Thursday, May 1, 2014

10 Things I Learned in April


I enjoy my weekly Friday Randomness post because I can randomly decide to change things up. And today I choose to join Emily Freeman of Chatting at the Sky for her end of the month post where she invites other writers to come along and share what they learned the past month.

Original photo by friend Judd Johnson

1. A trip to San Diego to see my oldest son and his wife was precisely what I needed to refresh my heart as I approached the half-way point of my husband's deployment. I loved meeting their sweet new puppy too. I’m ready for grandchildren but will gladly cuddle up with Storm for now.



2. I enjoy shopping so much more at recycled designer apparel stores. I fell in love with My Sister's Closet while in San Diego. Who doesn't love walking out of a store with a few outfits, a cute purse and a pair of sexy shoes for under fifty dollars? The added bonus was shopping with these two lovely ladies:

My daughter-in-law on the left and writing friend Satin of My Heart, His Words on the right.

3. My son and his wife agreeing to join me for church makes my heart sing with joy. Oodles of joy!

4. My youngest son wins the hearts of his audience with the first strum of his classical guitar. He had his first guitar gig at an adorable Rock House/Coffee House/Wine Bar mid-April and I must say I have a very talented son. A live performance picture can be found here.

5. Winter does eventually come to an end. I survived our horribly long and cold one without a complete meltdown. PRAISE GOD! It’s still colder than I would prefer it to be for this time of the year but we are headed in the right direction. It’s warm enough for evening walks again which has a positive impact on my attitude.


6. I’m addicted to buying books (I shared addiction here) and April is apparently the time of the year for book launches. I really need to find more time to read. If you have not read Jennifer Dukes Lee’s new book Love Idol, head on over to Amazon and buy now. If you have an addiction like me and you are trying to refrain from buying another book, buy this one first. While you are at it, buy Spiritual Misfit by Michelle DeRusha too. The two are meant to be purchased as a pair.

7. God gives you grace just when you need it most. You can read here how He used friends to bless me when missing my husband desperately. We truly were not made to do life alone.

8. Deciding to read and blog my way through the Love Dare book during my husband’s deployment has taken my attention off of my strongholds and instead put my focus on chasing after God’s kind of love. As a result, those strongholds are beginning to lose their grip. My Lenten journey may not have ended as intended but God is good and He will give me victory over this mountain.

“For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!” ~ Deuteronomy 20:4

9. Saying yes to attending an (in)RL meet-up was a wise decision. Saying yes to God is always a wise decision. If God calls you to something, He will surely see you through it and bless you for your yes. This is exactly what God did for me. A big heart-felt thank you to my new friend Kay for her heart to host the meet-up at her church.

10. I love exploring options for a blog makeover. However, making a decision on the direction to take is hard. VERY HARD. I've learned to say thank you to my blog designer often so she does not lose patience with me. Creating a Pinterest board to explore options has also proven to be excellent advice received from a writing friend. Oh, you can follow me in Pinterest here if you would like. I’d love to follow you too.

And one more (so I guess that makes it Eleven Things Learned in April) because the month of April is over which means I am one month closer to having this gorgeous husband of mine back home.


Since this is what I normally do on Friday's, below are a few of my favorite blog reads from the past week:






There are always many more posts that moved me. It's so hard to choose just a few. Thank you for sharing your stories, friends. They do matter.

Blessings upon blessings.

40 comments :

  1. It was so nice to meet you too! Thanks for visiting my place. I loved your list! Look forward to knowing you more.

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Jamie. I look forward to getting to know you too. Blessings.

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  2. Hi Beth! I love seeing your smiling face as you enjoyed your trip to California to visit your son and his beautiful wife! What a wonderful month you had! I'm excited for you that you are past the halfway point in your hubby's deployment! Soon he will be in your arms again! What a blessing!

    Love, Joan

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    1. Thank you so much, Joan. I'm ever so grateful for the months that have passed by. Soon, really soon, I will hold him again. Love you.

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  3. Hi Beth,

    What lovely photos of you and your family...and I love finding a good deal...and I read your post about how God gave you grace through various people....praying now for you and your husband...blessings to you and thanks for sharing your list :)

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    1. Thank you for your prayers and for visiting, Dolly. Blessings to you.

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  4. So glad you got to have these wonderful experiences in April! What a blessing as the winter draws to a close and you get that much closer to having your man home. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  5. LOVED your list. Hoping the days pass quickly till hubby returns. You have a good attitude and strong faith and He will see you through. Blessings...

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    1. Thank you, Sheila. With warmer temperatures upon us it already feel like the days are passing by a bit quicker. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Blessings.

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  6. Lovely list!! And you got to shop with Satin?! So jealous!! One day, my friend, we WILL meet! Just you wait and see! :)

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    1. I'm praying for that day, Alecia. Much love to you.

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  7. Awesome list! And a great way to end the month, counting our blessings. An excellent habit to cultivate. So many wonderful pix. I know you're yearning for your sweet hubby, but in the meantime, God has blessed you with an abundance of people who love you...Including me!

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  8. I appreciate your heart so very much.

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    1. You are always so sweet, Lisa. Thank you. I appreciate your heart. {Hugs}

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  9. I too was hesitant about attending an (in)RL meetup. So glad I did, I totally needed the fellowship. Glad you are finding comfort with friends while your husband is away.

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    1. I'm glad to here you were able to attend one as well, Marisela. Thank you for stopping by. Blessings.

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  10. Diane's, Worst Typo, came after a hilarious thread from the comments on Facebook {where the worst typo actually happened}! :) And reading the 10 things you learned, Beth, was like we chatted over tall glass of tea.

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    1. I did see that hilarious thread on Facebook. Funny stuff. I pray we are able to chat over that tall glass of tea one day. Love you.

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  11. I have Love Idol waiting for me on my bookshelf...now just need to find more time to read!

    I have that map (behind you in the photo) in my home! : )

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    1. You have to love Ikea! I have one in my home and my son also has one. Love it!! Thank you for stopping by, Jill.

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  12. I have way too many books than I can read! I have to catch up on your love dare series! Have a beautiful weekend.

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    1. You have been on my mind, Barbie. Keeping you in my prayers. Love you.

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  13. Beth,
    Wow...half way through your hubby's deployment...so proud of you! They should give medals for surviving deployment (the other side). Praying that spring brings with it uplifted spirits!! As always, I enjoy stopping by your place - it's always cozy and welcoming. Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers!!
    Love and big ((Hugs)),
    Bev

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    1. Aww. Thanks, Bev. It feels good to be past the half-way point. I'm ready for spring!! Love you and sending hugs your way. {Hugs}

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  14. Beth, I'm linking up with Barbie for the first time and it was so fun to find your blog there! (I appreciated the comment you left on my Surprised by Motherhood post earlier this week!) I have yet to join Emily's link up but often think it would be so good to take time to reflect on the things I've learned each month. You may have inspired me to give it a go next time! From what you learned this month my heart is saying a big yes to "Saying yes to God is always a wise decision." Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Hello Becky! Thank you for stopping by. I did enjoy joining Emily for the first time. It's fun to reflect back on the month. I hope to see you there in June! It's nice to *meet* you in this blogging world. Blessings.

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  15. Hi Beth! What a joy to meet your sons today! And your daughter in law and grand-dog too!
    I won a copy of Love Idol in a blog contest, so I'm waiting to get my copy. I've heard so many good things about it, I'm looking forward to reading it.
    How do you get involved in (in)RL? We'll have to talk about your experiences with that sometime...maybe soon!
    Have a great weekend :)
    Ceil

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    1. Less than a week!! I'm counting down the days and looking forward to meeting you inRL. I hope your weekend has been wonderful.

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  16. I so enjoyed reading this today! My heart hurts for you as you are missing your husband but it rejoices in the treasured moments you experienced during the month of April. I, too, am a book addict if the stack on my nightstand is any indication. I am so thankful that winter has finally been replaced by Spring and I pray that warmer temps continue to come your way. Visiting you from The Weekend Brew!! Mary

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Mary. It's wonderful to see you here. It sounds as though I'm far from alone in my addiction to books. LOL. Blessings.

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  17. Hi Beth, Wow you are blessed! Great post to get to know you a little better. I followed your Pinterest and look forward to keeping in touch. Have a great weekend. Stopping by from the Weekend Brew. :)

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    1. Thank you, Cathy. I'm headed over to follow you on Pinterest too. Blessings to you.

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  18. April was an important month for you. I don't think it's a coincidence that it was also the half-way mark in your husband's deployment. I'm so proud of you, Beth. We may be "struck down" at times, but {thanks be to God} we are NEVER destroyed! Praying for you, my friend!

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    1. Thank you, June. You make me smile every time you come here and leave a comment.
      Much love to you.

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  19. Love your list. Wow...you have some good looking kids! What a blessing. Thanks for the book recommendations. I'll be planning on reading Love Idol now, for sure. And...I spoke about my Lent challenge on my "Learned" post. It was new to me too. I see much to explore here so I'm sure I'll be back. Blessings

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    1. So good to *meet* you, Lisa. I plan to come over and pay you a visit too. Thank you for your kind words and I do hope to see you again. Blessings.

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  20. I'm getting close to being ready for grandchildren too. :) I'm glad you were able to visit your son and his wife for some family time. Congrats to your son on his first guitar gig. Exciting. I have a book addiction too, but it's more of a library book thing so at least it's not expensive. ha. But it can still be time-consuming and time-wasting. I read Michelle's book but haven't read Jennifer's yet; I need to.

    Glad you're one month closer to having your husband home! Praying for all to go well until then.

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  21. I am such a terrible linky host. I thought I had read your link... sorry friend. What a great list. and woohoo on being one month closer! that is a terrific picture of your hubby btw. i need someone to take a good picture of my man.

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  22. I loved reading your What I Learned in April. Isn't it a fun thing to write and link-up to?

    So glad you were able to visit your son and daughter-in-law. Those visits are so precious!

    One month closer! Yay!!!! PTL!!!

    And I'm a total book addict too!!! My pile just keeps getting bigger and bigger. lol

    Thanks for linking up last week at Beauty Observed!

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Much love to you.