THIS IS ME, PRAYING CLEAR DOWN TO MY TOES

WELL THIS IN NOT MY VERY OWN TOES, NOR IT IS EVEN ME....

Do we ever reach the point when we are not afraid to step on those scales? Have you felt that anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach,at the thought of getting on the scales at a Doctor's office let say. No! let just narrow it down.....to the scales in our very own bathrooms?lol I pray for the day, when I can step up on that little bitty old,cold, judgemental place and not be afraid. lol

At my Doctor's visit this past Wednesday, I had lost five more pounds. It took three months. But, hey, there are five pounds less of me that there was three months ago. I am thankful!!

My husband and I have entered into a commitment to each lose 15 pounds before the second week in September. Please pray for us, It will be hard, we have not learned yet the virtue of disciplining ourselves all the time when it come to eating food. We get better but this past month has been filled with birthdays, graduations and preparations of one sort or another. You call that stress, my friends. But if we would discipline ourselves not only when we are home but also at church functions, family times, etc, then it wouldn't be so hard to step on those "cold hard harsh scales." They never lie even when we feel, it would make us feel better if they would. No, it wouldn't we would just have more the problems. To not know the truth in this area of our life and accept it,would make a hard situation almost impossible. We can and will have victory. It is the path we choose. If we choose right, then God will be there to help us in those weak times. Then that scale may eventually become our friend....well, I want go that far. But we can at least accept it with out hate.lol Praying for you to have discipline in your life also, then we can all see a scale and just step upon it without dreading it. God bless and keep you all. connie

TODAY IS A NEW BEGINNING......WE WILL BEGIN ANEW!!

A NEW DAY DAWNING JUST FOR YOU AND ME




Beginning Today


Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday.
It is in the past and the past will never change.
Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow.
Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me
to make the most of it.
But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first
making the most of today.

Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will
see a person worthy of my respect and admiration.
This capable person looking back at me is someone
I enjoy spending time with and someone I would
like to get to know better.

Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life.
I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will
unselfishly share this gift with others.
I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

Beginning today I will take a moment to step
off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter.
I will face challenges with courage and determination.
I will overcome what barriers there may be which
hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today I will take life one day at a time,
one step at a time.
Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my
positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness.
Regardless of what has gone before,
I believe there is hope
for a brighter and better future.

Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart.
I will welcome new experiences.
I will meet new people.
I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else:
perfection does not exist in an imperfect world.
But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own
happiness and I will do things that make me happy . . .
admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen
to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a
bath . . .pleasure can be found in the most simple
of gestures.

Beginning today I will learn something new;
I will try something different;
I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer.
I will change what I can and the rest I will let go.
I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be. (one that pleases,God.connie)
Beginning today. And every day.Author unknown

We each have days that we would like a do-over or a new beginning. Well, with each new sunrise, we have a brand new day. It is all sparkling and clean and we can use it how ever we want.

We can stick to our goals or say "just forget it today", I am going to eat what I want, when I want and how much, I want. Now, you tell me, which one of the attitudes will get us to where we are going? I have had far too many of those "do not care" days, as far as my weight is concerned. It has been only since I started caring and seeking my help from the Lord that I have seen progress.

If we keep going as we want and the years pass, there is a debt that will have to be paid.It can come in the form of diabetes, heart disease, kidney problem,etc. It will come, there is no doubt about it. I am living prof:(. Don't wait to wake up like I did one day and realize "this don't just happen to others, I am no one special, My body has rules to go by also."

1Cr 3:16... Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Cr 3:17...If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

These verses apply to us, just as they do to others.So, today is a new beginning, IF, we use it as such.TODAY WE WILL BEGIN ANEW, BOTH YOU AND I. connie


P.S. This not only applies to eating but to drinking, drugs, and all the other abusive things we can do to our bodies.













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.

WHAT A SWEET REWARD

A SWEET REWARD





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.


The losing the weight has been such a blessing. There have been a couple of downsides to it though.Said, as she laughs. First thing, I buy clothes that for the most part, I really like. I found as the pounds dropped away, I would not be able to wear some of the clothes that I really liked and felt very comfortable wearing.

But the second reason was the hardest to bear. I have lost enough weight now that my wedding band, no longer fit my finger. We talked of having it downsized.But that filled me with a kind of horror, what if I regained the weight and then I could not wear it again.:( Well, we came up with another idea and this one, I like much better.:) For a Mother's Day gift this year, Jim would buy me another wedding band. I liked that idea the best. I had a anniversary ring that he had bought me for our 30th anniversary. I probably never wore that ring more than a dozen times. It had big diamonds across the top. I felt like I was sticking out and saying, "hey, look at me." I was very proud of the ring but just could not bring myself to wear it.

So, last Saturday evening, He took me to the jewelry store and let me pick out a wedding band. The one above is the one that I picked. It is a gold band with 12 little diamonds across the top. We have been married 49 years this past March 18th, so this ring was very special to me. I feel in my heart, it is the one that I will be wearing when I go out of this world to meet my Lord.

I love the ring because first, it is from him but too, it represents the good, very good marriage we have today. I hold it with much thankfulness as I look at it and count the memories of those years.I look at it and see the man that means the world to me.I look at it and it reminds me of all the sacrifices he has made to give me such a good life. I love him, did you know?

So, this was a sweet reward from my sweet husband. I have now lost 93 pounds from my highest weight.It has taken years but I am so glad that I started on this journey and for the most part, have done it God's way.As His will became my way, I found the pounds leaving. Not always easy, but so worthwhile. When I see my husband's happy, proud look when he looks at me, yes! it has all been worthwhile. Let me add here even when I weighed 256 Pounds, he still looked at me with a pride that only a husband has in someone he loves. He never belittled me or EVER made me feel ugly. His pride when he looks at me now, is in the fact that he knows how hard I have tried. But I know that next to the Lord, Himself, I owe so much to my sweet loving husband, Thank you Jim, from the bottom of my heart♥♥connie

THIS NEW YEAR HAS BEEN KIND TO ME~~~

Here we are already at the end of February and God has been so good to me. I am still trying with my weight and with God's help, I am seeing progress. I am praying that the same is true for all of you.

I will post a new picture soon but I wanted to stop by and thank each of you who have been so faithful to pray for me on this long and slow journey. When I weighed in this past Sunday morning, I was down to a beautiful 189 pounds. I am so thankful. I am off most of my blood pressure meds. now and have cut into half the Lipitor medicine that I take for my clogged arteries.

At my last Doctor's appointment,my cholesterol was down to 160. I don't ever remember it being that low. I am amazed at what God can do. So when I say this new year has been good to me, I really mean, God has been good to me!!

I hope you are still trying and have not given up. I know how hard it is and sometimes the gains seem so small but I do believe more each day that as long as we don't give up......WE WILL SEE VICTORY!!! I LOVE YOU ALL. connie

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!
copied


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.

usa_gm.gif (24152 bytes)

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!
copied


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

A CLEAN NEW PAGE TO BEGIN OUR NEW YEAR

THIS NEW YEAR, I HOLD IN MY HANDS


Take twelve whole months,
Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate, and jealousy,
Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or
thirty-one different parts,
but don't make up the whole batch at once.
Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

Mix well into each day one part of faith,
one part of patience, one part of courage,
and one part of work.

Add to each day one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.
Blend with one part prayer,
one part meditation, and one good deed.
Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupful of good humor.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness, unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.

You're bound to have a happy new year.

--- Author Unknown


Life is a book in volumes three---
The Past, The Present, And The Yet-To-Be.
The Past is written and laid away
The present we're writing every day,
And the last and best of volumes three
Is locked from sight----GOD KEEPS THE KEY.
author unknown


The old year is almost past, with all of its joys and sorrows, victories and losses. All of the "might have beens",and the "I wish I hads", are never to be seen again. The "I should haves",and all of the, "Oh, I did it all wrong", are in the past. We can not undo what we might like to change but we can go on and do better in this bright new year!

On January 1,2010, we are given a bright new Year. A totally clean page to begin to write the story of our lives upon. 'How will we use those pages,' is in large degree up to each of us. We can keep our pages clean by using love, kindness, thoughtfulness, consideration in large quantities each day. We can be quick to forgive others as we pray that they forgive us. We can be more patient and realize that others have troubles and problems in their lives as well. We can do to others as we would like for them to do unto us.

This past year has held some losses that I was not expecting. It has held some hurts that I didn't think were deserved. It has also held many victories that God gave so freely. He has sent love from many unexpected sources. God fills all the empty places with His ways and His love and then they are full.The victories, He gives are complete and real. We never lose any good things or people in our lives that God does not give us more and more abundantly.

Even at my age, I am still learning. Yes, this past year, I have made mistakes, and my heart has been broken over each one. God gives forgiveness and then lifts us up to carry on and be right and do right. I have no doubt that in this future, for as long as I continue to breath, I will do the wrong thing at times, say the wrong thing at times not be all that I can be at times. But thanks be to God, He knows that is why, I needed a Saviour. His blood has covered each sin, and made my heart as white as snow.

So, as I begin this new year, please Lord, let me not spoil this clean new page with selfishness, pride, and wrong attitudes. Let me represent you in a way that is pleasing and will point others to your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Let me tell others about you more than ever, let me spread your Precious Name to all that will hear. Lord, please each day, make me more like you.

This year has also held much wonder and great victories in my life. I have grown in Christ and learned to trust more, love more than ever before. I have seen many good things happen, protection given, health restored, ways made straight, battles fought, and won, It is to this end, that I thank the Lord, with my whole heart for His answered prayers, His Grace in my life and in the lives of those that I love and that includes even some of you, have been very evident in our lives this year.

So, I close with this poem to sum up all my thoughts:

I do not know what still awaits,
Or what the morrow brings,
But with the glad salute of faith,
I hail it with open wings!

For this I know------THAT IN MY LORD,
Shall all my needs be met,
And I can trust the heart of Him
Who has not failed me yet....
author unknown

THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS NEW YEAR, MAY I USE IT WISELY AND WITH MUCH LOVE AND COMPASSION. Connie

HAVING A HEART TO FEEL, A HEAD TO KNOW, A HAND TO DO.

We can have a heart to feel and a head to know and these are needful qualities but we also need a hand to do. We have to have all three to be able to lose weight effectively. This is what I am learning. With my heart, I have lost hundreds of pounds.

We can have the heart that wants and desires to be in better shape, to have the correct body weight, to be able to walk a block or two without huffing and puffing. Our heart longs to be smaller like others who seems to have no problem with weight control.

We can also have the head for losing weight. We know the right amount of calories to eat to lose a pound. We know we need to exercise. We know we have to stay away from large amounts of certain foods. We know we have to have the right portion control. With my head, I have lost hundreds of pounds.

The heart and the head is NOT ENOUGH. We must have a hand that is willing to DO SOMETHING. We must decide to make the choice that we are GOING to lose weight. So, we put our heart and head together and with the help of our hands we WILL MAKE IT.

We can't waste time feeling sorry for ourselves, wishing upon the stars, making all kinds of excuses about why we did or did not lose weight this week. We have to face the fact that it takes our whole being to physically lose weight. That is not even taking into account our Spiritual Being. We must ask God to help us, to encourage us, to lead us in our choices. Then when we ask, we MUST DO! God will always do His part but it is up to us to do ours.

Hope this next week, you will be blessed by letting your heart, head, hands all work together while getting our strength from the Lord. See you, love you, wish you well. connie

THOUGHTS, A MAGIC WEAPON

PROVERBS 23:7a

FOR AS HE THINKETH IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE:


You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you. ~ James Lane Allen


Thought is the seed of action. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


Thoughts are things; they have tremendous power. Thoughts of doubt and fear are pathways to failure. When you conquer negative attitudes of doubt and fear you conquer failure. Thoughts crystallize into habit and habit solidifies into circumstances. Adams, Bryan


This has been a very good week for me. I have had a lot of emotional feelings about a host of things this week. Things that ordinarily would have sent me to get "something to eat." For the most part, God has given me the strength to overcome those feelings of helplessness. The times I failed it was not because of lack of strength that was available to me but the lack of wisdom in choices that I made.

Thoughts are powerful things! We can use them for good or for bad. The thoughts we allow into our mind about food will determine our outcome for the loss of gain of a pound. This week, I have tried to keep positive thoughts in my mind, choose the right foods to eat, have the right portions, and to keep as busy as possible.

I have always known this to be true, concerning thoughts. Most of my life though, where food is concerned, I have allowed my desires to dictate to me. This week, I have made a decision each day, each moment to make right choices concerning food in my life and the place I was going to allow it to have.

I pray that each of you have had positive, helpful thoughts all the week long. If not, it is not too late, just start doing it. It is a choice we each have to make about many things in our lives. We would NEVER let our children be hurt, if possible. So, likewise we have to use wisdom and make good choices for the food that we take into our bodies. Things like the right kind, the right amount, how many times a day we will eat, etc. Lets all work this week to seek God early and ask for the strength we need in this area of our lives.Then with that strength, go on to do the right things in the area of eating. I will pray for you, please pray for me. connie

P.S. I forgot to tell you, I lost 2 1/4 pounds this week. For me that is just about right. Not one pain in my toe. I know I have done it right when that doesn't happen.lol Have a good week!!!

THIS COULD BE YOUR LAST EFFORT-----VICTORY IN SIGHT!!

" The last effort is always the one that matters. So in whatever you do, never give in until it's over as you'll never know - you may just turn the whole thing around." unknown



It has been a very good week for me. I pray that it has for you also. I lost more than I intended to lose but so far no gout or low blood sugar. My weight loss for this week was five pounds. I wanted to keep it at 2 or 3 but it is so hard to just lose a certain amount. I find that when I start losing I want to go all out and for me that can be a bad thing.

I did have some unusual things come up in my routine this week but God helped me to get past them all without over eating. I only had a hard time once and that was last night. I knew that I had eaten all I could for the day and when my mind heard, "You have had all you get for the day," then my stomach said, "BUT I WANT MORE." Thankfully, my heart heard that small still voice that told me, "You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. So, today I feel energized and really to go another day.

I do pray that you all are doing well and don't forget, if you give up today, you might just have made it had you waited. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! If things don't go as well as you like today, then try again tomorrow. I am praying for you. connie

SUCCESS COMES IN CANS; FAILURE COMES IN CANT'S

I AM ALL FOR CANS!!!!! Aren't you?????


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.


PHILIPPIANS 4:13

I CAN DO ALL THINGS through CHRIST which strengtheneth me.


AND we can if we keep looking to the Lord for our strength. The way may not be easy. In fact it may get very hard. There may seem like there is just no way to get to our goal but God says that there is. I WILL BELIEVE HIM! We may fail when we want so bad to succeed. But we can only fail if we QUIT. The last few months have been very trying to me. I will not go into all the whys and wherefores but God gives the VICTORY!!! We will go on and look toward that day when all things will be made right and if what we call success is not what God calls success then we will be content to have done our best.

I have begun again this week to keep up better with what the scales say. Please pray for me, I can not lose very much at a time or I will have serious other problems. I have to learn patience in this area, I now know. I have always thought of patience in other areas but I know now, I just have to take it SLOW and STEADY! You know like the turtle (laughing out loud) I have never seen myself as a turtle, I like to go and get it done. When I was young, I was able to go at weight loss this way but it is not the way the Lord has for me now. So, I WILL submit to His will and do it His way. I have come to realize that is why the Lord led me to start this blog anyway. He knew the trials that I would have to go through. So, my objective has not changed: To make God's WILL, my way.

I will be writing on this blog at least once a week, maybe more as God leads. I have learned so much coming here and letting you see my heart. In my letting you see, I have seen more clearly. I must say thank you for being so patient with me and for the encouragement you are to me.

I will see you soon especially as I am able. Have a good weekend, remember your goals as I will mine. I have some things that can make me forget them in the next few days if I let my flesh take control. I will remember that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I will remember that "Success comes in CANS: Failure come in can'ts.
Keeping my eyes on the goal, connie

I AM A BUTTERFLY~~~~~~~~~~;)

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.

I guess you thought I had given up or worse yet died. Not neither. I have just had some problems with my hip and could not sit at the computer for long at a time. I tried to keep up with my other blog http://connies-thoughts.blogspot.com but didn't do a very good job of that either.

I wanted to let you know that Curves did not work out for me. Certainly not because I did not love going and I loved doing the exercises but each time that I went, sadly to say my joints hurt me more and more. The doctor told me that I had to quit, it was making my joints inflamed. So, I may have had to quit that part but I have not forgotten what my real goal is. I am not losing but thanks be to God, I am not gaining. I have had to sit more than usual because when my hip gets bad, I can not lay or stand very well.

I hope that each of you are having good success whether you are in a holding pattern or losing with with zeal. If you find you have gained some pounds all is not lost. You just have to make a decision to go again. With each new day renew that decision and continue on.

One day we will celebrate when I finally make it down to that magic number of 200. I will appreciate it more than ever because it has been so much harder to get there this time.

I loved this little picture. We are really butterflies in this weight loss journey. We may just be cocoons in the flesh but God is making us into beautiful butterflies. One day we will spread our wings and fly!! Keep trying. connie

THIS IS NO TIME TO QUIT!!!

QUIT-----To depart from or out of; to leave the company of; to relinquish, abandon, or give over ( as a way of thought, acting, or living): Forsake; to give up; To cease normal, expected, or necessary action; to admit defeat; STOP.

To me this is a very sad definition. I do not want to be found among those who quit, forsake, give up, admit defeat, STOP.

I know it really get hard sometimes, but just think where we would be if we did quit!! What a sad thought. We would never stand a chance at being what God would have us to be. We would never meet that goal that we have. DEFEAT would be our cry!!!

NO, NO, I am out for victory!!! No matter how hard nor how longs it takes me to get there, I know that if I do not faint then the victory is mine.

I am holding my own, not gaining and not losing but I have faith that as I continue on one day those scales will go down just a little bit more bringing me closer to my goal. I want to see it!!

I hope if you are having a hard time that his poem will be an encouragement for you. YOU CAN DO IT. Take a look and see how we may be able to do it a little better and those pounds will come off just like the ones we have already lost. Remember we have not gained them back because we have not quit trying. Have a good week and I will see you again soon. connie

I HAVE FOUND SOME HELP

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


Hello there!! I am just checking in to let you know how things are going with me. I am doing great. Have just gotten over a bout with gout. It slowed me down but I have not gained and for that I am very thankful. Now on to better things.

Right before I came down with gout I made a discovery! Well, I have known about it for a long time but my husband just finally convinced me to give it a try. I hated to spend the money but as usual my dear husband was right. He wanted me to start going to CURVES FOR WOMEN. I was afraid to go because I am so large. I can't get up from the floor. I move very slowly sometimes to make sure I will not fall. Oh, I had a lot of excuses to keep from going to check it out. Jim got this idea from our family doctor. He suggested it for me. "Oh, well,"I said, to myself,I will go and check it out. Thinking there would surely be a reason for me not to go. After all, I don't wear pants so I am sure that I will feel out of place, and how can I exercise in a skirt?

Well, I went with a lot of pushing on the part of my dear husband, Thank you dear Jim.

I was so surprised! It was run by Christian people. They didn't even mind saying, words like, "Thank you, Lord!" They didn't even look at me funny with my skirt on. Neither those that run the place nor those lady in attendance. But the thing that thrilled me the most was that I did not have to get down on the floor! I had to use machines. Machines that worked out every part of my body. I was in full sweat when I finished the 30 minute work out. I felt great when I finished! I was eagerly looking forward to going back the second time the next day. I went and felt even better. I just loved it, the place, the workout, the feeling of doing something good for my body and health. It was wonderful, really ladies, I mean it.

You have to go three times for the trainer to train you work on the machines . So, before the third morning arrived, I had gout in my ankle. I was so disappointed but was determined to go back as soon as my ankle was well.

Today was my third time back! I feel wonderful again. I can't wait for tomorrow. After the third training you can go at any time, at any of their places. I am so excited. I just know that now that I pretty much have my appetite, with God's help , under control, if I can just do this exercise. I know that I am going to be much better off.

I am looking forward to my blood pressure coming down and hopefully get off the diabetes meds that I am on. Would that not be just the greatest blessing, ever? It sure would!

This was not real cheap but my husband insisted that I give it a try. I am so thankful to him that he really pushed me into doing this. I do believe that it will be a great help to me. Just so you know it will cost me $36.00 a month for the year. That is a lot of money and I do not take it lightly. So, I will have to really be faithful to go and make it work for me.

I told you all this to say, Ladies, girls, if you have the money or can fit the money into your budget, I believe that it will be of great help to you also. There were smaller ladies there but the most of them were very overweight. As I said, all the ladies were very nice. I am looking forward to tomorrow. I can just feel my body getting in better shape.lol

I hope all of you are having a good day. If you can and will, please say a prayer for me the next days and months that what I need to accomplish with my health issues will be accomplished as I do my best at this. Thank you so much. connie