Mixed Emotions--and metaphors

Sunday was a day to remember. First, during worship, the church said "Goodbye" to Grace and Roland Sundling, two of our favorite people, and good friends to Don and me. They are the last of our small group to pull up stakes and leave. Don and I are going to miss them, as I'm sure a lot of people will.

My neighbor Lisa invited me to a Ladies' Night Out last night, and I actually went and had a great time. I got to drive Lisa's mom there and lead a discussion group, and I felt very welcomed by all of the women. It was a lot of fun, too. They seem like a cohesive group, and they didn't question me leading a discussion group, even though I don't go to church with them.

I don't feel very good about Roland and Grace moving. I'm happy for them but bummed for us. So many really good people have moved on from here, which was the also the sad thing about raising my kids on a military base....their friends and ours were always moving away. My Bible study has been from the scriptures from the Purpose Driven Life...and I am doing the 40 days study. I have a reputation among my family members of wanting to move to every vacation spot we visit. I have started to understand why....this world is not my home. There is always going to be somewhere better than where we are living , because we have Heaven built in to our souls. I'm saying that for me, not Roland and Grace. They have pretty good reasons for moving.
I don't. My kids are here, we have a church family is here, my best friend lives next door, and my baby grandson comes to my house most days. Life is good. Still, this world is not my home.

I'm going to Camp WAMAVA on Saturday, and I'm finally looking forward to it now that I planned my lesson. I love teaching. That's built into my soul, too, so it must be one of my gifts. I never went to any camp as a kid, so camp is fun for me, too. I'll probably be going there until they have to haul me up and down the hills...which almost happened a few years ago. I always come back renewed. I haven't volunteered yet for anything during VBS, but I think I'm doing the nursery.
At least that's where my mind is headed right now.

At the moment I am going to a gallery opening for my art instructor. Don was going with me and sacrifice sleep--and probably drag me away kicking and screaming at 8, so I got the bright idea of asking my neighbor Lisa to go and celebrate her birthday, which was overlooked, because her mom was in town. Don bowed out more than gracefully, and I think I heard him muttering something about a nap, fast food and Frisbee golf. Lisa took me up on it enthusiastically, so we're going to have fun. I'm taking her out for supper afterwards. The next two weeks both of us are busy with Camp and her visit to her moms', so it's good we can kill two birds with one stone. (We seriously need to get some more relevant metaphors....we can say something like.....oh, I'll think about it at camp. Lots of time out there to think...and pray. I love it.)

Catching up

I'm still keeping track of calories and exercise...just having a hard time posting now that Don's schedule has changed. I may have to post in the mornings instead of at night. Let's see...since last Tues. this is how I did:Tue 1248 cal 2 hours gardening Wed 1629 cal-5 and a half hours gardening Today 1994 calories no exercise ordinary housework. (I was tired today after all of that work I did the past two days. I burned more calories than I ate just gardening yesterday.)

I'm on day 5 of the Purpose Driven Life. I am writing down all of the scriptures, responding to them and reflecting on my life, and praying through all of the scriptures and insights. Several things I have realized: My feelings about myself and my relationships have improved so much since the last time I began this study!
I am much less of a people pleaser than I used to be. And God really does get us through everything that would have stopped us dead in our tracks if we didn't have Him! Also,Don and I really have everything we could possibly want here in our homey little townhouse with each other-- and our boys living near us. God knew what I would need to find joy in this life and seek Him, too. He has loved me and planned for me since before I was conceived, and I am grateful for my life past, present and eternal future!

Exciting Things on the horizon!

This picture is of my nephew, Ansel, last summer when we took him to the Inner Harbor and aquarium when he visited us. He just left for a summer camp in Minnesota, and I'm praying that he will get a lot out of it. He is going to be learning some skills to help him through life. I am praying that he will learn everything there is for him to learn there....and has fun.

Today was my first day off without Little Man. He and the rest of the family got together for Father's day, and Conner started crawling this weekend. Chris and Cam are in a rush to baby-proof now. I have a couple of weeks to do that.

I planted my gardens this weekend, and I loved working outside. I have been getting a lot of exercise carrying big bags of garden soil etc. Right after I finished the first round of planting, I spotted the same ground hog in my backyard that was challenging my neighbor's cat one day. And then I noticed he had nibbled away my canteloupe plant! UGH! I'm going to catch me a ground hog!!!

Today I booked the restaraunt for Don and Elise's rehearsal dinner!! We are getting so excited! Hey, I need to go to bed. It's WAY passed my new bedtime!

Happy Father's Day

The first picture is of my dad, who I miss very much, especially on Father's Day, because he WAS Father's Day for me for many years. Happy Father's Day, Dad.

The second picture is of my husband, who I love and deeply respect for the man he is and for the father he became to our four sons. He has devoted his adult life to serving his family by supporting us physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Happy Father's Day, Honey.

The next picture is of our first born, Christopher, when he was six months old, followed by a picture of HIS son at 7 months old--see the resemblance? The last picture is of Chris and Cameron and just born Conner, who made Chris a daddy, (Cam a mommy) and Chris a daddy! We are really proud of the father he is being to his son and our grandson! Happy Father's Day, Chris!

I am thankful for all of the men in my life! :) (Pictures of the other three will be posted soon....uncles Steve, Don and Nathan)

My Purpose

God planned for me before I was ever conceived! That realization blows my mind!ICorinthians 2:7 says, "We speak of God's wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." Psalm 139 says, "All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before even one of them came to be." God knew that I would be where I am now, before I was ever born. Why do I ever fear? And why don't I ask Him before I act more often? It is easy to fall into the pattern of the world, and look inside ourselves for all of the answers. But God has always had a plan for our lives, based on His wisdom--a plan that will not only bring Him glory, but His plan brings us glory. We all run after things that won't last longer than the momentary desire for them, when real value is found in living a life, based on God's true wisdom. He knows what it takes for us to live abundant lives, and Jesus Himself said He came so that we might have life and have it abundantly. Abundant life is built into our hearts as something we all strive to have. But the only provider of the abundant life is Christ Himself.

I have decided to do the 40 days of the Purpose Driven Life, because I am changing gears in my life, and I want to make some life decisions. Seeking God's will for the rest of my life is my first step. Don and I were going to do it together a few years ago, but we didn't get past day 1 because we tried to do it at bedtime--that never works for us. For some reason we can read seperate books at bedtime, but getting together on one book doesn't work for us. Anyway, I started my 40 days today. I will share with you a little from each day.

Today I came away thinking about the family God placed me into when he knit me together in my mother's womb. What does He plan to do with the strengths and weaknesses that are part of my heritage from my family? What has he already done?
I don't question my heritage anymore. I am grateful my mother gave me an inate appreciation for art and music. I'm glad they taught me to laugh at myself. I appreciate my father teaching me about honesty and hard work. I'm glad he gave me a love and loyalty to my country and an appreciation for my right to vote. I love to sing in the car and used to do it with my dad when I was a girl. I did it with my boys and now I do it with my grandson. He's already singing with me and he's only 9 months old. Will he sing like that with his grandson? The older I get the more important my roots are to me. And, instead of wishing for more, I am so thankful for what I had and still have. I am a blessed woman!

EARLY to bed.....

This going to bed early thing is killing me! As we speak I am about to go to bed at daylight!!! I told Don I feel like a 5 year old. Lucky for him, he didn't say I was acting like one! :) Well, I guess it's worth going to bed early to have my hubby here to sleep with, instead of off working a night shift--I KNOW it is! Goodnight,friends, Goodnight moon.....Goodnight SUN! :)

It's a matter of perspective

Oprah had some great people on this week who really inspired me:





These people all have the same thing in common. They lost a LOT of weight without surgery or pills in about 18 months. If they can do it, I can lose what I have to lose which won't be as much, in less time if I put my mind to it. All of them seemed really humble and thankful. Still it was the same formula...eat less and eventually they exercised. I have exercised for years, but I really have to get the right combination of low calories and exercise to lose. I'm thinking because they had so much to lose, their bodies burned a lot of calories without exercising. Regardless, the thing that impressed me was their perserverance and their ability to have the vision in spite of the obstacles and the amount of weight they had to lose. They are truly courageous!

Challenging Day

Well, this has been an interesting day!! I knew we were going to have bad storms--it felt just like a spring day in the Texas panhandle this morning as I went out for my walk. I was really glad I got it done before Conner got to my house and before the storms hit! When the tornado warning was announced on TV, Don and I were playing with Conner. We took him downstairs and put him in his carseat in the bathroom and kept an eye on the situation. It was one of the worst storms I've ever seen in this area.

So far so good with the new committment with weight loss/exercise. Yesterday I got a blister on my heel, so I wasn't sure if I could walk today, but I bought some bandages made for blisters, and they worked great. I only had time to walk 4 miles, and I intended to do the other mile tonight, but since it was stormy, I had to be happy with 4. Tomorrow I may have to do 3, because Chris drops Conner off earlier. I'll probably walk all seven days this week to make up the mileage. (I'm trying to meet a personal challenge.)

Early to Bed and Early to Rise!

I took Conner out in his neighborhood this morning, in the jogging stroller. We went up and down a lot of big hills, and Grandma got a big workout. It was great.
Conner played with his sippy cup and sang songs for me while we walked. A lot of the area is in the country, so it was a beautiful walk.

Don was in bed by 7:30, and then I got him up, because I heard there was a tornado warning in Fairfax Cty. Now I'm a little too awake to go to sleep, but I'm going to bed to read. I'm hoping to get up with Don at 4:30 and go walk at 5. I hope we become healthy, wealthy and wise! (But then I won't be A Wife of Noble Character--whose candle does not go out at night!) Good night!

Today I was supposed to spend the day with my friend, Jennie, but she got sick so we couldn't get together, so I spent the day doing whatever I wanted since I didn't have Conner. I have a whole lot of baby plants that I need to put out in my backyard, that I grew from seed, but I didn't do that. I did some writing and I did some reading, and I watched inspiring weight loss stories on Oprah, I rested and then I walked 5 miles again....19 minute miles. Now I'm recovering and I'm going to do some serious stretching, because my joints are really hurting.

Tomorrow I have Little Man again, and Jennie is coming over in the evening. We are going to try out Cub Run pool, and I'm going to show Jennie some water aerobics moves. Don has to be at work at 6, so he's going to bed now. I guess it's bedtime!
(I guess I'll be walking early tomorrow!) "_

Regrouping

(This is an old picture of me at my current weight....it should be a good measuring stick for my future progress.)

We had such a memorable worship service today--it inspired me like I really needed to be inspired! It was Missions Sunday, and I really hope that we met our giving goals. I am convinced that a lot of my personal goals go along with giving more and taking less. The Holy Spirit was evident today especially during worship--in the singing, in the message, and in the fellowship. I'm anxious to see how the giving was.

Along the lines with giving, I am recommitting myself to daily blogging and including my weight loss efforts. Todays was a great day that way. I did participate in the fasting/praying during the weekend. Today my calories are way down, because of part of that fasting. And I walked briskly for five miles today at Bull Run Park while Don played disk golf. I am committing myself to walking four miles per day six days a week. I also ordered the Firm DVD's which incoporate strength training and aerobics in a less than one hour DVD. I have suggested to Don that he use the gym at his work and we give up our Lifetime membership to save money, but he's hesitant because the pool helps me when I have lupus. I figure I can go to Cub Run, and I have been pretty healthy lately. Walking really helps my diabetes, but my joints hurt a lot after I walk, so the jury's still out on the gym membership. Still I have committed myself to walking and following the diabetes cure program in a book I bought a few months ago. It's the only thing I have found that works for my blood sugar. My goal is to get off of all my medications for diabetes and blood pressure by fall. I still have the goal of losing 100 lbs. this year. I'm a little behind, but I can still do it with God's strength...and His strength alone. Mine is puny without Him. (non-existant, more accurately) Finally, I am posting a picture of me month to month to show my progress....I won't scare you with my actual weight, but I'll let you know how much I lose every 1st of the month.
I gained a little in May, and I've lost it. So I didn't lose any in May.