It’s coming up to eight weeks since the birds left our house. And I must say, I am thrilled with the improvement to my health. My energy levels have been so much better, even though I now need to rebuild muscle that has wasted during my inactive 18 or so months. But, even at that, I can work at something, be tired, and the next morning, have recovered my energy levels. It is wonderful!
I was having breathing problems and constant sinus problems too. Both of those are gone. I had a cold just after Christmas that lasted quite a while, but now that it is gone, the sinuses are in great shape again. I’ve been testing my breathing each Sunday with my singing at church. Yesterday was the best my voice and breathing have been in a very long time. Yipee! I had planned to rejoin choir early in February, and I think that’s a reasonable target. I’d like to be able to sing for Easter – my favourite Christian celebration.
My target health now is for the LWMLC convention in Kelowna, BC in early July. The drive will be just over 4,000 kms (just over 2,500 mi), and considering we will be going through the mountains, drive time will likely be 6 days. That’s going to be tough, I think. However, if I am in much better physical condition, I think I can do it. We will be driving to Florida in early March – two days each way – so that will be a good indication of how far I have to go. I intend to start walking in my neighbourhood again as a means to building up some muscle. In cleaning up my office the other day, I found some light weights, so once I’ve established a good walking routine, I will start using those weights for better upper body strength too. I don’t want to overdo things, but I REALLY want to go to this convention!
One thing the improved health has meant is a greater ability to serve again. For so long, I have just done a bare minimum. Basically, I was writing for the Tapestry quarterly magazine, and praying. Last week, I finally was able to attend the women’s meeting for the first time since September, 2010. I was so happy! Our new pastor is urging us to be praying people. So, I asked him if he would treat me as his personal prayer assistant. I had done that with our vicar, even after he became a pastor. Our pastor gave me an enthusiastic “yes!” which pleased me. I also contacted the vicar turned pastor (PK) and he was happy also to have me restart my prayer visits with him. Yay! I am so happy to be able to serve again in these ways. I also want to attend the Tuesday morning Bible Studies. And there is certainly more I could be doing for the LWMLC committee on which I serve. I have not liked going back on my “promises” to serve in specific ways. And now, God has given me good enough health again to be able to pick up some of those tasks. He knows my heart and how much it has pained me to not serve.
The woman who took the birds has only talked to me once since the end of November. I have spoken to her sister in mid-December and she gave me an update on how the birds were doing. I would like to be able to visit them once, at least, but not sure if bird woman only said I could to be polite. I have mourned their loss from my life, so if I don’t get to visit, that’s OK too. That giving them away has so dramatically improved my health has helped assuage my grief at losing them. I’m not sure if Cookie misses them or not. I don’t really think so. He used to leave my office when Jazzy would scream, and now he will lie on the floor for long hours, purring loudly. This tells me maybe he doesn’t miss them. I’ve changed the furniture in my office, which I think has bothered him more than the birds leaving. Oh well. I have given him lots of attention in the hopes he wouldn’t miss them too much.
I am slowing reoganizing my life, sorting through old stacks of “stuff” all around the house, but mostly in my office. I’m working on some mental and emotional clutter too – that will take longer, I think. But being able to return to at least one more normal activity in my life – serving His Kingdom – has done much to help my disposition, returning me to a better level of thankfulness, for one thing.
Until next time, serve the Lord with gladness…
0 comments:
Post a Comment