Friday, October 9, 2015

Backwards

Does it ever seem like your life is moving backwards instead of going forward?

The other day I was feeling pretty down about some personal things in my life .. Asking God, what is happening? Feeling like I am heading in the wrong direction with my health, weight, teaching, so many things .. Feeling discouraged.  All the while continuing to say ... I trust you Jesus. I don't know where we are going, but I trust You.

Then I remembered a something that happened when Jonathan was little.  We lived on Sub-base Bangor, on the Kitsap Peninsula in Wa. State.  The children and I had gone into Silverdale to do some shopping. Jonathan had asked to go to Target for something, and I had promised to take him.

We'd finished all the other shopping and had forgotten to take him. I'd already begun to head home when he asked about going. Since I wanted to keep my word, I kept driving. Jonathan became upset and asked why were we heading home? To him, it looked like we were going backwards toward home. To me, I knew the quickest way to get where we were going, was to keep driving in this same direction, that to him, looked like we were heading backwards towards home.

It was a cool God instruction. I shared with him that even though it looked like we were going backwards, really, we were going forward and would make it to our destination quicker. And that life could sometimes seem that way as well. One of those two steps forward, five steps back?!

That sometimes the quickest way to our destination, seems to be heading in the wrong direction heading back where we came from, when God sees the bigger picture, leading us through just the right places to get us where he wants us to be.

I really needed that reminder. So even though right now, so many of the things in my life seem to be taking me right back where I used to be, I will, and am, trusting my Heavenly Father to take me where He is leading me on. Forward. And I will say, Yes Lord, and pray I walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

My prayer for you dear reader, is that no matter where you find yourself on this road, that you will continue to say Yes to Jesus, and keep going on.

It took awhile for my son Jonathan to see we were indeed heading to the store he wished to go to, and that even though it looked like we were going backwards, we really were going forward.

I so needed this reminder.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Confession of sorts

I am an address collector.

That's right. I collect addresses.  I like to think I am a writer of letters, and a sender of said letters.
But ... alas ... I am not.

I have dreams of being the best writer and sender of letters ... to encourage and brighten dear friends and families lives.

But they just turn into good intentions ... I am sad to say. And those never helped anyone.

So. I admit. I am a collector of addresses, and that is about it.

If you ever do actually receive a letter from me in the mail. It's a miracle.

That is all.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

A Story from living on a houseboat

Once upon a time, a long time ago, like 31 years ago, two young lovers decided to buy a houseboat.

What an adventure. It was our first major purchase together as husband and wife. We had a young son, Jonathan, who was a year and a half.

Before we could move it to our place of residence, Glen Cove Marina in Vallejo Ca. We had to have the pontoons sandblasted, then we had the joy of putting the primer on them, and painting and getting it ready to move. It was a pleasure to work hard together on something we both loved. And it was ours.

After we'd been on the boat for awhile, in our new location, I began to get sick. Not very often, just a little queasy here and there. Never at the same time. After about three months, Thomas suggested I see a doctor. So I did. WOW! I was pregnant. Three months pregnant. (For the sake of this story, that story will be for another time.)

During this time, nothing was the same as before when I was pregnant with my first son. I had a tub I could relax in. No longer. I had a tiny shower, with a five or ten gallon hot water tank. After Thomas took a quick shower, I would have to wait for 30 minutes for the water to heat up enough for me to take a quick shower. Gone were the days of leisurely relaxing baths.

Also, our space was small. We were living on a 42 foot pontoon houseboat. Our actual living space was 10 x 30. Think trailer on pontoons! What used to be charming, soon became claustrophobic. Then my dear husband began saying things like, if you bring one thing onto this boat, you need to take two things off.

I grew to absolutely hate living on the houseboat. I hated living there, and my husband loved living there.  You see ... he was in the Navy, serving on a small fast attack submarine. So when he came home, our space was quite roomy to him. And he was gone a lot.

I didn't see how this could go on. I hated living there with a passion, he loved it. It was awful. I could see no solution whatsoever.

One day, at the total end of me ... although at the time I didn't see it. I got so frustrated, and feeling helpless, I cried out to God. Well. It was more like yelling. I paced and yelled at God. Something like this.

I HATE LIVING HERE GOD! AND THOMAS LOVES IT. BUT IF YOU MEAN FOR  US TO STAY TOGETHER, AND I BELIEVE YOU HAVE SANCTIONED OUR MARRIAGE, THEN YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE ONE OF US. AND I DON'T WANT TO BE THE ONE TO BE CHANGED. BUT I KNOW BY ME PRAYING THIS, YOU WILL PROBABLY CHANGE ME! AND I DON'T WANT TO BE THE ONE TO BE CHANGED!

I walked and yelled for quite some time, but that was the gist of it all.

Nothing changed. Except, by being honest, and getting it all out. To God. I sensed some relief. I still hated living there, but I didn't quite feel so passionate about my hate of living there.

Then one day, the following year, a few months after Samuel was born, maybe May, I'd taken the plastic off the windows that we'd used for some insulation over the winter months, and was nursing him. The rocking of the boat was gentle, The sun was shining, the day was peaceful. As I sat there nursing my newborn son, I had this thought. I could not imagine living anywhere else.

WHOA! WOW, God! YOU CHANGED ME!?! By then, I didn't mind being the one to be changed. I'd grown to love living there again. Nothing had changed in our circumstances except we had even less space due to things we needed for our new baby, plus 2 1/2 year old. Thomas still asked me to take two things off the boat if I wanted to bring anything on it. Plus all of the other things.

I continued to enjoy living there, with all the adventures we had, until a third child was born to us. Then when Sarah Anne was two months old, we did move off the houseboat. With both of us in agreement and in God's perfect timing.

Isaiah 55:8-9
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Trim Healthy Mama journey so far.

     I have been following the Trim Healthy Mama way of eating now for a year and seven months. I thought I would write out my journey here before I forget it!!

     It actually began in January of 2013 when I ordered the book. When it arrived, I was a bit intimidated by it's size. Over 600 pages long. Although much of it is filled with recipes. I read the sisters stories, which is toward the back of the book. I thought, no way. This is too complicated for me. I will never learn this. I closed the book, and it sat on my bedroom floor for seven months.

    In July of 2013, on my birthday, we decided we would bomb the house as we were having an issue with fleas. We made it a fun tactical game. I was texting with a friend and said we were going to go eat. my friend said, "Happy eating!"  Oh my. that set off an avalanche of thoughts. Since when was eating happy? I know we are to do everything to the glory of God, but I could not recall the last time eating was something fun, joyous, or to God's glory. I was miserable. The longer things went, the worse things got. So much so, that towards the end of August, I was so scared.

     Not only was I so scared, I was filled with fear. One day, I was hungry at some point, but so scared to go into the kitchen, afraid I would over eat yet again. I locked myself in the bathroom and was just sobbing. Scared, filled with fear, and at the end of me. I texted five people I respected and trusted and asked for prayer. I felt like I was on total self destruct with food, filled with fear, and didn't know what else to do. They all agreed to pray. Also, sometime before this I think. I forget the timing, but on this preacher guy's site that I love, he asked if we would be brave and say a dream we had, and he would pray for us. To me, the most outlandish, impossible dream I could imagine, was to lose 100 pounds.

     Nothing changed after I texted my friends. At least not immediately. However, within a week, I saw on the author page of Trim Healthy Mama, on facebook, a testimony. I don't recall what it said exactly, or who it even was, but it gave me hope for the first time in a long time. And, I thought, I have the book, maybe I can do this.

     So I picked up the book off my bedroom floor and went to the chapter about getting started, and read that, and looked at some of the recipes, and ordered a few things to make one of the shakes. The fat stripping frappa. And just began. I did not change everything right away, but began to learn this whole new language and way of eating.

     Within the first month I lost ten pounds! WOW. I did not feel deprived at all. The second month, twelve pounds. Then it tapered off, to within five months, I lost 37 pounds.  Then over the course of the next thirteen months, I lost and gained and lost the same seven pounds. At one point I sensed God asking me, if I never lost another pound, would I still serve Him? Oh my goodness. I admit to having a little temper tantrum and eating cake for four days. Then fell to my knees, and said, Yes Lord. Even if I never lose another pound, I will serve You. There is no other God besides You.

     I did go through some times of being discouraged. Especially when I compared my story to so many others I saw on the Trim Healthy Mama pages. However, I know that God's Word says if we compare ourselves to one another, we are not being wise. I know I need to look to my Heavenly Father as my source through all this journey.

     Anyhow, in the book, it talks about having stubborn donkey weight. Yes!! I can relate! One of the things the book recommends is to do what is called a fuel cycle every other month to cajole this weight off and begin to rev our metabolism. I had done several of those with no changes. UNTIL, March of this year, and I now have lost an additional few pounds with a total of 41 pounds gone.

     I am eternally grateful to God for leading me to this plan. The sisters who wrote the book. My dear friends I texted that day when in despair and feeling like I had no hope. My friend's blog that challenged me to dream. My family! Oh my goodness. My family have all been so supportive.
And to all the ladies who are on the Trim Healthy Mama pages who make wonderful recipes and share them with all of us. There are a few who have inspired me greatly. I know I am leaving people out, but to all my friends and family, thank you for your prayers, and loving me right where I am. I love you too. I have more to say, but for now this is enough. God bless you!

Friday, February 13, 2015

One Word

Have you ever thought about how just one word can change your life? Or have an impact on a life?

Even just ONE word? It amazes me.

Here is an example from awhile ago. In 2009, I was seeing a therapist. He showed me some things in my life that needed healing, and it was just confirmation of things God had begun in my life many years earlier. When I first saw him, for about three weeks, I ran on adrenaline. Not great. I lost a lot of weight due to not being able to eat, due to the adrenaline happening. Then one night, I was wandering around Walmart and HUNGRY ... for the first time in three weeks! I wanted to eat everything in sight!!

I was scared I WOULD! So I sent a text message to him, telling him what I wanted to do, eat everything, and he sent a text message back saying, Don't! ... You know what? That is all it took. I didn't.  Just that one word made a difference.

Here is another one. Awhile ago, I was having some issues with a person really close to me, and I mentioned it to a friend. She sent a text message to me one time, just IN time, and perfect timing, and all it said was Humble. hmm Or maybe, Be humble.  That is all it took. It reminded me of the scripture verse that says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6

I don't know about you .. But I sure don't wish for God to actively be apposed to me! I could use all the grace I can get. So now, if this person and I are having issues, I remember this, and am eternally grateful to my friend for sending that message at just the right time. That one word.

Can you share of a time when a person said one word to you that made a difference in your life?

Oh, back to the word Don't! Ever since that time, so many years ago, there have been many occasions when I am about to do something I shouldn't, and that word will come back to me, and it will be THE thing that keeps me from doing something I shouldn't. Isn't God amazing? I love Him.

Hope you have a blessed night.
Donna 


Friday, January 23, 2015

     I thought I would give a shout out to my brother in Christ Troy Green, preacher at Petersburg Cumberland Presbyterian church, in Petersburg Tn. If you are ever there, stop in, you will be blessed.
He is beginning a new series in 1 and 2 Peter. Check it out. If you are not able to get to church, don't go to church, or just enjoy listening to wise teaching, check this out!

http://petersburgcpchurch.org/sermons/


Thursday, January 22, 2015

     I did something brave yesterday. I posted this blog site publicaly. Not that I write here very much. I keep thinking I will, but then I get scared and don't. But speaking about brave. I just read this really cool book called, Let's All Be Brave, by Annie F. Downs. I originally bought it for me, but then felt led to give it to one of my daughters. She read it and liked it, and was going to send it to one of her cousins. The cousin moved, and I asked her if I could read it. It is so good!

     So, I will try and be brave and write!

     Since this is still January ... I will tell you what I have been doing so far this year, new for me, and things I am keeping on with.  I have begun doing crunches. I know it isn't much, but I can feel a difference in my back. And I feel stronger. And it is giving me more energy for other things. It is a small beginning, but one I have been consistent to do so far this year. Also, you know how when you begin and exercise anything? And at some point your muscles begin to hurt? In the past, I have always quit. For the first time, I think ever ... I went past that, and have kept going. So that is cool.

     I am also beginning an online study through a book called Keep It Shut, by Karen Ehman. It's through Proverbs 31 ministries if you are interested. What to say, how to say it and when to say nothing at all. Sigh. Yes, I need this and felt led to do this. Too often I talk too much. So here is to this new adventure as well.

     Another thing that has been consistent this year is going through one of those daily read it through the Bible books. Normally already by now I have quit. So far, so good.

     Another interest that I am learning more and more about, is essential oils. We have been using them for just about a year and for the most part, the children and I have not been sick during this past year. It is amazing.

     And .. A huge thing in my life over the past year and four months has been a change of eating for me. I have never before stuck with any diet or way of eating for this long ever in my life before now. It is called Trim Healthy Mama. I have lost about 35 pounds give or take a few, depending on the day. This whole journey deserves it's own post, so hopefully I will get to that soon.

     So, how has your new year begun? I would love to hear! Oh, one more thing. I asked God for a word for the year ... It is TRUST.  I am looking forward to see what this new year holds.
     May God richly bless you and keep you till His return.