LOST In A Quagmire

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Apostolic, Christian, Diet, Exercise, Fear, Fitness, Goals, health, Healthy living, Motivation, Overcoming, Personal Development, Personal Growth, self development, self renewal, Weight loss, wellness, Women

I am joining Lisa- Jo Baker for http://lisajobaker.com/2014/06/five-minute-friday-lost/.

We gather once a week to write for five minutes on a prompt. No editing, just raw and real. This week’s prompt is LOST.

For so long I was LOST in a quagmire of excuses and defeat. For at least thirty years (after birthing babies) I lost the weight loss battle time and time again. But that was then and this is now and this is not a writing of what used to be.

“Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.” ~ Thomas Carlyle

I’m winning now! Having LOST more than thirty pounds over the past 24 weeks, I have much to be thankful for, much to celebrate, and still a ways to go. [Photos: January 2014; June 2014]

It was beyond my reach, beyond my ability to believe enough that I could do it. I was so afraid of failure I wouldn’t even try. Fear will do that and it never goes away. At every juncture of a new challenge or commitment I’m fighting through fear but with a new perspective. Because it is every fear we look in the face and defy that brings us closer to the achievement of anything we desire in life. It is the small victories that empower us the more. I have a goal-driven tenacity that pushes me to stay true to my commitment to myself.

[So I’ve lost track of time and expect I’ve exceeded the five minutes for this writing.]

But I’m somewhat of an ambassador now and I want everyone to achieve the goals that I have achieved and more. I want a crew in this with me fighting and winning this battle together.

If you’re reading this and you feel like you’re sinking in a quagmire of defeat, fight!
No. 1, pray and trust God like you do for everything else in your life.
No. 2, change your thinking, change your speaking, change your behavior … Change.
No. 3, take the first step, strategize for success, set goals, focus on your goals, make a plan, work your plan.

“Without weight loss goals, and diet and exercise plans to reach them, you are lost with no direction.”~ Felicity Luckey, Great Minds Think Fit

No. 4, if you get knocked down or pinned to the ropes, don’t be defeated, get back up, get back in the fight.
No. 5, give it your all, stretch yourself, try new things, you’ll discover you can do more than you ever imagined.
These are a few starter tips to inspire you – from me, an ambassador … Who knew?!

 

My Life Is In YOUR Hands

Tags

Apostolic, Christian, faith, future, hope, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, love, Prayer, Trusting God, Women, worship

Throwing caution to the wind, writing for five minutes, linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday, http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/

The prompt for today is HANDS

[This print is the beautiful work of artist/photographer Georgia O’Keefe. I captured it last month while visiting her Museum in Albuquerque NM]

The Choir pulled out an old one this past Sunday, a Kirk Franklin classic.

You don’t have to worry and don’t you be afraid
Joy comes in the morning; troubles, they don’t last always
For there’s a Friend named Jesus Who will wipe your tears away
And if your heart is broken, just lift your hands and say

THIS!
I know that I can make it, I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your Hands
With Jesus I can take it, With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your Hands

So when your tests and trials, they seem to get you down
And all your friends and loved ones are no where to be found
Remember there’s a Friend named Jesus Who will wipe your tears away
And if your heart is broken just lift your hands and say
I know that I can make it, I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your Hands
With Jesus I can take it, With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your Hands

Anticipating the birth of his firstborn (our first grandson), I remember something my son said. While contemplating all the things on his plate at the time, decisions to be made and his baby, at that time, still comfy in his mother’s womb past his due date … My son said, ‘there are so many things out of our hands”.
Isn’t that the time our faith pulls us into all that we believe and trust God for, the time when we must realize, accept, embrace and rejoice in the fact that our life is in His Hands. What an assurance that whatever comes our way, our lives are in His Hands. He holds us and all that concerns us in His Hands and we can trust His ability to hold us, to cover us, and to protect us.

With Jesus iIcan take it, With Him, I know I can stand!
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your Hands.
Listen hear, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzTITwcnT9w

Thank You, Jesus
I’m in Your Hands.

Six Months Later

Tags

Education, Goals, health, inner strength, Inspiration, Motivation, Overcoming, Personal Development, Personal Growth, self development, self renewal, Women

The winter of 2009 I sat and listened to the teaching of Evg Dawsolene Burrel at the Sisters in Fellowship Women of Excellence Conference. The title of her presentation was “Excellence In Maintaining the Temple”. It pricked me to the core, the insights she shared about maintaining our physical temple. Several of us pledged that a year later we would be different, we would be better, we would apply the teaching of discipline and sacrifice to achieve our desired goals.

Like so many other times, I didn’t fulfill the pledge that time either. I had heard, read and consulted with others time and time again – I knew what to do, but doing it was the challenge. Timing is everything. Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Fast-forward, the winter 2014, MY time!

Today, marks six months since I began my ‘Anew Life’ journey. It started with a 21-day Daniel Fast, January 5, 2014. The fast, for me, was not specifically for spiritual growth although it’s spiritual concepts greatly enforced my personal goal. My ultimate goal was weight loss. Fortunately, the benefits of the fast were not one dimensional but enriched my life in so many ways. The success I achieved in those 21 days has literally changed my life. More than the physical that I sought to achieve, I have gained so much more.

So today, I pause to celebrate and give thanks for the journey thus far, not finished, but a benchmark to reflect and propel forward.

When I needed to buy size 20-22 dresses and didn’t want to see myself from behind, that was the ‘fed up!’ point for me. The structured and supported plan of the Daniel Fast was the intervention I needed as well as support I received from others. To lose those first inches and pounds was so rewarding and motivating … There is no greater motivation than achievement.

Today, six months later, I have lost 34 lbs and I am down 2-3 dress sizes depending on the style and designer.

Additionally, I am committed to the fruitful performance of my goal every day by exercising and healthy eating.

Since the fast I have continued to eat a plant-based diet and seafood, only special occasion sweets (except for mindless treats from time to time). When I get off track, I just get back on. I still have to discipline myself about my Starbucks indulgences. I’m proud of myself and my husband is proud of me too … Yay! Every time I pass up something unhealthy to eat, I do a fist pump inside for ME! Every time I finish a workout (even if I’m flailing around like I have no clue), I do a fist pump inside for ME! I celebrate every VICTORY!

Goal-driven, I make a decision EVERYDAY to win, to finish, to reach my goal.

A local trainer calls his fitness studio, No Fat Birthdays. Well, being very transparent and honest, I don’t want to be the fat girl. In order for that to happen, I have to work. Work my mind and work my body. It still scares me. I’m 56 years old! Can I do it? Will I make it? Will it last? But everyday I grow stronger and stronger. Everyday is filled with promise of Yes, I can. Yes, I will.

Oh yeah, I have Boot Camp tonight!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” ~ Psalm 103:1-5

Baby, Fresh From Heaven ~ Handmade by God

Happy Noah Day! May 30, 2014
The call came the morning of May 29, 2014!
It was a beautiful day, sunny and perfect … In God’s timing.
We arrived at Hillcrest Hospital and our daughter-in-Love was doing good through her contractions and the process began.
I watched my son, a Godly man, anoint the delivery room and everything in it, he prayed the prayer of faith and thanksgiving … I’m so proud of him.
What happy moments of anticipation for the birth of their first child, a son for whom they prayed, and our first grandSON.
As the time grew long, I took a walk down to the cafeteria and gift shop. I found the greatest gift too. I really wanted a Superman soft toy for the “Superman Baby” but found a stuffed bear. He’s not all that cute, I thought, but his bib says, “Handmade by GOD ~ NOAH”. Perfect, right? Then when I got to the register the cashier pushed his paw and the bear prays a prayer for Noah in the voice of the biblical Noah … Perfect, indeed.

Well the day didn’t go as we anticipated. It was exhausting to say the least, especially for the birthing mother and expecting father. Unexpected circumstances prolonged the baby’s birth. BUT GOD! Savior, Keeper, Giver of Life, God.
He IS Faithful in all things. Yes, He Is!!

The morning of May 30 was God’s appointed time for Noah’s arrival at 5:44 AM.
Our grandson was born! Tears of Joy … He is God’s gift, fresh from a Heaven, handmade by God.
How GREAT IS Our God!