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Writer's pictureKasey Norton

MISSION UPDATE: A slow, tired start




I have two truths to share with you and I'm open to advice.


The first is that I'm struggling with feeling rough. I'm not sick, exactly, just achy and run down and my brain feels foggy. For a number of years I've had these spells where everything in my body is painful which makes moving hurt-y. Sometimes it's hard to push through it. This dates back to before Thailand so I know it's not just the busy-ness of being here.


But this past year has gotten harder and harder to function normally.


In America, before moving, I went to doctors looking for answers multiple times and nobody came up with anything. I don't know if it's something like fibromyalgia or Lyme's because the doctor's just always said they couldn't find anything concerning. And so I live with it but I wouldn't say I'm thriving with it.


I have a step tracker and can easily log around 20,000 steps without any specific period of exercise so I know I'm not sedentary. But I also know those steps don't mean my heart rate is accelerating like it needs to for cardiovascular health. And I 100% know I don't get enough water.


What I really want to do is something of a health intensive where I focus on detoxing and correcting my diet (cultural dietary changes are seriously rough on the system!) and learning to get adequate exercise and sufficient water in. But squeezing out the time to be so intentional is difficult without shifting some of my load onto someone else, which isn't fair. Because the truth is...


... we are ALL tired.


Today, as I sit here, my arms hurt, my legs are achy, and everything just feels sort of blahhh. I handed off some of my responsibilities this morning to Robbie. He's has plenty to do without doing mine, though, so here's what I'm thinking to do starting tomorrow (it's evening here as I type this):


  • No sugar (still a weakness for me)

  • 3 Liters of water

  • 5 minutes on the rebounder

  • Minimum of 30 minutes of walking (I get closer to 45 when I prayer walk so that should be easy)

  • 10-15 minutes of gentle stretch/strengthening exercises

  • Two meals (Breakfast and Lunch: I know the longer fast can really help detox and it gives organs a much needed rest)

I'll keep a journal of how I feel and changes I experience. Our days are full and I've used that as an excuse for far too long when what I really need is to allow God to teach my how to maximize the time He's given me. I know He hasn't given me anything that would destroy my health without providing a way for me to protect it from that fallout.


There's always room to do better when we're willing to allow God to lead.


And that brings me to the second truth, which is almost uglier, and I can see a direct link back to the first. Because my physical struggle is leading to a large, more widespread struggle: I'm having a hard time keeping perspective. So when something small hits, it seems much bigger than what it is. Right now we're having visa issues with our girls and our new volunteer. The country we're in is adjusting its laws and that can be hard to keep up with; it can also cause a lot of stress if you plant your eyes on the situation rather than on Jesus.


I already feel sort of crummy most of the time so my reserves are depleted and I'm not processing small trials (which are practice runs to prepare us for the big ones!) well which is impacting daily life and affecting others.


It's another reminder to me of how closely connected our physical wellness is to mental and spiritual wellness. It should frighten us to think of the domino effect negligently letting our health slide can cause.


Now that I've written all this out, my wheels are turning for ways we can involve everyone in a bid for better health habits. I just need to pray for balance because I could easily exhaust myself trying to make everyone else healthy after realizing I myself need to make changes.


Baby steps are still steps. I need to keep reminding myself of that.




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mommacos
Jan 18, 2023

Oh Kasey this was hard for me to read and I've struggled ever since reading it with what to say to you. As you know I've struggled with the same thing or something very similar for 3+ years with no clear answers either. My heart aches to know that you're going through this, just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the changes you make will help you feel better. I pray that until you are truly back to yourself or even better than you were that God will give you the strength and energy for the important things and the wisdom to know what those important things are. I also pray He will give you…

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Sue Clayville
Sue Clayville
Jan 10, 2023

Kasey, thank you so much for taking the time to keep us all informed. I love you more each post that I read of yours! I'm going to share a quote that I carry around in my wallet that convicts me often. I hesitate sending it because you might take it wrong but I think it can be a reminder that Jesus is not a hard master - but our expectations of ourselves can be a very hard master. If it's not encouraging to you - forget that I sent it.

"When you find your work hard, when you complain of difficulties and trials, when you say that you have no strength to withstand temptation, that you cannot overcome impatience,…

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Kati Keen Meyers
Kati Keen Meyers
Jan 07, 2023

It sounds like you’re gonna do some really good things! My encouragement is to start with one and make it stick. You’ve got the walking down so ✅ then next pick the thing that will cause you the most degree of betterment. I’d say it’s the water or no sugar. Both will have a profound help on your energy and body aches. And brain fog! A word of warning with the no sugar. It will probably be worse before it gets better. Don’t let that deter you because the better is SO MUCH BETTER!! I mostly eat low to no sugar and when I do eat sugar I almost immediately have some sort of body malfunction or disfunction. Increased heart…

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