The Inkers Pen

First off, a huge thank you to everyone who’s emailed me since launching this new blog yesterday! Your enthusiasm—and your curious questions—have truly made my day. So many of you have asked, “What exactly are neocaridina shrimp?” Well, let me introduce you to these colorful little characters swimming circles in my world. They are a pint-size parade of color swishing through my aquarium like confetti on parade day. These little crustaceans come in an artist’s palette of hues: firetruck red, tangerine orange, lemon yellow, electric blue, ghostly white and all colors in between. When they gather, it’s like watching a living bag of jellybeans with antennas. Neocaridina shrimp are the janitors of the aquatic world, forever on the move, darting and skittering across the gravel in search of their next meal. Their taste in cuisine? Let’s call it “opportunistically adventurous.” These scavengers gobble up algae with the enthusiasm of kids at an all-you-can-eat candy buffet, but don’t let their cuteness fool you—they’ll munch on anything, including their own kin if the opportunity arises. It’s a shrimp-eat-shrimp world in there. Their favorite hangouts are soft patches of aquatic moss and nooks of Indian Almond leaves, where they can snack, molt, and gossip about the otocinclus that hides near the sponge filter. I like to spoil these tiny tank-dweller occasionally with bloodworms and brine shrimp—a five-star treat that may or may not cause a ruckus inside the glass feeding bowl. Right now, I have a sky-blue mama shrimp sporting a a clutch of eggs like a pocketful of inky-dinky yellow marbles. Soon, the tank will be sprinkled with baby shrimp, each one no bigger than a comma. So, if you’re searching for a bit of quirkiness and a splash of color in your home, neocaridina shrimp are the aquatic equivalent of confetti—cheerful, surprising, and always ready to clean up after the party. Blessings and have a wonderful day...LM

Welcome to Between Coffee Sips , where my caffeine-charged musings bubble up alongside the tiny drama happening in my aquariums. Here, thoughts percolate like a fresh pot of java, while my colorful neocaridina shrimp glide through their tank, a little otocinclus eats algae, and a Betta fish gives me the side-eye every time I pause to write. Don’t worry, the territorial Betta Boy lives by himself and rules his own underwater realm. Think of this blog as your favorite chipped mug: warm, a little quirky, and full of surprises. You’ll find a dash of everything here. Some days, it might be old poems rescued from the depths of my ancient notebooks (no judgment, please … yes, I keep everything, just ask my husband). Other days, you’ll get a peek at what I’m working on, a story in progress, a gloriously unfiltered diary entry about the state of my desk, the whereabouts of my slippers, or the existential thoughts inspired by my aquatic roommates. Expect reflections on the ordinary—avocado toast, dragonflies (whimsical little buggers), or an uncooperative houseplant that's causing a friend anxiety. There will be moments of inspiration, a pinch of nostalgia, plenty of honesty, and always, always a cup of something warm nearby. In this small space I’ll share thoughts and ideas, one cup (and maybe one tank-cleaning) at a time. So, pour yourself some coffee, settle in, and let’s see where Between Coffee Sips (and aquatic adventures) take us. If you spot some runaway slippers or a bold orange shrimp, send word—they’re probably planning the next coffee run.

Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150:1-2, 6 Praising God is the “thank you” that refuses to be silenced. You can praise God anywhere: at a red light, in the grocery aisle, while cooking dinner, even while cleaning out the garage (bonus points if you find something you lost last year). There’s no limit on where, when, or how long you can praise God. Seriously, the sky’s the limit. (No pun intended 😉) When we praise God, we see who we truly are. We understand our purpose in life, especially when we feel His love cuddle into our soul. As we praise and worship God, it draws us close to His heart and helps us develop a healthy self-image. Praise establishes our faith and strengthens our walk with the Lord. The more we praise, the more our eyes shift from our wish list toward God’s presence, His power, and His love. It’s as if we’re adjusting binoculars to see the glory of Heaven instead of the weeds. The moment we speak an “amen” or a “hallelujah,” gratitude rises like a deep breath we didn’t realize we were holding, filling our hearts with thanks and knowing He is active and present in our lives. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light, and for those who believe, we are the light of this world. Dear friend, “Praise Him for His mighty acts…” Praise Him for who He is. Praise Him for every breath you breathe. But most of all, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord…” and offer Him the thank you that refuses to be silenced. Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your mighty acts, for listening to me when words do not come easy. Lord, as I praise you, remind me who You are and who I am in You. Shift my focus from my desires to Your presence, and anchor my heart in truth, love, and joyful obedience. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks Challenge List three things you’re thankful for today. Then turn each one into a short prayer of praise, focusing on who God is rather than what He has given. Let go of your thoughts and write freely. " Praising God is the “thank you” that refuses to be silenced." ~~LM

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV As the year’s end flutters into view, we stand on the edge of midnight, hearts poised between what has been and what is coming. In Times Square, they say nearly 3,000 pounds of confetti will rain down as the clock ticks its final seconds—a joyful mess marking a fresh beginning. It’s tempting to cling to regrets from the year behind us, but let’s not allow past mistakes and trials to become the glitter we can never quite vacuum up. Instead, let’s sweep up the crumbs of old grudges, toss them out, and thank God for all He’s brought us through—trials that taught us mercy, grudges transformed by grace. God’s faithfulness has been the sturdy umbrella during surprise downpours. He’s the duct tape holding our dreams together when life came unglued. Each hard lesson we stumbled through was a stepping stone, not a stumbling block—or maybe a banana peel that taught us not to sprint through life’s grocery aisle. Things happen at Walmart … just saying. Dear Friend, this is the season to let go of the sharp words thrown our way, of the people who acted like human porcupines, and of the burdens we were never meant to carry into the New Year. Gratitude is our luggage now—light and full of praise for what God has done and for what he will do. So, as we leap into the new year (I’m using a fresh Snoopy calendar, but you do you), I pray the trials of last year are not anchors. I’m praying they become little trampolines, launching us toward joy, purpose, and a greater love. The apostle Paul never settled for the past. No, in fact Paul says: “ … but one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus "(Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV). Such wise words. Let’s thank God for every lesson, every laugh, every bump, and every blessing. When the confetti settles and the noise fades, we’re reminded that God is still faithful and steady through every season. The best is yet to come, so let’s praise Him for who He is, who He’s been, and trust Him with everything this new year brings. Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your faithfulness through every twist and tumble of this past year. Help us release regrets and burdens, and fill our hearts with hope as we step into the new year. May Your love be our guide, Your joy our strength, and our lives a chorus of praise for all You have done. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks What are you most grateful for from this past year, and how did you see God’s faithfulness through it? As you step into the new year, what is one burden or regret you want to leave behind? "Thank God for all He’s brought us through—trials that taught us mercy, grudges transformed by grace."~~LM 🎉 God bless, Happy New Year, and thank you for visiting my little corner of the world. 🎉

Photo by Rosie Kerr on Unsplash "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ” Luke 2:10 NKJV Joy in the third week of Advent often tiptoes in wearing fuzzy socks, the air sweet with the smell of sugar cookies, and grandkids giggling their way through the house like caffeinated elves. This is the week your majestic tree twinkles to perfection, as if waiting to audition for a role in the Star of Bethlehem. At some point during the days before Christmas, the family settles onto the floor and couch—a tangle of knees, blankets, pillows, and a myriad of snacks that defy calories. Cookies partner a plate with fudge, trail bologna finds its soulmate in cheese, and coffee collaborates with pie. The infamous Grinch flashes across the TV screen, and a quotes of Cindy Lou Who echo throughout the room. As the movie advances, “You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is belted out with the gusto of voices who have sung it every year since, well, since forever. And still, it never gets old. Have you noticed how Christmas joy slips quietly into the middle of everything? This slightly chaotic happiness enlarges like the Grinch’s heart until it spills over with laughter, crumbs, and lots of fun-loving giddiness. You see, Jesus holds firm right there through it all. He’s there during the laughter, imperfections, and struggles— never asking for silence or polish. Jesus simply wants us to notice the holiness hiding in plain sight … to see and know He is our “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10 NKJV). Even though joy arrives in fuzzy socks, twinkling trees, or laughter echoing through every corner of the house, the true joy of Christmas is found in a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger—Jesus, our Savior. He was born to bring the world light, love, and lasting joy to all. Heavenly Father, Open my eyes, Lord, to the joy hidden in laughter, crumbs, and chaos. I pray that I always notice and feel the holiness of Your presence. May the gift of Jesus—our eternal hope and joy—grow in the hearts of all the people. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks 1. Where have you noticed moments of joy in the midst of this chaotic season? 2. How can you invite Jesus (the true joy of Christmas!) into your holiday routines? 🎄 "Christmas joy simply wants us to notice the holy hiding in plain sight." ~~LM 🎄

Image by Aaron Morgan "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 KJV The second week of Advent spotlights peace. We all want peace this time of year. The kind that warms the heart with the first sip of morning coffee or when watching the sun stretch its radiant fingers across the landscape of a snowy field, and who doesn't want the contentment of curling up by the fireplace with a book you’ve been meaning to read for months. But ... before any of that can happen, we must setup the pre-lit Christmas tree. Tis the season, right? Right. Until you plug it in and only the top half glows like the Star of Bethlehem. The bottom half? Well, it looks like it gave up on life sometime in July. Henceforth, the pilgrimage to the store begins. The problem? You can't buy just any lights. You need the exact shade of warm-white LEDs that match the preexisting factory-wired lights from 2017. May the odds be ever in your holiday favor. Breathe in. Breathe out. As you Grinch your way to the shopping center, the drive feels like a traffic jam on ice—no carols, no cheer, and apparently the person in front of you missed the memo that merging is a shared activity. By the time the two-hour light-buying fiasco winds to a close, your husband chimes in with: “We can either buy a new tree or use the colored lights hibernating in the attic for the "irritating tree" we have standing in the living room.” Yes, the man used finger-quotes. B reathe in. Breathe out. So, somewhere between the slushy parking lots and people forgetting how turn signals work, our flocked (non-working pre-lit) Christmas tree twinkles and glows with colored lights. Now, onto setting up the beautiful inherited nativity scene. As I place baby Jesus in His manger, I'm reminded of the angels' words: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:14 NKJV). "...and on earth peace..." Jesus' birth was anything but peace. He was born into a world far more chaotic than any kind of Christmas tree or lighting disaster could ever create. My goodness, His peace didn’t hinge on colored lights in an attic. Bethlehem wasn’t neat or cozy as Joseph and Mary arrived. There was no room in the inn, no sterile area to birth a baby, and should I even mention the "lowing" of animals nearby. Our Prince of Peace entered the world inside a stable thick with smelly hay and was gently laid into a feeding trough, something we refer to (in a loving manner) as a manger. Nothing about that night was peaceful or perfect, yet the Heavenly Father slipped His loving peace right into the middle of the holy mess. You see, the same God who pierced the night sky with the Star of Bethlehem, the same God who brought order into the Christmas eve chaos back then, is the same God who breathes peace into our daily life now. So, take a sip of coffee or hot cocoa, eat a marshmallow, let yourself laugh, let yourself sing praises, and if the tree doesn't light, who cares. Remember, peace isn't always found in the absence of chaos. It's found in the beautiful presence of knowing and believing in Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father, Thank You for breathing peace into my daily life. Thank You for sending Jesus (the perfect, beautiful tiny bundle of flesh wrapped in swaddling clothes) into this imperfect and corrupt world. Praise to our Prince of Peace, the Savior of the world. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks What chaos are you trying to “fix,” instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to calm your heart? " Peace isn't always found in the absence of chaos. It's found in the presence of Christ." ~~LM

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NKJV The first week of the Christmas Advent is here. At times the holiday season can feel like a winter wonderland filled with hope and colorful lights. Then, there are times it feels like a fragile-glass ornament hung on a weak branch—one wrong move and crack, there goes the festive sparkle. Yet, Scripture insists that hope in Christ is anything but fragile. It’s sturdier than the ancient plastic nativity set your grandmother refuses to throw away. You know the one with the sheep, where the light bulb continues to flicker, no matter how many times you replace it. Advent reminds us that hope is not wishful thinking, nor is it the December optimism that this might finally be the year your Christmas lights don’t turn into a tangled testimony of human failure. Our hope, in the Christian sense, is the steady, soul-anchoring assurance that God keeps His promises. Think of the people of Israel who waited centuries for a Messiah, who longed for light while living in darkness. You see, their hope wasn’t based on circumstances but on our God ... “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NKJV). Their hope (our hope!) came swaddled in human skin with the tiniest, universe-shaking cry from a manger in the quiet of the night in a stable that probably smelled suspiciously un-Christmassy. Dear one, I pray we can learn to wait with the same holy expectancy as the Israelites. When our weary eyes scan our life's messy schedules, mismatched ornaments, and prayers that feel like they’ve camped out a little too long on God’s “pending” list, we can still rest in the truth our Hope is still hard at work. You see, the story isn’t over. Hope is coming. So, as you hang the stockings, whip up a hot cocoa, even attempt gingerbread architecture, remember: Hope has a name. Our beloved Hope is Jesus. He's the glow that warms your days. He is the star that guides your nights. Jesus Christ is the forever light that fills your heart with hope. Heavenly Father, Thank you for always lighting my way, for sending that tiny bundle of human flesh to earth and giving us hope in a dark-filled world. Lord Jesus, you are the light and hope in every season of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks Where is one place you can see Hope in the everyday Christmas chaos? Where in your life can you pause, breathe, and listen to the world’s Hope born in a stable? 💙 "Our Hope is the steady, soul-anchoring assurance that God keeps His promises."~~LM 💙

Image by Freepik “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1 NIV Thanksgiving. The day when the kitchen becomes a Bedlam Bonanza, the turkey somehow takes center stage like a celebrity in a featherless tuxedo, and everyone’s stomach growls like an impatient lion waiting to feast. Yet somehow, in the midst of our food-covered counters and the sweet smell of pumpkin pie, there’s love happening. It’s the kind of love that turns a spilled bowl of pickled eggs into a story you’ll laugh about for years. A love that transforms your lumpy gravy into a metaphor for life (not everything has to be perfect to be wonderful, right?). It’s the kind of love that reminds us Thanksgiving isn’t about the mountain of food—it’s about family … our loved ones. Throughout the day, we giggle as the toddlers wear mashed potatoes like war paint. We coax a smile from the lone teenager glued to their phone ... because deep down, they want to be part of the chaos (even if they won’t admit it). We play Nerf tag with the restless pre-teens, knowing we may not be as fast as we used to be, but, hey, experience gives us better aim ... sometimes. And sure, the oven timers will beep out of sync, the dinner rolls might end up a little toasty, and someone may or may not drop the ham onto the floor. Okay, so that happened, twice. You see, Thanksgiving isn’t about a picture-perfect table. No, it really isn't. It’s about messy, fun, beautiful togetherness. It's about being thankful for everyone and everything. It's about the heart of a bigger truth: Jesus. You see, He’s the head of this feast, the unseen guest who ties every bite of pie, every giggle, every hug, and every "I love you" together. Our God's grace and love overflows—not just our plates. So, as we laugh, share, and savor the food (and maybe fight over the last piece of salvaged ham), let’s pause to remember what we are really celebrating. It’s not the turkey on the table or the football on TV or the kids running rampant through the house. Nope, but those are wonderful things too. It’s all about being thankful for God’s unconditional love and for the blessing of sharing another year with family. Precious one, God’s love reminds us that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Our family, like the meal, is made up of many elements, each element bringing its own flavor. Some days, it’s sweet and smooth like pie filling; other days, it’s bumpy and lumpy like mashed potatoes. It's not about perfection ... it’s about presence. It’s about love. It’s about the unseen guest at the table: Jesus. May we all ... “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1 NIV). Now that is something to be thankful for. Heavenly Father, My heart overflows with thankfulness today. Within the mess, the noise, and the beautiful chaos, I thank You for the gift of family. I thank You for the love that binds, for laughter that heals, and for grace that protects. You’ve given me and my loved ones more than we deserve ... You've given us the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Your love endures forever. In Jesus' name. Amen. 🧡Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless🧡

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV Have you ever had a morning where a shoulder-tap from Heaven reaches you before the aroma of coffee fills the air? That happened to me this morning. My brain flashed on last year's chaotic Black Friday sale at Walmart. I stood in a tug-a-war with a woman over the last discounted electric blanket. We locked onto the merchandise like it was the "Ark of the Covenant" finding. But, when our eyes met, a smile formed, and in unison said, “You take it.” However, in the middle of that chaos, the most unexpected moment of peace radiated around us, and that peace announced the words to this ancient blessing: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV). Those powerful verses, once spoken over the Israelites, were the same words God wants to use in your life. He blesses our day by revealing Himself in small, surprising ways. No matter the circumstance, God turns his face on us and gives us peace—whether that might be in an aisle at Walmart. How amazing is that? You see, God's mercy and compassion are always worth praising. His blessings wrap us in a warm blanket softening our spirit with joy. Precious one, our God knows your deepest hopes and fears. He can calm every inner storm with just a whisper. The heart of our God cares for you and loves everything about you. His shining light glimmers and sprinkles grace upon you. So, dear one, turn your face toward Him and when He shines his face upon you, give Him thanks for the big things, small things, and even wild little surprising things. As you rest in the goodness of who He is, remember His little shoulder taps are far better than any Black Friday sale. Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the love You send my way. I praise You for the goodness of who You are and that You know my deepest hopes and concerns. You also know how to calm my inner storms. Bless You for all that You are in my life. In Jesus name. Amen. 🧡SPIRITUAL SPARKS 🧡 Have you ever felt a shoulder tap from God? What was He telling you? What small, surprising blessing can you thank God for today? "God blesses each of our days by revealing Himself in small, surprising ways" ~~LM