Wow Moments...

Can you tell it has taken me a while to get back into the swing of things after the holidays?!? Being off two weeks and then jumping back into a routine with both feet was not real fun. I love staying at home. I am definitely a "homebody!"

Christmas was wonderful---fun times with family and friends. Finally caught up with the other half of the world and got a Wii and a Wii Fit. I can't wait to use the Wii Fit, I can't right now because I have to become more fit before I can be under the weight limit. (now don't all of you scramble to find the weight limit on the Wii Fit. You know I ain't little.) That was my wow moment. Couldn't wait for the Wii Fit and it, well, doesn't fit.

Went to Callaway Gardens and saw the Fantasy In Lights. So much fun! If you have kids at home from school and they are bored, this is a great day trip. Make reservations to see the lights and pay by the car load. I became such a kid! It was cold but I had my head stuck out the window in awe. I was reminded that it doesn't take much to bring out my inner child...wow.

Got really bored and started looking up every friend I could come up with on Facebook, past and present. There was one person I have looked for in the past and never ran across him. Last Saturday, January 3rd, I found him. He was the very first person who taught me what a "quiet time" is. He taught me so much and I really looked up to him. Looking back, we had many of the same struggles, some of which still haunt us today. I "friended" him but he didn't remember me (it had only been 20+ years...) and sent me a message, asking how we knew each other. We started emailing back and forth and I was just blown away. I was so down and discouraged and in 5 minutes time, he had encouraged me and reminded me of Who clings to me...and I think he was a little down, too, and well, let's just say finding him on FB was not coincidence. Isn't God awesome?!? I have held onto what my friend said-remember to cling to Jesus, even though He is ALWAYS clinging to us. WOW.

He is a pastor now and doesn't live close. I hope to see him again one day and get to meet his family. He is one special person. I linked him up with two other old friends and now they are getting to catch up after many years. That just makes me smile.

God is so good. I don't deserve to even breathe the air He creates but yet He loves me.

Ok, going to bed now. Love you peeps!

WLS Surgery

I promise this isn't turning into a weight loss surgery blog, but my surgery date is official. February 19th, 2009. She first suggested February 12th, but since that is the Thursday before DNow, I thought my student ministry staff and crew would hang me out to dry.

Would love your prayers! Lots to prepare for!

Surgery Update!

Everyone at one time or another gets one of those phone calls that will change your life. Sometimes, unfortunately more than we would like to admit, these phone calls are bringing bad news....but sometimes, they are delivering good news! I got one today...a life changing phone call. When the caller identified herself as Nancy from the surgeon's office, my heart started hammering in my chest and my breathing became very rapid and shallow. In the two seconds it took her to say hello, I was trying to determine the emotion in her voice--was she happy? Disappointed? I couldn't tell. It seemed like an eternity went by before she said "YOU WERE APPROVED!" Blue Cross approved my gastric bypass surgery!!!

When I hung up the phone, I was all excited and nervous at the same time! I will find out after the holidays what steps happen next. Thank-you for your prayers! A new journey awaits!

More on My BIG Decision...

Seven months ago, I made a decision that would ultimately change my life forever. For the better! I wasn't sure I wanted to throw it out there for all (five) of you to read, but I decided to...can't ask for prayer without filling you in on the details. Well, I guess I could but Jenny's post inspired me to share this with everyone for support and encouragement.

I have struggled with weight all my life. ALL my life. Even as a child, I was always heavier than most of the boys in my class. I always felt very self-conscious about it, too. I wouldn't even get on the see saw because I was afraid I would be laughed at when my side fell swiftly to the ground and I thought I might even send my best friend all the way to outer space. So...even at a young age, weighing 10-15 pounds more than my friends, I began to live my life full of shame and regret, not doing things my friends were doing and losing more and more confidence in myself.

I became a Christian when I was 11 years old. Even as a grew in the Lord, I didn't honor Him with how I treated myself. And my parents-they meant well-but I will never forget meeting my dad in the lobby of the city hall and riding up the elevator with him at a time when they still used elevator operators. I was probably 13 or so. The sweet lady running the elevator had known my dad for many years and hadn't seen me since I was a small child (or younger child I guess I should say) and she said something along the lines to my dad about his "pretty daughter" and he said "she is pretty if she would just get this weight off." I was so ashamed. I had let both my parents down. Didn't stop me from eating though!

Kept gaining weight-all through high school and college. My freshman year, I lost about 50 pounds to gain the interest of a guy, which didn't work by the way. About every three years, I have lost 50 pounds, only to gain 60 or 70 back. I don't really know why except when I eat, I have no emotion; I am not thinking about anything about what is going in my mouth. And for a worrier like me, that is very freeing.

Fast forward to now and my BIG decision. After much prayer and conversations with the Lord, I feel led to do gastric surgery. Yes, gastric and drastic rhyme but my health is in a drastic shape. I had to go through seven months of pre-approval doctor visits and had my 7th visit on December 8th. I am waiting on my insurance approval as I type. I hope to hear something this week. Surgery would be in January most likely. This will be my last Christmas as the morbidly obese, self-conscious girl who avoids the camera at all holiday gatherings!

I got to this point when I realized I had stopped living. I didn't go anywhere or do anything unless it was work or home--I've missed weddings, funerals, family gatherings, even concerts. There are bathroom stalls I don't fit in, I worry about going to new restaurants for fear all they have are booths, I hate meeting new people for fear of what they think about me, I can't find any clothes that fit anymore....and in August, I sat down in a chair, and it broke. And my heart and spirit broke with it. I KNOW I am doing the right thing! I can't serve the Lord in my capacity right now. It's time...

Will you pray for me? Pray that Blue Cross approves the surgery. Pray that I will not worry about all the details. Pray that the Lord will be with Dr. Mathews and his staff. Pray that I can handle the 180 degree lifestyle change that will happen after surgery. And pray that the Lord will be glorified through all of this!


Thanks...and I love you all!

My Heading Picture

...is Mt. Cheaha here in lovely Alabama! Isn't it beautiful? I wish it would snow. I am in a snow deprived state...literally and figuratively. Why do I live here? Wish I was in Alaska~no really! I do!

Grumble, Grumble, Grumble

Tonight, I finished wrapping all my presents! Yes! Between last night and tonight, I got 'er done. Now my den looks like both hall closets threw up in here but hey, I'm done. OR SO I THOUGHT!

I started thinking about all the things I had wrapped and realized I am missing a few items. Three to be exact. You know, I try to be all clever and efficient, shop early and get my Christmas shopping under control...but then it backfires on me because THEN I LOSE THEM! I have looked everywhere. I don't get it. Argh!

So I am not really finished. I am now on a hunt for three more presents. I almost think it would be easier to just go and buy them again. If only I could remember what they were...hmmmm.

Something's in the Chimney...

and it ain't Santa! Oh my! I heard something a couple of nights ago, like something was burrowing in the 10 inches of leaves on the back deck. I scared whatever it was off and hadn't heard it again until tonight. Mark went to investigate and found a hole in the side of the chimney. YAY! Isn't that great news? We still don't know what it is but I pray he finds a new home soon.

We put up a slim 7.5 foot Christmas tree today. We haven't had one in 7 years. I was so excited! There is just something magical about the tree all lit up at night. I turn the lamps off and just sit, basking in the tiny white lights of the tree. Ahhh...what peace that brings...UNTIL!!!

You hear a noise in the chimney! GEEZ!!!!