Menu Monday- 12/12

Well, my first week on Points Plus 2012 has been interesting.  I left my target at 26 for the week, and at weeks end I was over my points again by a bit.  It’s very difficult right now because of the parties.  We had THREE parties this week, and I’m pretty convinced it’s kind of impossible to stay within range with that many.  If I had only one party this week I would have been fine.  Also working against me was the fact that I got the flu or a really bad cold at the beginning of the week, so very little exercise happened.  But, one thing we talked a little about in our meeting last week was figuring out your goal for December, and mine is basically to maintain.  If I lose a little I’ll be happy, but I am trying to be realistic.  I’m trying to focus on doing good the days I DON’T have parties.

This week I did try a new recipe off the WW site, Chicken and Crab Gumbo, and it was SO good!  It was super easy, and I highly recommend it!

This week is a lot better, the main problems WW wise for me are baking 42 cupcakes for the boys’ class parties, and our trip to the Polar Express.  Things will start to wind down after this week, and I am very much looking forward to it.  This momma has been on overdrive for too long!

So, with all of that said, here’s the menu for this week:

Monday:  Chicken with Scallion Sauce, Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Tuesday:  Taco Soup 

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner

Thursday:  Polar Express

Friday:  Pizza

Saturday:  Beef Enchiladas, Fruit

Sunday:  Fish Tacos

Menu Monday- 12/5

Ok, so last week they changed to the 2012 points plus.  Except not until Friday…  Our leader warned us, but while she was talking it was like on Charlie Brown when the parents speak…..  Waw Waw Waw Waw Waw Waw Waw….  I assumed it was going to happen on Sunday.  I did catch the part where I would likely have less points to use each day…..  I have mixed feelings on this.  When I really think about it, the weeks that I have shown a loss I have had at least 20 points left over.  I have known this for a while now.  And, generally speaking that’s my goal, but since I HAVE those other points, when I eat every last point and don’t show a loss I get really really frustrated.  So, for me, I probably actually NEED this change.  I’ll get used to it.  And in the general scheme of WW changes, this is MINOR.  We also all need a kick in the pants every once in the while, and change, while uncomfortable, is GOOD.  Oh- so my point about it happening on Friday instead of Sunday was…..  I went to put my food in on Sunday and I suddenly had MINUS 27 POINTS!!!  It took me almost all day to realize why…  I know, I’m quick, huh?  I guess while she was talking I didn’t realize they would take them out of the weekly points.  Which, of course they did, since I had ALREADY EATEN THEM ALL….  LOL…  Obviously, I didn’t stay within range last week to begin with, and with the additional points taken it looked pretty bad.  I honestly don’t think it was THAT bad, just looks that way   We’ll see how this week goes.  It’s going to take some adjusting for me.

So, my goals for this week are:

• Stay within my points range
• Figure out what the Activity point goal is that they are talking about online and purpose to hit it.
• Fruits and veggies, veggies and fruits
• Water (it’s hard for me to get my water and fruits and veggies in when it’s cold because I REALLY don’t like to be cold.  I could be happy drinking coffee ALL DAY to stay warm…..)

Here’s my menu plan:

Monday: Chili to Warm You, Fritos, Cheese

Tuesday:  Mostaccioli Hot Dish, Garden Vegetable Soup

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner

Thursday:  Chicken and Crab Gumbo

Friday:  Chicken with Scallion Sauce, Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Saturday:  Kids Eat Pizza, Me and the hubs for a date night

Sunday:  Taco Soup 

Family Time Friday- Advent Devotional

It’s Advent!  Do you know what that means?  If not, you should really look it up.  Many churches completely miss this rich rich time in the church year.  It’s a great time of reflection and preparation.  It’s a time to reflect on what Christmas is really supposed to be about.  Here’s a hint:  It’s not about who spends the most

If you’re looking for a way to get back to the real meaning of Christmas, might I recommend an Advent Devotional?  There are many out there, so find the one that fits your family.  Here’s a place to start:

From not through December 31 you can download Women of Faith’s Family Advent Ebook for free.  Go check it out!  Even if you’re not going to use it this  year, download it for a future year

Thoughtful Thursday-Cop’s Lives and Wives

Occupy.  It’s a word that can invoke anger in a person.  Anger for many different reasons.  And, I’m no different.  At this point I am no supporter of Occupy.  Not because I don’t believe our financial system is messed up.  Not because I don’t believe that there are REAL problems.  But because, from my perspective Occupy isn’t even about that anymore.  Occupy has become a movement against authority, specifically the police officers who are called to control the camps, or move them.

Recently there has been a lot of buzz amidst the internet about the pepper spray incident at UC Davis.  From the beginning the feel of this buzz has bothered me, because the video is shot from a very skewed view.  It leaves much of the story untold, and spins it to make these officers look like terrible people, specifically one officer.  Because of the nature of the reporting on this matter, I do not know whether this officer was doing the right thing or the wrong thing by pepper spraying those students.  There is a lot that our officers have to take into account every single day in every single situation to provide for the safety of those they serve, and for themselves.  Do cops make mistakes?  Yes they do.  Do Firemen? Yes.  Do McDonald’s workers?  Yes.  Do Taxi Drivers?  Yes.  EVERYONE makes mistakes.  But when a cop makes a mistake it is often national news.  I’m not saying their mistakes should be excused, even forgiven sin has consequences.  But really, let’s be honest.  I made a mistake yesterday in my profession….  I yelled at my kids and hurt their feelings.  Should I no longer be a parent?  I love my kids with everything in me, but I make mistakes too.  Again, I don’t know that the pepper spray incident WAS a mistake, from my take there was a lot of yelling and screaming in the video, and it seemed like a volatile situation where the officers had to find the best way to subdue it before someone got seriously hurt. 

These officers are called in to move these camps.  Some of the officers believe in the mission of Occupy, and some do not.  But that doesn’t affect what they are called in to do.  These protestors are refusing to leave, and that leaves the officers little choice on how to proceed.  I heard on the news this morning that one camp that was moved was so bad that they had to call in HazMat crews to clean it up.  The cost of this is huge, and a waste of our money.  I would say one thing- if you’re going to camp out, at least keep it clean!!!!  Maybe if these camps weren’t unsanitary they wouldn’t be so interested in making them move!  But that isn’t what this post is about.

Shortly after that incident one of the Occupy Groups created a poster that had a picture of the pepper spraying, and a candid picture of the officer with his name and personal information, urging people to call the various offices to complain about him.  I can not put into words how hurt I was seeing this poster on a facebook page.  You see, I’ve been on the other side of that.  My husband was called “One of the Three Stooges” on the news at one time.  He was vilified and made fun of.  For doing his job.  For caring enough about people to risk his life DAILY.  He took someone off the streets who was in no condition to drive, and did the right thing.  He knew as he arrested this person that it would make the news, because it was a high profile person.  But, instead of taking the easy way out, he did the unpopular thing and did his job.  No one likes to be the bad guy……Not even our officers.

I remember after 9/11 how people were so thankful to ALL of our first responders.  It was so nice to have my husband finally be treated with dignity and respect by the people.  I was so proud of our country during that time. We have a joke in our house, where we often say, “Everyone loves a fireman”….  It’s often said in jest, but it’s true.  They are ALL first responders and deserve even a kind smile.

It makes me sad that people are so quick to jump on the “We hate the pigs” bandwagon.  Listen, these officers are more than that.  My husband has been called a “Stooge”, a Pig, a Jerk, and many other words that I care not to repeat.  He’s been yelled at, complained on, and hated.  And I can tell you with absolute confidence that every single day when he goes to work, he goes with the intention of helping those around him.  He’s often tired, he works long hours, and he works (at the current time) THREE jobs just to support his family.  We are NOT part of the 1%.  Let me just say that.  We live in a very modest house, and struggle to pay for life, just like everyone else.  But one thing is for sure.  My husband is an officer because he is a protector and loves people.  I know that he would lay down his life to protect someone if it was necessary.  I hope it never happens, but I know that he does what he loves, and it is an extension of who he is.  When he has to get ugly with someone on the street, let me assure you, he doesn’t want to.  And, being an officer’s wife, I know that to be true for the majority of them.

So the next time you see an officer, either on a professional basis or not, please be kind.  Know that their job is hard.  Know that they spend a huge amount of time away from their family to do this job.  And know that their wives, children, mothers, brothers, sisters, and other friends and family worry about them constantly.

If you’re a reader and would like to make a blog post in support of our officers, please link to it in in the comments..  I think it’s high time the other part of the the 99% stood up and said something.

Dora and Diego Cake I made for Will’s B-Day :)

GratiTuesday- Faith Journeys

It’s been a bit since I visited this section of the blog.  Not because I haven’t been grateful, I am ever grateful, but because all of the things I am so grateful for have been consuming my time!  So, over the next few weeks as we enter the holiday season I can’t promise I’ll be diligent and blog every day like normal, but I’ll definitely do my best to post as often as possible.

Today I want to touch on how thankful I am for faith journeys.  Isn’t it special that God puts us each in different parts of our faith journeys at the same time so that, in the end we need each other?  It isn’t that He is punishing us, or abandoning us, but that He’s teaching us.  Sometimes it’s so difficult to get outside of our own mess to see the wonderful family we have in other Christians. 

Do we get hurt by our church family?  Of course we do.  We get hurt by our birth family, or our adopted family, or our chosen family too.  It doesn’t mean there isn’t love there.  Sometimes having the truth spoken in love to you by someone in your Christian family is hurtful…. but necessary.  It’s when we take the pieces of our lives, the different people, the different backgrounds, and *gasp* the different denominations and let them fit together like the beautiful puzzle God is creating in our lives that we get to see the true beauty of a life in Christ, and realize what others who don’t have that are missing out on. 

I have many people in my life who are not Christians.  I have some in my life who claim to be Christians, but they are either not walking in their faith, or it is so weak it is not really helping them.  I know some people look upon those outside our faith with judgment and disgust.  I do not.  I hate to say I feel sorry for them, because I don’t really feel sorry for them – this is a choice THEY are making after all – but I do wish better for them.  I wish for them to be touched by the love of God, not hurt by sinning Christians.  I wish for them to see the magic, not the misery.  I wish for them to experience the acceptance, not the judgment. 

It’s not that I think we as Christians shouldn’t call sin sin.  It’s that we need to acknowledge that WE as Christians are ALSO sinners, and that ultimately, GOD will judge us ALL.  And, for the record…..  From someone who is currently in an in depth study of Revelation…. most of the people in our lives who have wronged us, hurt us, are not Christians, etc have not done nearly enough to us for us to want God’s judgment upon them.  It’s nothing to squabble with. 

But here’s the thing.  God judges ALL sin.  Did you hear that?  God judges ALL sin.  Equally.  He loves us ALL.  Equally.  We chose to become part of His family by accepting Jesus as our savior, but that doesn’t mean that we are now without sin, nor are we allowed to sin.  It doesn’t make my sin any cleaner than yours.  You may be in an adulterous affair, and I may be practicing a bit of gluttony with the pan of brownies.  Both are sin.  There is no greater or lesser sin.  They are both sin and we both have to answer to God for our sins.

Anywho, I didn’t mean to go into that detail, but I guess that’s what God wanted me to say today, because these words just flew out of me.  I want to encourage you today to not feel like you have to have all together.  I want to encourage you to not feel like you have to be perfect.  I want to encourage you today that you are not the judge of others.  I want to encourage you today that other humans are not the judge of you.  Sure, you may suffer some consequences on earth for your actions, and sometimes, even forgiven sin has consequences, but ultimately who we answer to is our maker.

Give a kind smile to those around you and I hope today you are as grateful for our faith journeys as I am

Menu Monday 11/28

Ok, so apparently the business of the holiday season has the ability to throw me off track in just about EVERY area of my life!    I’m sorry I haven’t been blogging, finding time to get in front of the computer for more than a minute at a time has been a challenge. 

Anywho- last week on WW I lost .8 pounds, but I’m still up from my lowest weight…  My plan, so to speak for the holiday season is to stay as focused as possible on days/weeks that aren’t filled with extracurricular activities and food, and enjoy the days that are in moderation.    I’d like to say I did a good job of that last week, but I didn’t do the best…. I wasn’t completely without abandon, I allowed myself ONE piece of pumpkin pie with the crust, and the other 2 or 3 (can’t remember) I didn’t eat the crust.  I’m speaking about the whole weekend, not just Thanksgiving LOL…  So, while I didn’t journal this past week at all, and I’ll most likely show a gain today, I still feel like that was a non-scale victory!

This week I’m journaling EVERYTHING.  I’m also going to have some fruits and vegetables that aren’t covered in sugar or oil.  Crazy.  I know.  And, I’m committing to 5 workouts this week.

It is time to get back to real life….. until the next string of holidays

Monday:  I’m going to give Turkey and Dumplings a go…  Based on my Chicken and Dumplings recipe

Tuesday:  “Cheap but good” Burritos

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner (Kids and hubby at EYC)

Thursday:  Kids eat Pizza, Hubby and I for a Date night

Friday:  Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Pea Salad

Saturday:  Chicken with Scallion Sauce, Cauliflower Cheese Soup 

Sunday:  Parade of Lights- get to watch my hubby in action   We’ll eat out so we get a good spot!

Have a great week!

Menu Monday- 11/14

Have you missed me?  I’ve been so busy, I’ve hardly had a second to think! It’s been a weird couple of weeks on WW for me, because I’ve been doing the T-Tapp Boot Camp, and she doesn’t recommend that you diet during that.  So, I’ve eaten whatever and haven’t counted points.  It’s been weird.  I have gained weight, but she also says that will happen- between 5-7 pounds of muscle the first 2 weeks.  I’m not concerned.  Know why?  Because she tells you to take measurements and focus on the inches lost instead of the scale.  And, while I’m watching the scale…… go up….  I’m focused on the inches, and I also went down a size this week in my jeans------ TO A SIZE 12!!!!  Yeah…  Speaking of focusing on the inches, I measure again tomorrow, but the first week (which was actually only 4 days because I didn’t measure until 3 days in) I lost a total of 8 1/2 inches!  Curious where they came from?

Area to Measure	Starting Measurement	Week One	Inches Lost
Bust/Chest	40	39	1
Pecs	36.5	36	.5
Ribs	33	32	1
Waist	35.5	34	1.5
Abdomen	39	39	-
Hips	46	45	1
Up Thigh -R	28	28	-
Up Thigh –L	28	28	-
Low Thigh -R	21	21	-
Low Thigh –L	21.5	21	.5
Calves -R	16	16	-
Calves – L	17	16	1
Upper Arm R	14.5	13	1.5
Upper Arm L	14.5	14	.5

 

I’m eager to measure again tomorrow!  I finish up the boot camp Wednesday (missed a day this weekend because I was sick) and then I move to every other day on the work out.  It will actually be weird to not do it everyday!  I mean, really, it’s only 15 minutes, so it isn’t really a big deal to do   I’ll also resume counting points on Thursday, having finished the boot camp.  I’m staying focused on the inches right now, so I’m not real concerned with the scale….  I do, however, believe that I still need to watch what I eat, because I know I am a person who responds negatively to too much sugar/starch and who has some problems with mindless and/or emotional eating.  I need to deal with this as well as getting my body in healthy shape. 

Enough rambling…  Here’s the menu:

Monday:  Taco Soup, Churros

Tuesday:  Date Night/ Totinos for the kids

Wednesday:  Italian Cream Cheese Chicken

Thursday:  Clam Chowder/ Rolls

Friday:  Hot Dogs and Mac and Cheese for the Birthday boy!

Saturday:  The Great Turkey Experiment at a friend’s house

Sunday:  Snack Dinner because we’re up at the church for the Advent Conspiracy

Menu Monday- 10/31

Ok, last week when I weighed in after being out of town and eating a lot of Mexican food I stayed the same.  I was pretty happy with that.

However this past week, I only walked one day   This busy-ness is really getting to me!  I need to figure something out, and quick!  I did order the videos from T-Tapp, which should be here today or tomorrow…  That’s at least something.  As soon as they get here I’m going to start the 14 day boot camp- just in time for Thanksgiving But, I’ve got to figure the cardio aspect out too….  I actually miss walking!  It’s pretty sad when a task that is finished by 7:30 am isn’t able to be accomplished because of too much to do!  I still think I’ll show a little loss when I weigh in this week.  I did stay within my points this week YAY! and I did do a good job on the fruits and veggies.  I have to say, eating my Green Smoothie really helps with that!

Today is Halloween, and a reason for many of us who are watching our weight to be scared LOL…  My leader gave us a list of fun sized candies and their points---

Almond Joy, Snack Size, 2 PointsPlus value
Baby Ruth, Fun Size, 2 PointsPlus value
Bit-O-Honey, 1 piece, 1 PointsPlus value
Bit-O-Honey, 6 pieces, 4 PointsPlus value
Butterfinger, Fun Size, 3 PointsPlus value
Candy Apple, 5 ounce, 5 PointsPlus value
Candy Corn, 20 pieces (41 grams), 4 PointsPlus value
Caramel Apple, 10 PointsPlus value
Charms Blow Pop, 1 pop, 2 PointsPlus value
Crunch, Fun Size, 2 PointsPlus value
Dots, Fun Size, 2 Points Plus value
Gummi Bears, 14 pieces (38 grams), 3 PointsPlus value
Heath Bar, Snack Size, 7 PointsPlus value
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar, Snack Size, 6 PointsPlus value
Hershey’s Miniatures, (any flavor) 5 pieces, 6 PointsPlus value
Kit-Kat, Snack Size Bar, (three 2-piece bars) 6 PointsPlus value
Lemonhead, Fun Size, 1 pouch (11 grams) 1 PointsPlus value
M&M’s Milk Chocolate, Fun Size, (1 package) 2 PointsPlus value
M&M’s peanut, Fun Size, (1 package) 3 PointsPlus value
Mounds, Fun Size, 3 PointsPlus value
Nerds, 1 box (12.6 grams), 1 PointsPlus value
Oh Henry!, Mini, 2 PointsPlus value
PayDay, Fun Size, 3 PointsPlus value
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup (2 cups) 6 PointsPlus value
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Fun Size, 3 PointsPlus value
Reese’s Pieces (51 piece/40 gram bag) 5 PointsPlus value
Skittles, Original Fruit, Fun Size, 2 PointsPlus value
Snickers, Fun Size, 2 PointsPlus value
Take 5, Fun Size, 6 PointsPlus value
Tootsie Roll Midgets, 6 pieces (40 grams), 4 PointsPlus value
Twix, Fun Size, 2 PointsPlus value
Twizzler Twists, Fun Size, 4 PointsPlus value
Whoppers, Fun Size, 2 PointsPlus value
York Peppermint Patty, Fun Size, 1 PointsPlus value

Thought that might help some of you as you “examine” your kids’ candies

Here’s the menu for the week:

Monday:  Cauliflower Cheese Soup, Mummy Dogs, Orange Chocolate Milk

Tuesday:  Nacho Cheese Bake

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner/ Boys at EYC

Thursday:  Totinos for the kids, Date Night for Mikey and I

Friday:  Burgers, Fruit Salad

Saturday:  Eating at our Church International Festival!

Sunday:  Mostaccioli Hot Dish, Salad

Y’all have a great week!

Singing Saturday- Forever Reign

They sang this song at Women of Faith last weekend and it really touched me…

Forever Reign-Hillsong Live

You are good, You are good, when there's nothing good in me.
You are love, You are love, on display for all to see.
You are light, You are light, when the darkness closes in.
You are hope, You are hope, You have covered all my sin.
You are peace, You are peace, when my fear is crippling.
You are true, You are true, even in my wandering.
You are joy, You are joy, You're the reason that I sing.
You are life, You are life, in You death has lost its sting.
Chorus:
Oh, I'm running to Your arms, I'm running to Your arms.
The riches of Your love, will always be enough.
Nothing compares to Your embrace.
Light of the world, forever reign.
You are more, You are more, than my words will ever say.
You are Lord, You are Lord, all creation will proclaim.
You are here, You are here, in Your presence I'm made whole.
You are God, You are God, of all else I'm letting go.
Bridge:
My heart will sing
No other name
Jesus, Jesus.

Family Time Friday- The Importance of Getting Away

I want to talk a little about the importance of getting away today   I was privileged to be able to attend the Women of Faith Conference last weekend in San Antonio, courtesy of Book Sneeze As a wife, and a mom, and especially a homeschooling mom, it seems like my work is never done.  There’s always more dishes, there’s always a nose to wipe, there’s always laundry, there’s always a to-do list.  No matter what time of day, no matter how hard I work, there’s always more to do.  I am so blessed to have a husband who really helps out as much as he can, and I know not all women have this.  My husband works a LOT of hours, so he isn’t always available to help either, and it hasn’t always been this way either.  As we’ve gotten older and both matured we’ve really begun to work well together.  It only took 15 years!    We’re rock stars, let me tell you LOL…  Anyway, it is very difficult for me to get away. 

When I found out I was chosen I didn’t even think twice about going.  I was so excited.  I was especially excited to get some time away with my girlfriend without the distraction of kids and husbands and the to-do list.  Shortly after, we booked our room (in haste) and we were ready to go! 

As the day approached, the expense of going was setting in, the room we had booked (that was non-refundable) was pretty expensive, more expensive than any room we had stayed in previously, and the idea of leaving my husband and kids seemed less enchanting (even though I knew I needed a break).  In addition to all of this, one of the people who was going to go with us had backed out, increasing the expense of the hotel, AND my husband had gotten an extra job that would require him to be gone over night one of the days I was gone.  So, I had to find someone to spend the night at my house with my kids too……

There were many reasons I came up with not to go.  But something told me I HAD to go.  I knew I was getting overwhelmed by life at home, and, to be real honest, it was probably showing in the way I talked to those I love the most.  I knew it was going to be good for me to be gone, but it just seemed like it would be better to stay home.

But God.

But God pushed me to go.

But God made it possible for me to pay for the hotel room.

But God helped me find someone to watch my kids.

But God called me to this experience.

So,  I went.  The theme for the weekend was “Over the Top”, and I had no idea how much that would mean to me by the end of it.  You know, God’s love is “Over the Top”, and we sure felt it throughout the weekend   I’ve never been to one of these conferences, and, as the old saying goes, I just didn’t know what I was missing!

We were blessed with so many great people who spoke, including Andy Andrews, Patsy Clairmont, Mandisa, Amy Grant, Marilyn Meberg, Sandi Patty, and more.  Honestly, some of these people were unfamiliar to me, but not anymore   I’ve even reviewed a couple of Andy Andrews’ books, and now that I’ve seen him in person I think I would enjoy his books more LOL…  He writes like speaks- very energetic.  Now that I have that mental picture of him moving about the stage as he speaks, I think I could better read his books.  He had some really great points, one that stuck with me-

Forgiveness is about the past
Trust is about the future--
Do you forgive someone from stealing from you?  Yes, but that doesn’t mean you then trust them with your belongings……  The two do not go together…..

This was a freeing thought for me, as I continue to work on forgiveness in my own life.  Also, freeing for those who are forgiving me, because I no longer expect things to be the same after I have hurt them….  The other point he made that I really grabbed on to was:

Families can be in disarray because of offenses that are not dealt with properly.
When someone makes a mistake, I’m sorry covers it.
When a choice is made, I’m sorry is not going to cover it.
When it’s a choice, only the words, “Will you forgive me?” Will hit the reset button.

A great concept that I hope to be able to better instill in my children.  It’s a much better explanation to the “Sorry isn’t good enough”…  Here’s the why behind that…

Amy Grant spoke a little, and sang for us, which was wonderful.  I truly truly enjoyed it, along with Mandisa on Saturday.  How fun to get to sing with the likes of the two of them?  And be treated like friends, instead of concert goers…. 

My favorite speaker, however, was Patsy Clairmont.  She touched on some points as she was mostly talking about the writing of her new book, Stained Glass Hearts, which I was able to order from Book Sneeze while at the conference and am currently reading to review for you.  So be on the lookout for that review in coming weeks.  So far I LOVE it! 

Anyway, as she was speaking I wondered if she had been following me around?  How did she know all of these things about me?  She was touching on the very things that I’ve been working on with God lately.  I believe most of these things are the result of maturity, which is also what she said.    She said we all have to grow up sometime, and that is exactly how I’ve been feeling for the past couple of years.  And, let me tell you--- I’m doing this growing up thing kicking and screaming!  LOL  Some of the nuggets she said, that I wrote down were:

Don’t tell everyone everything you think you know…  Wow… yeah…  I do that…
In a multitude of words, there is sin…..  Yeah, I’m working on being quiet…  it isn’t easy…  at all…..
Whining is anger coming out a small place….  I’m not much of a whiner, but it helps me to understand those around me who are better…
God has designed us with a will that is stronger than our emotions….  No more excuses ladies!
Truth needs to go through kindness.  If you can’t do it in kindness, it’s not for you to speak…  This one hit me, because I’m usually the one with the guts to speak up when I think something isn’t right, but I’m not always good at being kind about it…

I’m eager to finish her book, so I can share with you more that I have learned from her.  I really felt a kinship with Patsy.  I saw so much of myself in what she said.  I can see myself reading all of her books….

So, to say that the weekend was “Over the Top” would be an understatement.  My girlfriend and I are already planning on going back next year.

And the best part?  When I came home I was so ready to see my family again.  I had missed them so much.  And they missed me.  My husband even washed my car for me while I was gone!  (I had taken his car so he had the car seats)…  I really needed to be refreshed and renewed in the way that I was over the weekend   I’m so thankful to Book Sneeze for sending me, and I hope that if you have a Women of Faith event coming to your area that you will find a way to go.  I promise you won’t regret it!