Crazy Good =)

Yes, I have entered another one of my "crazy busy" seasons, but it's amazing how God is helping me to
s-t-r-e-t-c-h and grow! Not that long ago, a week (or month) like this would have really stressed me out, but even in the chaos, I now feel a sense of peace. All I ask is for Him to give me what I need to do all that I need to do and do it well.
That's not so much to ask, right?
:)

My connect group has really taken off with a lot of new ladies this semester! I am so excited about the potential I see in this group... I really feel like some of them are actually "getting it" and are well on their way to absolute freedom from obesity and food addiction. I feel like a proud momma hen!

I have more human trafficking training downtown tomorrow morning and another training to go to in a couple of weeks... Even though I haven't written much on my anti-HT book lately, I can't shake the feeling that part of my own destiny & plan are somehow connected to this heartbreaking cause.
I can't say it enough: This world needs its eyes opened.

While ridiculous critics mercilessly rip Tim Tebow for (fake) tackling his mother in a commercial, REAL injustice and abuse against women is going on under the guise of "sexual liberation" and "freedom of expression." The stereotypes and prejudices that women have fought for so long are simultaneously being condoned and heralded as feminist achievements! Why, prostitution is simply a CHOICE a woman makes, right??

Uh, last time I checked, NO little girl ever "wanted" to be a prostitute when they grew up.

Before I go off on another tangent, let me just say that despite how overwhelmed I sometimes feel, I am ready for whatever God wants of me. I may be over-tired some days and overjoyed on others, but I want what He has for me in this life.
No matter how crazy life may get, with Him, I know it's going to be crazy-good.

Big News & Even Bigger AWE

I have been struggling with a difficult decision for some time now... At first, I thought I could just grit my teeth and push through this chaotic time in my life, but something made me stop, cold, in my tracks.

I'm no longer focused on Elevate (Healing Place School of Ministry), and I don't think I'm supposed to be.
Last year was crazy busy, too. In some ways, I was actually BUSIER last year than I am this year.
And yes, the workload this year is MUCH more intense (no lie), but that's not it, either.
I have always been able to "push through" no matter how grueling things become
(Hey, I survived boot camp!).
Quite honestly, my heart just hasn't been in it. I love being an intern, but I can't seem to get focused this year.
Then my friend & advisor said something to me recently that makes perfect sense
(thank you, Tiffany!):
"It may be that God's favor is not upon you in this area, in this season."

Well said... and absolutely right.

I know, without a doubt, what I AM supposed to be doing in this season:

*Taking care of my family
*Leading my life group
*& FINISHING MY BOOK

I never cease to be amazed at how God gently guides us in the path He wants us to follow.
Oh, we can balk and try to stay where WE want to go or where WE think we should be, but if it's not HIS will, we are just wasting time.

So, this morning, I "resigned" from Elevate.
Or, rather, put my ministry training/studies on hold.
I hope to someday return to Elevate to complete the degree I would like to obtain, but even more, I can't wait to see what God has for me next.
Whatever it is, I know it's going to be AWESOME!

The Prodigal Blogger =)

I'm so sorry I have been "missing" this week!
What a week it has been!!

In a nutshell, the insanity began at 3 AM on Monday morning.
I woke up suddenly and thought the power had gone out. I got up to get a flashlight only to discover that sporadic areas of my house had power, but 75-80% did not.
We checked the breakers and reset the whole-house breaker, to no avail.
The air conditioner wouldn't work, the fridge was out, and so was the freezer.
In desperation, I began calling friends to find an electrician (well, I waited until after 8 am).

The electrician came out on Monday, but found that the problem was no easy solution... a wire in our meter pan (?) had caught on fire and burned clear through. (!!!!!)
When it fell away, it caused our house to run only on limited power and only a few things (low energy) would work. This required:

*A City Permit to complete the work
*DEMCO to come out and shut off power to our house
*The electrician to come back out and replace the meter pan & wires
*The city building inspector to come out and inspect the new wires/meter pan
*DEMCO to come back out and turn everything back on

Our dear friends and neighbors, brothers Frank & Vince Bellipanni let us stay in Vince's house Monday night so that we would not have to go to a hotel. Our house was getting really hot and since we just did the whole "no power for 5 days thing" last month (ala Hurricane Gustav), we weren't about to do it again. THANK YOU, VINCE!!!

Then, Monday night was HP Women and DeLynn brought an amazing word for all the ladies there. It really touched my heart and encouraged me for the week ahead.

Tuesday was the start of 40SAP and of course, Tuesday night was HPSOM (Elevate) classes.
Wednesday was full of errands and appointments and trying to get laundry caught back up from 2 days with no power (hey, I have 3 kids).
Thursday started with an early doctor appointment, followed on the heels with haircuts for myself & Nadia, followed by the second meeting of my life group: INSIDE OUT

Today was our usual THRIVE Friday & I have spent the afternoon getting caught up on paperwork. It has been a long and exhausting week, but I am more than content with all that God is continuing to do in my life.
Last night's Life Group meeting was just wonderful. I really love all the ladies who attend the group and I think lives are going to be changed & God is going to be glorified through all of this.

If you are wondering what happened to my political rant post, I removed it. For one, it wasn't fair for me to only point out the faults of one side when there have been equal injustices on the other. But mainly, I do NOT want my blog to become a political whipping post. I did not start this blog to influence peoples' political opinions or to publicize my own. I think the right to vote -- to CHOOSE who we want for higher offices is a wonderful FREEDOM and right that many people take for granted. Even if I disagree with your choice of candidate, I will NEVER deride you for YOUR choice.
I respect every individual's right to choose & vote as they see fit.

Hope to begin posting regularly again, but that's it for now.
I'm sure I've worn you out with all of this anyway.
The Prodigal Blogger has returned!

It's Saturday?? Wake Me Up on Monday

This week has been a BLUR.
Seriously.
I don't think I've sat down to relax more than 20 minutes in the past 5 days.

I've already told you about the miracle of Monday night (the jean capris fit!), but what you don't know is that the miracles continue...
On Thursday morning -- the morning of the day when I would start my life group -- I stepped on the scale for the first time in over a month.
I thought I was a tad over 50 pounds lost -- maybe 51 or 52... but I never dreamed of the number I would see!
I stepped on the scale and quickly stepped back off.
I checked to make sure nothing was interfering with the scale's springs or balances; I calibrated the scale and stepped on again.
Nope.
It was right the first time.
I have lost 60 pounds since February!!!

Sixty pounds -- on the nose -- since I first began this obedient mission.
Sixty pounds of undeserved grace from an incredibly loving God.

But that's not all.
My life group began Thursday night and I had 17 women show up to hear the message I had for them! Indeed, 4 others were supposed to attend, too, but had something keep them from coming at the last minute.
What a great start to this endeavor!

This morning, I co-hosted a rather large baby shower for a dear friend of mine who is due in the next couple of weeks.
We are believing God for a miracle for her baby. Please be praying for her (Kristi) -- that the birth of this baby would prove the doctors wrong & that this baby would be a living testimony for God's goodness and mercy.

It's been an exhausting week, but I am SO happy and content.
I think I'll take a nap now... maybe until Monday.
=)

HP Women & My Life Group

Are you ready, Girls???

NEXT Monday
-- September 22nd --
Healing Place Women starts back up for Fall!
And guess what?
They are going to do a panel, interviewing all of the Life Group leaders so that we can tell a little about our groups & invite women to sign up!

In case you missed it, I will be starting a life group on Sept. 25th:

From The INSIDE OUT:
God's Healing From Obesity and Food Addiction
("Inside Out" for short)

Basically, it's a Christian weight-loss support group, but it's not just that.
I believe it is a revelation from God that I can't wait to share with other women who have struggled as I have.
This is NOT another diet or weight loss trick or gimmick.
This is YOUR ticket to freedom!

This group is for any woman who has struggled for a significant length of time trying to lose a significant amount of weight
OR who has struggled with some form of
eating disorder.
This is not for someone who merely gained an extra 15 pounds on vacation
or who just needs to "trim up" before the holidays.
;>)

I'm calling all women who have felt the pain of this struggle, who have been
at wits' end with frustration,
and who are desperately seeking a permanent answer from God.

I hope you will join us next Monday night
and cheer me on.
Seriously, I need your prayers right now.

I'm Sorry

God has really convicted me about something...

I went to my first "Healing Place Church Life Groups" meeting today and I just sat there marveling at how far I have come in the past year. Here I am about to lead a life group for Christian weight-loss support and I have not even posted, once, about all God has done for me in this area!

First let me say: I have tried (almost) every diet out there -- Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Low-Fat, Low-Carb, you name it.

A few months after I started writing my book, I felt a still, small voice ask me,
"Are you just going to preach it or are you going to WALK IT OUT?"
So, in mid-February, I decided to put the tenets of my book into practice in my own life.

I have not been perfect; there have been moments when I stumbled and definitely times when I was less than faithful, but for the most part I have tried to be obedient to the message I was given when I first began thinking about writing.

The result?
As of a few days ago, I am down 48 pounds since February.
FORTY-EIGHT POUNDS!!!!

Uh, that's more than my 4-year-old weighs.
I've lost a small person!
And I can honestly say, that I am not following a diet.
Don't get me wrong; I know which foods are healthier choices for me and I know my "trigger foods," but for the most part, I am just being faithful in this walk.
And God has been MORE than faithful to me in return!

I have struggled with my weight off and on for more than 25 years (I'm 38) and this is the first time in my life that I actually believe I will succeed.
I don't just believe it; I KNOW it.

So, I'm sorry for not posting about this sooner and giving glory where glory is due. God has been so good to me and only He can take something that has been such a "curse" for me and turn it into an amazing BLESSING!