February 23, 2009
Today is Monday, February 23, 2009 and today is a new day. As I finished my devotions this morning and prepared for my day, I reminded myself of Psalm 118:24. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Sometimes, I don't always feel like rejoicing and this past weekend was one of those times. I allowed so many other things to change my attitude this weekend and really became a pessimist rather than an optimist.
There are times when we allow the stress of the world to overwhelm us and we lose site of the true purpose and plan for our lives. We become overwhelmed with what the world lays upon our shoulders than simply listening to God. I don't pretend to have all the answers and when others call me for advice, I tell them, you are talking to someone who needs to point the finger back at themselves. I cannot mend brokenness. I cannot supply all your needs. I cannot comfort you the way you desire to be comforted but I know the one who can. Jesus Christ is the mender of broken hearts, he is the one who can supply all your needs and he is the greatest comforter I know. When we fall, he picks us up, he dust us off, and he opens his arms to receive us in all our pain. He is the great physician, the healer of pain. And all he requires is that we come to him, repent of our sins, and ask him to come into our hearts. If we come to him in true faith, he will begin a transformation in us that can only be described as miraculous. And he will be there for us when no one else can, he will love us when we don't feel lovable, and he will lead, guide, and direct us if we will listen.
Understand, I am not preaching to anyone. This is solely from my own experience. I have met discouragement this weekend and I did not handle discouragement very well. I did not encourage as I should have, I did not comfort the way the Lord wanted me to. I met it instead with worry, anger, and tears. I prayed for forgiveness from God and those I sinned against. I turn to the one whom I can give these things to-my Lord, Jesus Christ. So I this day will say: This is the day which the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
One Sports Season Ends, Another Begins
February 20, 2009
I have not found much time this week to post until today. It has been a relaxing Friday at work for the most part. There have been a few things to get done and now I am finished for the day. I want to start out by saying that my blog has been a little under the weather. I've had the most difficult time adding a background, a problem that I've not experienced before and hope never to again. I also seem to have lost the ability to put music back to my blog but I am working on it. I do most of my blogging at work during lunch or down time so maybe my company has placed a "blogging block" on my computer (haha). I am not the most computer literate individual so it may all be operator error. Hopefully all the kinks will work themselves out.
It has been a busy week with lots of different events. The Varsity Girls found themselves in the State Championship game and last night at Oak Level, the girls ended their journey to the State Title. We were defeated by Cramerton but not without a fight. Our girls played great and their hearts were truly in the game, but the ball just did not always cooperate with the basket. We took a lot of shots but we missed some as well. The girls did great defensively with few errors and I was almost in tears at one point in the game. Rachael twisted her ankle on the 7th of February at the CCC tournament (which we won) and has been on crutches. She wanted to play in the State games so bad that she threw her crutches down at the beginning of this week. Jimmy and I noticed her limping and placing most of her weight on her good leg each day and questioned whether or not she would be able to play last night. I called the doctor yesterday and he approved for her to play in a limited amount of time. He stressed that the ankle needed to be taped well and an ankle brace worn at all times during the game. When we arrived at the gym last night, we watched our daughter warm up with the other girls and observed some of the grimaces upon her face when she would jump or run. She played well and she played the majority of the game. We were proud, not because she played well, not even because she played, but because she had such a determination and a desire to be a part of the team. It takes all of them to make a team and they all played a great game last night. I'm proud to be a Patriot Fan and I am proud to be a parent of a Patriot player. I told Rachael at bedtime last night that I was very proud of her and my prayer is that she use that same determination and desire to serve God for the rest of her life. She has asked me to pray for several of her friends this week and told me last night that God has shown her this week how truly blessed she is to have parents who love each other and love the Lord. She sees friends struggling from broken homes and parents who are not serving God. She saw firsthand the struggles of unsaved parents and knows what the Lord delivered us from.
Basketball season has ended and softball season begins. They have already started softball practice and Rachael is excited about playing this year. I love to watch the girls play softball so I will transition to the next sport and get my outdoor chair ready for travel. This also means that Spring is nearby and I am more than ready to welcome its arrival. Our school will also have a girls soccer team this year and I look forward to seeing what this team will do as well. Rachael was torn between playing soccer or softball but her love of softball won her over. She has played community softball since she was old enough to swing a bat (t-ball days) and transitioned over to Union Grove Softball in the 7th grade. I look forward to the games.
I have not posted on my weight but I did weigh in on Wednesday as usual and lost another 1.0 lb. Just one pound but still losing. I enjoyed my Valentines Day dinner as well as a Sunday night run to Mellow Mushroom so I was pleased with my 1 pound loss. I hope to do better this coming week and press forward to the final goal. I am 4 months into the journey and each day has become easier for me to make better choices and cook healthier for my family. It definitely requires a life time change.
I am leaving a little early today to pick Rachael up and take her to the State play-off game. She wants to see the final games. I have the RU daycare tonight so I am rushing from the game over to church later. Jimmy is showing the movie, FireProof tonight and we are expecting a large crowd. We might just meet our 51 goal! Lets pray for 51!
I have not found much time this week to post until today. It has been a relaxing Friday at work for the most part. There have been a few things to get done and now I am finished for the day. I want to start out by saying that my blog has been a little under the weather. I've had the most difficult time adding a background, a problem that I've not experienced before and hope never to again. I also seem to have lost the ability to put music back to my blog but I am working on it. I do most of my blogging at work during lunch or down time so maybe my company has placed a "blogging block" on my computer (haha). I am not the most computer literate individual so it may all be operator error. Hopefully all the kinks will work themselves out.
It has been a busy week with lots of different events. The Varsity Girls found themselves in the State Championship game and last night at Oak Level, the girls ended their journey to the State Title. We were defeated by Cramerton but not without a fight. Our girls played great and their hearts were truly in the game, but the ball just did not always cooperate with the basket. We took a lot of shots but we missed some as well. The girls did great defensively with few errors and I was almost in tears at one point in the game. Rachael twisted her ankle on the 7th of February at the CCC tournament (which we won) and has been on crutches. She wanted to play in the State games so bad that she threw her crutches down at the beginning of this week. Jimmy and I noticed her limping and placing most of her weight on her good leg each day and questioned whether or not she would be able to play last night. I called the doctor yesterday and he approved for her to play in a limited amount of time. He stressed that the ankle needed to be taped well and an ankle brace worn at all times during the game. When we arrived at the gym last night, we watched our daughter warm up with the other girls and observed some of the grimaces upon her face when she would jump or run. She played well and she played the majority of the game. We were proud, not because she played well, not even because she played, but because she had such a determination and a desire to be a part of the team. It takes all of them to make a team and they all played a great game last night. I'm proud to be a Patriot Fan and I am proud to be a parent of a Patriot player. I told Rachael at bedtime last night that I was very proud of her and my prayer is that she use that same determination and desire to serve God for the rest of her life. She has asked me to pray for several of her friends this week and told me last night that God has shown her this week how truly blessed she is to have parents who love each other and love the Lord. She sees friends struggling from broken homes and parents who are not serving God. She saw firsthand the struggles of unsaved parents and knows what the Lord delivered us from.
Basketball season has ended and softball season begins. They have already started softball practice and Rachael is excited about playing this year. I love to watch the girls play softball so I will transition to the next sport and get my outdoor chair ready for travel. This also means that Spring is nearby and I am more than ready to welcome its arrival. Our school will also have a girls soccer team this year and I look forward to seeing what this team will do as well. Rachael was torn between playing soccer or softball but her love of softball won her over. She has played community softball since she was old enough to swing a bat (t-ball days) and transitioned over to Union Grove Softball in the 7th grade. I look forward to the games.
I have not posted on my weight but I did weigh in on Wednesday as usual and lost another 1.0 lb. Just one pound but still losing. I enjoyed my Valentines Day dinner as well as a Sunday night run to Mellow Mushroom so I was pleased with my 1 pound loss. I hope to do better this coming week and press forward to the final goal. I am 4 months into the journey and each day has become easier for me to make better choices and cook healthier for my family. It definitely requires a life time change.
I am leaving a little early today to pick Rachael up and take her to the State play-off game. She wants to see the final games. I have the RU daycare tonight so I am rushing from the game over to church later. Jimmy is showing the movie, FireProof tonight and we are expecting a large crowd. We might just meet our 51 goal! Lets pray for 51!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Is there enough time in the Day?
February 13, 2009
There is just not enough time in the day! I have been so busy this week that I've not even had a chance to blog or check in on other blogs. Work has been extremely hectic this week and I've just had so many things to get done. There have been ballgames, doctor appointments, weigh-in, orthodontist appointments, teen activities, tax preparations and family night to squeeze in this week. I will be glad this evening just to take a breath before the next event.
I weighed in on Wednesday and lost another 2.8 lbs. This brings my total from start to now up to 43.4 lbs. I am at the half way mark of my journey and it feels wonderful! I am noticing a lot of difference in my clothes and how I feel physically. It is getting easier to make smarter choices and to prepare food healthy at home. I am still walking on the treadmill and have taken some strolls outside during the pretty weather we are having. Jimmy is doing well and is back to walking on the treadmill. He has been sick the last couple of days and did not feel like exercising. We are still cheering each other on and helping each other stay strong in our journey.
Rachael rolled her ankle in Saturday's CCC tournament and I took her for x-rays on Monday. She is on crutches again and it is not broken (Praise the Lord). However, she did sprain it really bad again and the doctor wants us to get her into some physical therapy to strengthen the ankle. This is the second time she has rolled this ankle. She was out the first part of the basketball season last year when she rolled her ankle and we took her to Baptist ER. Both times the ankle has swollen badly and bruised extremely bad. She has not been able to put much weight on the ankle but will attempt to start bearing some weight next week. Please pray for her to have patience with healing. The Varsity girls did win the tournament and did an outstanding job! Way to go VARSITY GIRLS!!!
I don't have much time. I am running late for my next appointment. Will fix my blog when I can. (hopefully get a background and music back on here) I will also try and post some new pictures. Maybe I'll take some for Valentines Day!
There is just not enough time in the day! I have been so busy this week that I've not even had a chance to blog or check in on other blogs. Work has been extremely hectic this week and I've just had so many things to get done. There have been ballgames, doctor appointments, weigh-in, orthodontist appointments, teen activities, tax preparations and family night to squeeze in this week. I will be glad this evening just to take a breath before the next event.
I weighed in on Wednesday and lost another 2.8 lbs. This brings my total from start to now up to 43.4 lbs. I am at the half way mark of my journey and it feels wonderful! I am noticing a lot of difference in my clothes and how I feel physically. It is getting easier to make smarter choices and to prepare food healthy at home. I am still walking on the treadmill and have taken some strolls outside during the pretty weather we are having. Jimmy is doing well and is back to walking on the treadmill. He has been sick the last couple of days and did not feel like exercising. We are still cheering each other on and helping each other stay strong in our journey.
Rachael rolled her ankle in Saturday's CCC tournament and I took her for x-rays on Monday. She is on crutches again and it is not broken (Praise the Lord). However, she did sprain it really bad again and the doctor wants us to get her into some physical therapy to strengthen the ankle. This is the second time she has rolled this ankle. She was out the first part of the basketball season last year when she rolled her ankle and we took her to Baptist ER. Both times the ankle has swollen badly and bruised extremely bad. She has not been able to put much weight on the ankle but will attempt to start bearing some weight next week. Please pray for her to have patience with healing. The Varsity girls did win the tournament and did an outstanding job! Way to go VARSITY GIRLS!!!
I don't have much time. I am running late for my next appointment. Will fix my blog when I can. (hopefully get a background and music back on here) I will also try and post some new pictures. Maybe I'll take some for Valentines Day!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Yeah, It's Finally Friday!
February 6, 2009
I'm so glad its Friday. I have been looking forward to the end of this week for several reasons. Jimmy has been on a 7:00 pm to 7:00 am schedule this week at work and it has thrown our entire house into a spiral. I don't sleep well when he is not in the house so me and Rachael usually end up bunking in together and locking the bedroom door. (This is in addition to me setting the alarm). Yes, I am a chicken. You would think after a 5 year career as a police woman, I could brave anything. (NOT!) I have either watched too many scary movies or I am just getting older and afraid of my own shadow. Of course, Rachael is just like me. We have a race to see who can wash their face, brush their teeth, and get to bed first. The last one has to turn the lights off which puts them in the dark. We need help! Anyway, I am thankful that my husband is off the night shift.
The Varsity girls also play in the CCC tournament today and I have been looking forward to this too. I pray they do their best and hopefully we will win! If they win, we play again tomorrow for the final game. The JV girls played yesterday at Southview Christian in Statesville and I made the trip. There were 6 supporting parents and we did our best to let our girls know we were cheering them on. They did very well but lost the game by 1 point. The score was 18-17 and there was not a great deal of scoring for either team. Half of our girls have the "cold crud" and were not feeling well at all so we were slow moving. We took a lot of shots but missed most of them. We did great defensively but seem to never get it together offensively.
The FireProof movie is this weekend and Jimmy and I are looking forward to seeing it again. We absolutely loved this movie. My boss and his wife is coming and so is my step-son, Nick. We are going to the 6:00 pm showing.
The Red Cross Blood Drive is on Sunday at our church and we are signed up to give blood at 1:30 pm. I would encourage anyone who has not signed up to please do so. It is such a wonderful gift to give to others. I was personally a receiptant of donor's blood in 1991 when I was severely injured in a car accident. I am thankful that others are willing to donate of their time and their blood. It truly is the "Gift of Life."
I am getting ready to travel to Asheboro for the girl's game and watch my "Ray Ray" do her best. I love my baby!
I'm so glad its Friday. I have been looking forward to the end of this week for several reasons. Jimmy has been on a 7:00 pm to 7:00 am schedule this week at work and it has thrown our entire house into a spiral. I don't sleep well when he is not in the house so me and Rachael usually end up bunking in together and locking the bedroom door. (This is in addition to me setting the alarm). Yes, I am a chicken. You would think after a 5 year career as a police woman, I could brave anything. (NOT!) I have either watched too many scary movies or I am just getting older and afraid of my own shadow. Of course, Rachael is just like me. We have a race to see who can wash their face, brush their teeth, and get to bed first. The last one has to turn the lights off which puts them in the dark. We need help! Anyway, I am thankful that my husband is off the night shift.
The Varsity girls also play in the CCC tournament today and I have been looking forward to this too. I pray they do their best and hopefully we will win! If they win, we play again tomorrow for the final game. The JV girls played yesterday at Southview Christian in Statesville and I made the trip. There were 6 supporting parents and we did our best to let our girls know we were cheering them on. They did very well but lost the game by 1 point. The score was 18-17 and there was not a great deal of scoring for either team. Half of our girls have the "cold crud" and were not feeling well at all so we were slow moving. We took a lot of shots but missed most of them. We did great defensively but seem to never get it together offensively.
The FireProof movie is this weekend and Jimmy and I are looking forward to seeing it again. We absolutely loved this movie. My boss and his wife is coming and so is my step-son, Nick. We are going to the 6:00 pm showing.
The Red Cross Blood Drive is on Sunday at our church and we are signed up to give blood at 1:30 pm. I would encourage anyone who has not signed up to please do so. It is such a wonderful gift to give to others. I was personally a receiptant of donor's blood in 1991 when I was severely injured in a car accident. I am thankful that others are willing to donate of their time and their blood. It truly is the "Gift of Life."
I am getting ready to travel to Asheboro for the girl's game and watch my "Ray Ray" do her best. I love my baby!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
WAKING UP TO MORE SNOW!
February 04, 2009
Woke up to more snow this morning and was thrilled that school was out. It was not as exciting for me but it sure was for Rachael. She has caught the "cold crud" and did not want to wake up this morning. She kept asking me for "5 more minutes Mom" and I did not even think about checking the news to see if school was out. I did not expect much more snow that what was on the ground last night when we left the school so I gave no thought about school being out. Looking at Rachael's face this morning and realizing that she really did feel bad, I turned on the news and saw where school was out. She was very thankful that she could go back to sleep. I heard her mumble the words, "thank you Lord." When you have the common cold, it is so nice to sleep in because it seems as though the mornings are the worst. You wake up with all that junk in your head and drainage down your throat. I feel bad for her when she is sick. She gets these dark patches under her eyes and you can visibly tell that she does not feel well. I was worried last night that she may have strep throat but when I checked on her today, it does not seem to be strep but more sinus. I may end up taking her to the doctor if she continues to get any worse.
Rachael sure did not play ball last night like she was sick. She had a great JV and Varsity Game and her name is in the Dispatch for the first time for a Varsity Game. She scored 12 points last night for Varsity and she really is developing some good ball skills. I think she will be a great Varsity player if she keeps practicing and listening to her coach. Mr. Steinhaus will probably not coach the girls team next year and Rachael will definitely miss him. She compliments him often and saids he is a great coach. He works them hard and expects them to play hard. I am looking forward to watching her play ball for several more years. She is already talking about softball this spring and looking forward to that as well. I am glad she is involved in sports. I believe it really builds self confidence, dedication, and teaches them to be part of a team that works together to get things done.
Weigh in was awesome today. I lost another 5 lbs and I am more motivated to continue my journey. The Biggest Loser was great last night and they sent Joelle home. I felt really bad for Carla and she definitely deserved a better partner. Joelle just does not get it. She thinks only of herself and for her consequences. I'm glad Jimmy and I are in this journey together. We motivate and inspire one another and at times, yes, we police each other. If one of us observes the other one spiraling out of control, we try and get each other back on track. We were one of our good friends house on Saturday night and they had a candy corn mix and I noticed my husband dipping in the bowl quite a few times. He actually had placed the bowl on the table where he was sitting and was eating as he was playing a game. I walked over and gently removed the bowl from the table and placed it back on the counter and closed the lid. He smiled and told me thank you. I'm glad that he doesn't get mad that I am concerned about him and his health. I want us to make this a life long commitment. He encourages me and does silly little things to show it and I appreciate it greatly! We set my new goal and it is 20 lbs more. This will be one of the last mini goals we set before I set the final goal. Continue to pray for me and encourage me. I need prayers and encouragement.
My devotions this week have been really awesome and the Lord has spoken to me about several things that I have been praying about. I shared some things with a good friend this past week from the Book of Haggai. I was not even supposed to be in Haggai but the Lord took me back to Haggai because he wanted to show me the message I had missed. He sure did show me what I needed to see and even to share with others. Haggai was a prophet and brought four messages to the people on what God wanted them to understand and know about the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem. God used Haggai with these messages to challenge the people of God concerning their priorities. He wanted them to proceed with building the temple in spite of local and political opposition. Haggai told the people not to be discouraged if this temple was not as elaborate as Solomon's temple. He encouraged them to turn from unclean acts and to totally trust in God's sovereign power. The temple was taking so long to rebuild and the people were allowing the influences of man to stop what God wanted to bless them with. Things I was taught from the 2 chapters of Haggai: (1) to examine our priorities and see if we are more interested in engaging in the things of the world than doing the works of GOD.
(2) to confess our sins and failures before God and allow him to
do a work in us.
(3) to do exactly what God is asking of us knowing that he is in
total control our lives and circumstances and that he is with us
Always!
(4) not to have a Defeated Attitude when we do run into scoffers
or opposition but to proceed with what God is clearly laying
on our hearts to do.
(5) to be secure and know that God loves us and that HE WILL
BLESS US as we faithfully serve him.
I pray that I personally always remember this message and what God has clearly shared with me. I know that I need to be more of an encouragement to my Pastor and his wife and our church staff. They are faced with a lot of different circumstances each day and sometimes they can be unsure of what to do because they can get overwhelmed with opposition or discouragement. We as a body of Christ need to let them know we are praying for them and that we will stand with them and allow God to do GREAT and MIGHTY things!
Woke up to more snow this morning and was thrilled that school was out. It was not as exciting for me but it sure was for Rachael. She has caught the "cold crud" and did not want to wake up this morning. She kept asking me for "5 more minutes Mom" and I did not even think about checking the news to see if school was out. I did not expect much more snow that what was on the ground last night when we left the school so I gave no thought about school being out. Looking at Rachael's face this morning and realizing that she really did feel bad, I turned on the news and saw where school was out. She was very thankful that she could go back to sleep. I heard her mumble the words, "thank you Lord." When you have the common cold, it is so nice to sleep in because it seems as though the mornings are the worst. You wake up with all that junk in your head and drainage down your throat. I feel bad for her when she is sick. She gets these dark patches under her eyes and you can visibly tell that she does not feel well. I was worried last night that she may have strep throat but when I checked on her today, it does not seem to be strep but more sinus. I may end up taking her to the doctor if she continues to get any worse.
Rachael sure did not play ball last night like she was sick. She had a great JV and Varsity Game and her name is in the Dispatch for the first time for a Varsity Game. She scored 12 points last night for Varsity and she really is developing some good ball skills. I think she will be a great Varsity player if she keeps practicing and listening to her coach. Mr. Steinhaus will probably not coach the girls team next year and Rachael will definitely miss him. She compliments him often and saids he is a great coach. He works them hard and expects them to play hard. I am looking forward to watching her play ball for several more years. She is already talking about softball this spring and looking forward to that as well. I am glad she is involved in sports. I believe it really builds self confidence, dedication, and teaches them to be part of a team that works together to get things done.
Weigh in was awesome today. I lost another 5 lbs and I am more motivated to continue my journey. The Biggest Loser was great last night and they sent Joelle home. I felt really bad for Carla and she definitely deserved a better partner. Joelle just does not get it. She thinks only of herself and for her consequences. I'm glad Jimmy and I are in this journey together. We motivate and inspire one another and at times, yes, we police each other. If one of us observes the other one spiraling out of control, we try and get each other back on track. We were one of our good friends house on Saturday night and they had a candy corn mix and I noticed my husband dipping in the bowl quite a few times. He actually had placed the bowl on the table where he was sitting and was eating as he was playing a game. I walked over and gently removed the bowl from the table and placed it back on the counter and closed the lid. He smiled and told me thank you. I'm glad that he doesn't get mad that I am concerned about him and his health. I want us to make this a life long commitment. He encourages me and does silly little things to show it and I appreciate it greatly! We set my new goal and it is 20 lbs more. This will be one of the last mini goals we set before I set the final goal. Continue to pray for me and encourage me. I need prayers and encouragement.
My devotions this week have been really awesome and the Lord has spoken to me about several things that I have been praying about. I shared some things with a good friend this past week from the Book of Haggai. I was not even supposed to be in Haggai but the Lord took me back to Haggai because he wanted to show me the message I had missed. He sure did show me what I needed to see and even to share with others. Haggai was a prophet and brought four messages to the people on what God wanted them to understand and know about the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem. God used Haggai with these messages to challenge the people of God concerning their priorities. He wanted them to proceed with building the temple in spite of local and political opposition. Haggai told the people not to be discouraged if this temple was not as elaborate as Solomon's temple. He encouraged them to turn from unclean acts and to totally trust in God's sovereign power. The temple was taking so long to rebuild and the people were allowing the influences of man to stop what God wanted to bless them with. Things I was taught from the 2 chapters of Haggai: (1) to examine our priorities and see if we are more interested in engaging in the things of the world than doing the works of GOD.
(2) to confess our sins and failures before God and allow him to
do a work in us.
(3) to do exactly what God is asking of us knowing that he is in
total control our lives and circumstances and that he is with us
Always!
(4) not to have a Defeated Attitude when we do run into scoffers
or opposition but to proceed with what God is clearly laying
on our hearts to do.
(5) to be secure and know that God loves us and that HE WILL
BLESS US as we faithfully serve him.
I pray that I personally always remember this message and what God has clearly shared with me. I know that I need to be more of an encouragement to my Pastor and his wife and our church staff. They are faced with a lot of different circumstances each day and sometimes they can be unsure of what to do because they can get overwhelmed with opposition or discouragement. We as a body of Christ need to let them know we are praying for them and that we will stand with them and allow God to do GREAT and MIGHTY things!
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