Finally sharing a secret I've been keeping......

 May 3rd began a new journey for me.  It's been life-CHANGING!  In 8-weeks I've lost 22 1/2 pounds.  But this journey has been so much more than the scale.  I had decided a year ago that I was no longer going to diet.  I found that when I did a diet it inflamed my flesh to lust after that which I could not have.  I prayed that the Lord would supernaturally change my heart.  Well of course He did exceedingly more than I could ever ask or think.  Let me share my story with you.....

Sunday March 16th I had a baby shower for a dear friend of mine.  At this shower was a woman I've known for a few years.  Her name is Mary Jalbert.  Mary is the mother of eight children that she homeschools/ed. (Her only son just graduated from medical school)  

I still remember the moment she approached me at the shower and how we began a polite conversation.  She began to share with me how her husband had experienced a massive heart attack 3 or 4 years ago.  She talked about how scared they were and how the doctor said it was a miracle he lived, but that he needed to lose weight.  It was an incredible testimony of how God led them to Take Shape For Life.  It completely captured my heart!  Because I could never do their story I justice I will simply share the highlights:

• Her husband lost 50 pounds and changed his life
• She lost 20
• They've kept it off for years
• She's now a health coach
• She became MY health coach two months after our first meeting

Not only have I lost 22 1/2 pounds, but I'm almost off my blood pressure medication.  They had to change my prescription and I am on the lowest dose possible.  

My starting blood pressure was 154/93 on 60mg of Procardia.  The above blood pressure is taken after just 5-weeks on program and taking 30mg of the same meds, every-other-day! (Disregard the date on the machine, as I have no idea how to fix it?)

My verse has been Zephaniah 3:17, "It's not by might, nor by power, BUT BY MY SPIRIT SAYS THE LORD."

This program has tamed my flesh (taken away hunger and cravings) so that I could focus on the heart.  I know that everyday is an opportunity to chose either life or death.  The name of the program  I'm using is called Take Shape For Life.   


I will share details and you can visit Mary Jalbert's website if you've been desiring to regain your health, and more importantly your heart!  


Do not try to order on your own as using a health coach gives you HUGE discounts. 

Take Shape For Life uses medifast products as part of their plan.  Each medifast meal has 10-14 grams of protein and is balanced with a healthy combination of carbs, fiber, and vitamins.  



The program I'm doing is called 5 and 1.  You eat five small medifast meals and one lean and green. 

I didn't share what I was doing because I needed time to simply linger with the Lord and watch Him work.  I have NOT arrived, but my friends and family tell me they've never seen such change and determination....Thank you, Jesus!  He gets all the glory and will continue to as long as choose to remember that it's by HIS POWER and not by my might that I can do this!

  

I love their bars, chocolate chip pancakes, and chili!

Update At The Arnold's!

Last February my MacBook started acting funny.  It sounded like a plane getting ready to take off.  I thought it was overheating.  After  making sure that all the vents were dust free and well ventilated, I realized it was much more than that.  It went from making noises to simply shutting down.  I would be in the middle of working on a project, or the boys would be doing a school and it would just die.  It finally just completely quit in May and I've been living off my Ipad Mini ever since.  Oh how I love my mini, but there are just some things that are so much easier to do on a regular computer.  

Fast Forward to yesterday when the UPS man brought our new MacBook Pro.  Literally I could have cried.  It's a good thing I wasn't home because I would have probably tackled him.  I had forgotten how much easier it is to work using a regular keypad.  Especially right now while registering all my families for our Classical Conversations Community.  


I do not take this gift for granted for one second.  I am so thankful and grateful for the blessing of technology.  My prayer is that I will use this device for HIS glory and to carefully guard my heart so that it does not become a stumbling block or idol that pulls me away from that which is most important.  Though, I wouldn't chose to go without a computer that long ever again, I am very thankful for the FAST.  

 

Annual Riverhouse Retreat

Every year a small group of us go away to a private riverhouse retreat. We bring our bibles, curriculum, and lots of yummy food. (Though I stayed on my new weight loss plan). I'll blog about that later.

Coffee W/ Jesus

Coffee W/ Jesus!

Naples!

This past week my sweet forever friend Lynn Doto and I spoke (along with the incredible Tom Harris) at the Naples Classical Conversations "2013" Practicum.

It was AMAZING!  The families were warm, welcoming, and so very hospitable. It was a wonderful experience.

Lori, our beautiful and gracious hostess for the three days we were in town.  She made us feel warm and welcomed, and made the best coffee I've ever had in my entire life!  Thank you, Lori and John for hosting us this week.  We will never forget your kindness. 

On the last day we had the audience break up into groups and our precious friends bought both Lynn and I bling.  Here are my new earrings!  Lynn has snazzy new blingy sandals.  We are all going glamping in the fall.  

Thank you, Erin, Cynthia, and Jan.  Love you, girls! XXOO

Lynn, with Jennifer LeMay the beautiful Support Manager for that area.  Jennifer, you did an incredible job organizing everything and keeping it on track.  Thank you for making our stay PERFECT!

My new friend Erin, mama to 7 and weight loss queen extraordinaire!  She has lost 80 pounds in 14 months.  Thank you for being such an encourager Erin.  

Audience in their breakout sessions.  They were so much FUN!

Lori, outstanding F/E Director and our hostess.  I learned so much from her experience.  

Leaders for the audience breakout sessions

My favorite night!  We had so much FUN at Tin City.

I love this picture of Cynthia!

Precious memories