It's a rainy day down here in Knoxville, just the way Autumn is supposed to begin. Last night I had to wear a sweatshirt to dinner...and I was still cold! I love the change of seasons and the change from summer to fall is my favorite.
Change is all around in Knoxville, we recently got connected with the Young Life group here and I think it's going to change our lives in major ways. I'm so SO excited to get involved, find a team to support, maybe lead a small group, and just serve the Lord. I think that ministry and service has been a missing piece in my life for some time and I am so thankful that the Lord has lead us to a ministry we believe and trust in. Even better news...UT Young Life has a Capernaum group!! I hope that if nothing else I can support the leaders in their outreach to a forgotten group, the mentally and physically disabled. We went to leadership last night and it was wonderful to see a group of college students dedicated to their high school friends and bringing the word of the Lord into high schools around Knoxville. It was also great to meet parents that support Young Life's mission. I think God wants us here, in Young Life, doing something. We'll see where he takes us from here!
Another major change that has happened in my life is that I was diagnosed w/a wheat allergy about 3 weeks ago. When I got the call from the doctor, I broke down. I was really pissed at my body. I was like, "Really? ANOTHER thing I have to deal with?? Not only can I not have dairy but now I can't have wheat?? No more cookies, cakes, muffins, donuts, and anything else floury and delicious?!" *sigh* I kind of reached a breaking point, between my back issues, food allergies, and every other weird thing my body has gone through, I just wanted to be normal and eat what I wanted and not deal w/aches and pains on a regular basis. But, I soon realized that would not be my hand in life and I should just accept the allergy and learn more about it. Since being diagnosed I've done a pretty good job of not eating any wheat AT ALL, and (lo and behold) I FEEL GREAT!! It's amazing the difference I feel physically. I have so much more energy and awake; before I would be so sleepy after lunch, it would be hard to keep my eyes open! But now I am awake and energetic all day long. It's simply amazing. And that is what makes not eating delicious things like muffins and donuts worth while. If I didn't feel a difference, I probably would keep eating the things that my body rejects, but NOT eating wheat and flour products makes me feel AWESOME! And I don't think I'll ever go back! There are plenty of gluten free products in the Natural foods section of the grocery store (Thank you Kroger!) so I do get gluten free bread so I can have toast with my eggs :) One thing I do have to be aware of is the calorie content in gluten free breads (2 tablespoons of GF flour = 100 calories; 1/4 cup of regular flour = 100 calories), but besides that I think they're great!
Yep, lots of change happening down here in Knoxville, I'm excited to see what the Lord has for us and the adventures we can begin down here!
