Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Final Weigh-In!
Well, the 10-day juice fast I mentioned last week (you can read about that here), turned into a 7-day fast. And, for the FIRST time in my life it wasn't because I gave up and quit early!! No, instead we had to end our juice fast early simply because we no longer had money left in our groceries budget to buy more fruits and vegetables to get through the last three days. Eating nothing but fruits and vegetables can get to be expensive! Still, I'm proud of myself for sticking with this lifestyle change for so long. I think the last time I tried to "diet" I lasted for a grand total of.....4 hours. No Joke. I have never been one to over-eat, but I do enjoy snacking throughout the day, and have an insatiable sweet tooth that gets me in trouble. So, you can just imagine how proud I am of myself for eating nothing but fruits and vegetables for 7 days in a row! And.....the weight loss made me feel pretty good too! I ended up losing 7 pounds in 7 days! Now I just need to continue eating healthy, limiting the junk food, and hopefully I can continue to lose the weight! And, I am now 16 pounds from my goal weight, which feels awesome! Here's hoping that this lifestyle change will result in a healthier Stacie in 2013!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Happy Shopping!
With a new year upon us I am sure many of you are doing exactly what I am right now: Going through your closets and tossing/donating clothes you no longer wear, and planning a shopping trip for some new pieces to add to your wardrobe. As a Christian wife and mother, it is important to me that I be feminine, modest, and classy in both my dress and behavior. Of course, every woman is going to have a different conviction of what that means, but I thoroughly enjoyed this post by Kelly over at Generation Cedar. I'm attaching it here, so that you too can enjoy the article, and maybe get a few ideas for your own closet as well! Happy Shopping!!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Trusting God
First of all, I'm sorry for not posting my thoughts on the scripture reading yesterday. I have decided to post both yesterday's and today's readings here, instead.
Matthew 5:1-26-I think what stood out to me the most in this passage is metaphors of Christians being both the salt and the light. Jesus is very clear on how Christians are to live. I am called to be the salt of the earth. And, just like salt is worthless if it loses it's flavor, so is a Christian who does not live a life pleasing to God. Lord, I pray that I will never lose my "saltiness". Give me the strength to be a Light in this dark world for You, God!
Psalm 5:1-12-Lord, just like David I desire to spend every waking moment talking to You and praising Your name. Give me a love for You Lord that surpasses all others!
Proverbs 1:24-28-I need to stop turning to God only when life is hard, but instead lean on Him at all times, through the good and the bad. I need to trust Him fully to take care of me.
Matthew 5:27-48-In this passage, Jesus gives a lot of great commands on how we are to live a life pleasing to God. Being faithful to your spouse, speaking the truth at all times, and treating your others-even your enemies-the way you would want to be treated. Lord, I pray that you would give me the courage to speak the truth always, no matter how difficult it may be. Lord, give me a heart that yearns to see others come to You, and help me to treat others in the same fashion that I would want to be treated.
Psalm 6:1-10-Lord, have mercy on me and forgive my sins. I pray that you would keep my enemies from me and protect me always.
Proverbs 1:29-33
Genesis 11:1-13:4-This passage starts out talking about the sons of Shem, which ends with the marriage of Abram to Sarai. At one point, the Lord tells Abram to pack up everything he owns and move his family to the land the Lord has promised for him. Without hesitation, Abram does exactly what the Lord says. He has full obedience and trust in the Lord that He will provide for him. But, when they enter into the land of Egypt Abram suddenly forgets that he can depend upon God to take care of them. Afraid that he will be put to death when Pharoah sees how beautiful his wife is, he tells Sarai to lie to the Pharaoh and state that she is his sister in order to save his own life. Just imagine how much better it would have been for Abram and Sarai if they would have just kept their faith in God and leaned on His Promise to never forsake them! Lord, I pray that I would stop trying to take matters into my own hands, but that instead I might give full obedience and full trust over to You!
Matthew 5:1-26-I think what stood out to me the most in this passage is metaphors of Christians being both the salt and the light. Jesus is very clear on how Christians are to live. I am called to be the salt of the earth. And, just like salt is worthless if it loses it's flavor, so is a Christian who does not live a life pleasing to God. Lord, I pray that I will never lose my "saltiness". Give me the strength to be a Light in this dark world for You, God!
Psalm 5:1-12-Lord, just like David I desire to spend every waking moment talking to You and praising Your name. Give me a love for You Lord that surpasses all others!
Proverbs 1:24-28-I need to stop turning to God only when life is hard, but instead lean on Him at all times, through the good and the bad. I need to trust Him fully to take care of me.
Genesis 13:5-15:21-Even though Abram did not fully trust in God to take care of him, God still made a promise to Abram to bless him and make him the father of many nations.How Great is our God to forgive us our sins and still promise to bless us when we turn back to Him!
Matthew 5:27-48-In this passage, Jesus gives a lot of great commands on how we are to live a life pleasing to God. Being faithful to your spouse, speaking the truth at all times, and treating your others-even your enemies-the way you would want to be treated. Lord, I pray that you would give me the courage to speak the truth always, no matter how difficult it may be. Lord, give me a heart that yearns to see others come to You, and help me to treat others in the same fashion that I would want to be treated.
Psalm 6:1-10-Lord, have mercy on me and forgive my sins. I pray that you would keep my enemies from me and protect me always.
Proverbs 1:29-33
Friday, January 4, 2013
Full Obedience
Jan. 4, 2013
For today's devotions I read the following:
Genesis 8:1-10:32
Matthew 4:12-25
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 1:20-23
Genesis 8-10 continues the story of Noah and the Great Flood. At this point, the waters receded off the face of the earth and Noah and his family were once again able to step on dry land. I thought it was interesting how many times God told Noah to "multiply and fill the earth". For me, it was another reminder of how important it is to trust God with family size.
In Matthew 4:12-25 we see Jesus beginning the start of His ministry. He calls to Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him, and they immediately stop what they're doing and follow Him. Oh, to have obedience like that! How often do I hear God calling me to do something, but instead make excuses as to why I can't obey immediately? Lord, forgive me for my disobedience. I pray I might be like your disciples and follow You always.
Psalm 4:1-8. This is a passage about how, no matter how hard life seems, I know that if I call out to God He will hear my prayers. It is so comforting to know that when things seem bleak and impossible I have my God who loves me, and has a great plan for my life. I can face anything that comes my way, because I know that God will always be with me.
Today, I felt as though the message God was trying to teach me was that of Full Obedience. I need to obey Him when it's easy, and when it's hard. I need to stop putting my own desires ahead of what He desires for me! Only then will I experience true joy and the desires of my heart!
For today's devotions I read the following:
Genesis 8:1-10:32
Matthew 4:12-25
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 1:20-23
Genesis 8-10 continues the story of Noah and the Great Flood. At this point, the waters receded off the face of the earth and Noah and his family were once again able to step on dry land. I thought it was interesting how many times God told Noah to "multiply and fill the earth". For me, it was another reminder of how important it is to trust God with family size.
In Matthew 4:12-25 we see Jesus beginning the start of His ministry. He calls to Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him, and they immediately stop what they're doing and follow Him. Oh, to have obedience like that! How often do I hear God calling me to do something, but instead make excuses as to why I can't obey immediately? Lord, forgive me for my disobedience. I pray I might be like your disciples and follow You always.
Psalm 4:1-8. This is a passage about how, no matter how hard life seems, I know that if I call out to God He will hear my prayers. It is so comforting to know that when things seem bleak and impossible I have my God who loves me, and has a great plan for my life. I can face anything that comes my way, because I know that God will always be with me.
Today, I felt as though the message God was trying to teach me was that of Full Obedience. I need to obey Him when it's easy, and when it's hard. I need to stop putting my own desires ahead of what He desires for me! Only then will I experience true joy and the desires of my heart!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Off To a Great Start!
On Dec. 31, 2012, my husband and I decided we wanted to get-and stay-healthy in the new year. We had recently purchased a juicer, and watched the documentary "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" on Netflix, and decided that we were going to give healthy eating a GO! We set the goal to go on a "juice fast" for ten days. From Jan. 1-Jan. 10 we would eat (or rather drink) unlimited fruits and vegetables, but nothing else. No meats, no carbs, and NO SWEETS! Once the "juice fast" is over, we plan on continuing our healthy eating habits by eating meats and carbs in moderation (a few times a week), and keeping sweets and junk food to a minimum (once a week).
We are on day 3 of our juice fast, and I am so glad we decided to kick-start our weight loss/healthy living goals this way! We are getting LOADS of nutrients from all the fresh fruits and vegetables, we feel FULL after drinking a juice, AND we are already seeing the pounds come off! This morning, at the start of day 3, I was down FOUR pounds! And, I'm losing it in a healthy way, with a fool-proof plan to keep it off afterwards.
My main focus in this diet is my body. I have shared on here that I have a hormonal imbalance that causes me to have irregular periods and irregular ovulation. Before I turn to medications, I want to try and get my body in the best shape it could be, and for me that meant detoxing my body of all the bad, and filling it with good! I am praying that God will heal me through my dedication to healthy eating. I know medications would probably have a faster result, but I would rather do it naturally, while working with and trusting my body to do what it should.
2013 looks like it's going to be a healthy year!
We are on day 3 of our juice fast, and I am so glad we decided to kick-start our weight loss/healthy living goals this way! We are getting LOADS of nutrients from all the fresh fruits and vegetables, we feel FULL after drinking a juice, AND we are already seeing the pounds come off! This morning, at the start of day 3, I was down FOUR pounds! And, I'm losing it in a healthy way, with a fool-proof plan to keep it off afterwards.
My main focus in this diet is my body. I have shared on here that I have a hormonal imbalance that causes me to have irregular periods and irregular ovulation. Before I turn to medications, I want to try and get my body in the best shape it could be, and for me that meant detoxing my body of all the bad, and filling it with good! I am praying that God will heal me through my dedication to healthy eating. I know medications would probably have a faster result, but I would rather do it naturally, while working with and trusting my body to do what it should.
2013 looks like it's going to be a healthy year!
Jan. 3rd Devotions
Gen. 5:22-Enoch walked with God 300
years.
I can hardly fathom how close Enoch must have been to the Lord! I have a
feeling that Enoch must have been in constant communication with God,
much like you would be with a best friend. Oh, how I long for that kind
of relationship with my Heavenly Father! I pray I might be like Enoch, and spend every waking moment in constant communication with God!
Like most people, I turn to God when something goes wrong, and seldom
at any other time. I want to stop turning to Him when I need something,
and instead turn to Him simply because He IS my Best Friend and my
Heavenly Father, and I want to spend my life growing closer to Him and
growing in His favor.
Gen. 6:8-Speaking of finding favor in God, what better example than
Noah! When God was troubled with the sins of the world and decided to
destroy His creation there was only ONE person who stood out and found
favor in the Lord's eyes! Do I stand out to the Lord? Or am I blending
in with the rest of the world? Lord, I pray that You would fill me with Your Love and that I would spend my time rejoicing and obeying You!
Gen. 6:22- This verse states that Noah obeyed God in ALL THINGS!
Many times, God asks us to do something that seems hard (and in Noah's
case, strange!), but no matter what it is, we need to obey our Heavenly
Father. I admire Noah for his obedience to His God.
Matthew 3:10-In this verse, John the Baptist is warning the Pharisees
and Sadducees that a day will come when the "good fruit" and "bad fruit"
is separated, and the bad fruit will be cast into the furnace.
Is the way I am living my life reaping good fruit? Lord, show me the
ways in which I can rid myself of the bad fruit, and increase the good!
Matthew 4: Jesus' Temptation. This is perhaps one of the greatest
chapters in the Bible! It proves that Jesus was both fully human, AND
fully God while here on earth. How comforting to know that the Son of
God was also tempted....and that He has shown us how we too can flee
from temptation! If you read this passage, you will see that Jesus
quotes scripture each time the devil tries to tempt Him. It is so
important to hide God's Word in your heart so that when satan does try
to attack you can fight against him! Lord, Help me to save your Words in my heart so that I may be able to stand against the devil's attacks!
Psalm 3:3-4 "But You, O Lord, are a
shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my had. I was crying
to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain" God,
You alone are my Protector and the Giver of my life! Hear me, I pray,
as I cry out to You! I pray that not only would You take away my pain,
but that You would teach me something in spite of the pain.
Proverbs 1:10-19-From this passage, I felt God saying that it's
important to have the right kind of friends, and to surround myself with
those who will lift me up and encourage me to grow spiritually. I am so
thankful for both my husband, and my best friend who are both there for
me on a daily basis to uplift, encourage, and pray with/for me! I am
also thankful for the friends I have made on facebook who do the same
for me. What an encouragement it is to spend time with other Christians
who can help me in my times of sadness!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!
I have already mentioned in a previous post the personal mission statement and spiritual goals that I am setting for not only 2013, but long-term as well. However, I thought I would share with you some of my short-term goals for the year 2013.
1. Lose 23 pounds. I still have about 15 pounds of pregnancy weight to lose, so this would actually put me below pre-pregnancy weight! I do not plan on using any diet plan because I know that diets, for me anyway, tend not to work. Instead, I want to simply eat healthy, get rid of the junk food (and when I have it eat it in controlled moderation), and drink plenty of water. Starting today, for the next 10 days I will be on a juice fast. I will juice unlimited fresh fruits and vegetables, but that will be all. Cleansing out my system sounds like a good way to start the year!
2. Understand my cycle. A week ago I found out that I have a hormone imbalance that could cause difficulty in getting pregnant without fertility treatments. My goal for 2013 is to fully understand the cycle God gave me, and to find ways to stay healthy so that my body can support a pregnancy when God sees fit to bless us again.
3. Limit TV time. Ok, so this one is going to be hard! I'm a stay-at-home mom of an 8 month old, without a car. I stay in the house the majority of the day, and my son is too young to have a conversation with. But, I want to find other ways to fill my time, whether it's through blogging, reading, or crafting.
4. Family Time. I want to take time to visit with my extended family this year. My goal is to visit with extended family members at least once a month.
5. Go to South Carolina. I want to plan a trip to visit my best friend and her family at their new home in South Carolina.
6. Give it to God. This one is more of a long-term goal, but I want to start now. I want to hand over the stresses of life to God and put my trust fully in Him, instead of trying to take control of it myself.
1. Lose 23 pounds. I still have about 15 pounds of pregnancy weight to lose, so this would actually put me below pre-pregnancy weight! I do not plan on using any diet plan because I know that diets, for me anyway, tend not to work. Instead, I want to simply eat healthy, get rid of the junk food (and when I have it eat it in controlled moderation), and drink plenty of water. Starting today, for the next 10 days I will be on a juice fast. I will juice unlimited fresh fruits and vegetables, but that will be all. Cleansing out my system sounds like a good way to start the year!
2. Understand my cycle. A week ago I found out that I have a hormone imbalance that could cause difficulty in getting pregnant without fertility treatments. My goal for 2013 is to fully understand the cycle God gave me, and to find ways to stay healthy so that my body can support a pregnancy when God sees fit to bless us again.
3. Limit TV time. Ok, so this one is going to be hard! I'm a stay-at-home mom of an 8 month old, without a car. I stay in the house the majority of the day, and my son is too young to have a conversation with. But, I want to find other ways to fill my time, whether it's through blogging, reading, or crafting.
4. Family Time. I want to take time to visit with my extended family this year. My goal is to visit with extended family members at least once a month.
5. Go to South Carolina. I want to plan a trip to visit my best friend and her family at their new home in South Carolina.
6. Give it to God. This one is more of a long-term goal, but I want to start now. I want to hand over the stresses of life to God and put my trust fully in Him, instead of trying to take control of it myself.
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