What I Learned In October – A 31 Day Recap

In October I participated in write31days.com.  It was my third year to do this and, while I finished, I did skip a few days.  I also did mostly pictures on several days.  It seemed that my whole October pivoted around the writing challenge, so I thought I’d review from those pages to see what I learned through the process of the challenge. The numbers in the list refer to the day from the 31 Days, Prompted To Write, that corresponds with the learning experience.

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2.  I learned that in the midst of my deepest pain, I can still laugh.  With Joy.  On this day I also learned that the essence of my Mom is still here, even if her mind is confused.

3.  I learned that I can’t be all things to all people and still be me.  I need balance and perspective. It’s ok to know this, because God’s grace is enough.

More water towers

6.  I learned that I love rainy days.  I don’t love depression, but I can still praise God in the storms.

8.  I was once again reminded that my mom wants to be Minnie Pearl.  I also learned that life does not have to be perfect and the ability to laugh at yourself is priceless.

9.  I learned to be thankful for slammed doors and to wait with expectation to see how God will open a window.  And he will. He will provide the work he wants us to do.  I’ve also changed how I pray for that work.

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13. 14. 17. 20. 29.  I was reminded once again just why Autumn is my favorite time of year and how much I love drives and taking photos of the fall splendor.  I also discovered that there is much beauty not too far from my own back door.  I found a breathtaking view just a few miles away in a most unassuming location, just waiting for me to bask in it’s panorama.  I was once again reminded of why I call this My October 

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16.  I was reminded that the testimonials of a man’s character and how he was an influence in the lives of so many is the real legacy left behind.

25.  I learned to look for Vignettes around my own home and was inspired to share a few with you, thanks to the Nester and her 31 Day Topic, Vignette Me.

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27.  I was inspired to worship under the ministry of my husbands piano playing for a congregation in his home town.  It was a sweet day.  Like getting a glimpse into heaven.  (in the original post I linked to him playing a bluesy version of Nothing But The Blood)  Go ahead, click over, I promise you’ll be inspired.

28.  I was blessed by the wonder of friendship and reminded of how important it is to meet halfway for the sheer joy of celebrating that friendship.

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31.  I found an old letter from my mom that reminded me of the beauty of forgiveness.  I was also reminded why my ears don’t stick out (just go read the note at the end of Day 31).

If you want to know more, you can read the entire 31 Day series here. If you wanted me to point you to say, my top three recommendations form the series, then I would say here, here and here.

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I’d love to hear from you – what did you learn in October?

I’m linking with Emily over at Chatting at the Sky for her monthly link-up on what we learned.  You can check out what others are learning here.

Learning and remembering in grace,

Teresa

(some) Favorite New Blogs (weekend toss) – 31:12

On Saturday I give you links to blogs I enjoy.  We are almost two weeks in to the 31 day challenge.  I have spent some time checking out new to me blogs.  So today I decided to give you links to a few of my favorites. Some of the images are larger than others, as I copied them from each person’s blog, so the size has nothing to do with how I rank them.  If you have time please leave a comment on each blog you visit and encourage them in their 31 day journey.  Enjoy!

31 Days of More Great Nonfiction Books | 31 Days of Great Nonfiction Reads

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Word-Wonder

31 Days of Lists

Sharing in Grace,

Teresa

Favorite Non-favorites – 31:10

My life seems full of contradictions.  I live in an oxymoron world.  Therefore, it makes sense to me to have a list of favorite non-favorites.  Allow me to explain.  There are a lot of things in life in which the process is not all that joyful, but the results are.  So, in the spirit of things that bring joy in  the end results, but not necessarily during the process, I have compiled a list of favorite non-favorites:

1.  Getting my teeth cleaned

2.  Moving to a new house

3.  Exercising

4.  Cleaning House

5.  Having a yard sale

6.  Shopping for new clothes

I’m sure there are many more that I will think of later, but you get the idea.  Maybe you have other’s to add to this list.  Please feel free to list them in the comments.  I’d love to compare lists.

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Listing in grace,

Teresa (Sadie)

A Compendium of Favorites – A 31 Day Journey

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I’ll add a link to each new post here as it goes live. Scroll down below the button for the introductory post.

Day 1: Favorite Memories – 31:1

Day 2: Favorite Food – 31:2

Day 3: Random Favorites – 31:3

Day 4: Favorite Emily – 31:4

Day 5: Favorite Blogs – 31:5

Day 6: Favorite Scripture(s) I – 31:6

Day 7: Favorite Revisited – 31:7

Day 8: Favorite Aunt Nancy – 31:8

Day 9: Favorite To Do – 31:9

Day 10: Favorite Non-favorites – 31:10

Day 11: Favorite Movies – 31:11

Day 12: Favorite New Blogs – 31:12

Day 13: Favorite Scripture(s) II – 31:13

Day 14: Favorite Revisited – 31:14

Day 15: Favorite Colors – 31:15

Day 16: Favorite Songs I – 31:16

Day 17: Favorite Songs II – 31:17

Day 18: Favorite Living – 31:18

Day 19: (more) Favorite New Blogs – 31:19

Day 20: Favorite Scripture(s) III – 31:20

Day 21: Favorite Revisited III – 31:21

Day 22: (more) Random Favorites II – 31:22

Day 23: Favorite Healthy Snack (Three Ways) – 31:23

Day 24: Favorite Season – 31:24

Day 25: Favorite Flowers – 31:25

Day 26: Favorite Pinterest Boards – 31:26

Day 27: Favorite Scripture IV – 31:27

Day 28: Favorite Revisited IV – 31:28 – & Click for a poem inspired by this post

Day 29: New Favorites (salty and sweet) – 31:29

Day 30: Favorite Book (one of) – 31:30

Day 31: (more) Random Favorites III – 31:31

PicMonkey Collage.faves.


The daily format will be in a list as follows:

Monday –  a review of how I revisited one of my favorite things over the weekend.

Since this is the first Monday and I haven’t done weekly lists yet, the first review will be next Monday and the first list will be tomorrow.

Tuesday through Friday  – a specific lists of favorites (no set number).

Saturday –  links to some of my favorite bloggers.

Sunday – verses / passages of scripture that have become favorites.

Come back tomorrow for the first list of favorites?

Teresa (aka Sadie Grace)

Join the Nester and others here.

What I Learned While June Sped By

What I’ve learned in June.  A reflective list of realizations, some new, some rediscovered.  Join the party hosted by Emily over at Chatting at the Sky and see what others are sharing about June lessons.

1.  I like cool spring days better than hot, humid summer days and we were blessed with several of those early in the month.

2.  Hydrangeas need lots, lots, lots of water.  They wilt at the first sign of too much heat.  But they are beautiful and worth the extra maintenance.  I hope the one I planted this month survives.  And I hope it retains the beautiful blue color.  There is much I don’t know about Hydrangeas yet.

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Source Raul654

3. Speaking of high maintenance, my brother would rather I call him once with a list of all things going on, instead of calling him randomly.  Then he can get back to me.  Whatever!  Today’s list for him (a list within a list if you will): I love you. How is your foot? Have you seen Dad’s new building yet? Aunt C is in the hospital. Aunt K is in the nursing home. B is going back to Texas for a week and then she’ll be back here for a while. Come see us sometime. Tell T and the kids we love them. If you need me I’m only a phone call away! Come to church with us sometime. So, when I called him, he actually answered. Turns out I’m supposed to mail the list every Friday.  I just might do that.   I know he loves me and I think he was just joking about the list.  Bottom line – he doesn’t like to talk on the phone.  I don’t either, but I do like to keep in touch with my brother once in a while. So, I call him sometimes.  He’ll get over it.  If I didn’t call he’d think I didn’t love him anymore.  And, a list is very efficient, the call lasted less than five minutes.

4.  I did not learn this in June (I’ve always known), but was once again reminded that I love my sister and I love having her home from Texas, she fills in some gaps that are missing when she is not here.  I think I’ll lasso her, tie her up and keep her here.  Can you tell I’ve been catching up with McLeod’s daughters on Netflix?  Sisters are a gift to be treasured.

5.  They killed Claire McLeod off on McLeod’s daughters.  I know this is old news to most people who remember this show. I just discovered this last night and I’m still in shock. She was the pivotal character.  I hope I did not spoil this for anyone, I realize I may not be the only one ten years behind.  (it was just as depressing as Matthew dying on Downton Abbey – oops, hopefully you already knew that).

6.  I should remember that if you attend church business meetings, you will be elected to be the clerk or something like that.

7.  I’m discovering that as much as I love people, I really need a lot of quiet time to reflect and regroup.

8.  I like the idea of owning a first edition book over the idea of selling it for big bucks.  That is a true book lover.  I also have too many books, but I did not learn this in June.

9.  I read lots of blogs in June rather than doing a lot of writing on my blog.  I came to some conclusions that I’m formulating into a post.  I’ll share my thoughts once they are in line.

10. I’ve been seeing that depression is a topic that we need to speak out about.  I have some thoughts brewing about this too that I want to write about on my blog.

11. I’m so over all this equality stuff.   I will not share my thoughts on my blog. There are already too many voices out there espousing opinions.  OK, I will say one thing:  God knows the truth of everything and he knows his designs and plans.  I need to trust him and follow his lead.  OK, two things: words have meanings and those meanings should not be changed.  It is what it is. That is all I will say.  You have to choose your own opinion about all this stuff.  Hopefully you will do that prayerfully.

12. Prayer, even in the little everyday things is vitally important.  It builds our faith. Praying daily helps prepare us for the bigger issues.  It makes us more grounded when they come. And come they will.

13.  After 29 years I love my husband more than ever.  We celebrated our marriage this month – not a new thing I learned, but a good reminder of where we’ve been on the journey to where we’re going.

So, what have you learned or re-learned in June?  You can link-up here to share , or if you want to read what others have learned, just pop on over and read some of the other blogs.

Learning in Grace, Sadie