Looking Back

Apparently, it’s February 1st! How did that happen already? Any who, here we are, on to another beautiful month in Texas. Were all at home together today thanks to some lovely northern weather that came in. I love getting to stay home on these unexpected days with my family. Right now it is chill time; the girls are watching Veggie Tales and Jon went to guitar lessons. So this is me time...deep breath and exhale. I had planned on just sitting in front of the fire place and reading a book but couldn’t seem to get into my current read so here I am.

2011 started off just like the last 2 years have and then my light came on. So to sum up the last month let’s do my favorite thing and make a list.

1. God was working on me in several different areas from the get go of this year. I just wasn’t sure what he was saying. I swear he was speaking Spanish, which I am not fluent in.

2. I started a daily devotional with my girls for the first time and have really seen the difference that this has made in all of us.

3. In the past I often found myself looking at other Godly moms (wives) and thinking to myself "She has it together. Why can’t I ever get there?" I was holding on to something that I kept saying I wanted to let go of but I never did and I always felt like this was holding me back from my full potential. So, after years I finally gave it to God. I am sure he felt like he was banging his head against the wall when talking to me but he never gave up on me. Thank you Lord!

4. I made the decision after a lot of arguing and bickering to let God have my life completely. I was saved when I was 12 but I never actually let Him have my life. I wanted to be in control, I wanted to do things my way, I wanted the rewards of eternity with little or no work. WOW! What a difference this has made.

5. In connection to #4, I am no longer a prisoner to food. I eat to supplement what my body needs to function. How many times have you heard an over weight person say "God made me this way"? He certainly did NOT, I made me this way. He made me perfect and I went and screwed it all up. So now he is taking a bad situation and using it for something good, by using me as an example to others.

6. In 14 days I have lost 9 pounds and have been able to maintain 1500 calories a day or less (never before done). A little downer though is that I planned on working out for at least 10 of those 14 days but only worked out 6 times. I am not going to make an excuse for this even though I was just thinking what the best one would be. But, I will keep going on this path that God has put me on.

7. For the first time ever we have an efficient Menu planned and hanging on the fridge for a whole week and the groceries have all been purchased for these meals. I have also already broken up all the snacks for our lunches and for after school. This is a major plus on the time schedule that I have since I have such a long commute every day to and from work.

For February I am going to challenge myself to work out for 800 minutes for the whole month as well as sticking to 1200 calories a day. I will keep a log of it and see how I do. I am tired just thinking about it. But this blog is partly about pushing myself to new limits and because I know that others are going to read it and see how I am doing.

What new goals are you setting this month?

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men (women) of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

Jamie