A grandmas voice...

The past three weeks have been very hectic with little time for anything as my dad's fairly routine knee replacement surgery turned bad....a few blood transfusions, low blood pressure, kidney issues are just the beginning of it. After a week of not being able to get our of bed with any real success he developed a pretty horrendous bed sore that has caused much worry and grief. Fortunately my wonderful sister showed up (she is a trained LPN) to make some of the 'corrections' in his care that have made a world of difference and dad is now up and moving pretty good although the wound on his back will take months to heal properly. It has been an emotional rollercoaster for a variety of reasons and today I am feeling the crack in my armour.

Family dynamics are always quite unique...ours is right up there and it can make dealing with crisis a navigational challenge. Tonight as I reflect on the journey thus far I was blessed with a memory that helps make it easier...

" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13

...as I type I can hear the sweet voice of my amazing grandma softly reminding me that it is God who carries us through tough emotional times. This was her mantra, followed by a gentle "if God is for you, then who can be against you". Funny how quickly we can forget this...amazing that God is gracious enough to allow me to hear her say it tonight when I am in desperate need of stability. Grandma Rose, how grateful I am for you and all you taught me, how much I love you still, how wonderful that even though you have been gone for 18 years, tonight when I needed a hug it came from you, my best friend ever!  

Time...how quickly it goes by

Where does the time go? I find it hard to believe that it was a month ago that I wrote about my lifestyle change. Here is the update: I have now been eating differently for 2 months and I feel GREAT! I still have moments where I could hurt someone for want of a cinnamon bun but for the most part it is easy to say no once you realize how terrible certain foods can make you feel...one of the hardest things sometimes is forcing myself to get off the couch to cook after a long day. I love cooking but every once in awhile I am simply tired and want 'easy'; last night was one of those nights. After being forced to listen to the dog downstairs barking for 8 solid hours the previous night (obviously NO sleep) and working (day 6 this week), I simply wanted to keep my feet up and drink my wine...the kids offered to pick up pizza or subs and I was sorely tempted. As I pondered their offer I realized what an idiot I was being as both of those options would make me feel worse, so I got off the couch and before I knew it we had Mahi-Mahi burgers (sans bun for moi), spinach and blueberry salad with homemade pomegranate dressing and leftover quinoa...it was delicious and pretty easy to throw together...then I read for awhile and went to bed early feeling good! The point of this convoluted story is that the change has been for the good, sometimes difficult but better in the long run. Funny that much of life is like that, which brings me to another change.

This past week, I have started something else that has long been missing from my daily routine...study! I will be starting a book on finding Jesus in Genesis...and yes, it will include using my Bible alot!!  I am looking forward to getting together with a few friends and digging in, I have been horrified at how little time I allocate each day for study and hope to change that.  

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place to be alone with God and pray. 

Mark 1: 35

Since Jesus did nothing without reason, I it is easy to assume that this practice was vital for him. Jesus sought out solitude so he could pray and meditate showing us another glimpse of  His humanity. As I read this passage today, it somehow struck me in a way it had not before.  Jesus was an incredibly busy dude at that point in his ministry, everyone wanted a piece of him, everyone wanted to be healed....who wouldn't, he was performing so many miracles that he had to keep moving from town to town because of the mobs of people (in v 33 the whole town is at the door). But think about this, in his human form he needed to refuel mentally, physically and spiritually...he did this in the quiet moments he made so that he might hear his father, he did this in his moments alone.

 As I write this out it seems so elementary yet we miss it, or perhaps ignore it. We somehow feel that our lives are so busy it is difficult to spend time with God, in His word...we fall asleep while reading because our day was so full of activity. Mark recounts a time when Jesus spent a full day healing a whole town...yet made time to refuel, he went early the next morning...he made time. If he made time, should we not do the same?

Feeling great!

I may be another year older but I feel better than I have in years!! For the past three weeks I have made some significant changes...and I am grateful I did.

Gone are the days of toast and donuts...now it is apples & peanut butter or a package of seaweed (which really is not as bad as some may assume ☺) I have cut out just about all processed food, wheat and sugar...it was easier than I thought. My fridge is full of greens, hummus and other healthy treats. My milk is now made from almonds and my cheese comes from goats. My coffee is infused with green tea & Gota Kola...ok, my first cup of the day is still made from dark roast beans & strong...but then I am drinking the Javita for the rest of the day. These are all big changes for me.

I admit to being a bit of a skeptic (I know huh...who knew)!! Anyway I was not sure if this little experiment would work, if I would be able to keep doing it or if I would be able to enjoy any of it. The results however  speak for themselves: I have been sleeping well (you know that does not happen often), I wake up feeling rested and feel ready to face the day, I have energy, I am not hungry, I do not feel the need to nap and the bonus....I have lost 5 pounds!!

Last night Jordan took me out for a birthday dinner at Paliotti's (Italian) and I ate some fabulous whole wheat seafood pasta. It was accompanied by a great glass of Merlot,I do not feel guilty at all and  we had a great time. I only share this because when we came home I actually felt the need to have a quick nap for the first time in 3 weeks...I do not believe it was coincidence. I will still on occasion eat my beloved pasta but I no longer crave it (or a sandwich) and I am very happy about that. So I will continue to eat whole foods, walk and drink my special coffee....who knows what will happen if I decide to go to gym as well?? Nah, not quite there yet ☺

I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
    You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. 

 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you restored my health.

Psalm 30: 1-2 NLT