It's On. (And Off)

I am completely excited. Since the beginning of our marriage, I've been trying to combat Daniel's not-so-healthy eating habits. It's not that Dan eats bad, it's just that he's NEVER had to watch what he eats for fear of putting on weight. He can't gain weight to save his life. He is 100% pure muscle. Me on the other hand, I have a little bit more padding. If I even look at a donut, it attaches itself to my rumpus. Anyway, after hours of conversation and helpful information from friend Sarah Crawford, I'm beginning to see the benefits of natural eating. As in organic. All the way.

While the transition has been definitely gradual and at times sneaky, (as to not alarm Dan that he's eating healthier) I already feel better. Thankfully, Daniel has caught on. We bought the book The Seven Pillars of Health. It is a Biblically based book on eating naturally, focused on seeking to uphold and take care of "our temples." It is a 50 day devotion-style book with healthful, Biblical principles for each day. Unfortunately, we only have one book....................and Daniel is working out of town this week in Austin.................and he has the book. So I guess I'll catch up. I'm so excited about learning more about eating healthfully and naturally. It's on!

The thing that's off is our cable service. Yes, we are discontinuing our cable. Why? Although I haven't completely convinced myself that I won't be bored out of my mind, we're looking forward to not having it. We don't really watch TV all that much, but when we do, we do it wholeheartedly. I mean lay-on-the-couch-not-moving-for-6-hours watch it. We have many things we would like to do around the house, many books we hope to read, and housework that is continuous. More TV in our relationship means less conversation--a dangerous habit in a new marriage. More TV means less working out, and so many other things! Plus, while reviewing our finances, we realized we could save $500 a year by not having it! Be more productive and have and extra $500? We're chancing it! God bless Dan though. It's gonna be a tough fall without Fightin' Texas Aggie and Dallas Cowboys football, hunting shows galore, and the possibility of seeing the Rangers go to the playoffs. Be praying for us. :)

Back to business.

I'm counting down the days until I no longer have freedom. Meaning I start back to school in less than a week and a half. Am I registered? Do I have a clue what my schedule is? Have I attempted scheduling any patients? Have I bought books? The answer (to every aforementioned question above) is simply NO. I am seriously lacking the desire to do any of this because I know once it starts, it goes until graduation next May. Don't get me wrong, I love cleaning teeth and probably gross many people out with my love for looking in mouths. It's just that these next two semesters present the greatest of challenges, as in, harder patients, national boards, community service projects, plus bookwork and so on. Not to mention 2 hours of my day are spent driving to and from Temple. Eek! Grace Lord, I need grace! Marriage will also be considerably different. I took two classes this summer and have worked consistently. Although the combination was at times annoying, for the most part, I was able to maintain the house, cook and clean easily. All I can say is that I hope Dan doesn't mind leftovers when school starts. I'm praying that the Lord gives me a supernatural ability to be organized and energized enough to keep Him as my first priority, and Daniel as my second, no matter what project is due, or how nasty someone's teeth are. I can't even begin to tell you how the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to be doing what I'm doing and where. I'm the first and only transfer to Temple's Dental Hygiene program. Coincidence? No, Jesus. Plain and simple. Have I made pretty good grades? Yes, but not by my power. Example: the week of our wedding. If anyone ever tries to plan a wedding amidst having transferred schools and moving, don't do it. (unless you have a supermom like mine) Anyway, so about midway through the semester, I find out that my Nutrition final is the Monday of the week of our wedding. Stay calm. So the time closes in, and before you know it it's the weekend before our wedding, A.K.A. moving time. That weekend, I was in charge of getting the house cleaned and ready to move into, which left about an hour to study for my comprehensive Nutrition final Monday morning. I've realized that when it comes to school, if I'm gonna study anything at all, it needs to be the Bible and to give the Lord His time first and foremost. And that's what I did. And praise the Lord, He blessed it! I got a 95 on the final after studying an hour! Is any human capable of that? No! By His power, all things are possible!
With the start of this new semester does come the time of the year I love most- fall. Dan and I have been working on sprucing up the backyard and the front so we can enjoy the Texas fall when the time comes.
It's not just the changing of leaves or the warm feeling you get from seeing pumpkins and little goblins, it is peace. It is solace. It is the Lord's handiwork at its finest. And I absolutely can't wait.
The fact that dove hunting season opens September 1st and deer season follows in November doesn't hurt either. :)
So to sum it up, I'm praying for an inward peace for this next school year. I'm praying for motivation to want to go to school and give it everything I've got. I'm praying for boldness to lay hands on and share the Gospel with my patients and the girls in my class. After all, people can't really object when you've got your hands in their mouth! :) I'm praying for balance when it comes to being a follower of Jesus first, a wife second, and a student. If anyone wants some Jesus along with a clean mouth, give me a call.

Refreshed

So I'm sitting here praying earnestly for the Lord to give me joy and to fill my heart with gladness. Daniel went into work this morning and came back telling me he had to work in Marble Falls this week. As I helped him pack his bags for the third week in a row, I began fighting back the sadness and pity that began to try to cloud my mind. He's been in College Station for the past two weeks working. While Daniel has been gone, Satan has been trying to make me resentful for Daniel's absence and make me feel like Dan's love for me is wavering, and quite honestly, I've been hosting a pity party for myself.....on an hourly basis. Thankfully, the Lord constantly reminds me of His plans during this time and the fact that Satan has no desire other than to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY. During my time with the Lord this morning, he reminded me that Dan's love for me is the driving force for Daniel working as hard as he does to support us. The Lord refreshed me this morning with a passionate desire to support and encourage Daniel, no matter where he is. How could I be resentful? Resentment is NOT of the Lord! Bitterness is NOT of the Lord! Rejoicing is! So that is my desire, to REJOICE and seek to uphold and grow the love the Lord initially planted within both of our hearts for each other. Daniel is my workhorse and for that I am thankful. The Lord works everything for the good of those who love Him. REJOICE in the Lord always, again, I say REJOICE!