Today I am gathering my thoughts for speaking to some ladies tonight at the kind invitation of someone that I do Apples of Gold with each Fall. I am honored to have the opportunity although a year ago when I accepted, I had no idea what Id be talking about tonight. Usually I find that when Im asked to do something like this that God has plans for me that I know not of and sure enough...I do have plenty to talk about. I know that I write about my weight loss this or struggles that a lot and so many of you already know about it. I hope Im not covering this ground too much, but it is what Im living right now. There are some things Ive learned through it all...beginning when my Sunday School class laid hands on me and prayed specifically for me a year before I actually took action...God knew that there was a master plan brewing. The fact that I found the program (Leanness Lifestyle University) I did at the time I did from seeing the success of my friend Beverly Labosky, have the people at Hogans Gym who never fail to inspire me, and have an empty nest and an awesome husband who make it all easier, and have people in my life like Allyson Williams Moody, Sandra Sasser Summerlin and Jodie Knox Moody who keep me accountable to showing up to exercise that make it work. Now I have friends going through the program that Im trying not to overwhelm with enthusiasm so I stay as in the background as much as I can because Beve gave me space when I started the program and I appreciated it. I read this saying this morning and I have to say that it holds true for me. I know that other people out there are fighting battles that we know not of...a childs struggles, a marriage ending, a business failing, a new diagnosis. But I also know that every time we are thrust into the middle of a major battle...that we will also line ourselves up for the biggest blessings if we will just look up instead of just at our circumstances. Just. Look. Up. So, tonight I suppose Ill be talking about looking up. About believing in yourself when all evidence is to the contrary. About how God is faithful. About persisting without exception. All of the things Ive learned through the process...and what I am still discovering about myself. I only have 20 minutes...but I could be there all night with story after story. Example after example. Just from the past 7 months. Please pray that tonight I say what He wants me to convey and that it is all about Him and not about me. Im just an observer to the changes that are going on in my life. Yes, I participate, but the real miracle working is going on with the daily changes occurring in this temple renovation. Even if I do occasionally have to regroup and throw out some bad habits that tend to creep in when I let my guard down. Which, fortunately, is less often than it used to be. Hope you guys have a great day and know that sometimes whatever you are walking through is in direct proportion to the blessing that you are being prepared to be given. Hold on to the goodness of God with all youve got. :)
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:24:03 +0000