Determination!

Determination,
I think I'm starting to get it! 

To be honest, I am not a very disciplined person. I often have trouble keeping goals I have set for myself. I always have GREAT intentions but somehow other things(excuses) get me off track. I do not like this about myself!!! 

This bible study has been just what I needed to get my mind in the right place to make a permanent change. So far I have lost 1.6 lbs, not much but it's definitely moving in the right direction. What I am most excited about is the exercise I have started this week! My husband and I have worked out several times this week and it feels sooooo good! 

As I get ready to start week 3, I'm praying the Lord will give me the determination to keep going. With Him all things are possible!

Julie 

Permissible But Not Beneficial

"Everything is permissable....but not everything is beneficial"   1 Cor 10:23

That statement holds so much truth, if only I could get that to sink into my brain. I think this is one of the toughest things for me anytime I start to eat healthier. 

I LOVE BROWNIES!!! They are my downfall! THEY ARE NOT GOOD FOR ME...AT ALL!!! They are permissable but NOT beneficial to my overall health. As I started this study the Lord has really been revealing this truth to me. Just 5 days into the study, I've already found myself asking "Is this good for me?" everytime I go to eat something.  There are so many better choices I can make! However, I CRAVE sweets and it's hard!!

Do I crave sweets more than God? I'm sad to say that sometimes I'm guilty of that very thing. As Lysa talked about cravings, she said "Each time I craved something I knew wasn't part of my plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray". This quote spoke to me because I never think to ask God about my food. I thank Him for it, but don't ask if it's beneficial. I plan to put this into practice. When I have a craving, I will turn to the Lord to fullfill my craving. I have a lot of cravings so I will be praying alot! :)

Growing spiritually is so much more important that any weightloss I will ever have! However, my body is a temple that He has created and I want to honor Him in the choices that I make! 

The picture below is one of my new favorite snacks!!!


~Julie

You're Invited

Hi All,
I've decided to participate in Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study "Made To Crave"!! I'm super excited to get started and would love for you to join me. To join simply go to this link, http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/ and sign up.

As I start this study, my desire is to seek Jesus anytime I have a craving(for sweets and temporary pleasure). I cannot do this by myself, I need Him! I want to be healthy, both spiritually and physically! I'm sure I will have successes and failures along the way. I've had MANY successes with weight loss but I always go back to my bad habits. I am a sweetaholic!!! I CANNOT TURN DOWN SWEETS!!! 

Please pray for me as I start this journey towards craving Jesus and making better choices about what I put in my body. There's no temporary pleasure that will give me the eternal pleasure that comes from having a deeper relationship with Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

King James Version (KJV)

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

His Love

It's only Monday and this week has already been hard!!

Our kids argue...ALOT!!! They are both growing up :(  They have issues with friends, issues with school work and the list goes on. I know the teenage years are going to be a blast!!

Sometimes it brings out the worst in us as parents and that makes my heart hurt!! As I was driving in to work this morning a thought crossed my mind. As hard as it has been lately, I wouldn't trade my kids for anything in this world. They are priceless treasures entrusted to us by our Lord. Sometimes I think He has a lot more faith in me than I deserve.

It makes me think how I must break His heart daily with my words and actions. I am not a perfect child of God but He loves me anyway. I will never be perfect and neither will my kids but He loves us anyway!! I am so thankful for His amazing grace!! I don't deserve it but He gives it freely. I pray I can give grace to my kids like He has given to me.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:7-10

Random update

I've neglected my blog for a while now so I thought I would do a random list of updates.....

• Eric has been in Richmond this week for in-service and thankfully will be home today. He had an upper GI done last Thursday and found out he has an ulcer! Thankfully, he is on medicine and seems to be feeling much better.

• I'm staying very busy with  my family, work and Origami Owl(my other job). The Lord is blessing my Origami Owl business and I was promoted to Team Leader this month!!

• Caleb is playing Upward basketball again this year. Basketball is his favorite sport to play!! He is doing great and scored 10 points and had 2 assists, 2 rebounds and 3 steals in his last game!!

• Emily started "Cheernastics" last week and LOVES it!!!! She is so excited and says she needs "private lessons so she can get her back handspring faster". LOL She is 100% girl and keeps us on our toes!

We are BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!  Hopefully I can be better at updating in the future.

Praying

Praying!
I've been doing a lot of that in the last several days. Since Thursday, I have heard of three men who have been taken from their families.

On Thursday, a childhood friends husband took his own life. He had no insurance and they have two teenage children. My heart breaks for her! Please pray for the Terry Wagoner family.

On Friday night around 11:45, Eric's cell phone rang. It was another Sgt telling him that a Pulaski trooper had been killed while directing traffic at the state fair. He left behind a wife,parents and brother/sister. They are living one of my greatest fears. Please pray for the Andrew Fox family.

On Sunday morning, I read about another tragic accident in Arkansas. I read the blog of Julee Turner who lives in Little Rock, AK. Her husband Matt was killed in a car accident on Saturday evening. Leaving her and her 10 month old little girl behind. Please pray for the Matt Turner family.

Sometimes you have to ask, why God? Why are these families having to deal with tragedy? What are you trying to show us?

As christians we have to trust in Him! He is the way, the truth and the life!!

Psalm 119:50

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.

Tailgate Yumminess

Frito Corn Salad

2 cans corn (kernel,drained)     1 red onion (chopped fine) 1 green bell pepper (chopped 1 red pepper (chopped)          1 bag shredded cheddar cheese  Crush chili cheese fritos and add to top of salad when ready to serve. If you add them too early they will be soft. Enjoy!! :)

1 cup mayonnaise (sometimes I use less) 1bag fritos (chili cheese corn chips use chili cheese flavor)