Happy Dance for my Family

Just want to say that I am doing the happy dance. This whole weight loss journey has been going on since December 20 (10 weeks today).

First, I notice my son, Michael,  had gained weight fall term. He has always been really skinny but things changed in the fall:

1. He went from a community college that required walking to and from classes and bus stops and PE classes to animation school that required sitting in a chair 40+ hours a week.
2. He stopped growing at 6 feet 6 inches
3. His dad was making baked goods galore

I have been the healthy eater in my family. My dream was to never have my kids eat unhealthy food, but my husband introduced them to junk food, sugary cereals, and homemade baked goods on a consistent basis. I just don’t bake that much because I don’t need the extra calories.  I just have never been able to fight his need to have these kinds of things in his diet. He has never struggled with his weight. So, it hasn’t hurt him to eat those things. (Except a triglyceride scare did cause him to eat more healthy once, but the next blood test was normal, and he went back to his old diet.)

When he wanted to make the fifth sugary and fatty dessert for the week last December, I finally told him enough was enough! It used to just be me that was hurt by his baking (I know I can resist, but it is better for me to just not have it there as an option), but now I noticed it was my son too, and my mama bear came out and said STOP SABOTAGING! I so appreciate that he cooks, but he needed to support his son and his wife!

Since that confrontation, he quit baking altogether. (I also like having my kitchen back, he tended to take it over.)

I also had the kids join SNAP fitness. My old gym was too expensive for us all to join ($140 a month!).   I had done the free trial throughout November, and then had them join when I joined in December. The amount for all three of us was the same as one person at my old club! (George gets a deal at the university because he is faculty.)

Here are the results of a healthier 2013:

1. Michael has lost 10 pounds! He goes to SNAP at least five times a week!
2. George has lost 7 pounds (that is the most he needed to lose) and is eating more like me! It is weird to have all my healthy things disappear from the cupboards and refrigerator. He also quit drinking coffee and is drinking all my tea up! I am not used to sharing my healthy foods (except fruits and veggies – he has always eaten those).
3. I have lost 22 pounds (I only “had” to lose 7 to get to a 25 BMI and the top of my range, but I am more comfortable at the middle of my range where I am now).
4. We have saved a ton of money – part of our weight loss has been that we determined to save more money in 2013 (George had a 25% pay cut on top of the 40% reduction that we already had from his HP job when he went to the university). I don’t stop by to get something at the coffee shops and meet my friends there (we take a walk instead). I don’t eat out except on special occasions (a friend or family birthday) or if we have a gift card. We don’t pick up pizza to satisfy Paul (He LOVES pizza and would eat it every night, but he has no weight problem because he gets a lot of walking in at the college. We were averaging 1x a week.). Saving money AND losing weight is great!
5. Our blood work will no doubt be stellar next time we have it! I am speculating here, but my LDL’s and blood sugar were higher than they have ever been. Might have been because I was sick that week (my friend Kim, the dietitian, still thinks I had nothing to worry about), but I still was determine to lose at least 7% of my body weight and keep it off to lower all those risk factors. I have done everything I can do now. George had some blood work cautions too, but I cannot remember what they were. We will see what our blood works says next October!

So this whole journey has been good for my entire family (even though some of my boxes are empty when I go to eat some of my favorite healthy foods!). 

Wednesday Writing

4:30 - 5:00 Fix breakfast, update Bodybugg, post to FACED, register for DA
5:00 - 5:45 Acts 28!!! 
5:45 -  6:00 tea, back exercises,  Institutes
6:00 - 6:15 Answer email, Perspectives grading
6:15 - 7:30 Finished Acts 28!! (Total Time: 2 hours)
7:30 - 8:15 Dress for workout and cleaned up kitchen and picked up dining room, answer Nessa's perspectives question.
8:15 - 10:00 Walk to and from SNAP and workout
10:00 - 11:00 Shower, dress, lunch, and update BodyBugg
11:00 - 11:30 Correcting homework and answering Perspectives questions from one of my students (oh to be 22 again!)
11:30 - 12:30 BBC Business (not a lot of writing but organizing and deciding) 
Writing 1 Corinthians 1! 
12:30 - Finish Early Reviewer book and rest (I was in bed for the rest of the day - I think I am still sick)

Tuesday Production

7:00 - 7:10 Make breakfast
7:10 - 7:30 Writing
7:30 - 7:40 Make tea and listen to book
7:40 - 7:45 Writing
7:45 - 7:50 Finish tea
7:50 - 8:00 Writing
8:00 - 8:05 Standing up break
8:05 - 8:30 Writing
8:30 - 8:40 Dress and talk with George
8:40 - 9:30 Writing
9:30 - 9:35 Break for more tea
9:35 - 10:00 Writing and talking while kids eat breakfast and get ready for school
10:00 - 11:15 Prayer Walk with "Seek God for the City" and "Joshua Project Unreached People" apps Listened to Morning Affirmations and Praying Scriptures for Spiritual Growth along with Calvin's Institutes: Book III.
11:15 - 11:35 Lunch and email to Steve thanking him for his "Seek God for the City"
11:35 - 12:10 Back Exercises while listening to/reading to Calvin's Institutes: Book III who has a "natural love for brevity". NOT!
12:10 - 1:25 Writing Reflection and Application for Acts 26 (Total Writing Time for Acts 26 = 3.5 hours)
1:25-1:30 Scone and Cream break :)
1:30 - 1:45 Check email and upload BodyBugg information and send report to FACED
1:45 - 2:15 Dinner Prep while listening to rest of Acts
2:15 - 3:15  Writing on Acts 27 (Total for Acts 27 = 55 minutes) 61 more!!! 
3:15 - 5:15 Walk
5:15 - 5:30 Dinner prep and dishes
5:30 - 5:45 Upload BodyBugg and more dinner prep
5:45 - 6:15 Heating pad and shower
6:15 - 6:50 Dinner
6:50 - 7:00 BodyBugg
7:00 - in bed for rest of evening.

Quotes from Getting Out of Bed in the Morning

"What matters is not what we feel like praying about, but what God wants us to ask him for. Not the poverty of our own heart, but the riches of the Word of God must decide how we are to pray." (Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 157)

"Keep a journal. Studies show writing reduces stress and if you write at least five times a week for twenty minutes you will notice the affects."  Getting out of Bed in the Morning, p. 60

Evaluating the Eight Things that Naturally Increase Serotonin and Dopamine

I am evaluating how I am doing on the EIGHT things that increase serotonin and dopamine:

1)      Sunlight – I have taken EVERY opportunity to walk in the sunshine for at least fifteen minutes each day for my Vit D and sanity (but I also take 2500 IU Vit D every day!). Winter is more challenging though.

2)      Sleep – I have consistently fallen asleep an hour earlier than usual and slept six hours (my requirement) and forced myself to sleep for one hour more. So, seven hours is WAY more than I usually do. I love going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. Sleep has been the BEST ever. Rare insomnia and none lately.

3)      Smile – I have thought about programming this on my phone because I forget to do it, but when I do, it SERIOUSLY elevates my pleasure center! So weird. I have also noticed I grimace a LOT (just like my mother used to do). I am trying to smile right now as I type.

4)      Sweat – I am in such good shape that it is really hard for me to work up a sweat unless I am indoors and have more clothes on. I think the issue is getting exercise, and I average 2 hours a day.

5)      Play – I need to do more of this. Even though I don’t have a “real” job, I do “work” by writing, counseling, discipling, etc. I do “play” by reading (need to make that more fun so I am discontinuing my early reviewing of books) and watching DVD’s with George. Stress is low though, and I think that is the goal of this thing. Maybe it should be PLAY or PRAY. PRAYER reduces my stress more than PLAY does!

6)      Routine – I have it.  I have a rhythm of writing, standing up and exercising, getting out for a walk and praying once it is light (I get up between 4:30 and 6:00 am), breaking, counseling mid-morning or going to campus, working out in the afternoon, etc. Doing really well on all that.

7)      Bonding – I meet with people all the time, but I want to bond with my peers. Making an effort to call friends and set up appointments. One of my friends works .7 of a mile away (the dietitian) , and I walk by her office all the time. We are going to meet for her lunch break more regularly now. Teala is at a sorority near campus, and I go there every Wednesday. So, I made an effort of going early to pray with her two weeks ago. I also try to have at least three face-to-face dinners with the family. Michael goes out Monday and Thursday, and George has meetings two times a month, and we eat with our Jesus Community one night a week.. So, I just need to have dinner ready EARLY on the nights they go to meetings. Dates with George have been great for bonding though. And we go on at least one family walk/hike a week.

8)      Beauty – I live in Oregon. Every walk fulfills this need. I also want to look at scenery pictures or Rick Steve’s DVD’s of Europe for rainy days. Spring will afford looking at beautiful flowers. Since I am not doing Carol365 (since photo processing involves too much sitting, and I need to be more active until I am done with the Bible Book Club), I need to be more conscious of looking at the beauty of my surroundings. 

My Friday

My Friday:

5:20 - Up. Make pot of chai tea while I upload my BodyBugg and do my FACE report (accountability for Food, Academics or Attitude, Communion with God and people, Exercise, and Daily care of family) to Katrina and Rachel.

5:30 -  5:45 make a meal plan for the day, check email, respond to important stuff, register for Masterpiece sweepstakes, promote Imagine Coffee on Facebook. Finish making Chai tea.

5:45 - 6:00 - Listen to praise instrumental music and read first chapter of new devotional book

6:00 - 6:15 - Wish Elizabeth a Happy Birthday and encourage people in Skype greetings. Chat a bit with Katrina about sickness.

6:15 - 6:25 - Do this little update on the Blog

6:25 - 7:55 Writing on Acts 21 for Bible Book Club and sip chai tea. Resistance training every fifteen minutes.

7:55 - 8:10 - Skype with Kathleen, sending her two things (discipleship time) and also setting up our next meeting. Also checked email and relayed message about cereal recall.

8:10 - 9:00 Writing and resistance. LOL!

9:00 - 9:50 Called Kim, unloaded dishwasher, showered, dressed, make up, BodyBugg maintenance

9:50 - 10:25 am Snack and Talk with Kim as I got out the door

10:25-11:15 Travel to and appointment with oral surgeon

11:15-11:25 Travel to Snap Fitness, Albany

11:25-12:50 Weights, Core, Cardio

12:50-1:50 Travel home, shower, lunch, log food and upload Bodybugg

1:50 - 3:00 Finished writing Acts 21 (Total time: 3 1/2 hours) (snack)

3:00 - 3:10  Break

3:10 - 4:00  Writing for Acts 22 (50 minutes)

4:00 - 4:20 watched beginning of the Newshour on PBS and did back exercise and Pilates

4:15 - 5:10 Writing Acts 21 (50 + 55 minutes = 1 hour 45 minutes total)

5:10 - 6:50 Dinner and Dr. Who and resting

6:50 - 7:00 Early Reviewer Reading

7 - off for the rest of the evening to relax!





 (Have 2 hours 45 minutes to go)

The Journey Continues Free Write

OK, I am supposed to be writing on Acts 15. I love the turning point on that chapter, but God's presence is really real to me right now, and I have to write about it. I am not sure what happened. :) Since this is my desire 24/7, I want to pause and revel in it, remember it, and seek to continue it.

Oh there I go, looking at paper scattered about my desk and starting to think about all the things I should be doing: getting Michael's grades into our auto insurance company (for the "good student" discount), setting up that dinner date with the P's for tomorrow night, throwing out papers, making things look more presentable at this desk of mine, etc.

But I will sit here and revel. It is real, by golly. I wish scientists and scholar would take note. It is real, and I pity their blindness. No stupidity about an ancient myth here. He is as real as the nose on my face. Too bad for them they "think" Him away. 

I suppose I should do an assessment of the "State of My Well" like the president did the other night (Didn't even listen to it or listen to commentary on it since I am taking a "Nightly News Fast" for Lent. It was hard last night when I was exhausted, and I want to switch it on. I had to train myself to watch the news back in the early 80's. Now, I cannot get enough.).

WELL-WATERED SOUL

Well, of course, that is what I just finished writing about. Love, love, love my prayer walks lately. How He is directing me where to walk and pray and what to say "no" to for the day (praying near Leslie's apartment complex yesterday morning versus going to Calvary to pray on the grounds).  My footsteps have been ordained by Him. Yippee.  So good to start it off praying for Teala's block, and now she is praying through that wonderful "Seek God for the City" App (which, by the way, I found a way to enlarge the letters and make it lighter - my two complaints about the app).

So, Bible Book Club has slowed down considerably as I haven't had as much time to devote to it, but that is OK. Acts 15 is a good chapter to soak in, and Jeff's talk Monday night about that particular chapter shed more light on it!

WELL-EDUCATED MIND

Thanking God for Librivox.org. Calvin would have been so much harder to plow through if not for that. I have decided to stop reading Early Reviewer books for a while. Most are just OK. I just read the book Of Virgins and Martyrs that I think will be HUGE. That was one Early Reviewer book that I was ULTRA-IMPRESSED with!

All that to say is that I want to finish the Invitation to the Classics list, and I cannot when I keep signing up to review new books. I have 1 1/2 more books to review. Then, I am taking a break until I finish the ITC List. Last list, I promise.

WELL-ADJUSTED HEART

It always relates to the Well-Watered Soul. Experiencing God's Presence 24/7 confirmed what I always say, "When we are are experiencing Him, everything heals." I saw a breakthrough with a person I was working with last Thursday though, enough so that I want her to fly on her own and just check in for "tune ups" now and then. Yay. 

I do not deal with guilt or shame any more. Laying them all down if I do for a nano-second. This is all good (Until maybe the next trip down to see my family, LOL!).

WELL-TUNED STRENGTH

I have been talking a lot about all of this lately. My weight is down 18 pounds. It was down 19.8 last Friday, but there is something going weird in my water weight because I have stuck to the program with daily deficits, but last week was a major purge of water with loss beyond my deficits. So, I almost think that it is better to just weigh myself every two weeks because that seems to be when I get the accurate measurement beyond the fluctuations. Not worried. I have stuck to my plan like GLUE with only planned surpluses (I think I have had 1 or 2 in two months of recording everything I have eaten.). In addition, my weight loss overall shows I OVER-REPORT how many calories I am consuming. So, it is all GOOD! 

The back has had its ups and downs lately. I stupidly (as reported earlier this week) delivered two heavy book bags to one of our dial-a-book clients. So, that is my own fault (like chasing after the bus with bags in my hands in December). I have not had a "stupid back incidence" since December 12. So, I am good. I am thinking of doing Dr. Koen once a month and maybe doing the massage as needed. Dr. Koen is more effective in getting me back in balance than the massage therapist. If I am not out, she is great, but if I am out, Dr. Koen is much more effective AND covered by my insurance plan!

All that to say is that I did the 55 minute PUMP workout and felt great. I love getting my upper body strong (lower doesn't seem to be a problem with the other things I am doing). So, YAY! Good work!  I have visited SNAP 30 times since I joined in December. So that is good!

Well, I think the bell will ring. Back to work!

All Better

I limped through the weekend, but I knew my back was not 100%. Fifteen minutes with Dr. Koen on Friday was all that he could give, but I need a full work over. I called at 8 am, and he called back and said, "Believe it or not, we have a very light day because everyone thought I was closed on President's Day! Come on in!"

A full hour work over has made me a new woman, and I will NEVER carry Fran's book bags again. I love Fran, and it was great to have a chat with her as I dropped off her new and picked up her old ones, but I will FOREVER leave that job to my strapping, Sherpa boys!

Moving on. I had such a wonderful time praying for HP yesterday as I circled the pond. It is a one hour slow walk from my house around the pond and back again. I must remember to do that more often. It is about the same length as my Glen Eden walk, only flat. It will be a nice change. I have not done it in about a year! Silly me.

Well, I am off to write on Acts 15. I do hope I can finish it. I am planning on not meeting for counseling this week so that I can concentrate on my writing for a change.

One Moment of an Act of Service . . .

Equals three days of discomfort!

I twisted my back, but it took me three days to figure out what I did! I thought maybe it was increasing the tension on the elliptical or walking in my boots across campus, but it was the big book bags I carried through the nursing home! I usually leave the big ones for the boys, but I decided to drop Paul off at the bus station and drop the books off on my way back home.

BIG MISTAKE

It also required another trip to Dr. Koen! UGH!

When will I learn I cannot lift heavy bags, and Michael could have done it on the way BACK to the library because he was going there anyway.

Lesson Learned!!!

George's DNA Results (and mine for comparison)

I thought I posted this here, but I guess I just posted it on my Facebook, and I want to have his results here for comparison with mine.

GEORGE

CAROL

13. Practicing God's Presence 24/7 by Dennis and Dr. Jen Clark

My best friend had this laying on her ottoman when I went to visit her on Wednesday. She started describing all the things she was learning, and I said, "That sounds like Theophostic Prayer Ministry!"  I am trained in Theophostic and do this kind of ministry in my home, but I have observed that lack of forgiveness is the biggest stumbling block to people experiencing His presence, and I think this little book helps bridge that gap and the weakness in Theophostic!

I read Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence very early on in my discipleship journey. I say "discipleship" journey because I became a believer at 10 years of age, but I really did not grow as a disciple until I was 20. That was around the time I read Brother Lawrence's book (Late 70's or early 80's). I distinctly remember having a negative encounter with someone at a basketball game, and while coming home I asked God to speak truth to me, allow me to forgive that person with His forgiveness, and teach me to dwell in His presence 24/7 like Brother Lawrence.

That has been my lifelong passion, and it has had its ups and downs, but I feel like God is making it more and more real to me everyday. It is my passion for others to live this kind of life. In fact, I try to have all the girls I disciple read Brother Lawrence (and Frank Laubach's Letters by a Modern Mystic). Now, I think I will add this book to the list! 

Favorite quote: "Forgiveness is a supernatural, divine exchange: Christ in exchange for our pain."

AMEN!

Freewrite Five

This will be a quick free write to get my fingers moving for the day. I have had some busy mornings lately. So my writing time has been cut into pretty severely, but that is OK because I am still trying to save my back.

Speaking of my back. HALLELUJAH! I really do think I am out of the woods after three steps forward and two steps back for three years. BEST decision was to stop going to personal trainers and go to a physical therapist. I have been on the road to recovery. I did have one little slip, but it wasn't due to anything stupid other than sitting too long in a counseling session. I am going to only one hour sessions from now on. I just cannot do the long sessions (that one was three hours, and I started feeling it after 1 1/2 hours). 

I added my Bad Back Book exercise that dovetail nicely with Logans fabulous four exercises. It is doing more to limber me up in the morning. I didn't do them the other day and sat for an hour before I got up. My S-I joint had settled into its familiar place. So, I did the limbering exercises from the BBB, and I was better in no time. Now, I have my exercises posted in the living room, desk, and two places in my bedroom (for standing up and floor exercises). All of them take me about 20 minutes in the morning and about 5 minutes at night. Well worth the sacrifice.

Combine this with a monthly massage and chiropractic check, and I am good to go. Oh, I am switching the massages to every six weeks now because I am doing so well. I have one tomorrow. YAY!

Time is up. On to Acts 15.

12. Institutes of the Christian Religion: Book 2 by John Calvin

I have already reviewed the Institutes, in general (see HERE). 

This is what Calvin says Book 2 is about: 

Under the Occasion of Redemption, the Fall is considered not only in a general way, but also specially in its effects. Hence the first four chapters treat of original sin, free will, the corruption of human nature, and the operation of God in the heart. The fifth chapter contains a refutation of the arguments usually urged in support of free will. 

The subject of redemption may be reduced to five particular heads: 

I. The character of him in whom salvation for lost man must be sought, Chap. 6. 

II. How he was manifested to the world, namely, in a twofold manner. First, under the Law. Here the Decalogue is expounded, and some other points relating to the law discussed, Chap. 7 and 8. 

Secondly, under the Gospel. Here the resemblance and difference of the two dispensations are considered, Chap. 9, 10, 11. 

III. What kind of person Christ was, and behaved to be, in order to perform the office of Mediator—viz. God and man in one person, Chap. 12, 13, 14. 

IV. For what end he was sent into the world by the Father. Here Christ’s prophetical, kingly, and priestly offices are considered, Chap. 15. 

V. In what way, or by what successive steps, Christ fulfilled the office of our Redeemer, Chap. 16. Here are considered his crucifixion, death, burial, descent to hell, resurrection, ascension to heaven, and seat at the right hand of the Father, together with the practical use of the whole doctrine. Chapter 17 contains an answer to the question, Whether Christ is properly said to have merited the grace of God for us.  

(Calvin, J. (1997). Institutes of the Christian religion. Translation of: Institutio Christianae religionis.; Reprint, with new introd. Originally published: Edinburgh : Calvin Translation Society, 1845-1846. (II). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)

I have read what Calvinists believe about free will, but it was nice to read it straight from Calvin. How is he so SURE we don't have free will though? We aren't robots. I just think that there are more important things to do than debate about it though. 

I loved what he said about desiring to obey because the Spirit of God is in us. I bookmarked it, but I lost the bookmark. It was so GOOD! Shoot! Too many pages to wade through to find it.

I loved hearing verse after verse about Christ as our Redeemer. 

Again, I read this, and I think our time would be better spent just reading the Bible over and over to understand all of this rather than reading the musings of a 27 year old. :)

Also, the Librivox recording is FREE! Most of the readers are really good. One lady is on there a lot and quite monotone, but she isn't bad! There is one Scottish guy who is my favorite!!!

11. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

This a very famous classic that I finally was able to read. It is all about one 16 year old's adventures. I don't want to spoil it, but it says a lot about teenagers and where their mind can go. It is a fascinating. Having a teenage boy in the house, I know that hormones can lead to depression. 

This is a very negative book with some unsavory language, but it is pretty profound in many ways too. I can see why it is a classic, but I don't think I would want my teenager to read it. 

10. Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

I decided to forgo the typical  book cover for the actual book I read while sipping tea last Friday. Paul had a state test to take at Lebanon High School so I escaped to one of my favorite tea rooms: Mrs. B's Special Tea. 

What fun to read about Lady Almina while having a proper cup of tea! 

I really loved this book. Lady Almina was the rich, illegitimate child of Sir Alfred de Rothchild. She married the 5th Earl of Carnarvon infusing his estate with cash (much like Cora did in Downton Abbey) and giving herself legitimacy in the aristocratic world and a title: Countess of Carnarvon. Her money also helped fund the Earl of Carnarvon's exploits in Egypt that eventually led to the discovery of King Tut's tomb. 

For those of you who do not know, the Carnarvons oversee Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey is filmed. The book is written by the current Countess of Carnarvon. She is an excellent writer and good historian. 

Like in Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle became a hospital during World War I, but beyond Downton, they even performed surgeries there and Lady Almina became a competent nurse!  

I really admire this woman. If you love history (and Downton Abbey), you will love this book!

If you do not have the time to read the book, this 55 minute documentary on Highclere Castle with the author of the book will be a short way to learn the history!

Watch Beyond the Fiction on PBS. See more from Secrets of the Manor House.

Friday Fifteen Freewrite

It has been too long since I let my fingers do the walking across the keyboard without stopping (an informal definition of a "free write").

I have had a good week. I went to a Pastor's Prayer Summit. The leading men of the Valley have gathered at Cannon Beach for the past 23 years, and the women have gathered for the last eight (or so). I got invited about two years ago, and I went then and skipped last year, but I was able to go this year. I am so glad that I did.  I am still singing the songs of praise from the time. I don't sing enough these days. I definitely praise, but I loved the hours of worship in song!  It was a good time where I decided that I would be open to George teaching in India this summer. That was a great thing. I almost hope that it happens now. It sounds adventurous and fun, and I would probably get to see Elizabeth in the process. :)

Well, Acts is humming along. It has taken me a long time to get through it, but I definitely feel like it was God's timing to have me bathing in Acts as I head into this season of Lent (February 13) and my "Seek God for the City" prayer emphasis! I am so excited to do this! I am hoping to walk the streets of Corvallis and pray for the welfare of our city in all the nooks and crannies. YAY! I feel like this year is definitely an intercession year for me. I have held back from new relationships with internationals after a full year with my two "daughters" who graduated. I really love to walk and pray, and I would love for others to join me. So, I am going to tell people that they can do that with me. :)

My sweet mother-in-law fell and broke her hip yesterday so we are going up to Tualatin as she gets out of surgery. George has a class until 3 pm. This will be a good time to leave before the heavy Friday traffic in Portland. We can stay until the traffic dies down and then go back home. I have a baby shower too (book shower - what book Lord?) for Jenna Hicks ? (I don't know her new last name).

I am doing really well with my back. I have a new ligament stretching exercise (the "fire hydrant") that seems to keep my hip from slipping out of the S-I joint (I am also not sitting as long and will have to notify those I am doing counseling with that I cannot sit more than an hour at a time).  I am getting stronger and able to do the more advanced aerobic weight training video at SNAP fitness now. I am even a tad on the sore side after the one I did yesterday that shows it is a bit harder (but not so much harder that it threw my back out. YAY!). I am 14.4 pounds down. The Prayer Summit food threw me off a bit from my weekly goal, but I am WAY ahead of my overall goal of 14 pounds by Valentine's Day so YAY! :) I am pleased with how this whole strengthening and reducing program has been going for me. I have a higher number of calorie intake and less pressure to lose every week. This is SO much more realistic for me for the long run. I am committed to a food log though, even after I reach my goal. My goal is not weight loss this year but MAINTENANCE of that weight loss. I am committed to doing this until December 20, 2013: one WHOLE year of logging food and wearing the BodyBugg. I KNOW that it is going to stick this time. I have no doubt that this will happen. YAY! It is all so good.

I am loving Bible Book Club. I might have already mentioned Acts. I told myself I would only allow myself ONE post for every ONE pound, and I am able to work through 1 Corinthians 11 (post for June 3).  Once I reach my maintenance goal (2 Corinthians 9 - isn't it cool that it is about "buffeting my body"?), I will stop if I gain any pounds back!  It is fun and keeps me from too much sedentary stuff. That is also why my photography is on hold, and I will not do 365 again until I am at maintenance and I will also apply that rule: No picture of the day if I gain weight! Win-Win.

Harp is going. No proofreading so I will stay humble. I apologize for the typos and any there/their/they're mistakes (sometimes I type and don't think, but I really DO know the difference between the three. Honest!).

9. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

I have read reviews calling this woman a "dimwit" and "self-absorbed". I can only say "BRAVO" to her! She did what many have never been able to do. What guts to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) with zero backpacking experience and being totally out of shape!

She is an intelligent writer. Some of her words were almost amusingly too "big" for this kind of book, but I couldn't put the book down (It helped that my back was out, and I had nowhere else to go). Her reflections are poignant, and those days of solitude and battling the elements were better than therapy. 

I had this on hold for months. Therefore I missed reading it before my library held a "Random Review" in December to a packed audience. The reviewer, Leslie Richards, had hiked all of the Oregon part of the PCT, but she reiterated that her story was "G rated" compared to Cheryl's. This made me hesitant to read it. Cheryl is brutally honest. So the book is definitely NOT "G rated". Cheryl was an extremely promiscuous 20-something, but I knew that deep down it was due to her deep need to get something that she did not get as a child. Some parts were "R" or even "X" rated; so be forewarned! Some excerpts were too graphic for my tastes, and I wonder that she doesn't have diseases brought on by her years of VERY casual sex with strangers! YUK! I was happy that she came to not want that by the end of the book. 

Another fun thing about the book was that she was at many places I have been on day hikes: Castle Crags, Jefferson Wilderness near Three Finger Jack, Crater Lake, Timberline Lodge. I imagined her hiking through, gazing at the beautiful blue of Crater Lake (just went there in September) or eating food in the over-priced dining rooms of the lodges! I wish I could have been there to treat her to a meal. She was so poor when she hiked the PCT, but I imagine that she is no longer poor now! This book is pretty popular!

All in all, this is a very well-written memoir. It inspired me to hike the PCT someday, but maybe I will wait until my back gets better. :) 

8. Keeping Christ in Ministry by John H. Harrison

 Unlike a previous review, I enjoyed that the scripture in this book was printed out, and I didn't have to go and look up each verse reference in my Bible. The author quotes scripture after scripture that spoke of Jesus as Prophet, Priest, King, Warrior, Light, Shepherd, Servant, Teacher, Creator, Brother, and Immanuel. It was like a topical study on the character of Jesus, and how we can reflect His character in ministry. 

But that is really all it is: a topical Bible study about Jesus. If it had been titled The Character of Christ, I would not have been disappointed, but the title and introduction build up my hope that it would be more about the different approaches to ministry--especially in America--that are "suspect at best, and unbiblical at worst" (Kindle Locations 36-48). 

In the introduction, the author promises: 

The final chapter presents an approach to ministry that is based on the perspective presented in this book. It illustrates how people’s unique creation by God— their passions, personality, and spiritual gifts— enables them to participate in the ministry of Jesus in a unique way. This chapter also explains the role of the “ministry mentor” in helping people and provides an example of an overall approach.
Harbison, John H.. Keeping Christ in Ministry (Kindle Locations 99-102). Kirkdale Press.  

I came to the end of that chapter and said, "That's it? Also, his discussion of passions, personality, and spiritual gifts are something I teach on, and it a very basic regurgitation of the S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual Gifts, Heart Passions, Abilities, Personality, Experience) already developed by others many years ago and doesn't really contribute anything new to the dialogue.

While I wholeheartedly agree that much of the church has resorted to methodology over theology, I do not think this book does much to counteract that trend. 

7. Institutes of the Christian Religion: Book 1 by John Calvin

One down and three more to go!

by John Calvin (1509-1564)

Translated by Henry Beveridge

Here is a summary from Wikipedia:

Institutes of the Christian Religion is John Calvin’s seminal work on Protestant systematic theology. Highly influential in the Western world and still widely read by theological students today, it was published in Latin in 1536 and in his native French in 1541, with the definitive editions appearing in 1559 (Latin) and in 1560 (French).
The book was written as an introductory textbook on the Protestant faith for those with some learning already and covered a broad range of theological topics from the doctrines of church and sacraments to justification by faith alone and Christian liberty, and it vigorously attacked the teachings of those Calvin considered unorthodox, particularly Roman Catholicism to which Calvin says he had been “strongly devoted” before his conversion to Protestantism. The over-arching theme of the book – and Calvin’s greatest theological legacy – is the idea of God’s total sovereignty, particularly in salvation and election. 

The Institutes are a primary reference for the system of doctrine adopted by the Reformed churches, usually called Calvinism. 

Book One of the Institutes treats of the knowledge of God, considered as the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the world, and of every thing contained in it. 

This is an important work, and it has always been my desire to read it in its entirety, but I will take it one book at a time.

Calvin was definitely an "intuitive thinking" personality type. Authors like that often make my head hurt. The book is pretty heady, and I didn't find it had quite as much "heart" as Pascal's Pensées. It does amaze me that Calvin wrote this when he was in his late 20's! Would the church today take the writings of a 20's something so seriously?

This is a work of systematic theology, and systematic theology is not my thing (even though I studied it in seminary). I believe we could get so much more just reading the Bible over and over again. Thus why I lead a three year reading through the entire Bible (www.3yearbiblebookclub.blogspot.com).

My favorite part of this particular book were his thoughts on Satan. I do believe that Calvin understood the reality of the battle with the enemy of our souls. 

I am taking a break before diving into Book 2! 

By the way, the librivox.org recording by various narrators is very sound. Some are a bit monotone, but it makes it so much easier to get through this huge TOME, and it is FREE! 

Freewrite Fifteen

Well-Watered Soul

The week of Prayer and Fasting for the church of the valley is concluding today with a big CELEBRATION at our church tonight. I might just go to that and skip this morning. 

I loved the times of prayer. Fasting was harder, but that is because I don't have a lot of fat to lose. So, I felt very run down and lethargic, much more so than I ever have. Usually, on previous fasts, it has been really easy after the third day. This time it got incredibly hard, and by the fifth day, my heart was racing, and I thought that it was prudent for me to break it. It was appropriate since it was Michael's birthday celebration at Izzy's, and we could break it with healthy salad. 

Despite the feelings of sickness and weakness, I thought I was hearing God say NOT to be in charge of an event in April. We were asked to take it over because the other church that usually hosts it doesn't feel like they have the "bandwidth" to pull it off. As I prayed, I sensed that we do not have that "bandwidth" either and that we would have to specifically pull back from what God is calling us to do. I would have to put all the great things God has given me to do on hold, and I really didn't want to do that. George would not be able to leave work to take care of the logistics. So, I sensed a "NO" from God, but I also felt sad that it might not happen this year.

On my last full day of the fast, I arose very early and lit candles all around the living/dining room area. I praise and prayed. As I knelt on the floor God said, "It can be in Seattle with Nate's crew."  

PERFECT! For two years, it was in that area, but it was moved down here because the majority of the people who attended in Seattle were from Corvallis. We also had 3-4 times more people when it was down here in Corvallis; but there is a whole NEW crop of people doing great things up in Seattle that need to hear the people from this great conference!  If we have people here, they can travel up there!

Then, about an hour later, George told me that Nate had posted on his Facebook page that they were hosting the conference!  It was the same weekend that we were supposed to host it. So, my guess is that the powers that be also thought it was a better idea to do it in Seattle. Ultimately, the GREATEST POWER THAT BE thought so too! LOL!

I am happy to have heard from God so specifically.

On top of that, my unreached people prayer times were VERY sweet during this week of prayer. I also was able to pray for the college retreat and pray for and with people in our lovely little ministry.

It wasn't without its attacks from the enemy as EVERYONE I knew was experiencing push back for the increased prayer, but Satan just had to deal with it because WE WERE NOT STOPPING! I knew that I got a little zinger of an attack when I went from total peace on my prayer walk in Glen Eden to total panic when I got a text message that there was NOTHING in our checking account. Turns out George and I had a miscommunication about where to deposit the check for Michael's tuition for Winter term. So, the charge came through, and there was no money there to pay for it. WOOPS.  It is only a $3 overdraft protection fee, but I never get those, and we had the money to cover it, it was just sitting in the wrong account.  All that to say, the enemy exploited that situation until I realized what he was up to! After that, the rest of the week was smooth sailing in prayer.

Even though I felt very lethargic, I realized that I really do not REST that much. The lethargy taught me that I need to take rest times every day. I read a lot, but most of it is listening to books WHILE I work. I need to just rest and read and enjoy stillness. That was another good lesson from the week. 

Oh drat. There is the timer. This has to be enough for now.