April 25th-ALREADY????

It's hard to know where to begin this blog.  It has been 3 1/2 weeks since I've had the time to just sit and put my thoughts down.  Needless to say, a LOT has gone on during that time period.  Hopefully this blog will not be so disjointed that others will not be able to read it with understanding.  Even though it's possible to go back and delete, rearrange, etc...on a blog, I try not to do that because I find that "natural" flow from the heart writing is the best way to journal for me.  So, here goes nothing.

The last time I blogged was on my b-day.  I went back and reread some of my previous blogs and realized a couple of things.  First of all, I do need to sincerely apologize to any of you that may have began reading my blogs hoping for daily encouragement from the book that has titled my blog.  I just am not going to be able to fulfill writing about that each day.  I do hope that while reading the blogs I am able to post-you will find some encouragement/benefit to you.  Most of my blogs for the next few months will be about "life", that thing that just keeps swirling faster and faster every day around me.  Secondly, I upon revisiting my previous blogs, I realized that in the beginning of this journey, there was a lot of talk about "snow" because we were having such a crazy winter here.  Well, alas, today I shall talk some about rain. 

Yes, it is raining-AGAIN-here in Arkansas.  Funny thing, I was thinking yesterday about all of the people I know that would ask me about living in Germany and England-the thing that always struck them was that it rains about 300 days/year in both places.  Most people, particularly from/living in Arkansas, would say they would never be able to handle living in a place that rained that much.  Well, alas, Arkansas is getting absolutely drenched in rain for over 2 weeks now.  Not just Arkansas-tons of other states here in the mid-west/south as well.  Tornadoes in places that have never seen them.  I was absolutely astonished to find out that St. Louis airport had been hit so hard.  NEVER in my life do I remember that area being socked with a tornado that way and I am a native from Missouri!  So, for all of those "doubters" that don't think they could ever enjoy a place like England or Germany-let me tell you-you don't see this much rain total in an entire YEAR in those places as we've had in the last few weeks.  Seriously, the rain that occurs in Germany/England is a slow drizzly rain-seldom EVER have a thunderstorm.  I remember the first time I ever heard thunder in Germany (I'd lived there almost 3 years at that time) I thought it was a plane flying overhead from the base!lol  So, for me, the moral of the story is...I'll take the weather there ANY DAY over this.  However, I am not one to complain-as a matter of fact I think it is sinful to complain.  Who am I to not be grateful for all of the things that God gives me-even rainy days?  Rain certainly serves a purpose for this earth.  Without it, there would be no plant life/sustainment of crops, water to drink, etc...rain is a blessing.  I also know that many people allow the rain to affect their moods.  Notice I say "allow".  I realize there are a few chemical disorders that cause a "few" to actually be affected, physically, by lack of sunshine.  This is not what I am referring to.  I am referring to one that allows the weather to immobilize them until it clears up again.  Instead, should we not look at the blessing that the rain brings?  The blessing of accomplishing things inside our homes-organizing, decluttering, cleaning, reading, blogging, etc...  Rain, not unlike snow, causes us to "slow down" a bit-it's like God's gift of chillaxin time during a normally hectic world.  The rain has allowed me a day to blog-I am thankful.  However, I will admit that even though I'm VERY hot natured...living in Arizona where it only rains about 7" per year and the sun shines 320 days of the year sounds MIGHTY FINE to me right now;)lol 

O.K., now let me go back about 3 weeks and give you the highlights of my hectic life;)  The first week of the month I spent addressing/sending out invites to my Sr.'s H.S. graduation.  That makes it SO real...it's really happening.  The day she has worked so hard for, the day we've prayed so long for, it is all happening in just 2 1/2 weeks time-AAAHHHHH!  Rebecca is officially "registered" for her classes this fall after having met w/her advisor.  We're hoping she can complete her Associates degree in a year and a half since she will have 12 credit hours behind her already going into college this fall.  That will mean she will transfer to UCA, in Conway, after NEXT years holiday break.  She is going to get an associates degree w/emphasis in health sciences.  This fall she will be taking 17 hours.  Speech, American Gov, Biol, Chem I, and Psychology.  We finally got all of her information filled out/turned in to the base and are praying for a summer hire position at the HAWC (Health and wellness center) or the Fitness center.  Either will help her possibly get an internship later when she pursues her Masters degree.  Anywho...just call me Rebecca's personal assistant as I've been involved a lot in helping her accomplish these goals/needs for college life.  I am very proud of her and I know that she is going to do fabulously in college.  She only has 8 more days of school left and she is genuinely "ready" for this transition in her life.  I know that she has a heart to serve the Lord and this is going to be of great benefit to her in the years ahead as she transitions into full adult life.  Many people (particularly moms) have asked, "Aren't you sad?  How are you going to leave her and move to Arizona next year?"  Perhaps I am strange/different-(alright, no comments from the peanut gallery;)-but, I may shed a few tears because of all of the wonderful memories we've shared together during this part of her life...but I am NOT sad that she has grown up.  I am proud.  I am pleased for her that she is prepared to meet her future that is so bright.  The confidence I have in her is because of the confidence I have in her relationship w/Christ.  I know that will carry her through whatever lies ahead.  She's smart, independent, capable, determined, focused, and most of all she seeks "His kingdom first" and this is the day that I've prayed for since she was first placed in my arms nearly 18 years ago.  As far as "leaving her behind"...TONS of young people go away to colleges away from their families every year!  This is not a "new" thing, it is very common.  I lived "at home" w/my parents while attending a Jr. College for a year and a half-then I MARRIED and moved away w/my husband to finish college/live somewhere else.  This is "normal" for us...this is not something "unexpected".  This, too, is part of what we have spent the last 17+ years preparing Rebecca for.  She is ready-we are happy for her!  We will always be here for her-I will always be available to answer questions, help guide her, love her, bring her for a visit, whatever she wants/needs-I will forever be her mother.  Just as my parents were there for me even though I "moved away" 23 years ago.  I thank God every day for the beautiful young woman she has become.  I prayed for 2 years that God would grant me a child and I promised God that WHEN (not IF) He granted me a child, I would devote my life to training that child in His ways and give the child back to Him/His service.  God answered my prayer and I am paying my vow to God-pretty simple to me!

During the first week of every month, I also spend a lot of time with my MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group.  I have grown to treasure my time w/these young women.  This months meeting was very profitable.  We were also blessd to go visit a MOPS meeting in Searcy.  We're trying very hard to make some positive changes in our group.  At our own meeting, we had small group discussion time in private rooms and asked for "feedback" from the moms about what they think we need to do differently, what they enjoy most about what we already do, what they would like to see added to our meetings, etc...  It was interesting to find out that the largest "complaint" was that the moms that are not associated w/the military feel that the military moms are taking over. After much thought and prayer, I have come to the conclusion that the "problem" is the current mix we have in the group.  The group is currently about 50/50- half military moms/half civilian moms.  This accurately reflects our steering committee as well as our community.  This town is about 50% military as well as the members serving on the steering committee.  In our group, the half that are military moms are "loud and proud"-very outspoken, have an obvious "connection" in addition to being moms, etc...  The other half (civilian moms) are very quiet, reserved, laid back...so by "default" you have a situation where it appears that the military moms seem to be dominating the conversation. Being a military spouse myself, this made me do some serious reflecting/thinking about perhaps the way others perceive me/the way I portray myself to others.  First, I am a military spouse and am proud to be one.  I am proud of what my husband does in serving our nation every day-for 26 years now!  However, I have NEVER been a person that has made my life center around the military.  I have never "excluded" myself from civilians.  Quite the opposite for me-I have purposefully set out to "intermingle", "network", "be involved" in whatever community I've lived in.  That has always been a HUGE part of why we have not chosen to live ON an AF base during this journey.  We've only lived "on base" for 6 years total during this 23 years of marriage.  2 years during the early part of our marriage-it was then that we discovered that we NEEDED to live off base because 90% of our activities were w/people NOT related to the military-namely our local church.  It was difficult/a great inconvenience to always have to "sign friends on" the base to come to dinner/play games/etc..  We purposefully avoided this during our second military move to NC and lived off base the entire time.  It was during our time in Germany that we lived in base housing for 4 more years.  A decision we regretted later, but also one that still offered plenty of blessings.  Our situation was a bit different living in a foreign country where "community members" didn't speak our native language.  I had a toddler and was pregnant w/second child.  It was a decision we were forced to make relatively quickly-so we chose base housing.  However, ALL of the members of the local church there in Germany were related to the military-so it was never a problem for us to "get together", "be together" in our home.  As a matter of fact-we had a majority of our potlucks in the community room of the building we lived in.  So this worked out during this unique time/circumstance...but still wished we'd lived off base.  So, as you can see-I have always tried to be "involved" wherever I am.  While I lived in England-this was the ONLY time that I was "involved" in any strictly exclusive military spouses group.  I bowled w/a spouses group and was VP of a squadron spouses group.  Over the years I had MANY invitations to be involved w/groups like that and was even VERY slandered because I chose NOT to be involved in such groups.  I suppose my perspective is very different from a lot of other military spouses.  I choose to spend time w/people, getting to know them, etc...not based on my relation to the military.  I will not always/nor have I always been an active military spouse.  First, I am a "person", a human being created by God-sharing the same struggles, weaknesses, journey as others that may be the wife of a school teacher/fireman/businessman/etc...  Yes, there are some things along this military journey that "only" military wives/moms face.  I am always available to answer questions, give my perspective, use my experiences to help another if there is a unique situation.  However, that is NOT what MOPS is about.  MOPS is about mothering...for me, it's about mentoring young moms during their journey w/young preschool children.  No matter what our spouse does to make a living-mothers of preschoolers share a unique bond just by virtue of being mothers!  I pray that I will be able to season my speech w/grace and encourage the other military moms in our group to be more aware of the way they present themselves to others.  If they want a strictly military moms group-such things exist on the base already through the forums of spouses groups, play groups, etc... offered specifically to the military mom.  I pray that I will always have the heart of Jesus to reach out to "all" people-no matter what their status in life, no matter what others may say (He was condemned for eating w/sinners though He was trying to save their souls w/bread of life!), etc...  I want to be "accessible", "approachable", "vulnerable", "available" to any young mom that may need encouragement.  It is my prayer that our MOPS group, as a whole, can move in the direction of being more "inclusive".  More understanding of one another-both the military moms remembering that it's not "all about them" and their unique circumstances but also the civilian mom learning to be "tolerant/loving" to those military moms that may be in unique circumstances.  Instead of focusing on the "differences", focus on the things that unite us in mothering. 

Also during the first week of April-I met my God chick-Laura Thomas for a trip to Whole Foods market.  That was an interesting little "foodie" trip.  I was amazed at some cool stuff they offered there.  It was primarily an "organic" store-but I went to help teach Laura some things about buying fresh fish.  Unfortunately, Laura/her hubby didn't care for salmon:(  Sad...but it's o.k., not everybody likes the same things.  I'm just amazed by her commitment to better health-she has been a great encouragement to me!  She is involved in the "women run arkansas" challenge in Conway.  I'm praying I will be in good enough physical condition/timing and schedule will be better to do this next spring before we move.  Laura has made some AMAZING progress physically since last summer.  She is only 5' tall and her hubby is well over 6', but she can OUTWALK him w/her 13 min/mile!  She looks AMAZING, physically, and she was always beautiful to look at it-looks like a Barbie doll-as well as an incredible friend/encourager as a sister in Christ.  We had a very fun morning out at the market.  The most memorable part of our trip, was the time we spent at the seafood counter discussing fish while 2 different middle-aged ladies approached Laura about her CUTE haircut!  Can I just say that it felt like I was in the presence of a MOVIE STAR!:)  Laura was so modest/humbled by the attention-she kindly gave each of these ladies the information for her hairdresser and they both insisted they were going to try to get the same cut to see if they could be as cute as she is:)lol  They both requested photos of her with their phones-she kindly obliged-giving them photos from various angles of the hairstyle!  It was fun! I told her the next time we go out together-she HAS to wear a hat and sunglasses so no one will recognize how cute she is!rofl  Being w/Laura that morning just reminded me how blessed I've been to meet so many Godly women that encourage me so much every day.  Laura is in NO WAY related to the military-but she is a sister of the heart and I'm glad for each precious memory we share.  After Laura/I concluded our trip-I met another God chick, Dana, for lunch at Layla's.  LOVE me some Layla's.  I absolutely fell in love w/gyros during my time living in Germany.  Then again, when we lived in England-we had a shop w/gyros in the village near our farm.  This was our "treat" (fast food) night out.  If we wanted to eat something quick/delicious-it was always a gyros.  Fresh/roasted lamb on a spit is absolutely amazing w/lettuce/tomatoes/onions and taziki sauce!!!!YUMMY!  Dana loves mediterranean food-this is very near her clinic-so she met me to treat me to a special belated b-day lunch-it was delicious and as always her company is treasured.  We returned to her clinic and chatted for a bit about life/her clinic/my progress w/my NY word-"health".  Dana and I "do" share both a military spouse title as well as sister in Christ.  However, VERY LITTLE of our connection has to do w/the military-except for the fact that we were blessed to be stationed in the same place (twice I might add:) !  Dana and I share a very deep "spiritual" connection.  We discuss subjects that most people (even other sisters that I treasure) would never dare bring up.  We do not always agree-though we do respect one another's understanding and appreciate one another's honesty.  It's VERY rare to find such a connection-and I am grateful.

My girls also had the blessing of attending a special bible workshop for young people at Fairview Park in LR the first weekend in April.  They came home SO encouraged about the messages/bible classes/singing/etc...that they experienced that weekend.  The theme was "make a difference" and ways that the Christian can truly stand out, be different, reach others, be respected by others, etc...for the cause of Christ.  I always appreciate the effort that goes into providing special meetings like this for young people.  It gives them an opportunity to "connect", "open up" and encourage one another.  Spinning off that thought...the next weekend in April was the 10th annual Spring Banquet that is held each year for H.S. aged students of the church here in Arkansas.  Again, a HUGE undertaking-but such a blessed event.  This year, my husband and I had the privilege to attend because we had a graduating Sr.  Each year, parents of Sr.'s are invited to attend this event.  There is always a slide show presentation and parting gift given to each graduate.  It is a special time for them and their parents.  This year, we had the privilege of flying a very dear friend/brother in Christ (Jimmy Pratt) here to Arkansas to be Rebecca's escort for the banquet.  It was a very special evening for all of the kids that attended.  It was such a blessing to hear a young minister of the Word get up and speak an encouraging word to these young people about how they CAN make a difference, even though they are young!  It does not take age to make a difference in this world for Christ.  More young people need to be encouraged to think outside themselves and do something for someone else-namely Jesus Christ!  The banquet was VERY cool...the decorations were simple, yet elegant, and followed a "theme" that the young people here all adore- "Defying Gravity" which was a spin off the broadway musical-WICKED that most of them went to see and loved last fall.  The food was delicious, the location was very quaint/personal, the girls all looked LOVELY in their "modest" formal gowns, and the guys of course were very handsome! There was even entertainment by 2 of the young Christian men there-namely Austin Brown who performed/sang several John Mayer tunes for the audience.  He did a fabulous job and it's SO nice to see a young person so dedicated to music.   At the end of the evening, the entire group sang the hymn "Blessed be the Tie".   Such an important message to complete such a special evening.  After the formal-the young people all attended an all night "lock in" at a local community center in Conway.  They sang camp songs, hymns or praise to God, played basketball, volleyball, and other games.  It was an enjoyable time for all.  For any of you that would like to see photos of the event and haven't-check out my album on my fb page. After this event, I was asked "why" my daughter goes to the Spring formal instead of Prom every year.  Several reasons for that.  First/foremost...this event is with young people of God-these are young people she spends time w/at bible camps/retreats/etc... year after year.  These are people she is very intimately acquainted with, that share the same goals she has in life, that understand/know who she is, etc...  Why would she choose to attend an event with young people that she goes to class with (but doesn't really "know"), that desire to "party", "dance", be involved in all types of worldly activities, etc...There, she would just be a "number', just another "somebody".  At the spring formal-she is important to everyone in the room, she is known by almost everyone in the room, etc... Another reason-the dress of young people at the Prom...or should I say "undress". It's always interesting to me that the schools have such "strict" dress codes-yet for sports/formal events like Prom-they don't apply them?  What is the logic in that?  I know that the following "opinion" may not be received well by many and I do not write it to provoke anger-but why would any parent encourage their daughter to wear provocative clothing to a formal event?  Where are the Dad's?  Don't they remember/know what it's like to be very visually attracted to a woman's body-particularly when that lady is "young/vibrant"?  Don't they remember "hormones" and how they rage through a young boy's body?  If so, please tell me WHY they would encourage/allow their daughters to wear such immodest clothing?  Where have all of the "real" men/fathers gone?  The ones that will say, "Sorry, try again, NOT happening" when a young girl (who btw, doesn't know about the dangers he does yet because hasn't yet had enough life experience and for SURE doesn't think from a male perspective!) tries to push the envelope and wear something inappropriate/provocative.  So, all of this rant is to say this...I am grateful/thankful that I have been blessed to live in a place where brethren have taken notice of young people's desire to attend a nice formal event and have taken it upon themselves to "host" this alternative for Christians.  An alternative that encourages godly living, godly dress, godly friendships/relationships, godly behavior, etc... I have already decided that IF there is no one already doing this when we move to Arizona-I WILL!  There may only be 4 or 5 young people attend-but I WILL do my best to get the word out/advertise to other Christians/network/plan this event-even if it has to be in my own home that is "transformed" into a ballroom!  Again, I do not say any of these things out of malice...just to provoke serious thought for those that want to live more holy/godly lives and be "set apart" from the world.  This is just one way we can do it-certainly not the only way-and I'm certainly not trying to be judgemental.  Just "keeping it real" and trying to look at it from God's perspective.

So, formal weekend-I mentioned we had our brother, Jimmy, here with us.  It was such an honor to have such a kind/respectful/loving young Christian man here with us.  It was indeed our pleasure to fly him here, from Indiana, to spend the weekend.  He had a GREAT time! He'd never flown before-but did great-even with the changeover in Chicago coming/going.  He said it was "cool" meeting all of the young Christians here in the area and spending time with them.  Our girls go each summer to a bible camp in KY.  This is how we know Jimmy.  Jimmy/Rebecca are very good friends.  Jimmy is a very "new" Christian-a babe in Christ.  We had some fun times while he was here.  I took him to the base, he had never been on an AF base or any type of military base and was quite fascinated with the fact that it is it's own little community-that you really never would have to leave the base for anything-because it has everything!  After treating Jimmy to lunch at an Italian restaurant following SU a.m. services-we returned him to the airport.  I asked Jimmy (a northern boy!) what he thought about the south-what was different, what he expected, etc...  His responses intriqued me-first, he said that the people are MUCH more open/friendly (score one for the south!;), the accents were not as "heavy" and drawn as he expected (score another for the south!:), the preacher's sermon was excellent/very thought provoking/heavy in scripture (score one for the bible belt;), and that the weather was MUCH more volatilehumid than he expected (oops-score one for the north;)lol  So, his perspective was that he'd love to come back-but NOT during the summer!  Can't say I blame him for that and I'm not from the north!

Mid-week of banquet, I had the pleasure of being treated to a belated b-day lunch by another friend, Amal.  Amal and I went to Panera bread-it was her first time, but she must have liked it because she got a frequent visitors card to get benefits!  Amal is a relatively new friend (last 2 years).  Her husband/2 sons/daughter are members of the congregation here of the church that I attend.  Amal is from Egypt, she is a "retired" military spouse, she lived in Arizona (for 8 years) where I am moving next summer, and she is one of the kindest/hospitable people I've ever known that is not a Christian.  Amal has a lot of Christian "qualities", but is a Muslim by culture/background.  I am always interested in getting to know others from other cultures.  I find it intriquing/challenging/thought provoking to get to know and enjoy someone's company who has been raised with a totally different type of upbringing than most of my friend's have experienced being raised in America.  In such a short period of time, I have learned a LOT from Amal.  A lot that I can put into practice as a Christian-even though she is not one.  She is the epitome of "hospitality".  She will drop whatever she is doing to make time for others!  She is always joyful, smiling, kind, very social, etc... She greets others at the services of the church even though she is not a member-certainly members of the church could learn from her example! She attends most worship services w/her husband because she has great respect for her husband.  I can definitely use a dose of "respecting/honoring" my husband from time to time.  It's so easy to take the relationship w/my husband for granted.  Amal does not do that.  She treasures her time w/her husband and takes very serious her role as keeper of the home.  It is my prayer that, through time, I will be able to talk with Amal more about the importance of being washed in the blood of Jesus Christ through baptism. I know that her husband has done this and continues to encourage her.  I love her, care about her, and want the best for her.  Certainly that best is an eternal home in Heaven.  She will not obtain that goal through Muhammed-Jesus Christ is the way, truth, and the life.  In the meantime, I enjoy our time together, learn what I can from her, and pray that my example is a positive influence in her life so that she may want to become a child of God's through His Son, Jesus.  Amal is a gift to me-I thank God for her friendship.

Last week I spent preparing for book club for my youngest daughter, Michaela and meeting some daily challenges offered on some various fb groups I am involved with.  I am active in 4 fb groups-one is Virtuous Woman-a group that offered a challenge last week to list 2 blessings/per day for 7 days.  2 of them are weight loss/health related.  One is downsizing in progress and the other is "temple watchers" based on the scripture in I Cor. that says our bodies are the temple of God, this group is directed by my sister chick-Lori:)  Both of these groups offer ongoing encouragement, ideas, information, progress updates, for those that are seeking a better healthy lifestyle-Temple Watchers uses scripture to encourage/remind us-which is ultimately my goal-to be healthier so I can serve God/others w/my physical body more effectively.  The final fb group I'm active in is Thou excellest them all, it was started last week by sister Jenni from Conway, AR.  This group focuses on time management, keeping the home, being a wife, parenting, organization, decluttering, etc...all things that help me achieve my lifetime goal-to become the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. Each day, sister Jenni issues a challenge, she also solicits any questions/responses/inquiries about anything related to womanly life.  I posed a question on the forum last weekend.  It was about a "tool" I've come across that I believe will make my life SO much more simple.  It is called e-mealz and it is an online menu/shopping planning service for just $5/month!  I wanted to know if anyone on the forum had used it, what they liked/disliked about it, etc... The feedback was awesome...a few indeed have used it/are using it and say it has cut down on their planning/shopping time/food budget drastically!  I am SO excited about this.  Although I am a planner by nature, I do NOT like to shop! One of the biggest challenges of keeping the home has been the amt of time it takes to budget/plan menus/shop for food for my family!  By the time I get to the shopping, I am exasperated.  Anyone who is interested in an amazing convenience w/tons of options (couples, families, low-fat, portion control, shop plans for specific stores, etc...) should check this amazing service out.  I can EASILY save $5/month w/coupons to pay for this service!  I've decided to begin using it when school begins this fall-just for me/Michaela.  Then if all goes well-I will transfer to the "family of 4" service once we move to Arizona next summer.  Also been checking out "flylady" for her tips on home organization.  I'm really doing a LOT of decluttering before this upcoming move.  Her tips will help me have a definite "plan" to get it all done before next summer-in a consistent/timely/manageable way.  Going to get Michaela started on a plan once we move to Arizona as well.  She needs some tools to help her manage "things" a bit better so she doesn't become a hoarder-she def has that personality! 

Speaking of Michaela-book club on Friday night here went very well.  The girls reviewed the book "Peter and the Starcatchers" which is a prequel to Peter Pan.  3 of the 4 girls present rated it a "9", which is quite high for their standards.  The thing I enjoy most about this book club w/these young Christian girls is watching them come to some "conclusions" on their own.  No matter what book we've read-they've always found a "spiritual" implication/lesson that can be applied.  This is such an important skill to have as you enter adulthood/mature in Christ.  The ability to "discern" between good/evil and use each circumstance/event to learn something that help you become more Christlike.  We will have one more book club in June, then break for the summer, picking up again in August after school begins.  The girls have grown/changed SO MUCH this year-not just physically, but they are maturing spiritually and really coming to some very deep understanding of the things of God.  I am grateful to have this opportunity to host the book club for them-they have taught me a LOT!:)

So, as you see...my life is quite full of activity.  But, each of them is part of my goal in life-to serve the Lord w/all my heart/mind/soul and encourage others around me to do the same! Dear reader, I pray that through my ramblings here on this page-you will have gained something that may help you do the same. One final update-about my word of the year-"health".  I continue in a positive direction with my health.  In the middle of all of this other activity-put in going to the gym for 40 minutes 7X per week-M/W/F in a.m. and T/TH both a.m. and p.m.  This is helping me reach some very important physical goals.  One is obviously weight loss-I am down 40 pounds since the first of the year.  Things are getting "slower" and I am working harder to achieve results, this is to be expected. I am not discouraged, because I know that even if I only lose 1 pd a week over the next year-that is 52 more pounds and I will TAKE IT!  I'm not depriving myself-just being choosy and eating only the things I really love, am in the mood for, etc... just in moderation and keeping healthy "balanced" meals in mind as well.  Spiritually, I am doing well.  All of the above activities I've mentioned have impacted my life, spiritually, for the positive.  I am currently revisiting an old book to refocus myself, spiritually, in addition to my daily bible reading.  The book is "The purpose driven life".  Though this book is not without scriptural error, it does contain some very good thoughts about priorities and keeping "focused" on the goal of Heaven.  Like all books written by men (the bible being the ONLY perfect will of God), I use what is in accordance to God's word and toss the rest-enough said!  So, if you are following me along life's journey in this blog I encourage you with the thought of Day 1-"It's not about me."  In spite of all of the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?"  A difficult question in our modern society-but a very important one to consider for one that desires to live for God.  God's blessings on all until next time!