Transformers

Finally, friends,

whatever is true,
I am falling short, but God made me and loves me and hasn't given up on me.

whatever is honorable,
God chose to send His Spirit to live in MY body.

whatever is just,
When I misuse food and neglect my body, there are natural consequences.

whatever is pure,
God designed my body to work hard and be nourished by food.

whatever is lovely,
My identity is in Christ. My soul will always be more important than this body that is wasting away.

Wrap-up: LommoY Challenge

Well, it's day 30. And for some faithful folks, tomorrow morning will begin with a literal "break [the] fast" meal. 

(I won't mention the young, eager beavers sitting in a fast food parking lot right this second waiting to toast their various levels of victory with Mt Dew slushies and a big greasy plate of nachos as soon as the clock strikes 12. Seriously, not one word will I say ... except gross. Gross del Grande.)

Anyway!

On August first we started this 30 day challenge.

I wrote about our experience during the first week.

I trucked along another week or two. I have tons of excuses for bailing, and they are all pretty lame. I'm sure it can be traced back to a tiny slip, a small stretch of the rules, then perhaps a moderate amount of mis-guided stubbornness. I don't like losing, but if I can't absolutely win big, I am sadly prone to just give up.

I made it to day 19 with the 30 foods, then it became too easy to just give in and eat "whatever".

Honestly, I was never super solid on the daily exercise ... and I was so consumed with the food and movement portions, the Bible reading [for 30 whole minutes in a row each day] received even less attention.

So how do I unpack this? Chalk it up for the loser and move on?

Not just yet.

LommoY: Day 6 Check-in

Last week, we were excited to begin THIS THING.

So, the honey moon is over now.

Polly Anna has left the building.

Day 5 was a bust.

These were my first conscious thoughts yesterday morning:

"Wow ... that was a good dream. What was it about exactly? I can't quiiiiiite remember ...

it was wonderfullll ... oh yes ... I believe I fell madly in love ... with an oatmeal cream pie."

Pathetic.

And that would most accurately describe the rest of yesterday. I squandered every opportunity to exercise. And, when it came to reading Scripture, I found new and ridiculous ways to procrastinate with disturbing diligence.

Over the first five days, the family had collectively consumed every apple we owned. I asked the teenagers to grab some on their way home. They did not. I asked my handsome guy if he could hook us up with some fruit on his way home. He delivered with signature excessiveness: 3 bags of apples and half a tree of bananas.

Late last night as the fellas and I sat around the living room ...

Unnamed fella in a pitiful whine: "I really want something sweet." 

Dad: "Go get an apple."

Mournful Boys: "We don't have any."

Dad: "Yeah we do."

LP with guilt and sadness: "No, I forgot to get some."

(Luke shifts to lounge silently in despair.)

Dad: "I brought some home. They're on the --"

**POOF! SCRAM-ShaZamm!!**

Never have I seen two children driven so abruptly by an apparent love for fiber and pectin.

Thank You, God, for perspective and the chance to get in tune with our desires. You give good gifts! Thank You for forgiving us when we fail. And thank You for new mercies this morning. I loved our pre-breakfast walk together. Less of me - more of You. Let's do this thang!"

LommoY: Thirty Day Challenge

Our family has accepted a challenge for the month of August.
"Less of me, more of You."
We are joining more than 30 of our friends who have agreed to the following daily routine:

30 minutes studying the Bible,

30 minutes exercising, and choosing to only eat from a list of 

30 whole foods ... for

30 days.

This was day 3 of 30 ... 10% is in the books!

I love the accountability for the exercise. Seven-year-olds can be relentless.

I am amazed at how easy it was to gather most of my kids around to "do our Bible reading together". Some wanted to switch to "30 verses" or a "whole" chapter ...because both options could be quickened and rushed through. Once I established that we would be spending 30 minutes, the atmosphere relaxed. We read a chapter, then each journaled for a minute or two. Then we moved on to the next chapter- taking turns reading aloud. We won't always be able to do that, but that sweet gathering was good for my soul. 

I am not thrilled with how much prep-work and actual "cooking" is involved in eating whole foods. It takes time. And planning. And patience. Everyone is adjusting now ... they know snack options are chopped veggies with hummus or apple slices. And I think we all feel better drinking only water. (I have coffee listed as one of my foods, and it's not nearly as lovable without sugar, but I like the treat in temperature and taste once per morning.)

Now, the LIST ...

Day 40

He walks with me... I put on my pedometer first thing this morning, then by the time I was getting Liz dressed, I realized it was not on my hip. I couldn't find it anywhere. Strange? It was a terribly busy day complicated by physical and emotional challenges. I never took a big walk, but I was up and around and the day seemed jammed.

He talks with me... God spoke love through friends and family who came out of their way to share our jam-packed day. Gifts and time and kindness and cheer. Love. Love. Love.

He tells me I am His own... "I will like a Shepherd lead you, much you need My tender care. In My pleasant pastures, feed you, I will seek you when you go astray." And so the journey continues...living the abundant resurrection life!

Day 39

He walks with me... 5,346+ steps (After my shower, I forgot to return the pedometer to its accustomed spot on my hip.)

He talks with me... "I am love. I am light. I am the truth, the life & the way."

He tells me I am His own... "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." -Psalm 23:6

Day 38

He walks with me... 10,233 steps

He talks with me... "The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17

He tells me I am His own... "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life," -Psalm 23:6

Day 37

He walks with me... an undocumented number of steps - left the pedometer on the counter - never had a big walk, so I'm sure the digits would have been small.

He talks with me... I watched the dress rehearsal for "Sacrifice" tonight at church. In the opening scene, Jesus walks through the crowd and different ones approach him and are healed. I wept with joy. So much mercy portrayed. So much powerful grace for which to rejoice. Landen plays the part of the blind man who receives his sight. When Jesus lifts the blind fold, Landen hugs his "fake mom" and then bounds up the aisle through the audience exclaiming, "I can see! I can see!"

He tells me I am His own... "You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." -Psalm 23:5

Day 36

He walks with me... 9,306 steps

He talks with me... "Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion - a constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

He tells me I am His own... "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." - Psalm 23:5

Day 35

He walks with me... 11,748 steps

He talks with me... "He's not finished with me yet:)"

He tells me I am His own... "I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

Day 34

He walks with me... 7,058 steps

He talks with me... Today was hard. Not sure why. I needed Him so badly, but kept running away from Him for whatever reason. I felt like I was at war. With myself? With a couple kids? Expectations? Pride? Fatigue? Perhaps I've known for a while that He's with me in the calm. Today was the storm. He had me, but it was far from romantic...frantic and frazzled. I'm sure that was all me.

He tells me I am His own... "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me;" - Psalm 23:4

Day 33

He walks with me... 9,250 steps

He talks with me...
My gracious Master and my God
Assist me to proclaim
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name

So come on and sing out
Let our anthem grow loud
There is one great love Jesus

Jesus, the name that charms our fears
That bids our sorrows cease
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears
‘Tis life and health and peace

There are so few words
That never grow old
There are so few words
That never grow old
Jesus

He tells me I am His own... "He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." - Psalm 23:3

Day 32

He walks with me... 8,169 steps

He talks with me... There are a few areas of my life where I am experiencing tiny little victories. AND there are many, many aspects of my living that still need SO much work. It would be too much to consider if it were not for grace.

I honestly can't tell if I strive too little or too much.

It takes two seconds for success to turn to pride. And less than that for failure to turn to self-loathing.

I've been accused of "always having an answer". And yet, my quick and resolute responses are either from scripture or they merely represent a few ideas I've mentally settled -even if for the time being - out of the dozens of questions that seem to flood my mind each day. I know nothing.

He tells me I am His own... "He restores my soul." - Psalm 23:3

Day 31

He walks with me... 4,439 steps (Busy ALL day long and was on my feet most of the day...just not moving. New day tomorrow:)

He talks with me... He knows what I need. He WANTS to bless me with goodness and mercy. I just need to receive it. No matter what it might look like. Even if there is pain involved. From Him and through Him and in Him are all things. Trust. Trust. Trust.

He tells me I am His own... "He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters," -Psalm 23:2

Day 30

He walks with me... 8,693 steps

He talks with me... "All we like sheep have gone astray..."

He tells me I am His own... "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." Psalm 23:1

Day 29

He walks with me... 10,278 steps

**first week's average was 5,500 steps per day.
**this week's average is 9,000 steps per day. God is good all the time:)

He talks with me... "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." - Proverbs 29:15

He tells me I am His own... "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him." - Psalm 127:3

Day 28

He walks with me... 3,332 steps (tiny bit embarrassing, but it was a full, fun day of sitting and visiting and reading and writing.)

He talks with me... I am amazed at how this project has changed my perspective. Three weeks ago, I would have been overwhelmed by a feeling of failure by clocking so few steps. But then again, three weeks ago, today's "low" number would have been the norm.

He tells me I am His own... This journey has also reinforced my security in God as my roots confidently reach through the depths of His truth and the richness of His presence. With sure footing, I am free to grow. No inclination to strive...simply a desire to abide and allow Him to bring forth fruit.

Day 27

He walks with me... 9,361 steps

He talks with me... "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things..."

He tells me I am His own... "...For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." - Colossians 3:2-3

Day 26

He walks with me... 7,665 steps

He talks with me... I've been faithful in listening, excited about all the ways He seems to speak to me, even consistently determined in my literal "walk"...but He reminded me today that I'm NOT interceding as much as I should be. There are specific people I KNOW I should lift up.

I do pray for people each day, but I haven't made it a top priority. I don't chase down the Lord, nag Him about different situations, plead for mercy on their behalf.

In Romans, Paul writes, "I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." I have friends and family who are struggling. I need to join them by praying.

Praying powerfully. With faith. And hope in God's promises.

He tells me I am His own... "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Luke 11:9

Day 25

He walks with me... 11,073 steps (The music at the conference was so loud, that I could walk laps around the exterior of the outdoor arena and listen comfortably while enjoying a brisk, breezy walk.)

He talks with me... "A wise son grings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother." - Proverbs 10:1

Why does the dad get the goods, and the mom suffers most if parenting fails? Is Solomon simply being poetic? I think every day that I parent "young men" in my home, I know a hint of each: possibilities of such joy & potential for such grief.

He tells me I am His own... "The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." - Psalm 147:11