Thoughts...

 Yesterday, I helped out a bit with the on-line school work, finishing up a bit after soccer practice. He's doing well.

I attended my Mom's Wednesday Bible study where we just started the book Live No Lies by John Mark Comer. This is going to be a hard book to read I think because it's very thought provoking and the vocabulary. 

I've been working hard this year with various counselors and books to identify the lies that I use with myself when I talk in my head, one's I've had my whole life and that need to be replaced with the Lord's truth.

I even take the time to think about them, write them down and try to then write the truth.

This is especially important when I've over reacted over something relatively small. 

I'm thankful that the Lord is helping me with this.

He is helping me to 'declutter' my mind and life of negativity, discouragement, worries, and stress replacing them with hope, joy, encouragement, faith, and love. 

I have also been watching some shows on physically decluttering and organizing. 

I try every time we transition to or from Michigan to declutter and organize. 

Simpler is better for my mental health and it often takes a while and multiple times to get rid of stuff.

Over the years I've also gotten better at not brining in new items unless both functional and thought provoking. 

Even with being intentional the last few years we've still ended up bring a couple car loads to the donation center! 

This makes me happy and makes it easier for the guys to find things that they need as well. 

We also need to start to use up items in the kitchen/pantry because Eli eats very simply and specifically and so we don't want to leave a lot of stuff in the cupboards when we finally do return to Zambia. 

I continue to work to get some extra calm in my life..margin so I can deal with things better, along with eating healthy, regular exercise, rest, and seeing the good in life. 

I also continue to work on my medical education requirements. I did finish this quarter's work a couple weeks early so until October 1st when the last quarter for the year starts I can focus on finishing up a few things on Mom's to-do-wish-list as well as sorting/declutter/organizing.

I've also been intentional about appreciating this time to do 'normal' mid-west, USA type activities that are not normal in my life and that I didn't really think I would be able to do.

• Attending public high school soccer games and yelling encouragement for my favorite player!
• Driving my child to school and sporting events.
• Driving my mom to medical appointments, caring for her after hip surgery.
• Just enjoying attending the same church in the USA for weeks and getting to know some of the folks better.
• Harvesting and enjoying the garden bounty as well as local orchard produce.
• Attending a Life Surge with my 3 men. Especially enjoyed Nick Vujcic, Willie Robertson, and Ed Mylett.