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Thanks for checking out my blog. Welcome to Living and Learning!
My inspiration to blog stems from a love of writing and belief in the power of shared stories.
I cover all sorts of topics including Relationship With God, Child Development, Adoption, Parenting,
Homeschooling, and Mental Health.
My hope is to inspire, share, and encourage.


The Co-existence of Joy, Sadness, and Struggle
Joy isn’t always experienced in dancing, singing, leaping, and praising God. In hard times praise is never my first inclination. I’ve...
Janet
Oct 7, 20252 min read


Avoidance
The worst way to say, "No" is to decline to answer. Total silence. While you may intend to spare feelings the questioner may be filling the silence with interpretations. You don't even want to know where that silence causes a mind to go.Thoughts such as, "they hate me and don't even care enough to give an answer." may come to a questioner's mind. Silence isn't always golden sometimes it's dynamite and you helped light the fuse.
Janet
Aug 12, 20251 min read


Heartwarming Movie
This is a beautiful movie- heartwarming. One strong lesson from the movie regarding Hatred I'll paraphrase- Hatred is passed down...
Janet
Aug 12, 20251 min read


Follow the Nudge
God sometimes puts people in mind for a reason. The Lord often watches out for His people by using His people. If someone comes to your...
Janet
Aug 12, 20251 min read


I’m Tuning Out
My Thoughts for Today: I don't watch the news. Ask me about a major world event and I may be clueless. It's on purpose. I used to feel guilty for this until someone told me something that made a whole lot of sense. They said, "when God made the world there was no news, phones, newspapers, etc. In the beginning people only knew about those things they regularly encountered. We were never meant to hold the problems of the world." One way I protect myself from getting too
Janet
Jul 14, 20251 min read


God Speaks
I was inspired by a talk at church tonight. The topic was, "God speaks to us through His creation." So true ❤️ Personally, God speaks to...
Janet
Jul 3, 20251 min read


My Recent Creation Sightings
Caught a beautiful sunset in Laguna Beach California this evening ☀️
Janet
Jun 28, 20251 min read


Scripture Reflection for Today:
Luke 17:1-4 “Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they...
Janet
Jun 28, 20251 min read


Pray Without Ceasing??
This is what I think it means to pray without ceasing- always keeping an open line of communication with God- sharing our concerns and...
Janet
May 16, 20251 min read


Grow Compassion
I noticed that when I volunteered as a bell ringer for Salvation Army. People that know what it is to be in need often sacrificially...
Janet
May 16, 20251 min read


Consider Siblings
Just wanted to share something that was on my heart today. When I decided to foster I originally planned to care for 1 child at a time. I’m so thankful for the social worker who asked, “are you sure you just want one?” Following that she told me something I found bizarre. “Two children aren’t really any more work than one.” As I thought to myself, you gotta be kidding me I found myself saying, “ok I’ll consider it.” What I didn’t yet know was that her words were more than tru
Janet
May 16, 20251 min read


A Grandparent's Legacy of Faith
As I anticipated the birth of my first grandbaby my pondering began. I became curious to see if the Bible had any instructions regarding...
Janet
May 3, 20252 min read


Life’s Hard
I like to share what God is teaching me. Personal experience has shown me: Life is hard. I've heard it said, "Everyone is either in the...
Janet
Apr 9, 20251 min read


“They Just Weren’t Thinking”
The groups all gathered and a few are new. Newbies stand aside not knowing what to do. Old friends talk with their comfort crews. The...
Janet
Mar 31, 20252 min read


Successful Life Grading Rubric
Servant’s Heart Compassion Integrity Diligence
Janet
Mar 31, 20251 min read


Eternal Priorities
Here's the verse that keeps me going on this homeschooling journey! "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses...
Janet
Mar 31, 20251 min read


“How Lord?”
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances? Whoa, that's a tall order! How do I rejoice always? Conviction hits...
Janet
Mar 31, 20253 min read


The True Meaning of Family
Family is so much deeper than blood relations. When I think about it, adoption has been around almost from the beginning of time. Joseph...
Janet
Mar 31, 20251 min read


Care Boldly
Tired, hot, and thirsty I sat on the church patio. Several tables away a man was talking with friends. He approached convinced I was sad...
Janet
Mar 31, 20251 min read
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