HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL~~~~

LITTLE DROPS

Little drops of water
Little grains of sand,' Make the mighty ocean And the pleasant land.

So the little moments,
Humble though they be, Make the mighty ages of eternity. copied


THE FUTURE

There's an unknown path before me,
And yet I fear it not:
I know through all the years gone by,
Whate're has been my lot;
That a kind and Heavenly Father
Planned out the way for me;
And I know that in the future,
Watched over I shall be,
Yes, I know God's care and kindness
Will ever with me stay
To assist me on life's journey,
And brighten up my way.

So the, welcome, unknown future,
Bring me whate'er you will.
With God's loving hand to guide me,
I shall be care for still!
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It will soon be a new year for us to use wisely or squander in numerous ways. A new year all bright and shiny with out any failures or disappointments to hinder us on our way.

We get to start over with a clean new slate to do our best each day to make God's Way our Way and His Will our will. We can do it, you and I and with God to help us, we can and will make it to our goal.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH OF YOU!!! Looking forward to getting closer to our goals this new year and then at the end of this new year, as we look back we will be happy in knowing that we have done our best!!! connie

IT HAS BEEN A WHILE

WILL----Used to express desire, choice, willingness, consent.WAY----The course traveled from one place to another, a series of actions, or sequence of events leading in a direction or toward an objective.MY OBJECTIVE IS TO MAKE GOD'S WILL, MY WAY.

It has been a while and I am happy to be back. I have been doing good with my weight. I have not lost very much more but I have learned a lot. I have learned to control what I am eating and how much. I hope to lose at least 20 more pounds this next year. I am now down to 195. For me, this is wonderful. I do feel much better. I had a small stroke August a year ago and it has taken me a while to get over that and learn exactly what I can and can not do. Sometimes I get sad and yet I am so thankful that it was only a small stroke and I hope not to ever have another. But God's will for my life is what I desire most.

So, if any of you still come to this place, I will be seeing you soon. I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A MOST HAPPY NEW YEAR. ♥♥connie

"THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG"

THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG

I walked through a county courthouse square

On a park bench, an old man was sittin there.

I said, "Your court house is kinda run down,

He said, "No, it will do for our little town".

I said "your old flag pole kinda leaned a little bit,

And that’s a ragged old flag you got hanging on it".

He said "have a seat", so I sat down,

He said, "is this your first visit to our little town"

I said, "I think it is"

He said "I don’t like to brag, but we’re kinda proud of

usaC.gif (10636 bytes)"That Ragged Old Flag"usaC.gif (10636 bytes)

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,

When Washington took it across the Delaware.

It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it, writing

"Oh Say Can You See"

It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson

tugging at its seams.

It almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas flag,

But she waved on tho.

It got cut with a sword in Chancellorsville,

Got cut again at Shiloh Hill.

There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,

And the south wind blew hard on

"That Ragged Old Flag"

usa_gm.gif (24152 bytes)

On Flanders Field in World War I,

She took a bad hit from a Bertha Gun,

She turned blood red in World War II

She hung limp and low by the time that one was through,

She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent

by her Uncle Sam.

usa_gm.gif (24152 bytes)

The Native Americans, The Black, Yellow and White

All shed red blood for the Stars and Stripes.

And here in her own good land,

She’s been abused, burned, dishonored, denied and refused,

And the very government for which she stands

Has been scandalized throughout out the land.

And she’s getting thread bare, and she’s wearing kinda thin,

But she’s in pretty good shape, for the shape she’s in.

Cause she’s been through the fire before

and she can take a whole lot more.

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So we raise her up every morning

And we bring her down slow every night,

We don’t let her touch the ground,

And we fold her up right.

On second thought
I do like to brag

Cause I’m mighty proud of

"That Ragged Old Flag"
written by Johnny Cash

THE GIRL I USED TO BE

THE GIRL I USED TO BE

She came tonight as I sat alone

The girl I used to be.

As she gazed at me with her earnest eye

And questioned reproachfully,

Have you forgotten the many plans

And hopes I had for you?

The great career, the splendid fame,

All the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height

With all its gardens rare?

The silken robes that I dreamed for you

And the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad,

For I wanted her pleased with me,

This slender girl from the shadowy past,

The girl I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand

And guided her up the stairs

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay,

Innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,

And precious they are to me;

That silken robes is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,

And the only career I know

Is serving each day in these sheltered walls

For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,

She smiled through her tears at me.

And I saw the woman that I am now

Pleased the girl I used to be.
rowena k. lewis


In all of our dieting and going about the things that take up so much of our time, Always remember that if we are raising children, then that should be our upper most priority in life after taking care of our husbands.

My children have long been gone from our home and married with homes and families of their own but they are what is important. They are what gives my heart comfort and joy in living. They each have such special places in my heart. I would not have lived by life any other way than being their Mother.

So, as we go about our lives, let us take care to keep our priorities straight. The main reasons we need to lose weight is because it is pleasing to the Lord. The next reason is so that we can be healthy to be able to take care of the husband and families that God has given to us. If we are blessed enough to have families.

I would like to say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to any that come here if you are a mother by birth, or by adoption or by just loving a child. connie

"WITHOUT CHANGES THERE WOULD BE NO BUTTERFLIES." unknown

"WITHOUT CHANGES THERE WOULD BE NO BUTTERFLIES." unknown


I wanted to check in with any, who maybe coming here to visit. So, here I am.

I have been thinking a lot about changes recently. One of my all time dreams, has been to play the piano. I tried once when I was a very young girl. Our Pastor's wife was going to teach me but we did not have a piano and I could not go to the church every day to practice. So, it did not come to pass.

I have tried to see that all our children could play some instrument if they wanted. I have seen three of them practice the piano as well as several other instruments, in our home. I am most joyful when I hear one of them or one of my Grandchildren playing the piano or another instrument. To be honest, I love hearing anyone play the piano or any kind of relaxing type music.

My Granddaughter by marriage started last week to give me piano lessons.YES!!! After all these many years, my dream has a chance of coming true. I have loved it!! I know that I will not feel uncomfortable or intimidated by her.So, I love her showing me the things that I need to learn. I just want to play simply, the church songs that I love. I have so missed the music in the years since my children, who could play, left home to be married.

Since the small stroke that I had keeps me from always saying the right word or words, I am hoping that the exercising my mind in this way,will be a help in that area also. If not, then I am praying that the Lord will give me an additional way of speaking from my heart.

So, changes come in many different forms. As we try to get our bodies and ways of eating back into line with the way God would have us to be, we can make even small changes each day. I know that when I first really began to eat in a different way, I would think about how much food that I always put on my plate. Then, I would make a conscious effort to put only half that much on my plate. Now, I can only eat about a third of what I once did. Just strive to made simple changes. Take a piece of fruit instead of a piece of pie, You get the idea.

I am staying right at 200 pounds for which I am thankful. In another couple of weeks, I hope to start losing a little again. But I am having to learn to keep it at a level that I want to be at, before I continue.

I have loved getting into old clothes and even shoes that I was not able to wear at 256 pounds. I feel like I almost have a new wardrobe. It is so much fun!!

I know that one day, my change will be complete when I get to heaven but until then, I will try to make my will God's will and His way my way. Hope you are making those small changes each day also. See, if we fail one hour then we can go on and make the other 23 the way they were intended to be. May God bless you each day as you try. connie

THERE IS A CROWN OF VICTORY FOR YOU AND FOR ME, ONE DAY!!

VICTOR'S CROWN




VICTORY

When I really am contented
That my wish be set aside,
When I cease from selfish longings,
When I triumph over pride;
When I'm willing to relinquish
"To be nothing"-- as we sing,
But a :broken, empty vessel"
In the service for my King--
THAT IS VICTORY!

When I calmly take unkindness,
And as meekly bear a sneer;
When I'm willing to relinquish
All that earth is holding dear;
When the falseness of some dear one
Fails to waken in my heart
Any bitter, hard resentment,
Or to wing an angry dart--
THAT IS VICTORY!

When in patient, loving silence
I can hear my good made ill;
When I suffer any discord
Or annoyance, happy still.
And content with any climate,
Any raiment, any food,
Bear with any interruption,
Company or solitude--
THAT IS VICTORY!

When I cease to long for earth's love,
And content to be unknown;
When I smile if friends neglect me,
Happy in His love alone;
When I lose myself in Jesus,
And surroundings cease to be,
With their little jars and discords,
Able to discourage me--
THAT IS VICTORY!

Lord, I cannot hope to triumph
Over every form of sin,
And to live but for Thy glory
While my own will reigns within;
So I bring my will to Thee, Lord;
Rule Thou me in all my ways,
And the glory should be Thine, Lord,
And the honor and the praise--
THAT IS VICTORY!
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There are so many things in this life that I would love to have victory in doing or being. But in this poem, I think this verse says it all. "LORD, I CANNOT HOPE TO TRIUMPH OVER EVERY FORM OF SIN, AND TO LIVE BUT FOR THY GLORY WHILE MY OWN WILL REIGNS WITHIN; SO I BRING MY WILL TO THEE, LORD; RULE THOU ME IN ALL MY WAYS, AND THE GLORY SHOULD BE THINE, LORD, AND THE HONOR AND THE PRAISE----THAT IS VICTORY!"

Some days trying to lose weight is much harder than other days. It is on those days especially that we have to turn our wills over to the Lord. So that He can rule us. It is days like this that we are seeming incapable of making good decisions about the food we eat or how much we are to eat. Then when He does see us though these hard times, we should be sure to give Him the honor and the praise for any victory that we have.

When we turn our wills over to Him that is when we become "TRUE WINNERS." It is then that we receive the VICTOR'S CROWN. HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GOOD DAY TODAY♥♥♥connie

THINK RIGHT THOUGHTS OR THEY MAY BE WHAT YOU BECOME.

THINK RIGHT THOUGHTS

You know, I am always surprised at what I learn as I continue on this journey. I was looking through our family pictures today. They are from my birth until just a few days ago. I was shocked to find that except for 2 or 3 times in life that I have not really been fat. That really shocked me!!! I have always thought I was fat from conception, I think. haha. But the first time I was really fat, I had had two children within fifteen months and with each one,I gained and gained. So by the time my fourth son was here, I had lost over a hundred pounds. But as time went by, I still felt fat.

In my mind, I kept hearing sisters, friends say that little jingle, "fatty, fatty, two by four can't get through the kitchen door. Somewhere in my brain that was how I saw me. But today, I saw for maybe the first time that it was has not been true most of my life.

This last time that I gained back up to where I was after I had my first two children was not all my fault. I had developed gout. To they gave me steroids for it. I had it about every six weeks for a whole year. Gout is one of the most painful things that I have ever had. I could do nothing but sit for almost that whole year. The steroids just made me want to eat. So, I ate. I hate how I looked and kept remembering, "Fatty, Fatty, two by four, can't get through the front door. I couldn't breath well, had a hard time walking any distance at all, couldn't even cross my legs. Yes, I was that "Fatty." The fact is, no matter what excuse I try to make, it was "me" who put each bite of food into my mouth.

PHILIPPIANS: 4:15

FINALLY, BRETHREN, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST, WHOSOEVER THINGS ARE JUST, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE PURE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT; IF THERE BE ANY VIRTUE, AND IF THERE BE ANY PRAISE, THINK ON THESE THINGS.

I have used this verse many times in my Christian life but until today did I realize that it also applies to these "thoughts" also. So, as I continue on this journey from this day forward, I will try to examine and see what is true, and then be truly honest with myself. If my thoughts are honest then they will be pure and lovely. I want my life to be of "Good report," even about how I look and how I behave myself with the matter of food.I want to be commendable in how I control myself where food is concerned. These are the things that I will "THINK" on from now on, when I am thinking. Gone is that fatty and here to stay is one who is trying and even though, I may fail at times, I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!

So, dear friend, are you letting "THOUGHTS" control you life. If so let it be the kind of thoughts that God would want us to have. Good thoughts, honest thought,Just and pure thoughts, Let us make them lovely thoughts that will bring a good report about our character. Yes, let us think on these things. connie

A GOAL ACCOMPLISHED, CLOSER TO A DREAM, GOD IS MY HELPER.

WILL----Used to express desire, choice, willingness, consent.

WAY----The course traveled from one place to another, a series of actions, or sequence of events leading in a direction or toward an objective.

MY OBJECTIVE IS TO MAKE GOD'S WILL, MY WAY.


My objective has been to make God's will in the matter of losing weight, my way. It has not been easy. There have been many setback of my own making. Even though I have not made it to my final goal, I have reached a big one for me. As of today, I am down to 200 pounds. It has been over ten years since I have seen that mark on my scale. In fact, I don't even have the same scales.

This course that I have traveled from 252 pounds by learning to eat the way that God wanted me to. I have had to be satisfied with the amount that I can eat and still lose weight. Because I have gout and diabetes, I have had to take it very slow. I only have these things because I did not pay attention to God's way for my body to have good health. So by having to take it very slow, and I do mean slow, I have learned many things. I have learned to appreciate that 1/4 of a pound loss. At one time I would have looked with disdain at that amount of loss. Today, I consider it a victory!! Thanking God for each 1/4 of a pound that got me to this point.

I still have goals to complete. My next goal will be getting down to 180 pounds. Praying for God's help all the time to help me reach this goal also. I know that it is His Will, I just have to keep His Will for me, my will also. I will have to keep looking back to see where He has brought me from and all the things that I have learned. I have to look forward to where He is taking me to and giving me the grace to succeed each step of the way. Keeping pride from my heart in knowing that it has been Him and not me, I could not have done this myself. I tried my way for years. It did not work. I thought that I could have my cake and eat it too. Even in dieting, it has to be the desire of your heart and for the right reasons.

I want to thank all of you, who have been with me through a lot of this time. Thank you for your encouragement at times when I was weak, your happiness at each success. You are my blessings and I thank my God for each of you.

I am going to post an up to date picture in a couple of weeks. They are being made ready at wal-Marts at this time. haha. I am sorry she did not take a full length picture but hopefully it want be a long time before I post another. I am making my goal a smaller amount this time, in hopes that I can be an encouragement to one of you. Maybe you have tried and tried and tried again and are just about ready to quit. DO NOT QUIT!!!! You will make it, if you do not give up.

I am going to try and come here more often and look forward to seeing some of you here to visit with me. Take care have a good day and May God bless you ever effort. love you, connie