It's Almost Over...

Well, it has been quite sometime since I have posted..but with good reason. Great summer!
My Boys have had a blast, and are not ready to head back to the books!! But Learning calls!!!

Will give an update later..but Just wanted to let you know I am back and ready for FALL...

Bless you,

Busy, Busy, Busy

That is it in a nutshell! So, busy! But that is okay because I have been working on my summer "To Do" List and I must say, I have made some progress.

#6-I have 1 book down, Love Finds you in Miracle, by Andrea Boeshaar, easy Summer read! Read most of it while laying by the pool while the boys were swimming (#8)!

Now reading, The Line Series, Take One, by Karen Kinsgbury. I have never read any of her books, good read!

Now..what else....#9 is getting better. Hard a first, but sure seems to pay off, literally! Never realized how much $ I blew on things that were ridiculous.

#1 has not panned out yet. I have really tried, but man! IT IS HARD!

We will start our Bible Study this week and I am so, so, excited! I need it and I want it!

Hope your summer is going has planned. I hope you are taking this season to use if for what it was created for. Have fun! Enjoy this life you have been given! Spend time on things that matter...that really count! Make some memories!

Love you.

CONFESSIONS OF A SUMMERHOLIC....

Okay it has been 12 days I think since I posted last.....I knew this would happen! So, it is time for confessions:
Confession #1. I did not do Day 1 of the Shred until this Saturday.

Confession #2. I have not done it since.

Confession #3. I have no desire to do it again!

Now, that does not mean I am not going to do it again...I just have no desire! BIG difference, although my past attempts would prove otherwise.

What do I plan on doing about this, you might ask? Well, I have to look on the brighter side of things, and since the list above depresses me, I feel the need to make a positive list. Let's call this one:

WHY SUMMER MAKES ME HAPPY: (CAN YOU SEE I HAVE CHANGED THE SUBJECT COMPLETELY? NO, I AM NOT IN DENIAL!)

#1. Bright Sunny Mornings

#2. My boys are home.

#3. Fire Flies

#4. Late Nights

#5. My boys are home.

#6. Fresh Tomatoes

#7. Water Balloons

#8. Homemade Ice Cream

#9. Smell of Sunscreen

#10. Did I mention, my boys are home!

Let me just say, that come July, when my house has stayed in a consistent state of disorder, and my laundry is always overflowing from the variety of summer activities that seem to require constant wardrobe changes....I will want to revamp this list..and the #1 reason will be because MY BOYS ARE HOME! But for now...I am going to pretend like those things don't bother me! And let me add...who made the school calendar this year? To have to continue 9 more days after Memorial Day is just treacherous! My kids are about to lose their minds!

Anyway...what is your favorite thing about summer? Leave me a comment.

Okay...back to my depressive list...I AM going to continue with this weight thing! So many of you have commented about the last post. Girls, all I can say is, you are so not alone! This is something that many, many struggle with and we are not going to get this under control alone! I really believe GOD is preparing us for this summer study (I hope you are signed up). Christie has agreed to lead another class because so many have responded. Cheers to Christie! So, glad she has stepped up! Anyway, I think you will agree with me, the whole weight, food thing is really NOT the problem. It is a symptom of something much deeper. I am going to try to figure out what that is...are you along for the ride?

Want to know my goal for Summer 2009? To stop being in a constant state of trying to fix myself! To be at a place where I know my weaknesses, but still be in the process of working on them without being defeated because it is a PROCESS! To stop allowing "what is wrong with me, keep me from worshipping what's right with GOD!" (did you get the quote I sent, this line has been burned in my mind!) I just want to LIVE.

Don't think that is too much to ask...in fact I believe GOD is begging me to ask just that! I feel he is saying over me,

"AMY, would you stop all this frett'n and just LIVE?!!!!!"

"I have come that you (Amy) might have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Abundant life..hmmm..now that's something worth chew'n on...

Day 1~(I'm going to regret this!)

Okay, don't say anything yet~ I am about to put it out there and I know I am going to regret this! Kind of like Wynonna on Oprah...but somethings gotta give!

Here is what I am getting at...I am miserable! Absolutely miserable with myself! I have gained 15 of the 21 pounds I had originally lost, back! And my goal was to be at a good, healthy weight by summer, and I have blown it! To smithereens I might add!

What doesn't make sense is, I feel terrible. I have horrible heartburn (from stuffing my face), I can't sleep (from stuffing my face), I can't fit into anything (from stuffing my face), and I am so tired and exhausted all the time (Yes...from stuffing my face)! So, why do I continue to do the same things when I know it only makes me feel like...like....CRAP! You know the saying, "When you know better, you do better.", well that is a LIE! I know better but I am a far cry from doing better!

So, after being so miserable yesterday I decided once again I would try to get this FAT thing under control. Last night Brody and I headed to Target to purchase the 30 Day Shred. I made several excuses not to go, and one of course, was I was way too tired (go figure). And I didn't need to spend the extra money. I made a deal with myself, if it was too expensive I would not purchase it (sounds completely ridiculous considering I never say that when it comes to food!) But, needless to say..we headed off.


Lo and behold...guess what? Sale, Sale, Sale! Now I love me good sale..but when I rounded the corner and saw that all exercise DVDs were 50% off, I didn't run and jump with excitement (probably should have, could have started the burn right there). Yes, it applied to the 30 Day Shred...$9.99 mind you! I figure if that mean, hard, woman can whip a 400 pound man into shape, she may stand a chance with me!

Okay, so here is the deal...I am hoping by posting this that you will help me be accountable, and the fact that if I fail at it will bring even more guilt since I am stupid enough to post this, then I might actually stick with it. Stranger things have happened!

On a more serious note, I am really just trying to be truthful with you. I have a FOOD problem. A serious FOOD problem. My close friends know my struggle, but not everyone. I don't like to air it all, but so many of you have come to me asking for advice in this area (I have laughed with GOD on that one!) and confessing your desire to do a bible study on just this. Girls, it's time to BELIEVE that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. It's time to give GOD authority over this area of our lives.

Enough for now...I have stopped several times and almost deleted this post. If I don't end it now, I might back-track. Just know, I am with you. I understand what this is like. Jillian Michaels may have the ability to kick my B-U-T-T, but My Redeemer has the power to transform my pitiful, weak, LIFE!

In just over 3 months I will turn 35. I have a check-up with my thyroid doctor the same week and he said, if I am not in better physical condition, he will put me on cholesterol meds at that time. And blood pressure meds might be next. Girls, that has my attention!

I'll keep you posted on "The Shred"...will do session 1 today..Please pray I don't kill over...if I do, just know I am in Heaven, sitting at my table ...probably eating!!! Hey, don't frown at me... He said it....

Isaiah 25:6
"On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines."

Hope there's Coconut Pie...

Love you, girls!

We Have Crossed the LINE....State Line that is!

What a wonderful, powerful time we experienced in Texarkana Monday night! It was so worth the drive and the time!

My dear friend, Suni Hensley, did everything to make us feel at home and welcome. Those girls in Arkansas sure do know how to love and love you good! Great time, great fellowship and most of all Great Worship! (and their church is just beautiful!)

Something I have learned or starting to learn (& a dear friend pointed this out to me lately)...I may not talk to those girls everyday, or call them on a regular basis. And our paths don't cross but maybe 2-3 times a year, but we have a bond. A good, strong, powerful bond. They care about me, they love me, and most of all they pray for me. My needs. I have that with some sweet women at Bar None too...we may not be "close" as some might call close...but we are ....as my husband would say, we are TIGHT! We have the Sista-thang go'in on. And it is the the glue of Christ that has bonded us. We truly are family.

We share in each other's struggles and hurts even though we may not know every detail, God does and he "hears the needy and doesn't despise his captive people" (Psalms 69:33).

I have meet some pretty neat ladies lately and developed some long lasting friendships with them. To Him I am so grateful. We are the BODY of Christ. We are growing together and working together. To see it at work is amazing! To be a part of it is humbling! And to look back and see his Hand where He has moved, is priceless!

Love you, Girls!

National Day of Prayer

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

What a great day! I have anticipated this day since last week! Why? Because, we are once again reminded the curtain was torn, the debt was paid and we can enter the Holy of Holies as sons & daughters of the Great I AM!!!!!

Take your need to HIM today! He can't wait to hear from you...he is waiting....

We want to See your GLORY!!!

I need to see it today...Many of my friends are in fierce battles right now. Lord I pray for your GLORY to shine! We want and need to see it!

"LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:2