Back in the Saddle

In August, I was given the opportunity to return to the classroom.

I am now teaching the 3-5 year olds at church.

For months, it has been a group of  5 year olds,

but we have 2 joining us this month from the nursery.

I always enjoy the challenge of teaching and classroom control.

I love to see little people learn new things and assimilate facts.

I love to see how many different aspects of learning I can fit into the brief 30 minutes.

They are a great bunch and I am enjoying the class immensely.

I tried a new classroom trick with this bunch at the beginning to help with sitting nicely in class.

I gave each child one or two plastic coins.

I told them that they had to hide them under their feet.

If I saw them, I would take them.

Guess what?

Far less wiggles!

The idea was an adaptation of a trick that another teacher used for teaching girls to sit modestly.

She gave each girl a quarter to hold between their knees.

If the quarter did not fall,

the students could keep the quarter.

It worked for her girls,

and it worked for my wiggle worms! 

What's 30 Minutes?

30 Minutes!

It can be a "lifetime" or it can be a "blink of an eye."

To me, public speaking for 30 minutes is a lifetime (at least in front of adults).

To me, 30 minutes of extra sleep can be a lifesaver.

30 minutes can be the time it takes to make a batch of muffins.

30 minutes can be all it takes to burn dinner.

30 minutes can be one encouraging podcast.

This week, I reached the final "week" of the couch-2-5K program for the 3rd or 4th time.

This week, 30 minutes meant 30 minutes of jogging/running with no stops.

I don't think I ran quite a 5K in that time,

but I did succeed in sticking with it.

30 minutes this week is meeting a goal.

30 minutes is an investment in my health.

And if you are interested in the challenge,

I recommend the "Just Run" app.

It is just that:

It starts at week one with simple intervals

and works to week 9 with a 30-minute run.

The app includes no music, just a simple timer and a voice to tell you when to walk or run!

Habit Stacking

 I have read or listened to quite a few books on Habits.

A disciplined life that accomplishes what needs to be done relies on habits.

Many of these books include the idea of habit stacking.

Link habits together to make new habits.

One habit that I work on is water drinking.

Common thought says that you drink half of your weight in ounces of water.

That's a lot of water for some of us!

I found that I could get through the morning with hardly a sip and then had to drink a lot before bed - 

not a great idea!

So, I needed a way to get started first thing in the morning.

In comes habit stacking.

My personal Bible study is typically between 6-7 in the morning.

That is a habit that is regular and reliable.

Perfect - lets get 24 oz down before breakfast.

So I habit stack.

Typically I read at least 4 chapters in the Bible.

After every chapter, I take 10-12 sips.

By the time I close in prayer, my first cup (24 oz)  is done.

If all else fails, I have started well.

Water is crucial in your diet - 

yes, other fluids can hydrate, but none are as great as water.

It keeps the digestive tract moving,

it cleans the kidneys,

it keeps the brain clear,

it keeps your joints moving clearly,

it helps control blood pressure,

it helps carry nutrition and oxygen in the body,

it helps in body temperature regulation.

While the Cats Away ...

 ...the mouse will ...

January is a good month for training in hubby's line of work.

The tractors are sitting idle and that means less repair.

Hubby had training in Ohio last week.

I stayed home and ...

CLEANED!

There are some jobs that just require making a mess.

I had wanted to do a fall cleaning

but was interrupted by my little tumble.

Now I am mostly back in business and decided that his 2 days away

was the perfect time to deep clean.

So I went through the closets, cleaned walls, organized totes and bins,

and even threw out some more things.

One area that hubby wanted me to straighten a bit was the garage - 

his space that he shares with me.

He was pleased with the results when he return.

Happy hubby and happy wife.

Preparation

 Only 3 days left ...

and I am preparing to REHAB.

I am accumulating my supplies,

planning my exercises,

and preparing mentally for how weak I may be

and how much time it may take to rehab.

"They" say 2 weeks for every 1 week in a cast.

And so I am preparing for that.

"They" also say pushups my not be comfortable for up to a year ...

well, maybe I am not mourning that one to much 😀

Take Nothing for Granted

 I can procrastinate with the best of them.

My life is fairly simple (isn't that my goal) which makes tasks fairly easy to juggle.

Last week, I mentioned that I was glad that I had finished painting a dresser.

It would have been terrible to see it staring at me for 6 weeks  ....

and hubby would have definitely wanted the space back in his garage.

So often, we think of not procrastinating in the realm of fixing relationships.

You never know what the next day will bring ...

death, illness, mental troubles.

But there is also the simple matter of just being deligent.

Get todays work done.

You never know what tomorrow holds.

I am "flying solo" again this week.

Hubby took his work back to the office.

I never would have imagined that I would be doing my everyday work with primarily one hand.

I am glad for the work that I stayed up on,

and sorry for the projects that I pushed to "tomorrow"

which may now be 5 more weeks.

Update:

I am one week into my healing.

I am primarily without pain except when I make a few odd movements without thinking.

I am actually using both hands to type this blog.

I have my first follow-up next Tuesday.

The surgeon said that he will remove the splint and cast the arm then.

I assume that there will be another xray - and I hope to hear that we are running ahead of schedule.

Thanksgiving, Stewardship, and the Goodwill Dilemma

II Samuel 24:24  

And the king said unto Araunah, 

"Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: 

neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. 

So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not look around and thank God for my home.

This is not really a new concept - I have always seen our homes as a gift.

God has always provided the right place at the right time in miraculous ways.

I have always been thankful for a place to practice homemaking ...

places to practice new skills...

places to adapt and change ...

from the one-bedroom apartment of a newlywed,

to a two-bedroom apartment on the Pacific Coast,

to a single-wide trailer for college families,

to another single-wide trailer right next door,

to a two-bedroom duplex in a town near enough to care for family,

to my own home ...

But ...

I have noticed as I clean and tidy and organize

that the "new" home inspires a greater desire to do a good job.

Again, it wasn't that I never cleaned my home or put my all into it,

but it seems that because this home cost more than a "pretty penny,"

I value it more.

We tend to value that which has a greater cost to us.

Have you noticed this as prices rise?

Do you think before you just hop in the car?

Do you contemplate before sticking the "non-essential" in the grocery cart?

Is it worth it?

David recognized this when it came time to offer sacrifices.

He wanted his sacrifice to have weight and value.

As I cleaned one morning,

I was ashamed that I don't see all of God's gifts as items of great value.

All His gifts deserve proper stewardship and care.

Thus the Goodwill Dilemma ...

... and a challenge to me and a word to the wise.

I love Goodwill when I have the time to search for great finds.

(Of course, some stores are nicer than others.)

It is fun to find the styles of yesterday on sale today.

It is fun to find "deals" on skirts, dresses, shirts, home decor, and housewares.

And yet, I have also observed the lack of care and stewardship that sometimes comes with the bargain purchase.

I have noticed families that purchase "bargains" so that there is no hardship when the children make a mess or when the children are rough with the purchase.

While I agree with that idea in theory, and there are definitely seasons where this makes sense, and it does help to provide training times for children with less stress,

in practice, the "bargain" also often causes the parent to fail to teach the value of clothing, toys, or furniture.

Because it costs next to nothing, the children can throw it, rip it, jump on it, or leave it in the yard.

And why is this a problem?

Because the children (or I for that matter) may not learn good principles of stewardship.

We do not learn how to care for what God has provided.

We may not see the difference between the "bargain" item and the item at another person's house that might have cost quite a bit more.

Good stewardship of the funds God provides may involve shopping at Goodwill or yard sales,

but it also involves taking care of the bargains that God sends our way through these means.

Slow and Steady

 

It will never make us millions.

Hubby will never be able to quit his job,

but for years I have been taking surveys to make a little extra spending money.

It might cover a new Fitbit from Amazon.

It might buy hubby a new tool for work.

It might fund a coffee or dinner date.

It might supply stamps or trinkets to celebrate holidays.

Sometimes, I begin to wonder if the nickles and dimes are making a difference.

Is it really worth the effort?

It probably is not really worth the time, 

but after years of surveys,

I have seen that faithfulness has its rewards.

I am receiving more profitable surveys

as well as more sample products that serve to stretch the budget

(shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, candles, ...)

I am thankful for a "big" survey this week.

Occasionally, a survey comes by that offers $75 - $100 for an online interview.

The interviews typically last an hour or less.

I had one about a month ago where I was asked about tissues.

And on Tuesday, I had one about breakfast preparation.

I am thankful for an easy half-hour interview with a generous payment.

I am thankful that God has given a little extra for upcoming expenses 

whether a survey trip,

moving supplies,

moving expenses,

or just anything ...

Just Do It

It is the end of a grey but rain-free Wednesday.

We have actually had  2 rain-free days in a row.

The break in the rain allowed me to more comfortably mow the lawn yesterday.

I also enjoyed a walk to town without the need for an umbrella.

Today I was able to clear out the email box which had filled up since our weekend away.

I have also done some research for our Thanksgiving and Christmas services.

It was a good day for more quiet work and more rest.

It was a day begging for a nap ...

BUT

I still had to do some exercise!

It was sheer determination that took me outside to make the most of the rain-free day

and get the heart rate up high and for a good amount of time.

Yes, I did have to make myself do it ...

and after one cycle of walking and running,

I had to make myself do cycle two ...

and then three ...

and then four ...

all the way to cycle eight.

There is a reason that discipline is called discipline.

It is hard to be a disciple.

hard to be a disciple of good eating

hard to be a disciple of  consistent exercise

hard to be a disciple of consistent sleep

hard to be a disciple of order

hard to be a disciple of faithful Bible reading and prayer

But it is the discipline that yields results.

If you are living the disciplined life ... 

the life of a disciple ...

keep it up!

If there is an area that is slipping,

Get back to it!

It will be worth it!

The Eyes of Man

 "Hell and destruction are never full; 

so the eyes of man are never satisfied."

Proverbs 27:20

As a teacher, I often see this truth lived out in my students.

When the birthday bag comes out, so does the "green monster."

Instantly, many children are planning what they will pick for their birthday.

I hear often, "I wish I had."

"You could get me that for Christmas."

But while I may mask my discontent and desire for more,

I see it in my own life as well.

With a pending move in the new year comes thoughts of a new home,

a new town,

a new neighborhood.,

and dreams ... lots of dreams.

And sometimes the dreams get out of control.

This morning I read a little devotional that began with Proverbs 17:1

"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith,

than a house full of sacrifices with strife."

And I felt the gentle reminder that while it was ok to look and plan,

while it is definitely good to pray specifically,

while it is good to know the needs,

...

but it is also good to recognize discontent and greed.

And I remember that God has always provided over and above.

When You Know Better

 Well, chalk another one up to "I knew better."

I mentioned that hubby took a sick day yesterday.

Then he was sweet and wanted to have a little date that evening.

He loves a good coffee and I will join him for a tea of some sort.

But our coffee shop was out of my favorite tea ...

and there was the "Apple Crisp Macchiato."

There are nothing like the flavors of fall - apple, pumpkin spice -

and they all go perfectly with coffee.

Surely just this once in 3 months would be ok - 

decaf - coconut milk - only 2 pumps of syrup instead of 3 ...

but "no," I spent the evening tossing and turning and taking surveys until 12:30 am.

The little caffeine, especially in the evening, just didn't work.

...And I knew better.

While the coffee was phenomenal, it was not worth it!

Isn't that the way with many of our decisions?

We think that surely this once we won't face the consequences.

Sometimes there is grace and mercy - 

but is it worth it?

Why not just do right?

What decision are you mulling over today?

Are you trying to get away with something?

Is there something you know you should give up ... completely?

Stop stifling your good progress!

Just let it go!

Choose Your Hard

 On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Saturdays,
I "enjoy" an interval run.
It is far from enjoyment.
It is an exercise in discipline.

I warm up for 5 minutes, run for 3, walk for 2, run for 3, walk for 2, ...
I continue for 35 minutes or 6 cycles.

As I ran last week on a particularly drippy day,
I thought of how much motivation it took to get myself outside.
I do not enjoy this activity ...
... at least until I reach the end,
... until I sleep so well at night,
... until I see the resting heart rate and blood pressure lowering,
... until I feel the accomplishment of beating my 20-year-old self.

There are a lot of hard choices.

I saw a quote that said something like ...

Work is hard, being broke is hard,
Choose your hard.
Exercise is hard, being unfit is hard,
Choose your hard.
Communicating is hard, not communicating is hard,
Choose your hard.
Marriage is hard, divorce is hard,
Choose your hard.

You get the idea.
I run because I want to stay mobile and healthy.
I want to enjoy the life I have.
I want to avoid the doctor when I can.
I value mobility more than I despise the intervals.

So you may face an issue that requires discipline.
It may be a hard choice.
But the alternative may not be easy either.
Make the effort to be disciplined today.

Choose to spend time with the Lord.
Choose to memorize His Word.
Choose to eat right.
Choose to take care of your body.
Choose to speak with grace.
Choose not to react in anger.

Choose the best hard.

Filled to Overflowing

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

 What is filling you?

In so asking, I also ask ... what is flowing out of you?

This week, we have heard much about politics.

It has been an unusual week.

But the question is: Are you filled and overflowing with Scripture?
I was challenged to look at a thanksgiving passage each day this month.
The first verse on the list included this verse.

And I thought, what is filling me?
A life saturated with the Word will spill over into the lives of others.
What is spilling?
Is it profitable?
Nothing is more profitable than God's Word!

As I thought about this, I prepared for church with a specific verse on my tongue.

Habakkuk 2:20
But the LORD is in his holy temple:
let all the earth keep silence before him.  

I want my words to be God's Words and to overflow with life for others.

Are you ready for church tomorrow or for work this week?
Are you saturated with the news?
a book?
a movie?
or with the life-giving Word?

The choice I want is obvious,
but it will take discipline and focus.
But oh, it is worth it!

Another Month Gone

 I can't believe that another month has gone by.

Hubby is back to teaching for a week or two, 

so I have a couple of extra hours a few evenings of each week to return to the blogosphere.

It has been a month of more changes and of making adaptations.

I determined to be more discipline in my housework.

I did get though the whole house in the month of September.

I am headed back through this month and getting some of the grime left behind by the smoke of the fires.

I determined to get back to running regularly.

Running (or wogging) is a relative term.

Hubby was wogging with me on Saturdays, but

I am now interval walk/jogging 2 other days each week by myself.

It seems to be the best way to get my heart rate in the peak zone to boost my stamina.

It also lowers my resting heart rate.

We have additional family responsibilities again.

It is nice to do what we came here to do,

but it does require additional time - 

especially on the weekends.

I am now teaching weekly.

I continue to have my little friends over to the house

for one hour each week to prepare specials for church.

And I am teaching a Sunday School class each Sunday.

Of course, this prep work has taken time as well.

And then, we always seem continue to adapt our diet 

as we determine what really fuels our bodies and keeps us feeling good.

We have been learning to use many more plant-based meals throughout the week.

I never really imagined that, but here we are.

This too has taken more research and time to find quality meals that provide all the nutrients we need without using meat and dairy all of the time.

And this leads me to the delicious meal that we had tonight.

A delicious Lentil and Quinoa Stew

The recipe called for beef, but also said that it could be left out.

The quinoa and the lentils provided plenty of protein.

And the quinoa has lowered hubby's blood pressure amazingly.

During his time in the military, he was actually hypertensive,

but now he is on the low side of normal!

Ingredients

2 tbsp extra light olive oil

½ cup quinoa (washed and rinsed)

1½ cups dried lentils (washed and rinsed)

½ cup carrots (peeled, chopped)

1 medium onion (chopped)

1 cup butternut squash (diced) 

2 bay leaves

1 tsp ground cumin

1½ tsp Himalayan salt

½ tsp Dried Oregano

½ tsp dried basil

¼ tsp dried rosemary

¼ tsp celery seeds

1 pinch rubbed sage

1 tsp ground black pepper

¼ tsp fennel seeds 

6 cups beef bone broth 

1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

• Heat oil in a deep pot over medium heat.  Add the quinoa and toss to coat. Once coated, add the lentils, onions, carrots, butternut squash and all herbs and spices along with the beef bone broth.
• Bring to a boil before reducing the heat to a low simmer. Cover and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes until the quinoa and lentils are cooked, adding water (and/or stock) as needed. Gently turn the ingredients occasionally to ensure that they don't stick or burn, and to ensure that there is enough liquid in the pot.
• Once the quinoa and lentils are fully cooked, discard the bay leaves and juniper berries and stir in the coconut oil.
• Turn off the heat and cover the pot for at least 15 minutes to allow the ingredients' flavors to meld together.

It was just so yummy on a cool fall night with some fresh bread.

The fennel seeds really give it a warm, pleasant flavor.

The recipe said it would feed 4,  but the portions were quite large.

The Comfort of a Schedule

 Are you a regimented person?
Love it?
Hate it?

I suppose we are all wired differently in this area.

Hubby and I are definitely creatures of habit.
It has come to our attention as we interact with others
that our schedule is not only a framework for us,
but a framework for them as they relate with us.

"Let's get together ... just not Monday or Friday, right?"
"Did you make it on your run yesterday?"
"How was Burgerville last night?  You went, right?"
"You didn't walk yesterday, you run on Saturday mornings"

My mom knows what days I am cleaning and shopping.
The church people know when we interval run mostly because they see me huffing and puffing down the street.
By now many have figured out that USUALLY on Friday night we will be headed to Burgerville
(we will make an exception this week so that we can grill our own burgers on Labor Day).

There is comfort in the structure.
There is an ease of scheduling because I know that everything has a time.
It is fairly easy to make plans because I know when hubby has to study and what nights are free.
I know when I can work on "wife" projects after dinner and when we will have moments as a couple.

1 Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.

Maybe our schedule is ordered to a fault,

but I do hope you have some type of a frame to hang your days on ...
Not a plan that pushes out spontaneity or ministry opportunities,

but a plan that gives you comfort knowing that you have a plan to accomplish the tasks before you
and maybe a plan that helps other people hold you accountable.

Time for a Reset

 While not totally ignorant in the realm of electronics,
there is always a fair amount of frustration that comes when a device does not work as expected.
My beloved Fitbit is often the prime culprit.
It won't sync.
It won't scroll through the screens.
It is just acting peculiar.
And then it is time for the reset button.
Just the simple act gets the device working as designed.
Something had gotten in the way and need to be cleared.

I feel like life recently has put me in the need of a reset.
It is easy to fill "dead" time with amusements (literally without thoughts).
The "shutdown" gave an "excuse"
but there really is no excuse for not using every moment wisely.

God keeps putting his finger on my heart.
Lessons in Colossians about the new "clothes" or traits that I should be wearing.
Lessons from Philippians on forgetting the past and pressing toward things before me.
Communication with a young woman who was conscientiously curbing her screen time.
The desire to be the best example to those around me while watching some bad habits creep in.

I just need to hit reset.
Clear the clutter.
Choose the best.
Focus on things that are eternal, things that will last.
Practice godly disciplines in time, in thoughts, in Bible Study, Bible Memory, and Prayer.

No, the Tuesday Transformation is not a picture from my house.
It is not a change in my physique.
It is prayerfully a change of mind that leads to a change in action
(yeah, that's the definition of repentance and the basis of a true reset).

Some Change

Multiple Meanings Ahead

It seems like there is change occurring all around us each day.

New rules, new policies, new stats ...

Right now America is going through a change shortage.

The signs in the store requiring exact change or credit and debit only are odd.

I am still earning some change daily.

If you have been reading long, you know that I love my Fitbit.

They should hire me to be an Ambassador for them.

I love the accountability and the challenge it gives me.

It has helped me to learn about my health and fitness.

Did you know that it tells me when I am getting sick?

Yes, my resting heart rate will skyrocket (at least 5 beats per minute)  a day or so before I go down.

The Fitbit also earns me money!

There is a website that lets you earn money for tracking your steps, your weight, your food, your water.

Whether you use a Fitbit, a Garmin, myfitnesspal, mapmyrun...

you just link it and earn points.

I earn about 500 points a week,

and after I earn 10,000 points,

they deposit $10 into my Paypal account.

Since we have two trackers in the house,

it is a fun little surprise every couple of months.

We have used the Achievement website for over 3 years with no problems.

If you are interested (and comfortable with the sharing of this type of information) and sign up using one of the links below, both of us get 100 points.

http://tinyurl.com/yxquyjfl

http://tinyurl.com/us4whla

And while we are on the topic,

hubby and I updated our trackers earlier in the year.

We have two trackers that are still perfectly usable and with multiple bands for each.

Check them out ... the Alta HR and the Charge HR

If you are interested, just comment or get in touch with me by text or email if you know me personally.

We would be happy to mail them off!

We will send them individually

but would be happy if they helped a couple or a family to challenge each other😀

**UPDATE**
the trackers have been claimed!

Where have you been? Part II

There are times in life when you just have to (or get to) sit back and evaluate what you are doing.

Moving cross country creates a natural opportunity for that.

You disconnect from almost everything that filled your schedule outside of homemaking.

It was hard to leave a Sunday School ministry,

a piano ministry,

choir,

a printing ministry,

and regular interaction with college students and young couples.

On top of that ... add a pandemic that halts everything.

Early in the fall,

I was really feeling disconnected and lacking ministry.

Through blogs and podcasts that I read and listen to for encouragement and challenge,

I thought that I needed to find some younger women to encourage.

I needed to be a part of the older encouraging the younger.

That demographic is a little sparse around me right now,

so I began writing letters - yes, good old fashioned snail mail.

Some college students, some young mothers, and some women just waiting on God's plan.

And then the pandemic began and there were church shut-ins to add to the list.

It has been a fun ministry for me.

Who doesn't like to get mail once in a while?

And hopefully, it will encourage a young woman in right paths.

Resistance

After some unsuccessful changes to my diet and exercise regiment,

I am back to some tried and true plans.

In order to see change,

I must have some resistance.

I must use weight (body weight or hand weights).

I must challenge my body.

I am back to the Couch to 5K running plan.

I like the disciplined approach

and the systematic training.

I am upping the handweights at home - 

striving to use 10 # and 15# more than my 5# and 8#.

I do not always like the "growing pains."

But with the pains comes progress.

It is hard to be thankful for resistance and trying.

I mentioned Tuesday that May had been a month of resistance.

I am not sure if I properly used all of my muscles,

or what results I will see on the other side,

but I am thankful for the opportunity to change.

Priorities

Proverbs 24:27,33-34
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, 

a little folding of the hands to sleep:

 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; 

and thy want as an armed man.

When the pilgrims arrived in the New World,
they put this verse into practice physically.
While living in one large, communal building,
they worked to get the crops in.
They knew that the fields around them would help to sustain them - feed them.
There would be time for the physical home later.

Do I heed this verse spiritually?
Do I feed my soul so that I have something to draw on when the difficulties come.

Personally,
I never skip a meal (or very rarely).
I try not to skip a workout.
Am I that committed to my devotions and quiet times in the priorities?
Is it crowded out by the day?

You and I need the Lord.
We need His strength, His comfort, His guidance, His leading.
We can choose to avail ourselves of His wisdom,
or we can crowd it out.

It comes back to diligence.
I cannot be lazy.
My laziness can and will breed physical poverty,
but it can also yield spiritual poverty.

I want a spiritual bank account that is full and that is available for withdrawals!