Winds of Change at the Cleft of the Rock

The biggest change here at The Cleft of the Rock you will immediately notice is that I actually wrote something.

Tah. Dah.

And, while making no promises of regularity, I have things on my heart to write about. But it isn't usual Cleft of the Rock stuff.

Last year, it all finally came clear to me.

What I finally wanted to be when I grow up. And, honestly, I can't even completely name what the occupation will look like, but I know the education I must have, and that is enough for now.

In my teens I struggled with my weight. Then in my 20's I wanted to get off the diet wheel and learn to eat healthy. I am still learning, but sharing my knowledge and what I've learned is my favorite thing on the planet. I know the struggle -- it's different for each of us -- but I know how it feels in your soul to feel less than because of the number on the scale or the number on the tag of my clothes. And I don't want anyone to feel that way.

We do not have to be thin to be beautiful, but we all feel better at a healthy weight. And when we care about ourselves, we care FOR ourselves. Feeding ourselves properly, plenty of rest... all those things.

So I've done my "never." I was never going to go back to school. And last spring, I enrolled in General Chemistry 1 (oh, yeah...). And this fall there will be GenChem2. Ugh. But each class is a little tiny step toward my goal of Registered Dietitian (that will take me a very long time to achieve).

Nutrition is on sale!!

So the Cleft of the Rock will be shifting more toward nutrition and fitness.  Of course, I will still tell you about funny life as it comes. (Follow me on instagram at sarah_stir for a peek at the world's worst parking job -- mine - this week). But more and more I will be speaking to my heart and my passion -- which is honoring God by honoring the body he blessed us with to the best of our ability on this day. Whatever our current level of fitness, whatever our current level of nutritional knowledge, we can honor God with our body to the best of our ability on this day.

Can't wait to tell you the first thing that is on my heart. Coming up: "I was wrong." :-)

Stay tuned!

"...You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:20

 

Prayers for All

The pictures of backpack-clad munchkins have begun cropping up on Facebook. The sales papers are full of crayons and glue sticks. You know what that means! It's TIME!

While I definitely have some of this guy's sentiment about it:


this year brings new heaviness to my heart as my kids are heading into uncharted territory (for them).

Next Monday I will take my 13 year old man-child to a school of 900 middle schoolers where he knows no one to start 8th grade. Then I will take my 15 year old daughter to a school of 1700, where she has had the good fortune of being in band camp for almost 3 weeks, so she has someone to sit with at lunch perhaps. Then I shall return to my house and cry for a good long while, I suppose.

I have told both of my kids that since I knew we would move (even when I didn't know WHEN we would move) I have been praying for their first day of school at their new school. Mainly -- that just ONE person would be gracious and friendly to them -- and eat lunch with them.

Of course, you and I know that in the global scheme of things there are much worse things than feeling completely left out on your first day of school in your new town.... but at 15 and 13, it's pretty hard to imagine what that would be.

So, as you are praying for your own children and their teachers, and please do be praying for teachers and administrators everywhere, it would honestly mean the world to me if you would remember to pray for my two. While we have had some bumps along the way, this summer has gone much better than I ever imagined, and I fully credit it to the prayers of folks like you.

And while I'm praying... feel free to leave any requests in the comments. I'll be talking to God, I would love to go to Him on your behalf as well.

School Days, School Days, Good Ol'... Oh, Never MIND!

If you live in Texas and send your child to a public school, they are still underfoot. School in Texas is under some new law about school starting in conjunction with Labor Day, the first full moon after Yom Kippur (I kid. It's just another arbitrary thing that makes as much sense as reality), and yet still before any district's new budget kicks in (I don't kid. Districts start school without campuses -- campi? -- being able to buy Sharpies or plan books b/c new budgets don't start until September 1).

But in my little dusty, wind-blown district, school is in session for the teachers. Today we are all back on contract -- I marvel at the teacher's I met this week who didn't know when they were supposed to go back. You have missed some serious last-minute fun if you didn't know when the fun would end!

So, of course, all the irritation gods conspired against me. Because you KNOW I left at the precise moment that I could get to my campus with 17 seconds to spare. So, of course, MY intersection where I turn to my school was completely shut down and torn apart. Pardon me? Did you not have ALL summer when I WASN'T going to be turning there to do that? When did the city quit consulting me about their construction? Actually, sometimes I think the city follows me around for a month before they decide where to start construction. It's usually in my three most frequented routes.

Then, at lunch, I stopped at my house for a quick bite of lunch but was (cue horror music) OUT OF DIET COKE at the house! So, with about 2.2 minutes to spare (are you catching a theme) I run into my local not-very-convenient store. They are not very convenient because the drink machine was frozen up. Pardon me? I am in desperate need of Nutrasweet and caffeine in that beautiful, bubbly form I love oh-so-much, and your machine picks THIS MOMENT to freeze up? I really try to hide my eye-roll and disgust (I hope you people who said you "loved my transparency" were being honest!) but I think I was fairly transparent at that moment, as well.

I am nothing if not a)resourceful and b)desperate so I remember that the donut place across the street has jumbo drinks for $.99. Why didn't I think of that earlier? My spirits lift as I wheel my car up. AND it's even drive-thru -- I should have come here first. I place my order and dig out my $1.07 ready for the trade. Kind lady says, "That will be $1.38." WHAT??? I KNOW-- it's $.31. AND, 'lest I leave you hanging, YES I paid it! I would have paid $3 at that point. But, people! For my first day of up on a schedule, with clothes on, and no pool-lounging, I am really needing you all to work with me here!

I am NOT going easy into this whole schedule/ routine business...