In the Storm

Stories 2019 | snow day

As someone who loves snow, I am living joyfully and vicariously through my grandson Noah as he frolics in the first intense snowfall in Maryland this year. All rosy cheeked, Noah looks like he's having a blast. From talking with my mom about snow days when I was growing up, she recalls I was excited to get out in the snow but that I rarely spent long periods of time outside in the snow before I'd come traipsing back in the house to sit by the furnace drinking hot chocolate.

I hope Noah spent a little more time out in the snow than simply to capture pictures. Snow can be tons of fun. I remember John, Jarrod, and Jeff in the snow in Indiana, making snow forts, snowmen, snow angels, snowballs for fights. Loved it! Love the memories. I hope Noah garners some precious memories to from playing in the snow.

52 Gratitudes 2019 | 4

Today I am sharing gratitude 4 in my year long project documenting 52 weeks of gratitude. Every week I am documenting something from the week I am grateful for. Just one thing. This is a 4 x 4 album, this year. One of my goals in documenting the gratitude is also telling more of the story behind what I'm thankful for rather than simply: I am thankful for my office chair.

I am thankful for my semi-new office chair the building manager brought down to my office to replace the crooked, wobbling to one side, barely holding together conference room chair I have been using in the weather office and that has been killing my back. This chair sports a firm, but cushioned support for the low to mid back and it is heavenly.

The air traffic control center recently acquired all new office chairs but our office was, unfortunately, skipped over. As our latest chair was on the verge of breaking, not even an office chair, I pleaded our case with the building manager and while she said it would be awhile before they would be able to purchase a new office chair for us, partly because of the recent government shutdown, she surprised me but rolling an office chair down the hall and presenting it to me in the office. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.

I am so very thankful God looked out for me. It's been helpful for easy my back pains, some.

Stories 2019 | Ella

Today I am sharing a big 12 x 12 page I made recently of my beautiful granddaughter, Ella. Thankfully, I have scrapbooking. Even though I didn't personally experience these moments, I still can record my thoughts, hopes, dreams...about family who are so far away.

Ella Grace, is not yet a teenager - just shy of those formative years, our first grandchild, our first granddaughter. Is quite simply - beautiful! When Elizabeth posted pictures of Ella and Noah, our grandson, getting out in the snow in the first serious snowfall of the winter season, January 2019, in Maryland, I was, to say the least, blown away by this photo of Ella.

Can this be my granddaughter?

She's growing up so far away. I know that is life. And, sometimes life stinks. I was in the same boat many years previously when I was in the military, like Elizabeth is now, raising my kids far away from their grandparents and not able to get back home often.

Most times I feel like I don't even know my granddaughter and yet I still miss her terribly - even all the unknowns. A grandparents love isn't conditional. It isn't based on how well they know their grandchildren, how often they get to see them, how many miles apart they are. They just love abundantly even though I have watched Ella grow up, sooo fast, from sooo far away. It's hard. It's heart-wrenching. But I can revel in, even from afar, how she is growing up.

Ella is intelligent, has a mind of her own, loves her little brother, Noah and little sister, Sophia. Their relationship is precious to watch.

One day. One day, I say. We'll be together regularly. Have that relationship we can hang together, laugh together, and share each other's heart. January 2019.

120 Books in 2019 | 007

Moving right along in my reading odyssey, my adventure toward reading more books in one year than I've ever read before with book number 007.

Why am I using three numbers to capture one 7? Because when I get to the triple digits it'll be smooth transitioning. It's aesthetics, really. 

Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon, an actress and entrepenuer, and a true southern girl, shares how - and why she’s truly southern in this easy, fast-paced and delightful story, reminiscent of someone simply telling stories about their life - and all things southern. It's not really a memoir but a book that tells stories of her life revolving around her simply southern roots which are a mainstay in her life. As a transplanted southern girl myself I enjoyed the recipes and southern idiosyncrasies, however, some are - silly - in these times. Those disagreeable's didn’t stop me from enjoying the book though. I expected more humor, I guess because Reese has done quite a few romantic comedies. I did, however, appreciate her obvious intelligence and give suitable applause for the things she has accomplished in life. 7/120

52 Weeks of Giving | 4

Serving the diaspora, the scattered refugees, in our city from places like Syria and Iraq, Hope Academy is, through their English as a Second Language classes, speaking the life of Christ into the Muslim community. They are building and forging friendships with these truly spiritual people hoping to one day lead them to a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. We have been giving to Hope monthly for a while now, but often more is - needed. To spread love to the refugee women through gifts, or in this case, to enhance their ESL ministry. It is a simple way to give. Hope makes a wish list for their ESL classroom and we - anyone - has an opportunity to come along side them by purchasing items on their list. For people like me whose body betrays them again and again I can still give, and serve the Lord in this way. Giving is an act of service. I find unending, unspeakable, praise worthy joy from giving. And the Floods, of Hope Academy are beautiful, beautiful people to serve. So usually, when I order something for them I like to have it delivered to our house so I can visit them, for a few minutes - or an hour - and deliver the items to them.

120 Books in 2019 | 006

6/120

When I began reading Maisee Dobbs, which by the way is a wonderful book, I thought the protagonist, Maisee Dobbs, seemed to emanate similar qualities (or maybe it would be more akin to abilities) as Bagger Vance from book and movie The Legend of Bagger Vance. Dobb’s is an investigator in the 1920’s with unique - abilities in which she can read people, and even coerce, or coax the truth out of people. Maisee Dobbs is the first in a series and the book begins with Dobb's striking out on her own, setting up shop have mentored under a gentleman who first took her under his wing as a young teenager and then taught her the art of investigating - and it begins with an investigation. Solved quickly, but it leads Maisee into a mystery. To get the mystery solved Maisee has to reach into her past, which is where the chunk of the book takes the reader. It's an interesting past and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I would definitely read the rest of the series. I would also give Maisee Dobbs 4.5 Stars

I adore this project so far this year. I really need to do some printing and actually getting these pages into a traveler's notebook. That will spur on the excitement even more.

Stories 2019 | this habit

It was a psychological choice to begin my Keto eating habit in December 2018 rather than wait for the new year. My idea was if I begin before the new year then it wouldn't seem like a new years resolution, but simply a habit I was continuing into the new year.

And, I have. Continued into the new year. It's a slow progress. I have only lost about 15 pounds. I've already had a couple setback gains. Trying to not let those setbacks get me down. I'm finding new ways to eat my favorite foods.

One of those foods is tacos. Those shells are actually baked cheese. Not the same as my delicious deep fried tacos, but livable for now.

I have so much to lose and I know Keto is not meant to be on indefinitely but I get nervous thinking about going off - that I won't be able to maintain healthier eating habits. For now, this is where I'm at. Eating Keto. Finding resources to substitute those things that are 'bad' for me.

Stories 2019 | new habits

One of my new habits this year is being back in the pool. This is my pool week: Monday's after work I drive the 35-45 minutes to the aquatic center. I hate the drive. But, I get there early enough that I find a lane in the shallow pool, the one with warmer water, too. I'm freestyle swimming on Monday's. I stress freestyle because I'm seriously uncoordinated and I can't for the life of me catch on how to do the other strokes. But, freestyle works and I get a great workout. I had to literally change my mind about that drive. I had to slow down and tell myself that the time swimming is imperative so the time I spend driving there is just as important.

Tuesday's I'm back at the aquatic center but this is in the evening after dinner from the house. The drive is only about 15-20 minutes. This is for deep water aerobics. And, Jeff joins me. He drives in straight from work. Jeff joining me for the deep water class is a huge support for me. Our Tuesday class is a fantastic workout.

Wednesday is my off day. Thank you Lord! However, Wednesday's I've added two hours to my work day so my Friday's can be freed up for another swim day.

Thursday's I'm back at the aquatic center for another round of deep water aerobics. Our classes are from 6:00 to 6:45. I'm usually home a couple minutes after 7pm because I wait until I get home to shower.

Friday's is heaven. I leave work now at 10:45 and head to the Hunter AAF indoor pool. They close at 1pm so I have plenty of time to get in a long swim. Depending on my pain levels, after showering and changing I may or may not go directly to the commissary for our grocery shopping.

It's a really good workout week.

 

52 Gratitudes 2019 | 3

I am thankful for the techno-color clouds in the sky put on display to make me stop and take notice, and see what God has done. The heavens declare the Glory of the Lord says the Psalmist. Through the sky, I believe God is personally connecting with me. I am so thankful that He ministers to me, He is speaking to me through the skies. God speaks through what He has made and He wants me to hear what He has to say. These gorgeous displays speak to my mind and my heart in ways nothing else can - all because I looked up to the skies. It is not ever surprising to me when He shares His creation, His skies, and He can turn my frowns upside down.

52 Weeks of Giving | 3

Thank you, Jesus. I knew, without a doubt, that when I began this act of worship, this 52 Weeks of Giving - project if you will, that Jesus would show up. He would direct my path. It is a beautiful picture when you step out in faith and say, "Lord, lead me."

And, He does.

I have been serving along side the Sunshine Girls for quite awhile now. They have a good thing going. The Sunshine Girls, every Thursday evening go into the strip clubs in our city and another town over, they bring a dinner and dessert for them. They share a meal together. They share laughter and conversation. They love on them right where they are, with mercy - no judgement. My part in this ministry is providing either part of the dinner or the dessert. God has blessed us financially. God has blessed me with the ability to cook. The two go very well together in giving back. Sometimes, I do a little more, wherever I can.

They have seen women leaving the club life, picking themselves up out of that life and finding freedom. Because a group of women came with only love - not judgement.