Quick trip

 Occasionally, we need a quick trip to disconnect and really get back to a status quo. It had been almost a year since our last trip to the beach. We needed a trip more than you would imagine. So far, this year has dealt us many blows, and I will not dwell on them. As you know, I believe that dwelling on the negative and things in the past doesn't do us any good. What does help is thinking through the positive and uplifting moments in life. The image to the left exemplifies exactly that - positive and uplifting. 

We got to the beach and immediately Mads asked to go walk. We'd driven for 4 hours, but this kiddo NEEDED to get her feet in the surf. She did not care that her jeans would be soaked or that her slides would rub red marks on her skin as we walked back to the hotel and dinner. She just needed to be grounded. 

In case you didn't realize, when your feet are in the ocean, it speaks to your body. It heals all the stress and anxiety. It enables you to disconnect from all the negativity impacting your life and to focus just on that one moment. This was what we all needed. The salty sea air. The pidgeons trying to grab our hot dogs. The puppies deciding Mack was a dog magnet. The chasing of volley balls that had come flying at us out of the beach volley ball courts as other families played a sport in the beautiful sun and sea breeze. The swoosh of the waves as they came on shore. The walking thousands of steps to get under a pier for a photo. The falling in a hole as she approached the perfect spot to stand. The walking back to the hotel soaked to her thighs. 

We didn't tell many people about our up-coming trip because we needed that disconnect. We needed to reconnect as a familal unit and we did: 

• Mads and I walked the beach multiple times per day each day we were there. 
• Mack and Ry sat outside of the hotel at night to listen to the live music over at the bar (they couldn't go because Mack isn't 21 yet and so they wouldn't let her in). 
• All 4 of us watched football and couldn't believe the 9 OT periods! Crazy - woohoo Illini! Way to go!
• Ry and I got away for an hour to have a mini date. 
• We ate at our favorite hot dog place at the beach. 
• We found a great pizza place and enjoyed a pizza to share among the 4 of us. 

Why would we be impressed by these mundane things, you might ask. Well, it's all a part of the reset. Our pastoral staff preached a series recently about having a reset: 

1. Slow down

2. Rest in the Lord

3. Simplify your life

IN this fast-paced life many of us live, we don't take the time to slow down or rest, but we have also lost the sense of simplifying in all we do. This doesn't have to mean depriving yourself of the things you need, but just concentrating on the small things. Rather than going to Six Flags for a weekend of fast paced fun with roller coasters and all the things that come with a trip to Atlanta, we chose to slow it down a bit. It took longer to drive to Myrtle Beach, yes, but after we got there, the car was parked. We simplified by walking everywhere. We simplified by not spending money on entertainment when we could find free things to do. We walked because it was an opportunity to connect with nature and with God. We spent quality time together. We rested. 

Now, you may not realize this, but when the Lord rested on the 7th day, he didn't do so to recover from what he had already done, but to prepare for what was coming. This is what we are called to do. Rest so we are prepared for the week ahead. 

Before I close, I have a question for you: How are you preparing for what is to come? 

Tests, they come...

In our lives, we are tested. These tests come in many forms. As you may have read the last time I posted, we have had our fair share of tests. Well, this past week was more of the same. Not only was it a long and stressful week at work, but I had a doctors appointment, I wanted to go to small group on Wednesday, and I wanted to buy a jellyroll for quilting... Not always did I get what I wanted. 

• Work has been insane. Yes, I know I already said this, but until you really understand how insane it was, I'm going to say it again. For the first time since starting with the company over 5 years ago, I was WAY over my 40 hours, but not because I wanted to be. It was because we are a very small team. I am the only person who can get overtime because I am the one hourly employee. Therefore, to prevent others from working for free, I over scheduled myself. Everything that absolutely had to get done, got done. Even with my boss on a cruise ship, hopefully having the time of her life. 
• Wednesday was the first small group back since I'd been exposed to COVID. It was great to be back with my ladies and I'm so sad I had to miss out on so much, but I have my bible study to do here at home to keep on top. Madison even went to youth group this week and came out asking to go back! 
• Thursday, I had a doctor's visit. You see, in April I was diagnosed with prediabetes. As a result, I have been on a mission to reduce added sugars in my diet. Not only have I gone to sugar free, but I'm cleaning up the diet in general and trying to get more exercise in. When I was diagnosed, my hbA1c was at 6.4. That is just 0.10 away from being Type 2 diabetic. I was not going to allow a diagnosis to dictate my life. As a result, I have been very intentional about what I eat. I am doing carbs in the morning and a few at lunch and then going with very few carbs at dinner time. I have transitioned from soda all the time to water 90% of the time. If I have soda, it's a diet just once a day. Coffee or tea with splenda or stevia. You name it, I've changed it. It has been paying off! I'm 12 pounds lighter and my hbA1c is down to 6.1! Amazing considering I am doing this without the help of metformin!!! 
• I wanted to finish two fall quilting projects this week, but haven't gotten anything done. I couldn't even find a jelly roll to save my life and Joanne and Hobby Lobby both got sassy with me telling me to go drive an hour each way to get what I needed if I didn't like what they had in store. Needless to say, I came home empty handed. 

Even with all of this, I am being tested. I hit every red light. Was cut off multiple times. Sassed by full-grown adults. The list goes on. And I hear that Brittani preached a sermon about slowing down this week. Slowing down is exactly what God was doing with me today as I went all over creation to try and get what I needed. 

I came home and have meal prepped breakfast for all week and am on to the snacks/desserts now. After that, I am going to spend the day reading my Elijah study and my 90 day bible plan (yep, started this too this week). 

As you are tested, take the time to slow down and see what God is saying to you because if it's important enough for him to test you, it's a lesson you need to learn.