Courageous Faith–Final Thoughts

As promised, here are a few pictures…

First, a couple of the older ones I have kept in my “Joshua Scrapbook” over the last 19 years. 

SUCH a beautiful baby!!

A couple more… current ones…

Josh and his sweet girlfriend, Meg, and then one I just thought was too cute…

even if he does have an UGLY ORANGE hat on!! :-)

 

And lastly, here are two that we took the day all the children all met each other for the first time.

I think you can tell by the expression on my face… I was SO PROUD!

I’ll leave you with these final thoughts from my message this last Sunday…

**(You can listen to My Story in its entirety here.)**

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

What do you need to TRUST GOD with today? How do you need him to WORK AND MOVE in your life?? Are you being held CAPTIVE by sin, or circumstances? Maybe you are like I was, and need to pray a prayer like “God, you have to make this okay. You have to handle this. Because I can’t. I don’t even WANT to.”

Remember the verses we started with? From Isaiah 61?

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion ---- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”

That is why JESUS CAME. To proclaim FREEDOM to the captives… to SET THE PRISONERS FREE!! Redeeming our lives is His specialty! That’s HOW HE ROLLS!!

I am not just saying these words because they are the “Christian Thing” to say. I am begging you right now to come to him and surrender everything, because I have lived it. I have seen what He can do with a heart and life that are totally His.

He has TURNED MY MOURNING INTO DANCING!! He has given me JOY in my heart instead of tears of mourning. He is making me a MIGHTY OAK that stands tall and testifies to HIS GLORY!!

(That’s the tagline of my blog, by the way… Truly Captivating: Shining My Light. Reflecting His Glory.)

I want to share one more thing, and then I’ll close. Do you know what the name JOSHUA means? It’s actually a form of the same name as our Savior… Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua… It literally means “Jehovah Saves”.

What do you think? Could there be a more appropriate name? God used Joshua to save my life… God gave Joshua to me because He knew I would save his… But it’s not Josh’s name that is most important.

It’s JESUS.

Call on Him today. Let Him be YOUR SAVIOR… Your VERY PRESENT HELP in time of need!!

********************************************

Thank you all for the privilege of allowing me to share these special details of my life with you.  Thank you to all who have joined me on this journey… My beloved parents and siblings, Josh’s precious parents and siblings, My awesome KISA, my three beautiful babies (Emilee, Jake, and Sam), and most especially, you Josh.  Thank you for giving me permission to share our story… to continue to allow God to work and move through it in MIGHTY ways… You totally amaze me!! And I will ALWAYS love you… Like Jesus does!!! 

Courageous Faith Part Three–Walkin’ On Sunshine

(August 7, 2011… One of the most JOYOUS days of my life!!)

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”   (Psalm 30:11-12)

Time went on and I began to get back to some sense of “normal” in my life. I re-enrolled at Francis Marion University (after taking a break from school due to everything that had happened) and got involved in the Baptist Student Union. I met some great friends, and actually began to feel like myself again. Bethany asked me the next year if I would share my story at their Annual Fund-Raiser Banquet as a “Birth Mom’s Perspective” on adoption. That was just the first time… over the next couple of years, God gave me MANY opportunities to share. And share I did, because like Joseph, I believed that…

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”.  (Genesis 50:20)

One of the ways I was able to heal, was because I believed (still do) that nothing happens to us that doesn’t first flow through the filter of God’s hand. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger”… and we become strong so we can help the weak. Allowing God to lead us through our experiences gives us the grace and courage to help others who may be going through the same thing. One of my dear friends at my home church was a missionary to Japan at this time. She shared my story with many women in that culture who needed to be comforted… who had lost their own innocence… their own children.

Unbeknownst to me, God was using my story to bless people on the other side of the globe!

But that’s not all… “the saving of many lives” also referred to my own. Another huge part of my healing was through the knowledge that my baby, “Joshua” (as his adoptive parents had named him) was out there somewhere… Smiling, Laughing, Growing, and becoming… and I clung to that with every fiber of my being. I knew this because I was able to get monthly reports for the first year of his life. The family would send pictures and updates through Bethany to my counselor who would then forward them to me. I would literally be standing at the mailbox waiting to hear the latest. It was such a blessing!

After the first year, the family decided that they wanted the adoption to continue to be “open”. They wanted Josh to know about me… to hear from me… and to one day be part of his life. I continued to get pictures and letters, this time directly from his Mom. I was able to send him gifts every birthday, and Christmas. I still do.

In the mean time, I met my KISA. (My Knight in Shining Armor). The night he asked me out on our first date, I had just given my testimony.. told this same story, at a BSU Bible Study. As my senior year of college began, I had one big prayer… to find my “future husband”. I met him that night.

Since he’d always known about everything I had been through, and all about Joshua, things were never awkward. He was as excited as I was when new pictures and letters would come in. He would even go with me (still does) to buy Josh’s gifts. Chris’ perspective has always been that Josh may not be “his child” but he is part of me… and I am his, so Josh is, too. That has always been SUCH a blessing… but never more than the last couple of months.

Josh graduated from High School in June of 2010, and I was sent an invitation.

I wasn’t sure at the time if this was just a “wanted you to know” kind of thing, or if he really wanted me there… If the time had come to finally meet my son. After praying over it, Chris and I decided that the timing wasn’t quite right… and that when it was, God would make that abundantly clear.

Since I now I have three more children, I began to worry about how to tell them. What would they think? What would Josh think when he found out about them? But every time those worries would plague me, I would remember one fact. God’s fingerprints have been on this situation since the very beginning, and he had all of that worked out, too… I just had NO IDEA how well…

This past June, Josh found me on Facebook. (Facebook!!) When I got the “friend request” I didn’t even hesitate… I immediately accepted. We began to message each other every few days, that grew into “chat sessions” where we talked about Swamp People and Country Music. :-) I was LOVING getting to know him more personally and having contact with this beautiful young man that I had loved from birth. I kept telling Chris, he is just too good to be true. So wise, so strong, so mature. Again, just confirmation that God’s plan is perfect, and my decision 19 years ago was a good one.

He is out on his own now, and has been struggling just a bit, so right before his birthday (August 1) I gave him my phone number and told him I was here for him, if he ever needed me. Ten minutes later, I got a text.. “Hey. Ha ha. It’s Josh”. I couldn’t stop smiling.

Conversations began to grow deeper, and I could tell Josh had lots of questions. Questions about who he is, and where he gets certain personality traits and other tendencies. (Like, ahem… a bad temper – No! Surely not MY child!! *Wink, Wink!*) I began to explain to him that I would love to answer his questions, but I didn’t think that texts or Facebook was the proper platform. His parents and I have always said that we would let Josh lead, and I would only move as far as he wanted me to go. I was trying to be so sensitive to that. So, as you might imagine, I could barely catch my breath when he replied, “I think I know where you are going with this. And if I am honest, I have to tell you that I am ready to meet you, and be a part of your life.”

WOW! The tears began to flow… but this time. They were tears of JOY!

A week later, (August 7,  2011)we met in person, just the two of us (as Josh requested).

It was SO AMAZING!! We literally just smiled and stared at each other for the first few minutes. As God would have it, Josh is now living only 5 minutes from my youngest sister and her husband. Door after door was opened… and we joyfully, yet cautiously stepped through them. The time came to share with my children… I was scared to death, but I was ready. Emilee knows the whole story, she happened to walk in on me one day in my room when I was having a “moment” and demanded to know why I was crying… she is a very determined little chick, so Chris and I decided it was time to tell her. (She is here today… I love you, Baby Girl!! Thanks for being so strong for your Mama and for helping me hold it together! You are truly a Steel Magnolia in my book!) Chris and I decided to tell the boys a couple of weeks ago. They’ve always known about “Joshua” and that he is a “special part of our family” because they’ve seen pictures… both in my parent’s home, and my own. As I said… I had to see him… to be reminded daily that HE is the good that came out of that night. HE is the reason I am alive today… But now the boys know that Josh is their brother. (They know that “something bad” happened to Mama when I was a young woman and that God gave me Josh to help me get through it.) All the kids were over-joyed. Honestly, the first question that every single one of them asked was, “When can we meet him?” Last Sunday, Josh met Emilee, Jacob, and Sam. It was love at first sight. I could have just busted wide open.

Josh is still very close with his parents and siblings (as he should be), but he now has another family that loves him, and has embraced him, too.

God truly worked it all out, and He has turned my mourning into dancing… I can honestly say, that other than my wedding day, and the births of my three little ones, I have never been happier.

Sweet Lord Jesus, I stand in awe. You have indeed worked this all out above and beyond any and all of my expectations… you have done more than I could ever ask or imagine. Your will is perfect. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for helping me to trust that you were going to really give me that HOPE and that FUTRE you promised. I cannot be silent! I will sing your praises forever!

(Stay tuned tomorrow… for some Final Thoughts and PICTURES!!) :-)

Courageous Faith Part Two–Daylight Dawns

(August 1, 1992)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”.  - Romans 8:28

Again, it was right around midnight. The pains had been coming all day, but by this time they were stronger, and much closer together. I had no idea what I was going to do… You see, I had finally come to terms with my pregnancy about 4 months in. Before that I was in total denial. The first 2-3 months, I had had some spotting which I mistakenly supposed to be my cycle. I breathed a sigh of relief. Until the spotting stopped. Month four there was nothing, and my belly was beginning to poke out. I kept telling myself, “No. This cannot be happening. God wouldn’t let this happen to me”. A month or so later, I began to feel the child inside me move. At this point there was no denying it, anymore. I was pregnant, and I had NO IDEA who the father was.

I had a serious boyfriend in high school, and dated a few guys in my first year or so of college, but I had never given myself to anyone. I’m not saying I was perfect. I was what you might call, “very affectionate”. But I never gave myself to anyone because for me, it was VERY IMPORTANT to save that gift for my husband. So there was no question in my mind about when I had become pregnant… but I had no clue as to how to tell my parents, or anyone else for that matter.

The only person I had even shared my nightmare with was my sister Betsy, who is not quite two years younger than me. I went to her, to share in confidence. I made her swear not to tell a soul. She kept my secret. Until she could no longer.

As the time drew closer I began to soak my pillow with tears at night. Praying to God. Asking Him, again, to help me. My constant prayer was, “God you have to take this. You have to make this okay. I can’t handle it. I don’t even want to try. It’s yours. Your will be done.”

Even if I had known sooner, I can honestly say that the thought of having an abortion made me cringe. I believed (at that time) that it was a totally legitimate way to handle this type of thing, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I couldn’t punish an innocent life… not for something someone else did. It wasn’t my fault. But it wasn’t the baby’s fault, either. I had to believe that God had a plan.

I believe with all my heart that one of the reasons God allowed me to carry this baby, was to save my life. I honestly don’t know if I would be here, otherwise. There were times that I wished I could find a way out of my pain. A way to end it once and for all, but I would never do any harm to myself… because I could never harm my baby.

I began to talk to the child at night. Rub my belly and say, “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay. You are going to be okay.”

So that night, as the labor pains grew stronger and nearer, I knew that I could keep my secret no longer. My baby sister, Karen (then 11 years old) was “camping out” with me in her sleeping bag, in the floor beside my bed. When she heard me crying, she went downstairs and got Mama. When my mother reached my bed, she saw me clinching my waist and writhing in pain. She reached down to touch me, and as soon as she did, she said, “Oh, my God! Susanne, do you have something to tell me?”

To this day, I literally have no idea exactly what I said to her. I remember telling her the gist of things, and hearing her say she had to go get Daddy. I begged her not to.

My Dad had been through a rough year with his job. Very successful, but very busy, and very stressful. He had been promoted to Regional Manager of his company and been traveling a lot. All I could think about was that he would have a stroke or a heart-attack and be checking in the hospital right along with me.

When Dad heard what Mom said, he looked straight into my eyes and said, “Who?” I told him, “Daddy. I don’t know. It happened last fall. That weekend I was away visiting (my friend).”

We raced to the hospital. When we got there and the doctors checked me out, it was discovered that I was very sick. My blood-pressure was through the roof, and I had taken on way too much fluid. I was toxic.

Mom told the doctor all she knew, and he came and stood beside me saying, “I am going to take care of you. We are going to get you through this”.

After some medicine for pain and to help regulate my blood pressure, I began to sleep a little. My Dad came to my side again, and said… “Honey. I know you have been through a lot. And I don’t even really know where to start. But I need you to know that we are here now. I am here. And I will do whatever you need me to do. And if you want to take this baby home, all you have to do is say the word, and it’s done.” I said, “No, Daddy. I can’t. I have to do what is right for the child. He or she deserves a mother AND a father. I cannot give this child a Daddy… or even a healthy and whole Mama, at this point. I know what I have to do. We have to find him/her a family.”

He nodded. Tears in his eyes. And that was the end of it.

After my son was born, they whisked him away. The doctors didn’t want me upset. My blood-pressure was still dangerously high.

I was moved from the delivery room to the floor for at-risk pregnancies. I had to stay in the hospital for three days to recover.

In the mean time, a wonderful representative from Bethany Christian Services visited me. We literally picked this agency out of a phone book, and within an hour of calling them, the woman I would later refer to as “My Guardian Angel” was at the door of my hospital room. After telling her my story (the first time my parents had actually heard it in any detail), she took my hand. Her eyes filled with tears, she said, “Susanne. We have a family that has been praying for a child with special circumstances. They came to us last October. I believe they are the family that God has prepared to raise your baby”.

I believed it, too.

A week later, I did the hardest thing I have ever done. I signed the papers to release my son to this family’s care. Although it broke my heart to give him up, I have never regretted it, not even one day, since.

Jesus this is SO HARD. But I know you have a plan. And I know you will work this out according to your purpose. Please help me trust you, and move forward. I need you to heal me, and restore me. Please be with my baby and his new family… Give them everything they need to raise him according to your word, and your will for his life. Help us both to walk into the future and the good that you have promised us.

Courageous Faith (Part One): Darkest Night

“The God of the Bible is not weak; He is strong. He is all-mighty. Nothing happens without His permission or apart from His purposes – even evil. Nothing disturbs or puzzles Him. His purposes are always accomplished. Therefore those who know Him rightly act with boldness, assured that God is with them to accomplish his own desirable purposes in their lives.”

(James Boice)

(October 20, 1991)

Jeremiah 29: 11 tells us…

“For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord. “Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”

It was chilly night in October. A few minutes past midnight. My Daddy always told me, “Nothing good happens after midnight.” He was right. Sort of…

I had been to a party on a college campus. The party scene wasn’t my norm, but I made an exception… there were friends I hadn’t seen in a while. The campus being unfamiliar to me, I called ahead to make sure I knew where I was going. My friend’s dorm (that I was staying with) was on one side of the campus… the party was on the other.

Once I got over there, I immediately felt uncomfortable, but I hung around to visit with old friends. After about another hour or so, I had had about enough of the scene. I told my friends I was going to head on back to the other side… they talked me into staying another hour. I finally left around 11:45 pm. I drove back to my friend’s dorm, but being Sunday night (my school was on Fall Break, her school was not) there were ABSOLUTELY NO Parking spaces. I drove around for a while hoping that someone would move out and I could park there. No one ever did. So I drove to an adjacent lot looking for a spot. Nothing.

I ended up going a little farther down and finding a spot at the back of a dark lot behind another set of dorms. I began to make the trek back to familiar territory.

As I neared the back of the building, I heard a voice. As most scared 19 year old girls would do, that late at night, in unfamiliar territory, I began to pick up the pace… Trying to get around that building and into the light as fast as I could. I was not successful. Before I knew it, I was lying on the ground, with a tall dark shadow above me. The next 30 minutes, or so, became my worst nightmare.

All of a sudden, a large group of students rounded the back of the building, making a lot of noise. I remember the sound of raucous laughter filling the air… the perpetrator immediately got up, and ran off. I didn’t waste any time, either. I got back to my friends dorm, and announced that I was going to take a shower. She asked, “Didn’t you take one before you left?” I said, “Yeah. But I need another.” As I desperately tried to cleanse my body, I prayed to Jesus with all my heart. “Lord, please let me be okay. Please take care of me and this entire situation. Please wrap me in your comfort, your strength, and your peace”. I put on my PJs, crawled into bed, and cried myself to sleep.

Really, God? A hope and a future? Even through this?? I don’t understand how that could be. It feels like I have been robbed of all I hoped for… everything I’ve ever dreamed… But I trust you, Jesus. With everything.

Courageous Faith

Good morning, Y’all!
As some of you may know by now, I shared my testimony at PDCF during yesterday morning’s service.
**You can listen to My Story in its entirety here.**
For those of you who couldn’t make it, and for some who live in other towns/states, I thought I would post it on my blog.
I’ve been waiting a LONG time to tell this story here at Truly Captivating…
I had to wait for the right time and the right circumstances, and most importantly the right person to be on board, before I had the permission to share.
I’m going to be posting it in three parts, starting tomorrow…
Part One – Darkest Night
Part Two – Daylight Dawns
Part Three – Walking on Sunshine
(Also decided to post some FINAL THOUGHTS  - and pictures!)
**Just click on any/each link above to get to that part of the story.**
The main verses that I used in preparation, and as inspiration to post my story come from Isaiah 61:1-3…

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion ----

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”

Stay tuned… :-)

The Waiting Game

“If I pulled back the curtain to allow you to view the heavenly realms, you would understand much more.  However I have designed you to live by faith, and not by sight.”

– Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

It’s so hard sometimes, isn’t it?? God gives us “just enough light for the step we’re on”…

No turning back.

No charging forward.

Just here.  Now.

But what a gift the present is! (Pun intended.) :-)

He wants us to trust Him. Lean on Him.  Let Him carry us when the road is difficult and our feet are weary. He gives us His strength… His power. Enough for each and every day.  Just like the Manna in the wilderness, we can’t borrow it or store it.  It’s provided as needed.

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms: he will carry them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with young.” (Psalm 40:11)

“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

As I was having my quiet time this morning, God flooded my mind with these images.  He reminded me that it’s okay to be vulnerable… that my weaknesses, when I trust them to Him, are the very things that display His strength and glory in my life.  It’s okay to tell Him how I feel… disappointments, doubts, concerns, yes… even fears. These are the things He takes and redeems… uses to show His power. He gently nudges me to stop fighting and struggling, and just rest in Him. The battle is the Lord’s!

Then I read this about times of trouble…

“Unspoken pain festers and takes on a life of its own; it cripples growth. Now I trust God’s love for me enough to tell him what I honestly feel knowing that just as he received Mary and Martha (at the time of Lazarus’ death), he will receive me…

Mary and Martha both watched Jesus weep.  They must have realized that Jesus knew he was about to bring Lazarus back to life, and yet he shed tears of grief and outrage for the brokenness of the human condition.

To me, that adds a holy dignity to so many of life’s harshest moments. It says we can trust in a Savior who cares --- deeply. It says he has a plan and in the midst working it takes the time to feel with us, hurt with us, hear us.'”

- Sheila Walsh, When a Woman Trusts God

God wants my honesty… demands it.  And through the person of Jesus, He grieves with me over my struggles. He loves me enough to shoulder the weight of my burdens… to carry the load for me.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

Not only does He carry me and offer me rest, but he gives me the assurance that He is at work.  Even through my pain…

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

“The God of the Bible is not weak; He is strong. He is all-mighty. Nothing happens without His permission or apart from His purposes – even evil. Nothing disturbs or puzzles Him. His purposes are always accomplished.  Therefore those who know Him rightly act with the boldness, assured that God is with them to accomplish His own desirable purposes in their lives.”  - James Boice

That gives me so much peace and security… that I can have the assurance to know that God is always working. He has a plan, and nothing can stop it.  Nothing gets in his way.  Not any person, any fear, any memory, any hurt or any pain. He is sovereign.  He is in control.  Like David says in Psalm 27…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (v.1)

“Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage;

Wait for the Lord!” (v.14)

As a self-proclaimed “Control Freak”, waiting and resting don’t always come natural for me.  But when I consider the benefits, I understand that they are both needed. I have to “Be still… and Know” that God is in control. He is my Rock, and my Redeemer. He has my best interest at heart, and always has.  He WILL fulfill  his purposes for my life. He WILL reveal His glory through my circumstances.

The Apostle Paul reminds us…

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

It’s  a waiting game.  But it’s SO worth it!

Eleven Things…

That I am looking forward to in 2011!!

1. Disney World – The Reeders will take our first EVER family trip to Orlando in a few weeks… SO EXCITED!!
2. Charleston, SC with my Best Girl – Em made SC Honors Elementary Chorus so we get to enjoy a long weekend in one of my favorite places… I heart the Holy City!
3. Marching my way to Fitness – Going to participate in another Daniel Fast coming soon, and thinking about joining Weight Watchers! Taking steps, making strides… This year, it’s all about the “little wins” for me.
4. Going “Deeper Still” in my walk with Christ. Developing a reading list (The Bible being first, of course!) right now.  Look for details in a week, or so.  Any/all suggestions appreciated! :-)
5. Armed and Dangerous Retreat – The Lovely Ladies at Leading and Loving It are pulling together an AWESOME retreat for Pastor’s Wives and Women in Ministry coming up in May… Nashville will NEVER be the same!  (Have you registered?!?!)
6. Family Vacation at Sunset Beach – I love my big ole family and (thanks to Santa) our yearly tradition will happen again this year. Can’t wait for a week of sun and fun with the Holladays!
7. Date Nights with my KISA – We made it a goal last year to be more intentional about spending time “just the two of us” at least bi-weekly.  It has become one of my favorite past-times! I am very  much looking forward to continuing these special nights in 2011!
8. New and Improved Family Nights – I am going to adopt the “less is more” theory this year.  Instead of planning all-out parties, I am looking for special treats and projects that we can work on each month.  Maybe still with a theme, but more centered around QUALITY time without all the bells and whistles.
9. My 40th Birthday – Oh, yeah! That’s right! Dear Lordy, I’m turning 40… but I am MORE than okay with it because my plan is to be “Forty and Fabulous”!!
10. Taking my ministry a “whole notha level” – At home, at CLC, at PDCF, in my community… God has given me such great places to make Him known and shine my light! So excited to be part of these ministries and I know God has BIG PLANS for them all… Can’t wait to see what He has in store!!
11. Experiencing a life full of WONDER and JOY! – That’s what Chris and I have decided is our “theme” for 2011! As we anticipate NEW HOPE for this NEW YEAR, I am asking Jesus to “make all things new” in such a way that it seems as though I’m experiencing it for the first time.  Fresh love, Fresh faith, Fresh vision, Fresh attitude, Fresh joy!! BRING IT ON!!!

What are you excited about, or gearing up for in the New Year?

Giving Thanks

As we approach Thanksgiving, I thought it would be fun to compose a list of all the things I’m thankful for:

• My sweet KISA… after 16 years of being together, I still can’t believe God gave me such a precious gift!! You are my rock, and have such a gift for holding me steady.  I honestly can’t imagine sharing my life with anyone else, and I am so thankful that I don’t have to!! I have said it before and I’ll say it again, you are my “little piece of Jesus” right here on earth!! I am incredibly thankful to be your bride! I LOVE YOU!!
• My awesome kiddos… As I look into your faces, I can’t help but swell with joy.  God granted me some of the most beautiful, most talented, most intelligent, most loving, (I could go on and on!) children in the world.  You are all so different, yet each one so very special!! Emilee, Jacob, and Sam… I thank Jesus every day that I get to be your Mama!!
• My precious friends...  Some I see daily, some once a month or so, some I haven’t seen in quite a while, and some I haven’t even met in real life yet (don’t ya just love the interweb?!?), but you all have touched my life in the most amazing ways.  I am so grateful for each of you and the unique ways in which you spur me on!!
• My beloved parents… I truly have the most amazing parents on the planet!! The way you loved and nurtured me, the way you guided and corrected me, the way you challenged me to be all that I could be… I wouldn’t be who I am today without you.  Thank you for the awesome example of love and marriage that you model for us kids even today.  I love you both beyond belief!!
• My “In-Loves”… Chris’ parents are pretty amazing, too!! Thank you for loving me as one of your own, and for doting on my children like there’s no tomorrow!!  *That goes for my SIL Misty and BIL Chris, too!!*
• My brother and sisters… We all live in different towns now, but that doesn’t change the closeness we share.  We have always had a special bond, and time nor distance could ever change that. Every time we get together we pick up right where we left off.  I am so blessed to have them in my life, and to now call them some of my very best friends!!  Betsy, Phillip, and Karen… I love you all more’n my luggage!!
• My beautiful, cozy home… As I’ve been “Fall Cleaning” over the last couple of weeks, it hasn’t been hard to be thankful for this place that God has given me to call home.  Even though it’s approaching 10 years old, and needs a few minor repairs/replacements, to me it’s the best place on earth, because it’s where I get to dote on my sweet family!
• My Dodge Grand Caravan… that has survived almost 12 years!!  (Yes, we know… we are on borrowed time!!)  She’s been a good one, though… and when the day comes that we do replace her, I’m gonna miss her something terrible!!  She’s transported all of my “babies”, and for that “The Magic School Bus” will always be special to me!!
• An awesome “job”… I commented  a few posts ago about how much CLC means to me and how incredibly blessed I feel to be part of such an awesome ministry.  Middle schoolers have always been my favorites, and these precious ones are no different!  I love to see them “light up” when they see me and reach for a hug, or when they begin to understand a particular Biblical truth.  It’s just so awesome!!
• An amazing church family… PDCF is truly unique in it’s approach to ministry and outreach.  I mean, we meat in a stinkin’ movie theater!! :-)  But I enjoy each and every Sunday there, and I feel truly honored to serve alongside some really great people.  I’m telling you, when God made Pastor B, he broke the mold!! :-)
• My Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Comforter, and King… JESUS!!!  When I made a decision to follow you at the tender age of 8, it was the BEST THING that ever happened to me.  Life has certainly been a roller coaster, and had its ups and downs, but YOU are the ONLY thing that has held me together through  it all!! I can’t get over what you did for me!! To think that if I had been the only person on the earth, you would have still taken my cross… it just leaves me speechless.  Thank you for loving me! Thank you for saving me!! Thank you for choosing me!! Thank you for continuing to work and move in my life, to make me more mature and complete, lacking nothing!!

Whew! That was quite a list, and I barely scratched the surface!!  I will be reflecting on all these things as we travel to visit with family in the next couple of days.  The truth of the matter is that I am beyond blessed, and I don’t deserve any of it!!  I am just so grateful to God to have given it to me anyway!!

Now it’s your turn… Leave me a comment tell me what you are MOST thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Daniel Fast Completion

Well… I did it! (Almost… tomorrow is actually my 21st and LAST day doing the Daniel Fast.)

I met my goal of getting up every morning at 5:30 and spending time with Jesus before anyone woke up.  I also read through the entire book of Daniel (I’ve never done that), a Proverb each Day, and made progress in my Believing God Bible Study. 

I can definitely tell that God has been working… My attitude toward everyday circumstances is MUCH better than it was pre-fast.  Even my KISA commented one day, when I came back to apologize to him for something that I would have normally brushed off, “Wow… This Daniel Fast is really working”!! :-)

Along with doing the fast, we’ve been watching The Passion of the Christ at CLC over the last week or so.  Revisiting all that Jesus has done for me, in addition to the mornings at His feet, has really made an impact.  I feel refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated in my faith.  I am no longer satisfied with “surviving” this life.  I want to THRIVE.  I want to SHINE for Him, and share His love with everyone around me!! So, needless to say,  I am happy to report that my goals for this time were accomplished.

Added bonus?  I’ve lost 15 pounds!!  WOW!! I never thought I could discipline myself to do that in just 20 days… to do ANY of this really.  But here’s the kicker:  I didn’t.  If it were up to me to accomplish this on my own, it would have never happened.  It was the work of the Holy Spirit in my life that gave me the courage and the resolve to remain on the path. 

They say that if you do something for 21 days in a row, that it will become a habit.  This is my prayer, as I plan on keeping the 5:30 wake-up call in tact.  I have so enjoyed that time in the mornings studying God’s word, and talking to my Savior, that I couldn’t imagine giving it up now!! And honestly, if it wasn’t for Dunkin Donuts coffee and Filet Mignon, I could probably stay on the food plan, too! I’ve learned to LOVE my fruits and veggies!! :-)

I am praying that over the next few weeks and months, I will be able to continue this resolve to get (and stay) healthy, as well as to grow and increase my faith and trust in God.  He (NOT FOOD) is my satisfaction.  He is my comforter.  He is my redeemer and king!! 

To God be the glory for the things He has done!!

Daniel Fast Day 8

Well…

I have successfully completed one week on the program!  I’ve been waking up at 5:30 am every morning to have my time with Jesus before anyone else wakes up.  I have followed the food plan meticulously.  Well… not really.  I messed up a couple of times and had a bit of cheese (at restaurants)… but I have definitely had no meat, no sugar, and no caffeine!

I am studying the book of Daniel (go figure!) each morning, plus reading one Proverb.  In the afternoons I listen to podcasts, or watch messages online, and at night I am reading Beth Moore’s “Believing God”.  Since Daniel took time out three times each day to study/meditate on God’s word, I am trying to follow his example there, also.

As far as results go, today is Day 8, and I have lost 6 pounds since I started.  But that’s not the most impressive thing to me… it’s the closeness I feel to my Father… the intimacy that I felt was so long ago, is beginning to be rekindled.  I know he’s speaking to me… and I am taking the time to listen.  My prayer for a closer walk, and a steadfast faith, is being heard, and He is indulging… I know that’s not rocket science, but it’s big for me.

So, there you have it.  Several of you asked me to keep you posted and I wanted to oblige.  Also, please continue to pray for me.  I am still facing challenges (of course) especially now, because the enemy wants anything BUT a victorious Susanne.  Defeated Christ-followers are easy to keep on the sidelines… Victorious ones, well… they are dangerous.

My ultimate prayer throughout  this experience is that I will become MORE DANGEROUS for My King!!

Daniel Fast

Starting Thursday of this week (11/4/10), I will be participating in a 21-Day Daniel Fast.  I’ve been looking for something to stimulate me spiritually, because it feels like I’ve been a rut for some time now.  I literally stumbled across this today, and I thought… well, why  not? 

I began to pray and do some further investigating at this site, then this one… and I eventually went out and bought this book just so I could have all the information in one place and at my fingertips.  I feel very strongly that this was a “God-incidence”, and that it’s exactly what I need to get me back on track… mind, soul, and body.

I’ve timed it so that the last day of my fasting period will be the day before Thanksgiving.  I would truly like to enter into a time of reflection and repentance over the next 21 days, so that I can have a Thanksgiving like no other.  I need to re-center myself on God’s will for my life, and quit trying to please everyone else.  I need to lay everything at the foot of the cross, and allow his perfect love to continue to heal me and restore me.  It’s been a long, hard year… but my God is faithful, and I know that He can do immeasurably more than I can even think or imagine, according to His power at work within me.

Would you please pray with me for the next 21 days?  I’d really appreciate it!

I’m So Excited!!

…and I just can’t hide it!! :-)

(Which is why I’m doing this post!!)

If you recall, at the beginning of the year, I set forth a few goals for myself. First and foremost on that list was to GET ORGANIZED!!  Well, I am proud to announce, with exception of our Playroom and Garage (which are in queue for the next couple of weeks…) that I have accomplished that feat!

So, now… I am going against my natural tendency to “put up a good front” and letting you get a peek behind the scenes of the Reeder Residence!  Seriously, people… I am about to take you where even ANGELS have feared to tread!! That’s right, I am giving you a ONE TIME ONLY pass to see inside my closets and cabinets… THAT is how STINKIN’ excited I really am that the clutter has been cleared!!

CHECK IT OUT!!!

 

Coat Closet (above).  Coat Closet floor (below).

Laundry Room:  Look, I have a sink!!! :-)

Above the laundry sink (above).. all cleaning supplies organized!

Above washer/dryer (below).

Master bedroom closet.  Look!!  (Above) You can see the floor!!

We still have tons of clothes (below), but TRUST ME, this is much better!!

Beneath my bathroom sink (above). Organized using baskets and bins.

My jewelry drawer (below).

I wish I would have had the forethought to take some “before” pics so that you would see what a dramatic difference has been made, but then again, I’m not THAT crazy!!

:-)

 

See what you can do when you put your mind to it???  I am truly AMAZED at how de-cluttering the house has also de-stressed my life!!  I am no longer living in CHAOS!(Thank you Fly Lady!!)

 

I keep finding new “projects” to take on… I think I may be addicted to this organization thing!!  I’ll try not to take it overboard, but I am certainly enjoying my “new and improved” healthy, happy, ORGANIZED, home!!

 

What kinds of projects have you taken on lately?? I’d love to share in your excitement, too!!  :-)

Calling All Godly Gals!

Hey Y’all!! Just wanted to let you know that I’ve been featured over at Mel’s World, today…

That’s right!! I’m a “Godly Gal!!” :-)

Thanks SO MUCH Melissa, for allowing me to be part of your awesome ministry. I am so honored!!

By the way… if you don’t already read Mel’s World, or follow Melissa on Twitter, you should.  She inspires me Every. Single. Day!!  What an awesome woman of faith!!

So go on over, and say Hello! She’ll be glad to see ya!!

Choosing to Change

Yesterday at church, a wonderful woman named Catherine Robinson gave the message.  Her text was from the Gospel of John, and her theme: Choosing to Change.

She talked about the disabled man laying by the Pool of Bethesda, waiting for a chance to enter into the water after it had been stirred by the Angel. (Anyone who entered the pool at such time, would be healed from any infirmity.)  There was one problem... The man was lame, and he couldn't get himself into the water.  So every day... he waited.  He waited for someone to have mercy on him and take him down into the pool.

When you think about it, his chances were slim.  I mean, if I'm there waiting for the water to be stirred, it probably means that I need some healing of my own... am I going to sacrifice my own healing for that of another??  Likely not.  And neither did they... the man had been waiting for years.

As Catherine discussed this man's plight, she posed an interesting question:  How many of us, are so intently waiting on the stirring of an Angel (or help from our fellow man) that we MISS a word from Christ??

You see, this man got something altogether better than a lift into the pool... he got a WORD from the Savior!!  What was that word?  Well, it came in the form of a question. "Do you want to be healed?".  Now I don't know about you, but I am thinking "Duh, Jesus!" of course he wants to be healed... he's laying by the pool, isn't he??"  But Jesus' probe is much deeper than that.

We must WANT to heal in order to receive it.  

Then Jesus puts the responsibility squarely on this man's shoulders.  He ordered, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk."  The man can no longer make excuses or lay blame on someone else.  He can't say that it's someone else's fault that he hasn't been healed; the question has been posed to HIM alone, and HE is the one who has to take ownership.  As Catherine said, he, himself must STOP THE MADNESS.

So what did he do?  The Bible says, "And at once the man was healed and he took up his bed and walked."

At once... not "a minute later"... not "Well, Lord, let me think about it"... no.   AT ONCE!

The very night before this message, Chris and I were discussing some issues I've been having lately.  I told him that I've been feeling "stuck" in certain circumstances in my life, and I am tired of feeling that way.  I want to change.  I want to be set free of these "disabilities" that keep me from living in VICTORY and ABUNDANCE.  We talked for some time, and Chris prayed with me and over me concerning these issues.  I got up with a renewed sense of hope... knowing that an answer was coming soon.

Well, I think Catherine's message was definitely a "message" from God, for me!  It's time for to GET UP, take up my "bed" of woes, doubts, fears, and worries, cast them aside, and WALK into the future God has in store for me.

No more excuses. No more blame. No more waiting on "someone else".

Here I stand with my hands held high, reaching out to take hold of Him...

The answer is, "Yes, Lord!!"... I want to be healed!!

Fill 'er Up!!

I am reading a great book by Wayne Cordeiro called Leading on Empty.  It's been at the top of my "Next Reads" list for a while, but I have been putting it off and putting it off --- in spite of the avid encouragement from my husband to read it. (He read it back in January, and gave it rave reviews!)

It's hard to look yourself in the mirror, sometimes, you know?? And I had a feeling that as soon as I picked this one up, that's exactly what I would be doing.  Boy, was I RIGHT!

Last night as I was reading I came across a wonderful excerpt that I wanted to share...

Each of us has an internal emotional reservoir.  On the topside, there's an input, and on the bottom, a drain.  Certain activities will drain you more than fill you, and others will fill you more than drain you.  Some tasks will contribute to you and others will take from you.

Do as many of the things that fill your tank as you can.  That's how you recharge. 

Cordeiro then goes on to give examples of things that both fill him and drain him, and challenges his readers to also make a list of each.  Here are a few of my entries:

Fills Me:

• Music
• Dancing
• Singing
• Worship
• Bible Study
• Time with Chris
• Nature: The beach, the lake, walking outdoors
• Quality time w/ Kids
• Blogging
• Girlfriend Time

Drains Me:

• Deadlines 
• Difficult relationships
• A rigid schedule
• Chaotic Home Environment (AKA: A messy house!)
• Unending tasks like laundry
• Unrealistic expectations (many of which I place on myself!)
• Did I mention dealing with difficult people??

You know what I realized?  I spend most of my time dealing with things that drain me, and not enough time doing the things that fill me up.  I gotta do something about that.  

The chapter went on to say, "You can get along for a while with 'more drain than fill', but it will eventually catch up with you.  It's like a car that drives for years without an oil change.  You might squeeze twenty or thirty thousand miles out if it, but the neglect will come at the price of an engine that grinds to a stop." 

To tell you the truth, my engine has been sputtering and spewing for a while now. My over-all health has begun to suffer... I think it's time for a much needed tune up.

What drains you?  How do you fill up?

Courageous Prayer

Good morning, all!  It’s such a gloriously beautiful day here in Sunny South Carolina.  I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful start to the week.

As I was going about my business this morning, I decided to clean up a few of the folders in “My Documents” on the computer.  I came across this prayer from my “Having A Mary Spirit” study, a little while back.

Lord Jesus, I give you my life.
I invite You to have Your way in me.
Take me and break me. Shake me and make me.
Fill me and spill me. Change me and rearrange me.
But whatever You do, Lord…don’t leave me the same.
Spirit of wisdom and revelation, I welcome Your work.
Open my eyes so I can see…my ears so I can hear…
I choose truth over comfort, challenge over complacency.
Lord, make me forever Yours.
And most of all, make me like You.
Amen

Wow.  What an awesome prayer!  What courage it takes to pray a prayer such as this.
You see, God has been dealing with me greatly in the last few months.  While I have been praying for healing and restoration from a certain set of circumstances, He has decided to dig deeper.  He is bringing up and bringing out things that I have been holding on to for such a long time… not even realizing it.
I am not going to lie.  Pruning hurts.  As He digs deep into my heart, down to the roots of some issues, there is a lot of  pain and discomfort.  But oh the sweet relief of a lesson learned, a hope revealed, and a dream restored.

My prayer for all of us today, is that God would give us the audacity to pray a prayer like this… for “truth over comfort”… for “challenge over complacency”…

Only then can we experience true the healing Jesus offers us, and the real, full, abundant life that He came to give us.

Here I am, Lord… Have your will and your way in my life… but whatever you do, don’t leave me the same!!

Hungry???

Since January (when I wrote this post and said that one of my goals for 2010 was to read my Bible more and use the SOAP Method to journal my thoughts) I have been a total SLACKER!
Here we are, nearly two months into the year, and I have not read one.single.chapter.  Sure, I get my “Daily Devos” via email, and I also get a little scripture in with each of the three books I am reading (see sidebar), but it’s not the same.  And it’s not enough.
I am hungry for more.  And the only true satisfaction my soul can find, is in the sweet Manna from heaven that the scriptures provide…
So I have decided to commit to a daily reading plan.  I found one over at Discipleship Journal that I love because it mixes up the Old and New Testaments, and adds a Psalm, Proverb, or passage from (my favorite book) Isaiah to each daily reading.
So starting March 1, I will be following the “Book-at-a-Time” plan, and journaling again.  (I have already begun reviewing the book of John, but I wanted to “officially” start at the beginning of a new month, and a new book.) :-)  I am excited about pulling up to the table, and savoring every morsel that the Master provides.
By the way, there’s plenty of room here at my Master’s table, and the banquet is plentiful.  Care to pull up a chair and join me?

What’s Going On???

Hello gang! Since my kiddos (2/3 of them) are at home sick today, I decided to carve out a few minutes for some blog time. YAY!

Here are some things that I am enjoying right now…

• Reading through Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity with some precious friends. (We’re also following along on the LPM Blog.) Seriously!! This book is hitting me right in the goody locker! I swear, sometimes I think that “Mama Beth” has a hidden camera in my house! How else could she know me so well?!? ;-)
• Substitute Teaching. Wow. As a former classroom teacher, I sure never thought I’d hear myself say those words, but it’s true! I love ministering to the children AND the teachers at our school. I especially love getting my “teacher fix” and then being able to GO HOME, and not have to bring all that work with me! ;-)
• John and Staci Eldredge’s new book, Love and War. Seriously, if you are married (or engaged to be) YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK! It’s chocked full of such inspiration and wisdom. So much so, that – you guessed it - it’s going to get an ENTIRE BLOG POST of it’s own… coming SOON!
• Livestrong.com – if you are on a weight loss (or “get healthy”) journey of any kind, you REALLY need to check out this site. So many cool tools… my favorite of which is the My Plate feature that helps me count calories and keep track of water/exercise all at the same time! It’s so easy a CAVE MAN could do it!! ;-)
• Attending services at PDCF. Lots of love and encouragement going on there. Big thanks to “Pastor B”, and his wife Kim, for leading such an awesome group!! (Tim and Tonya are pretty great, too!) Excited about being there each week, and watching God show up and show out!
• My PDCF Home Team. We meet at Pastor B’s on Wednesdays and we are discussing the book One Month to Live, as we share our hearts and lives together. So, so, so COOL!!
• Yeah, as you can see, I am reading a lot… but LOVING every minute of it!!
• Getting ORGANIZED. If you remember from this post, that’s one (actually, #1 and #2) of my 2010 goals. I now have a (faux) moleskin to keep track of all my notes, thoughts, planning, and to-dos, and a Blackberry (Thanks KISA!!)to keep me on schedule and connected! I have also managed to go re-organize all but 6 (those will be done TODAY!) of my kitchen cabinets and replace the shelf paper in each. Next Week: My closet and chest of drawers! Thanks to the FLY LADY and her “Baby Steps”, before long, my whole house will be CLUTTER free and D.O.N.E. with chaos!!

There you have it. That’s what’s going on in my world! What have you all been up to lately??

Retreat!

Definition:

retreat: the act of withdrawing, as into safety or privacy; retirement; seclusion.

Or, to make things a little more personal…

“RE” (as in Reeder) + TREAT (anything that affords particular pleasure or enjoyment) = RETREAT!

That’s right!! Chris and I are headed off for some much needed privacy, seclusion, pleasure and enjoyment…

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU goes out to all who made this possible!! Looking forward to some serious R&R with my KISA for the next four days, and coming back to you a FRESH and NEW woman!

Bon Voyage!!

It’s Official - I’m a Loser!

Okay, I know there are some of you that won’t believe this, but this is my FIRST SEASON following NBC’s Biggest Loser… and I am loving every minute of it.

As you know, I have struggled in the past with yo-yo-ing up and down the scales, and recently have tipped them at my highest. weight. ever. (No, you do NOT get to know that number… I may be confessing here, but I’m not CRAZY!)

So, ever since the new season began three weeks ago, I have been more than motivated. My (ahem) personal trainer (AKA Lil Bro) has me on a “program” of 1600-1700 calories a day with killer cardio workouts three times each week. The plan is to build from there, and eventually start strength training (exercising 5x per week) and make modifications to my diet as we go along.

I am also reading Jillian Michael’s Master Your Metabolism (half-way through already, and learning a TON!). When I asked for this book via my Amazon.com “Wish List”, my KISA also surprised me with a copy of The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook. I was SO EXCITED!

Sunday night I poured over the recipes, and I chose four to try for dinner this week. Monday morning I made my list and hit the grocery store. Now, I think this is a crying shame, but (as is typical) I spent a little more money on the fresher “whole” foods required for the recipes. It wasn’t that bad, though. I only went over my normal weekly budget by about ten bucks.

Tonight we tried the Steak Fajitas, and (YES I have included the recipe below) they were DELICIOUS!! Even the kids scarfed them up!! ;-) I served them with a side salad, and some whole kernel corn for the kids.

BIGGEST LOSER STEAK FAJITAS

8 whole wheat flour tortillas

1.5 teaspoons Mrs. Dash Mexican seasoning

1 pound London Broil cut (against the grain) into strips

Salt

Olive Oil

1 Medium Onion cut into strips

1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic

1/2 cup fat free sour cream

1 cup fresh salsa

*4 teaspoons minced seeded jalapeno chile pepper (I OPTED OUT of this ingredient.)

Preheat oven to 400. Stack the tortillas on a large sheet of aluminum foil and roll the foil into a tube to enclose the tortillas. Seal the ends. Heat tortillas in oven for about 5 minutes, or until warm.

Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the steak strips and season w/ salt. Toss the meat well.

Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. when hot, lightly mist with olive oil spray. Add the bell peppers and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 3-5 minutes. Add the onion and the garlic and cook until tender and lightly browned. Transfer vegetables to a bowl and cover to keep warm.

Return skillet to high heat. When hot, respray the pan. In batches if necessary, add the steak strips in a single layer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is lightly browned on the outsides and slightly pink inside, 1-2 minutes. Add the sauteed vegetables and toss with the meat until warm.

Unroll the warmed tortillas. Place 2 tortillas side by side on each of four large dinner plates. Divide the steak mixture evenly among the tortillas and top with the sour cream and salsa. *Sprinkle jalapeno evenly over fajitas and serve.

Besides my super duper little cookbook, I also found a REALLY COOL TOOL at Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong.com. This helps me track my daily calories (both consumed and burned) as well as my water consumption. My Daily Plate has made this super simple for me! In most cases, I just start typing the food (restaurant specifics are also listed) and several choices pop up for me to select from. EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY!

How’ve I been doing? Well, in the first two weeks, I lost SEVEN pounds. I won’t weigh in again until Wednesday of this week, but I am looking forward to seeing that number continue to drop!

So, why am I sharing all of this with you?? (Like you REALLY care, right??) Well, because I listed losing 40 pounds as a goal for 2010, and I want to use my blog as a form of accountability. More than that, I hope I can inspire someone. If you’re sitting there thinking, I can’t do that. I’ll always be a “big girl”, it’s in my genes, there’s just nothing I can do about it. YOU’RE WRONG!!

God didn’t create us to be sedentary and unhealthy. Our bodies are meant to MOVE and be used in ministry to others, and most importantly in SERVICE TO OUR KING!!

I think I am learning that you don’t have to subscribe to ONE theory, or ONE program, or ONE way of doing things. Find what works for you… experiment with tools and diets and see what works best. Find an accountability buddy (or two, or three) to walk along with you. And fill your mind with CAN-DO thoughts. (As in, “I CAN DO all things through Christ who gives me strength!” ~ Philippians 4:13) In my case, God’s word, Biggest Loser, and other books that inspire, are what’s working to keep me on track.

So glad I decided watch this show, and that not only am I a Biggest Loser fan, but that I’ve been inspired to get in the game and become a “Big Loser” myself! ;-)