Tough, Normal, or What?

 

Sometimes, life feels more complicated than you know it should. Of course, my sister, Rose, often teases me that I think I'm trying to be the first Vulcan. For those of you who have not watched Star Trek, this is an alien race that puts aside all emotion and are determined to be ruled only by logic. There is some truth to this. I often think I shouldn't feel things as keenly as I do and often don't even realize how much I'm pushing my feelings aside. 

Why am I bringing this up?  Life is in a steady rhythm right now. Work, writing, home, and everyday life. In one way, things are pretty normal. Yet, on one level, the last couple of weeks have been hard. Today, was the fifth day in a row I've had a headache for the majority of the day. It's also been a time when some of my dearest friends are struggling or lives are changing. Sometimes, that causes me to feel emotional, even though I call myself names for it. 

Here is a look at some of what the last few weeks have held for me. 

My study of the Pslams has been balm for my soul, as well as convicting. I'm currently in Pslam 4 while I'm working to memorize Psalm 3. It has meant a lot to me. I studied it last week when I was feeling down and it fit how I felt so perfectly. 
This prayer journal and card arrived from a friend Jessica unexpectedly. It was a late Christmas gift and I'm already using the prayer journal in the mornings.

Mikayla gave me Pride and Peppermint tea and a candle called "A Day with Mr. Darcy" for Christmas. So, we had a Pride and Prejudice tea party. It was lovely

Our family took a trip to the zoo. Of course, I was so busy enjoying the time with them, that I forgot to take many pictures. Oh well, it was very fun. 
Devotional times have been so precious to me of late. I linger as long as my other duties will allow.
We got word that a cousin died of Covid. It hit our family pretty hard. Bob was healthy, strong, and a joy to be around. It also is hard because he's my Mom's age. Again, God timed everything perfectly. It was the same day Sarah Sundin's new book came out. Her books always seem to help me when I'm hurting.
Yes, it is normal for me to have so many tabs open. But the important thing is the paperback version of Fanny's Hope Chest was submitted today. This is the smallest book I've ever had made into a paperback. I finished that this morning and then my headache came back.
I'm pretty weary from the headache and all the emotions I've been dealing with for the last couple of weeks. So, I decided to do something I haven't done in a while - I did some crafting for decoration.
But of course, I couldn't stop at one item...


Sometimes, life is tough, yet normal at the same time. I'm grateful that God gives so many good gifts, even when things feel hard. And I'm also grateful that I don't have to face anything alone. 
What have you been up to?