R—Restoration

In September of 2023, I started a journey of reclaiming my home. I prayed and tucked scriptures into the four corners of my property and every door. This one pictured was the only one that remained. 

Psalm 126:4–6 (NIV)
Restore our fortunes Lord.... Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

By unknown providence, I picked up a wooden hand-carved plate at an estate sale that illustrated the Bible verse. When I took communion for the first time in my semi-restored home, this was my bread plate (the purpose for which I bought it). I didn't realize until later that it matched the Bible verse! 

We all have our stories that involve great loss. We go out weeping. Hopefully we carry seed to sow, which I view as anything from acts of service to support of any kind given to others. My hope is that we keep moving forward through tears. It is possible to defeat discouragement and stand strong! Surely there is a reward when we rebuild.

It makes me think of a verse in Ephesians (which also happens to be a part of the etymology of "restore" below):

Ephesians 6:13–14 (NKJV)
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore ... 

Sometimes standing is all one can do! And sometimes it can knock you down. That's what happened to me. The same month that an all-out effort was put in the works to restore my ravaged home, my brother died. I had been traveling back and forth from Oklahoma to Minnesota to help with his care after our father died three years earlier. I stood, but barely.

We waited to bury his ashes until his birthday in April, which is helpful in the extreme North Dakota winters and digging a hole in the family graveyard there. That's when I felt like my feet were knocked out from beneath me. Energy was zapped. I could barely work. And eventually I encountered a health crisis that gave me a reason to drop clients and truly rest. Euphoria in that release lasted a day or two. Then the rest of the journey began. 

I am writing this blog post half a year later. While both journeys of restoration continue, I am able to look back and see how fortunate I am to have not ended up learning of health conditions on the other side of an emergency room experience—or worse yet, not at all and simply died alone in my home. My doctor and I recently had a conversation about the the stakes I unknowingly navigated. 

That's completely due to the Lord's hand on my life. He has preserved me!

But back to restoration, regardless of the kind of restoration (health, home, etc.) indicates to me that something good was lost and is now given back or built back. I keep a newsletter pinned on my corkboard that shared a glimpse of the work involved to restore an apartment that was so trashed no one else would buy it. The minister shared Greek words and gave Biblical meanings to it all. (I happened to find the online version here.) What stood out to me was "rescue" and "one's return to safety and soundness." That's one thing I am immensely thankful for!

So in an attempt to wrap up what could be an even longer post, I pray for each one who may come across these words while in the midst of pain and tears. May you stand and be made firm again and again and again and again—however long it takes.

restore (verb) re·​store ri-ˈstȯr 

transitive verb

1 : give back, return

2 : to put or bring back into existence or use

3 : to bring back to or put back into a former or original state : renew

4 : to put again in possession of something

restoration (noun) res·​to·​ra·​tion ˌre-stə-ˈrā-shən 

1 : an act of restoring or the condition of being restored: such as

   a : a bringing back to a former position or condition : reinstatement

   b : restitution

   c : a restoring to an unimpaired or improved condition

   d : the replacing of missing teeth or crowns

2 : something that is restored 

     especially : a representation or reconstruction of the original form (as of a fossil or a building)

3 (capitalized) 

   a : the reestablishing of the monarchy in England in 1660 under Charles II

   b : the period in English history usually held to coincide with the reign of Charles II but sometimes to extend through the reign of James II

I also really like what I found on etymonline.com:

restore** (v.)

c. 1300, restoren, "to give back," also, "to build up again, repair; renew, re-establish; free from the effects of sin; bring back to a former and better state," from Old French restorer, from Latin restaurare "repair, rebuild, renew." This is from re- "back, again" (see re-) + -staurare, not attested by itself but also in instaurare "to set up, establish; renew, restore," etc., from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm."

From late 14c. as "to cure, heal, bring back to a vigorous state;" of objects, beliefs, etc., "bring back to an original state or condition," 1670s. Related: Restored; restoring.

If anyone would like to see some moments from my home restoration, I happened to make some updates on TikTok (which hopefully will remain accessible for a long time to come)!

• The empty shell
• A year(-ish) later

*"restore" and "restoration." Merriam-Webster.com. (22 April 2025).
**"restoration." Etymonline.com. (24 April 2025)

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G—Grace, Gifts, and Gratitude—No, GENTLE (warrior)!

I was waylaid when I got to this page. Suddenly the things to write seemed huge, and my energy seemed nonexistent. I've indulged naps again and have been concerned about my health and pushing it too far by manufacturing things to do.

I came across this little portion of God's words to me and decided to yield my efforts more fluidly to what He is doing in me:

Sink yourself into the slow present. Yield & flow like Iona, the gentle act of service & surrender, breathing into the day, the open listening, inner & outer reflection, the willingness to shift into the uncommon.

The Lord has referred to me as "gentle warrior" in recent years. This is where I should take a cue and focus on what He has placed in front of me!

August 9, 2022 in San Marcos La Laguna

gentle* (adjective) gen·​tle ˈjen-tᵊl

1 a : free from harshness, sternness, or violence
   b : tractable, docile
2 : soft, delicate
3 : moderate
4 a : belonging to a family of high social station
   b : honorable, distinguished
        specifically : of or relating to a gentleman
   c : kind, amiable
        —used especially in address as a complimentary epithet
   d : suited to a person of high social station
e (archaic) : chivalrous

noun
: a person of gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth or status

verb
gentled; gentling ˈjent-liŋ ˈjen-tᵊl-iŋ
transitive verb
1 a : to make (an animal) tame and docile
   b : to make gentler
   c : mollify, placate
   d : to stroke soothingly : pet
2 : to raise from the commonalty** : ennoble
intransitive verb : to become gentle

warrior*** (noun) ˈwȯr-yər, ˈwȯr-ē-ər
: a person engaged or experienced in warfare
broadly : a person engaged in some struggle or conflict

*"gentle." Merriam-Webster.com. (9 April 2025).
** people without special rank or position; common people.
*** "warrior." Merriam-Webster.com. (9 April 2025).

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E—Execute (Post 1 of 2)

Despite already having this waiting for Day 5 "E" ... I really want to write about edit instead of execute. But execute is a spinoff of yesterday's post. I think I'll do two. But instead of writing much about the executing of legal documents, I'll just leave what I had here.

What is an executor? One who executes the instructions of legal documents. There is a specific role in the estates of deceased persons (and other roles in other types of documentation are similar), but I'm thinking of it in general: one who executes or carries out the documented wishes of the one who created the paperwork.

execute* (verb) ˈek-si-ˌkyüt 

transitive verb

1 : to carry (something) out fully : to put (something) completely into effect

2 : to do what is provided or required by (something)

3 : to put (someone) to death especially in compliance with a legal sentence

4 : to make or produce (something, such as a work of art) especially by carrying out a design

5 : to perform what is required to give validity to (something)

6 : perform

7 (computing) : to cause a system to perform the tasks indicated by (encoded instructions)

intransitive verb

1 : to perform properly or skillfully the fundamentals of a sport or of a particular play

2 (of computer code) : to cause a system to perform indicated tasks

*"execute." Merriam-Webster.com. (31 March 2025).

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D—Documents : a Friend's Throne Room Vision

Sadly, the original live video is already gone (new Facebook rule), but February 22 marked an important day for me when I attended a friend's prayer meeting. 

The Lord has been showing her things by way of vision, just little snapshots in time. In this particular scene, she was in a room littered with paper. She knew it was the Throne Room, and when she picked up one of the papers, she recognized it as a prayer request that had seemingly gone unanswered.

Across it was the bold stamp: GRANTED

She imagined herself spending time in that room making requests and then going out and leaving the paperwork behind or letting it flutter to the ground and an angel having to gather and return the documents.

God began to teach her (and us) about Jesus' role to execute the provisions in that document.

From my Immi Adventure in England (2011? Possibly)

Because of having to take care of all sorts of things after my dad passed on, I have a working reference to what I can do if I have legal paperwork to execute his wishes documented in his trust. PROFOUND! If he had it documented as the "grantor" of his trust, I as the "trustee" administer the trust assets according to the his instructions. I simply produce the document, and whatever is within can be done.

That is a new working thought for prayer! I think I had a less concrete view to prayer. Just go in and ask, and sometimes keep on asking. But it would be silly to go in for more paperwork when a trust has already been settled; and impossible if the grantor has passed on (in the case of a revokable living trust which become irrevokable upon death). 

Just that week, I had a similar intersection of word study that started elseswhere but ended in the same place. I noticed two verses about Jesus:

Hebrews 13:20—"ratified an eternal covenant with his blood" (NLT)
Hebrews 12:24—"mediates the new covenant between God and people" (NLT)

I remember sitting in my chair and exclaiming out loud to Him, "You are so LEGAL!" 

document (noun) doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-mənt 

1 law a archaic : proof, evidence

   b : an original or official paper relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something

   c : something (such as a photograph or a recording) that serves as evidence or proof

2 a : a writing conveying information

   b : a material substance (such as a coin or stone) having on it a representation of thoughts by means of some conventional mark or symbol

   c : documentary

3 : a computer file containing information input by a computer user and usually created with an application (such as a spreadsheet or word processor)

document (verb) doc·​u·​ment ˈdä-kyə-ˌment 

transitive verb

1 : to furnish documentary evidence of

2 : to furnish with documents

3 a : to provide with factual or substantial support for statements made or a hypothesis proposed

especially : to equip with exact references to authoritative supporting information (as by means of footnotes)

   b (1) : to construct or produce (something, such as a movie or novel) with authentic situations or events

      (2) : to portray realistically

4 nautical : to furnish (a ship) with ship's papers

*“document,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/document. Accessed 4/3/2025.

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C—Consecrate

I thought I would be diving into this subject from an earlier place where it was so alive to me that I about came undone with any reference to consecration and sanctification. I haven't kept my notes organized, so I have yet to retrace my steps that far back (which isn't far--within the year).

Oodles and oodles of notes on so many subjects have come alive in the past, and once upon a time, I had tubs of notebooks and folders of notes on those subjects. Most of those are gone now. I probably only of a surety have things from the past year. My heart aches over that. 

But I encourage myself with the thought that if it came through my heart once, it can come again. And it will if God needs me to know it or grow it.

Tonight (veering away from that sad stance of disappearing writings), I took a quick peek into the word consecrate and found something unexpected. Hopefully I can translate this little glimpse into a blog post. And if not, it will at least be enough for me to retrace the steps later. 

So the quickie is this, from Ezekiel 43:26 (KJV). "Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves."

That last portion is from the word מָלֵא mâlêʼ, maw-lay'; or מָלָא mâlâʼ; (Strong's Definition) a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively):—accomplish, confirm, consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, × draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, have wholly.

This reminded me of John 10:10 (AMPC). "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."

I knew one meaning of consecrate is "to set apart" (especially for holy use), but I didn't realize that it also indicated fullness and abundance! Talk about a point for gratitude! WOW.

I also came looking for photos of a deliberate conseceration but they seem to be missing from my phone and Google Photos! *sigh* But I do have a photo of "U" in front of the church where Dena and I changed after being baptized in the Celtic Sea on March 19, 2025. 

I wish I had time to tell the whole story now. The encounter more fully aligns with my anticipated meaning defined by Merriam Webster.

consecrate* (adjective) ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌkrāt : dedicated to a sacred purpose

(verb) transitive verb

1 : to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite

especially : to ordain to the office of bishop

2 a : to make or declare sacred

especially : to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony

   b : to effect the liturgical transubstantiation of (eucharistic bread and wine)

   c : to devote to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication

3 : to make inviolable or venerable

I had to look up a few more words on this (just a quick dictionary box on Google from Oxford Languages):

in·vi·o·la·ble /inˈvīələb(ə)l/ : never to be broken, infringed, or dishonored.
"an inviolable rule of chastity"

ven·er·a·ble /ˈvenər(ə)b(ə)l,ˈvenrəb(ə)l/ : accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
"a venerable statesman"

I like them both. :-)

There is no way I can do this topic justice in just one moment! I may need to write a small book of the short seven days that led to such holiness for me. I did at least chart the course when we were halfway through as there was already so much that I was losing track. More notebooks for me to try and capture digitally!

*"consecrate." Merriam-Webster.com. (3 April 2025).

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B—Blessing of Expression

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

—William Arthur Ward

[I don't know Mr. Ward. I have never heard this quote until it came in a text yesterday from the makers of Ozempic, a drug my doctor has currently prescribed for diabetes. They have an entire system devoted to things like this. I even have a personal diabetes coach who works with me on goals for several months. It has nothing to do with my main post, but I wanted to be sure to make a note of it.]

This page is no longer in my notebook. It started a reminder note of what was in my heart as I hoped to share it with a young woman who danced during the church service at All Nations Church in the boxing ring in Dublin, Ireland the Sunday we were there. I didn't see her, and so I scribbled a note at the bottom of the page so one of the workers could give it to her instead.

For the benefit of search engines or those visually challenged, the note reads:

A blessing

of

EXPRESSION

Do not

be afraid

of the

BEAUTY

of it.

It is a cascade

of holiness that

reflects His beauty,

His perfection,

His passion, His

PRESENCE!

You are in my ♥

& I will hold

you in prayer!

As serendipity would have it, that evening she was one of the people invited by the church to attend our prayer meeting. What a night it was! Words often feel either pale in comparison or "too gushy" to be believable or even palatable for others to read. 

Even now, I am lightly pressed inwardly that the reception of such words is done by hearts that are prepared. It's not my words but their hearts and the Lord's orchestration. My main objective is to express and bless. Even the words I thought were for another, the Lord made known to me in that evening they were for me also. ♥♥♥♥

During that evening prayer meeting, she was ministered to and then began to pour her heart out in tongues and dance. It was fascinating! Our pastor just gave room for it all to play out. We were witnesses. There was a sense of travail and deliverance. Then the proclamation from prophetic lips: "The land shall dance again!"

So much more happened. So much went uncaptured. But the workings were released into the atmosphere and cannot be undone!

bless* (verb) ˈbles 

blessed, blest, blessing

transitive verb

1 (religion) : to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word

2 (religion) : to hallow with the sign of the cross

3 : to invoke divine care for

4 a : praise, glorify

   b : to speak well of : approve

5 : to confer prosperity or happiness upon

6 (archaic) : protect, preserve

7 : endow, favor

Synonyms: consecrate, hallow, sacralize, sanctify

I may need to choose some of the synonyms above for use later this month because each of them has significant meaning to me. 

expression** (noun) ik-ˈspre-shən 

1 a : an act, process, or instance of representing in a medium (such as words) : utterance

   b (1) : something that manifests, embodies, or symbolizes something else

      (2) : a significant word or phrase

      (3) : a mathematical or logical symbol or a meaningful combination of symbols

      (4) : the detectable effect of a gene

2 a : a mode, means, or use of significant representation or symbolism

especially : felicitous or vivid indication or depiction of mood or sentiment

   b (1) : the quality or fact of being expressive

      (2) : facial aspect or vocal intonation as indicative of feeling

3 : an act or product of pressing out

Of all these definitions, the last highlight is the strongest to me "... a product of pressing out." Just this morning, I sat in what I am now calling "the blessing station" (my recliner) and had the wonderful opportunity of praying for and encouraging others. Two people are artists who are being pressed upon. (Add me, and there are three!)

Indeed ex + press = express, so an "exit" and "pressure" in my mind. From etymoline: literally "to press out" (source also of Italian espresso). I think of that strong, delicious elixir: coffee grounds pressed in; hot water forced through. With great pressure the grounds color the receptive water and a new substance emerges. Similar to the arts!

Maybe a definition of bless would be to "endow, fLavor"! LOL. Of course, I added the L. It is supposed to be there in my wee joke. (And I am pleased with the opportunity to use a phrase so often heard in my Ireland trip: just a wee joke!)

With that, I end this post knowing that I've dusted off an entire spider web of rabbit trails that could be pursued at any point. Pray for me! LOL. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

*"bless." Merriam-Webster.com. (31 March 2025).
**"expression." Merriam-Webster.com. (1 April 2025).

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A—Appreciate : Recognize with Gratitude

I am beginning again ... in many things. This is not a "new" process, but a fresh one—different than others new beginnings, which I guess is always true. Circumstances are never exactly the same. 

Two years ago, I attempted to do the A-to-Z Blogging Challenge and got 1.5 posts in before I couldn't keep up. One year long ago, I think I did more but also did not finish (not even close). I remember trying to plan for a future year and collect alphabetical topics, but then they started themes. 

What changed for my attempt this year?

I heard God speak to my heart earlier this year, and I have not followed through: Find something to say every day.

My nerdsy self! Oh my. I wrestled with that. Is it to be public? Private? Social media? Non-social media? (LOL! Sometimes that's my favorite kind: nonsocial.) Old-school pen and paper? Google docs? Scrivener?

So here I am again. 

Because I recently had a major experience in Ireland that resulted in a new beginning, maybe I can use the GRATITUDE theme to explore in bits what a spiritual fresh start means for me. This isn't meant to entreat the masses. I just want to gather my own reflections and challenge myself to officially find something to say each day.

appreciate* (verb) ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

transitive verb

1 a : to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or significance of

  b : to value or admire highly

  c : to judge with heightened perception or understanding : be fully aware of

  d : to recognize with gratitude

2 : to increase the value of

intransitive verb

: to increase in number or value

Before I launch into my first highlighted moment, I want to document that this was not at all what I thought God would do in Ireland. My expectation was that He would pick up with a mandate from two years prior where He asked me to petition Him regarding a prophecy I received. I did, and I kind of "left it there"—as if I threw my hands up and celebrated with a "Woohoo!" before walking out of that special place where and just counted it done. I didn't know how to tap into the execution of petitions, and am just now learning, so I thought that would be the objective for this sister trip. 

[Note: Scotland in the footsteps of Saint Columba was the first trip; Ireland in the footsteps of Saint Patrick was the second.]

My first moment I choose to APPRECIATE or recognize with gratitude is marked by communion and covenant. I suppose I could go into this more in two days for the letter C! I may. 

To explain this image, we were halfway through the journey and exploring Downpatrick. Our first stop was to The Saint Patrick Centre where I had the aha moment of finding a ring to express what God had done in me that weekend. Following, were in Saul Church for a time of prayer and communion, where I snapped this image with U (aka "you" to those I was "bring along" with me).

Finding a ring was only slightly premeditated. During dinner the night before, I shared with a couple the highly personal workings of the Lord in the previous days where I had betrothed myself to Him and His call for me. I made a slight comment something like, "I almost feel as if I need a ring!" In the gift shop as women perused jewelry, I remembered the statement, and there was one ring in my size. VOILA!

*"appreciate." Merriam-Webster.com. (30 March 2025).

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Three Dads and an Uncle (Plus a Super-Texting Mom)

Three smiling faces. Two hybrids. Two blessings: one is to me, one is through me to my daughter. But that's just the surface. The best blessings are people.

Gratitude is my goal of expression here. When last year's blessing (2000 Toyota Camry driven by my daughter) died on the highway, it wasn't long before people started getting involved. The whole story is too long for a blog post, but let's just say it wasn't the best time to navigate such a situation!

Considering that my preferred course of action was to buy bicycles for the kids and keep driving my Honda Civic hybrid FOREVER, it feels like a miracle that I am the one in a practically new car! 

Miracle. What kind of miracle is buying a car? I could go on and on. Maybe I'll separate the lessons I've learned in this short little exercise into bite-sized morsels to write about later on. But for all practical purposes, let's just say that every blessing outside of a practical living expense has got to be inspired by God! (Not that living expenses aren't! I believe it is all His provision along the way. It's just that the planned and known provision is already stretched to miracle status to meet planned and known expenses. LOL)

Car shopping was something I would have laughed off until my dad got involved. Now it was real. His help was pledged, so the quest began. There's something for all of us to learn about trust and God if we have fathers like mine. :-)  Love you, Dad!

Car shopping is also overwhelming! The calls! The texts! The emails! The web cookies that bring cars on to every web browser page! Who knew I would need so much help? Evidently God did. People were alongside all the way. Even when car lots seemed more like a field of vultures, one of my dearest friends was there to help shoo them away or simply get me out of there! Thank you.

Before long, my mom and step-dad were researching cars. Then my uncle stepped into the ring and was plugging in VIN numbers as fast as my super-texting mom could conduct traffic between all of us.

Let me just say to all of you: THANK YOU. While I bumbled around and spent every available moment researching cars, you were all there for me to bounce options off of and offer information. Let me also say: I'M SORRY for inundating you with all the fragments of my mind! But I'm SO VERY THANKFUL that you were all there.

Now if you read the title of this post and have reached this point, you may have wondered (if you have a mathematical mind) where is the third dad?

Papa God is the other "dad" involved in this story. There is no way I can adequately thank or brag on Him, of course. But I do want to give glory to Him for seeing us through a difficult situation and making sure that we are better off on the other side. Only He knows how much I have wrestled with this blessing and the tears I have shed receiving such a wonderful gift.

So what does "give glory" really mean? I went to look it up just now in biblical terms. Interestingly enough, most of the ties I see involve money or wealth! That sounds like another subject to search out. We use words so loosely in modern culture!

But one word that applies (which is part of "kabowd" in Hebrew and translated "glory" in the Bible) is this: honor. That I can do! 

I honor You, Papa God.

Every blessing You have inspired
   I gratefully receive.
I acknowledge You ...

   Your love

   Your generosity

   Your majesty

   Your brilliance

Discovering Your blueprint in my life

   is my greatest adventure.

Thank You for every idea You have that involves me.

Your way of life is the greatest!
And thank You in particular
   for this unexpected bright blue blessing.
It's my "jubilee" car!
Thank You for all the help you inspired.
Bless every life and gift involved FAR more than they could ever dream.
(And even to the car lot vultures, I speak Your goodness and peace over them. May each one know the joy of life with You.)

Amen!