Wow. It has been much too long since I updated this! I must confess...I have yet to complete the last 3 months of this challenge. And I do not have this list in front of me in order to catch up the months that I DID complete. :/ My life has been in constant transition for months which unfortunately put this blog on the back burner.
So then why am I writing a post? Good question!
When I embarked on this journey nearly a year ago, I knew God had plans for it, but I could not have dreamed what. Giving something up for a month at a time took discipline. Some months it felt easier than others. Yet in the back of my mind, I knew I could have the thing I was giving up back when the month ended.
Then January came. I was sick all the time. Bronchitis plagued me on a regular basis. I was at my wits end! Spending a week in bed every couple months does not bode well for anyone, especially a college student finishing up senior year! In one conversation with my mom, she casually mentioned giving up dairy. To be honest, I hated the idea. But I was desperate. Half-heartedly I gave it try. At first I only gave up the obvious things: milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. I didn't bother reading labels. And I would sneak a bite here and there. Gradually I became more strict...and actually read the labels of all the food I ate. Still would have a little now and again though.
I began to notice a pattern: off dairy, I was healthy or at least didn't develop bronchitis; after dairy, I got sick. Perhaps all the "colds" I had gotten were actually allergy reactions! One day I desperately wanted some cheesecake. So I had some. And got sick. Sigh. Maybe if I gave it more time I could have it!
I waited months. A few weeks ago, I was out to dinner with people who did not understand my allergy. They wanted me to have the dessert. So I took 2 tiny bites. And a few bites of cheese bread. Sickness hit 24 hours later...and yet again I went to urgent care with bronchitis. I had barely had any dairy. :( Up until that point, I had held out hope that in a year I could reintroduce dairy into my life. Now I'm not so sure...
So what does this have to do with Re-Challenge? A lot actually.
God knew that I would be needing to give up dairy--and with that a lot of foods that I love. He was preparing me by teaching me to give up other things month by month. Without the 5-6 months of preparation and practice, the transition into eating dairy-free would have been exponentially harder! Granted, it was still a difficult process, but one I was equipped to face. A moment when I pause to praise God for His ability to prepare me for the things ahead!!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
February 1: January/February Update
It's February 1 which means it is update time!
This month I discovered that adding something consistently into my routine is much MUCH harder for me than taking something out. The thank you notes...didn't really happen... I wrote a few, but definitely not everyday. Sigh. My plan is to make a list of people I have thought of over the past month...and continue trying to write to them. While my actual writing of notes lagged quite a bit this last month, the mindset of thanking people and thinking of different people I am grateful for has refined my thinking in a positive way. Now, I just need to learn to live it out!!!
What's next? For the month of February, I am giving up going out to eat. This includes things like boba and shave ice. Over the past couple months, my eating out habits have gotten out of control. Mind you, most times I "go out" it is not high end...and I am conscious about the cost of what I'm getting. But a Wendy's run here and some teriyaki there adds up. This may make it seem like I am doing it simply for financial reasons. That is not the case. Going out honestly demonstrates my laziness. I grab restaurant food when I am "too tired" to cook or when "I don't feel like" making a packed lunch. The discipline of not going out to eat at all will be beneficial to me on many levels. Towards the end of every month I seek God about what's next...and interestingly, this is what He brought to mind. So here's to another month of adventure! :D
God has been rocking my world this year. It has been an incredible journey with many blessings--and a few hardships. If you want to know more, feel free to ask me!
This month I discovered that adding something consistently into my routine is much MUCH harder for me than taking something out. The thank you notes...didn't really happen... I wrote a few, but definitely not everyday. Sigh. My plan is to make a list of people I have thought of over the past month...and continue trying to write to them. While my actual writing of notes lagged quite a bit this last month, the mindset of thanking people and thinking of different people I am grateful for has refined my thinking in a positive way. Now, I just need to learn to live it out!!!
What's next? For the month of February, I am giving up going out to eat. This includes things like boba and shave ice. Over the past couple months, my eating out habits have gotten out of control. Mind you, most times I "go out" it is not high end...and I am conscious about the cost of what I'm getting. But a Wendy's run here and some teriyaki there adds up. This may make it seem like I am doing it simply for financial reasons. That is not the case. Going out honestly demonstrates my laziness. I grab restaurant food when I am "too tired" to cook or when "I don't feel like" making a packed lunch. The discipline of not going out to eat at all will be beneficial to me on many levels. Towards the end of every month I seek God about what's next...and interestingly, this is what He brought to mind. So here's to another month of adventure! :D
God has been rocking my world this year. It has been an incredible journey with many blessings--and a few hardships. If you want to know more, feel free to ask me!
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