Hello there!

Long time no post!  Sorry about that, I am still hovering at 39 lbs lost.  but I have gone to the gym every day for two weeks and it is becoming a welcome time for me to withdraw into my own little world and listen to an audiobook.  I never get to read novels unless I am on vacation and don't have a class online.  So this feels like I am on a mini vacation. 


Today I got sick at school for the first time.  It has been a long time since I got sick from eating anyway.  I ordered chinese with the third grade teachers.  Almond Chicken, steamed rice, etc.  and it did not like me!


It tasted sooo good when I first started eating it, then pow!   I am still trying new things, and I will get there.  meat continues to be a challenge for me. 


I have had some other challenges along my path this week, but I am determined to "choose" a smile!  There is nothing I have any control over, so just leave it with God-He knows best for me! 

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

Matthew 10:29 (New International Version, ©2011)

2 more pounds!

YAY! The scale is my friend today.  


I worked out twice yesterday.  Once at home on the ROM machine. (http://www.fastexercise.com/ We have had it for 3+ years and John uses it regularly. ) and then at the Kroc Center.  It just about did me in, but I was glad to have done both.   I am focusing on more protein, but it is difficult.  John made some scrambled eggs last night for his supper and I had a spoonful with success for the first time.  Always before they didn't agree with me.  Now maybe I can add them to my repertoire :)


I have several challenges this week.  My grad class is full speed ahead and late last night I got a message from the instructor saying that 3 assignments needed to be posted today.  YIKES.  I have mad good progress on the main one, but I certainly have my work cut out for me.  It is a 4-day week at school which is a challenge by itself, and I am having to concentrate on my food even more-which takes much thinking and planning......


I will just have to "build a bridge- and get over it" (from my niece, Addie) or, as my daughter would say, "Put on my big-girl panties and deal with it."  I think you get the picture!


So I will press on.


Isaiah 40:29


²⁹ He gives strength to the weary 
   and increases the power of the weak. 

Some Random Thoughts

I am enjoying a day off.  Today I also started a new graduate class.  I am getting my Master's degree in education online through Abilene Christian University.  In every course, they have reading and reflection focused on spiritual matters.  (I think I have mentioned it before)  I must recommend a book I am reading for this class.  It is "A Resilient Life" by Gordon MacDonald.  I am learning much about myself, and have gleaned many useful quotes from this book. I will share one that is a quote from chapter 8, "Resilient People Cultivate Christian Character."


"There is one sister in the community who has the knack of rubbing me the wrong way at every turn; her mannerisms, her ways of speaking, her character strike me as unlovable.  But then she's a [sister]; God must love her dearly; so I am not going to let my natural dislike of her get the best of me.
Thus, I remind myself that [Christian] love is not a matter of feelings; it means doing things. I have determined to treat this sister as if she is the person I love best in the world.  Every time I meet her, I pray for her, and I offer [thanks] to God for her virtues and her efforts.  I feel certain that Jesus would like me to do this."

- from the writings of St. Therese of Lisieux

Each chapter is filled with precious lessons that apply to my life in some way or another.  I have found parts to use at school with some of my student groups.  Some parts clarify "the big picture" for members of my family and myself, others I would like to use in a Bible study class or Ladies' class.  

On a more personal note, I have joined the Kroc Center here in Kerrville to use their fitness facilities.  It is a brand new facility run by the Salvation Army in partnership with the Kroc family.  You can see pictures and read about this amazing place at this website:

http://kerrvillekroc.org/

Biggest Loser update

Yikes!  It was our first weigh-in of the Biggest Loser contest at my school.  I went in apprehensive because the scale is always different when you have clothes on and have eaten breakfast, and just because ......

The good news was that I had lost 3 pounds since last Friday- on the school's scales.  (At home I am still at 37)  So I didn't have to pay $1.00 for any weight gained! (whew!)

Gotta go.
Have a great weekend.

Wonderful Wednesday

The scale is stuck!  LOL  It isn't a problem though, I can tell my shape is shifting.  I have been exercising every day and it is showing results.  I feel good and I am able to focus on other things.  Life is good!  I am blessed.


                      From Peggy's book:

"We may run, walk, stumble . . .or fly, 

but let us never lose sight of the reason

for the journey or miss a chance

to see a rainbow on the way."

-Gloria Gaither

Saturday

We made it through the first week back after Christmas break.  Whew!  Those 4-day weeks are killers!  It seems longer than a regular 5-day week.  I guess because you feel like you must accomplish the same amount of work in a shorter time. Hopefully, next week will be at a better pace.


We are starting a new version of the "Biggest Loser" at my school (adults only) and so far we have about 12 participants.  The way it works is this:

• each person pays $10 to "play"
• each of us comes up with an alias for privacy
• we are weighed in the nurse's office every Friday
• the nurse keeps a confidential record of each one of us
• She figures out what percentage of weight loss we have
• she sends an email with our alias and the percentage of gain/loss
• we pay $1 for each pound we GAIN!!! (talk about incentive!)
• after 12 weeks, the "biggest loser" gets the $$

The nurse also sends emails about healthy choices and information. 

Each week we fill out a form about how much water we drink, sleep we get, exercise we do, preventive measures (flu shots, etc.) and so on.

So we had our first weigh-in on Friday.  Now we are ON!

Here is the quote today (from Peggy's book):


"The art of life is to live in the present moment and to make that moment as perfect as we can by the realization that we are the instruments and expression of God Himself."

-Emmet Fox

Back to work!

Today was our first day back to school- tomorrow the kids come!  At our meeting this morning, our principal showed a slide show from the first semester and it was amazing to see how many events happened already this year.  I was only in 1 or 2 pictures, but it was a shock to me to see myself "then and now."  I will post a picture of before surgery and now.  It is strange how you don't see yourself. 

THIS IS IN AUGUST BEFORE SURGERY:

 THIS IS 3 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY

        
I am so surprised at the difference in these pictures.  I don't know if you can tell how different I feel and look.  I am looking forward to my 6 month pictures!


This picture was taken in my mom's "orchard" and we were picking oranges from the tree.  I found this quote in Peggy's book and thought about the joy I felt when I realized how much has changed in the last 3 months.

"What happens when we live God's way? 

He brings gifts into our lives, 

much the same way that fruit

appears in an orchard."

-Galatians 5:22 (MSG)