Today marks the anniversary of the day I married my soulmate. Well he wasn’t my soulmate when I married him. But he’s become my soulmate over 36 years of better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health. I, personally, do not believe you find your soulmate, I believe you forge a soulmate, if there is such a thing. You have to do real life with someone to reach soulmate status. After 36 years we have definitely done real life. We have faced some of the most difficult scenarios that often separate couples but each of us has always had a propensity to serve the Lord and trust Him with our difficulties and He has held us together and brought us through everything and always restored and grown love where it may have been lacking or fading. I think we know and understand 1 Corinthians 13 love.

One thing I always prayed was that I would see Mike through Gods eyes. That I would see what God sees when He looks down on my husband with patience and love. And God has been faithful to answer that prayer. Even now when I see my husband across a crowded room or the church foyer or cutting the grass or fixing one of the kids cars my heart wells with love for this man and who he is and what we’ve shared. Even the difficult , or especially the difficult, has bonded us in a way nothing else could. I know Mike is a work in progress just as I am. I will confess, I have not always been the loving, respectful wife with a willingness to serve but God has loved me enough to correct me and guide me. He leads me in paths of righteousness.

Mike has his man cave and I have my basement studio and most often we are separated by two levels doing our own thing. But we are comfortable doing our own thing because we understand who we are and what we have at our foundation. When I hear of women dealing with life on their own and the struggles and stress that has now become their lives I thank the Lord for Mike. Every. Single. Day. I don’t have to do life alone and I know I am of all women, most blessed. I don’t have to parent alone and we enjoy beautiful rich relationships with other couples that enhance our lives and marriage.

I will always fight for Mike, cheer for Mike, pray for Mike, commit to Mike. I will laugh with Mike and share with Mike. I will be joyful in hope with Mike. Faithful in prayer with Mike. Patient in affliction with Mike. Two are better than one for if one falls down the other can help him up.

We are by no means the perfect romantic couple that never raises our voices or gets angry or makes mistakes or gets selfish or acts childish, for that matter, but we are committed to the long haul and we have made beautiful memories together and anticipate many more. We have grown into soulmates and for that I am grateful to God for sending Michael my way.

I read a book by Gary Thomas called Sacred Marriage and I’ve read many of his books. I love them. Sort of C.S. Lewis meets Gary Smalley and he suggests that marriage was not created to make us happy but rather it was created to make us holy. My prayer is for both.

Love you to Mars and back my Michael. (apparently Mars is farther than the moon so you get the picture).

 

Here I sit on a glorious July 1 long weekend Monday. How did it get to be July 3rd anyway? Sitting on my deck, just enjoying the quiet of my backyard. Listening to columnar aspens rustle in the wind (listening to the neighbors dog howl as another neighbors cigarette smoke wafts over the fence to assault my nostrils). Nothing’s perfect. The birds chirp happily as they feast on seeds from our bird feeder and pansies I didnt plant continue to grow in the back corner of the grass. I entertained the idea of going out and doing something exciting today but what’s left?

On Friday we had a beautiful drive through the mountains to Langley, BC to pack up Andrews treasures and bring them home to reside with him here for awhile. There is nothing that takes my breath away or conjures up happy memories for me like the mountains. Not even the Eiffel tower. Friday wound down with a delicious BBQ at my brothers place. July 1st – Canadas 150th birthday – was divided between a water ferry to Granville island for the afternoon and meeting friends at White Rock for the fireworks in the evening. Granville was its usual hum of activity with the luscious and colourful market, musicians, jugglers, sailboats and seagulls. Saturday evening we parked the car about 10 blocks above sea level and descended to the boardwalk in anticipation of the fireworks. Just a few million others had the same idea. Parallel to the boardwalk and the water are train tracks. We watched a father and his sons while away the time waiting for fireworks by placing coins on the tracks repeatedly and collecting them after the train had passed and flattened them out. (4 trains while we were there). And finally fireworks lit up the sky to oohs and awes. Sunday was another Rocky Mountain drive home in brilliant sunlight and warmth. Stopping in Kamloops to have coffee with my aunt and uncles who drove in from their cottage (which we will visit later in the summer). What’s left? I mean what could top those 3 days? I returned to my power walking this morning. Lexie is baking cookies for a baby shower. Andrew is engaged in one of his favorite pastimes – video games and Mike is out horseback riding with a friend. And I’m listening to Anastasia because Lexie can’t bake without watching a movie.

Yes there are others with more exciting and glamourous lives than we. Some people are out boating on a azzure waters today. Some are on vacation in Greece, some are swimming in the new pool in their backyard, some have climbed a high mountain and are enjoying the view, some are enjoying cottage life at the lake. Some are getting married today and some are on honeymoons. Some are attending their favorite concert. Somewhere, someone is falling in love. Some are having babies. Celebrities are out making headlines doing what ever it is celebrities do. But I’m at home, just sitting on my deck hoping Mike returns before the thunderstorm my weather network warned about hits. And that’s ok. I’ve been and am blessed. And I’m so grateful to have a home and a deck and my loved ones close by.

Ah… I can hear the thunder beginning to rumble and see the dark clouds start to gather overhead. The rain is here. I go in.

Well folks I’m thinking it’s about time I apprised you of my Whole30 progress. When I embarked on this journey I thought it would be one of deprivation and mourning and resentment- wishing I had never started. I thought I would be hangry every day and whining constantly. Instead it’s been divinely easy, practical, resolute and powerful. It’s as if someone flipped a switch to turn off my cravings and addictions and apathy. Seriously, I am totally amazed myself! I cannot figure out what’s happened.

I cannot believe I just slammed the door on Chai lattes, peach green tea lemonades, frappacinos, popcorn, BBQ chips, cheese, pizzas, taco chips, French fries, croissants, cinnamon buns, bread, candy, chocolate, macarons, wine… to name a few of my vices. It doesn’t even bother me to talk about them. Who am I? And what have I done with myself?

According to the book, I should have started out with night sweats and shakiness, like I was experiencing a hangover. I should have wanted to kill all the things by now. I should have been tired and napping constantly. I should have felt bloated and sick (apparently feeling worse before you feel better), I should have wanted to quit already. My pants should have actually felt tighter at one point. (I’m not sure that was possible.)

Now I’m entering the Tiger Blood stage. Tiger blood means you woke up feeling like someone flipped a switch and turned on the awesome. Energy is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes are fitting better, workouts are stronger and you feel unstoppable. Alright, I’m there ahead of schedule.

I have to say I feel great. I really do. My goal with this endeavour is for health and I’m feeling healthy even if not thinner. I feel thinner inside if that makes any sense. I know, I know, who wants to be skinny inside? It’s gotta start somewhere.

At this point I am seriously considering continuing this for more than 30 days. Maybe another 30, just for good measure. To make sure I’ve truly changed my eating lifestyle, therefore my health. I finally feel like I’ve turned a corner.

My goal for 2017 was to get in the best health I possibly could. I’ve been to naturopath and had food sensitivity testing and a regime of supplements that I need to return to. I’ve been to my MD for all the other tests and lab work to ensure I wasn’t battling something unknown. In the end most of the issues boiled down to fat disease. I know what to do about that.

I’ve had a few setbacks such as my MD wanting me to eat bread twice a day for month to prep for celiac test, resulting in more weight gain and a halt in naturopaths treatment since she didn’t want me eating gluten. Oy. Next I lost my job which entailed losing my benefits so no more natureoparh and no more company gym to work out in. So I spent April and most of May couch potatoing it. Then I started to power walk 5 mornings a week. It felt awesome. Like I’d been born again again. I started to walk on May 20 and started the Whole 30 on June 8.

Even though my goal is health, optimal health for me will involve losing a few pounds….like 25 or so. So that’s my motivation and goal. I’m on it. So when you bump into me here and there, instead of suggesting I become a linebacker for the Stampeders know I’m working on it. Just having the health to prepare better food and the wealth to buy it and the energy to work out and the clarity to motivate myself are all blessings. I’m moving in the right direction. 6 more months to go. I can do all things through Christ.

Viva La Whole30