Lesson from a 7 year old

 I had a brief snapshot of my family in a perfect moment.  Coffee in hand I was doing my bible study (the same one I have been trying to finish for over a year), my husband was reading his bible via iphone while cuddling my oldest,  and the younger child was still fast asleep.  It was a sweet picture and one that I will cherish. I felt very Proverbs 31ish.

Fast forward a week or so to reality.  A sleepless child leads to this momma not sleeping, then over sleeping, then being woke up by an older child.  I take a second to pray for the day.  Everything appears to be going off without a hitch.  I am a little prone to anxiety, but I am breathing and the clock is still on my side...until 7 AM. 

The children begin doing what kids do, talking back, whining, arguing, playing. I of course do not take a second to pray, but to raise my voice several times.  And now time is the enemy.  If we do not get in carpool by at least 7:27 AM I feel PANIC, LATE, STRESSED!!!  We did not arrive in line till 7:40 AM.  This feeling spilled into the day. While working, most of the kids I encountered seemed to do what kids do best, while driving to work cars seemed more prone to rudeness, and I continued to feel PANIC, LATE, STRESSED. 

The voices in my head keep reminding me of all the things to do, plan, and not done.  I have a 2 birthday parties to plan and host 2 weekends in a row, parties to attend and make things for.  This too is making me feel PANIC, LATE, STRESSED.  You see God has not given me the gift of creativity and cuteness, nor the gift of party planning!

I have the gift of melt downs, freaking out, and promises of I am not doing this to myself next year.

The evening got better, my kids were great after school and I was stable.

 It has been raining, with loud clasps of thunder, and bright lighting.   I prepare for another sleepless light, however to my surprise I only had one child in bed and a great night of rest.  I told Ellie, my so grown up 7 year old,  " I am surprised you did not come get in bed with me."  She stated "Dad read me an Alice book".  Alice books are about a little girl who goes to bible land.  Ellie loves them.  (Thanks Gresso Family!)  "Ellie, what does Alice have to do with it?" Her response....."God has me in His care!"

In the story about the lions den, she learned and applied God has me in His Care.  What a lesson from this girl. 

I pray that I remember this as I struggle to pull all the strings of birthdays and life together.  I may not have everything decorated and perfect, but we will have a great time.  And God will have us in His care.

Thanks Ellie.
Love Mom.

Just to update

Just to update you, I am still losing.  Just because I am making changes does not mean I am quitting.  I did gain some back over the holidays, however back on track.  I am no longer doing bootcamp or tae kwon do, because God allowed me to go part-time at work and budget cuts had to be made.  I am still wearing my experspy.  I am training for a 5k in March.  I took that weight loss ticker down because it was always a challenge for me to change(I am not very computer smart), but will keep you updated.  Just want to change my focus.

Lessons

Lesson have been learned since last blog:

1.  Bootcamps are hard for fat people.
2.  Burpees are the enemy!!!!
3.  The second round of detox is harder than the first. 
4.  Rope exercises are fun.
5.  God can teach me and love me in my mistakes.
I was listening to a podcast by Matt Chandler, who is a preacher in the Dallas area and he said some great things....

1.  People love info but hate application:  What do you love to hear and learn about but do not apply well?  I have done many bible studies where I hear it, but do not apply what I learn.  Even with health and nutrition.  I love the info, but do not put it into action all the time.  I pray that I apply what I learn.  What Jesus teaches me.

2. Back in the day they sacrificed animals...today we sacrifice our lives.  What do you sacrifice?  What do you sacrifice for?  These questions will help you see where your priorities are.

3.  God has entrusted me with two precious souls.  Do I always parent with this mindset?  Those 2 girls that God has blessed me with are so amazing.  I am honored to be their mother.  They are my mission field.  Thank you Lord for those girls.

4.  We focus on the temporary and not eternal.  I know I do this with food.  Get that temporary fix.  That one tasty bite.  But I also do this in other areas.
Another thing I have been learning, and have known is that there are times that I love food more than I love God. I do not want this to be true!!!!!!!!!!! This has been a hard truth to face. Facing realities about yourself that need to be changed is hard! And this is what my journey has been about this time.  What does God want for my life??


Lets not beat ourselves up.  Lets pull up are big girl pants and make a better choice. 

I can do all things through Christ.

33 Day Detox/Cleanse Take 2

Good Morning!  I have decided to participate in this journey again.  I need the support of the group!  I still have weight to lose and health to gain.  We were asked today to read Numbers 11:1-15.  Go look it up. 

I love Moses' honesty with God.  I love how in his fit he went directly to God.  I have a tendency to pout, throw my fit, call people, all before I go to God. 

I also saw in the Message version that in verse 6 it said "manna, manna, manna".  That just made me smile, taking me back to the Brady Bunch days of Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.

  We were asked as we read to think about having the same thing.  The Israelites we sick of having the same thing over and over.  I kinda think it would be nice to always know what is for dinner.  Their attitude was not one of thankfulness.  I know I have not had the right attitude many times.  God got angry at their complaining.  How many times do we today complain about life?  We are so blessed.  I can be a complainer, I have to chose to look at my blessings!!!!!

So what do we do when we are tired of it??  Its okay to get tired of something.  We can be grateful for what we have and turn to God to help us have the right attitude and ask Him to intervene in our lives. God wants us to depend on Him.

In some cases getting tired of something is what prompts change.  I am tired of being unhealthy and I will just say it....FAT.  I want change. 

What are you tired of?  What do you need to have a thankful heart about it?  What do you need to rely on God to get you through? 

Still Plugging along

I am still plugging along!!!!

I can not believe I am so close to my first goal.  It is so amazing.  Life has kept me so busy lately it has been difficult to update.  I finished my 33 day detox/cleanse.  One thing I really wanted after it was over, was coffee.  I did not like it.  I will be sticking to hot tea!!!

I have not stuck to the principles I learned 100% and have really learned the saying "NOTHING TASTE AS GOOD AS HEALTHY FEELS!"  God provided us with wonderful foods that are good for us and I have learned when I eat those foods, I feel so much better.  I will be participating in the cleanse again. There is so much to learn, and I like the accountability of a group.

My daughter and I earned our orange stripe in our tae kwon do class.  This has been such a neat experience.  As a family we have deiced to take a break after we tested. We found that we were too busy.  We hope to return during soccer breaks.  ( We love being a soccer family)

My husband and I have  joined Melissa Fit Camp.  It is an awesome boot camp.  I have felt many times like I was on the Biggest Loser.  It has been fun and a new way to help me reach my goals.  And can I just say its hard!  Pray for us at 5 in the morning.!!!!

2.4 pounds...and other things

I weighed on 8-16-11 and lost another 2.4 pounds.  Yeah. Praise God.  I am so thankful for what I lost, but its been a rough week.

God has shown me I am too hard on my kids this week.  This has been a hard lesson to learn.  I thought changing my food was hard!  Changing emotionally and spiritually can be just as challenging.  I hear alot of people say kids grow up so fast.  Could it be because we force them too?  For me I realized that sometimes higher expectations are placed on my little ones than should be.  I think this can hinder their imaginations, play, learning how to do things, exploring the world around them, and their relationship to Jesus. I pray I learn to give my kids the grace and mercy God has given me.

Another thing I have been learning this week is true feelings, and how communicating them is HARD!  Do we really communicate well?  Do we really feel well?  I do not!!!  For as long as I can recall, I have stuffed things with food.  Eating raw, healthy, foods does not stuff anger, hurt, anxiety, fear, stress, and many other feelings down. Food has been like sweeping things under the rug, and now I have to clean it up! I maybe fearfully and wonderfully made, but I added a mess under my rug.  I am actually having to confront how I feel, and I confess I do not know how to deal with it.    I am learning for the first time in my life, who I am without processed food, without sugar, without junk.  I am going to have to learn to depend on God more than I ever have.   Emotional eating adds so much baggage both physically, spiritually, and emotionally and I am ready to get rid of it. 

Almost halfway to Goal 1!!!!

I am almost halfway to goal 1. I am feeling better than I have felt......ever.  I have energy to live.  Its fabulous.  God is good!!!!!!!!!!  Now if my sprained knee would heal, so I can get back to Tae Kwon Do.

I did not put this in previous post, but I am participating in a 33 day detox and cleanse.  It is such a awesome journey.  Any questions contact Maria at HealthCoach.Bemont@gmail.com.  Its is worth it! 

I must go clean.