Monday, February 27, 2012

I'm a little behind...

So I am a little behind on my blogging... I missed my Confessions as well as my Friday Fitness update. Oops!

I guess that can be my first confession... Last week was CRAZY. Crazy busy at work... crazy busy at home... crazy busy in general.

I confess... my nephew is getting married in September and he invited all 5 of us to be in his wedding.

I confess... I am down to 172 pounds on my fitness adventure. I did find that the medication I am on makes it extreamly difficult to lose weight.

I confess... I am not going to beat myself up anymore over what the scale says. I am going to eat right and work out and get stronger and healthier in the process.

I confess... this week is Drew's last week for basketball. It was his first season playing and it started out a little rough, but as time went on, he's done really well.

I confess... I am thinking about letting him out of soccer this spring. The fall season was a disaster thanks to a HORRIBLE coach who doesnt know how to communicate, doesnt know how to coach, and honestly I was scared he was going to keel over on the field due to his age and fraility. I am not a mean person... so I say that as nicely as I can, but this was a joke. If AYSO cant move teams, Drew doesnt want to play anymore. It was just a hassle and headache, I dont know that I want to go through it with this coach again.

I confess... I am less than $300 away from hitting my goal for my Guatemala trip.

I confess... I've had my SWAP gifts wrapped for weeks now. I boxed them up yesterday and its sitting in my car ready to go to the post office in Friday. I hope my partner enjoys her gifts!

I think that's it... everyone have a great week!

The Book of Ruth

The Life Project: Ruth
Candice Roberts

As is true in the first seven books of the Bible, so it is true in the book of Ruth; God is the main character; we humans just play supporting roles. At the beginning of this great story we find that the people of God are in a time of famine. There is no food in Israel. And here is Naomi. In the first five verses of Ruth, Naomi moves to a foreign land to try and feed her family, her husband dies, her two sons marry and her two sons die. The events in these verses encompass well over a decade, but they are given such little attention, because they are the preface, what you need to understand before the story starts. You need to understand that death is the human condition and in these verses, the author shows us that Naomi, a child of God, is well acquainted with death. And here is where the story begins.

Naomi resigns to leave Moab and return home. She urges her daughter-in-laws to stay in Moab with their people and their god. But Ruth, a gentile, has come to know Yahweh as God because of Naomi’s influence in her life. She refuses to leave Naomi. And here we see the first instance in the book of Ruth where God exchanges death for life. Because of Ruth’s love for Yahweh and for her mother-in-law, we see that Naomi is given a companion, a friend. God has brought some light out of Naomi’s great darkness. Life from death.

As the two widows travel back to Israel, I wonder what their conversations were like. Would they be able to find food in Israel? Shelter? Would the women ever marry again? Would Ruth ever know what it feels like to be a mother, Naomi a grandmother? Naomi was grumbling, doubtful. Like we would be.

It’s okay that Naomi had her doubts. God was faithful. The two widows had shelter. Ruth was provided with an opportunity to work gleaning barley behind the reapers. She was given favor and the workers purposefully left behind more barley than usual so she could have enough. God was bringing provision where they were certain they would face destitution. Life from death.

Enter Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s deceased husband. Ruth asks him, at Naomi’s prompting, to be their kinsman redeemer. Ruth and Naomi had no way to pay their bills. They had debt and as widows they had few options. They could sell themselves as slaves and work off their debt. This was a common practice in Israel. Or they could find someone to save them from slavery- a kinsman redeemer. There were four requirements for a man to be a kinsman redeemer. The man had to be related, free of slavery himself, capable of paying the debt, and willing to pay the debt. Boaz met these requirements. He bought the land, paid their debts, and married Ruth. He saved them from slavery and gave them a heritage. God used Boaz to once again bring about life from death. And God used Boaz to foreshadow the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer who saved us from the slavery of sin and made us His bride. Jesus Christ, who is life, is OUR Kinsman Redeemer.

Boaz and Ruth are married. Naomi and Ruth are no longer destitute. God has really turned it around for these ladies. But as a final gift in this ancient story, God gives Ruth a baby, Naomi a grandson. The baby is named Obed, who would be the father of Jesse, the father of King David whose lineage ultimately leads to Jesus. Life from death.
So what about you? Are you facing death? Literal death, death of a relationship, death of a dream,
death of faith, death of hope…. We all face it. Death is the human condition. This week as you read the
book of Ruth, I encourage you, in the face of your death, to embrace the life that God has for you. In the
midst of the destruction and starvation of the soul surrounding you, look for the life God is calling you
to.

Do you see the miracles God is working on your behalf? Do you see the offer of life He is reaching out to
you? If you don’t then one of two things is happening. One, you may have the wrong perspective. You
may have the perspective of Naomi who begs people to call her Mara because the Lord has abandoned
her and made her bitter. All the while she misses what God has already done. She is lacking faith to
understand that God is continuing to move.

Or two, you may be rolling around in your own death. You may be taking a bath in it. Dressing in it.
Refusing to leave it. What would have happened if Naomi stayed in Moab? If Ruth stayed in Moab? If
Ruth refused to work gleaning the fields? If Ruth didn’t ask Boaz to redeem their family? 2nd Peter 2:21-
22 says “It would have been better for them never to have known the way of life that God approves of
than to know it and turn their backs on the holy life God told them to live. These proverbs have come
true for them: ‘A dog goes back to its vomit,’ and ‘A sow that has been washed goes back to roll around
in the mud.’”

I hear a refrain from Deuteronomy, “I call on heaven and earth as witnesses today that I have offered
you life or death, blessings or curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants will live.” So that’s
it. Choose life, our Kinsman Redeemer is offering it.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Book of Judges

The Life Project: Judges
Pastor Matt Roberts

The book of Judges spans about 350 years. It encompasses the time between Joshua’s death and the reign of Samuel. It was a tumultuous time with great rebellion in Israel. Judges 17:6 says “In those days Israel had no king, so the people did what seemed right in their own eyes.” This verse just about sums up the rule of the day. Israel had no king. The people did what they wanted, which generally included much evil. The people did evil and then the Lord punished them. He allowed other nations to overtake them. The Israelites, encouraged by their oppression, would cry out to the Lord to save them. And God in his mercy would send a judge, a leader, directed by God to champion the cause of the Israelites. This happened 12 times over. 12 times the people rebelled and 12 times God sent a leader to save them. I believe the Israelites were a little thick-headed. They sound a lot like us.

The 12 judges during the time period were leaders that God chose. But I might add that not all of these leaders were equal in effectiveness or righteousness. The book of Judges had its share of great leaders, who put the cause of Israel and the Lord above themselves. Consider Gideon who, though he felt unworthy, led an army of 300 to defeat tens of thousands of Midianites. Each step of the way Gideon listened to the voice of God. He was diligent; making sure he was listening only to the Lord. On the other hand Judges also had its share of immoral, selfish leaders, who were only able to save Israel because God had purposed it. Samson is a prime example. He was consumed by his own pride and sensuality. He used his great, God-given strength to avenge his own name. Samson ultimately met his demise when he allowed his lust for a Philistine woman to betray the calling of God on his life.

While reading Judges this week, I encourage you to contemplate what type of leader you want to be. Some of you may be hesitant to call yourself a leader at all. But the truth is, all of us have people that look to us for leadership. Are you a parent? Do you have siblings? Do you have people under you at work? Do you have friends? Then you have the opportunity to lead. You have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, to make a difference in eternity. You have the opportunity to be a hero.

Brooke Foss Westcott, a theologian in the 1800’s, was noted for saying,
“Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes of men. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or weak; and at last some crisis shows what we have become.” The question is then, how do we grow strong, so that we are ready, when the time arises, to be heroes for the Kingdom?

Ephesians 6:13 -18 (The Message) says this:
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

From this passage in Ephesians I think we can gain five keys for unlocking our inner hero:

1. Realize the call is bigger than us. “You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.” Remember Gideon? God tells him to pare down his army. Judges 7:2 “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘you have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.’” See God does the work. A good leader is just a vessel, a tool for our Lord.

2. Have Faith. Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Hall of Faith. It lists great men and women were believed God, who trusted Him and therefore received what God had promised. Guess what? In Hebrews 11:32, 3 of the Judges from ancient Israel are listed. Even Samson gets a shout out. Not because of his righteousness, but because of his faith that God would do what He said He would. (Our righteousness is as filthy rags anyway, right?)

3. Righteousness and salvation. They go hand in hand. And we are incapable of either on our own. We must look to Christ for our right-thinking and right-living. Gideon knew the importance of being ruled by God. In Judges 8:23 the people ask him to be their king and Gideon responds, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The Lord will rule over you.”

4. God’s Word. 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Godmay be competent, equipped for every good work.” Equipped, ready, heroic.

5. Prayer. It is how we get our marching orders. As leaders we have to be attuned to what God is doing. Gideon didn’t make a move until he knew God was speaking, and he did exactly as the Lord commanded him. We’ve been called to be tools that God can use. God is bringing salvation to His people and just as He used the Judges of old, He has chosen to use us. Are we ready?

Suggested Reading In Judges
Monday, 2/20/12 - Judges 1-3
Tuesday, 2/21/12 - Judges 4-7
Wednesday, 2/22/12 - Judges 8-11
Thursday, 2/23/12 - Judges 12-15
Friday, 2/24/12 - Judges 16-18
Saturday, 2/25/12 - Judges 19-21

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Newsboys Concert 2012


Oh. My. Goodness.

I took Ty to see the Newsboys at a church in Layton last night. It was freaking amazing. We upgraded to the Gold Section and got to sit on cushy chairs on the floor. It was open seating but we got there in enough time to get on the 2nd row.

The first band was Anthem Lights, who I've heard a bit on KLove. The second band was Abandon, who I've never heard of before. The third band was The City Harmonic, and I've heard them on KLove and have a couple of their songs on my iPod. Then there was an intermission and they set up the stage for the Newsboys.

What an experience. The lighting. The stage. The energy of the band. The dummer was amazing. This was a big stadium production that was squeezed into a little church in Northern Utah. We were so blessed by these men of God making a joyful noise. It was a worship experience, that's for sure.

(Proud mama moment, my girl worshipping Jesus)

(Ty with Anthem Lights)

(Ty with Abandon)

(Ty with The City Harmonic)

I've got some video too that I'd like to share but can't figure out how to post it. Please leave me a comment if you can be of help. Thanks!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Giving It To God - My Testimony

I have a friend on Facebook who I read his status updates and my heart breaks for him. He so desperatly wants to be in a relationship with someone and it doesn't sound like this person has the same interest. I can tell his hope, his despair, his anxiety... and it reminds me of a place that I was at a few years ago.

In 2005 I got divorced from my husband of 7 years. I had two small children, a good job, and a house of my own. I started dating someone who had been a good friend of mine... things clicked, we had future plans, we were together all the time, etc... and the bottom fell out of that relationship. It made me think more about my dad leaving us and never turning back. I felt like something was wrong with me for all these relationships not to work out.

I was devistated. I was hurt, I was broken, I was sad beyond belief. I couldnt function and all I wanted to do was cry. I felt that I was useless, I felt that I was not worthy of someone's love and it sent me into a tailspin.

You see, I am a very independant person. I have never relied on a man for anything in my life and for whatever reason when this relationship didnt work out as planned, it crushed me. I was very jaded on the thought of another relationship so I drank more than I am now proud of and did some things I am even less proud of... but the fact of the matter is, that's my past. I dont live there anymore.

Somehow in the mist of dancing on pianos and doing Jager shots, God was talking to me. He was telling me that I am better than all that. He was telling me that is no way for me to live my life. He was telling me that I am loved by Him, even if I wasnt loved by that boyfriend or that father anymore.

As you know... I grew up Catholic. We were pretty religious in the sence of going to church every Sunday and memorizing prayers but as I went through my divorce, I realized that it wasnt the place for me anymore. I did a little research and started going to a Lutheran church where I met some amazing people... but I felt like I was going through the motions. One of the ladies I met introduced me to another Christian church and it was that day that I gave my life to Christ. I always felt like I knew Him, but the truth of the matter is I knew religion... I knew rules. I knew traditions. But I didnt know Him. I didnt have a relationship with Him that I do today.

My life is at a place of peace... my life isnt perfect, but with Him beside me I can get through it. It was by God's grace that we dealt with my mom's cancer as we did. It was by God's grace that I met my husband and he has now started a walk with Jesus as well. It is by God's grace that I am raising some God-loving children.

I couldnt do it on my own... I had to give it to God for the pieces to fall in place. I'm not saying it was easy... there was a lot of times (and still times) that I want control. I want to do things my way... and that's when things start to fall apart. I have to remember that God has a plan for me. I have to trust and be faithful. By accepting Jesus into my heart, I dont need the rules and traditions and whatnot that religion brings. Those rules and traditions lead to depression and anxiety. Those rules and traditions lead to feelings of unworthiness. That's not what God's love is about, He wants us to be happy.

So for my friend... I pray that he sits back and listens for God. That still small voice will lead him to where he should be, I just know it. Giving it to God isnt easy, but its so worth it.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Time To Confess

Photobucket


I confess... I am irritated with my weight loss this week. I have worked my hardest, ate my best, and I am going up on the scale. I feel a little defeated. I hear alot of people say "that's b/c you are gaining muscle"... well, that's great, but until I see the scale going down instead of up I get upset.

I confess... I prayed this morning about this fitness adventure. It told God that I am going to keep at it, I am going to keep working hard b/c my goal is to be in top shape so I can best serve His people in Guatemala in a few months. If that means I dont look slimmer or go down a pants size, that's b/c I am supposed to look like I do... but I want my heart physically (emotionally and mentionally) to be healthy.

I confess... I tried my husband's Boom! supplement yesterday before the gym. I had a burst of energy and had my hardest workout on the Arc Trainer. I did it again today and thought I was going to die, but I pushed through and finished all 30 minutes. Phew, I am tired!

I confess... I got upset with my ex this week. This weekend is his holiday, he's known this for months and text me telling me he has to work on Saturday and on Monday so he decided not to take the kids. And for me NOT to call his family b/c I shouldnt burden them. Really? I think of my children as a blessing and a joy, not a burden. I know for a fact that they dont feel that way... I think there is only one person who does and that's him. It makes me sad. The good thing is my kids KNOW they are loved, regardless of that.

I confess... my ex also told me he is having surgery in March, right before the weekend he is supposed to have the kids. He told us this after he told us he isnt having the kids for President's Day and my daughter got mad and said, "Im calling Grandma". I told her to make sure Grandma knew it was her that wants to be there, not that I am asking for it b/c I am fine with them being home... so she calls her Grandma and says " My dad's having surgery and he wont take us that weekend... but you want us huh?". I could hear his mom say "Of course...we'll work out the details". I am so thankful for the people that my children have in their life and that they are mature enough to see passed the crappy parts.

I confess... my daughter is having a sleepover with a friend tonight and I am happy to have some time with Drewby. Even if he'd rather go to McDonald's than Cafe Zupa (which is what I am craving).

What are you confessing? Swing over to Mamarazzi's blog and link up!


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Weigh In Wednesday

I think I am going to start saving my updates for Friday... because I allow my weekends for cheat days (maybe not being as religious about what goes in my mouth, but still by no means over doing it... as well as not going to the gym one of the two days) it takes a few more days to get in gear... so maybe I'll call it "Fitness Friday" or something instead :) One strange thing... and I dont know what to do about it... On Friday, I was down to my lowest weight so far. Saturday, I was up 2 pounds. I forgot to weigh on Sunday. Monday, I was up 5 pounds. WHAT?!? I bought a new scale thinking this one was malfunctioning... get it out of the box, set it up, and it tells me I am 2 pounds heavier than the old scale did. This is so discouraging to me. I can see a difference... I am eating well... I am at the gym every morning and increasing my excercise. It's just frustrating to me... so today, I didnt weight myself. I am frustrated at the moment and I took it out on the Arc Trainer this morning... I did 25 minute on that beast and feel fabulous so I am just going to focus on that for a bit and not worry what the poundage says for now. BUT... if anyone has any ideas, tips, suggestions I am open to hearing them.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Ty's First Dance

For about 3 years now, I've heard about this dance Ty is going to have when she is in 6th grade. She's been talking about it for that long... but as the time got closer, she wasn't as excited about it. She didnt like the idea of dancing with boys and wearing a dress. LOL Until she found out it is no longer a formal affair... it's an 80's themed dance :) Thank goodness Rue21 had a bunch of their neon, punk rocker stuff on sale for like $4/each. We got up early this morning to crimp her side ponytail and put on a rainbow of eye shadow. Of course, big hoop aqua earrings and pink glittery lipstick. The outfit was complete by a pair of leg warmers and big bangs.
Hope you enjoy your fun day... doing the "Cha Cha Slide" and not dancing with boys :)

Happy Valentine's Day my love.

I sent Bryan an email this morning wiht the top 25 reasons I love him. Thought I'd share: 25. When your arms are around me, I feel safe. 24. I love when you reach for my hand to hold. 23. I love that you take pride in your appearance. 22. I love when you sing songs from KLOVE on the radio. 21. I love that you take such an interest in what the kids have going on. 20. I love that you are good at math, b/c I sure am not! 19. I love that you are serious about becoming healthy. 18. I LOVE that you don’t chew anymore. 17. I love that you take me seriously when I tell you about things that bother me (respect) 16. You make me laugh. 15. You motivate me to be a better person. 14. I love going on the motorcycle together. 13. I love when you kiss me. 12. I love that you take such good care of the kids. 11. I love that you do the laundry and other chores. 10. I love when we have weekends alone together. 9. I love snuggling with you. 8. I love that you will let me pick the movies to watch, even though I am going to fall asleep 5 minutes later. 7. I love that you help me with my computer when I don’t know what I am doing. 6. I love that you know when I am stressed and do what you can to help. 5. I love that I can trust you. 4. I love that I can talk to you, about anything. 3. I love that you are getting to know Jesus. 2. I love that you got a matching tattoo with me. 1. I LOVE YOU!!! Happy Valentine’s Day my love. Bryan sent me these flowers to my work today. What a lucky girl I am!

Monday, February 13, 2012

The Book of Joshua

The Life Project: Joshua Pastor Matt Roberts The first words God speaks to Israel in the book of Joshua are "Moses is dead, now arise and go into the land I promised you!" After 40 years of wandering it was time. A new generation stood at the helm of a long awaited promise. God reminds them to let dead things lie and new things come alive in them. Many people see the book of Joshua as a book of battles, of which there are many, but we find hidden under the scenes of gruesome battlefields an old promise that has come alive in a new generation. 38 years earlier Joshua was a young man. He was chosen by Moses as the representing spy from his tribe to be one of the first 12 Israelites to enter the land of their forefathers. He crossed the Jordan River in front of an expectant nation. Joshua experienced the beauty of the land, probably allowed himself to dream of what it would be like to raise his family there and finally have a place to call his own. Maybe he even picked out a perfect place for a perfect home. The time had come for a wandering nation of former slaves to settle down. But something went terribly wrong. As Joshua and Caleb reported promise and vision for a new tomorrow their ten companions spoke with fear of giants and city walls and insurmountable odds. We know the rest of the story, Israel fearfully walked away from promise that day. For forty years Joshua walked a path of wandering he didn't choose. I wonder how many times he reflected on the things he saw as a spy. How many time did he think to himself, "things didn't have to be this way!". It is a sad thing to grow old knowing there was a better path, a sweeter life, greater promise that was just one different choice away. Now God is reminding Joshua's Generation that those things are dead. The old is gone and the new had come. It was time to reclaim the promises of Joshua's youth but three things had to happen first. The first is to make the choice to walk away from dead things. This was no insult to Moses or his impact as a leader. It was God making a statement to an entire nation saying the days of rebellious wandering are dead and gone, let THIS generation choose a different path! Just because you have wandered for so long doesn't mean you have to keep on doing it. Walk out of the wilderness and reclaim the promises of God! The next command is to be strong. The book of Joshua shows us that God's plans for us require action on our part. If the promised land was to be theirs they had a war in front of them. God promised to provide the victory, to fight on behalf of His people but first they had to find the strength to go! To find the strength to press beyond the fears of the unknown and allow God to be their victor. The third command we find in Joshua is to take courage. I believe courage and faith walk hand in hand. God was calling a generation to place courage behind their convictions. They were called to simply believe in God. Would they find the courage to step out and live great lives because of that belief? Would they leave behind the safety of the present and head into the fear of the unknown future just because God said so? Now that takes courage! God continues to call forth generations today. He is calling a people who are willing to walk away from the graveyards of their past with strength, unwavering determination and the courage to live out what they believe everyday! Will you be a part of a new Joshua Generation? If so, it is time to move! It is time to go places with God that have never been seen before! Look out world! Here we come! Suggested Reading Of Joshua Monday, 2/13/12 - Joshua 1-4 Tuesday, 2/14/12 - Joshua 5-8 Wednesday, 2/15/12 - Joshua 9-12 Thursday, 2/16/12 - Joshua 13-16 Friday, 2/17/12 - Joshua 17-20 Saturday, 2/18/12 - Joshua 21-24

Friday, February 10, 2012

Time to Confess

Photobucket


I Confess... that I totally suprised my daughter last Friday. If you haven't been keeping up, I took her to AZ to see her Godmomma. She had no idea we were going, she didnt even know part of the plan until 4am Friday morning, and the rest of the plan when we got the the airport. It was so much fun!

I Confess... even though its been over 2 yrs since I've seen Angie, we always fall into where we were before. There is no lag time. There is no awkwardness. I think being friends with someone for the past 28 years allows you to do that. I am so blessed by her friendship.

I Confess... I felt guilty for leaving my boys home, so I loaded up on Groupons and DailyDeals so they'd have fun activities to do in our absence.

I Confess... I didnt go to the gym this morning. I couldnt get Mister Husband out of bed. I know I could have gone alone, but I wasn't feeling motivated. Now I feel bad... and want to go.

I Confess... I am down another pound or so on the scale this morning. Yay!

I Confess... I have a whole Valentine's date planned with my hubby tomorrow. Movie, Massage, and Sushi. I can't wait. I love spending time just the two of us!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Our Love Story

1. How long have you and your significant other been together? December marked 4 years.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?} December 28th, 2007 I got a text from a friend asking if I was seeing anyone. I kinda was at the time, but nothing serious. She asked if I could give a guy she works with my number b/c she thought he’d be perfect for me. Uh, sure… whatever. I wasn’t thrilled about it… I had gotten out of a terribly heartbreaking relationship about 18 months earlier and was very jaded by the thought of a boyfriend. We texted for a few days and met up for dinner at Iggy’s in Layton and then he ended up meeting up with my friends later that night to go dancing in SLC.

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell} Yes, we got married in September 2008

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? We got married at the Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas. We’ve both been married before so it wasn’t a big ordeal. We had family and close friends come.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share! Well… I call him Mister Husband, he calls me Wifey. Babe, honey, love… all those work too. With an occasional “dumbass”.

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey. He loves my kids as they were his own. He cleans my house and does my laundry. He holds hands with me.

7. Tell us how he proposed? LOL… we were walking in SLC a few months after we started dating and he said “I could see us being married…” and I said only if I had enough beer. Just joking around… the joke went on for a few months until he asked my parents for their blessing and he proposed on my birthday.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals? Hmmm…. Flowers, jewelry kind of guy. We are going to get a massage and out for sushi this year.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
Well, I tend to fall asleep the minute we put a movie in… so I like to go out. Dinner and an early movie… or something like that.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere? I love going to Vegas with Mister Husband. We always have a great time… Fat Tuesday drinks, little gambling, a lot of shopping, a lot of eating, just having a good time. In addition to that, I love going on Harley rides with him… up the canyon around the dam.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. I guess I answered this above… massages and sushi 

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day? I asked for a Sterling Silver ring from JCP… not sure if he remembered. We’ll see!

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. Forgiveness… forgive little things, forgive big things. I’ve learned a lot from my previous marriage and relationships and forgiveness is something I’ve learned. Set expectations… discuss what you will and won’t tolerate. Communication is HUGE… talk about everything and anything. Kiss and hold hands as often as you can. Affection and words of affirmation are needed.

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.

Phoenix Zoo




Enough Already!

On my way home from Arizona, I see on the news that Josh Powell did a murder/suicide with his kids in their home in WA. My heart sank. I am so sad for this family. The mom disappeared 2 yrs ago from their home in Utah, so we have heard a lot about it over that time... the crazy stories of love affairs, pornography, child custody, and now death.

I dont know how someone can have so much hate and hurt in them that they could even fathom thinking about, let alone, carry out a plan to murder your own children. Those sweet little boys. I heard the 911 calls this morning at the gym and I got all teary-eyed. That poor social worker... and then the sister asking for help.

I am so tired of all the freaky things going on around me... cops dying in a drug warrant shootout, people committing suicide, possible high school bombing, and now this. It makes me so sad.

Weigh In Wednesday

Even after a weekend of cake and alcohol-infused ice cream, I'm still down on the scales. I weighed in at 173.2 today.... And after looking back at my list, that's down from 174.8 so I'm making progress. I can see it in my waist and thighs, that makes me happy :)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Book of Deuteronomy

Genesis Project Connect Week 5: Deuteronomy
Pastor Matt Roberts


Forty years has passed. No homes, no roots, no heritage, nothing is permanent for the people of Israel. Days just seem to fly by one after another. They lack purpose,lack meaning, lack life! They are a people who were once so full of promise, so full of life and purpose. But they have forgotten years in the arid, dusty wilderness have robbed memory of the good times. They once knew the voice of God, once stood in His presence, once received His calling and His promise. They were a people on a mission who lost their way.

It must have seemed amazing how quickly those forty years passed by. One moment they were standing at the base of Mount Sinai on their way to a new land, a new beginning. The presence of God was so real in those early moments. They had come face to face with a living God and he spoke words of promise and purpose into a ragtag group of people and called them a nation. Yet now, forty years later they were walking in circles in a barren wilderness without any of the things promised to them. How did this happen? How did things go so wrong?

Quite simply, they forgot. The word Deuteronomy means, "the second telling of the law". We get the sense in Leviticus that God is warning His people "listen to what I say, this is VERY important!" maybe if we would have been there we would have heard "don't make me say this twice!". I am sure at the time Israel wondered how they could ever forget. God had been so good, so real, so relevant right where they were. God had invaded the nation of former slaves and I am sure they believed they would never be the same again. But soon reality set in. The wilderness was REAL. Real heat, real hunger, real thirst, real blisters on their feet and when they got to the river there were real giants and real armies on the other side. They became frustrated and tired and in doing so they took their eyes off of God. They set Him and His Word aside and placed their focus on their present sufferings instead of their God future.

Now forty years have passed and God is again calling a new generation to a promised land. For the second time the Law of God is laid out before the people. God asks them to be faithful, to remember this time all that He speaks to His people. It was a choice of blessings or curses, a literal choice of life and death. How would this new generation respond? Would they hold onto the things spoken in the presence of God, or allow circumstances to rob Gods words from them once again? The choice was now theirs and Gods hopes and direction was clear "choose life!".

As much as I would love to question the people of Israel in their forgetfulness, to ask how they could have walked out of Egypt unscathed and through the Red Sea on dry land, how they could have witnessed a mountain come alive by the presence of God and see a cloud of glory over their camp every day and still forget the things God spoke into them? I cannot question because I understand, cannot judge because I am no different.
How many times have we experienced the hand of God moving us? How many times
has His word permeated the silence of our lives. How many times was our response temporary? We, just like Israel are so good at letting life creep in and steal Gods Word from our lives. We get busy, situations change and without even realizing it, we slowly walk away from the clear direction of God. Most of the time we don't do it on purpose. We just drift away as the mountain top experiences become distant memories. Our passions wain, our resolve is tested and through all of our resolutions made in Gods
presence, the wilderness shows up and sucks us back into the same old ways of a monotonous life.

What if we made this time count? What if we chose life and blessing and ran with it? Ran with a resolve to never look back, never slow down, never to forget. It is a staggering thought for me to wonder where I would be today if I had refused to be sidetracked, if I had stuck to my promises, if I had ran with every word spoken to my heart in His presence. But just like Israel there is nothing we can do about what's behind us, no recreating time wasted. We can allow God to speak into the depths of our hearts
once again and resolve that this time it is going to be different through the power of a patient and graceful God.

SUGGESTED READING 2/6/12 - 2/11/12
Monday 2/6 - Deuteronomy 1-4
Tuesday 2/7 - Deuteronomy 5-11
Wednesday 2/8 - Deuteronomy 12-19
Thursday 2/9 - Deuteronomy 20-26
Friday 2/10 - Deuteronomy 27-30
Saturday 2/11 - Deuteronomy 31-34

Friday, February 3, 2012

Ty's birthday surprise

My dear friend, Angie, lives in Phoenix. Angie and I have been friends since kindergarten. We grew up together in Indiana. She moved to Arizona for school and ended up calling it home. She is my kids Godmother. The last time Ty saw her was at my wedding, almost 4 years ago. She asks about her often and has been begging for her to come visit.

Angie planned to come out for Ty's birthday but Bryan and I thought it'd be fun to surprise Ty and fly there to see Angie. It took all I had not to tell her!

I packed the suitcase last weekend and hid it in my closet. I arraigned things at work. I made sure to stay quiet about it so no one slipped and told her. Last night she was looking all over for her Tom Brady jersey to wear to school today and was so upset she couldn't find it... With me quietly chuckling b/c it was in the suitcase :)

This morning I went in her room at 415am to wake her up... I told her Angie was flying in to surprise her and we needed to go to the airport to get her... All the while the bags were in the car and I'm quickly grabbing things she's done with, like hair ties and toothbrushes.

We drive down to SLC as she plans what were going to do all weekend with our special guest. As we pulled in the parking lot, I handed her a wrapped gift, a photograph notebook I made on shutterfly. On the first page it said, " just kidding, Angie isn't coming... We're flying to Phoenix to see her. Love mom"

Her first reaction? She yelled at me! Said I was mean for tricking her, as she has a big smile one her face. We hurried and got things out of the trunk and jumped on the shuttle.

We checked our bags and got into line for security and the agent says, " I have two questions for you.... What's your name? What's your flight number?". She gave him her name but had a panicked look on the flight number... She told him that she didn't even know we were going on a flight until we got here!!! Everyone around us laughed.

We're sitting in the airport, waiting for our flight... Can't wait to start our adventure! ( I can't upload off my iPad, so I'll ave to add pictures later)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Favorite Things Swap 2012



I did this SWAP last year and I am so excited to be included again... fun stuff!!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Wednesday Weigh-In

I think we have a scale malfunction this morning... After having it say "Error" 3x my weight said I was 3lbs more than yesterday and Bryan's was like 8lbs more. Pretty sure that's not the case. We maybe investing in a new scale tonight.


*** Update, changed the battery to see if that helped...and it went to 173.8 which I believe puts me at my starting number. Maybe I am now down to losing fat!! ***