Take care of your body!

 January 1st until next Sunday Bill's sermon series is, "I am Resolved" and today's sermon title was, "To Take Care of My Body".   Bill and I always go out together during the benediction and greet people as they leave so if anyone wants to visit or talk to either of us personally and up close, they know where they can find us!  We love doing this and it can sometimes be entertaining to hear some of the comments from friends!  Today, someone asked me, "Did you write Bill's sermon for today?"  People who know me well, know that I am all about healthy food, family, church, exercise, Disney Vacation Club, shopping, cooking, entertaining, movies, reading, photography on trips, and holiday decorating.  AND many of you know that Bill is all about sports, studying God's Word, prayer, evangelism, golf, Disney Vacation Club, and  unhealthy food!

I loved this Sesame Street video from years ago!  My mantra, Healthy Food!  Bill and I, just like all couples, have different DNA, different genetics.  Bill really can eat things that I can't and still have better blood work results than me!  He has lower cholesterol just naturally.  But my HDL's are higher than his since I do more intentional cardio but I have had to work hard to accomplish that!  My father had high cholesterol and high lipids and LDL therefore, I inherited a tendency toward that.  However, I was victorious in getting my cholesterol down 25 points in 3 months and back to normal!  I continue to take Red Yeast Rice, Fish Oil, eat 14 unsalted almonds daily, and take psyllium (the only fiber that helps reduce cholesterol) daily!  I also do at least 45 minutes of vigorous cardio 3 times a week and I don't eat fried foods, hardly any red meat, no desserts, and very little sugar.  I drink tea, coffee, and water, and some skim and or soy milk in an occasional skinny latte at Starbucks!  

Bill's message today was from Luke 2:52 and Mark 12:28-30

Bill references the scripture from Luke that says, "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and Man."  

When we were both freshmen at Baylor we were both selected to serve on the BSU Leadership Council.  While serving on that we were taught to strive to live a balanced life based on this scripture.  We were to strive to always improve physically, mentally, physically and socially.   We were given an illustration of a wheel  that had 4 divisions equally divided into these areas.  This wheel represented a well balanced successful life. 

Dan and Nancy Deel were our teachers and they taught and challenged us to seek to have balance and to be excellent Physically, Mentally, Socially, and Spiritually.  I am so thankful to have been blessed by my parents paying for me to get a degree from Baylor where I grew mentally and spiritually.  I was also challenged to learn how to grow and hopefully excel in the social and physical areas.  

The action steps Dr. Bill Skaar (my handsome husband and pastor!) challenged us to take today were:

1. Diet

2. Exercise

3. Rest - get enough sleep

4. Say no to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs

5. Practice Moral Purity

6. Build relationships

7. Worship regularly

Bill also shared about depression and how this, along with diabetes is an epidemic in our country right now.  Antidepressants are one of the most prescribed drugs.  See your doctor and find out if you have a chemical imbalance but know that simple exercise can produce natural feel good chemicals such as Endorphins/ neuro  transmitters that facilitate a natural feeling of happiness and well being!

Bill also shared Genesis 9 where the dietary laws of the Old Testament were given and foods such as pork and shell fish were forbidden and considered unclean!  We joke often about these "unclean" foods.  Thankfully we are under a new covenant since Christ died and paid the penalty for our sins.  He also lifted the Law that required us to work out our salvation, make atoning blood sacrifices regularly on the temple alter, and eat only of the foods considered clean.  Many Jewish believers continue to follow the old dietary laws such as not mixing dairy and meat and keeping kosher and their practices are yes healthy, but protestants believe we are free from the old laws.

Bill also referenced I Corinthians 6:18-20 where the word says to "flee from sexual immorality".  I am so thankful that I can honestly say I was a virgin when I married but the scripture encourages us to strive for this to protect our health as well.  This directive if followed, can guarantee that you will not contract an STD and you will also not have any unpleasant or irremovable memories of this activity with anyone else but the one and only one you choose to marry and love the rest of your life!  What a wonderful blessing and a bonus!

Finally, 3 John 1:2-4 says, "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  It  gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

We spent celebrated our 30th Anniversary in paradise!

A view of the lagoon just out from the pool area at Aulani! Paradise on earth!
The view from Makapuu point! Stunning! Even more beautiful in person!
The sunset from the Lagoon at the Paradise Cove Luau, Ko Olina!
Stitch hanging out by the pools areas! Shaka! "Hang Loose" Hawaiian style!
The North Shore!
Sand writing!
Our leis that Bill had secretly pre-arranged to be given to us as soon as we walked off the plane upon arrival!
On the hike up Monoa Falls!
Coming back down from the steep hike up to Monoa Falls.

The Dole Pineapple Plantation was an unexpectedly delightful time! We hadn't planned on doing this but saw it on our way to North shore so we stopped and toured it and tasted the most wonderful fruits ever!!

We hiked Diamond Head to see the sun rise! Priceless!
Amazing! How can anyone doubt there is a God when you behold his creation!
The Falls at the top of Monoa Falls Trail!
The view of Aulani from across the lagoon.
The North Shore.
Fun photo spot out by the pool, the lava shack, and the shaved ice stand. So much fun! I know what things I want to do again next time we go in 2014!
The Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center on the Northwest Shore.
Our nice dinner to officially celebrate our 30th anniversary at the Ama Ama restaurant at Aulani.
Bill and I at the famous beach where the movie "From Here to Eternity" on the South East shore was filmed!
Hanging out with Mickey Mouse who just happened to be vacationing here too this week before we headed to play some golf at Ko Olina right across the street from Aulani.
After a nice round of golf with some really nice folks.
Photo from the evening we went to the Paradise Cove Luau!
Our last day before heading back home.
Pearl Harbor is a must see for all Americans. Life changing, emotion evoking, and solemn is how I would describe this monument area.

Things I'm loving this week!

My new favorite drink is Chick fil a, half a cup of diet lemonade with the other half unsweet tea! Amazing! (Thanks Debbie Sims for telling me about this!)

Red Yeast Rice!! Helped me lower my cholesterol 25 points so far!

Chick fil a's new grilled nuggets! Healthy and delicious!

Our new student minister Travis Bailey and his adorable wife Carrie! This is them leading Mosaic last Sunday night!!

What are you loving this week?

3 funerals

Psalms 116: 15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."

In our 30th year of ministry, it never gets easy to walk with families as they lose a loved one. Bill and I have both endured the death of our parents. We can attest to the grace God gives when you need it most. Just when that indescribable pit in your stomach is at it's worst, God supernaturally gives you comfort and relief, reassurance and hope.

This week we have sadly had three deaths within our church family. One father, husband and friend who had lived a very long and happy life. Another who was Bill's and my age but had been paralyzed in a ski accident and had a tough 19 years since. He was tenderly loved and cared for by his amazing family. The third young man was not yet 40 and sadly succumbed to pancreatic cancer leaving a beautiful wife and 3 children.

My thoughts and prayers are for all three grieving families.

What a day! Whew!

I had a good morning doing speech therapy and getting all my students times in before Christmas break. Success at this daunting task is always a relief before a long break. Then I was pleased to complete the remaining Medicaid forms I had to complete and submit before noon tomorrow. my afternoon tasks then were done so I headed straight to get my one month overdue inspection sticker replaced right after work. Well, to my surprise my car did NOT pass inspection! What? Yes, the nice young man, said mam, I'm sorry but your high beams are not coming on and I can't figure out why. The fuses were fine. He said he could pull the bulbs and explore further but I thanked him for his time and said I would take it to the dealership. Well, I cannot say enough wonderful things about Metroplex Toyota on I 20 in Duncanville! Gerald Battles is the amazing Service Manager and I have known him since 2000 when I purchased a 4 Runner there. The service people there as usual immediate come out and greet me by name with clipboard in hand to take notes as to my wants and needs as another person quickly papers my carpet mats and places protection over the leather seat. I explain that my car didn't pass inspection due to the high beam headlight not coming on. Gerald immediately starts investigating the situation himself! Now, remember, he is the service department Manager and he could choose to delegate this or just send it on back to the mechanics but no, he jumps right in and checks it out! When he is convince that yes,the head lamp high beams just won't come on at all, regular lights yes, but NO high beam, at all. He heads to his computer to check for recalls, updates etc. and within a few minutes brings me the diagnosis! Yes, the 2008 to 2010 Toyota Avalon's entire headlight assemblies have been totally recalled and the warranties extended. I'm covered! They both have to be totally replaced, no not just the bulbs, which were both blown or burned out, but the entire assembly, right and left! No charge! If I had had to pay it would have been $2500.00 with parts and labor. Praise God for recalls AND extended warranties!

Well, then they gave me a ride home because the work would take two hours. A lovely man who is a retired accountant from Mobil Oil does the courtesy driving for the dealership and I enjoyed our visit as he drove me home. Soon Gerald calls me that it's ready! All I had to pay was for my inspection! I'm so thankful for this unexpected blessing!

Brad drove me to get my car so we decided to have his Toyota Tacoma's overdue inspection done while we were there. Well, the adventure continued! We could not find his current proof of insurance in his truck glove compartment. No proof, no inspection. Well, we have a wonderful insurance agent, Skip Johnson, SMU graduate and leader at our church, a very kind, smart, and talented man of God. I called him and he faxed it right over to the dealership immediately! Whew! Brad's inspection done and we were all fixed up and back in compliance with the law!

Then I realized that the Senior Adult 2 and 3 dinner and Christmas party was at 6:00 and it was now 6:10! Yikes! After phone tag with my handsome smart and patient husband we decided I would simply meet him at the church for the dinner! Success! We concluded today with a delicious dinner catered by Eddlemon's, beautiful decorations, and outstanding entertainment by a very attractive and talented husband, wife, and daughter who sing at Johnny High regularly and are members of First Baptist Midlothian! I don't remember their names but I truly enjoyed their singing! What a blessed way to end this day!

Psalm 1: 1-2

"Blessed is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly but his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law he habitually meditates by day and by night."

,

Things I'm Loving!

I am loving this flavor or K cup coffee for my Kuerig coffee maker! Jamaica Me Crazy! So good!

I have been SO busy and overwhelmed at work this year that I haven't kept up with posting my "Things I'm loving Thursday" posts. Sorry! So how about "Things I'm Loving" on any day I can carve out time to blog!

I am loving this Jucy Couture perfume my sweeWt sister in law, Sue bought me recently!

I am LOVING Baylor Basketball! The Men and Women are both off to a great start with amazing players and potential! Who needs the NBA when you can watch our outstanding Baylor teams play!

I am loving doing cardio as Bill coaches and trains me for the Cowtown 10K and later the Disney Princess Half Marathon!

I am loving this cooler weather!

I am loving a new discovery called Thirty-one! My wonderful friend Sandy gave me a beautiful personalized bag from thirty-one! Beautiful and well made items!

Cabi! I had a great party to help my great friend Lori Gray kick off her new Cabi business and I got to order some great clothes for both me and Melissa for half price!

I love "The Skit Guys"! They are so funny and their messages are right on! skitguys.com

What are you loving today?

Is vunerablity worth the risk?

Vulnerable

Is being vulnerable to others really worth the risk? You can't truly let anyone get to know you, your thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams, and ideas without being vulnerable to that other person. I read a book while I was at Baylor that was about this topic. The question was asked, is it worth it to be vulnerable to others? To literally give them the weapons (arrows) to hurt you with? Trusting them to NOT hurt you, to not shoot you with the arrows you are giving them by letting them in, by sharing with them your innermost thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams and ideas. The book also presented the writers thoughts and belief that you cannot truly know another person without then becoming vulnerable to them, trusting them, and sharing yourself in return. This level of trust with another is interesting. We as human beings are not perfect, we are not divine, and we really are not very often worthy of total trust. We so often do betray the trust of others who sincerely trusted us with their most private thoughts, fears, hopes, struggles and more. Why do we as humans hurt those who care for us the most? Is it worth the risk? Should we do it again, even after a deep hurt, betrayal, or unmet expectation of one we trusted, loved, and shared with?

I have to say, YES! It is worth the risk. after living long enough to have experienced both joy and dispair, both victory and defeat, met AND unmet expectations, I can say YES. Don't ever stop being vulnerable to another whom you feel God wants you to share with! It is worth the risk! The victories, joys, and met expectations far outweigh the defeats, the moments of dispair, and the unmet expectations! Look what Christ himself endured for us! Yes, I can go on and continue to risk for His glory! It's not about me! It's all about Him and sharing His love, His message, and following His word! It IS worth the risk. I will shake off the sting, the hurt, and the disappointment. I will trust Him. I will press on!

Jeremiah 31:3 says, "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee."

HE will NEVER use the weapons I give him to hurt me! Meaning, God will never betray my trust when I share with Him from the deepest parts of my heart, my thoughts, my fears, and more. He is always faithful and worthy of my trust, He alone. I am naive to expect a human to be divine. Only God is divine and capable of total trust with no fear of betrayal.

I will not stop risking vulnerability, I will pray for wisdom as to whom I risk this with, but I will not harden my heart. People are people, not Gods, and hurting people hurt people. I can choose my response and I choose love and forgiveness.

Like the title of my Blog, I choose joy! Life is too short to not forgive, to harbor hurts, to allow the to grow and become a cancer. God is too big to sweat the non eternal things and HE is in control.

Psalms 86:5 "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

Matthew 6:14 715 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

I Kings 8"39 "Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

God is so good and I am so blessed. I am grateful that I serve and know the one true living
God who He alone is worthy of my total trust!