This Week...

• I don't mind sharing that I officially started Weight Watchers today! Michelin offers a free package and I chose the at-home-deluxe-kit. Now that I know I'm working against a stubborn thyroid level, I decided to bring in the big guns (WW). I've been walking every day for almost 3 weeks but I knew if this was to be a life long change, I also needed to learn how to eat healthier. I have to tell you -- I'm learning to love my Leslie Sansone DVD's. In addition to the walking, there's also lots of lateral movements and two offer intervals of jogging. The constant upper body conditioning makes it a full body workout!  I have two points left on my WW chart tonight. Can anyone say Dove Dark Chocolate? 
  
• When I spotted the subject for tomorrow's lesson, I felt as if I hit a brick wall. The subject? How we are to respond when we suffer for Christ. Suffer? Do Christ followers here in the US experience persecution? For the most part, I believe we define persecution in terms of having our feelings hurt, being shunned, or ignored. One visit to the Voice of Martyrs website will cure that pretty quickly. (Visit here to send letters to imprisoned Christ followers around the world. The site will do the translating.) Needless to say, I had no peace whatsoever in teaching on the original subject tomorrow morning, so Lord willing, we will instead spend our time praying for truly persecuted believers.  
• We took the plunge today! The HH Gregg plunge that is! Yes, we finally gave in and purchased a 47" LCD TV. All I can say is boogity boogity on the BIG screen for this racing season! 

It was a great week and who could complain with such BEAUTIFUL weather today? Oh my. I'm ready for Spring! 

This Weekend

• I went in search of a new DVD over the weekend only to find it in my own home! I came across a different Leslie Sansone DVD that I'd purchased at a yard sale last Fall -- "5 Mile Walk". It has turned out to my fav. It's offers the music only option -- but the best part? There are four different walking routines to choose from -- two routines opt for 3 miles with weights or the band (which I love!) and two opt for the same with 5 miles. There's also a segment on healthy eating -- which I haven't had time to watch... yet! For some reason, she's much less annoying in this DVD and much more inspiring. It's also cool that her teenage daughter is one of the participants. :)

• Enjoyed a great conversation Sunday morning with the C4 group during our study in Mark 14, the Garden of Gethsemane.

• I also enjoyed the race! (Especially the end, when we watched it on Zach and Sarah's HD TV. I could see the trash on the track! I'm sold.)
  

• The highlight of our weekend? Going to Zach and Sarah's for dinner Sunday night! Sarah whipped up a delicious turkey chili (I'm definitely getting the recipe!) and cornbread. To top it off, we enjoyed a scoop of Blue Belle's Cherry Cheesecake. Before heading out, we played Rock Band. Brian was wailing on the drums, Zach and I took turns on the guitar, and Sarah was singing away! It was A LOT of fun! We hadn't seen them in awhile -- it's a busy time for everyone -- but it's all good! If Brandon and Megan had been there, it would have been complete. We miss you!!
  

It's Time for a New DVD

So, I've been walking almost every day with Leslie Sansone. No, she doesn't go to First Baptist. :) She leads a multitude of indoor walking DVD's. Yes, indoor! Walking outdoors may be ideal for most, but for this moment in time, indoor walking is working out great for me. She has participants walking 5 mph -- so I can walk 2 miles in 30 minutes and 3 miles in 45 -- a speed I don't seem to attain when walking outdoors. In addition to the walking (not just in place - you're constantly moving side to side, up and back), you're also doing upper body/resistance type training at the same time. Overall, a great workout.

The reason I'm vying for a new DVD? If I hear "Hey, girlfriend!" one more time it won't be pretty. I'm delighted she's a believer and that's she's very positive and inspiring -- but I can only take so much perkiness. :) I do have another DVD of hers that offers the option for "music only". My guess is that I wasn't the only one in need of a perky break. It's good, but not my favorite. 

How ironic that I started exercising on the first of six extremely busy weeks ahead -- but that "first" day has to be some day! 

Ice skating and skiing is on now. Love it! Are you enjoying the Winter Olympics as much as I am? 

Love is in the Air!

• I LOVE snow! Stillness and simplicity at its best.

• I LOVE my hubster! He surprised me by taking off a little early on Friday (with snow falling!), picking up a pizza, and two dozen roses. Being able to enjoy a quiet evening at home was the best Valentine gift of all. Thankfully, his recording studio time was canceled for the weekend.
  

• I LOVE our Sunday C4 Group! We took a break from the book of Mark to focus on the greatest LOVE of all this morning. We broke out in to five groups and searched Scripture to see how God expresses His love "language" to us. Thankfully, He is not limited to five!

• I LOVE our church family. Immediately following C4, we headed over to the Moore's house for a steak and baked potato lunch (thanks for the kosher salt/butter recipe, Steve P.!). And, oh, did I mention the Daytona 500 was this afternoon? We had a blast hanging out with them and cheering on our fav drivers.

Yes, indeed, love is in the air!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Things We Learn

Yesterday I learned that I am basically stuck smack dab in the middle of a TSH rating (thyroid), which means if my Synthroid is increased at all, my risk for a stroke or heart attack are on the rise. For whatever reason, my body decided to switch metabolic gears last April and as a result, my dosage was cut in half from what I had known since the age of 12. And as it turns out, it was also what my body had always known. The pounds came on with no changes to my diet and the drowsiness factor kicked in. I've never enjoyed napping but it's almost a must for me these days. I'm not digging the lower dosage -- but it seems I have no choice in the matter. It's either risk damaging my heart and other organs (she compared my previous dosage to speed) or struggle with the weight and drowsiness. At least now I know what I'm up against.

So, what did I learn?

• What's on the inside counts more than what's on the outside. Always has, always will. It's a lesson I should have learned many years ago.
• One slice of whole wheat toast with peanut butter isn't so bad for breakfast (the doc's suggestion after I mentioned my daily breakfast consisted of two Eggos with butter and syrup every morning).
• Don't hesitate to go to another doctor for confirmation. My Endocrinologist has the bedside manners of a Stop sign, so when he wouldn't bother explaining to me why he wouldn't budge my dosage, I went to my awesome family doctor, Dr. Barbara Lanier. Not only is she a godly woman, she also knows her stuff. When she agreed with the Endo doc's findings, I immediately had a peace, even though I didn't like it.

And what else have I learned? It's supposed to snow today!!!! I had no clue. Needless to say, I must close for now and run out for bread and milk. ha!

Sunday and the Week Ahead

We had a blast last night when we got together with our Sunday group for the Super Bowl. Lots of great food, loud cheering (and weeping), and fellowship that really counted. Imagine my surprise when the husband of a woman who's been praying for him to attend our Sunday morning group walked through the door! I couldn't help but think of the church services I'd sat through in the past where the pastor attempted to make everyone feel guilty for watching the Super Bowl instead of being in Sunday night services. No doubt lives are changed in the regular Sunday night services -- but there's also no doubt that God is on the move when other opportunities are also made available outside the normal setting. I fully believe this guy will one day attend our Sunday morning group. He was laughing, conversing, and making connections the entire evening.  Now that's SUPER.

Tonight, I went to a rubber stamping workshop here in Simpsonville. It was pretty cool. Time is of the essence, especially this week, so I didn't stay very long, but it was fun while it lasted. I made a Valentine box and card. I'm looking forward to setting up my art table upstairs in the near future. 

Tomorrow night, we'll be kicking off our Tuesday night ladies' community study with a Valentine Tea. I'm especially looking forward to my dear friend, Becky Kirby, sharing a devotion with the group. I never know exactly what she's going to share but that's half the fun. Hearing what God has laid on her heart - even up to the very moment she delivers it is the other half. :) It sounds like it will be the perfect evening for a hot cup of tea and goodies! Rainy and cold. 

On Wednesday night, Brian will be at orchestra practice and I'll be leading a small group on the Fatherhood of God at FBC. It's an amazing life-changing study.

Brian and his bluegrass group head to the recording studio this weekend to record their second CD. The first one was very successful and I have no doubt this one will be too.  They'll be going night and day every weekend for a month, but it will be worth it. At least that's what I keep telling myself. :) 

And Sunday? Oh my! It's the Daytona 500! Immediately following Sunday School, we'll be heading to the Moore's (a couple in our group) with baked potatoes and dessert in hand as we go to their home for a Valentine's Day steak lunch... while we watch the big race, of course! They, too, are NASCAR fans. We can't wait! Stan, Gloria, their kids, and I will be glued to the TV and giving our own commentaries. And Brian? He'll be watching us glued to the TV and listening to our commentaries. I guess that should count as my Valentine's Day gift. :)

The week ahead will be non-stop, but it's all good. 

Amen!

Need I say more?

Reservations Confirmed!

Summer days (7 to be exact) have now been reserved for our family beach trip to Garden City beach.

Here's the view we'll enjoy from our deck:


It will be Rupert's first trip to the beach. :) Should be a lot of fun... especially since the condo is within walking distance of the Yum-Yum shop. Bubble gum ice cream, here I come!

Ouch!

Two times I'd always prefer to see EXperience... and not INexperience:

1. When I look in the rear-view mirror.
2. When I go to the lab for bloodwork... like this morning.

I have the bruising to prove it.

All I Want for Christmas is... a Rock Tumbler?

I'm looking forward to beginning a new small group study with some of the ladies in the Sunday C4 group on Wednesday night. We'll be studying, "In My Father's House... Women Relating to God as Father" by Mary A. Kaissan.

I've led the study a couple of times in previous churches and to this day, I still have women share how the Lord used it to impact their lives. The reason? I believe it's because regardless of the relationship we have (or had) with our earthly fathers - good or bad - it somehow impacts how we relate to our heavenly Father.

The study is about identifying and clearing any barriers that might hinder us from enjoying the relationship with our heavenly Father. The kind of relationship that He's always desired for His creation and the relationship Christ gave His life for. Thankfully, the study is not about pointing fingers at our earthly fathers because only our heavenly Father is perfect!

Case in point. I've been blessed with a GREAT dad. I feel I have a very good perspective on the relationship I have with my heavenly Father, due much in part to the relationship I already share with my dad.

I quickly learned, however, that some of my perspectives were a bit skewed. For instance, I vividly remember adding a Rock Tumbler to my Christmas list when I was around 12 years old. (Hey, it was the 70's. It could have been much worse! ha....). The idea of smoothing stones for jewelry was pretty cool, but I remember thinking that my dad would enjoy it as much as I would. That he would be pleased with my selection. Was there anything wrong with that? Perhaps not, but fast forward 30+ years and you would find a woman who was unknowingly trying to gain the approval of her heavenly Father -- not from rock tumblers, but from something much less obvious (and quieter!)... underlying motives. Motives for doing "good" things in hopes of winning the approval of One who already approved of me.

Looking back, I see that the same principle held true back when I was 12 years old making out my Christmas list. I was seeking a type of approval that I already possessed.

Who would ever thought that a rock tumbler on a little girl's Christmas list would make such an impact so many years later?

I would appreciate your prayers for this group study as we journey together through God's Word and marvel at His wondrous love!