All the things

Last night I reflected on a few things.
I have this unique time on my hands. I am busy but honestly I have time.
Day one of the $3 challenge I did not spend anything yesterday. Today I am taking leftovers to work for snacks  but we are doing a team lunch and then I am driving to Colorado. It will be a hybrid.  The rest of the weekend I should be able to meet the goals.

One thing that has been on my mind a lot is cancer. For so many people 2019 has not started off well.
Diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, surgeries, and decisions. My favorite teacher in all the world is battling Leukemia and it breaks my heart. He really inspired me and encouraged me along the way.
My niece and dear friend are facing it head on and not taking No for an answer.
Support is the only thing I can give them now.

I told my friend at work about one of my favorite books by Laura Landro Survivor and how I learned about MSK.

just

The Lord loves justice and goodness and he hates every form of wickedness and sin. He wants to set us free from our unruly desires and sinful habits, so that we can choose to live each day in the peace, joy, and righteousness of his Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17). To renounce sin is to turn away from what is harmful and destructive for our minds and hearts, and our very lives. As his followers we must love and respect his commandments and hate every form of sin. Do you love and revere the commands of the Lord?
"Lord Jesus, grant this day, to direct and sanctify, to rule and govern our hearts and bodies, so that all our thoughts, words and deeds may be according to your Father's law and thus may we be saved and protected through your mighty help."

Wed

Going to attempt to try something - only spend $3 a day for the next three weeks. Obviously, I will pay any bills but just limit my self to any excessive spending. I will need gas money to Colorado tomorrow but that is separate. I can use up things in freezer and cupboard and step up my frugal game. Closing on land #1 should wrap up near the end of the week and then closing on land #2 should be in the next ten days. My savings is taking a small hit considering the amount I am spending. I have no idea how 2018 taxes shake out but I am hoping on a draw. please.. please.. do not let me owe. Last year it ticked me off  - I quickly booked a ticket to Greece to volunteer costing almost 5K. That is not going to happen this time. Well, I hope. I am well prepped for most things and should be able to pull it off.  I am very lucky when it comes to my current disposition and it was not always like that. Turks and Caicos are planned for the end of the April and I am squeezing in Easter and my brother's 50th. All of those expenses are taking care of  - everything but the car rental in MI.
Need to focus on some little before I drive tomorrow afternoon.

Tuesday

And just like that it is Tuesday - 3rd week of Lent.
I have had chocolate twice. Straight up - but hold strong on no Starbucks despite all of the great ways to earn extra stars towards more free Starbucks.

The trees are blooming and Spring is in the air.
This week I am striving to be consistent and purposeful. Read homework, work on homework. I am headed to Colorado on Thursday afternoon and get to see some of my favorite people this weekend.

The word of God has been reminding us that we are all sinners–that we all need God’s mercy.     Today’s psalm and refrain remind us that God confers His mercy on us by teaching us His ways.

“Teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me. Show sinners the way. Guide the humble to justice. Teach the humble your way.”

in all things

Mercy, compassion, and love.

Weekend

I had no commitments this weekend which is completely freeing and unusual.

Some yoga, reading, good food, conversation, church, and I bought a desk!

I mailed the final paperwork to the Title company in Montana. Paperwork could be finished in the next 7 days. Which means I own a plot of land soon!

My Desk - 

I needed it.

I was using my floor space with boxes to organize my stuff.

Now I can just have a space with my stuff.

Thankfully, It fell into my hands and Alex could help me bring it up the stairs!

I have been holding off adding any more stuff - but a few things now and then is good.

Working on homework and reading.

And now it is time for another Monday.

Deep Creek

I am absolutely loving Deep Creek by Pam Houston



Chicago Review of Books - Link

I want to be her neighbor and her friend.
Mend fences.
Replace bluebird bird houses.
Nurse beloved animals.
Watch the sunset.
And always have the passport at the ready.

She is inspiring and has me dreaming about possibilities.

advocacy

This is what advocacy looks like today. This morning I wrote notes to Colorado elected officials that help sponsor stronger anti-trafficking bills that bring awareness and attention to human trafficking.



In Colorado we currently have HB19-1051 - Colorado Department of Public Safety Human Trafficking-related Training

Link to the Bill - and details

SB19-185 Protections For Minor Human Trafficking Victims

Concerning protections for minor human trafficking victims, and, in connection therewith, requiring a post-enactment review of the implementation of this act.

Link to the Bill and details

Please remind your elected officials that they represent the people not agenda, interests, and personal pet projects.

Bataan

Participating in the Bataan was something I wanted to accomplish this year. Last year I met Vietnam Vet at TAPs whose father was in the Bataan and is son had died in Iraq. It was an inspiring moment and I wanted to do the walk. I honorably walked the half. Maybe next yeat I could walk the full with some preparation and discipline.

We always say keeping saying their names to keep their legacy alive. I had the opportunity to do that for almost six hours on Sunday morning and it was an honor.

wine

I bought this two over months ago.
A small box.
I thought I had bought Chardonnay.
Well, the red one - but it was a surprise when I poured it in my extra fancy cup and it was white! That goes to show what I really know about wine.
I am gearing up the for the weekend and cannot wait to walk the Bataan. It is going to be brutal but looking forward to reflection and the thoughts. Live with Purpose!

peppers...

My affliction with peppers and the vegetables on clearance.

Green, yellow, tomatillo's, and plenty of spice.

I could eat roasted vegetables of any kind each day.

day 2

T

Yesterday I went to an Ash Wednesday service at noon. It was packed. I was on the younger side.

I chose to sit in the back second to the last row on the far left.

Minding my own business I find the page with the script to follow and sure enough I am given the opportunity to be refined one more time. A gentleman scoots in behind me. And I start hearing a noise. At first it is subtle and then in my mind it begins to pick up steam and enthusiasm like a train. Darn - here I am ready to pay attention and now all I can hear is this noise. I pretend to adjust my purse and jacket to see what in heck is behind me. And there it is. A portable oxygen just pumping in and out making this somewhat silent (but horrifying loud) noise. I am screwed. I cannot move because that is rude. And I am 100% distracted now.  I try to close my eyes, take deep breaths and concentrate on the words and then I switch to deliberately reading the words to drowned out anything else. Since this was a word mass - no singing was present. Well, 25 minutes later I got in line made my way to receive my smudge and hear the words Mass has ended, go in peace. In which the priest did not say. But everyone understood it was over and we left. 

Later in the evening I head over to a 75 minute Vinyasa flow. We talked about surface level gratitude vs being thankful for things even when things are not great.

I am so thankful and so blessed it is hard to even put it together.

I am not perfect and I have struggles. But God is so so good to me.

6 March

Julian of Norwich wrote:

“Prayer is the deliberate and persevering action of the soul. It is true and enduring, and full of grace. Prayer fastens the soul to God and makes it one with God’s will.”

I took this picture in Zurich Fall 2017.

lent

I am going to up the Lent game this year.
No Starbucks and no Chocolate.
To be honest I am not in love with chocolate - but let's just say no to it. Sometimes, I crave it. If I could just eat green instead that would be great.
Now, Starbucks is different. I use it for convenience. So, this is a difference in planning.
I am also going to write at a minimum 5 minutes a day for the memoir.