Energy!

At the end of 28 days I've lost a total of 15lbs. Originally I had set a goal of 30 lbs for my 90 day goal. I simply cannot believe I've manged to lose 15lbs in the first month of my challenge.

I'm feeling amazing! The energy feels like a new me given a new life. My friends are feeling the same way. Tonight I walked 2 miles with a close friend and she has lost 5lbs in her first 7 days of her 90 day Challenge. I am feeling so good that I honestly think I could pull another 2 right now, but I'm easing in and playing it safe. I certainly don't want to over do it and jeopardize my ability to exercise.

God is so good to me.  Here is a small encouraging devotional for those fighting the battle of weight.

What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1st Corinthians 6:19

As Christians, we believe that God dwells within us. Our bodies become His home, and it makes sense that we should try to make His surroundings as nice as possible. The temple of God in Israel was kept immaculately clean and pure. Only the clean and holy of men were allowed to enter it. It was revered by all. The temple was the most holy and special place of all.  When we are told that our bodies are the temple of God, it is not an option whether or not to take care of it; it is a duty. When we care for our physical being, we are making God's temple a holy and special place. 

Today's Thought: We diet not only for ourselves, but for God! 

I have a devotional book for dieters that this came from. This is very encouraging scripture. What I remind myself of as I am getting healthy is not to focus on how I look. It's not about outward appearance but to focus on keeping my temple pure and holy. Part of being pure and holy is being physically fit. The body that God created to house our spirits is a marvelous thing. In our day and time so many forget this because of gluttony. I really feel that in America over eating is our biggest problem with unhealthy eating coming in a close second. We have forgotten to listen to the signals our bodies send to tell us when we are full. We stuff ourselves until we've taught our bodies that nothing less will satisfy. This is what I am working on. Portion control and making healthier choices, exercises and getting my vitamins in everyday twice daily with my shakes. It's been a month and not once have I said, "Oh no, not another shake." Everyday I continue to look forward to my simple, quick, great tasting meal replacements. They are so satisfying and delicious and I feel like a new person. 

If you decide you are up for the Body by Vi 90 Challenge below is the link to get you there. Remember, this isn't a sales pitch. I'm real and this is my journey! I can't wait to put up my after pics at the end of my 90 days! God Bless You! 

Take the 90 Day Challenge with Jenileigh!  

Ethiopia

Savannah Sky is in Ethiopia. We've had great contact with her up until now. We are all in for the long haul now. She was on fire the last time we spoke. No tears. Only excitement to shine her light for God to the people of Addis and Korah! Keep her and the people the Lord is going to use her to reach in your prayers. I'm so excited for her! Nothing in this world feels better than being used by God to further His Kingdom. What greater purpose could there be?!

End of 3 weeks: Update

I'm down 13lbs in 3 weeks. That is only 21 of my my 90 day challenge and I feel great. No sacrificing here just a new way of life. It feels great to be moving as well. My body was missing so many vital vitamins and minerals. My only regret is not discovering Body By Vi sooner! Body By Vi tastes great, no forcing it down. I so look forward to my next shake! And if you sign 3 of your friends on the 90 days challenge with you, your following month is free! Is free too expensive for you? You never get bored or tired of the same ole flavor. There are literally hundreds of recipes out there!

 More Information on Body By Vi with Jenileigh

Vannah is Off

My middle girl left on Monday to head to Texas for training. They will be leaving for Ethiopia Friday. I'll update when she is on her way. She is doing well. Keep her in your prayers! We've done well. Been so busy the last week.

Body By Vi

If you are interested in joining me on a life changing challenge look at Body By Vi with Jenileigh! I have started this 90 day challenge and I am in my third week. I am down 11lbs and a whole pant size. I'm loving it! These shakes are delicious and there are literally hundreds of different recipes! I am doing well so far just too busy to blog. I'll be back in the swing soon! Check out Body By Vi!

Chit Chat

I think the reason that I battle weight so hard is because I gave up partying. I started smoking pot when I was 11. I was drinking at that age and having sex as well. Not proud of it at all but my past is what it is. Off and on alcohol and pot were my vices. I used them to get away from pain, to feel good and have a good time. I believe that because I used drugs for so long at such a young age and continued to as I grew up it affected my mental growth. It affected my way of thinking, my maturity, how I acted. Everything I done. Once I quit smoking cigarettes, pot and drinking I felt so proud. It took me several years to learn how to be straight. I know that sounds odd but I didn't know who I was. I had to figure out who I was without drugs and alcohol. When I figured things out I felt so free. I didn't realize at the time that I had turned to food as my vice.

I gained so much weight.

I ate when I was happy.

I ate when I was sad.

We ate as a treat to ourselves. Date nights. Family nights. Everything was planned around food.

We were very happy.

But we grew bigger and our health declined.

Honestly, I can handle the fat. But I feel so bad. I never have any energy. I am not healthy and I want to be healthy.

My personality follows suit of me wanting to get thin and healthy so bad that I start a phase. I diet. I exercise. I drop weight fast. That is one plus for me. Some people really struggle with losing weight. They do all the right things and still don't lose. Not me, I lose. When I'm in lose mode sometimes I actually think I can feel the fat melting off of me.

Then, one day I wake up. I feel tired, exhausted and starved. I want what I can't have. Rebellion hits. All of a sudden I've fallen right off of the tip top of my mountain plunging to the bottom, hard and fast. I eat everything I haven't had or wanted in months and I can't get enough. I eat all day and all night. I go on binges. One time I gained 40 lbs eating Krispy Kreme donuts. One time it was hot melted chocolate chip cookies. I had worked so hard to lose weight only to gain it by eating one food for weeks. Once it was chocolate chip pancakes.

I'm being so real here.

You can ask my husband and my children. They remember each binge. Each fall. They thought I had lost my mind. It was like my body did not stop craving that food until I had reached my previous weight.

Then the depression set in.

Why did I do this? I worked so hard for nothing. Well, who cares? I'm here, might as well enjoy myself. Then, over the next months or even years my lifestyle continues I continue to gain, so I wind up 10 or 20lbs heavier than I was before I ever began the diet.

Me, the human weight loss/gaining yo yo.

Up and down. Up and down.

Why can't I just make up my mind and DO something and stick with it?

Where is my commitment?

Well today, it's here. I've found it. What I have to work on is keeping it.

Chit Chat more later.

Sunday, Glorious Sunday

My all time high in weight was 218. I'd given up. I told myself that I no longer cared about weight. Every time my weight shifted down my vanity shifted up. It was hard for me to keep myself in check because once I began to FEEL better I wanted different things in life. That was a heart issue.

The heart is deceitful above all things.

I want Jesus more than life. I want to be His servant. In order to do this my health HAS to be in check.

My blood work is the pits. I'm low on most everything.

Iron, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, B Vitamins. I could go on but I forget.

My lipids and cholesterol are too high. Way too high.

They put me on Crestor to fix that.

My blood pressure is high, way too high.

They put me on 2 medicines to control that.

I take antidepressants.

In spite of all of my physical ailments and I am so happy. I am so blessed.

I have a wonderful marriage, an incredible husband, great parents, a loving sister, a precious brother, three beautiful girls, a fabulous son-in-law and a doting grandson that stole my heart.

I'm a student. Getting ready to begin my lifelong dream of RN school.

My daughter is going on a missions trip for two months this summer.

God is so good to me.

It is time for me to start being good to myself. I love eating healthy and working out. I can't explain why I don't do it. I will for a while and then quit. The up and down cycle that I refer to as the human yo yo cycle.

I want a change.

I need a change.

It's time for change.

It's time to move forward. I am not a quitter, I never have been. I'm a fighter. It's been in my blood since I was born. My weight does NOT define me, BUT I will reclaim my health.

Welcome to the beginning, another beginning, of my journey.

A journey to health.

A healthy body.

A healthy soul.

A healthy spirit.

(For a study on the body, soul and spirit read here:
http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/the_connection/spirit-soul-and-body/ )

Counting Down

My sweet Savannah Sky will be leaving on Monday June 11th for a 53 day stay in East Africa. Trip is paid for and all airline tickets are paid for. Now we are packing, gathering things on the need list, and continuing to take donations for trip insurance and pocket money she will need with her while she is gone. God is so good and so faithful. I have moments I cry because I am going to miss my smiling, loving girl sooooooooo much, but then I remember, she is not mine, she is HIS and He is sending her.

In so many ways this trip is such a blessing for V and the Lord knew this when He planted that seed in her heart. She has experienced so much rejection from her friends because of her difference, but I know God has a plan for her. He created her just the way she is and those who choose to walk away from her miss out on so much fun!

She is growing up. She will be a Senior this year and turning 17. Wow, where does the time go? My middle baby girl will be flying the coop sooner than I care to see her go and yet I am so happy for her. I pray the Lord lay down a clear path and that this trip give her the confidence that she needs to walk that path alone. The path that leads to new places and new people. The path that leads her in His will. The path that teaches her to serve.

I pray that the Lord keep His ever loving arms stretched out far around her. I plead the blood of Jesus over her and I pray that the Lord give her strong discernment. Strengthen her spiritually and give her VISION! In Jesus' precious name! Amen

Beginning Again

I've struggled with weight all of my life. I have peace with my size now. I'm happier than ever. My focus here is going to be HEALTH. I need to make healthier eating choices, move some and practice portion control. I have started and stopped so many times that I have actually set my mind to never begin again.

The Lord won't hear of that though. That isn't in His word.

So here I am.

Again.

Summer Semester 2012

I finally got my grades from my spring semester and they were not what I was hoping for! Instead of 4 A's, I got 3 A's and 1 B. I missed my A by 3 measly points! Ha! But that is fine. I worked so hard and I am very proud of myself that I have completed yet another semester. One step closer to my program. One step closer to that finish line.

This summer has started off quickly and super overloaded. I'm taking a full term of hard classes and I've spent hours yesterday and today doing school work. Desperately trying to get a head start so that I do not fall behind. I am taking Chemistry, Medical Terminology, Speech and Nutrition all at one time. It is a heavy load but if I stay on top of it I will never feel the burden I'm carrying due to the wisdom my Father has taught me. Never put of tomorrow what can be done today. I'm a natural creature of procrastination by birth but I'm listening to my Father and disciplining myself to overcome that.

He is so good to me. Sometimes I find myself not sharing the things He teaches me, gives me or reveals to me because I feel like I sound like someone who is bragging. Well, in a way I guess that is exactly what I'm doing, bragging about my Father, my Savior Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit that keeps my own spirit man in check. Without them I would not be here. Without their deliverance, their healing, conviction to keep me on the narrow path, their protection along the way. No, without them my journey down the path would have been much different and I would not be where I am today.

So yes, I am blessed beyond measure. I have so much peace. I am happier than I have been in so long. Well-I've always been happy with my life but I'm so satisfied. So content. So complete. The Lord is giving me visions of things to do around here and we are getting ready to begin work on one small project. Once this is done I know the Lord is going to use it to call forth many many many more. I am excited. I will share deeper in depth as things unfold.

Please keep praying for my Savannah and if you are reading this take the time to look at her sweet face in the corner. Read her story. She is 16 and called to spend 2 months in East Africa this summer. She is almost at goal. Pray for her, pray for the Lord to call down the heaven's and open the doors and let the floodgates pour out her needs. He knows exactly what they are. and if you feel led to sew seed into His kingdom, to see souls saved and children fed please by all mean support her. All of the information is in the top right corner and if you need anything else just send me a message.

May God bless you all greatly.

Jenileigh-Keys of the Kingdom Evangelistic Ministries.

Fundraiser: Family Spring Pictures of 2012

I think that every session turned out beautifully. This photo shoot raised a big portion of Vannah's mission trip. I'm thankful to the photographer, Kim Rakes at Mackenzie Mae Photography for having a generous heart and a love for the Lord and missions. Our family is changing, growing older, larger in many ways, lol. All good ways though. Happiness flows from all of us. The Lord is good. I am blessed beyond measure and could want for nothing.

Fundraising for East Africa

I'm so proud of Savannah. She has worked so hard. We are very very close to goal. We are still about $300 short not including air fare to where she is training before she leaves for Ethiopia. Please keep her in your prayers. She leaves June 11th, not much longer now at all.

Time to Catch my Breath

Finally, this semester is over. Exams are taken. Now I just have to wait patiently for my grades. Two of my classes I know I have A's but the other two are so close I'm teetering on a low A or high B. I'm so hoping they are A's but it's so close I can't even begin to guess which way it went. I definitely had an A before the final exams but those 2 were very tough for me, and if I do end up with B's those exams will be why. I'm just thankful I have a two week break before the summer term begins. I had initially planned to take a full load this summer but I've sent a letter in to the head nurse over the RN program that I start in the fall and I'm going to take classes according to her recommendations. So, I'm not really sure what my summer will look like yet. It won't hurt my feelings at all if its light but I'll take a full load if necessary.

We just had family photos made and I am so ecstatic over them. I will upload them soon! I'm so pleased with them. I love doing family photos.

Savannah Sky's missions trip is coming along GREAT! She is only $900 away from goal once all of the pledges are paid. I'm so excited for her. Plane tickets to Ethiopia from TX are purchased. She will leave June 11th. Please keep her in your prayers. This will be her first missionary trip and two months is a long haul. The last thing this is going to be is easy for her. There will be a lot of physical and mental adjustments. Please keep her covered in prayer. I pray the Lord lead and direct her and that she hear Him and her relationship develop with Him even deeper. The Lord never ceases to amaze me! I have to admit I wasn't really sure I believed this money would come in so fast. I honestly thought she'd be going on a shorter trip. I know the Lord is in this so I'm putting all my faith in Him and trusting that He will take care of her and that He is going to change her dramatically while reaching souls for His kingdom.

Well, I just wanted to do a small update. I'll be posting our pictures soon!

Accepted

I cannot believe it -though I don't know why- but I've been accepted into the ADN (Associates Degree Nursing or Registered Nursing) program at the college I applied to! I'm so excited and yet scared to death. I've been working over a year full-time while attending college full-time to gain all of the prerequisites and any extra class I could get out of the way and even though I'm just beginning this journey I feel like I'm at the end of a big one too!

At the end of one.

Getting ready to begin another.

The waiting was hard. As hard as I tried to not be anxious and have total peace I just couldn't, not every moment. I knew I'd prayed so hard. I knew that God was in control. I knew that He would choose my path because I'd asked Him to close doors and open doors that I may know the path to take.

He did.

Either way I would have been fine. Honest-I really would have. I would have worked another year and reapplied.

Savannah Sky checked the mail for me that day. She asked,"momma do you want me to open it?" "Yes," I replied, "read it word for word."

When she read that I had been accepted she was screaming and I was silent. She asked me, "Mom? Are you there? Are you okay?" "Yes, baby, momma is fine," I whispered, "I'm just at work and I have to be quiet."

In all honestly I was crying. The tears came and I trembled. I hadn't realized how badly I really wanted this.

Thank-You Father. Thank-You so much for blessing me over and over when I deserve nothing. Thank-You for caring about even the smallest of things. Thank-You for being in control. Keep Your hand over me, protect and guide me. Keep my heart focused and full of You. Use me everyday of my journey to help, to love, to reach someone.

Prepare the way.

Prepare the way.

This vision that You've given me gives me goosebumps. I get so excited I want to jump forward in time a few years, but I know, I've much to do, I've much to learn. Every moment, I'm thankful for.

Draw me closer to You Father.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Easter

We had such a great time together. We spent wonderful time with my mom and dad and family. They cooked us a wonderful meal and then we colored eggs and napkins. The girls enjoyed tye dying the napkins. :) God is so good. I thank Him for these simple times together.

HE IS RISEN!

Matthew 28:1-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

He Is Risen

28 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. ² And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. ³ His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.⁴ And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ⁷ And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” ⁸ So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

The Women Worship the Risen Lord

⁹ And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

The Soldiers Are Bribed

¹¹ Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. ¹² When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, ¹³ saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ ¹⁴ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” ¹⁵ So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

The Great Commission

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. ¹⁷ When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

So Chase Only After God

God never bases your worth and potential on what people think.

 – He bases it only on what He thinks. – 

So chase only after God.