Happy Halloween!

It's so hard to believe that my Treyty man is 2 years old. The Lord has blessed me greatly. I am so thankful during this season. October, my favorite month, has gone by faster than I hoped but I am grateful that November is right behind it. Thanksgiving. This is the season of Thanksgiving. I give thanks to my Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I am so blessed. Blessed beyond measure. Blessed beyond words. I pray His blessing upon you as well. Tis the Season!

This picture looks exactly like Heaven when she was around 4. Same expression. Priceless!

My happy boy.

My Meadow the Honey Bee and her bestie Candace! Meadow is now 11 years old. My how time flies. 

Prayers for Landri Dee

This is my second cousin Landri Dee. She calls me aunt Jennifer and I call her my niece. She is 7 years old. Please keep my sweet lady bug Landri in your prayers. She needs God's healing. The Dr.s found a tangerine sized tumor at the base of her skull. She had surgery to remove the tumor on Wednesday this week. It was attached to her brain stem. She had a sinus infection when they done surgery. Ordinarily they would not have done surgery until the sinus infection was gone but this was too urgent. They believe all of the tumor is gone. They are waiting for the test results on the tumor. They believe they got the whole tumor and we are trusting in Jesus it is gone! Her complication now are her lungs. Please pray she heals and can breathe fully and normally on her own. Her swallowing reflex is not working so they are contemplating a feeding tube. She will have to relearn to talk and walk. Please share this. I want as many people as possible praying for her. Thank you so much my dear prayer warriors! 

This is the Jone's family. 
Jesse, Jennifer, Drayden and Landri

Missing are brothers Devin and Dylan and sister Leah.

This is Landri at her 7th Birthday party in September

This is Landri after surgery.

This is Dylan and Landri

This is the scripture that the Lord laid on my heart to pray for Landri. 

Mark 5:41 "Taking her by the hand her said to her, 'talitha kumi,' which means, 'little girl, I say to you, arise.'"

Peace Today

This week has slowed down some. I only had school two days. This fall air is so refreshing and rejuvenating. It gives me new found energy, desire, and hope. Having the extra time at my home, a home that I have grown to love so dear, is so appreciated. Having time to clean, cook, and listen to the Beatles. Spending time with my grandson Treyton.

Dad brought me a huge bag of fresh turnips and turnip greens. I'm fixing those with homemade macaroni and cheese, baked bean, meatballs and a huge pan of cornbread. Cornbread. It reminds me of my grandpa. His cornbread, turnips and greens were out of this world. Mine will never compare but the smell and every bite brings an old memory back.

Family. My sister is here helping me. I've missed her so bad since she has been at the beach for 16 years. I'm so glad she has moved back. Quality time together has suffered. Somehow those yearly visits just don't keep the bond as much as spending time together everyday.

God is so good.

My sweet second cousin-that I call my niece had surgery yesterday. They discovered a tangerine sized tumor at the base of her skull this week. We are praising God that the surgeons were able to get it all. She is only 7 years old and such a sweet, precious, brave little girl.

I have peace today and a heart of Thanksgiving.

Thank-You Lord for this day.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

By St. Basil the Great 

O Existing One, Master Lord, God, almighty and adorable Father: It is truly meet and right and befitting the majesty of Thy holiness that we should praise Thee, hymn Thee, bless Thee, worship Thee, give thanks unto Thee and glorify Thee, the only truly existing God, and offer unto Thee with contrite heart and spirit of humility this our rational worship; for Thou art He that hath graciously bestowed upon us the knowledge of Thy truth.

And who is sufficient to speak of Thy mighty acts, to make all Thy praises to be heard, or to tell of all Thy wonders at every season?

O Master of all, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation both visible and invisible, Who sittest upon the throne of glory and beholdest the depths, Who art unoriginate, invisible, immutable, the Father of our Lord: the great God and Savior Jesus Christ, our Hope, Who is the Image of Thy goodness, the Seal of equal type, in Himself showing forth Thee, the Father, the living Word, the true God, the Wisdom before all ages, the Life, Sanctification, Power, the true Light, through Whom the Holy Spirit was manifested: the Spirit of truth, the Gift of adoption, the Pledge of the inheritance to come, the First-fruits of eternal good things, the life-giving Power, the Fountain of sanctification, by Whom enabled every rational and intelligent creature doth serve Thee and ascribe to Thee perpetual praise, for all things are Thy servants.

Filled thus with great awe at Thine immeasurable mercies and love, do Thou receive the unfeigned praise and thanksgiving of our unworthy hearts for all that Thou hast provided for us in this world and the next, and enable us to walk before Thee in holiness and purity all the days of our life in fitting gratitude for Thy loving-kindness to us;

For blessed art Thou O Holy Father together with Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to Whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory and worship, now and every and unto ages of ages.

Amen.

Bonfires

I love bonfires. We are planning a big shin dig soon. A double birthday party for my dad and my sister. It's going to be a hum dinger! We will have a bonfire and fellowship into the night. Parties are one of my favorite things! Especially when they include family. I have the best family!

The Fall

My absolute favorite time of year!

No rest though. I'm just plugging on through.

I'm passing. Barely.

When they say that C is the new A in nursing school they meant it!

I'm studying like crazy only to learn that I need to study more. I'm just taking things one step at a time. Each day I hear this quite voice saying, "You can do this!"

My sister has moved back from the beach. My family is so close. No wars, no fighting. Peace. I love it.

October. Leaves changing. Ahh so sweet. Mountain air, cool breeze. Life is good. Really good.

Father God I praise You for every thing. You are so good to me.

No looking back. Moving forward. Slowly but surely. Gaining ground.

Ah. I need a warm cup of coffee.......

Hard Things

You know, many things in life are hard. There are different kinds of hard too. Right now my hard thing is RN School. I'm flabbergasted. I'm overwhelmed.

I'm one month in. This week is my fourth week.

I had heard people speak of nursing school. I had heard their horror stories. I thought I had prepared. I was sure to take every single class I could ahead of time. I only have my nursing core left. I don't believe I'll be full-time but one semester in two years.

Boy was I wrong.

Since week one there has been this overwhelming pressure to perform. At first it was math tests. You have three chances or you're out. We lost several. I had to test 3 times. That 3rd time was so nerve wracking.

This week we begun real assessments. We had two today. I was so nervous I had sweat dripping from my nose and my eye lashes, continuously dripping. I'm still waiting for my grades.

I have a 6 chapter test on Wednesday.

I have a 9 or 10 chapter test on Thursday.

We will have 3 more assessments on Monday. Harder than those two we done today.

My back hurts. Really hurts. I didn't raise my bed high enough. I can barely stand. I'll never forget to raise the bed again, not EVER!

God had mercy on me by providing me with Tuesdays off. Thank-You Lord for that sweet day of mercy.

At one time I had said that if I didn't make it through this semester I would go back until I did.

Today I decided that isn't the case. If I fail my first semester I won't go back. I don't think I can live through it again! I won't quit. I'll give it my all. I know I CAN do HARD things. I just never dreamed it would be this hard. I pray I pass.

On the way home from my mom and dad's tonight and after many tears, all I could do was praise the Lord and thank Him for this beautiful night. The cool, crisp, fall air. The many, many stars in the sky. The praise and worship on the radio. Thank-You Lord for this break! Thank-You Lord for this peace, this beautiful world. This life. Life as I knew it before nursing school. :)

Thank-You for this opportunity in nursing school. You will be the ONLY thing that gets me through. It's only through Christ that I can do all things. I pray this is Your will. I have and will give it my all. My blood, sweat and tears. Your will be done.

In Jesus name I pray.

And I've only just begun. I've heard that slow and steady win the race. I won't give up. I will not quit.

Sky's Mission to Ethiopia 2012

What a journey my middle girl went on.

A month spent in Ethiopia. A month with no meat, no milk, no chocolate. The stories she shares of holding little babes so tiny you could feel their ribs in their backs. Deep in the heart of Ethiopia, in the jungle, with rain and more rain. No cover. Leaky tents. Molded clothes. Mother's pleading with you to take their children. Orphanages of children who think you're there to adopt them. A heart crying out, "Why am I here Lord?" Emotionally and physically strained. The body at it's weakest point, the mind exasperated.

Maybe I just want to go home.

I imagine the process of the oil being pressed from the olive. All of the flesh's desires deprived. Icky feeling. The smell. No favorite foods or drink. No familiar faces, friends, nor family. Just a tribe of people with so little. Just when you think you could bare no more, more pressing comes, walking miles and miles to get to church. Making it as far as you could go, knowing you would be collapsing because you were at your end, only to be told you had just made it to the foot of the mountain. Learning that it was actually time for the real journey to begin. Looking up and knowing that you HAD to climb this mountain-right here and now-at your weakest moment.

HOW? You cried? HOW?

The Lord strengthened you. He sent many to encourage you. Where you thought you were done, you discovered that down....deep down inside you had more. Many times you thought you'd fall. Many times you doubted you could do it but you never quit.

You screamed. You kicked. You cried.

BUT you did not quit.

When you got to the top of that mountain you experienced something that you had never felt before.

Victory.

Sweet Victory!

I real true VICTORY. And not just any victory but a spiritual victory. A victory in Christ!

In one moment you knew, THIS, THIS is WHY I am here!

6 souls are saved.

6

That seems like such a small number for such a long time. So many people sent at such a high expense to spread the love of Jesus. Ah, but let us remember that it was Jesus who left the 99 to go and get the 1. Those 6 were worth it all to Him. How special they must be to His heart! To have sent all of you to find them, those 6 hearts searching and hungry for the truth of Jesus Christ. And to imagine what they will do with the truth they received.

He is not finished.

Have you not thought about what He has DONE in YOU? The work He created? The process HE began?

He will NOT leave unfinished.

My little girl came home different. Very different. She is not the same 16 year old teenager who left these states to fly to East Africa for two solid months. She is not the same. She is not the same physically-3 pant sizes smaller-with large gaunt eyes. She is not the same spiritually, there is this glow around her, this un-explainable peace. A maturity.

My how I look up to you. I see so much fruit! Actually I believe I see a bit of each one of the 9 in you now. I have to laugh because the Lord is exercising them in you and you have no idea whats going on.

Your view has changed. It's hard coming back into this place of so much abundance that people forget to be thankful. I see you wrestling and it's okay because it's a great blessing to see you growing.

You are in our prayers precious one! Know that He is molding you and shaping you for the plan that He designed for especially for you. I love you my precious V!

.....I'll share more about Sky's trip soon.

Almost Home

Savannah Sky will be coming home on Thursday August 2nd. It can't get here soon enough. I am excited to hear about her adventures and hear the wondrous works that the Lord has done in Ethiopia and Uganda. I have had the least contact with her so this mama's heart is ready to hug her baby girl.

This semester is almost over for me as well. I have one exam left and to deliver a speech. I have a CPR class coming up this Monday. I get my books the 13th of August. Orientation will be the 17th of August. Official classes start the 22nd and I'll have my first drug dosage calculations test! It's all coming so soon.

I'm thankful I only have to work 2 days next week and I'll be off 5 with Savannah. We are all looking forward to her return.

Tony is playing with the group today at a family reunion.

Meadow has a friend over and they are playing pet shops.

I am getting ready to read some more and study for my exam.

Life is so good. What a great Saturday!

76 Days!

I'm nearing the end of my 90 Day Challenge. I've slowed here at the end and I'm still sitting at my 18lb loss. I'm feeling much better and doing well. I continue to love my shakes. They are simply amazing. I have been so busy I haven't taken the time to update. I wanted to be sure all knew that the shakes are great and I have not quit!

49 Days and Going Strong!

I am 18 lbs down now and still doing amazing. I've had strep throat and it's been a hard weekend but even still I was down another pound this morning. One pound a week is great for me. Even on the weeks when I don't do so good with walking or eating healthy my weight continues to drop. I'm so impressed with ViSalus. I'm looking forward to getting rid of this horrible strep so I can get back to walking. I so enjoy my walks out in the open conversing with my Father. I continue to read so many success stories. People with fibromyalgia and crohns disease see huge improvements. If you are reading this really pray about giving ViSalus a try. It's for the young, the adult and the older.

Body By Visalus Shakes-Shake Things Up with Jenileigh

Sunday, Glorious Sunday!

What a wild weekend. Storms have been coming since Friday night. Tony and I were caught out in 80 miles an hour winds on the motorcycle. I prayed in the Spirit the whole way home. God had His mighty hand upon us the entire way.

This morning we attended services at T.R.A.S.H. ministries. I love hearing Mike Price teach on love. That has been the unplanned theme the past few weeks. Generally their services are on Friday nights and this week they've begun services on the 1st Sunday of each month at 9a.m. I love T.R.A.S.H. and the people in it. They are truly like a family that I am honored to be a part of.

Riding the bike with my husband Tony is such a bonding time for us. Alone time where we sometimes have sweet chats while observing God's creations with the wind blowing in our faces. Other times we can ride in silence with no words needed. Just the presence of my husband, his warmth, his strong arms leading us down the road. He's taught me so much about the Lord. He's taught me to lean on him, to trust him, and to follow him. For so many years I tried so hard to be the leader and I was simply miserable. I am at such a great point of peace and happiness in my life. I am so incredibly blessed. My husband has taught me of unconditional love and how the Lord loves us at all times through everything. He is a great man.

When we left T.R.A.S.H. and went on to Well Spring Fellowship. We had communion. It had been a while for me. It was so sweet. What an amazing praise and worship service we experienced. The Spirit of God is so sweet and consuming. My own hungry spirit was fed and set on fire.

Then Tony and I rode to have a delicious lunch together. We thought the storms would catch us once again on the motorcycle but we missed the rain and had a very peaceful, windy ride home.

We were hoping to hear from sweet Savannah today but I suppose as deep as they are in the jungles of Ethiopia, it will be a while before we hear from her. We are trusting her with her Father and lifting her up in prayers and thoughts until we connect again.

Our scripture today that brought me to my knees in repentance follows. How heavy my heart was as the Word of God was read aloud. How deep my repentance was. How sweet was His merciful forgiveness. I praise You Father!

Ephesians 5

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Imitate God

5 Imitate God, since you are the children he loves. ² Live in love as Christ also loved us. He gave his life for us as an offering and sacrifice, a soothing aroma to God.

³ Don’t let sexual sin, perversion of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you. This is not appropriate behavior for God’s holy people. ⁴ It’s not right that dirty stories, foolish talk, or obscene jokes should be mentioned among you either. Instead, give thanks to God. ⁵ You know very well that no person who is involved in sexual sin, perversion, or greed (which means worshiping wealth) can have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Don’t let anyone deceive you with meaningless words. It is because of sins like these that God’s anger comes to those who refuse to obey him. ⁷ Don’t be partners with them.
⁸ Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light. ⁹ Light produces everything that is good, that has God’s approval, and that is true. ¹⁰ Determine which things please the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. ¹² It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret. ¹³ Light exposes the true character of everything ¹⁴ because light makes everything easy to see. That’s why it says:

    “Wake up, sleeper!
        Rise from the dead,
            and Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵ So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people. ¹⁶ Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. ¹⁷ So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants. ¹⁸ Don’t get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit ¹⁹ by reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts. ²⁰ Always thank God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹ Place yourselves under each other’s authority out of respect for Christ.

Blessed

I am so blessed. I feel so wonderful. Even after a cycle. WOW. Usually I'm down for a couple of days but not this month. My weight loss sits at 15lbs but that is fine. My tops that were too tight are fighting comfortably again. My pants are beginning to bag. I feel the loss even when the scale doesn't show it.

I'm also walking. I'm doing 2 miles several nights a week. I'm pushing through.

I'm eating healthier-not all healthy-I still have some junk and not so good for you foods here and there but I'm changing as much as I can by making small changes.

I love the shakes. I was really concerned that after a month or so I'd begin to tire of them but I don't. I get creative with the shakes. I make so many different flavors. I'm excited to reach the end of my 90 days so that I can have my blood work redone to see how much my levels come up.

Try them! You won't regret it!

Real results when you follow the challenge. I can't wait to post my before and after photos! Join me today!

Ethiopia Still

Savannah is doing well. She has experienced some attacks physically. She had an allergic reaction to something, she passed out one day from dehydration, she's been sick some. BUT spiritually Savannah is on fire! Cover her with your prayers. God is working so many miracles. This momma is missing her baby girl too. I know how selfish that is but I want to hear her voice, hug her neck, and kiss her cheeks. I am not use to her being gone for so long. 2 months is a long time. 2 weeks fly. One month seems like a long time but when that one month comes to an end, you are only half way in. The Lord has led Tony and I into deep prayer once so far-not that we aren't praying daily-but this was warfare. Serious intercession. It's exhausting emotionally but its so intimate with the Lord. I know my Savannah belongs to HIM and I trust Him with her. I appreciate everyone's prayers!

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