As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
The sunset was beautiful on my walk this evening.
Social Distancing To Do List Update
Catch up on Project Life/scrapbooking projects
Shred everything in the shred bin
Host Zoom meetings or Group FaceTime hangs with friends
Go down a YouTube rabbit hole – starting with minimalism videos
Unplug for 24 hours (probably going to need it!)
Work on my cross-stitch quilt
Take an online course
Try a new recipe
Clean up the leaves in our yard
Start planning my summer garden
Make dog treats
Make a watercolor painting
Make a magazine collage journal
ADD
Clean out the garage
Read an entire book on my iPad
Take photos of our house
Make a mini book for my 2020 One Little Word
A Quote on Prayer by Shauna Niequist
“… when you begin to pray … picture a bottle of oil-and-vinegar salad dressing … the vinegar, probably red wine vinegar, rests on top of the olive oil, softly red, flecked with oregano. The green-yellow oil is at the bottom of the bottle, rich and flavorful. Geri said that when you begin to pray, pour out the vinegar first – the acid, whatever’s troubling you, whatever hurt you, whatever is harsh and jangling your nerves or spirit. You pour that out first … Pour out all the vinegar until it’s gone. Then what you find underneath is the oil, glistening and thick … life is not all vinegar – puckery and acidic. It is also oil, luscious, thick, heavy with history and flavor. But you have to start with the vinegar or you’ll never experience the oil … Many of us learned along with the way to ignore the vinegar … And then pray dutiful, happy prayers. But this is what i’m learning about prayer: you don’t get the oil until you pour out the vinegar.” – Present Over Perfect, p. 74 – 75
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
Photos From Today
Magnolias on my walk today. A perfect reminder of our good good Father.
Figuring out our new “normal” includes curbside pick up to support our favorite local businesses and restaurants. Thankful to be doing this with Kev.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Thoughts
We’ve officially been social distancing for 9 days. I’m currently working in-office during the week days but Kevin is working from home. A lot of the city is shut down, and feels almost apocalyptic at times. As I mentioned above, we’ve ventured out of the house, to get curbside pick up at some of our favorite spots. Otherwise, there are lots of places that are closed and we’ve been to the grocery store once (which is 100% unlike us)! I’m primarily doing whatever I can to keep myself busy – hence the to do list. I know there’s some internet hate about lists like that, but it’s the way I cope.
There’s always a fine line when it comes to social media and news, but that line has definitely become less and less as the days progress. I’m trying to read more books, go on more walks, nap, and keep up with my journaling practice to keep myself from the internet and the plethora of scary information out there.
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
Wise Words from Emma Zeck
With this open time
You do not have to write the next bestselling novel
You do not have to get in the best shape of your life
You do not have to start that podcast
What you can do instead is observe this pause as an opportunity
The same systems we see crumbling in society are being called to crumble in each of us individually
The systems that taught us we are machines that live to produce and we are disposable if we are not doing so
The systems that taught us monetary gain takes priority over humanity
The systems that create our insecurities then capitalize off them
What if we became curious with this free time, and had no agenda other than to experience being?
What if you created art for the sake of creating?
What if you allowed yourself to rest and cry and laugh and play and get curious about whatever arises in you?
What if our true purpose is in this space?
As if mother earth is saying: we can no longer carry on this way. The time is now – I am reminding you who you are. Will you remember?
Stuck in my Head
Way Maker Miracle worker Promise keeper Light in the darkness My God That is who you are
You wipe away all tears You mend the broken heart You’re the answer to it all Jesus.
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working You never stop, you never stop working You never stop, you never stop working
Way Maker Miracle worker Promise keeper Light in the darkness My God That is who you are
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
Counting the Joy
Nightly chats with Mom while we walk in our respective neighborhoods. Especially in 65 degree weather with sunsets like that one.
Memes about “gather” signs.
Audiobooks downloaded from the library while it’s closed. I’m currently listening to this and reading this.
Having specific exercise, dietary, and sleep goals.
Pup cuddles and pup snores
Turning off the news and social media
A long enough to do list to keep me busy, but mostly taking time to rest.
Beautiful sunsets and flowers popping up all over town. The magnolia trees are my absolute favorite right now.
Kev’s laughter from the basement when the guys are FaceTiming or playing PUBG together.
Exchanging phone numbers, chatting from across the street, checking in and truly just loving on our neighbors.
Psalm 121:1-2
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Social Distancing To Do List Update
Catch up on Project Life/scrapbooking projects
Shred everything in the shred bin
Host Zoom meetings or Group FaceTime hangs with friends
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)
Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
When You Shop, Think Small and Think Local
Shopping from local and small businesses makes a huge impact any time, but now it feels even more important be intentional about how we can help support businesses that make our towns what they are.
If you’re local, here’s a list of COMO Restaurants that are offering delivery and curbside pick up options. Love to support some of our favorite places.
In addition to taking advantage of local restaurants, I’ve seen people making suggestions to buy giftcards for future use or buy gifts you know you’ll be buying anyway. <3
Thoughts
Feeling a little weepy over real and raw hurts and anxieties that have both been shared with me personally and over the internet. I keep thinking of this and how people seem to be gathering together, while still keeping physical distance.
As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.
A Photo From Today
For Lent this year, I am challenging myself to Andy Frisella’s 75 Hard Program which includes two 45 minute workouts a day. Not being able to go to the gym has really thrown a wrench into that plan, but we’ve been working out at home. Not the best quality photo, but as you can tell, Willow loves yoga days.
Good Tunes
The Crossing recently put together a playlist on Spotify of great songs to listen to to remember and rest in God’s peace. It’s been such a welcomed reminder to worship through all the feelings and uncertainty that this pandemic is bringing.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Burn The Candles – I reread this article by Shauna Niequist every now and again to remind me to be delighted.
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe – Just in case you’re like me and using this social distancing time to be productive around the house.
Emily P. Freeman – Emily hosts my current favorite podcast and has lots of awesome content on her website.
The Art of Noticing – Ali Edwards is hosting an event called “The Art of Noticing” with a simple concept of opening your eyes to things in your life that you might otherwise miss. Such good timing on this.
