weighing in...

Another busy and stressful week has come and gone. I have made gains in this weight loss journey. I am so glad that I found tales from the scales. If not, I don't think I would take the time to reflect each week. It is often during these posts that I discover that I really am progressing...if not on the scale, then in my journey to have a better life. The Lord is really using this journey to highlight many things to me.
I need to confess. I have not really been trying in the past few weeks. I have been trying not to go completely overboard, but I haven't counted a point in weeks. I haven't even considered the points values of many of the things I have put in my mouth. There, I said it. I have no reason to be frustrated with slow weight loss when I have put in very little effort and made little sacrifice. I am so grateful for the positive habits I have been picking up: drinking more water, adding more exercise.
So, here I am, ready to recommit. This week my goals are to do better in the things I have already begun: Drink even more water. Exercise more regularly. Count my points. Hopefully you will find me here next week with some good news to report. I would love to be able to tell you that I have pulled myself out of the slump I have been hanging out in for far too long.

Beginning weight: 188.4
Current weight: 172.8
This week: - .2

Total weight lost: 15.6

Alright, I am off to find my weekly points tracker...

Growing Pains

What Not to Wear and I had a blast at a waterpark yesterday...just the two of us. No timeline, no agenda. Just us, water, and fun. An especially memorable moment came when we were in the wave pool. WNTW is not a full on swimmer yet, so she's pretty clingy when the waves come, even though she is laughing hysterically and loveing every minute of it. A wave came at us and it knocked my sunglasses off. I had to spend a few minutes searching the wave pool floor. In the mean time, the waves kept coming....much like my emotions this last week.
I can't decide what to do with all of the different emotions I am feeling. I am trying to process them one by one, but it feels like they are coming in waves and are knocking me over! I can't get my bearing. I very much know that I don't stand on feelings, but on facts, and I have some sweet promises to hold onto. However, in the midst of some MAJOR decisions my Deadliest Catch and I have to make, those promises seem just out of my reach. Where does that leave me? I can tell you where it used to leave me - knee deep in ice cream and any other sweet I could get my hands on...but now I am making the choice not to eat my feelings, even though I really want to. So I'm just trying to go to the Lord with it all. I have a feeling I may end up in the fetal position at His feet. Thankfully, He knows what to do with me when I'm there.

Weigh in for 2 weeks

Well, I had an incredibly stressful couple of weeks where I felt out of control of what I put in my mouth. I am pleased to report that I lost .6 pounds since my last weigh in. The encouragement in that is I must have really made some lifestyle changes. Of course, I still need to work hard on the fact that I eat through my emotional highs and lows. But, I am feeling good about the fact that it is not as out of control as it once was.

Beginning weight: 188.4
Current weight: 173

Weight loss: - 15.4

Weeks in: 19

Weigh In

Howdy. After an amazing week at camp where I had a couple of days of candy binging, I am pleased (and very grateful) to report my loss for the week:

This week: -.5

Beginning weight: 168
Current Weight: 142.5
Total Weight Loss: 25.5

Goals for the Week: EXERCISE. Seriously need this habit in my life.
WATER. Drink by the gallon. It's gettin mighty hot here!

Transformed.

I feel like I should blog something. I mean, I've been out of town for a week and haven't recapped any of my adventures via blog. Fortunately, the only person that reads this has already had the recap, so it's not like there are readers who are hanging on the edge of their seats or anything.

Fun at Camp:
My girls (ages 12-18) ~ a TOTAL blast. Love them to death. Even though I am old and decrepit, they still let me dance on the beds.
Slingshot Paintball ~ my first experience paint balling. Fun and way less scary once I got hit for the first time. Still sporting a mark from being hit by the facilitator aka Super paintball Man.
Getting ready for Service ~ We always had so much time that I could actually get gussied up. That was fun. Even my sporty girl put on makeup Thursday.
Clean Room ~ The girls brought a vacuum. That's how competitive they are.
Breaking the Rules ~ I left campus for a Starbucks bribe for the head counselor. I felt like a fugitive. That was fun to pull off.

Spiritual Stuff:
Students Saved, Sanctified and Filled with the Holy Spirit. Doesn't that sound nice and churchy? It really went down more like this...
My girls laid down some serious stuff - addictions, lifestyles, fears...the list goes on and on. They worshiped our Lord from whatever experience they were having - sorrow, joy, peace, frustration. Humbling to observe and so thankful to be able to stand in prayer with them.
Our boys were just awesome. They made me laugh and cry. One gave his heart to the Lord and another one (that I taught in Kid's Church) just opened up and shared some things that were going on in his life. He just melts my heart. Precious young man. One of the other boys (with special needs) testified that God had changed his heart and that he wants to lead his older sister to the Lord. Isn't that SO like God?
I recognized the time I have wasted due to fear. I'm on the edge of the diving board ready to dive in. I've gotten out of the kiddie pool with my floaties.

Prayer Requests:
For all students involved. That they will walk out their commitment regardless of what it takes. And it is going to take a lot of work in some circumstances.

For my husband and myself. The enemy is on the prowl to devour us individually so that we will turn on each other. It's totally spiritual, because frankly, I'm crazy about the guy. There have been damaging words spoken, and I need prayer covering for my heart to walk out forgiveness - that those arrows won't stick because I have put on my armor. They're the enemy's arrows, not my Deadliest Catch's.

A side note: When I arrived home, my kids were happy to see me for approximately 3 seconds, maybe only 2.5. That's ALL people. My heart was crushed but also relieved that they enjoyed their time without me...


So, it's on to a new week with new at home adventures. Can't wait to see what's in store.

I love God

I have been walking around defeated this week. As you could tell by my last post, this has been a trying week, month... 14 months really. After I published my last post, I grabbed my Bible, my caffeine and began searching the house for an empty journal...I know I have a few around here. Of course, I didn't find one, but I did find a journal from Dec. 2002. This was a time in my life so different than today. I only got about 2 days in when I stumbled upon some scriptures I had noted that had meaning to me that day. I looked a couple of them up. James 1. Suddenly, I was struck. This is just what I needed to hear for today. God, that is so like You. You can take something that seems unrelated and use it for today. I am reminded that even though our circumstances change Your Word is ALWAYS the same. I am struck how Your Word is so personal that it speaks to each situation differently. It is not just a blanket covering..."see here for times of discouragement, see here for times of joy", but it is a personal love letter that you use to speak to each of your children differently based on our needs. You know each of our personalities and you use that knowledge to speak to us each in a unique way. A specific scripture that comforts me may speak differently to another. Lord, I strive to model my relationships after yours. May I not use blanket statements, but through Your guidance, reach out to each individual based on their unique personality and needs.
God, this encounter with you today was small but mighty. Thank you.
Isn't God cool??

The roller coaster that is my life...

Stop the ride, I want to get off.

Lord, things are hard right now. You know. I know You have a purpose and plan through all of this. Help me to be patient and wait for it. Help me to remember that You know what You are doing. That these circumstances are not just random, but purposed for good. Thank you for being the God who can take my questions and frustrations. Thank you for loving me right where I am at. Continue to hold my family in the safety of the palm of Your hand- embrace us in Your loving arms. I love you. In Jesus Name.