One of the Ahh Haa moments

So, I just finished Redeeming Love and I honestly couldn't put it down.  One of the most absolutely moving passionate love stories I've ever read.  It was the epilogue though that got me.  Most people remember when they got saved.  I do to.  For some it's a life changing experience and for others, they don't feel any different at all.  I recall, I was excited & happy.  I was young, about 5th grade.  I'm not really sure I knew exactly what I was doing or why.  The author of this books talks about "growing into her salvation".  THAT'S ME!!  I've always been a believer for as long as I can remember.  I was raised that way thanks to my grandparents.  But I didn't truly understand what that meant for many many many years.  It's taken me so long to get to know God and I know that I will forever remain on that journey for as long as I live.  So maybe it's better stated, learning to walk in relationship with him.  Sometimes it is a winding road and sometimes it's just hills and valleys.  Knowing about a Savior and knowing your Savior are entirely different things.  I feel like becoming a christian was a process for me..........I grew into it.  It didn't just happen, a seed was planted and took many years to grow.  I'm so thankful I have a patient Father, one who loves me just as I am.  I'm saved for eternity, but what is especially wonderful is knowing that while I'm here on this earth I will never walk alone and every single day is another opportunity for my relationship to deepen and grow and an opportunity for me to show HIS light to others through my life, my choices and my love. 
So......I didn't just get saved, but I've grown into my salvation and what a blessing that has been.
ONE of the BEST books I've ever read.

Does anyone else feel FAT?

Get out of my gym boys!!  Time to get my workout on!!

 

UUUGGGHHH!!  Why does this always happen???  Your doing good, moving right along, on track and then WHAM!!  the freight train hits you!!  Like a ton of brick fudge!!  You tell yourself, this year will be different.  I will not eat the cookies!!  I will exercise every day (which of course in my mind gives me permission to sample, I mean come on, I worked out, I deserve a taste, right?) and I will stay on track. HA!!  So exactly when do the wheels fall off the bus?  Is it Thanksgiving or Christmas........wait, just when your mind is ready to jump on the treadmill again.... BAM!!  New YEARS comes!!  Followed by the Superbowl, Followed by Valentines!!  I'm sure there is a birthday, anniversary thrown in there too for good measure.  Grrrr.......I'm convinced that only the strong survive this, and it totally stinks that I'm not one of them!!  I tried, I really tried, but then fell ill.  Nothing worse than feeling ill during the Holidays.  But hmm......not too ill not to eat goodies!!  Only the lucky ones get the stomach flu during the Holidays!!  Ha!  Just kidding but there is truth in the mix somewhere, you know it.  So what to do what to do????
I think I'm gonna start with a Shakeology Cleanse!  Last time I lost 8 pounds in three days.  I love Shakeology.  It's so yummy and I never feel hungry, actually, it's tough drinking the three shakes a day required during the 3 days of the cleanse. Then it's back to the gym (my own of course because right now, I'm sure the Y's are packed out to the max).  I will start slow, maybe with some old school Turbo Jam and work my way into the fire!!  The calorie burning fire that is!!  Time to reboot, recharge and get er done!!
I know I'm not alone in this battle, so hit me up if your ready to make some changes.  Everyone needs a support system and cheerleader!!

2010

How can anything that hurt so much, turn out to be so good?  Well, that's how God works.  While He did not create the hurt or pain, He most definitely will use it for the good. 2010 will be a year I will NEVER forget.  It took me to places I never imagined, both good and bad.  Lot's of people put their business out there for everyone to see, however, I've always felt that one should not air their dirty laundry because there really isn't a market for it.  There are those who love to just watch others in pain and follow them to see what they are gonna do.  No real concern for them, just onlookers and busybodies.  Only my most intimate friends are ever let into my pain, trials or low times.  Those I trust.  For me 2010 was a year of perspective.  God chose to use some very painful circumstances to show me His position in my life was misplaced.  It hurt deeply.  He took me to a point where I had no choice but to put HIM in proper position in my life.  And how amazing that experience was.  While the pain was overwhelming at the time, the very moment the position shifted, the weight of the world came off my shoulders and my whole life changed.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though this year brought me to the overwhelming pain threshold of my heart, God seized the opportunity to do something for me that changed my life and has allowed me to know HIM in such an intimate way that the Joy it has brought to me has actually surmounted the pain.  Rest and Peace and a knowledge of the depth of HIS love has freed me in ways I never understood before.  I share this because I know that I put people off with my Joy in the Lord.  I'm not a perfect person or even a perfect Christian, but when I share my faith with others, it is because I know personally what the Lord can do and what Joy if can fill you with.  I can't help but share.  It's like impossible for me not to tell.  I don't apologize.  Because if you knew what I know, you would do the same!!  Not a single doubt in my mind.  My heart breaks for those who don't know the Savior or the depths at which he loves them.  I'm thankful for my trials, my storms, my roller coaster.  I know now that God will use every single valley I walk through for HIS Glory, for my teaching, to rebuke me and correct me so that I can know HIM better.  He truly is an amazing Father.  His loving gentle hand knows exactly what you need, when you need it and how to move you in the right direction.  So....while yes, Jesus is the reason for the season, I'm here to declare from my heart that Jesus is the reason for EVERY SEASON in your life.  He will never leave or forsake you!!  This I KNOW.

His Sufficiency

I AM TEACHING YOU THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION.  This secret is all about ME - who I am and what I offer you.  I am your Creator and King, your Savior and Shepherd.  I offer you Myself in all My Power and Glory.  I am the only One who can empower you to find contentment in all circumstances.

I have promised to supply all your need according to My riches in Glory.  The greater your need, the more I invite you into the mysterious depths of My Being.  Intimacy with Me gives you strength; it also fills you with transcendent Joy.

Some of My followers are comfortable with being in need but struggle with having plenty.  When I supply abundantly, they feel unworthy - even guilty.  How this grieves Me!  Imagine a wealthy parent giving a desired expensive gift to his beloved child.  The expected response would be pleasure and gratitude.  If instead the child felt unworthy of this extravagant gift, the generous parent would feel deeply disappointed and hurt.  That is how I feel when My children balk at receiving abundance from Me.  My infinite riches and generous Love.  Do not expect to understand My ways with you.  Remember that My ways and thoughts are higher than yours-as the heavens are higher than the earth.

Taken from Jesus Lives by Sarah Young

Crazy how God has an answer for everything.  I was just debating this dilemma with a family member the other day.  It seems to me when you walk with Christ your riches take on a different meaning.  It becomes more about abundance in grace and mercy and goodness rather than material items.  That often makes it difficult to take pleasure in material abundance because we KNOW we are not worthy.  However, our Father loves giving us gifts of ALL kinds, including material items.  After all his wealth is beyond our understanding.  Learning to accept these gifts with gratitude and enjoyment is his desire for us.  We will do good to remember these things.  

Isaiah 55:8-9 

Oh me, Oh my!!

Can I just say that's it's been YEARS since I've been in a Denny's restaurant.  And even more year since I've been in one later than 8pm!!  So Yeah, we are on the road this weekend to a swim meet, two actually and we encounter some minor problems.  Okay, so they were major problems but we weren't totally down for the count.  Our headlights went out!!  Yeppers, nothing like trying to drive a huge truck in the dark with no lights.  Actually we could have headlights if we held in the blinker signal and switched them to high beam.  So that took some really mastery driving on our behalf.  Ever tried to drive a huge truck, in KC, holding your lights on with your blinker switches?  Forget signaling, it was dark!!  Back to Denny's, anyway, we needed dinner and since out hotel was next to Dennys and we had no head lights to drive with......by default, we ended up eating at Denny's between 9 and 10 pm.  The place was almost empty.  So empty in fact they had to make my coffee fresh, thank goodness......anyway, three people walk in the door.  Two guys and a woman.  A woman with a wig to beat all wigs.  It was coal jet black and long and tosseled and there was no denying it was a wig.  I wondered out loud about how much that wig cost.  Yes, that wasn't a nice thing to wonder but hey, i'm being honest here.  Anyway, they get seated a booth away from us behind me and for the first time Lori and Tina get to check out the wig.  So....sitting there eating and all of a sudden Lori and Tina crack up laughing so much I thought food would come out there noses!!  I'm like, what, WHAT< WHAT!!!  They were laughing so hard they couldn't tell me why!!  I patiently waited for them to calm down.....about 10 minutes later!!  Then Tina proceeded to show me what they were laughing at because I couldn't just turn around!!  She scratched her head to one side and let me know that this woman had scratched her head from top the side and the whole wig moved!! Back and forth!  Back and forth!  I can't even imagine the sight that was, because just seeing the wig on straight was enough to crack you up.  Anyway....stay away from Dennys after 8pm.  Or prepare yourself for what you might see.  It takes all kinds I guess. Oh yeah!!  And stay away from LaQuintas that are near truck stops!! Not good!! 

Wondering where the other sock goes?

Ugggg!!!!!  No matter how hard I try, my dryer eats socks!!!  Now I know I'm not the only one out there whose dryers eat socks too!!  I'm convinced it's the staple of their diet.  I put two in and only one comes out!!  Really? So....this doesn't happen every time because believe me, I Stand Guard over my socks, but the moment I put my guard down, poof! there one goes!!  So.....Where do they go?  Please post your theories as to the disappearance of socks in the dryer.  I would love to have some answers!!

Thought for the day

Visitation or Habitation?

The Lord's desire is not a visitation; rather, He seeks a habitation.

I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people (2 Cor. 6:16 nkjv)

Are you a visitor or do you reside in habitation?

Are you there or are you present?

God is moving

Have you ever known "something" but not know what it is ?  There is something in the atmosphere.  Something different but you can't put your finger on it?  Or.....new people are brought into your life from random places.  Things just seem to ebb and flow differently all around you.  Opportunities come forward and your like, really?  are you serious?  Or you find yourself saying things like never in a million years would I have imagined this.  Or your comfort zone gets shook.  You don't quite understand why what used to be okay is not really okay anymore.  God is not a God of confusion but I believe that when he moves it will cause you to seek him for understanding and direction even more.  God is moving.  I know it, I feel it, I don't understand it but I'm excited!!  What does he have for me?  What does he have for us? How will he stretch us this time, what will he ask of us, where will he place us?  How will he make the old new?  Not really spending a ton of time wondering, just knowing and waiting and listening and praying for discernment. Excited!!  Because whatever he brings us to, he will bring us through.  Maybe we are going to need our seat belts for this one!! :-)  Only God knows!!

Stop.......breathe

What an amazing weekend and Holiday that blessed us.  We so missed Kori.   Kyle is back at UNLV, kids are back to school.  Tree is up, and I might say that it is a lovely tree indeed.  My boys definitely questioned why we weren't using our old decorations, but understood my desire for preserving them to some day pass on to them.  I must admit, it's different looking at our new tree.  But a good different.  I had to just sit and stare at it in the dark after putting it up last night and just thank God for all he has done for our family.  We are truly blessed.  Shannon got to go help minister yesterday, the Chiefs won, and we got a new tree put up and we got to see Kyle play in his worship band at his church!   Plus!!!!!........everyone ate leftovers!! Ha!  I now have room in the fridge!!  How great a day was that!!  Ohhh.......I so love appreciating God in the everydayness of our lives.  OK, I know that's not a word but I'm making it one today!! :)  So....stop.....breathe.......and take in all HE has done, appreciate HIM in EVERYTHING!!  Even the leftovers, because HE is an amazing provider!! :)



This week is going to be crazy for me at work.  Feel free to drop some prayer lines on my behalf!!  Boys HS swimming begins, and we have two Level II events on the books for this weekend!!  Still waiting patiently for God to bring me someone who would love to be apart of this business.  We have two meetings on Tuesday and an EVENT on Thursday!!  Crazy huh?  Looking forward to NEXT Monday!! ha! 

Just sayin

To the lady driving next to me today........please don't apply your mascara while driving!!  You scare me!  There are two lanes and your weaving into mine!!  And to the person behind me in the parking lot......I was backing up because it was full!!!  Full = no more spaces.....dead end zone.......gotta back up......  So thankful I have a small car that has a great turn radius so I could flip a U and get out!!   Just sayin........

It's Official!!

So today it's official, at least in my opinion.  The official first day of the Christmas Season.  Some would say that's it's black friday but that's just a hoopla mass media retail frenzy day, to me at least.  I'm excited about this Christmas season.  It seems like every year I can appreciate it more than the previous one.  I know that it's because I strive to continue my growth in Christ so as I learn to know Him better, my appreciation deepens.

This will be the first Christmas in our new home!!  So.....I've decided to do some other things new too!  I've decided to put some things of old that I dearly love to rest (for a while at least) and bring in some new.  Every single year for as long as I can remember (with the exception of our silver foil tree as a child) we have decorated our tree with handmade ornaments made by my amazing grandmother and grandfather.  They are precious to us all, especially since they both passed some time ago.  Every year our tree reminds me of their love for us.  They were truly amazing influential people in my life who produced the fruit that allowed me to know my savior.  Words could never express how their prayers covered my life nor how amazing they were in my sight.  Anyway, this year we are going to start a new tradition for our tree.  I have no idea what it's going to be, but it's time.  I believe that as my boys get older and begin their own lives, I will begin gifting the ornaments to them so that they may always have a piece of what has blessed me for so long.  Looking forward with anticipation and some sadness to our new decorations!!

 

Switching gears......hit the treadmill this morning and logged 3 miles!  Felt good.  I've been fighting off some gunk, it's the kinda thing that doesn't put you down but is present just enough to make you feel like yuck.  So far so good, it hasn't gone full blown so I'm winning!!  But it has made me feel just bad enough not to work out as much and that makes me feel even worse.  So easy does it for me.......but I refuse to let it keep me down any longer!!  

The day after

Does anyone one else feel fat today?  Not that I feel totally tub-o but....just saying.  I purposely wore clothes that fit yesterday to remind me not to over eat.  I think I did pretty good.  The spread was HUGE!!  The limit was a small sampling of everything, which of course added up to ENOUGH.  My limit was two deviled eggs and ohhhh was that one tough!  Patting myself on the back here......my deviled eggs kinda ROCK so it's so hard not to totally scarf.  Now if I can just keep away from them until their gone!!  Bad thing good is that I have to go to work today so access denied!! ha!  Looking forward to getting back on track with my workouts!!  Thinking it is Chalene Extreme/Turbo Fire/Treadmill/Swim kinda season.  Ohhhh, I can't decide because I love them all!!  Also wondering who I will give the gift of fitness to this season!!  Gotta pay it forward you know!! So.....hi ho hi ho, it's off to work I go.  I'm sure SOMEONE needs a swim suit today!! 

Good Morning THANKSGIVING!!

Turkey, stuffing and pie oh my!!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  May today greet you with joy, abundance, and thankfulness in your heart.  There isn't enough time in this day to list all that I'm thankful for, so I'll just say this.  He paid a debt He did not owe
I owed a debt I could not pay
Amazing Grace~ and for that I stand THANKFUL today and always!

Abundantly Blessed, Present, and Loved
LaDonna

I will rejoice and be glad

This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!!  The enemy will take NO residence upon me today!!  I claim a joy so deep that it causes me to weep before the Lord!!  OH MY!!  I absolutely love love love love worshiping God!!  It places me right into HIS arms.  I can let the tears flow without even knowing where they come from.  Being in His presence is so amazing!!  My mind can honestly not even conceive of his greatness.  My heart breaks for the lost.  My heart breaks for all those who don't know what I know or who choose not to believe.  His love is so great like no other and His mercy unstoppable.  Today I will stand in the gap and cry out names before the Lord!!  Why must they be so stubborn Lord?  In the depths of their souls they know, there is a feeling that something is missing, there is a great mystery, there is a searching taking place Lord.  Seeds have been planted, shower them with rain like none other!! Surround them with your greatness! 

Oh yeah!!  Did I mention that I'm a Jesus Freak!! :-)
I'm not a church freak, or a religion freak, just a Jesus freak.


It's okay, I try not to go deep on this blog but sometimes I can't help it!!  If you knew my story, you might understand......but we ALL have a story don't we?  We all have gone through stuff.  We have all fallen, stumbled, sinned, and are broken.  That's why I'm so thankful, for all He has brought me through because I"M STILL HERE!!

Well, I have a bird calling my name........I'm going to actually try some new seasonings this year.  Okay okay, I will admit I've never seasoned my turkey before, it always tasted good!  BUT.....I tasted some seasoned turkey last year at church and OH MY!  It was yummy!!  Funny how you never really know what your missing until you try something new!  I want to learn to make my turkey taste like that, so wish me luck! 

So much to say..........

Yeah, like everyone wants to hear what I have to say!!  Of course you do....you just don't know it yet!! ha!  Hey, it's okay, sometimes I don't even want to hear what I have to say!!  Yet still I speak.  I am woman, hear me.  Notice I didn't say, I am woman hear me roar.  With age comes wisdom and I am now wise enough to know that while a ROAR may get attention, it's the sweet whispers that gain listeners.  So let me sweetly whisper in your ear so that you will hear me. :)  I'm just another one of God's amazingly beautiful women whom he designed to be in relationship.  Relationship means to relate, so yes, we talk!!  It's okay and I fully embrace it and of course I give all you women out there that same grace to speak.  After all, we do it so well. ;-)
I'm excited!!  So excited!! Wow, what an amazing season I am walking in!  Looking back....wow~ what a huge storm I walked through to get here!!  Yeah, unfortunately, they usually go hand in hand.  Isn't it interesting the seasons of our lives?  Hmmm.......I dwell on that thought often.  Sit in amazement.
Anyway...trying not to get all deep here, I'm excited for the Holidays.  Thanksgiving is actually my Favorite holiday.  It embodies everything a Holiday should.  Thankfulness, Family, Friends, Fellowship, and Food!!  Some things about me you may not know.....I don't really enjoy cooking, but I've totally convinced my family that when begged enough, I can do it and they love it!!  All good moms know how to do this.  So they are convinced I can actually cook and that's it good!  he he  However, I do LOVE to bake, but rarely do it anymore. :(  Back to seasons.....remember that nesting season?  The one where you just loved totally being a mom, and cooking and baking and taxi driving and living totally for your kids and for those of you blessed enough to have anything left at the end of the day....your husbands?  Those were my baking years and I sooo miss them!  Shhh....don't tell my kids I'm no longer in that season!!  I work hard to convince them it's all about them.! :)  I feel like maybe God is getting ready to move me into a nesting phase again!!  OH MY!!  There go my THIGHS!!  While I've gained strength in so many areas of my life, the "Just Say NO" to my amazing chocolate chip pecan cookies has weekend with age!!  I find every justification to say to self: "It's okay to eat more than one.....you have a gym downstairs and you can go workout!!......don't worry, you can always do a shakeology clense next week and lose 8 pounds!!......if I eat them till there gone, i won't have to worry about them anymore!!  Speak up now!!  Don't leave me hanging here!!  Like I'm the only one out here in cyber space with all my justifications!!  It's okay.....I'll be alright.  I've got a coach that will kick my butt right on out of that nesting season that's sooooo calling my name!!   My excitement remains for my Favorite holiday.   And yeah......I WILL WORKOUT!!  I WILL HOLD MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE!!  the day after!!  he he!! 

Here's to a new thing

Who am I and what am I doing here??? A good friend of mine suggested that I start blogging! Okay, okay, okay, she has suggested this many times actually and I'm just now listening. Grrrr......Not because I'm some amazing writer or anything but because I guess I'm ready to step outside of the box and try something new. So if you've linked to me via facebook, you probably already know me or are in some way related to me. If you've linked to me via twitter, well then, Hello.....nice to finally meet you!!
So why am I here? What do I do with this thing? *me pondering* Well I guess I"m here to create a brand. A brand you will want to read and follow and interact with. Meet new people, network opportunities, learn new things, and become part of the social media movement. After all......everyone says social media is where it's at....so I guess I'm here to give it a try and get me some too!! :) So what brand will I create? Well only the BEST ONE POSSIBLE for me of course. That would be a brand called ME!! After all, I've cornered the market on me, no one else has it but me, no one else can market me but ME!! So....with that being said, hang on because those of you who just thought you knew ME, are going to be amazed and confused!! he he, just kidding....maybe.....you never know what will come out when the finger do the talking!!
So..come join me on my journey to the top!! (if you dare) I've always heard there's plenty of room up there, so your all welcome to join me. I'll even give you a hand if you ask. ;-)