Please enjoy this slideshow with a few of my videos from the incredible whale watch excursion at Icy Strait Point!
Yes, I used MJ's song from Free Willy... and yes, I played that (along with several other songs) during the actual experience. lol Love it!!
We were parked out there for over an hour, and they put a hydrophone into the water to amplify the whale sounds - it really was a rare, awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience all around for most everyone on board to see and hear these massive, powerful whales so close to us in the immense wild ocean - some of them swimming up a little too close for comfort. lol
It was the most sacred part of a God-centered week for me - an answer to prayer and an undeniably holy and meaningful moment with God that I want to be careful to honor as time moves forward. I am grateful that there is "fullness of joy in His presence," that He sees my heart and cares enough to"make known to me the path of life." (-Psalm 16) The race marked out for me feels a bit daunting, but I also feel renewed faith and hope, and I am choosing to trust Him deeply as I take the next steps forward in becoming Dr. Lindsey Muecke.
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...After seeing the orcas, I thought quietly to myself "the only thing that might've made that better is if there were seven of them." (I was incredibly grateful and reeling with the meaning of it all, but I'm a numbers girl, and that fleeting thought crossed my mind after we saw five of them.) While resting in my room two days later, lazily looking out the balcony window, I unmistakably saw two orcas jumping in the distant north Pacific Ocean! It was awesome, and once again, it felt personal - like divinely-ordained timing. *Again, not about the whales themselves, but about God knowing my heart and caring enough to come through in big and small ways -- He is kind and playful, and He is powerful and personally invested, and I needed those reminders on this trip! (I'm writing about this because I cannot verbalize it well yet, and most people aren't interested in this level of detail anyway.)
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John Eldredge writes about how God shows up through creation in ways that are both epic and intimate. I felt both of those on this trip. The ocean views were vast and powerful, a bit overwhelming, but calming and centering at the same time. I thought several times about the disciples saying, "Even the winds and waves obey Him." The mountains and glaciers were breathtaking, and waterfalls are among my favorite things in all of God's creation. Seeing the otters, sea lions, eagles, orcas, and humpback whales in their natural environments was amazing. Then there was the intimacy in the colorful detail and stunning variety of the gardens on my first and last shore excursion - I adore yellow roses, and this is one of my favorite pictures (taken after nightfall in Butchart Gardens) - the level of precision and layered detail in a single flower speaks something very comforting to me about God's heart and how He values small things and makes them uniquely beautiful. ❤
A verse that rings true and feels extra-significant to me right now:
In spite of the lovely photos, my first two days on the ship were a bit rough and lonely - day two was a full day "at sea" with no planned excursions... I knew no one but Sarah, and I didn't have her number yet - I didn't understand where to go for dinner, so I was on my own for every meal... no social media apps and no reception to make phone calls mid-ocean... I felt tired and more isolated than I had expected... and I was a bit disappointed to learn that Beth was teaching on Leviticus (historically one of my least favorite books - but obviously, God led her there for good reason). I reluctantly forced myself to turn off the movie and tune into Scripture - I grabbed my blanket and sat on my balcony and journaled and prayed - praying with some level of desperation through the discouragement for real connection with God and with others on the ship, for clarity about what is next for me, that my week on the ship would not be wasted time, far more importantly - that my life on earth would not be wasted, for a fruitful life and a story with greater Kingdom impact. ...And God heard me and took notice.
Looking back tonight, it feels really encouraging to see the first thing I wrote down from our first session on 7-25-26. Ironically, I had forgotten about this...
My paraphrase from Beth's first teaching on Leviticus:
When Scripture says "the LORD remembered" someone, it may be a distressing thought to us that He would ever have forgotten them in the first place... but that's not what it means in the Hebrew context. When we see "the LORD remembered," it means the LORD responded or acted on their behalf. God always hears us, so this is not God recalling someone He forgot or lost sight of; this is Him being moved to respond with "decisive, compassionate action" to fulfill His promises.
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*I'm aware that it often meant physical pregnancy when God "remembered" women in the Bible (Hannah, Sarah, etc.). At the heart level, it was God opening doors and answering their prayers for a fruitful life, bringing more hope for their future, new life, and a renewed sense of connected purpose and legacy for these women He loved. God is strengthening my faith to see what that pattern might look like in the context of my own story and personal walk with Him.
"...Anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." ~Hebrews 11:6
I believe it!
316-7-828
The details are clear in my heart, and I believe with humility, gratitude, and confident faith
that God "remembered me" this week.
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It was a quiet and compelling start to a long story with a profound and multifaceted ending - and God is always faithful to complete what He begins. Right now, I feel gratitude and responsibility here - that I cannot waste the profound grace of God or let it be in vain (1 Cor. 15:10). I believe His promise that we will find Him when we seek Him wholeheartedly, and I am determined to press into that more deeply from this day forward. That means repeatedly choosing courage over comfort, trusting God enough to allow Him to cut away any entangling sins, harmful soul ties, and/or worldly comforts that would hold me back. 1000 times easier for any of us to say than to live out. I do not want to get complacent and settle in the metaphorical wilderness; I want to push through the fierce opposition and take possession of God's promised reward for those who earnestly seek Him. Even with increasing clarity, the journey of spiritual formation and the work of stepping into Christian leadership feels daunting. It's as if I have a compass rather than a clear map of everything that lies ahead, so union with Jesus is and will remain vital! I'm reminding myself that I am not in this alone, and God will guide and strengthen me as I continue to seek Him and abide in Christ.
*I didn't know this until yesterday, but this week is "desk week" at the OCC - one of three weeks each year that is set aside with no court hearings so that we can catch up on transcripts (and sleep). ;-) Another well-timed gift, seriously!
On that note, I took this screenshot as I absorbed this song on our way back from the whale watch excursion: "You are the light and rest for my soul. You're God, and I will be still and know."
Song of the Week = Be Still and Know by CeCe Winans
This makes me very happy. Me with my feet in the pool + J&K swimming, and it shows the view of the Tinker Air Force Base fireworks show from my parents' backyard -- there's a perfect clearing between the trees, and their 250th-year fireworks show lasted around 20 minutes!!
So in the end, I'm thankful for the 4th of July storm - for starters, it made my evening at the Wilsons' more memorable, and same for J&K's time with their Dad in Mustang... then we all got to come together, along with my Aunt Charlene, for the postponed TAFB fireworks show last night! I would very much appreciate this always being a two-day event so that I can celebrate with both friends and family! =)
These are my new Nike Alphafly running shoes... very cushioned and lightweight and recommended by my online running coach, and they felt great on my test run! =) Excited to train for the Route 66 Half ahead... I'll be printing my official training plan later today!
Last night also included a belated birthday dinner for Kristin at The Ranch in Norman! It was a last-minute change of plans after we learned Gaberino's closes on Sunday, and it did not disappoint. We spent a couple hours catching up on everything - (yay for her and Rach both joining me in the 40s club now)! I had their beef medallions, and she got the scallops, then we shared the fried okra, au gratin potatoes, bananas foster, and cinnamon roll bread pudding desserts! "Nom nom for us, David!" =)
Saw the Young Washington with Mom and Dad yesterday afternoon... it's the part of George Washington's life I knew very little about, so it was interesting to learn what shaped him and how he became the respected first leader of our nation... I had assumed with the Independence Day weekend release that it would be at least a little focused on the Revolutionary War period and the building of America, and it really was not at all. Bottom right pic = catching up on life over dessert post-fireworks!
Dad and Charlene behind me on one side, Mom and Rach on the other, my feet in the pool, and a really great fireworks show!
K-Faith beginning a very long and detailed account of their weekend + Jace re-enacting part of it for us! lol
❤ Happy 250th Birthday to America! ❤
And happy 5th of July from all of us! lol
Charlene had just gotten back from her Alaska cruise with Dana and the Myricks, so it was good to get some details about all of that as I prep for mine 22 days from now!! Yay for the possibility of seeing eagles and whales - I'm so looking forward to a restful and refreshing week there!
Just a friendly reminder that God is with you and for you, having good plans for your future!
I'm feeling this one lately. If I had to sum it up in a word, it'd be RENEWAL. ❤
I've been off of GLP-1s for a couple months now. And yes, my appetite for food has gradually increased... but so has my appetite/energy/zest for LIFE - for trying new things, seeing new possibilities, setting new goals, etc. Bible reading, leading lifegroup, run training, Club Pilates, book writing, public speaking, all coming off of mute in the background. Staying healthy will be more challenging (the protein goal is decidedly helpful there), but it's important to me not to numb my desires or emotions or hopes for reward moving forward! #chooselife I want to live a full and expansive life, not to settle for a low-energy imitation/sensation of fullness. Lots of complex thoughts about that topic, but I'll save them for the book!
Hope you had a lovely weekend, and I hope your week is off to a great start!
And now, some goals and plans for the second half of this year!!
I'm Looking Forward To: Kristin's 40th birthday, America's 250th birthday, Chet's 38th birthday, my 1st Alaska Cruise at the end of July!, Dad's 73rd birthday, Kyndal Faith’s 13th birthday, writing my book, another raise (hopefully), taking the Biblical Foundations class in October, and most everything about the holiday season ahead!!
POWER PLAN:
PLANTS & PROTEIN: (My overarching goal is to reach my goal weight before my 3-year surgiversary next summer.) With that in view, my goal is to focus on hitting 150 grams of protein per day and to incorporate fruit and/or vegetables into my daily diet!
PILATES & PELOTON: I'm signed up for 90 days of Club Pilates workouts (goal = 5 classes per week); I also plan to do a full-body strength class on the Peloton app 2x a week
PEN TO PAPER: (I will, of course, be typing, but I needed to keep the alliteration going. lol) Goal #3 is to follow the schedule I've created and finish my Strong Over Small book draft by October 1st; then have some trusted friends/mentors review it and help me make edits, then have it ready to self-publish by the end of this year (I will not actually publish until 2027 just because I prefer those date numbers. lol)
PERSEVERANCE & PEACE: Start the Bible Recap plan tomorrow and go through their full Bible reading plan by July 1, 2027!
PACING PUSH: Sign up for the Route 66 Half, and train to run it under 2 hours and 30 minutes (which will absolutely be challenging for me)
PUBLIC PRESENTATION: Join a Toastmasters group by end of August to practice and grow in my speaking/presenting skills!*
PERSONAL PRACTICE: Post 12 new talking-to-camera videos by the end of the year (length and topic of my choice)
PRAYER & PIVOT: Prayerfully plan my next life/career move, and be prepared to pivot as needed! =)
So there you have it. I'll be pressing in and pushing myself with food, exercise, reading, writing, and speaking goals as the year moves forward! And reminding myself that proper planning prevents poor performance! ;-)
*For the record, Shadé Zahrai inspired the public speaking focus in her Unlocking Strengths MasterClass:
"How do you differentiate yourself in a world where everything is becoming the same? In the past, people who wrote really well would often stand out. But now, most people are using ChatGPT to write their emails and presentations, so unfortunately, it's a sea of sameness. When everyone is suddenly very good at something, no one stands out. So I think one of the most important strengths you can develop is the ability to verbally communicate, because that is something you cannot go to ChatGPT to do for you. If you can think about how you can get better at speaking, presenting, connecting, that is going to serve you so well... In a future that is going to be shaped by AI -- in a present that is shaped by AI -- how you make people feel is your most powerful advantage!"
I know she's not wrong. And I want to grow in that!!
PEP TALK PORTION:
Don't get complacent now, and don't let the fierce opposition intimidate you. This matters. The power that lives in you is greater than anything coming against you, which means you are poised and ready for a comeback victory!! Remember that you can do hard things! Choose goals that are aligned with your values and desires, then pursue them. Don't be afraid to try new things, and do not be afraid to TRY as hard as you possibly can to reach your goals, to grow, to lead, to step up. #maximumeffort God's JOY is your strength, and He will empower you for what He calls you to do! Choose life, choose health, and choose growth -- for yourself and for the sake of the people God calls you to impact!! Strong and healthy mind, strong and healthy body, strong and healthy soul, strong and healthy spirit! Do not shrink back and hide, and don't you dare make yourself small to please people - the spirit of fear has no place in your life. You never walk alone, so move with confidence. God is with you and for you, giving you His power and love and a sound mind.
My word for 2026 is Renewal, so it catches my eye any time I see it. Yes, please to Jesus being my Shepherd and renewing my strength and guiding me along right paths that bring honor to His name!!
Made me laugh to get the full welcome packet after registering for the Biblical Foundations class this fall! I've been here for four years now, but thanks for the extra swag! =)
Random pic I saved from FB - maybe it's AI, but I'm choosing to believe it's just adorable pom puppies that bring my heart the most joy!!
Sophie Hudson is writing a book that's a tribute to her Mom and also includes a cookbook with lots of her old recipes - as a longtime podcast listener, I freaking love that journey for her! =)
Grabbed some Gourmet donuts this morning for a friend who's going through a very hard season... this would help cheer anyone up, right!?
Lindsay Jane with Phoenix, Memphis, and Wavy - I don't get to see her much these days, but I'm praying for God's very best for her and her kids!!
My CleanEatz meal delivery kit arrived right before my DoorDashed Mexican food dinner and dessert, and the irony of that made me laugh!
Michael reclaimed the #1 spot back from Devil Wears Prada 2, which is incredibly appropriate, as that movie was over-hyped nonsense, and Michael is fantastic! Mom and I went to see it again this afternoon! =)
5-22 = my old address, Tman's graduation day, and Elizabeth Jane's birthday, which I still always think of that day! I'm very unsure about what went wrong there, but I love and miss her and sincerely wish her and her husband all the best! It's honestly a fairly long list of people I will be thrilled to fully catch up with in Heaven, but we will have the time and the relational capacity and love and understanding and personal wholeness for exactly that - what a GIFT! Kudos to her for training hard and conquering multiple marathons over the past few years!!
Here's Kate and Tman on the subway in Boston!
And Triston and Reese at a Red Sox game!
K-Faith and Laynie (her classmate, Colin's older sister)
Jace Michael and Gavin (his Senior "Big Brother")
Dad's new car (and mine behind it)! Rach and I came over to hang out with them and watch the Thunder playoffs game last night... Jaceman called approximately 15x throughout the game to gloat about how well his new fav Spurs player, "Wemby" (Victor Wembanyama) was playing! lol
Cute picture frame at Amber Marie, but not really worth $130!
MacKenzie is proud of her stuff! lol
And that concludes the random pics I wanted to throw in here somewhere. =)
I was 26 years old the first time I considered adopting a child as a single woman (HERE).
At 33, I took the 3-weekend DHS foster parenting training classes and completed my first home study (HERE).
At 37, after grieving the Malori friendship (round 2), I felt like God gave me the green light to pursue adoption in the fall of 2021 (HERE).
I made a profile book, did a home study update, met with an Oklahoma adoption attorney, worked with a Florida adoption agency, and connected with a struggling single birth-mom who ended up deciding to keep her child (at the time).
After hitting some roadblocks in all of the above, at 38, immediately after moving back to the Moore area, I started medical appointments to try for a donor-insemination pregnancy... trying four IUI procedures that were unsuccessful (HERE). I tried a fifth time a year later - also unsuccessful. Lots of positive ovulation tests and negative pregnancy tests = rough emotionally.
At 39, I signed up for embryo adoption... and just after turning 40, I was devastated to learn that both embryo matches (from two different placing families) were not medically viable for transfer (HERE).
That was a big part of the motivation behind choosing weight loss surgery that summer - to be healthier for a potential pregnancy.
In the meantime, I had another surgery to remove a uterine polyp (HERE), and I was matched with another placing family with embryos that could not be transferred (which everyone told me was a major anomaly, which had me questioning God's plan).
Then at 41, just after starting the PhD program, I was overjoyed to be matched with a biracial placing family. But as it moved closer, I wrestled with A LOT of anxiety and doubt, knowing how much it would change my life, and not knowing if those changes were truly desirable.
Last September, I learned that I would need a third surgery to remove uterine fibroids that would make the already-high-risk pregnancy even more dangerous and difficult. And after a lot of prayer and internal wrestling with whether God was in this (HERE), I finally decided to close the door on the embryo adoption path (HERE).
So I spent thousands of dollars, invested a lot of emotional energy, met with attorneys and daycares, talked with adoption judges, endured several painful medical procedures, had two surgeries, had long talks with friends and family, and spent a lot of time in prayer. It's exhausting just reading about it now. (That list was focused on motherhood, but I could make a similar list about the various dating apps and setups I have tried, all with a similar disappointing ending, with the added bonus of feeling personally rejected/unchosen). God has been kind and comforted me through the various losses, and I have genuinely learned a lot through all of this, but I would LOVE to have more than personal growth to show for the above efforts.
I live a blessed life in so many ways, and I am grateful for all that God has given me!
It is also true that I will never know what it feels like to be a wife or mother in my 20s.
I will never know what it feels like to be a wife or mother in my 30s.
I will never know what it feels like to carry a child in my body.
Thus far, I do not know what it feels like to be desired/pursued by a really good Christian man.
And that's hard. And there is genuine, valid grief for all of that.
There is also fear (that stems from poor theology ingrained in childhood) of my life never having full value as an unmarried, childless woman. And in my case, there is maybe-unfair shame over not hearing correctly from God on the above decisions and pursuits, and fear of publicly failing again. I feel like I am trying to stay very still, and it's making me think about Exodus 14 (where Moses tells them to be still, then God promptly tells them to move on).
After thinking it over, I've realized that in this season, I am not grieving over the loss of motherhood so much as I am grieving the loss of a clear end goal and purpose. The degree, the health journey, and everything else I pursued felt more meaningful with that overarching relational goal in mind. Without that, I feel very adrift, and I hate that feeling.
I know in my heart that God is a God of hope and redemption, and I am doing my best to hold on to that. To believe there are far better things ahead. To lean into His power, love, and a sound mind rather than focusing on fear. I need a new relational goal that feels clear and compelling. And aligned!
So I am praying for fresh clarity, wisdom, and COURAGE to take bold action toward new meaningful goals that God puts on my heart. I want to live a FRUITFUL life and to walk in true alignment with God's plan and path for me, and it is NOT easy for me to trust that in any direction right now. But I know that staying stuck is not His best for me either.
Prayers for God-given healing, wisdom, clarity, alignment, and courage would be most appreciated!
That's all for now. I needed to dive into the deep end and get some of that written down and out of my head this morning, but now I am off to Keller, TX for The Buddies Tour with Annie and Eddie - YAY!!
Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm in a Zoom courtroom waiting on attorneys, as per usual, so I decided to update the blog while I wait. =)
Here's me and T-man at Starbucks this past Saturday... we met for breakfast and discussing his future in Colorado and ordering his graduation invites! =)
Crazy that we're already here! I'm so happy he was up for using the Kindergarten pic... cuteness! =)
A short story of sass and attitude. lol The mini-Miss K trying on her 6th grade graduation look whilst being in a mood with Rachael. The sparkly boots are fun! =)
Rach is using paint + crystals + a heat gun for the pictures to make these awesome volleyballs for the Rise coaches - so fun!!
This = my favorite coaches and team she's been on so far!
The Tuscan Torch pizza at Hideaway (minus the Italian sausage - not a fan)... yum! This was a dinner with Kristin Michelle where we got to catch up on all of life after missing a few weeks of Wednesday walks!
Truth. I remind myself often that my choices have an impact, even when they may feel inconsequential.
Same for my thoughts... after a hard stretch, I am working on renewing my mind, and I can tell I'm making progress - thank God!!
Thankful for outdoor walks and a nice nearby park where I feel safe to do that!
Fish tank fun with Jaceman!
It feels insane to me that this picture was taken only two years ago.
God is really speaking to me right in here lately... reading this chapter over and over!
I've listened to eight audiobooks thus far - a solid first quarter of 2026!
(HP full cast book 2 and 3 not pictured.)
Quick recaps/thoughts below...
Awake (by Jen Hatmaker)
Better than expected. A timely book about rebuilding your life when some things you've deeply counted on end or fall apart. This memoir was divided into three sections, beginning with "The End" of her marriage, moving into "The Middle" with messy rebuilding, and finally "The Beginning," where she was growing and embracing the new story - I loved that structure! Also loved her story about building a big backyard table and learning to cook and intentionally filling her home and feeding her people. Promptly ordered her cookbook after reading that part. Her theology is obviously a bit off-base, but this is more of a memoir than a self-help or instructional book, and there are good things to be taken from it. She's feisty and funny and a strong writer and lovable person!
Anne of Green Gables (by Lucy Maud Montgomery)
Familiar, fantastic, and heartwarming - and I love that Rachel McAdams reads this one!
Harry Potter Full Cast Audiobooks #1, 2, and 3 (by J.K. Rowling)
Strengthening and light and fun! Ironically, I still prefer the Jim Dale version to the full-cast audio. (They made very little effort to cast people who sound similar to the movie characters, and it bothers me.)
Strong Ground (by Brene Brown)
“Transformation is about building, and it must start with dismantling. The process is deeply personal, disorienting, and almost always involves going backward before speeding forward. We must be willing to confront the off-limits stuff, intentionally and strategically breaking old systems that no longer serve us while fiercely protecting a strong, mission-grounded foundation… I always thought the Phoenix rising was the transformation and the fire was something we had to survive, but I was wrong. The fire is the transformation!” ~Brené Brown (condensed & paraphrased - I loved that chapter!)
Enough (by Oprah Winfrey and Ania Jastreboff)
This book explains the biology of obesity, the way our brains and bodies work together to maintain a "set point" weight range, making sure that we have "enough" calories/energy by increasing hunger and slowing metabolism whenever our weight drops... driving weight back toward the ingrained "enough point." They compared this to a thermostat that constantly adjusts to defend the set temperature… so for people with obesity, the rough reality is when you work hard to lose weight, your metabolism slows down and your hunger hormones are activated, naturally pushing your weight back up over time. Special. Because modern environments are stressful and full of highly-palatable food, many people experience persistent food noise, meaning constant thoughts about eating + food cravings that make it harder to stick with diets. That's all I have known, but not everyone thinks that way - some people live free from that preoccupation, and it's those mindset factors that comprise obesity being a disease or diagnosis, and that all makes sense and truly resonates for me. They explain in scientific detail how GLP-1 medications turn down these internal thermostat settings, working with our biology by mimicking natural gut hormones that signal fullness, quieting the internal food noise, and reducing appetite/cravings, all by lowering our body’s defended weight range so that it works *with us* on our health goals rather than pushing back and resisting weight loss! Sign. me. up. (Currently in my first month on Zepbound - more on that later).
The Coddling of the American Mind (by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt)
This book was a gem (recommended by Jonathan T. from CCU). About intent versus perception, the unintentional damage caused by our cultural emphasis on safety, and how to rebuild resilience and raise strong children!
