Day 21: That time my husband booked the flights. 😪😢😭
I usually book our travel arrangements. In almost 24 years of marriage, I have always sat by the window on an airplane. As strange as it may sound, I don’t do the aisle seat. Why? Because of the inevitable disturbances like potty breaks or getting knocked in the head by various size elbows and backpacks as people walk by. That leaves the middle seat. I’ll sit there, but I won’t like it.
Just Blogging It Out!!
Day 20: That time I decided to make it myself, coffee edition.
I’m sure you’ve noticed the prices of everything have gone up. Since I love creating in the kitchen, I decided to stop buying iced coffee beverages a long time ago. (Unless I’m given a gift card.) Recently, I learned how to make iced Vietnamese coffee. Coffee isn’t a pick-me-up-in-the-morning-because-I-can’t-function-without-it drink for me. 😊😉🤣 No way. When I drink it, it’s a snack. And when I’m writing, I pair my cold brew or iced Vietnamese coffee with pistachios. 😋
The photo includes my cold brew machine, Phin filter, favorite salted caramel syrup, favorite ground coffees, coconut condensed milk, and dairy-free half & half. I also grind my own coffee beans. Not too shabby!
Just Blogging It Out!
Day 19: That time we dog-sat a huge Rottweiler named Sasha.
Sasha was full of energy and wanted to play ball all day long. You can see by the pictures that she made herself at home. It was a pleasure keeping her; we look forward to seeing her again.
Just Blogging It Out!
Day 18: That time I realized one of God’s greatest gifts is a deep tissue massage. 😁🤣
Last year, I reluctantly took my chiropractor’s advice and booked my first deep tissue massage. To my surprise, it’s not as painful as I thought. The amount of pressure is based on our preference. It is now part of my self-care routine.
Do yourself a favor and book a deep tissue massage appointment today.
Just Blogging It Out!
Day 17: That time I trusted God as my defender for real, for real.
The situation I’m referring to started in late 2021 and lasted throughout 2022. As Christians, we know (or we should) who our true enemy is. The Bible tells us to abide in the Lord, to pray without ceasing, to forgive, our battle isn’t with flesh and blood, etc. Our Christian walk is a proactive one. The Bible also tells us to walk in the Spirit and lists the fruit of the Spirit. There are so many scriptures that I can list to make my point, but I’m sure you know how to find them. I will focus on three, including the one in the photo.
What happened? Simply put, my character was attacked, and I wasn’t treated well. Poor communication and misunderstanding.
Proverbs 26:11 (NLT) As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
I am determined to live according to the Bible, but that doesn’t mean I’m not tempted to handle things naturally. (And I’ve certainly missed the mark plenty of times.) Since God knows best, I must trust Him to be my defender. If I trust God, there’s no reason to return to my old ways. I’m no fool!
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NLT) Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Do you see why I consider Ephesians my life book? 😉 Through Christ, I was able to look at the situation differently. As Christians, we are on the same team. Peace is always the goal!
This brings me to Psalm 118:6. (See photo.)
There was a time in my life when I would try to defend myself from people who were determined to believe certain things about me. That’s pointless, unproductive, and exhausting. Since we’re all creations, our opinion of others shouldn’t carry hardly any weight. There was discomfort as I worked through the possibility that multiple people would believe this person. Still, thanks to Jesus, I got passed that, too. I am who God says I am.
Thank you, Jesus, for keeping me! You are everything to me.
Just Blogging It Out!
Day 16: That time I saw Sound of Freedom.
A few years ago, I went on a mission trip to volunteer with an organization that rescues children from child trafficking. I’ve never written about it before, and I hardly talk about it because that experience wrecked me. I’m unsure if I’ll ever go on another mission trip and often wonder if that trip was a mistake. Yeah, it really was that deep . . . for me.
After seeing Sound of Freedom today, I know it wasn’t a mistake. I had no plans to see this movie because I knew it would be hard to watch. This topic should not be ignored.
If you haven’t seen it, please see it as soon as possible. And then tell someone about it. Check out the trailer below for more information.
Just Blogging It Out!
Day 15: That time I discovered the perfect color coffee offering the best taste . . . for me. 😊
The cup of joe in the photo was poured over crushed ice. Sweet & yummy! What’s your preferred coffee color?
Shortest post ever!
Just Blogging It Out!
Day 14: That time book 2, Heart Exploration, was published.
Last year was challenging for me, and the bulk of the chaos happened around the same time book 1, Discretion of the Heart, was released in March 2022. Through the strength of God, my wonderful husband, and the rest of my praying close family & friends, I made it over that hump.
Fast forward to October 16, 2022, book 2, Heart Exploration, was released. Thank you, Jesus!
It’s a great time to read this series. And yes, you have to read book 1 first. 😊 Click the links to order yours today. Or give someone a gift. 😉
Discretion of the Heart-Book 1
Just Blogging It Out! Oh, and Happy Friday!
Day 13: That time I asked for another colonoscopy.
If you think mentioning a colonoscopy is TMI, stop reading now. 😊
They call it twilight sedation which is a light anesthesia. You don’t feel pain. You’re sleepy but responsive. Although I don’t remember falling asleep, I know I at least zoned out long enough to block the beginning of the procedure. Before long, I was staring at a live stream of my colon. Shortly after, I was told no polyps were found, and I was wheeled back to the area where it all began. The place where privacy was defined by a thin curtain. Yikes!
The chattering of the male nurse reminded me of Charlie Brown’s teacher until he said, “You know that gas we gave you? We need it back. You need to pass gas before we release you.”
I giggled, trying to figure out if he was serious, and he was. 😲☹ When he walked out, I knew I had to act fast to accomplish the said goal. Success! Upon his return, I proudly reported that I had successfully returned the gas. That was probably the first time I actually confessed to committing public flatulence. 😊
Still loopy from the drugs, I gathered my belongings. My dear husband held my hand as we prepared to walk away. I didn’t need a wheelchair because I felt and appeared to be perfectly fine.
“You’re free to go. Have a good day.” The nurses’ words kind of ran together, at least to me.
And then I said the unthinkable. “Thank you so much. That was great. I want to do this again next week!”
Simultaneous laughter from the nursing staff and my husband followed that insane statement. Then one of them said, “That’s the drugs talking.” LOL
I never thought I’d hear those words referring to me. 😊
Just Blogging It Out!
Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEEEEEE!
Here we are, the 12th of July, the day I was born. The sun is always shining, and the temperature is usually about 500-650 degrees. 😊
Day 12: That time my hiking buddy brought me a birthday surprise at 5 am!
The funny part about today’s memorable moment is that things got a bit weird between my hiking buddy, SH, and me when we first met. I won’t bore you with the details, but I believe God used the situation for His glory. I trust Him completely.
Even though she hadn’t hiked in over two weeks because of sciatica, she met me at our usual place to give me a present. SH said the patchwork in the photo was inspired by my love for rain. It’s beautiful.
I look forward to her return to the trail.
Just Blogging It Out!
blogging it out 