Grace.

I'm doing this "No S" thing to lose weight. I still think of it as a diet but i'd really like to think of it as a lifestyle change.

Anyway, there has been so much grace for the last two weeks. (This weekend has been harder and I haven't done as well...). Back to grace: last Sunday morning I walked into my pantry and noticed an open package of Oreo's on the top shelf. I had put them there and had eaten some so I knew they were there, BUT I forgot. Forgot! Can you believe that?!?! Ok, so maybe you don't struggle with food the way I do and that's a great for you! Seriously, you have no idea how great that really is. (But, let's be honest, you have your own struggles. Right? ...right?) Anyway, so I forgot about the Oreo's; which is pretty much a miracle considering that I'd there is sweets in the house I pretty much wake up thinking about it!

I felt that being that it was the first week of me trying to change my thinking and my life, that this gift of not thinking about the Oreo's in the pantry was a real gift from God!
Thank You!!

Does God care about whether or not I think about the Oreo's? When something, even little things, compete with the attention I should be giving to God, then I believe He most definitely cares! I am grateful for the grace to say no and look forward to more of that!

And now, as I'm falling asleep mid- post, I'm off to bed.

Goodnight!

New Every Morning

Lamentations 3:22-24

English Standard Version (ESV)

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;^[a]
     his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
     great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
     “therefore I will hope in him.”

Thanks, www.biblegateway.com! 

This is the verse I've been mulling over for a few days. His mercies (not mine) are new every morning! And He knows just what we need.

I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately at all the things going on in my life. Homeschooling, a 2 and 4 year old that both have chicken pox, a 3 month old baby that needs nursed every three hours, my inability to keep the house even straightened up let alone clean, my apparent lack of training my kids because they constantly leave their toys... and everything else out, my lack of self discipline because I'm guilty of the same thing, and more. Sometimes it just seems like too much! 

BUT, my hope is in Him! I can choose joy in the midst of the trials and the daily grind of life because of Him! I have eternal life because of Him! And nothing can separate me from His love! (See Romans 8:31-39). So, today that is what I'm going to hold on to: His love and His mercies, regardless of my circumstances. 

Have a joyful day! 

On the Journey

Hey! I'm AJ.
 I decided recently to start a blog. I'm contemplating some possibly life changing (for me) things and wanted someplace to process those things, so here I am.

Who am I?

A follower of Christ, a daughter, and wife, a mother of 4, a friend, a teacher (I homeschool) and maybe more.

I've been reading the book "Made to Crave" by Lysa Teurkurst (sp?) lately. Wow! I think this may change my life! I hope so! She is sharing her story of learning about losing weight and healthy eating and the role that plays in regards to her relationship to the Lord. I hope I gain as muh spiritually and she did. Or maybe more!

 I'm realizing that everything in life is on the journey. Living in heaven when I die will be great but I want the journey of life on the way there to count for something!

So, my relationships are a journey- with God, my
husband, my children, my family, and my friends. Losing weight is a journey not an end. Becoming more godly is a journey. And so this blog will be about how I get there, wherever "there" is, not just about the destination.

Join me!