Saturday, August 27, 2011

Tackling the Green Monster

If you look around healthy food sites, you'll see a ton of green smoothies....all proclaiming that "You can't even taste the spinach!"....Ok, Popeye (rolling eyes)


With my knees all going to heck (finally went to the old doc, now on meds and P.T.), trying to lose weight, and improving my general health...I decided to bite the bullet...or the monster....


The Big Green Monster!!!!!

Here's the specs:


1 banana
couple fresh strawberries
handful of frozen pineapple
2 spoonfuls of plain yogurt
1/4 cup Almond Milk 
a squirt of honey (probably didn't really need this with the fruit)
and...
A Big Old Handful of Spinach...oh yes I did!!!


Honestly, it wasn't bad!  No, take that back....it was Good!!!  I am not a huge fan of spinach, childhood issues probably, and I couldn't taste it AT ALL!  Who Knew?!?

These will be on the menu for the month...I'm hoping for big things...well, smaller things actually ;)


(yes, I know that it looks like a almond breeze commercial....sorry, it's early....but, in my opinion, that brand tastes the best!!!)

Friday, August 26, 2011

Got Your Back


I saw this on Pinterest the other day and now it's a running joke with my sister ;)


I've been reading through Nehemiah this week.   It's currently one of my favorite Old Testament books......


So, yesterday Nehemiah 4 just struck me.


They had begun to rebuild Jerusalem's wall, God had moved major obstacles for them even to begin the project of refortifying their city......and everything went great until they were halfway done.


Isn't that how it always goes?!?  You have excitement, momentum and then Wham-O!


The opposition kicked in---What do these Jews think that they're doing?  Look at this mess...do they think that they can build the wall overnight?  Ha, if a fox climbed on this pathetic wall, it would crumble!!!!


Did Nehemiah yell back "Oh Yeah?!?  Well we're rubber, you're glue...everything bounces off of us and sticks to you!"?....no.....he stopped and prayed to God for vindication.


When their enemies heard that it was going so well rebuilding the wall, they put their heads together, creating as much trouble as they possibly could....the people got tired, leaders got discouraged...their morale was crumbling worse than the wall!


They countered with Prayer and round the clock guards. 


It's like a volleyball game....the enemy attacks, God's team bumps it back.....dig...set...Spike!   Life's just like that...a constant back and forth...offense and defense...and sometimes the Devil tosses in an extra ball or two to keep you on your feet.


When the attack got heavy, Nehemiah stationed guards behind the workers:  Don't be afraid of them--Put your minds on the Lord and fight for your families and your homes!   Half the men worked while half stood guard and then at night, everyone stood guard.   They didn't even change their clothes!


We're talking some serious man power....everyone chipping in....everyone taking a claim to the fight!


This really inspired me.   We are all in this war.   Everyone has a battle raging somewhere.   Imagine the progress we'd make if we all chipped in and had each other's backs?!?


I have been so blessed by countless friends coming up and standing with me in some crazy battles....but some people aren't so lucky....they're positioned  a bit farther down the wall, or maybe at a weak point....we need to Rally!


Don't stop, Keep encouraging each other, Pray Pray Pray, Fight Fight Fight!


As a friend said in an earlier comment, Satan is just a punk...and we have the Best Head Coach Ever!!!!!   He knows all the plays.  We know who wins!   There is nothing too big or too far gone that He cannot save!




So, do you need some backup?   A prayer, a hug, encouragement to just keep on keepin' on?   


I've got your back!  Just let me know :)




(and there's plenty of Nehemiah to come...seriously loving this book....God is just speaking fresh life through it to my heart!)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

 Last week we headed up north for a smidge of roughing it.....got ate alive by flies, hurt my knee, and even enjoyed it just a little bit!
 We did a little bit of this...
 and this...
 Jim did a lot of this....
 a lot.... 
 Got to hold this little cutie (the bubbers, not my sister in law)....
 these looks were given out freely....
 the inlaws got in a bit of this.....
while we kicked it up a knotch....
 there was plenty of this....
 and hanging on for dear life.....
 and sometimes it wasn't enough....
 ok...every time.....
Camping wasn't as bad as I thought....
The boys had a blast...
Jim took Very good care of us...
And even though I am in a drug induced stupor from meds for my knee, I probably could be convinced to do it again ;)

Friday, August 12, 2011

What a Week!!!!!

Talk about an all out free for all battle!   Thankfully, God came through in mighty ways...told ya Devil, get on those running shoes, because you're gonna flee!   Makes me think of that sunday school song when I was a kid:


My God is so great, so strong and so mighty,
there's nothing my God cannot do!


It's so amazing to see how stepping back, relying on God to vindicate all things, really Works!  Still battles are raging, but we see them for what they really are....pathetic attempts to throw us off.   Instead of being flustered, I'm just singing his praises!   He goes into battle before us--the victory is not ours, but His!


Speaking of victory.....


I'm going to be hosting a new small group this September:


Last summer, I did so well on being healthy....fall and winter..and spring...and let's face it most of summer....not so much.  Spiraling, feeling sick, tired, and hurting, out of control in so much more than just eating....all led me to this book recommended by my lovely friend Courtney!

Right now, I have a handful of ladies that are in on this journey with me!   We are starting early, walking a mile, coming back and learning how to rely on God to be our strength, our comfort, and our reward.

The steps that I'm taking to start this journey to complete health?

--Reading my Bible Every day...fill up my God tank first!  If I'm feeling tempted later, I head upstairs (far from the kitchen ;)) and grab a few pages of Jesus to fill my need.

--I cut out sugars, carbs, and most dairy.  We did this last spring and I felt amazing...somehow, the carb coma won out and I stopped being so diligent....

--Walking..Walking..Walking!  Every Day...plug into my praise and worship and hit the pavement!   Prayer Walking makes it go so much faster!!!!!  I've had to catch myself a couple of times from really letting go...or else people would start talking about the crazy lady walking around town, talking to herself and dancing ;)

Struggles so far....food (duh)....drinking Lots of water (and getting up at 2:30 every morning because of it!)...my knees are KILLING ME! (I know that it is just another hurdle, but I will get past it!).

Victories....in the last 2 weeks I've dropped 8lbs :)

I'll be starting Fatty Boombalatty Fridays again....keeping me accountable and then once we start our study, I'll go over what I've learned that week!

Have a great weekend....and remember that no matter what obstacle you face, Our God is great, so strong and so might, there's nothing our God cannot do!   (cling to God and the devil will flee!!!!!)


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Weapons and Lies

No weapon formed against you will previal,

and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

and this is their vindication from me.

Isaiah 54:17





Submit to God, Resist the Devil and he will flee from you!
James 4:7


well Satan, you better start walkin'!