Good Morning, my friend! 

Praying that you all had a wonderful day of giving thanks, of gathering, of breaking bread together and of remembering where you’ve been. Whether this year carried much joy or many heartaches, I pray that you were able to offer gratitude amidst it all. 

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In this season and in preparation this past week for Thanksgiving, the Lord impressed this idea on my heart of the toggle between joy and grief. This idea that we really can’t fully embrace one without the other and can’t fully validate one without the other. And there in the midst of that morning realization, God put these words of Francis Weller across my page…

The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them. How much sorrow can I hold? That’s how much gratitude I can give. If I carry only grief, I’ll bend toward cynicism and despair. If I have only gratitude, I’ll become saccharine and won’t develop much compassion for other people’s suffering. Grief keeps the heart fluid and soft, which helps make compassion possible.

-Francis Ward Weller

What beautiful, strong and gracious words…to a world that tells us we can’t settle for contentment or gratitude until we’ve reached happiness…to a world that tells us we have to try harder and work smarter in order to be the best…to a world that tells us to numb the pain, the suffering, the waiting, and the disappointments…these are the beautiful, strong and gracious words that a hurting world needs to hear.

And these are the beautiful, strong and gracious words that my broken, messy soul needs to heart. 

So, as we enter into this Christmas season with this expectation of cheer…give yourself permission to rest in the toggle…the toggle between the purity of joy and the collateral beauty of grief. Because in that wrestle is fullness of life. Whether the idea of Christmas lights and hallmark movies and family time and holiday parties gets you excited or stressed….or whether this year holds space for a new tradition with new people or holds an empty space at the table where a loved one used to sit…I encourage you to remember to give thanks for the joy and the grief, because there is a little bit of both in all our stories and it’s how we choose to embrace them together that leads to a heart that hopes…

Career Adventures://

Three more shifts before I am off orientation and on my own! Excited to make this practice at Sutter my own! This job continually reminds me of what an honor it is to be a part of so many families stories in that delivery room. Thankful for the learning and for the privilege of assisting in the delivery of new life…

Must-Haves://

*Kirklands is one of my favorites for all things home decor! Today is the last day of their black Friday/cyber Monday deal~ 25% off your entire order! So many good items for bringing all that Christmas goodness into your home! 

 *Young Living Essential Oil Highlight: Evergreen Essence and ALL the thieves products! Evergreen Essence is a holiday only oil and oh my goodness, friends…It is pure Christmas tree farm in a bottle~ love diffusing with Christmas Spirit essential oil for a cozy, Christmas scent. **Sale Alert** Today, ALL Thieves supplies are on sale for 20% off!!! If you’ve been waiting to try out essential oils, now is the time! I am happy to help answer your questions and get you started with all the goodness~ You can Join Our Young Living Family here! Use my member number (3054715) at checkout to save 24% off these already discounted products and become a part of our Young Living Family! 

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Love on your people & keep in perspective your beautiful legacy in light of eternity.…

Love and Blessings,

 Lindsey xoxo