Check In Time

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August is coming to an end. We have one quarter, four months, to finish out the year strong. As you remember, in the beginning of the year, I set spiritual, physical and emotional goals. We, as a family, have completed six full weeks of complying with an AIP diet and I thought it would be a good time to write another check in blog.

1. Spiritual - Read through a book of the bible repeatedly each month

Since the beginning of the year, I have completed Hebrews, Romans, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Galatians, Ephesians and Titus. I feel like I have continued to stick with this goal pretty well. Some books have been more enjoyable than others, as would be expected. One standout to me with this goal was how much I enjoyed the book of Acts. One of my favorite interactions from this book is found in Acts 26:28-29 (CSB) "Agrippa said to Paul, 'Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?' 'I wish before God,' replied Paul, 'that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am - except for these chains.'"

2. Physical - Run or walk a 5K three to four times a week and complete my physical therapy exercises three times a week.

Completing a 5K distance either by running or walking three to four times a week has been a goal I am able to maintain. If my memory is correct, Tuesday was the first day since July 12 that I was able to run with "J." She was officially "benched" by her doctor for three weeks and then I was on vacation for a week. My heart was so happy. Today, we met up with her cousin "K" for our Saturday run on the river trail. I have not felt good on a run in a very long time. I actually came home and told my family that I had a stellar run. It was and I was actually proud of myself. I needed that! Completing my PT exercises, on the other hand, has been a flop. I know I didn't do them at all during August and believe they may have been skipped the entire month of July as well. Work was extra busy this summer and I could use that as an excuse, but the bottom line is that we make time for what is important to us. 

3. Emotional - Starting each day with the YouVersion bible app's "daily refresh", and a weekly worship song.

I continue to read and listen to the bible app every morning before I get out of bed. I currently have a 574-day streak. As far as a song of the week, I haven't picked one for two weeks now. I do want to get back into that habit because I feel like the song gave me a theme to focus on for the week and a quick pick-me-up in my day.  

4. Blog - publishing a blog post weekly on Sundays

If you are one of my few current subscribers, you know that you haven't heard from me in two weeks. August 10 we were on vacation. It was a beautiful week away at the beach. I enjoyed every minute spent with family and the amazing views of the bay, sitting and doing absolutely nothing. By August 17, we were back home but I was catching up on laundry and trying to settle back into the home routine. The transition can be hard for me. I'm back at it and looking forward to sharing more of the inner workings of my brain (oh boy!) with you, hoping to keep you interested. 

In my June check-in, I shared that there was one area I was still slacking in - nutrition. As you can see from the update so far, I have added two more areas of slack in the past two months; PT exercises and even the simple task of picking a song for the week. I am proud to report, however, that I have finally made some improvements in the area of nutrition. With my daughter being placed on an AIP diet, it has helped all of us, by giving me clear guidelines in what we can and cannot eat. As I wrote when we first started this, we were all joining in for dinners as a way to encourage her. She has seen amazing progress. Her Functional Medicine Doctor and Nutritionist were both proud of her and excited with her progress so far. Her psoriasis is 60-65% clear and she has had some weight loss, which isn't the main goal but definitely an added benefit. I knew that the change in diet would also be a benefit to the rest of us. I don't feel as heavy which, I believe, will benefit my runs. We are doing a little cheat this weekend and will get back on AIP track beginning Monday for another six weeks. I am excited to finish out this year strong. 

Isaiah 40:31 (CSB) "but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint."




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