Minot Monday | Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot
As Minot steps into summer I’ll be sharing some of my favorite warm weather activities with you. Today, I’m talking about the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot. Much of this information can be found at the zoo’s website. I’ve compiled it here alongside my personal experience. A big thanks to BeLOCAL Minot for partnering with me to make Minot Mondays possible.
Summer in Practically Canada
Summer brings out a whole new set of funtivities in Practically Canada (AKA, Minot.) We start to come out of our winter cocoons of dinners in, church potlucks and game nights. Instead we venture out into the endless daylight to enjoy parks and ice cream and gardens and hikes.
The Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot is a great small town zoo. It’s a great zoo for our community and a wonderful resource for a city the size of Minot. It’s a perfect place to take a walk and enjoy the perfect North Dakota summer weather. Don’t fall into the trap of negativity by comparing it to a zoo in a bigger city like Omaha, Colorado Springs or Dallas. Those zoos are great–but Minot isn’t a metropolis. We are blessed to have a zoo in town to enjoy!
One of the things I appreciate most at the Roosevelt Park Zoo is that they are constantly improving (at least since I first moved to Minot in 2012.) The community has rallied around this resource to raise money to improve dated habitats and offer lots of valuable community education (for adults and littles) all year long.
I always like the zoo. But now that I have a little who loves animals, I’ve realize just how special it is to have a zoo right here in our back yard.
What’s a Day at the Zoo Like?
Zoo staff is working hard to keep things clean and safe during the COVID-19 era. Facilities are clean and things are regularly wiped down. There are hand sanitizer stations available near the petting zoo. (The “petting” portion was closed during our visit.)
You can bring snacks into the park. But staff asks that you do not bring disposable straws and lids inside. (I just learned that naughty squirrels like to dig them out of the trash and place them in animal enclosures.) There are benches throughout the park and a few tables near the concession building, but no “official” picnic shelters–so just keep that in mind when you pack up to come.
Pro Tip: Keepers and staff told me that many animals are fed and enclosures cleaned shortly after opening. This is a prime time to see animals active and interacting with staff (and to ask staff questions.) Gideon and I arrived at 10:30–which gave a good opportunity to see lots of morning activity.
Strollers and wagons are welcome in the park. You can also rent a wagon at the gate.
On our inaugural trip we spent about two hours exploring and watching the animals. This allowed us to walk the whole zoo and revisit our favorite exhibits again before leaving.
For a list of things that may be closed or limited access see here.
What Kind of Animals Are There At Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot?
This summer Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot is celebrating 100 years since it first opened! It’s grown since 1920 and is now home to more than 200 animals.
Here is information about animals at the zoo.
New big-cat habitats are under construction. A new lion habitat recently opened. As I said earlier, the zoo is working hard to continue offering an excellent experience into its next century.
Gideon and I love seeing the giraffes and primates. Those were animals he was excited to revisit.
Tell Me About Admission. Is a Membership Worth It?
Full admission prices are here. However, I’ll give you my personal opinion on this:
If you are a mom of a little who likes animals, you should become a zoo member. Admission is totally reasonable ($9.50/adult during the summer, $5.50/adult in winter.) Kids have lower admission and kids under 3 are FREE!
An annual zoo membership is $45 for an individual or $75 for a family (other membership options with additional perks are available. See here.)
A little math will tell you, it won’t take long for a membership to pay off. We’ve already used our membership twice and they just opened on May 9!
A membership takes pressure off of needing to spend a “whole day” at the zoo to make admission “worthwhile.” You can come and go as you please and only stay 30 minutes if your kids have a melt down. It’s great and I highly recommend it. Additionally, members get discounts on classes that happen year round–another great investment.
What Happens During the “Off Season?”
Glad you asked. The answer is “a lot.” The zoo continues to be open (weather permitting) with limited hours. They also offer classes for all ages throughout the year. I’ve heard AMAZING feedback about the Zoo Tots classes from other moms in town.
Look here for more on year round education.
Where is the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot?
The zoo is only a short drive from anywhere in Minot (like most things in Minot.) It’s just east of downtown off of Burdick, as you head to the fairgrounds. The parking lot is at the entrance of Roosevelt Park.
Because the zoo is attached to Roosevelt Park, it’s a perfect place to have a day’s worth of adventure. The park has a nice walking trail, beautiful gardens and a nice playground. Roosevelt Park Pool is also located there and will be opening for the season May 31.
Get Outside
I hope you’ll get outside this week and enjoy the start of a North Dakota summer. More on the zoo and other fun summer activities is here at BeLOCAL. What other places do you love to explore in nice weather? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below or join the positive-vibes community, committed to loving where they live by hanging out with me on Instagram or Facebook. Have a great week!
Being A Child of God | An Everyday Devotional About Hide and Seek
Today I’m talking about being a child of God and the affection He has for us. This is an “everyday devotional.” A mundane moment in my very ordinary life, seen through a Christ-centered lens. I believe when we view our life as anecdotes of God’s grace, we will see His stories all around us. Grab your coffee (or water) and come into my messy, under-construction house (and life.)
We Play A Lot of “Hide” At My House.
For the last few months Gideon (now just over 2) has been really into playing “hide.” It’s adorable. He wants to get under any piece of fabric or pillow in the house. It’s never a good hiding place. Usually I’m the one to cover him up. He’ll tell me he wants to “HI-HEE” while pointing to a blanket. Translation: “Hide, here.”
Once covered, he’ll proclaim from under the blankets, “Ma, yook.” Translation: Mom, pretend to look all over, then find me.
Like I said, it’s adorable. It can also get old. But it’s mostly adorable.
Recently though, he’s wanted Derek or me to hide with him. Sometimes he’ll want the other parent to look and find–sometimes he just wants to be under the blankets and whisper.
Hiding With Gideon
A few days ago I was playing hide with Gideon. We were under the covers on my bed. The sheets with a faded blue stripe were perfectly diffusing the morning light. My arm was propping up the sheet to create a nice tent for us. Perfectly hidden from the outside world, but with plenty of room to play.
He rolled around and crawled to the deepest dark at the foot of the bed. Eventually that wore him out and he became still. He rested his head on my arm (not the tenting arm), played with a toy car and talked quietly to himself. He didn’t want me to move, just to stay there, hiding with him.
It struck me in that moment that I was completely and utterly happy with what was happening. My heart was so full. I could have watched him forever under the soft glow of the sheets. He is completely captivating to me. I love the way his hands look when he holds a toy. How his voice sounds. The way he rolls his eyes when he is thinking hard. The way he smiles with his whole face.
I love that I speak “fluent Giddy.” I can decipher full sentences from his fragmented syllables and hand gestures. Like every mom, my list could go on for a long time, but I’ll stop here.
This bottomless well of affection is something I could never have fully grasped until I became a mom. I liked kids. But I didn’t consider myself a “kid person.” This affinity I have for Gideon is totally different–and foreign to me.
It struck me as we laid there in peace, hiding from the world. I am just so happy when he wants to be with me. It’s an honor to my heart for him to want me near.
I basked in that truth. Me. A girl who never thought she was the marrying type–let alone the momming type–turning to mush under the bed sheets because a two year old wants her. What a humbling, satisfying truth.
Hiding With God | Being A Child of God
But there’s a deeper truth to be seen here. A truth about being a child of God.
As I laid there, I could hear God’s sweet voice speaking to my heart in the stillness.
That feeling that I have toward Gideon. That heart-bursting, stomach-melting love. Those feelings pale in comparison to God’s desire for us. For all ways I know Gideon–God knows us deeper. He can discern our mixed up thoughts and words and fragmented sentences. If I can understand Gideon’s words through tears and tantrum, God can understand our words through the deepest heartache and loudest storm.
For all the ways I celebrate Gideon’s triumphs and the things that he is learning and how he is growing–God rejoices with our victories even more. He roots us on and loves to see us learn and grow.
If I bask in moments of stillness with my child, God craves time with us with a hunger we’ll never understand this side of eternity.
God wants nothing more than for us to invite Him to hide with us. To invite Him into our secret places. To talk, or play, or just be still and be with Him.
If I know how my heart threatens explosion to be near my child, I can only imagine how God–the Creator of all, Author of life, Good Father–feels when we want to spend time with Him. Being a child of God means God loves us fiercely, in the purest, deepest ways. Being a child of God means you are wanted by the One who matters most. You are desired, valued, known.
I’m challenging you today. Invite God to hide with you. Bring Him into a secret space in your heart. Whether you talk, or listen, or just be still is up to you.
Please find me on Facebook or Instagram to join a community of awesome people aiming to live lives of intentionality, seeing the world through a Christ-centered lens. And if this post struck a chord with your heart, I’d love if you shared. Thanks for reading.
Read More Here
You can read more anecdotal devotionals here:
- Mistaken Identity: That time I tried to get in the wrong car
- The Linen Closet: How my closet is like Jesus in the midst of a storm
- Red Hot Heart Buttons: How God Transforms Weakness
Getting Through Hard Times |Moving Forward in Hard Seasons Part III
This is the final installment of the “Moving Forward” series. If you missed the first two posts you can read them here:
- Part I (Moving forward, getting unstuck)
- Part II (Three things that help move us forward in hard seasons)
Today I’m sharing three more lessons I’ve learned about difficult times and moving forward through them. Take heart, you can get through this.
Seasons Change. Be Rational. Hard Seasons Don’t Last Forever
When faced with the challenge of getting through hard times, it’s easy to let anxiety and a “woe-is-me” attitude to spin completely out of control into something irrational. I’ll admit that, for me, irrationality and ranting feel really good. It takes a lot of strength to remain rational and speak truth over the lies (more on overcoming lies here and here.) that encroach on us during a trial. Sometimes it feels really good to just give in and let your anxiety fly.
Maybe it’s just me.
At any rate, getting through hard times requires rationality. To move forward during a difficult season you must keep your head on. Remember the verse cited in Part I?
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:8-10
The Greek words translated “alert” and “sober mind” tell us to be watchful, calm, collected, with a quiet spirit. Additionally, John 8:44 tells us that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. To resist him is to resist the lies that will vie for your attention and belief during a trial. You can only do this when you are “alert” and of “sober mind.”
Dispel lies. Remind yourself of what’s true. This will end. Hard times, difficult seasons–they don’t last forever. Seasons don’t last forever. Every day survived is another day closer to the end of this chapter. You are surviving, you are moving forward, you are not alone.
Write truths down when they come to you. Find them in the Bible. Tell a friend you are struggling and have them help speak truth into your situation.
Set Realistic Goals While Getting Through Hard Times
In Part II of this series I presented three of the six lessons I’ve learned about moving forward through difficult times. One of the lessons is that progress looks different during a trial. If you haven’t read that, go here first.
In my own life I’ve found that there are stages to every difficult season. First there’s a period of triage. I take on a “stop the bleeding” mentality to simply get through each day. Meeting all basic needs is a win during this time.
After that, things stabilize as it becomes clear this tough time is going to cling for a while. At this point continuing to triage only seems to make the days last longer. On top of that, I become frustrated because I can’t go back to my “normal” activities, but I don’t want to sink deeper into a rut.
That’s where defining some realistic goals comes in. Simple, realistic goals will help you continue to move forward as you are getting through hard times.
During Derek’s most recent deployment, while I was facing unrelenting morning sickness and restrictions from the pandemic, he encouraged me to set some goals to steer my focus away from the hardship and onto something else. Putting my mind to something else (while extending grace and being realistic) allowed me to move forward and eased a bit of the pain of trial. It felt like walking through sludge, but eventually I saw that I was becoming less stuck and taking strides forward.
I felt empowered as I saw progress being made. Hard seasons give us very little control, but setting small goals can give a sense of authority back to us. Here are a few examples of my realistic goals from the last month of Derek’s deployment. (Most are house related, remember…we were social distancing.) They aren’t glamorous, they aren’t earth-shattering, but they helped me see that I was moving–even during a hard season. (More on godly goal setting here.)
- Clean the windows
- Go for four walks each week
- Clean cabinet doors
- Remove wall paper from the second floor
- Review Matthew chapter 5 (something we had memorized, but I let lapse)
- Paint something with Gideon
Look For Lessons–Don’t Waste This Season
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
james 1:2-4
Have faith. God will walk you through this. And in my experience, He has never wasted a trial.
I believe God’s heart hurts when we are hurting. But let’s not forget that He is our Redeemer. The God that is able to redeem us from sin and death can redeem even our darkest hardships. He is our Creator. Surely, the One who created everything from nothing can create beauty from trial.
He can. He will. I’ve seen it happen.
Over and over God has been faithful to transform my ugliest trials and most difficult seasons in life into something lovely. When we let Him lead the way through the storm He’ll bring us into the calm with a wild, exciting testimony to share. He will teach us things that will equip us for next time, empower others, or just inspire us to rave about His Might.
When getting through hard times, listen closely for God’s voice. It’s there. Tune your ear to Him–instead of your fear or lies or anger or anxiety or distress. Those voices are loud–but God’s is calm and reassuring. He isn’t going to leave you, He will restore you and redeem you.
Remember God is the Good Guy When Getting Through Hard Times
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Psalm 46:1-2
Friends, whatever you are facing–or whatever you will face–know that God is the hero, not the villain. He is for you. He has already gone to extraordinary lengths to offer you Salvation and Redemption. God has been faithful and will continue to be faithful. He is unchanging. Take heart. (Unsure about God’s kindness? I used to be too. Read this post.)
What has helped you get through a hard season? I’d love to connect with you on Instagram or Facebook. Come be part of a community seeking to live life with intentionality and through a Christ-centered lens. If this strikes a chord with your heart, please remember to share. Thanks for being here.
Minot Monday | Exploring North Dakota Ghost Towns
Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL is a guide to living like a local–and aims to help you thrive in Minot. For more road trip ideas see here. For parks in town see here and here.
Before moving to North Dakota I didn’t give much thought to this state. Honestly it was a place I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to, let alone spend years living here. Even after moving into North Dakota, it took me a while to get under the surface and really start enjoying the special things that make life here so great. Things that you can’t find just anywhere.
That’s why I started writing the Minot Monday posts. To help others acclimate and start thriving in Minot more quickly than I did.
One thing I’ve come to love about North Dakota is the opportunity to explore nearly-forgotten places. Yes, I’m talking about our plentiful ghost towns. These places have an indescribable eerie beauty you have to experience to fully understand.
North Dakota ghost towns are plentiful and spread all across the state. Visiting a ghost town makes a great day trip outing (see more day/weekend trip ideas here from BeLOCAL). It’s also fun to stop at one along the way if you are headed out on a road trip. Exploring North Dakota ghosts towns is also a perfect activity to partake in while we continue to observe social distancing rules. You can’t get much more distanced than visiting a town that has been abandoned.
Finding North Dakota Ghost Towns to Explore
Finding North Dakota ghost towns is pretty easy due to some great resources and people who are passionate about sharing this style of history.
Ghosts of North Dakota is the absolute best resource for finding ghost towns. On their site you can search for a town by name and learn the history of the place you intend to go.
Ghosts of North Dakota also has a Google map with a pin in each ghost town. This way you can get driving directions as well.
The closest ghost towns to Minot are Tagus, Ruso, Bergen, Balfour and Kief. (Personally, I really like Balfour.) From Minot getting to a ghost town will take 30-60 minutes. This is a bit of a drive, but a short one according to North Dakota standards. The drives are scenic and part of the fun of finding these places.
Know Before You Go
Before you go visiting a North Dakota ghost town, here are a couple things to keep in mind.
Pack snacks or lunch. Driving out into the North Dakota country side is beautiful, but food is scarce. Plan to take car snacks or a picnic lunch if you’ll be getting hungry.
Fuel up first. Again, there isn’t much between towns in North Dakota. Be sure your car has enough fuel before you set out.
Take bug spray. Remember how we talked about ticks last week? Tall grass and country paths are prime tick territory. Remember your bug spray and use it. Also…remember to check for ticks–actually just reread the tick post.
Wear good shoes. This is not a good time for sandals or cheap flip flops. Wear something sturdy with closed toes.
Take a camera and a car charger. You’ll obviously want awesome photos, duh. But signal can be shotty in these places, so be sure to remember a car charger so you don’t get stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead phone.
Be respectful. While these are “ghost towns,” some still have a handful of residents living there. Abide by signs, be kind and respectful toward structures, pick up your litter, these are places for everyone to enjoy.
Enjoy the Ghost Towns
I hope you’ll go out and explore a North Dakota ghost town this summer. Be safe and let me know how you like it! Remember to join me on Instagram and Facebook for more Minot fun and lots of intentional, encouraging living. And please, help keep AmyAllender.com up and running. If you like what you read, remember to share with your friends!
Christian Hospitality | Hospitality in Unusual Circumstances
Back in the fall I heard a friend speak about hospitality at MOPS while visiting South Dakota. At the time, I had just closed on Acorn House and it was a hot mess. There would be no formal dinner parties or baby showers at my house for quite some time. But her message challenged and encouraged my heart.
The Christian hospitality that the Bible calls us to isn’t about having a perfect home. The Bible tells us hospitality runs deeper than hosting parties or having “enough space” or “the right kind of house” for guests. It’s a heart attitude that looks outward and reaches those around us. It’s an attitude that is an overflow of the gracious hospitality God has extended to us by welcoming us into His household.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
Ephesians 2:19
I’ve been ruminating on this post since October. As I’ve prayed over hospitality these past months God has reshaped the way I see being hospitable. I’ve learned that hospitality is something anyone can practice, no matter what the condition of their house.
Defining Hospitality
This definition of hospitality from John Piper has stuck with me since the fall and it’s come to be a motto in my mind.
As far back as you want to go in the history of God’s people, one of the God-appointed duties of the righteous was hospitality—by which I simply mean the willingness to welcome people into your home (or your apartment) who don’t ordinarily belong there.
John Piper: Strategic Hospitality
Willingness to welcome people into your home who don’t ordinarily belong there. Over the months I’ve come to expand this definition to “Willingness to welcome people into your life who don’t ordinarily belong there.”
This view of hospitality is freeing. It doesn’t require party planning, cooking skills or being chronically neat. God desires our willingness to welcome others. (1 Peter 4:9) To welcome them into our home, our activities, our church, our lives. This is hospitality.
The Bible exhorts us not to neglect hospitality. (Hebrews 13:1-2)It goes so far to tell us to seek out opportunities to be hospitable. (Romans 12:13) Hospitality is something we should be on the offensive about–looking for ways to put it into practice, asking God for the strength and renewal we need when being hospitable doesn’t sound appealing.
Practicing Unconventional Hospitality
Since moving in, we’ve had a new roof put on, the garage structure beefed up, foundation cracks repaired, new supports dug in the basement, the furnace fixed, an emergency water heater issue resolved and lots of cabinet and appliance deliveries. This is not to mention the many contractors who have come to give bids and assess projects.
In short, our house has seen a lot of people in it who don’t ordinarily belong here. Rethinking hospitality has helped me not waste these opportunities. Instead of mourning the fact that my house isn’t ready to welcome my friends, I can be hospitable and welcoming to new people–who aren’t usually in my path. What a sweet opportunity God has given us!
A Newer, Sweeter View on Hospitality
When I began to reconsider my view of hospitality, I realized I didn’t need a perfect house or a well stocked kitchen. I only need a willingness to be welcoming and God to help me be aware of opportunities around me. The new military wife in town, those endless contractors, my friends–I could humbly practice hospitality before them when I laid aside my pride and desire for a bigger, better space. After all, yearning for something more than what I have is called coveting. Being shy, ungrateful, believing I should have something better that what I do have is called pride. And using either as an excuse for not allowing God’s love and grace to be displayed in my life is called disobedience. It’s a lazy excuse and it’s wrong.
There is no time better than right now to be loving, welcoming and hospitable to those around us. With social distancing in place, this can be a challenge. But you are creative and great. Satan would love for us to be isolated right now–vulnerable to lies. So we need to fight more than ever to connect and be hospitable. We need to be safe, but we must also fight the urge to overlook those in our path.
I pray over the people who come here. During breaks, I make conversation and I am genuinely interested in their lives. I like to make coffee and offer snacks. I want everyone who comes into my home, town or church to know that they are welcome, they belong, they are valuable. Derek and I also pray that God’s love would be seen in the atmosphere and actions within our walls. Sometimes its not the dinner and game nights of my dreams, but it is hospitality–and I believe God won’t waste it.
Christian Hospitality Has Eternal Ramifications
When we give hospitality a more sacred definition than “party planning” we see that Christian hospitality has eternal ramifications. For example:
- The hospitality of Aquila and Pricilla in Acts 18 allowed Paul to minister and teach in Corinth.
- In Acts 16 a jailer brought Paul and Silas to his home where he washed their wounds and listened to them. He and his whole house believed and were saved that night.
- Jesus’ always made His teaching and message open for all. He welcomed anyone who would come to Him. This is hospitality.
In our culture hospitality with an eternal impact happens when we invite someone into our lives and demonstrate God’s grace through our actions and speech. It happens when we share our testimony over coffee. It happens when we ensure that others feel welcome to join activities that edify our faith.
One of the most important places Christian hospitality takes place is inside the church. Becoming a Welcoming Church does a fabulous job of expounding on how eternally important it is that our churches extend hospitality. (My personal view on this book and 7 other great non-fiction Christian reads are here.)
Real World Examples of Christian Hospitality
As a person who has moved more times than I would have liked, I’ve felt the happiness of being accepted and trusted. I’ve felt the deep pain of shallowness that implied I didn’t belong.
The highs and lows of these experiences are why I’m so passionate about helping others feel like they belong: in my church, in my home, in Minot. The things that have helped me feel most welcome haven’t been extravagant. It’s been things like:
- A new friend trusting me to babysit her kids while she ran an errand
- An invitation to a small group at church
- Getting invited to serve at VBS
- An invitation to a “lake” day with a group of friends who’ve been doing it together for years
Hospitality that gets to the heart says, “You belong.” “There is room for you in our circle.” “You’re valuable.” “I can’t wait to see how you can contribute.”
Getting Started With Christian Hospitality
Now it’s your turn. How can you start extending hospitality? There are lots of lonely, hurting people out there right now. And in the current circumstances “traditional” hospitality can be tricky. Here are some questions to pray over to get you started.
- What has helped you feel a sense of belonging in a new situation?
- What has caused you to feel unwanted in a new situation?
- How can you welcome someone who isn’t “ordinarily” in your life?
- Who is present in your world right now that isn’t “ordinarily” there? How can you help them feel welcome?
- What activities can you include someone in?
- Who would you like to know better?
- How can you encourage someone to use their gifts?
- How can you connect with others right now?
Thanks for joining me again today. I’d love to hear how you are practicing hospitality or how hospitality has been extended to you in a creative way. Comment here or connect with me on Instagram or Facebook. For more on hospitality I highly recommend this article.
Moving Forward During a Hard Season of Life | Part II
This post is part of a series about moving forward, even during a hard season of life. Read Part I here and Part III (three lessons learned) here.
In a perfect world there would be no trouble. Even more, people who love God would never see a day of distress. But that’s not the reality of our fallen, imperfect world. We will all face hard seasons of life. As someone who has survived many hard seasons, struggled with anxiety and depression and fought to hold on to Truth and faith through it all–I’m sharing six things that help me move forward in the midst of a trial.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me [Jesus]. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
I didn’t mean to make this a multi-part series. However, God laid so much on my heart I thought it best to break it up. This is Part II of a three part series. You can see the introduction and further details in Part I here.
Progress Looks Different During a Hard Season of Life
When circumstances change and life presents something difficult (or downright painful) your days will look different. In a hard season of life you’ll need to loosen your grip on whatever you consider “normal.” Not all hardships require defining a new normal, but you need to be flexible. Being too closely tethered to an ideal of “normal” will only cause anxiety and added stress. Believe me, I’ve been there.
Progress needs a different definition when walking through trials. I’ve found it freeing to admit when I’m in the midst of trial, then accept that progress will be taking a different form for a while.
During a hard season of life, progress might just be getting through the day with all basic needs met. That doesn’t mean you are completely stalled or moving backwards. Every day is one closer to the end of the season. Every day hard fought is progress toward the end of the tunnel.
The point is, let go of your ideal of “progress” for a while. Perseverance, the ability to endure, and the ability to creatively problem solve during a trial is progress. Life experience is never wasted, especially when we entrust it to God.
Extend Grace
Grace is key to any Christian’s walk and worldview. (Romans 3:24) We cannot possibly begin to grasp God’s love for us, until we begin to understand His grace. God’s grace induces the miracle of our sins being completely covered. (Ephesians 2:8-9) His grace bridges the gap of death through Jesus’ sacrifice and allows us to be right before Him.
Grace is everything. When we have even a little understanding of what God’s grace has done for us–and how undeserving we are of its gift–we are convicted to extend grace outwardly beyond ourselves.
But often the hardest person to extend grace toward is oneself.
I cannot say this loudly enough. During a trial, you must extend grace toward yourself in order to move forward. Remember the grace God has given you. He isn’t expecting you to be perfect, He doesn’t want your works. God wants your heart. That’s something you can give, even when everything else seems to have stalled. If God is okay extending you grace, you can follow His lead and extend some to yourself.
Grace will allow you to redefine progress (see #1). Grace will be a net that catches you before you fall into an abyss of depression, anxiety and self-loathing. To survive a difficult season in life, grace is your biggest ally.
Ask For Help and Be Specific
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
I’ve learned this one over and over. Hard seasons of life are even harder when you face them alone. Trials often leave us feeling isolated and lonely. Satan clouds our mind with the lie that “no one wants to hear about our trouble,” or “we should deal with this on our own.” (More on overcoming lies here and here.)
That’s not the way the Church works. God has called us to work together and support one another. Would you be happy to help a friend facing difficult season? Chances are they’d be happy to help you too.
But here’s the catch. No one can read minds.
Do some brainstorming. Think of concrete things that could help you during this season. Besides magically turning everything back to “the way it was,” what would ease your load? (Both mentally and physically.)
Then reach out and ask for help.
My parents and friends were invaluable to me during this latest trial. (See Part I for details.) After days spent miserable, lonely and literally sick with first trimester nausea I made a list of ways others could help. Then I humbled myself and started asking for help. Here are a couple things that I asked others to do:
- When my parents came to visit I asked them to meal plan and cook for us–because even the thought of food could make me gag.
- Friends babysat while I went to doctor appointments and got groceries.
- I identified the loneliest, hardest times of day and asked friends to join Gideon and me for afternoon walks in the park.
What tangible helps would ease your burden?
You Can Get Through a Hard Season of Life.
Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
You can do this. Hard seasons of life will continue to arise, but you can continue to move forward. And Jesus will hold your hand and equip you every step of the way. Remember, in the narrative of our lives, God is not the enemy. He is the hero, the redeemer, the one who brings good from the villain’s craftiest, most wicked schemes. Cling to that truth and remember seasons don’t last forever. (We’ll talk more about that in Part III.)
What helps you move forward? I’d love to hear from you. Comment here or join me on Instagram or Facebook to be part of a community seeking to live life with intentionality and through a Christ-centered lens.
Minot Monday | All About Ticks and How to Remove Ticks
Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL is a guide to living like a local and thriving in Minot. Tick season runs from April 1-July 1 and today I’m talking all about North Dakota ticks and how to remove ticks. Don’t let ticks stop you from enjoying the season. For ideas on parks check this out–for day/weekend trips look here.
Summers Here Are {almost} Perfect
I always tell folks moving to Minot that the “summer is always worth the wait.” It’s true. There is nothing better than a North Dakota summer. Days are long. Daylight hours are extensive. Although the locals complain about the “humidity” those of us from basically any other state will hardly detect moisture in the air. Crops stretch out across the fields as far as the eye can see. Parks, lakes, community, events and long days spent outdoors make this coming season sublime.
However, nothing is perfect. There are a couple drawbacks to living in a place with such a great summer. Namely ticks and mosquitoes. We’ll chat about mosquitoes a little later. Today we are going to talk ticks.
I’ve talked with lots newcomers who are (unpleasantly) surprised by ticks upon relocating to Minot. While it is amazing that anything living outdoors can survive the winter, ticks come back every year with persistence.
There have been years that I’ve lived in Minot and not had to pick off a single tick. Other years, I’ve picked off more than my fair share. Either way, it’s best to be prepared. As the catchy opening songs to one of my favorite 80’s sitcoms says, “You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and then you have the facts of life.”
Realistic Precautions
I’ve got a lot of information in this post. The point is not to scare you into wearing tall socks over long pants and baseball caps all summer. Rather, This is information to help those new to the area–or new to an area with lots of ticks.
If you’ll be deep in the forest, by all means, take the upmost precautions. If you’ll be walking through tall grass or spending a day at the lake, just be sensible. Use common sense and appropriate preventative measures. In my experience, most ticks can be prevented with bug spray, socks, closed toe shoes and a quick tick-check before getting the car to head home.
Where Are Ticks in North Dakota?
True, North Dakota isn’t lush with forests. Traditional hiking trails may not be abundant…but we do have ticks. And they are plentiful this time of year.
Ticks love wooded and grassy areas. As with most creepy things, they like the dark and are less likely to be found in bright, sunny spots. In North Dakota, they are notorious for living along lakes–a North Dakotans favorite summer pastime. They are also common on trails (even those in town) and in taller grass near fields (I used to always pick up ticks when I did photography in the countryside).
Ticks favor taller grass, so lawns are usually safe, but the edges of a property may make a good habitat for them.
Prevention First
The best way to avoid needing to pick off (or out) a tick is preventing them from crawling on you in the first place. Ticks are notorious for living in grassy areas along our trails, lakes and fields. If you are going to be spending time outside be sure to use bug spray. Spray your feet, ankles and legs well, as this is a prime zone for a tick to climb on.
If you know you’ll be trudging through tall grass wear long pants and closed shoes. A hat will protect your head and hair. And speaking of hair–if yours is long braid it or put it up if you know you’ll be in a place that may have ticks.
At outdoor events (like fireworks displays, airshows, movies/music in the park, etc) remember to bring a chair or blanket to sit on.
And don’t forget about your dog! Some of the most horrific tick stories I’ve encountered have had to do with picking ticks off the pup. Be sure to use bug spray on your dog if he’ll be joining you at the lake or on the trail. And treat any pet that goes outside with medication to prevent fleas and ticks, like Frontline. (Ask your vet for specific recommendations for your pet.)
Checking For Ticks
Before we talk about how to remove ticks, let’s talk checking. If you’ve been outside in a place you suspect ticks may be lurking, it’s important to check yourself, pets and children.
Give everyone a once over before getting in the car. Run hands over your clothing and use a mirror (or check each other) to be sure no ticks are clinging to your back or places you can’t see. Run your hands over your dog to feel for bumps. The sooner you can remove a tick the better!
Once you’re home examine your body (and kids’ and pets’ bodies) closely. Use a full length mirror and be sure to check your hair, joints
- Here is a guide for checking pets.
- Here is a guide for checking yourself.
How to Remove Ticks
If prevention doesn’t work, chances are you’ll need to remove a tick this spring or summer. This really gives me the heebie jeebies, even just writing about it. But it’s better to know now than panic later. Actually, it’s best not to panic at all. The keys to tick removal are getting the whole tick out (not leaving the head under the skin) and getting it out as soon as possible.
The “Right” Removal Method
The CDC recommends using fine tipped tweezers to remove a tick. Read details of getting a tick out with tweezers here. Experts agree that this is the best and safest method for removing ticks.
The Right Tweezers
Regular household tweezers will likely get a tick out just fine. But sometimes ticks can be tiny! To be fully prepared, pick up a pair of fine tipped tweezers. The fine points can get closer to the skin and make removal cleaner, less likely to leave the head embedded. Keep a pair in your car or bag, just in case.
Other Methods
It seems like everyone has their own “trick” for getting a tick out. However experts warn against using many of these methods. Dish soap, nail polish, matches and petroleum jelly are all involved in alternative removal methods. You can try them at your own risk, but know that removing a tick with good tweezers is tried, true and safe. (Even if it is nausea-inducing to think about.)
How to Remove Ticks from a Pet
Removing ticks from pets is similar to removing them from a human. Again, use tweezers and get as close to the skin as possible. Remember to check your pet thoroughly (including sneaky places like paws, eyelids, and in the ears). For reference, here is an article about removing ticks from pets.
Enjoy the Season and Be Safe
The point of this is not to cause you to live in fear. Just be aware and take appropriate (but not over the top) precautions. If you pick up a tick this spring/summer it’s not the end of the world. It’s just one of those things that make you North Dakota tough, like the locals.
30 Meaningful Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Hey all–and Happy May Day! Mother’s Day is almost here–and if you are like me, you haven’t given your husband ideas yet…or gotten you own mom’s gift purchased and in the mail just yet. Don’t worry. I’ve got 30+ meaningful Mother’s Day gift ideas for you. There’s something here for every mama–or at least hopefully this will inspire a great gift this year.
Mom Swag
This is my favorite category of Mother’s Day gifts. In my heart, Mother’s Day is a holiday for me to celebrate the gift of being a mom. It’s the perfect time for me to get showered with clothes and accessories that declare to the world I. Am. A. Mom. (And I don’t care who knows.)
- Simple, modern jewelry makes great mom swag. I love this bar necklace from Toozy Studio. See other ideas here.
- Mom shirts are my favorite. I love this one from Top Tee Shirts, but there are lots more here.
- I love these mom (or grandma) key chains from Metal Expressions. See more here.
- Anyone could buy a coffee cup, but a “mom” water bottle? Now you’re getting creative. I love this one from Sweet Water Decor.
Family Fun
Sometimes the most meaningful Mother’s Day gifts are things that allow the whole family to be together. Or…create easy fun for the kiddos so Mom can have a cup of (hot) coffee.
- Arrange for new family photos to be taken. This is something mom usually arranges, and is often like pulling teeth. Coordinating with a photographer and willingness is a great gift for any mom, grandma, or mother-in-law.
- Get photos printed! Turn them into a book, canvas, or just get a few framed. Tangible photos are such a treat, and often something that’s pushed to the back of the to-do list.
- A game the whole family can enjoy is a meaningful gift. Check out my list of 25 great games for ideas.
- Easy, low-work fun for the family is a great gift for a busy mom with littles. Consider getting her season passes to the local zoo, a botanical garden or pool. All ways for her to turn a cranky-kid-day into a great afternoon.
- Buy her something that will let her enjoy a favorite activity with the kids in tow. A kids’ bike seat, a hiking back pack, or baking kit (see this post for a few places offering it locally) are just a few ideas. (I love having a kids bike seat for Gideon on my bike. It’s one of our favorite ways to spend time together!)
Around the House
These gift ideas will make life around the house a little easier. Maybe even a little more fun.
- A tripod to hold the phone is a great gift–so mom can also be in the photos. Bonus gift–no complaining when she wants to take a photo.
- Give her the gift of quick dinners with an Instapot.
- If she’s a coffee drinker who loves to go out, get her a fancy coffee maker for the kitchen. (A little spendy, but it’ll eventually pay for itself.) If the maker is out of the budget, get her some nice coffee making syrups and supplies.
- Meal help. A meal services is a great choice, but an equally great gift is putting the time and effort into preparing some meals yourself. Here are 10 easy freezer marinades from Taming Twins. Having these ready to go in the freezer would be a real treat!
Homemade
The most meaningful Mother’s Day gifts are often homemade. This is especially true because often Mom is the one coming up with the project and helping the littles carry it out. To have someone else do the prep so she can be surprised by a handcrafted gift is truly special. Here five of my favorite ideas for homemade gifts.
- I love the look of custom silhouettes. There are lots of tutorials. Here is one for cutting your silhouette (as pictured above from Design Dazzle), here is one for making a silhouette in PhotoShop.
- Add a homemade twist to a potted plant. This is a terra cotta pot I spray painted white, scribbled on with sharpies and spritzed with rubbing alcohol. To finish I sprayed it with a clear, protective coating. Easy and the kids can do the scribbling!
- Turn a piece of your child’s art into something wall-worthy by adding a quote on top. You could do this with any abstract piece, but It’s Always Autumn has a really good tutorial for this water color background–and free printable quotes to boot!
- Make a fingerprint keychain with the tutorial from Girl and a Glue Gun.
- Create a fun, succulent garden or planted container. Pocket Full of Posies (in Minot) offers kids kits (pictured), here are terrarium kits on Etsy. Or just go to your local greenhouse and create a pretty container of your own.
Experiences
Some of my favorite gifts have been experiences. Experience gifts can be shared with the whole family, or something just for Mom. Either way, an experience is the gift of breaking out of routine, and having someone else do the prep work–things all moms appreciate.
- Tickets to a live event (if events are open and happening this summer.) Think summer theater, a concert, play, or even museum exhibit. This can be for grown ups only, or the whole family.
- Sign her up (or investigate) for a class she’d like to take. Derek surprised me with a wheel-thrown pottery class for my birthday and it was great! I learned, had some time to myself and got to let out some creativity.
- Get her a DIY kit so she can make something with all supplies and instructions at the ready. Kits are great because she can do them when she has time, right at home. See this post for some offered locally in Minot.
- Get her a gym membership or a punch card at a local fitness/yoga studio. Just be sure you aren’t implying she needs to work out.
- Pay next year’s dues for a local moms’ group like MOPS. This gift keeps on giving as its a gift of community, activity and fun all rolled into one.
Self Care
Self care gifts always seem to come to mind for Mother’s Day. Is it because we moms always look so worn out? Self care gifts are always great, but instead of picking up (another) bottle of lotion, get inspired by these ideas instead.
- Get her some really nice hair-care products. This texture spray from Navy Hair Care is universally great, but you can also ask her stylist for specific tips.
- New, nice make up is always a treat. Get her a gift card to a business like Beauty Counter, so she can pick her own, or ask a friend to help you.
- Instead of a single bouquet, get her a monthly bouquet. Check your local florist or grocer for availability.
- Treat her to a nice pair of shoes this summer to spare her hard working feet from $1 flip flops. I love my Naots, but check with your locally owned shoe shop for more ideas.
- The best thing she can do for self care is take time to be alone with God. Look into a new book or Bible for her. I love my Cultural Study Bible and also Praying God’s Word.
Coming Up With Your Own Meaningful Mother’s Day Gifts
If nothing on this list seems just right for the mom on your list here are some things to consider. Hopefully this mini-list will inspire something perfect for the mama you love so much.
- What part of her day is most difficult? What would make it easier?
- What part of her day is most enjoyable? What would enhance it?
- What household tasks does she dislike most? What would ease the burden?
- Are there things she’d like to do, but keep getting pushed to the back?
- What are her giftings, how can you support her in those?
- What does she love to do that’s hard with littles in tow?
- Has she complained about something recently? What would resolve the complaint?
- What does she like to do that you like to avoid?
- Moms often do all of the planning and arranging. What could you plan or arrange for her? (It doesn’t need to be extravagant to be meaningful.)
Happiest giving, friends. Remember, the most important part of meaningful Mother’s Day gifts is to let her know she is seen, loved and appreciated. If your gift does that, you’re doing great.
Moving Forward During a Difficult Season in Life | Part I
Today I’m excited to announce a new “mini” series. We all feel stuck sometimes–especially during a difficult season in life. I’ll be sharing six lessons that have helped me move forward and become “unstuck” during a trial. Read Part II here and Part III here.
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.
1 Peter 5:8-10
The book of 1 Peter was written during a dark time in history. In the Roman Empire, Nero was brutally persecuting Christians. It’s safe to say that all Jesus followers were facing a difficult season in life at the time. For that reason, I find 1 Peter to be one of the best reads when facing a trial.
This passage, from the conclusion of his letter is so clearly instructive for anyone feeling stuck in hardship or a difficult season in life:
Be alert. Don’t fall prey to the enemy. You aren’t alone. God will personally see you through. He will bring good. This will end.
Honestly, is that not the best advice when walking through a difficult season?!
My Most Recent (mini) Difficult Season
Yesterday I dropped the “official” news that we are expecting a second little at the end of October. I’ve only been pregnant once before, so in no way can I claim to be an “expert.” I can only tell you that this time around has been very different and very difficult.
Unlike my first pregnancy, which had terrible–but acute–nausea, this time I felt puky around the clock. With no reprieve. It lasted all day. And all night. Movement made it worse, snacking made it better–but the idea of food, or looking at food left me gagging. I spent days calculating the minutes until I had to face food to prepare another meal or snack. Dreading the basic responsibility of feeding myself and Gideon.
The house was still mid-renovation, so there was the added responsibility of getting that back in shape. Then the pandemic hit and all of my “regular,” distracting activities stopped–leaving me lonely and alone with only nausea, high emotions, unfinished projects and a toddler for company. On top of it all, Derek was gone and unlike other deployments, I had no idea when he’d be back. I was miserable. Day after day I was frustrated, sick and had no idea when any of it would end.
We Will All Face a Difficult Season in Life
I’m not fishing for sympathy. I just need to spell out that the past few months have been hard. And, in many ways, unpleasant. I felt excited and so grateful about adding a second child to our family. However, it is difficult to live in pregnant bliss with a deployed husband, sick stomach, house in remodel shambles and social distancing restrictions in place. Today I’m not writing about pregnancy woes. Rather, I’m writing about feeling stuck and stalled during any difficult season in life.
The truth is, we’ll all need to survive a difficult season in life at some point. In difficult times, it is hard to move forward, stay faithful, persevere or just show up for the day ahead. No matter what is causing your hard season, take heart. You can get through it and Jesus will walk beside you every step of the way. He’ll even bring good from it, if you let Him.
I’ll Be Sharing Five Lessons That Help Me Move Forward During A Trial
Over the next week I’ll be sharing six things that have helped me move forward during a trial–this particular trial and those that came before…and the ones yet to come. I hope you’ll find some hope in my lessons learned. If you are walking through a difficult season in life right now, I hope you’ll come back.
Take Heart
Until then know that the One who create everything from nothing can create something lovely from whatever ugly situation is staring you in the face. The God who redeemed us from death can surely redeem your trial. He can transform it into a testimony worth shouting from the roof. He can even do it with your joy intact. You aren’t alone. It will be okay again.
Hang out with me on Instagram or Facebook. It’s where I share more encouragement and antics from this wild ride I’m on with God. He is so so good.
Minot Monday | 10 Ways To Support Small Business During Quarantine
Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. In today’s post I’m sharing 10 Ways you can support small businesses during quarantine. BeLocal has great listings of local businesses and is an awesome guide to living like a local. Check it out!
Happy Minot Monday, friends. It seems like everything has been turned upside down since a global pandemic was declared in March. Even now as states consider “reopening” many communities (including ours) have a long road back to “normalcy.”
In Minot, we are lucky to have an amazing network of creative, innovative, small business in our town. Shopping local is easy here, because there are so many fun places and nice people to support. I love the small businesses that make life in Minot so sweet. Even in “normal” times I encourage others to support them. But now, in the face of shut downs and reduced business, it’s more important that ever to intentionally shop small and support local shops.
How You Can Support Small Businesses During Quarantine
Here are 10 ways you can support small businesses during quarantine. Please note: Minot has too many great small businesses to list all in one post. Check out BeLOCAL for additional listings to explore. And know that I’m not trying to play favorites…I just want to get some ideas in your head and small business shopping on your mind. Also, please observe the most recent Covid-19 precautions (North Dakota’s are here) and continue to practice social distancing and good hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.
Order Take Out
Minot is full of great restaurants. Nearly all of them are offering takeout, delivery, curbside pick up or call-ahead ordering. When you find yourself in a cooking-at-home rut, treat yourself to dinner “out.” As a special treat some restaurants are offering extra hours (Charlies–usually only open through lunch–has added dinner hours!)
Don’t limit yourself to only thinking of fast food or casual dining. Explore finer dining options too. For example, Elevation(one of my personal favorite eateries) is offering a limited menu, updated twice each week for curbside pick up. Their website is linked above, but they also post announcements on their Facebook page.
Take Home Projects
It’s a bummer not to be able to craft at your favorite DIY-centric shop. It’s also a bummer to be stuck at home (an especially big bummer for kiddos.) What if I told you you could still enjoy some of your favorite crafty classes and break out of the at-home blues? (For more on Minot’s craft classes and DIY shops see this big list!)
Cool, right?
Some of our most creative shops are offering take home projects or instruction! This is the perfect way to support local and unleash your own creativity. A few fun examples:
- The Foundry–take and bake projects and take-home crafts
- Margies Art Studio–take and paint ceramics
- Pocket Full of Posies–plant your own succulent kits for kids and grown ups
- Cookies For You–cookie decorating kits
- Creative Dimensions–quilting help by appointment
- Fiber Basket–Virtual knit/crochet nights and sharing free patterns
Get Coffee (or smoothies) & Take a Walk
Minot’s caffeine scene is flourishing and our coffee shops are still open and serving. As the weather turns, this is a great time to grab a coffee, tea or smoothie and take a long walk.
Since our Starbucks drive through line is chronically long these days, this is the perfect time to branch out and try one of our other awesome shops. Prairie Sky Breads, Minot Daily Bread, With Room, Broadway Bean & Bagel, and Nutrition Addiction are a few of my favorites! For walk ideas check out this previous Minot Monday post.
Make a Shopping List or Take Advantage of Curbside Pick Up
I think we can all agree this is not a time for loitering or browsing. (Which is unfortunate…because I really miss aimless wandering in shops just to get out of the house and look at pretty things.) However, many of our small businesses are open for business with limited hours or curbside pick up.
Instead of going to a big box store for everything on your list, explore small local options instead. Chances are you’ll find someone open who can tick an item off your list.
Here are a few ideas:
- Main Street Books–curbside pick up
- ArtMain–open and offering curbside pick up
- Florists–offering delivery and curbside pick up
- Gourmet Chef–hours and curbside pick up, also doing weekly “garage sales” which seem so fun
Shop Online
Shopping online is a great way to support small businesses during quarantine. Even if a shop has closed its doors for the time being, most of our small retail shops are offering online shopping. The Market On 4th has their wares and plant sales online, and also hosts live shopping events on Facebook. We have small businesses in town that offer everything from shoes and clothes to interior items and art supplies. Before you order from a big chain online, look local first!
Recreate Date Night at Home
It’s hard not to be able to go out for date night, but with a little creativity, you can have a great date night at home. My favorite idea is dinner and a movie. Order something delightful in (see above), get a movie (rent from Video Magic–they are offering curbside pick up), pick up movie concessions from Oak Park Theater (open for popcorn and candy from 3-7pm)
Buy Gift Cards
It might be hard to imagine right now, but this season will come to an end. Show support for business and organizations (even those that can’t operate right now) by buying gift cards next time you need a gift.
A gift card to the theater (or summer theater), movies, symphony, or a retail shop is a great way to keep local businesses afloat and be a great giver.
Interact on Social Media
Interact with your favorite businesses on social media during social distancing. Like their pages, share their content, comment on posts, enter giveaways (lots of these are happening and they are SO COOL!) This type of encouragement is invaluable to small businesses. Let them know you’re rooting for them, miss them, and that they haven’t been forgotten.
Support Small Businesses Online
In addition to getting social on social media, use this time to give your favorite small businesses a positive review. If you’ve had a great interaction (during quarantine or before) leave a review on Facebook or Google. These first hand accounts from customers go a long way to support small businesses during quarantine.
If You See Something Cool, Share It!
When you come across something cool, creative or innovative one of our small businesses is doing tell your friends! Let everyone know about your great experience or how much your kids loved your take-home project. When you enter a giveaway, share it on your page too. And remember to say “Thank you” to those staffing our small shops to keep our town lively and unique even during this difficult season.
