Doctor's Orders: Rest (and no heavy lifting)

Two weeks ago, the Lord was telling me to rest. Actually, He's been telling me that for a while now, and it was my doctor who told me to rest—for an entire week!  On October 21, I had a minor surgery to have a couple of ovarian cysts removed.  My doctors orders: Take a whole week off of work. 

"What?!? A week? What am I suppose to do for a whole week?" I thought.  But, it in the end it was a huge blessing. I feel like I got to experience what rest really is. Both the lazy kind and the kind that only comes through knowing our Heavenly Father. 

To rest in the Lord is to trust. Trust that He is in total control and you are in His care. Trust in His promises and His plan. And let go of the need to run or control your own life. Worry and anxiousness have to place in this type of rest. There is no greater freedom than in resting in the Lord. 

The weeks before my surgery I found myself feeling very anxious and worried. Anxious because I didn't know if this was really the best thing for me and worried because my insurance company wasn't handling it the way they needed to. Some days, these feelings would overtake me and I'd be in tears, other times, I knew that this is what needed to be done and I had faith that all would work out well. 

On the morning of my surgery, I remember feeling a bit nervous, but as soon as my doctor was there I felt better (she has this great affect on me whenever I talk to her). And when the surgical staff asked, "Are you ready?" I actually smiled and said, "Yes!" I had this indescribable sense of peace as they wheeled me into the operating room. I knew my Father was with me. 

Being cooped up in my apartment for an entire week helped me rest physically and spiritually. I could praise the Lord for bringing me out of surgery successfully and providing such wonderful medical care. I could rest in him knowing that He is faithful to His promises to care for me and provide for me. I also had to give up control over what happened in the kitchen (and the rest of the apartment) as Chris was now in charge of all the cooking and housekeeping for the week (part of the doctor's orders).  What a great exercise in giving up control—and practice for giving control over to the Lord for everything else!

I am a worst-case scenario worrier by nature, but now that I've learned this lesson on rest, I don't want to go back to my "old" self.  Hopefully, I can remind myself to find rest in the Lord each day—no matter what worries come my way.

Two weeks ago, the Lord was telling me to rest. Actually, He's been telling me that for a while now, and it was my doctor who told me to rest—for an entire week!  On October 21, I had a minor surgery to have a couple of ovarian cysts removed.  My doctors orders: Take a whole week off of work. 

"What?!? A week? What am I suppose to do for a whole week?" I thought.  But, it in the end it was a huge blessing. I feel like I got to experience what rest really is. Both the lazy kind and the kind that only comes through knowing our Heavenly Father. 

To rest in the Lord is to trust. Trust that He is in total control and you are in His care. Trust in His promises and His plan. And let go of the need to run or control your own life. Worry and anxiousness have to place in this type of rest. There is no greater freedom than in resting in the Lord. 

The weeks before my surgery I found myself feeling very anxious and worried. Anxious because I didn't know if this was really the best thing for me and worried because my insurance company wasn't handling it the way they needed to. Some days, these feelings would overtake me and I'd be in tears, other times, I knew that this is what needed to be done and I had faith that all would work out well. 

On the morning of my surgery, I remember feeling a bit nervous, but as soon as my doctor was there I felt better (she has this great affect on me whenever I talk to her). And when the surgical staff asked, "Are you ready?" I actually smiled and said, "Yes!" I had this indescribable sense of peace as they wheeled me into the operating room. I knew my Father was with me. 

Being cooped up in my apartment for an entire week helped me rest physically and spiritually. I could praise the Lord for bringing me out of surgery successfully and providing such wonderful medical care. I could rest in him knowing that He is faithful to His promises to care for me and provide for me. I also had to give up control over what happened in the kitchen (and the rest of the apartment) as Chris was now in charge of all the cooking and housekeeping for the week (part of the doctor's orders).  What a great exercise in giving up control—and practice for giving control over to the Lord for everything else!

I am a worst-case scenario worrier by nature, but now that I've learned this lesson on rest, I don't want to go back to my "old" self.  Hopefully, I can remind myself to find rest in the Lord each day—no matter what worries come my way.

San Francisco Beauty

I haven't shown you many of the sites of San Francisco, mostly because I haven't taken very many photographs. But last weekend I had the perfect opportunity. My friend, Anya, came to visit for four days from Colorado Springs. The two of us spent the whole weekend with our cameras in our hands as we hiked Lands' End trail, took in the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge, and walking around downtown.

So, this blog entry is purely to wet your appetite for more and perhaps inspire a visit! Enjoy!

Building Art: You'll have to look closely but there are actually large pieces of furniture hanging out of the windows and the fire escape. Apparently, the building has been vacant for years!

This is Chris's favorite view of the city—the contrast of the traditional brick church surrounded by skyscrapers. This view can be found in Yueba Buena Gardens downtown.

These four houses are quite famous. They are known by a couple different names: The Painted Ladies and Postcard Row. We love the view of downtown from here.

I don't even have to tell you what this is and I can't admit how many pictures I've taken of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sometimes, the fog is so thick you can't even see the top!

Don't get your hopes up, although on this particular day the ocean looked wonderful and the sun was really warm, the water is freezing!

The statue of the "Thinker" is outside the Legion of Honor, a truly beautiful museum inside and out.

Lands End hike—absolutely gorgeous

Sutro Baths (the ruins) are in Lands End park. The hike is gorgeous on a sunny day and the baths were pretty cool too.

San Francisco is full of interesting places. This was my first time to Sutro baths and Lands End and I can't wait to go back. Let me know when you're coming! There really is something for everyone.

I haven't shown you many of the sites of San Francisco, mostly because I haven't taken very many photographs. But last weekend I had the perfect opportunity. My friend, Anya, came to visit for four days from Colorado Springs. The two of us spent the whole weekend with our cameras in our hands as we hiked Lands' End trail, took in the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge, and walking around downtown.

So, this blog entry is purely to wet your appetite for more and perhaps inspire a visit! Enjoy!

Building Art: You'll have to look closely but there are actually large pieces of furniture hanging out of the windows and the fire escape. Apparently, the building has been vacant for years!

This is Chris's favorite view of the city—the contrast of the traditional brick church surrounded by skyscrapers. This view can be found in Yueba Buena Gardens downtown.

These four houses are quite famous. They are known by a couple different names: The Painted Ladies and Postcard Row. We love the view of downtown from here.

I don't even have to tell you what this is and I can't admit how many pictures I've taken of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sometimes, the fog is so thick you can't even see the top!

Don't get your hopes up, although on this particular day the ocean looked wonderful and the sun was really warm, the water is freezing!

The statue of the "Thinker" is outside the Legion of Honor, a truly beautiful museum inside and out.

Lands End hike—absolutely gorgeous

Sutro Baths (the ruins) are in Lands End park. The hike is gorgeous on a sunny day and the baths were pretty cool too.

San Francisco is full of interesting places. This was my first time to Sutro baths and Lands End and I can't wait to go back. Let me know when you're coming! There really is something for everyone.

Joy comes in the Morning (after you've waited)

Last Monday, Chris embarked on a new adventure! He started a new job!! (shouts of Joy inserted here) He started a new entry-level job in an editorial studio for a feature film. The job is contracted for three months with the possibility of it being extended four more months in December. We are also hoping that it might become a full-time job after that.

Right now is a time of transition for him as he finishes up the work for his previous employer and begins learning all his new job entails. So, he is currently working part-time at both places. Starting in October he will be working 40 hours/week for the studio. I must admit it is a time of transition for me too--gone are the days where Chris had spare time to run errands for me. Now, I have to learn where the Post Office and the Bank are!

This almost seems like the end to our story (or at least my blog) about our adventure to San Francisco. After 11 months, it is all fitting into place. But really, it is just the beginning of the work the Lord has for us here. We didn't move out here solely for work but also to be a witness for our Savior.

San Francisco is a very dark place spiritually. Its a city full of freedom to indulge in whatever lifestyle you desire where most of the time, it seems there are few consequences. Often we hear that people moved to this city to get away from Religion.

There is a need for our lights to shine brightly here. Please keep us in your prayers as we live out our faith. Pray co-workers, neighbors and others would see our good works and praise our Father in Heaven.

Another reason for joy is a new friendship! Chris is very closely tied to the Navigator ministry and therefore connected to people across the United States. So, when a College student who has been part of the Navigators moves out to San Francisco, we are here to welcome him/her. We had our first opportunity to do so a few weeks ago.

Mary moved to the city without knowing a soul. A Nav Bible study leader from her college connected the three of us. From there we were able to take her to church and introduce her to our small group. Because she is surrounded by unbelievers at her new school and in her apartment she seems to crave Christian fellowship and I am so thankful we can be that for her. Please pray for our new friend, she's had a rough transition. Pray she would find others her age who are also believers.

Over Labor Day, Chris and I went to San Antonio Texas for a few days to see his family. We had such a wonderful time. All of his siblings were home and we were able to send off his brother, Brad, to France for a mission trip. The highlights were getting caught in a huge rain storm and teaching our three-year-old niece to ride her bike!

Last Monday, Chris embarked on a new adventure! He started a new job!! (shouts of Joy inserted here) He started a new entry-level job in an editorial studio for a feature film. The job is contracted for three months with the possibility of it being extended four more months in December. We are also hoping that it might become a full-time job after that.

Right now is a time of transition for him as he finishes up the work for his previous employer and begins learning all his new job entails. So, he is currently working part-time at both places. Starting in October he will be working 40 hours/week for the studio. I must admit it is a time of transition for me too--gone are the days where Chris had spare time to run errands for me. Now, I have to learn where the Post Office and the Bank are!

This almost seems like the end to our story (or at least my blog) about our adventure to San Francisco. After 11 months, it is all fitting into place. But really, it is just the beginning of the work the Lord has for us here. We didn't move out here solely for work but also to be a witness for our Savior.

San Francisco is a very dark place spiritually. Its a city full of freedom to indulge in whatever lifestyle you desire where most of the time, it seems there are few consequences. Often we hear that people moved to this city to get away from Religion.

There is a need for our lights to shine brightly here. Please keep us in your prayers as we live out our faith. Pray co-workers, neighbors and others would see our good works and praise our Father in Heaven.

Another reason for joy is a new friendship! Chris is very closely tied to the Navigator ministry and therefore connected to people across the United States. So, when a College student who has been part of the Navigators moves out to San Francisco, we are here to welcome him/her. We had our first opportunity to do so a few weeks ago.

Mary moved to the city without knowing a soul. A Nav Bible study leader from her college connected the three of us. From there we were able to take her to church and introduce her to our small group. Because she is surrounded by unbelievers at her new school and in her apartment she seems to crave Christian fellowship and I am so thankful we can be that for her. Please pray for our new friend, she's had a rough transition. Pray she would find others her age who are also believers.

Over Labor Day, Chris and I went to San Antonio Texas for a few days to see his family. We had such a wonderful time. All of his siblings were home and we were able to send off his brother, Brad, to France for a mission trip. The highlights were getting caught in a huge rain storm and teaching our three-year-old niece to ride her bike!