Betsy and I first met in Mexico on a volunteer trip. Though we didn’t start dating until almost a year later, we both got to know each other based on our similar passion to serve others. It has been the foundation of our relationship since. We had a lot of fights (and a break up) over the course of our relationship. Yet what we’ve always gone back to is our overlapping core values, though sometimes it’s taken awhile to get there. Our love for each other is anchored in our love for God and our love for people.
The In Between
This past week I got my teeth shaved down in order for my new smile. It was pretty awesome and scary to see my teeth in their shaved down form – so small, raw, vulnerable. Last Wednesday I spent over 5 hours at the dentist – more impressions, pictures, molds, and finally shaving down 10 of the 14 of my top teeth. I have to laugh at this picture now – my face all numb from the medicine as I try to hold up my upper lip to smile.
Approaching Life Like a Marathon
To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of running. I’ve never run a marathon; I have only competed in long distance rowing. But I do know something about endurance sports and endurance in life. I think I have lived enough and gone through enough seasons of life to have learned a few things. I quickly forget them though, so here’s a little reminder some things for myself that might benefit you as well.
Milestone in Freedom from Unhealthy Choices
Today marks two months that I decided to fully surrender. Today marks two months of freedom! This coming after three years of hard work and lot’s of love from my community, mostly the people at Mosaic Whittier.
Moving Forward into Change
I’ll admit. Change can be scary. Often times we see the cost of changing but not the cost of missed opportunity. However, thinking of the cost of missed opportunity is even scarier.
Everyone’s Human, Everyone’s Got a Story
So, this is my dentist, Dr. Gutierrez. I’ve spoken about him before. I began as a patient of his in early February. I shared my story about bulimia and recovery… he and his staff encouraged me with their positivity, professionalism, and compassion. I shared my concern about my dental health… he and his staff shared with me their hope for my smile. I shared part of my life story… I got to be a part of theirs as well.
Shalom. Peace. It starts with within me
Shalom. Peace. Restoring things to the way they were meant to be, the way God designed. We all desire to be a part of something meaningful that restores the world to what it was supposed to be. It’s been some 27 years for me realizing that my restoring shalom in the world is meaningless if I am not walking in the Spirit of God. What I mean by that is all of my actions, public AND private are in line with the way God intended them to be, the way of shalom, what some may call walking in the Spirit of God.
