I am NOT the Conductor

Back when I was in Junior High, in Carmel, Indiana, I "played" the flute in our band for two years. I had heard a friend of my oldest sister play the theme song from Romeo and Juliet at a talent show and I decided then and there that I HAD to learn how to play it too! 

Photo source: Google.com

Playing this instrument did not come naturally. It took me practicing on the top of a Coke bottle just to make the sound. I kinda, sorta, learned the fingering enough to make my band teacher think I was reading and playing the notes, but I'm sure he knew better. (When you're a flutist, you sit in the front row so it's difficult to fake it.) 

Once I'd mastered the Romeo and Juliet song, and had met the requirement of two years (the school's rule, or my parents?) I quit the band. I did gain a few lessons though, that I started thinking about today on my walk after talking with a girlfriend.

This may or may not come as a surprise to those who know me, but it's been brought to my attention that I like to "orchestrate" things. As in...be in control of the outcome. I over think things and try to micro-manage relationships and basically attempt to direct as if I'm the conductor. 

In a symphony or band, the music is superior if the musicians are directed by a veteran conductor. You can read more about that here. He or she knows all the details. I, however, am NOT the conductor; in my family, or friend group, or life. 
I know who is... 

GOD

"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." 

Psalm 37:23

So, what other lessons am I learning?

• I have a part to play in God's story, but it's not my job to control outcomes, I just need to participate. 
• Rather than worrying about what others around me are doing or thinking, I need to focus on following the conductor.

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:8

• Just as I should have spent more time practicing my music, and memorizing the fingering, I need to spend more time in and memorize the word of God.
• If a Junior High band conductor can take a bunch of kids, some of whom have zero talent, and with time and patience use them together to make music, then our GOD can certainly be trusted with using little old me as a member of His masterpiece.

I am grateful for the nudge from a friend and the Holy Spirit today. Granted, I have some multi-tasking skills since I was a Kindergarten teacher and raised four children. If you ever see me pulling out the invisible conductor baton, you have my permission to remind me that it's not my job.

I will leave you with this beautifully played version of the song that initiated my short band career. I didn't ever sound ANYTHING like this, nor did I play a solo anywhere except my groovy bedroom. 

Alexandra Mukovnya (flute) - https://vk.com/id97736490

In His Grip,
xo Jane

See Jane Keep Going

I am half-way through doing the Whole 30 Diet. I'm proud of me! One of my sweet friends decided to join in the "fun" and started the program yesterday. I wish her much luck much success and patience! I think a few people who know me well (and my eating and drinking habits) decided "If Jane can do it, anybody can..."

"Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You are not your own." 1Corinthians 6:19 NLT

I was surprised that even as I walked the aisles of our healthy "Main and Vine" store the other night and Trader Joe's yesterday with list in hand, HOW MUCH STUFF THAT I CAN'T EAT! 

BUT...I am doing OK. I am not cheating, haven't really been craving anything in particular and when I look down at my tummy, it doesn't look like I'm 7 months pregnant anymore! I've got a whole new food vocabulary and over the weekend we made some delicious dinners including shrimp and vegetables with avocado pesto sauce over zucchini "zoodles."

Here's a look at the stash I brought home from TJ's. The Garlic Herb Chicken Sausages were very tasty, and the flowers were a "just because we need to enjoy simple pleasures."  $1.99 for Orange Gladiolus was a steal! They go great with the pink ones I cut that are growing out in our front yard.

I promised I would talk about my unhealthy eating habits sometime, so here you go! I'm a child of the 60's and 70's, and both my parents worked full-time from the time I was in second grade. That said, meal preparation was a combination of a tight budget, and not a lot of time! Keep in mind, I was raised in the Midwest...we ate differently than families do here in the PNW. I apologize in advance for the length of this post.

My Growing-Up Years: 
Typical Breakfasts: Poptarts, cereal, Instant Breakfast shakes, Hawaiian Punch, Eggs, Pancakes or Waffles on the weekends.
Typical lunches: school lunches, peanut butter or bologna and cheese sandwiches, Pringles, snack puddings and fruit, Hostess treats for field trips.
Dinnertime: LOTS of casseroles, cube steaks, iceberg lettuce with homemade thousand island dressing (mayonnaise and ketchup) and canned vegetables. We didn't eat out much but when we did it was a Friday night at Pizza Hut!

College:
Whoa. I gained more than the "freshman ten." I really took advantage of the Dorm cafeteria buffet line. If I didn't like the main course I could always make a P and J sandwich followed by the ice cream machine for dessert. My besties and I ordered LOTS of Dominos pizzas and helped the Frat boys drink their kegs. Self-control towards food and drink just hasn't been in my "make-up." 

I need to give a shout-out to my freshman college roommate and Chi Omega sister, (Cathy Marx) Catherine Ebeling RN BSN. She wrote the book The Flat-Belly Kitchen: Superfoods For A Flat Stomach: Lose 2-3 Inches From Your Belly in Less Than A Month. Many of her recipes are Whole 30 Compliant, and I will definitely be incorporating her meals into my life in the future.

Raising my Family:
I did get a grip on my weight after college/before my wedding and went a bit up and down with four pregnancies. Fresh food DOES cost more, and while we were raising our four kids we were pinching pennies and just trying to fill their tummies. I bought LOTS OF BOXES; macaroni and cheese, Stovetop stuffing, frozen pizza, etc. I love that despite their childhood lack of great nutrition they've learned to be healthy eaters as young adults. Menopause has not been my friend. Enough said.

Before I began this Whole 30 Program:
Wine. Lots of wine. Crackers and cheese, Greek Yogurts, English muffins and peanut butter, Blue Cheese dressing, BIG portions, burgers and fries, Teriyaki chicken and fried rice, pasta, French Bread and butter, desserts, ice cream, Margaritas with lots of chips and salsa. You get the idea...not a lot of self-control.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22

Some reflections after 15 days: 

• It does gets easier to be around friends who are enjoying wine while I'm sipping a La Croix. It's sometimes entertaining!
• My energy has improved and I haven't had a headache in two weeks.
• I haven't weighed myself (following the rules) but my pants are looser and my husband has lost 11 pounds (he cheated and weighed himself.)
• Lots of people have "Whole 30" stories~it's a community. 
• I don't yawn as much. (My friends noticed.)
• I wish the restaurant "Flower Child" wasn't only in California, Texas and Arizona! 
• Fresh, clean, Paleo-type food really is better for us and does NOT come in "boxes."
• Even though it can be frustrating to discover all the things I CAN'T have, there are lots of interesting options.

Some Tips:

• Do not drink a Kombucha at night. I won't be having it again for the next two weeks. Sources say it has sugar (the devil!) Apparently it has natural caffeine and I was awake half the night!
• Spicy V8 and cashews and almonds or an apple really tide me over at work.
• There are TONS of resources online (especially Pinterest recipes.)
• Give away all your Dairy and Bread to friends.
• Clean out your refrigerator and freezer of non-compliant foods and put them in a garage freezer if you have one.
• Hide all your wine and spirits in the closet. (Out of sight, out of mind.)

There are a few places around my Harbor Town I really miss going to, just to enjoy the gorgeous view while sipping a glass of Vino. (Hang in there Jane, just two more weeks!) Plus...Napa Valley is only fourteen days away!!

Photo source:http://evewine101.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Napa_Valley_welcome_sign.jpg

"God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when tempting food troubles come, but you will be patient." Colossians 1:11-20

In His Grip,

xo jane