Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Good Morning, Sunshine!!

Okay, so it's Tuesday and here I am, in my cave, writing to you, my beloved friends.......

Again, I am home bound today and happy about it. Firstly, because I am still getting used to having to control myself around food.....and secondly, because I just don't feel like going anywhere. It's one of those biologically female days for me....not my best days, for sure. I did well, yesterday!! I was faithful to my program and I kept to my calorie goal of 1500....Actually, I was under by 30 or so calories. I learned, yesterday, that a bag of Orville Reddenbacher Smart Pop Kettle Corn has only 20 calories for the entire bag!! Whoo Hoo, snack food!! I learned that I can sit and watch TV without stuffing something in my mouth, in the evening. I learned that when I am productive, I feel accomplished and seeing the look on Mark's face, when he walks in the door to a freshly cleaned home and a plate of hot dinner, after work, is worth more than a day at Disneyland....Yeah, I went there!! (with that statement, not Disneyland, though I would like to go) I was happy with the choices I made and I'm looking forward to giving my diabetes back and flushing all of my pills, when I reach my lifegoal.

So this morning, I had two fried eggs (fried no stick with cal free spray) and two pieces of whole wheat toast with Smart Balance and a cup of decaf with creamer (chemical cow) and a shot of sugar free Almond Roca syrup. I had 370 calories for breakfast and I feel really good about that. God is a great weight loss partner....lemme warn ya, though, when you're partners with someone who knows EVERYTHING? Ya pretty much have to listen to what He says.....and then ya gotta do what He says. I know that God loves me and that when my stomach growls and I ignore it or when I feel like I cannot go another minute without that scoop of ice cream,but abstain anyway that is God, reminding me that He loves me. Yes, I said reminding me....When I want something and deny myself, because He's said NO, then it's victory for me....and I feel it as victory. I know that He's said NO, because He loves me and wants the best for me and for my life. You see, the food means nothing.....It cannot dry my tears or make me feel better about myself. It cannot keep me company or love me when I feel unloved.....It cannot comfort me, when I am hurting and IT CANNOT FORGIVE MY SIN. It's just food!! I have placed food in the place of my King, because all of the things that food cannot do, God, my Heavenly Loving Father, can and does. He's promised to meet me in my faith and persevere with me, til the work is done.
Philippians 1:6 (New King James Version)6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; He is able, my friends, He is able.....

So today, I am having my coffee and my quiet time and I loooooove the scriptures of 1st and 2nd Chronicles....lots of really good life lessons, there. God has really just impressed on me, this scripture, from 1st Chronicles....
Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong [in the power of His might] and do the work. (I Chronicles 28:10) So I read and I read again and I consider and I consider again......
Remember what I said about being partners with someone who knows EVERYTHING? Well that would apply here.....I need to build a temple.....Huh? Obviously Father, you've forgotten about my mad skills with the hammer and why no one will let me have one, anymore.....I really can't build a sandwich without making a big mess....What do you mean, build a temple? Ohhh I get it...build my temple....my temple of the Holy Spirit.....The next part of the verse brought me to tears....."Be strong in the power of His might and do the work" No mincing words there....Looks pretty straight forward to me.....So, You and me, Lord....and thinking back to the eighth chapter of the book of Romans....If God is before me, who can come against me? TWINKIES?? Get thee behind me!! MC DONALD'S DOUBLE CHEESEBURGERS?? In Him, I am stronger!! Lemme stop before this becomes a bitter diatribe, with me, rebuking all of my favorite foods....That would take waaaaaaaay too long. I needed to hear those things today and I'm hoping that this will help another person, today, to chose life and victory over food.....Faith is the victory, food just tastes good!!

So another day of domestic bliss and blessedness for me.....I am hoping that all is well in your corner of the sky, today. I'd like to say Thank-you to my awesome friend Laura, who left me comments on yesterday's blog.....You are a great encouragement to me, my sister!! I would like to challenge each of you who read this, to look for something sent specifically for you, today, from God.
Love each other as He loves.....
Blessings in Him....
Lisa

Monday, August 30, 2010

Why I Love Mondays!

Good Monday Morning, my sweet Webbies!!
Well here I sit, on another lovely Monday morning, praising God that I have breath and life and hope!! Last week was rough for me, but I will not be moved!! I love Mondays!! I love Mondays because it's the beginning of a whole new week, the slate is clean and I am alone with my thoughts and feelings.....I love my family....I love their noise and their energy on the weekends, but Monday, for me, is like a breath of fresh air. I can sit at my computer, in the living room with my cup of coffee and write, without listening to the television. I don't have to play referee between my 14 year old child and my 47 year old child. Monday is the day when I plan my week. Though this week is going to be uneventful, I am happy to be able to have the time to take care of the things I have been putting off, in my home and in my life.

I have been putting off going back on a sensible eating plan. I know that this is the only way that I am going to be able to live a long and healthy life. The big question always is....Which plan do I choose? I never try and make a decision without the input of my Heavenly Father. I had been doing well with The Atkins Diet, but when I quit smoking, back in October, my body just refused to give up another single pound to Dr. Atkins and started keeping the pounds for itself!! Weight Watchers is a great program, but too liberal for me, with foods....I need regimentation and I need a fixed point of control. I even went to the clinic doc, up at our clinic and he told me that starvation might work for me.......NOT!! Last week, while Mariah was in counseling with Pastor Dave, I was rooting around in my car, for something to read and I came across a book that I'd forgotten I had. It's called The Diabetes Weight Loss System....Written by 3 doctors, specifically for people with Type 2 diabetes. I started reading it and it felt really good to know that I didn't need to restrict myself to a specific food ideation. I can eat carbohydrates, fruits and breads as long as I control my portions. In order to lose weight, you have to eat less and move more and that's how simple it really is. I have been making things really difficult for myself, when it really is just that simple. All these diets that say you shouldn't count calories or fat grams.....what a bunch of hooey!! Part of my issue with food is my inability to take responsibility for my eating....the food becomes a stronghold and I am a slave, within those walls, to food, rebellion, gluttony, slothfulness, disobedience, self hatred, loathing and finally, death. So today, I started the basic plan....1500 recorded calories a day.....I have to keep a food journal and I have to be accountable for my choices.....This morning, for breakfast, I had a cup of decaf with creamer and sweetener, I had a half of a bagel spread with Smart Balance spread and I had a large plum...a perfect start to the day with 305 calories. As soon as I'm done with my coffee and my blogging, I'm going to go and dance in my kitchen, with my MP3 player.....Keep me in your prayers, my friends, I could really use them.

Mariah is doing really well, in school. She loves her high school and is making new friends, every day. I am proud of her verve and her moxie. She continues to amaze me, everyday with her awesomeness and her strength. Her mother made it sound like she had behavior issues, warning us of her smart sassy mouth and her temper(uhhhh Duh!! She's 14??).....She hasn't shown me in any way shape or form, that she's got any behavior issues. She fits us like a kid glove and we've tucked her quite nicely, into our lives.....We are a family and we're happy. Mariah is continuing to grow strong in her faith and God is walking her through, day by day. That's all I can really ask for, as a mother and a friend.....Lord, lead her on to a place where the river runs into Your keeping!! All I've ever wanted was to be Mariah's friend, but honestly, right now, I look at her and am amazed at my own feelings. The love that God has given me, for Mariah is as complete as if she had indeed, come from my body. She never grew under my heart, but she did grow in it.

Well, I think that's about it, for now!! I've got some housework to do and some other fun stuff that needs getting done, so I'm going to close for now....I'm thinking about you, my friends and I pray that the Lord makes Himself known to you, today in an amazing and powerful way!!
Love each other as He loves....
Blessings in Him,
Lisa

Friday, August 27, 2010

Four Generations

I changed the picture on my blog, this morning.....My cousin Ginny posted this picture on her facebook page, last night....I don't have any pictures of myself, growing up, my mother and father have them all, so this picture is really important to me....In the picture is my grandmother (Helen Magda Hertlein Millen) on the top left, my mother(Kathleen Nancy Millen Levno) on the top right and on the bottom, my great-grandmother(Magda Hedwig Nutsch Hertlein) holding me (Lisa Michele Levno Anderson).....Yes, I was that small at one time.....
I know I haven't written in many months...I've been getting the house settled. With Mariah living with us, now, we had some changes to make and some opportunities to conquer, but things are settling now. I am in a good place. God is on His throne and all is well, with the world. Well, my world, at least.
Mariah came to stay, technically for the summer only on June 5. She was due to go home on August 3rd. She decided she wanted to stay forever and live here and that was a big surprise. Her daddy was as proud as anything and I am happy to be able to parent my daughter in person, as opposed to doing it over a cell phone or text messages. She's fit into our groove with absolutely no complications or issues. For a teenage girl, she is a joy to parent. Her mother, on the other hand, didn't take things so very well and there were some things said and done that are going to take time and the love of God, to fix. God is in control though and I am in awe of the things He is doing in Mariah's life and in the life of our family.....
Well, I've got to get to HRC and pick up our produce for this next two weeks....Our Human Resources Council of Calaveras County, in partnership with our local growers, gives away produce to all who are willing to take it, ever other Friday....It's been a huge blessing to us and we are thankful for it. Anyhoo, I'll try and write a bit more, when I return....
Love each other as He loves,
Blessings,
Lisa