Life after _________. What do you need to put in the blank?

Hello my dear friends, I am so sorry I've not kept up but as I have completed all my treatments and radiation I'm been trying to simply get things to a "new normal". If you have battled any sickness or had any life changing things take place in your life you will understand sometimes what was can no longer be the norm.

I have asked myself and others, in a teasing manner, what is normal? Hee hee I suppose it all depends on the person, doesn't it?! Oh well, I'm now working on a "new normal" for me. Of course in the last two months I have had a son get married, and a son go off to Bible college, my husband had surgery and tomorrow is my three month check-up so there's a lot of "new normal" going on. So I thought I'd share some of what I'm doing that is being a huge help in getting Life going again.

First is, I'm working on having a menu for our evening meals. Reason being some days I still don't feel up to cooking or some days I forget to plan for an evening meal. So for the last month I have had daily menus and it's amazing how not only do I save money on groceries but I know each day exactly what I need.

EX: Monday 9/3 Hot dogs (with all fixings) I have listed anything that we as family enjoy on hot dogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, and salad.

Tuesday 9/4 Beef Stew (Rival Crock Pot Page 32) then I list items I need to purchase on my menu

Wednesday 9/5 Chicken (Rival Crock Pot Page 20) again Items I needed to purchase I listed and bought on this past Saturday when I went shopping.

Thursday 9/6 Subs, chips, baked beans

Friday 9/7 Left overs

Saturday 9/8 Pizza, chips

Sunday 9/10 varies

This just gives anyone who may be interested in doing a menu a general idea. Yes, some of these meals is what we're actually having :) this week. Now what happens if we don't have left overs or enough to feed everyone - that is where I have a stir-fry or something I can pull out of the freezer and ta-da dinner is served. :)

The Bible teaches that everything should be done decently and in order. In order for me to do that I must plan. Then not only do I plan but I follow that plan. Sometimes I have to be flexible when other times I can follow it to the T. The goal though is to do things decently and in order.

I also have a cleaning schedule because over the last year things were neglected and things were not always done. So to get a deep cleaning in and to make sure all things are done decently and in order I have a list that I follow.  EX: Monday - Laundry and work on Kitchen; Tuesday - Bathroom scrub the floor etc. and so on and so forth. Each day of the week gives me something to focus on.

Then on top of that I have things that get done daily:
Devotions - staying in Gods word and keeping him the center of my life
Piano - I need to practice daily to learn and get to where when I play for church it's for Gods glory and I know I've put forth my best effort to be prepared.
Dishes - who wants to walk into a dirty kitchen etc.

So as you see, things I use to just do or not do I now plan. I've heard a theory used in several ways and I use it and a friend shared how she uses it with her anxiety. It's the spoon theory this helps me to keep my "new normal" going in a decent and orderly fashion. I will say, I'm very thankful I have more good days than bad now and God has without a doubt blessed us beyond measure.

So friend, you may have a hidden illness, a visible illness, a heartache, or anything but remember to stay in God's word, stay before Lord in prayer, do what you can, and to the best of your ability with the Lords help you WILL get through each day. You may not accomplish every task you set for that day, but if you put your best foot forward and if you have only 5 spoonful's of energy do what you can, so you can be what you need to be for your family.

I know there's not been a lot of scripture but really there is life after __________________ and whatever you maybe going through. (fill in the blank) If today was bad, figure out what went wrong and change it to make tomorrow Absolutely Ridiculously Amazing! :)

Blessed Beyond Measure
Make Today Ridiculously Amazing