Getting Healthy Part 20+

Catchy title, huh? Feel like you've missed something? Well, let me tell you...you've missed absolutely nothing up to this point. Today, that all changed! Today, I have decided to pack my bags and leave this unhealthy lifestyle behind me. I have tried and tried to do this before but always my way at my time and on my terms. That hasn't gotten me very far...and caused those who love me most a whole lot of pain. Today I started a healthy eating plan. Now I know it has only been one day, but everything starts one day at a time. I have already planned my tomorrow and am embracing being healthy. I must admit that I am not happy with myself right now and I know that makes Father sad because He loves me and created me in His image. I acknowledge that I haven't done a very good job of taking care of His temple. Today has been a fresh start. The first day of the month, the first day of the week. I am tankful for another chance. Do you need another chance? God is standing with open arms saying "You got it!" hold me accountable on this journey. I cannot do it alone, been there...done that...failed miserably! I am excited to see results from making good choices! Love you all.

Memory Lane of Easter

This is a blog I wrote on April 11, 2007....Such a sweet memory!!!

Okay. So we were driving home from church (White Rock Fellowship) on Sunday and Stephen (my 5 year old) shared the following revelation with me.

"The Easter bunny's cousin was in Sunday's Cool today. He said that Easter is not about the bunny. He said that Easter is about Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but don't panic mom, he's not dead. Easter is about celebrating that Jesus came back to life." Stephen went on to tell me that the Easter bunny throws fits by making messes in people's yard with eggs and candy just trying to get attention. "Kinda like Mary does." Mary then piped in with "I'm not throwing a fit." Stephen confirmed to her that though she wasn't throwing a fit right then, that she does in fact throw fits to get attention. So funny!!!

So to sum up my son's words...The true meaning of Easter is that Jesus died for each one of us and that we celebrate his coming back to life on Easter. It's not about the Easter bunny who just wants attention. Our attention needs to be on Jesus who loved us more than life itself. WOW!!!

I am emotional when I hear the gospel coming from my young children. They are sponges, soaking up everything that they see and hear. I am honored that Jesus would entrust them to me. My prayer is that all that I say and do mirrors that of Christ and that my kids continue to learn how much God loves them. I am so BLESSED!!!

Always a student...

Today has been a great day. I love my career as a therapist. I know that is what I am to be doing in this season of my life. I know that I make a difference in the lives of others....not everyone, but some most people. I am not questioning my journey or wanting to take a different track...but today....I have loved today.

Today I was a student in the full sense. I have sat in class today...discussing Old Testament and Theology...two different classes. I have been able to just sit and soak up the teaching and discussions of others. I have not been the one with the answers today...and I am okay with that. I have been the one thinking of questions....and seeking answers....

I love being in the classroom. I really feel free in the classroom. This probably seems crazy to others...but I love to learn. I love to be in school, learning.

I believe that we are all students, all the time. We are constantly in the state of learning, we just don't recognize it.....However, when learning is the focus...you don't miss it. We miss so much when we lose the perspective of learning....We get wrapped up in living that we miss the learning. Today, I didn't miss the learning...I soaked it up!!!

And I get to do it again tomorrow!!! YAY for me!!!

Real promises in the midst of Fear

Have you ever had the thought "I know God doesn't give me more than I can handle, but I really think He has me confused with someone else."? If I am completely honest, I have had that thought more than once.

The reality is that God is still on the throne.

The reality is that God doesn't give more than you can handle...with His help!

The reality is that this world is NOT our home, but a stop on the journey to eternity.

The reality is that God believes more in me than I believe in myself.

The reality is that we will go through trials and struggles in this life but HE has overcome this world.

I continue to be amazed at how often my human-ness takes over and I forget that God has already taken care of whatever I am concerned about. He has not promised that I will always be happy. He has not promised that I will always be healthy. He has promised that He will be with me every step of the way.

The reality is that it is sometimes those steps that we have to walk that are the most scary, even when we are in His arms. Speaking personally and frankly, when I am scared, that is it, I am scared. Even as a child, when I was afraid, the fear didn't subside simply because I woke up. It didn't subside simply because I was in my parent's arms. It didn't subside when I was in my husband's arms. It didn't subside when I prayed. My fear subsided when I realized that everything was okay or going to be okay or when there was a plan.

This is new information to most people as I kept this very private until I had more information. I had a mammogram on January 11, 2012. There was absolutely no concern. It was simply a requirement for my insurance company. I went to the exam expecting it to be uneventful and that I would be fine. There is no history of breast cancer in my family. I had not felt anything abnormal, no signs...thus was confident that it would come back fine. The next day, my fear started. I got the call for additional mammogram due to the results being concerning. They couldn't get me in for 7 days, which is 7 days for my mind to take over.

I believe I did a great job keeping positive for the most part. However, there was much fear within. I knew that whatever the results were, that God was in charge and that as long as I relied on Him, I would get through this. All I had to get through was the next test. I just kept telling myself that. I stayed strong on the outside but was fearful on the inside.

My test came back fine. I am healthy and strong. I believe the lesson for me was to stay in the moment on God's lap, listening and believing that all was going to be fine....Not that I would be healthy but that I would not be alone. The lesson was that I needed to focus on living life for HIM instead of losing life in the moments of fear.

God is so good!!!!