Spent some time looking back through old journals last week and sharing funny stories with my kids from their growing up years. Olivia, Drew and Ellie each had a sprinkling of classic comments but by far, Miss Ivy, took the prize. We laughed together remembering how she would ask to wear her gravy blue (not navy blue) shoes. There’s her nearly infamous line at age 3 when dramatizing the Christmas story with Drew (as the angel of the Lord) tells her (as Mary) to say, “How can this be since I am a virgin.” She innocently quips, “How can this be since I am allergic.”
The journals reminded me of one of her lines I’d long since forgotten. We were eating dinner and evidently something was not her favorite! Didn’t journal exactly what that was. Could have been mushrooms. They are still not her favorite! But, she pushed her plate forward and exclaimed, “Mom, I just can’t eat this. It tastes like a foreign language.”
Ivy dear, I can so relate. With all the changes in my diet and with all the supplement powders and pills, I often feel like I’m eating things that taste like a foreign language! The good news is, for most of them anyway, the longer I eat them the less foreign they taste. Best news of all: I’ve gained another two pounds. Up to 89 now!
Speaking of things that are foreign, one of my greatest past delights was to enjoy foods from all around the world. I really have a global palate. Anybody with me? Right now, many of my favorites (Thai, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Cuban and on and on) are not on the best-for-now list. So, I was super excited last night when I added to my try-to-have-it-every-day chicken bone broth some sautéed cabbage, coconut oil, curry powder, garlic powder, sea salt and then stirred in a little coconut milk at the last minute. Now we’re talking!
Psalm 107:9 “For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Praising Him for you, for 2 pounds, for coconut curry soup and even for things that taste like a foreign language!
Love you…Love YOU…LOVE YOU!
Kristen you always amaze me (and your precious family too)!
by your positive encouraging notes and letters. You are truly a Rock!
Continue to stay strong sister and know you are lifted up in prayer
Daily!
Love & Hugs,
Sherrie
Oh, Sherrie, so good to hear from you, friend. Have to tell you though, a ROCK I am not!! But the ROCK spent 365 days a couple of years back teaching me that He is my ROCK. Psalm 71:3 was my theme for 2011: “Be Thou to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come.” I have thanked Him countless times over for reassuring me back then that He is my (our) ROCK – a firm foundation from which my foot cannot slip! During this journey, as always, He continues to be a ROCK of habitation to which I continually come.
Love you, Sherrie. Thanks for your sweet encouragement.
Thinking of suddenly posponed surgery last night, I was reminded by your reflections, that surgery or no surgery, it is our Ivy who has faithfully kept us in stitches over the years. Truly, Ivy has often contributed the best medicine: laughter. And don’t we all need a heaping spoonful of that to help life’s castor oil go down! Love you guys.
Dear Kristen, So good to hear words of encouragement from you. I know those foods that taste like a foreign language. I have gotten my taste buds back and I will never take them for granted again! Praising God for your 2 lb. weight gain and continuing to lift you up daily to the One who rides the ancient skies and who daily bears our burdens! I am especially praying for your strength, wisdom and endurance today at the North American! Love, Becky
Kristen, I look forward to your posts as you remind me of the things I need to know for that time. God is watching over you and with you through every minute also trying out those foreign languages by your side. Stay strong in him and we are praying for you daily. 🙂