Believe me when I say that I understand the frustration of being heavier than you want to be, but not really knowing what to do about it. I remember saying a couple of months ago, "if I just had a plan, I could be a more disciplined eater." I know you may say, "yeah right", but it's true for me. If I have a plan, I typically do a pretty good job of following it. Not always, but most the time.
I typically gain weight over the winter and this winter was no exception. Only difference was, I started gaining weight in October, when usually I don't gain 'til Jan/Feb. But my work schedule, plus our home schedule kept us hopping this year. I was ran crazy at work, and gone every night at home. The only time I could have exercised would have been FIRST thing in the morning, or LAST thing at night. To be honest, I spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning, and I did not want to give that up. And, to be honest, by the time the end of the night would roll around, I would be exhausted! To add to all of that, due to the craziness of our schedule, I found myself somewhat stressed out, and was finding comfort in food more than ever. That's not good.
That's one thing that God is teaching me on this diet (which I think of as more of a fast) is that I should not find my comfort in anything, ANYTHING, but Him!
Denny and I are both doing this diet. He has lost 20lbs in four weeks, and I've lost 14. If you too are looking for a plan, click here to see the diet we are following. We heard about this plan from our friend Linda Noel. If you're local, then you may know Linda, or at least remember that her husband Jeff used to be our preacher at FCC Marshall. They are also the couple responsible for leading me and Denny to FCC. If I remember correctly, Linda lost 30 lbs in 40 days on this diet, and has kept it off for nearly a year.
Our drummer on the FCC praise team, Jerry Vickery, also has done this diet and he lost 48 lbs in 40 days. So, if you're interested in trying it here is the link. I recommend that you read EVERYTHING that is on the site, including Dr. Simeon's manual. The diet is very strict, and you won't want to miss a thing.
Feel free to ask me questions.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
All I Had To Do Was Show Up
I have been so blessed this year by having the opportunity to lead worship at a variety of places. I love leading worship. I love Jesus. I love music, and I love gathering with people and singing praises to God, pouring out our hearts to God, and meeting with Him with my Christian brothers and sisters corporately.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
The more I serve Him, the more He teaches me. One of my favorite lessons this year has been the awareness of this, "All I had to do was show up."
I was invited to lead worship in Jacksonville, IL. My friend Renee Swope had introduced me to them last year, and I led worship at their annual women's conference in 2010, and I was so excited when they asked me back to lead at this year's conference. Last year, I led with music tracks, but this year they asked if I would lead with some of their musicians. At first, I was a little apprehensive to commit to that. It's sometimes hard just to "walk in" and lead with other musicians that you've never worked with. But they assured me that their musicians could play anything, so I trusted them and agreed to lead in that manner.
I met, for practice, with their musicians the Friday night before the event. Practice went pretty well considering the fact that we'd never played together before. It wasn't what I would call excellent, but it certainly wasn't bad. When you merge like that, most of the time even great musicians will play conservatively because you're trying to get the feel of each other's style, so that then you can play more freely. And that's pretty much what happened at that practice, we got to know each other musically.
The next day was the event. During our second song of worship, I remember noticing that the music was excellent, and in that moment, I felt God's presence immensely, and had this overwhelming, incredible awareness of "I am merely a vessel." All I had to do was show up. Do you "get" that? Does that make sense?
Often times when God calls us to something we try to figure it all out. How are we going to make this work? How is it all gonna come together properly? And we stress out over the details of how to make things happen. I'm not saying we don't need to prepare well in order to serve Him with excellence because we do! However, we need to do our part of being responsible, and just let Him do was He does so well. He just needs someone who is willing to serve Him. Willing to be obedient to go where He calls you to go. And He'll do the rest. He'll enable you. Empower you. Equip you. Give you everything you need to fulfill His purposes. All I had to do was show up!!!
Fast forward from that event to the Unity Night Event. This is an event that I/we had prepared for months for. We form a team of women from various churches in the community to lead worship at this event, and God has given me the awesome responsibility/privilege of heading up that team. I love these girls and we have become great friends. Just prior to the Friday night Unity event, the Men's prayer team gathered around us to pray for us. Then they anointed each of our heads with oil and said a prayer over each of us. When Paul Boyer anointed my head with oil, he said these words, "Lord, Missy has the night off."
Tears began to flow from my eyes the moment Paul spoke those words. I was reminded of the event in Jacksonville and the thought of, "all I have to do is show up". It was the same here. I did have the night off. Yes, I was on stage, yes I had a responsibility, but I could be "Free" because God had complete control of every part of what was about to happen. All I had to do was be obedient to show up and do what He had called me to do.
What is God calling you to do? Oh there is SUCH huge blessings in serving Him. I have found that the greatest blessing and reward in being obedient to Him is that you get more of Him. More of His presence.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
The more I serve Him, the more He teaches me. One of my favorite lessons this year has been the awareness of this, "All I had to do was show up."
I was invited to lead worship in Jacksonville, IL. My friend Renee Swope had introduced me to them last year, and I led worship at their annual women's conference in 2010, and I was so excited when they asked me back to lead at this year's conference. Last year, I led with music tracks, but this year they asked if I would lead with some of their musicians. At first, I was a little apprehensive to commit to that. It's sometimes hard just to "walk in" and lead with other musicians that you've never worked with. But they assured me that their musicians could play anything, so I trusted them and agreed to lead in that manner.
I met, for practice, with their musicians the Friday night before the event. Practice went pretty well considering the fact that we'd never played together before. It wasn't what I would call excellent, but it certainly wasn't bad. When you merge like that, most of the time even great musicians will play conservatively because you're trying to get the feel of each other's style, so that then you can play more freely. And that's pretty much what happened at that practice, we got to know each other musically.
The next day was the event. During our second song of worship, I remember noticing that the music was excellent, and in that moment, I felt God's presence immensely, and had this overwhelming, incredible awareness of "I am merely a vessel." All I had to do was show up. Do you "get" that? Does that make sense?
Often times when God calls us to something we try to figure it all out. How are we going to make this work? How is it all gonna come together properly? And we stress out over the details of how to make things happen. I'm not saying we don't need to prepare well in order to serve Him with excellence because we do! However, we need to do our part of being responsible, and just let Him do was He does so well. He just needs someone who is willing to serve Him. Willing to be obedient to go where He calls you to go. And He'll do the rest. He'll enable you. Empower you. Equip you. Give you everything you need to fulfill His purposes. All I had to do was show up!!!
Fast forward from that event to the Unity Night Event. This is an event that I/we had prepared for months for. We form a team of women from various churches in the community to lead worship at this event, and God has given me the awesome responsibility/privilege of heading up that team. I love these girls and we have become great friends. Just prior to the Friday night Unity event, the Men's prayer team gathered around us to pray for us. Then they anointed each of our heads with oil and said a prayer over each of us. When Paul Boyer anointed my head with oil, he said these words, "Lord, Missy has the night off."
Tears began to flow from my eyes the moment Paul spoke those words. I was reminded of the event in Jacksonville and the thought of, "all I have to do is show up". It was the same here. I did have the night off. Yes, I was on stage, yes I had a responsibility, but I could be "Free" because God had complete control of every part of what was about to happen. All I had to do was be obedient to show up and do what He had called me to do.
What is God calling you to do? Oh there is SUCH huge blessings in serving Him. I have found that the greatest blessing and reward in being obedient to Him is that you get more of Him. More of His presence.
John 14:21 (Amplified Bible)
21The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]
Do you want to experience Jesus more? Then listen to Him carefully, and go where He tells you to go. Do what He encourages you to do. All you have to do is be faithful and show up. He'll do the rest.
Do you want to experience Jesus more? Then listen to Him carefully, and go where He tells you to go. Do what He encourages you to do. All you have to do is be faithful and show up. He'll do the rest.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
So Much More Than an Event With a Great Speaker....
It just occurred to me, that my life changed, took on a different direction, discovered a relationship like none I had ever known before or since, at an event much like I will be leading worship at this Friday and Saturday.
This weekend is the Wabash Valley Ladies Unity Night. I don't know why I'd never thought of this before, but tonight I was reminded that I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at an event much like this one.
I was in junior high and my parents were going through a divorce. My mom and aunt took me to a Dallas Holm concert. Dallas sang and spoke to us. As he sang the song "Rise Again", my heart began to fall in love with Jesus. At a time when my family was shaken, Jesus got my attention and reached out for my hand. I'm so glad I grabbed hold.
My prayer for the women at this event is this:
"open their eyes to see what you do. To see your zealous love for your people." Isaiah 26:11 The Message
Oh that each woman would know the amazing, unconditional love that Jesus has for each of us. Regardless of where we've been, what we've done, how much of a mess we've gotten ourselves into...HE loves us. He loves you, and He's reaching out to you. Chasing after you.
Take it from one who's life was changed and at event much like this....This is so much more than an event with a great speaker. It's an event with a GREAT SAVIOR!!
This weekend is the Wabash Valley Ladies Unity Night. I don't know why I'd never thought of this before, but tonight I was reminded that I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at an event much like this one.
I was in junior high and my parents were going through a divorce. My mom and aunt took me to a Dallas Holm concert. Dallas sang and spoke to us. As he sang the song "Rise Again", my heart began to fall in love with Jesus. At a time when my family was shaken, Jesus got my attention and reached out for my hand. I'm so glad I grabbed hold.
My prayer for the women at this event is this:
"open their eyes to see what you do. To see your zealous love for your people." Isaiah 26:11 The Message
Oh that each woman would know the amazing, unconditional love that Jesus has for each of us. Regardless of where we've been, what we've done, how much of a mess we've gotten ourselves into...HE loves us. He loves you, and He's reaching out to you. Chasing after you.
Take it from one who's life was changed and at event much like this....This is so much more than an event with a great speaker. It's an event with a GREAT SAVIOR!!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Married to my High School Sweetheart
Due to the fact that I've been called to a ministry that serves "in front" of people, I sometimes get asked for a "bio". Evidently, people want to know who that is standing up in front of them. :) It's a high honor to serve in the way that God has called me, but being in front of people didn't come naturally to me. That's another story for another time.
Anyway, recently I was asked for a short "bio" on myself, and as I typed these words, "...married to my highschool sweetheart..." I stopped and thought, "what do people think when they read that?"
Because God forbid it conjure up some idea in their minds that we live in some fairy tale land where we fell in love at 16, and have danced around with birds chirping love songs over our heads ever since. Because God and these walls of our home as witnessess, know that's not the case.
God has blessed me with a Godly man, who now more than ever, desires to live out the life that God has called him to live and in the way that God has called him to live it. And I do too. But it hasn't always been that way for him, or for me.
We've struggled with God, and we've struggled with each other. To paint the image that our life and relationship is perfect, would deny the truth of the times during intense arguments where I've muttered, "I hate you" under my breath. ouch. Of course I'm much more mature now, and no longer say I hate you, but something like, "I hate it when you act like that."
We are blessed in the fact that we don't argue much. We really don't. But oh when we do, it seems like the world is falling down around us.
We started dating when I was a junior in high school. We broke up for several months sometime after my graduation. (Denny's 18 mths older than me.) But when we got back together, we stayed together.
On the day of our wedding, I was 19, he was 21. So young. And yet, I am SOOOOOO thankful for God giving Him to me. I think my favorite thing about being married to my highschool sweetheart is that we literally grew up together. We've learned how to be grown ups, together. (hold the jokes friends) ha. We've learned to be responsible together. We've learned that credit cards can get us in trouble. We've wrestled through how to raise these kids of ours. We've learned to fight...and make up. But to give off any impression that we live in some fairytale land where we've done everything perfectly would be far from accurate. :)
I am so glad that God chose us for each other. I love my high school sweetheart more than words could ever express. I can't imagine a more perfect match for me than Denny, nor would I have wanted to do all these years with anyone but him...and sometimes the birds do chirp over our heads, but other times they drop a load. :)
Anyway, recently I was asked for a short "bio" on myself, and as I typed these words, "...married to my highschool sweetheart..." I stopped and thought, "what do people think when they read that?"
Because God forbid it conjure up some idea in their minds that we live in some fairy tale land where we fell in love at 16, and have danced around with birds chirping love songs over our heads ever since. Because God and these walls of our home as witnessess, know that's not the case.
God has blessed me with a Godly man, who now more than ever, desires to live out the life that God has called him to live and in the way that God has called him to live it. And I do too. But it hasn't always been that way for him, or for me.
We've struggled with God, and we've struggled with each other. To paint the image that our life and relationship is perfect, would deny the truth of the times during intense arguments where I've muttered, "I hate you" under my breath. ouch. Of course I'm much more mature now, and no longer say I hate you, but something like, "I hate it when you act like that."
We are blessed in the fact that we don't argue much. We really don't. But oh when we do, it seems like the world is falling down around us.
We started dating when I was a junior in high school. We broke up for several months sometime after my graduation. (Denny's 18 mths older than me.) But when we got back together, we stayed together.
On the day of our wedding, I was 19, he was 21. So young. And yet, I am SOOOOOO thankful for God giving Him to me. I think my favorite thing about being married to my highschool sweetheart is that we literally grew up together. We've learned how to be grown ups, together. (hold the jokes friends) ha. We've learned to be responsible together. We've learned that credit cards can get us in trouble. We've wrestled through how to raise these kids of ours. We've learned to fight...and make up. But to give off any impression that we live in some fairytale land where we've done everything perfectly would be far from accurate. :)
I am so glad that God chose us for each other. I love my high school sweetheart more than words could ever express. I can't imagine a more perfect match for me than Denny, nor would I have wanted to do all these years with anyone but him...and sometimes the birds do chirp over our heads, but other times they drop a load. :)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Maren's Heart
We took Maren to see a pediatric cardiologist at Riley today. Here's what we found out, she does have a heart. ha. (just kiddin' Maren)
She's now had three or four EKG'S, two chest x-rays and blood work testing several different things, and the doctor said from all the tests, the heart itself looks like it's in good shape. Yay. He wants her to come back in a couple of weeks for a stress test to make sure that there's not any "electrical shorts" happening outside her heart while she is exercising.
He also stated that if you look at a physicians manual for chest pains in a child Maren's age, typically the heart is the last cause, oddly enough. He said most often, chest pains in someone Maren's age is caused by an onset of asthma, or something gastro-intestinal.
So, still checking things out. Thank you SOOO much for your concern and for your prayers.
She's now had three or four EKG'S, two chest x-rays and blood work testing several different things, and the doctor said from all the tests, the heart itself looks like it's in good shape. Yay. He wants her to come back in a couple of weeks for a stress test to make sure that there's not any "electrical shorts" happening outside her heart while she is exercising.
He also stated that if you look at a physicians manual for chest pains in a child Maren's age, typically the heart is the last cause, oddly enough. He said most often, chest pains in someone Maren's age is caused by an onset of asthma, or something gastro-intestinal.
So, still checking things out. Thank you SOOO much for your concern and for your prayers.
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