WFW Luke 2:11

"There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

I love the Christmas season.  I love reflecting on the birth of Christ, the beauty of it, the heartache of it, the promise of his birth.  Where would we be without the birth of Christ?  No Messiah, no Savior, no hope, no life eternal.  

This year, we chose to do things a little differently.  We placed a tree in our entryway, not large by any means, and have begun decorating it with prayer cards.  All it took was posting it on Facebook, and the prayer requests have been flowing in.  I love it.  Rather than ornaments, we have prayers, could there be anything more beautiful?  I think not.  Each night, as a family, we remove some cards from the tree and pray specifically for each request.  Let me just say, we are all excited about this new tradition in our home.  

 You know what is great?  When our little girl prays she starts with "Thank you God that.." and then goes on to insert the prayer request.  She knows He is sure to answer, and her prayers reflect that.  Oh to be like a child!  It is endearing and wonderful and a reminder of how we are to pray.  We are not to doubt that God will answer, He will, He has, He always does.  Pray with confidence, pray specifically, simply pray.

If you have a request you would like us to add to our prayer tree, please let me know either in the comments section or via email.  We would love to add you to our tree, and there is plenty of room for more!  Be blessed, and may your hearts and minds be set on Christ.

To enjoy more Word Filled Wednesday posts click here..

WLW: Healthy Priorities

This week's topic is: All about you. Losing weight is hard and takes lots of time and effort. How do you make time in your busy schedule for your weight loss journey? How do you make time for yourself and your needs?

Let me see how to phrase this answer. I take the time because my health is important, I am important, and this temple God's provided me is worth caring for. I am a better wife, mother, friend, trainer, human being when I am taking care of myself. Not scheduling in time for exercise simply isn't an option because of how negatively not exercising affects me.

I actually disagree that losing weight is hard and takes a lot of time and effort. What it takes is consistency, and choosing healthy habits each day. We did not gain weight over night, so why do we think we will lose it overnight? What we have to do is simply make health a habit. This is not about being a certain size, it is about being able to carry out what we were set on this earth to do with vibrancy and joy (and no, that sentence does NOT say "if you are overweight you are not vibrant and your life lacks joy). The healthier we are, the more energy we have to carry out our daily tasks, to serve, and to be with others.

It is not about figuring out how to find the time, it is more about making it a priority and part of my daily schedule, without excuses. I would not forgo caring for my child simply because I was tired, went to bed later than I should have, or simply because I did not feel like it. No! That is however the attitude people take towards their health and it is as equally insane.

With that I say, choose it. Choose foods that will nourish your body, provide you with energy and strength, and choose exercise that will keep your body strong. What are you waiting for? Go!

Rejoicing

Oh me oh my, what a day it has been. This morning I picked up my nieces and the fun began. There was dressing up as princesses, fort building, dancing, snacking, reading, singing, chasing, and much more. These three girls are rather comical together, they are comical individually actually, but the three together adds a whole new dimension to the word comical.

They played in the rain then came in for some hot chocolate and tree decorating. A 3 year old, 6 year old, and 12 year old helping decorate a tree makes things rather interesting. My sweet 6 year old niece had half a dozen ornaments in the area of the tree she was standing nearest to. We may have to revisit the layout of the ornaments, but it did make for some funny moments.  Besides, I am doing my best to develop strong relationships with these girls, not competing for an award for best decorated tree!

The girls went home, my child took a nap, and I began making prayer cards to decorate one of our Christmas trees. Already, I am loving it. The tree is in the entryway of our house, and aside from the ribbon streaming down the tree, the only decorations will be cards with prayers on them. I believe I will make some with Scriptures on them too.

With the decorations up, the cool temperatures, and the laughter filling this house, we are already having a wonderfully blessed Christmas season. I love these moments that so vividly show me how good God is, His provisions in our lives, and the joy He has showered upon us.  Praying you are mindful of the blessings in your life today.

Thank you

Happy Thanksgiving all!

WLW: Open topic

In light of Thanksgiving being tomorrow, here are a few tips for you to keep it healthy:

• Eat breakfast as usual.
• Do your morning workout.
• Plan what you are eating, know your calories in the foods you are eating as much as possible, and be diligent about portion sizes.
• Refrain from not eating all day as this will only make you eat more than normal when you do sit down with your family.  Stuffing your face will do nothing but make you feel miserable.
• Choose pumpkin over pecan pie, find reduced calorie recipes online, or skip the pie and go for a sugar cookie or the like if you must have something sweet.
• If necessary, prepare some of your own foods to take with you.  Better to know what you are consuming than blow all your hard work at one meal for fear of hurting someone's feelings.  It is your health, take care of it.
• Go out for a family walk a few hours post meal.
  

Christmas is not about the gifts and Thanksgiving is not about finding out how much food you can eat. Keep that in mind. Be thankful, enjoy the time with friends and families, and do not be afraid to push yourself away from the table. Enjoy.

WFW: 1 Chron 16:34

1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

As I look at this picture, my mind immediately takes me back to the evenings watching the sunset here, on the Sea of Galilee.  I am reminded of the boat ride and the lessons and how easily I sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit.  He walked here.  He sailed here.  He fished here.  He was here.

There is much to be thankful for in my life, and I am more mindful of what God has done in the past few months.  He presented a trip to Israel, provided the means to go, and showed up in mighty ways while I was there.  And He shows up still, in the quiet moments, in the moments of laughter, in the moments I find myself pondering the two weeks that forever changed me.

I am thankful for my precious family, friends who are out of this world extraordinary, for moments filled with laughter, for those filled with learning, for those I am able to be a part of.  I am thankful for the God who loves me, Jesus who died for me, and the Holy Spirit who intercedes for me.  I am thankful for the unexplainable, the beautiful, the things I do not understand, and for the imagination of my child.  I am thankful for books and music and pens and journals.  I am thankful for the Bible, coloring books,  and the princesses at Disney World who made my child's face light up.

I am thankful for my husband's hugs and his gift of learning and insights into Scripture.  I am thankful for my little girl's smile, big bright eyes, and silly laugh.  I am thankful for her curly hair, and the way she puts her hands on my face and says, "I've always wanted you."  I am thankful for the way three of us enjoy spending time together.  I am thankful for how perfect God is, how He created this world, and you, and me.  I am thankful.

To enjoy more Word Filled Wednesday posts click here..

Did you know you are loved?

I have posted this before, but it's worth repeating. YOU ARE LOVED! We have much to be thankful for.

Moments of Peace

Have you ever had one of those days that a feeling of uneasiness seemed to be prevalent? You know, a day where no matter what you did or what was happening, you just felt unsettled? Today was one of those days. There was nothing about today that was out of the ordinary, nothing overtly bad or overtly good. The day just was, and it carried with it feelings of unease.

My child and I did get to enjoy lunch with my niece who graces the halls of a middle school. Oh middle schoolers, they are a funny bunch. My niece is precious and I am glad she asked us to join her, although I have some suspicions that it was really her cousin she wanted there. That's ok there, I am happy to oblige in that regard.

This evening, prior to dinner, I was searching high and low for some gloves I have misplaced and noticed an unused piece of poster board. Images of Thanksgiving Trees posted by friends flased in my mind and I chose to create one of our own. I am no artist, and I did not take more than roughly 60 seconds to create our tree. But, it works. In its simplicity and silliness and multiple colors, it works for the three of us who reside here. It will work to remind us of the many reasons we have to be thankful, and to ponder those reasons not yet written. And, a day that began so unsettled became a peaceful wonderful evening.

Hospitality: What Matters

With the holidays quickly approaching, it is easy to get caught up in the commercialism and busyness. We forget, or simply do not bother, to remind ourselves why we are doing what we are doing. Especially during Thanksgiving, many seem to be caught up in how much turkey and dressing can be consumed and what football teams are playing that day rather than pausing and reflecting on the many blessings in life. The people, the opportunities, the moments of laughter and growth, the moments that take our breath away. Stop and give pause to reflect in humble thanks on these things. Before you begin cooking and setting tables and finding yourself caught up in family chatter, find a quiet spot to give thanks, and to praise the Lord who has given them all to you.

This holiday, I am thankful for my new wooden caddy from DaySpring! I adore simple and tasteful decor. I do believe dining utensils will look much better in this beautiful caddy rather than platic cups, don't you?

Of course, I have to do a giveaway too! The winner will receive a 20% discount code to be used at the DaySpring online store. YES! Purchase your own caddy, buy some cards, find the item that fits your needs, and enjoy it at a discounted price! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by noon Friday, 11/18/11. Come on, what are you waiting for?

**Thank you DaySpring for this incredible product in return for my honest review.

WLW: Surviving Giving Thanks

This week's topic is…

Thanksgiving

With so much attention on food, Thanksgiving can be a dieter's nightmare. How are you going to handle the holiday in regards to your weight loss goals? Are you changing up your menu? Have you revamped some family favorites? Or are you just going to try to maintain over the holiday? I hope you'll come and share with us. Remember it's all about being a community of 3 strands…providing encouragement and support for one another in our weight loss journey. Together, we can make a difference in our lives.

First of all, I will be starting my day with a Turkey Trot in our area, which happens to be a 12k event. That's right, 8 miles once you have done the math conversions. I was actually hoping for just a 5k, but so it goes. Once I have risen back from the dead recovered, I will shower so we can head over to my parent's house. What is nice is that we keep things simple and there are lots of veggies. So, I will simply have to be mindful of my portion sizes and make sure the salad takes up the majority of the plate.

I may even offer to help prepare some of the sides and desserts in order to know calories and such.

The best advice I can offer is to do some sort of Turkey Trot in your area. Or, start the day out walking as a family. Discuss the year so far, what you are thankful for, what you hope for in the coming year and the upcoming Christmas season. Being out in nature seems to enable all of us to open up a little more.

There you go, I will be partaking in a 12k event and then follow it up with some time with my sweet family. I am excited already (about the family part anyway).

Be blessed and click the image at the top of the post to join in on the WLW fun!

Surrounded by Beauty

Hebrews 3:12-14 -- See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

Yesterday, I sat and wrote a blog concerning feelings of loneliness I have encountered since returning from Israel.  I received a response from a dear friend, the one pictured with me in the picture above, which had me rejoicing in the fact I shared what was in my mind.  My sweet friend, whose heart and mine have been melded together from this incredible journey, understood and yet offered a perspective I had not considered while I was wallowing in my loneliness.  This change of perspective, another new lens from which I can view my circumstances has left me feeling even more thankful for the trip to Israel, Bible World Seminars, my fellow pilgrims, and most importantly for the God of Abraham and Isaac who beckons me, "Come."

Allow me to share the beautiful perspective my friend encouraged me with (I italicized some portions):

You write so well the thoughts and emotions I am experiencing. Granted, I am in TN in close proximity to fellow sojourners but hear me say loneliness is a very apt word to describe the overwhelming emotions. Life's too busy and I too am thankful for technology to stay connected.

As I try to keep a positive perspective on this loneliness, I've come to realize that I this is the kind of encounter with the Living God that I pray I never get over! So in that, I'm going to revel in the loneliness, the haze, the longing to go back! Having never been to Heaven, I can't fully understand or imagine what it will be like yet I long for it. In a lesser, earthly sense that would be like longing for Israel...having met God there in the most profound way. We aren't made for this world...be that TX or TN...we are made for the NEW JERUSALEM!

Our appetites were whetted by our intimate encounter with our Father, His Son, and; His Spirit in the old Jerusalem. I'm going to change my vocabulary...what I've been calling my "loneliness" I'm going to hitherto refer to as my unique, so-very-personal blessing! Praying that others get to experience it! But understanding that if there is no one or 20 around me that get it, I will still sense that longing that can feel like loneliness.

I'd rather have this blessed loneliness than to never have experienced this new lens, and new way of relating to Him! Love you friend, so blessed to be wrecked with you! Let's keep longing for MORE of Him!

God quickly reminded me of how important his children are to him, and how important it is to keep our minds set on things above (Colossians 3:2)

*This picture was taking on top of the Herodium.  And we were instructed to wear hats, so forgive our stellar beauty underneath our awesome hats *grin*.

On Being An Island

It has been a month since I returned from Israel. One month ago, the most life changing journey I have ever encountered was coming to an end, yet it was also only beginning. Processing all that happened is taking much longer than I believed it would, and most days I find myself staring at nothing as I return to Israel in my mind. I see the locations; I hear the lessons; I see the people, I know where I was sitting; I remember when someone laughed, cried, or was left to ponder what we heard.

Then, it has only been one month, it is easy to remember moments from only one month ago.

While the majority of the group resides in Tennessee, a few of us are in different locations. When I went on this trip, and even as I began my return home, I could not have imagined how lonely I would feel upon returning. A little island, far from the mainland, wanting to share the beauty and richness with someone, yet no one around me is looking through the same set of lenses.

I do my best to communicate the lessons, to describe the land, but I know my words fall horribly short of what I experienced. Truly, studying God's word on the very land where it all occurred changes the dynamic completely. Others nod and smile, and sometimes say, "wow," but it is not from understanding, it is not from having been. I am left feeling quite alone.

It is a fine line between sharing my excitement and refraining from steamrolling those around me with how differently I view things, how alive God's word has become. This balancing act is leaving me aching and often wobbling around and praying I am not doing an injustice to the biblical study program nor offending the hearer of my words.

Thanks to skype and the trusty old telephone, I am able to speak to others who understand fully what I so inadequately explain to others. I have become more thankful for the technology that allows me to reach out to my fellow travelers, my fellow pilgrims on this journey. It is in these conversations I do not have to choose my words so carefully, I do not have to cautiously balance my message, my emotions, or my actions. They get it because they were there.

However, in my immediate world, in the day to day, I am alone in this. Some days I am ok with this, there are days the loneliness presses in.

In a year and a half, my husband will understand. The man most important to me will be setting off on this pilgrimmage, and I will no longer be one small island attempting to tread these new waters.

Until that time, I will ponder these things in my heart, pray for the discernment for when to speak, and sit in awe as God becomes ever more wonderful to me.

Psalm 16:8-10 (NIV)

⁸ I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
   With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
 ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
   my body also will rest secure,
¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

WFW John 10:11

John 10:11-18:

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Granted, this picture may just look like some sort of cave to you. However, it is a sheepfold in Israel. A sheepfold that protects sheep, and there in front, in the open is where the shepherd would reside. He would protect his sheep from animals, thieves and prevent them from wandering away, away from the shepherd's safety.

A good shepherd will lead his flock, they will know his voice and they will follow at the sound of it. A hireling, the hired hand, walks behind the flock. He uses force to get the sheep to move, and the sheep do not know his voice. The hireling will not protect them and will certainly not risk his life for them.

We have one, a Good Shepherd, who beckons us, "Come, follow me." The Good Shepherd who longs to protect those who are wandering alone, those who have gone astray, those falling prey to evil's grasp. This Good Shepherd who chose to be the sacrifice in order to rescue the flock.

That is the God whom I serve.

To enjoy more Word Filled Wednesday posts click here..

WLW

I have no clue what the topic is for today, and since I am writing this on Tuesday evening, I am just going with whatever enters my mind. Rebel, I know.

Being one who is completely insane and a glutton for punishment who enjoys changing up her exercise routine often to prevent boredom and to create muscle confusion, I often ask my friend and mentor, Carter, for tips. And boy does he deliver.

This week's newest? It involves cardio, cardio that may make you want to cry, beg for mercy, want your mommy, or need CPR. Interested? HA! Anyway, here's how it goes down:
2 min steady run
30 sec sprint
2 min steady run
30 sec sprint
1 min walk
Repeat 5-7 times
I chose the treadmill as my instrument of torture and ran at a 5.0 pace, sprinted at 9.0, walked at 4.0, and repeated it 7 times. This can also be done on a bike, a rowing machine, etc. You choose. As Carter said, "If you aren't near tears at the end, you aren't doing it right." I wasn't near tears, I did however leave my legs on that treadmill.

I hope to find them tomorrow, when I return, for spinning. I am also enjoying After Burn by Cathe Friedrich. This video is tougher than I thought it would be.

There you have it, that's what is happening with me. I am also back to consistently writing down everything I eat in order to track my calorie intake. Let me be honest, I do not like doing this. I really, truly don't. However, it works and keeps me from consuming more than needed in a given day. Amazing how one sheet of paper and a pencil can provide so much accountability.

Happy trails friends, be healthy and choose wellness today!