Wednesday Wonder: How Living by the Water Deepens My Faith

 

Hello Friends and Happy Wednesday to you 💙

It's a stormy one here today and I'm not mad about it. There's something so cozy about a rainy day. I'm actually sipping my warm mint tea - I was in the mood for it. Makes me want to curl up and read too. Do you love the rain & storms? Or prefer the bright sunny days? I think I love them equally. 

Speaking of rainy days - this leads to my thoughts about water and its sacredness. I thought today I would share some reflections about living on a bay and sharing a lake kind of life. Especially the ways it speaks to my soul in a very spiritual sense. I love the water so much! 

I grew up living very close to Lake Superior. And I have been living on a bay that feeds directly into Lake Superior for 18 years now.  We often pontoon on this large Great Lake. 

A little trivia time out: Did you know Lake Superior is the largest fresh water lake in the world by surface area? (and the 3rd largest by volume) She is a big lake! Also deep and cold with a max depth of over 1,300 feet, and an average temperature throughout the year of 43 degrees. Brrrr

And I also grew up visiting Lake George in Rhinelander, WI most of my life. It's where my Dad grew up and we would visit my Grandma (my Grandpa died when I was young) and my many aunts, uncles and cousins. I learned to swim, ice skate, and fish on that lake. :) 

The last lake I love is Ten Mile Lake... which is where Matt's lake property is located. That lake is over 5,000 acres in size and has a max depth of over 200 feet. 

So I have been around and loved water my whole life. I was doing some prayer and devotional time the other day and thinking about the ways the Lord uses water in scripture. And I was thinking of the ways I have always felt a sacredness related to water. In obvious ways: like baptism. But in many other ways too.

Here are some pictures of my Grandma's former home in Rhinelander, WI. After around 60 years of being in our family's life it had to be sold and now belongs to someone else. It was difficult to let it go, but times and lives change. I'm so grateful I had the gift of that amazing place growing up... and that my own kids got to enjoy the property and the lake and how special it was there. 

My brother was married on that property. My Aunt had her wedding reception there. And another Aunt's ashes were scattered in that lake. It will forever be sacred ground in my heart and in my memories. 

I also love the wild life, flowers, and birds that share the water on our properties. What I see and feel in those moments is how amazing God is! Such an artist in all He has created. 

Healing of the Water

19 The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.”

20 “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.

21 Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” 22 And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.

Matt and I both often say how blessed we are to have both grown up on the water and have a mutual love for it. In every season: 

I often like to do my journaling and devotional time outside by the water, because I find such peace and connection when I look out at it. I always feel such a closeness with our Creator...much the same as I do at church. 

And I think that's also why Matt & I chose to be married next to the water. 😉❤️

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday Blogging Besties 😊💕

Are you excited about the eclipse today? Here, we're not going to have any exciting moments as it's cloudy and raining...and it's supposed to stay this way all day. But I hope those of you in a zone to see it will enjoy! 

It was such a fun and lovely weekend here. Friday Matt & Annie & I went out for dinner and then went to our local Home and Builders Show. It was fun to see exhibits and products for Spring. 

Then Saturday Matt & I headed to visit my Aunt. She lived around my area for many years. But she retired and moved away more recently to a really fun town a few hours away from us. It's a big college area and it's so charming. She lives in a 55+ retirement community area that is on a college campus. So it's so dynamic and filled with fun energy. She does volunteer work at the chapel at the college. The whole area is charming and it's so nice because she can walk to just about anything she needs. So we did lots of walking around seeing the area. We walked around the campus. And she took us to her favorite coffee/sandwich shop. We also looked at shops and she showed us her favorite nature trails. She made us dinner Saturday night and then we walked to an ice cream shop. We went back to her place and played cards until late. Then Sunday she took us to a different university campus that has a monastery and an abbey.

 We went to mass at the abbey and it had amazing architecture and stained glass. The monks did a lot of the mass and so there was lovely music and singing (almost chanting at times). We ate on the campus for lunch after. It was so fun to kind of remember college days. And to feel the fun younger energy everywhere. Her little area is truly like out of a Hallmark movie or something. Best of all, though, was catching up with her of course! (she's always been an extra special Auntie to me) We already look forward to the next visit with her. 💗💗💗

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

Sugar free iced coffee. 

I now fast 16 hours each day and only do an 8 hour eating window. I love how I feel now that I'm getting used to fasting. I can tell it's shrinking my belly too, so I don't have as much appetite. So I'm losing weight faster. When I do eat, I choose healthier options and lesser portions. I'm determined to have less weight on my joints to help with pain issues with my arthritis etc. Just working on healthy and a lifestyle that can work for me long term....the weight loss is just a nice side effect. :) 

I also do regular exercise throughout the week. Motion is lotion as they say in the arthritis world. 😉

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

make Ruby's vet appointment, help Annie with prom errands, run errands for senior soiree, Annie & I both have dental appts, pick up just a few groceries, more spring cleaning projects, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:  

the solar eclipse for obvious reasons - even though I won't be seeing it here...it's a pretty cool event to me (I've always loved astronomy and sciences)

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It's gray and rainy. But almost all the snow is gone and the bay is open! I just saw a group of wild turkeys go through my yard and I just took a pic (I'll share it below) 

CURRENTLY READING

I have started the book The Collected Regret of Clover by Mikki Brammer. I received it as a gift from a friend and started it before and then got sidetracked. Now reading for real and it's so good so far! She knew it would be up my alley as it's about an end of life doula in N.Y. (although it's a fictitious novel and the main character is adorably unique)

ON THE TV TODAY:

Jeopardy, Call the Midwife, LPBW, The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy,  Survivor, The Rookie, Ghosts, Shark Tank, The Good Doctor,  When Calls the Heart 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  cardamom bread french toast, bacon, fruit, eggs

TUESDAY - spicy coconut curry pork noodle soup (HF meal)

WEDNESDAY -  tomato shakshuka w/ feta & pickled onion, pita bread, side salad (HF meal)

THURSDAY - creamy one pot pasta toscana w/ spinach & parm (HF meal)

FRIDAY -  out for dinner

  

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, craft, home projects

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

Did you know that your biggest organ is your skin? And I had read up long ago about all the chemicals in detergents and how your skin soaks up some of that from your clothing. So the past few years I've liked using all natural projects in the laundry. My favorite has been molly's suds detergent powder (they have liquid too) and their natural dryer sheets along with wool dry balls. This isn't an add or anything - I'm just sharing what I have found works for me to feel good about our healthier laundry situation. My favorite fragrance of detergent is molly's lavender (from essential oils). I have a subscription set up on amazon to make it even easier for myself. For towels and things I often add a little vinegar in the fabric softener compartment of the washer to naturally soften them.  No, the clothes don't have that super smell other detergent's give or those weird scent booster ball things? But if I smell that on clothing I just think I'm smelling chemicals now and that doesn't smell fresh in my mind. My clothes just smell clean. Good enough for me. Lol 

Anyway, just thought I'd share. 

FROM THE CAMERA:

The recent visit to see my Aunt. The wall of stained glass was the whole back of the church up to the ceiling. Just such unique architecture. That's Matt admiring it in the first pic. And the other pics are of my Aunt's cute place (in one pic you can see her off to the right and her dog Luna). We had a lovely weather Saturday there and walked everywhere. Sunday was a rainy drive home but cozy and we did lots of chatting and singing. 💗

Some Spring moments: These neat pages in my planner for the April part. A recent Spring pedi because Annie and I go to AZ for her Spring break. And the wild turkeys in our backyard this morning. 

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere. For both Matt & my sets of aging parents and their health issues. For safe Spring break travels for Annie & I in the future and any other Spring break, or solar eclipse, travelers. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Happy eclipse day Friends and have a blessed week ahead. I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Five on Friday: Beauty Edition

 

Hello Friends! 

Are you getting ready to head into a fun weekend ahead? I hope so. ☀️

Today, I thought I'd do another 5 on Friday and that I'd share some  things that make me feel beautiful. I think a lot of us women, especially through this mid-life aging process, like to seek what makes us feel more beautiful in every way. So I don't just mean physically. I'd also like to focus on all of the realms of my life: physically, mental/emotional, and spiritually. So here are five things that I find I love to help me in this beauty seeking journey. I plan to be very candid about a few things, so buckle up. Lol

ONE

The first couple have to do with physical beauty. I'm sure you're wondering why I shared a photo of rubber gloves - but it's because I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THEM. 😂 

As I've aged I noticed the toll doing some dishes by hand, and doing other cleaning projects, were having on my hands and fingernails. Cracked, dry, weak nails etc. I decided to start getting old school rubber gloves to protect them and it has helped tremendously!! I often keep hand lotion by the sink too - for moisturizing after daily handwashing  too. It all truly helps with making me feel like my hands stay healthier and prettier. 

TWO

I also thought I'd share some of my tried and true "beauty" products that I use regularly. As you can see, I'm an Olay girl through and through. I also love Thayers facial toner and use it every night. My normal skin regimen is to start the day with a clean face using gentle cleanser. I use Olay complete moisturizer, and in the summer I make sure I use one with SPF in it. At night I remove my makeup with gentle cleansers and then use the Thayers toner. Once that's dry (usually after I brush my teeth). I put on Olay regenerist night cream and Olay eyes with collagen and peptide on my eyes. I have been using most of these products for years and they have helped my skin stay healthy and that makes me feel beautiful.  I think a big part of physical beauty for me is health focused and in how I work to take care of myself: eat right, drinking lots of water and moving my body in some way everyday. I'm on hardly any medication. I take a half pill of the smallest dose of a blood pressure med and that's it besides vitamins and an allergy pill. I'll take that at almost 53 years young!

THREE

I wanted to share something that has also really helped me as a mid-life woman. If you're offended by talk of sexual health - then feel free to skip reading this. But I think women should never be ashamed of this topic. And I feel it can be a big part of our health if we want it to be. I've always been a very physical person on several levels: affection, being active, playing sports, and yes, sex. It was a big part of our connection through all the years with my ex and it's a big part of a loving connection with my dear Matthew. It's also a way I feel beautiful as a woman. 

As I've aged I noticed...just like many parts of my body...things were changing  and that included in the vaginal area and how being intimate could be more uncomfortable. I talked to my doctor about it and this was recommended. Well for me it has been LIFE CHANGING. I had other issues in that area sometimes, besides intimacy things, and it has helped with all of it. It is a hormone cream that helps to, shall I say, plump and make things more youthful. I also want to throw in that I do kegel exercises with my regular workouts, which I feel helps combat aging in this area too. I wanted to share this in case any of you are having issues and didn't know there was something out there that could help. If you are, I highly recommend talking to your doctor about it. 

FOUR

I also wanted to touch on my spiritual health and how it helps me feel attractive in many ways. This also touches a lot on how mentally and emotionally I feel solid/whole/complete....which I believe shines on the outside of a person and I know it makes me feel beautiful in the most important ways. 

As women I think we can tend to sacrifice a lot of ourselves for our families. Being a wife and mother, as well as family member and friend to others - can have us often putting ourselves last on the list. I know many of you know my story - but I want to share some things that I hope will help you see the ways having God as a foundation has helped me in everything...but specifically in this instance - how He helped me feel "beautiful" again.

When I was in my mid 40's my kids were getting older and more independent, and my MIL, with alzheimers, had gone into a facility after I had been helping care for her for many years. So I was finally thinking about how I wanted to focus on myself - get more fit, healthier, do volunteer work, pursue passions etc. But I was thrown a curveball as during this time I discovered my ex was having an affair with someone half his age that worked for him. Beyond the obvious hurt and trauma of feeling like I was losing someone I had loved and built a life with for almost 30 years... I also felt like I became old and ugly overnight. My ex had always made me feel beautiful. And I had also worked hard to get to the age where I didn't dwell on my physical beauty the same way. I felt I finally really loved and accepted myself no matter what. But here I was - my self-esteem, my self worth, and how I saw myself as a woman all took a huge hit. It was such a difficult time because my ex would still tell me I was beautiful and how he loved me ...but then ultimately never stopped seeing her. It messed with my head and emotions a lot. It also didn't help that this other woman insulted my faith and made fun of my age and looks and never shared any real remorse with me over what she had done in helping destroy our family. And when he continued to value her and had her move in several years ago - it all felt traumatic, unbelievable, and  like I would never have a light in me again.  I felt old, ugly, obsolete. I kept my focus on my kids and had wonderful help from family and friends. But it didn't change how I saw myself.

But during this worst time of my life I never stopped turning to the Lord. Reading His word. Going to church. Doing devotional time and talking it out with Him. And His voice kept coming to me - telling me I was His daughter and that there was purpose in this pain. That I was a beautiful person in every way and there was a plan for me. He led me to hospice work. To helping others in a way that made me not think of myself. That work helps me feel the beauty in all life and how we're all not of this world - but of the next. I also had women from many areas of my life (blogging friends, hospice workers, even a neighbor) come to me to share their similar stories. We help each other learn and grow through the pain we've been put through. Empowering one another to move forward in healthy and purposeful ways. And through all of this I was able to learn so much about myself and who I really am. And I learned to love myself again. To see my beauty and self worth when I look in the mirror. 

I realized that for so long I still felt my self worth was tied up in my ex...needing to be accepted by him and be friends with him... and also worrying for his health and happiness.  I knew I had to learn to let go of it all. That the person he now values at the end of the day is inconsequential to my life and I accept she's forever a part of his as she lives with him, works in his offices and will be in my kids' lives. I finally realized that his issues are not mine to carry - and that it was okay to let go. To remember the wonderful memories and the good, but that he doesn't have to fit into my current life other than a co-parent. I'm grateful that we are decent and even kind to one another now. In the past he used to get upset with my dating and now he has expressed his happiness for Matt & I getting married. He is good to the kids and I in many ways and I let him know how much I appreciate that whenever I need to communicate with him.  But what I realized most is that the ultimate opinion that matters is my Heavenly Father's. And how He loves me and values me. What helps me on the really difficult days is to read His words about forgiveness. Putting my focus there and choosing that brings such a freedom and peace. My point here is that my faith and trust in the Lord makes me feel so loved and beautiful and happy in ways I can't put into words. So if you relate with my story in any way please know that I get your pain. I'm still surviving it and it gets better all the time. Sharing my story through the years has helped, especially in connecting with others. 

And know that I found my inner "beauty" and freedom in prayer, forgiveness and accepting my ex's new life and I wish the best for him. I leave the rest in God's hands always. 🙏🏻💕

But if you have suffered in similar ways please know most of all that you are gorgeous and seen and worthy beyond belief!

And, as you know,  that faith and trust in the Lord ultimately led me to the most wonderful and loving partner/friend/soulmate in the whole wide world. Which leads me to number 5 for this week....

FIVE

I think what makes me feel beautiful as a human being on this earth is the purpose the Lord gives me in my life here. Going where He leads me to try to help others. But my heart swells most with the purpose I know God gave me as a wife and mother. So I feel beyond blessed for the amazing gifts He gave me in my son and daughter and in Matt. And they make me feel unconditionally loved, appreciated, and so very beautiful every single day. 

It doesn't hurt that Matt compliments me all the time and makes me feel like I'm one gorgeous babe. Lol 😁

 All I know is the love I see in my kids' and Matt's eyes makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.

I would love to know what makes you feel beautiful? 

Blessings always.

xoxo