So much has happened since we turned the calendar from 2021 to 2022.  Said another way, January has been a month of one TRIAL after another.

Health/Weight Loss

I knew before my doctor’s appointment that he was not going to be happy with me. My weight-loss progress got derailed with holiday snacking and leftovers.  I had abandoned regular exercise and was consuming way too much caffeine. It was hard to hear the disappointment in Dr. Cheregi’s voice, but I knew everything he said was accurate.

I have since grabbed the bull by the horns and begun to get back on track.  With regular exercise, a drastic decrease in calories, and 80+ ounces of water per day, the scale has already started to go in the right direction again.

Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight is a TRIAL that will be with me for a long time to come. Fortunately, I know that my medical team will be with me every step of the way with ENCOURAGEMENT and discipline as needed.

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.  – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 & 6:19-20 NASB

TRIALS of Loved Ones

I don’t know about you, but when people that I love are hurting, my first instinct is to do “something” to take away the pain.

I can’t heal broken bodies.

I can’t wish away illness.

I can’t remove job stress.

I can’t remove financial hardship.

But I can pray and I can provide ENCOURAGEMENT along the way.

Just this week, God led me to send several handwritten notes and provide shoes for a three-year-old whose daddy hasn’t been able to work much lately.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Preschool Quarantine

Since we went back to school on the 3rd, we have been a seemingly endless cycle in and out of quarantine. This translates to long hours of mapping and remapping routes as needs for lunch and homework delivery fluctuates. We, of course, have to coordinate this with the cooks and the teachers to make sure that everything is ready to go. And just when we get used to the new routes, things change again. Yes, it has been a TRIAL, but I still love my job.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I tell you, anyone, who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them, and blessed them. – Mark 10:13-16 NIV

In my heart of hearts, I know that we will eventually be on the other side of this nightmare called the coronavirus covid-19 pandemic, but until then, we must all do what we can to keep ourselves and others safe & healthy.

<><><>

Sorry that I broke the 5-minute rule this week. 😉