Changes

Here it is December already, and I cant believe the year is almost gone. What a wild year it has been. As I sit at home today sick, I am thinking about the blessings I have been blessed with this year. As January marched in, it was a horrible month in which I didnt think I would recover quickly. Satan Stormed in and tried to cause havock in our family. Through lots and lots of prayers...

God was Faithful!...

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

I remember Pastor Bruce preaching with that verse during some of our darkest hours. I even was as far to write it across my bathroom mirror with a sharpie. I figured we all would read the scripture if it was in the bathroom, so that was the very spot for it. Through mountains and valleys this year, that scripture has been a very present reminder that its all in God's plan for us.Things are better now at the end of the year, and I just pray that God will stay ever present in our family.

Today things are better...Jim and I are doing great! We hit our 18th year of marriage last month. The kids and I are so excited that after all these years, he has started coming to church with us faithfully. Not only does he just go to church, but he even goes to Sunday School(Christian Living Classes). He enjoys our new church and is enjoying everything OFA has to offer, especially the donuts and coffee on Sunday's before class. (haha).
After going to church just me and the kids for so many years, I am just thrilled to have him sitting next to me. He is learning alot and there are even sometimes when we come home and discuss Pastors message together. I am thankful to my new church family at OFA for being there and preaching what we needed to hear. Pastor Bruce's Sermons and Pastor Dave in Sunday School have been such a blessing to us!
We couldnt be happier!

God is using me in the choir , which I love and right now I am praying I get over this crud I have so I can sing in the concert coming up in a week or so. I have been also singing on the Praise team a couple times. It is awesome! I love to worship! I was alittle intimidated because of the size of the church, but I broke thru that intimidation and just Praised the Lord!
I am excited about the Womens dinner next week, and then I have to get ready for Haylee's Surgery. Haylee will be having Surgery next Friday the 11th to have her tonsils and adnoids removed. Most likely we will miss the Christmas Parade that Saturday, and the Fire Department Dinner that evening because Jim will have to stay with Haylee, and I have dress rehersal at church. I am sad we are going to miss it, but maybe next year, I gotta get my baby well. We can use prayers for Haylee next Friday during her Surgery, and maybe one for me to get over this junk I have so I can sing!
Until next time.. Remember Jesus is the reason for this season!!!!!
God Bless!

Dawg Days of Summer

Well here we are in August! It has been an eventful summer. The summer started out with my Uncle Dennis passing away. My Mom and I went with my Aunts to Tennessee for the funeral. It was a sad occasion but it was very nice reuniting with our family. I had a hysterectomy on June 4th, and It was probably the best thing I have ever done. I feel so much better!
The kids have been to camp. Haylee went to Oklahoma City and Garrett went to St. Louis, Chicago and Wisconsin( Spencer Lake Camp) He had a great time! My baby Haylee graduated to the youth group at church. I cant believe she is growing up so fast. She is going into Middle School this year and she is so nervous about it, she has been crying about not having a certain school supply. Today she freaked out because she lost her new class schedule for a few minutes. Anxiety is setting in, and I am trying to calm her nerves.It will all be ok next week as school begins. We are begining to look like a family at church as Jim has been coming with us faithfully for 2 months now! I have been praying for that for years! God has been faithful, and is blessing our little family.
Well Im gonna turn the fan up and get a glass of tea, come back and visit me again sometime..God Bless!

Bug

I finally got myself a VW Bug! I am really excited about it and it really fun to drive. I have to get a few things done to it like brakes and a couple other small things, but for the most part it is a great car. It needs a little TLC and it will be a great car! I am already loving the gas milage!

Weight loss and More

Well the New Year came and went, the storm in my life has switched to a rain shower now. God has lead us to the place where we could get help for our son and things are better. Thank you everyone for your prayers. We have a long journey to go, but we know God is in control of the situation! Last October I went for a check up with my doctor. She took some tests and we went thru them together, and I was informed that I had elevated blood pressure and I was on the brink of Diabetes. My blood pressure has always been great, so I was surprised by the report. The thought of Diabetes hit me like a brick wall. I remembered the struggle my cousin Missy had with it her entire life. She was a few years younger than me and now she is with the Lord. I sat there and listened to my doctor tell me about what diabetes is and the symptoms. Well I had gained weight and let myself go. My Doctor said she wanted to send me to a 2 hour glucose test, I raised my hand up and said "hang on! Let me try to lose some weight." She said ok and so I really jumped on the bandwagon. I decided to get myself back in weight watcher mode.
I went back to see her in December and I had lost 14 lbs. She was excited for me! I was proud of myself too. I survived through the holidays, and watched what I was putting in my mouth. I was spoiled by my husband at Christmas and he bought me some Rachel Ray Cookware and the kids got me a crock pot. He bought all of this at Kohls so he eneded up with $50.00 in Kohls cash. I found the certificate in my stocking. My Mom and I went to Kohls and I looked around for something to buy. I looked at the clothes and saw a few things I wanted but I decided that Since I was going to lose more weight, clothes werent such a good idea. I walked around the store a couple times , and then I decided to buy a brand new scale for the whole family! I got one of those cool glass ones, and it has big numbers so I can actually read it ( Ha). I also bought a biggest loser calendar that has a bunch of great weight loss tips in it.



January 5th my husband Jim decided to jump on the weight loss wagon with me. I love it when we lose together, it sure is alot easier. We recorded our weight on our new calendar and got going on the weight loss journey.
I weighed in this past Wednesday Jan 14th and I am now down 22 lbs. As of today Jan 16th, Jim is down 9 lbs. We are off to a great start.Its really fun when we weigh in and see how each other is doing. Its like we got a competition going on. Its all about baby steps. I am making small goals for myself. My next goal is 3 lbs. I know I can do it! I cant afford to go to weight watchers right now but I have my books and we are counting our points. I got a new journal from Curves that I have been writting everything that I eat in. I have heard that people who write in a food journal have more weight loss success than those who dont journal. I am being faithful to my journal.
Last Tuesday night Curves started a free weight management class. The class was good and we had about 20 ladies come. We are going to discuss grocery shopping, eating out and weight loss issues. The support of all the ladies will be priceless! I will be at the meetings on Tuesdays, because I need the support and I think I will have better success with it. I will be there to support the other ladies and help them with their weight loss goals. I am excited! I pray the Lord will help me thru this new journey I have embarked on! Jim and I will be in our competition and I will keep you posted as to our weight loss successes.
Stay tuned!

Philippians 3:21 (New International Version)
21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Proverbs 3:8 (New International Version)
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

Luke 12:23 (New International Version)
23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Lamentations 3:24
I say to myself, "The LORD is my
portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Until next time, Be Blessed and keep us in your prayers for my son and for our willpower!

Storms

Storms are unexpected and sometimes come into our lives just when we think things are going good. January 3rd a storm came roaring into my life as well as my whole family. My Marriage is good, and my relationship with the kids is great , but my son is struggling with teen issues as well as a spiritual warfare in his spirit. He began to tell us the trials he was facing as a teen at school and the twisted views on everything I had taught him as well as the church his whole life.I just cried for him. I hurt for him.I prayed!

I realized all of this was just lies and deceit from Satan himself. I tried to pray with him, but he didnt want me to. He has been in church just about every Sunday and Wednesday his whole life. I wondered how suddenly what he was taught by me and his Church leaders was now all mangled due to the views of other teens? There needs to be a High School outreach for the teens around here! Someone needs to share Gods love with them and let them understand its not religion, its a relationship.

I called all my prayer warrior friends and asked them to pray for us and stand in the Gap. I got into the word and prayed for God's help and guidance.
The Lord gave me 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV) The Lord says this to you; Be not afraid or dismayed at this great mutitude; for the battle is not yours but God's.

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the Deliverance the Lord will give you. 2 Chr 20:17

This is my command- Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

We are getting thru this and we have found some Christian help to help us with this.
I am reminding myself to keep the faith no matter what!

My favorite Christian group Casting Crowns has a song called Praise you in the Storm.
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I know God can help us thru this and help my son get back spiritually where he needs to be with the Lord.
Lean on the Lord in your times of trials and storms!

Until next time.. God Bless you!
Tammy

Welcome 2009

Happy New Year! Wow did that holiday season go quick or what? As many millions of people, I am starting my yearly resolution on Monday. Every year I vow to lose weight and some years I have done great and others not so good. Well I did manage to lose 17 lbs last year after finding out I was within inches of having Diabetes. I have got to get busy! I have 30 more lbs I was to get off in the next few months.After that goal I will make another one.I am thinking of doing Weight Watchers again. It was the only diet that has ever done good with me.

I would like to read my bible more this year.. Save 25.00 a payday...and countless home repairs I would like done this year.

This year lets all draw closer to the Lord, more than ever before!

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Have a great 2009!
Until next time, Be Blessed!
Tammy