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Sunday, January 6, 2013

Filling my time, not my face.

So, decidedly, I am going to either get fat and/or go broke as we wait for that fateful phone call.  All the running and working out I’m doing is completely cancelled out by the fact that I immediately come home and eat an entire can of Salt-n-Pepper Pringles.  Thank goodness there are no Girl Scout cookies in the house.  Yet. 

I also find myself wanting to shop.  Like every day.  I could tell you the placement of every chevron patterned item in Homegoods.  And, how much the boots are that I want to buy from Zappos. ($135. Plus shipping.  That’s outrageous.)  And which shelves have been recently restocked at Kroger. 

I’m not kidding when I say that He is teaching me patience.  And faith in His timing and perfect plan.  It’s hard.  It’s challenging.  But, I love Him for it anyway.  I will praise Him in this storm.

I’m committed to choosing a healthier habit, that will hopefully keep me out of the store and the Oreos.  It’s called READING.  I tend to forget how much I like it.  And that “getting lost in a good book” is a rather real and time-consuming phenomenon.  So, I’m stocking my shelves.  And, not the ones in the pantry :)

          

   I’m almost finished with Where We Belong.   My neighbor lent it to me after learning we were planning to adopt.   So many interesting coincidences in this book - from adoption, to the mention of my maiden name, to the protagonist’s love for Michigan.  It was like I was meant to read it.  How true is it to the actual experience of adoption?  I’m not real sure, but it’s a good fictional read.

Jesus Calling was recommended by a sweet friend in my Life Group after I shared that I have difficulty just picking up the Bible to read.  I just purchased it today.  There’s a short and sweet devotional for each day of the year, along with a passage from the Bible to look up on your own. 

Bloom is a memoir by the amazing and talented and inspiring and thoughtful and funny and gorgeous (and I could go on and on) Kelle Hampton.  She blogs at Enjoying the Small Things, and she makes every day living beautiful and inspiring.  She keeps it real.  This book is in my cue at the library. 

So, that’s a start, right?  And, non-caloric.  Plus, mostly free.   A win-win!

Happy Sunday night, friends!

23 comments:

Blair said...

Reading is a lost art but such a great one. I love Jesus Calling. My entire family did the devotional last year and this year my mom gifted us the Jesus Today app so we could do it again :)

Kelly said...

Oh I LOVED Where We Belong! So. Good! If you haven't read Emily Giffin's other books, put those at the top of your To Read list. Enjoy! :)

Dawn said...

It is nice to see you staying positive through this whole adoption process. When I read your title, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. My hubs thinks I'm crazy, so I had to quickly tell him about your story (at least the parts I have been able to keep up with through the feedburner).
I think you're thin enough that you could eat two cans of pringles and be okay. :)

Dawn
Adventures in First with Mrs. Key

Lauren said...

Good luck in your wait. I'm waiting for my Mr. Right so I understand about the waiting game! :)

Lisa Mattes said...

Salt and pepper Pringles...divine!!!! If you're a Salt and Vinegar fan you might not want to try Blue Diamond Bold Salt and Vinegar Almonds! :)

Thanks for the book and blog recommendation!

Have you read any books by Jen Hatmaker? A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study; Spin Cycle; and several others. She also blogs. She is an Austin, TX girl who is hysterically funny and deeply profound all at once.

Smiles - Lisa
Growing Firsties

MElissa said...

Zappos has free shipping. Both ways-- so even if you return, it's free.

Go for it!

Michele @ The Hills are Alive said...

have read and loved Bloom also

Jill Sloothaak said...

I hopped over here from The Inspired Apple...so excited for you and your growing family! Adoption has always been on my heart, and I hope to someday add to my family in that way too. My ears perked up when I read the word "Michigan"....are you from Michigan or do you like vacationing there? I live in West Michigan (near Grand Rapids), and although the winters seem loooooong and dreary, the summers are so glorious that it completely makes up for it! I also LOVE Jesus Calling -- it's my {little bit of} "me time" each morning. A great way to start the day.

Blessings to you and your family!

Jill
do likewise

Witty Whit said...

I LOVE Emily Giffin. Have read all of her books except Where We Belong which I got for Christmas!!! Can't wait to read it :)

Nat said...

Everyone says Jesus Calling is such a good devotional, I think I need to pick it up because I could use some work with worry and patience. I really want to read bloom but I'm pretty sure I'll sob through the whole thing like I did when I read her posts!

AbbyS. said...

workout. what is that like? You go girl.
I need that Jesus Calling book. Googling it now. :)

Carrie said...

Emily Griffin books are all great! I would definitely recommend all of them. I am usually just a "reader/stalker" of this blog, as I follow your teaching blog.

But today I was compelled to comment. I must tell you your story really touches me. I so cannot wait to read the post when you get the call. Will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers and I hope your wait goes quickly. Will be checking back soon. =)

Morgan said...

Hope you get your call soon! I have been wanting to read Jesus Calling for so long!

Natalie said...

Emily Griffin is my favorite! I just downloaded her "Where We Belong" on my Kindle and can't wait to get started on it!

Natalie
Teachery Tidbits

Marcy said...

OMG Abby!! You will absolutely LOVE Jesus Calling by Sarah Young! One of my good friends/sorority sisters recently sent me this book as my dad was dying from pancreatic cancer. It's amazing how God speaks through each day's devotional!!! So incredible!!!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely love the book, Jesus Calling... a peaceful way to start or end your day. Makes our Savior so personal.

Anonymous said...

I think I'm going to take a page from your book and begin reading instead of eating or shopping (two of my favorite of all time things to do).

I'm praying for you to hear good news quickly!

~Steph

Sparkly, Quirky Lifebox

Unknown said...

Bloom was one of my favorites! Also this will be my 3rd year reading Jesus Calling. It's amazing how the dovotioals speak to your current life. I have Where we Belong on my Kindle app but haven't read it yet. :-)
Amy
mrsseiber.blogspot.com

Cara said...

Okay I have to say WOW! You are so inspiring. I just spent the last 40 minutes reding through new posts, old posts, and comments when I finally decided that I had to comment. But then couldn't decide where to comment because I was touched by so much. First let me say congrats on your adoption decision. My husband and I tried for four years (2 different times) and that was a waiting game. I know how difficult it can be to not know. The other part of it is that God will provided you when the timing is right. (We ended up with 4 beautiful children.) I hope you don't mind but I have put you on my prayer list and also have given your family name to my mother and my church's small group prayer lists. Keep your chin up and just know it will happen. On another note, I absolutely LOVE the picture in your year at a glance with the two little additional shoes! What a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. You are an inspiration.
:0) Cara
P/S I am your newest follower.

Kindergarten Boom Boom

Brittany said...

Hey Abby! A friend of mine just told me about your blog. I felt like I could relate to several of the things you have been talking about. We are waiting on a call from Colombia, South America for our baby we are adoptig. We have one bio daughter who just turned 5 and went through 2 years of fertility treatments before realizing this was the time God wanted us to adopt. I feel like a crazy person searching for every bit of info I can get my hands on and I check my email a MILLION times a day. It's try only people who have adopted understand the level of craziness we posess! LOL! If you would want to chat via email my address is babean06@yahoo.com. Misery loves company :)

Terri said...

Hi Abby!! Thanks for dropping by our blog today!! I love your blog and totally relate to this post!! I am a terrible emotional eater and adoption is not good for emotional eaters!! It's funny because, like you, I have been trying to read more during this season of waiting. Anything to help pass the time and survive the wait! Praying for you and your family and your baby to be!!

Nancy@ThatTechChick said...

Another blog stalker here! I keep checking daily for news and I hope it come soon for you and your family! I am also en emotional eater and your book idea is a great way to spend time. Are you still addicted to your class at the gym?

Take care,
Nancy
2techchicks.blogspot.com

Blissful beginnings said...

Abby! I follow your teaching blog and just love you! I have a teaching blog--but I started a personal blog that you might enjoy. Please check it out!
http://blogging-with-bliss.blogspot.com