An Advent Laced with Grief: An Introduction
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
4M ago
The heart behind an Advent devotional that will hold space for grief and find hope in the Advent season On May 13, 2022, two ugly words obliterated my life – “daddy died.” My dad was in excellent condition. He nourished and strengthened his body with great care. We often joked about how he, although the eldest, was the healthiest of us all. His death came as a complete shock. To understand the depth of the grief I plunged into, you must understand that my family is extremely close-knit; we do everything together. My dad wasn’t just my dad – he was a beloved best friend who I talked to, almost ..read more
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Saying Goodbye to my Old Self
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
6M ago
A post about How deep loss changes you I read a novel recently that left me sobbing in the middle of the night. This was not an “aww what a sweet story, brought tears to my eyes” sort of cry. This was a harrowing sob where in the darkness of our bedroom, the only light emanating from the Kindle in my hand, I muffled shuddered exhales and sharp inhales, trying not to wake my husband as I soaked my pillow with tears. The words I read unearthed a deep agony I had not yet been able to define. In the character’s self-revelation, I found my own. And what I realized, cracked my already broken heart ..read more
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This Easter Feels Different
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
1y ago
A precious family photo from our family trip to Siesta Key, Florida - April 2022 how dad’s death makes this easter feel different Every year as I sit in church on Good Friday, I am overwhelmed with fresh shock and awe over how Jesus was so badly beaten, and nails were literally pounded into his flesh so He might be hung like a criminal on a wooden cross. As Jesus hung on the cross gasping for air, his lungs collapsing, God heaped the sins of the world on his shoulders. Jesus cries out “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” because in that moment He was truly abandoned by the Father. He ..read more
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Our New Home
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
1y ago
The story of finding our new house and how God provided peace amidst anxiety Last October, Chris and I decided we were ready to start searching for our next home. We both grew up with a lot of land on our parents’ properties, and realized as much as we loved Wauwatosa, we were ready to part with our postage stamp of a backyard and search for bigger, greener spaces. The hunt was slow. Between October and April we looked at two houses – what we were looking for just hadn’t shown up. Until June 23rd when an email popped into our inbox.   This is a complicated story to write – so many layers ..read more
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Merry Christmas from the Larsens - 2021
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
2y ago
Imagine yourself opening your front door to a glistening winter wonderland. Snowflakes sparkle as they dance their way to the edges of tree branches and drop a soft white blanket atop the ground. The world is peaceful, and the air crisp.  Bundled up, you step into the cold pressing fresh tracks into the snow on your way to your mailbox. Inside you find an evergreen envelope with your name delicately scribed in gold ink. Once you’re back inside your cozy home, you slide your finger to open the envelope and pull out a Christmas letter with photos, a few updates, and a reminder of how ..read more
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Stop Fueling Fear: how my family got Covid and panic almost wrecked me
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
2y ago
A harrowing tale of how my family got Covid,  panic wrecked my body, & how you can keep it from happening to you   On August 14th, three little words sent me into a tailspin. “He has COVID.” My brother-in-law wasn’t feeling well, went to get tested, and my sister called with the unfortunate news. I played it cool on the phone, encouraged my sis the best I could, but inside my body a panic storm was brewing.  Two days before my brother-in-law’s positive test, my whole family went to dinner together (minus Chris who was at home setting up a generator as we were on day three wi ..read more
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Relying on God in the Messy Middle
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
2y ago
After a week away from home, I pulled into the driveway bummed that vacation was over, but excited to settle back into routine and give my sweet kitty some cuddles. I neared the garage, peered over to take a peek at my flower garden, and my jaw dropped.  What on earth happened?! I fumed out loud to no one.  My hanging basket that once dripped with luscious violet, yellow, and flamingo pink flowers was now a crispy, scraggly, oh-so-thirsty skeleton. As a woman who loves her plant babies, I was livid. Seriously, how did this happen?! Every time we leave for a trip I leave my pet ..read more
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Fourth of July and the Contentment Killer
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
2y ago
The week of the fourth of July has been one of my favorites for as long as I can remember – and it all has to do with our family cabin on the Chain of Lakes. Many summers growing up we would pack up the car and drive to the cottage to spend the week. We’d spend all day in the water, swimming, skiing, and floating, and nights were enjoyed around the campfire or a game of some sort (either board games or night games like Ghost in the Graveyard outside). In 2020, the week of the fourth was the light shining in the darkness of the pandemic. A light that was quickly snuffed when my mom had a heart ..read more
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Going Gluten-Free
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
2y ago
I’ve officially made it past the one-month mark of being gluten-free! And that feels worth celebrating.  I’m a girl who loves bread, pasta, beer, donuts, basically all things gluten, so I was not thrilled when my naturopathic doctor recommended the shift in my diet. But, when she said it could play a role in preventing an autoimmune disorder down the road, I easily decided that is well worth the adjustment. I do not typically make changes without lots and lots of research first. I’m known to read a gazillion reviews on Amazon before I buy something as simple as a backpack; I’m a research ..read more
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God will sustain you
Lovemin - Journey to develop a life centered on the joy, peace, and freedom
by Mindy Larsen
3y ago
The last couple weeks have been a doozy. On Sunday, May 16th, my sweet sister brought my adorable nephew into the world – but nothing about his arrival has been what we expected. He shot out in less than 15 minutes of pushing (as opposed to the 6 hours it took to welcome my niece), landing himself in the doctor’s hands, my sister’s arms, and then much to everyone’s surprise the NICU.   There’s more to be told about this story (stay tuned for that) and I covet your prayers for baby Leo who will hopefully be home soon – but right now the words that the Lord keeps writing on my heart ..read more
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