Daily Delights // Friday

Daily Delights // Friday

As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.

A Photo From Today

Untitled by Jacqueline and Kevin Reape on 500px.com

Wise Words from Emma Zeck

With this open time

You do not have to write the next bestselling novel

You do not have to get in the best shape of your life

You do not have to start that podcast

What you can do instead is observe this pause as an opportunity

The same systems we see crumbling in society are being called to crumble in each of us individually

The systems that taught us we are machines that live to produce and we are disposable if we are not doing so

The systems that taught us monetary gain takes priority over humanity

The systems that create our insecurities then capitalize off them

What if we became curious with this free time, and had no agenda other than to experience being?

What if you created art for the sake of creating?

What if you allowed yourself to rest and cry and laugh and play and get curious about whatever arises in you?

What if our true purpose is in this space?

As if mother earth is saying: we can no longer carry on this way. The time is now – I am reminding you who you are. Will you remember?

Stuck in my Head

Way Maker
Miracle worker
Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God
That is who you are

You wipe away all tears
You mend the broken heart
You’re the answer to it all
Jesus.

Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, you never stop working
You never stop, you never stop working

Way Maker
Miracle worker
Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God
That is who you are

Daily Delights // Friday

Daily Delights // Thursday

As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.

A Photo From Today

Untitled by Jacqueline and Kevin Reape on 500px.com

Counting the Joy

  • Nightly chats with Mom while we walk in our respective neighborhoods. Especially in 65 degree weather with sunsets like that one.
  • Memes about “gather” signs.
  • Audiobooks downloaded from the library while it’s closed. I’m currently listening to this and reading this.
  • Having specific exercise, dietary, and sleep goals.
  • Pup cuddles and pup snores
  • Turning off the news and social media
  • A long enough to do list to keep me busy, but mostly taking time to rest.
  • Beautiful sunsets and flowers popping up all over town. The magnolia trees are my absolute favorite right now.
  • Kev’s laughter from the basement when the guys are FaceTiming or playing PUBG together.
  • Exchanging phone numbers, chatting from across the street, checking in and truly just loving on our neighbors.

Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Social Distancing To Do List Update

  • Catch up on Project Life/scrapbooking projects
  • Shred everything in the shred bin
  • Host Zoom meetings or Group FaceTime hangs with friends
  • Clean out closet and go through summer clothes
  • Go on a photo walk
  • Listen to a whole record in one sitting
  • Do a face mask
  • Take a bubble bath
  • Do some yoga (currently watching: Yoga with Adriene)
  • Sharpen my photography skills by testing out ISO/Av/exposure on a single subject
  • Download a coloring book app on my iPad
  • Watch a show on Netflix (current to watch list: The Circle, Love is Blind, Cheer, and Outlander)
  • Meditate (using the Headspace App)
  • Read all the unread books on my shelf (there are only about 6)
  • Try Daily Pages with RUKristin
  • Shop local and at our favorite small businesses
  • Make a capsule wardrobe for spring
  • Go down a YouTube rabbit hole – starting with minimalism videos
  • Unplug for 24 hours (probably going to need it!)
  • Work on my cross-stitch quilt
  • Take an online course
  • Try a new recipe
  • Clean up the leaves in our yard
  • Start planning my summer garden
  • Make dog treats
  • Make a watercolor painting
  • Make a magazine collage journal
Daily Delights // Friday

Daily Delights // Wednesday

As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.

A Photo From Today

Untitled by Jacqueline and Kevin Reape on 500px.com

Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

When You Shop, Think Small and Think Local

Shopping from local and small businesses makes a huge impact any time, but now it feels even more important be intentional about how we can help support businesses that make our towns what they are.

If you’re local, here’s a list of COMO Restaurants that are offering delivery and curbside pick up options. Love to support some of our favorite places.

In addition to taking advantage of local restaurants, I’ve seen people making suggestions to buy giftcards for future use or buy gifts you know you’ll be buying anyway. <3

Thoughts

Feeling a little weepy over real and raw hurts and anxieties that have both been shared with me personally and over the internet. I keep thinking of this and how people seem to be gathering together, while still keeping physical distance.

Conversations will not be cancelled.

Relationships will not be cancelled.

Love will not be cancelled.

Songs will not be cancelled.

Reading will not be cancelled.

Self-care will not be cancelled.

Hope will not be cancelled.

May we lean into the good stuff that remains.

Clicks

Take some free online classes at Britt + Co – Use the code “SELFCARE” for free online classes (photography, watercolor, lettering, etc) until 3/31.

Bad Reviews on National Parks – Got lots of chuckles out of this one.

A Calm Space – Probably the best note to end on.

Daily Delights // Friday

Daily Delights // Tuesday

As news of the virus becomes more inescapable, I thought it would be helpful to just start noticing the good things, the blessings, and all the ways that I still feel God meeting me exactly where I’m at during this time of uncertainty. I’ll be sharing these things regularly as a reminder to me and as an encouragement for you to look for them in your life as well. God is over this and He’s in it with us. Here’s how that looked today.

A Photo From Today

Untitled by Jacqueline and Kevin Reape on 500px.com

For Lent this year, I am challenging myself to Andy Frisella’s 75 Hard Program which includes two 45 minute workouts a day. Not being able to go to the gym has really thrown a wrench into that plan, but we’ve been working out at home. Not the best quality photo, but as you can tell, Willow loves yoga days.

Good Tunes

The Crossing recently put together a playlist on Spotify of great songs to listen to to remember and rest in God’s peace. It’s been such a welcomed reminder to worship through all the feelings and uncertainty that this pandemic is bringing.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Clicks

A couple other distractions for you:

Your Next Book You Should Read Based on Your Favorite Flowers – HERE. FOR. IT. (And I always love a good recommendation outside my usual go-tos.)

Burn The Candles – I reread this article by Shauna Niequist every now and again to remind me to be delighted.

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe – Just in case you’re like me and using this social distancing time to be productive around the house.

Emily P. Freeman – Emily hosts my current favorite podcast and has lots of awesome content on her website.

The Art of Noticing – Ali Edwards is hosting an event called “The Art of Noticing” with a simple concept of opening your eyes to things in your life that you might otherwise miss. Such good timing on this.