School's Out! Part 5

Day 317  My sister called and invited me to lay out at the pool with her, and eventhough I wasn't in the mood to because I wanted to be productive, I found myself choosing time with her and enjoying the sunny weather over accomplishing my "schedule."  I was surprised that the decision was so easy and we ended up having one of the best, most personal convos we've had in a long time.  I noticed afterward that she called me a lot more throughout the week to hang out; it felt nice!   

Day 318  I was lonely.  We'd finished playing sandvolleyball, went to Portillo's with the group, and I just didn't want to be alone.  A certain someone was being distant, I needed people, and I knew I needed to claim the night instead of the mood claiming me.  So, I invited myself over to my sisters to watch a movie--the three of us huddled around the Redbox until we found our selection and then relaxed on the couch for a late-night movie.  By the time I got in bed, I was so tired that I crashed out without the chance of loneliness to  return.

Day 319  There is something totally freeing about cleaning out your wallet, lining your many credit cards (yes, plural) on the kitchen counter, and chopping them up with a shiny pair of scissors.  Debt be gone!!

Day 320  A certain choir girl who I've been trying to reach out to, who doesn't really talk to me at all, totally shocked me--I was one of seven people that she handed an invitation to, inviting us to a free movie at the Hollywood Palms dinner movie theater!  She'd won 8 tickets and wanted to bring ME!  Tonight we went to the movie, and even though I'd already seen it, I kept that to myself and went along for the fun.  It was a blast, and she even hugged me when we left!!

Day 321  Today I experienced the most physical pain I've ever had in my life--severe piercing in my stomach and so much bloating I thought I'd burst.  I stood over the sink, feeling like I was going to throw up, crying and praying for the Lord's help.  I could barely move it was so painful.  No one was around to help me, and I was left to face it alone.  After barely being able to get out, "Help me, Jesus!" I realized I needed to put my mind on Him, not the pain.  I claimed the moment and began to shout thanksgiving and praise to His name as the tears came.  I began to sing worship songs and thank Him for who He is.  I distinctly remember all of a sudden being very aware that HE was there, and He was holding me in His hand, and that was better than any physical person or doctor.  After about 20 or 25 minutes, the pain left.  Little by little, the bloating decreased and the scare was over. 

Day 322  I (finally) mailed out a letter and up-to-date photos of my family and me to a dear elderly lady, my "grandma," I sent a Christmas card to over the holidays.  She'd written back and I had her letter laying on my desk for months, awaiting a much-deserved reply.  Funny, how life gets away from us.

Day 323  My close friends who just got married came to visit.  They are fun, crazy, and goofy all in one!  It was already past 10pm or 11pm and they decided they wanted to get pizza and punch.  I was very tired.  Totally not in the mood to go.  When my sister volunteered to go with them, I knew I needed to claim it instead of being lazy and sitting on the couch staring at the wall or snoozing.  All of us (my sister, brother-in-law, their big dog, my two friends, and I) piled in the little Honda and sped off to SuperWalmart.  We ended up having a blast, as the my friends brought along their new video camera and were narrating the entire experience.  I haven't laughed like that in a long time!!

Lesson:  A claim will not be regretted

School's Out! Part 2

Day 296 Tonight at our sand volleyball game we were missing a player and for some reason going down to five players totally threw us off; we got demolished by a team that we beat last year!  Claim?  Choose to not let it put me in a bad mood and definitely NOT let it ruin my night. I'd decided ahead of time to not order any food after the game, but letting go and enjoying a jumbo pretzel (with cheese) and a rootbeer, and chatting with my friends, was just what I needed!  It ended up being a fun night!

Day 297  For four years I've been having a lot of problems with my digestion.  I've gone to doctors and chiropracters, gotten blood tests and done body cleanses, and still have not found a solution.  I recently was told that fiber is extremely important in the process of digestion and got an e-mail from a friend with links to fiber-rich foods.  Instead of pushing it off as a "to-do later" task, I decided to actually follow through, read through the articles, and print off the lists of fiber-rich foods. I put them on my refrigerator as a reminder, and also crammed a lot of fiber into my diet today: two fiber bars, two apples, baby carrots, and raisin bran.

Day 298  A few weeks ago I borrowed a captivating book by Nicholas Sparks called "The Choice" from my sister-in-law.  It pulled me in immediately, but when I got two-thirds of the way through and things started getting sad, I had to put it down.  Life is already sad enough at times; I wanted to escape into bliss, not be weighed down by another tragic story.  It sat on my coffee table for the next few weeks, pleading me to read but I couldn't enter that world again.  Finally, I decided it was time.  Today, I grabbed the book, my hot pink lawn chair, and some ice water, and laid out in my back yard determined to finish it.  There were some tears, but they were good tears, and when I closed the book I was inspired to hold onto hope for true love.

Day 299  What is it about reading a book in bed, lit only by the gleam of a flashlight, that brings excitement and a sense of adventure?? Tonight I escaped into the inspiring words of the devotional "The Princess Warrior" before clicking off the flashlight and falling asleep...

Day 300  Tonight at a girl friend's wedding my drink was taken away by the waitress while I was over talking to the bride and groom.  I realized it as soon as I returned to the table with my mouth watering for the juicy cherry at the bottom of my glass.  I debated for a minute, mustered up some gumption, and then went up to the bartender and explained my "tragic" story; the free drink, with more plump cherries at the bottom, was delicious!

Day 301  New people. New places to go.  Today it was to a baseball game party with a girl friend of mine who is involved in a young adult's group at a different church.  Didn't want to go, but got myself into the social mindset.  This claim didn't work.  Although I meet new people and enjoyed some conversation, I left missing the attention and close companionship of a certain someone.  How long, Lord?
 
Day 302  After ruling out the mission trip I'd called the church about (due to finances and the short deadline), I read about a "Steps of Paul" trip and felt pressed to go.  I love the life and ministry of Paul, and knew it had to be a prettyh amazing trip.  I must admit it felt great driving to the church knowing I was finally attending an informational meeting there (for the past three years there have been meetings I've thought of going to but considered it an inconvenience and instead would head home for a relaxing Sunday afternoon).  The meeting was refreshing, inspiring, and motivating.  The trip was a cruise through Greece, Turkey, and Italy.  I was at least 20-30 years younger than everyone there, but it was exciting to see the vacation the various couples could take due to comfortable financial situations and an open schedule (the two-week trip is in the middle of the school year for me).  I left sad for my parents and for myself, but also hopeful at the thought of a bright future.

Lesson: lead your life; don't let it lead you.

Day 145 Unclaimed Chocolate Cake

Tonight I opted for a healthy, home-cooked meal and spare change in my pocket.  Living alone, and often being too busy or tired to cook, I rarely pull out the pots and pans to make a tasty dish.  If you live alone, you understand...  It takes 30 minutes to cook, 10 minutes to sit and eat (all alone), and another 30 minutes to clean everything up!  How is that worth it?  When I have the energy, I will try to cook, as we all know it is much healthier than those yummy McDonald's fries or the bulky barbacoa burrito from Chipotle...

So tonight I chose healthy, and I chose to save money by selecting ingredients from my sparce food collection.  I have been eating out way too much, especially since I haven't stocked up on groceries since I came back from visiting my parents over the holidays, and need to get control of my budget!  Well, my claim to eat healthy tonight didn't last long--a friend stopped by with a surprise: a huge, moist, deeply cherished and wonderfully frosted piece of chocolate cake from Portillo's (my first ever).

Heavenly. 
I don't regret it!

(The piece honestly looked exactly like this picture!)

Lesson: Portillo's has the best chocolate cake ever!!

Day 89 Strawberry Secrets

Day 89

A 100 Year Anniversary drew me to Zion, IL.
A church & ministry training center--
The Zion Faith Homes--
100 years.
I grew up going to this peaceful place.
This weekend was one of reunions and reminiscing.
To see friends, pastors, and missionaries I haven't seen in years!
(15 years have passed since seeing some)
What an event!

Claim?
I was laying in bed,
had already claimed something small that day,
but then I was tossing and turning....
and tossing....
and on and on...
problem?
My stomach was growling!
Late night snack?
As a guest in this house?
At 11:30 at night?
I was cozy.
Comfy.
Just getting warm.
But I was HUNGRY.

"Just go find something!"
But I'm too lazy.
"But you're hungry!"
The voice of my stomach one out.
And my mom went too!
(she and my dad were in the bed across the rooom)

We shared stories
and snacked on toast with homemade strawberry jam.
And not just one piece,
but two!
Why not?
We were already up.

Lesson: more than food can come of late-night snacks with a friend

Day 73 & 74 Health & Happiness

Day 73
Who has energy to cook?
You singles know how it is.
45 minutes to cook,
15 minutes to eat the food, ALONE,
45 minutes to clean up.
Just not worth it.

Well, tonight I put forth the effort.
Why?
My body/health.
We're not getting any younger!
(Some of you may say 28 is NOT old,
but I promise you--
I'm seeing wrinkles under my eyes!
This is definitely not cool.)
I hope I don't wither away before meeting my husband!
I enjoyed a very healthy meal of:
baked chicken,
rise,
and lots of veggies.
We owe it to ourselves!

Lesson: cook once in a while--you'll even FEEL healthier!

Day 74
Halloween weekend.
Every year,
my friends and I have a costume party.
It's always the Friday night of Halloween weekend.
As time has passed,
all of my friends have become couples,
most married.
It has become the
"Dress up as Couples" party.
And then there's me.

I was sad on the way there.
I was sad there.
The couples all wanted pics with their significant other.
Who wanted a picture with me??
And they had so many stories to share...
marriage stories...
buying houses...
being pregnant...
furture plans together...
and then there was me.
I had nothin'.

Claim? CHOOSE happiness.
And I did.
Mindset:
"Friday night only comes once a week.
I am going to ENJOY it."
And I did.

Lesson: Happiness is a battle of the mind.