Being grateful...

Enough said! Good night!

Confession Time...

I drove to Charlotte today to look into something for my mom about a house there. Anyway I keep telling myself that I am going to "Go HARD" on this diet healthy eating plan and exercise thing. I went to the doctor the other day and I have lost 28 pounds since August - significant, but I really want it to be more. I have actually decided that I on average have been gaining about 20 pounds a year - so I really lost almost 48 or so pounds...OK that feels better ;)

Anyway today was not my best day, I am fessing up about what I ate, because logging it on weightwatchers.com doesn't seem to be doing it.

Breakfast:

1 slice Pound Cake - with frosting I bought separately and smothered the cake in.

(yeah that was it..oh wait nm...)

1 Everything Bagel with lots of cream cheese

Lunch:

1 Starbucks Croissant

1 Grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte (with whip!)

Dinner

1 fried chicken thigh

1 serving of homemade mac and cheese

1 serving of green beans.

(if only I could have left it at this)

Evening snack

(sigh - back to Starbucks..it was over 6 hours round trip in the car today)

1/2 tall Cinnamon Dolce Latte (with whip again!)

1 slice of starbucks iced lemon pound cake...

and another slice of cake with the dreaded chocolate frosting (once I got home)

(and now... a sigh of relief)

That was freeing...tomorrow is a better day, no question.

"God is in front of me making crooked paths straight, goodness and mercy are following me, and God's favor is all around me"

I got that from Joel Osteen a couple of weeks ago and it has become my personal mantra...Joel even said every now and again, look behind and wave and say,, "HEY Goodness.. HEY Mercy"

For whatever reason, i always feel compelled to do this in my car.. I know I look CRAZY waving to goodness and mercy in my back seat...oh well...

Hopefully I will fall asleep at a reasonable hour with all this coffee so freshly in my system..

I love my church family!

Ok this is the last post for the day:

On another note, can I just tell you how much I love my church family, I know I keep saying that, but I am just overflowing with this feeling, so I have to say. . They are amazing. I had the opportunity to spend quality time with several people this weekend, to both be blessed and to be a blessing to someone else. It was awesome. That is not to say that everything is always perfect just like with any family there are ups and downs, but what I love about the people I have encountered so far is that the focus is "righting" whatever wrong there is. So someone gets angry or offended, but we come together and show each other the love and forgiveness that Christ showed us..its marvelous..

A couple of the girls and I are reading this intresting book by eckart Tolle - called a New Earth: Awaking to your life's purpose. Now I am by no means promoting the book but it has some good and some not so good points. Oprah has really skyrocketted this guys success by endorsing his book, 150%. She even has space on her site for him and some study group information. Anyway, I used to be a person who wouldn't read this book because it seemed too "New Age-ey" But I am so much more open and I have tons less righteous indignation. Anyway, my boy Eckart is not goign to win the "Christian of the Month" award - I am not sure he even is, but his book does cause me pause to look at "the flesh" - he calls it the ego and to really understand my motivations for doing things. Also how much of life we build on thoughts, how much power we give the wrong ones. Now Eckart would say don't give power to any thought, but don't agree with that. If my thought lines up with God's Word, then it already has power, I just need to release my faith and line myself up with that and pay no heed to the negative ones.. oh it sounds so easy...lol..

Back on topic..we get together weekly to discuss this and I am really enjoying that - looking at it from a Christian perspective and collectively discussing then dismissing the stuff we don't agree with. Anyway, we are on Chapter 5 now.

God is so faithful, this year on Easter I was pretty sad and lonely..feeling sorry for myself, because i felt I had no family here. Sat night I was at the house of a member of my church family and I talked about this desire I had to have somewhere to go after church and a sense of family - not just to go home and stare at buddy and the tv. I made my request known to God and He as always really came through.I realize that I pretty much always have some type of fellowship when I leave church and its wonderful.

Anyway, I am going to walk buddy, handle some laundry and try to go to bed early to beat this little summer cold I have.

-S

Health Update..

I will update you that I am on prednisone to clear up my face rash and all is OK with my health went to my final mammogram today and I got the all clear for another 6 months! I am sooooooooo grateful to God.

It is really quite daunting going to a breast specialist. I found out I was fine, but there were woman there who at the same time who were finding they were not. I met one today, and I heard her on the phone wiht a family member and I immediately started praying for her. I felt sad and grateful all at the same time. That could have just as easily been me, but for the grace of God.

I think you can kind of tell when someone is chatty, and she was, she spoke to me, and honestly I was at a loss. I wasn't sure if she was a Christian or not, but I spoke to her about staying positive and then she asked me to prayfor her.. how did she know that I even prayed? I started to tell her I already had started praying for her and I would continue to do so, but I just told her that I certainly would. I am wondering now if she was alone there, that has got to be rough if she was.

The Lawn Hog pt. 2

** I decided my posts are way too long so I am breaking them up, even if I have to post multiple times in one day.. and this is going to be one of those times. So this weekend, I went to back to Lowes returned my electric lawn mower for a gas one. What an improvement. I have to thank one of my friends for picking up my old one taking me to Lowes to return it helping me pick out a new one, dealing with my indecisiveness, then getting me gas for my gas can, setting me up and giving me a gas lawn mower care and operation tutorial. I couldn't have done it with out him.

So i was out there mowing my heart out on Sunday morning at the crack of dawn. I was pretty impressed with myself, not my job, but the mere fact that I was out there handling my yard. I have big things planned for the front yard. That is my summer project.

I am thinking about taking Salsa lessons, but the jury is out on that one at the moment.

Oh I TOTALLY forgot to blog about the power of prayer and expectatations. See next entry for that...

Prayer..

So this is officially a new day, so I don't have 2 posts in 1 day. Last night was the leadership update. I was tempted not to go and just go home and sleep because I was emotionally exhausted, but I knew that it was going to bless me, so I went.

And it did. I was able to put my "stuff" to the side and think about my team. I kept saying to God, its so small, there are only 3 of us. Then I thought of my team at work (because every leadership update I have gone to has helped me in both areas). I am working with a college co-op, and we are a team of 2. But God showed me that it doesn't matter.

I learned to how important it is to build a relationship with your team. It is important to minister with your team to the people (kids), but also to minister to my team. So both of my team members are going through something. I don't know the details, and frankly I don't need to know, but God is showing me that he can show his love for them through me.

That reminds me how important I am to God. The creator of the universe thinks I am important..that is powerful..for me anyway.

So it totally took me out of myself and made me able to look beyond whats going on with me. I was too busy praying for others on my way home from the meeting... I got home checked email.. found out one of my closest friends mom has breast cancer..more prayer... checked some blogs, one of my leaders wife is having a baby tonight..more prayer...I look out my window there are ambulances for a neighbor...more prayer.

Pastor Steve talked about zeal this weekend (I listened to that podcast today) and I think it is important to have that for hurting people..actually all people.

So on a side note.. I debated going outside to saying something to my neighbor, i was peeking..well probably not effectively out of my curtain in my office. I saw my neighbor and his 8 or so year old daughter sitting outside on the steps. There was an ambulance and a small looking fire truck thing, a cop. So after a brief conversation with my mother about being neighborly, I decided to go outside. Mind you I made a promise that I wouldn't go outside looking crazy anymore (you never know who you will meet). My head was full of rollers wrapped in a fishnet thingy. But I still had on my work clothes. But I didn't want to wait to find the right scarf, anyway you would still know there were roller up under there. So whatever, after 10 seconds I decided just go, so I did. Turns out my neighbors father in law was unresponsive and my neighbor was sitting outside with his daughter because he didn't want her to be scared while they were working on him. So I went over there looking crazy and asked if there was anything I can do, that he and his daughter were welcome to come over to my house, he declined. I told him I would pray for him and his family and I went back inside. I peeked out the window every so often. I was really grateful to see that when the EMT brought the father-in-law into the ambulance, he was alive and somewhat alert..I saw him lift his head. So I was grateful to God for that.

So that was my night... I was supposed to working on my taxes..no they are not done...I have until October or August, I can't remember, but anyway this week is my personal deadline.


I am going to give buddy his midnight snack and go to bed..for real this time...

Victory!

Lots of emotions today. It was another Dr's visit. First the good news...I didn't gain any weight as a result of my 4th of July food fest. Ok on to the next set of news.

I am officially allergic to some antiobiotics. My face is on the mend, I am proclaiming it in Jesus' name. It hasn't manifested yet, but today was my first day off the antibiotics so I will keep you posted. The doctor said that cortizone10 lightens my face and makes my splotches more prominent.

But my doctor is concerned about me so she is sending me to a specialist to give me another mammogram and do do further testing, to figure out what my problem is. So I went through this whole thing again. But this time I was more prepared. I listened to Joel Osteen on my ipod in my car. It was his sermon #373 - "Expect Good Things", this was about the third time I listened to this message. But this was when I needed it the most. He said something like
"Our expectations are setting the limits for our life"
"If you are not expecting something good you are not releasing your faith."
"Gods favor is not for a season - it is for a lifetime"
"Goodness and mercy are behind us, God is ahead of us making crooked places straight, and favor is all around us"
"Declare daily something good is going to happen to me today"

About a week ago I started downloading some of my favorite preachers sermons on my ipod. I was pointed to listen to Joel by some of my girlfriends...divine connections..God was preparing me for this day. Can I just tell you some of the podcast that have been downloaded to my ipod:
Charles Stanley
"Confidence in Trouble Times"
"Confidence in Times of Distress"

Joel Osteen
"Expect Good Things"
"You are an Overcomer"

John Hagee
"The Anchor of Hope"
"The Winning Attitude"

One of of my sisters from church was so encouraging she talked to me and she is going with me to my appointment on Friday. Another all I had to do was ask her to pray and I felt better, because she a prayer warrior. I have other friends who aren't Christian who encouraged me. My girlfriend from work waited for me at the Cheesecake Factory way after her lunch hour. Just so I wouldn't have to eat alone after my appointment. And she was so matter of fact.. no problem, I will just stay later today at work, really its no big deal. She really meant that too. I have to say I have been blessed to meet so many people who care about me since I moved to this area. I just want to be as much of a blessing to other people as those who have been there for me.

Anyway I have decided to be positive to believe the Truth and what the Word of God says about my situation.

1. I am more than a conqueror
2. By His stripes I am healed
3. With long life, he will satisfy me
4. God is my strength and my refuge
5. I have the victory

So I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in my situation. He's awesome.

Goodnight!

replacing the lawn hog..

So last week.. I went lawn mower shopping. I was specifically looking for an electric lawnmower because i didn't want to have to deal with gas and oil. So a few of my girls and I ventured out.. So hard to find these lawnmowers..there aren't that many available.."Perhaps there is a reason for this?" Is the demand too high or two low to substantiate keeping them stocked in the stores? So after Sears and Home Depot let me down, we head over to Lowes and Eureaka! there is "Lawn Hog" just sitting there waiting for me.

So this weekend I went for it, 7pm, Buddy and I head outside. I sit and read pretty much the entire manual, then I plug it in and get ready to go. It wasn't very noisy, so I was really grateful for that, but it was one workout! OMG my yard is somewhat hilly, the back yard is really hilly, but man, it was tough! What made it worse was that I didn't have enough slack on the cord that was plugged into the outlet. I got an $8 50ft cord. Apparently, I need 100 ft. That is a lot of cord to keep track of. (sigh)

So my thoughts on this experience:
So there were a few mishaps - I have a allergic reaction to something starting last week and I am having a hard time figuring out what it is, but anyway, my face and neck don't look so great at the moment. (But I am healed in Jesus name - I had to add that in there). Anyway, sweating profusely opened up my pores and all that grass was blowing all over the place, because I used the setting to mulch the grass, for fertalization. Then I displaced about 10,000 bugs - I was hoping that I wouldn't get eaten alive. Only a few bites here at there but I am fine.Oh so back to my face and neck...they were literally ON FIRE! I have almost used an entire tube of cortizone10 since it stops my face from itching. but that couldn't help me in the great outdoors. No, My face and neck itched so bad I didn't know what to do with myself. I pressed on though.

There was some fear there for sure.

1. Fear of running over my feet,
2. Fear of running over buddy, who sometimes is not too bright,
3. Fear of looking like a lobster at work on monday because my face finished completely breaking out.
4. Fear of my legs also looking lobsterish because angry bugs decided that since they had no where to go, they might as well eat (me).

But despite all that I pressed on and finishe 80% of my yard. 20% couldnt get done because my cord wasn't long enough.

Anyway I am debating going this weekend and exchanging this for a gas powered mower - self-propelled at that. The jury is still out, but I have obtained transportation in the event that I decide to go through with it.

So the only casualty of war are my legs itching from 2-4 bites a got - no biggie there.My hair was completely destroyed - I did CPR on it this morning and all is fine (now). There is an area of my yard where, the blades were set to low, so it looks like it got scalped..its not pretty.

But overall it was pretty good and fantastic exercise. I need to finish mulching my front yard - this weekend hopefully. But I am really debating ditching the Lawn Hog for a self propelled gas mower. That cord is really annoying...I will think on this this week.

Oh..but most important - I have decided, that there is no way to do this and look cute at the same time. I looked crazy afterwards.

So I will keep you posted on my landscaping make over. I really should start taking pictures. My camera is MIA at the moment - that is a problem.

What a weekend!!

My 4th of July weekend was absolutely fantastic!

Friday: Had my 1st Annual July 4th Cookout. (mind you I don't own a grill), IT was BYOG (Bring Your Own Grill). It worked out very well. I had about 24 people over my house - church family and friends. We had such a great time. Then after most people left and it was just about 6 of us we saw the fireworks that they had in Rolesville about a mile away from my house. HOW convenient and our timing was perfect.

I just felt so blessed to be surrounded by so many loving caring people who I have really come to cherish since I moved here. I am hoping to make my cookout a regular thing every year :). I am sure I will have something again later on this summer.

My next event is game night for some folks in the area maybe in august?

Saturday..sleep sleep and more sleep. Then I got up moved some furniture around and went to Saturday night service - it was AMAZING - the 5 things that help you fulfill your purpose. Afterward I went out with two of my church sisters to eat and chat - which is appearing to be our Sat night ritual after service. It is nice we talk about all sorts of things, dating and relationships, the word, life. We are going to be reading a book together and discussing it. We decided on "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose" now I was a little skeptical at first, it seemed like it might be "new ag-ey". But I am going to give it a try. We all went to walmart to pick up a copy after our dinner. Then I went home and continued reading "the five people you meet in heaven" I will do a separate blog post about that book. Anyway I finished the 2nd person Eddie met in heaven.

Sunday..sleep sleep.. i was supposed to be up continuing my front yard mulching project..no haps, slept until 11 am. My gardening cutoff is around 11am. I try to start between 6-7am. But i was still beat from entertaining on Friday. Went to a meeting at church for our support circle. Then it was "Operation Lawn Mower" My two girlfriends and I were up and down capital blvd trying to get me an electric lawn mower. I am determined to maintain my own yard. Anyway, thank God we finally got one. You can't imagine how hard it is to get an electric lawn mower. But favor was all around so.. I got it!

Then I came home, ate some junk food and watched some TV. Read more of "the five people you meet in heaven" I am on person #4. I got on my computer a couple of hours ago to listen to this Joel Osteen, who was talking about speaking positivity into your life. My girls suggested I listen, since they listened this morning and found it to be really good. I did, it was fantastic.


Anyway - great weekend - and I am looking forward to a great week at work!

I'm GREEN!!!!

I'm green!