Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 13: "Staying on Top of Your Health"

Yesterday, we found out that my Grandma Halliday was admitted to the hospital because she has pneumonia in both lungs. (Way worse than me). They gave her antibiotics and she was responding, but then the next day (today) the doctor said that she would get worn out working too hard so they put her on a ventilator. We are grateful for modern medicine, but we are also grateful that we have the chance to rely on the Lord more.

Staying on top of your health is a hard thing. It is like maintenance in a car. You have to constantly keep up on it so things don't break. Often times we forget how important our health is when we are healthy. We figure we will always be healthy, but then when we get sick, we remember how important our health really is.
I think that rest and taking breaks has really helped me to get better. I've also been eating healthier. We had most of the sweet potato and cauliflower soup tonight. Then some cottage cheese and fruit cocktail (in honor of my grandma, but for Thanksgiving we put it on sherbet and then put Sprite on it- not as healthy). It was really good. Of course we had the chocolate milk that Ryan had bought last night for 99 cents. :)

Even drinking water each day is a big thing. It wasn't until the end of the day when a headache was forming that I realized I had not had enough water. It truly is important to stay on top of things. It's like when I was talking about my teeth. I need to floss, brush, and use mouth wash each night. Retainers every now and then to keep straight teeth.

This especially pertains to spiritual and emotional health as well. We should be reading our scriptures each day and praying to our Heavenly Father. Emotional health - we need a release. A time to laugh and just let something go. It has been an emotional roller coaster the last few days. I had to take two girls to Skills which is in school time out. Then I had to deal with some girls that possibly wrote very bad things on the bathroom stall. It just takes a lot out of me to deal with things like that. It's hard to help be someone else's moral compass, but I still love my job.

I'm glad that my grandma is getting the help that she needs from the doctors and from family. I am grateful for family members that were able to also give her a priesthood blessing. She needs help from the Lord as well. I am grateful that we have the chance to pray for her as well. She is a hard working lady and she just needs to rest and relax. Get better Grandma! We love you so much!

Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 11: "Good Healthy Fun"

Tonight for Young Women's we combined with the Young Men. We were going to go bowling, which is a normal activity, but we added a little bit of a twist. Stephanie, the second counselor, had the idea of drawing UNO cards before we bowled to tell us how we were going to bowl. Some of them were pretty hard such as bowling backwards; with your opposite hand; granny style; your choice; regular; slow; awesome approach; skip approach; awesome stance; etc.

It was so much fun and it was a little easy twist on a very common game. Yes, we may have looked a little bit silly, but we had fun and the Young Men and Women loved it! It was so much fun for them. We only have two girls in our program that are active, but they are so much fun. There are about 5 active Young Men and it was good to learn about their personalities. These youth are so strong and a great example of good that is still in the world. They are so clean, innocent, and just want to do what is right.

It was so fun to go and play as a kid again. My nickname that night was the "Great Turkey". (I was hoping it would be some luck for me to get 3 strikes in a row. Now 3 strikes, but I did get one strike and I think it was while bowling backwards. (I just threw it in between my legs). We did get to bowl regularly on our second turn, so we got a chance to redeem ourselves.

It's good to remember to let loose and have fun. I'm glad that even though I had a lot to do, I got the chance to go out and have some fun. That can be the best for your body. Also being around youth. They are so wonderful and fun to be around. It makes me remember that I have one of the best jobs in the world. It may be very trying at times, but it is very rewarding.

Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 9: "Food for the Soul"

In order to keep my body in good condition, I also need to take care of my soul. I need to be better about the spiritual side of my body. I need to remember to read my scriptures daily, meditate/ponder, pray, and serve others. I need to remember to think of more than just myself. I need to make my home a place where the spirit can dwell. Only allow in things that are good, virtuous, and beautiful.

It is important to create an environment that is soothing for the soul. When the soul is at peace, the body can be at it's best. It is important to remember to take care of my spirit. It is what can help me to overcome the natural man. The natural man can be what wants to take over and make choices that may not be so smart, but the spirit can override that. I'm grateful for the opportunity we have each month to realign our spiritual side with our bodies through fasting. It helps us to remember that we are in control and can make wise decisions.