Fill 'er up

 I challenged myself with the rainbow challenge.

It has caused me to drink more spinach!

It has caused me to grab a handful of crudites with any lunch

(a radish, a cherry tomato, a mini cucumber, a mini pepper, some baby carrots).

With just a few mini veggies - I can get most of my rainbow.

I started the challenge with a balance that leaned toward more fruit,

and ended up getting more and more veggies!

So how about some habit stacking?

Hopefully, you have been practicing the rainbow of fruits and vegetables

and it is becoming second nature.

Fruits and vegetables are a powerhouse of fiber.

The skin and seeds in the "rainbow" are great for the body!

How about looking for even more fiber?

Fiber boosts metabolism,

fiber lowers cholesterol and blood sugar,

fiber keeps things "moving",

fiber feeds healthy bacteria in the digestive tract boosting immunity and aiding digestion,

fiber keeps you full for longer (less snacking).

So start looking at your meals.

Are they empty?

What can you add to your fruits and vegetables?

How about some oatmeal or granola for breakfast?

Whole wheat bread or even sprouted grains for a sandwich?

Corn tortilla chips instead of potato chips? 

(neither is stellar, but the tortilla chips have more fiber)

Brown rice instead of white rice?

A meal with beans at the core instead of meat?

Whole grain pasta and noodles instead of white pasta?

Could you throw brown rice or barley in a soup you are already making?

How about trying a new grain like quinoa or buckwheat?

What about sprinkling some ground flax on your yogurt or blending in your smoothie?

Try nuts on your yogurt or with your cereal or granola.

More Recovery Than A Wrist

 Other than the first 27 years of my life when I didn't know what a workout was,

I do not believe that I have ever had more than a week off from my workouts.

With surgery, splint, cast, and the first few weeks of wrist rehab,

I went 8-10 weeks without a really good workout.

Yes, I tried, but there was only so much I could do without jarring too much,

lifting too much,

or being in an unstable position.

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving,

hubby and I did our "Turkey Trot."

It was rough, but it was a start back into things.

We did 6 rounds of jog 2 minutes, and walk 2 minutes.

This week, I have started back at the beginning of the Couch 2 5K program.

The first week is a 60-second jog and a 90-second walk for 8 rounds.

I need to build my endurance and stamina back.

I also started back to more dedicated strength sessions instead of just cardio.

There is a bit of creativity involved to accommodate this weak, stiff wrist,

but it is good to be back.

I don't know how long the wrist rehab will take or how long it will be till I can use my 12 lb weights again,

but you have to start somewhere.

Right now I am rehabbing the wrist for 45 min to an hour 3-4 times a day.

I am "running" 3 times a week.

I am back to my workouts 5-6 days a week.

And when I am not rehabbing ...

there is the typical "woman's work."

But the house is fairly easy to keep in shape,

and I am keeping the meals simple and light after our holiday feasts.

Happy New Year!

 Welcome, 2022!

It is always nice to have that "fresh" start.

2021 was full of new experiences and 2022 will be as well.

I am treating 2022 as a new adventure!

I hope you have made some plans for the new year.

I have not made any "resolutions" per se, 

but there are always things to work on.

We have a goal to purchase our first home after a move back across the country.

I desire to read more in the evenings.

I want to keep writing notes to others and sending them the old-fashioned way.

Of course, there are always goals as a homemaker.

I want to continue to build my plant-based menu ideas.

I want to be more aware of my spending.

Today, the Christmas tree came done.

The ornaments were put away and the tree was prepared for the dumpster.

Tomorrow, I will put up some winter decorations or jump directly to Valentine's Day decor.

Tomorrow will also bring a focus on Zone 2 - the kitchen!

That is hubby's favorite zone for me to clean

and my least because the "clean" lasts for such a short time.

And the meal plan for the week ...

Sunday - leftover turkey and gravy (frozen from Thanksgiving) with mashed potatoes and peas/carrots

Monday - Veggie Burgers and French Fries

Tuesday - Vegetable Stew

Wednesday - Breakfast for Dinner 

(Rice and Sausage Breakfast Casserole - without Sausage and cheese add black beans)

Thursday - Asian Pad Thai

Friday - Winter Veggie Soup

The only experiment this week was tonights veggie burgers.

I often eat frozen veggie burgers, but hubby hasn't enjoyed them.

Tonights meal was a success.

The burgers were moist and flavorful.

We enjoyed with pickles and either may or mustard.

Next time we will put some guacomole on top!

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!

Clean It Up

Back to Woman's Work Wednesday ... 

Part of our responsibilities of my MIL's estate
was to prepare her "home" to be donated.
We rented a steam cleaner to clean the carpets
and while we had the cleaner, I asked hubby to spot clean a few stains in our home.
The spots he cleaned showed us just how dirty the carpets were.
The carpet throughout the whole house really needed doing.
We are not sure that the cleaners before we moved in put a lot of effort into the process.

Some simple math led me to believe that I could buy a small machine
to clean my carpets and then I could sell it for half the price when we move
and make out better than renting one again.
I could take my time and I could do it more than once.

So last week I began the process.
I finished 2 rooms (the living room and bonus room).
Monday, I finished the dining room.
Yesterday, I completed the guest room.
Now I just have the Master Bedroom for next week.
I will probably repeat the process upon completion,
because I was actually still not getting clean rinse water after completing the first round.

I love the feeling of "knowing" that my house is really clean.
It is more than just the superficial.
It is a "breath easier" feeling.

What are you working on specifically this week?

Do you have a goal project?

I have also been working on running again.
It is actually going fairly well. 
I am no longer timing myself per se.
I am not trying to do a 10-minute mile.
I am interval running 2-3 times a week.
I have read that interval exercise is actually better than steady running.
It keeps the heart working and recovering over and over again.
I run for 2 minutes, I walk for 2 minutes, and I repeat it 6-8 times.
You know what?
it is getting more enjoyable (most days).
And some days, I actually move fast enough that hubby can get some cardio value from it.
All part of that effort to take care of my health.
And this time of year, who can't enjoy the fall leaves, the cooler temperatures, and the fall decorations?

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.

I'm Sorry --- I Can't Be Proud of You

How many times do we hear it?

I'm so proud of you!

I'm proud of what I have accomplished!

I'm proud to be an American!

I'm proud of the stands I have taken!

I'm proud of my work!

I'm proud of my children!

But the Bible has nothing good to say about pride.

In fact, God resists the proud.

Perhaps He even gives thorns to help us resist pride.

II Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, 

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, 

the messenger of Satan to buffet me, 

lest I should be exalted above measure.

Paul easily could have been lifted up in pride.

Indeed, he was a great apostle, writer, teacher of doctrine.

He even listed his titles and accomplishments and were they not impressive?

He felt that His thorn kept Him from being lifted up.

Hubby and I were reading a book the other night about the Spurgeons.

Mr. Spurgeon - "the prince of preachers" - and yet the author relayed an incident in his early preaching ministry that stuck with him the rest of his life and perhaps held his ministry back.

It made us think of Paul's verse about his thorn.

I can think of  MANY areas that I struggle with in the area of pride.

I can also think of "thorns" that help me to keep those areas of pride in check (sometimes😖)

For years, I have excused it as semantics.

I said "proud" but I meant thankful, I meant pleased, I meant ...

but I don't anymore.

All things are supposed to bring glory to God, not me.

Perhaps we should use Bible phrases ...

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

 "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."

"But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord."

Think about it!

Would it be so bad to erase it from our vocabulary?

Do we really want to be described as proud?

Resolution 2: Just and Blameless

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,

and Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:8-9

Don't you love when someone extends grace to you?

How many times does my mouth seem to disconnect from my brain?

How many times do I fail to meet an obligation?

I need a lot of grace.

The Bible says that there is none righteous.

I can't meet God's standard,

so I am glad for the grace that He extends.

Noah found grace as a just and blameless person!

He was not perfect - he was blameless, there was nothing that would stick to him.

He dealt with his sins.

He made things right with his fellow man.

Now that is a worthy resolution:

Live justly and blamelessly.

Building Strength: Resolution 1

It is typical this time of year to hear of resolutions.

"I will work out more."

"I will lose weight."

The local gyms are packed with people starting the year by making a change.

There are many new runners along the side of the road.

The local stores are advertising weights, yoga mats, and protein shakes.

I will admit,

we did buy a new pair of dumbbells to add to our collection😃

I do advocate good health.

I like to encourage exercise.

I try to be a balanced example in my eating.

But more important than physical muscles and strength

is building a reliance on God.

Psalm 105:4

Seek the LORD and his strength.

I need to seek Him and His strength

in service, 

in everyday tasks,

in hard places,

for wisdom and direction,

for victory over sin,

in ministry,

in my finances,

in the face of temptation,

in sickness,

in areas to exercise discipline,

for guidance in witnessing.

Later in Psalm 105 ...

Psalm 105:37

...there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

Out of all the Jews in the wilderness, ... not one lacked strength.

They had the LORD's enabling and strength.

Why then do I try to work in my own strength when His is so much greater?

Happy New Year!

Did anyone else feel like 2018 just flew by?

At this time last year, we were searching.

We were searching for a new church home.

We were searching for direction.

We were searching for ministry.

We were searching for the lessons in the trials.

God has brought us so far.

He led us to a new church home with folks to build us up,

with folks to encourage us,

with folks to teach us,

with new directions, challenges, and ministries.

In January 2018, we felt lost.

We felt weak.

We felt confused ...

...And God never failed.

2018 was one of growth in new and unexpected ways.

We learned to sit.

We learned to look beyond our typical ministries.

We learned to get out of our comfort zone.

Isn't God good?

Of course in the new year,

I have to look back at my goals.

They were lofty.

I didn't accomplish them all.

But I did stretch myself in some areas.

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week.  

Started strong, but this got particularly lost because of the church printing ministry, travels, and hubby's book.

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February.

Yes - Chalk this one up to a success.  It ended up being a stack of 4x6 cards, but it really helped me focus.  

Read through the Bible in the year.

Check.

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

No - I did get Psalms 1-3 memorized and reviewed James.  

I must admit that this is a discipline that I know I can do, but I let it slip through the cracks.

Exercise 4 days per week.

I think this was met.

Meet step goals daily.

13000 a day.  I met this at least 5 days a week.

I had to learn to give myself grace - especially when ministering to others led to less steps.

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)

I got farther than any other year, but did not keep up with 4 lessons per week.

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.

Success.  Definitely read more this year!

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.

This was completed just at the end of December.

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.

This was a success.  Exercise is a big part of our life.

We are enjoying regular workouts together during the week as well.

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day.

I think I made great strides in this area.

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.

Pretty close ...

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).

Yes, so many folks to thank ... 

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.

Score!

Find a place of ministry.

I feel like I learned that ministry is sometimes just the friendly face and hand shake.

There are so many people who just need a friend.

I also helped in the college care package ministry and the church printing ministry.

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.

This was a great blessing to the whole household.

Work to organize and declutter 5 home areas - 2 under bed areas, 2 closets, and 1 shed.

Have maintained these areas so much better.

So there you have it.

Some successes ... some failures ... but lots of learning.

Derailed ... but getting back on track

Please tell me that I am not the only one ...

one who can be easily derailed from my plans and goals.

It can happen with schedules, with diets, with exercise plans.

I think that it started with a strange sore throat/sinus mess

 that has hit me 3 times in 4 months.

It is easy to get discouraged in sickness.

It is hard to just bounce back after 3-4 days of blah.

Then there was an enjoyable trip to NY - 

more change of schedule.

And we got to enjoy our niece for a week -

another change of pace.

In this time, I also agreed to paint at church.

At this point it is almost done ...

only two storage rooms and the sanctuary.

I love the work, but it is another change.

Friday, I took some time to reevaluate ... to get back on track ... to recommit.

I have kept up on reading and really have been challenged by some of the books I have read.

We have kept up with entertaining once a month and have even been invited to others' homes.

The Isaiah book is close to completion (at least the actual writing)

so we start editing soon.

But the Hebrew lessons have suffered.

I am excited to recommit to them.

This past month I have been encouraged to develop a skill that I enjoy,

to not be content to be stagnant.

I guess it comes from being around folks who are more advanced at it than I am.

I have started a church based music theory course to further develop my piano playing (and my piano teaching).

For years, I have avoided theory, probably afraid of failing.

It is the reason I did not pursue a music minor in college!

Some of our college kids have challenged me to go to the school to take it,

but, I always made excuses.

Not this time,

The course will teach theory, modulations, playing softly, arranging, transposing, playing congregation music, analyzing music ...

It will be a commitment,

but oh how useful it will be wherever God has us.

March Update

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week  (you all can attest to this one)

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February. 

(this is really helping me)
Read through the Bible in the year. (On track)

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.  (failed)

(considering printing these out and taking them on my walks)

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).
(nothing this month)

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily. 

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)
(Added 17 in February (short by one) for a total of 73 lessons)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.
(Read 2 whole and 2 half - finished book on the home and started a new one, read one on Charles Dickens, 1 on Eleanor of Aquitaine)

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.
(on schedule to have text done by end of may)

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.  (at least 1 per week - easier in nicer weather)

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day. (Improvement seen)

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.  (sent out happy mail and almost daily notes during midterms)

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).
(4 for the month)

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.  (got in 3 - 2 groups of students and one family)

Find a place of ministry.
(still focusing on encouragement for others)

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.  (it is still organized as we speak!)

February Update

It is time for another update on the 2008 goals.

February was a little rough ... we struggled with sickness or fighting sickness for 1 - 2 weeks.

During those weeks, I definitely got a little lazy.

Definitely have some ground to make up this month especially in Bible memory.

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week  (you all can attest to this one)

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February. 
(used my new 3x5 card system and feel more organized in my effort to suppot others in prayer)

Read through the Bible in the year. (On track)

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.  (Barely Psalm 3)

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).
(nothing this month)

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily.  (missed about 2 days of hitting 13,000 steps)

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)
(Added 15 in February (short by one) for a total of 56 lessons)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.
(Read 1 whole and 2 halves - finished book on George Washington, read one on Florence Nightengale, 1/2 of one on the home)

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.
(suffered a little, but we are getting our rhythm back)

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.  (eeked out at least 1 per week)

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day. (Improvement seen)

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.  (14 valentines to local students, 2 valentines to nonlocal college student, 1 card to recruit in boot camp)

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).
(5 for the month)

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.  (got in 1)

Find a place of ministry.
(still focusing on encouragement for others)

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.  (Yes, it is organized as we speak!)

Recharge and Refocus

In my effort to hit the restart,

I think that it will be profitable to set goals ...

SMART goals ...

Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timely

My goal will be to be accountable to you at the end of each month - 

Will I reach the marks?

Some of the goals will be relatively easy,

others (primarily the Bible memory) will be harder,

but if I shoot at nothing ... I'll be sure to hit it (nothing).

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February.

Read through the Bible in the year.

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily.

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day.

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.

Find a place of ministry.

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.

Work to organize and declutter 5 home areas - 2 under bed areas, 2 closets, and 1 shed.

Are you challenging yourself this year?

Care to share?

Do you want to challenge me as well?

Reboot

I have been a little scarce here recently.

Hubby and I have had a month or two of tough paths.

It has been one of those paths where you question where you are.

Are you where you need to be?

Are you doing what you need to do?

Are you distracted from what really needs to be done?

Are you helping or hindering?

While the path has been hard,

it has taken us to some good answers,

some changes,

some refocusing ...

a reboot.

More later ...

Personal Goals

Nearly 3 years ago I began the Couch to 5K program.

I completed the program, but weather, schedules, or disinterest caused me to stop running.

I restarted the program early this summer.

I went slow.

I repeated some weeks numerous times.

I allowed myself grace.

I invited hubby on my runs to push me.

Yesterday, I saw a personal best.

I did my 3 miles in 32 min. 55 sec.

4 minutes of that was a warm up walk and I walked another 1 1/2 min. in the middle.

My goal is 30 minutes.

Eventually I will do my 5 min. warm up and then start the 3 miles.

Doable?

Maybe ... but if not, the challenge is beneficial and keeps me motivated.

Prayer Warriors

I am often brought to tears when someone reminds me that they are praying for me.

This is not the flippant saying,

but the heartfelt words that convey concern - 

concern that brings my needs before the Heavenly Father.

I can think of four specific people that have expressed such concern and love to me this year

(and I am sure that there are more.)

I am thankful for those who are prayer warriors on my behalf - 

those who seek to know my needs when I cannot even utter them.

One of my goals/resolutions in the new year

is to be more of a prayer warrior for others - 

to be specific,

to pray beyond the church prayer list,

to know people and their needs,

to pray earnestly for those needs,

to be an answer when I can.

Sometimes it is hard to be specific,

to carry the burdens of others.

Many times God has told me to put feet to my prayers.

Those feet might involve stretching myself.

How Often?

It has been a little slower around the house the past week.

My cold has drained me by the time I clean up from dinner,

and hubby is still adjusting to the new job and the faster pace at a busier shop.

And so, we have had more time to talk.

I LIKE that.

Reevaluating schedules, habits, spending, ...

Where are we?

Where do we want to be?

How will we get there?

Are we on the right path?

How often do you reevaluate?

Is it often enough?

Too often?

Welcome 2013!

Happy New Year one and all!

We wish you a year of spiritual growth and wellness.

Does that tell you where my resolutions lie?

Hubby made his resolution to know Christ better this year and asked me to join in.

He encouraged me to read through the gospels with an eye on the character of Christ

and then to emulate that character.

As I read this morning in Matthew, I came to the baptism of Jesus.

Today, I saw Christ's submission to His Father's will.

John did not want to baptize his Savior, he knew he was unworthy,

but Jesus assured him that it was part of God's plan and a righteous act.

True submission to God's will -

I often struggle to accept His way the first time.

If I am to be like Christ, I need to submit willingly.

I also resolve each year to try to be more healthy in my eating and activities,

To be more disciplined in my daily tasks by sticking to routine, and

and to finish memorizing Galatians and start another book.

Drawing to a Close

Well, tomorrow starts task of learning to write 2013.

I like the start of a new year.

I like to wonder what it holds and where I will be at this time next year.

 

I hardly expected to be writing this post from NC, but here I sit.

God is not done teaching me here or using me here.

I have now lived in NC longer than any other place I have live in my adult life.

(3 years FL, 4 years NY, 4 years WA, and now entering 5th year in NC)

I hardly expected to be writing using wireless Internet,

yet God supplied in the last week.

I hardly expected to revamp the entire way I shop, cook, bake, eat out,

yet I have entered the world of allergy free cooking.

 

I did set a few goals for last year.

I wanted to run more and even do 3 miles straight.

I wanted to memorize the book of Galatians.

I wanted to work on contentment.

 

I did finish the Couch to 5K program.

My time was reasonable and I improved my stamina and stride.

Unfortunately, I did not really keep it up, but I do run better now when I do run.

Hubby and I changed our schedules so we are running again together

and I will soon be back in form.

I got through 3 1/2 chapters of Galatians and plan to finish it this year.

Some was a lack of diligence on my part,

some was caused by some health struggles that seem to be improving.

I mentioned last week about how the gluten-free diet helped my depression ...

... and it also helped my contentment in the past year. (Praise the LORD!)

 

There is always so much to do and to adapt to be more like Christ and less like the world.