Hi Gals ~

Just taking in some baseball and NASCAR on TV while I check in here.

Had a great church service. I also took about 100 magazines...my Guideposts, Rachael Ray and Cooking Light, and Angies Redbook, Good Housekeeping and Family Circle along with some yoga, and my son's ESPN and christian sports mags from the past year and a half....I put a blurb in the bulletin to bring your old magazines and drop them off at my table then take some home you hadn't read. All magazines were free for the taking! Well about 10 folks brought about 100 more magazines....but we had only about 25 go to new homes I was a little disappointed. I really thought more people would take them...oh well, gonna try again next week and then find a good home for them if a nursing home wants them or I guess just send them out in the recycle bin over a few weeks.

ROSEBUD ~ Teachers in our area do pretty good really. I know my son and daughter in law are at the high end of the pay scale with their "credits" and they are now 4th year....not sure exactly what they make but I know it is probably close to 60K a year each...plus they get their coaching stipends. As they build up the years the money increases so it should get easier. Son also says it looks good for a 4.25 loan and if all goes well he can get the first time buyer 8K credit they have now....he says his payment should be around $2,100 a month....now....that is steep compared to what I pay but around here for what they will be getting it is cheaper than rent...wild....and to think that same house sold...and lost of course....4 years ago for over 600K....nuts!

AGGIE ~ That is a great time for Ashlan But seriously the BIG thing is she did it and is going to keep right on going!!! WOO-WOO

SCOOTER ~ Glad you enjoyed your time and the B&B's were good! Church has got you hopin as usual! Glad to have you back.

BREN ~ Yep, I could never figure that out....seems like some of those the most needy have the most ink....sounds like your son is figuring things out Good for him....and you

RONNI ~ My bil just sold a ton of Hot Wheels stuff at the swap meet, he did pretty good. Glad you enjoyed the Miss USA link...good seeing you pop in too

Well I will check back soon....Prayers ~ Gary

Hi all, hope you are having a blessed Sunday! Our weather is rainy and cold - but at least it isn't SNOW!

Getting caught up with chores - I love going away, but it sure is difficult getting everything done when I get back.

Church went well today, and I got the media stuff all done in time

Gotta change my ticker It seems that too many B&B breakfasts and too much beer (yes, Gary - I may need to join the beer for my horses thread) caught up with me. I'm back on track and gonna get this pesky pound and a half back off!

Prayers continuing for all!

Laurie

giddy up SCOOTER

Ok...well I got another one yesterday. At least I have the $$ to pay for them...Gary... lol
I researched it make sure I got it right and it's FREEDOM in Hebrew. Although the literal translation in english would be stronger than our freedom, more like absolute liberty. I would say that is what Christ gave us! If we accept it.
I will upload a pic soon...

I was listening to Brian "Head" Welch (ex-guitarist from KORN) today and his song: Washed by Blood, amazes me everytime. Today it made me think about Gomer (hosea's wife) and how no matter how many times she left him to shack up with another man, or prostitute herself, Hosea would go after her and bring her home. We are like Gomer. We have prostituted ourselves for worldly pleasures, BUT GOD (i love those 2 words) always comes after us...He takes us back, washes us, cleanses us and loves us. AGAIN.
We look (or did) for something that dulls our pain, whether it's sex, drugs, food, exercise, work, anything done to excess and He is telling us that He has what we need. He wants to re-build our hearts, to give us a new start. He is so amazing.
I am going to paste the lyrics here. I am also asking for Him to re-build my heart. I think it's a continual process, like an onion peeling...more layers. But it's in the layers of healing and pain that we gain understanding.
If you don't feel accepted, have you accepted yourself? Have you accepted Christ as your LORD? As the RULER of your life? If you have...then YOU are accepted! And accepted by the Maker of the Universe! How awesome is that!

Peace!

Washed By Blood - Brian Head Welch

I know you've tried
To satisfy
Your appetite
For too long
You wonder why
You are alive
You've lived a lie
For too long
So now you're done
Life isn't fun
Anymore
What's this life for?

These are not
Only words to a song
Come to me
You're forgiven now
You're washed by blood
From deep inside
You're not a prisoner of your old life
Washed by blood
A brand new start
It's time that i rebuild your heart

I paid your price
I sacrificed
My human life
All for you
Come to the light
You will shine bright
You'll never die
That's the truth
Cuz i have sworn
You'll be reborn
If you choose
What's there to lose?

Wash away
All the pain
With the blood
No more shame
Understand
Who you are
And what your life is
For

I am taking over from now on
You can't escape don't even try to run
I can't just sit and watch you die no more
You will begin to learn what life is for
I've
Chosen this time
To change your mind
So you will find your way back home
Where you belong
Your heart of stone
Will start to feel love from now on
True
Live for me and you will see your life will be so worry free
Say goodbye to your old life give me a try
Be alive
There shall be no more death nor
Sorrow nor crying
There shall be no more pain
For the former things have passed away
You're washed by blood
From deep inside
You're not a prisoner of your old life

Come fly away with me
You know i love you


P.S. I put this on my facebook page earlier:
No matter how much we mess it up, God's plan will prevail. If we get where He is telling us to be and do what He tells us, then we won't miss it! Even Gomer got what she needed. I felt like her today when I realized how much God loves me, wants me, pursues and searches for me. It's time for a new start, Father please re-build my heart! I am Yours!! And He is right on time. NEVER late!!!! AWESOME

I am new here. I saw there was a faith based support section and wanted to drop in to say "hi".
I started Weight Watchers meetings last week and I am really enjoying it. I have about 80+ pounds to lose and I am hoping this is the last time I'll ever be this weight again. I am learning to make healthier food choices which I like.
I know that this time is different than other attempts at weight loss. I know with Christ that he will help me do this! Looking forward to the journey. I am glad I found this place too.
I plan on reading over some older threads when I have a chance.
Have a great day!

Hi all! Hope you are having a great start to the week!

Bev - thanks for sharing the song, I hadn't heard it. Gotta go find the music online now

I am His Glad you found us! This is a great group of Christian folk - you will love hanging around here. WW is a good plan, and 3FC is a great place for support, information, encouragement and prayers

I used a book/journal called Faithfully Fit as part of my weight-loss journey. It helped me understand my emotional eating and learn to rely on God - not food - for comfort.

I hope you post often, so we get to know you
Hi to everyone else

I am crazy busy at work - being gone for a week has its disadvantages!
DH got the rest of my exhaust system fixed today. And - the fixed flat on my scooter didn't stay fixed. The new tire liners arrived, so hopefully I will be back on the road on Wed.

I'm currently in my usual post-vacation funk. I am more contemplative than usual and trying to figure out a way to get more balance in my life. I started by taking a nice long bath tonight - of course a lot of chores didn't get done

My eating is back on track, and I'm expecting that extra lb. to be gone soon. I did shape boxing after work, and I found that I actually missed it! All the walking on vacation was good, but that upper body stuff really is necessary!


Hope everyone has a great evening. Time for Wii Sports Gotta fly

Prayers continuing for everyone!

Laurie

HELLO EVERYONE ~ it was nice and sunny yesterday, so we took a picnic out to my Dad's cottage and spent a few hours in the afternoon there just relaxing; well, I did at least! DH was inspecting our foundation; it was A-OK: nothing moved at all and that is what we were hoping for ...

I AM HIS ~ yes, reading the backlog of posts will let you know a bit about each of us; and in time, we'll get to know you better as well.

Our landlord is putting down some new flooring soon, so we have to get at it and get the rest of the sorting done. We did over 2/3 's of it during the winter, but got distracted by boxes that got ruined by water damage. They are gonna lay down a wooden floor so that doesn't happen again and we can put the other stuff back in there that we brought in here to protect it.

So we did a bit of sorting today; gotta ask myself what stuff we will really use in the near future to decide what to keep and what to toss or give away. Boy, I'll be glad when this is all done. Made a nice pot of homemade chicken and veggies soup for this week's lunches; turned out nice. Just have to heat it up.

Glad everyone sounds so well; take good care all ... ROSEBUD^^PRAYERS^^ continue for you and yours ...

I thought I would drop in and say hi...I haven't been here at 3fc for over 2 years. I am heavier now than before and I am so inspired today to just get it done. I am happy this group is here. I have re-dedicated my life to the Lord about a year ago and to have a faith based group is what I need right now. I am so happy to be here!

to the newbies

Laurie - you may not like his music, the lyrics are amazing, but the music is pretty hard. I LOVE it, of course!

My brother called tonight begging for me to put $20 on his books tomorrow. I am really not feeling that. I have to stop giving him money. he's in JAIL...he needs to deal with it. He did it...not me. So, pray for me because unless God tells me differently, I have to tell him tomorrow that the money train has de-railed.

I have a paper to do and finish before friday. gotta get a new laptop. this one likes to just SHUT down on me. not good.

that's about all...oh. 35 minutes on the elliptical today and i kept my heart rate under 175, but i was going 1-2mph faster than i did when i was hitting 180+!!! so, i must be getting into shape!

PEACE!

Thanks for the welcome ladies!

Laurie-
Your story and pictures are inspiring. I will do a search for Faithfully Fit. After years of starting diets over and over again I have finally made peace with it through prayer and surrendering to the Lord. I know I have to take care of my body and I know that Christ will carry me when I think I can't keep going.

Rayne - I have seen a few interviews with Brian Welch. I was never a Korn fan, or really that type of music but I liked hearing his testimony, there were clips of his baptism in the Jordan River and his little daughter was in the interview too talking about her dad. She was so cute. I am happy he found Christ, for his and his daughter's sake.

Hi Rosebud and Hi Dawnie!

I walked 2 miles today with the Leslie Sansome WATP dvd. I haven't done one of those in a while and it felt good.

Have a great day!

I am His - Glad to have you here. This is a great place to be!
I am so thankful for Brian's transformation. I wasn't into KORN at all, but when he got saved I received a call from my mom telling me all about it! Kinda funny, guess she thought it related to me. I've always been avidly into music...so that is how she made a connection. But, once I read his book! WOW! The man is the REAL deal. He has more fire and spirit than most christian's I've come in contact with...COMBINED! His music speaks to me...helps me...challenges me in my faith. I find it amazing that it can do all of that. God uses everything to reach us!

I'm heading out to the jail. then i'm considering 2 doses of the elliptical a day and the weights. we shall see.

i'm still in a funk. i know WHERE it's coming from, but I encourage you all to continue to pray for me!

Peace

Hi all!
Rosebud - good for you - getting back to those boxes. You will be very happy when it is done. I'm not missing any of the stuff I donated or tossed. DH and I laughed about my pitching the chia pet (that SOMEONE gave to him as a gift). So much "stuff" accumulates because we are afraid of offending the giver. UGH! I am down 72 bags/boxes and still have 2 rooms to go!

Dawnie - glad to have you back. I don't think we have met since I haven't been here two years yet. This is a great place - you will love the folk here I look forward to getting to know you!

Bev - I like SOME heavy Christian music, but being hearing impaired - I have a hard time discerning the lyrics to most of the songs. I have to look them up online to even come close to understanding them! My kids on the other hand ...

Follow where the Spirit leads on the money thing. I have had to give my share of tough love to one of my brothers as well. It is so hard to do - but, you need to go where you are led. The road isn't always easy - particularly when family is involved!
I am His - thank you for your kind words! It has been a wonderful journey! I look forward to experiencing yours I really like WATP videos. They were so helpful for me. Leslie is so encouraging and her workouts are great! DH started doing them with me and he was totally amazed at how tired he was after doing them. Keep it up - you are off to a great start!

A good day here - beautiful sunshine. DH did get my scooter up and running again I am back on the green machine

Oooh, it is time for some Wii sports again! Hope you have a GREAT evening!

Blessings!

Laurie

Laurie - I have the same issue with hearing lyrics. I don't generally understand them unless I have read them. All of his fascinate me! Thanks for the words re: Dennis. I told him today that the money train has stopped. He was bugging me the WHOLE time i was there about getting money. Crazy. I realize they don't feed them much, but dude! I didn't tell him to screw up and get sent to jail either!!!

I did the elliptical for 30 minutes around 5:30pm, then went back and did another 15 at 8. Then i did some leg weights. All i know to do is PUSH the body! I need the weight to BREAK and begin to see some GOOD shape come forth.

I tend to go down 4 and up 2 or down 2 and up 2...whatever. It will come off

AGS!!!! Where are ya????

Hi everybody!

Gotta go work on my paper that is due friday. Am buying a new laptop, unless God intercedes, at HP online.

Peace!

hello everyone...
I'm brand new here and i am really looking for some support and encouragement from fellow Christians. My name is amanda, i'm 26 and i want to lose about 60 pounds (to begin with). I have very little will power...I could really use the support!

LeaningontheLord, IamHis, & Dawnie- to all of you! We're so glad to have new people here to get to know. Keep coming back. This place is full of great support and encouragement!

Prayers going out for all our encouragers! I'm managing to get in some time every couple days to read postings, but can't seem to get time to post anything. Still sorting and pricing for yard sale-can't believe how many clothes no longer fit! I now have only 3 items in my little 1/3 of our tiny closet and one of them will probably be too big by fall ! Pray that we have good weather Friday and Saturday, because now they are hinting that there may be rain and, since Mom does not have a garage, we will have to cancel if the rains do come, then plan again for another weekend.

Not much else going on here. Kids are winding up the schoolwork, so not much to do there. DS2 looking for a summer job, so he can earn some more $$$ for college. If anyone has hints on getting scholarships and financial aid, feel free to send them our way. DS2 has his heart set on Northwestern College at Orange City, IA, which is a private college and somewhat more expensive than the state college.

Well, gotta go. DS needs the computer to finish up his chem lab report (the final and 30% of his grade-he has such a great teacher for chem! He goes to our church, too.). Hope you all have a blessed day!