Great Weekend - But Monday's Here

Just met for an hour and a half with one of the hearing aid reps for this area. So many changes in the audiology field! Most of our time was spent talking about pending legislation, insurance companies, and patient care. I love my profession but it's getting harder to stay with it in this environment. Pray for wisdom as we take on the big boys to fight for quality hearing health care over big profits for certain entities.

GIC was wonderful this past weekend. Strengthened my resolve to be more proactive in reaching out to the lost around me. The speakers were very good and the missionaries this year were a blessing. Especially enjoyed Becky, our missionary, who serves in Africa.

Ate my way through Sunday and paid for it on the scale. Back to yogurt and carrots today!

Today's Picture: GIC prayer breakfast 2012.

One sows and another reaps.

“For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’”John 4:37

The great English preacher Francis Dixon asked a young man in his church named Noelle to give his testimony at a revival. So Noelle stood up and gave this testimony:

“I was in Sydney, Australia when a little old man walked up to me and said, ‘Sir, if you were to die today, do you know where you would spend eternity?’

“With that the old man turned on his heel, said, ‘Toodle-loo’, and walked away. So when I got back to England the first thing that I did was to seek out a pastor who led me to Christ.”
After the service, a young man came up to Noelle and said, “That’s my testimony too. I met that same man!” Francis Dixon was so moved by this that when he went on a world tour of preaching, he shared it at every meeting. And when he preached in cities across Australia, he came across hundreds of people with the very same story.

So when Dixon made it to Sydney, he tracked down this old man at his home and told him about all of those people who had come to Christ through him. The old gentleman broke down and said, “Sir, this is the first time in my life that I’ve known of anyone who has ever come to Jesus because of my witness.”

Some sow the seeds; some harvest. So whatever role God calls you to fulfill, be faithful in it because you never know the impact you can have!

Today's Picture: Paula and Paula at the GIC dinner. Living their faith!

God's Will

It's been an interesting couple of weeks, perhaps I should say the whole month. They say our God is not a God of confusion, but He does seem to hide His plan in the mist! Oh, I know the global will of God - Scripture makes that pretty clear for all of us. It's His specific will for me that I sometimes don't see clearly.

You see, I had this dream. It was more of a vision or a promise than a dream I suppose, but it was very clear and I knew I was to remember it. It was as if God Himself punched me on the shoulder and said "Pay attention I'm talking to you!". I'm just not sure how it is all going to play out. I am taking the route to just be faithful where I am placed and pray that He will open doors as necessary. I think it goes back to what we just learned in the Resolutions for Women study. Be content where you are but with an eye to where He may lead!

It's going to be a busy week. Meeting with a woman at 7:00 tonight and then running to catch the end of Bible study. Tomorrow we prayer walk the Hillcrest campus for GIC. Thursday night dinner and then the opening ceremony for GIC - can't wait! Friday through Sunday are all filled with GIC events. Gonna be tired on Monday but it's all good!

Today's Picture: Me - today. Can you tell any difference? Me either. Oh well!

Another Good Day

Wonderful Sunday! The morning started with Josephine teaching in Bible Fellowship. It's always exciting to see young women grow and try new things. She did a great job and I hope she will lead us again. After class Kathleen gave me 2 big hugs and thanked me for all I do in the class. I appreciated the thoughts and the hugs! Did lunch with the girls and then Sunday night watched Courageous. Cried like a baby - again. After church talked with Donnie some about Gary coming to live with me. Gave me some good insight.

Down 25 pounds today! Wore new (smaller) clothes to church and people looked at me like "there's something different", but nobody knew what it was that was different. Sunday night Vicki Smith hugged me several times to say she could tell and how happy she was about it. 25 down ... a whole bunch to go!

Today's Picture: Josephine teaching our Bible Fellowship

Guilt free?

Guilt Free Day so I went to Jimmy John's for lunch! I really thought I had done pretty well until I looked it up online: Hunter's Club, CALORIES 807.3--CARBS--66.67 g ... you have got to be kidding me! OK, it's a Burn for late afternoon snack and CarbMaster yogurt for dinner! Have a new short term goal ... 11 by April 1 .. 35 total. Pray!


Was watching a program on television that posed an interesting question. Who attended the last supper? Was it just the 12 and Jesus? Probably not. What this show suggested, and I need to confirm, was the participation of women and specifically Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus. Will be fun to chase it down and see what we know.


Today's Picture: Loved my Jimmy John's but at 800 calories it may be my last one!

Make That 23

Feeling the need to write something "spiritual" but not having the time to do it is frustrating. I got to spend some quality time in the Word last week preparing for the Bible Fellowship lesson and now this week I am back in 'event planner' mode. Really like the other stuff more, but know I have been gifted to plan so will find the blessing in that as well.

Official weigh day: down 23 pounds! Was looking at myself in the mirror after my shower (I know - cover your eyes!!) but my body shape is changing. Losing some in my face for sure, but it's also starting to come off my upper body and legs. I really need to go buy some new black slacks but think I'll wait a week or two more to see if I can drop another size before investing. Lots to do today including a BF fellowship tonight so I need to get moving. Have a great day in the Lord!

Today's Picture: My shoes need to be replaced! YIKES!

Master's of Christian Education or is it Theology!

I've been talking with a friend on faculty at SWBTS and she is working with me on this new education plan. It looks like I will be taking a lot of theology as that is what DTS wants for me to start the DMin there. We still don't know the total number of hours I will need at SWBTS to do the MACE since I will now need to work closely with the theology department as well. Why does it have to get so complicated.

Still praying for Hillcrest to open the door for me to do local missions. I got the whole "a man will be over you" speech, but at least I would be doing more what I think the Lord has called me to do. It seems more people are coming to me for help with starting community outreach. I have 3 ministries in the planning stages right now - all of them with great potential! Reaching the local community so they can reach the world. Very exciting!

Today's Picture: SWBTS logo ... starting to get excited about it!

Choices

Super busy day - GIC breakfast, Daughters of the King Luncheon, Bible studies, Bible Fellowship, Private Practice, and a little personal life tossed in for fun! A little to much really, but it will start to thin out next week. All very exciting to be a part of it. Praise God for that.

Oh, I forgot to tell you - I was accepted at SWBTS! They are offering me a fast-track degree (meaning fewer hours) and I hope to transfer 22 hours. Means I could finish the Master's Degree in as little as 2 years if I step down from the Women's Ministry. Decisions decisions.

Today's Picture: GIC is next week - looking forward to the celebration!

Monday

I'm tired and it's only Monday! There are so many things I need to be doing ... the girls want to start some new ministries and are excited so I'll be meeting with them and Mandy has said she feels called to do decorations for the M-D lunch so I'll meet with her and Debra Meek is helping me with table decorations for the GIC breakfast so I need to get with her and and and ... is it any wonder my eyes are red! Good better best never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best! Might need to rework that one some ... don't let good rob you of great!

Today's Picture: My tired, bloodshot, eye!

Sisters Valentines Lunch

Sisters Valentine lunch today! Looking forward to spending some time with my sisters. Also looking forward to a week of carb foods! Nothing crazy but will enjoy some fruit (I bought bananas yesterday!)

Today's Picture: My sister Debbie .. my other sister, Carolyn, is taking the picture!

19 and counting! Woo Whoo

Spending today doing some things for GIC and the preparing to teach on Sunday. Need to do a grocery store run too! Will be a busy day!

Today's Picture: I love having one day a week to devote to Kingdom work!

A Box of Butter

So much happening right now that it's hard to know where to begin! I am teaching my Bible Fellowship this Sunday and I'm excited to be preparing a lesson on God's love. I hope it is something they will want to hear and be able to use. We are making progress on the Daughters of the King luncheon! Should have the new logo and 'stuff' by tomorrow! Finishing up things for the GIC breakfast ... phew! It's all good!

Finally dropped a pound! I know it doesn't sounds like much but a friend told me to think of it as a box of butter. I lost a box of butter this week. That makes you realize what it really means to say one pound! Officially weigh for the week in the morning so I'll be extra good today!

Today's Picture: 1 pound = a box of butter

Highs and Lows of Life

Yesterday was a great day and a bad day.

The bad first. I got hate email. I apparently offended someone and she decided she should let me know every detail of my personality that she didn't like or appreciate. It wasn't that she was just wanting me to know something I did had bothered her - she wanted to inflict as deep a wound as she could. The thing is, I know she has done this with several other women so I didn't take it personally, but instead thought how much she must be hurting to lash out like that at people.

The good news is I walked up a flight a stairs! Now, that may not seem like much to you, but it's a new accomplishment for me! I usually have to hold the rail and take one step at a time. Last night I was able to walk up the back steps to the E Building without holding on to anything and alternating feet like a normal person! I was thrilled! It's the simple pleasures that mean the most!

Today's Picture: Me on my good bad day!

Wonderful Night - Wonderful Friends

Exhausted and happy - a great combination! Had the best time last night at our craft fellowship. The women had a good time and it was fun to visit with them. The devotionals were amazing! These women clearly listened to the Holy Spirit for direction.

Today was lazy but I've enjoyed it. I'll need to get back on the diet train tomorrow. Didn't do to bad the last 2 days but not being strict either. If I hope to lose over 2 pounds a week in February I need to be strict!


Today's Picture: Connie is a sweet friend and I wanted to share this picture of us with you.

Craft Night!

Craft Night! It's here and I'm excited about it! Lot's to do today so the first thing I will do is pray. Pray for the speakers, the women attending, and for Debra and Alicia who are making this thing happen for us. Should be a God honoring night.

Weigh day. I was disappointed at first because I haven't lost any weight the last couple of days. Been bouncing back and forth with the same half pound. Then I went to the bod-e web page and did the math. I've lost 3.8 pounds this week! I'm happy with that!


Thanks for meeting me here this morning but I need to run. Have a great day in the Lord!

Today's Picture: Craft Night August 2011 .. great fun!

Crazy day and it's only 10:00 AM! Lots of Church stuff and then work has some issues ... Karen said it's going to be one of those days. I think it is a day to pray even more than usual. I was praising God yesterday for all the great things He was doing ... now in my distress I need to praise Him more!

I realized last night it is exactly one month to the BACE conference. Can I lose another 10 pounds in a month? I'm gonna try!

Today's Picture: Logo for BACE conference 2012: Engage

Decisions

Missed the budget meeting last night - all this healthy eating made me feel sick! HA! I didn't feel well, but I don't really know why, but I am much better this morning! Heard the budget passed and everyone is happy with the end decisions.

Lot's of things going through my mind this day. The big one is the application to SWBTS. I have already sent all my transcripts but have not yet actually applied. I anticipate making that decision today ... to start this fall ...

Today's Picture: Chapel at DBU. I loved going to school at DBU for my MA in Christian Education and hope SWBTS will be equally rewarding.