What if the Vision You Had For Yourself as a Teenager Was Real?

The lake, an early summer morning.

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing well. I apologize for the inconsistent posting schedule lately. I know it must have been strange to have no posts for six months, and suddenly, it's three in a month. Yikes! Get a schedule, girl! But, I am experimenting to see how often I can squeeze in some writing, in between my crazy work schedule and everything else that needs to be done.

My Christmas Was Better This Year

Hey, everyone! Happy New Year! I hope you had a good Christmas, and are settling into your routine for the new year.

It's been a while since I've shared with you here on the Life in the Woods blog, but I have missed this page terribly. School this year (like every year) is just so crazy busy, that by the time I come home, I am mentally and emotionally drained, and find it difficult to put words together.

Sixteen Ideas for Organizing a Small Kitchen

16 Ideas for \Organizing A Small Kitchen

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful Easter weekend. It is now Sunday evening, and I am feeling truly refreshed, from a luxurious Spring Break. My husband booked some time, off, too, and we truly enjoyed our little house in the woods, and allowed ourselves some time to simply "be."

Life Doesn't Have to Be Perfect. In Fact, it Never Will Be!

Hey, how is everyone? I know it's been a while since I posted, and I have lots to catch up on! By the way, spring is officially on its way, but you could never tell by looking at our front yard: 

About four feet of snow tell us spring is not quite here! 

But first, I wanted to share something that I have been learning lately. And it is this: 

Sometimes you have to just simply accept that perfect is never going to happen. And that's okay. 

Let me share an example from my own life. As a university student, my major was for teaching high school English. I loved to write, and high school English was where I felt very comfortable. 

And after graduating, I have taught high school English. For four out of the approximately ten years that I have taught.

The other years, I have taught E.S.L. to adults, grade two, alternative high school, junior high Social Studies, and substitute teaching, where you teach almost every class in the school (even gym -- groan.)

Do I wish I could teach high school English? Well, that is my ideal, yes. I absolutely love the deep discussions, love helping students communicate. I love literature. 

My ideal year of teaching was right before I met my gorgeous husband-to-be. It was the perfect set-up: teaching 100% English, with a shot of Drama the side. Perfecto.

But ... it wasn't meant to be. That blissful year came to an end, and as the newcomer to the division, the job went to someone else, who wanted to move up from teaching junior high English. 

Perfection came to an end, and I was moved down to teach grades five/six. I felt so out of my comfort zone, that I ended up leaving the division. And moving me and all my boxes across the country. 

This was my future husband helping me move across Canada

I kept searching for that ideal job, again, but alas, high school teaching jobs are at the top of the pyramid of teaching jobs. Those that have these jobs rarely leave them. 

Plus, the place where I had moved (for love -- read that story here), had worse employment rates than my home province. 

I did other things. Worked for Statistics Canada. Then taught alternative school. Started writing again. 

And then I taught grade six. Yes, if you remember, grade six was the level I had turned down before, because it was out of my comfort zone. 

And it still was. Out of my comfort zone, that is. But I worked really hard to learn the curriculum, to learn how to reach 11 and 12 year old kids. 

For two years. Then, I decided to go back to writing. I was just exhausted from stretching myself, feeling like it would never be good enough: my teaching, my classroom, me. 

I re-started this blog, printed up business cards, and started writing for the local paper. 

View of Lake Winnipeg, in the early morning. 

While covering the school's Christmas concert for the newspaper, my old principal asked me if I could come back and teach grade six, the job I had left. The other teacher had left. He was in a pinch. 

I did. Now, a two-month contract has stretched into six months. And I am looking at coming back next year. 

What changed? What changed was me. I finally saw that things don't have to be perfect. I stopped longing for that perfect job, and just started accepted the life that I have been given right now.

My house is not perfect. I am not perfect, and my classroom is not perfect. 

And that's okay. I will only do what I can. And it feels pretty good. I started to finally learn to live this verse:

 "...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

--- Phillipians 4:11b

My kitty, Jo, demonstrating complete relaxation yesterday. 

And so I encourage you, today, to accept what life has given you. Life doesn't have to be perfect. It never will be. But do what you can, with what you have.

And remember: those things that are the hardest, will eventually become the things that make you the strong person for others who are walking the journey behind you. 

Love Sharilee. Hey thanks so much for reading. I would love to hear your comments and input in the space below. Also, if you like what you are reading, sign up through my Facebook page. or receive posts by e-mail by joining here

** All photos are property of the blog's author, and cannot be reproduced, without written permission from the author. 

Get Caught Up in the Hype of New Year's!

I wanted to cancel New Year's this year -- too much hoopla!
Pedro Subercaseaux [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I Like 2015 So Far!

Hey there! Happy New Year to you! So far, I am liking 2015 quite a bit better than 2014. It might sound kind of silly but I am serious! 

It's funny how the holidays seem to allow us to open up more and share more. This New Year's Eve, I talked to people I haven't talked to in years, danced with my gorgeous husband, for the first time in, I think, EVER. I feel a peace I haven't felt in a long time. 

Why I Wanted to Cancel New Year's

And the funny thing is about my warm feelings is that this year, I really wished we could have cancelled New Year's. I just wasn't feeling it. 

Slightly depressed, I just kind of felt like it was way too much pressure and hoopla. After all, technically, it's just one day on the calendar. 

And resolutions? Why bother?

If I want to lose weight, I reasoned, there is no special reason I need to make that decision on this particular date.

I didn't feel like reflecting on the mistakes of the past year, because I had made way too many of them. And I didn't really care for making goals for next year, preferring to take things one at a time.

And I think this might be a common feeling among those of who have been struggling this year. The whole holidays, including New Year's, can seem like an awful lot of extra pressure. 

So, I stalled. Tried to ignore the onslaught of Best of 2014 articles and posts on making all those smart goals. 

Even my brother-in-law showing me his detailed goals, broken down into beautifully organized categories into the program, One Note, did not move me.  But then ...

Why I Couldn't Cancel New Year's Eve

"Hope" is the thing with feathers --
That perches in the soul --
And sings the tune without the words --
And never stops --- at all -- 

-- Emily Dickenson 

As we got closer to December 31, I was drawn in by the utter and undeniable hope of this beautiful holiday. 

At what other time of year are we allowed, even strongly encouraged to admit our mistakes?

When else do we loudly proclaim our intentions to people we barely know?

Yes, New Year's is a ready-made, hand-delivered socially acceptable excuse to be cheesy, sentimental and reflective.

And most of all, who does not want a new start, a chance to start from scratch? We all want grace. To have our mistakes left in the past. And to start again.

A New Year is a marker in the endless blur of our days. A time to stop and look, at what has been done, and what has been neglected. 

So, on December 30th, on New Year's Eve Eve, I made a request of my gorgeous husband. Could we sit down and do some reflections about our last year, and what we want next year to look like? 

What made me change my mind about this holiday? It was the draw of hope. This has been a hard year for us, with adjusting to a move, and me quitting my job, and a myriad of other smaller problems. 

The Smell of Hope Drew Me In

But the smell of hope drew me in. A fresh start. It was too alluring to resist. And once again, as I do ever year, I took part in a ritual which goes on all over the world, in different forms. 

My husband and I prayed the New Year in this year.
Jean-François Millet [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

My husband and I prayed. We made our peace with our mistakes, sins and fears from 2014. And we renewed our commitment to the things that are most important to us. 

Our shared resolutions were simple: to spend time daily getting to know God through prayer and Bible reading. And to exercise regularly. Taking care of our spirits. And our temples. 

As you enter the New Year, I encourage you to revel in the excitement. Let yourself be caught up in the hope, and the hype!  With all of the bad news we see coming every day from our screens, don't feel bad about feeling and needing hope. Hope is what keeps us alive. 

If you haven't taken part in our annual ceremony of renewed hope and desire, I encourage to try it. Even if you feel cynical like I did, you may be surprised at how good it feels. 

And for those of you who have made resolutions, or goals, or expressed desires, please feel to share some here. I would love to hear how you would like to improve in 2015! 

Take care, and God Bless! My hope for you is renewed strength, courage and faith. And love, happiness and peace. 

Love Sharilee. If you like what you are reading, sign up through my Facebook page. or receive posts by e-mail by joining here.

What I am Learning About Wood

Oh, the things I am learning about wood! More than I ever dreamed of knowing! 

Yes,wood has become my world for the last few days as my gorgeous husband and I prepare ourselves for the winter coming soon upon in our little house in the woods.

On Saturday, we went out to the bush to do some woodcutting, and wow, was this fun. Yes, I am not kidding … it was actually fun, even though it was also so dirty, muddy and backbreaking. 

But how amazing it is it to go a quiet place in the middle of this Manitoban forest and imbibe in that air that is so fresh that it makes you feel like you’ve never even heard of the word, “pollution.”

This was my first woodcutting excursion and there was a lot to learn. Here are things I learned this year:

• In order to cut wood in Manitoba, you must obtain woodcutting permit from the Manitoba Conservation Office.
  
  The permit cost us about $40 and allowed us to cut down 6 cords of wood, which should be almost enough for the winter, depending on how harsh the winter is. They also give you a map that shows where you can cut. 

•  Try to find the cutting area beforehand, because sometimes those maps are pretty confusing. Knowing where you are going really helps keep everyone's moral up!
  
• If you are looking for wood you can burn right away, try to find some“standing dead” trees, trees that were dead or almost dead but had not yet fallen to the ground.
  
• Watching a tree fall truly is an amazing experience. To
  
  see a forty feet Jack Pine go down is awe-inspiring, like watching a giant topple to the ground!
  
• Always carry an chainsaw wrench and an extra chain, if possible, in case one chain goes all funky on  you. Yes, that happened to us, and we did not have the chain on hand. (Truth be told, it is lost somewhere in our house, yet to be determined.)
  
• A log splitter is worth every penny you spend! We got ours on sale, for $229, and are rejoicing at this wise purchase! Two of us were able to cut and split half a cord of wood in about six hours. And imagine if I was in shape! But seriously worth it. 

My husband now calls me his “Lumberjack Girl.” Well, I'll take it! 

But lumberjack girl or not, we still have some serious work ahead of us. Note to self: start earlier next season, like in the spring! Like about eleven more trips into the bush to cut wood, to get ready for the winter.

But cutting wood sure reminds me of how dependent on nature, and God, we really are. In the city, you are so shielded from that reality because your food is packaged at a fluorescent-lit grocery store and your heat is brought to you mindlessly through your register vents. 

But when you have to actually go out and work HARD for your heat, instead of just paying a bill, it makes you feel much more connected to the source of that heat. 

And pretty thankful for the creation that God has made. Those beautiful trees that make me pause with their arresting beauty also keep us warm, protect us from the sun and wind, supply us with oxygen, give us houses to stay in, and furniture to keep us comfortable. I am grateful! 

All photos are taken by author, Sharilee Swaity. Copyright 2014. 

Nature is a Tranquilizer --- With No Side Effects!

Lately, I have been awestruck by the beauty that surrounds us here at our place in the woods. In fact, I am so excited by the grandeur that surrounds us that I can barely contain it. 

And although I do my best to capture this splendor in through photography, the pictures don't include the musky, fresh, damp smell of falling leaves and fragrant grass.  Nor can I show the soft choir of the birds: geese squawking overhead, ravens complaining loudly in the perch, sparrows fluttering in the bushes.  

The fall leaves create a careless, reckless canopy across our soil, as trees, almost naked now, can be seen in all of their structural glory. 

I confess that sometimes I feel so love with this place that is makes me ache with gratefulness, and I feel as thought I never want to leave, not even for a day. I revel in this beauty which is as a caress to my soul. 

Have you ever been anyplace like that? Had the feeling, that a place in nature feeds your spirit and mind? If you have, you are not alone. In fact, even science is starting to recognize that nature is a antidote to stress.

You could even say that the beauty of nature is a tranquilizer. And the best part is that it has no side effects or worrisome interactions.  

I believe that nature has been designed for us: to heal us, physically, mentally, and spiritually. And science confirms this belief. A 2010 study done by the University of Sheffield found that individuals who were even just presented with images of peaceful nature scenes were more tranquil, and their brains were more connected, than those who viewed images of busy traffic. 

Well, if just looking at the images had that great of an effect on an individual, how much greater much be the effect of actually being physically immersed in a tranquil nature scene! 

And the flip side of the coin was that just viewing a picture of traffic caused brain connections to be disrupted. Wow! So, what kind of connections are we losing after a week of having to sit in the middle of busy traffic? No wonder we feel so stressed out! 

An article from the University of Minnesota refers to several more studies which point to a number of mental health benefits obtained from spending time outdoors, including stress reduction, better relationships with others, and the ability to pay better attention.

Therefore, I encourage you to find yourself some nature this week, and simply bask in this natural tranquilizer for a few moments. It will be well worth the investment in time! 

And tell us your stories. Do you have a favourite place, that makes you want to sing out with joy? Where is it? How often do you go there? 

Love Sharilee. If you like what you are reading, sign up for regular updates with Blogger or through my Facebook page.

Thanks For A Good Man

Dear LORD,

Thanks for letting me marry the most wonderful man in the world  that loves me, five years ago this week. After spending time with men that used me and lied to me, thank you so much for sending me one that reminds me of you. He is not perfect ... but neither am I. But he loves me, the kids and You.  That is such a blessing to me. Please let him know how much I love him.

I know, LORD, that there are weightier matters in the world.  We are losing our lakes, terrorists still terrorize in other countries, and we are becoming a world of non-believers. I know that people I know are dealing with losing a spouse, losing a brother, and even losing a home. I feel guilty sometimes, about being so happy but I am! Thanks again, a million times over. Love is worth a million dollars!

Love,

Sharilee

Thanks for letting me marry a good man, LORD!

Love Chapter For Writers

Love Chapter For Writers

I Corinthians 13 Applied To Writers

Though .... 

Though I am eloquent on the page, with the words flowing like smooth water down the river, and have not love, my words are unpleasant, and grind on the nerves.

Though I am an excellent researcher, and have incredible intution, and have studied extensively in university, with a photographic memory, and have not love, I am nothing. 

And though I write about charity, and tell of all my good works, but have not love, it is of no use, and completely unprofitable. 

Love is ...

Love is patient, and is willing to write regularly, knowing it will take time, sometimes days, even years, before the words will be appreciated. 

Love is kind, and does not use words to put others down, or attack an enemy. It instead uses the written word to help and encourage others. 

Love does not...

Love does not envy. It does not begrudge the success of other writers who seem to be succeeding when we are not. It does not hold a secret wish that those who seem to be able to do it all, will fail, so we feel a bit better about ourselves. 

Love does not puff itself up. It does not do self-promotion without also appreciating other writers. It does not brag, and try to make others feel less. 

Love does not behave inappropriately. Love does not seek only things for itself. Love does not focus on evil and wrong. 

Love does not rejoice in sin. It does not secretly gloat when someone famous falls down, or when a competitor falls into disgrace. Love rejoices in truth. It loves to truth, and seeks truth in what it writes, and what it thinks. 

Love endures, believes and hopes all things ... 

Love endures all things. It does not give up on the call to write, and to express, even when things seem hopeless. It is willing to put up with rejection, knowing that rejection is part of the writing call. 

Love believes all things. It is believes the best in other people, and believes that life will get better, that joy does come in the morning. 

Love hopes all things. It is overflowing with hope, even when hope does seem present. It believes that hard work is worth it, and that there will be a reward, in time. 

Love never fails ...

Learn To Stop Binge Eating

Today I wanted to share a new insight  concerning overeating. This new perspective, I believe, can be the key to overcoming this problem of binge eating on a long-term basis.

I will first share the source of this insight. It is a website called Surrendered Hearts Ministries, and it is run by a Christian lady called Heleen. She is a woman who has struggled with this issue, and found help with it. What she had to say has really affected me. She talks about how she overcame her problem of binge eating by trying to solve it one year at a time, rather than one day at a time. And how the problem came from the perfectionistic attitude of trying to make each day perfect, and then feeling defeated when we don't make it (which is often.)

So the key, according to Heleen, and I agree, is to look at it as a long-term problem, and needing a long-term solution. Shoot for having a good year, and not just a good day. If you have a bad day, just start again, and go for the year. This approach works for me. When I try to have perfect days, and don't, I get so discouraged that I want to give up. One of the main causes of binging, Heleen points out, is discouragement, and this discouragement comes from not being able to eat right. Can anyone say viscous cycle?

She also recommends doing one positive thing for ourselves every day, for our body, soul and Spirit. I really like this ministry, and the approach, and have signed up for the updates by RSS. I admit I have a problem with using food as a crutch when I am stressed. I also know beating myself up about it doesn't help. Going for the goal of having a good year is such a good approach for me. A good year one day at a time.

Happy Earth Day

Today is Earth Day! This is supposed to be a day when we recognize the earth and all that it gives us. I think this is a great idea. Today, I want to go for a nice long walk and just get immersed in God's beauty again.

I wrote a poem today called, "Oh Earth ... Oh God ... A Poem About Earth Day." It's about taking advantage of the things that God gave us on this earth, and being grateful. Our earth is messed up but I think the answer lies in turning back to the one that created in the first place. I am "preaching" to myself, most of all. So often I worry about the problems and forget to thank God for the gifts. 

Sometimes (often) I get so caught with writing that I forget to take the time to actually enjoy all that I have been blessed with. Writing is a profession where you are not moving. You are sitting. And while you write about amazing things, you can't forget to do amazing things. To me, that's a balance I haven't found as of yet.

What about you? Do you feel your life is a good balance between the doing and the "talking about doing?" If so, what do you do to achieve this balance?

I lost a friend this weekend

I lost a friend this weekend. It was a man that helped me during a very difficult time in my life. He was only 44 years old, a year older than me. He had been part of our family for a long time, having dated my sister in college. His passing is only days away from the passing of my mother and it's sobering.

I had seen him just this summer and it turned out to the last time. My sister flew out with her husband and kids especially to see him (he lived in my city.) and at the time, he was very optimistic. The doctors had told him he still had another five years left because his cancer had gone into remission. He was restless and complaining that his boss would  not let him go back to work. He looked good. Tired but good.

I thought we had a lot more time. But we didn't. It sounds cliche but losing someone always reminds us of how short life really is. There is nothing guaranteed, and for the classic procrastinator like myself, it's kind of scary.

I do put things off that I should be doing, and why? I always think I have tomorrow, but who knows if I do? If any of us do. Rest in peace, Randy. I am so glad you were restless to work. It showed that you kept living up until the end of your life. I will miss you.

Review of "Hadassah: One Night With The King" by Tommy Tenny

"Esther at the Palace Gate," by Botticelli 

In this post, I am going to be reviewing the book. Hadassah: One Night With the King by Tommy Tenny. This is a novel based on the book of Esther in the Bible.  This book is in the historical fiction genre, which is means it is based on historical events but the exact details do not necessarily match those in history. 

First of all, let me say that I absolutely adored this work! I particularly liked the way that the author brings us back into such different times but makes it so understandable. With his fascinating description and realistic dialogue, we can see the times and place of Ancient Persia. 

The story is written in the first-person, with the exception of a couple of framing chapters at the beginning and end of the book, and the woman's perspective gives a personal view of events that otherwise might have seemed historical and impersonal. We see how this woman's stand, in simply obeying God, changed history. But we also see the Hadassah character as someone very human and fragile, not always strong and brave, as we sometimes picture her. 

This book is a love story: a young girl wins the  heart of a king because she thinks not of how she can please herself but how she can please her master. The title, "One Night With the King" can also be a reflection on how just a short time with Jesus, our king, can change things forever for us.

I felt so inspired by this book that I actually wrote a poem about it, too! 

Next up: I really want to see the movie:: One Night with the King. 

Review of Audrey Messner's Book

Today is Beautiful Wednesday, where I talk about accepting yourself and your beauty.

I talk about this topic because I struggle with this one sometimes and although I'm not "there" yet completely, I believe that it is one of the keys to being the women we want to be.

I heard a speaker this week talk about this topic and I wanted to share her latest book called Like Yourself, Love Your Life: Overcome Big Mistakes & Celebrate Your True Beauty.  I haven't read it yet but I would like to. It's by Audrey Meisner, from the ministry, "It's A New Day," and it is about learning to accept yourself as God does.

Just a bit of background: Audrey is married to Bob, who is a pastor, and she had always been a "Jesus girl," who loved ministry, the church and God. She was happy in her marriage but started to feel a bit bored and wanting to have a bit more "fun." 

What started as a  harmless flirtation grew into an adulterous affair, and even an unexpected pregnancy. This led Audrey into the greatest self-hatred imaginable and this "Jesus Girl" was no longer perfect and did not like herself at all. 

I think many of us can relate to the part about not liking ourselves, for some reason, and this may be why we overeat, or do other self-destructive things. I know this applies to me and this is something I have to work to overcome as I am taking this weight-loss journey. It's often very deep-seated but there and inner healing is often needed to heal our bodies from destruction. 

This book is how she learned to like herself and love her life, and celebrate her beauty, based on knowing that God loved her no matter what. I have heard she and Bob share their testimony and it is powerful. They are regular hosts of the show, "It's a New Day" and I respect their teaching and testimony.

I have included a clip from them sharing their story, too.

Trusting God For My Writing

I am starting to get my bearings about a writing career. It's been very hard to find a direction. What helped me today was a passage I read from Jeremiah during my Bible reading. Here's the story.

Jeremiah prayed for a word from the LORD

God had just saved a "remnant" of people from destruction from Babylon and they were grateful and told Jeremiah, their spiritual leader, that they would do anything that God asked of them.

Jeremiah went to the LORD, prayed and got a word from the LORD about what they should do. He told them to stay there in the land and to not go anywhere. Just stay where they were and trust in God for provision. If they did that, he would bless them beyond belief. Sounds simple, right? Stay put. Trust God.

Well, it wasn't simple for them and they refused to do it. You see, everything looked risky and they were scared. Instead they went to Egypt, moved to a place where they thought the world would protect them and started worshipping false gods again. WHY why would they do that? I mean, it seems silly, right? It's hard to believe they would blatantly disobey when they had heard from God so clearly but they did.


And that's what I think most of us do. Look for something else to save us, and we often flounder. We get a direction but then we veer, doubt. At least that is what I do! I have been letting myself get overwhelmed by all of the information out there, all of the things I could be doing, that I have forgotten what I am called to do. I do that so much, instead of staying put in what I have already started. 

I need to trust in God as my safety, above everything I read online about writing success and online marketing and Google. I need to trust in him, not in "Egypt" as it were: the gods of this world. And I need to stay put. Keep doing what I have set out to do and not look for anything else.

Where I am to stay put? Keep writing from the heart when I can. Look for writing jobs from what I know. Work on the sites I already have. Don't try to find jobs that I know nothing about but write from my already acquired expertise. And most of all, trust God to bring the increase. I prayed and I believe that this is where he wants me right now. I have to keep trusting that. That is what he asked of those of the remnant. That is what he asks of all of us.

This is a picture from my from my latest hub.

Last  night, I wrote a hub called, My Husband And I Are Opposites. It's the kind of hub I love writing: about relationships, to encourage others and make them laugh a bit. These are the kind of pieces I started with and I don't want to forget that kind of writing. I have had searches from all over the world for people missing their mother, from people in difficult second marriages and people considering divorce. This is part of what the LORD has called me to do. To encourage. To reach out.  He says that if I trust in Him, he will bring me the income I need to be sustainable.

My prayers were encouraged by a lovely comment from someone that read my blog, Katherine. She encouraged me to stay the course and it made my day. Thanks, Katherine! Here is her blog: For My Father's Glory. 

Find the Remnant Story Here: Jeremiah 42-43

Sunday Weigh-In And A Spiritual Perspective

This week, I maintained.

Today is Sunday Weigh-in. I am happy to say that I have maintained my weight from last week, for a total of 10 pounds lost.

I hope to lose some more next week.  I will not give up. I know I have to learn how to be more consistent. For the last couple of days, I have been a bit lax. Not tracking properly. Not exercising.

For me, it's all about learning how to live a healthier life. Replacing bad habits is hard work and requires a lot of resistance. I feel like I'm about halfway there. I create good habits for myself of eating better and exercising but the old life of overeating and being sedentary is always calling back to me with his ugly cry. I am tugged between the two worlds, torn.

But at least I am torn. Not just living in my old life. I hope someday that the old life will not even hold an attraction for me. But I'm not there yet.

When I started walking four months ago, it took me 40 minutes to walk a mile. Now it takes me about 22-23 minutes. I am making progress.

For those of us trying to lose weight, we have to learn to make these habits part of our overall life: to make it the new normal. A  normal we will keep for the rest of our life.  Change is hard.

As a Christian, I see this battle as the battle between flesh and spirit:

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

1 Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

The flesh is my body that so badly wants to just eat whatever it wants and my mind that encourages me to stop exercising and be lazy. The Spirit is the Holy Spirit who encourages me to do right: to be moderate in eating and to move my body because that is what is good for my health and well-being. It's a spiritual battle, and a mental battle.  We all know what to do. But we don't always do it.

So I pray this week for strength to keep going in the battle for my mind and body.  I pray for strength to not give up. To not be a glutton. To not be slothful.  For wisdom to balance all of the responsibilities of my life and to include exercise as one of those responsibilities. To not listen to the enemy talk of defeat and depression.
  

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I can do all through him.  I claim the victory in faith. Not because I'm great but because He is.

Met Someone in the Blog World!

Well, I met someone in Blog World! And I am really thrilled. She writes a blog called, "Try Try Again," and she, too, has about 100 lbs or so to lose, like me.

She is also interested in education (studying to be a teacher), is a newlywed like me, and loves drama, like me. I started this blog just for my own personal journal, but also secretly hoped to find a kindred spirit. 

Well, the LORD has answered my desire with someone who lives in a different country than me, but is so close via the blogger program. She even mentioned me in her blog, and it was cool! As someone brand new to blogging, I feel excited. Here is the link:

http://melissavenableweightloss.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-friend.html

I can't tell you how encouraging it is to talk to someone who understands and gets what I am going through. Sometimes that is what we need most of all ...  fellowship in our journey ... not lectures and not quick answers, but fellowship. And I thank God for this. Hallelujah, He is my provider!