In God We Still Trust

I'm sitting in a Hotel room downtown Louisville, it's warm here...my home is not. We have not had power since Wednesday and may not gain it back until next week. For two days we braved it at home...along with Sissy, Shawn and Leah. Leah developed a bad cough and rooms finally opened up at this hotel..did I mention it's warm here?....I never knew cold like we have experienced. God bless the homeless.

We moved into our new home last weekend and had almost gotten settled when the ice storm hit. Can't imagine if we had waited until this weekend to move! I'll try and post some pictures after we check on the house tomorrow. Tree limbs fell all over the yard....when they fell, it sounded like bombs going off....really scary!

Yesterday, Dick lost his job. We have health insurance for another month. Our finances are a mess. Still....In God we still trust.... it will all be okay.

Psalm 28

7 "The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song."

Diamond Rio

Piper Palin Radio Interveiw

In case you are a little sad....

My Savior My God

Aaron Shust


"It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
-Galatians 2:20

The Beatitudes...From The Sermon On The Mount...Jesus Speaking to Us...You and Me

The Beatitudes
Matthew 5

1And seeing the multitudes,

He went up on a mountain,

and when He was seated

His disciples came to Him.

2Then He opened His mouth

and taught them,

saying:


3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you,

and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,

for great is your reward in heaven,

for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

My daughter...my friend.

Life took a turn for the better today and I have one person to thank...my daughter Melissa. I am blessed over and over by her. Sissy is gorgeous to look at but even more beautiful on the inside....pure gold.

We laughed, we cried....

I decided we would survive.

Thanks Sissy

for giving your all in everything you do

and being a wonderful daughter

and friend!

Desert Song

Been busy packing getting ready for a move...going through some yucky stuff too.

Life can take you places you really don't want to go, but with the power of God's help we can face anything, anything! I'm thanking God for my situation even though it may not be a great one right now....I'm thanking him for my future...


Hillsong Live-Jill McCloghry,Desert Song (This is Our God)


Ephesians 6:10-19

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

Happy 4th Birthday Sam!!

I can't believe

you are

4

already!!

Pop Pop and Gramma Re

wish you a very

Happy Birthday

We love you very much

you are so very special to us!

The Courage to step out..

I attend the most wonderful Church!

In these times of uncertainty, oh, I just don't know what I would do without my church. Yesterdays sermon was so inspiring....do yourself a big favor, grab a cup of coffee or tea get comfortable and watch and listen to these words! To prepare yourself to hear the word, you might want to worship with the two videos below...we also sang Never Let Go from my Saturday post.

If you need help getting out of the boat...if you live in fear, you need to watch this message...it meets me right where I am right now...maybe you too.
http://www.southeastchristian.org/sermons/

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."


34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him
36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Voice of Truth.....Casting Crowns



Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Michael W. Smith

Wish I had a brain....

I always thought when I was a little girl that when I grew up, I would have all the answers...well I'm all grown up now and it didn't happen like I thought it would. I don't have all the answers...not even close.

Sometimes I feel like the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz....I need a brain....a big ole brain that workes really well and never makes mistakes.

Another thing, when I was a kid, the Wizard of Oz was always shown on Sunday nights....I never saw the ending, because we always had to leave for church. I was a young adult before I ever saw the ending...anticlimatic...for me. Still, I always loved Judy Garland in the movie and her sense of wanting to find home...she wanted to go home.

We are moving in a couple of weeks to a new home. It's surrounded by trees, has a big front porch and not too far from Cherokee Park.....hopefully, we will find home there and a place for family and friends to meet....home.

I still need a brain though...

You Never Let Go....

You Never Let Go...Matt Redmond


I am Your child...what have I to fear? You have seen me tossing and turning in the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in a bottle....you recorded them in your book....you love me....you are here......you will never let go of me....( Psalm 56:8)

Romans 8: 38-39

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here in Your Presence-New Life Church

Be still and know that I am God.......Psalm 46:10

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters to great or awesome for me. But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord - now and always. Psalm 131

Spark People Bootcamp Day 6 & 7

I decided to go a head and post 7 today too...Saturdays can get busy.

The plan is to repeat these 7 videos every week for a month. Hopefully by that time, new habits will be formed.

It took me about 3 months to turn my life around. There were reasons why I had gained the weight. On the right side of my blog are labels...scroll to the beginning of Healthy Living to see my journey...I started blogging after I had lost 30 pounds.

Blessings, Maree
Day 6


Day 7

Don't forget to get your laughs in...

Cooking Light had a great article about 5 ways to boost your metabolism you can see here. I get the first 4, but I need to work more on the laughing part...

Laugh it off.

Laughter can provide a mini-metabolism boost. Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that 10 to 15 minutes of laughter in a day could increase energy expenditure. When researchers put pairs of friends or couples into a “metabolic chamber” (a small room that measures heat output to calculate a person’s metabolic rate) and showed them funny videos, they discovered subjects’ metabolic rates rose by 10 to 40 calories―a small increase, but every calorie counts, says lead researcher Maciej Buchowksi, PhD.
Scott Westcott

I adored Dean Martin and Goldie Hawn



I don't know if I've ever mentioned this but.....LOVE the Housewives on Bravo..well the New York ones will be back Feb 17. Can't wait to see what they have learned from the first show and they added another housewife...fun!!

Spark People Bootcamp Day 5

You really don't have to join a gym to tone up...I'm thinking the floor exercises and balance balls do the trick, along with walking....

I am sore!!.....These exercises are working!!

I thought yesterdays was hard...love the stretches....if you can get down on the floor on your knees....count your blessings!! Today's looks like something I can handle.

Dick loves these exercises and hasn't missed a day....oh, he was a PE major in college...Murray State University. He didn't make it past student teaching and ended up in sales...I still think he would have made a great coach.

I do believe it's harder to lose weight in the winter...we are just so much more sedentary. So if you haven't started these exercises yet....no biggy, just go to the side bar find Sparkpeople Bootcamp and try the first day out. Then if you can't get outside and walk because it's raining or too cold, consider getting a walking DVD. People are talking at www.thedailyplate.com about Leslie Sansone.

Here's the bonus challenge, it is a 2 minute calf exercise...no big deal!



Try to eat 3 fruits and 3 veggie's today. Smoothie's are great, and don't forget V8...in Weight Watcher magazine they have a picture in an ad for V8 of an 85 year old lady in a swim suit!

Loving our neighbors...

Our neighbor Ballard is doing as well as anyone could expect given the fact he just buried his wife of 62 years and is taking chemo and radiation for lung cancer. He was a wonderful neighbor! He's in our prayers and we will travel to Lexington as much as we can to visit him.

We got to play catch up with our across the street neighbors Joyce, Phil and their son Cam. Joyce and I went to Ballard's house and got the food set out for the family. Joyce flew into action and I tried to keep up with her. Joyce was for a long time an emergency room nurse...the best! For a while now though she works for a Pharmaceutical company helping them with drugs they develop...it's over my head, but she's BIG TIME now.

We actually call Joyce...Doctor Joyce.....I can't tell you how many times over the years she has come to our aid...middle of the night you could call her, and she would run over and help. Our son Rich would get so sick with strep throat several times a year...scary stuff! She had also done that for Ballard and Jean...Joyce is a give you the shirt off her back kind of person.

With the world the way it is now a days....we need to all become Joyce's and lend a hand to our neighbors and love them like Jesus.

Thanks Joyce for the reminder!

Love them like Jesus..Casting Crowns

Spark People Bootcamp Day 4

This is the day the Lord hath made, I will be glad and rejoice in it!!

Yesterdays made me sea sick, but I stuck with it...I think I need a bigger stability ball so more of me fits on it! I really love the exercises though. ... 1o minutes today!




Spark Peoples worst foods of the year....it's no wonder why we are battling the bulge!!

Spark People Bootcamp Day 3

I had to modify yesterday's a bit because of knee issues, but loved the stretch with the ball...if you didn't get to do yesterdays try it out! Today is just a little over 8 minutes!

We are headed to Lexington today to attend a funeral, our next door neighbor there past away. Jean was 85 and fought the good fight. Her husband Ballard is 85 too...he has lung cancer. Say a prayer for him and the family please....

Hints: Don’t eyeball it
Studies show that people tend to underestimate how much they really eat every day. In doing so, we consume too many calories without realizing it. Research shows that keeping a log by recording exercise and food intake is one of the best predictors of successful weight loss.

A written record can point out your eating patterns (eating in front of the TV or in the car, eating the same breakfast every day), triggers (stress, sadness, boredom, time of day), and areas where nutritional changes can be made. You may find that you are eating less fruits than you thought or drinking too much soda, for example. Then you’ll know where you can implement healthy changes.

Reading food labels is key to healthy portion sizes. At a quick glance, a bottle of juice (or bag of chips, candy bar, or frozen entrée) may appear to contain 100 calories, but a closer look will reveal that the package includes two or more servings, which doubles the caloric content.

After familiarizing yourself with portion sizes, be sure to measure. Be exact if cooking at home, but when eating out, think about common objects. Two tablespoons of peanut butter, mayo, or dressing is about the size of a golf ball. A serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand. A medium piece of fruit is similar to a baseball.

Having trouble stopping at one serving of pretzels or chips? Buy single-serving packages of your favorite foods for built-in portion control, or measure out single servings into baggies or containers.



Doing just these fews things can change your life for the better! www.thedailyplate.com

If Dick can do Spark People Bootcamp videos and enjoy them....

Check out the sweat!

I LOVE this man!!!!

Struggles....

Why can't I get it...why do I keep reaching for that cookie or chip...

WHY??!!!

Struggles

Dick and I are the poster kids for struggle.

We have this one down.

Dick's job is directly associated with the economy....we are struggling, have struggled and will continue to struggle. We are learning to be THANKFUL for the struggle.

Struggling with food will always be with us....always. The difference is now that we have the tools to help us succeed...so many websites out there that are bending over backwards to really help people get healthy. God has sent the boat....we have to help ourselves. He will give you the strength.......rely on His grace and strength each day.

It's very early in the morning....I was laying in bed and something urged me to come write about struggling. My sweet friend LeAnn told me about this great new devotional book called Jesus Calling. Well, I bought it yesterday at the bookstore in my church.....I pick it up a few minutes ago and turn to January 5th...this is what it said....

You can achieve the victorious life through living in deep dependence on ME. People usually associate victory with success: not falling or stumbling, not making mistakes. But those who are successful in their own strength tend to go their own way, forgetting about Me. It is through problems and failure, weakness and neediness, that you learn to rely on Me.

True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do. It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plant My desires within you. I may infuse within you a dream that seems far beyond your reach. You know that in yourself you cannot achieve such a goal. Thus begins your journey of profound reliance on Me. It is a faith-walk, taken one step at a time, leaning on ME as much as you need. This is not a path of continual success but of multiple failures. However, each failure is followed by a growth spurt, nourished by increase reliance on Me. Enjoy the blessedness of a victorious life, through deepening your dependence on ME. 2 Corinthians 5:7

WOW!! Thank you Lord. In the beginning of this whole get healthy thing....I just wanted to loose 10 pounds!! I NEVER dreamed I could loose almost 60 pounds in six months!!

I just want to say...don't beat yourself up!! Have the faith that you can do this...scroll down...do that 10 minute video....do what you can..arthritis won't let me hop, but I can march....do what you can.

Pray for me, and I will pray for you!

Spark People Bootcamp Day 2

Yesterday's video was fun and easy ....

today you need

a big stabilizer ball and a wall....

Light weights if you want to use them.

10 minutes that's all!!

Your Bonus Challenge for Day 2 (optional)

is to eat at least 3 servings of fruit.

Fresh, frozen and canned fruits are

low in calories, high in fiber and nutrients,

and can help satisfy a sweet tooth without doing as much damage as a dessert.

Just think....eat a banana, an apple and some strawberries...yummy

Best of all watch your skin start to glow!!

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First day of Spark People Bootcamp....

Come on no excuses,

Here it is, day one!! I'm going to do this twice today along with walking 3 miles...if this ole

56 year old Grammy can do this, you can too!!!

10 minutes that all!!



Note* I loved day one...really easy, do it at your own pace and remember to breathe!!



Fresh strawberries are

showing up all over!!

They are a bit pricey

but sooooo good!!

1 cup sliced 50 calories!

Oh The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus...

Philippians 4:4-6

" Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Everything is in HIS Hands!

Selah....Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus

An Apple a Day

These are Honey Crisp apples.....they are delicious!!

It's better to keep these in the refrigerator to keep their crisp juicy crunch....they are the only apples that I keep cold. I get them at Fresh Market but I've seen them at Meijers and Walmart .

Apples fill you up, are loaded with nutrients and fiber.

Cut them up and serve them with a serving of peanut butter or take cottage cheese, low-fat cream cheese and a little orange juice (Splenda) and mixed them together to make a dip....that makes a party!

I like them plain....LOVE them!!

IT'S 2009! A NEW YEAR A NEW START!!

First of all thank you! blog fairy.....sweet daughter Melissa...you are my shinning star!! I love the new blog makeover!! You bless me over and over and I am so very grateful!!

This year is going to be my maintaining and toning year.

I'm excited to tell you about something www.sparkpeople.com is promoting that I signed up for.

New You Boot camp starting January 4th and ending Jan 31st.

Here’s what the Bootcamp involves:
A 7-Day Workout Program. We’ve created daily workout videos that take less than 10 minutes to complete! Do just ONE video each day for four weeks to sculpt every major muscle group in minutes a day. You’ll need a pair of dumbbells (pick a weight appropriate for your fitness level) and a stability ball to follow along, but keep in mind that many of the workouts can be modified if you don't have all of this equipment.
Five 30-minute cardio sessions each week. You pick the cardio and the intensity!
Daily bonus challenges and tips. Each day, we’ll post a bonus challenge that will help you achieve your goals.
Weekly SparkMails to offer motivation and tips for the upcoming week.


If you haven't joined Spark People yet...what are you waiting for?!! It's free, and has the best advice for a better healthier you and great recipes. Do it now while it's still free....Join the New You Bootcamp team with me!!

I'm dedicated to continue to try new recipes and post them, plus any tips I pick up along the way. Also, any questions you may have, I'll try to help you in any way.

I want to wish everyone a wonderful year! Here's to 2009!!

May God Bless you and give you JOY!!

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