Resolved

I resolved this year to take better care of myself.

This is playing out in so many different areas of my life. I'm trying to take better care of myself physically by counting calories and actively trying to lose weight. I'm down about three pounds, which isn't all that much, but I'm realizing that it's just going to be slow and I'm going to have to take baby steps. I've also been trying to do my knee exercises to strengthen them. It's supposed to help the stress and strain on my poor arthritic knees, but I don't feel the difference. I guess I just have to be persistent in it for a lot longer. I'm also trying to do about half an hour or so of pilates every two or so days. It's hard with the Little Monkey, so I have to schedule around his naps and when people are here. It's easy to make excuses when there are real reasons to not get active, but I'm working on it. We'll see how I keep it up :)

I'm also trying to take better care of myself spiritually. This also is coming in a few different forms. I've started listening to John Piper's sermons about 4 times a week. They have been super encouraging, and God has been using them to bolster up my spirit in the hard times, my husband and I are finding ourselves in. A common theme has been "You accomplish more than you see." That phrase alone means so much! We have been working so hard on building up a place for ourselves. So far, what we have done seems to be crashing down around us. It's been hard to have friendships dissolve and other new relationships fizzle. We are persevering, but it is taking all that we are to do so. When Mr. Piper explains God's perspective instead of our own, it really encourages me!
Another way I've been working on taking better care of myself spiritually is to be reading a non-fiction Christian book every month. So far, I'm in the middle of The Discipline of Grace, by Gerald Bridges. It's also been a wonderful reminder of what God has done for me, and how I am okay in Him no matter what I do or don't do.

Emotionally - I'm not exactly sure how to go about taking better care of myself here. I'm not saying I am perfect here, but simply that I do not know how to go about it. I have a few ideas, like journaling more, or taking time to just be alone with no distractions. I feel like the best way to improve my emotional health is to gain a bosom friend who lives in close proximity.

Academically- I've been working on writing a novel. I would like to finish it this year. I'm also trying to read a classic novel, or something that is challenging to read a month. Or, if it takes shorter than that, as much as I can fit in. I would like to keep my mind active and not lose vocabulary.

Creatively - I'm trying to start a craft group for newer English speakers where they can practice conversation skills. It's also a place to learn a new craft, or pursue one that is already know. I'm hoping to hone some of the skills I have and possibly learn some new things too!


So, these are my efforts, hopefully they will last all year.

as always, SDG

Simmering

I've been thinking. I have a year, maybe more, in this house. It's starting to feel like home. There's a well lived in feel. It might just be that there is usually a dish unwashed, toys scattered all over the floor, or that my pillow (and husband) lives here.
It's a good feeling, but at the same time, it's really hard for me. I have ONLY a year, maybe more, here. I want to put down down some kind of roots, but I know I will have to pull them up again shortly, and I will most likely leave parts of my root-y heart here.
I've started meeting people. I've started getting involved in various activities that are becoming routine. I've started enjoying it here. This is a huge step.

I've also been thinking about thinking about how other things besides my location need to change and how, similarly, it will hurt and I might have to leave part of myself behind. It is probably necessary, but I don't really FEEL like I want to do it.

I need to change my view of God. I need to see Him as He truly is, not how I want to see Him. I know I cannot do it on my own, but I realize I need to actually engage in changing my world view.

I need to change my view of my husband. He is a wonderful man, friend, leader, and so on. I need to remember that, and act on it. So often, I find myself taking him for granted. It starts a vicious cycle that just goes rapidly downhill.

I need to change my idea about myself and set some achievable goals. I'm not sure what they would be, but I do NEED to do it. Things like losing 80 pounds would probably be a good idea. I have so many reasons and justifications, but I need to get over it and actively try to change. I need to find my worth firmly seated in God, too. I DO and DO and DO so so so much and put so much stock in it that I forget that GOD has called me HIS OWN, and that is what truly matters.

There are other things simmering in my mind. I guess I'll have to wait and see what kind of mellowed flavors come out this pot of my head.

sdg

Changes

So much is new. Our house, our eating, our everything. Moving has caused upheaval in every realm of our life, save spiritual. God has been faithful and steadfast and for that I am extremely grateful.

We moved a week ago yesterday. Five hours away from our old home, and it seems to be so different. We moved from a sub-rural place to a big city. It's nuts. We went from not being close to anything to being withing 5 minutes from 5 Starbucks! It's definitely stimulation overload. I've lived in a city before, but I think it's a different kind of culture shock going from one part of a province to another. It's strange, because you do not think that there will be much change, but there is - really is. The attitudes and ways of life are so different and in ways that is very hard or almost impossible to articulate at the very beginning.

Life is interesting, and I think we're starting to settle well, but I think there is a lot of emotional baggage that is not unpacked, even if all of our physical boxes are. We'll see how this goes.

Well, pray for us.

In Him,

SDG!