I Lost All Of My Groceries

(I posted this on Spark People but I wanted to share it with my other friends too)

For 30 years I did the grocery store routine every week or so. Then about 5 years ago my lower back began to hurt when i walked. My husband had to start coming with me to help me make it through the shopping trip. Finally it got so bad, I just could not go to the store any

mor

e. 
Thankfully, I found PEAPOD on line. I could order all of my groceries on the computer and have them delivered to my house. All I had to do was unpack them

 and put them away. Still painful but not as much. 
I am thrilled to report that in the past few months, due to all I have accomplished here on SP (eating healthy, exercising and losing weight), I can now go to the grocery store again

. As long as I have the cart to lean on, I can make it through the store and checkout, and get the groceries into the car. When I get home, most of the time there is someone here to help carry them into the house. 
Last week, my husband was the one who helped me. But I noticed before he brought the bags into the kitchen, he first carried them upstairs. I wondered if this was a new exercise routine he was trying out. When all of the groceries were in the house, I asked him why did he have to carry the bags upstairs first.
This is what he told me, " I thought when I picked up th

e bags, how heavy they felt and I wondered how much all of the groceries you bought weighed. SO I took them upstairs and weighed them. " All of the bags totaled just over 90 pounds. He continued, "SO look at all of these bags of groceries and you will see how much weight you have lost so far." WOW! That was a lot of groceries. I used to carry all of that around with me every day. I could not even carry two of those bags let alone all of them at the same time. 
It gave me a real picture of what my weight loss has been so far. When I think that I used to carry all of that around it amazes me. 
Lately I have felt a bit discouraged because the weight has not been coming off as much as I would like it to, but when I think about losing all of my groceries in weight, I realize how much I have accomplished so far. Yes, I have to lose that many groceries still to get to my goal, but I am proud to say, I have lost all of my groceries! 

Unexpected Blessing

I joined the gym at the beginning of this year. It is something I never thought I would be able to do, due to my back problems. I go there 6 days a week.
Although I am very limited in what I can do, I work hard at those things I can do.
Today when I got there, I started by trying to walk the track. After 2 sets of 2 laps I had to stop because my back hurt so badly. I went right to the seated back extension machine to try and get some relief.
At 3 I was scheduled for a half hour with my personal trainer, so I had an hour to do cardio before that. Since my back was in pain, I decided the recumbent bike would be the best option. I set it for 40 minutes and off I went. While riding, I looked around.
Although I have been going to the gym for over 5 months, I really do not know anyone there. I spend my time alone, talking to no one.
Today as I was riding, I noticed a man I see there a lot. Every time I see him he is with one of three of four women. Today was no different. I began thinking how lonely it is for me at the gym. I was wishing my hubby could come with me sometime.
When I finished my cardio, I sat and cooled down for a few minutes before my training session. I saw my trainer finishing up with her client. After they were through, the woman she had been training, who I did not know, walked right over to me. She smiled and said, "I just want you to know what a great job you are doing." I must have looked confused because she continued, "I walk in the back and notice how hard you work and the commitment you have. You are really doing well." WOW! What a nice surprise.
Of course, I thanked her for her encouragement, explaining about my limitations. She said we all need encouragement, don't we?
That lonely feeling was gone for those few minutes we spoke. I do not even know her name. I just know she took the time to speak to a stranger and made my day!
I once read a book about God Smiles - little ways God shows us He is smiling at us. This was a God Smile for me. I hope I see that kind woman again and find out her name.
Thank you, Lord, for smiling at me today through her.

Presence, Joy and Heart

This past weekend my hubby took me to the Great Smoky Mountains. But that is not what this blog is about. I only mention it because it was the drive home that inspired this blog.
During the twelve plus hour drive home, we were listening to one of my IPOD playlists. It was a mixed bag of songs of many genres and artists. The majority of songs were by Don Moen (no surprise, huh?) and Regi Stone. There were also several by Geron Davis.
Anyone who knows me well, is aware that these are three of my favorite worship leaders/songwriters. Just listening to their music is ultimate worship for me.
During the drive I came to realize each of them has a different aspect of worship in their style, yet each ministers powerfully creating an atmosphere of worship.
Geron Davis, who is probably best know for writing "Holy Ground" when he was 18 years old, focuses on the joy of worship. Many of his songs are upbeat, yet speak powerful messages about Who God is and how powerful He is. "My heart is burning, my spirit's yearning to worship You and Your Holy Name"; "In all things, Jesus, You are King"; "Evermore, I will love You, Evermore I will Praise You, Evermore I will glorify the name of the Lord". These are just a few of his worship songs. All bring us into the joy of the Lord.
Regi Stone may be the least well known of the three. He is worship leader at Christ Church Nashville. His music reflects his commitment to worship and focuses on the Heart of worship. It is all about surrendering our hearts completely and opening our hearts for the Lord to minister. "How Can I tell You How Much I love you? " O that I may know You, O that I may worship, O that I may bow down at Your feet"; "We love You, Lord, We love YOu, Jesus, For Your arms hold us, Your mercy keeps us." Regi's worship guides us right to the heart of the Lord.
Don Moen records and works for Integrity music. His desire is to usher people into the Presence of the Lord with his music. I can be listening to his songs or watching him on a DVD and I am immediately transported into God's presence. "Here we are lifting our hands to You"; "I need You Jesus, to come to my rescue"; "Jesus, we lift You on our praises, so every eye can see Your face, Your power and grace, behold You as You really are." Don's heart is for every worshipper to experience the sweet presence of the Lord.
Listening to the songs of these three, all mixed together during this trip, made their focus become clear to me. Each has a love of worship. Each knows the power of worship. Each knows the deep place worship can take us. Through their music they can take us there - each in their own style and focus, yet each very powerful. They help me realize worship can be so much more and I desire that in my life.

Smoky Mountains May, 2009 trip

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Garden May, 2009

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