for one, need more enjoyment in my life.

 

Last year was a little better for me than the two years prior, but I still found myself saying the following to my mom and sister:  “I don’t know if I’ll ever feel true joy again.”  I almost couldn’t believe it came out of my mouth.  Full disclosure:  I realized a short time later that I needed a change in my anti-depressant and, as a result of that change, am feeling much better now.  But the reality is that I spent two years in sadness, grief and despair.  Medication or not, God has had to teach me anew to trust Him.  Hear me say that the lack of trust, of course, had nothing to do with His actions or who He is. I allowed my circumstances to skew my view of a God who never changes.

 

Which Leads Us to Now…

 

In the midst of that conversation with my loved ones, I knew “joy” needed to be my One Word focus for 2023.  I have put in a lot of work the last few years and I think God wants me to lighten up.  I know the Bible says we, in Christ, have joy no matter the circumstances.  James even said trials and the testing of our faith are counted as joy (James 1:2-3)!  For crying out loud!  But if I’m honest, joy is not exactly what I’ve been feeling.

 

Now I know feelings and truth don’t always line up, but I want to manifest the truth of supernatural joy in my life.  In plain speak, I’m tired of feeling burdened and sad.  I want to overflow with the joy that comes from knowing Jesus and walking daily with Him.  So I choose joy.  Not just for the moment, but for the year.  I plan on digging into what scripture has to say about it and exploring the things in my life that hold me back from its fullness.

 

Psalm 16:11 is my verse for the year.

 

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  ESV

 

If this resonated with you at all, I hope you will come on this journey (or ride, if you will) with me for 2023.  As I learn, maybe you will, too.  And please share your experiences with joy and the things you know about it in the comments.  I hope we encourage each other to soak up those pleasures forevermore.

 

Bonus:  I’m sharing the screen saver I made for my phone!

joy ride

 

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

 

Joanne Viola gave a beautifully simple explanation of the gospel in Receive.  Thank you for linking up, Joanne!

 

The Link Up

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

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

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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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  • Just Got Through January – Almost
  • Joy Ride: My Word of the Year
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  • First Friday Prayers: A New Year
  • Do We Have to Ditch December?

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