Good Morning, blessed friends and family......
Guess what?
It's raining again! Whoo Hoo!! NOT!!
Don't get me wrong, I love the rain! But see, I have to go out and drive in it, today and if you want instant idiots, all you have to do is add water!! Thankfully, my errands are all in Sonora....I don't even wanna think about what it's like in the Valley or beyond! At least my list of errands is not lengthy....a trip to the Grocery Outlet and then a bit of shopping at one of my favorite thrift stores....Then I can come home and start my holiday baking.....At least my house will be warm, this afternoon.
Mariah was talking to her mom on the phone, yesterday and it was 80 degrees in her part of Texas and Mariah and I were both jealous! Then again, I think I'd rather have my amber hills and green grass over 80 degrees in winter, flat terrain and sagebrush, any day, thank-you very much.......
Christmas is almost here.....Is everybody ready? I'm not....but I will be and things will be good!! Mark is off work, on Friday and for the first time, in 10 1/2 years together, we won't have to rush and rush to get to Grams for our Christmas Eve gathering. That's going to be nice. For a lot of years, I worked retail at Christmas time and would watch people rush and rush.Christmas
should not be a time for rushing. It should be a time for touching home. The home of our youth, the home of our hearts and the home of our time yet to come.....The home of my youth, at Christmas time, was always busy.....My father loved to bake and at Christmas time, he did that a lot....The Christmas tree was always brightly lit. I remember waking up on Christmas Day and because our house was so small, I could look down the hall and see the reflection of the lights from the Christmas tree and I could hear Daddy laying a fire in the fireplace, so we would all be warm. That's when I knew it was okay to get up......Christmas time in the home of my heart is quite different.....Our house is still small....smaller even, than the house I grew up in. There is still much baking going on, in the days before Christmas, but we take things slower, around here. We don't like to rush and rush......When we were first married, we would drive to the Bay Area on Christmas Eve, celebrate and then drive all the way home, just to get up and do it all over again, on Christmas morning. We don't do that nowadays......We are content to celebrate with my family on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas Day, we hang around, here at home....we might go see a movie and then I cook a very traditional Christmas Dinner. We take the time to remember why we celebrate Christmas......the birth of a tiny baby, who would die to save us.....We give thanks for the ultimate gift of love, so freely given by God, just because He loves us and couldn't bear to live without us! I never treasured that gift as much as I do, now.....Christmas was about the tangible things we presented to one another...the useless frippery tied in pretty ribbons and colorful paper.....And Lord forbid if we didn't get what we wanted or asked for.......Back to the store, the next day! I've remembered what God did for us, on Christmas, since childhood....But I didn't treasure it until I saw "The Passion"....Seeing a real depiction of what Christ went through, as a human man meant for a divine purpose really struck me hard......I just never realized! It's now an honor, to get up, on Christmas morning and just say Thank-you Jesus, for coming to save me.....I am so not worthy, but thank-you for loving me, anyway.....Imagine, the love of God sent from paradise to live a human life, wrapped up in a tiny baby, cradled in a mother's arms.....protected by a human father.....How can you not celebrate this? I was helping my friend and her mother decorate their house, for Christmas, a few years back and I asked her why she didn't have a creche and she answered, telling me she liked to keep the religion out of Christmas.......Huh? I can't wait to spend a Christmas in Heaven. I'm going to sit on a cloud and listen to God sing.....I'm going to get to hear the angel choir, firsthand! No more useless frippery.....No more disappointed relatives.....No more nasty fruitcake!! I think Michael Card sums it up, for me....In his song "The Final Word"...makes me cry every time I hear it.....Here's the lyrics.....
You and me we use so very many clumsy words.
The noise of what we often say is not worth being heard.
When the Father's wisdom wanted to communicate His love,
He spoke it in one final perfect Word.
He spoke the incarnation, and then so was born a Son.
His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one.
Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine.
And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine.
And so the Father's fondest thought became flesh and bone.
He spoke the living luminous word, at once His will was done.
And so the transformation that in man had been unheard,
Took place in God the Father as he spoke that final Word.
And so the Light became alive and manna became Man.
Eternity stepped into time so we could understand.
Here's the YouTube link.....The video is kinda crummy, but turn the monitor off and listen to the song......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_idg5Xxy6kE
Powerful, powerful words....
Well the time is come and I must get on with my day.....I will post again, before Christmas, so no final wishes now.....
Go out in the rain, today.....Jump in a puddle....Dance....Feel the love of God, as it pours down from heaven and then go inside and drink a cup of hot cocoa......Love each other as He loves, smile much, laugh often and love completely.....
Have a great day,
In Him
Lisa
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
I'm dreamin' of a wet Christmas,
Just like the one we've got outside,
Where the tree tops'r drippin'
And the blacktop's a glisten'n
Because, it's rainin' cats and dogs......
(Yes, I made that up, all by myself....It's okay, you can laugh, I did)
Well, it's still raining outside!! At least, for the moment, the wind has died down! I love the rain, but I really don't care for the wind. Our house is on top of a hill and we really get whipped around, when the wind kicks up. It puts a damper on the holiday spirit, when you have to worry about chasing your garbage can lids around the neighborhood and having to go out and stand your mailbox up, for the umpteenth time, in the driving rain, just plain stinks.....I guess it's a trade off, though! We have almost zero crime, we have decent neighbors and we're surrounded by the splendor of green grass, tall trees and wildlife.....though if the local wildlife doesn't leave my basil plant alone, I'm seriously thinking depredation.....Really, listening to the wind literally roar, for three days straight kinda gets on my nerves! Right now, I'm thankful for the quiet and the morning and the rain.
Mark got out and on his way early, this morning.....Today starts two weeks of day shifts. He's out at Travis AFB, in Fairfield, learning something new......I can't remember what he said he was learning. He'll be there from 8 am til 2 pm! He loves his new job so so much!! I praise God for that, daily. He was working so hard, with the other job, with little recognition and his pay was so not commensurate with his skill and ability! He's stated time and time again, this is his dream job!
Mariah is off for Christmas Vacation, this week and I'm happy about that! I don't have to be alone, all day! Keep Mariah in your prayers, though.....Next week, she goes back to her mother and step-father in Texas. Her step-father is very hard on her, he teases her about her body and is very sarcastic and childish in his behavior. Our job, as parents, here in our home, has been to foster only positive attitudes towards our daughter. To teach her to be a kind and thoughtful woman....Strong and God fearing!! We only build her up and never ever tease or poke fun.....She has a good home here and we love her for who and what she is! Her family life, there in Texas was totally unsupervised and reprehensible. Thankfully, though, she'll only be gone for the week.....She leaves out on Monday the 27th of December and we'll pick her up at the airport, on New Years Day!
As for me, I am looking forward to getting things ready for our Christmas holiday.....We are going down to the Bay Area, on Christmas Eve, to celebrate, as we usually do, with my family, at my Grandma's....Christmas Day, we're going to hang out, here at home in the morning and then, in the afternoon, we'll go and see a movie....Mariah really wants to see Tangled, the new Disney movie. I don't care what we do, as long as we are together! I haven't started thinking on our Christmas Dinner menu......I figured Mariah and I could do that tomorrow, before we head to the grocery store.....My Christmas Eve baking isn't cemented in stone, either.....I need to talk to my Auntie Michelle to see what the plan is, for the evening.....I'll probably make a huge lasagna and then my usual cookie and brownie tray......My cousin Ginny has to have her snickerdoodles and a death sentence will be handed down if I don't produce Mint Filled Brownies for my sister......I'd really love it if my Uncle David and my Auntie Kay are there, on Christmas Eve.....Out of all of my Aunts and Uncles, they are my favorites!! They are special to me, in so many ways and Christmas Eve isn't as memorable, without them there! There always seems to be something missing!
It's kinda hard to believe that the year is almost gone! Where did the time go? Things have been wonderful, for us, this past year! We've struggled, but the struggles gave way to rejoicing and I'm so thankful! To stand at the fount of God's blessings, is one of the most satisfying places to be. When I look around, I see that we live in a little tiny house (love grows best in little houses) in a little tiny community (Where everybody knows your naaaaaame...) far away from our families (over the highway and through the slums, to grandmother's house we go) and we are happy! We are raising our daughter in a safe place.....We have fresh air and good land. We have the love of God, in abundance and are forever in His care and we have each other. So yes, I am happy, in my little house, where love grows......I am happy in my little community and I am used to everybody knowing my name.....I am happy living on a hill, where the wind whips and the rain comes down and the locals chew on my sadly pathetic basil plant......This is my Beulah!
My thoughts have been kinda all over the place, today.....I'm going to go back to bed and remedy that! Sleep is the best thing for a fractured mind!! Please forgive my mindless wandering and have a wonderful day.....Remember to love as He loves and be kind to one another.....Smile much, laugh often and love like there's no tomorrow......
I love you all, my blessed friends....
In Him,
Lisa
Just like the one we've got outside,
Where the tree tops'r drippin'
And the blacktop's a glisten'n
Because, it's rainin' cats and dogs......
(Yes, I made that up, all by myself....It's okay, you can laugh, I did)
Well, it's still raining outside!! At least, for the moment, the wind has died down! I love the rain, but I really don't care for the wind. Our house is on top of a hill and we really get whipped around, when the wind kicks up. It puts a damper on the holiday spirit, when you have to worry about chasing your garbage can lids around the neighborhood and having to go out and stand your mailbox up, for the umpteenth time, in the driving rain, just plain stinks.....I guess it's a trade off, though! We have almost zero crime, we have decent neighbors and we're surrounded by the splendor of green grass, tall trees and wildlife.....though if the local wildlife doesn't leave my basil plant alone, I'm seriously thinking depredation.....Really, listening to the wind literally roar, for three days straight kinda gets on my nerves! Right now, I'm thankful for the quiet and the morning and the rain.
Mark got out and on his way early, this morning.....Today starts two weeks of day shifts. He's out at Travis AFB, in Fairfield, learning something new......I can't remember what he said he was learning. He'll be there from 8 am til 2 pm! He loves his new job so so much!! I praise God for that, daily. He was working so hard, with the other job, with little recognition and his pay was so not commensurate with his skill and ability! He's stated time and time again, this is his dream job!
Mariah is off for Christmas Vacation, this week and I'm happy about that! I don't have to be alone, all day! Keep Mariah in your prayers, though.....Next week, she goes back to her mother and step-father in Texas. Her step-father is very hard on her, he teases her about her body and is very sarcastic and childish in his behavior. Our job, as parents, here in our home, has been to foster only positive attitudes towards our daughter. To teach her to be a kind and thoughtful woman....Strong and God fearing!! We only build her up and never ever tease or poke fun.....She has a good home here and we love her for who and what she is! Her family life, there in Texas was totally unsupervised and reprehensible. Thankfully, though, she'll only be gone for the week.....She leaves out on Monday the 27th of December and we'll pick her up at the airport, on New Years Day!
As for me, I am looking forward to getting things ready for our Christmas holiday.....We are going down to the Bay Area, on Christmas Eve, to celebrate, as we usually do, with my family, at my Grandma's....Christmas Day, we're going to hang out, here at home in the morning and then, in the afternoon, we'll go and see a movie....Mariah really wants to see Tangled, the new Disney movie. I don't care what we do, as long as we are together! I haven't started thinking on our Christmas Dinner menu......I figured Mariah and I could do that tomorrow, before we head to the grocery store.....My Christmas Eve baking isn't cemented in stone, either.....I need to talk to my Auntie Michelle to see what the plan is, for the evening.....I'll probably make a huge lasagna and then my usual cookie and brownie tray......My cousin Ginny has to have her snickerdoodles and a death sentence will be handed down if I don't produce Mint Filled Brownies for my sister......I'd really love it if my Uncle David and my Auntie Kay are there, on Christmas Eve.....Out of all of my Aunts and Uncles, they are my favorites!! They are special to me, in so many ways and Christmas Eve isn't as memorable, without them there! There always seems to be something missing!
It's kinda hard to believe that the year is almost gone! Where did the time go? Things have been wonderful, for us, this past year! We've struggled, but the struggles gave way to rejoicing and I'm so thankful! To stand at the fount of God's blessings, is one of the most satisfying places to be. When I look around, I see that we live in a little tiny house (love grows best in little houses) in a little tiny community (Where everybody knows your naaaaaame...) far away from our families (over the highway and through the slums, to grandmother's house we go) and we are happy! We are raising our daughter in a safe place.....We have fresh air and good land. We have the love of God, in abundance and are forever in His care and we have each other. So yes, I am happy, in my little house, where love grows......I am happy in my little community and I am used to everybody knowing my name.....I am happy living on a hill, where the wind whips and the rain comes down and the locals chew on my sadly pathetic basil plant......This is my Beulah!
My thoughts have been kinda all over the place, today.....I'm going to go back to bed and remedy that! Sleep is the best thing for a fractured mind!! Please forgive my mindless wandering and have a wonderful day.....Remember to love as He loves and be kind to one another.....Smile much, laugh often and love like there's no tomorrow......
I love you all, my blessed friends....
In Him,
Lisa
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
For the Love of a Momma's Girl.....
Good Evening, my web bound friends and relations.....
Yes, I know it's been far too long, but you know me, I tend to go in spurts.......A spurt here, a spurt there....It's all good, though, because I love you all, whether I'm blogging or not!
Let's catch up a bit, shall we?
Things have been a whirlwind of prayer and rejoicing, here in our home! Mark was laid off from the job he held for over eight years, on November 5th.....Yeah, I know, right before the holidays....that kinda stinks!! I, being the worrisome person that I am, nearly had a triple coronary! But God is faithful and His promises are real! My friend Heather posted on my facebook that where God closes the door, somewhere he opens a window.....a really sweet sentiment from a really wonderful woman of God. I prefer to think of it as God closing the window and opening a door.....A really important door! Mark was home for a month. It was a good month, because I got to have a lot of wonderful time with my husband. A luxury we didn't have, too often, when he was working at the other job. I complained about him being in my hair, but I wouldn't have missed the time, for the world. Well, we applied for Unemployment Benefits and got those, without any problem.....though on Unemployment, we were making over a thousand dollars less that what we were, before. Mark started calling a bunch of people he met, through the other job and found a company called AC3. Within three days, he was interviewed and hired.....Within a week, he was working and loving it. He's making better pay and has better benefits....He's absolutely loving his job and I am so proud of him!! I am also very thankful to my Heavenly Father, for seeing us through the hard times and not ever leaving us to fend for ourselves......Mark and I both clung to Romans 8:28.....believing that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives and our testimony.
Mark is doing really well....He's on the building committee at church and he's also serving as a trustee, too. Recently, he and another church member, painted the floor in the fellowship hall and it looks quite spiffy. He loves getting to spend quality time with Mariah.....
I celebrated another birthday.....I turned plenty-two, this year......Yeah, I went there, sue me!! Life as a wife and mother is really satisfying and enriching for me. I am just in love with my life and my Savior, who makes it all work together for good!! I am ecstatic about finally getting a washing machine....Mark's friend Mike's son moved into a new home and gave us the washer and dryer that were in the unit.....After not having a washing machine, in my house, for over 2 years, it's like a miracle has happened!! I can do one load at a time......Whoo Hoo!!
Mariah is awesome!! She's doing well in school and loves her friends, her church family and spending time with us. She is truly a joy to parent and a joy to watch as she blooms from childhood into womanhood.....I really do stand in awe of her, sometimes. Just when I think she's never listened to a thing I've said, she does something....uses one of my idioms or quotes me verbatim and I have to believe that she truly does belong with us. She's smart and beautiful and she has the sharpest brain, I have ever seen!! She did inform me, though, the she is going to wait til I'm 45, before she starts calling me "Geeze-ette" (the feminine of Geezer...a name she calls her father) and that's a load off of my mind!! Mariah will be going back to Texas, the week after Christmas....to spend New Years with her mother and crew. She's not thrilled with the idea, but she's taking it in stride.....I am glad her mother is going to home the entire week, as I don't think it's good for Mariah to be subject to the scathing nature of her step-father all alone.
With Christmas right on our heels, we are thankful and rejoicing with Him, fully and completely. Though there is little (if any) money to spend on gifts, this year, at least for Mark and myself, we are anxious to spend Christmas Eve in Castro Valley, at Grammy's house. Yes, Mark is getting paid, but all of our bills are behind, including our rent....Praise the Lord we have a wonderful Christian landlord, who is patient and understanding.....Loving even, with us!! While we won't have gifts to open, on Christmas Day, we have the love of each other and the love of our Heavenly Father, who gave us the ultimate gift.....So for us, this year....Christmas will come without packages, boxes or bags and like the Whos down in Whoville, we will still sing and we will still be thankful for the love came down......The true gift of Christmas.
So that's what's been happening, in the past few weeks/months.....
So on with the show.......I had the best dinner and conversation with the worlds best daughter this evening.....We talked about food, we talked about love and we talked about accepting ourselves and each other, without judgment or negativity......Mariah her Daddy's girl.....but she's fast becoming a Momma's Girl, too. Nothing could make me happier....not even winning the lotto!! I finally know what unconditional love feels like, tangibly! It brings to my mind, 1 John 4: 7 and 8......Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God and he who loves is born of God and knows God, for he who does not love does not know God for God is love......This is real unconditional love.....No pretenses, no rules and no guidelines.....It's either a 'you do' or 'you don't' type of situation. I love the simplicity of love, as portrayed in this verse. It's cut and dried, hands tied behind the back, truth....Either you love or you don't know God. Daily, I try to teach Mariah about love......but I blew it, this weekend, when I had an argument in front of her, with someone I never envisioned arguing with.....No, it wasn't Mark, she's used to seeing me argue with him.....What it showed me was that I need to stop putting self first and start putting love first......in discovering this and praying about it, it seems to me, that sometimes, I parade my love around with a clanging cymbal.....Wanting and needing everyone to see and notice, instead of just loving to the bottom of my heart, without any expectation of notice or recognition.....It is my vow to begin loving without pretension......without seeking recognition and just love like He loves....freely and unconditionally......No labor of love is in vain.
Well, our time together, at least in this place, is coming to a close....Please pray for me.....there will be no candlelight Christmas, for me this year and I'm completely torn up about that......I'm pretty much feeling like the song from "The Grinch" called 'Where are you Christmas?' There are just too many things left unsaid and I have to get right, before they can be.....Anyhoo, love each other the way He loves......
In Him,
Lisa
Yes, I know it's been far too long, but you know me, I tend to go in spurts.......A spurt here, a spurt there....It's all good, though, because I love you all, whether I'm blogging or not!
Let's catch up a bit, shall we?
Things have been a whirlwind of prayer and rejoicing, here in our home! Mark was laid off from the job he held for over eight years, on November 5th.....Yeah, I know, right before the holidays....that kinda stinks!! I, being the worrisome person that I am, nearly had a triple coronary! But God is faithful and His promises are real! My friend Heather posted on my facebook that where God closes the door, somewhere he opens a window.....a really sweet sentiment from a really wonderful woman of God. I prefer to think of it as God closing the window and opening a door.....A really important door! Mark was home for a month. It was a good month, because I got to have a lot of wonderful time with my husband. A luxury we didn't have, too often, when he was working at the other job. I complained about him being in my hair, but I wouldn't have missed the time, for the world. Well, we applied for Unemployment Benefits and got those, without any problem.....though on Unemployment, we were making over a thousand dollars less that what we were, before. Mark started calling a bunch of people he met, through the other job and found a company called AC3. Within three days, he was interviewed and hired.....Within a week, he was working and loving it. He's making better pay and has better benefits....He's absolutely loving his job and I am so proud of him!! I am also very thankful to my Heavenly Father, for seeing us through the hard times and not ever leaving us to fend for ourselves......Mark and I both clung to Romans 8:28.....believing that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives and our testimony.
Mark is doing really well....He's on the building committee at church and he's also serving as a trustee, too. Recently, he and another church member, painted the floor in the fellowship hall and it looks quite spiffy. He loves getting to spend quality time with Mariah.....
I celebrated another birthday.....I turned plenty-two, this year......Yeah, I went there, sue me!! Life as a wife and mother is really satisfying and enriching for me. I am just in love with my life and my Savior, who makes it all work together for good!! I am ecstatic about finally getting a washing machine....Mark's friend Mike's son moved into a new home and gave us the washer and dryer that were in the unit.....After not having a washing machine, in my house, for over 2 years, it's like a miracle has happened!! I can do one load at a time......Whoo Hoo!!
Mariah is awesome!! She's doing well in school and loves her friends, her church family and spending time with us. She is truly a joy to parent and a joy to watch as she blooms from childhood into womanhood.....I really do stand in awe of her, sometimes. Just when I think she's never listened to a thing I've said, she does something....uses one of my idioms or quotes me verbatim and I have to believe that she truly does belong with us. She's smart and beautiful and she has the sharpest brain, I have ever seen!! She did inform me, though, the she is going to wait til I'm 45, before she starts calling me "Geeze-ette" (the feminine of Geezer...a name she calls her father) and that's a load off of my mind!! Mariah will be going back to Texas, the week after Christmas....to spend New Years with her mother and crew. She's not thrilled with the idea, but she's taking it in stride.....I am glad her mother is going to home the entire week, as I don't think it's good for Mariah to be subject to the scathing nature of her step-father all alone.
With Christmas right on our heels, we are thankful and rejoicing with Him, fully and completely. Though there is little (if any) money to spend on gifts, this year, at least for Mark and myself, we are anxious to spend Christmas Eve in Castro Valley, at Grammy's house. Yes, Mark is getting paid, but all of our bills are behind, including our rent....Praise the Lord we have a wonderful Christian landlord, who is patient and understanding.....Loving even, with us!! While we won't have gifts to open, on Christmas Day, we have the love of each other and the love of our Heavenly Father, who gave us the ultimate gift.....So for us, this year....Christmas will come without packages, boxes or bags and like the Whos down in Whoville, we will still sing and we will still be thankful for the love came down......The true gift of Christmas.
So that's what's been happening, in the past few weeks/months.....
So on with the show.......I had the best dinner and conversation with the worlds best daughter this evening.....We talked about food, we talked about love and we talked about accepting ourselves and each other, without judgment or negativity......Mariah her Daddy's girl.....but she's fast becoming a Momma's Girl, too. Nothing could make me happier....not even winning the lotto!! I finally know what unconditional love feels like, tangibly! It brings to my mind, 1 John 4: 7 and 8......Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God and he who loves is born of God and knows God, for he who does not love does not know God for God is love......This is real unconditional love.....No pretenses, no rules and no guidelines.....It's either a 'you do' or 'you don't' type of situation. I love the simplicity of love, as portrayed in this verse. It's cut and dried, hands tied behind the back, truth....Either you love or you don't know God. Daily, I try to teach Mariah about love......but I blew it, this weekend, when I had an argument in front of her, with someone I never envisioned arguing with.....No, it wasn't Mark, she's used to seeing me argue with him.....What it showed me was that I need to stop putting self first and start putting love first......in discovering this and praying about it, it seems to me, that sometimes, I parade my love around with a clanging cymbal.....Wanting and needing everyone to see and notice, instead of just loving to the bottom of my heart, without any expectation of notice or recognition.....It is my vow to begin loving without pretension......without seeking recognition and just love like He loves....freely and unconditionally......No labor of love is in vain.
Well, our time together, at least in this place, is coming to a close....Please pray for me.....there will be no candlelight Christmas, for me this year and I'm completely torn up about that......I'm pretty much feeling like the song from "The Grinch" called 'Where are you Christmas?' There are just too many things left unsaid and I have to get right, before they can be.....Anyhoo, love each other the way He loves......
In Him,
Lisa
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Breakfast with Mark
Good Morning Friends, Neighbors and Countrymen...lend me your ears.
Starting the day with one on one quiet time with my hunny is something I haven't done in a very long time. Taking that time to reconnect as partners and friends meant the world to me, this morning. Mark took the day off work, today, so that he wouldn't be late for Mariah's back to school night function, tonight. We got up together, this morning, when he could have just as easily stayed in bed and let me get up to see our daughter off to school.....but he got up too!! After she left, he asked me for coffee and breakfast. So I made him some sausage and french toast and coffee and we sat at the kitchen table and took our meal together. I honestly loved spending the time with Mark. It made me feel loved and special...needed and appreciated. It felt good to begin the day, at the table, with Mark, meeting his needs and allowing him to meet mine.
It's a beautiful day out, today.....I am wondering if I can get the love of my life to take a walk with me, or something, just to get out of the house, for a time....Maybe get some exercise. He's asleep on the couch right now and the fresh mountain air would do him good! I'm glad he gets to rest a little bit extra, this week. He works so hard, to support us. I am so proud of the man of God he has become.
I had another great day yesterday....I overdid it at dinner, with my calories, but I asked for forgiveness and I forgave myself and today is a whole new day. I am really good at being negative with myself and I need to change that. Yesterday is gone....no matter how much I try, I will never ever be able to go back and change another thing about it. I can only go forward, learn from my mistakes and try again, today!! I'm not giving up....
Well, I had better git to the housework. It's not going to clean itself. I'm sorry that it's short today...I haven't a lot to say....My challenge to you, today is to tell someone three things you are thankful for....and I'll tell you mine, right now.....
1. I am thankful for Mariah's hair all over the bathroom sink, because she is here and not in Texas.
2. I am thankful for Mark's snoring, because he is beside me and not somewhere else.
3. I am thankful for dirty dishes because I have had the opportunity to serve my family and warm them from the inside.
Tell someone you love them today.....It means so much to hear it.
Love like He loves....
Blessings in Him,
Lisa
Starting the day with one on one quiet time with my hunny is something I haven't done in a very long time. Taking that time to reconnect as partners and friends meant the world to me, this morning. Mark took the day off work, today, so that he wouldn't be late for Mariah's back to school night function, tonight. We got up together, this morning, when he could have just as easily stayed in bed and let me get up to see our daughter off to school.....but he got up too!! After she left, he asked me for coffee and breakfast. So I made him some sausage and french toast and coffee and we sat at the kitchen table and took our meal together. I honestly loved spending the time with Mark. It made me feel loved and special...needed and appreciated. It felt good to begin the day, at the table, with Mark, meeting his needs and allowing him to meet mine.
It's a beautiful day out, today.....I am wondering if I can get the love of my life to take a walk with me, or something, just to get out of the house, for a time....Maybe get some exercise. He's asleep on the couch right now and the fresh mountain air would do him good! I'm glad he gets to rest a little bit extra, this week. He works so hard, to support us. I am so proud of the man of God he has become.
I had another great day yesterday....I overdid it at dinner, with my calories, but I asked for forgiveness and I forgave myself and today is a whole new day. I am really good at being negative with myself and I need to change that. Yesterday is gone....no matter how much I try, I will never ever be able to go back and change another thing about it. I can only go forward, learn from my mistakes and try again, today!! I'm not giving up....
Well, I had better git to the housework. It's not going to clean itself. I'm sorry that it's short today...I haven't a lot to say....My challenge to you, today is to tell someone three things you are thankful for....and I'll tell you mine, right now.....
1. I am thankful for Mariah's hair all over the bathroom sink, because she is here and not in Texas.
2. I am thankful for Mark's snoring, because he is beside me and not somewhere else.
3. I am thankful for dirty dishes because I have had the opportunity to serve my family and warm them from the inside.
Tell someone you love them today.....It means so much to hear it.
Love like He loves....
Blessings in Him,
Lisa
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
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
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
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
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