from my little sister yesterday. I don't know where her mind is. My birthday isn't until next month - and she sent me my birthday package. When we had talked earlier in the week, and she told me she had sent my birthday package - I reminded her it wasn't even the month yet. My birthday is before hers (which is a week later) and it was just weird how things went regarding this package. She said she took the package in a large parcel post box (from the USPS) and the clerk told her she needed to put it in a larger box. Huh? Well, she undid that box and put it in the box that the clerk told her to use. It ended up costing her $66.06 versus $29.90 that the first box would have cost! When it arrived, the box was all bent up so I called and told her it was here. The agreement was that I would not open it until my birthday. For me, that is no big deal. I can wait. But when I told her it was all bent up, she insisted I open it as she had some breakable things in it. The box was heavy too.
So I opened it. My sister sometimes does not think things through. A lot of things were inside, and I appreciate each one, don't get me wrong. I got a glass dish with Bradenton Beach sand (yes, I said sand and it probably weighed 5 pounds at least!) with a little beach chair and umbrella, etc. for me to remember our beach vacation several years ago. Cookies. Chocolate covered almonds. Other chocolate candy. a huge heavy cookbook on baking (which I already have made cookies out of!), pajamas, body cream and spray, facial stuff, and several other things. Between the sand and the cookbook, no wonder it probably weighed 25 pounds! (Remember when she sent me the vase with the rocks in it?) I love it all, don't get me wrong, but sometimes one needs to pause and think about what is being sent - right?
So what I'm going to do, because she told me that was the last of the sand she had brought home from their last trip to Florida, I divided up the sand, made the little dish probably nothing like she would (I'm just not the put together type), and I'm going to buy a smaller dish and send it back to her! Need to buy the little beach things like she sent me. Could probably find some at the dollar store, ya think? I have almost a month before I need to worry about it so have plenty of time. I've enjoyed time going through the baking cookbook and made the snickerdoodles recipe that is in it. They really tasted good (I ate way too many cookies last night!) so I compared my usual recipe with this one. The difference? Butter versus margarine. Seriously. That was the only difference in the cookies - and it does affect the taste! I never realized that! Interesting, don't you think? I think I like these better...but maybe I need to make a batch of the other recipe and compare. Ya think? LOL I also made a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies and because it is my sister's favorite, I plan to send her a batch as a 'thank you' for all my gifts.
Which reminds me - I have only received one plate back from my kids for their Christmas cookies. They still have time to send it back to me. I think they need to start putting on there the type of cookies they want instead of making me remember what kind it is that they like. Hint Hint
It hasn't been too bad in the mornings lately; yes, it is like 81 degrees right now, but in the shade it is cool. Yesterday hubby and I sat out on our patio furniture and I put the shade up. I forgot to take it back down last night. But it's ok this morning and that entire area is shaded and I bet if we go out and take off the covers (I keep the furniture covered to protect it from sun, rain, and bombing birds) we can enjoy some time outside.
Hmmm. My glucose yesterday was 98... this morning it is 114. Think it might be all the cookies - and the bag of potato chips (a small bag!!) that I ate last night? Virta is great for those who follow it. I admit, I do like to check and see where I'm at as it keeps me conscious of what I'm eating. BUT, I'm thinking that after 6 months ... it's time to drop it. I do enjoy doing this those. Maybe enjoy isn't the right word. I'm about due to order more strips and lancets and alcohol pads - I've got a couple weeks yet so will make a decision soon. I did lose ten pounds cause I watched it in the beginning. Unfortunately, cookies and potato chips and bread are not on the menu. Cutting out carbs is really hard. It's similar to keto, but more strict in some cases, and not so strict in others. I was reading in the community comments the other day... some of these people have been on this for a few years - some for many months - but they all seem to have weighed over 300 pounds when they started. Some said they were able to get off their diabetic meds just by cutting back the carbs and losing weight. To be clear, Virta does not give you glp shots or pills or anything like that. The only 'medication' they sent was magnesium chloride. Anyway - I have discovered that with all the water I drink, I need more salt in my diet. LMNT packets work as do some other electrolyte products. I found the LMNT packets work the fastest if I have a cramp. Yesterday my arm was cramping and it reminded me to get some salt in me - fixed a packet with water and voila - the cramp went away. I'm flushing salt out when I drink so much water. And then the body cramps start.
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV): Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us....
Have you every thought about 'who' (or 'Whom') is watching you all the time? Sure, you may be alone, but have you ever paused to think who may be watching you live life? Yes, people around us - our spouse, our children, our friends, people we know - many watch you to determine 'who' you are. Are you who you say you are? Do you live by what you say you believe in? These are serious questions. In the news lately there have been numerous reports of pastors or leaders who have fallen into sexual immorality. They were not who they say they were. I'm not going to go into politicians. Yeah, let's leave that one alone. You probably even know someone who seemed devoted to their spouse, only 'out of the blue' that couple gets divorced because of infidelity. It is a sin that easily entangles us. Not just sexually, but the sin of thoughts, the sins of revenge, the sins of indifference, the sins of behavior.... they all entangle us. Me included at times. And I really hate to admit that. But even I get caught up in the world at times.
And then I read this verse and I am reminded that a great cloud of witnesses are watching me. Not only family and friends, even hubby, but people who have passed on before me. I always think of the 'great cloud of witnesses' of being my mom and my dad, (and I like to think) my siblings who have passed away before me. Jesus. God the Father. Is everyone up in heaven watching me and approving or disapproving of my life? I think the one that gets me the most is my dad. I didn't know him well. But I remember him. And that memory I treasure in my heart. And although I often fail, I often feel that I have disappointed him. I've disappointed Jesus. And I've disappointed others. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. I've done things wrong intentionally. But there is One who always draws me back.
Jesus. Once you know Jesus, there is no turning back. He is always with you. He tweaks your conscience when you fall below your personal expectations of who you should be and how you should live. Jesus loves me, and Jesus loves you, more than we will ever know or remember. (Reminded of that by my precious granddaughter) When I fail, I literally run back to Jesus and seek His forgiveness, His grace and mercy, although I definitely do not deserve it. He offers me life, instead of guilt.
Jesus offers that to you as well. One other thing that I have learned more about recently, and am intrigued to learn more, is the Fear of the Lord. Not to be afraid of Him, but to Fear Him in a way that draws me closer to Him. I don't want to disappoint Him. I don't want Jesus to turn His face from me because He cannot look upon sin. So when I realize what I have done is wrong, I run to Him and seek His face. I repent. I confess. I seek forgiveness. I ask for His help in getting my life straightened out. I'm still a mess, and I'm a work in progress. God isn't finished with me yet.
Nor is He finished with you. Fall in love with Jesus again. If you have lost that 'fear' of the Lord, seek Him, search for Him and He will be found. He isn't far away. He's just waiting on you to come to Him. Will you? Do you long for peace in your mind, your body, your relationships? There is only One who can supply it. And that is Jesus. Run to Jesus. He is your only refuge you will ever need. You rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Blessings!
