ThoughtfulEscapes

...it's life.

  • Captivating
  • 31 Days
    • 31 Days of Reflection [2016]
    • 31 Days [2014]
    • 31 Days of Life [2012]
  • Gluten Free
  • Homeschool
  • About Me
  • Copyright Info
  • 31 Days of One Word Journeys | 2017

One Word | Eager

January 2, 2018 by April

As I go back and read my past One Word posts, I can see the path of my journey’s progression. He knows what is ahead while leading me – He has not been surprised by any minute detail of my life. (or yours!) All I can do is reflect on the path already traveled.

Four years ago my One Word was Trust.
Three years ago my One Word was Receive.
Two years ago my One Word was a continuation of three years ago.
Last year my One Word was Embrace.

I can confidently say I do trust Him. For my journey, I am still working on learning to receive, but this is definitely easier than it has been. The second part of my learning to receive was choosing to embrace.

Four years ago I started pondering Isaiah 43:18-19, which was when I knew I needed to learn to receive. Working on receiving well (not just choosing to accept) was the second year I spent on receive. Receiving lead me to knowing I would have to work hard at embracing. all. the. changes. … and have there been a boatload of them since May 2016, and they’ll continue through this year!

“Forget about what’s happened;
    don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert. Be present.

I’m about to do something brand-new.
    It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?”

These verses come to mind quite consistently in my day to day life.

:: A constant reminder to be alert. be present. to look for the new things He is doing.
:: A constant reminder to choose to receive His grace over all.

It has taken me a few years to get to the point of being excited about His plans, without experiencing mind-paralyzing fear of the unknown. He knew I would need more time before I could anticipate well the plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11-14). I didn’t realize it until reflecting & writing this post – He started working on me four years ago! (can you say SERIOUSLY S.L.O.W. PROCESSOR! – good grief ?)

All of of this is to lead up to telling you the significance of my one word for 2018: Eager.

I am honestly EAGER for all of the changes & challenges ahead in this new year.

October

October 3, 2017 by April

I believe I’ve mentioned before, I don’t particularly like October. I love fall, but in Alaska, fall is typically over once October hits.

Leaves have fallen off the trees.
It’s dark.
There isn’t snow.

It’s also when the first round of PFDs come out – this is a positive & a negative. It usually means money has been way too tight & now going into the stores are awful … because everyone now has a bit of cash to spend. The stores treat it like another Black Friday.

Also:
22 years ago I got married in October.
18 years ago my husband chose to work in a location requiring him to live elsewhere.
17 years ago he left.

As much as I want to, I don’t particularly like October. But this year God had a different plan. I believe this is the beginning of the evidence of the changes He has been preparing me for. It is 5am on October 3rd in the Seattle Airport – mom, Christine and I are off for an adventure. We actually made the tickets a month ago and we’ve been able to look forward to October coming. It’s been fun.

Change

September 2, 2017 by April

Other than backing up this site, the last time I looked at this blog was February 2nd and it’s now October 2nd – uh, seriously?! Eight months have gone by???

Here we are at another #31Days Challenge … This year I’m going to write about one word journeys. They will probably mostly come from one word thoughts regarding the last 18 months or so of life.

So much has happened and then again, not really. All “productivity” of the last eight months has happened in the last couple months or so. There are so many things I could go back and recap, but I’m just going to start where we are today and then I’m hoping to go forward from here – giving background as we go. Because of the nature of all the changes, the details will be working their way out as I start to process.

Here’s the super-duper short nutshell version of our life realities over the last 18 months:

  • My daughter had a horrific end of her Sophomore year. My son, Vince, was a HUGE support for her. They are three years/two grades apart.
  • He then graduated from high school in May 2016.
  • Vince left for college last fall. August 1st. He drove out with his best friend. Which means, his college experience started with him going on an International road trip – in a vehicle we’d owned for about two weeks.
  • His leaving was truly awful for my daughter and I. I expected it to be bad – but it was 10x+ worse than I/we expected. I think the whole ending of year prior/single parent/homeschool together-all-the-time home kind of backfired when it was suddenly just her & I.
  • Vince home for his first Christmas break from college.
  • Vince got engaged while home for Christmas Break.
  • He left for the last time after a Christmas break from college.
  • Over $10K has been spent for Christine’s medical doctor appointments this calendar year. Pretty sure this is more than the total combined of her medical, dental, and eye costs of her whole life put together. SO THANKFUL for insurance!
  • Going to that many doctor appointments is a full-time job. Especially when the bulk of the appointments were an hour away one-way from home.
  • Christine got her driver’s license.
  • She completed her Junior year – in spite of the sickness.all.year.
  • My daughter, my baby, is a SENIOR!
  • Vince completed his freshman year in college – with straight A’s! Simply amazing.
  • He came home for the last time as a young, single adult. We had six weeks until the wedding and he was working full-time.
  • My son got married in June! I now have another daughter. She is wonderful. I’m a mother-in-law?! Pretty sure I’m not mature enough for this role.
  • My bestest-sister-friend of 20+ years came to visit me for the FIRST TIME EVER, for a whole 10 days. She came for my boy’s wedding. She helped with last minute decoration making. She helped my dad cook the Rehearsal Breakfast. She was our last minute appointed wedding coordinator. She helped us set up. She did the bride’s make-up. …and we forgot to take a picture of us together at the wedding???! We remembered four days later, then only took a couple – with the wind blowing!
  • My oldest turned 20.
  • Christine went on an 8-day kayaking trip in Canada.
  • My youngest turned 17.
  • Five short weeks after the wedding, my son and his bride left to go back to college.
  • Because Christine can now drive herself, she gets to take a ton of classes – five at the school and four dance classes.
  • Just like that, I get to stay home. All by myself for 10-12 hours four days a week. (Life is weird!)
  • For the first time in over 20 years, I have the opportunity to work full-time from home (she has the car).
  • I’m working on figuring out a new routine. A new normal. I believe blogging will be part of this new normal. I have an ounce of mental space, again. I can think in mostly coherent sentences – almost.

This has been a LOT of changes! My mind & body are just starting to feel a little bit “normal” for the first time in a really long time. We have had over 18 months of non-stop, major life-altering changes.

What was “normal” 18 months ago will never be again. TRUTH.
Most all are/were good changes. right changes. healthy changes. TRUTH.

It’s still exhausting. TRUTH.

This extremely introverted, slow processing, highly sensitive momma is tired. Through it all, I worked hard to remember to EMBRACE the changes. Some moments all I had to do was remember I wanted to, other moments took hours of praying myself through.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

One Word | Embrace

January 2, 2017 by April

So, life got in the way of blogging – again.

I didn’t finish 31 Days – back in October. and I’m not sure I will.

I was launching my business blog, the same month. I thought it would be easier to make writing a priority if I was writing for two blogs (I could separate me from my geekiness)…which was true.

EXCEPT, I didn’t account for the emotional energy required for writing about our life Reflections.

AND, I had a product launch happening for my brothers site. which resulted in lots of orders (I’m the packaging & shipping department).

AND both my daughter & I got sick the end of September – and one or both of us have basically been sick ever since. It’s been a really long school year.

I knew I wasn’t really done with the life verses of 2015 & 2016. Remember, I’m a slow processor, so while the masses choose a different word each year, it takes me longer to “be done” with the word. It feels as if the last three One Words & Life Verses have totally gone together, growing, showing another perspective.

| Embrace |

The definition of embrace: (verb) accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically; (noun) an act of accepting or supporting something willingly or enthusiastically.

If you care to know, my business is Dot&Ink Designs. My brother’s is Blue Ice Aviation – if you need an Alaska scenery calendar and you don’t want to pay shipping…digital calendars are now an option.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

« Previous Page
Next Page »
Jeremiah 29:11

Affiliate Links

Please note: links on this blog are probably affiliate links (unless it's to another post or another blog). Please see my About Me page for a full listing of sites for which I am an affiliate.
My promise to you - I will only link to what I like because I like it, not because anyone is paying me. If you shop from these links, I will earn a small percentage and will be very grateful :-D. Thank you.

Recent Posts

  • Once Again
  • Redemption in Separation
  • Speak Out
  • 31 Days of Redemption | 2018
  • One Word | Eager

Archives

Tags

2011 Alaska State Fair being a mom birthday blessings blogs boat brothers campaign Captivating choices Choose Joy Christmas encouragement eternally thankful fall family flowers friendship giveaway gluten free grandparents homeschool house projects it's life it's the little things linky party missions my boy my girl Nikon camera organization parenting school sewing simple joys single parent Sony camera spring thankful thoughts verses Washington DC women |365:oneword|
I know I don't do social media well, so I do not have separate accounts for business & personal. This is my business Instagram feed. It's still me posting. Just not me strung out trying to keep up with two accounts. #limitsofanintrovert Thanks for being gracious & understanding! :-)

april.c.keller

Visual Communication = Graphic Design | Layout for Print & Web; Document Formatting; Copywriting.

April C Keller
The power is out. Now is when it’s REALLY conven The power is out. Now is when it’s REALLY convenient to read eBooks (& you have fully charged devices). The orange glow to the right is from the collection of candles I had handy. 
Super duper thankful for the gas fireplace!!! The temp was 43° earlier today, has dropped to 15° & supposed to continue dropping thru the night.
#thankfultonotreadbycandlelight
#gasfireplacesareawesome
#eveofchristmaseve2020 #decemberinwi
Dec 22, 2020 at 7:39am😍😍😍 No need to say Dec 22, 2020 at 7:39am😍😍😍
No need to say more.
#decembersunrise #wisconsin #wearegaininglightnow
December 21st is the shortest day of the year. As December 21st is the shortest day of the year. As a lifelong Alaskan my body & mind are very tuned to this date - we now gain daylight each day. Living WI has had many benefits & blessings - the least of which isn’t even how I will see the daylight before I get to work. 😍😍😍 I am not sad about this in the least!

I’m so thankful for this morning’s living/dining/kitchen views. I love the glow of Christmas lights & the way they immediately stop my thoughts in their tracks and cause me to remember to be thankful.
#christmas2020 #ak2co2wi #mondaymornings #thankful #blessed #christmaslights
😍😍😍 Como Park Conservatory = eye candy ev 😍😍😍 Como Park Conservatory = eye candy every time. {{sigh}}
We caught the sun low in the sky & it was simply beautiful! When we walked out it was the setting sun on the glass building & the flag blowing in a lazy breeze. #coldbutbeautiful #perfect 
#comoparkconservatory #midnovember #eyecandy #soulfilling #breathtaking #thankfulfortheopportunity #americanflaginthebreeze
Just a tiny note to share how much I am absolutely Just a tiny note to share how much I am absolutely LOVING the sunrise pink at 7am in mid-November! 😍😍😍
It’s a whole 25° & supposed to start snowing within the hour. (Do you see the neighbor’s pink window reflections?)
#happymonday #blessings #itsanewweek #wintersunrisebefore8
Hi guys! April’s daughter here. Due to an unkind Hi guys! April’s daughter here. Due to an unkind comment and a hard week behind the social media wall she deleted the post. After a good talk and encouragement I am here re-posting with permission. Remember that what’s seen on social media does not reflect what goes on behind the scenes. The intention of the post was to share a personal struggle and encourage others who may feel the same. A difference of opinion does not require a comment. 

The repost:

Are you an American? If so, voting is your civic duty. 
🇺🇸To not vote is the same as voting against your freedom.
🇺🇸To not vote is the same as voting against your right of citizenship. 
🇺🇸To not vote is the same as disregarding every American soldier and his/her family’s sacrifice for you. 
I promise – no matter what you think – YOU ARE NOT TOO BUSY to vote! This year especially, they have made it so easy (not interested in debating the right/wrongness of this, just stating fact) and it’s not as if the deadline has been a surprise date. If you choose to not vote, there is no excuse other than being lulled into apathy by the privilege you take for granted. Don’t be lazy.

For those who think I’m being too harsh – these are the things I had to remind myself of in the not so distant past as I was overwhelmed by figuring out the simple-yet-not-so-simple-process of how to register as a new resident, where to vote, and who to vote for. And then again today as anxiety joined me when I’d parked at my polling place & it was time to actually stand in line with all the others.

Side note, 2020 brought yet another first for me: I’ve never voted on a non-Alaskan ballot. Instead of boroughs & districts, I navigated counties & wards. 
Even so, the ballot looked the same. 😊 

And then I went for a beautiful country drive through harvested fields and looked at barns. Feeling thankful & blessed for the freedom and ability to do so.
A little crisp & foggy outside, but perfectly cozy A little crisp & foggy outside, but perfectly cozy inside.🍂🍁

#september2020 #fall #thankful
So...not exactly a surprise!😊 Take your own qu So...not exactly a surprise!😊

Take your own quiz at holleygerth.com/introvertquiz
 
You definitely should go check out more about The Powerful Purpose if Introverts by @holleygerth 
#introvertpurpose #introvert #godmadeuseachunique
🍂Fall is coming! 🍂 This change of the season 🍂Fall is coming! 🍂
This change of the seasons is the first one I’ve felt alert for since moving here 🍁🍂 & it’s all so pretty (the 5 trees I’ve seen starting to change)! But I’m not in the least ready for it, it’s the 1st time in 18 years I haven’t needed school supplies of some sort - for either of the kids (homeschooling) or myself (college). Now, I just get to enjoy all the school supplies simply because I love them!😊

The first pic is just for enjoyment because I know the majority if you can’t possibly understand what the 2nd & 3rd photos mean to me. 😊

As an introvert who has been transitioning from work-from-home to working-at-the-office-everyday, on a team & working on a variety of projects, I often feel as if I’m majorly failing at simply being nice. 

I’m too often in my head, processing all I’m trying to remember to do/get done & short of smiling in passing, there isn’t a ton of other interaction. BUT the 2nd photo is evidence of while not having more than a handful of non-work related conversations, I have a co-worker who knows me incredible well! On Tues, she brought me one Pantone color book & yesterday she brought me SEVEN more!😍 
I never dreamed I’d get to touch one of these little color charts in real-life, let alone have a set of them living at my desk!!! 

2020 will never be forgotten, for so many reasons. Big & small.
#seen&known #itsthelittlethings #littlethingsadduptobigthings #blessed #thankful
It’s no small secret I’m a hard-core introvert It’s no small secret I’m a hard-core introvert & not by just a little bit. Social distancing has always been my norm. I can’t say I’ve seen this as a blessing in life 🥴. 

Ironically, while 2020 has required so many social appreciators (extroverts) to stay at/work from home, life in 2020 has required me to learn how to work out of the home full-time. After working from home for the last 20 years, this has not been a small adjustment!

I have lived in WI for 8 months now, and I’m just starting to feel semi-human in daily life. I totally & completely underestimated the toll an unexpected 2nd large move, traveling over Christmas, wrapping up my senior year of college/degree, having my oldest graduate college, and working on a team of people out of the house full-time would have on me. #notenoughhourstorecovereachday

You will likely see me in this space more as I’m on the book launch team for The Powerful Purpose of Introverts, the latest book by @holleygerth. I’m really looking forward to learning how being an introvert can be a blessing & strength.

 #introvertpurpose #createdinhisimage #lovedasiam #nothingtoprove #introvert
Load More... Follow

Copyright © 2021 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in