Day 19

This October has been a challenging month on it's own, but especially to add blogging daily. It has been a good month so far just very crazy.

Today is definitely not October 19, like it should be; it is October 27. Today seems like it is important, but I cannot for the life of me remember why this date stands out. I hope I am not forgetting someone or something important. Time will tell! LOL.

This has been a busy week thus far. I can't remember all that happened last week, so you get the juicy details of this week. :) 

So since October 8 our fridge has been dead... D--E--A--D!!! The repair man came this week and tried to revive it. No such luck. Today we get a call saying the paperwork from the repairman came through and they will go with his suggestion of purchasing a new fridge for us. We have appliance insurance by the way. In another 7-10 days we will have a new one. Did you hear that? In another 7-10 days! Am I complaining? I might be only because it is very difficult living out of a cooler for a month. However, it is what it is!

Hurricane Matthew is still a very real nuisance. I guess you can get that understanding from the info above. We did get the check for the damage for the car (from the recent hurricane). Daniel has an appointment for repairs beginning of next month. The week we move. HAHA! The week previous to that, Nov. 4, we should get a check for the damage to the house. Then we can do what needs to be done there as well. Today a neighbor called to ask if she was seeing things. I asked why and she said she thought she saw a tarp on our house. I laughed and said yes she was correct. Such a sweet lady.

It would be so much easier to leave our home in the woods if our neighbors weren't so awesome. Since this storm our neighbors have come to help or made sure we knew they were there if we needed them. I know troubles make the best come out in most all people. Our little community is amazing and we will miss them.

About the house in Savannah... we got word from the bank all is a go now it is passed on to the next stage, the underwriters. We are going to schedule another appointment with the home inspector to make sure all is a go after the minor repairs were made. I really can't wait to get in the house again. 

My sister (in-law) is just as excited as we are. She can't wait to come help me set stuff up. She is amazing. We will be using mom and dad's dining room table (her table) till she needs it. We have not had a family dinner around that table in well over a year. It is time-- and just in time for Thanksgiving.

Another thing today was saying good-bye to one of my favorite people. Pam is relocating to Florida. She has been been blessed by God to be able to purchase a home and a car not to mention she will be able to keep all her dogs. She has 3 that she promised her mother on her deathbed that she would look after Ruth's babies. This is something that has bothered her quite a bit... thinking that she would have to dishonor her mother's dying request. I am very proud of her and know she will be an awesome blessing to others that cross her path in Florida. We will miss her terribly, however, I see trips south in our future. :)

One last thing then I will sign off. I was running a bit late on my own schedule that I set myself. The dog wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom. My son was still very asleep and had a difficult time getting him to hear me as I said I was going to help Pam today. So even though I was 20 minutes ahead of my previous day's planned schedule I was behind mentally for today. I know, I'm strange! AS I traveled and listened to the radio I saw blue lights and red lights on both sides of the road. I began to understand why my planned schedule was lagging behind. If I had been on time I would have been in a serious accident and possibly dead. It's these times that I greatly appreciate God intervening. That sounds like I am glad it was someone else and not me. Not at all, What I mean is if it were me to hit the truck that was hit it might have been worse and someone die. One never knows what is around the bend. 

I have enjoyed this blog challenge and know I have been blessed by it. Sounds funny. I believe tomorrow I am going to take a few minutes to write about my devotion from yesterday. We will see.

Until next time. I'd say tomorrow, but I can't promise that. :)

Day 18

What a day this has been. This past month has been full of these kinds of days.

This week was to be more "normal" and get back to the schedules we had before the hurricane and all this house stuff. Funny thing is, I can't remember life before all this. I know we had class and had a full day of stuff daily, but of what.

We started out the day right, with God. That is a must daily. If no God you shouldn't even try because you are already defeated. After that we ate and started class. Civics has been interesting since this 2016 election stuff began. What is awesome is Austin has been reading about the process and seeing how the current political parties have not been exactly going by the book, especially the current administration. However, I will not go there.

We close out the day today with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Austin loves it and does an awesome job at it. Master Doug says he needs to get meaner because he knows what what he is doing with the moves.

Another thing I forgot to day was the endless conversations with my current insurance company and the future insurance company. Trying to get the car quote right and the house quote discounted. Hard thing having a house too old for other companies to look at, but in the end I think it's worth it to have a house you love and can't wait to get there.

Another amazing day down in the books. God is awesome and so faithful.

Until tomorrow...

Day 17

Happy Monday Y'all!

Today was good and relaxing in a way, but mentally challenging. We are still in the middle of buying a house in midtown Savannah. That means that we are having to look into home insurances that will insure a home built in 1926. UMMM... we found one company! And that company is NOT our current home insurance company.

Our church ladies group had our monthly meeting and it was good. Our pastor's wife was hosting; her theme was the harvest. Of course she was not speaking of the fall harvest, but the soul harvest.

It was a good time spent with my sister as well. Getting to know her better since her return home has been such a blessing. She is a beautiful young lady full of God and much talent. We continue to talk of the goodness we all are sharing with the family back home. Austin is getting to know his grandparents as well as his aunt, which is more like a twin, and his uncle.

Well, I guess I better get for now so...

Until tomorrow...

Day 16

What an awesome day in the Lord! He shows up and fills to overflowing.

After an outpouring of the Holy Spirit during worship Pastor preached on Joy (Jesus, others, you). Where do you find joy? Hopefully, in our Savior Jesus Christ. However, we can find joy in simple daily things as well. He shared of being in the hospital and all he could think of was a banana popsicle. In those moments that brought him joy.

I love nutty bars, my all time favorite little debbie snack. I remember in jr high for lunch, every day, I would get a burrito with chili & cheese, nutty bar, and red slushy. Oh that was a treat.

My husband, 3 children, and 4 grandchildren are a joy. To see them smile and hear their laughter. My parents and in-laws are a joy. We are friends and they can teach and have taught me much.

God is faithful. Tonight we did not get a sermon at church. God moved and changed it all up. We sang, had testimony, sang some more, then anointed people... it was "lit!" Inside joke between the youth at church and me. So silly! In the end we also had a reception for one of our dear sisters as she ismoving to south Florida. Sigh, she will be missed and dearly remembered.  We lovd you, Pamela!!!

What will this next week hold for us? Not sure, but I know who holds my everyday... God! And I trust Him more everyday.

Until tomorrow...

Day 15

Today we celebrate! Our sister turned 20 on the 6th of October. Our original plans were to have a party last Saturday, but Hurricane Matthew had other plans.

Daniel is grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, Mikaela is making chili, and we have chips, drinks, and desserts. Pumpkin pie and cheesecake are the special treats for the occasion.

UPDATE...
We found a house that we loved in Savannah and put an offer on it hoping to get it. We were informed October 12th that we had a binding contract and closing was on November 11th. YAY!!

Day 14

Oh Happy Day! Today we cut the 50+ft Magnolia down and it fell correctly. We almost got it all cut up and cleared out. Now we just have the bottom half of the trunk to process. We will have to wait till possibly Monday.

This weekend we have our sister's birthday and a dinner for a church member since she is moving to Florida next week.

So, I guess I need to update on my progress to a healthier me. The hurricane displaced us and I was not able to pick my own food. With that being said I have gained some weight back and I feel it in my  breathing, but all is not lost. I still have the desire to get this done. Once we got back home and the power came on we found out that our fridge was DEAD! It is not easy using a cooler and replacing the ice daily as to not lose the heavy cream and mayo.

It sounds like these last days have been nothing but torture, however, they have been nothing but blessings. God has shown such goodness to us. God is very good.

Day 13

Last night was our first night back in our own beds in a week. It was so good. We all fell fast asleep within moments of covering up.

My husband told me to relax today. I had completed so much so fast he knows I need rest. I listened! When he got home from work he and Austin cut some limbs off the Magnolia tree that needed to come down. Half way up the tree there was just stubs to climb up, AUstin's job. This was his favorite tree of all time, childhood tree.

I remember my childhood tree at my grandparent's house. It was a huge oak with a tire swing. MEMORIES!!!

Tomorrow we plan to cut down the Magnolia, hopefully--but we will see.

Day 12

This has been a week of early rise and work hard like the olden days. Today was no different. My parents-in-law had a medical trip to Mayo clinic and as they left I went to work.

My task at hand today was cut and clear the 50+ft Maple that we cut down yesterday. Long hard day, but worth every second. I continued to praise God for how He helped me accomplish this huge feat. A couple of times I thought how easy it would be to stop, however I found another limb in my hand until it was all done except for the largest logs I physically could not carry.

At the end of the day our power came back on. Thank you Jesus! We decided to pack up from our family's house and return home.

The time spend with our family was very good. Many times in stressful situations one can spew onto others. We not once did that. I never thought it would happen as we are pretty close. I praise God for our family and that a year ago they moved home, close to us again.

I still need to add pictures to my family page.

Day 11

Good Day!!!

This has been a week so far of clean up. My days are running together and memory failing since done so much work.

I went and bought a handheld saw, Dewalt, to cut and clear the rest of the downed Crape Myrtles. Another thing we were able to do was have a neighbor help us cut down our White Maple. It was just about to fall on the house. We got it down just in time.

Day 10

We got home yesterday to no power and no water, which we expected. Turns out our power should not be on till the end of the week. YIKES!!!

Last night we talked to our family in Pooler, about 20 minutes from us, and they said come stay. That is exactly what we did.

Today I cleaned out the fridge and freezers. It is always hard to toss out food, but especially when you have 5 garbage bags to just throw away. I had some ribs that cost $13 and 5# of shrimp.

I began clearing out the Crape Myrtles that were all over the place. Hoping to make way for the power company when they get to our neck of the woods.

It was a great day and lots of progress was made.

Until tomorrow...

Day 9

Happy SUnday!

Today we were able to get home after the hurricane. The local authorities said the interstates were clear and everyone could return. I was not sure what we were going to find when we got there.

We had minimal damage, trees down and a little roof issue.

Day 8

I have to start by saying I cannot believe I have posted 8 days. As I think about the next 22 days I hope there is much to write about. There should be with everything that is going on in our lives, the hurricane that just blew by last night and this morning. I will add pictures of the sky today after the storm. It is a process since I am away from home.

As we are in Adrian for the hurricane exodus many have donated to the cause by giving food and necessities. Many people, churches and even the local Wal*mart brought a huge truck load of goodies. It is amazing the generosity of people towards others in trouble. I fully believe God has moved in the hearts of others to make this time easier on those of us going through this time away from our homes.

As we have talked and spent time with others, we know and don't know, going through the same thing God has been working to show the people who don't attend church somewhere that He is looking out for them and The Church of the Nazarene are a compassionate people. Many local displaced people have been around for years and years and never knew about this camp ground. I heard many conversations of others talking just today of how they can't believe how nice it was for the camp care takers to open up everything to anyone in need. I am thankful to be part of this denomination. Jeff and Peggy are amazing people and great friends.

This few days my low carb lifestyle has been shot, but I am not giving up. It has just proven a little more difficult in this situation. No worries I will do my best in this time and get back on track ASAP. God had helped me to not get overly focused with the food and feelings of discouragement. There are times in our lives that are not exactly as we desire, but we make due with what we have and change what we can when we can.

Through this time I have probably gained a few pounds back--no worries all is good and will be okay.

The county emergency service where we live has said we can return home tomorrow at 7am although we most likely will be without power. My guys say lets hit the road and get home, sleep in our own beds and see what damage if any we have. We will see. I am guessing we will leave after church.

It's time for a good shower and to finish my mocha cappuccino.

Until tomorrow...

Day 7

Did I mention we had to evacuate for Hurricane Matthew? I believe I did, but having internet issues and can't really go back and see what all I said. IF I repeat anything ignore it and move to the next part. ;)

Yesterday, October 6, we had to flee from the path of destruction. YADA YADA YADA... We went to the only place available, Adrian Camp and Conference Center.  It is the campground for the Church of the Nazarene in Georgia. I called our friend who is the camp director and asked if there was room available for us and Lexi--our doberman. They said yes to come on up. 

We get here and sign in, get our key and welcome packet then get to the room. I open the welcome packet to read that our stay is free of charge, which includes 3 hot meals a day as long as we need refuge because that is what Jesus would do in the situation. They want to be a blessing to others in their time of trouble.

I am so overwhelmed by God's goodness and love. We have been misplaced due to the weather, but among church family from all over the coastal area of Georgia. It's like a family reunion. God always knows what we need and sometimes it's just to get away and relax.

The hurricane is to hit overnight, I believe, and throughout tomorrow. Sunday is too be a beautiful day. I can't wait to share what goes on tomorrow. It may be just a great day of rest, which is terribly needed. 

Until tomorrow...

Day 6

Today has been an interesting day for sure.

The hurricane is inching closer and it's getting stronger. Up to Cat 4 again. We have decided to ride this storm out even though we live in an older home that is surrounded by old trees and hoping the decision is right.

About mid morning I get a call from the realtor, I answer and she starts rattling off stuff and it all sounds good, but I want hubby to hear before I get excited and say yes. He listened and said yes. We offered $5000 less than his listing price and asked him to pay closing costs. The realtor said it was a great offer. The seller countered with $2000 less than offer and he pay closing costs. We agreed!

In 2 weeks we paid our house off, sold our house, and now bought a house in Savannah. All I can say is that was God!

We are so excited about the new house. Now we need to refocus on the task at hand... Hurricane Matthew. What do we do? Well ride it out since no hotels.

A friend told Daniel she was evacuating to her cabin at Camp Adrian. We thought about it and asked if we could stay with her or even if the camp director might open up the lodge (camp hotel). I called and his wife said yes come on we have room for you. And bring your dog. All for free for as long as we need to stay. Plus they provide 3 means a day. WHAT???

Another God thing! We have been beyond blessed.

I know this is to be a healthier me writing series, but in a way it is... God is blessing and I am growing in my faith. I have trusted Him and He has not let me down. Some prayers He didn't answer as I wanted. I hoped for at least a 4/2.5 2000sqft home. That is not what I was given, but I was given a 3/2 1707sqft home built in 1926 with high ceilings and a sweet front porch with a beautiful back yard.

God is amazing and when we allow Him to work He does big time.

Right now we are chilling out at the lodge enjoying this free mini-vaca!

Until tomorrow...

Day 5

What a day!

Okay, I know this is to be a writing series of a healthier me as far a as weight loss and all that goes with it. However, I just cannot ignore the things that God has been doing. I KNEW I should have written about inspiration and God's hand at work in our lives.

Well, here goes... I am defying my own idea. So here goes...

I have to start out with what happened yesterday late afternoon. We are looking for a house in Savannah, GA, live about 30 minutes out and need to get closer in. Okay, so a little back story is necessary to make this as big as it is in reality.

WE have lived out of Savannah for 19 years. We decided after 3 bad wrecks traveling on the interstate it was best to get back into the city. There were many things that needed to happen to do so.
1. Money to pay off home $24,660
2. Sell house
3. Money for down pmt on new house

That might not seem like a lot to you, but our house is older and in the woods. Numbers 1 & 2 were absolute miracles. Well, Daniel was in a well over 1 and a half years ago. They finally settled and gave us our out of pocket expenses. That plus a little we had in savings covered the home mortgage. YAY!!

Then out of the blue my husband found a number called it and it was someone who buys houses. He came to the house and said he would come back the next day with his brother. About 15 minutes after he left my husband received a phone call and it was the man again. He said he didn't need his brother to make the decision; he wanted the house. He said he would bring a down pmt the next day and sign paperwork. WHAT JUST HAPPENED! That was miracle #2 in ONE WEEK!

Now we needed to get looking for a house because we now had miracle #3, a down pmt for a new home. We looked and looked. A house kept coming up and we would dismiss it. I showed it to my friend and mother both of them said NO!

Daniel and I went by the house with serious intentions of crossing it off the list of houses. We got there and the man and his wife were there and let us in and shared all the details of the house. We quietly shared that we could not in fact cross this house off the list, but put it as #1 on the list. WE LOVED IT! It was all we could think about. God's will was what was desired though. So we prayed.

By the end of the day yesterday there was a huge home just as I desired. It was 7 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom, huge huge house, very cool house! I told the realtor we wanted to look at it Wednesday before church.

Our family began talking about the houses and what was best for all of us. I imagines all the kids home for Christmas or Thanksgiving and room for everyone of them. We came to the decision that the other house was best. Just as soon as we made the decision the realtor contacted me and asked if I knew that the huge house had a fire upstairs. I said no and that we had made the right choice to go with the #1 house. She said she felt it was the best choice and would draw up paperwork.

Today was a little uncomfortable as we were waiting, but we know God is in control and we want what he wants for us. Nothing more nothing less. We have been a little distracted as Hurricane Matthew is in the Atlantic headed our way. Trying to make decisions about leaving or staying... just not sure what to do.

I began looking online for hotels that are pet friendly. I found nothing all the way to Atlanta! Looks like we are gonna have to ride this one out.

Until tomorrow...

Day 4

Another Scripture that has helped me focus on what God wants for me about my health is Romans 12:1-2 which says,
Therefore, I urge you , brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

How can you argue with that?

I had known these Scriptures. I had read them. They just never spoke to me like this before. I was not honoring God with my body. I was going along with the pattern of the world for myself. I was being selfish with my body which was not my own in the first place.

I still flipped and flopped about my weight over the last 17 years or so. I have often freaked out about which way to lose weight was best. Once I would start a plan shortly after I would change up. That is one sure fire way to NOT lose weight and get healthy.

Within the last month and a half I had was anointed and prayed over. Since then I have had more of God's strength and power. I had it before I know, I just felt the change in me at that moment for more of God and less of me.

Many things began to happen, I found more courage to change for God. It has been amazing and I am so glad I did and continue to do so. Since the 20th of September I have been low carbing. It has been so easy this time. It is all God, not me!

A low carb diet is less of the bad carbs and more veggies and proteins. So for 14 days now I have been good and feel so much better. Breathing is easier and a good side note... I am fitting in my clothes that I was too big for. YAY! The left side of my chest hurts less. Normally, I have high cholesterol and I am anxious to see what this does to my levels. It is said that a low carb high fat diet lowers your cholesterol. Seems a little off,, however I have read it multiple places. We will see.

I measured Monday again and I lost 1.25" so far and 9 pounds. When I keep my focus right, on God, about what is best for me I get healthier... mind, body, spirit, and soul!

Everything is okay for me to eat, but not everything is best for me. I am allowed to eat carbohydrates, but they sure mess my body up. I am learning that food is not for pleasure always. Food is for nourishment.

Until tomorrow...

Day 3

Over the course of time, 2 decades, I have struggled with my weight. Not only with my weight, but which weight loss plan to use to lose pounds best.

It was around 2008 when a Scripture came into focus for me. 

"I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but I will not be mastered by anything.  You say, "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both." The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 NIV

These verses did not speak to me about sexual immorality, but they spoke to= me about what I was going through food issues. It got to where I had little control over the food I desired. I love sweets and carbohydrates. All the bad stuff. It's not bad if in moderation. I don't know moderation. I am learning moderation. It's very hard.

God has taken me on a journey with food. Many times I have fallen off the wagon so to speak. It's one of the hardest things to deal with for me. Some are addicted to drugs and drinking... I am addicted to carbohydrates. 

Shortly after realizing this scripture our family met some people and befriended them. They were very different in their eating habits. He was a vegan and she was vegetarian. I felt it was good for me to try this and learn about it. It was a way of eating for some time for me and I was losing weight and getting healthy. I am not sure what happened, but it didn't last. It was a great experience for me and from time to time I eat this way.

I continued to remember this passage in the Bible. It never left me. Then there is the other part of I Corinthians 6:19-20 that states Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Again, I associated this passage with my personal issue of food. It is what God helped me to understand that what I desired was not up to me for my body because really it was not mine. I had to give my carbohydrate desires to God and let Him deal with it.

Earlier on, I guess early 2000s, I heard about the Atkins Diet. It intrigued me. Sounded crazy, but worth a shot. First time I tried it I lost 35 pounds. I was hooked. Then I went to visit family and I was not diligent. And I gained it all back and then some over time.

What was I going to do and how was I going to get healthy before I turned 40?

Day 2

I will be writing 2 posts for today since I just couldn't yesterday. It was just an exhausting day.

Today (yesterday, Sunday 10/2/16) was just an awesome day. I woke up about 15 minutes late, but it certainly did not dictate my day by any means. We got ready and headed out to church. Austin has choir practice at 9:00 AM, so we have to get out of the house by 8:15. Daniel and I go get coffee and enjoy early Sunday morning together during choir practice.

Morning worship was amazing, as usual. God just flowed and overwhelmed me. Every aspect of the service was phenomenal. We also had communion, which we did differently this time. We went to another member in the church and swapped our prepackaged sacraments then partook of them together. Then prayed with the other person.

How does this relate to a "Healthier Me" you ask... well, by me submitting to God and allowing Him to reign supreme in my life instead of my will brings me to a healthier state and attitude which in turn helps my eating habits.

We sang a revised hymn Jesus Paid It All during music worship. As we sang it I was reassured that indeed Jesus had paid it all and I did not have to be bound to sin or anything that hindered any kind of growth in me. To say it differently, I was reassured that Jesus' death on the Cross will help me be free of the chains of horrible eating habits and the captivity it has brought my soul.

God does not desire us to be in chains to our habits. Habits can be changed or broken if you so choose. It can't be done in our own strength--only in His strength and power can change come. If you have things you desire to change don't fuss or whimper about it--do something about it.

Our God is a mighty God, THE only true God and when we ask Him for help to better us in His will and way... He listens and acts accordingly.

God bless and until tomorrow...

P.S. For lunch I had a well seasoned hamburger patty (made by my hubby) covered with pepper jack cheese and coleslaw. It was soooo good.

Week 1 Photo Update - October 2, 2016

October 2, 2016

I did not get to weigh as my alarm did not go off and I had to quickly jump in the shower.

NOTE to self... make sure you iron the pockets before you wear it. I was annoyed all day because the pockets were not flat.

My clothes are fitting better and I feel better. YAY!

See you next week

Healthier Me Beginning Photo

September 25, 2016

Thinking to update pictures weekly. Hope I remember.

Day 1 - A Healthier Me

September when by too fast. I was talking to my mother-in-law about this the other day and realized it was the LAST DAY of September.

So here goes... I know there are plenty of people out there in this tiny world that struggle with weight or lack of will power. Some feel overwhelmed and powerless. It is not easy to feel great about yourself if none of your clothes fit. There are people I know that eat good and do what they should and still can't lose weight.

I never had trouble with my weight until my mid 20's. There were lots of things that happened in my life to trigger weight gain, but I was not going to let circumstances dictate my life. After our third child was born I was losing the weight and feeling great... until... There was an incident and it changed me. I was no longer going out of the house. The house was locked up tight and shades drawn. I went inside of me and began to gain. It was only recently that I realized what happened and decided I would make changes.

Over the last 15 years I have fought my weight and lack of will power. High cholesterol and "fatty liver" have become a reality as well. NO MORE! I am done and have an awesome new found strength to continue the path to a better liver and lower my cholesterol, not to mention my weight.

I began my journey to a healthier me September 21, 2016. On the 20th I weighed and boy was I shocked. The scale said 210 pounds. That is 4 pounds more than my heaviest while pregnant with our 3rd child. Today I weighed again, 201.4! Not only have I lost some weight, but I was able to get into a pair of jeans.

It sounds like my main concern is my weight, pure vanity right? I know by eating real food will help my health in the long run. No junk food only meat, veggies, and a few healthy dairy.

What should you expect during these next 31 days? I plan to give updates on my progress, photos, recipes that I have made or want to make, and hopefully have a guest writer or two.

Until tomorrow...

Tina