Flexible Learning Schedules

One of the greatest things about schooling at home is that our schedule is adaptable. We school when it is convenient for us! Which sometimes means my kids do schoolwork on snow days or holidays. Or, we take off a random day to work on house projects.

The weather has turned pretty cold in Colorado. It seems like it is pitch black before 6PM. Today the sun is out, and my kids are currently running and riding bikes. Have we done much school? Nope. We read books earlier this morning, but that's it. They are aware that later this afternoon we'll hit the books, but right now--enjoy the sun while you can! We do something similar in the summer--play while it is cool in the mornings, learn in the afternoons when it is too hot outside.

I am the type of person who easily gets into a "get the work done first--play later" mode. I like to make my list, cross off the items, and then enjoy the rest of my day. I'm learning that sometimes life doesn't work that way, and if we are not flexible we'll miss great opportunities that God is giving us right now.

You know another great thing about homeschool? Learning happens ALL the time--even when we're not at the table. My kids just told me they spotted a hawk & they want to look it up in the bird book. We're studying birds in science right now, and they are fascinated with all the various kinds of birds that are in our neighborhood. They grab their field guide and sketchbook and off they go! My little Audubons. When we left public school for the final time, my son HATED school. My husband and I knew that one of our goals had to be re-instilling a love for learning with him. I love seeing his eyes get wide with excitement over something we're studying. It may not officially be a science day on our schedule, but that hawk is here right now. Good thing I'm learning to be flexible.

Parasite Cleanse Day 2

Breakfast

Pumpkin-cranberry baked oatmeal

Scrambled eggs

Herbal tea

Lunch

Beef franks

Snap peas

Carrots

Blackberries

I had an apple

Dinner

Black bean and corn stew

GF, SF, DF cornbread

Green salad

The kids are managing the no sugar thing well. I made some hot cocoa last night. Being that stevia was the only sweetener it was a bit intense. Everyone liked it except for our little girl. She's very much looking forward to the treats she knows are coming with her birthday this weekend. I'm trying to keep her sugar desires in check. Not an easy task.

Since starting the detox two weeks ago, I've lost over 5 pounds. I wasn't aiming to lose weight, but it is a nice side effect. :)

De-tox & Cleanse Pt2

Today is day one of the parasite cleanse and the last day of the herbal detox. The herbal detox went well with only a couple cheats (mainly due to poor planning). I am pleased that I started the herbal detox prior to my family starting the parasite cleanse. This allowed me nearly 2 weeks to refine recipes, as well as to prepare my kiddos for the strict diet changes. I am surprised how well they adjusted to the meals I planned, and the idea that they wouldn't be having dessert for quite a while.
I didn't have to make crazy changes to most of our dinners. Breakfasts and lunches are a bit more of a challenge, but I think I've got some good ideas to get us through it.

Day One Parasite Cleanse Menu
Breakfast: Almond-Apple pancakes with almond butter and raspberry puree
Lunch: salad with carrots & bell peppers, boiled eggs, quinoa noodles, and anything else I can find in the bare cupboard (shopping day is coming)
Dinner: butternut squash soup and chicken apple sausages, green salad

Other meals coming up:
Black bean and corn stew
Roasted chicken
Tortilla chicken stew
Roasted sausages and vegetables
Cheeseless chicken enchiladas
Pumpkin polenta, chorizo & black beans
Almond & Raspberry sandwiches
Chicken lettuce wraps
Beef & butternut squash stew
Sweet potato & sausage hash
Pumpkin cranberry baked oatmeal
Zucchini chocolate bread
Cinnamon spice oatmeal pancakes

Detox//Day One

Day 1
For a variety of reasons, none of which I plan to share on the interwebs, I decided it was time to cleanse out my body. This is coming in the form of a herbal d-tox:


Followed by a parasite cleanse:

This will take a total of 47 days. Being that we have a couple holidays and birthday during these days, we'll have 3 days that we won't be AS strict as most days. Today is the first day of the herbal d-tox, and it really wasn't bad. Earlier this year I did the Whole 30, though not a cleanse per say, it was a good experience. It mainly opened my eyes to how truly addicted to sugar I am (as well as my kids and husband).
My main goal is to continue my effort to break the sugar addiction (the kids will be doing the paragone for kids). I'll be blogging the experience, mainly to share the meals. Proving to myself and doubters out there, that you can eat delicious, easy-to-make, kid-approved meals that are free from sugar (and gluten and dairy).

Day One Menu
breakfast: scrambled eggs with spinach, tomatoes, and basil
lunch: vegetable soup
dinner: stuffed acorn squash (roasted acorn squash stuffed with quinoa, ground beef, onions, pecans, and dried cherries--no added sugar)

Feel free to comment if you'd like recipes.

Welcome To Our School

This year our kiddos thought it would be a good idea for our school to have a name. I told them it needed to represent our family values. After a few days of deliberation we settled on:

Faith Freedom Academy

I like it. It's simple and directly represents two of our family values: faith and freedom. This morning we decided on a mascot: the Mustang. 

I can't wait to get some designing done with my husband to create our school brand & logo. Fun!

The countdown has begun! School starts in 1 week. We're gearing up this week, getting on a regular schedule, and finalizing last minute supplies. I will be posting pictures once we get going (and I remember to get the camera out).

Schooling At Home...2013

I am incredibly excited about the coming school year. I think that is primarily due to the fact that I gave myself grace to take off all of August to devote to preparing and resting myself.
I've already shared the curriculum we've chosen for this year. One change to my previous post--the kids asked to take the year off from swim. I am a bit relieved (though also bummed--I liked swim), both financially and mentally. I really don't like doing too many activities if it can be avoided.
I've come up with a couple other tips for this year that are at least making me feel prepared mentally.

1. Schedule
Last year I had a flexible schedule written in my day planner. Despite all the fabulous technology available (which I use too) when it comes to homeschooling--I really need a paper day planner. Nothing fancy. I use this one: http://www.ataglance.com/ataglancestore/search/searchResults.jsp;jsessionid=D95EF4B6253FFF3AC351247B5263553D?_DARGS=/ataglancestore/search/facetSearch.jsp, (Mainly because it's pretty, and because I like a monthly & weekly view with ruling!) I keep our lesson plans, as well as our family schedule, in this planner. I use my iCal for everything except for lesson plans.
This year I am also utilizing my alarm app in my IPad as a Bell Schedule! I get lost into whatever we're doing when teaching, and sometimes forget to look at the clock. I put in fun noises to go off to remind us it's time to start the next subject or take a break. Much more fun than using the kitchen timer.
I also used Google docs to create a spreadsheet of our daily and weekly schedule, and to create our yearly calendar. Here's a look at that (daily on the left/weekly on the right)

	Owen	Eden				Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:00 AM	Morning Devotional//Bible		BIBLE:: 30 minutes		8:00 AM	Bible				Access
8:30 AM	PASSING				8:30 AM	PASSING
8:35 AM	LoE	RoH, read, Latin	ENGLISH:: 90 minutes		8:35 AM	English//Latin
	RoH, read, Latin	LoE
	FLL & WWE
10:05 AM	recess/snack		RECESS:: 15 minutes		10:05 AM	recess//snack
10:20 AM	PASSING				10:20 AM	PASSING
10:25 AM	Math		MATH:: 60 minutes		10:25 AM	Math
					11:25 AM	lunch		History	lunch
11:25 AM	lunch		LUNCH:: 30 minutes		11:55 AM	recess			recess
11:55 AM	recess		RECESS:: 15 minutes		12:10 PM	History	Science	lunch// recess	Science
12:10 PM	History//Science		HISTORY:: 45 minutes		12:55 PM	PASSING			PASSING
12:55 PM	PASSING				1:00 PM	Music//Art	Music//Art	Art w/Gramma	Music//Art
1:00 PM	Art/Music		Elective:: 45 minutes		1:45 PM	clean up
1:45 PM	clean up				2:00 PM	DISMISS
2:00 PM	DISMISS

2. Copying
It seemed like I was always copying lessons last year. Sometimes, I'd realize too late that I should have copied something--leaving the kids to sit and wait (not good). This year, I went to Office Depot & had someone else do it all! Woot! I am so excited to see their work copied, 3-hole punched, and waiting patiently in the cupboard for school to start. Yeah!

3. More Prep
My kiddos attend a homeschool enrichment program on Fridays. This is Eden's first year, and she is so excited. This leaves me a "free" day. I've already scheduled monthly lesson planning days, but I am more excited about my weekly Bible study with fellow moms. Each Friday morning at the local coffee shop we're getting together to simply read God's Word, and apply it to our roles as moms, drink some tea, and encourage one another.

More to come...
I'm hoping to create a grade book this year. I want a quick, easy view of my children's progress. Last year, I e-mailed reports to my husband every other month or so on how the kid's were doing on their math tests and other subjects--similar to a report card. This year, I'd like to be a bit more prepared and regular about keeping track. I admit, I'm more focused on teaching and learning than grading. It's easy for me to see how they're progressing, but my husband doesn't get to see that and I know he likes to hear more in-depth beyond his daily chats with them (or me) on what they're learning.

Preparing for School

I am quickly becoming exuberant about the new school year starting. We've been doing some school this summer, but I am ready to get back into a regular routine. E officially starts kinder this fall, and O starts 3rd grade. For those that are curious, here's what we're using for 2013-14

ENGLISH
Logic of English & Rhythm of Handwriting

Writing with Ease

First Language Lessons

I will devote a complete post to Logic of English later, once we've made it through more than half of the curriculum. We started this summer, and it has been a phenomenal experience. I had the pleasure of speaking with the creator, Denise Eide, earlier this year, and I can honestly say I am impressed.

MATH
Math in Focus//Singapore Math
Both kids do well with this curriculum. I am completely satisfied.

SCIENCE
NoeoScience
I rave about this Science curriculum. Besides being loaded with experiments, it includes lots of colorful books.

HISTORY
Story of the World. Of all the subjects, I am on fire about history this year. I was on the fence for awhile about whether to continue with SOTW, or to do something more from Core Knowledge. After doing some research & reading, I'm sticking with SOTW, but definitely adding a few of touches of my own. After a solid year and a half of homeschooling (with a bit of previous in the past), my confidence is steady and implementing my own ideas doesn't seem so daunting.

BIBLE//I haven't settled on one curriculum. What we used last year was okay, but didn't really get us excited. I am reading a fabulous book entitled, "Spiritual Parenting" presently, and that will most likely drive the decision on what exactly we'll do during our Bible study/devotional time.

ART
The kiddos take an art class with Gramma on Tuesdays, and have art on Fridays at their enrichment classes.

MUSIC
Both kids are taking piano with their daddy. O is showing a real knack for it (no surprise there).

PE
Both kids are still enrolled in swim, but we're hoping to have the funds to get them going in martial arts as well. I've always been against doing more than one sport at a time, but we think these might both be worth the stretch. However, O has shown excitement for baseball this summer, so I'm not sure if things will change again come spring time. I'd really like for him to try a team sport.

A Meaningful Easter

My heart has been burdened the last week or so to make Easter a celebration in our home as big, if not bigger, than Christmas. We have boxes of Christmas decorations, books, and music--and yet, not a thing for Easter. Isn't Christ's resurrection just as important and joyous to be celebrated--if not more so, than his birth? 

So, I am on a quest to find meaningful ways for our family to celebrate. As a child I remember pretty dresses, an Easter basket full of chocolate and sometimes gifts, and church (filled with people who weren't there the Sunday before or the Sunday after). 

I'm gathering ideas, decorations, books, music, and activities that will become our family traditions. I'm excited! Here are some ideas (with links to sites) I've found so far:

1. Resurrection Rolls
2. Carnation/red dye activity
3. Sunrise service/breakfast/hike
(All three at: http://beinglds.blogspot.com/p/easter-crafts-about-christ.html)
4. Resurrection Eggs (found at Hobby Lobby)
5. Messianic Passover Seder Meal (http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/03/the-best-easter-dinner-with-a-free-printable-start-a-christian-tradition-messianic-seder/)
6. A Holy Week (http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/04/3-bowls-a-crown-of-thorns-on-holy-week-a-holy-week-day-2/)
7. Naturally-dyed Easter eggs (http://ecocrazymom.com/natural-easter-egg-dye/)
8. Beautiful decorations (http://harrisonhomeblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter-mantel.html)
9. Veggie Tales! (http://www.mardel.com/A-Very-Veggie-Easter-Collection-VeggieTales-DVD-CD.aspx)
10. Easter tree (http://www.incourage.me/2010/03/five-ways-for-a-family-to-celebrate-easter.html)
11. Repentance box (http://www.incourage.me/2010/03/five-ways-for-a-family-to-celebrate-easter.html)

What meaningful ways do you celebrate Jesus' resurrection?

My Thoughts On Homeschooling

I've been honored recently by a few friends who have asked my thoughts on homeschooling. I am no expert, but here are a few of the thoughts I've shared with them. I hope they bless you in your journey.

1. Take the time to pray and talk with your spouse. Think about why you're doing this, as well as your goals, hopes, dreams, and expectations of each other. Getting on the same page with my husband was key. When we first started homeschooling I had crazy expectations of myself, kids, and husband. Because of this, I assumed my husband's expectations were also crazy high. When I didn't live up to the expectations I put on myself, I felt I disappointed everyone. 

2. Homeschool YOUR way. Discover what works for you and go for it. I say discover, because it really is trial and error. Don't beat yourself up if you buy a book or curriculum only to find out that it just isn't working for you or the kids. Try something else. It's okay. Shortly into the first semester of this school year I realized our history program wasn't working. So, I looked at our other subjects to see what WAS working. Realizing one of the publishers also had a history curriculum, I then read some reviews and asked a couple friends who I knew used it. We switched, and it's awesome!

3. Stop reading every blog, post, article, or idea that every homeschooling parent puts out on the internet. For one, you CAN'T do every amazing idea you read about. Two, they aren't you, their kids aren't yours, their life is totally different. Putting pressure on yourself through comparing your homeschool journey to theirs isn't going to make for a blessed homeschooling experience. And, if you're like me, reading these blogs fuels a desire to compete on an unhealthy level--one which you try to out-do something that's truly just a snapshot of someone else's life. Every homeschooling blog I've read sounds like they must live in Perfectville. I don't live in Perfectville. I went so far as to avoid homeschooling conferences too. At least for now. We need to get into our own groove & learn what works for us.

4. Don't try to fit it in a box. You're a mom first and a teacher second. Your days are not going to look anything like what they look like at a public or private school. You have kids of different ages with different needs. You have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cleaning. Give yourself the permission to be flexible. Having a schedule and plan is great (and recommended), but be sure give yourself grace on those days when you have a child who's tired today or needing extra time to grasp a math concept, or a younger child going through a growth spurt. Hey, you might even have a day when YOU'RE extra tired. Or, maybe you decide that some time out in the sunshine after weeks of clouds is WAY more important than getting all our lessons done. Things happen. My husband and I decided on this: Bible, English, Math--everything else is icing on the cake. I strive to get those three done every day. If we make it to Science, History, Music, and Art--it's a bonus!

5. Get started. There is no magical moment or formula to get going. If God put it on your heart to pull the kids out of their current school, there is not a moment to lose. I was not prepared the day we brought Owen home. We spent a few weeks decompressing--resting, reading, and rebuilding his passion for learning. I focused on basics--reading and math. I spent a lot of time just trying to figure out where he was--his strengths, struggles, and passions. Then, I spent the bulk of the summer researching curriculums and figuring out what would be my plan for the school year. We school year-round because it works better for my kids. I have a monthly planning day. Each week I become a little more organized, and our school days run a bit more efficiently. All of this to say, don't feel like you have to know it all, or have all your ducks in a row from the get-go to  get started. 

My final word--Grace. Give yourself and your kids a lot of grace. You'll both be learning in this process. I absolutely love homeschooling. I never thought I would EVER say that. God is good!

Granola

I started making granola.
Our family loves granola. I used to buy whatever was on sale, but after meeting Lisa at Kitchen G.A.L. and trying her Epic granola--I learned what great granola could taste like. 

I stumbled across a recipe for Pumpkin Pie granola. My husband and kids raved. Next, I tried Gingerbread granola. Again, raves. I made my own modifications to the recipes. More raves. No one wants store bought anymore. 

Try these. Please.

Pumpkin Pie Granola

• 4 cups gluten-free rolled oats
• 1 cup pecans chopped
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used apple butter)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons flax meal
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions 

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together gluten-free oats, chopped pecans, and flax meal until well combined.
In a small sauce pan heat brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil, simmer until sugar is melted.
Add wet mixture to the dry ingredients and with a spatula, mix until everything is coated.
Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Carefully remove and mix for even baking. Repeat twice (for a total of 1 hour of baking) or until the granola looks nice and golden.
Remove from the oven and let cool before stirring in the dried cranberries, if you chose or add in before serving.
Store in an airtight container.

Blueberry-Pecan Gingerbread Granola

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 4.5 cups uncooked oatmeal
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons flax meal
• 1/2 c of dried blueberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 275.
In a medium sauce pan, combine first 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil.
In a large bowl mix oatmeal, coconut, nuts and flax meal.
Pour boiled molasses mixture over oatmeal mixture.
Stir well. Add to a cookie sheet.
Bake for one hour total time, but checking and stirring granola every 15 minutes.
Granola will turn a rich color. Remove from oven and cool.
Remove from the oven and let cool before stirring in the dried cranberries, if you chose or add in before serving.
Store in airtight container. Good for 2 months. (Let's be honest though, it will be amazing if you have any left after 2 days.)

Owen's 1st Swim Meet

25 Freestyle

25 Back

While he was nervous on Day 1, by his 2nd race he was "in the zone." His next meet is in February. He'll be doing 6 events! Very excited for him. Definitely bringing a cushion for my tooshie this time.

Facebook De-tox

Once or twice a year we do a detox or cleanse. It's usually in the spring, and it feels great to flush out the body and get all systems functioning normally (if you get my meaning).

Well, my "anti-resolutions" led to some detoxing of another kind. For whatever reason, and it really was random, I woke up on a Friday a couple weeks ago determined NOT to get on Facebook. I had no idea when or if I would get back on again. It was enlightening and astonishing to realize how much my world had come to revolve around Facebook. My thoughts are in "post" form almost constantly. I feel deprived and go through withdrawal-like symptoms. I was disgusted with myself. For 100 hours I avoided Facebook. It wasn't easy at times, and others it was a relief. When I did get back on I had no desire to post, comment, or "like" anything. I really only got on b/c I was curious if I had any messages (I had 3). I then changed my settings to e-mail me if messages came through, thinking that I'd go back to neglecting FB on a regular basis. But I didn't. Like an addiction to a drug I've "had" to check FB throughout the day. I kept saying to myself--"Well, there's nothing to do right now," or "I might as well, while I wait on X." Pathetic.

It was nearly two weeks before any of my supposed 500+ "friends" noticed. I was delighted that even one person noticed I went from several daily posts to nothing for two weeks. I guess that's something, right?

So, now what do I do? I fully rejected social media when it first started. I fought FB until my sister basically said that's they only way to connect with her (irony: she is no longer on FB). I fully embraced FB a few years ago, and in fact became a huge promoter and maven. I said it was the modern mommy water cooler--the best way to connect with moms across the world, especially when it can feel isolating being at home with kids all day. It's a fantastic tool for small businesses...or is it? I manage 5 FB pages. Stepping back now, what is FB really doing for me? Why am I on FB?

I know that being off FB has led to more time with my kids, more time connecting with my husband and friends, and more peace. Mental peace. I also sleep better. I'm still thinking in "post" form, and I'd love for that to stop. I miss not sharing every hilarious thing my kids say or do, the food I make, and liking and commenting on friends' posts, but why? I think, if I'm honest, I like the attention. So, basically then, I use FB to brag about all the awesome things I do--even when they are the awesome-awful things. You know, the ridiculous "fails" we post. Oy. I think I sound a bit narcissistic. I "like" and comment sometimes b/c it feels like the accepted and expected thing to do. Oh, you're pregnant--I'll like that! Oh, you made granola? Yum, like that. Have an opinion on guns? Me too! It's your birthday? Thanks to FB, I actual know & now must spam your wall. (Let's be honest, would you wish a happy birthday to half the friends you have on FB if it weren't for FB reminding you? I'm lucky to remember my own birthday.)

Recently, a friend of mine shut down her FB account--insisted upon by her then fiance (now husband). He didn't like how stressed FB made her. She would read other mom's posts and feel like she was a failure. She'd read people's rants, and get stressed--feeling a need to voice her opinion too. At the time, I thought it was extreme to drop it all together, and that maybe she was just taking things a bit too serious. Now, I'm rethinking that it wasn't such a bad idea. There are definitely better ways to spend our time.

Another issue is that I really don't like FB now. It's not what it was a few years back--definitely functions with a focus on profit. Sad.

I don't have a conclusion. I'm not ready to fully close my FB account. Right now, I'm continuing to wean myself down. I'll start with FB-free weekends and FB-free homeschooling. (Is it ironic, sad, or pathetic that I will post this blog on FB?)

For those friends & family members on FB who've missed the latest "happenings" in our world, here's a FB-style run-down:

• Matt accepted a new job at Frontier Charter Academy doing IT. He still teaches music lessons, and has a full load of students too.
• We are finally all healthy after a nasty flu bug. Eden started & ended it. Her detoxifying came with a couple days of hives. (I was hoping it was a kick-off to chicken pox, but no such luck.)
• I am no longer working outside of the home--full-on SAHM (with a doula/lactation client here & there, and a PR client occasionally). A dream in the making for nearly 8 years. 
• Owen had his first swim meet. He did great. Well, he at least did not come in dead last. :)
• Homeschooling is awesome. That is all.
• I actually did make homemade granola. Pumpkin Spice and Blueberry-Pecan Gingerbread. They really are awesome. Not sure it's saving us much money. I think we're just eating a lot more granola now.

Anti-Resolution List

I am a goal-setter and a list-maker. New Year's resolutions are a natural part of what I love to do, but this year is different. The past few years I've achieved plenty. I've done much. I've given more and more. Anyone that knows us, knows that 2012 was an incredibly difficult year for us. We are definitely glad to close that chapter, and thankful to move on to another. 

Through this difficult time we've struggled to hear God's voice. Speaking for myself, I felt cut off and in the dark. Left to wander...and wonder. It was awful. I cried out for my God to speak. I cried out for my ears to be open to hear. I poured my heart out, "God, oh God, why?" After what felt like an eternity...my God spoke and I heard.

"I'm trying to slow you down."

When I heard Him speak, all at once my heart swelled and I was warm. I felt relief wash over me. I wanted to scream and tell everyone. I was bursting. I told my husband and my pastor. Both rejoiced. I told my sisters who had been praying over me. We wept and hugged. 

It's true that in the times of my life that I hear God daily, confident in what He has me doing, and assured of where He's taking me--I achieve and accomplish much (ever making Phil. 4:13 so very true in my life). Lately, when I was--what felt like--closed off from God, I was aimless and felt adrift. Very unnerving for someone like me (recall: list-maker, goal-setter).

Despite the many changes that happened in 2012, I still carry a lot on my plate. Day by day, the door has closed on many projects I had going. God is stripping away, and literally slowing me down. Purposefully giving me less. This would normally make me feel awful, but I feel radiant. I feel free to truly focus on the FEW things I have set before me now. 

I have an anti-resolution list this year. Items begin with words like:
1. Less
2. Fewer
3. Don't
4. No
5. Stop

I'm slowing down. It's not easy (though, starting 2013 with the flu helped slow life down). It's probably harder for me than constantly achieving. I'm kind of excited too. The anticipation of wondering God's purpose in slowing me down is a bit exhilarating. Is something big coming? Is it more refining? Blessings? Or maybe simply for my own health? I'm content to wait and find out.

Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. So, I'll finish this post with one of my favorites passages (Phil 4:4-9) which is always relevant in my journey:


⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.