On Turning 30

Sometimes it's hard for me to be comfortable when attention is directed at me for nearly any reason. Okay, so it's hard for me all the time. But this year I turned 30 and that's a big deal and so my family and friends celebrated with me at two different times. There's really no way to describe how much those events meant to me, but to all of those who were there or sent well wishes, THANK YOU!


So what do I say about turning 30?

BRING IT ON!!

This is week 12. I have been on a work out program for 11 weeks so far and this is week 12 for me. When I decided to start working out it was not necessarily for fantastic weight loss results. I have a problem with my right hip and I have Fibromyalgia and I had to do something about it. I didn't have energy to take my kids outside and when we did get outside I was too tired or in too much pain to push the swing or help them on the monkey bars. And the idea of going on a hike or on an outing of some sort was out of the question. That is not what I want my life to be like with my boys. So I prayed, God, I can't do this for the rest of my life. I have to do better, be better. I have to be able to have a good time with my kids. This is the age that I have been looking forward to with them and it is slipping out of my hands!  The doctors aren't helpful, they treat me like a hypochondriac so I'm going to have to do it independent of them, but I need your help. Oh God, I need your help. 

And then my mom gave me the perfect book (of course). It is by a woman who lost 200 pounds on her own. So following her recommendations and being committed in prayer, five days a week, rain or shine, feeling great or feeling crummy I work out for 30 minutes at home on a mini trampoline or I go to water aerobics for an hour. 

Eleven weeks later I can not only push the swing but I can do under-dogs. That would have been out of the question weeks ago. And last week I had a few extra kids for a while so we went to the playground. I pushed the merry go round. Let me say that again: I can do under-dogs and push the merry go round in the same day! - That is why I work out!

I debated whether to post this little testimony. It seems like every time I make my intentions for better health known to others they are thwarted by one thing or another. But I have to because the glory needs to go to God. I know He gives me the "oomph" to get up out of bed in the morning and get going on the trampoline, or to make the decision to take time for myself and go to water aerobics. He strengthens me in the moments when I react poorly to the stresses of life. He blesses me with a supportive family and network of friends. 

There is the added bonus of loosing 6 inches and about 5 pounds, but the greatest result is that I have less pain and more energy. Every day I work out, I feel good that day. I see daily results and I can daily give glory to The LORD for answering my desperate cry for help. My friend recently sent me this scripture and it is not only a wonderful encouragement but a fitting description of my feelings on this journey...

Psalm 121

1 "I look up to the hills, 

       but where does my help come from?

 2 My help comes from the Lord, 

       who made heaven and earth. 

 3 He will not let you be defeated. 

       He who guards you never sleeps. 

 4 He who guards Israel 

       never rests or sleeps.

 5 The Lord guards you. 

       The Lord is the shade that protects you from the sun.

 6 The sun cannot hurt you during the day, 

       and the moon cannot hurt you at night.

 7 The Lord will protect you from all dangers; 

       he will guard your life.

 8 The Lord will guard you as you come and go, 

       both now and forever."

Thank you LORD! 

The Scarlet Thread

If ever there was a woman who knows my heart on the deepest levels it is my mother. I have thought for a long time that my aunt Janie new me better than my mother but I know now that it is my mother who knows me best and my aunt because she shares a grandma rights with my mother and that they are best friends and talk about everything including me. 

My mom has recommended several books to me, all but two I have read, and all of the ones I have read I have been affected by. "The Scarlet Thread" is one of them. Francine Rivers writes the inner dialogue for her characters the way I hear my own inner dialogue (is that T.M.I.?) It is because of this I am inthralled with her books.

I'm not one for book reviews, but I will say that this book has influenced the way I think about my relationship with God and my husband. I find myself extremely grateful for both and desire to show them my gratitude. If you read this blog every once in a while or more then you probably know Logan too. He's not much for mushy stuff so I'll just have to send him out the door with his golf clubs to go hit a bucket-o-balls or not complain when he's watching grass grow- I mean watching golf. 

And if you are a spouse, will be or hope to be a spouse or know someone who is a spouse this is a great book to read. I found myself resisting the real life lessons that can be taken from this book and have spent some time in thought and prayer about them. Maybe I'll share that journey another time. 

I had the time to read while we were on vacation. I don't know how much time I'll have in the coming weeks, but I hope to read "First Light" by Thoene. Another book given to me by my mom. 

Love you MOM!!

Vacation Day 1

All Day/ All Zone MAX tickets: $8.00

Water from vending machine: $1.25

Waiting the better part of an hour to tour a Navy ship: Free

Watching the last 1/4 of the Rose Festival Parade: Free

Three Greasy Hot Dogs: $6.00

Two Balloon creations: $3.00

A day down on the water front with all my boys and without a care in the world: PRICELESS

And then...

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus my also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. "

II Corintians 4:8-11

Just when it seemed that life would be settling a little bit it throws a curve ball that you don't expect and you are left wondering what is next, where God is in it, or how you are supposed to behave in the midst of the change. Take heart, friends, the Lord of creation is still in control and He knows your needs. Petition Him on your knees and watch the mighty power of God move in your life. 

So after a few days of prep we had a yard sale on Friday evening and Saturday. It was pretty successful, and a break from the normal summer time jive that we have around here. It was good to thin out our belongings and make some more space in our little home, but I found myself strangely attached to things I don't logically need any more. When a woman bought our little umbrella stroller for three dollars I watched her strap her two year old daughter into it and walk away and I thought to myself, "She doesn't have any idea how many memories are sitting in that stroller." My mind flooded with trips to the mall, walks to the park, zoo excursions and even ways to transport the children on campus (and keep them contained). I saw our boys, little and barely walking, in it and remembered those times. - So I had a bit of sorrow... just a for a fleeting moment... and wished the woman and little girl well. They needed that stroller (and I don't any more) and they got a good deal on it.

We sold toys and a pack-n-play, books and bed sets all wrapped up with memories. And I realized that I had held on to those things so that I wouldn't forget the memories made with them. So instead of lamenting over things that I don't need I'll work on writing some memories down, of times and experiences, so that I don't feel like I've lost them.

Then on Sunday Logan and I went to the movies... but not together. He went first and then I went when he got home. He had the idea and I was glad of it. I like going to movies by myself with my own popcorn and soda... and a few Hot Tomales. And I love watching the movie without having to think about the person beside me. Logan understands this and so we were both blessed with a little time a lone. We even saw the same movie (Narnia: Prince Caspian) which we then talked about after I got home. :) It was great!

I sacrificed a bit of time to do that though... there are a lot of things I need to get done. I thought the time of the "Don't Panic List" was over, but I will have to get it out again. And perhaps it is time to re-evaluate my time commitments again.

And I have begun strength training on top of my daily work outs. This is week 9. I have not lost any pounds yet but I have lost 3.75 inches. That is enough to boost my ambitions and maybe start counting calories. That's not supposed to be until the next phase of the book I'm reading ("Never Say Diet" by Chantel Hobbs) but we'll see. - The best part about it is that I feel better daily and that is worth every minute and every inch. 

So there's a short update. Next week we are on vacation and I am looking forward to it A LOT! We will be unplugged and unavailable to most people in the world. Before that I have a lot to get done. I think by the time we get to vacation I will be exhausted... the good kind where you feel like you have accomplished much.