Wednesday March 9 2016  TWO BODIES–ONE MIND.

My dear husband comes up with some of the most interesting comments, mostly said in the morning before I even have my face washed.  Remember, we have a few moments of togetherness as we hold hot compresses on our aging eye ducts.  That gives us a few moments of bantering when neither of us have a toothbrush making its morning rounds in our mouths.  And banter we do. Today I was informed that if we were lucky, though we have two bodies, we only have one mind.  MAYBE we have the equivalent of one mind.  Any way, that was what Dave suggested!

What can I say?  We are aging.  We are becoming more forgetful.  We are forgetting where we leave objects.  We must write everything down, and most of all, we must never ever let anyone outside of this house know our dilemma!  So, shh!!  Don’t tell anyone.  And by tomorrow I’ll have forgotten that I even told you this so it won’t really matter who you tell.

Now, a little bit more on the serious side.  Yes, we are aging every single day (just like you are), and yes, sometimes we do forget some things (just like I used to do when I was younger) and, I’ve always forgotten where I lay things down, so that is nothing new.  Now it just seems that all these things happen more frequently. So…what to do about it.  I find that as I age there are new adjustments that need to be made.  Two things I am trying to consistently put into practice.  The first on my list is to have a designated place for everything, and after it is used, make certain it is put back in its place.  The second thing I try to do on a regular basis is what I call “INTENTIONAL THINKING”.  I purposely choose to concentrate on what I am doing in the moment and tell myself to remember exactly what I want to remember later.  I will purposely think about whatever it is I  will need to know later so I can recall is more easily.  I find that intentional thinking works like a charm.  And what I find that even works better, is that when I can’t remember, I ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind what it is that I need to know, or find, or do.  And most requests are answered.  Sometimes immediately.  Never underestimate the value of a friend that dwells inside of you who ALWAYS KNOWS EVERYTHING.  Pretty neat, I would say.

So, myhalf of a brain is working hard to get this blog written so I can concentrate on the rest of my WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY (the day when I am alone for most of it).  The other half of our shared brain is at the gym with Dave.  I sit here in a state of underwear freedom, clad in soft knit sweater slacks (elastic waist), a soft long sleeved cotton shirt and my warm workout jacket.  I am so hoping that I do not need to leave the house this entire day.  My goal is to make some plans as to our upcoming travels so I can let our friends know when they will need to be here to babysit out house, as well as contact those who will be hosting us for a few nights along the way.  It takes me awhile because I do a lot of online planning and it takes time to look everything up.  And when you are only working with one half of a half of a brain it becomes a bit more time consuming.

I had my yearly physical yesterday.  In all seriousness the nurse told me that I passed all the brain tests so I guess I can breathe easier for another year.  Compared to where I was three years ago, both my brain function, body function, and every other function has made a complete reversal from where it was.  On March 15^th it will be three years since I began my lifestyle change, exercising, eating smaller portions, and losing 80 pounds.  I came back from my trip last year 5 pounds heavier than when I left, and actually felt better and looked better than being 5 pounds less.  However, since I do not get on a scale except at the doctor’s office, I was concerned that I had gained a lot of weight.  Well,I was correct.  I did gain weight.  I gained a total of ONE POUND!  After finding out that bit of good news it caused me to see myself in a more realistic light.  I was heavy for so long that I felt my largeness became my identity.  When I look in the mirror I still see the heavy me.  Maybe someday that will change.  Knowing I was not up 10 or 20 pounds (which is how I felt), gave me a different view of myself when I looked into the mirror after I arrived home from the Doctor’s office.  All of a sudden I looked thinner to myself.  Somehow I need my mind to be renewed just has my body has been renewed.  It reminds me of the Scripture below that I love so much:

ROMANS 12:2

DO NOT CONFORM ANY LONGER TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND.  THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD’S WILL IS—HIS GOOD, PLEASING AND PERFECT WILL.”

Hmm…Maybe it’s Dave who has half of a mind and I have a whole one!  I’ll let you know after his next physical.  After all, I remembered the three words the nurse asked me to repeat, AND I was able to draw 2:45 on the face of a clock.  And the doctor said I had a good vocabulary…so that must count for something.  (I still don’t know if the nurse wanted 2:45 A.M. or 2:45 P.M). (That’s a joke folks!)

SO I FORGET A THING OR TWO

By Kathleen Martens

March 9, 2016

Isn’t it wonderful that we age?

The alternative is rather abrupt.

I’d rather last a long, long time

Than death prematurely interrupt.

So I shall be thankful for this hour,

And for tonight, and tomorrows dawn.

And even if I begin to forget

I won’t be aware that anything’s wrong.

I may slow down and need to sit,

When once I was vital and strong.

But my spirit will not age,

Because to God my spirit belongs.

And so I stop and use this time

God so generously gives to me,

To learn more and more about who He is

And how He has set me free.

And my desire is to share,

With others who walk this earth,

How God sacrificed His only Son

So they’d know how much they’re worth.

To do good unto others

Is what life is all about.

And when you know God as your Savior,

For your future you no longer doubt.

So I will live to do God’s will

As long as there is breath in my lungs.

And in my heart God’s melody rings,

As God’s love in my heart is sung.

So I forget a thing or two.

God’s Holy Spirit abides in my soul.

And except to do His will,

I have no greater goal.

Have a great day.  I am praying that I will too!

God bless every hour you have today.  I pray that God will open your eyes to the beauty around you and allow you to help somebody this day in whatever capacity is needed.

Signing off and it is only 10:25 a.m.