Self Care

"Self care can be about putting yourself out to look out for yourself."

Last night, at 2.19am on New Year's Day, I lay in bed ready to sleep for so many hours. As I tried to fall asleep, though, I noticed that I was ever so slightly too cold. Warm enough that I could easily fall asleep but cool enough that if the temperature stayed that way most of the night I could be waking up in a lot of pain. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: Hypermobility Type (in simple terms, my muscles have to work very hard to keep my joints in place where my ligaments don't do a great job) and I get quite cold very easily. When my body is cold, my already over-worked, tired muscles tense up. Usually this leads to knots and nerve pain. So, you get the equation: cold body + tired muscles = tense tired muscles = pain. Sometimes that pain lasts a day, other times it lasts weeks and months (or until I get a massage)!  So, laying in bed that night I had two options: 1 - lay there and continue to fall asleep, knowing that I might wake up with pain that lasts a couple of weeks, or 2 - pull myself out of bed, set up my heated blanket and then get comfortable again. At the time option 1 was the easiest option going. I was already comfy, I didn't feel uncomfortably cold, and both my brain and body were ready to drift off to sleep instantaneously - my chronic fatigue craved all the sleep I could get. But I chose option 2. I chose self care. I didn't choose to give myself what I wanted in the moment: to drift straight off to sleep. I chose to give myself what I needed: warmth, better quality sleep and less pain. To achieve this, I had to get out of bed (despite my sleepy head's protest) and be intentional about caring for myself.

This concept is still inspiring me. Self care can be about putting yourself out to look out for yourself. If I knew of a small act of kindness I could do for someone that would improve their day, week or month, I'd probably jump at the chance. But when it comes to acts of kindness for myself, I'm not too certain I'd be as eager to put myself out in order to put myself first. I deserve to be looked after, especially by myself. And you deserve to be looked after by you too. 
This year, 2019, I want to be more intentional about caring for myself. Sometimes that means making decisions based on what I need and not what I want. Sometimes that means making decisions based on what I want and not what others want of me. All of the time it's about enabling me to be the best me because a me that's caring for herself is a me that's ready to be there when others need her and a me that's ready to be there for herself too.


What are you wanting to be intentional about this year?
Amy xo

 

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Powerful Promises

3432 hours = 143 days = 20 weeks. That's how long it's been since my last post and I've really missed writing them! So I've decided to spend some energy today writing on here again.

Just last week I was driving home and it was the sunniest it had been in a while. I was travelling along the all too familiar 15 mile stretch of motorway, usually so mundane, and yet the sun was lifting my mood. I felt good. Then the rain came - out of nowhere. It poured down so hard and fast that the lorries around me created a mist that mimicked a foggy night in the middle of winter. Sticking to my lane, sandwiched by lorries, I had no choice but to turn my fog lights on so that my little car could be seen. I was taken aback by this sudden turn in the weather. Where had it all come from? Then came the hail, each tiny pebble of ice hitting the ground in front of me and bouncing upwards with no predictable direction. What was happening? My drive had started so pleasant, so blissful and yet here I was driving through the rain and mist and now the hail too. 
I kept my eyes on the road ahead of me, uncertain of when the hail would let off and when I'd be able to increase my speed again. A few colours started dancing around at the back of the lorry next to me, catching my eye. Where were they coming from? And then they moved. They were in front of my car. A tiny rainbow, I realised. The sun must've been shining through the clouds again, hitting the mist in front of my car in just the perfect way to give me a little light show in amongst this miserable weather. I couldn't watch for long, though, because I needed to stay focussed on the drive.
As I continued off the motorway and down the country lanes to my home I pondered on the significance of this rainbow. I was at the end of it, perhaps the gold at the end of the rainbow? It felt like there was more to it than that; there was more to discover.  Promises.  Rainbows are a symbol of God's promise never to flood the Earth again - that's not His only promise, though. As I lay here writing this post, lacking any and all energy for the day ahead of me, I have realised that I was reciting the lyrics to a song (just hours before this rainbow glistened in the mist that was covering road ahead of me) with one of the girls in the after school club I run:
"The rainbows in the sky to show God's promises are true. The rainbows in the sky to show the world He's the only way, for your everyday"
So, what are God's promises for everyone?

And there are so many more! Keep looking for those promises today, tomorrow, this week, this year. And hold onto them. Recently, I was told of an amazing lady who has written down all of the promises of God that are in the Bible onto small strips of paper and put them in a jar. Each morning she grabs a handful of them and puts them in her pocket. Throughout each day she reaches into her pocket and reads the promise that God has for her. This is such an amazing way to live life secure in His promises.
So today I'm remembering that God has so many promises for me, and these are just a few of them.
H E   I S   M Y   S T R E N G T H “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 H E   C A R E S   F O R   M E “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 H E   K N O W S   M Y   P A T H “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
What promises is God highlighting to you today? 
Amy xo

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She travels... Prague

| Lows: 8°C || Highs: 28°C |
European holiday post no.3! This time we went to visit our cousins in the beautiful Czech city, Prague. This post is long overdue, but here are some highlights from our trip. And I totally 100% recommend this city to anyone looking for a short break away.

On day one, we explored the gardens next door to our hotel. Following a some-what interesting breakfast (European breakfasts never fail to throw something new in) - of salted bread and butter, scrambled egg, and cake - we were met with the beautiful sights of Pruhonicky park. Can you spot Becca and I amongst the flowers above?
Dad loved the park, he's been working on walking 10,000+ steps a day and daily walks around this park meant he exceeded that goal. And those burnt calories meant more room for great food!

Obligatory family picture in the park. Aren't we just the cutest? 
Over the next few days we ate more weird food for breakfast, spent more time in the park, chilled with our cousins and celebrated lots. There was lots to celebrate! And many a happy birthday was sung!
This day was filled with sights, food and some rather strong drinks! (Who knew their standard shot size is almost triple that of a UK measure?! Oops! Haha).
We crossed Charles bridge...

Took a boat tour along the river...

And made our way above the city for a cold glass of Rhum and coke...

What a view! And at the very top of this hill was a labyrinth that I just couldn't resist completing!

I was in my element.

Then we Uber-ed our way across the city to eat Chinese and drink cocktails.

On mum's birthday we visited the zoo. We saw the penguins, and the giraffes! Happiness all around.

At the zoo, there is a ski-lift that you can take up to the top! And of course we wanted to try it. It didn't feel the slightest bit safe and I held onto my phone so tightly, but it was beautiful and we loved it so much we travelled back down the same way.

Have a few more pictures from the zoo...

Following an excellent day out, we had a wonderful meal with the whole family! Prepare yourselves for another obligatory family photograph! Cute.

Granny loved her cake, and I love this picture...!

We spent our last day of the holiday exploring the city some more and I had one goal in mind: Eat. Chimney. Cakes. & so we did!

We walked down some beautiful streets...

and found an underground bar... :D

Then the time came to head to our airport hotel. We even saw a stag do carrying balloons en route. Not the weirdest stag party we'd seen this holiday, but certainly the most photographable!

We finished our stay in Prague in a quaint hotel full of aircraft memorabilia. We said our goodbyes, and headed to bed before our journey home the next morning!
Certainly so grateful to Granny and Gramps, mum and dad for this holiday!
Amy xo

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Mexico 2017 - The Building Begins

This time last month we were waking up to the last full day in the UK before we began our travelling to Mexico. That means it was our last day to pack and, in true Walters' style, it was the day we began to pack! What followed was an indescribable trip, but I'm going to give it a go.

Photo cred: KG

Being the last to arrive at the airport meant we got to say hello to everyone as soon as we arrived! Seeing KG, ET, JB and KB from last year's trip was brilliant, and we couldn't wait to camp and build with them again!

Photo cred: BW

A quick 10/11 hour flight later and we'd landed in LAX. When going through border security I got separated from the rest of my family by a member of staff, which could've proved tricky seeing as we were entering the country on the same piece of paper (landing forms). But I got through really speedy with no problems, made some new friends who were also going to Mexico, collected all 7 suitcases from the carousel and waited, and waited, and waited for the rest of the group. Fortunately I'd packed my Ukulele, so KG entertained us with some tunes. Eventually the lucky 15 (of which I was one), who'd been separated and sent to a shorter, faster queue, were reunited with the rest of the group who'd just spent the last 90 minutes standing in line.
With everyone together we ventured outside in search of our coach. Yellow Prius after yellow Prius sped past until eventually there was a gap in traffic big enough for us to make it across the road. Once we'd made it to our hotel in San Diego, it was about midnight US time and about 8am UK time - we'd not slept in 24 hours. We had dominoes pizza as a US midnight snack/UK breakfast and then headed straight to bed, in order to be ready for the early start to get to Mexico the next day.

Photo cred: BW

The sun was up and following our American-pancake-breakfast we were treated to views like above whilst we waited for the coach to turn up. Through the Mexican border, we were met with more waiting whilst the coach itself was being checked. 
The first drive through Tijuana was just as shocking as last year, but in a different way. I was shocked that I'd completely forgotten exactly what it was like. 'Houses' stacked upon 'houses'. So. Much. Poverty. Driving through was a feeling like no other, you have to be there to feel it.

Photo cred: BW

Some houses were built so close to the edge, they really looked like they might not stand the slightest gust of wind.

Photo cred: BW

We arrived at the Amor camp and it felt like we'd never left! The yellow circus tent still standing, the baños hadn't moved, and the mountains looked as magnificent as ever. Baños, for those of you that don't know, is the Spanish word for toilets. Only the toilets we got to experience were far from ordinary. No flushes, just a big ditch. And something happened that we didn't expect... Because the the ditch below the baños still had some room and therefore the baños hadn't been moved, we were weeing and pooing upon our own wee and poo from last year! Gross.

Photo cred: BW

Baños were best braved in pairs or groups - thanks to air vents, you could have a conversation with a friend to distract yourself from the buzzing flies and awful smell. Top tip: Poo-Pouri works in Mexican toilet ditches as well as it does in flushing toilets (as discovered by mum), perhaps even better as it covers up years of smell! Okay... tmi, moving on.
We'd set up camp, added a few extra tents to solve the tipee over-population issues, experienced our first lunch and our first dinner, come up with a team name and a team chant (which seemed to change every night), and we were just about ready for sleep. Night one. Humans vs Earwigs: 4-0.
Thanks to a cockerel with an underdeveloped 'cocka-doodle-doo' and a donkey that hadn't yet mastered the 'eeyore', the leaders were 'awake' and ready for their 6am meeting.

Photo cred: BW

The buses arrived promptly at 7am, ready for us to leave the site at half past. We loaded the buses with pack lunches, igloos (cold drinks containers), and humans that were ready to build some houses. Singing our way through Tijuana meant the journey from camp to build site felt really short.
Our first impressions of the site were really positive. There were no 25ft drops like last year, and we got the privilege to all build on one site, together. 80 people, 2 single houses, and one double house.
The building began. (Watch this space for part 2)
Thanks for reading, I promise loads more pictures in the next post!

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Lent / Love

Image Source: Google

This year for lent I've decided to do two things, and one of these makes me very happy indeed!
The not-so-interesting one of the two involves McDonald's. I've given up all McDonald's and alternative fast food outlets until Easter. That's the bit that tests my patience and self-control. Especially with these hot days - a Dairy Milk McFlurry and Fanta would go down amazingly in this unexpected sunshine! The second is as much fun for me as I imagine it is great for the people involved. Each day I'm sending an encouragement to whoever is on my mind. Be it a short and sweet message in the hope it gives them a reason to smile, or a longer and deeper message, encouraging them that who they are is great! It's the love within these messages that I think shows God's heart most. It's great to give stuff up for lent - to sacrifice something and work on making yourself a more patient and self-controlled being. But where is the love? Jesus died because he loved us. To quote a great children's Bible: 'it wasn't the nails that kept Jesus to the cross, it was love.' Surely lent should be about love too?
I've loved loved loved the responses that I've had from people - just a simple message and some thought from me has helped to make their day that little (or a lot?) bit better. I've slacked off a bit these last few days so I'll be sending a week's worth of messages tonight but that's an exciting task to look forward to.
Here's to a great Easter, and a love-filled lent in the days before, 
Amy xo

Deeper Than Music

Image Source: Google

It's a Friday morning, a much-needed day off, and I would love to be told: "Open your eyes, it's the weekend, and great things are going to happen". But unless I scroll endlessly through Facebook memes and 'cute text quotes' to find my motivation, there's very little chance someone is going to know exactly what I want to hear. Except... this Friday I woke up with a song in my head: 
'Wake up it's a beautiful morning, the sun shining for your eyes... so wake up boo, there's so many things for us to do, things that we can do-o-o'
Surely, in other words, I'm waking up hearing 'open your eyes, it's the weekend, great things are going to happen' and more than that... 'it's a beautiful day for doing things together!' So recently I stumbled across this new way that God likes to communicate with me! And it's a way that I love; He definitely knows how to talk to me during the day when I'm tired and just not up for conversation. And He talks (sings) to me in a way I love to listen.

Image Source: Quote Fancy

M U S I C The thing with these moments is that they can't be forced. A song just pops into my head and then I notice it. A couple of weeks ago, I was hearing...
'Girl put your love on me, and I won't let you down, and we will be singing'
 ...over and over and over again in my head until I noticed the lyrics. It was in the lyrics that I could take this message even deeper. Deeper than the music. A quick Google search of the Bible led me to these words 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you' and 'the Lord your God is with you... He... Rejoice(s) over you with singing'. So, it's biblically sound - If I put my love on God, He won't let me down and He loves to sing with me. So I can forget these fancy words like 'forsake' and 'rejoice' and remember God's promise to a catchy tune: 'Girl put your love on me, and I won't let you down, and we will be singing'. So maybe your thing isn't music, maybe it's TV, art, or nature. Seek motivation in those things because they're in your language, you notice them every day naturally. As a tree goes through seasons, so do we - sometimes we need to let go of our leaves and after that we blossom. As a paint brush splashes colour onto a blank canvas, so can we - splashing colour into the lives of people who feel bare and empty. If TV is your thing, find motivation in those scenes you love! 

Image Source: Pinterest

Find your thing and explore it! Discover what keeps you going, what motivates you, and what your language is! If you want to hear from God, ask Him to reveal things to you in your own language, and then forget about it! Things will just pop out at you in the middle of your weekly shop, during your drive to work, or any other time of day (or night). Roll with it and enjoy the ride. Okay, that's me done rambling for today...
"You are the music in me... To hear your voice, above the noise, and no, I'm not alone. Oh, you're singing to me"
Amy xo
(Who doesn't love a Disney finish!)

The Adventures of 2016...

At the start of the year I wrote myself an adventure list. I started out with 7 items on my list, leaving room for a couple of spontaneous things to add throughout the year. Here's what I started with, nothing too fancy:

- Drive to nowhere in particular

- Make waffles

- Go camping lots

- Go to Mexico

- Spontaneous holiday

- Build a snowman

- Climb a tree

I quickly ticked make waffles off the list, more than once! 

In Easter, we made it to Mexico!

By May we were camping again! This time, at BCDO!

Then the Summer came and I could add a couple of things to my list...

Swim in a lake!

... and swim in the sea at midnight!

A couple of months passed before I spent an evening with Beverley driving to nowhere in particular!

It reached NYE before I could tick off climb a tree and build a snowman!

I may have cheated the system slightly by only climbing a foot and a half because 'the tree was slimy' and by using artificial snow for my snowman (we got no snow this year!) but it was fun none the less.

I have half-stamped spontaneous holiday. Here are a few of the lovely things that almost qualified for the title!

A surprise day trip to London thanks to Emma!!

A spontaneous trip to the beach to chase a rainbow!

A roadtrip or three to Essex!

A few days in Liverpool!

and a sudden Christmas in France!

All in all it's been a rocky year but one full of great memories!

Here's to the adventures of 2017! Amy xo