Sometimes we let too much of the world in.

 Do you agree with that statement?  What am I talking about?  When we start putting things before God, activities before God, pleasure before God.  And I am just as guilty as all of you are.  What has brought this topic up?  As I worked my way across the tabs on my computer this morning, I was in my gmail account.  I generally try to skim my emails and delete many, many emails that are nothing.  I came across an email from First Chapel; Jentezen Franklin.  I opened it... and I am reminded we haven't watched Free Chapel services since we started going on a regular basis to Reclaim Church; no real reason, we just stopped.  And I realize this morning how much NOT watching has affected me.  It's not Free Chapel; it's not Jentezen Franklin's preaching, it is my connection with that service.  The worship is like taking you to the throne of God.  Yes, I get that from our church as well, but, well, I can't explain my connection.  I miss watching it.  So this morning, I have the service on my phone and 'we' just got through the worship part, and now Jentezen is speaking.  He even played his saxaphone this morning.  I've got to get back into watching.  It just refreshes and renews my soul when I do.  Pastor John at Reclaim is good; he also preaches the Bible and it is so good.... but how much more would I get out of that, if I first watched Pastor Franklin?   With the time change, Free Chapel is now 7a and 9a.  I'm glad I clicked that link.  Worship was awesome.

So what made me stop watching in the mornings?  Laziness is my only real excuse.  We first went to the 9a service at Reclaim until they started the 12p service.  Rushing to get ready for 9a and taking our time to get ready for 12p makes a difference.  And starting today, they are starting a 4th service at 5p.  Same message; same same service; different time.  We will still go to the 12p service today, I think.  5p will interfere with hubby's football games, I'm thinking. LOL If you recall, I've invited Ms. Vicky to go and offered to take her at 5p.  I will check with her later to see if she wants to go.  But then, I have a lot to get done today and may forget about it.

I did get several gifts wrapped yesterday.  Hubby has discovered the gift stash at the end of his desk. He came to me earlier and commented about it, and he was 'concerned' that when Carlos (our housekeeper) comes to clean, they will get moved.  I assured him that the gifts are in the corner and Carlos will not move them; he will go around them.  And if he isn't sure about that, tell him!  RME.  I also pulled the TV into this room and watched 'Miracle on 34th Street'  - the original, as I wrapped.  Love that movie.  I'm leaving the TV in here for the time being. Obviously we haven't really been using the exercise equipment and as soon as I get the garage straightened up, the weight bench and the rebounder will probably go out into it until after the holiday.  I nearly ran out of wrapping paper so took off and went to the Dollar Tree and picked up more rolls.  Along with candy. Not for me to eat, but I found some fun recipes using Andre candies and kisses.  Not planning to make them any time soon, but while I was there, picked them up.  Along with a few Christmas things to hang out side - no, not in November; I'll at least wait until after Thanksgiving.

This message is so good.  Listen to this - You can not take something that is Holy and put it with something UNholy and make it Holy.  In the OT, God said if something Holy touches something unholy, it is no longer Holy.  And taking something unholy and putting it next to something Holy, does not make it Holy.  Does that make sense? 

What do we do - or say - that is against the Word of God, the Bible, and think it is 'ok' because we say we are Christians?

I've done a lot of erasing this morning.   

Bought some cheap coffee at Dollar Tree yesterday.  For my second cup, thought I'd add some Italian creamer I had bought for others last month.  It helped. A little. Yeah, I'm thinking the cheap coffee will be taken out of the tray and I'll go to Sam's Club or Frys today to get some decent coffee.  I think I'm kind of losing the 'taste' for dark roast.  Can't explain why, but leaning more towards the medium now.  Maybe I'll switch to flavored coffee; and then I can add dark coffee to it. Does that make sense?  Like cappachino.

Grateful God got my oldest son and his family to Tucson safely and back safely yesterday. Today the youngest is heading to Georgia.  I checked his location when I got up as I knew he was leaving early this morning.  He text'd me about 30 minutes ago he was leaving St John. He's hoping to be in Oklahoma before he stops tonight.  Praying for his safety, and for the little one who is going with him to keep him company.  He does love his kids and grandkids, for sure.

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV):  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and seen and heard in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

May you be filled with the peace of God today, and blessed in His Spirit.

Blessings!

Hallelujah - it's Saturday!

 Here I am - with a 'do nothing Saturday' - unless I want to!  I have nothing on the agenda.  I think hubby said he scheduled a pedicure about 11:30a.  I didn't want one.  His toenails are ugly and I refuse to cut them (I did try - once - and that was enough!).  He can't reach his toenails; luckily, I can reach mine!  I keep thinking how nice my nails always looked when I had the acrylic nails... but I don't want to pay the cost to have and keep them.  Am I getting 'cheap' or 'tightwad' in my old age?  Might be a good thing, right?

My goal for today is to work in here.  Yes, get these Christmas gifts wrapped (hubby has discovered the few I have put in his office, but didn't seem to mind) today and things cleaned off.  GOAL, right?  I wonder what distractions will pull me away?  I know!  To get into the 'spirit of Christmas', I can pull the little TV in here out of the exercise room and find an old Christmas movie to put me in the mood.  Right?  I love Miracle on 34th Street (the original one), White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life and so many more!  Then let's not forget the 'romance' ones on Up Faith and Family, let alone on Prime Video.  I love Christmas!  I just wish I was more creative in my decorating.  Which, by the way, I hope to start by next Saturday!  Yes, it is still November, but want to take my time and go through all the decorations and discard those that I no longer want to use.  Otherwise, I just stuff them back into a cabinet for another time.

I slept good last night, after not sleeping much the night before.  I did go to bed at 3a yesterday and slept until 5a, so that was a good thing.  Didn't get a nap in, but was in bed by 9p anyway.  I slept good until 4a when hubby was shuffling down the hallway; as a rule, it wakes me up as my body starts to wake up.  I got up about 4:15a, reminded myself it was Saturday and I could go back to sleep.  I sat in here in the dark for about 30 minutes or so, talking with God, and then decided to turn the light on so that hubby would bring me my coffee.  I just finished my second cup.  Debating on suggesting to hubby let's go to Bobbi's Cafe for breakfast.  But I may just scramble some eggs and let it go at that.  I do need to make a Sam's Club run some time today and pick up a few things.  But that means I need to leave the house.  See - there is a distraction already!  Of course by then I may need to leave to regain my sanity.... although hubby may ask if I mind he goes with me, as he sometimes does.  Sigh.

My sister and I often lament about our spouses always wanting to go with us - anywhere.  We just need a break, ya know?  She said yesterday she decided she was going to the gym. So her hubby asked if she would find out how much it would cost for him to join (he doesn't have silver sneakers and she does).  She didn't want to cause he would say he was going with her. He also talked about going with her so they could go to another store he needed to go to.  So she got in the car and managed to without him, and didn't go to the gym, but drove around for a bit before coming home, she was so frustrated.  She was going to have him call and find out the cost.  She doesn't want him there when she is. And I get that!  I pretty much told hubby the same thing; we are to workout without the other watching.  I don't mind he goes with me, and I've reached the point now I don't even care if he watches Morgan train me.  But keep the mouth shut.  I don't need comments, I don't want corrections.  Right? We women must stick together! I totally get it!  Those few minutes away alone are a precious commodity!

So many times we make our plans and just 'take off'.  I am reminded that in the 'olden days', people would show their dependence on God by saying 'the Lord willing, I shall....'.  Yes, they did.  And remember the saying, 'The good Lord willing and the creek don't rise'?.  Even that shows dependence upon God.  In all our plans, the plans are dependent upon God.  

James 4:13-15   Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carryon on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

Our plans are nothing, if it isn't in God's will for us.  My son and some of his family is heading to Tucson today to visit his daughter.  I am praying for their travel, that, Lord willing, they will arrive safely and enjoy the day, and have a safe trip back home.  We can make all the plans we want, and things can happen, but in all these things, God is still in control.  Our trip is in His hands.  Clear roads is in His hands. Safety is in His hands.  Are we depending on the Lord and His willingness to do for us?  Things and circumstances change many times when we least expect it. 

We didn't expect our daughter to get leukemia 25 years ago.  But we sought the Lord and He was willing to bring about her healing.  We didn't expect our son to need a liver transplant.  But we are seeking the Lord for his complete and total healing - whether by restoration of his liver by God's hand, or by a transplant.  We don't expect, nor plan, on these things happening.  Sometimes the things happening are not a good thing.  And sometimes they are.

We've gone to churches that we hoped would 'fit us in', meaning, we would feel like it is 'home'.  And they, after we went for awhile, helped us realize we needed to leave.  We are now at a church where we feel 'at home', and yet, at times, I still feel like an 'outsider', but that is because I am not that involved yet.  One step at a time.  I don't have the freedom many people have, and if you know me, you know what I mean.  Plus, I have my job, and my preaching in the winter season.  I am busy elsewhere.  The RV parks always make us feel like 'home', we are loved there.  After 14 years, I'd hope so, right?

Jerry Bridges says that 'Although the expression "Lord willing" undoubtedly became a meaningless cliche' for many people, it's a practice well worth resuming because it forces us back to the realization of our absolute dependence on God. I'm not suggesting we over do it - "I'm going to have cereal for breakfast, Lord willing." But we ought to use the phrase often enough to remind ourselves that we really are dependent on God for our plans, even for such mundane activities as having cereal for breakfast.  All circumstances ae beyond our control. We are absolutely dependent upon God for the carrying out of our plans. The person who lives rightly before God not only acknowledges this but delights to do so."

Lord, if you are willing, help us to make the plans You want us to make.  If we travel, Lord willing, give us clear roads and safe travels.  If we work, Lord willing, give us the mental ability to understand and do all that is required of us.  If we play, Lord willing, let us make special memories to hold on to.

And in all things, we give Thee thanks, for it is Your will, o God, for us to be Yours.

Blessings!

Why am I awake?

 I was pretty tired after I turned off the work computer, and then fixed dinner and we ate, and when coming back to the front room, I felt exhausted so laid down on the couch.  I was out. I don't know how long - maybe 10-20 minutes, but what woke me up was a call from a friend.  I didn't go back to sleep.  So fast forward to about 9p when we finally got in bed.  Not that you need to know this - TMI for sure - but I was up 4 times  between 10p and 12p!  I didn't think I drank that much water yesterday, but perhaps I did. Anyway, I could not get back to sleep so in here I came.  I tried to go to sleep in the chair, but no luck.  The bed is covered with gifts so that was out.  I sat here int he dark until about 2a, hoping I could sleep. Finally I turned the light on, took my glucose (107) and started skimming emails.  I hear hubby coughing in the bedroom.  I just may have to get a nap or two in today or just go to bed around 7p! 

I don't know what is keeping me awake; nothing heavy on my mind. It could be that my head is still hurting, and my thoughts turn to my DILove who gets severe migraines when the barometer is jumping up and down. That's the only thing I can figure out for my headache, which is right between the eyes.  It's not a 'sharp' one, but that dull ache.  I think it is going on 3-5 days now.... got to love our wonderful barometer pressure when the temps fall and we are threatened with rain!

It is now 2:48a and I'm sitting here yawning.  Decided I'd write in here before getting started on my reading - in case I fall asleep, which I'd love to do.

I ended up cancelling my Tovala orders until after the first of the year.  I do a lot of baking in November and December plus I still have lots of broccoli and tomatoes.... and cucumbers which I want to make into pickles this weekend.  I made us a delicious salad for lunch yesterday and even hubby commented a few times on how good it was.  I can make a good lettuce salad of just lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and I forget what else I put in it. But it was good.  I do need to pickup some ranch dressing. I thought I had some, and will check the pantry again, but Catalina is really good too.

My coach for Virta and I have been exchanging messages - and you know I love the attention.  It helps me stay focused on not giving in to something.  I was down 2 pounds yesterday... guess I had been eating way too many carbs.  And I know it will fluctuate as time goes by. I ate over my carbs because I heated up a can of baked beans to have with our pork loin I cooked all day yesterday.  Did you know there are absolutely NO CARBS in pork loin?  I was surprised!

Hubby has his men's group this morning, and plans to go visit Chuck afterwards, and then has to get his Lupron shot.  He will be gone all morning; I wonder what mischief I can get into? HAH!  Work has been picking up lately and my new boss isn't even 'here' yet!  Had a board prep yesterday and got through it ok, I think.  Now to 'nag' the others to get their slides in (so glad I don't have to create them!) and get the board deck complete.  I need to send out the Colorado one next Tuesday, and the following week the Wyoming one.  The last board meeting for each of those locations - and then we have our Southern one which is in December.  Then it starts all over. At least the Colorado one next Thursday morning, due to the time change, is at 7a instead of 6a.  Gotta love time changes!

I ordered a few more Christmas gifts yesterday.  I've got to work on this 'mess' on the bed this weekend!  Will do a run to Dollar Store to see if they have their Christmas wrapping paper out.  I do have several 'pieces' and will be using those as well for the small packages.  So much I want to do..... and no gumption at this moment to get it done. My bad!

I guess I have no revelations or complaints to share with you this morning - other than I am so sleepy and want to sleep!  It's 3a; maybe I can settle down and get a little more sleep in before the alarm goes off.  Of course I usually shut the alarm off before it goes off, but if I can get a little more sleep, .... yeah.

Ephesians 2:8-9  (ESV) - For by grace you have been saved by faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

We are saved by grace.  Not by what we do - or don't do.  It's all done by God's grace.  I know I am saved by His grace.  So grateful.  I don't have to preach; I don't have to do things for others; (although that comes from the throne of Grace of wanting to), I don't need to do anything.... but accept His grace for me.  There is nothing more precious.

Have an amazingly blessed day and weekend!

Blessings!

There is a name for it....

 I described to my DILove the other afternoon, when I went to her work, some things that have been going on with hubby.  Yesterday she sent me to 'official' name of what it is (or I think it is).... Visual Agnosia.  She also gave me the definition.   

Visual Agnosia - The seeing but not properly recognizing objects.  That's it, exactly!  I'm making a list for Dr. Mark to discuss when we go in December for hubby's appointment.  In fact, I am thinking I may send him a note in advance so that he will be aware without me calling hubby out on it in the office.  Getting old is not so much fun, you know?  My patience wears thin at times, and yet, I also realize that I am probably doing some of the very same things.  I call myself out on a lot of things, and I'm sure if others observed me, they could call out much more. Sigh.

We had lots of vegetables for dinner last night!  Artichoke, tomatoes, mini cukes, pickled beets, Japanese sweet potato, and I heated up meatballs in the crockpot.  I think that is all we had.  We had just sat down when my phone rang - it was Ms. Vicky.  I jumped up and told her we had just sat down and if she could give me 30 minutes or so, I'd be over to visit.  First time in about 5 weeks, I think.  Of course she said to come on over! And I did go and we visited about an hour and a half.  She talked about the HOA, of course.  Her son-in-law was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year and has quickly gone downhill.  Her daughter is working from home, taking care of him. He has a feeding tube now and something he can type on for communication.  It doesn't sound like he will make it to the end of the year, this disease has progressed so quickly.  In months, not years.  

I was able to share OUR good news in that my oldest son has been approved by Mayo for a liver transplant.  She told me that she prays every day for him, and for that I'm grateful.  Many prayers from all over have been going up for him.  Now we wait for the insurance approval, and once that is given, then we pray hard for a liver that will be a perfect match.  Appreciate any and all prayers.

I remember reading years ago about Joel Osteen's mother.  I forget her name, but she was diagnosed with a diseased liver and was told she only had a few weeks left.  She grabbed her bible and wrote out every verse that pertained to healing, and every day would walk and pace and repeat those verses over herself.  She defied all medical advice.  She died in 2025 at the age of 91.  I looked her up - her name is Dolores Osteen (aka Dodie) and it says she beat liver cancer in 1981 after being told she only had a few weeks to live.  THAT is the power of God's Word and of prayer!

Yesterday was a busy day for work but I got all but one or two meetings scheduled for the meet and greets - I have a question on a couple so will take care of those today.  It wasn't busy, persay, but it kept me occupied.  I just about had heart failure!  It's Thursday and our one board meeting is very early on a Thursday and I know it is coming up - and I had a quick thought of 'is it today?' - but it's November 5.  Whew.  I had jumped up and turned the computer on to check!  Today I do have a prep meeting for another board, but it is this afternoon.  I have Morgan at 9:30a this morning and we are doing core.  Thoughts can get scary when they pop into the mind!

I speak November 8 at the RV park here in town.  I have a message started, but haven't finished it yet. And I will need to start focusing on it in the evenings and over the next week.  This Sunday they will be calling for the title and scripture - and right now my mind is blank.  I need to get refocused.  I've been lazy this summer - and every summer I tell myself to get them done for the year in my 'spare time' but I never do. And here I am again, pushing against time, and need to focus.  Well, I guess I do my 'best work' when I am on a tight timeline, right?

My sister says her hubby is not doing well.  Since they took him off chemo (he's been on it at least 10 years) and started giving him pills instead, these new pills for cancer make him very sick and he can't be up for more than an hour and he then needs to go get in the recliner.  He has difficulty doing much anymore. And he is constantly in so much pain.  He has the multiple myeloma disease with tumors throughout his back.  I honestly don't know what she will do when 'the time' comes.  And that is all I can say.

Romans 12:1 (ESV):  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

 The core of Christian commitment to Christ, the believer's motivation for giving him-or herself wholly to God, is the mercy He has demonstrated toward us, His people.  What God has already done for the Christian is the basis of everything the Christian does for God.     

I'm sure you have heard it said, "what we have is our gift from God.  What we do with it, is our gift back to Him."  I feel like I haven't said the exact words, but I hope you understand.  We are a gift from God.... what we do with our lives, is our gift back to Him.  What are we doing that honors Him?

Have an amazing, restful, fun filled, worshipful day!  It's Friday EVE!

Blessings!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

I survived yesterday

 I finally got both airline and hotel scheduled for two of the executives yesterday and it was exhausting.  I'm still a bit 'anxious' in that I did it correctly.  But, it's done.  One wanted a window seat, the other an aisle - and for both - had to go to rows 25 and 26 because there was nothing else available.  Oh well! That is about all I got done yesterday.  Today I still have a lot of meet and greet meetings to schedule for my new boss and a few other things, but I will be taking my car down to AAA Repair to get my oil change completed at 8a.  I'm still debating whether to go down and wait, or have hubby pick me up, or they run me home.  Flip Flop.  If I go and stay, I'll take my work computer with me so that I can work on the meet & greet meetings.  An early morning oil change shouldn't take long, right?

Got my mystery boxes from EFF yesterday and there wasn't as much as last week - thank goodness!  What was I thinking ordering two boxes again?  Anyway - I did get two cases of tomatoes again, plus some other things.  At least no more broccoli!  I still three stalks in the refrigerator I must use up soon!  Maybe I'll go get some velveeta cheese and make cheesy broccoli soup. That was the original plan, but I still haven't made it to the store.  I do need to get milk as I see we are running low.  I did take some things up to the DILove to share with some of her family if she wanted to.  LOL  Gathered all the cookies in a plastic bag and stuck a note on it - 'R says.... all the cookies are his, and he will distribute.'  I thought it was a funny way to get to him - and he 'called me out' on it last night.  Well, he did get his cookies, right? All in fun. Glad to get them out of my house for yesterday found me really wanting some!

Yeah, I'm trying hard to stay on this low carb plan to lose this weight and lower my BP.  It was still high this morning (136/86) but I blame it on my left hip and leg hurting.  The pain hasn't gone away yet.  Ironically, it feels like the bone is aching, not a muscle or a cramp.  I've mentioned this a few times before and will bring it up to Dr. Mark in January when I see him.  I don't know where he can send me to have a bone checked.  I don't believe it is sciatica as some think.  I think it is more that I've worn that bone down in the hip as that is the side I sleep on and if I'm really tired, I don't turn over but stay on it all night.  But then, it could be the bone itself.  I don't know, but when I get up from this chair soon, I will be putting some cream on it to calm it down. I've already taken an Excedrin for it.

My son has asked me for more Christmas ideas.  I added a brownie pan to my list the other day.  I had loaned my brownie pan to my nephew a few years back and I don't know what he did with it, but when I got it back, the finish is off of it. I still use it, but can use another.  Stay tuned as I think of other things.

I'm doing pretty good on this low-carb 'thing'.... but it is hard.  Last night I cheated.  Hubby was gone to his meeting and although I ate cottage cheese and yogurt, I used Yoplait and it wasn't the low carb one. Yeah, lots of carbs in it. Also ate a stick pretzel (wanted salt), which I probably should not eat as I need to back away from salt some plus it's the worst thing to eat on a low carb plan, right?  But, even with eating those carbs last night, my glucose was down to 106 this morning.  My coach from Virta and I have been exchanging texts on the app frequently lately.  I don't know of anything to tell him today. I like his contacting me though, for it tells me he is encouraging me and offering suggestions, asking what I'm eating, do I have questions, etc.  To me it is encouraging, anyway, that someone is 'tracking and watching' me.  The first time I was in Virta I had a great coach too, and I told him all the right things.... but I just quit doing Virta and finally totally withdrew from it.  Will see how long I last this time.  But I need to be held accountable and if Virta is the way to do it - then I'll do it. After all, it costs me nothing as the company pays for it. I just, in good faith, need to do it right.  Once I can get the weight off and keep it off for awhile, I can cancel again.  Or, when I retire, (if I ever do), I will have to cancel for my insurance will be gone.  

Messenger X (which is John Bevere's ministry website) sends me a quote every morning.  This morning it is "Consecrate yourself and trust God's lead, even into the unknown.'  Each day, if you think of it, leads into the unknown.  We don't know what will pop up during the day. We don't know the outcome of each day.  It is the unknown.  Do we trust God to lead us through it - whether the news is good, bad, or indifferent?  Can we say I trust God no matter my circumstances?

Trust me, there are many mornings that I just throw myself upon His mercy and grace and ask Him to lead me through the day.  Days when I am overwhelmed with life, when I think I 'don't want to do this anymore'; days when the pain in my heart over disappointments or disagreements is so great I don't know what to do with it.  Days when ... well, you can probably fill in the blank with your own words.  Can you trust God no matter what the answer is to the situation you are wanting an answer for?  That job? That medical diagnosis? That one answer you long for?  Can we trust God in all things?  His Word says that we can.  No matter what, God is always in control.  He takes even the bad and will bring good from it.  Trusting God can be hard at times for we are a 'fix it myself' generation.  But things get completed much better when we take our hands off and let Him deal with it.  And I say that from experience.  I have screwed up so many times in my life I often wonder why He bothers with me... yet, I know He loves me and will take even the bad things that come at me, and bring good from them.  I have to give the situation to Him, and take my hands off.  Hardest thing to do most times.

I asked my DILove last night if there is such a thing as a disconnect between the brain and the eyes.  Her response troubles me, for it is one that I suspected, but didn't want to hear.  Hubby is having difficulty at times - not always - either that or he's doing it to drive me crazy - but like yesterday, I had cucumbers in packages stacked on the counter. (I'm hoping to make pickles this weekend)  He comes in to the kitchen, looks at them, and asked if they were tomatoes.  Now I know he is color blind with red/green - but.... I always pause and look at him to see if he is serious.  He was. I told him no, they were cucumbers - and then he says "oh, I was looking at them from this angle and they looked like tomatoes".... meaning he looked at the round end, but still.  And I also told my DILove about the other night. He fussed at me about my mopping the kitchen floor as that is something he can do (why start now?).  Well, later that evening I went into the kitchen and found several (like in 10) drops of salsa on the floor.  So I called him by his full name and told him to come in and get the mop and clean it up.  He couldn't see the drops. He got the mop and started mopping in an entirely different area.  And got upset with me (as I was getting upset with him!) because I kept pointing out the area where the drops were and telling him he was missing them - "and that's why I do the mopping!!".  This 'stuff' scares me for I don't know what to do.  And really, there is nothing I can do. Not now, anyway.

I know that God is in control of every situation.  Every stage of every age.  Not only for hubby, for myself as well, for I know I am moving up in age.  And that's why I try to stay active. I want to keep moving and not end up - as much as I loved my mother - sitting in a chair at the table all day long because of no strength to do anything else.  I don't want to 'fall and can't get up' - that saying isn't as funny as it was 20 years ago.  Right?

And with that, I need to get off here and get on the work computer, get dressed, and get ready to take my car down to the shop.  

Have an amazing day - full of love, warmth, special memories - and good news!

Blessings!

Yeah, I'm behind schedule.....

 I did not sleep well last night; not sure why.  I didn't get up until around 5:45a and it was with a really bad headache; bad enough I immediately took Excedrin Migraine before I even took my pills!  The headache has settled down now, but I sure didn't get much of my 'quiet time' done.  I'm so glad that God loves me and understands when I 'miss out' on our time together.  I did still have time to read a devotional, some in my bible, and pray a little.  But I miss my extended time with Him.  Grateful the headache is finally going away that is in my head (a little 'fun' here; hubby is still here).  HAH!

Because hubby has to know all I do and when I'm doing it, I walk in to the kitchen this morning to return my coffee cup and he is already asking me if I'm making a protein shake to leave the blender out because he is going to make one as well.  Ok... I wasn't thinking of breakfast yet... but did go ahead and make a protein shake and have it now to sip on as I type this.  

I did fairly well with my food intake yesterday and switched out 'lunch' for tomatoes and mini cukes!  Last night I thought I was making a better choice when we went out with friends to Chili's.... I chose a house salad with ranch and chicken enchilada soup (I was really thinking tortilla but they don't have that one.  Well, the soup was really creamy (and good)... and although I tried to be good ... my glucose took a jump to 123 this morning!  Note to self; stick with the house salad at Chili's.  Or maybe the fajitas and do without the tortilla.... ugh... I love carbs and giving them up is hard!  But, if I want to lose weight and get lower my BP, it requires sacrifice!  I want to see the scale start moving downward; it hasn't yet.  Sigh. But I tell myself as well that I worked out yesterday and therefore built my muscles up as well, and muscle weighs more than fat does so need to focus on the body changes and not the scale changes, right?

I have two more 'mystery boxes' coming in today.  I have no idea what is in them but am sure I will be sharing with others.  I try to go before noon to pick up, but am not always able to do so.  First thing I need to do today, once I get word the requests are approved, is get two airline and hotel reservations completed for two of the bosses.  I do not like doing airline reservations; I'm always afraid that I will get the wrong ones.  In fact, I created both yesterday and put on 'hold trip' until I got the approvals.... and I noticed I may have either put one name twice or well, I don't know what happened.  May have to delete one hold and start over.  It's going to be 'a day', it feels like. But that's just 'in my head'.  Right?

Hmmm just got a 'call' from Fed Ex (which I didn't answer cause didn't know number) and it is telling me that about an unsuccessful delivery attempt... to visit fedex.com.  So is it real or a scam?  It doesn't give me a telephone number. The call came from Gibsonia, PA.  Never heard of Gibsonia, have you?   Oh well, I may check it out later.  I do have several items on order and it's possible they were shipping by Fed Ex. If they screwed up my address, it's on them.  

I've got to finish up on this first message I'm going to do at the RV park - my first Sunday is November 8 and they will call me THIS Sunday to get title and scripture.  I'm no where near ready; don't even have a draft done.  Need to get focused in the next few days and the one I'm working on currently, make that decision whether or not to use it.  I've actually 'toyed' with the idea of telling them that after this season (November - March) that I won't do it anymore.... but I love the people and I love sharing God's Word and as we are all 'older'... our time on earth is growing smaller and I must do my part in making sure they (and me) are ready for 'the end'. As I am sure you are aware, many people think "Oh, I will think about accepting Jesus as Lord once I get older" or "I have plenty of time, I'm healthy!" and other excuses we make... but we do not know the day nor the hour that God has chosen for us. Our 'job' is to BE READY!  Right?  Each of us must make that decision; it can't be made by our parents or spouse or siblings.  It's a question for each one individually - have you accepted Jesus as Lord?

Hebrews 4:12  (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.  It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

The inner life of a Christian is often a mixture of genuinely spiritual and completely human motivations.  Only a supernaturally discerning agent such as the word of God can sort out what is of the flesh and what is of the spirit. (David Jeremiah ESV)

When you think about it, it's true.  We think spiritual thoughts, and our human tendencies, or motivations, are also within our minds and we can decide which way we will go - either obey God's instructions, or follow our human motivations.  Unfortunately for many of us, we tend to do things 'our way' instead of God's way, and then we kick ourselves for how it turns out - right?

I'm getting all sorts of reminders on my phone this morning!  I have an oil change scheduled at AAA Repair down the street tomorrow morning, so they are reminding me about that.  I've already received two notifications from EFF that my 'mystery box' is ready for pickup today between 8-5p.  Well, I can't go until closer to noon (usually try to go between 10 and noon, depending on what is going on workwise. I have to check the boss's schedules too.  But, I take it as my 'lunch break' and am usually back between 30-45 minutes.

Well, it is after 8a and I am working so need to get on those wonderful travel arrangements.  May you have an amazingly blessed day in all that you do.  No matter what happens, trust God.  It is in HIS TIMING that things work out.  We may be disappointed, we may be frustrated beyond all things..... but God sees you, and loves you, and knows what is best for you.  We don't always like His teachings for us, but they are for our good.  Trust Him.

Blessings!

It was a lazy day....

 I did go to church yesterday, although I heard it 'live' while hubby was watching it.  His coughing was worse than the day before, and he was getting hoarse - by last night, he was coughing frequently.  I had him 'dope up' on the cough meds.  When he goes to pick up a prescription today, I 'suggested' he ask the pharmacist for something to take; what I bought doesn't seem to have worked for him.  Not sure why the meds haven't worked; he has 'rested' a lot... 

Back to work Monday for sure.  I have timecards to approve, but I think that's it.  Need to check on how things are going with getting my new boss on board.  I've been glancing at work emails all weekend and haven't had anything that was critical for me to do. Which is always a good thing.

Can you tell already that I don't have much to talk about today?

Church was really good and it was based on I Peter 1. Several people asked where hubby was and how we were; I shared we both had been sick the past few weeks and I was much better, but hubby was not. Message was so good, as they usually are when Pastor John speaks.  It's a 4 week series on 1 Peter which started yesterday.  If you want to hear a good message in 1 Peter - check out Reclaim Church on You Tube (it's the one with the black flag facing backwards.  There are a few other 'Reclaim' Churches so that is how to identify 'ours'.  They have another 'Growth Track' session coming up on the 2nd Saturday in November and hubby and I plan to attend.  Pastor George is going to lead it and it is going to be on prophecy.  

My time is getting away from me this morning since I didn't get up until a little after 5a.  I blame that on difficulty sleeping.... and going to bed at 10:30p.... got into NCIS shows we hadn't seen before.  But, on a good note, we didn't turn the TV on until about 5:30 or so.  I kept debating on going to see Ms. Vicky... but I was so comfortable on the couch I just didn't get up.  Did get several rows on the 'multi-color blanket' I'm crocheting.  I wonder if anyone would want it....  Once I'm finished I'll decide if I will keep it or give it away.  I have a long ways to go!

I'm going to go 'full force' Virta starting today.  That mean, low carb eating as much as I can.  I really do want to lose this weight and I am asking myself the question - "why did you start this during the holidays?!"   But, in doing so, it is also one way to rein in my tendencies to eat cookies that I bake. And yes, I still ate two-three cookies yesterday.  I'm going to ship a box of the cookies off to my sister sometime today, and I have a bag to take to Morgan.  That woman has more will power than anyone I have ever met!  I'm only giving her 4 cookies of each batch because you know how she eats?  She will allow herself one cookie, unless it is a big one, then only a portion of it.  That girl don't eat!  Although I do know her 'weakness' and when I make the chocolate no bake bars, she does indulge a little bit more.  Seriously, when I ask her, she will just take a bite or eat one if small.  I can give her a 3x4 container of eggs ole and you know what?  She is still eating it a week later!  I didn't know it would last that long!

And I may just fix up a batch of eggs ole' sometime today.  It may be 'high fat', but it is definitely 'low carb' as well.  Lots of eggs, cottage cheese, butter, cheese, green chilies, and maybe 1/2 cup of flour; depends on what size I make.  That's the only carb I add.  Since I stopped at Mr. Goodcents for lunch yesterday and brought home the #5 8 inch for both hubby and I, we didn't eat dinner last night.  Gasp! I don't think I cooked all weekend - other than all the cookies!  What's up with that?!  At least I can pull down my Keto cookbooks and Low Carb as that is what plan Virta is putting me on to lose weight and lower my blood pressure.  Not that you are interested, my glucose was 102 this morning (goal is to get it below 100), and my blood pressure is 129/82 with a heart rate of 56.  But Dr. Mark says my bottom number is off 10 points so subtract 10 (syncing it with the one he uses in the office - the old fashioned one, not digital) and that makes it 129/72.  He would like it below 120 if possible.  Personally, based on what it has been the past few weeks average, 129/72 is pretty good as far as I'm concerned. Of course I've been sitting here doing my quiet time so that has calmed me down. :-)  I am NOT sharing my weight!

Well, I had to pause and get on the work computer - and got the timecards approved - and then paused to make eggs ole and get it in the oven this morning.  Now I'm back for a few before going to turn down the oven temperature and then let the eggs ole finish baking. Yum!   Now, where was I?

Oh yeah, Dr. Mark and my weight and blood pressure.  Ok, enough about that.  Moving on!

I have Morgan at 1p today - HIIT.  I'm going to be moving my body around some this morning to loosen it up for that.  Glad it isn't early morning - my body just doesn't wake up that fast, but alas, she sometimes does put me at 8a.  I think part of that is because she knows I don't care if we start a few minutes late - which is what usually happens.  She gets there early enough, but the kids care doesn't open until 8a, and she brings her baby (whom I get to see real quick on those mornings) and has to change her diaper and get her settled in the kids care before she can come out and train.  I don't mind; if I'm in the middle of an exercise, she will also run over a few minutes for me to finish.  It all works out.  My next scheduled appointment is on Thursday at 9:30a, but it's just 'core'.  I do enjoy my trainings in spite of how much I may - or may not - hurt afterwards.  If I tell her I hurt, she smiles cause that means she did her job.  If I say I wasn't hurting like I should be, then she knows she needs to step it up. She's already told me my core is strong enough now she is moving into the advanced ones because I don't hurt afterwards.  I should never have told her, right?

We have dinner out with friends tonight right after work.  I am needing to be more careful; doesn't mean I have to just eat salads, but I'm glad I do like salads!  We're going to Chili's and their salads are way too many calories.  Will have to check out what I can get.  If I'm going to go to the trouble of weighing and pricking my finger each morning for Virta, I may as well 'do this' and get down the 20 or so pounds so that I will be in the routine, right?  Actually, I really would like to lose 30-35 pounds, but 20 is a good start. :-)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

We are so blessed that God inspired His people to write down words to form the Bible, that we will know how to live.  I was reading this morning in Isaiah about how back then people would take down a tree, burn a section of it for warmth, then 'create' a form of some sort, then set it up and bow down to it to worship.  Something they created, and call it god.  How fortunate we are that we know Who is God, and that He lives inside each of us!  He is not a statue to be bowed down to.  His Word shows us how to live, commandments that bring us good and not harm.  Oh that we all would choose to live according to His Word and trust Him to guide us each day!  Lord, help us teach one to be obedient to You in all things.  Grant us wisdom in the choices we make.  Give us the wisdom to be holy, as You are Holy, courage to stand up for what is right, and knowledge of Your Word to obey.

Have a simply amazing Monday!  Be still, and listen for His voice today; you just might hear Him say, "This is the way wherein I choose for you to walk; walk in it and be blessed."

Blessings!