Monday Daybook on a Tuesday Morning 3-7-17

For Today

Looking out my window

Well, it looks pretty grey right now after what was a spectacularly bright, cold morning. We've had some amazing sunsets in the past few weeks with our skies beaming with orange and pink. Tonight is our first baseball scrimmage of the season so I was hoping to see one of those sunsets again tonight. I'm afraid the clouds rolling in might not allow it. Good thing I caught this one last week.

I am thinking

about my new skin "regimen". I'm pretty sure that after the hell I put my skin through as a teenager in Texas, only Jesus Himself can repair my mistakes. (I'm looking at you, Johnson's Baby Oil and that reflective aluminum towel we thought was a great idea.) After hearing about Rodan and Fields from everyone and their best friend on Facebook even though I didn't know many people who had tried it in real life, I decided that my face situation was getting dire enough that I was ready to jump right on in. I am not going to say that there are, at least yet, any miracles happening on my face. Still, last week after about a month of being obsessed very consistent with my Redefine regimen, at least three times I caught my reflection in the mirror and didn't cringe. I thought my skin looked somewhat better - brighter, maybe? Less dull and less splotchy. The jury is still out, but so far I think Rodan and Fields might be created for such a time and a face as this. We'll see.

I am thankful

for the truth of Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." No matter how I ignore Him, no matter how many days my Bible stays closed under a stack of books and papers, no matter how I occupy my mind with other things, He stays there waiting for me, never changing, never shutting the door. I am seeking Him with my whole heart during lent and He is the same as He always was. He has seen me all along during these days when my mind and heart have wandered. I am so thankful.

One of my favorite things

I might be jumping the gun here because I've only been at it for a few weeks, but I think one of my favorite things might be Vinyasa Yoga. I've been three times in the past week. I think the beauty of it for me is that I have to concentrate so hard that my mind can't possibly wander to the 7.000 things it wants to ponder. When I run I can sort through all those conversations I regret having or not having, all those fears, all those needs and wants and worries and for that running is great. In yoga, my mind can only focus on two things: how can I get my body into that position and how can I not throw up on the person next to me. Also if you love yoga you should check out my beautiful cousin's website. (Well, she's my cousin's wife. Same thing.) That's her up there doing some ridiculously fierce pose. She's a real legit yogi who probably doesn't spend most of her time praying that she won't throw up during her practice and her photos are stunning.

I am creating

A "Done" list. I've been caught up for my entire life in my "To Do List." I never have, never will finish the list. I've been in quite a rut this year listening to a voice continuously telling me that I am not productive enough, useful enough or valuable enough. Some days it's louder than others. Lately, I've taken all my pretty colored pens and turned my To Do List upside down. At night, I've written down every blasted thing I have done that day - from returning a phone call, to making an appointment, to walking my dog, to texting a friend to check in. Once I even wrote down that I wheeled the trash cans in to the garage. For women raising a family, it's hard sometimes to remember that little things add up to big things in serving her family and friends.

I am wearing

There is nothing that will get me more motivated to exercise than new exercise clothes. I realize that I could wear any old shorts and a tshirt to work out, but if I can shop for something brand new then I'm in. I'm a big fan of Carrie Underwood's Calia line of sportswear at Dick's Sporting Goods. Today I'm wearing this Sports Bra, this Strappy Front Neck Striped top, this headband, these socks (which are not from Carrie Underwood's line, but are my absolute favorite), a hoodie from Costco (because I'm very high fashion) and these Mizuno running shoes. I left out my underwear - it's Hanes from Target, if you must know. I'm pretty sure that the more money I spend on Carrie's line the closer my legs will be to looking like hers and also that I will be able to sing How Great Thou Art so that Jesus won't cringe. #goals ;-)

I am reading

I finished All The Light We Cannot See and have started Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. I also just joined a new Women's Bible Study at my church where we are studying What Happens When Women Say Yes to God:  Experiencing Life in Extraordinary Ways by Lysa TerKeurst.

I am watching

Steve and I are on Season 5 of Homeland. I have a massive crush on Quinn and at the same time I think he might be the scariest person alive.

I am hoping

That the warm weather we had a few weeks ago will come back as we officially start the high school baseball season this week. I'm not sure I'm ready yet. It will be the last season I ever watch this guy play. Senior year is brutal.

I am learning

Patience. Whenever I read about the fruits of the spirit in Galatians, the word patience glares out at me. I've determined in the last year or so that impatience is perhaps one of my greatest sins. I am impatient with my family, with myself, and even with God. Sometimes the Lord puts certain people (or perhaps, animals) in your life specifically to teach you about your sin. I'm going to bet that's one of the reasons He sent me these little knuckleheads. So in a nutshell, I'm learning that 12 year olds and puppies can serve the same purpose. :-)

In my kitchen

I've got a kid trying to gain some weight which is a completely foreign concept to me so there have been lots of big breakfasts and lots of protein shakes and smoothies being blended up lately.

Post Script

Our church did a sermon series this winter on the Apostle's Creed and each sermon focused on one phrase from the Creed. I thought my pastor's sermon "I believe in the Resurrection of the Body" was really good. It's worth a listen. GO HERE.

Shared Quote

This quote from All the Light We Cannot See reminded me so much of my friends in the pediatric cancer world who have lost their children. They are so brave. And yet, what choice do they have?

“When I lost my sight, Werner, people said I was brave. When my father left, people said I was brave. But it is not bravery; I have no choice. I wake up and live my life. Don't you do the same?” 
― Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See

Prompts from http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
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