Step by Step

"Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit."  ~3 John 1:2 ❤ 

I've done a 30-minute walk or bike ride every day lately... this gif makes me happy... taking life step by step, determined to keep moving forward!

More time outside + a social media break + extra time in prayer has all been really good for my physical and mental health!

I definitely haven't been perfect, but I'm making some good strides on healthier eating and tracking foods.

Seemingly random insert, but I'm inspired by the Atkinson fam - Taylor is a fireman, Lauren a successful marketing professional, Lizzy runs a successful home business, and Torie (not pictured here) is a talented artist... (Lauren was voted Woman of the Year and this is a party for her).  Anyway, I love that they pursue their dreams and have each created unique and meaningful lives based on their interests and gifts!

Also inspired by Lindsay and her dedication to health and healing!

There's a sin-nature part of me that seems committed to absurd self-sabotage, that desires to hide and/or escape the work of change.  But the whole and healed and redeemed new me is growing stronger, and I'm getting better at regulating those emotions and holding on to deeper truth and believing in myself and my ability to stay the course and CHANGE. ❤

Listening to this audiobook right now (recommended by Amy from CCU)... really good so far!

I had a meeting with Rachel tonight (the nutrition counselor), and we went over my lab results.  I feel encouraged and grateful because my glucose, insulin, and other key numbers are better than expected, and now we have some clear goals for improvement on vitamins and the cholesterol and thyroid function numbers.  This is also a great reminder for me that it's better to know than to wonder - always better to face reality head-on than to fret about what might be wrong.  When it comes to my health, I've made some stupid poor choices and had such a hard time holding onto hope for change.  Even with the help of surgery, lasting victory will not come without a fight.  This has been a year with intense ups and downs, but God's mercy is freshly available for me, and no irreversible damage has been done (according to last week's labs).  God is not done with me yet, so I'm taking what feels like a clean slate here and running with it!!  God is more than able - I'm confident in His power to renew my mind and transform my life... one obedient action step at a time! ❤