faith, Gathered thoughts

Gathered Thoughts

redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures

Recently,I have been doing a study on Habakkuk from the #thedailygraceco Let me start by saying that even though I have read through the Bible several times and knew it was a book of the Bible , I really had no idea what it was about. 

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It’s a super short book but there is so much in there. Habakkuk is living in a time between kingdoms . The Babylonians are ruling the roost and Habakkuk is overwhelmed at what he sees and doesn’t understand why God is allowing all of these things. He starts with telling God all of this and asking why haven’t you done anything and where are you in this. And guess what? Does God stay silent? No.  He answers him .And in his response , you see no condemnation .. you see love and gentleness. Again Habakkuk responds with more complaints   His heart and soul are so overwhelmed and he is grieving not really knowing how to continue and to keep going. Guess what? God responds again, not in a fussy way of oh come on get it together attitude, but in a loving gentle way . The book ends with Habakkuk praising God . 

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There are seasons where the mud we are treading turns to concrete and you feel so stuck that you can’t move. Trust me, I have been there. In those moments,It’s so easy to complain, want to give up and lose hope. What if we looked at that concrete filtered through what God says and what his word says? Maybe the mud turned to concrete to keep us still ? To hold us in place as God works? To keep us from running ahead to fix it in our timing ?

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This verse is one I have claimed being ground in by the concrete around my feet . I will chose to take joy in the God of my Salvation even when I can not see any fruit of what he may be doing. I will trust. 

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I pray that if you are reading this and treading mud or being held still by concrete, that you will keep your eyes on God. He is working even when we cannot see or when we don’t understand. I am praying for you today ❤️

Hotel, pnw, Review, travel

McMenamins Elk Lodge

redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures

Our stay at McMenamins in Tacoma was quite the adventure . Think Adult scavenger hunt mixed with college bar scene , throw on some steampunk decor and a history museum and that would give you some insight to what we experienced .

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First a bit of the history … 

The building itself is a 1916 Elks Temple that was designed by É. Frère Champney, a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and has since been restored . There are 7 floors packed with history including a hidden 5th floor . There are 5 bars ,The Tasting Room & brewery, The Spanish Bar and Ballroom,Doc’s ,The Old Hangout, McMenamins Pub and a secret Speakeasy  bar if you can find it called ,The Vault. 

The 45 guest rooms are named after a person or group of people that had some connection to the building or to the Tacoma area.

The diversity of the rooms is amazing. There is so much history in just the names. 

We stayed in the Lea McMillan room 204 . In the room, there is posted his history with the Elks Lodge. We learned he loved handball and would sneak into the Lodge with his friends to play . He then served in the military and when he returned in 1961 He applied to be a member so he could play handball but leaving out his Native heritage. At that time , People of color were not allowed to join. That was corrected in 1976 . He may  have been the first member of color to be a member of the Elks Lodge. So fascinating ! 

There is also a hidden hallway with graffiti that was originally in the building when it was bought and restored .

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There is so much visually to take in as you explore the hotel. You can’t possibly see every detail the first time. 

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It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

faith, Gathered thoughts, Goals
redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures


One of my favorite things this fall season 🍂 

This beautiful journal. It’s been a great addition to my quiet time . It invites me to write scripture, share my thoughts and write out a prayer each time I open it up. 

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Journaling has always been a struggle to me , but there is something freeing when I do. It almost feels as though it empties all my thoughts and allows me to refresh. 

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Ofcourse, the best part is being able to go back and read how God was working and moving in that season . 

faith, Gathered thoughts

Welcome October

redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures


Hello October 🍁

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It’s been a bit since I have posted . Life and everything inbetween has happened the last few months and I needed to  just focus on God and my Family.

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One of the things I have learned over the last few months, is it’s ok to not be ok. It’s ok to show I don’t have it together . There were moments of meeting with a friend , that my heart was so heavy I couldn’t help but have tears in my eyes. I’m thankful,so thankful, for those friends who stopped to pray and didn’t push for answers . Sometimes,just sitting with a friend in their mess is exactly what they need. 

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Another thing I learned was that I can only do so much. As much as I would love to be Wonder Woman and have eight arms to do everything ,I am not. Ofcourse , trying to reconcile that with my type A attitude was the hardest.To do what I can do to the fullest each day and let everything else fall away meant there where times the list didn’t get done. The dishes were left in the sink , we had cereal for dinner or the project got put on hold. It was uncomfortable but guess what it was OK. 

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It did help me appreciate each new morning . New day , new opportunities. Appreciate the power of prayer and friends that have walked with my family . 

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No matter where you find yourself on this October day .. I pray that you will be able to live today to the fullest, let go of what needs to be let go of and  connect with a friend. Life is so much better when we share it with others 🍁

disney, Disneyland, disneyworld

Paddy Frog Sipper from Galaxy’s Edge

redeemingbeautyfamilyadventures

The Paddy Frog Sipper from Ronto Roasters is one of the best souvenirs from Galaxy’s Edge.
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Its super affordable at around $17 which includes a drink. It has a strap so that you can wear it and it lights up..yay!
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What in the world is a patty frog? You know those things Jabba the Hut eats ? Yep thats them!
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This sipper was a blessing on our last trip because it entertained our little for hours..and that is priceless!