Share Four Somethings: October 2022

Full. It was my One Word for 2020, and it seems to be a fitting description for the fall of 2022 as well.

In September, Randy and I spent several days visiting his mom in North Dakota. A few weeks later, my sister and I took our second annual trip to Wisconsin to see our 92-year-old Aunt Renate.

At home, we’ve experienced senior pictures with Molly and shared a fun fall break with Lilly and a couple of her friends from college. Our home has been full, along with our hearts.

I missed last month’s Share Four Somethings due to all the travel. Now, though, I’m happy to be joining October’s linkup, starting with …

Something Loved

My aunt has a wonderful adventurous spirit. My sister is willing to drive her minivan over hill and dale and everywhere in between. So one day while we were in Wisconsin, we took a road trip to Door County, which is located on a peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

We meandered up one side of the peninsula and down the other, stopping in quaint little tourist towns along the way to take in the sights. We strolled out on piers, felt the brisk wind on our faces, snapped selfies with lighthouses, and dined at restaurants with gorgeous views of Lake Michigan.

It was a lovely day, all the way around.

Something Gleaned

My mother-in-law gave me a 365-day flip calendar for Christmas last year. Each day features a Bible verse and a quote from a well-known Christian author. Not too long ago, the quote for the day was from Charles R. Swindoll’s book, Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit.

“Rather than racing into the limelight, we need to accept our role in the shadows,” Swindoll writes. “Don’t promote yourself. Don’t push yourself to the front. Let someone else do that. Better yet, let God do that. If you’re great, trust me, the word will get out. You’ll be found … in God’s time. If you’re necessary for the plan, God will put you in the right place at just the precise time. God’s work is not about us. It’s His production, start to finish.”

I don’t know about you, but that was exactly what I needed to remember that day. And many days since then too.

Something Braved

In eight years of blogging, I’ve never taken any kind of online blogging class. There are many reasons for this: I was too intimidated, I didn’t want to spend the money, I was afraid that whatever they advocated wouldn’t work for me (or, more accurately, that I wouldn’t be able to make it work for me).

Not long ago, though, I read about a blogging course that focused more on the craft of writing, rather than on likes and shares and platforms. This appealed to me, so I decided to give it a try.

A few weeks in, I’ve been introduced to several helpful tools and methods, as well as a few techniques that don’t really feel like me. More than anything else, the class is causing me to think about the point of what I’m writing, and how I can get my message across more effectively.

Is this going to revolutionize the way I blog? Probably not. But there’s plenty of room for improvement, and this class has been a brave step in a good direction.

Something Achieved

Randy and I often do the Whole30 eating plan in October. With all we have going on right now, though, it seemed a bit daunting to eliminate grains, legumes, dairy products, sugar and preservatives from our diet for 30 days in a row.

Instead, we decided to give up dessert for a month. So far, we’ve been successful.

In the grand scheme of amazing achievements, “No Dessert October” might not rank very high. But if you knew how much I love to bake and how much I enjoy having something sweet with my family after supper, you’d understand why this is an accomplishment for us.

We still have a week left, but I think we’re going to make it. And you better believe I’m looking forward to some kind of chocolate cake when we celebrate my birthday in early November.

• • •

Now it’s your turn. Have you seen any beautiful views or read any memorable quotes lately? What about trying something new or reaching a goal of some kind? Please share in the comments, or, if you prefer, serve up your own collection of Something Loved, Gleaned, Braved (or Saved) and Achieved.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Share Four Somethings, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth