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The Names of God – Believe to Receive God My Help

The Names of God – Believe to Receive God My Help

by myconcretedove | Oct 20, 2021 | Christian, Five Minute Fridays, Joyful Living, October Free Write, Prayer, Teach

Dear One, Today, let’s explore Elohim Ozer Li, God My Help. Ever feel like you are at the end of your rope? Life gets hard and sometimes it seems like we make little progress despite a massive effort. Maybe that’s because we try to do it “all”...
The Names of God – There Is Much Kindness in The God of Mercy

The Names of God – There Is Much Kindness in The God of Mercy

by myconcretedove | Oct 19, 2021 | Blog, Christian, Five Minute Fridays, Joyful Living, October Free Write, Teach

Hello Friend, Today we find kindness in the God of Mercy, Elohe Chaseddi. In His lovingkindness, He showed mercy to His people when he rescued them from captivity, and He is showing that same mercy in your circumstances. Can you see it today? If not today, maybe you...
The Names of God – You Can Trust The Lord Our Healer

The Names of God – You Can Trust The Lord Our Healer

by myconcretedove | Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Christian, Five Minute Fridays, Inspire Me Monday, Joyful Living, October Free Write, Teach

Hello Friend, I hope you are doing well. I know it’s been hard to feel peaceful lately. Lack of peace can affect so much of our physical and mental health. But you can trust The Lord Our Healer. So, today let’s talk Jehova Rophe. I think it’s safe to...
The Names of God – Jehovah Ori Is the God of Light

The Names of God – Jehovah Ori Is the God of Light

by myconcretedove | Oct 14, 2021 | Blog, Christian, Five Minute Fridays, Joyful Living, Teach

Hello Friend, Today we call on Jehovah Ori, the God of Light. He is the light on our paths. We praise You for helping us navigate through rocky parts and bringing us out on level ground. We sing praises to Your name and continue seeking your face even as adversaries...
The Names of God – The Living God

The Names of God – The Living God

by myconcretedove | Oct 12, 2021 | Blog, Christian, Five Minute Fridays, Joyful Living, Prayer, Teach

Dear One, Let’s talk about the Living God, Elohim Chayim, today. Even though we read about Him in our Bibles, an ancient text, He is still alive today. God is current. He knows our struggles, joys, and challenges as they creep in from the past and sit in our...
The Names of God – Praising The Lord God Most High

The Names of God – Praising The Lord God Most High

by myconcretedove | Oct 11, 2021 | Blog, Christian, Five Minute Fridays, Joyful Living, Prayer, Teach

Hi Friend, Today is a day to praise God for what He has done and who He is, Jehova El Elyon. He is the Lord God Most High, and He is with you. How are you doing, friend? Don’t feel like praising God today? I understand. Please, know that Jehova El Elynon is with...
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myconcretedove

Here to help #caregivers manage the overwhelm & keep smiling. Selfcare | Tips | Encouragement Caregiver Strong Podcast & Newsletter ⬇️FREE

myconcretedove
🎨 Creativity can be powerful when processing gr 🎨 Creativity can be powerful when processing grief.

🌸 Spring is finally here! I decided to have fun painting spring flowers since I can't see any in my garden yet.  But painting is becoming more than fun to me. 

👩‍🎨 I took up watercolor painting not long after moving my sister into a nursing home. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Painting  seemed to help with the stress of it all. 

🕊 It was a self-care practice for the soul, bringing me snippets of peace in the midst of turmoil. Now, painting has turned into a grief-processing exercise for me. 

🌼 Painting these bookmarks reminded me of the whimsical things my sister and I enjoyed together and, for the moment, replaced my sadness with joy.

💜 I'm not an artist or a therapist, but I find creating art very helpful as I work through the grief of losing my sister, Michelle, to Alzheimer's disease.

✍️ I used to enjoy writing about my sister and our antics together. But writing doesn't come so easily now that she's gone. 

🖌 So, I'm thankful for this new creative outlet and the many benefits I'm discovering. since picking up the brush.

🫂 I'm sorry if you're working through a season of grief right now.  I encourage you to take care of yourself. Eat, get good sleep, drink water, talk to someone if needed, and consider  incorporating a creative outlet into your life. 

Here are a few ideas: 
Writing 
Crochet/knit
Painting
Flower arranging
Home décor
Macromae (it's back)
Cake decorating
Collage
Photo organization
Gardening 
Sketching

👉 Will you give creativity a try?
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❤️ Thanks to my daughter for introducing me to the idea and encouraging me to pursue it.
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#creativeoutlet
#beingcreative
#bereavement 
#processinggrief
#grieving
#yourcreativeside
#arttherapyheals
#caregivergrief
#alzheimerssucks
#alzheimerscaregiver
#alzheimersjourney 
#caregivinglife
#caregiver
#caregivers
#watercolorpaintingart
#findwhatworks
#takecareofyourself
#selfcareisnecessary
#grievingprocess
🎂 Happy 94th birthday, Mom! Mom can get quite 🎂 Happy 94th birthday, Mom!

Mom can get quite serious about her desserts. Can you tell?

At 94, she still loves to laugh, eat chocolate cake, and have a good time. That’s what we did today while celebrating her. 

Happy Birthday, Mom!
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#happybirthdaymom #happybirthdaycake
#momsbirthday 
#celebratemom 
#celebratingmom 
#birthdaycake🎂 
#birthdaygirl👸 
#lovemymom❤️ 
#nonagenarian
📧 It's newsletter time! 🗓 Once a month, I s 📧 It's newsletter time!

🗓 Once a month, I send out a newsletter full of encouragement, inspiration, and information about family caregiving. 

👂Pssst,  it's not only for family caregivers.

✅️ If you know a family caregiver, this newsletter is for you.

✅️ Show them your love by sharing the newsletter with them.

✅️ Click the link in bio to sign up and enjoy The Family Caregiver's Survival Guide (free download) just for giving it a try.
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#newslettersignup 
#newslettertime 
#emailnewsletter 
#monthlynewsletter 
#familycaregiverlife 
#familycaregiving 
#CaregiverAnd 
#caregiverstrong 
#lovecaregivers
Here's a little Friday inspiration for you. Rejo Here's a little Friday inspiration for you. 

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:12 CSB

For some of us long-term, full-time caregivers, this verse can seem impossible. But, with God, nothing is impossible.

If you are a believer, you can live in joyful hope. Even if we  don't always feel joyful, we always have hope. 

We pray because we believe God hears. If we believe he hears us, we hope for an answer.

Because we have hope, we can find patience, a fruit of the Spirit, grown in us out of god's love for us.

God knows what we need for this caregiving journey.  Trust Him.
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📧 Sign up for my monthly newsletter to receive a regular dose of encouragement & inspiration.
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Thanks for the graphic-
https://bible.com/bible/1713/rom.12.12.CSB
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#fridayinspiration
#fridayinspo
#scriptureverse 
#prayerispowerful
#caregiverstrong 
#caregiversjourney 
#newsletters 
#newslettersignup 
#newslettertime 
#bibleversefortoday
💜 It's International Women's Day I'm celebrati 💜 It's International Women's Day

I'm celebrating you today!
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#womensday2023 
#internationalwomensday2023
#bestrongandcourageous 
#strongandcourageous 
#CaregiverAnd 
#caregiverstrong 
#womenareamazing
#amazingwomen
❓️I've got a question for you... How can you s ❓️I've got a question for you...
How can you support a caregiver to help lighten their load?

That’s what my friend, Michele Bowman, @confidentchristianwomen asked me today.

Sometimes the emotional load a caregiver carries can be easily lightened with something as simple as a text message.

That’s right! It’s not complicated. You can support a caregiver you know by simply reaching out to them on a regular basis. 

Being consistent with your support is important and often the greatest challenge for family and friends.

You see, relationships often suffer for the long-term caregiver.

Due to the nature of caregiving, they don’t have much time or energy to participate in outside activities. Therefore, friends and family stop calling or including caregivers in their plans and isolation sets in as friends drop off.

It’s not intentional. It just happens, but in time the caregiver’s world can shrink down to the immediate household. A place they might only leave for the occasional doctor’s appointment.

While you can’t change their situation, you can do simple things to help:

Send a card or text,
Drop off a meal.
Send flowers and chocolate covered strawberries work, too.
Arrange a short visit.
Listen.

Your support doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated but try to make it consistent.

I hope this information motivates 
motivates you to reach out to a caregiver today. Your presence in their life will make all the difference.

What can you do for the caregiver you know? I'd love to hear your ideas.
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Check out my new FREE download-Link in bio!
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#caregiverstrong
#monthlynewsletter
#besttips⁠
#alzheimerscaregiver⁠
#alzheimerscaregiving⁠
#alzheimerstips⁠
#alzheimersjourney⁠
#caregivertips⁠
#caregiverlife⁠
#caregivinglife⁠
#caregivingfortheelderly⁠
#caregiving⁠
#downsyndromelife
#makeyourlifeeasier
#caregiversupport
#supportcaregivers
#downsyndromcaregiver
💜 Caregivers, you have a lot to do, and your fo 💜 Caregivers, you have a lot to do, and your focus is usually on someone else. That doesn't mean you can't fit some fun into your life. 

🤗 It's just one way you can take good care of yourself.

💜 I know because I was  my sister's caregiver.  Now, together with my brother, we take care of my 93-year-old mom (94 in two weeks). 

👉 But on that rare occasion when you can get out of the house and enjoy time with a friend or a family member you don't have to take care of--DO IT!

Today, I did just that.

My youngest son and I spent the afternoon together at one of the countries best art museums, the Detroit Institute of Arts. We even got the inside scoop on Industry Murals,  Diego Rivera's famous frescos, from one of the guides on duty (you'll see him in one of the photos). He's also the photographer on one of these shots. Thank you, @diadetroit.

Then we had a wonderful lunch together and made our way home before the big snowstorm hit.❄️🌨

🥳 Caregivers get to have fun, too. 

It might be spontaneous or planned, something new or something you've always wanted to do. 

Let me know in the comments--
❓️What fun will you fit some into your life this weekend 🙂?
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#alzheimerscaregiver
#alzheimerscaregiving
#alzheimerstips
#alzheimersjourney
#caregivertips
#caregiverlife
#caregivinglife
#caregiverstrong
#selfcareisnecessary
#caregivingfortheelderly
#detroitinstituteofarts
#enjoyart
#enjoyfamily
#friendsandfamily
#livelifetothefullest❤️
#caregiverselfcare
#selfcareisntselfish
#havefuneveryday
#havefuninlife
✅️It's always good to have a backup plan.

🌨Just because it's freezing rain outside doesn't mean you can't practice self-care inside.

Even though I won't be walking outside today, I can choose  another form of self-care.  Having a backup plan helps.

What I mean by that is, try something new.  Find out what else  works for you. That way, when freezing rain washes away your plan A, you can move seemlessly to plan B. 

Don't be afraid to tap into your creative side even if you think you're not creative. 

🎨🖌Today, I chose painting with watercolor.  It's very grounding for me and allows me to be mindful in the moment.  Paying attention to the details and focusing I'm only what I'm doing.  This sort of activity can reset your thinking for the rest of the day and give you a sense of calm.

💜 Caregiving friend, whatever you do, please don't let a little weather deter you from taking care of yourself. 

 What is your self-care backup plan?
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#selfcare101
#selfcareforcaregivers
#caregiverstrong
#caregiversjourney
#caregiverburnout
#preventburnout
#selfcareisntselfish 
#selfcareisnecessary
#mindfulnessissimple
#mindfully
#beingmindful
#alzheimerscaregiving
#elderlycaregiving
✅️ 3 Tips about walking for self care: 1. No ✅️ 3 Tips about walking for self care:

1.  No barriers - One of the easiest ways to take care of your body is simply to walk.
Other than sneakers, there’s no equipment needed. I used to take my sister to a nearby nature trail, but your neighborhood works just fine or even a treadmill.

2. Make it challenging - Set a goal in steps, distance, or time.  Vary your pace, e.g. slow to fast, fast faster, fast to slower. If you’re on a treadmill, try varying the incline or speed.

3.  A fresh perspective - Walking is great for clearing your mind. You can sort out a lot of things in a 30-minute walk. 

⏬️ Download the full shownotes for more on self-care for the mind, body, and spirit.
Link in bio.

🎙You can listen to Ep 2 of the Caregiver Strong Podcast Spotify, iHeartRadio, iTunes, Stitcher, and please leave a review.  It will help get the message out to more family caregivers.

💜 What  are you doing to take care of yourself? 
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Both of these books were thoughtful Christmas gifts from my son and  daughter-in-law (I know she picked them out🙂). Thanks 💜
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#alzheimerscaregiver
#alzheimerscaregiving
#alzheimerstips
#alzheimersjourney
#caregivertips
#caregiverlife
#caregivinglife
#newpodcast
#newpodcaster
#limitedseries
#downsyndromecaregiver
#selfcare101
#selfcareisnecessary
#caregivingfortheelderly
#walkingisselfcare
#walkingisgoodforyou
#makeyourlifeeasier
#caregiverselfcare
#selfcareisntselfish
💜 Caregivers need your love and support. 💜 💜 Caregivers need your love and support. 

💜 Caregiver numbers are increasing, so it's very likely that you know a caregiver. 

💜 Share this with them. Better yet, give them a hug in person, bring them a meal, or send them a card. 

💜 Let the caregivers in your life know that you care.
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FREE Caregiver Survival Guide-link in bio
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#nationalcaregiversday2023
#caregiverburnout
#caregiversupport 
#caregiverlife 
#familycaregiverlife 
#familycaregiver 
#seniorcaregiver 
#alzheimerscaregiving
😨 Are you ready to try something new? Does IT 😨 Are you ready to try something new?

Does IT scare you? Well, IT scared me, too! 

Maybe for you, IT's changing jobs, going back to school,  starting a business, writing that book, recording that music, or starting a Podcast.

Or something smaller, like starting a new exercise plan,  taking a writing class, learning to play piano, going vegetarian, or going to a new church.

🤯 Don't be afraid!

It won't be pretty or perfect, and you may need to ask for help.  And with a little practice (maybe a lot of practice), it will get better and better.  But nothing happens if you don't try. 

👉 I tried something new...

For me, IT is the technology involved with blogging. Ugh! 

My website needed an update, and I decided to try it myself.

After a little trial-and-error, I managed to:

💜 Updated my blog header

💜 Add the new logo

💜 Installed an instagram plugin

💜  Created a page for the  Caregiver Strong Podcast (that's another new thing I learned-catch it on your favorite listening app).

💜  And a new resource for family caregivers.

I hope you'll check it out.  See the Linkbio.

You could stay stuck where you are, OR try  something new instead.

What have you wanted to do but you're too afraid to try?  It is OK. You can tell us here in the comments.

 💜 Here's a lesson I learned from caregiving…. don't be afraid to ask for help. 

A short-list of people who are always teaching me something new:

@fistbumpmedia hosts my website (SEO course & more)
@patfenner (a podcast manager with magic skills) helped with the podcast capsule 
@authenticonlinemarketingpod teaches me ALL about Instagram & online marketing 
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#caregiverlife
#caregiving
#caregiverjourney
#newpodcast
#newpodcaster
 #newpodcastalert
 #learnsomethingnew
 #lifelonglearner #dontbeafraidtolearnsomethingnew
 #keeplearning
 #bloggersofinstagram
 #bloggersofIG
 #christianbloggers
 #YouCanDoIt
#tryingsomethingnew
#bestrongandcourageous 
#doitafraid 
#alzcaregiver
❤️ Happy Valentine's Day to my favorite Valent ❤️ Happy Valentine's Day to my favorite Valentine. 

Dinner & desert with two spoons. 🍨

💗 Yay! My kind of date 

 What's your favorite dessert?

#happyvalentinesday2023 
#myvalentine❤️
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