1000 Gifts....(And Being a Big Loser...)

...AND I WAS THE BIGGEST LADY LOSER!

Now, most people don't cheer about being a loser, but when it comes to weight, its TOTALLY worth cheering about.

Much more than the cash, the richness has come from setting a goal and meeting it!

So what changes now?

Not too much.

I definitely don't intend to gain back the weight.

What will change is the focus from weight loss to full-body heath.

How?

Well, I joined a gym so that I can start gaining muscle.

I intend to stick with smarter food choices, portions, and snack times.

I am setting my plans in order to get outside more with the garden.

And possibly the most important, I am working through a challenge from this book:



We are doing a Bible Study on this book, the premise of it being to learn "Euchristeo" which basically means living thankfully.

The tag line from the book is "A dare to live fully, right where you are."

And if you know me, you know that this is

I am a very "project oriented" type.

If I don't have some big event/project/whatever to work on, I drive myself crazy.

If I don't have something big to be scrambling around for, I feel bored with life.

In reading the book, I'm forced to ask myself the hard questions...

Why do I feel the impulsive need to be busy?

Why do I always feel like I need a "project" to work on.

Am I so busy being "busy" day to day that I forget...

...to be thankful?

...to stop and enjoy the small blessings that are passing so fast?

...to just sit back and maybe, rest?

As I have been kicking these thoughts around in my mind, it seems I am not the only one.

Friend and fellow blogger Hayley has some things to say about this too in one of her latest posts.

So, moving forward, how will life look?

Will I struggle through it?

Most likely.

Will it be worth it?

Absolutely.

(As of today I am at number 49 out of the author's challenge to list 1,000 things we are thankful for.)

Where I'm Meant To Be

I don’t even know where to start, so I guess I’ll just let my thoughts tumble out of my brain, through my fingers, and on to this page and then see where it goes.

Yesterday, I wrote my post “Table for one”. Basically that was my realistic (and sarcastic) look at how I’m dealing with being here at work while “my” team is in Chenzhou with “my” babies.

I’ll admit it easily. I was throwing myself the biggest, most over-blown pity party I have ever thrown.

In my mind, its justified. I mean, I wasn't mad because I was missing out on a vacation to some tropical island. I was sad that I wasn't in China, holding babies without Mamas and Babas and trying to go be love to them.

Contrary to what some may think, going to China is no vacation. Sure, we may tour, but I can speak for myself and all that have gone and continue to go that our focus even as we are seeing these famous sites, is getting to “our” kids and nannies.

Anyways, wasn't it ok for me to be upset over not bringing what small gifts and talents I have to these sweet children? Isn't it ok to be sad to be here, at a job that seems meaningless compared to what the team is on mission for?

Sad…yes. Throwing myself a pity party and not being thankful for a job that was an answer to prayer just a few short weeks ago? Ummm…NO.

I know God has placed in my life the people he has for many reasons. And I am still finding these out as I go about my days.

 For example, Chad is a huge part of who I have to thank for bringing me back from pity party land. He pointed out that I was being a little overboard with the sulking and sadness. And while at first I was resentful to his observation, I thought over it and he was right. (DON’T tell him I said that…I’ll never hear the end of it!)

I am where I am, sitting at my desk at work, waiting for the phone to ring, because God put me here. And who am I to pout and sulk because I didn’t get my first choice of where I’d like to be at this moment?

So bear with me as I try to reign it back in and remember that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

And while you're at it, pray these things over my sweet friends on Team '13:

That everyone stays healthy

That the lost luggage is found

That opportunities will arise for them to share with the nannies, directors, and guide

That they get rest and are ready for a new day (It's 12:15am there right now)

Looney Bride Series, Being Still {Bonus Post}

About an hour ago, I dropped Chad off at Tan Tar A for his "Mega-Manly-Man-Fest" Bachelor party.

No, they aren't calling it that, but I am.

I helped him carry his stuff up to their room and as soon as I came in the door the testosterone was so thick that I had to get outta there.

Fast.

So I kissed him goodbye, and high tailed it out to the car!

As I was driving back to the house, I was trying to think about what else I needed to get done tonight.

And then it hit me.

I needed to do....*drumroll*

NOTHING!!!

NOTHING AT ALL!!

School is done, work is done, everything is set in motion for the chaos of the next few days, and now all I have to do is sit back, relax with my Diet Coke, and wait for my family to make their arrival so we can head to the hotel.

Sheesh.

This whole "relaxing and being still" thing is WEIRD!

But I'm trying to enjoy it!

And I am so thankful.

Thankful for all the thousands of miles being traveled,

Thankful for the time, effort, and energy everyone has put in.

I am so excited, so ready to enjoy the weekend!

Musings...ChenZhou 2012 Part 1

It has been a few days since we announced my call to China this summer.

And I have gotten reactions that span from positive, to negative, to absolute disbelief.

The most common question goes something along the lines of, "But, you're going to be newly married! What are you two going to do without each other for TWO WHOLE WEEKS?!"

And that's what I'd like to address. In this I have 3 main thoughts:

1. The most obvious is yes, we will miss each other but we are both grown adults who can take care of ourselves for 14 days.

2.Once we get married, my husband does not become #1 in my life. The Lord and His will are still #1. Period. And being called to mission is being called to mission, whether it comes 2 months or 20 years after we are married.

3. Are we a little scared to be apart and have limited contact for two weeks? Um, duh. But do you know what is more scary to me/us?

• Living for storing up treasures on Earth (Matthew 6:19)
• Ignoring a clear calling from the Lord.
• Living a life of apathy to these sweet children's plight. (James 1:27)

We are taking a leap of faith here, because honestly, I have no earthly idea how we will get the money and on time.

But we strongly believe that if the Lord calls, which He has, He will provide. Period.

So what now? 

Support raising, that's what now.

Tax deductible donations.

How to Donate:

1. go to visitingorphans.org
2. click donate in the top right
3. Pick "fund category" "ChenZhou July 2012"
4. Fill in the rest of the info.
5. If you'd like to donate to a specific team member, click "Team Member or Ministry Name" and fill in the name.

       *side note if you decide to support my trip: I am going under my maiden name as I will not have time to change my passport before the trip*

Above all else, PLEASE pay attention to this:

Pray, friends. Pray for our team, for health and safety and bravery, and pray for our loved ones back home. Our team leader is leaving 4 of her 5 babies and a husband. Many are mamas leaving their babies. I'm a newlywed leaving my husband. And most of all, pray that the kids, the nannies, our guide, the hotel workers, everyone will see Jesus.