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.