A New Christmas Tradition

This is not an original idea with me. My principal told me about his family doing this and I decided that I wanted to incorporate it into my life.

So let’s start with a question… What do YOU do with all of those Christmas cards that you receive? I used to just keep them and throw them away after so long. I did keep the picture cards or the pictures that were in the cards, but I never kept the actual cards themselves.

My principal’s family would collect all of the cards that were sent to them and put them into a basket. Then for the rest of the year, they would take time during their family devotions to pull a set amount of cards out of the basket. During the time of prayer they would pray for the individuals or families that had sent the card.

 

 

What a great way to remember to pray for people who you have been in your life and remembered you at the this special time of year. Another idea is to write inside the card when you prayed for them or a special request concerning them.

So grab a basket put those pretty cards and pictures in it and your devotional Bible. And be prepared for a blessing of praying for others.

Some one loved

"Grief is not a problem to be solved. It is simply a statement that you have loved someone."- Author Unknown.

This quote was given to me shortly after my mother passed away. And truly it has been a quote that I keep going back to time and again. I have found that as I make this journey through grief, there are times that I think that I am just being silly... or I am just taking it too personally... or am I just over-reacting. But it all boils down to I loved her. Was she perfect? Did she always say the things that I needed to hear? No she was a human just like me, she had her faults but that doesn't mean that I love her less. She was the one that I talked to every day. She cried with me, was happy with me, and was proud of who I became. So after a couple of months of trying to be strong, I have come to the conclusion that it is ok for me to be sad, cry, and miss her terribly. I won't be one of those people who lives only in the past. She wouldn't want that from me, nor is it healthy. I will celebrate who she was, and the legacy that she left not only my brother and I, but also her current and future grandchildren. They will know that Nonna was so excited about being a grandma and looked forward to meeting them.

At first I felt guilty for all my tears and wanted to stop them. But my mom was a lady who gave so much of herself and loved others so much that grief on the part of her family and friends is natural, normal, and won't necessarily go away quickly. So those of you that have lost a loved one may understand to a certain point what I 'm going through, we need to remember that we have gone through this and need to be supportive of those around us that may be grieving. They have loved and lost and we can use this as an opportunity to reach others for Christ. God is a source of comfort and strength when you need it the most.

I apologize for my rambling. But these thoughts have been on my mind for a while now but how to put them into an organized manner escaped me....

Confused

I was reading the subtitle of my blog and realized that it needs to change. It says "happy" it should say "joyful". I know that I will not always be happy. I'm not sure why I even used that term, but I can be joyful. Right now I am sad. As most of you know I lost my mother last week, and my life changed forever. I feel so lost at times, and can't imagine how my dad feels. Despite this horrible time in my life, I have found that serving God pays. The family of God has been so good to us and so concerned for us. I have learned so much about what it means to have someone that helps to bear your burdens. If it hadn't been for so many people praying for us I'm not sure how we would have made it.

I know that I have a long road of somber holidays, little moments that I would love to share with my mom, and a wedding that she was so looking forward to planning for me. But as I do I know that God has the grace and strength that I need to go through these events with a quiet peace that He is carrying me through. I needed to write this down so that I will remember this in the days to come. There are moments that I am fine, I feel strong. The very next moment I feel so weak and I'm not sure that I can go on.

Sorry that I sound disjointed, frankly, that is how I feel. I am hoping to blog a little bit more. But I know that I always make that promise.

Quick Weight Loss SCAMS!!

Ok so I have to rant…. I was listening to the radio paying only partial attention to what was actually being said. When I tuned in to the commercial being played, I was frustrated. A weight loss commercial was playing offering the listener a fast easy way to lose weight "without changing your diet or exercising." When will people learn that without a permanent change the weight loss will not be permanent! It drives me crazy that people think that they can continue the bad habits that created the weight gain and still have a permanent weight loss.

Most of us that have gone through a weight gain, whether over a long period of time or a whether an explosive weight gain, can identify a cause. For some it was a stressful time period, for others it was some bad habits that have finally caught up with them, for others it can be the onset of a physical problem. No matter what the cause the solution still needs to be a long term one. No matter how good the promises sound a "quick fix" is just that, quick. If you want to have a lasting weight loss you must effect long term changes. Pills, fancy diets, or crazy food combinations have never been a lasting substitute for good ole’ fashioned self-control. A good dose of self-control mixed well with a reality check on why (How) you gained your weight will produce more lasting results than a pill.

One of these days...

I was just looking at my last blog and realized that I am way behind on an update.

So much has happened since Sept. 2010 and that is one reason that I haven't blogged much... I will be trying to post pictures and give updates of Nate and I.

Nate and I started texting in the summer of 2010 and officially started dating this February. He is a wonderful man that is very considerate and generous with not only his money, but also his time, energy and talents. I am blessed that he is in my life.

It’s hard to walk when you know how to run…

I recently began thinking about this concept of the Christian walk when I popped my knee cap… again.

When I was still heavy it happened regularly (like every 3 months for a year). I actually was diagnosed with having an underdeveloped muscle in my knee when I was 16.  When this happens I have to be really really careful and wear a brace, etc. Well in the process of losing weight I came to actually enjoy jogging on my treadmill. Shocking for a girl who had bad knees and a history of asthma. But I worked my way up till I could jog. Tonight I walked on my treadmill. It seemed to take forever. It seemed more natural to keep increasing the speed, but it wouldn’t have been healthy. I have to retrain the muscles of my knee to walk before I can jog again. As I was walking it came to me how often we refer to the life of a Christian as a “Christian walk.”

We often hold up those who “walk with God” as being saints and patriarchs… men and women to be used as life models. Enoch walked so close to God that he was taken to heaven without seeing death. We are considered blessed when we walk “not in the counsel of the ungodly”(Ps 1:1). We are commanded to walk by faith. We will “hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21) So what is it about this lifestyle that deems it a walk?

A walk is deliberate. If you have ever watched children and teachers in the hallway of a school, the teacher is not admonishing the children to run but to walk. To slow down seems to be something that is against human nature (to a point). For some of us it seems that the busier we are the more people seem to think we can do. But the more we cram into our day the more we are likely to “run” around.  To walk with God requires a deliberate action on our part to slow down our pace.

If you have ever tried to carry on a conversation with someone while jogging? It gets more difficult the longer you keep the pace or the faster the pace gets. When we are running around in our  daily life it can be hard to truly have a conversation with Our Father. That He would want that conversation with us should be enough to stop us in our tracks let alone slow us to a walk. As we take the time to have a deliberate relationship with Him, He is able to point out His effects on our lives (a beautiful sunrise on a morning you had to get up early, a mysterious gift on a day when you need to feel the love of a friend, someone stopping you to give a compliment on something that you thought no one would notice). He is able to do so much more for us when take the time to cultivate that loving Father/ Child relationship that He is offering us.

Instead of resenting the seeming endless slow pace, let’s rejoice in possibility of time spent with the God, who created the universe, who waits patiently for us to spend one-on-one time with Him.

My new car!!! Ok so it’s not a car it’s an SUV….

I know it’s an SUV… But after driving a car for almost ten years it is hard to break the habit…

This is still at the dealership just before I drove away with Yeoman. I know I named it a guy name (for those of you who know Frank, you understand why…….) I was going to have my students vote for the name for my car, but I realized that I hadn’t chosen any names that had to do with being a forester. So being a literature teacher I named my car after the forester in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. 

I have been accused of being a tree hugger while in this car. When it has a bike on the back it does lend itself to that look :-) Just wait till I have the kayak on the top and the bike on the back I’ll look like a green freak for sure.

 

 

Can you tell I love the sun roof???

He was waiting

Just recently I heard a song that hinted at the idea that Jesus stopped at the well to wait for the adulterous woman to come along. I was a little skeptical, so I grabbed my Bible and checked, what I found made me think.

The Bible does not specifically state that Jesus was waiting for the woman to come by the well. However, keep in mind the fact that Jesus knows each and every one of us inside and out, then look at the Scriptures.

¹ Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John ² (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), ³ He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. ⁴ But He needed to go through Samaria.
⁵ So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. ⁶ Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
⁷ A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” ⁸ For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

Is it beyond the realm of possibility to say that He was waiting for her. Women of the time did not wait till noon to draw water. It was simply too hot for that kind of work at that time of the day. But due to the fact that she was a shunned woman, she went when the rest of the women would have already finished with their water drawing. They didn’t want to associate with her, so it was uncomfortable to work at the well when they were there.

The Bible depicts Jesus as being weary and tired. He stayed at the well as the disciples went into the town to get supplies. But why would He stay at the well during a time of day when the women would not be able to draw water for him. The wells were not equipped with buckets to draw water with, so Jesus was thirsty sitting at a well with no means of drawing water.

Is it too far fetched to believe that the Creator of mankind knew that she would come to the well at that time of day, and not only waited for her to come, but sent His disciples on ahead so that He would be able to talk to her without their prejudices? I don’t think so. Because I serve a God who knows my schedule, loves me, and will wait to intercept me at times when He needs to show me my need for His blessings. When I stop the craziness of my day to  seek Him and spend time in His peaceful presence, He is there waiting with open arms to receive me and give me my portion of living water that is so necessary. A God who is so willing to spend time with me is surely a God who was willing to stop along a dusty road waiting for a woman that society shunned and was an enemy of His people. Even she was shocked that anyone would talk to her let alone someone that was a racial rival.

I at times have a crazy schedule and when I have friends who know my schedule and remember when I am available it amazes me (I don’t always remember:-). But to know that I have a God who not only is aware that I exists, but would take time to know my schedule and sends blessings just when I need them throughout the day, now that is truly amazing. May we never lose sight of the God, who purposely waits for us to come to His well. May we also seek the living water from the source that never runs dry.

God's view

One thing that people have said to me is that they want to know my secret... How did you do it... Some time in the near and distant future I might have time to blog about that(lol). But I thought about the real secret to my success.

My secret is this awhile ago I asked God to show me, the real "me." The "me" that He sees, knows and loves. Let me back up and say that if you really don't know me well, you don't realize that I can have some major self confidence issues. The more I prayed to see myself as God saw me the more I realized that I was capable of so much more than I realized. I started to realize that while I had been doubting my abilities... I didn't even bother to try. And by try, I mean really put effort into it... So I started to push myself. I got involved in a competition, because I realized that I could use my competitive streak that is a mile wide, to my advantage. I started to jog, slowly at first then more and more. I started to count calories and didn't think I could live on so few. But I did it. The more I accomplished the more confidence I had. Confidence not just in the very visible results, but confidence in the accomplishments that I was making. I still remember the day that I ran my first round of 2.5 miles in a half hour. I was so excited. Not only was I a former chubby chick, but I was a former asthma kid. I barely completed the president's test every year in school because I took so long to do a mile. And now I was jogging 2.5 in 30 minutes.

I still am working on some of my self confidence issues. But I now see a young lady with a load of determination, a young lady that looks up more when she walks, a young lady with some talent that God can use for His glory. While I can fit into sizes that I didn't think I would ever see again, and the number on the scale isn't as scary, the most important thing is to really see myself as God sees me. Once some of that excess baggage is out of the way, He is able to do so much more for me than I ever dreamed possible.

I did it!

Ok so I'm so lame at blogging but I wanted to let those of you who do check my blog that I finally made it to my goal!!! I lost 50 pounds officially!!!

It's not the greatest picture but the most recent :-)

Just a tip…

First I want to say thank you to all of those who have been so encouraging during my life changing process. Some of you have asked what my secret is to weight loss. First, it is more than just weight loss. It is living a healthier lifestyle. So I thought I would blog some tips from time to time. (My disclaimer is that while these things have worked for me they might not work for you. That is one thing that I have learned is that I have to do what works for me and not everything that the fitness gurus suggest will work, so pick and choose carefully. If after a week or more it doesn’t work then try something else.)

So here is my first tip: Portion control

Whether you are calorie counting (my personal favorite, which I will discuss in a later blog entry), POINTS counting, or just watching the food go into your mouth, watching your portions is a smart healthy choice that may help your weight loss and overall health.

Did you realize that when you grab that can of pop, bag of chips or tub of ice cream that is not a “serving?”

This was one thing that was one thing that was hard to wrap my mind around. Most liquids (pop, water, milk, juice, etc.) are given as a 8 ounce serving. As a chocolate milk-aholic this was devastating especially since tall glasses that I like to drink out of were no where near 8 measly ounces. I actually found some glasses at MARC’S that were 8 ounces when clear full. These are my morning milk glasses.

 

 

Without using portion sized containers or my food scale I would eat the whole tub of ice cream without realizing exactly how much I had really eaten. There is nothing wrong with being slightly obsessive about your eating habits. If you aren’t obsessive for yourself, no one else will be obsessive for you. (And if some one started being obsessive for you, you would probably resent it…) Making sure that you are eating only 1 ounce of chips instead of the whole bag, 1/2 cup of ice cream instead of the whole tub, or 8 ounces of chocolate milk instead of the whole carton is a huge first step for most people to take. Getting a food scale also is a big help for knowing exact amounts.

Taking small steps at a time is one of the keys to success. You can’t expect to drop 100 pounds in a week by this method, but it is one eye opening step in the process of dropping that 100 pounds in the next year or two.

Happy New Year

Wow! 2010 is here and so many opportunities for the new year! Looking back at the last year some interesting things have happened, and with a new year spread out in front of us there is so much room for new interesting things to happen. So what are we going to do about it? Well, I looked back at the post I did for the last New Year... and I made some crazy and fun resolutions. But some of my goals were small monthly ones that would help lead to a healthier, skinnier me... Well it did help some...

I'm happy to say that I have lost twenty plus pounds since this picture was taken... And feel pretty good. I know it sounds like I'm bragging but it has taken a lot of hard work... Somedays it doesn't feel like I've lost any weight and somedays it feels like I am skinny. LOL Going home to family that hasn't seen me in months showed me that all the hard work was worth it... I must say that the compliments were very encouraging. I already have another goal in mind for a year from when that picture was taken (my birthday). And I'll be sure to post when the time comes

:-)

I wish you all the most blessed New Year!!

Psalm 100

In thinking of the holiday season that is already upon us (where does time go??). Our pastor gave us a Thanksgiving message based on Psalm 100. While he was preaching and I was taking notes I kept thinking back to verse 5.



"The Lord is good..."



Sometimes that is all you know... That's all I know right now. The Lord is good no matter what I am going through, no matter what people say, no matter what is going on in the world. He is good whether I am happy or sad, whether is raining or the sun is shining. Whether I acknowledge Him or ignore Him; He is good. Because I have decided to not only acknowledge Him but accept Him as Savior, He is very good. This doesn't mean that my life will go smoothly. But God is still good.

Recently, life hasn't been the bed of roses that we all dream that it will be, but I am choosing to focus on the fact that God is good.

Happy Anniversary

Just wanted to wish my Mom and Dad a Happy Anniversary!!!

God has blessed me with wonderful, loving and supportive parents!

I love you both!

Is it just a Hallmark holiday?

Normally I try to ignore certain “Hallmark” holidays because sometimes they are just a little painful. To singles it is hard to watch the married couples be all “gushy.” Please don’t get me wrong; I want couples to show affection… In fact couples need to show each other affection. But it can be more than just mush and gush…

These roses came from one of my students to show me how much she cared… That’s what Sweetest Day is about… Letting others know how much they mean to us.

Mom you are sweet for listening to me when I need to talk… for being an encouragement source as I am trying to lose weight…. for worrying about me.

Dad you are sweet for taking those calls when you know that I “have a question,” for being Mr. Fix-it man, for being one of the most inspirational people to me…

Luke and Joanna you are sweet for standing up for what is right. Keep encouraged God knows everything you go through and is there for you.

To my students… you are sweet to me for your attempts to be funny, your many attempts to do your best in school, and the different ways that I see you growing up….

There are so many more people that I need to remember as being “sweet” that I would run out of time and space.

To all my single friends: don’t get discouraged with the mush and the gush. Use this opportunity to witness the power that you can have in encouraging others.

To my married friends: use the opportunity to remind your spouse that they are a priority to you. In this wild and crazy world we all need to hear that someone cares and thinks that we are special…

Happy Sweetest Day!!!

PS. Thank you for the roses!! You made my day!!

Pass the peas, please...

Today in Chapel Mr. Goodenow reminded me of one of my favorite Bible characters, Shamah. In II Samuel 23:11-12, it describes one of David's mighty men. This man stood his ground, in the middle of a pea patch (The Bible says lentils, so that can be translated different ways). He defended his land of inheritance from the Philistines. When every one else fell away, he stood his ground. Sometimes it feels like we are the only ones that are taking the stand. And while we might be alone on a certain issues there are others in other places who have had to stand. And we can look at their example and be encouraged.

One thing that encouraged me was that God gave a mighty victory. Shamah wasn't Super Man. While he was the only human that was in the field, he was not entirely alone. God was there and "wrought a great victory." He was ordinary. We don't have to be Super Man (or Woman) to stand. We can be a simple laborer for God when he gives us the opportunity to be used for a "great" victory. How often do we grumble and complain that God has allowed trials into our lives. I am sure that Shamah was looking for the Philistines and hoping that they would show up, so he could show off his battle skills. Very likely he was a simple farmer who was harvesting his crops. The Philistines were known for waiting till the Hebrews were harvesting before showing up and stealing the food. Maybe they had done this before to Shamah, and just maybe he was fed up with what the Philistines had been dishing out. He decided that today was the day that he wouldn't take any more. I almost picture him going out to the field with his harvesting tools and a sword strapped to his side. When they (a troop of Philistines) showed up, he told them to get off his land. When they didn't he prepared himself to fight. Now the Bible doesn't say that he fought them with a sword, and if he didn't have a sword then God really was working a "great" miracle. There had originally been more people with him but they ran away in fear, but Shamah stood. He probably didn't think that he would make it out alive, but obviously that didn't scare him away from the fight. As Christians there are times that we enter a spiritual battle where it seems that the odds are stacked against us. But like Shamah we have a secret weapon.

I would have loved to be a mouse in that field to watch the work of God. I can imagine that when the dust settled Shamah wondered how it was that he was still standing. There are times that in the midst of the fight we don't think that we are making any headway, but when the dust settles and we reflect on how the Lord has helped us; we are in awe. We are still standing.

I can imagine that after that (whether he liked the taste of peas or not) Shamah was reminded of God's power and might every time he was served up a dish of peas. He did not enter that field with the intent of being a hero, but because of his willingness to stand regardless of other people's choices the Bible has a recorded of his act. Not only a record of this act, but he was one of David's mighty men who were known for many acts of valour.

Oh Christian, I want to encourage you. In a country where we are told that we know longer are the majority, remember we are called to make a stand. A stand for the Biblical principles that our country was founded on. The opposition to the cause of God and our country may seem powerful and resourceful, but we have a secret weapon who controls the world.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take unto the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Just a quick politcal thought

I don't normally make it a practice to get political on my blog. But I just couldn't resist...

"When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home." -Winston Churchill

When I saw that this was the quote of the day(Monday) for my blog I thought that it was so appropriate for the times, with Obama scheduled to speak before the UN. I don't appreciate any president that attacks the country of which he is the commander and chief . I can only hope that President Obama would take a few pointers from someone who was know to be a statesman extraordinaire and hold up our country.

Our students recently did a display on the Constitution. Our Constitution is the oldest in the world and has been copied by many countries. Our form of government has worked for over two hundred years, since when does it not work any more. We don't need socialist programs or the government running every part of our lives from the cars we drive to the types of drinks we consume. It is ridiculous to think that this is what the people really want for themselves.

Whew...... That relieved a little of what was on my mind... Now back to grading.... And I'll not bother you with any more of my political thoughts. ;-)

Summer pictures

This is the Market place.

This “Grandma” since she called me Carol. LOL it was the big joke, when I first started working there they couldn’t remember my name.

More Pictures

Melody the right hand lady on the farm

Jason the one I worked with often....

David, who likes to pester people with bugs and thrown apples...

Summer pictures

"Grandpa" showing us how to grade apples...

"Grandma" who always called me Carol... They tended to forget names.

The market place