Once a quarter, I try to post about What I Learned, a practice of looking back over personal and practical lessons. It sure is affirming to look back and see — oh yeah — that was a cool discovery or – yes, what a God-lesson.
Winter has been chock full of lesson. Chock. Full. Here are the highlights.
God Delights in Restoring.
If you follow my Instagram, you know that we have a big May coming up. My second son Nicholas, is marrying the love of his life and shower season is in full swing.
May will also bring the arrival of my first grandchild. (Side note: After announcing the first grandchild, the next question is always about your “grandmom” name. I’ve googled. We’ve brainstormed. But I kinda want this little one to name me! Let me know if you a recommendation.)
May will be a month of tears – both for the gaping hole of missing Dan in these huge milestones but also for all the good. God is restoring.
I’ve clung to this verse in the last five years. I’ve longed to see it. And while I know God spoke this promise specifically to Israel, His character doesn’t change. The same God who restored the Israelites restores the little Appelo family and restores you. God delights in restoration and I’m embracing it for all I’m worth.
We also have two graduations in May, so more tears. But these transitions are right and the next season while different, still has so much life in it.
God Can Get a Teen Boy’s Attention.
Again, on Instagram, you might have seen this. We had a terrible storm and woke up to one of our huge oaks on Zach’s car.
That morning, we gathered for Bible and decided to start by thanking God in this. Matt was thankful the tree didn’t hit the house, Annalise was thankful for a new treehouse, Zach was thankful the gas tank was on dead empty. 🙂
Seriously, though, I’ve noticed in parenting that God often teaches teen boys so much about prayer, provision and His timing through that first car. So while God is teaching this, we’re back to sharing my minivan.
I Can’t Stay Away from This is Us.
I tried. I deleted my Hulu account. Then signed back up. I’m intrigued with how the show is handling three themes – family loyalty, anxiety and death. We learned Jack (the father of triplets) died when Randall, Kevin and Kate were teens and I’m so interested to see how This is Us develops this.
While I’m actually not much for tv, I’ve binge-watched several really good series. Do not miss BBC’s Victoria. The set, costumes and storyline are swoonworthy. And catch the Crown in Netflix if you haven’t seen it!
Hand Lettering is as Fun as it Looks.
One aspect of grief is the loss of interests. Perhaps because all your emotional energy is going toward healing or maybe just that few things really matter in light of such huge loss.
But I have a new interest. Inspired by handletteredtruth, I ordered this pen and these practice sheets. I can’t wait to handletter in my journaling Bible and hopefully for gifts and prints. Again, such grace to see God’s restoration in what the locusts had eaten.
I’m a paper calendar girl.
As the year rolled over, went back to my old paper calendaring system. My phone is a backup but I need to write it and see it on paper. I picked up a calendar from Barnes & Noble but I’m researching planners for next year. If you have one you love, I’d love your recommendations.
100 Days with Christ is just as good the second time.
We’re on Day 59 of this chronological Bible study through all four gospels. And it is better this time than it was last year. For one, I love that so many of us are doing this study together. I love seeingyour posts on Instagram (#100dayswithchrist). But the gospels are so full we could study them every year and God would continue to reveal new insights for us. Isn’t that the best? That until we go home to heaven, there is yet more.
So there it is. Some of the highlights of our winter. What did you learn this winter? Any new interests or insights or lessons? I’d love to hear in the comments.
I love your idea of reflecting back each quarter. I’ve realized that the hurried pace of life causes me to forget so many of the details. You’ve inspired me to begin a similar reflection. Thank you for all you do to shine Jesus into our lives.
This is a heartful reminder and I can say this new year has been packed with learning for me. The most significant in the long list is the ‘never say never’ rule. It doesn’t matter how old you are (Moses comes to mind) it doesn’t matter what your frame of mind is or your limitations, when God says ‘Do this” you do it. You step out blindly knowing that He will either make a step or give you wings.
Now that my strength and energies are waning I am reduced to writing Haikus and making little videos to illustrate them so I do appreciate your interest in hand lettering as a creative diversion. Creative folks must create.
This is a link to my salute to never say never –
http://trinitypondfarm.com/mp4s/flyhaiku.mp4
Hi Lisa,
Check out Passion Planner. I love it. I prefer the undated so I can decorate my own. Much space to use for journaling and planning.
Prayers for your upcoming celebrations in May.
Thank you for your encouraging posts.
Jamie in PA
Thank you for that recommendation, Jamie. I’m keeping a list for next December. 🙂
Enjoyed your share. I will stop back more often. 🙂
Good to have you here, Brenda.
I love these update posts, Lisa.
Kristi, I enjoy the looking back. I need to keep better notes of what I’m learning all along!
Lisa, check out bullet journals. I love mine. The thrill is in making it exactly what you need it to be. In fact, you can combine your love of hand lettering with the journals. See bulletjournal.com to get started, and tons of sites on pinterest and instagram for ideas.
Thank you for sharing your heart. It means so much.
Christine, I’ve seen a lot of chatter about bullet journals. I’ll take a look into them a bit more.
Goodness you have eared those tears. I love the encouragement you give for a Lenten study. We all could benefit from one
Stopping by from Jennifer Lee’s blog.
Diane, I’m grateful for every single good tear. And this study through the gospels is so packed full.
Wow, the hard thank you over a wrecked car. What a valuable lesson for your boy. Thanks for this recap — I’m also a calendar nerd!
Lol, I kept missing things on my phone calendar. I like the whole month at a glance and I think there’s a connection I make as I’m writing it down. Old school. 🙂
Felt part of what you wrote was something I could have written. Yes to paper calendars. The Crown, Victoria, and This is Us. Just learned lettering basics at a women’s retreat. Want to do more. Enjoy all the blessings coming in May. Grandmother name suggestions: MayMay and Gamma.
Yes to handlettering…plus I’m doing it with my 10-year-old so it’s mother-daughter time as well!
Oh how fun, a wedding and a new grand baby all in the same month! I thought I would call myself “Nana”, and so far it’s sticking with my 20-month old grandson. We have another grandson due in June. So sorry about your son’s car but I loved the thanksgiving that was birthed from it. I hope he’s able to get a new car. Oh and This Is Us is by far my favorite show right now. I’ve seen the Crown and am currently watching Victoria.
Barbie, we don’t have cable so I’m always a day late with these shows! Nana is a wonderful grandmom name…congratulations to you!
You are such an inspiration and Blessing Lisa,
thank you for sharing your beautiful life journey with God and your beautiful family with us.
much love and happiness for your son’s wedding and the birth of your new Grand Baby.
God Bless you all
Thank you, Michelle. Still praying for you and yours.
I love your takeaways. Your son giving thanks that the gas tank was on empty! That is awesome. Like, there’s always SOMETHING to be thankful for, right? I’m going to remember those series. My brother also recommended the Crown. My problem with watching series is I start them with my daughter, then she binge watches way ahead of me when I’m not looking!
Yes, Betsy, and my teen’s comment made me laugh…the best way to turn around hard news. 🙂
Lisa, I loved this post!
You did a fantastic job of including your family milestones along with some fun and practical suggestions. Love it! (and I have the handlettering pens in my wish list)
Also, I am a “Nana” of 3 tiny ones and you will absolutely LOVE being a grandmom!!! There is nothing like it in the whole wide world!
I keep hearing that, Jennifer. I think my heart’s going to double in size. 😍
Congratulations on the goodness May is bringing you! I am a grandmother also, and I also wanted the little ones to name me. Whatever they wanted to call me, I would answer to. My daughter-in-law started calling me Granmom before the oldest was born, and so it stuck with the little ones. As they started growing up and having their own ideas, they came up with their own versions of Granmom. One loves to call me “Gra-moom” as a special term of affection. Another started “G-Mom” as her special term of endearment – and to tease me! The youngest loves both. I just smile and enjoy it. (I’m just glad they haven’t wanted to call me Shamoo!)
On another note, I have tried repeatedly to start the 100 Days With Christ Bible study but nothing happens when I enter my email and click on the Please button. I hope others aren’t having the same problem.
I am thankful for your posts. Many years ago, I too was widowed – at 30 with 2 sons – first and third grade. So I particularly identify with your loss and your present journey. I wish there had been someone like you to encourage me and remind me that there is a light through the dark times. There are others now who are praising God for your willingness to share your story. Thank you. May God continue to bless you!
::tears:: Wanda to see the goodness Good has brought after your own loss.i love the personal grandmom names. 🙂 I’m sorry you’ve had trouble with the 100 Days for Christ study. I’ll pm you shortly.
I called both my grandmothers “Nana” ( and their last names) since I can remember- my children call my mom (only grandparent they have on Earth) Grandma–but my cousins called my grandmother Meberg “Dodie”, while on the other side of the family I have heard them call the grandparents Mimi and Papa (Poppi?) My grandparents were always “Nana and Papa”. 🙂
I have found paper calendars and planners work best as I write down- I have started Bullet Journaling- my oldest daughter loves to hand letter and doodle in hers while mine is just plain, with the facts–and washi tape 😀
Love your insights and your encouragement!
We have a Nana in our family too and I don’t even think I could take that name as she’ll forever be our Nana. I’ve heard of bullet journling…don’t know if I’d have time for the full thing but I’d probably like the edited version. Thank you, Katrina. 🙂
I love all that you share with us. I also love my BIG HAPPY PLANNER (available at Michaels as well as Amazon) I use it for planning as well as prayer journaling. I now have everything in one place. My friends call it my addiction…to which I reply, “well at least its a Jesus addiction”
I became a GiGi on June 23, 2016 and its the greatest feeling ever. I chose the name GiGi however he is now uttering GeeGee and so I will take it. that precious bundle of joy can call me whatever he likes. I lost my fiance 7 years ago this year, and its overwhelming what he is missing :(…. I have found love again…this time with a man that I let God choose for me. I understand you wanting your husband there and all the milestones; i firmly believe God will restore your family fully and abundantly (grandbabies are a good start)
May God bless you for all you do, all you are and for following his purpose in your life.
Dawn
Thank you, Dawn, for these sweet words of hope. I’m so sorry for your loss. What a precious personal name — GeeGee. Love it!
So neat! I’m quite a ways from being a grandma but I’ve already done my research due to conflicts with the present grandmas 🙂 I was looking at either Mimi, Mimsy, or GiGi. I think I’m going to go with GiGi cause it’s got a little more sass. I love the At-A-Glance calendars ….you can find them on Amazon and I like the weekly/monthly 8×11 sizes. I don’t do rigid so those every 15 mins don’t work for me, but these give you plenty of space for a day without being restrictive, and you can see your whole week at one time. They also have a month page so you can have a month view in between the four weeks. They have ones you can get either for the actual year, Jan-Dec, or you can buy ones that cover the school year July-June.
Enjoyed reading about your family’s experiences <3
We have conflicts as well… already a Mimi in the mix but I do like Gigi as well. Thank you, Liz!
Hi Lisa,
I am a brand new follower and also a homeschool mom (10 year old girl and 5 year old boy), who loves paper planners. I love my Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner (I’m on my 2nd year). They are a bit pricy, but they always have a black Friday online sale (it isn’t in stores near me). I love how simple it is, no clutter. It is sturdy and the covers are so pretty! It also comes in a beautiful navy box that I started using to keep cards or notes from my family.
I have enjoyed browsing around your site and am excited to start the 100 days of Christ. 🙂
Amie, so glad you’re doing the study! I’ve got Emily Ley’ planner bookmarked to look into…especially if there’s a Black Friday sale. Thanks so much!
Wow you do have a busy spring. So excited for you! And This Is Us is the best show. The end. 🙂
I know! Withdrawal this week when the POTUS speech took precedence!
I see it was a meaningful winter for you. 🙂
God indeed restores. What an amazing God we have.