Got up to watch the sunrise this morning while I drank my coffee, nice view out of our living room window. I remembered the sunrise services that I went to when I was younger and lived in warmer parts of the country. I could hear the hymns and was singing in my mind!

Then got to work to get ready for company.

Went to church and smiled at the little girls all dressed up in their Easter finery. Brought back memories of the patent leather shoes and lacy bonnets mom used to make us wear...who knows how she got all six of us ready to go and out the door, with a crazy group picture of some sort. Sang and cried at the beautiful music.

Easter is my favorite day! It brings with it a message of hope and new life.

Had a great on plan day blended with grandchildren hunting for Easter eggs, family visits, and the calm at the end of the day of knowing that everyone is safe... I am so thankful for everything. :hug: Bethz

:wave: Had a perfectly lovely and sunny EASTER SUNDAY!!! We went out to my aunt and uncles for a nice turkey dinner. The drive out there and back was very enjoyable; it was a good day, except DH's priest came down ill at the last minute and they had to cancel the Easter service.

He was disappointed becuz we live way out in the country, so it was too late to try to go to one in town; as they all had already started and would have been over by the time we got there. His priest is on our special prayer list this week, for sure ...

I saw another fox up-close today, having something to eat; he was a very handsome one (that's three now that I've seen in the last month). Tried to get a picture, but it was too quick. Watched some figure skating this aft. We got home pretty late; time to go get ready for bed. Take good care all; your fellow encourager :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ continue for all ...

Thank you for the warm welcomes. It's been a few days since I've checked and am behind in responding but have been thinking about this thread and excited about being encouraged from a faith perspective. I am thankful that I am never alone in this life as I know that Christ is by my side the entire way. Unfortunately, my listening ear isn't always turned in his direction but he always finds away to force it back. I am humbled.

Just - no hard feelings. At first I wondered how my message might have been interpreted as funny but then I reread what I wrote and I can see how it could be perceived in that way. But, my intention was serious at the time. Thanks for the apology and for tapping into my blog. It's a journey for sure.

Counting Down and Shy - thanks for the friendly welcome. I look forward to getting to know you and everyone else here.

So, for a very very very long time I have been on the downward swing with my weightloss efforts. Mostly because I'm tired of being overweight. I'm tired of my weight being a problem as it has been for so much of my life. I started to feel like "what's the point... I've failed at this everytime".

For Lent I gave up movie watching in the movie theatres because I'd gotten to a point where I was starting to go to the movies to avoid life and I know that is not what God desires for me. So, I gave it up for Lent and stayed commited. I was surprised to find how easy it was to give it up. At first, there were a lot of temptations with commercials, friends, and passing by the theatre on Friday evenings with no plans ahead in the evening (I'm single so when I have no plans I really have no plans). But, it got easier. Part of my goal for giving it up was to see how I could fill up my "movie watching" time with other activities and embrace life more. So, after some uncomfortable evenings of being alone and being reminded how alone I am (as a single woman in her 30's wishing she were married with a family... God's timing... just wish He would move a little faster) I always managed to find other things to do and sometimes it just meant a quiet night at home doing other stuff. So, being that today was Easter, I have successfully made it through Lent without stepping foot in a theatre. I've enjoyed the process so much I may extend my fasting.

I mention this because it inspired me to do something else. Give up sweets/processed sugar. I've been turning to sugar as a means of comfort and stress relief but really it only has adverse results. I usually end up feeling horrible about myself, bloated, lethargic, etc. So, after my pastor's sermon on giving up something (he came in late on the whole Lent idea since it's usually more of a Catholic upheld tradition, I think) I decided to fast from sugar as well. I have cut it out completely the last 12 days and let me tell you the food table at church this morning was a test. A BIG TEST to see if I could really stay away. I did. My goal was to do it for 14 days and I'm almost there but I think I'm going to extend it and see how long I can go without processed sweets. Eventually, I would like to get to a point where I can have a bit and it not be a trigger to eat more than what is satisfying.

Phew... I didn't mean to go and on and on... just wanted to share what's on my plate this past week.

Hi there!
 

Wow! Time flys- been so busy a quick stop trying to catch up..
Rosebud- sorry to hear about sweetie- Prayers for you and family- Great news about uncle tom continued prayers
Counting- so glad trip to chicago went well!!
Shy- Prayers for the muscle pain, hope your soon feeling much better.
Karen- Prayers for dad, so glad surgery went well!
Eltigre- Prayers for thyroid issue/ and for migraines- that your soon feeling great!
Welcome to all the newbies!
Nice to hear from E.z. again! and Wilma- looks like your op.. Just a short note tonight try to pop back in soon, glad all had a great Easter, Praise the Lord. God Bless! Dinner's calling. P.S. have to agree w/ shy Icecream is one of the daily food groups. God bless!!

doit
Thanks, doc said it was what she thought. I pulled wrong or turned wrong or something during resistance training. Pain is all gone.

Jul
About messages. This is how I always take things. If it can be taken two ways, one will hurt my feelings and one won't. I take it the way that won't. Must be from being married forever. You know how men are, here is an example. From my son, darn mom your butt isn't as big as it use to be. Now, I know he was saying something nice. I would have rather heard, mom you are looking much smaller, COME ON GET SERIOUS he is a male and that would never come out of his mouth lol. My but looks smaller was as close as he is ever going to get lol.

Just
Doc was pretty happy said I must have moved wrong during Resistance training as pain is gone now.

Wilma
Nice going.


Eltig
Nice going on the weight loss. Nice idea, what we are doing is setting up a plan for life. Not just until we reach goal. You are so close to yours. Eating healthy is always the answer and will always be what we should strive for.


Karen
Hope things go well. Will keep you and yours in my prayers.

Rosebud
Now why doesn't that sound like you meant it lolol.

Shy - glad you are feeling better :)

Julz - sounds like you are doing great! Giving up things one at a time is a great way to go. Processed sugar is a major problem for me too. Giving it up was very beneficial to my health AND my weight loss. Hang in there. I remember when I first started, I knew it would take at least a year to take off the weight. But, now, almost 9 months later - I am very glad I started when I did. God has a way of making the journey rewarding when we are faithful :)

eltigre - way to go staying on plan. I love WATP videos too. DH and I did the 3 mile super challenge for Easter :) I love it when he works out with me!

Sue - glad to see you back - you were missed!

Rosebud - foxes - how fun! I don't think I've seen a fox up close in the wild. In zoos, but that's it.

Beth - I love sunrise services too. We haven't had one for a few years. But we dim the lights, and create the effect which is kinda cool too!

We are expecting a snowstorm tomorrow :( I am really tired of snow. I'm counting the days until spring break. Tennessee - here we come - the dogwoods and Bradford pears are in bloom :D

Blessings to all - and prayers ascending :)

:wel3fc: TO ALL THE NEWBIES ~ this is a wonderful group of very friendly Christian folks; you will find lots of support and encouragement here.


We had another lovely, sunny day yesterday; but today we are having a fluffy, snowstorm. The birdies have been coming in droves today; stocking up I imagine ~ LOL! Just doing the usual daily chores and laundry as usual. We are having roast chicken with turnips, carrots, and probably new potatoes (just a small one though).

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend; and hope you have a great week. I was gonna wish everyone a Happy first week of Spring, but it doesn't really look like spring out there right now. Take good care, your fellow encourager :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ continue for you and yours ...

Dee
Welcome welcome. Pull up a chair and tell someone to shove over. There is always room for one more at God's table.

Good evening everyone. I have finally made it over here to see what all has been going on! Tonight I made turkey chili and it was wonderful!

Uncle Bill is having to stay with us for about 2 weeks. He got out of the hospital yesterday and is healing very well from his surgery. Thank you for all of your prayers.

Work is work and i'm ready for a vacation.

BL comes on in an hour, i think i'm going to go veg on the couch for the rest of the night.

:cb: Lauren :cb:

eltigre - congrats on the new pants! It feels GREAT doesn't it?

Dee - :welcome2: I look forward to getting to know you. And yes - this journey is so much easier when God walks with us :D

Rosebud - be glad it was fluffy. Ours was wet, heavy, yucky snow. It was awful to shovel!!!! At least it was good exercise ;)

Lauren - I'm with you on looking forward to vacation. We leave on Saturday :D Prayers continuing for your uncle and your family.

Long day today - had to work a 14 hour shift :( It happens about 4 times a year. But, I will take off early on Friday so we can get to Grand Rapids in time for supper. With a 6:00 a.m. flight, I like eating early and tucking myself into bed by 9.

I hope you all had a POP day! Blessings to all, and prayers continuing :D

elt
Nice going on the clothes and sound like you have been busy. We just don't think about how much smaller we are do we. I went out and got me a new Cav's shirt. I just never thought about it, got an XL. Tossed it into the washer and dryer and put it on. Oh my gosh it is huge on me lol. Now mind you, it looks like a very large XL but darn I was tickled and disappointed at the same time lol.

Counting
Oh 14 hour day. How are you feeling, how is the knee? That has to be rough 14 hours and a knee that isn't feeling to well.

counting - thanks! where are you going for vacation? i don't have one planned for a very long time. might be another cruise in december. 14 days sure are hard.

Last day before I go hardcore dieting! I am starting TOPS tomorrow with my DH and we aren't following a diet right now.

Today is BEAUTIFUL!!! i'm so looking forward to more warmer days! :D

:cb: Lauren :cb:

Hi all! My weight stayed the same this week. I'm thankful for not gaining!! After a stressful week last week and a family gathering on the weekend I stayed pretty much OP. That's a new one for me because I do eat because of stress or think I deserve something gooey because I'm feeling bad.

I appreciated all your prayers. Things are a bit better but it'll be ongoing for a while so I do appreciate your prayer support.

Shy - the knee is doing OK. all of my workouts with Leslie have really helped, and it is recovering quickly :D

I did the full Zumba video tonight - whew - it was really challenging! But it WAS a lot of fun :D

We are heading to the Knoxville (TN) area to see my Mom and step-father (and brother and family as well). SF has not been well this winter, so we are anxious to get down and see everyone. HOPEFULLY, we will be able to do some hiking in the Smokies :D We will definitely be able to get in some walking in the spring weather. I can't wait. More snow is predicted Friday :(

Lauren - I've never done a cruise. I'm not sure I could handle all of the buffet tables - LOL

Wilma - prayers continuing. I really think stress wreaks havoc on my weight loss. Even if I DO stay on plan - the cortisol in my system really hampers progress. Meditation, prayer, devotions, Bible reading, yoga, exercise - all help me relieve stress and are really helpful for keeping that scale moving! Prayers continuing for you!

eltigre - next time, get the mediums. You will get used to clothes that fit. It takes a while, but it does happen. :)

Shy - That Cavs shirt is a good reminder about how far you have come. Keep it handy and smile every time you wear it!

Blessings to all and prayers ascending :)