Cookout time!

Yes, I realize this is my third post of the morning. But I have a lot of thoughts bouncing around in my head, and it feels more organized to me to post each topic in a separate post.



Yesterday I attended a BBQ/Meet and Greet/Health Seminar hosted by Jackie and Sue, who I met through the OH board. They run a support group in Fredericksburg called Obesity Freedom. We had a presentation of Isotonix vitamins, ate (WLS-friendly food of course!), had a hula demonstration/lessons (thanks, Ann!), did some jewelry shopping, but most of all - talked. And talked. And talked. :) I was a little nervous about going - it would be a big crowd, and people that I knew "virtually". I had met a few of them in person, and they were great, but still. You never quite know, do you? What people will really be like? And it's easy to feel very anonymous on-line.



I had a great, great time. I loved meeting people that I knew on-line and people that I didn't. Everyone was so great. This is going to sound weird, I know. But I was amazed at how many of them knew who I was and knew that my surgery was coming up this week! (by the way, tomorrow I'm planning on posting about thoughts as I get ready for surgery - it's too much for today!) It made me feel accepted and like I was a part of the group. Which may not seem so important or exciting to any of you skinny and/or popular people out there - but trust me, it was.



Very few people were just as I had imagined them - I guess I need to work on my people skills! :) It's hard to tell online if someone is loud or quiet, or what kinds of things will come out of their mouths when they're not replying to a specific post. But I will say this - they all exceeded my expectations. There wasn't a lot of gossiping about others or negative talk (that I heard, anyway), just people catching up and sharing stories about life. I bounced from group to group all day - I think most people did - so I feel like I got to talk with a lot of different people.



Anyway, I'm happy to be a part of this group. My friends and family have been wonderful supports as I prepare for surgery, but it's also nice to be able to talk to people who have been there.



Ok, enough for today!!!!! I'm off to get dressed and head up to Dulles.

More thoughts on servanthood and disappointment

Yesterday as I drove up to the BBQ, I was thinking about what I had written about using a life that doesn't meet up to my expectations to serve God. And I realized that I could quickly encounter another problem - pride. I believe that attitude matters to God. If I'm helping someone who is "overlooked", or doing something like picking up trash that no one will see but am thinking to myself "Wow. Look at me. Isn't it nice of me to do this even though I don't want to? Yep. I'm being Christ-like now. God's going to love me more than these other people because I'm better and I try harder", is that truly being a servant? Now, admit it. While those exact words probably don't occur to you, haven't we all felt that way? Proud and puffed-up because we're doing something for others?

It's a thin line to walk - for me, at least - between self-pity and pride. I find that most days I fall on one side or the other. My goal is for an attitude of genuine humility, with eyes clearly on Christ and not myself.

On the way home!

Mom and Dad arrive back in the states in about 5 hours!!!!!! I can't wait to see them again. I'm going to ride up to Dulles and surprise them at the airport.

Speaking of, I didn't post about their trip yesterday because I ended up being away from the house ALL day long. I got up, went to the store, made Shelly's Beef Fiesta Bites (Wow - so good), and headed up to an OH BBQ/Meet and Greet in Fredericksburg (more on that later) I came back into town and went straight to Capital Ale House to hear my friend's band, Sloth Loves Chunk. So I got home at 2 a.m. But here's the scoop on the A-team yesterday;

They arrived in London about 7 a.m. and spent the day touring. I hope they managed to get some sleep on the flight over so that they could enjoy their day. London is such a cool place! Then, about 10 a.m. London time (5 a.m. our time) they left for the U.S. They are scheduled to arrive at Dulles just after 2:00 this afternoon. The prayer topic for both days was safe travel.

Psalm 91:9-12
"If you make the Most high your dwelling - even the LORD, whi is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

So my prayers today obviously were for safe travel, continued stamina, and prayerful reflection for the team.

Welcome home, A-team!

Being disappointed with life...

I just read two great things by Max Lucado that super applied to me. One, a weekly email devotional that I get, was about servanthood and reaching out to those who are "overlooked". Believe me, fat people can emphathize with being overlooked! But it's my call not to feel sorry for myself, but to reach out to others. I'll admit, there are times when low self-esteem drags me down so much I don't even try. I think, "They don't want me to reach out to them, they want someone better". But Max had an interesting challenge. I'll quote him:

"Every day do something you don’t want to do. Pick up someone else’s trash. Surrender your parking place. Call the long-winded relative. Carry the cooler. Doesn’t have to be a big thing. ... “Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort” (1 Cor. 15:58 MSG)."

I also like to read the quick daily message on his webpage. Today's was about dealing with disappointment. He used two examples - Miss Haversham from Great Expectations who stopped living her life when her fiance called off the wedding, and Paul who ended up in jail instead of ministering in Spain, but used the time to write letters that became our New Testament epistles of Philemon, Philippians, Colossians, and Ephesians. Guess which one we're supposed to imitate???

As I sit here at 30 without a house, husband, kids - or even the potential for any of those! - disappointment is a topic that comes up frequently. But maybe - just maybe - God intended for me to hear those two messages together. Could it be that hiding in my house sulking isn't what He intended for me to be doing with my life? That feeling sorry for myself isn't part of his great plan for me? That my way isn't better than His way? Shocking, I know. So I will be praying for God to turn my focus outward - looking for what I can do for others, not what they can do for me. And I'll keep working on that tenth commandment. :)

The Carnivore!

So today, after an early morning game drive, the A-team hit the "World Famous Carnivore restaurant" (as described in their itinerary). Among other things, on the menu are zebra, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, and crocodile. All of the meat is cooked on a big open-air pit in the middle of the restaurant, and waiters walk around with the meat on swords, carving off pieces for diners. I can't wait to hear about it! It's a set price for an unlimited amount of food, so I'm hoping they tried lots of exciting things :)

Tonight the team left Africa on an overnight flight to London. I'm wondering how they're feeling about leaving - are they sad? ready to head home? excited about touring London? or too tired to feel anything? Thier prayer topic today was fly. (Seriously, I think the topics are getting a little weak here towards the end of the trip ;) ) I don't think that they want us to pray for the little bugs - yuck! - so I'm assuming that what they meant by that was for safe travel.

Psalm 18: 1-2
"I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

I prayed for safe travel today,but also that the team wouldn't be too tired to enjoy and take advantage of the more touristy things that they are getting the chance to do today.

Africa update

Ok, I feel terrible that I have missed two days of updating on the A-team's progress. Somehow my days just got away from me! I thought I had left their schedule in Charleston, but I just found it. So I've been praying for them in a very general way. They spent the last two days in Nairobi working with Franklin. (I don't know who Franklin is, btw) Tuesday it says they were working in the Mukuru slum, and yesterday just says ministry in Nairobi, so I don't know what exactly they were doing. Tuesday's prayer topic was slums, and Wednesday's was workshop.
I'm not going to post all of the verses from those days but Tuesday's verses were Romans 10:17 and Isaiah 55:11. Wednesday's were Acts 19:11-12, Zephaniah 3:14-21, and Isaiah 58:11. You'll notice several of those verses are repeats from before.

Today began the "touristy" part of their trip. They were scheduled to spend the afternoon at the Masi Mara Game Park on a safari and game drive and spend the night at the Masi Mara Safari Lodge. Tomorrow morning brings another game drive and the thing I've been the most excited about - I'll tell you tomorrow :)

Today's prayer topic was debrief as the team begins to process their trip.

Hebrews 4:14-16
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin."

Ephesians 1:15-19
"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation , so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."

Today I am praying that, as the team reflects on the ministry portion of their trip, they will see how God has worked through them. I also continue to pray for stamina and safety as they approach the two weeks gone mark. I can't wait until they get home!

I'm off now to my last pre-op class. Less than a week to go and I'm getting a little nervous about the fact that I'm about to make a FOREVER change......

A-team to Nairobi

While I am loving every minute of my last day here in Charleston with Abby, especially our trip to the beach this morning, Mom and Dad and the team spent one last day ministering in Kampala before leaving on a quick evening flight to Nairobi.  Today's prayer topic is safe travel.

The first verse listed is Psalm 17:15-18.  Unfortunately, Psalm 17 only has 15 verses.  So I'm not sure what the correct reference is. But, since "all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16), we'll just go with Psalm 17:15

     "And I - in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness"

Jeremiah 24:6-7

     "My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land.  I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them.  I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.  They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart."

So my prayers today are for safe travel and continued energy and enthusiasm for this ministry.  I pray that the people they  meet will see God's likeness in the team, and know that it comes from God.  I want the people to look at the team and not see some nice Americans come to help them out, but to see a gracious, loving God who can do all things.

A-team leaves Gulu

I talked to Mom today! She called a few minutes before we left church, so we called her back and Kay and I both got to talk to her.  She said Africa was different than anything she would have imagined.  She said the people there were loving and proud - and that the little kids cried when they saw white people because they weren't used to seeing them.   She said that she missed talking to us.  She also said that most of their meals were goat and liver cooked over an open flame.  Yum.  I bet Mom comes back thinner than when she left....

I didn't get to talk to her about where she was now or what they had done today (when I talked to her, we mostly talked about how lucky I was to be hanging out with Abby), but according to the schedule they were going to church in Gulu this morning, where Rodney was preaching, and then flying back to Kampala.  So today's prayer topic was Rodney's preaching.

Proverbs 3:5

     "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"

Exodus 14:13

     "Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again."

So today my prayer was that the team will continue to lean on the LORD and to trust in him in all that they do, including Rodney's sermon.

home visits

Today the A-team spent their last day working in Gulu.  They leave tomorrow for Kampala.  Today's prayer topic is home visits, so I assume that's what they're doing.

James 1:27

     "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Zechariah 2:10-11

     "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion.  For I am coming, and I will live among you, declares the LORD.  Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people.  I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you."

Today also marks the halfway point of their trip.  So in addition to praying for the work they are doing, I am praying for stamina for the team.  Having been there a week, I can imagine that they are missing home and getting tired, but it still seems like a long trip in front of them.  

The baby will be up soon - Kay and Bruce have left to run errands and I'm baby-sitting.  I can't wait for her to wake up :)

Joe and Mary Spencer Chapel

Mom tried to call us on Kay's cell phone at least twice today, but unfortunately we missed her :( She said they were really, really busy but they were having a good time.  She sounded like she was missing us, too.

Today the team was dedicating the Joe and Mary Spencer Chapel, named in honor of a couple from Mom and Dad's church in Lynchburg.  Joe and Mary were that kind, wise older couple that every church seems to have.  If Mary Spencer said it, then you believed it :) Joe died a year or two ago, and Mary has moved to Charlottesville with her daughter.  They led my parent's bible study for a long time.  Rodney, who is the SOM team leader and former DCE at Rivermont, is the keynote speaker. So today's prayer topic is Dedication of Chapel.

Acts 19:11-12

     " God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them."

(yes, this is the third time this verse has appeared) (we must therefore consider it important)

Jeremiah 55:12

     "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

A-team in Gulu

Today Mom and Dad and the Africa team (A-team for short) are in Gulu, ministering at Kirombe, Koro, Villages, and IDP camps.  I don't know what any of this means :), but they are names that can be added to our prayers.  Part of today's topic was cut off as well, but one topic was workshop.

Psalm 32:7

     "You are my hiding place; you will protect me rom trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  Selah"

Acts 19:11-12

     " God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them."

Isaiah 58:11

      "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisy your needs in a sun-scorched land and he will strengthen your frame.  You will be  like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

So today I spent some time praying for those places were they will be working by name.  I don't know what's going on there, but God does!  

Signing off from Charleston (where I finally arrived after all night on a train.  I did get a little bit o sleep because the guy across the aisle from me gave me his seat so that I could lie down.  Unfortunately, a little later some police boarded the train and escorted him off.  I think it had to do with drugs?)

Pre-Op Testing DONE!

So I went today and had my physical with Dr. Elliot, then I went to the hospital to do my pre-admission testing. I got asked the same questions over and over and over again, did a lot of waiting for a lot of different people, signed a lot of forms, and watched a computer slide show about my procedure. All they did for my pre-op testing at the hospital was take some blood (actually, they took a lot of blood for a lot of different things) and did an EKG. If something comes up abnormal, Dr. E's office will call me but I don't anticipate that happening.

Dr. E gave me my manual, which I'm ready to dive into and read thoroughly. But here's the most exciting thing - he said that since I had lost so much weight already

I DON'T HAVE TO DO THE LIVER SHRINKING DIET AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know if you can tell or not, but I'm pretty psyched about this :) He said if I could lose some more weight, that would of course be great, but all that he was going to require was that I not gain any weight in the next two weeks. Needless to say, I am one happy camper right now.

In a little bit, I'm headed off to catch the train to Charleston...I'll be reporting in from down there, keeping up with the prayer schedule for Africa.

OH! I can't believe I almost forgot this - my mom called me today!!!!! I missed her call :( but she left me a long message. She said that they made it to Gulu and the need down there was amazing. She said they were all really tired. It made me miss her again, but I was glad to hear from her. I'm sure she'll call again while I'm in Charleston.

Africa team on the move

Today the Africa team flies to Gulu for some ministry work there. Gulu is in the northern part of Uganda, near the border with Sudan. It's also near the border of Sudan and the Congo, which are two countries currently at war. If there were reports that the situation there was dangerous, then the SOM (Sports Outreach Ministry, the group that sponsored this trip) team was going to cancel this part of the trip. As of yesterday, when Mom talked to Kay, the trip was on. I trust the SOM team that they won't put them in danger, still it's hard not to worry. There have already been 20-some Americans killed in this conflict. Today's prayer topic is illegible, so based on today's itinerary and the verses below, I'm "declaring" it safety.

II Thessalonians 3:1-5
"Finally, brothers, pray for us that the mesage of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

Jeremiah 51:46
"Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler."

Proverbs 18:10
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Obviously my prayers today focused on safety for the team. I know that the team, while appreciating those prayers, would rather I focused on prayers for their ministy. And I did pray for "the message of the Lord to spread rapidly and be honored". Still, selfishly most of my time was spent praying for their safety.

A report from Africa!

Mom called Kay (my sister) today from Africa! She said that travel went smoothly and that they were having a great time. She was really enjoying the Good News Team that they were working with, and the kids that she had met. Kay said she sounded really good. So I'm excited that they're safe and doing well.

Today's schedule called for more ministering in the slums of Kampala. The prayer topics were slums and workshop. (The schedule didn't mention what the workshop was)

Isaiah 58:11
"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Acts 19:11-12
"God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them."

My prayers for them today began with prayers of thanksgiving for their safe travels and their ministries so far. I also prayed for strength for the team, that their strength would be "like a spring whose waters never fail" Then I spent some time praying for miracles to happen in the lives of those the team is ministering to.

I'm looking forward to more updates from them!

Body Age pt. 2

So I'm finishing up my pre-op Boot Camp at "the Center", and today they did a second Body Age test to see if I've made any improvements over the last 3 months. My first test, in March, said my Body Age was 50. Today's test, after 3 months of exercise and nutrition counseling, showed some significant improvements, including a new "age" of 36. The highlights:

• I've lost 28 pounds.
• They measured my neck, shoulders, chest, abdomen, waist, hips, biceps, forearms, thighs, knees, and calves. All of my measurement have decreased, adding up to a total of 28" gone.
• My nutrition score went way up.
• My bicep strength, situps, and pushups all increased. (In one minute, sit-ups went from 12 to 20 and pushups went from 12 to 22; bicep strength went from pulling 56 lbs. to 62 lbs.)

So I'm excited about all of that. I'm still stressed that with 6" gone from my waist, my clothes still aren't fitting any differently! There's something wrong here...maybe my clothes really were just super tight before. Anyway, hopefully that means that post-op losses will show up more quickly in my clothes. I'm really glad that I did this whole Boot Camp extravaganza, but I'll have to post my thoughts on that another time.

Right now I'm getting ready to go out for my "last meal". Tomorrow I have my pre-op appointments and I'm expecting them to put me back on the dreaded Liver Shrinking Diet. :O I really thought that I would be sad at the thought of saying good-bye to food, and feel like I needed to eat a lot tonight. But I don't. I really think that my attitude about food has changed and, while I'm still dreading the LSD, I'm ok with the changes in eating habits that the surgery will bring. I'm not worried about feeling deprived anymore. I think this is partly due to my research and talking with others, and partly to the changes that I've already made. But going out to a nice dinner is always fun. So we're going to Maggiano's, a really nice Italian place.

Tomorrow I'm in for several hours of test and being poked and prodded. Then I'm taking the train overnight to Charleston. I'll report back when I can...

"Slums"

Today's Africa prayer topic was slums. My sister made fun of the prayer calendar because something like every other day the topic was "slums"

Proverbs 2:6-11
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones."

Colossians 2:1-3
"I want to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

I haven't heard anything from them yet. I'm trying not to worry - I'm sure they just haven't had the time to send us an update. Still, I hope to hear from them soon. So my prayers today centered around safety for the team. However, I did also pray for the people who live in the slums of Kampala, where they were working today with the Good News team. My prayer for them today is that "they may know the mystery of God" and that Mom and Dad's presence there helps them come to that understanding.

I checked out of my classroom today - I am officially no longer a kindergarten teacher!!

Happy Father's Day!

I can't talk to my Dad this Father's Day, since he's on his way to Africa, but Happy Father's Day to him anyway!

I had a great day today -went to church, went to the gym, then two of my friends from Charlottesville came up and we went out to lunch and I unloaded bunches of my Kindergarten stuff on them since I don't need it anymore :)

Mom and Dad should be landed in Africa by now, according to the itinerary, although it is after midnight there. Today's prayer topic was long day.

Psalm 41:2
"The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes."

Jeremiah 24:6-7
"My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart."

My prayers for them today were for patience and endurance, but focused mainly on safe travel. I'm anxiously awaiting our first email update so that we know they have arrived safely!

Tomorrow I will finish packing up my classroom and say good-bye to that huge chapter of my life.... I'm looking forward to it!

And they're off!

Well, Mom and Dad left for Africa this morning. I talked to them right before they left. They had gone up to McDonalds to get Mom's Coke (which they do every morning) and the manager knew they were leaving for Africa today so he gave them a free breakfast ;) Um, yeah. They go there a lot. My mom loves her fountain Diet Coke. I don't know what she's going to do without them for the next two weeks... They had to be at the church to leave at 10 this morning. When I talked to my mom, she said they had to be at the church in 25 minutes (They live 10 minutes away. 12 minutes tops) and Dad was pacing the floor.

They hadn't been gone 2 hours when I wanted to call Mom! My gym's new facility opened today and I went over there to swim and WOW. It's amazing. Huge and fancy and unbelievable. I was thinking that when I left I needed to call Mom and tell her about it and then I realized....I can't talk to her for two weeks. Sad :(

Their flight leaves D.C. around 6:30 tonight and they fly overnight to London, then on to Kenya tomorrow and from there to Uganda. They will be traveling for something like 40 hours!!!!!!!! So, today's prayer topic is travel.

Psalm 20:4-5
"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God."

Romans 15:5-7
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

My prayers today were for things to run smoothly with the travel arrangements and for endurance and patience for the team. I don't know most of the team very well, but I know my dad is very calm and patient - when he's in charge. He's not in charge here so if something goes wrong and he's not the one fixing it, that could be hard for him. (He and I share this trait, by the way) But a trip that long is stressful on everyone, even if things do go well. They will need God's endurance for sure.

Bye, Bye Kindergarten!

Ok, off topic already but I just glanced at the ticker at the bottom of my page and it said only NINETEEN days until surgery! Yikes!

Today was our last day of school. The kids had a half day and I put them on the bus without any tears. :) I worked in my room for a while, but it's not all the way packed up yet. I'll have to go back on Monday and finish it up. Still, it's weird to think that I'm not a kindergarten teacher anymore. I've defined myself that way for over 7 years now... The hardest part for me was having to turn in my computer. This is bizarre because I hate my computer. I'm still better about those people forcing me to use a Mac. My wonderful tech woman made me some DVDs to give to my new computer guy that she says will make my new computer look just like my old one. Still, handing in that computer with all my pictures and videos of sweet Abby knowing they're going to be wiped away before I can see them on a new computer was the one thing that choked me up about this day. I know, it's strange. what can you do?

My parents leave tomorrow for a two-week mission trip to Africa! I have their itinerary so that I can follow them wherever they go. They also left a prayer calendar with voices to read and topics to pray for them each day. It started today. I'm going to try and post the verses and topics daily both as a reminder to me and as a way of documenting their trip from my end. I would love your prayers for them as well.

Today's topic was Preparation and verses were:

Philippians 2:2-5
"....then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped"

Galatians 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..."

Ephesians 4:1-6
"As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Based on the leadings of these readings, I have prayed for team unity and humility to follow God's leading wherever it takes them. Even if takes them to being chased by men with spears or to being kidnapped. My parents aren't worried. My dad says that he can outrun several of the people on the team, so there's no need to worry about the spears. And he tells me not to worry about feeling guilty if he gets kidnapped, I can't pay the ransom and they get killed. He says, "If you don't have the money, you can't pay it." He's so practical. :)


(By the way, for those of you rational thinkers who are wondering how I'm posting if I turned my computer in, my mom is letting me borrow her laptop while she's in Africa. Is she a great mom or what?)

I cried when I said good-bye to my parents tonight. (just a little bit) You would think I would be old enough to handle it, wouldn't you? But I talk to my mom every day and it's going to be very hard for me not to talk to her for two weeks. My poor sister is going to have to listen to a lot, although I normally talk to her almost every day as well. Plus, going to Africa is kind of scary. There's a big war going on near where they will be, and several Americans have already been killed. So I'll be glad when they're safely back home.

I'm off to bed now - WITHOUT SETTING MY ALARM CLOCK. How cool is that?

Running around in circles!

Oh my goodness. I haven't posted in a while. My life feels like total chaos right now. It's the last week of school and I may lose it before it's all over. I'm not going to even begin to describe what I've been doing, but let me say this: I literally work on one thing or the other from morning until late at night and somehow end the day farther behind than when I started. It's only by the grace of a very loving God that I am not curled up in a ball in some corner babbling at this moment :)

So it's the last week of school, which explains much of the craziness. I got an assignment for next year! I'll be working at Fair Oaks Elementary, doing reading work with 3rd-5th graders. Scary. Apparently there's a girl who's been there a really long time who everyone says really, really good things about who works with the younger kids. She is supposed to be retiring next year. So I figure I'll give it a try. I may really like working with the older kids (the way my kindergarteners have been acting this week, it seems like a definite possibility) And if I don't, then I can ask my principal to switch me next year when this girl retires. I met with the principal and toured the school already and she and the school seemed very nice. And they have a bookroom! It will be about a 20-30 minute commute, though.

Tomorrow my mom, my sister and my favorite baby in all the land are coming to visit! I'm soooooo excited :)

Ok that's all the thinks I can think for tonight. Hopefully once I get through this week - which also means getting through this school year! - I'll be saner. Well, closer to my normal level of saneness. Or sanity. However you like to say it. Time shall tell...

P.S. - I do still think about doing those 4 things every day and I'm trying hard. Many days I'm getting them all in! There. Let out that breath you've been holding now.

CRASH!

So............. trauma. I had my first car wreck today. I totally sideswiped a guy on 64. He was in my blind spot, and I tried to change lanes in the middle of heavy traffic. *sigh* It was very scary but I did NOT cry! At least....not until later in the car when I called my dad. OH! No one was hurt, by the way. Both cars were damaged, but not majorly. We both drove away with no problem. The guy I hit was really nice. I admitted to the cop that I made a mistake, and it was my fault and he charged me with improper lane change and not reckless driving. So, all in all, as car wrecks go, I suppose it could have been much worse. It was stupid though and I was embarrassed about it.....and now I have to deal with the insurance hassle.

The good news, though is that I just won $2,000 at Facebook poker! Actually, that would be good news were it real money. I need to go to bed. Too much drama for one day!

My RNY surgery

My surgeon sent me this video explaining about the type of surgery that I'm going to have. They said we could share it with family and friends if they would like more info on it. So, if you would like to watch it, click here:

https://www.my-emmi.com/startemmi?access_code=10873539224

My access code is 10873539224 and my date of birth is January 23, 1978. My procedure is gastric bypass.

I only have one month left! Some days I'm really nervous and others I'm ready for it to be here.