Getting Weary

Galations 6:8-9 (NKJV)

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

This has been on my mind this morning--getting weary in well doing. It is easy to do. I eat OP. I exercise. I focus on doing right. And though I am seeing amazing results, I still want more faster. Our society is so accustomed to instant gratification and I am cought in that web. I want to lose this weight and I want it gone NOW!

It is a daily reminder to "be still" and know that HE is God. He will decide how quickly or slowly I lose the weight. He is in control of all. All I need to do is follow His plan. The doubts arise and attack from all sides. But they are not from God. Our God is the God of hope. He wants us to have joy and peace in all we do to glorify Him--even losing weight.

Romans 15:13 (NKJV)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sentimental Clothing

I am melancholy this evening. I cleaned out my closet today. I decided that I would not keep anything that was too big. No going back. No fall back position. It is amazing how sentimental I am about some clothes. Sometimes it is about where I wore it or who made it.

In getting rid of my work suits, it was a changing of me. I dont' work in a professional environment any more. I don't go out to an office and offer advice and support to senior citizens. Instead of suits and heels, I wear t-shirts and jeans. I don't get out of my pajamas until all my residents are up and dressed as I never know what I will have to do. I miss seeing other professionals, but this is the best thing I have done in my career.

Some clothes are going to Goodwill. Many of those belonged to my mother. After she died, I needed clothes and my sisters told me to take some of hers. Now they are too big so they go. I look at each item and remember her wearing it. Mom would be so proud of me and she would want me to let them go.

On a positive note, even clothes I have never worn because they were "just a little tight an I will get into them" are gone. To big already. Other dresses that haven't been worn in years fit perfectly. Some of them are even still in style--maybe back in style...

Ranch Hills Golf Course

Today's trip was for a round of golf. We played at a course in Mulino which we found last week. It is a beautiful course with rolling hills and several small areas with plantings of flowers. I forgot my camera, but the cell phone works in a pinch. These pictures are of the only utilitarian covered bridge on a golf course west of the Mississippi.

Success & Failure

I am incredibly cranky tonight. All I can think about is eating a chewy, gooey warm chocolate chip cookie. But, no, I am drinking my Dutch Chocolate Shake. Although good, it just doesn't compare.

I am trying to think why I am feeling this way. The only thing that occurs to me is that I am succeeding. It's about the time I start sabotaging myself. Seriously, I have stayed OP for longer than I have ever stayed on a diet before and I am starting to run again. Satan doesn't want me to succeed. When I succeed, I give God the glory for it. Therefore if I fail, Satan takes pleasure that God isn't glorified.

So, I am not going to eat a cookie. I AM going to stay on plan because it is right and because God deserves the praise. And I will praise him for all the success of my struggles weight loss or not.

Unanticipated Benefits

1. Clear, smooth skin from drinking so much water and eating healthier. I had to change my facial cleanser to something that wasn't specifically for acne!
2. Stronger fingernails. I actually bought polish today. I still keep them really short, but they look so nice now!
3. Rings fit better--except the two I always wear which are no too big. My wedding ring is just about to slip off and my mom's Mother's Ring is now on my middle finger.
4. Shoes fit better. I had not even thought that this was possible, but it is happening! Shoes that are in my closet that I couldn't wear anymore fit.
5. I don't feel guilty! I don't feel guilty for not eating what is fixed and I don't feel guilty for spending this kind of money on my food. I really thought I would. (I would if I weren't staying following the plan all the time!)

I am sure I will find more to list as time passes, but it is nice to get a few surprises beyond what I had even expected!

Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day! DH & I were just in DC and I read the constitution from the original document. What an amazing feeling! I am so grateful to our founding fathers for the sacrifices they made for my freedom. That being said I am also incredibly grateful for the men and women that continue to insure our freedom both by being in the service and having someone they love in the service.

Sauvie Island Hike

We headed out on Monday for a hike. We'd done this one a few years ago and enjoyed a wide paththrough the woods on Sauvie Island until it opened up with a view of a lighthouse and the Columbia River. Well, apparently, the path is not maintained. We were able to walk part of the way on the beach, but then moved inland where the path was overgrown with blackberry bushes and grasses. The mosquitos drove us back to the beach and on down the road to home. As always, we did enjoy the time spent together and the sunshine, but we won't do that one again...

Above: Jeff breaking trail between sneezes from the grasses.

Below: Juanita making her way through the brush.