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/

     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.

   

Race Car Driving!

Disclaimer to all of my children and grandchildren.  If you are reading this, ever, don't do it!

When I was growing up in Anchorage Alaska in my teen years, I loved to race with my car.  Nothing formal, nothing really planned.  Just sometimes downtown we'd cruise the strip in the summertime. And just every once in awhile, pulling up next to someone, I'd glance over, or they would glance over, and we'd catch one another's eye, and we'd just know. Let's race! The adrenaline, the rush, from being first, and finishing first. Or starting just a bit after the other person, then catching up to them and passing. What a thrill. 

Thing is ... now I'm 53. But I still like starting out of the gate first! My friends think I'm funny. It still gives me a little thrill. Now though, I don't have to finish or STAY ahead, I just like to be first. :-) Please don't give me scripture here. I do know about the first shall be last, and the last first. That's another topic for another day. This is just about the thrill of being first with another car at a stop light. :-)  It's the little girl inside I suppose. :-)  One I'm thankful my dear husband is kind to.

One day, a few years ago, we needed to get new tires on my Plymouth Voyager mini van. When we took them to the Firestone Auto care place to get new tires, the guy said the only ones they had in stock that day that would fit my mini van were racing tires.  Are you kidding??? My husband smiled and looked at me and said, Yes, go ahead, put those tires on.  My hero husband!!

Our mini van has never driven better! It hugged the road going around corners, it drove so much smoother and better than ever before. I love to drive!

Thing is .. though the tires are fairly new, the engine and transmission are not! It will be a sad day for me when my ride dies. It has over 311,000.00 miles on it, and it's still barely going by the grace of God and prayers! 

Thanks Brina and Sammy, and Troy, and my daughter Sarah, and most of all my Savior Jesus Christ, for encouraging me to write.  This isn't really anything spiritual, just fond memories and something fun!

I'll be honest with you.  I've never written a blog before.  Frankly, I'm scared to.  I have a lot of fears when it comes to writing.  How much do I allow people to see of who I really am inside?

What if what I say comes back to haunt me in future years?  You know how it is.  When we write in the heat of any kind of emotion, those emotions don't tend to last, and what we write is just that, emotions that won't stay the same and will change. 

Anyhow, so as I write, I will be honest, and say it's with some fear.  But ... I need some kind of outlet.  So .. here goes.

Today has been a rough day emotionally.  I saw a video about four people, one in particular who weighed over 600 pounds, and her gastric bypass surgery journey.  There was a lot in her story that while not the same, the emotions she went through were some of the same as mine.  It brought back a lot of pain, and shame that I thought I'd dealt with.  That was difficult.

Another thing today ... I saw one of my daughters post on facebook, thanking a guy for bringing her a doughnut.  The time was about three in the morning.  Then this afternoon she sends me a picture of herself with a new haircut.  WOW, she is one stunning gorgeous young lady.  I know she was studying, but at three in the morning?  Can I just lock her up until she's 35?  She is sweet, fun loving, innocent, naive, gorgeous, spontaneous, adventurous, affectionate, oh, and did I mention gorgeous?

Oh my ... the thing is ... She has three older sisters than her that are gorgeous as well!  So why all the emotional difficulties with letting go now?  I don't know.  I guess that's what I'd like to explore with writing.  And I guess a place to get out my feelings, however raw and unfiltered they are.

Also, like the heading ... I am sure I will write about other things as well.  I certainly am not short of material, what with having 10 children, 2 daughter in laws, a grandson, a granddaughter and another grandson on the way!  Our life is full, and BUSY.

I also haven't even checked out how to make my page pretty or anything like it yet.  Just jumping in for the first time.
 Donna