We're going to a wedding--how exciting!

Oh, to start over (in my marriage and child-rearing) with what I know now. Of course, I wouldn't have the energy(!), but in my mind I can see where I would do many things so much differently. BUT, (praise God!) it's never too late to start doing things right.

I thank God for the many times He has redirected my heart (and held my tongue) as I become a wife and mother (and grandmother) that brings glory and honor to His name.

I find myself living as in the state of a stretched rubber band--always racing, always hurrying.

I am weary of it and found great solice in a reminder God whispered to me this morning--"Focus on what you have control of; I will handle the rest." What I have control of? Well, I have control of how I spend my time. That is a good place to start.

Thank you, Father, for your great love for me and continued guidance in my heart.

Over-the-hump day--the week is flying by!

I am off to a slow start to this week with my food choices (raw verses cooked). I always have good intentions, but sadly, they are too soon forgotten. I have such a long way to go (with my weight) and am a little frustrated that I've squandered away so much of the week.

I'm so close to entering a new "ten pounds," and God is always there desiring the very best for me. I need that same desire.

Changes. There seems to be so many of them.

Now that I'm a fulltime employee, I have a work family---plus my church family and ,of course, my family-family. In all of my family circles, changes are taking place. I have to hold onto all of this loosely; I'm not equipped to ride each change to its end.

I'm thankful for a God who is equipped and ever-capable to go the distance with each one (of these changes).

I had a wonderful weekend. Not because I ate perfectly, but because it was full of variety.

I'm ready to go back to work feeling the weekend balanced out the grind of last week. We certainly need a respite from "the battle field." I love how our bodies respond to living God's way--getting proper activity, proper nourishment, proper rest, etc.

We ARE "fearfully and wonderfully made!"

It's good to have a weekend to look forward to. A change of pace is beneficial on many levels.

My husband and I having been trying to take a meal to convalescing friends of ours and hopefully tomorrow will be the day. A day off can be something of great value when work demands so much of your week. (I get off balance too many times.)

So, it's with praise in my heart that I say, "This is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!"

It was hard to get up this morning. I hope to crash early tonight.

Thankfully, I have a fairly easy day today at work, plus it is already Thursday! The weeks just fly by. (In fact, today is the first day of school for many in this area; the summer is almost behind us.) On paper I have not accomplished anything this week---not what I had planned. I am always hopeful of more but am learning to be content, even in this state.

There are many positves to be thankful for---and I am.

Though the weight is seemingly "on hold," physically and mentally I feel so good.

I'm thankful for many things that are not seen, only experienced. To be at peace with body, soul, and spirit is the same as saying, "I've reached my goal; now I will enter maintenance."

God has many lessons for me; I think I'm in the midst of one now.

I'm happy to report I survived yesterday!

I love the lessons I learn about myself in those "I-want-to-give-up" times. Though I think I've come a long way, there is still much of "self" that manifests itself contrary to the Fruit of the Spirit. How faithful God is as His Spirit reveals truth in those "everything is going wrong" days.

"Oh, how I love Jesus; oh, how I love Jesus.....because He first loved me."

It's been one of those mornings; everything I've touched has turned into an ordeal. It has to get better, or this is going to be a disasterous week!

I didn't bother to weigh myself this morning--the way my morning has gone, it's probably a good thing! However, I had a pretty good weekend, but it still was different than a typical weekday. (I think that is to be expected, though.) Life is what it is.

I have to keep reminding myself that my focus is my health, not the scale. Though I feel I'm on the right program, it has not been without trials. God always has a lesson for me to learn.

It felt like Saturday yesterday (the reason for no post), since I had the day off. It really jumbles my head up!

I really prefer working Monday through Friday (which I do every other week), but the need is there to have days I can make personal appointments, etc. (since little can be set up for Saturdays). It's just one of those adjustments that will hopefully get easier with time (and this is only a trial; I may go back to Monday through Friday every week).

So, though it feels like a Monday, it is really "Thursday!" Ha!

I'm having a good week---but my weight-loss isn't showing it.

That is the only part of my new lifestyle that gets discouraging. I don't get discouraged over the foods I "can't" eat anymore, even sugar (which used to be my "best friend"); but the fickleness of the scale is still a big battle for me. Why does it take so long to get where I want to go?

Thankfully, I am never alone. There is never a time I do not sense the ever-precious presence of God.

Yesterday was a good day; it was a good beginning.

Last night I made my salad for today's lunch--fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden with a Vidalia onion and drizzled it with balsamic vinegar/olive oil and sprinkled it (heartily!) with freshly ground pepper. Now, isn't that a salad desired by kings and queens!

What a blessing to know I'm finally (truly) on the road to good health.

Mondays are nice "new beginnings." I am going to strive to stay on task, taking a meal at a time.

I'm trying to put food in its proper place, as nourishment--not recreation! I still battle the desire to eat in between meals (like recreating on almonds and the like). There is something about me and noshing that is so enjoyable!

There are always new things to learn. God continues to nudge me forward.

The work-week is almost behind me; I feel like a survivor!

I am thankful to have a two-day reprieve. I don't know if it is me or the week; it just seems so much busier than usual. It's harder to make "best choices" when coming home so mentally and physically spent. I don't think I made much progress this week as far as weight loss, but I'm planning on a good weekend.

I know what God's desires are; He is my Enabler.

This has been a week of all weeks at work. I will be thankful when it comes to an end.

A good morsel, though, is we (at work) are going back to the church we went to last week to feed supper to the team (from one of the Billy Graham ministries) who is helping with the clean-up/rebuilding in Parkersburg. What a blessing it is to hear all the testimonies from those helping, and those being helped.

It's wonderful to hear God praised and given the glory.

It's exciting to see the way my body is responding to one medication (instead of nine!) and (almost) thirty-five pounds gone.

I'm finally on the right course--and enjoying it! I look forward to the rewards of each day knowing my body is getting strengthened and revitalized. I have my impatient moments, of course, ("Why isn't this weight coming off faster!") but have a sustaining peace that makes those moments very fleeting.

God is ever-present in all of this.

God is continuing to "make me and mold me."

One of my dear Bosnian friends at work yesterday asked, "Leenda, why you so sad?" I had no thoughts of sadness, but my coutenance must have said otherwise. I made sure I displayed a spirit of joy the rest of the day!

I was coasting yesterday; God expects more.

I'm trying to stay focused on the good things that happened over the weekend.

Of course, life is full of tests. We never know when we will be given an unexpected (pop) quiz. It's a time to not let your imagination run wild, or to replay the incident over and over in your mind. Will I pass or fail? I don't want to fail--and know I will if I allow this to grab hold of me.

This is for sure, though, "God will never leave me or forsake me." To God be the glory!

It was wonderful to have a day off during the week. I even got a nap in!

I spent a little extra time making my lunch this morning. (I have been lax with that all week.) It is a spinach wrap spread with goat cheese and filled with romaine, sweet onions, assorted peppers, and tomatoes. It is a lunch fit for a king!

I look forward to each day now and am thankful for God's leading in an area where I have floundered for so long.