At BBC

Classes are in full swing now. Since this is my last semester at BBC before student teaching my class load is full and intense with finishing the state requirements and...orals. Oh side note, on Monday we spent class time on Christology, I had no idea Christology could be so boring. I was truly sad.
After having a random (meaning I am not sure what caused it) food reactions that kept me in bed all day last Tuesday, I went to see the nurse. With an emotional explanation of my physical problems she concluded that it would be best if I went to see a doctor. I was following a gluten, dairy and soy free diet and could not think of anything else that I should cut out. I now have a doctor's appointment on September 25.
By doing several "home tests" (trial and error) I have found that I have problems with lactose, not casein. Casein is the protein in milk much like gluten is the protein in wheat. Some celiacs have problems with casein because their bodies can't tell the difference in the proteins. Lactose is the sugar in milk and the body requires the enzyme lactase for digestion. For some reason a person might stop producing the enzyme or not produce as much as needed. Lactose is less severe, casein means all dairy products are forbidden, and with lactose, dairy is not totally ruled out. Next, I after staying away from soy for 2 weeks I tried it again. I am finding that I am not intolerant to it just sensitive. Mostly it gives me a queasy stomach and nausea. But I can consume it in moderation. This was a relief because soy is in everything!
So now I feel normal again and don't have nearly as many problems as I was facing over the summer. I am still planning on going to the doctor even though I am 'better'. Today was a rough day...sad because sometimes products don't always list if the food item came into contact with wheat. Thankfully the FDA is changing some of their standards to make things a little more kosher (gluten wise)!
I also received my placement for student teaching last night. My first experience will be in Harrisburg at Bible Baptist Christian School (Dan and Janelle Francis are there). I will be teaching 1st grade. My next placement is at Clarks Summit Elementary teaching 3rd grade. Now that student teaching is fast approaching I am looking forward to it. I have been convicted to pray for my students, that I will learn to love them and that I can be an effective teacher.

Gluten free...

The end of summer was has come and I must say that I am relieved. The last few weeks of nannying were difficult with the children's activities and my weak body. About 2 weeks before I returned back to school I cut out dairy as well from my diet. With continual fatigue and sickness I wondered if there was 'something else' that was giving me problems. After a few days on my new diet I felt so much better again. I have still not included dairy in my diet hoping to give my body enough time to heal and to detox. I plan to figure out if this is a permanent thing or not. Some days are harder than others with finding food now that I am back at school. I still have occasional days where I get "glutened" (have a gluten reaction) but I would have to say that overall it has gotten a lot easier.
I am thankful for my diet in so many ways. I no longer long to be 'normal'. I am thankful because on this diet have once again have health. I am thankful because I have found friends who have similar diets and encourage me spiritually, because I have learned what continual self control means, because God has granted me with an interest and love to study more nutrition and I now can help other girls understand some of their dietary frustrations. But most of all I am learning what it means to draw my strength from the Bread of Life. This is the only bread that I can partake of and gain nourishment. Through this summer I have learned much about keeping my eyes on the divine things and not worrying about what I will eat or drink. God knows about my intolerances, He was pleased to let this come into my life, and I have so many reasons to rejoice in Christ and His sufficiency.
"How sweet are thy words to my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my lips."

Maybe next post I can expound upon the nutritional value of certain foods and how the body responds to the different proteins and enzymes in food during the process of digestion.