I'm so happy that I am done

That taking a picture was a pain in the neck! I am five pounds down.

So much has happend in the last week. I am so looking forward to all God has for me in the future.

I am scared too.

Carol

Saturday Food

Saturday Food, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Not a bad day.

Friday Fast and Fast Breaking Dinner

Friday Fast and Fast Breaking Dinner, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I fasted with only water, diet soda, and tea until dinner time.

Good Morning!

Got up at 5:15 a.m. and went to Group Power and an hour of cardio.

I am fasting the rest of the day for Lent Friday! So, I don't have to keep track of my eating by pictures! YEAH! (What a hassle. Makes me want to eat less!)

I will spend the rest of the day reading Pride and Prejudice!

Thursday Food

Thursday Food, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Didn't eat most of the day. I was out and about until 5 p.m., and I only got a string cheese and a tea before I left!

Wednesday Food

Wednesday Food, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I snacked on a lot more junk today. Busy days make for more hand to mouth.

Tuesday Food

My creation, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Good day!

It may sound funny but . . .

Photographing my food and posting it here is keeping me from eating as much!

Why?

1) I have to go to the trouble of taking a picture and posting it. So, I am not sneaking little snacks here and there because it costs me time and hassle to put it out there.

2) Others see it, and that always makes me accountable. :) It is sort of like the food loop that we used to have where we all posted what we ate ever day. This is just a visual of that concept.

3) Research has shown that people who eat consistently the same thing for breakfast and lunch tend to have less weight problems because they know what they are getting into. I am trying to do that for at least two meals a day, and I let my third meal be the variety. I can just use the same picture again when I do this. So, it keeps me consistent knowing what I am eating.

Doing really well with this new fun week. I will only do it a week though. Too much time, but it is getting me back in the GROOVE of eating right after a "emotional munchout" last week because of the surgery.

By the Way, he went walking with his kids today, and his wife says you would never know he just had brian surgery. YIPPEE!

40 Minute Power Walk to Irish Bend Bridge

Power Walk, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

One Hour of Group Power

Group Power Weights, originally uploaded by carolfoasia

Monday Food

Monday Food, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Sunday Food

Sunday Food, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Food Photo History Sunday to Sunday

I got this great idea as I was waking up this morning!

I will take a picture of everything that goes into my mouth for a week! This might be a big project or it might just make me not eat as much because of the hassle of having to take a picture of it for all the world to see!

I will also take a picture to symbolize my workouts. I might not take the camera to the club (too heavy and conspicuous), but I will take a pic to symbolize or maybe even use an old picture from one of my Dale Carnegie workout photos!

Today is a 1/2 day of prayer. I have so much on my heart that I need that time. It is my application from Bible study and reading this week to do this. I will take the kids to Sunday School and drop George off at Church and have some time of quiet and then I will go and pick everybody up again. I know it will be an interrupted 1/2 day, but such is the disadvantage of having only one car!

A Brighter Day

We have had pouring down rain for the last two days, but just like the song says, "the sun will come out tomorrow!" I still have my periods of weepyness, but I am as peace.

Decided in the shower today that I would JUST concentrate on the FE (Food and exercise) for the rest of the days on this little discipline regime. I am down four pounds. That puts me only 1 pound over my ideal weight! YEAH!

The tricky news is that I am going to be a wearing a close fitting bridesmaid dress in June that is taffetta. Therefore, it is going to show every bump! So, I would like to get below even my ideal weight!

So

FOOD: So far Friday has been good. I have had:
Slim-Fast Bar (just because I have been so busy with all the emails and calls regarding Bruce and his surgery)
Oregon Chai tea with Low Fat whipped cream

EXERCISE: Already accomplished for the day!
1 hour of POWER with Group Power
1 1/2 hours on the Elliptical!
WOOHOO!

I cried a bucket yesterday and even cried more today on the phone with Kim, but I am GOOD, and I am needing to pray for these lovely friends and quite typing on this blog!

Say the word and I will sing for You
Over oceans deep I will follow
If each star was a song
And every breath of wind praise
It would still fail by far to say
All my heart contains
I simply live, I simply live for You
As the glory of Your presence
Now fills this place
In worship we will see You face to face
There is nothing in this world
To which You can be compared
Glory on glory, praise upon praise
You bind the broken hearted
And save all my tears
And by Your word You set the captives free
There is nothing in this world
That You cannot do
I simply live, I simply live for You

On death and dying

Well, our friend was rushed up to Portland for brain surgery. It was moved up by 10 days because of new symptoms.

I am reading on the internet and all of the things say: Prognosis poor, most people die within two years.

It is weird to see him last Friday. On the outside, he looks strong and healthy. I am so sad. I am so very, very sad. I am sad for the kids that I have known since they all came out of the womb. I am sad for his wife who has been a friend for many years. It is weird that it is bringing up lots of memories of our friendship that have been painful too. It is funny how these sorts of things bring up so much in your heart and mind.

I want to help, but I don't know how to do that. I know that others are going up to see them in Portland, but I really don't want to be in the way. I know she has said that I wouldn't be in the way, but because of our history, I would feel in the way. I wonder how to get over that.

It was so nice because her mother said that the kids love us and don't stop talking about us when they are at home. I know that my role is to help with the kids more than anything right now. I love these kids like my own. I really and truly do.

That is my reflection at 11 p.m. on Valentine's Day. Sounds so morbid. I am so sad.

I think I am back on track

Today is a new day! I have started off well in my eating, getting dinner ready, keeping things tidy, and getting the kids on track with school.

Yesterday, I did all the heaviest weights in Group Power, going to the 9:20 class for the first time. I will try to go on Thursday if I can get the boys up and going on their schoolwork too.

I feel settled about Monday night's revelation and have determined to take a sabbatical from Thursday at 2 p.m. until Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. I want to have some extended time in worship on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Need to really listen!

Later today

Well, I am just doing hunky dorry. I am really thankful for people who pray for me! I asked some prayer people to pray, and I am covered and lifted and feel really good this evening about last night's meeting. I think there were some positive things that came out of it. So, I am leaving it there.

The melanoma is not good. Brain surgery is on February 26th. I hate this disease!

A Little Discouraged

I went to a ministry meeting last night, and I just sat there in stunned silence. I didn't know what to say as they talked about discipleship. I have so much to say, but I don't know how to say it. I don't think this is where I fit though.

Lord, you gave me verse after verse of encouraging words during my quiet time on Sunday and Monday. So, what gives with a pretty discouraging meeting?

The good thing is that they are lovely people, and I know that they will pray. So, nothing but good will come of that.

I was up until 2:30 a.m. processing it though. UGH!

Now, I am off to get my back shifted back by going to a Group Power class.

Let's Here it for a Free Saturday!

Yesterday, I sat and read through a big chunk of Isaiah over a period of a few hours. It was lovely to sit and soak, and the men were gone for a good part of it as they went shopping with their Christmas/Birthday gift cards and went on a hike.

Ideal setting for reading, meditating, listening, and responding to God. I love free Saturdays!

"to those who carry out plans that are not mine,
forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit . . ." 30:1

Lord, I don't want to do that. Were some of the things that happened last year plans that I carried out that weren't of You? Did I form an alliance that was not of Your Spirit. I think the answer to the second question is yes. I think the thing that we did was beautiful, but I should not have done it with her. Not with her.

"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel says:

In returning and rest you will be saved
In quietness and confidence is your strength,
But you were not willing" 30:15

Oh LORD, I am so willing. I am returning and resting in You this February 11, and I am so at peace with myself and everyone around me. That is a good place to be.

"Therefore, the LORD longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the LORD Is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him." 30:18

Longing for you from a small town in the Pacific Northwest. I thank yiou for your compassion and graciousness and your justice.

Oh, it is time for breakfast. Gotta go!

Back on Track

There are people praying, and I am at peace once again. So, yesterday was sort of a readjustment day, but I am back on track in my eating, at least. I will go back to Group Power and maybe go for a run tonight after I get back from Kim's house.

Drinking tea, having a high fiber and calcium breakfast and doing homeschool this morning.

I just lost Warren Wiersbe on my old computer. So, I just ordered the commentary for Romans called Be Right so I won't have to have my computer with me to read what he has to say about it.

I will read Marley and Me after study.

People are praying, and this makes me very grateful.

When discipline goes out the door

Actually, it was a fairly good day in every area. My eating was on track, and I went for a walk with Paul. Then, I talked to MBA, and the reality is that this brain tumor in B's brain is not looking good.

Pass me the chips and go get me a Blizzard. I need some comfort right now.

So, there you have it. Sometimes, food brings comfort for me, and I was looking for anything that I could. I ate chips and prayed.

That is all I have to say this morning. I skipped my workout and am going to have some time with God right now. I think this will be my "off" day. I'm only in the mood to pray this morning.

Evaluating Yesterday: An A- Day

Food - B

I did great until about 3 p.m. Then, I ate all the rest of the totilla roll-ups and had 1/2 cup apple crisp with ice cream on top. I still think it was a great day because I didn't snack before bed! So, I would give myself a B.

Today: I want to make sure I get enough veggies and stay away from the remaining apple crisp!

Academics - Read 1 hour. A+

Today: 1/2 hour

Communion - Good day of Rest in Romans

I had lots of extra time. So, I finished my Romans 2 study and had a good time of praying for the world and "stuff."

Today: Will pray through Scripture and Romans 2 as I seek the Lord's will for how He wants to take what I have learned and apply it to my life!

Exercise - A+ 1 hour Group Power, 1 hour Elliptical

Today: 1 hour walk with Paul or George?

Daily Care - A

Good homeschooling day where we got everything done. Swabbed my bathroom.

Today: Swab boys bathroom. Check on laundry level and do load if necessary.

February Fifth FACED

Ok, I am going to take from now until the Academy Awards to be really disciplined in my eating and exercise. I am only about three pounds away from my goal, but I could go down into my "range." So, I am going to go down!

FOOD

B: Fruit, fiber one, and yogurt
L: Salad with string cheese and turkey
D: Family meal in smaller portions
Snacks: One fruit, two high calciums

ACADEMICS

Read 1/2 hour a day

DAILY COMMUNION

Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth/journaling
Bible Reading
1 hour of Romans
1/2 hour of If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat

EXERCISE

Monday/Wednesday/Friday - Group Power Hour/Cardio Hour
Tues/Thurs/Sat. or Sun. - Power walk/run

DAILY CARE OF FAMILY

Swabbing out of bathrooms
Kitchen dishes dried and put away before bed
One load of laundry if needed
Thursday - Boys' sheets
Friday - Our sheets
Friday - Home bless throughout house
Keep office clear of papers

Countdown: 10

Righteousness, Relaxation, Riding the Wave

image from: www.art.com

I was going to put this in my Word Processor as an idea for a message, but I thought I would put it here! I just finished up a word study of "righteousness" for my Romans study this morning. Then, I got in the shower, and this whole thought came to me.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

We are righteous because of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, imparted to us as a gift. We can't earn it, and God settles the demand for righteousness in our own life through the blood of Christ. So . . . we can

RELAX

"There remains therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God." Because I can't earn that righteousness on my own, I can relax in what Jesus Christ has done for me. I can abide in that vine. I can be at rest and there is nothing that I can do to earn his righteousness by my own acts or service, but because of the imparted righteousness through Jesus Christ, I can not only relax, but I can . . .

RIDE THE WAVE

I have the Holy Spirit of the living God inside of ME! So, that relaxing doesn't make me lazy or nonchalant, but I am aware of God in me and HE propels me toward things that don't earn righteousness, but they are the fruit of righteousness.

I am just writing down the "3 R's" for today:Righteousness, Relaxation, and Riding the Wave!

I am neglecting this blog

I have been so busy with my other daily blog that I am neglecting this blog. So, I am just writing a bit.

Communion

I am loving my study of Romans. It is nice to be just studying ONE book of the Bible now. It was hard juggling both Ephesians and Romans over the last couple of months. So, it is nice to be done. I just have Bird's Eye View, and this is just an overview study. So, it isn't deeper study stuff. So, I can handle this when it kicks back up in late February.

What a wonderful thing to see the "heavens declaring the glory of God" while I have my head up and looking around at picture opportunities, and unexpected biproduct of the Project365!

I have been finding a lovely balance of prayer and study lately, and I feel like the Lord and I are tracking. I feel so surrounded by loving fellowship right now. Kim and Nancy are real highlights even though the beginning was sort of bumpy. That "dance of discomfort" when I am in a new situation is dispelling.

It is so well with G and I, but it usually is. He is the greatest husband in the world. The kids are great these days. We have so much happiness in our life with each other. Overflowing. It is nice to have that much happiness in my church family too. Too many unhappy people at my old church, and it is nice to be with those who have trials in their life, but it is just a different feel all the way around about what God is doing in their lives. It is almost too weird how scary it is at the old place now that I am in the new. I will always be grateful for God's deliverance of me, and I know that people probably get tired of me blogging about that fact!

Academics

I am in a reading funk right now. I just don't feel like starting a new book at the moment. I have Marley and Me waiting for me at the library. So, I think I will just read that and not try anything too deep for now.

Food and Exercise

Exercise is great. I am back on track. Food has been fabulous too the last few days.

Daily Care of Family

Good. Homeschool is going really well. I think that we are on track. House is clean. Laundry is done. Life is good, and we are eating well. :)