Happy Sunday!

I’m going to work on posting at least one post a week. So that is my new commitment to all of you! Hopefully you find it interesting enough to keep reading.

Andrew and I recently ordered a new kind of spice rack. One that is like little drawers that pull out rather than a stadium set up. It fits so many spices! They arrived Friday and we have spent a large part of this weekend getting them installed, going through our spices, and reorganizing. Wow is it worth it! First, we found some spices that we had three different jars of—totally unnecessary. We also found spices that we tried but didn’t like but never got rid of. Possibly the most exciting is it is so much more efficient storage and access! We can find our spices without things falling everywhere. They take up basically one shelf now (before it was two shelves, part of a drawer, and two hanging spice racks above the sink). It is such a small thing probably overall but I’m so stinking excited about it!!

The weather continues to slowly get warmer here in the Brainerd Lakes Area, but the key word is definitely slowly. We’ve been spending more time outside, walking Goldy or relaxing in the back yard. We’ve been spending less time with “screens” watching TV or on my phone and more time reading and just enjoying time outdoors. It’s been so nice. It feels a bit like coming out of hibernation. Part of that for me is definitely the return to the office rather than working from home. It was definitely an adjustment but it is back to feeling normal and is less stressful. My covid anxiety is going down, as the vaccine continues to be more available. I’m getting pumped to get my second dose (and preparing for worse side effects) in a week and a half. I’ve been enjoying reading books, listening to my audio books, and spending time with Goldy and Andrew.

For Lent this year, I’ve been doing a bible study with my family. I have really been enjoying it and feel like I’m growing closer to both God and my family. While we don’t always have all the reading/preparation done, we have been able to have very deep and fulfilling conversations related to our study. It also opened me up to looking at exploring adding a bible study to my life for a longer period. I’m starting up with a company called Bible Study Fellowship, which is a non-denominational christian bible study program. I’ll join my first full meeting this week on Tuesday, and I hope it feels as rewarding as doing the prep work, thinking deeper, and meeting with my family.

~Natalie