“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” II Chronicles 16:9

My grandfather always said to me, “you plant your field, you have to harvest it.” We made ourselves overweight, and we either have to live with it or work to change it. It is foolishness to over indulge, but that doesn’t stop us from doing it. Anyone who is overweight knows well that we have to pay for our foolishness. True wisdom comes from God. When we decide that enough is enough, that it is the time to lose weight, we can know God can help us, especially through the toughest times. All we need to do is ask. God is looking for ways to help us, but He always waits until His help is invited. Don’t hesitate. Call upon the Lord, and He will hear you.

Today’s thought: If we turn from our foolishness, God will bless us!

Family~

• Amanda is home! She had a wonderful trip and took lots of pictures… you can see a few of them here.
• It’s been a good week, everyone is healthy & happy!
• Izzy had bear on Monday and summer school on Wednesday.
• I enjoyed our visit with Matt’s mom and aunt this weekend. They spent the night Friday night.
• I have been planning to get in Emelia’s room and really organize it … we made some headway this week which is wonderful and have plans to organize some little things this week. It feels great to have this almost finished.
• Izzy continues to use the potty for #2, I know tmi, but it is big news and it is two weeks now!

kitchen~

• I stuck to my menu this week. The chicken spaghetti worked well for our guests Friday night. Have I mentioned lately that I love my crockpot?
• I made the breakfast casserole for breakfast Saturday morning. It is great for company too. I use jalapeño cheese bread from the bakery at walmart and canadian bacon. It literally takes five minutes to put together the night before and then you just pop it in the oven and voila… breakfast!
• Mom also surprised me by making a big batch of cinnamon rolls, she has been given many awards for her cinnamon rolls. Matt’s family jokingly suggest that she puts some kind of drug in them because they are too good to pass up. (Mom would never drug her rolls btw)…
• Dad brought me a bucket full of new potatoes from his garden that we have really been enjoying. I love little new potatoes!

blogville~

• Debi and I are trying to figure out how to have a bloggy baby shower for Carrie…
• I got to talk to Judi on the phone, that girl is a southern girl for sure… it was so much fun to visit with her!
• I got some goodmail off again. It’s fun to send things out.
• I also found more diet devo books. Kahri, Jenileigh, Kim and Jenny (coachj) I have a book for each of you!

blessings~

• The blessing of walking in divine health.
• bubble yum
• uplifting spiritual teachings
• izzy’s toothless grin
• family
• friends
• I sit here typing this list… and I have to pause and say that Izzy has been pretty high maintenance today. With company here, running around trying to keep everything in order etc. she let me know all day that my attention was needed by her and her alone. I got a little frustrated by this evening. I just glanced over at her… sitting right beside me, she has drifted to sleep. She is so precious and beautiful and all those feelings of frustration are instantly washed away and I’m left with deep thanksgiving for her life and love for her. We came so close to losing her forever just three short years ago, God gave us another chance with her and I thank God for her precious life.
• prayers of faith
• YOU!

My southern belle friend Judi is our host for weekend reflections, you can visit her to participate and to see others…

On another note… any suggestions for ttt?

Good Saturday morning! Matt’s mother and aunt Jane Ellen spent the night last night. I had breakfast casserole ready this morning and mom’s famous cinnamon rolls - YUMMY stuff.
The whole gang (minus me :o) just went for a swim and I had time to shower … It’s going to be a busy day with the visitors and then church after they leave. I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

“For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.”
Psalm 11:7

Don’t let self-pity become part of your diet. It’s very easy to feel sorry for yourself when you diet. First, you feel bad because you’re overweight. Then you feel bad because of all you have given up. You feel badly because other people don’t seem to understand what you’re going through. They get to eat as they please. All of these things can make dieters feel extremely sorry for themselves. Take heart. God knows what you’re going through, and He is delighted that you care so much about yourself. It is right and good to want to lose weight. Whenever we try to do what we think is right, God supports us completely. Replace self-pity with the blessed assurance that God is on your side.

Today’s thought: Dieting is no reason for self-pity!

“He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor.” Proverbs 21:21

Long distance runners train themselves to think of the finish line. They visualize it just ahead. They say this keeps them from wanting to give up somewhere along the way. The reward of crossing the finish line is worth more than any pain or discomfort on the way. Dieters can learn from this. Instead of dwelling on how hungry we are, or how much we long for rich foods, we should continually think in terms of the rewards that await us at the end. Christians follow Christ with hope of a heavenly reward. Faith means we await something yet to come. Dieting means we live in the hope of trimming down and looking fit.

Today’s Thought: The reward of our diet is greater than the sacrifice!

Oh girls! I have so much to do today… but because I love you so much I am typing this devo out first. We have guests coming tonight (matt’s mom & aunt) to stay until tomorrow. Since Amanda got home from Canada yesterday she has so much laundry and stuff to put away. I need you to send some energy prayers my way :o)…

I talked to Judi on the phone for a bit this morning. I wish I could hear everyone’s voice… I sound like a little girl. Telemarketers always ask to speak to my mama or daddy. I say, “they are not here.” Judi sounds like a southern girl for sure. I don’t think I have an accent. I did have a little of the Okie slang and when I was in college I took a voice and articulation class that pointed out all the Okie sounds I make so I try not to, it might creep up every once in a while though. It was cool to put a voice to her though and fun to talk to her IRL kinda.

Have a great Friday!

The whole group…
Amanda took this pick, can you guess why?

In front of a pretty fountain in Montreal

I think she said this is the Parliament?

Niagara Falls…

Amanda with her buddy Jacob.

St. Joseph’s Oratory

Old Montreal

shopping in Montreal, not sure what she is holding :o)

She brought home fun souvenirs… got me a keychain that says montreal & annie… and a teddy bear. She brought Emelia & Izzy cute t-shirts and a hat for Bailey. Matt a coffee mug. She was very thoughtful to remember everyone. It’s good to have her home!

Who doesn’t love a good bloggy award/meme thing? I do. Thanks Lorie (creating memories for a lifetime) for the Rockin’ Girl Blogger! She apparently thinks I rock!

I’m passing the torch as is done here in the neighborhood…

Corrie … because you are funny and just a nice person! you rock!

Jenna … because you were my first bloggy bff and you rock!

Jenny (coachj) … because you are my spiritual buddy and you rock!

Ann … because you have open eyes and great faith, you rock!

Judi … because you are the bloggy sweetheart and you rock!

Sheryl … because you are a constant encourager you rock!

Irene … because you are a God loving Greek you rock!

Gail & Stacy… because you are awesome sisters who rock!

Karen … because you are a wonderful author you rock!

Let’s face it, I should list you all… you all rock. Thanks for being such wonderful bloggers that I love coming and reading what’s going on in your lives and telling you about mine!

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

Dieting involves a constant struggle between two intense desires: the desire to lose weight and the desire to indulge in the foods we love. This is not an easy struggle. We are double minded. God wants all of His children to learn to be single minded. Once we decide that something is important, we should learn to stick to it. That’s not easy to do on our own. For that reason, it is helpful for us to draw close to God. He will listen as we tell our troubles. The closer we are to God, the more He can help us through difficult times. If we ask Him to, God will help us become single minded. He is as anxious as we are to see us attain our goal.

Today’s thought: God will keep us on the right track!

Is it already Wednesday? Amanda called this morning and they are headed to Niagara Falls. She has had so much fun I don’t think she is ready to come home. I am so excited to see all her pictures and hear all about all the things she was able to see and do.

I have to tell you about Melody’s hair event yesterday, but I’m going to wait for the pictures she promised to email me (hint hint)… I’ll just tell you she showed up with this picture and said she wanted to look like this:

I reminded her that I am not a professional but she said she trusted me… let’s just say Ellen Barkin would probably be jealous of her hair :o).
Anyway, I’ll post her picture when she sends it and you can see how good it looks.
***updated*** here is the pic Melody sent this morning.

On to the winner… Jodi’s name was randomly drawn. I have drawn two other names and if they have the other two books like it when I go next Monday (Bear is in Edmond where the Christian bookstore is) I’ll send them to the other two also and tell you who you are… If you didn’t get picked, I’m sorry… I wish I had one to send to every one of you. But, I will keep posting them on my blog as long as you’re interested and like Elizabeth said, ” Why do we need the book when you put it out here for us everyday?” :o)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

When I get hungry, I get nervous and anxious. I find that I snap at people and have a very short temper. This is an indication that food is more than just a pleasure; it is an addiction. To kick an addiction requires restraint and peace. Jesus Christ promises blessed peace and rest to all who come to Him. It is important for us to rely on the gentle comfort of God when we face the trials of dieting. God knows what we are going through, and He rejoices when we turn to Him for peace of mind and heart. It is not vital that we understand how this peace can come to us. What is important is that we truly believe God will grant it.

Today’s Thought: In God, there is peace that is greater than the turmoil caused by our dieting!

Wow, another busy day has begun. I’m finishing up feeding Iz her breakfast, Melody is coming over on her lunch break for a cut and highlights (and fyi I am not a hairdresser, it’s just a hobby)…
I was watching “little people, big world” while feeding iz, if you watch it… did you see the little guy Matt helped get adopted, he has so much expression in his little eyes that it brought tears to my eyes. I’ve noticed since Izzy’s accident, because I have to really look for her cues and gestures so closely that I am in tune more with children. I see moms at the store with their kids being “bratty” and can see what they need, while their moms just look so aggravated with them. I want to scream, he’s tired, or he just wants a cookie. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a ’softy’ (too much) with my other kids… but, it is interesting what you can read in a persons face when you really look at them rather than past them. I cannot wait for Izzy to just simply tell me what she wants, although I’m getting really good at guessing and working with her body language… She’s a doll and I love her very much. I can’t believe this is day ten on the diet devos. I think I’m doing pretty well. I weighed this morning and I think I have lost a couple of pounds. That’s good. I even walked again last night. I want to make it a habit to get up and walk after Matt leaves for work, especially while it is summer and the kids can sit with Iz and maybe one can go with me? But, there is always something going on. There is a 24 hour gym locally I have though about joining. I joined curves for a year and we were out of town so much doing hyperbarics with Iz I didn’t get to go as much as I wanted. I did enjoy it and felt like I gained a lot of strength and I know I lost a lot of inches. I want to be fit, like I am visualizing breaking out of this shell that is around my body, does that make sense? Maybe not, it’s hard to explain… well, here’s the devo for today.
I picked a copy up for Mandalyn yesterday and I got an extra so if you are interested in it leave a comment telling me why you want it and I’ll randomly send it to one of ya’ll!

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

The stomach is a spoiled brat. When we miss even one meal, it kicks up a fuss and makes us feel as though we’re going to starve. Of course, we’re in no danger whatsoever, but once our stomachs get started, it is hard to ignore them. To diet means to engage in mind over matter. We need to realize that we can get by on a lot less food than we actually eat. We need to renew our mind, change our thinking, and decide that we’re not going to be made a slave to our stomachs. We resent it when someone else tries to control us. Why should we so easily succumb to our own stomachs? When we refuse to be ruled by anything but the spirit of God, then we truly please Him.

Today’s thought: God can liberate us from slavery to the stomach!