Three Things Right Now

 

Author Jen Hatmaker asks guests on her weekly podcast to name what or who is saving their lives right now. I love this question because we truly live in seasons where the answer will always vary. I think of this often when reflecting. My answer is in a set of 3:

1. Prayer: I'm not the go-to person when it comes to prayer. I pray BIG & BOLD prayers, and the devil knows this so he'll find everything possible to keep me from praying. I'm so glad God knows my heart and hears my prayers. When I do pray, I am so filled with balance and perspective and gratitude. This is definitely saving me.

2. Podcasts: Listening to a funny podcast (Office Ladies, thank you very much) easily removes the stress of the day.

3. Peloton: I have been using the Peloton app for cycling, running, strength training, yoga, meditation, and stretching for 30 straight days. I used to be the President and CEO of anti-exercise. Now, I actually look forward to working out. I almost don't recognize myself! Who am I?! I'm so grateful for the community within Peloton, as well as the routines I've been able to build. I may not see a difference in the scale yet, but for the first time in my life, I can jog/run for longer than 30 seconds. 

Three Things Right Now

 

1. Distance Learning is in full swing. 

2. It is hotter than the surface of the sun.

3. Kids love the beach and the mountains. We need a vacation home.

Three Things Right Now

1. Happy Summer Break!!
2. Do not Disturb
3. I'm reading :)

Three Things Right Now: Summer!

I am officially on summer break!!

For me, and the school I work at, that only means 6 weeks. But I'll take it!

1. Today starts our 3rd summer of swim lessons!

2. I'm very excited for my new set of kiddos when we start on July 31st.

3. I did a ton of prep work this weekend so I can really enjoy these next fews weeks off!

Three Things Right Now

1. Summer Break: It cannot come fast enough. I have a 4 day week, then the final week of kindergarten shenanigans to accomplish, including report cards and testing next year's group for placement. We've got most of the summer break booked with lots of family time: swim lessons, a wedding, our 8th anniversary, Six Flags, and a week-long trip to San Diego to include the Zoo, Safari Park, and the pool!

2. Student Loans: they have been knocking a little bit each month, and since I've graduated, they will be in full force this August. We are budgeting to get it all paid off in 5 years or less. 

3.  CPR ASAP: My CPR expired and now I'll have to take the entire 8 hour class. Again. Not thrilled with this.

Three Things Right Now

1. I LOVED Jen Hatmaker's 2004 book, A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study. In it, Jen gives concrete ways to change the way we study God's Word, and how to better use our time in our walk.

I'm using the lessons learned as I read The Battle Plan for Prayer and studying the book of Luke.
I know there are no such things as coincidences so I will write out how this week went: 
-thought about what my next step is now that school is over; do I write again, and if so, what is my theme? who is my audience? what is the purpose?
-small group email- leader asked us what we would do if we could impact our oikos. I wrote this question in my journal to ponder this week. 
-worked with a grief-ridden volunteer who shared her issues with a family member looking for inheritance and how she was being "so Jewish." UGH. When God's people forget what they've been taught about judging others...I have to give grace because a) she's grieving, and b) it's not the time or place to give her a lesson on being anti-semitic. It gets under my skin when God-fearing followers say things that Jesus would never say. I, too, have my moments, especially in the car - so hard to love His people on the road! But in the end, she is grieving and nothing I can offer will change her words/opinions/feelings. I can just listen and choose the right words that God places on my heart.
-decided that my answer is "speak."  If I could impact my oikos, it would be to speak the right words that would activate a heart change. It would be to use my words, verbally, to bring people to Jesus, to declare His sovereignty over their lives, and to worship the good work He's doing.
-Was looking over my "to read" list and decided to look up some titles on Amazon. I've been want to read Speak: How Your Story Can Change the World, and wouldn't you know it...it was on sale! I downloaded it to my Kindle app for $2.99 and am a third of the way through.
-I also need to use my words to pray more.
-I believe all these things really have to do with speaking truth. I have to be careful not to get wrapped up in gossip, news headlines, and outside stressors because none of that advances God's kingdom.

2. Ryan's vocabulary is exploding. He's using words like "because" and "but" correctly. He asks questions with inflection and, if the tantrum fits, will speak in opposites (like if I ask him to be a good boy, he'll say he wants to be a bad boy- toddlers are fun!).
We do visual routine cards now and Ryan has really attached to them. He'll look at the paper and know what to do next. I'm ery stunned that he went with the art card and painted:

He will also start reading a book by saying, "Once upon a time..." I'm not sure where this came from, but it is SO STINKIN' CUTE! 
We had our first successful meal out at a restaurant in what seems like forever. Ryan was so much better! By the grace of God, he ate his Denny's breakfast and let us eat ours!

3. I've come to the conclusion, now that I'm done with myPhD, that life was stressful and now it isn't. I find myself creating stress where and when it is unnecessary. This, coupled with my Bible study, has been very eye-opening, and I am slowly processing it.
Even after reading Luke 1 and declaring that I am open to how God wants me to serve, I'm finding myself eager to start new projects. I have to be careful, though, on choosing the best yes for the season I'm in. I found myself contemplating projects, only to stop myself and remembering to stay true to the path God has me on.