We're BAAAACCCKKK

And I am give out. It was sooooo hard to get up and get ready for work yesterday morning, and it didn't get any easier today. But I do have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time off. We had a safe and enjoyable trip, and most importantly we all had fun. Each of us got to do at least one thing that we really wanted to do. I guess I need to get to work now(there is nothing quite like the feeling of being a week behind) so I will write about all of our adventures over the next few days.

On the challenge front - I am very proud of myself. I only gained 1/2 pound over the course of our trip. I did not make the best choices (that fried catfish sure was good), but we did get a lot of exercise - I even managed to visit the gym in the hotel. I was very pleased with the results, especially since they could have been a whole lot worse.

And We're Off

Well as you are reading this we are headed off to Tennessee for a little rest and relaxation. Wait we are traveling with two kids - guess the whole R&R thing is out. I am just glad to be off work and out of the house. I have spent the last two days at home doing laundry, cleaning, doing laundry, packing, doing laundry, refereeing the kids, and well did I mention doing laundry - who knew a family of four could dirty so much laundry. But the good thing is when we left the house EVERYTHING was clean. Unfortunately I will have to start all over when we get home.

We really have no set plans for our vacation. I always end up disappointed when I make too many plans. We either don't get to do the things we have planned, or they don't live up to my expectations. That is why I decided we would just play this whole trip by ear, which has been a challenge for me, since I tend to be a planner by nature. It's not that I don't like to be spontaneous, it's just that I like to plan my spontaneous moments...

So say a prayer for us that we have a safe trip, and that all goes as unplanned...

Challenge Update

Well I am smack dab right in the middle of my comfort zone again. Right where I want to be. I have also quit taking the prescription that I think was the culprit of the sudden gain. In fact as soon as I stopped taking it, the pounds started coming off immediately. Now I just hope being on vacation this week doesn't pack on too many pounds. I plan to make good choices, but will not deny myself a few vacation treats. I will let you know the damage next challenge update.

I am enjoying my time off so far. Of course over the weekend we had all of the usual stuff going on, so yesterday was the first day I really got to enjoy my time off. I slept in until 6:15 - go ahead and tell me how lazy I was. I spent most of the morning cleaning house. I really have a hard time enjoying doing nothing when I know there is something I really should get done, so I decided to get that out of the way first. After lunch, the kids and I went to the library - I know I am a nerd. They got some books on CD to listen to in the van, and I got a book to read by the pool. Problem is I started reading it last night, and if I am not careful I will finish it before we ever get near the pool. Today we will be packing and running last minute errands, so maybe I won't get too much reading done.

A Special Night

Last night was a very special night for our family - especially for Brian, as it was his deacon ordination service. Our church and church family mean so much to us, and it is hard to put into words the way they make us feel. There were so many kind words said as our former and current pastors spoke to us and about us. Both of these men have special places in our hearts, as they have both guided us in our spiritual growth over the years. And I felt such a peace come over me as they prayed over us. I know this is not a job to be taken lightly as I have read and meditated over the scriptures Acts 6:1-6 and 1 Timothy 3:1-13 many times in the six months since Brian was set aside for ordination. It will not always be easy, but I truly feel that this is what Brian is called to do, and as long as we always seek and follow God's will in every decision that we make, then things will go according to His plan.

Bro. Robert Williams (former pastor), Bro. Arthur Harrell (deacon), Brian, Bro. Wayne Brown (current pastor), Bro. Bobby Cooper (deacon & Brian's dad)

Thankful Thursday

I missed posting last week but for sure wanted to express my thankfulness today.

• I am very thankful that tonight is the last night of VBS.
• I am thankful for the blessings I have received this week at VBS - even though it is a lot of hard work, there is really no feeling like seeing young children rejoicing in the Lord.
• I am thankful that as of tomorrow at 11 am I will be off work for the next 9 days.
• I am thankful that I am back in my comfort zone with my weight.
• I am thankful for my new Wednesday and Friday babysitter. The kids really love spending time with their "Aunt" Regennia. She is really good with them, going above the call of duty by bathing them and getting them ready for VBS.
• I am thankful that the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family, a wonderful church, and a wonderful workplace. I am truly blessed in every part of my life.

Laurel is hosting Thankful Thursday today...Go run see her and get in on the Gratitude! :)

I'm Still Here

I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth. It has just been really busy the last week. We started VBS last night so this week will not be any better. I will be in a state of constant running until Friday, but then...I will be on vacation for the next nine - count them 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 - days. I can't wait to spend a few days doing nothing at home and then spend a few days in Tennessee doing nothing.

Challenge Update

I had a great revelation a few weeks ago. After that my mindset was great. I continued to eat on plan and maintained just as I knew I could. Then last week happened. I continued to eat on plan except for one day (and I openly admit I blew it that day but who doesn't have a day like that on occasion?). I blamed last weeks 4 lb gain (yes you read that right 4 pounds) on water weight gain - mostly because it appeared on the scale in a matter of only two days. I figured it would go away in a couple of days (like it does every month), but as I continued to eat on plan and count every point the weight has not gone away. It has been very discouraging. I am not one to place blame where it doesn't belong but I have been doing everything by the book. The only thing that has changed is I began taking a new prescription about 2 weeks ago. I have looked up the side effects only to find the ambiguous statement - "may cause weight loss/gain." What a way to cover all your bases...

I have decided to give myself one more week and see if I can shed these pounds or at least a portion of them. If I have no results by next Tuesday, I am calling my doctor and asking for her opinion. Honestly, if it is the medicine causing this problem, it is a case of the cure being worse than the disease, because the problem we are treating is not even a real issue to my overall health.

Check out everyone else's challenge progress over at Tales from the Scales.

Jesus, Send the Rain

I have been going through a drought. Not literally. The weather has actually been rather wet for this time of year. I mean spiritually. I don't know why, but lately I haven't felt like worshiping, praising, studying, or even praying. But last night, the rain started to fall. We had an outstanding service at church last night. I had spent the whole morning service and most of the evening service sulking. I didn't want to hear the message. Then God softened my heart and I began to listen to Him. It was nothing the preacher said, nothing in the song service or the testimony service, it was the Holy Spirit moving through the sanctuary. It was just me and God. I cried out to Him at the altar and He met me there like He is always faithful to do. I got up from the altar feeling as though I was starting anew, freshly washed by the rain that only God's mercy is able to send.

Thankful Thursday

I almost skipped this today, but I felt convicted to forge ahead even though I really didn't "feel like" being thankful today. I know that I should always give thanks, especially at those times when I feel the least like doing it. When I start to count my blessings, I realize just how good God is to me and inevitably it lifts my spirits.

• I am thankful for 13 years of marriage to a wonderful man who not only loves me and our children very much, even when we don't deserve it, but he loves Christ as well.
• I am thankful that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that I may have everlasting life - even though I don't deserve it.
• I am thankful once again for every time that I hear the words "I love you" from my family.
• I am thankful for my Christian friends who love Christ and me enough to offer words of encouragement when God puts it on their hearts.
• I am thankful for soldiers who love their country enough to fight for my freedom.

For a real blessing and more thankful Thursday lists visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Happy 4th of July and Anniversary

So it is time for every one's Independence Day celebrations. I hope everyone is safe and enjoys time with friends and family. It was thirteen years ago on the Fourth of July that Brian and I tied the knot. It is hard to believe it has been that long. We have been through many ups and downs, but God has brought us through it all. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and even though we don't always see eye to eye, we have stood by each other through thick and thin (quite literally if you look at some of my before pics). I look forward to many more happy years together - I love you.

About my last post - OK I am done whining for a while. After posting, I got to thinking about how blessed I really am and felt silly complaining about my situation. I really do appreciate all of the prayers that have gone up for me. It is a blessing to know there are other Christian women out there who don't even know me that are willing to say a prayer for me. I have turned the situation over to God, and I know that I can't control anything unless I am willing to give all control over to Him.

Plea for Help

I really feel like a lot of things in my life are out of control right now. I don't feel like I have time to do anything. We always seem so rushed to get from here to there. It's always hurry, hurry, hurry. There is something planned for every waking moment. Lord, I ask that you help us step back and take the time to do the things you would have us do, and realize what can be left for another day.

On the financial front things are out of control as well. It seems like there is always more month left at the end of our money. I told Brian it was time that we sit down and really look at our spending and see where we can cut back. We have talked about it before, and said we would cut back here and there, but we have not followed through. It is time to really analyze just where our money is going. Lord, I ask that you be with us in this so that no harsh words are said and no one's feelings get hurt.

On a lighter note...

My son has turned preacher. Stephen held a revival last week at Brian's parent's house. You may remember from this previous post that they have twelve chickens. Well Stephen carried his Bible down to the chicken pen and preached to them. He read scripture, then had an alter call. According to him, five of the twelve accepted Christ and got saved. He is still praying for the other seven. I just hope he doesn't get the bright idea to try to baptize any of them. Can you imagine the feathers flying?

Challenge update - not so great this week - I am retaining water and I feel like the Pillsbury dough boy.