tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254172452024-03-21T11:12:32.086-04:00Tips and Helpful Hints to the Drama of Weight LossDo you try and stay healthy but it is an everyday struggle. Here you can find helpful information to give you encouragement for daily journey. And maybe a laugh or two! Oh and one more thing; I am a believer in the promises of God and the salvation of His Son. Sometimes you may think this isn't about weight loss but change starts from the inside. Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-72971000608511365812016-02-29T07:53:00.001-05:002016-02-29T07:53:30.361-05:00In Memory of Joan E. Young <div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi67JwAPokpftW7wdWZt83oKAq60yPC4XLF4Q9kNNCGJ4Pa3QmH5tIC2fjAJxCQSW8x6HQ3Hk4yiOMOZC5IJg9ClX2ZJ79h8OqUvybj8S3nZ61Qj4hFuYyDkupJnQFTmdhxREbGg/s1600/12743674_10153446801044021_4004760095993459224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi67JwAPokpftW7wdWZt83oKAq60yPC4XLF4Q9kNNCGJ4Pa3QmH5tIC2fjAJxCQSW8x6HQ3Hk4yiOMOZC5IJg9ClX2ZJ79h8OqUvybj8S3nZ61Qj4hFuYyDkupJnQFTmdhxREbGg/s200/12743674_10153446801044021_4004760095993459224_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Joan was a part of my life for probably 58 years. First she held me in the nursery at church, later taught me in Sunday School, then when I was an acolyte, she would fix my robe before I would leave the choir room. Later when she married my dad she became my step mom ... the word step mom can bring bad thoughts to one's mind in the world of Disney ...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: right;">
but I'm really not a princess. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
She helped me, a 20 something grow into a strong young woman by giving me space and teaching me to clean the hair trap in the bathtub! Yeah she hated when I was a slob. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCdNkylh0MC29fzSm8YTHz22j7dGVw_u6ecWe1Ch5OXOCr3e3JcTw2lVC8XSc8WvFThEYJRkvnN24-MUz6iVP3HRh2N6aHX24FURCvXtWg08YyK2b_mA9mXUdq2hU9VRXvMsB4w/s1600/232323232%257Ffp83232%253Eydnjthgqubwsnrcgu4894%253Enu%253D459-%253E248%253E632%253EWSNRCG%253D4592889834328nu0mrj.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCdNkylh0MC29fzSm8YTHz22j7dGVw_u6ecWe1Ch5OXOCr3e3JcTw2lVC8XSc8WvFThEYJRkvnN24-MUz6iVP3HRh2N6aHX24FURCvXtWg08YyK2b_mA9mXUdq2hU9VRXvMsB4w/s200/232323232%257Ffp83232%253Eydnjthgqubwsnrcgu4894%253Enu%253D459-%253E248%253E632%253EWSNRCG%253D4592889834328nu0mrj.jpeg" width="150" /></a>Later at my wedding she was the mother of the bride, then most importantly to her she became the grandmother of my children. She doted on my boys Michael and Peter, babysitting often. Joan bought them their first suit then taught them to be respectful young men. When the children were babies she would often take them and disappear, teaching and loving on them. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
We called her the baby-napper. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
When my husband, Ken and I were thinking of adopting a daughter, she said, "there's always room in her heart to love one more!" </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
That is who Joan was, always finding room for one more. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
She loved and doted on Theresa as much as the boys. Just this past fall she got to hold her first great-grandchild, Adelia and I saw that twinkle in her eyes once more ...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: right;">
The baby-napper had returned. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
My dad said she picked up strays, as he often referred to himself. Family and inclusiveness was important to her, no one was ever left out, even if she didn't agree with your politics, you knew you were always included with Joan. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
One thing she always wanted to know was how my brothers were doing. She wanted me to have a close relationship with them because she knew that family was all you had, besides God in your life and that was important. As the years went on and my relationships got somewhat better with my brothers it made her happy because she wanted to me to always have family. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRBiSscGWsk6Jp7MpGC9ccLRSnBGCHpUhtogfGQgDsSBeBbu6l_VO-xHznKSFMeyQ85xMAYbc8T0G86my_I5kKv-RtnS2KcQiQTwdKIzDQWygttCR_ZcfKdQDA15JIIlrCpObcQ/s1600/232323232%257Ffp83232%253Eydnjthgqubwsnrcgu%253B569%253Enu%253D459-%253E248%253E632%253EWSNRCG%253D4592%253B6%253C6%253C5328nu0mrj.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRBiSscGWsk6Jp7MpGC9ccLRSnBGCHpUhtogfGQgDsSBeBbu6l_VO-xHznKSFMeyQ85xMAYbc8T0G86my_I5kKv-RtnS2KcQiQTwdKIzDQWygttCR_ZcfKdQDA15JIIlrCpObcQ/s200/232323232%257Ffp83232%253Eydnjthgqubwsnrcgu%253B569%253Enu%253D459-%253E248%253E632%253EWSNRCG%253D4592%253B6%253C6%253C5328nu0mrj.jpeg" width="158" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
Her legacy is one of love, compassion and bringing people together. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: SFNSText, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
May 2, 1930 ~ February 13, 2016 </div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-5126820032323858082016-01-26T11:43:00.001-05:002016-01-26T11:43:43.582-05:00I Need You In CLASS! <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you started an exercise class? Your instructor was great! She was energetic and fun! You notice that class is large and everyone is engaged. Leaving the class you think wow that instructor is great and that was a great class! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, let me say YOU may be the reason that the instructor was great! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been teaching 30 years and I have learned that it isn't all about me. I need you in my class! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I new person walks in to my class, I'm nervous but also excited of what that person might bring to my class. New participates </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">coming into class will pump up the energy in the room, just by them being there. So the next time you are starting out to a new exercise class and think you are going to be nervous or feel awkward, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">know this, just by you being there ... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the energy level will go up. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Energy in a fitness is class is a good thing! You need it to make the class motivating for all participates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will teach my scheduled classes if there is 1 person there or I will teach it if there are 100 people there! I know if you came to class, you were expecting to exercise, so I won't let you down. But the class is more enjoyable for all when it is a full class. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SO </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you can't make it to class know you that you are missed! The more the merrier! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the class is filled, the energy is up as well. The instructor gets pumped and so will you. So if you are thinking of skipping class today...</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">... DON'T! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">THE REST OF THE CLASS AND THE INSTRUCTOR NEEDS YOU THERE! </span> </span></div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-27388947469787904802015-10-27T09:08:00.001-04:002015-10-27T09:08:38.845-04:00Going Grain Free <div class="Section1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">Recently here in my
family, </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">we </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">decided we would do a month of grain free eating, </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">which means we have taken all foods containing grains out of our diet.</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"> Why you might ask? Most of today's grains are highly processed and can cause many problems in the body. </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">I already am gluten free because I have a disease called Celiac.</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">This affects my small intestine and
literally destroys the villi that aids in absorption by the body.</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">So I am already on my way to being grain free.</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">Eating grain
free is a TEMPORARY way of eating to encourage some changes in your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reduces inflammation, detoxs the
body, forces more vegetables in the diet, and can be a jump start to a weight
loss program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">If you were
thinking of going grain free here are some things you may want to consider. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">First of all, here is the list of main whole grains and sudo grains (Carbs high
in sugar that raise the insulin in your body) that I have taken out of my
diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wheat, barley, millet, rye, corn,
malt, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, and rice. Sudo grains are white potatoes and
some legumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I want to
stress this is only <u>temporary</u> and after a period of time I will be introducing
gluten free grains back into my diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Probably one per week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial;">Second thing is that you will feel some cravings and maybe be irritable
or experience headaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
decide to do this remember you must eat more fruits and vegetables to make up
for the loss of fiber and carbohydrates. There are many great recipes for grain
free eating, just goggle grain free eating and a whole new world will open to
you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>206</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1178</o:Characters>
<o:Company>become</o:Company>
<o:Lines>9</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1446</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="ALL" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span><!--EndFragment-->Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-13926810762244375482015-10-03T22:46:00.002-04:002015-10-03T22:46:46.396-04:00Drama in the News... CNN .. MSNBC .. FOX oh my who do I watch? I have had many thoughts about this week's shooting ... I have listened to opinions on both sides. I've heard the sheriff, John Hanlin state that he will not use the shooter's name ... and now many news medias are not using his name as well. But we all know it ... and with that said ... I just think we are graving drama in this country. How many of you follow these stories? I mean I do, so I'm not pointing any fingers but I think that is the problem. We have too much access to what is going on immediately. Just turn on the TV and there it is... instantly anyone who commits one of these horrific crimes, is all over the TV, even if their names aren't mentioned. We will find their name and everything about them. We will remember it for our lifetime and so we will have helped them succeed in their quest for being 'someone' for eternity. <br />
<br />
I heard a quote from a convicted serial killer. Travis Forbes... he killed one young woman in Denver and almost killed another in Fort Collins. He said, "society is addicted to drama and that every tragic story presented by the media feeds the monster." We DO feed that monster ... HOW do we change this? WE can't reclaim TV or the 4 channels most of us grew up with. Technology is here to stay. Not by changing the laws or by promoting mental health legislation because we all know that takes time. So we need a solution NOW ... we can change things by realizing everyone wants to be needed and loved. If we can do that in our own homes and neighborhoods, I believe we can make a difference for the future in this society. It starts with you ... Will you make the difference?Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-51771462578995405012015-05-28T14:56:00.000-04:002015-09-24T20:04:37.891-04:00Sands, a Little too Deep<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uhjnV4CU2aLTq0xyReAjvY355RIOzlZAX2ySp23dwk5D7fp8Mi3GPBQU-Z7acmIjEPaCAzyd_OY8cDTSsiUhZXZAWJUm-hhwunaYaU471pZFeKhWMZ3tcbasrpfHht9dD7D8Yg/s1600/desert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uhjnV4CU2aLTq0xyReAjvY355RIOzlZAX2ySp23dwk5D7fp8Mi3GPBQU-Z7acmIjEPaCAzyd_OY8cDTSsiUhZXZAWJUm-hhwunaYaU471pZFeKhWMZ3tcbasrpfHht9dD7D8Yg/s320/desert.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Some call me crazy...<br />
Some call me adventurous ...<br />
Some call me a dreamer ...<br />
<br />
I'm not sure which characteristic is correct. Maybe I just don't think and do things impulsively. One thing I do know about myself is that I don't like things to be boring.<br />
<br />
When I ride my bike I like to go off the paved trail, I like to ride in the dessert where it is bumpy and rough. Since I've been riding on these desert trails I have learned that sand is hard to ride through. If you are coming off a jump or going fast you have to keep peddling when you hit the sand or your bike will make a dead stop but your body will keep going and fly through the air. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now that is adventure! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I don't know why I like adventure but I do. I like lots of adventure. I don't think I live dangerously but sometimes I think I can do almost anything I set out to accomplish. Oh there are times when I get sidetracked with old baggage but it doesn't take long until I'm back up and running, or should I say peddling. <br />
<br />
Music is one thing that really helps me to get back on the right path. All kinds of music. I love to listen to words of the song and usually the more upbeat a song is the more it pleases my taste.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Beyond Me" is a song I've been listening too a lot lately... </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
That You gave me the stars, put them out of my reach</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Called me to waters a little too deep</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, I've never been so aware of my need </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You keep on making me see </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's way beyond me </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tobymac</span></div>
<br />
The other day I hit sand too deep just as the song was playing on my iPod. I thought wow ... I've been called to sand too deep but if I keep peddling I will get through. <br />
<br />
I don't think we are to give up on dreams. We are to keep peddling. It might be a little hard going but once through the deep sand, that feeling of accomplishment, knowing you did it, will flood your soul...<br />
<br />
And when in those deep places remember, you are never alone. You will have the equipment to make it to the other side. The people in your life are there to help you through those deep sands or waters. All you have to do is reach out...<br />
<br />
<i>BUT... </i><br />
<i> MAYBE ...</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
When you reach out you will be actually helping someone else out of a deep place. You see, I think this life is bigger than any thing we can imagine. I think there are forces at work that we don't see, working towards our good and urging us to be kind, or adventurous. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't be afraid to be seek adventure or dream big dreams. </div>
<br />
<i>IT IS ...</i><br />
<br />
Way Beyond Me & YOU ... God HAS called us all to do great things. Some things may not seem GREAT but they may be to someone else, especially if you are doing a kind thing for a random person. <br />
<br />
We need to keep peddling and ...<br />
<br />
looking for those acts of kindness that help others ...<br />
<br />
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop<br />
<br />
<br />Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-72579532062995758792015-05-22T17:11:00.001-04:002015-09-24T20:05:29.938-04:00Adelia Rose and other family news<br />
Soon we will be welcoming a new member into our home; introducing Adelia Rose! Our first grandchild will be coming into our world sometime this summer. It has been a rough go so far and we are praying the birth with be the easy part. Our daughter-in-law Amy and our son Michael live with our for the time being and we are hoping that baby Adelia will be born at home. We do ask for your prayers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHa6Y5YvZgsr0b4UzfxpT6O9PiXYx5aurDS4C3wgq3nrjc8AOGrSuCEk-OedHuRAvBHQ2_YXwrpfcWRJZDHxNGNzm-J65l6z3kyu8A0r1DXLZJhQreujRHERT-jxbyEfq7mtJ7hw/s1600/Adelia+Rose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHa6Y5YvZgsr0b4UzfxpT6O9PiXYx5aurDS4C3wgq3nrjc8AOGrSuCEk-OedHuRAvBHQ2_YXwrpfcWRJZDHxNGNzm-J65l6z3kyu8A0r1DXLZJhQreujRHERT-jxbyEfq7mtJ7hw/s320/Adelia+Rose.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Michael is still looking for full time work, he presently works part time for a web design company. Recently they were hit with a need for a new car since their car of 11 years and 190,000 miles died. They did get a good deal but will need more income to purchase a home in the fall. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Peter is also looking for a new teaching job either back east or here in Arizona. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Theresa is still taking online classes at Grand Canyon University and is getting connected to some young ladies through a Bible Study.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ken continues to love his job ... it is nice that we don't hear that phone ring 24/7! And I am hoping to get more involved with the church we have been attending. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you remember to keep us in your prayers it would be greatly appreciated! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D25417245%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dheader&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-OrLn0-kQjNI%2FVV-ZNi6OGnI%2FAAAAAAAAAMY%2F292Cjr0pmgQ%2Fs320%2FAdelia%252BRose.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 126px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D25417245%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dheader&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-OrLn0-kQjNI%2FVV-ZNi6OGnI%2FAAAAAAAAAMY%2F292Cjr0pmgQ%2Fs320%2FAdelia%252BRose.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 126px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D25417245%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dheader&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-OrLn0-kQjNI%2FVV-ZNi6OGnI%2FAAAAAAAAAMY%2F292Cjr0pmgQ%2Fs320%2FAdelia%252BRose.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 126px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D25417245%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dheader&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-OrLn0-kQjNI%2FVV-ZNi6OGnI%2FAAAAAAAAAMY%2F292Cjr0pmgQ%2Fs320%2FAdelia%252BRose.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 126px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D25417245%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dheader&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-OrLn0-kQjNI%2FVV-ZNi6OGnI%2FAAAAAAAAAMY%2F292Cjr0pmgQ%2Fs320%2FAdelia%252BRose.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 126px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D25417245%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dheader&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-OrLn0-kQjNI%2FVV-ZNi6OGnI%2FAAAAAAAAAMY%2F292Cjr0pmgQ%2Fs320%2FAdelia%252BRose.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 126px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-17932446163184704812015-02-02T08:52:00.000-05:002015-02-02T08:52:32.151-05:00Slowing Down ... for now <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I'm finding myself finally adjusting to Arizona life. I knew that I was settling in when I realized I was not really excited about going back to Pittsburgh. At first I thought it was the snow but as I got out of the car at the airport, I knew home wasn't a building that our processions are arranged in a decorative manner or is it a city where our favorite sports team resides. It is the people we live with or who are in our lives. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moving from Pittsburgh after living there my entire life has been a adjustment to say the least.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are the feelings I believed I would experience: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought I would be anxious about going to the gym, never did I think I would be able to relax as a student in any fitness class. I thought I would find myself with nothing to do most of the time. I was ready to experience boredom and insomnia. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm finding myself enjoying the slower pace. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think I'm even kinda busy but I'm not sure doing what. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I really like the instructors at the gym and I'm proud of myself, I'm not critiquing them AT ALL! I am enjoying just dancing, singing, and not thinking. I'm walking the dogs most everyday which is something I hardly even did in Pittsburgh. I'm enjoying spending extra time with my daughter. And my daughter in law has gotten me in to cooking shows. Dinner could end up being a new adventure every day! </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am happy just spending more time at home putzing around. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This move has become a release of myself; kinda of what Jesus says in Luke 9:23-24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have left some of the most wonderful people and a rewarding career, but I'm looking forward to the path ahead. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to look at the lessons in nature, the redwood tree is so tall and mighty, but the seed has to decompose, die, before it can become a mighty tree. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm happy that my friends are still in my life, thanks to Facebook, Twitter, email, and texting. As far as a career, God has something in store for me, I'm not sure what but I can't wait to find out. It will be exciting! </span><br />
<br />Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-46113512057453138212015-01-02T18:22:00.000-05:002015-01-02T18:22:08.751-05:00Christmas Letter 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">December</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">2014</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Friends and Family,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2104 has been a very busy year for the Jones’s!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I normally do not write a Christmas
letter but felt it a good idea since we have moved to Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s provision was evident during our
journey and wanted to share with you the fun we had through all our bumps and
bruises!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So buckle up for the ride
it is an adventurous one! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In January Sue’s Step Mom, Joan told her that she would like
to move to Country Meadows before the next winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God had other plans and Joan was able to move into her
new home March 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sue
had the task of emptying and selling the Upper St Clair townhome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the help of her great friend
Leslie she arranged for an estate sale and prepared the house for sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The estate sale wasn’t a pleasant
experience and we will not being doing another one of those!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pinehurst Townhouse sold in July,
closing that chapter in Sue’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Theresa, being a senior in High School, was planning on
graduating from Canon McMillan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>June 10<sup>th</sup> Theresa found herself on the football field
participating in commencement exercises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She decided to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona
online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Majoring in Early
Childhood Education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a
graduation party at the end of June, catered by Chipotle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fun time for all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Uncle Jim and Aunt Sheryl flew in
from San Francisco for the party! Uncle Chuck and Aunt Patti came in from
Morgantown and it was a Young family reunion!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Meanwhile, Peter applied for a job in Phoenix, Arizona in
May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He later found out that he
landed that job and plans were made to move Peter to Surprise, Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be teaching Chemistry and
Biology at Paradise Honors High School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trip was set for July 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sue and Theresa planned on flying while Ken and Peter were
going to drive across country in Peter’s car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trip was a success and Ken, Sue and Theresa flew home
mid July. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">August was a quiet month for the Jones Family! Thank
Goodness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, at least the first
part of August!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>August 26<sup>th</sup>
Ken was contacted by the district manager of Mesa, Arizona from Allied Barton,
informing him of a job possibility in Tucson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be promotion to a single site management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which meant less stress for Ken!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken and Sue considered what the changes
would mean to them and their family, moving to Tucson, Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On August 29<sup>th</sup> Ken was
offered the job and he accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In early September Ken and Sue listed their home with a Howard Hanna
agent Erin Laigle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our house sold
in 24 hours … we were now in for the journey of a lifetime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a great relief to have the house under contract since
everyone was coming into town for Amy’s brother’s wedding in late September.
The big event that was to take place at the Buhl Mansion in Sharon, PA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Ken was set to fly out of
Pittsburgh September 27<sup>th</sup> after the wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sue would be driving the car out with
her friend Leslie. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hotels booked,
TripTik acquired, snacks packed and return fights for Leslie and Sue
booked!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We found
the cliché, His plans are not Our plans became our reality going forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">… Ken’s flight was canceled due to the fire at Chicago
O’Hare Airport … All plans changed … Ken and Sue were in the car driving across
country Saturday, September 27<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken started his new position on September 30<sup>th</sup>
and Sue was looking at new homes on October 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A beautiful ranch home was found and
closings were all set to happen in a perfect timely manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our plans seemed to be back on track and we survived the bump
in the road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sue returned home, she and Theresa had the month of October
to finish all the packing while caring for 2 dogs and 4 cats… Michael and Amy
had left their animals since they had a planned their vacation in mid
October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So to say the least … it
was pretty crazy in the Jones’s house! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">House packed and movers arrived; Sue and Theresa had their
snacks for the first leg of the trip across country with the 4 cats and 2 dogs
to Michael and Amy’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
going to be a long 11 hours to Illinois but the girls were up for the trip. Ken’s
mom, Marilyn was helping them get on their way by staying until the movers were
all packed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">36 hours before the closing of the Canonsburg home, things
began to crumble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The buyer
had problems and the closing was canceled … Sue and Theresa had to go anyway
since the house was already mostly on the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closing on the house in Tucson had to be canceled also
since now the loan had to change, things were a bit of a mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like a storage unit was in
store for Ken and Sue and renting was the only option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Talk about
having an Abraham moment …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Through much prayer and negotiation, our sellers in Tucson
allowed us to rent until our loan issues would work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved in as planned and our closing
happened in early December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of
writing, we still haven’t closed in Canonsburg but anticipate this to happen
before 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The fun continued as Sue went to the DMV and found that some
how her name had been changed with the Social Security Administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now let me just say changing your
first name legally is not an easy task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have to petition the court and pay lots of money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SSN said Sue had done that sometime in
the last 32 years … Ken and Sue found their way to Superior Court in Tucson to
reclaim Sue’s birth name … <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">At the writing of this letter Ken, Sue, and Theresa await
the arrival of Michael and Amy, with their move to Tucson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new house will be home to all 5
Jones with 2 dogs and 4 cats!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
you know what a new home means … yes … new home, new baby!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right Michael and Amy’s family
is growing with a due date some time in July!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First Grandchild for Ken and Sue! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2014 isn’t over yet … and the Jones know there is always an
adventure waiting around the corner! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>865</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4931</o:Characters>
<o:Company>become</o:Company>
<o:Lines>41</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>6055</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Post
script:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These events are only the
highlights, much more happened, God showed up at every twist and turn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is Faithful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Epilogue:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Amy's Grandma Rose passed away the Thursday before Mike and her were to drive to Tucson. So their plans changed and she drove to Pittsburgh while Mike drove the truck to Tucson. I flew back to Pittsburgh so she didn't have to drive that long way alone. On the way to the airport I was alerted that my step mom was in the hospital... amazing how God works! I was able to visit with her as well as keep Amy company as she drove from Pittsburgh to Tucson! So in all I made 3 cross country trips in 80 days! 2015 here we come! </div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-69366488017501021252014-08-17T15:53:00.002-04:002014-08-17T15:53:47.487-04:00De-Friended?I love that song by Randy Newman! "You Got a Friend In Me" ... Remember? It was from Toy Story. I love that movie too...<br />
<br />
I thought about that song this past week, after Robin Williams died, everyone was saying, if you ever find yourself feeling low call someone. The problem with that is that if you get that low you don't want to call someone because you might be bothering them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even if they are your friend. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But CALL! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Believe they will be very glad you called them. </div>
<br />
I also thought of that song when I discovered an old friend had de-friended me on FB. I think they thought I didn't have enough time for them. Unfortunately that was true, I didn't have enough time. I'm not going to make excuses and say I should have, could have, ... etc. It just happened and I'm sorry that person felt that de-friending me was somehow justified by my inability to hang out on FB. <br />
<br />
Once again, I thought of that song this week when I texted my best friend as I was getting ready to drive past her house. We live about an hour apart and I was in her neighborhood. I needed personal facilities in friendly territory. She was not home but told me her daughter was and invited me to stop anyway. We have been friends our whole lives. That is a total of 56+ years. We don't get together much and don't text or talk enough. We keep up on each other on FB by liking and checking out each others photos and posts. I love her with my whole heart and know that no matter what, we willl always be friends ... in fact I would call her if I was in that place of deep despair and she would call me. That's Friendship.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Selfless.. </div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-39973161807203897742014-08-14T09:27:00.000-04:002014-08-17T15:54:12.634-04:00ThoughtsMonday night we learned that Robin Williams apparently committed suicide.<br />
<br />
When I first heard of his death, I heard Mork in my head say ... "This is false information" But unfortunately ... Mork was wrong.<br />
<br />
Robin battled depression, had substance abuse, and heart surgery. I read many comments about his life, comedy, acting career, humanitarian acts of love and charity. His death came as a shock to us all and I find myself waking still with him on my mind. <br />
<br />
Williams was such a part of my life yet I didn't know him personally nor have I ever seen him, in person. I can't imagine how his family and close friends are feeling right now. <br />
<br />
Dennis Miller said last night on a news show, "If a person with as much going for him as Williams could feel so alone, it is a warning to everyone." He also said, it would honor Williams's memory to reach out to another person whenever YOU feel in such desperate straits because hope is always just around the corner.<br />
<br />
I called my brother Monday night as soon as I had heard the news. I knew he would understand me since he has a sixth sense into my thoughts... older brothers do you know... We were thinking along the same lines as Miller even then ... if someone with so much talent, success, and love could feel so alone ... is there any hope for us?<br />
<br />
Suicide is an act of betrayal. The person contemplating the act, finding themselves in the pit of despair, doesn't think that way.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
They just want the pain to go away. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know .. I've been there. </div>
<br />
What has stopped me? My kids, my husband, my brother, my friends, my God, and HOPE. (not in any order)<br />
<br />
Miller is right ... the sun will come up tomorrow and there is always HOPE. <br />
<br />
That is the thing about HOPE ... we can always for hope for something. You might say ... no, I have nothing to hope for, oh but you do ... even in your darkest moments, hope that you can get out of your bed tomorrow. I have been there too... Hope that the doctor will get your meds correct and the therapist will help you make the breakthrough.<br />
<br />
If someone you love, suffers from depression ... take them seriously. Because it is seriously situation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-13246927627276894312014-08-10T20:23:00.000-04:002014-08-10T20:23:26.611-04:0024 Hours<br />
Well, I did it ... stayed off social media for 24+ hours. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At one point, I thought, I should go check Facebook, and then said oh no, I can't ... small panic that lasted about 30 seconds. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Really it wasn't that hard and it seemed I had more patience dealing with the little things in life. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think I need longer than 24 hours to really make an impact on my spiritual life. Cutting back seems like a good idea right now and so I think I'm going to stay off first thing in the morning.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This fasting thing off Social Media needs more thought and experimentation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I can't decide if this blog is social media or not ... </div>
</div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-63646621833185351832014-08-09T10:06:00.001-04:002014-08-10T09:31:55.708-04:00His Voice<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to hear the voice of GOD?</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Open a Bible ... ok so maybe you don't believe it is really God's Voice. Then you shouldn't read this blog. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure God spoke through the burning bush and dreams with Angels and I believe He still does. In fact the next time I see a bush on fire I'm going to listen very closely. I'm not kidding or being sarcastic. I look, listen, and wait for God and His voice everywhere. But the only place I know I will hear it for sure is in my Bible. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God speaks to us also through TRUSTED friends and family. I say TRUSTED because I think one has to earn the right to tell someone what they think God is saying... you just can't walk up to someone and say, God told me to tell you ... it really doesn't have any validity. Jesus had 12 close friends and 3 very close friends for a reason. I also love the story of Mary coming to Jesus at the wedding ... she tells him they are out of wine and he is like .. so??? She earned her right to tell him what the Father was saying ... and he listened. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sin blocks the voice of God... before you open your Bible think if there is any unconfessed sin in your life. I have been doing this everyday and what a difference it has made in my prayer and devotional life. I'm not saying beat yourself up about it, I am just saying be in check with your thoughts and motives. I think the worse sin is not LOVING people ... Think of the rich young ruler that came to Jesus. I love Mark's account after the young man says I have kept all the commandments. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ... Mark 10:21 Jesus looking at him, loved him and said to him. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See Jesus didn't say ... OH NO YOU DIDN'T </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.... he loved him and said, "sell everything you have and follow me." ... Take sin out of life and follow me. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fasting can also open up your ears to hear God's voice. Mark Batteson talks a lot about fasting in The Circle Maker and he doesn't just say to fast from food ... he said one summer his family fasted from TV! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I've going to fast from Social Media for 24 hours. It may end up that I need more than 24 hours but I think it is a good start. I'll let you know if I hear God's voice. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a fasting challenge, think of something you can't live with out. The reason I picked social media is because when the lights go out at my house, the first thing I think about is ... oh no, I can't get on Facebook. Stupid I know, but I guess I discovered I can't live without it. Maybe it is TV, your phone, a game, apps... music, whatever it is just try 24 hours and see if God speaks. </span></div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-71154553920183415492014-08-08T21:31:00.001-04:002014-08-08T21:31:38.689-04:00Power<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ephesians 3:20 <span class="versetext" id="eph3-20" style="display: inline;">"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;">Feeling powerless? Read that above verse again...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The last eight words of that verse are amazing... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Think about them for just a minute... According to the power that works in us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever considered that there is a power in you that can do amazing things? Well, it is there and you just need to tap into it ... But how? Now that is the question. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First ... Believe it! ... Believe that God's power is in you and He is able to do things that you wouldn't dare to dream. Make a decision to believe it. Believing is a choice. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really it actually is easy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is an example: I believe my husband loves me ... Do you believe you have someone that loves you? You choose to believe it. You can do the same with God. Choose to believe God's Power is in you and you can do things that you would only dare to dream. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What makes the believing part difficult is this ... you have to transfer that belief from you head to your heart and honestly that transfer thing is hard to do. Your heart doesn't always want to trust your head. But make the choice to make the transfer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second ... Write that verse down in your journal and circle it in your Bible; Write it on a note card or a sticky note and place in a prominent place where you will see it everyday. Memorize the verse. When you are feeling powerless, you have it right on the tip of your tongue and you can be reminded of the power, God's power that can do exceedingly abundant things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do like the Amplified Version: Now to Him Who, by (in consequences of) the (action of His) power that is at work within us, is able to (carry out His purpose and) do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we (dare) ask or think - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Message interprets it this way: God can do anything you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. </span></span>Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-84054613866126055652014-08-07T16:29:00.001-04:002014-08-07T16:31:01.182-04:00Guarantees<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A question I am often asked when people come for the first time to my classes; "Can you guarantee results if I join your exercise class?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is a good question and I would love to answer with a resounding YES! But I can't, ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have no control on the students that come to my class when they leave. Like what they will do with the rest of their day, what they might eat or drink. So I can't guarantee what results they might have. In fact now that I think about it I have a limited amount of control on students while they are in my class. Maybe they won't exercise to their fullest potential or maybe they will talk and not really exercise. Maybe the size of weights they are using aren't appropriate for their abilities. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guarantees come with appliances, electronics, ... etc. And I think they are called limited warranties. I can't give them out for results in exercise, even limited ones. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really wish life came with a guarantee ... Like if I didn't like how my nose looked, I could return it for a new one. I know I could have a nose job but there isn't a guarantee that I would even like my nose after that and returning your nose job isn't as easy as returning something to the mall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to find myself seeking a guarantee from God. A guarantee that I was doing exactly what He wanted me to do. I wanted to be that person that impacted people's lives. I wanted to make people feel special. But I find that with each passing day I'm more confused to what God wants me to do. In fact I feel like I'm in a slump, like I'm not doing anything for HIM. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think there are any guarantees in Christian Life ... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only guarantee we have is this ... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">One last thing ... Happy 32nd Anniversary to my wonderful husband! He is an inspiration! </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-14141626276218522422014-08-06T16:07:00.000-04:002014-08-06T16:08:39.574-04:00When?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waiting is a nasty task, but we all have do it. Have you ever not been able to sleep at night? You toss and turn; You get up walk around, look for something to eat, see what is on TV ... but the wait goes on for hours. Even praying doesn't seem to make the time go faster. Then the next day, after being up all night, it drags on too. Waiting for the Sun to come up or go down is not fun. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waiting on God can feel that way. You pray and hope for an answer but none comes. The days tick by and even though you are waiting with an expectant hope, the waiting can still be painful. I say painful because there are times that you think God doesn't hear you, that you are talking but no one is listening. And there is a pain in your heart, an emptiness. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We watched "Heaven is for Real" last night ... good, clean movie. I believe it, the story that is ... but it was a long wait during the movie to get to the good part. When you know the storyline of a movie and the beginning seems slow ... that is a long wait too. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bet you are waiting for me to make some point here ... about waiting on God and prayer.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You'll just have to wait ... Because waiting is hard. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the waiting is over, you will forget you waited so long. </span></div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-12658769782639818762014-08-05T15:54:00.001-04:002014-08-05T16:02:38.230-04:00The Captain of the Ship<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adventure? Love it? Hate it? </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter how you look at, life it is an adventure. Some say, learn to love it or you will </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">never be happy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just heard Pharrell Williams's voice. Who doesn't hear 'happy' and think of Pharrell? Sorry for the interruption... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this morning I was thinking of all these different scenarios my life could be taking over the next year, and I began to feel like I was falling apart. I was overwhelmed with what might happen. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then my mind took me back to Luke 5:27, a verse I read this morning ... "Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The commentary that went with this devotion stated that following Jesus is an adventure and it will take us out of comfort zone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As that devotion played in my head... I thought ....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am really out of my comfort zone. The last seven years really haven't been comfortable either. So why am I praying this prayer for my family that will change a lot of things in my semi-comfortable life? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't even answer that right now. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then as I turned in to the church parking lot where I was teaching my class, I said out loud, "<i>boy am I glad I'm not the captain of this ship!" </i> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It was an epiphany. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have chosen to be a believer in God and so my life is His ... I'm on His ship experiencing the adventure. Where it goes, is His direction and His control. If it appears that I fail, just hold on because appearances aren't always what they seem. I am waiting to hit Mach 1 ... till things turn into a sea of glass and I can see where my captain is leading us. </span></div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-87156335756932460322014-08-04T13:01:00.003-04:002014-08-04T13:04:31.558-04:00Hurry Up and Wait! <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is pretty routine and my circle books are continuing to encourage me to pray through. I'm waiting on God for something BIG. About 35 days ago God laid an important prayer need for our family on my heart, and with the help of The Circle Maker and Draw the Circle, I have been focusing my prayers in this special direction. I have learned very much about myself and prayer as I am now heading towards my next forty days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've come to the conclusion that prayer is much like air travel... Hurry UP and WAIT!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hurry up to the airport </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hurry up to check your bags </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hurry up through security </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hurry Up to the Gate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SIT AND WAIT </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so it is with prayer ... Hurry up pray and then Wait ... Hurry up pray and then wait ... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want God to be more that those expert Air Travelers... you know them, they show up to the gate right before boarding begins, calm, cool, and collected. They know just how long each step takes from getting to the airport and to the gate. But as it is with God, air travel, most of the time is not a guarantee even for those seasoned travelers. You can be on the plane, in your seat, cell phone off, headphones in, and the tower brings everything to a halt. Praying through my circumstances can be just that, sitting on the tarmac waiting for God to say GO!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those seasoned travelers are the first to get impatient, they start to complain, worry, and become angry. Their cool, calm, collected demeanor is gone! I can easily get that way too with praying through and hard. I want everything now and think that praying 40 days is like praying 40 years. I hear myself saying to God ... come on already! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm praying with a determination to pray as long as it takes, even it it takes longer than I ever imagined. I know that God is not my genie in a bottle, I know that my prayer needs to be in line with God's will. And knowing myself and understanding my relationship with God~ I don't think I would last 40 days of praying for one thing unless it was God's will. So looking back on past prayers and answers will help determine if I'm praying God's Will or just asking for something to make my life more comfortable. I personally believe my stamina would give out if I wasn't praying God's will. Let's see how the next 45 days go ... I will be blogging everyday. Wait in prayer with me! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to read those books The Circle Maker and Draw the Circle they are written by <a href="http://www.markbatterson.com/" target="_blank">Mark Batterson</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-20985650011288526862013-01-03T11:10:00.003-05:002013-01-03T11:15:10.560-05:00Within YOU!<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" id="eph3-20" style="display: inline;"></span><span class="versetext" id="eph3-20" style="display: inline;"></span><span class="versetext" id="eph3-20" style="display: inline;">I want you to think of an event in your life that was one of the happiness moments ever! Just one!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I think the happiest time of my life was when I was drama
director at my church. I was using my gifts and I felt important. My
husband and children were involved and we laughed a lot. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have some very happy memories during that time and I would only pick one. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" id="eph3-20" style="display: inline;">Maybe your event was 20 years ago, maybe it is right now.</span><span class="versetext" id="eph3-20" style="display: inline;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" id="eph3-20" style="display: inline;">Got it? </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I want you to do something that actors do, called "The Moment Before;" it is what gives the actors the ability to go on stage to portray what their character would be feeling as they act their part. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don't be afraid this isn't something mystic, it is just remembering how you felt when you, say, got married, held your new born child for the first time, passed the bar exam, ... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Close your eyes and relive it, allow yourself to relive the emotions of that event. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pure joy, Happiness, Feels good right! Don't you wish you feel that way everyday, have those experiences all the time? </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>You can't</b> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Why did I make you do that? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Kinda depressing right? </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We judge our present state on some happy exciting moment that happened
at another time. You might ask, "Is wrong to enjoy these memories?" I would say no, but they are not
what defines us ... </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We cannot allow those events define our joy, we cling to those moments and we relive them. Then we wish, if only ... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So many times I have wished for my mom to be alive .. if only she was here .. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>then I would be happy. </b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok, so why can't we just feel that way all the time? Well, first of all there is a physiologically reason, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It would stress out our adrenals to where we would be in adrenal fatigue. It would also be added pressure on your Thyroid gland. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But the main reason I want you to know is ... This ... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">you would not grow in character. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The two truths I want you to take from this blog </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">These moments do not define you </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">AND</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You do not grow in character during those moments of euphoria. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When I left the position of Drama Director, our entire family went through a very dark time. We lost a lot, not only, money but friends, respect, and the emotional strain was almost unbearable. I whined and cried out to God .. turned my back on His plan. Those moments leading, directing, and acting had defined my joy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All of this started in the summer of 2007 ... it has been 5 years of struggle. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But God never lets go. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I
read a book in the fall of 2012 that started me back on God's road. Up
until I read, My Decent into Death, I was pretending to be happy and fulfilled. This book prepared me for the quote below. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">“If you think of this world as a place simply
intended for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it
as a place for training and correction and it's not so bad.”C.S. Lewis</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My next several blogs are going to be on Training and Correction ... and how that defines your joy. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Are you willing to find that kind of JOY?</span></span> </span></span></div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-91721452868914547472012-12-15T10:07:00.001-05:002012-12-15T10:07:04.408-05:00Saddness for Newtown, CT<div style="text-align: center;">
This morning my heart goes out to those of the tragedy that struck a small town in Connecticut yesterday. I am a teacher and so this is very close to my heart. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The school was safe and locked down. The teachers knew what to do in case of an attack and they did it ... Some say they are heroes and yes I believe as a parent they were heroes. But as a teacher I would say ... they were doing what instinctively comes to them ... protecting their students, their kids. I would have done the same. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Being also a parent, I remember sending my children off to school each morning and still do. Everyday our routine would be the same. We would hold hands or I would place my hand on their shoulders and pray. Even into high school, we would gather and pray for their choices, wisdom, tests, grades, teachers, and most of their safety.<br />
<br />
Some say God isn't in the schools and this is why this happened.<br />
<br />
This would have happened regardless if the teachers had a official prayer time or King James Bible reading. <br />
<br />
I am a believer and you might think it strange that I don't think the Bible needs to be read or group prayer lead by a teacher. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actually God was in that school yesterday. God is omnipresent, everywhere all the time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
God is in the hearts of all believers that entered that school or your school. We as believers carry the Holy Spirit with us and we bring light to the darkness. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God grieves evil. He holds every tear of all those mourning this day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You might ask why? Why did God allow this? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Or you might ask, what caused Adam to do this?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have my own opinions about the video games and the music that encourages hate. But the bottom line is ... evil is in the world. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But this is 'evil's' only time and it will get worse has we get closer to Christ's return. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
God is still omnipresent, it may not feel like that but He is here and there, and with you right now. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm so sorry for anyone that has to come in contact with evil. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-84740987986164991712012-11-01T10:30:00.002-04:002012-11-01T10:30:34.516-04:00Great Expectations<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">All my life I have been a dreamer! I have dreamt of having horses in my backyard, bay windows in my home, a loving husband, acting on stage, a happy life ... All those things had come true and I thought life was great! I had other dreams but even though they weren't fulfilled I was ok ... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">THEN </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> the walls of my life </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> came </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> crashing </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjdJOYA0Rg9uiVwvtdM5xPIugEIsiOsAniycDBOoQpKZ_fej6tYwLluFFtxeQ7GZvUg52MbIyMyda6izGvgjO1DsGeEblRJOdv_NBPSDm5LbSNMuipzjGckQT1ZzFJ9mYfU_AFg/s1600/arrowdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjdJOYA0Rg9uiVwvtdM5xPIugEIsiOsAniycDBOoQpKZ_fej6tYwLluFFtxeQ7GZvUg52MbIyMyda6izGvgjO1DsGeEblRJOdv_NBPSDm5LbSNMuipzjGckQT1ZzFJ9mYfU_AFg/s1600/arrowdown.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> <b>DOWN</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> I didn't think things could get worse but in less then a month's time I was beaten and was hurting ... during the next 3-4 years I turned from God and focused only on comforting myself. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">But .... it didn't help ... there was no comfort.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> Through counseling and love, God brought back to his side. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I am so grateful today for his LOVE.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">So fast forward to present ... life is good .. not the best but we are happy, healthy, and living life to the fullest ... so I thought. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Then I read a 'new to me' devotion ... Girlfriends in God .. and first I read yesterdays and it blew me away .. just what I needed to hear ... oh I knew it ... I had heard it before, but today God opened my eyes and I was wowed! All that stuff I had gone through before was the devil's schemes ... yes I fell flat on my face and really messed up but God had now brought be back to His side. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">STRONGER IN HIM</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">So I don't want to fall again but I know how weak I am ... I can't do this life without His GRACE! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">So that brings me to GREAT EXPECTATIONS..... </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I used to have such great expectations, everyone laughed at me. I would use references of Joseph and his brothers ... not even realizing for a minute that I was Joseph, that arrogant little brother. Then God allowed me to break and I did. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">For HIS purposes , I am broken and continue to be broken.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Now life is so so ... I am not expecting anything from GOD ... just to get up and make it through my boring life. What ever He has for me ... whether it be a struggle or good ... </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">OK GOD ... I'm your puppet.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">NOT! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This is not what the Lord wants for me ... John 10:10 ... 'I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.'</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I realized that I am not expecting my relationship to be what it should with God ... Thanks to GIG, my eyes have been opened to truth. And I am putting on the full armor of God. (Oct 31,2012 devotion) </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Look at this way ... you are getting to meet your favorite president and be in a friendship with him ... wouldn't that be exciting? ... wouldn't you have expectations? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Just meeting him would be GREAT! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">You wouldn't go .. oh yeah ... I'm going to have coffee with George Washington <b> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>..big deal...</b> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>no <b>you </b>would not! </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>It would be a </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>...BIG DEAL...</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">So that brings me to now ... what am expecting my relationship to be with God? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>A BIG DEAL!!!!</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I know He will fulfill His purposes in me and they won't be boring! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Check out girlfriends in God ... </span></span>http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: droidsans, calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span>Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-58165453899661646702012-09-20T14:07:00.000-04:002012-09-20T14:07:24.255-04:00Lifestyle Changes Your Life!Well, back to school for the kiddos!! And with our new found freedom, us parents set new goals since we have so much more time on our hands ... at least we think we have more time on our hands! I was just out with a couple of girlfriends and we were talking about how the day goes so fast, in fact the bus is pulling up before we know it! <br />
<br />
If one of your goals is getting back in shape by starting an exercise program, here are some things to consider.<br />
<br />
First ... don't let it be an exercise program you are starting, let it be a lifestyle change. It takes a little longer for the results to take affect but in the long run, (no pun intended! LOL) you will not need to start a new exercise program again next September since you will already be in one. <br />
<br />
Second ... BE patient ... it took your body a long time to get the way it is now, it is going to take your body a little longer to change .. and here are the facts:<br />
<br />
4 weeks for you to see your body changing,<br />
8 weeks for your friends and family to see your body changing,<br />
12 weeks for the rest of your world to see a change ... I mean like people at the office, school, church, or the mall.<br />
<br />
But here is the clincher, at 12 weeks you might really be happy with how you feel and look but the lifestyle change hasn't happened yet. It take 14 weeks for that to kick in, so don't give up just because you think you have arrived at the desired weight or health level. If someone pays you a compliment, use that to keep pushing forward. Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-91544401468331738962012-09-06T20:54:00.001-04:002012-09-06T21:16:14.668-04:00Looking YoungerMost ladies I know want to look younger. It seems that once you hit your forties, getting carded is a thing of the past ... unless you are in a state where they card everyone, Tennessee!<br />
<br />
So besides exercise and lots of water, what can you do to look younger?<br />
<br />
1. A Luxury Skin Care!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQdtBfxurBi3hJS_aXoorD9jzFtPwAbseiDdG_Clg5_Efrw8RnEy8yzyPd8TQXGP4qp76QmBoZcgQFL_SUo_cvs6kSGQSpzcyxaOhO_JXPZCo_hA1IXOln5v8tg-43zRYZpejXQ/s1600/TotalSystem_A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQdtBfxurBi3hJS_aXoorD9jzFtPwAbseiDdG_Clg5_Efrw8RnEy8yzyPd8TQXGP4qp76QmBoZcgQFL_SUo_cvs6kSGQSpzcyxaOhO_JXPZCo_hA1IXOln5v8tg-43zRYZpejXQ/s200/TotalSystem_A.jpg" width="200" /></a>Become Beauty is my favorite. Not only is it affordable but it works!<br />
Or you can spend more money with brands like Demologica or Dr Perricone .. price ranges from the $30 to $500+ for both brands. They say they make you look younger! <br />
<br />
2. The Right Hair Cut! I loved it when I had long hair but now that I am 54 and it just pulls my face down. I think that a shorter dew with side swiped bangs is best. No longer than your shoulders.<br />
<br />
3. Stick to creamy blushes and shadows. I can not do the mineral thing since the powder lays in my lines and wrinkles. The creamy pumps up my skin. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu8rxXkMTzx1CrnraqUCBXILD2jbo1hmjpxNXwb2lgZH11pmL9moWJJV77QeeeZI9x22i4jDtUI-SlUOoajhizkrC1FFeh8AA0VeraoKXx8raxh7SAhJ6dz7HEponcko918_eXg/s1600/LipGlosses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu8rxXkMTzx1CrnraqUCBXILD2jbo1hmjpxNXwb2lgZH11pmL9moWJJV77QeeeZI9x22i4jDtUI-SlUOoajhizkrC1FFeh8AA0VeraoKXx8raxh7SAhJ6dz7HEponcko918_eXg/s200/LipGlosses.jpg" width="176" /></a>4. The wrong lipstick shades. Now this surprised me. I wear brown all the time but according to my source, brown will age you, even if you are a warmer toned skin. As you age lighter is better and glosses are best. Become Beauty has great lip gloss that stays on your lips! <br />
<br />
5. Get a good night's sleep. Ok I know this isn't always easy but it is the best thing for your skin. A bad night of sleep will cause your eyes to be puffy, your skin sallow and dull and your face to sag. You can do some things to help yourself get the rest you need. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJl-0rSei6MmvpvEBmS3nPzJSPNKkbBi_6kAgngsNeKESgNIw67E-Y_vN3bhSgRge5psQcaGQpKX3GmPqoXqL4C1GpoCi87EDOS1DRH-sXLLeuIqHS5omgLye607fQ_QVsHZcog/s1600/star.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJl-0rSei6MmvpvEBmS3nPzJSPNKkbBi_6kAgngsNeKESgNIw67E-Y_vN3bhSgRge5psQcaGQpKX3GmPqoXqL4C1GpoCi87EDOS1DRH-sXLLeuIqHS5omgLye607fQ_QVsHZcog/s1600/star.jpg" /></a>Melatonin; It is supposed to help you turn your brain off. I have never tried this although my doctor says it works for her. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJl-0rSei6MmvpvEBmS3nPzJSPNKkbBi_6kAgngsNeKESgNIw67E-Y_vN3bhSgRge5psQcaGQpKX3GmPqoXqL4C1GpoCi87EDOS1DRH-sXLLeuIqHS5omgLye607fQ_QVsHZcog/s1600/star.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJl-0rSei6MmvpvEBmS3nPzJSPNKkbBi_6kAgngsNeKESgNIw67E-Y_vN3bhSgRge5psQcaGQpKX3GmPqoXqL4C1GpoCi87EDOS1DRH-sXLLeuIqHS5omgLye607fQ_QVsHZcog/s1600/star.jpg" /></a>White Noise; like a fan or air purifier motor ... anything that runs constant and neither the tone nor the speed of the sound changes.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJl-0rSei6MmvpvEBmS3nPzJSPNKkbBi_6kAgngsNeKESgNIw67E-Y_vN3bhSgRge5psQcaGQpKX3GmPqoXqL4C1GpoCi87EDOS1DRH-sXLLeuIqHS5omgLye607fQ_QVsHZcog/s1600/star.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJl-0rSei6MmvpvEBmS3nPzJSPNKkbBi_6kAgngsNeKESgNIw67E-Y_vN3bhSgRge5psQcaGQpKX3GmPqoXqL4C1GpoCi87EDOS1DRH-sXLLeuIqHS5omgLye607fQ_QVsHZcog/s1600/star.jpg" /></a>Pillow Support; A pillow between the legs can help you body align and you will move around less.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJl-0rSei6MmvpvEBmS3nPzJSPNKkbBi_6kAgngsNeKESgNIw67E-Y_vN3bhSgRge5psQcaGQpKX3GmPqoXqL4C1GpoCi87EDOS1DRH-sXLLeuIqHS5omgLye607fQ_QVsHZcog/s1600/star.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJl-0rSei6MmvpvEBmS3nPzJSPNKkbBi_6kAgngsNeKESgNIw67E-Y_vN3bhSgRge5psQcaGQpKX3GmPqoXqL4C1GpoCi87EDOS1DRH-sXLLeuIqHS5omgLye607fQ_QVsHZcog/s1600/star.jpg" /></a>Crate Your Animals; Ok this is the hardest of all ... I sleep with my cat and I can't imagine her not curled up to me but let's face it she is nocturnal and I am not! She does get up and move around at night and I'm sure that disturbs my sleep ... will I put her in the basement or in a crate? NO ... but I should! I'm going to rationalize here .... her purring is like my White Noise!!!<br />
<br />
Well good luck at looking younger and if you want to try Become Beauty ... contact me ... I can help you out! It does work! <br />
<br />Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-48585369232047041972012-09-02T13:52:00.000-04:002012-09-02T13:52:19.408-04:00Labor Day Weekend! What are you plans for the weekend? I'm thinking I should get some more sleep. Here's why:<br />
<br />
Weight Management- Lack of sleep causes the levels of hormones secreted by the stomach to be increased, then raising our appetite. When my daughter was in elementary school, she would whine saying she was hungry but when I made her something to eat, she wouldn't eat it .. just whine more. I finally figured out that her body couldn't distinguish between hunger and tiredness. <br />
<br />
You see when we have chronic sleep deprivation, our brains have not had the adequate time to rejuvenate. We do not release the hormone liptin from the brain. The job of liptin is to tell our bodies we are full. Tiredness then becomes confused with hunger since the hormone in the stomach, ghrelin is not being controlled by the brain's release of liptin. This also leads to late night eating ...<br />
<br />
Instead of snacking at midnight go to bed at 10:30. <style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
--> </style><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>
<br />
<br /> Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-39402706831918813842012-08-31T08:26:00.001-04:002012-08-31T08:30:43.583-04:00CONTROLWe are losing control in our world ... everywhere we look people are out of control, spending, eating, gaming, working, etc. I could go on forever. What is it that is facilitating this "out of control" world? Lack of purpose, diet, society? Maybe all and even more!<br />
<br />
But all the while we are out of control ourselves we are still trying to control things around us. In the past our family was involved with a very controlling family. They wanted to get us out of their lives and we really didn't care one way or the other but instead of just ignoring us, they went out of their way to make life terrible for us.<br />
<br />
Yes strange ... I know <br />
<br />
(there is a lot more to this story but I won't go into it here. You will probably read about it in "It Takes Two" since it was a real trouble spot in our marriage.) <br />
<br />
I have just met a young person recently whom has some depression and other medical issues. I'll call this person, Jordan, since that name is neither male nor female and their identity will be protected. <br />
<br />
Jordan is the oldest in his/her family and I truly believe the parents do not want to let go. Why? Because letting your children grow up is a sign that you are getting old. Jordan's age is early 20's past 21 and Jordan wants to get on with his/her life, but because of the medical and depression issues the parents find it necessary to control their child's every move. Even to the point of shipping them off to a medical facility. Now I'm not saying they shouldn't go .. but what I am saying is if Jordan agreed to go then let him/her live their life.<br />
<br />
Help your child make decisions even if means letting them make wrong decisions. Now I know depression is a hard thing to watch your child go through ... I have watched it .. and I myself have gone through it, but really you will never make it out of the pit, unless you take a leap of faith. <br />
<br />
The fact that these parents are continuing to control Jordan and his/her coming and goings means only that they continue to facilitate the very thing they want to stop. Jordan feels like if things go wrong they will be his/her fault because that is what Jordan's Mom told him/her.<br />
<br />
So what does this have to do with diet? Or God?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm glad you asked that! </div>
<br />
... first we need to find our security in God. When we lean on Him for our every need and desire. Our need to control then goes away ... we know He is in control. And what better BEING, than God, for us to allow to control our lives then the creator of universe.<br />
<br />
If Jordan's parents had faith they could let go of Jordan, knowing that God loves Jordan more than they do ... You know when I realized that Jesus loved my kids more than me ... I was like ...<br />
<br />
wait a minute ... that is impossible ... I gave up my body for nine months then another couple of years to nurse them, then 18-23+ more to help them grow up ... in fact I'm not done!<br />
<br />
The Lord spoke to me only 4 words ...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"I died for them."</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok ...I said you win ...<br />
</div>
I love the Lord ... so few words but such great meaning ...<br />
<br />
The other area .. diet ...<br />
<br />
our food source is getting worse and more contaminated with GMOs, pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics, drugs, ... the list goes on ... and so ... without proper nutrition our bodies do not work properly ... our brains can not think or process things properly ... so we make bad decisions ...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What to do?</div>
<br />
Detox, Detox, Detox ...<br />
Read labels<br />
Stay away from GMOs<br />
Stay away from processed foods<br />
Stay away from sugar, conventional meats, and vegetables, gluten, soy .... EAT RAW! <br />
<br />
I know this is hard ... but you will feel better ... and if you can't knock these things out ... then Detox ... more ...<br />
<br />
And oh ....<br />
<br />
take a leap of faith! <br />
<br />
<br />Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25417245.post-81029795892409598092012-08-29T07:46:00.001-04:002012-08-29T07:47:02.647-04:00SleepSleep is a true necessity .... I wish I could sleep for few days and not feel guilty.<br />
<br />
It appears that sleep is necessary for the brain to function properly. You know that if you have had a poor night's sleep you find it hard to concentrate during the day. Experts are saying that in the western industrialized nations sleep deprivation is becoming the norm. Burning the candle at both ends as many do can cause a person to have mircosleeps. These are marked by brief periods in the day that you just drop off. Or if you fall asleep within five minutes of lying down. <br />
<br />
I think I should sleep for a few days....<br />
<br />
<span class="text Ps-3-5" id="en-NKJV-13963">I lay down and slept;</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-3-5">I awoke, for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> sustained me. Psalm 3:5</span> Drama Queen Of The Fitness Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185033754027517680noreply@blogger.com0