Faith Hope Love

 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13.

This has been an unexpected season! I began the year with a renewed hope, and the word, "Fresh". As the weeks progressed, I found myself on a path, where I was asking, "Huh?" "How did I get here?", "WHY am I here again?" "I thought this path ended". "Why has life been so tough, contending for what others take for granted?" 

Throughout this season, of these I am sure: God knew. God knows. God has great plans for me.

I don't know what the rest of this year holds. All I know is I have faith. I am loved. I refuse to give up hope. 

During this season, God has lavished me with His love. I've always felt His love, but this year has brought a new, deeper level. I have friends who have held me up in prayer, and I have felt that supernatural covering so strongly. I'm travelling a familar, yet also unfamilar journey. Those who travelled with me in the past, remain in the past. God has orchestrated a new group of faith filled people (again, with some unexpectedly familar friends) to travel this current journey with me. Seriously, I did not see this coming, but I feel extremely blessed. It's another way of God showing me how much He loves me. 

The photo is of my new necklace. I love this necklace... I wear it to work, and when I see myself in the mirror, I am reminded of the faith of a mustard seed. Sometimes the simple things can bring the most joy. My faith, at times has felt like a mustard seed, but that is enough to move a mountain! So, with my mustard seed, and my friends' faith & prayer covering, I believe we will move this mountain. (Check out Faithbracelet.co They currently have a BOGO Sale!)

When I am asked how I'm going, I can honestly say that I feel peace, as if I'm sitting calmly in a dinghy, in the middle of a stormy ocean. I have  no oars, just my mustard seed. I don't understand why the waves are crashing so fiercely, I just understand that God loves me enough to give me peace....faith, hope, and so much love. 

If you are travelling this journey with me, I appreciate every single prayer and act of love. I am truly blessed to have you in my life right now. 🦋

Vaccine or No Vaccine?

I finally made the decision re whether or not to be vaccinated. I don't believe my decision itself is important- but the journey that brought me to this point is. 

I have never been anti-vax, but have been extremely hesitant of the covid ones. I didn't feel peace about being vaccinated. At one point, I felt it would be an act of disobedience to God...I still can't tell you WHY, because I don't know, but at THAT time, the feeling was very real. Now that feeling is no longer active. Maybe there was a real threat to my health that I've avoided...I don't know.

Unless you have managed to avoid all the Covid-related propoganda that has been circulating since the pandemic began in 2020, you would be aware of the MANY voices fighting to be heard. Some are worth listening to, while others are filled with fear. People have been reacting out of fear. I have never seen so much agenda-driven fear mongering! ...and bullying. 

There has been a great deal of judgement and accusations, even people saying Christians will go to hell for being vaccinated. I'm unaware of anything in the bible to support this fear-filled accusation!

What I found, was even though I wasn't actively listening to most voices, I was tuning into enough to make me feel unsettled. I heard voices for and against, and both sides made good points. I felt unsettled. I ignored most articles/videos/voices people tried to feed me. I didn't agree with the spirit behind them...although I acknowledge there was love in the effort.

I'm a healthcare worker. What helped me is knowing there is currently NO vaccine mandate for my field of work. (Just a real threat of an impending mandate). Therefore, whatever decision I made has not been forced upon me to keep my job. 

One major reason for my hesitancy, is the bullying tactics from other healthcare workers, Christians, and people in general. Those public comments on social media basically condemning anybody for choosing not to be vaccinated, made me feel even less interested in considering it. I'm the kind of person who reacts stubbornly when TOLD what to do by a voice that holds NO authority... I won't be bullied or made to feel bad or guilty for having a mind of my own. 

So, after unfollowing many voices on social media (positive and negative), I began to feel my peace return. I realised that much of my unsettled-ness was not my own. It was what I was subconsciously picking up from others. It took disconnecting myself to realise that.

Much of the information offered was over a year old. I was once a research student. It reminded me that I only wanted recent information. No old news. So I chose to ignore any "facts" or opinions provided more than 6 months ago. Technology progresses quickly! Much of the current fear was based on old information. 

Once I felt settled & grounded, I carefully selected a few voices to listen to. 

A big factor for me is fertility, so I chose some trusted voices on that topic.

I also attended an information session hosted by my workplace. 

These sources simply presented the facts. What I really appreciated was the delivery of FACTS and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE UNKNOWN. 

To hear the pros and cons, and understand the facts presented without any emotional, religious, or fear-filled motives. No agendas, apart from informing others and offering recommendations. Did you hear that? Recommendations. To make an informed decision.

I also watched some unbiased videos explaining how the vaccines are made (including the history of reaching the current methods) and how they work. 

A few days later, my peace was returned. I know whichever decision I made will anger some people. That's ok. I go with my gut- I listen to my spirit and God's voice. People have good reasons for making their decisions, and I respect that. I would never tell anybody which decision is right for them. I believe in free will. I am grateful for the opportunity to take my time in coming to my decision.

What I've learned, is opinions and emotions can be damaging! 

Do your own research and don't allow anybody to pressure you into a decision.

In the end, you are accountable for your own choices, so make the right one for the right reasons.

You don't owe anybody an explanation. You owe yourself peace. 

I hope this encourages somebody. 

We take the simplest things for granted

It's amazing the things we take for granted... on Monday I did something silly and injured myself at work... freak accident that left me with soft tissue damage on my knee. There was nothing anybody could have done to prevent the accident. It was just one of those things. I didn't think it was bad until I saw the doctor...and was put on Modified Duties for 7 days.

So, I have spent the week on-site instead my usual off-site activities. I felt like a plane grounded at the airport - except I was still active.
So, having completed the 5 day work week, I have come to realise just how many things I do at work that I don't really THINK about!
When you MUST think about what you do, you realise how much you actually do... small things like pushing a wheelchair (with somebody in it) out of the doorway, or just turning them around to see something better, picking something off the floor, loading the washing machine/dryer/dish washer... assisting somebody to balance themselves, hugging people with balance problems - being ok being knocked off balance yourself - it never feels nice to tell somebody that you can't hug them today... but I did just that...and he understood... maybe it was ok because usually I DO hug him when he asks...and manage to keep us both balanced. Haha! The small things... that are actually big. It makes you realise that they do know you care...because saying no to a hug, with an explanation may be seen as rejection by some, but he must know I care, because he was ok with it. He knows I'll hug him next time...

So, tomorrow I have my follow up appointment with the doctor. He will either give me a medical clearance, or not. I am trusting God for the right outcome. There are underlying reasons why I wonder if he may not - and that will be a God thing. Otherwise, I will be happy to know the plane is ready for take off!

This has been a week of realising just how much I do without thinking...everyday tasks we all take for granted.

It has also been a week surrounded by understanding and supportive colleagues. They have been amazing. It is not always easy asking somebody to do the smallest thing you can't do - because you don't want to appear lazy or inconsiderate...but they have made it easier for me.
In some ways I was taken out of my comfort zone. I have an organised week. I know what to do, and what is expected of me. It is also usually quite busy, with some days that are go-go-go. Outside my comfort zone I was forced to slow down. To accept my limitations and appreciate the different environment with different people - who are not strangers. I was just spending time with a different part of the family. Refreshing my memory ans skills in supporting them. Spending more quality time with them, while leaving my regular group in the hands of capable others. I felt like I was leaving my babies behind...I really missed them.

I will never take my 'air time' for granted again...being 'grounded' is tough ;)

More Green Smoothies

I just have to say I like the fact that all yesterday I had No interest in other snacks... I had been 'snacking' on my green smoothie (in the fridge) every time I felt hungry....and when I had a small chocolate, I didn't really want it or enjoy it.

My body is loving this new experiment :)

Green Smoothies

Finally I have an awesome blender! Birthday and Christmas money paid for it :)
I've been wanting to try the Green Smoothie craze...see if it would be worthwhile, but my stick master just didn't cut it...so I did my research for a blender and waited for a sale! Which came!!!

So for the last few days I've been experimenting, and it has been good.
Basically a green smoothie is based on a cup of leafy greens blended with liquid (water, almond milk, juice etc) and fruit. The ratio is (initially) 1:3 leafy greens and fruit. As you get into it, you should try to have more greens and less fruit...

I've used low fat milk, almond milk which was nice and not milky-tasting....and water. Surprisingly the water base tasted the best! I've also tried 1tb chia seeds both in gel form, and straight from the packet.

Fruits have been variations of banana, peach, apple, kiwi fruit, blueberries.
Instead of having one smoothie at once, I've been snacking on it... keeping it in the fridge and having about a cupful at a time. I tried my very first one for breakfast, but it didn't fill me for as long as I thought it would. It WAS my first one ;) It's a good way to stop snacking on the bad foods.

The best part is my blender has a self clean function - it's so easy!
Sunbeam Cafe series. You add a little soapy water and press the Self Clean button.... then just rinse it out and dry. Awesome!!!

Let's see how long this phase lasts....and how much healthier I feel ;)
The green may look strange, but if you tasted the smoothie with a blindfold, you would have no idea!:)