Blessings Abound

In a month filled with painful memories, November can be difficult for our family to face.  For many years, just turning the page on the calendar brought forth tears and anxieties, as we relived the painful night of losing our son all over again. 

We've learned to face the month in gratitude instead of grief.  

Focusing on what Austin was known and loved for, his kind heart, encouraged us to do random acts of kindness and a RAK movement was born.  For the past decade, RAKs have grown from one day to an entire month focused on sharing kindness.  And from more than just our small family but to friends and even strangers helping others and remembering a life cut short by tragedy.

Our RAK project this November has been to produce yard signs in hopes of canvasing our county with the message of sharing kindness.  The money raised will go to local charities.

As I turned the calendar tonight, noticing the scripture and special dates, I had to pause in pure thanksgiving of the many blessings God has given us recently.  This November seems a turning point of many positive changes for our family.  Changes we have prayed fervently for and, in His timing, will take place this month.

Tim and I both start new careers this month. 

For the past few years, Tim's health has suffered and we've spent many sleepless nights without answers as to why.  While I stood in prayer and belief that God would lead us in the right direction, in the meantime we did what we could to improve our well-being.  Both of us have transformed and are in better shape than we've been for some time!

This summer, God led us to a doctor who has provided excellent care and solutions to the many symptoms from which Tim was suffering.  Complications from our wreck became the common denominator in his issues and, while there is no cure for what he's facing, we have managed to minimize and reduce them with his help. 

Then news came for an opportunity for Tim to have a new career which allowed more flexibility, better hours, less physical demands, and to leave third shift.  This girl is giddy to have him back home at night!  The only downside was losing medical...

Enter my job offer.  Just two weeks after Tim begins his.

With every twist and turn, each mountain and valley, God has seen us through beyond our expectations and has provided in ways we never imagined.

Neither of us saw a career change at this point in our lives.  When we turned the calendar last January, we knew this would be a milestone year, but expected to prepare for becoming empty nesters.  Settling into expected routines.

Instead, we are facing the new year with different and exciting paths and... the surprise added blessing of becoming grandparents! 

In fact, this month, we may well know if Baby Blair will be a boy or a girl.

God is good.  All the time...

In His Timing

The past two weeks we've hosted a Bible study at our home.

If you told me several years ago our extended family would all be in church together, much less doing a study, I might have chuckled.  While I would say most have always been believers, in some form or fashion, church attendance was just not something everyone did.

But God can work out even the most unlikely situations for His good.

My paternal grandfather was a preacher so he was my faith foundation.  As a child, we went to church when visiting them.  After we were married and Austin was born, Tim and I discussed raising our children in church and how it was a value for us both.  We sporadically went for them, growing a little with each passing year. There were seasons we were regulars and others where life got in the way.

Ironically, it wasn't until after losing our oldest church became not just a habit but our lifeline.

We've watched our pew outgrow room and most Sundays now there are three to four rows of family together.  When approached by our pastor to host an upcoming Bible Study, we eagerly accepted.  And seeing the sign-up sheet after the first day, it was clear God had a plan for who He wanted there.  Our entire roster was and is family.

At first, I was uncertain if this was the best idea.  (This is where I think I'm smarter than God...)
But wouldn't each of us grow better if we were spread out among other groups?  Didn't we need to be stretched outside our comfort zone?  And what I quickly learned is that for many attending, this was already out for them. 

I forget not everyone is on the same path in their Christian walk.  Some are just starting out, some lost in the weeds, some climbing mountains and some further along.  How soon I forgot how uncomfortable we were at our first Bible studies or small groups.  Though it seems routine now, God is using us to help guide and encourage others. 

What a better blessing is there to do it among double family - family by blood and by the blood of Christ!  Though we are only a few weeks in, we've already seen God moving and working among the group.  I'm joyfully expectant at how He will continue to do so through this process and the days to come. 

Healthy Inside-Out

After a year of dedicated focus on completely revamping my health top to bottom, inside out, I decided to share some of my tips learned along the way through live videos.

Much to my surprise, they received quite a response and it kept me motivated to do a series of ten videos...two months of healthy habits!

Not all of my blog readers are my "Facebook friend" so I wanted to share some of them with you.  These links will work whether you are a Facebooker or not.

Immune Support - who doesn't need that this time of year?!

Stress Relief - how to create a self-care kit

Removing toxins - cleaning your home naturally

Top 10 Tips - all the best wrapped up in one video

And of course, no series would be complete without...

How to find JOY in every day!

All videos are public so you can easily search out the other five, if you're so inclined.

Aside from my voice making my skin crawl and the funny faces Facebook decides to freeze frame, I think it is a pretty dandy collection. 

Going outside my comfort zone was worth it to help even one person take charge of their health.  You are worth it!

What's the best health tip you can share?  Or where do you struggle?  I love to hear from my readers.

Have a fabulous fall weekend!

Self-Care Staycation

Other than Christmas break, when our company is closed, I haven't taken a week's vacation since 2013.  We've had a few mini trips and long weekends here and there but my last extended retreat was our beach trip as a family.  Five years ago.

When looking at the number of days I had available and realizing how long it has been since I've had a week's rest, I opted to take a staycation this week.

Spontaneous.  Last minute.  No plans or schedules.  Ten Whole Days Off!

I'm almost always off on Fridays, so actually, I guess my "vacation" has come to an end; however, I am most certainly still in a staycation state of mind.  And will be that way until Monday!

After having something to do, somewhere to go, or somewhat of a last-minute agenda every day so far, today was operation lazy PJ day.  And I thoroughly enjoyed it from my first cup of chocolate chai to Netflix binging and cuddling our new kitty to being completely ok with being non-productive an entire day.

In fact, if I've had any purpose at all for this past week, it has been to practice self-care.  In the moment, listening to what I want or need, and doing just that.  Or nothing at all.

So far...

I've jumped out of my comfort zone and into a dress celebrating the success I've had 

with changing my health for the better.  

AFTER I returned home,
I realized my tag was on my chest.  #backwardfail

Picked up more pumpkins and mums just because they make me smile.

Captured sweet moments at my little sister's wedding.

Held an impromptu sleepover with my nieces and nephew.

Napped whenever I wanted.

Kidnapped mom and took her on our annual "Nut Club Food Fest" adventure.

Enjoyed coffee & chai on the deck.

Self-improvement and continued learning.

Soaking up family time and everyday moments of JOY.

My staycation didn't include spas, sand or exotic locations but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

And this girl is making it a point to take more "Me" days in my future. Because I'm worth it!