I thought summer was supposed to be a little more relaxing than homeschooling... boy was I wrong! Though I feel freed from my recent journey with pumping and bottle feeding, I am so glad I pushed through those hard times. There were many times where it would have been easy to just quit and do the easy thing... but I stuck with it, and I credit Gods strength for that! Especially, and hard to admit, wanting to lose the baby weight, but knowing that I couldn't while nursing and pumping. I realized it was only a season in life to sacrifice my body for little Ella. Since then, though, I have been taking care of my body through none other than healthy eating and exercise. I don't know that I could do any of those diets or cleanses for a long period of time. I just get too hungry... plus for me it has been all about portion control, and self discipline! Oh, it is so very hard. But the battle begins in my head and I have been learning of ways to fill my body with the food it NEEDS, not just the food it wants. It is really so much more about losing weight.. it is a spiritual battle and I am being taught how to use my discipline with food and other things as a form of worship, too. God has been so faithful in giving me verses to get through the day and to also let me know that he supports me in this journey and calls me to be conditioned in this area.
Here are some photos to help explain what we've been up to lately:
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| lighter waffles using almond milk - no oil or sugar! |
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| shepherd's pie with leftover stew |
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| Quesadilla fix-ins |
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| beef stew with homemade biscuits. So. Good. Ah. |
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| cottage cheese with strawberries, almonds, and half a banana muffin. |
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| Bean burger on half an english muffin, salad and cucumbers |
I have gone through all of the emotions possible. With daily struggles, to trying times with the kids, etc-- God is teaching me and remaining faithful. I've had a lot of good devotion time in the mornings- now if I would just remember to recite the verses i've been given! I've been given songs to help me through situations ("Be Though My Vision) verses about food (Ephesians 3:16-19, power thru cravings; 1John 2: 15-16, Romans 14:19, Prov. 29:6) They are all good verses that talk about not needing to be filled with food, but being FULL in Christ, to not let our sin ensnare us, and just having cravings for wordly things... I really love the verse of Romans 14:19 which says "let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of god for the sake of food". It is so fitting because how do we feel after we've indulged on food? We do not feel peace. I have to ask myself, how is this going to make me feel after I eat this? Peace? No, probably not. Is what I am eating going to fill my body with nutrients, and do I need it? Or am I just eating out of boredom or for pleasure. Powerful stuff. 
I've also been searching and seeking Vision on how I can serve more and where to tithe, too. God gave me "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10. Along with that, two days later I read: "Make your eat attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will discern fear of the lord and knowledge of god." Proverbs 2:2-4. We have to open our eyes! We have to seek like they are treasures! Sometimes it's good to wait on the Lord, but this verse is telling me specifically that I have to search for ways to serve and help. Powerful stuff! 
We have been wrapping up school. It hasn't completely sunk in yet as it has been another routine that has developed over the year. It will seem strange to not do it anymore. We are, though, in need of a break. I still plan to refresh on math and continue reading this summer. We're saving some chapter books for bedtime and times when I'll just read to them. 
We ended up doing homeschool one day outside. It was so warm, and cozy. I sat in the sun while the girls sat in the shade. It started to get too warm, actually, so we went inside to finish reading and math. I also have been doing school in the afternoon at times, too, so that it's just Kate and I. Maddy doesn't always get a nap....in fact she hardly ever does, but a couple times a week I put her down so that she can get the rest she needs. We are working on finishing school on-time... we are currently 3 days behind. But that is also because I started two weeks after school should have officially started! So, we're doing great!
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
