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
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
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 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
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
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.
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
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
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 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.
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.
I’ve been trying to properly summarize this past weekend with my friends in Hamilton. It was good for my soul, real life, deep conversations. Slowing down while the snow was falling was exactly what I needed.
Click here to read my other Hamilton Weekend Wrap Up.
Happy 2020! I just love the fresh start feeling of the New Year as it’s always a great reminder to reflect and celebrate victories of the previous year, or in this case the previous decade. Each year, I look forward to these posts as a way to count the fruit. You can read previous posts here: 2018 and 2017.
January
I kicked off my One Little Word rest in hopes of prioritizing resting secure in God, cultivating a life of less, drawing from an overflow of rest, listening to my body and heard, and resting and rejoicing in growth and change.
Our sweet Chloe turned 5!
We survived snowpocalypse 2019 – about 20 inches of snow.
I started watching The Office after finishing up Friends in 2018.
Kevin and I tried some new restaurants. Le Bao and 44 Canteen were two of our favorites.
We were regulars at Fuzzy’s Trivia on Thursday nights.
February
I started meeting with a counselor on a weekly basis.
I went to California with Mom and Grandma to celebrate my cousin Mia’s birthday. I was in love with the lemon trees growing fruit in the winter.
My small group friends and I make prayer binders for a craft night.
I made the best watch face of all time.
I worked lots of overtime.
March
Kevin and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary the best way we know how – with some amazing food!
I created a gallery wall (with my absolute favorite photos) that brings a smile to my face every single time I see it.
We tried Mod Pizza with our friends, Jeff and Taylor. Somehow I ended up with dairy free cheese.
I started using Monat hair products and saw huge changes in my curls.
April
We celebrated our Three Year Highridge Ranch-iversary. I just love this space that’s all ours.
Our friend, Taylor, moved in with us. It was such a sweet season of spending time together and watching all the Bachelorette and Fixer Upper.
I ripped out the roses in our front garden beds.
May
Taylor and Jeff left Columbia for the last time as residents.
Kevin and I bought a Honda CRV!
I listened to Sabbath Practice podcast from Bridgetown Church (it was amazing!).
The Stanley Cup Finals put me in a state of anxiety during every single game.
I took a watercoloring class with Bohemia’s School of Artistry and learned so much about light and blending.
June
WE WON THE STANLEY CUP!
We went to the Stanley Cup parade in Downtown St. Louis – the best.
Books Read: The Five Intentions: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully, Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Bread Bad Ones, The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own, and Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People, The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships
July
We celebrated 4th of July in Hamilton with Sarah, Cole, Andrew, Alexa, and Josh.
We went to Weston, MO for a distillery tour, delicious BBQ, and cave bars.
We celebrated Grandma’s 75th Birthday!
I committed to volunteering with Compass 31.
Book Read: Girl, Stop Apologizing
August
I celebrated my 28th Birthday (and make white chocolate raspberry cheesecake to celebrate!)
Mom and Dad took the family to the Lake of the Ozarks for a long weekend.
Kev’s students moved to campus and he officially became “coach”.
We wrapped up the month with the annual Family Golf Tournament.
Kevin and I invested in a record player and spent time searching for gems at the record store in town. Our faves: Eric Church, Billy Joel, and Paul Simon.
Kevin got me a legit Poloroid camera.
I graduated from weekly counseling to only going on an as needed basis.
Books Read: The Coddling of the American Mind, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, A Love Letter Life: Pursue Creatively. Date Intentionally. Love Faithfully.
September
Kevin and I celebrated 10 years together!
Willow gets a forever home and Chloe gets a new best friend.
My first Compass 31 product launch went live with all new products in their shop.
I started leading a college juniors small group at our home.
October
Sarah and Cole sold their house next door and officially move; it was the most sad.
We helped host a dope homecoming tailgate.
First snow of the season (WHY THOUGH?)
My team celebrates me well with Ketchup on Bosses Day.
Books Read: Afraid of All the Things, Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation
November
Kevin’s Rocket League team wons the NACE Championship and was undefeated in their inaugural season!
We put up the Christmas Tree.
I participated in the Live2Lead Event at work and got to see Rachel Hollis speak – I’m a fan.
We spent Thanksgiving with Claire and Michael and I made my first pumpkin pie.
I went to VU’s Feast Forum and got teary-eyed over the gratitude and goodness of my workplace. I’m so thankful.
I spent Black Friday with Grandma and we shopped til we dropped.
I tried my hand at cooking vegan at home and found some new recipes to incorporate into our regular routine.
Book Read: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
December
I watched 12 Christmas movies before Christmas.
I completely caught up on Project Life – so now I have printed photos from 2013 – present.
Mom and I dressed our dogs up in matching PJs.
VU hosted an incredible Holiday Party, as always!
We made gingerbread houses at work.
Books Read: Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service, In His Image, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
We adopted this little Doberman/Coonhound cutie officially on September 8th, 2019 almost a week after unofficially adopting her (…also known as taking her home for a trial run) on September 2nd. For Kevin, it was love at first sight and I had to warm up to the idea of having two dogs, hence the multiple date situation, making this the most typical Jacqueline and Kevin decision of all time. We were not in the market for another dog, but when you see an adoption event when you’re driving by Petsmart, you can’t just pass it up like nothing is happening. We both love all the pups and have joked about having a farm some day so we can adopt or foster more, but we didn’t really plan on getting another one this soon.
At the time we adopted her, she was only 12 weeks old and just about as crazy as you would imagine. She wasn’t house trained or really anything trained, so it took some getting used to and lots of new routines. Just like we did with Chloe, we taught Willow to ring a bell when she needed to go out and she learned that in about two weeks. She still occasionally has accidents, but it’s mostly just when we’re not paying enough attention to her.
Willow was the name originally given to her at the adoption shelter, and we thought it was a perfect fit for her and to go with Chloe’s name. We also got to meet her sister, Fern, who looked very similar to Willow, but was all tan with longer ears. The coonhound genes were strong with that one. It was fun to be able to see them together, especially since we never got to see Chloe’s siblings. They told us that Willow and Fern were found together on a county road outside of town and that they searched high and low for the folks she belonged to, but they never had any luck.
Our biggest concern in bringing home a new pup was how Chloe was going to handle it. I always thought of Chloe as a single dog household kind of gal, but she quickly took to loving on and instigating all the crazy play time with Willow. I truly think Chloe is happier with her around. Since we got her, they have destroyed almost all Chloe’s plush toys and have chomped their way through about four antlers.
Weeks with us: 8
Trips to the Vet: 4
Pounds Gained: 5 lbs
Estimated Full Grown Weight: 55lbs
Likes: the toy Chloe has, howling as we scoop her food, cuddling at night, and Chloe’s bed.
Dislikes: having to go in her kennel while we’re gone, cars driving by during walks, and sleeping in her own bed.
We’re lucky to give this little sweetie a forever home.
