Thankful?

My family and I have started a thankful tree. We have started to write our thankful things down on little pieces of paper and place them on our tree (twigs in a vase). I can not wait for our tree to be completed. Last month we prayed for our families, friends, church and government. I put names on leaves and put it on a tree that I drew on our big chalkboard. Our daughter really enjoyed choosing a leaf and praying for them at night. She now writes her thankful thing and then prays for it. It makes my heart happy to see her excitement. I thought I would share a little of what I am thankful for- (I know this may not interest most) 1.) Sha Rials- Her life. Thankful that the Lord has allowed her to share her craziness with us. That we have been a witness to her fight!That she continues to fight. And we rejoice with her that she was able to pick up a laundry basket with both hands!!! 2.)For my father in law- I can not even imagine what my life would look like without him in it. He is the most giving man I know. He has always been here when I need him. I can call today and he would be here tomorrow. I could feed him dirt and he would say it was the best meal. God has blessed me more then I ever deserve with him as my father in law. 3.) God supplying all my needs. Since I married in 1996 we have moved to 3 different states. I know that it not a lot. However growing up in the same state, same town, and same house all your life, moving was difficult. The Lord has supplied in all areas of my life. The one that I see the most is my friends. Each place we have lived He has placed amazing people in my life. Life long friends, mentor women, seasonal friends. I am learning right now community is an amazing thing. God has placed a community around me here that I so need in my life. They keep me sane, make me feel like I am important, care for my children and encourage me daily. I love them so very much! Those are just the first few. On top would be my husband, who is amazing! He gives more then he receives, rarely complains, and will do anything to make sure his family is cared for. My children who are crazy, funny, loving, caring and trying. I am blessed by them. My family who love and supports me. My sister who I am encouraged by her. She is strong, funny and giving. I am blessed to have her in my life! I hope that today- you can find something or someone to be thankful for. God has blessed you greatly! That is something to be thankful for!

Fighting through the fog

Have you ever been at a place where there is so much going on in your head and you can not even form a thought? That is where I am right now. Some thoughts- The Hurst family, Susan, painting, decorating, Christmas, store, grocery list, laundry, ironing,Scott, Kim,school, ballet, can food drive, making a banner, cutting out feathers and dinner. That is what is going on right now in my head along with the following: The Lord has been showing me things in the simplest of times. I have heard that one person can make a big difference. We hear it, but do we ever truly believe it? Then as I was in church and the speaker was speaking of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea I realized something. That one man did make a difference. It was not that one man made a difference, but one man obeying made the difference. What if Moses had not raised his arms? What if he raised his arms to part the sea, but decided he would not raise them once they got across? He finished what was asked of him in that moment. Now I am left to wonder how many times could I have had made a difference if I had just obeyed all the way through the processes. I am frustrated. Why do we give up so easily? Why do we not fight? Is it because we are so overwhelmed with all the thoughts going on in our heads that we just can not take on the fight. Is it easier to give up then to fight for what is right? What is the Lord calling us to do? Can we even hear with all the other things going through our heads? How do we clear what is there to get to the the truth that the Lord wants us to see? Which leads me to the next thing that I am starting to see. That for many of us it is easier to quit then to fight. When I first started this blog, I was ready to go and pray for my 4 extra miles. I did really well. Even when my family went on vacation I made sure to set that time aside to pray. I made sure to fight whatever was trying to distract me from my time praying for those that I know. Now, I tell myself as I hit that stretch of road that I will pray today. And then it happens, I start to pray and my mind wonders. Anything and everything that could possible invade that time does. Did I give up? Why have I not fought to keep that time as to what I believe the Lord wanted it to be? Am I willing to fight for that time back or do I just miss that blessing for me and others because it is easier to let me mind wonder? Why do we give up so easily instead of fighting for what we know the Lord is asking? Reality check- watching a mom plan her husbands memorial service in the sanctuary of the church as her 3 year old son sits in preschool right down the hall. My heart breaks for them. I know the Lord has great plans for this family. Her blog is amazing. She knows the Lord and knows that He has a plan for her life. Would I be that strong? Would I be praising God the way this precious women has?

Overcoming 2

Today I had a overcoming moment. I went to Sam's to look for something for the school. I did not find what I was looking for, but I did find something else I wanted. No it was not a donut. It was a large 87 cent cup of cherry coke. Who can resist that? Well, I did not. Are you asking well how is that overcoming by buying a huge cup of coke? I bought it, took it to the next place and drank about 1/4 of it. Then it happened. I decide that that drink was not good for me. That it was not helping me be a better mom, wife or friend. So the rest of that big cup of cherry coke went into the trash can at toys r us.

I am not saying that I am doing everything right in order to lose weight. Trust me at this point I am just getting excited about the little victories. I am working on my drinking. Ha. I do not drink very much during the day. And if I do drink it is not things I need to be drinking. Peach Sweet Tea from Sonic is a daily drink for me. Large at that. But the last two days no sweet tea. Water, more and more water and less and less bad drinks are the plan for this week. Next week- adding cutting back on how much I am eating!

Remember to celebrate all victories, even the smallest! We can do it!

Overcome?

I have a few favorite songs right now. Overcomer by Mandisa, Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave, and He is With Us by Love and the Outcome. Each song speaks to what I am working on, losing weight. I admit- food controls me more then I want it too. For those that do not have issues with food, I know it is hard to understand. I had a breakfast biscuit and a cold coffee drink this morning for breakfast. I had to run by the store after I dropped the kids off and I ended up buying another cold coffee drink. We all know what goes well with coffee. That's right, DONUTS. I wanted so bad to stop and get 2 cake donuts with chocolate icing. Sounds good, doesn't it? So I decided that I would save my coffee drink until after going to one more store and stop and get donuts. Don't forget I already had breakfast about an hour before. As I was getting closer to the gas station (because there was not a donut place on the way to my house), I had to repeat over and over, Satan you will not win. I know that it should be easy to just say no, I don't need that donut and that should be it. But for me, it is not that easy. I really had to put everything into driving past the gas station while repeating Satan, you will NOT win. He did not win when it comes to the donuts today. I did drink the coffee drink. One small victory at a time. I will overcome!

Fell off the truck and just found it again!

I did work out. For 3 whole days. Then life got busy and I fell off the truck. The truck drove away and I could not catch it. It has come back around and I am ready to hop back on board. I have realized that I need to get a few things organized before I can more forward. I have already organized my calendar and feel like I have a handle on that. Tomorrow will start a week long process of organizing my home. Things have gotten so out of control. Please know that my home is not a total disaster, but does need things to be put back where they belong. Yes, I am giving myself the week. I need to take it slow and make sure that it is what I want. My workout goal this week is simple. None. My goal is to drink. A Lot. Ok a lot of water. I was told that you are suppose to drink have your weight in water. That is a lot of water for me. Especially since I probably only drink 16 oz a day. This is so boring. It is boring me, so I would think you are just as bored. Let me try again.

So much and a moment

As I start this blog I shared in the first post how I choose the name for the blog. Now the name did come from the extra 4 miles I travel home, but it also stands for the journey that I am about to embark on. For those that know me, know that I need to lose weight. It is no secret. Lets me real, how can you not know. So I have shared with those close to me that I have, from an early age, low self esteem. Elementary school I had boyfriends, middle school- one or two, high school one or two until I meet my husband the summer before my senior year. I am not complaining at all. It was what it was. However, hearing that you are beautiful, pretty, all those words girls want to hear is not words I heard. I tell you this not because I want the awe, poor thing, but because I want to share a moment that for the past 20+ yrs have stuck with me. One afternoon, when I was in high school (not sure what grade, but would say 10-12), a young man stopped by my house. He had been a friend of mine for awhile. Just a friend that I spoke too, but did not spend a lot of time with. I remember thinking it was odd for him to be stopping by my house. We sat outside and talked for awhile. I have no idea what we talked about, but I do remember the fact he told me I looked pretty or beautiful. It still to this day makes me feel good inside. One young man, one positive comment, one moment that has lived in my heart for 20+ yrs. I pray that I can teach my son to pour positive, encouraging words into his friends. He may never know what a simple comment will do for a girl. To this young man, I do hope that I am not dreaming this happened, THANK YOU! I do hope you know who you are! No it was not my husband that said this to me, and yes, he does tell me that I am beautiful.

Extra 4 Miles

Let me beginning by explaining where the title for this blog came. For the past year or so the access road to get to our home has been closed. Now it takes me an extra 4 miles to get home. It has become frustrating to just think of the extra time it takes to get home, especially when you are just ready to be home! Around 2 days ago I decided that I would no longer be frustrated about the 4 extra miles. Instead, I would use this time to pray. I decided I would pray for people that I am friends with on Facebook. I have been amazed at what has happened. As I have prayed and posted that I have prayed for certain people, they have responded. Responded with "Thank you, I needed that today", "Thank you, I am going through this and I felt your prayers". It has amazed me. I know that we pray for each other. However, I realize that people find strength and comfort in knowing that someone has prayed for them by name. Why do we not tell those that we love and care for that we prayed for them? I challenge you to pray for someone and then tell them you prayed for them. See there reaction. I remember when I was in high school, I had a friend who had went away to college. One night I felt a strong need to pray for this friend. So I did. I had no understanding of why I needed to call out to Jesus for her that night. Until I spoke with her a while later and told her I had prayed for her. She told me that on the night that I prayed, she was about to do things that were not who she was. That she was convicted that night and did not go against who she was. I would have never known that my prayer was so important to her until she knew I prayed for her. These past two days have strengthened my faith and understanding of how important prayer is for us. Pray for someone today, and then share with them.