I forgot to mention two wonderful moments yesterday.
1. On my lunch break, the pastor from the Chinese congregation at the church where I teach on Saturdays stopped by to say hello and tell me he was leaving for the day. We visited a bit.
Then I told him about my son and his trip to the emergency room last weekend. I asked if he would pray for him. He sat down with me, and bowed his head and prayed right then and there! Not a short prayer, but a long heart felt prayer.
I had shared with him that I was feeling bitter and vengeful. Not only with this perpetrator, but with all people who resort to violence.
He suggested I read Philippians 4:8.
I wrote it down in my notebook of favorite scripture passages I carry with me. I have been meditating on this passage all day:
2. The teenage student I mentioned yesterday that helped me with my digital recorder surprised me with a moment of compassion. He and his sister actually. They have been studying piano with me for about 9 years. Always good students. Polite, but quiet. In the past, I got the feeling they were forced to take lessons. By well meaning parents. But lately, they have been more engaged in their lessons, even picking music they would like to play.
Yesterday, as they were living, the brother turned to me and said, "We saw on Facebook that your son was in the hospital. Is he ok?"
The sister also expressed her concern.
I told them he had a concussion, but was home and healing nicely. I thanked them for asking.
But as I watched them walk away, I brushed away a tear.
This was a big moment in our teacher-student relationship. I have always aimed at nurturing that relationship. Being present in the moment at lessons, supportive of my students, not just in piano, the subject, but caring about them as people.
This was an unexpected gift. A beautiful blessing.
I want to always remember these moments.
On another note, my mother gave me a bag filled with blue jeans yesterday. They no longer fit her and are like new.. (She is a thrift store genius!)
Mostly Levis. Size 14.
I was so excited to try them on.
They slipped on easily. Over my legs at least. But they stopped at my hips.
I fear I have the dreaded "Dunlap's Disease". (My belly dun lap over my jeans!) Hey, I Googled it! It is in the Urban Dictionary!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Dunlap%27s%20Disease
Ok, I admit it. I have been avoiding my scale.
But, I refuse to let fear rule me. So I hopped on this morning.
Then I sighed. What I suspected. I have gained weight.
But then it hit me. I am healthier than I have been in years. I ride my bike several miles a day, several days a week. I walks several miles a day. I go to the gym 3 to 5 days a week.
I am eating healthier. Mostly gluten free, whole foods. Plenty of water and fresh vegetables.
I pray daily. And I am overall more peaceful.
If I can work harder to trim the fat off of my belly, I am ok with size 14.
After all the violence in this world lately, the size of my pants is the least of my worries.
But again, I was hit with a thought. I have also been avoiding my measuring tape. So I pulled it out, and shrieked. I have lost 2 inches on my hips! I credit this to all of the bicycle riding.
Yippeee!!
Here are my stats when I began this blog:
May 8, 2016
July 10, 2016
1. On my lunch break, the pastor from the Chinese congregation at the church where I teach on Saturdays stopped by to say hello and tell me he was leaving for the day. We visited a bit.
Then I told him about my son and his trip to the emergency room last weekend. I asked if he would pray for him. He sat down with me, and bowed his head and prayed right then and there! Not a short prayer, but a long heart felt prayer.
I had shared with him that I was feeling bitter and vengeful. Not only with this perpetrator, but with all people who resort to violence.
He suggested I read Philippians 4:8.
I wrote it down in my notebook of favorite scripture passages I carry with me. I have been meditating on this passage all day:
Philippians 4:8
New International Version (NIV)
"Finally,
brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Not only is this a lovely passage, I was deeply moved that this pastor would take time from his day to pray with me and share a scripture.
Yesterday, as they were living, the brother turned to me and said, "We saw on Facebook that your son was in the hospital. Is he ok?"
The sister also expressed her concern.
I told them he had a concussion, but was home and healing nicely. I thanked them for asking.
But as I watched them walk away, I brushed away a tear.
This was a big moment in our teacher-student relationship. I have always aimed at nurturing that relationship. Being present in the moment at lessons, supportive of my students, not just in piano, the subject, but caring about them as people.
This was an unexpected gift. A beautiful blessing.
I want to always remember these moments.
On another note, my mother gave me a bag filled with blue jeans yesterday. They no longer fit her and are like new.. (She is a thrift store genius!)
Mostly Levis. Size 14.
I was so excited to try them on.
They slipped on easily. Over my legs at least. But they stopped at my hips.
I fear I have the dreaded "Dunlap's Disease". (My belly dun lap over my jeans!) Hey, I Googled it! It is in the Urban Dictionary!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Dunlap%27s%20Disease
Ok, I admit it. I have been avoiding my scale.
But, I refuse to let fear rule me. So I hopped on this morning.
Then I sighed. What I suspected. I have gained weight.
But then it hit me. I am healthier than I have been in years. I ride my bike several miles a day, several days a week. I walks several miles a day. I go to the gym 3 to 5 days a week.
I am eating healthier. Mostly gluten free, whole foods. Plenty of water and fresh vegetables.
I pray daily. And I am overall more peaceful.
If I can work harder to trim the fat off of my belly, I am ok with size 14.
After all the violence in this world lately, the size of my pants is the least of my worries.
But again, I was hit with a thought. I have also been avoiding my measuring tape. So I pulled it out, and shrieked. I have lost 2 inches on my hips! I credit this to all of the bicycle riding.
Yippeee!!
Here are my stats when I began this blog:
May 26, 2015
Weight: 203
Neck: 15"
Chest: 47"
Waist: 41"
Hips: 48:
Thighs: 23" R, 22.5" L
Biceps: 14" R, 13.5" L
Here are my stats one year later:
May 8, 2016
Weight: 190
Neck: 14"
Chest: 41.5"
Waist 38"
Hips: 45"
Thighs: 22.5"
Biceps: 13.5"
And here are my stats today:
Weight: 195
Neck: 14"
Chest: 41"
Waist; 38"
Hips: 43"
Thighs: 23"
Biceps: 13"
The one good thing about extreme stress is that it usually dampens my appetite. Not that I want to have extreme stress very often, but I am trying to take advantage of this feeling by proving to myself that I do not need to eat as much or often as I have been.
I think I am quite ready to treat my Dunlap's Disease.
My reward will be those size 14 jeans!!
Happy Sunday!
Be blessed.
Zita
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