A Change Will Do Me Good

New Year New Goals

2012-01-09T05:38:00.000-08:00

So last year I did a good job of incorporating exercise into my daily schedule...until I got deathly ill for two months. Gah. I am fully healthy again and taking baby steps towards healthy living. Here are my goals so far:

1. Drink more water. 64oz. a day (2 water bottles full--this will be a big change!).

2. Track food (using Spark People)

3. Exercise 3 days a week to start

Other goals include:

4. Making a plan for dinner each night and sticking to it

5. Getting back into daily Bible reading/devotions
6. Less tv for the kids and more learning activities/walks/library etc.

Being so sick, and having sick kids for most of the last 3 months has really thrown us off track. It's so difficult to stick to rules when everyone isn't themselves! Hopefully we're past the bulk of our health issues and can get things back to normal around here!

an open letter

2010-06-02T17:49:00.001-07:00

dear motivation,
where the heck are you?
i desperately need you in my life.
love,
shelly

2009-04-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

I'm so thankful for the example of Paul, in the Bible. What a blessing and encouragement to know that God can use anyone for His purposes--even somebody who persecuted early Christians eventually spread the Word more than anyone else ever!

I pray that He will use me to encourage others!

1 Timothy 1:15-16
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

This Isn't About You

2009-03-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

I told you I'd forgiven

but I can't seem to forget

the years of hurt, neglect and pain

did more damage than I could admit

I wanted nothing but your love, acceptance, friendship, peace

but all i got for years in turn was negativity and grief

The past has been smoothed over now

wiped clean within your mind

i can not help but feel it's sting

every year around this time

I may be full of smiles and hugs and graceful conversation

but inside still lurks the pain and hurt

of our awful confrontations

I pray the Lord will heal my heart and take the ache away

I know we're not perfect here on Earth

And you reacted out of hurt,

misapprehension,

misguided anger,

misplaced aggression,

mistaken behavior,

that the past is rose colored in your eyes

and I try to see that when I'm by your side

and I try to pretend that it's all ok,

that I haven't been broken beyond what I could take

but the hurt is hiding within me still

and though i bare you no ill-will

and though i love you with the part

of my heart

that's still whole

I'm not sure I'll ever really be over it

and I'm not sure you'll ever really know.

And maybe, just maybe

it's better that way.

Work In Progress

2009-01-26T17:33:00.000-08:00

Pictured here, my dining room table:

As you can see, it's a mess.

Odds and ends, pieces, parts, leavings, important and non-essential cluttering up my work space.

I always get a little overwhelmed in the middle of a large project-especially a project rather outside my comfort zone--a project that will be viewed by many ladies in our church at our Ladies Bible Study Kick-Off dinner this week.

I'm also in charge of decorations (which I am foolishly hand-crafting)--tableware, centerpieces (which I will also be making--edible centerpieces...mmmm), etc.

I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew and as I look at this pile of unfinished stuff-

-my work in progress, I feel like it will never be finished.

Sometimes I feel the same way about myself--I'm such a work in progress--I am introverted and self-centered--I didn't want to say "yes" to this big project--but I did and in working on it little by little I have been blessed by a million little details.

These details won't matter to anyone-no one else will see them or know they are there--but they are and that is what matters.

I prayed that God would guide me as I spent church funds--that the work of my hands might bless others--but I find myself being blessed most of all by the little provisions He has made.

He knew what project I would make before I decided (from my pile of 5 test runs), He knew that I would find exactly what I needed, for a good price at each store I went to.

He knew exactly how much I would need of each material and has provided it.

Sometimes, for me, the biggest blessings in life lay in the details--the little things.

The little things, most of all, show me how much He cares.

The little things surround me and I am thankful for it.

I just did...

2009-01-22T06:20:00.000-08:00

the *30 day burn?* (I think--w/Jillian from the biggest loser) with Amelie.

She did the entire work out with me and took time to tell me I was doing the exercises wrong and corrected my form.

Maybe she'll grow up to be the next Jillian. =)

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

2008-11-21T05:51:00.001-08:00

Why should I feel discouraged?

Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart feel lonely

And long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion!

A constant friend is He!

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches me.

Merrr-phy's Law

2008-11-15T03:39:00.000-08:00

I just got all ready to go for a nice early morning run with Maeve and upon dragging my stroller to the door realized that it's pouring.

The end.

Freedom From Those Whirly Twirly Days

2008-11-12T16:11:00.001-08:00

Do you ever feel like you live in a little whirlwind sometimes?

I do.

I've always been a very non-schedule-y-lay-low-quiet-time type of person and mother but lately our home is revolving around the busy-ness of my sweet Amelie.

Pre-pre-school has been wonderful and fun but involves juggling Maeve's nap and although it all usually works out well, the pick up/drop off time can be a little stressful.

Bible study is wonderful--but is interrupted by the pick up/drop of time of preschool.

Wednesdays are stacked--preschool, jetting to dance class, Awana--it's our marathon day.

We have peaceful Mondays and Wednesdays but here I am, smack in the middle of the week feeling a little tired and a little defeated.

I'm the type of person who needs lots of peace and lots of quiet and lots of predictability to feel peaceful and centered--so this schedule has thrown me for a little loop!

Reading through my study (again, I know) tonight I came upon a verse that freed me from a bit of the burden I feel..

I just love it when God's word helps you to focus on the things you're really supposed to be focusing on.

Titus, an epistle by Paul, includes instructions for the young women/mothers in the church and reads:

Titus 2:4-5

...Love your husbands and your children, be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to your own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

I'm feeling a little simplification coming on...a little more love my husband and my babies and a little less runrunrun.

A little more good obedience and a little less wacky worry, whirlwind cleaning, obsessive blogging (well...we'll see about the blogging--a girl can't lose all the vices in one day).

The Motto Of My Life

2008-11-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

I found a little saying that perfectly sums up the direction that my life has taken and will take.

It fell on my head Chicken Little style

(literally, a plaque bearing the inscription fell off of a shelf in my childhood home and smashed my brain)

and I've never been the same.

{Head trauma has a way of changing you}

I remember at that time in my life I was trying to figure out where to go to college--I had visited many and liked a handful and in my head wanted to pick either

a) the school closest to home (houghton),

b) the school with most of my friends heading there (messiah)

c) the school where I could find a husband (BBC) ha! just kidding on that last one =)

But when I visited Cedarville I *hearted* it so much that I longed to go there even though I knew no one going there and it was 10 hours away

(that's far for a girl whose favorite place to be is home).

When that sign hit me on the head and I read its words

I knew.

I knew that I was going to Cedarville because:

"The Will Of God Will Never Lead You Where The Grace Of God Cannot Keep You"

I'm so glad I followed His leading and headed so far away--and though I've never returned home to stay (since 1997) God has always given me a home away from home--right in the palm of His hand.

In Bible study last week NLD used my life quote to illustrate the truth which combats one of Satan's many lies--

One thing I struggle with a Mom is the fact that my sweet babies don't have an off switch--I could be totally famous for saying:

"I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!"

Which, ironically enough, was the title of one part of a chapter in this book

(which has really opened my eyes btw).

You see-when I'm feeling like I can't take it anymore--I probably can't.

But you know Who can?

That's right!

God and His grace--it's always sufficient for any trouble I'm going through or trouble-maker that I'm dealing with!

When I feel like I can't correct another outburst, keep the peace, channel destructive energy into something constructive, hold my tongue, keep my temper--

I have a help

the grace of God--it's always just a memory verse, a prayer, a plea for help away.

My New Favorite Verse (For Today Anyway)

2008-11-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

I could find a new favorite verse everyday in the Bible.

God's word is good.

1 Peter 5:10

May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, strengthen, and settle you.

Boy do I need to be settled, strengthened and perfected!

Glory be that He's working on me!

Because God and 2 Peter Say So

2008-11-05T03:13:00.000-08:00

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Submission to Rulers and Masters

13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,

14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the ~~king~~ president.

What My Heart Is Trying To Tell My Stomach

2008-11-04T17:31:00.000-08:00

Matthew 6:25-34

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Where does my help come from?

2008-11-03T15:50:00.000-08:00

{It comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth}

I've said it before and I'll say it again--Praise the Lord for this Bible study!

My eyes are open further with each week that goes by to the weight of my responsibility and the oppression I've allowed sin to have over my life.

Whew.

{Gotta shake it off}

This week's chapter had to do with contentment in our circumstances and our response to whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.

Like today....I had a perfecto day with my babies

(aside from the 5 am wake up call =)

they were so sweet and lovely

and then after nap time Amelie turned into a monster

(a cute little disobedient tantrum-y one at that)

and then--my little Maeve fell over while walking around minding her own business and smashed her head.

Huge goose-egg.

And those two circumstances were enough for me to completely shut down and become discouraged.

I just couldn't take anymore.

And sure enough--isn't that what my reading was about today!

When I just can't take anymore--

His grace is sufficient.

When my toddler won't listen to me and throws dying llama hissy fits for the world to hear--

His grace is sufficient.

When my baby has a huge goose egg on her head and I'm worried she might have a concussion--

His grace is sufficient.

When I'm on the phone with the doctors office trying to figure out if my baby is ok and the toddler is throwing a louder and frightfully embarrassing new hissy fit--

His grace is sufficient.

When I'm tired and alone and don't have any help and am trying to cook dinner and make the house presentable--

His grace is sufficient.

2 Corinthians 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

And now, at the end of my day, I have peace and quiet to study and pray and refresh my heart and mind while my totally fine goose-egged baby sleeps and my toddler is watching Daddy give his late night piano lessons at school.

I am weak.

He is strong.

His grace is sufficient for me.

The Verse That Is Challenging Me Today

2008-11-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

James 2:14

What does it profit my brethren if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

I have no problem believing in God, having faith that His promises are true...but works?

So. Hard. For. Me.

Today I am praying that God would allow me to be a blessing to others the way that He has been a blessing to me.

It's such a process--living out the walk.

I'm so thankful that no matter what I struggle with I'm always neck deep in His Grace.

I get so emotional baby--every time I think of you...

2008-10-30T10:03:00.001-07:00

Today in Bible study the topic was emotions.

One of my favorite chicas-Janet-led study today and

she shared a bunch of thoughts that struck me.

The fellowship of the believers is such a good thing--it makes my heart sing.

I am emotional.

I mean--you know--not just a little bit--a LOT a bit.

My Mom recently gave me a magnet with my name on it and the "meaning" it reads:

Michelle

French name from the Hebrew meaning "who is like the Lord." She is very independent with strong emotions.

Yep--that stinkin' magnet hits a little too close to home and is on my refrigerator reminding me of all the work I need to do (which is a good thing).

I grew up surrounded by some very logical thinkers who didn't approve so much of the way

I feel things...

**trulymadlydeeply **

I was made at times to feel weak and "less than" because of my emotional responses to...well...everything.

I can not tell you how FREEING it was to read today about

*the emotions that God has

*the fact that our emotional selves reflect a facet of His personality

*to read David's Psalms to the Lord in which he cries out with great emotion and replaces the way he feels with what he knows about God

*to hear the other ladies discuss how they impact their lives and families

Granted--human emotion has been tainted by the fall of man but being emotional isn't wrong--it's the response to the emotion that can be.

A few ladies shared the emotion that they struggle with the most and I was so thankful that more than one shared how anger is their most difficult to tame.

I have been convicted and working recently on finding a good verse to help me replace my anger with Truth and two that I'm writing out TODAY to put on 3 x 5 cards are:

Isa 26:3: You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.

James 1:19-20: Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

God's Word is good. I'm so thankful for His truth and help. It's a good thing.

Christian Evolutionists--Hear Me Roar!

2008-10-29T07:09:00.001-07:00

Have you ever known a Christian who believes that God created the earth through the process of evolution?

I'm not sure I know anyone who admits to this theory but I'm sure they are out there!
I was reading today in Genesis 1 (the beginning...always a good place to start) and a few verses jumped out at me which, in my ~~humble~~ totally right opinion nix the aforementioned philosophy:

Genesis 1:11-12

1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth: and it was so.

1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after its kind: and God saw that it was good

Genesis 1:24:

1:24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind: and it was so.

It clearly states in Scripture that each thing God created brought forth more of the same thing--God never wrote that a goldfish would have a morph over 92000000 years into a slug into a rat into a....you get the picture.

God Almighty, in the first chapter of your Bible and mine, let it be known that a rose was always a rose and a turtle was always a turtle.

What a blessing to find truth waiting in the open--

Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square!

(Proverbs 1:20)

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

2008-10-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Long time no blog...eh?

I'm in the midst of setting new goals and adding more structure to my life...

Stay tuned!

Wah

2008-08-11T06:55:00.001-07:00

So...I've been exercising every single day for the last two weeks with the exception of yesterday (day of rest and all--actually I didn't go b/c Maeve actually slept in until 7--woot!) and when I went today I could barely move. Apparently the fact that I have been consistently exercising is the only reason I could continue--I did a slow old lady walk around the block which took forevah'! Hopefully tomorrow I'll be back up to at least half power--woot, I think I hit a wall--which could have A LOT to do with Maeve's horrible teething/getting over a cold/unpredictable schedule. We shall see...and until then, feel free to gaze on her cuteness.

My Jogging Partner is Cuter Than Yours

2008-08-08T05:29:00.000-07:00

Long Time No See...

2008-07-31T14:47:00.001-07:00

Howdy--strangers, anyone still read this blog? The good Lord knows I don't! HA! I'll have ya'll know that I've actually been ~~running~~ slow jogging every day this week--5 miles or more EACH day--how's that for action, baby? My little Maeve has been my 5 a.m. wake up call so what else is there to do but exercise? There certainly isn't anything to watch on tv! So, there you have it, I've been exercising and it's a good thing.

I also wanted to share something my friend's husband posted the other day--it was something I really needed to read. God is good--and these are good things to think about (it's a bit length and deep but def. refreshing to my soul).

About the Council of Orange
The Council of Orange was an outgrowth of the controversy between Augustine and Pelagius. This controversy had to do with degree to which a human being is responsible for his or her own salvation, and the role of the grace of God in bringing about salvation. The Pelagians held that human beings are born in a state of innocence, i.e., that there is no such thing as a sinful nature or original sin.
As a result of this view, they held that a state of sinless perfection was achievable in this life. The Council of Orange dealt with the Semi-Pelagian doctrine that the human race, though fallen and possessed of a sinful nature, is still "good" enough to able to lay hold of the grace of God through an act of unredeemed human will. The Council held to Augustine's view and repudiated Pelagius. The following canons greatly influenced the Reformed doctrine of Total Depravity.

The Canons of the Council of Orange
(529 AD)
CANON 1. If anyone denies that it is the whole man, that is, both body and soul, that was "changed for the worse" through the offense of Adam's sin, but believes that the freedom of the soul remains unimpaired and that only the body is subject to corruption, he is deceived by the error of Pelagius and contradicts the scripture which says, "The soul that sins shall die" (Ezek. 18:20); and, "Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are the slaves of the one whom you obey?" (Rom. 6:16); and, "For whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved" (2 Pet. 2:19).
CANON 2. If anyone asserts that Adam's sin affected him alone and not his descendants also, or at least if he declares that it is only the death of the body which is the punishment for sin, and not also that sin, which is the death of the soul, passed through one man to the whole human race, he does injustice to God and contradicts the Apostle, who says, "Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned" (Rom. 5:12).
CANON 3. If anyone says that the grace of God can be conferred as a result of human prayer, but that it is not grace itself which makes us pray to God, he contradicts the prophet Isaiah, or the Apostle who says the same thing, "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me" (Rom 10:20, quoting Isa. 65:1).
CANON 4. If anyone maintains that God awaits our will to be cleansed from sin, but does not confess that even our will to be cleansed comes to us through the infusion and working of the Holy Spirit, he resists the Holy Spirit himself who says through Solomon, "The will is prepared by the Lord" (Prov. 8:35, LXX), and the salutary word of the Apostle, "For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
CANON 5. If anyone says that not only the increase of faith but also its beginning and the very desire for faith, by which we believe in Him who justifies the ungodly and comes to the regeneration of holy baptism -- if anyone says that this belongs to us by nature and not by a gift of grace, that is, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit amending our will and turning it from unbelief to faith and from godlessness to godliness, it is proof that he is opposed to the teaching of the Apostles, for blessed Paul says, "And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). And again, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8). For those who state that the faith by which we believe in God is natural make all who are separated from the Church of Christ by definition in some measure believers.
CANON 6. If anyone says that God has mercy upon us when, apart from his grace, we believe, will, desire, strive, labor, pray, watch, study, seek, ask, or knock, but does not confess that it is by the infusion and inspiration of the Holy Spirit within us that we have the faith, the will, or the strength to do all these things as we ought; or if anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10).
CANON 7. If anyone affirms that we can form any right opinion or make any right choice which relates to the salvation of eternal life, as is expedient for us, or that we can be saved, that is, assent to the preaching of the gospel through our natural powers without the illumination and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who makes all men gladly assent to and believe in the truth, he is led astray by a heretical spirit, and does not understand the voice of God who says in the Gospel, "For apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5), and the word of the Apostle, "Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God" (2 Cor. 3:5).
CANON 8. If anyone maintains that some are able to come to the grace of baptism by mercy but others through free will, which has manifestly been corrupted in all those who have been born after the transgression of the first man, it is proof that he has no place in the true faith. For he denies that the free will of all men has been weakened through the sin of the first man, or at least holds that it has been affected in such a way that they have still the ability to seek the mystery of eternal salvation by themselves without the revelation of God. The Lord himself shows how contradictory this is by declaring that no one is able to come to him "unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44), as he also says to Peter, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 16:17), and as the Apostle says, "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3).
CANON 9. Concerning the succor of God. It is a mark of divine favor when we are of a right purpose and keep our feet from hypocrisy and unrighteousness; for as often as we do good, God is at work in us and with us, in order that we may do so.
CANON 10. Concerning the succor of God. The succor of God is to be ever sought by the regenerate and converted also, so that they may be able to come to a successful end or persevere in good works.
CANON 11. Concerning the duty to pray. None would make any true prayer to the Lord had he not received from him the object of his prayer, as it is written, "Of thy own have we given thee" (1 Chron. 29:14).
CANON 12. Of what sort we are whom God loves. God loves us for what we shall be by his gift, and not by our own deserving.
CANON 13. Concerning the restoration of free will. The freedom of will that was destroyed in the first man can be restored only by the grace of baptism, for what is lost can be returned only by the one who was able to give it. Hence the Truth itself declares: "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
CANON 14. No mean wretch is freed from his sorrowful state, however great it may be, save the one who is anticipated by the mercy of God, as the Psalmist says, "Let thy compassion come speedily to meet us" (Ps. 79:8), and again, "My God in his steadfast love will meet me" (Ps. 59:10).
CANON 15. Adam was changed, but for the worse, through his own iniquity from what God made him. Through the grace of God the believer is changed, but for the better, from what his iniquity has done for him. The one, therefore, was the change brought about by the first sinner; the other, according to the Psalmist, is the change of the right hand of the Most High (Ps. 77:10).
CANON 16. No man shall be honored by his seeming attainment, as though it were not a gift, or suppose that he has received it because a missive from without stated it in writing or in speech. For the Apostle speaks thus, "For if justification were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose" (Gal. 2:21); and "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men" (Eph. 4:8, quoting Ps. 68:18). It is from this source that any man has what he does; but whoever denies that he has it from this source either does not truly have it, or else "even what he has will be taken away" (Matt. 25:29).
CANON 17. Concerning Christian courage. The courage of the Gentiles is produced by simple greed, but the courage of Christians by the love of God which "has been poured into our hearts" not by freedom of will from our own side but "through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Rom. 5:5).
CANON 18. That grace is not preceded by merit. Recompense is due to good works if they are performed; but grace, to which we have no claim, precedes them, to enable them to be done.
CANON 19. That a man can be saved only when God shows mercy. Human nature, even though it remained in that sound state in which it was created, could be no means save itself, without the assistance of the Creator; hence since man cannot safe- guard his salvation without the grace of God, which is a gift, how will he be able to restore what he has lost without the grace of God?
CANON 20. That a man can do no good without God. God does much that is good in a man that the man does not do; but a man does nothing good for which God is not responsible, so as to let him do it.
CANON 21. Concerning nature and grace. As the Apostle most truly says to those who would be justified by the law and have fallen from grace, "If justification were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose" (Gal. 2:21), so it is most truly declared to those who imagine that grace, which faith in Christ advocates and lays hold of, is nature: "If justification were through nature, then Christ died to no purpose." Now there was indeed the law, but it did not justify, and there was indeed nature, but it did not justify. Not in vain did Christ therefore die, so that the law might be fulfilled by him who said, "I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfil them" (Matt. 5:17), and that the nature which had been destroyed by Adam might be restored by him who said that he had come "to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).
CANON 22. Concerning those things that belong to man. No man has anything of his own but untruth and sin. But if a man has any truth or righteousness, it from that fountain for which we must thirst in this desert, so that we may be refreshed from it as by drops of water and not faint on the way.
CANON 23. Concerning the will of God and of man. Men do their own will and not the will of God when they do what displeases him; but when they follow their own will and comply with the will of God, however willingly they do so, yet it is his will by which what they will is both prepared and instructed.
CANON 24. Concerning the branches of the vine. The branches on the vine do not give life to the vine, but receive life from it; thus the vine is related to its branches in such a way that it supplies them with what they need to live, and does not take this from them. Thus it is to the advantage of the disciples, not Christ, both to have Christ abiding in them and to abide in Christ. For if the vine is cut down another can shoot up from the live root; but one who is cut off from the vine cannot live without the root (John 15:5ff).
CANON 25. Concerning the love with which we love God. It is wholly a gift of God to love God. He who loves, even though he is not loved, allowed himself to be loved. We are loved, even when we displease him, so that we might have means to please him. For the Spirit, whom we love with the Father and the Son, has poured into our hearts the love of the Father and the Son (Rom. 5:5).
CONCLUSION. And thus according to the passages of holy scripture quoted above or the interpretations of the ancient Fathers we must, under the blessing of God, preach and believe as follows. The sin of the first man has so impaired and weakened free will that no one thereafter can either love God as he ought or believe in God or do good for God's sake, unless the grace of divine mercy has preceded him. We therefore believe that the glorious faith which was given to Abel the righteous, and Noah, and Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and to all the saints of old, and which the Apostle Paul commends in extolling them (Heb. 11), was not given through natural goodness as it was before to Adam, but was bestowed by the grace of God. And we know and also believe that even after the coming of our Lord this grace is not to be found in the free will of all who desire to be baptized, but is bestowed by the kindness of Christ, as has already been frequently stated and as the Apostle Paul declares, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake" (Phil. 1:29). And again, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). And again, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and it is not your own doing, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8). And as the Apostle says of himself, "I have obtained mercy to be faithful" (1 Cor. 7:25, cf. 1 Tim. 1:13). He did not say, "because I was faithful," but "to be faithful." And again, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7). And again, "Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (Jas. 1:17). And again, "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven" (John 3:27). There are innumerable passages of holy scripture which can be quoted to prove the case for grace, but they have been omitted for the sake of brevity, because further examples will not really be of use where few are deemed sufficient.
According to the catholic faith we also believe that after grace has been received through baptism, all baptized persons have the ability and responsibility, if they desire to labor faithfully, to perform with the aid and cooperation of Christ what is of essential importance in regard to the salvation of their soul. We not only do not believe that any are foreordained to evil by the power of God, but even state with utter abhorrence that if there are those who want to believe so evil a thing, they are anathema. We also believe and confess to our benefit that in every good work it is not we who take the initiative and are then assisted through the mercy of God, but God himself first inspires in us both faith in him and love for him without any previous good works of our own that deserve reward, so that we may both faithfully seek the sacrament of baptism, and after baptism be able by his help to do what is pleasing to him. We must therefore most evidently believe that the praiseworthy faith of the thief whom the Lord called to his home in paradise, and of Cornelius the centurion, to whom the angel of the Lord was sent, and of Zacchaeus, who was worthy to receive the Lord himself, was not a natural endowment but a gift of God's kindness.

Jack Sprat's Wife....

2008-06-30T04:39:00.000-07:00

I am.

Seen On My EARLY Morning Jaunt

2008-06-24T10:46:00.001-07:00

* a man riding a motorcycle trying to type a text message on his cell phone

i'm sorry--but i truly believe that you NEED TWO HANDS to drive a motorcycle--it made the mother inside me nervous.

Stream of Consciousness slow Jogging

2008-06-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

* i like living by all the pretty (rich people) houses---feels more like a "tour of homes" than exercise
* you can tell it's summer when it's *stick* and hott out at 7 a.m.
* hazard of early morning *slow* jogging *fast-ish* walking--sprinkler systems--
*slippery when wet*
* i missed exercising by myself
* i forgot how EASY it is to walk when NOT pushing a double stroller
* my toe hurts
* i almost went to Catholic mass this morning--they have the right idea--church at 7 is a good thing--what's the deal with all the lazy Baptists in the world who don't start church until 11?
* i want an eccentric old lady porch someday (you know the kind--too many hanging baskets, tables and chairs, weird antiques, etc)

For the sake of edification

2008-06-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

It always strikes me as odd when people take offense to someone else's point of view. It's totally normal and appropriate to disagree with others on certain points. And I just want to say that just because you disagree with someone doesn't make you right or wrong--it makes you different. Unless of course you disagree that Jesus is the Son of God--then you're just plain wrong. But otherwise--I think a little healthy discussion is always in order and is good for emotional and intellectual growth. 'Cause if we were all exactly the same and held all the same opinions and lived in identical manners--than the world would be pretty freakin' boring.

In summation:

1. it is ok to disagree with friends

2. disagreeing with friends doesn't end friendships--it can actually strengthen them

3. just because somone doesn't hold the same view as you do doesn't mean they are judging you for holding a different view

4. different is good

5. Jesus is the Son of God

And so ends my diatribe..

Favoritism

2008-06-14T02:56:00.000-07:00

Ever struggled in your life because of favoritism? I sure have! I'm not sure what got me thinking about it exactly but I remember growing up that it really affected my relationships with my relatives. On one side of the family I was the "golden child." You know--the kid who gets special extra shopping trips and overnight visits and meals out and a car. It was wonder-full and fun except for feeling guilty every time I came home from an outing and feeling as if it just wasn't right that I got so much when others got so little of my Grandmother's love, time, etc.

Then there was the other side of the family...

When we were young (and to this day) I had no idea why were treated as "less." It's not that we didn't get presents when the other grandchildren got presents. We just would get the reject presents--like if we got porcelain dolls my cousins would get glorious, resplendent dolls and I would get crack-head-street-walker doll. Or if they all got care bears I would get 1.99 anteater doll or something like that. It didn't really bother me growing up--I just thought it was strange that my brothers and I were so obviously treated differently than the rest of my cousins. Even if I really liked a present I rec. and told my Grandparents THANKYOU! my present would be down-played and the other presents would be talked up. In front of me. Instantly.

{It's funny the stories that come to mind at 5 a.m. when you can't go back to sleep }

Doesn't favoritism suck?

I look at my precious babies and think there is NO WAY I could love either less--they are both priceless in my eyes. I pray that they are never treated differently by those they love. But it happens--good people show favoritism all the time--it's just easy to do--we're human! I'm so glad that God doesn't show favoritism. We are all judged or forgiven. It's God's Way and it's a good thing.

Romans 2:9-11
9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.

You can read the rest of Romans ch 2 here. (it's a good one!)

Intrinsic Motivation....

2008-06-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

Anyone got any out there?

Cause I'm fresh out.

Update

2008-06-08T05:58:00.001-07:00

I have been following my points more closely this week and the good news is my husband said, "Wow, you look thinner."

the other day so I guess maybe it's "working"

(although beauty is in the eye of the beholder).

Maybe someday soon I'll have enough courage to step on a scale again...

but until then, kind comments and loose-r clothes hold more water.

Thankful Thursday

2008-06-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad that God is in control of the things that I can't control.

That He loves the people I'm unsure how to love.

That He watches over everything and holds me in the palm of His hand.

That all things work together to accomplish His plans....even when it doesn't look like things will or could ever work out the way they should.

That He takes care of my loved ones even when I can't.

That there is nothing that can separate me from His grace.

That He hears the cry of my heart, lifts the burdens off my shoulders and takes care of things that I can't take care of.

I'm so glad that He is good, sovereign and Holy.

Tuesday

2008-06-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

exercise: 1 mile with the j.p.'s!
2 miles with the fam

breakfast
tomato soup with crackers 6

lunch
hot dog 5

dinner
corn on the cob 2
new taters 3
steak 6
beans 5

water 24 ou

27 pts

i think...

2008-06-02T12:23:00.001-07:00

*tomorrow* i'm going to plunge back into points.

i have been exercising right along (yay me!) but exercising is MUCH easier for me than counting points....so--my goal is to stick to points for the rest of the week....

just thought i'd share =)

Shelly Just...

2008-05-25T05:08:00.000-07:00

put on a skirt that hasn't fit properly since she bought it...(3 years ago)....

and even though I haven't really "stuck" with the best eating plan--I have made some changes and been exercising more and now it fits! woot!

It would be a whole lot easier to...

2008-05-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

...be a "weightwatcher" if it weren't for the most delicious milkshake in the world...

brought to you by chick fil a

ah...some kind of strawberry heaven!

(i think the recipe may have been divinely inspired)

Sadness

2008-05-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

Steven Curtis Chapman's (famous Christian singer) youngest daughter was killed in a terrible accident when her older brother hit her with a car. Such sadness! Read about it here.

A Simple Plan for a Heavenbound (wo)Man

2008-05-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

In an earlier blog I stated that I had some questions about how we can be sure we are going to Heaven. I can't believe I felt that it was so complicated when it is really SIMPLE to be assured of eternal life in Heaven with God.

I became confused when reading the work of a VERY popular Christian author. I'm not going to go into detail about her philosophy because I've got the real deal straight from the Word. (Amen!).

All you need to do to get to heaven is (drumrolll please...........)

****Believe that Jesus is the Son of God.****

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in Him should not perish (in hell) but should have eternal life (in heaven).

Going to heaven has NOTHING to do with how you live your life on earth. It has NOTHING to do with how many good or bad things you do while you're here. The ONLY thing you need to do in your whole life to go to heaven is to JUST BELIEVE in the saving work of Jesus on the cross.

Isn't that pretty freakin' amazing?

Jesus' death on the cross was ENOUGH to save us. We can't do anything to earn salvation. Nothing! Just believing is enough.

(Another verse to assure of this fact: 1 John 5:13 "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. ")

And yes, I do believe it is important to live a life that is respectable, that follows the guidelines set forth in the Bible and I do believe that people who believe in Christ will be awarded for the things they've done in their lives to honor Him.

However, I *KNOW* that it isn't what I do in life, how kind I am, how loving or loyal or supportive or caring I am that will get me to Heaven. It is my belief in Jesus, His work on the cross and in His Father who sent Him for our benefit.

I'm so glad the He did all the work. His death saved me from the punishment my sinful soul deserves. What a miracle! What a blessing! What peace of mind I can have!

Want to read more about the assurance of salvation we can find in the Bible? I found this website helpful...

***To wrap it all up***
1. believe in Jesus (that He is the Son of God, was sent to earth to be born of a virgin, lived, taught, performed miracles and eventually died on the cross and suffered the punishment for our sin and was raised the 3rd day and lives in Heaven)
2. belief in Jesus leads to asking forgiveness for sin
3. true repentance from sin leads to a desire to live in a way that pleases Him
4. living in a way that pleases Him is a testament to others of what He has done for us.

Any other questions? Email me or comment...I love a good discussion about Jesus.

Because I Know You Care

2008-05-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite snacks.

Meet "cranberry sauce."

Straight out of the can, gelatinous, red-wiggly, cranberry sauce.

Delicious.

That is all.

Revelations

2008-05-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow will be the last day in my journey through the new testament this month. It has been a blessing to read through the Word as I learn something new every time I read it. In my humble opinion--best book ever.
Anyways...during my reading I've been thinking a lot about my belief system and why I believe what I believe particularly:
*assurance of Salvation
*events of the end times
I feel that I have "worked out" what I need to have to be assured of my Salvation in the Lord but I'm still struggling a little bit with the event sequence of the end times (pre-trib, post trib, resurrection of the saints etc...) Needless to say, still working on that but it is encouraging to know at least that things will happen as they must, in His time and whether or not I understand that doesn't really make any difference in how I ought to live.
As far as being assured of salvation I am going to flesh that out in a post soon. The end =)

Monday

2008-05-19T16:41:00.001-07:00

Exercise
HH hill park with the j.p.'s

Breakfast
cereal and milk 4
Lunch
pb and j 4
Dinner
Ribs and taters 15
Cookies 6

water 24 ou

This is why reading the Bible always makes me feel better.

2008-05-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profits a little but godliness is profitable for all things.

wednesday

2008-05-14T15:03:00.000-07:00

exercise:
none, i busted a tire on my jogger darnit.
breakfast:
cereal with milk 4
lunch:
chicken 10
taters 3
pepsi 3
dinner:
6 ou pork loin 11
1/2 cup egg noodles 2
1 tsp butter 1

34/36
water 48 ou

i'm thinking of knocking my points back to 25-27 ish and seeing what happens. just thought i'd share.

I'm in up to my neck here

2008-05-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

So, I'm in 2nd Corinthians and am faced again with difficult/deep logical arguments set forth by Paul to the believers at Corinth. I found a verse that I *love*--Paul is talking about how Moses covered his face with a veil b/c the Israelites couldn't bare to look at his face since it reflected the glory of God and how the Old Testament is the scripture with a "veil" over it and that only belief in Christ and with the help of the Holy Spirit can we hope to understand it at all.

2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were hardened. For until this day the same veil remainsunlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

I'm so glad I live in a country where I can freely read the Word and write about it on a blog. I am content.

Romans Road

2008-05-09T15:48:00.001-07:00

So, today I've been reading Romans full tilt (as I forgot to do my reading yesterday--oops!) and is it ever challenging! So far I've been "breezing" through my readings but Romans is another story. The whole book is an argument to defend, explain and convince others (mainly the Jewish people) to faith in Christ. My mommy brain can barely handle all of it's "deepness." It's good to exercise the brain cells once in a while though =)

I love Paul's no-nonsense approach to the Gospel. His explanation is direct and concise--I like how Romans 5:18 sums it up:

Therefore as one man's offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

Praise the Lord that He saw fit, in light of Adam's sin, to send Salvation to ALL men through His blameless Son.

***My sins are gone! I've been set free! My God, My Savior, has ransomed me! And like a flood, His mercy rains, unending love, amazing grace***

Thursday

2008-05-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

exercise 1.5 miles
breakfast:
chocolate chip cookie 3
lunch
1 slice pizza 6
dinner
ziti 10

Goal Update

2008-05-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

Here's how I'm coming along:

Bible Reading: every single day thanks to the junior church challenge! yay me!

Prayer life: much better, more frequent. it's a good thing

Exercise: nearly every day--at least 2 miles if not more (i exercised a lot this weekend but didn't find time to post about everything)

Diet: staying at or "near" points allowance for the day. i def. could be more disciplined in this but i'm working on it. i still refuse to go near a scale. maybe in a few years i'll get the courage the go back. =)

Wednesday

2008-05-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

Exercise: 2 miles with JP's

breakfast: 0
lunch: happy meal 11
dinner: chicken with taters and roll: 16

water 24 ou

Yeah. My kids are totally destined for greatness.

2008-05-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Study: Long-Term Breast-Feeding Will Raise Child's IQ
Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Want your child to attend an Ivy League college?
Breast-feed them and they just might be able to.
A new study, published in the May issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, showed that children who experienced long-term, exclusive breast-feeding scored higher on intelligence tests than children who were given formula instead.
The study was led by Dr. Michael S. Kramer of McGill University and the Montreal Children’s Hospital in Montreal, Quebec.
The tests measured verbal intelligence, non-verbal intelligence and overall intelligence. Teachers also said the children who had been breast-fed did significantly better in reading and writing.
According to the study, essential long-chain fatty acids and a compound known as insulin-like growth factor I, which is found in breast milk, could be responsible for the cognitive differences.
It is also possible that the physical or emotional component breast-feeding offers could positively affect brain development.

“Although breastfeeding initiation rates have increased substantially during the last 30 years, much less progress has been achieved in increasing the exclusivity and duration of breast-feeding,” the authors wrote.
“The consistency of our findings based on a randomized trial with those reported in previous observational studies should prove helpful in encouraging further public health efforts to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.”

Grace Extends to All: Read All About It!!!

2008-05-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

In reference to the preaching of the apostles (followers of Christ) in Antioch
Acts 13: 47-8
"I have set you to be a light to the Gentiles; That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth." Now when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."

I am so thankful that God has extended His grace and gift of salvation to all people. I loved reading how the Gentiles REJOICED when they heard the promises of the word of the Lord. Glory be to God!

Monday

2008-05-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

Exercise:
2 miles with the j.p.'s
2 miles with the s. m. and a. w.'s

Breakfast
3 pts cheerios and strawberries and skim

lunch
2 pts homemade onion soup (de lish)

dinner
ww. pasta bake 10 pts
pepsi 3 pts

desert
sorbet 2 pts

water 24 ou

My New Best Friend Is....

2008-05-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

Hungry Girl

Go there for yummy recipes (that fit in with ww points)

and just general fun stuff

i love her new cookbook--it's full of yummy dishes like the french onion soup i made today!

delish!

Interesting Verse and An Aside

2008-05-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

I like this verse. How true it is.
John 16:21
"Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world."

Today is my last day of reading through the gospels--I have really enjoyed reading them in such a fast succession and am struck by how different they are (even though they relate the same story).
Why I like:
Matthew: Matthew is totally from the Jewish perspective which is so interesting--I really like how he relates the story to that culture. I also loved reading the geneology--these things used to really irritate me but reading the lineage of Jesus was totally cool to me this time--I like that Ruth and Rahab are mentioned.
Mark: I enjoyed Mark b/c it's like the Reader's Digest version of the gospel and relates more of John the Baptist's story.
Luke: Luke is one of my favorite of the four b/c it is so thoroughly detailed. The geneology in Luke dates all the way to Adam. Reading it moved me to tears. I'm just weird like that.
John: John is my fav. I can't help it. You in the mood for a good read? Pick up John--he relates so well how one can be assured of salvation and is a real story teller. His language moves me. John speaks to the long lost English teacher in my soul.

Anyways, I'm so glad the Juniors put forth the challenge. I don't usually read so much of the Bible in one day (it's nice to let it sink in a little more) but I am really enjoying my journey through the New Testament.

Friday

2008-05-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

Exercise: 1 mile
Breakfast: eng muff with pb and j 4
lunch and dinner: i don't want to talk about it.
the end.

Thursday

2008-05-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

Exercise:
A 1.5 mile walk is pending
Breakfast:
rice chex with 1/2 c skim 3 pts
lunch:
1 c peppers
3 ou pork loin 4
1 slice lite bread 1
dinner:
pasta with chicken and aspragus 8
olive oil 2
milk 3
snack :
2 cookies 3
pepsi 3

27/36

I'm going to write a book entitled: "Does my shadow make me look fat? And other important questions...."

2008-05-01T09:40:00.001-07:00

Wednesday

2008-04-30T10:22:00.001-07:00

Exercise:
1 mile walk
Breakfast
eng muff with pb and j 4 pts
lunch:
chick fil a kids meal 12 pts
dinner:

pasta with peppers and sauce 9
pepsi 3
28/36
water
24 ou

Creaton Vs. Evolution

2008-04-30T03:33:00.000-07:00

The handiwork of God is never more evident to me than when I am outdoors.

I see His fingerprint on every flowering tree, blade of grass, tulip, daffodil and crocus.

We've been blessed to live by some beautiful parks and on my walks I think about how amazing God's creation is.

It makes me wonder what an evolutionist must think when they see a beautiful tree--

"Oh, what an interesting thing, that a few molecules formed such a pretty tree."

Really?

How can anyone see the complexity and utter harmony of nature and think anything but

"Praise the Lord! What a blessing nature is!"

I see Intelligent Design in EVERYTHING.

I recently read an article about the fact that the Earth gives off a "humming" sound in space.

I've seen other shows on NOVA about how each star makes a different noise.

I can't help but think that from Heaven

the universe must sound like the most amazing symphony.

I'm so thankful that He chose to reveal Himself through Creation.

1 Chronicles 16:33a

"the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD"

Tuesday

2008-04-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

Exercise
2 miles
breakfast
eng muff with pb and j 4
lunch
1 cup peppers/onions 0
4 ou pork loin 6
1 slice lite bread with smear of pb 2
dinner
chicken/bisquits/gravy/rice 13 pts

25/36

water 24 ou

Today on my walk I saw...

2008-04-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

"flower bed"

lilacs of every color
i <3 spring!

Monday

2008-04-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

Exercise:
*cough *cough (it's raining out, i'm hibernating)
Breakfast:
eng muff with pb and j 4 pts

lunch
4 oz bbq chicken 6 pts
1 delicious choc/pumkin muffin 4 pts
(my husband is the best b/c when i was napping the other day he read my blog about the pumpkin muffins and went to the store and bought me the ingredients!)

dinner
chick fil a kids meal 12
mc donalds ice cream 3
29/36

water 24 ou

Sunday

2008-04-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

Exercise:
none--will start again monday (although i'm pretty sure pacing with m for 1/2 an hour in the back of a church ought to count for something)

breakfast:eng muff with pb and j 4pts
lunch: lean beef, spinach, cheese 8
corn on the cob 2
1/2 c rice 2
with gravy 1

dinner:
spaghetti with 3 pepper sauce 9
26 pts
water 48

I want to eat this NOW!

2008-04-27T06:10:00.001-07:00

Yum Yum Brownie Muffins

(1 Muffin, or 3 minis - 181 calories, 3.5g fat, 37g carbs, 2g, fiber, 2g protein - 4 WW points)

This super-simple 2-ingredient recipe is a Weight Watchers Fave!

1 box devil’s food cake mix

1 can solid pack pumpkin (15 oz.)

Directions:Mix the two ingredients together. Don't add anything else that may be mentioned on the box, such as eggs, oil, or water. The mixture will be very thick and you will be tempted to add in other things to make the batter smoother. DO NOT DO THIS AS IT WILL RUIN EVERYTHING! Place batter into muffin tins (or mini muffin tins) lined with paper, or sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes 12 regular or 36 mini muffins.

On Your MARK! Get Set! Go!

2008-04-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Food for thought:

Mark 11:25-6
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Saturday

2008-04-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

Exercise:
Shopping at the Audubon Yard Sales and Cleaning the House (fancy way for saying no exercise!)

Breakfast:
eng muff with a smear of pb and j 4 pts

Lunch:
Pork Loin with provolone and spinach 6
spaghetti 1 c 4
1 cob corn 2
1 tsp olive oil 2
3 pieces of popcorn pt ?

Dinner:

pepper steak w/onion 1 c 5 pts

1 c white rice 4

ww icecream 2

pepsi 3

32/36

The End of Matthew....

2008-04-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I've officially finished with Matthew and started reading the book of Mark today. I love the fact that the Lord gave us four versions of the Gospel. It's so interesting to see what is included in each book and why some things are there and others aren't.

The thing that "stuck" with me most today was reading about God's love affair with His people, the Jews. It breaks my heart for Him when I read about how deeply He loves them and how He longs for them to believe that Christ is His Son.

I love the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22. It talks about how the King is putting on a wedding and He invited all of his friends and family and none of them responded to the invitation. So, instead, he sends out his servant to gather up the strangers who wandered the highways and they were able to enjoy the bounty of the feast. I am so thankful that God has extended His invitation to Heaven for those of us who aren't Jewish but it burdens my heart when I think of His chosen people who have not chosen Him.

God is good. I am thankful for His word.

Friday

2008-04-25T15:29:00.001-07:00

Exercise:
Nada. Toting two kids to dance class and shopping for supplies at Target are about all I did today =)

Breakfast:
Raisin Bran with 1/2 c skim milk 4 pts

Lunch:
Chick Fil A Kids Meal 12 pts

Dinner:
Applebees WW Meal--Portabello Steak with New Potatoes and Broccoli 7 pts
Pepsi 4 pts
2 of Amelie's French Fries 1 pt

28/36

Water 24 ou

Thursday

2008-04-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

Exercise:
1 hour of walking (yay!)
Breakfast:
Raisin bran with skim milk 4 pts
Lunch:
Pork Loin with 1 cup peppers/onions
olive oil
1 slice lite bread with a smear of butter/pbutter
10 pts

Snack:

1 bite pizza and 3 pretzels--let's just call this 1 pt

Dinner:
Chicken/potato bake 7 pts
Ice Cream 3 pts

48 ou water

25/36

Wednesday

2008-04-23T14:21:00.001-07:00

Exercise:
1 hour walk to and from park

Breakfast
raisin bran w/skim milk 4

lunch:
3 ou chicken 4
1 cup peppers/onions 0
olive oil 2

dinner:
4 ounces chicken 7
1/2 spinach 0
1/2 c milk 2
1/2 c taters 4
olive oil 2

25/36

48 ou water

Matthewwwwwwwww

2008-04-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

I'm so thankful that the Lord has allowed me to have children. I have learned so much from them about love and sacrifice--things I never really understood before they were in my life. It is a lot of work to take care of my babies but it has been beyond rewarding to see them grow and flourish. My new favorite thing A does is randomly sing praise songs loudly! She is not embaressed to be full of joy, or to loudly praise the Lord. It's such a good lesson for me. When I was reading Matthew today this verse struck me as true and appropriate for my life:

Matthew 21: 16b
"Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, You have perfected praise."

What a blessing to read His word.
What a joy to hear my girl praise His name and to know that my little one is praising His name with her coos and giggles.

Delicious Weight Watchers Recipe!

2008-04-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

Baked Beef Ziti

POINTS® Value: 5

Servings: 8

Preparation Time: 20 min

Cooking Time: 50 min

Level of Difficulty: Moderate

If you thought you couldn't indulge in your fattening favorites and still lose weight, you'll be thrilled to know that baked ziti is not a thing of the past. Our version gets rave reviews on our community boards.
Ingredients
12 oz uncooked ziti
1 tsp olive oil
2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1/3 pound raw lean ground beef
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up meat with a spoon as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes; drain off any fat and set pan back over medium heat.
Add oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper; stir to coat beef. Cook until herbs become fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spoon a small amount of beef-tomato mixture into bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover surface); top with half of cooked ziti. Next, layer with half of remaining beef-tomato sauce and half of mozzarella cheese. Layer with remaining ziti and then top with remaining beef-tomato sauce; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.

Tuesday

2008-04-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

Exercise: Let's call it a mile with the J.P.'s (and seriously, again I ask, how in the world can it be uphill BOTH ways?!?!)
and
Let's call it another mile walking to church and back to see Daddy

Breakfast:
raisin bran with milk 5 pts

Lunch:
1 c peppers/onions
3 o pork loin
1 tsp olive oil
bread with smidge butter/pbutter

7 pts

Dinner
Pasta Bake--deliciouso rec. from weight watchers 12 pts (for 2 servings)

24/36 points...i think that calls for desert....

Water: 24 ounces 3 times....um, anyone have a calculator?

Matthew 10-15

2008-04-22T11:27:00.001-07:00

Since I'm reading through the New Testament today's assignment was Matthew 10-15 and BOY, have I been convicted nearly beyond which my heart can bear.
I feel as though the correct way to serve God is unknown to me.
I feel like I've never seen it with my eyes and that I have no hope of ever living for God in a way that would honor Him.
Conviction is good.
It prods me to read and learn more.

Some points of interest that jumped off the page to me today:

The words of Christ:

Matthew: 12:36-37
But, I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.

I have no problem condemning others with my mouth, but am always too hesitant to use my words to edify, encourage and praise the Lord. I am overwhelmed at the thought of this.

Matthew 10:37
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Yeah...I totally live as though M, A and S are the Sun, Moon and Stars to me. I tell the Lord I love Him but do not live as if I do. I do not talk about Him as if I do. I do not spend time with Him as if I do.

I am so thankful for the privilege to read His word.
I fall so short of the mark.
May the Lord give me strength and courage to live in a way that honors Him. And, friend, if you are reading this, may you hold me accountable for my over-zealous tongue and my unloving heart.

Challenge with a side of donkey jaw bone

2008-04-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

So, the juniors at our church have challenged the congregation to read through the new testament in one month and you even get a t shirt designed by them as a prize for doing it, so I'm totally in! I'm excited that the youth came up with a challenge for us old folks....I called this post challenge with a side of donkey jaw bone b/c for some reason the man who announced the contest was using the examples of great warriors and what tools they used to defeat evil and he kept talking about Samson and how he "ripped a bloody donkey jawbone from a live donkey's mouth" to kill the Philistines with...that is one word picture that is going to stick with me forever! Yikes!

Monday and a tasty treat

2008-04-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Monday:
Exercise--2 miles with janet--woot!
1.5 miles with the babies and the husband! double woot!

Breakfast:
raisin bran 1 c 3 pts
milk 1/2 cup 2 pts

Lunch:
1 tsp olive oil 1 pt
3 o. chicken 3 pts
1 c peppers 0
onion 0
corn on the cob with 1 tsp butter 3 pts

dinner
breaded baked pork loin 8 pts
taters 6 pts

ice cream cone from mc d's 3 points

29/36 points
water 48 ou.

And now, for the good news!
Apparently, with my point allowance for each day I can eat 12 of these Mc Donald cones a day! Mm....I think that's my new diet plan...

Sisyphus Shelly

2008-04-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

ear infection baby is keeping me sleep free and fat
no will power
yawn, stretch, chug
i feel like i just keep rolling that darn boulder up the hill only to have to start all over again
just call me sisyphus shelly

Monday Back in the swing of things...

2008-04-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

1 mile walk with janet--woot!

breakfast: cin toast--2 slice

lunch: pb and j

dinner:
chicken, asparagus, olive oil, garlic and pasta
roll

1 cup milk

i'll put the points in later...m is calling

New Diet

2008-04-04T07:37:00.001-07:00

I call it the "Se(a) Food Diet"

Everything I Seeeee I Eattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt.

For real though, gonna get some groceries this weekend, start eating better on Monday and exercising now that my back doesn't hurt as much.

the end.

on again off again

2008-03-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

i'm off track.
i'll admit it.
i'm set to be back on monday when my back is healed and i can exercise again!
(i have been exercising up until this point but not eating perfectly).
the end.

Spring Has Sprung! A.K.A. Things I saw on my walk this afternoon

2008-03-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Friday and Saturday

2008-03-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Friday:

Exercise 1 mile walk

breakfast
cheerios and milk 3 pts

lunch
chick fil a 14 pts

dinner
chicken 10 pts
taters/gravy 4 pts

Saturday

Exercise
walk with m

breakfast (none)

lunch 2 slices pizza (must look up pts)
pepsi 2 pts
huge piece of my birthday cake (let's not talk about those points..)

dinner
too busy shopping with granny to eat! we LOVEEEEEEEEEE shopping with granny!

Wow Mom! All of that exercise wore me out!

2008-03-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Thursday

2008-03-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Exercise:
um...wrangling an angry toddler for 2 hours...other than that, none today. yesterday janet and i did 1 mile! woot

breakfast
eng muff with pb and j 4 pts

lunch
2 bites of amelie's lunch 2pts

dinner
pasta with sauce 7 pts
bread 2 pts
milk 8 pts

The Giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me. Reminding me of all the time's I've tried before and failed.

2008-03-11T05:56:00.001-07:00

I've been having a hard time keeping up with "it all" lately. My sickness last week threw me off course and now M's sleepless nights have wrecked my days and my A's no nap routine has wrecked my afternoon exercise/Bible study time. What's a girl to do? Moan and groan about it on my blog of course!

Things I've been doing well:
* exercising! yay me!! i only missed two days b/c of sickness.
* taking care of my babies
* keeping the house clean

Things I've not been doing terribly well:
* keeping up with Bible study
* I had three pepsi's this weekend. urgh. i have NO willpower when i'm sick and only the littlest amount of willpower when i'm well.

Well, at least now you know =-) Hopefully once M is well I'll get my nights back which means I can get up early in the morning to do my devotions and not be a zombie all day. And the A nap time thing? Sheesh, I think I need to get down on my knees and BEG that God would bless me with a napper until she's 19. In other news she IS going to bed earlier...

Yes I know...worst rambling ever.

Ha! they just both woke up at the exact time....oh man, here starts the day!

The End.

Ode to a Slow Jog

2008-03-08T06:07:00.001-08:00

Racing heart, heaving breath

Is that rain or is it sweat? On my brow.

Suddenly I'm flat on the ground!

My right boob just knocked me out.

Fin.

Thursday

2008-03-07T03:34:00.001-08:00

Exercise:
none--sick as a dog, laying on the couch all day. bleh. (i missedddddddddddd my walk with janet!)

breakfast
cheerios/milk 3 pts

lunch
tomato soup with red. fat crackers 6
fruit roll up

dinner
chicken 5
1/2 c rice 2
2 table gravy 1
1/2 stuffing 4
fruit roll up (not enough calories to fine a point value so we'll just combine the two i ate and call it 1 pt)

22 pts/35

Get along little doggy

2008-03-05T04:24:00.000-08:00

Alright, so I'm writing again. I took this weekend off because I figured it wouldn't do anyone any good to know that I was a bit indulgent this weekent. It was my birthday and so I celebrated with 3 days of chocolate pie for breakfast and my favorite chinese food. I did however, exercise most of those days so I don't feel too terribly guilty about it! I'll be back to writing today though =-)
p.s. Since the scale so bitterly disappointed me the first time I used it I am not going to use it for a while. I"m going to keep exercising and get back to it when I'm emotionally strong enough, ha!

Friday

2008-03-01T05:11:00.000-08:00

no exercise--I'm feeling the burn still after my freezing cold walk around the blocks thursday!

Breakfast:
Cheerios and Milk 4 points

Lunch:
Chick Fil A Kids Meal 14 pts

Dinner:
Pot Roast with Carrots and Taters: 14

Thursday

2008-02-28T16:28:00.000-08:00

Exercise--
Freezing cold power walk to church and back--about 1.5 miles. I even broke my own record of 30 seconds of jogging and jogged for 1 minute. yay!

Breakfast
eng muff with pb and j 4

Lunch
i have no idea what i ate for lunch....hmm.....

Dinner
Meatloaf 10
Baked Potato 3

Low fat ice cream

Tuesday/Wednesday

2008-02-28T05:09:00.000-08:00

I forgot to write down what I ate Tuesday but I did exercise--yay for me and Janet and our 1 mile loop--I say we make it 2 next week!

Weds.
Cheerios/Milk 4

Tomato Soup/Crackers 6

Red/Green Peppers 0
Whole Wheat Pasta 3
1 slice bread with pb 3
1/2 cup sauce 2

choc.cake 5
23

1 Peter 1 and What it means to me...

2008-02-27T11:54:00.000-08:00

I found a remarkable website with many versions of the Bible available to study online (here), I know there are others out there like this but I particularly appreciated that many versions of the Bible available to study.

I don't think I've ever really studied 1 Peter either at home, or in church, so it was very interesting to read this chapter over a few times and it's so perfect for my life right now I can't help but think that God set this chapter on Joanna's (a lady from my church who is starting a Bible study with some of my friends here) heart for me (not that it's just for me, but it seems very relevant to what I'm feeling these days)! I really liked the New International Version for this Chapter and I encourage you to read it on your own! Here is 1 Peter 1 in my words.

*1* From Peter, a student of Jesus Christ's. To God's elect living as strangers (foreigners, aliens) in the lands of Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.

*2* You were chosen at the beginning of time by God the Father to be santified by the Spirit for being obedient to Jesus Christ and being cleansed by His blood. Grace and Peace to you!

*3* Our Awesome God, who is the Father of Jesus, and is full of mercy, has allowed us to be reborn through Jesus who came back to life from the dead which allows us to live with hope of

*4* an inheritance--eternity in heaven--that will never fade away, is unchanging and remains perfect.

*5* we are kept safe by the power of God because of our faith in Christ, which led to our salvation--all of this will be revealed at the end of the earth

*6* You can greatly rejoice in the promise of Heaven even though you have been grieved by various trials.

*7* these trials test how genuine your faith is. Your faith is tested because it is much more precious than gold, which fades away, and even though your faith is tested by fire, when the testing is done it will bring glory to Christ.

*8*Even though you have not seen Jesus with your eyes you have loved Him. You can be full of inexpressible joy because you have faith in Him and His promises.

*9* This inexpressible joy will be full when you receive the salvation of your soul.

*10* The prophets of old searched diligently to figure out the meaning of this salvation and they foretold that this salvation would come

*11* these prophets served to testify beforehand that Christ would suffer and that glory would follow.

*12* The prophets who foretold of Christ did not get to experience Him first hand but instead shared what knowledge the Holy Spirit gave them. Even angels long to figure out these things!

*13* Since you have been entrusted with salvation you must live differently. Be sober, rest your hope fully on the rewards you will inherit when you see Christ

*14* be obedient and do not conform to the ways os this world like you did before you understood what Christ had done for you

*15* Be holy just as God is HOLY in everything you do!

*16* God says: BE HOLY AS I AM HOLY

*17* Be assured that God judgest us all in the same way--He is partial to no one--he judges according to each one's work so we ought to live each day in a way that pleases Him

*18* you were not redeemed with things that pass away like silver or gold,

*19* but with the precious blood of Christ--He was without sin and perfect in all His ways

*20* He was foretold before the foundation of the world but has just recently come to live on earth and sacrifice Himself for you

*21* you who have believed through HIM in GOD (who raised Christ from the dead and gave Him glory) know that your faith and hope are in GOD

*22* you have purified your soul by obeying the truth therefore, love one another intensely with a pure heart

*23* you are born again--not of flesh that passes away but through Christ who lives forever

*24* all flesh is as the grass and the glory of man is like the flower of the grass--the grass withers and the flower will die

*25* the Word of GOD endures forever.

Amen!

Oh that I had the faith that it would take to climb out of this boat I'm in...

2008-02-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

In my devotions I've been working on reading through the Bible and just started reading through 1st Peter as a group of friends is going to start studying that book. It always amazes me how much is packed into just a few verses of Scripture--I feel led to write 1 Peter Ch. 1 in my own words, maybe I'll post it here when through--I hope to get to it today.
I started this blog because I've really felt the need to change my life. God has given me so much and I am so comfortable and so unwilling to get to know Him better because I'm happy where I am. My goal is to be like Jesus--but what does that look like for a woman, a mother, in the year 2008? I don't really know.

Some of the things I want to start working on are:
* being kind, speaking the truth in love
* letting go of pride
* finding more moments to teach my children about the love of God
* encouraging my husband and praying for him and my children more
* praying more period
* reading His word more
* encouraging others
* reaching out to others and stepping out of my comfort/shy zone

And that's just the beginning. So friends, since you are reading this blog I'd like you to start holding me accountable. Remind me of these things when I start to gossip (oy--this one is gonna be hard!), remind me of these things when I look down on others, remind me of these things when I want to cast the first stone when my own life is so full of sin that it's weight is heavy on my shoulders. God has given me so much--it's time for me to start giving it back.

I'm praying that God would send me a role model--someone who lives this way and is older and has gone through the changes that I am starting. I wanna be more like Jesus and I would like to see with my own eyes what that looks like.

Monday

2008-02-25T15:15:00.001-08:00

Exercise
1 mile loop with friends!

Breakfast
eng muff with p and j 6 pts

Lunch
2 inch brownie (oops!) 5

Dinner
Chicken 7
Rice 3
1 tbl. gravy 1
1 roll 3

water:
20 ounces

pts 25/35

Neglect

2008-02-23T05:54:00.000-08:00

This poor blog has suffered from a bad case of neglect! I find I don't have quite the time to always keep up with 3 blogs =)

It's supposed to be warm this week so I'll definitely be out with my new stroller! A was begging me to take it out the day we got it but it was 24 degrees outside so I told her we must wait! Ha!

I can't wait for spring!

What's Today? Um...Wednesday

2008-02-20T15:10:00.000-08:00

Exercise
40 minutes DDR

Breakfast
Cheerios and Milk 3 pts

Lunch
Chick Fil A Kids Meal 13 pts

Dinner
Pasta with Sauce, 2 meatballs and bread with p.b. 18 pts

Water 32 ou.

In the beginning...

2008-02-19T04:46:00.000-08:00

I've decided along with my devotions to start re-reading the Word of God. It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how many times I read a passage that it is NEW to me. I always find something interesting that I haven't thought about before and it is good.
I read the story of Creation today and was so moved by the creation of man and man's first sin that I cried. I've never before read the Bible and felt the stories this way. I'm not sure why, I just wanted to share.

Also in my morning time with Beth I was struck by some verses in Isaiah 40 that particularly spoke to me:

Isaiah 40:27-28
Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel? "My way is hidden from the Lord and my just claim is passed over by my God." Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting GOd, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. There is no searching of His understanding.

I highlighted the part of verse 27 that speaks to me particularly--I have felt that way SO many times! Thinking to myself--Why oh WHY has God ignored my desires when I desire good things? Why does He not want me to have what I want? IT is good to remember that He is who He says He is and that He has heard me even if what I want is not what He does.

Amen! and p.s. I need a Bible with larger print--I'm blind as a bat!

Monday

2008-02-18T15:06:00.001-08:00

Exercise:
30 minute brisk walk with M

Breakfast
Eng Muff with pb and J 4 pts

Lunch
Boston Market 16 pts

Dinner
Applebees Side Salad/No dressing and Fajita 10 pts

Graham Crackers
4 pts

Day Off and It's Coming...

2008-02-16T18:40:00.001-08:00

I took today off. I am slightly burnt out from exercising 40-60 minutes almost every day, eating well and then after two weeks of this--not to mention two weeks of no drinks containing any calories (sob for chocolate milk and pepsi) I have only lost 1 pound. I don't even think that counts as weight loss. Big Bleh. I'm starting over tomorrow since I spent today in mourning (I ate well, but in protest at not losing much weight I'm not writing it down, so there!).

In other news....it's coming!

Friday

2008-02-16T05:42:00.000-08:00

Exercise
40 min. Mario DDR

Breakfast
Eng. Muff 4 pts

Lunch
CHick Fil A Happy Meal: 14 pts

Dinner
1/2 c rice 6 pts
spinach/cheese/carrot/beef wrap 4 pts
wheat roll 2 pts

Graham crackers 4 pts

Re-Test

2008-02-15T04:08:00.000-08:00

So, in my endeavor to be more honest and to share "true" things about myself I write this post...

This Bible study that I'm currently working on, Believing God, was one that I completed (mostly) at the end of 2006 (a.k.a. the worst year of my life). So, it's all already filled in and as I'm doing it I'm writing in the margins or on seperate paper. It has been REALLY interesting to read the things I wrote a little over a year ago. You see, when I started this study I was still supremely devestated from a very unexpected miscarriage that had happened in May (the study began in September). It was really difficult to accept that God planned that event for my life and so painful I didn't talk to anyone about it with the exception of God for a long time.

I had always had an abundance of faith in God--I believe He holds my life and this world in the palm of His hand and has a plan for each and every one of us--I would go so far as to say that I believe His plan involves the everyday things like--oops, I burnt my toast, or oops I stubbed my toe--I believe that He is in charge of everything and that nothing escapes His notice. Having my miscarriage was the first time in my life that I felt as if I had escaped His notice. I did A LOT of painful journaling and a lot of praying and searching and really believed that God wanted me to heal and I assumed the best way to accomplish this would be to work through this Bible study and I believed that He would give me another pregnancy before the first baby I lost was due (the first baby was due on Amelie's 2nd birthday 12/30/06).

So, I went through the Bible study, ready to change and willing God to grant my baby-wish. Near the end of the study I found out that I was pregnant! I was thrilled!!! I was pregnant right at the end of November JUST before the deadline that I had given God--so everything was working according to plan--my plan. God had other plans....

It was just a week or so later that I lost baby number 2 and I couldn't believe it. How could HE betray me like this? I believed He would give me another child! I believed He was in control--didn't He teach me enough through the first loss I experienced? Why would He take 2 babies from a woman who wanted them so much? It was the most difficult month of my life and now I would have to experience my first babies due date while still greiving the loss of the second.

I share all of this because I have a phobia--it's a faith phobia. Yes I still believe all those things about God being in control and I did learn A LOT through my miscarriages however I have become terrified of growth b/c it is so painful. I am going through this study again kicking and screaming because I can't bear to grow any more. I have always felt (wrongly) that growth MUST be painful--that I will have to lose something dear to me in order to grow--that God will take away something that is mine.

See the faulty logic? Well, I see it too and for the life of my I'm doing my best to get that fear out of my heart! I"m working on reminding myself that everything I have is from God--it is HIS. Everything that I go through and everything my babies or my husband go through are to His glory. Even the crappy stuff. I would share more but I am NO expert. Just walking through this journey and trying to get through each day a little more like Him--sometimes it's like 2 steps forward and 15 steps back.

I have a LOT of work to do....

Thursday

2008-02-14T17:15:00.001-08:00

Exercise...
um, does pushing buttons on my new Cricut count? cause um, my finger tips are like, sore....

Breakfast
Eng muffin with pb and jam 4 pts

Lunch
1 slice pizza 4 pts

Dinner
1 cup fried rice 8 pts
1 cup honey chicken 13 pts

Desert 12 pts
3 inch piece of chocolate cake...um, it IS valentine's day--and if you can't splurge on v-day when can you? (i mean, besides christmas, new years, thanksgiving, easter, your birthday, your anniversary, the 4th of july, martin luther king day...flag day....etc...)

41 out of 35 points...yikes...i guess we could call 6 of those points "flex" points but still--sheesh!

Wednesday

2008-02-13T16:29:00.001-08:00

Exercise:
Richard 30 minutes

Breakfast
eng muff p and j 4 pts
2 graham crackers 2 pts

Lunch
Chicken Snack Wrap 6 pts

Dinner
Pasta with Chicken and Asparagus and Garlic 9 pts

w.w. ice cream 2 pts

You've Heard it All Before

2008-02-13T04:48:00.000-08:00

You know when you've heard a Biblical truth over and over and over and over again growing up (believe me, between Christian school, Sunday school, Church, Christian College, Teaching in a Christian School I"ve heard a lot of the same things!) and it isn't until one day they REALLY click with you? Well, that happened to me this morning.

I was getting ready in the bathroom and thinking about the new light bulb I just put in--you see, we were down a lightbulb for a few weeks and everytime I looked in the mirror I thought, gee--i guess I don't need to pluck my eyebrows--they look great! OR gee, I guess I don't need to wax that unsightly lip hair b/c I'm hair free--HA! But then, this week I've had the lightbulb in and have found so many imperfections and hairssss to pluck (gross) and I realized that I had no idea what I looked like when the light wasn't shining as brightly. I was content to be in the dark and content to have a face full of imperfections b/c I couldn't see them. In the same way, now that I'm spending more time in the Word I can see MANY more areas that I need to work on my life--areas that I was content to let fester and rot without the blazing light of God's truth shined upon them.

As A says, "This little light of mine...I"m gonna let is SHINE!" I guess I just needed a bulb check! Isn't God's Word great? It's NEW everyday to me.

A Change Will Do Me Good

New Year New Goals

an open letter

This Isn't About You

Work In Progress

I just did...

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

*Merrr*-phy's Law

Freedom From Those Whirly Twirly Days

The Motto Of My Life

My New Favorite Verse (For Today Anyway)

Because God and 2 Peter Say So

What My Heart Is Trying To Tell My Stomach

Where does my help come from?

The Verse That Is Challenging Me Today

I get so emotional baby--every time I think of you...

Christian Evolutionists--Hear Me Roar!

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

Wah

My Jogging Partner is Cuter Than Yours

Long Time No See...

Jack Sprat's Wife....

Seen On My EARLY Morning Jaunt

Stream of Consciousness *slow* Jogging

For the sake of edification

Favoritism

Intrinsic Motivation....

Update

Thankful Thursday

Tuesday

i think...

Shelly Just...

It would be a whole lot easier to...

Sadness

A Simple Plan for a Heavenbound (wo)Man

Because I *Know* You Care

Revelations

Monday

This is why reading the Bible always makes me feel better.

wednesday

I'm in up to my neck here

Romans Road

Thursday

Goal Update

Wednesday

Yeah. My kids are totally destined for greatness.

Grace Extends to All: Read All About It!!!

Monday

My New Best Friend Is....

Interesting Verse and An Aside

Friday

Thursday

I'm going to write a book entitled: "Does my shadow make me look fat? And other important questions...."

Wednesday

Creaton Vs. Evolution

Tuesday

Today on my walk I saw...

Monday

Sunday

I want to eat this NOW!

On Your *MARK*! Get Set! Go!

Saturday

The End of Matthew....

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

Matthewwwwwwwww

Delicious Weight Watchers Recipe!

Tuesday

Matthew 10-15

Challenge with a side of donkey jaw bone

Monday and a tasty treat

Sisyphus Shelly

Monday Back in the swing of things...

New Diet

on again off again

Spring Has Sprung! A.K.A. Things I saw on my walk this afternoon

Friday and Saturday

Wow Mom! All of that exercise wore me out!

Thursday

Merrr-phy's Law

Stream of Consciousness slow Jogging

Because I Know You Care

On Your MARK! Get Set! Go!