What nature are you feeding?

Today Im preaching to myself....I sat here this evening asking myself am I becoming more like Christ. It is something we have to do daily and every minute of it. God knew that it would be a daily battle because we are of a sinful nature.
Colossians 3, tells us that when we become Christians that we have been risen with Christ. To be risen with Christ we must die. No this isn't a physical death,but of the old man,the sinful nature. God then goes on to tell us HOW to do this.First we have to set our sights on things above,not earthly things.Setting our sites on things above is Christ and how he does things. Not doing things our way because this is working against God and not becoming more like him. Remember when the WWJD bracelets become so popular? People would wear them as a reminder to ask themselves in everything they did ..would Jesus do this? If we are not doing what he would we are still feeding our sinful nature. I for one know this is a hard task because so many times the enemy lies and tells us "OH  IT'S OKAY YOUR HUMAN. Yes we are human,but we have been raised with Christ. If we are looking to God and his direction we are  feeding the new nature.
You know it is kinda like this...You go out and buy one of those TV stands with so many pieces. You decide I've got this I don't need directions. Before long you realize you have a mess and start digging in the box for the directions. It is the same way with living for Christ. He has given us direction and answers in his word, but we think we got this. We try to live not feeding our new nature and going by his directions and we wake up one day and realize we have a mess.
Second after God tells us to set our sights above he tells us what to do next. put to death what belongs to your earthly nature.Some of these things are sexually immorality,impurity,lust,evil desires,greed,anger,rage,slander,filthy language from our mouth.  Why do you think God had to tell us what to do? Because he knew we were going to do these things. That is the old nature trying to live in us. But he tells us when we came to him we put off our old self and those practices.When we decide to do this we put on his knowledge and become more like our creator.
Ask yourself...am I feeding the old or new nature with the choices im making? Am I becoming more like him in my life? When people look at me and the example I am setting for others do they Jesus?
It comes down to this. If the things we do in our life is feeding the old nature more than the new nature he gave us it will show in our life.We will reap from our choices. It is not God punishing us we do it to ourselves.
My desire is to be happy and I know this kind of happiness only comes by reading his directions and deciding your will not mine. Die every day to sin and feed my new nature more than the old.
What nature do you feed more in your life?

Those who are healthy don't need a doctor

                 

In Mathew 9:12 we see where Jesus over hears the Pharisees (religious) and tells them one of the purposes in which he came.

This may get a little sticky for some,but I only speak this to open eyes. I love church and being with believers, BUT that should not be our goal. Jesus tells us to go out to the highways and byways. So many times in the world we live in we see groups that have built up beautiful places to worship.Even going as far to have coffee shops,gyms,basketball courts.We rally around one another,hangout together and life is good. We make sure we are in church every time the doors open.It is very comfortable when we get to this place,BUT are we following what Jesus did? In Mathew 9:11 they ask the disciples why does your teacher eat with the sinners" 
Let me break this down to how this would be today. Believers sitting together and one ask have you seen Brenda lately.Another speaks up and says " oh gosh you wouldn't believe,but I saw her out with that lady that just came to town. You know the one that just moved here and has all those kids. The one that half the kids have different dads. I think she even works at that club down the road. Oh no Brenda has started hanging out with sinners.
Jesus came for the sinners. he speaks to the religious after he over heard them ask why he was sitting with them"Those who are healthy don't need a doctor, sick people do.
Hosea 6:6 I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.
We can never get good enough to come to God. He doesn't ask us to get it all fixed up our way and come to him. He says come as your,sick and sinning I am the healer.
Jesus used people in the Bible that today we would shun and not hangout with and he does this today. Jesus looks at the heart and not your faults. Jesus can use the person with a heart of love that will get out and get dirty and not care what others say only what he desires.
It is time to search who Jesus was,how he did things and what he commands us to do.
           "Those who are healthy don't need a doctor" 

Beauty for Ashes

                        Beauty for ashes......
                                        Isaiah 61:3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,to give unto them beauty for ashes,the oil of joy for mourning,the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;that they might be called trees of the righteousness,the planting of the Lord,that he might be glorified.

As I write this blog I have a very heavy heart. I just returned today from burying someone  I loved very much. As I laid in the bed the last two nights and cried my self to sleep God started to share somethings with me.
I will not go back over my story at this moment,but I will say  about 3 1/2 years ago the man I was married to for 29 years walked out on me. The man I thought I would be with the rest of my life. From that moment I realized what true morning was. The years have not been easy. I have had others in and out of my life,but never found the happiness I needed. The good thing is in those years I have turned to God more than ever because I had no one else.
We do not ever understand the whys and hows,but I assure you God does. Last night as I laid there I started to think of my niece and how she mourned for the husband she lost to death. I started to see others that had been sexually abused,abandoned by someone they loved,lost parents,lost a child or never knew their parents. So many times we find ourselves lonely, hopeless and mourning. Looking for something just anything to take away the pain. During these times many turn to drugs,alcohol,promiscuous sex anything to help. This is just what the devil our enemy desires for our life. If he get our eyes on the pain and keep bringing up the memories he continues to still our joy and cause pain.
Gods plan is not that at all. He wants to be the husband to the widow,a father to the child who is alone. He wants to hold us in his arms and love us. He wants to give us beauty for the ashes that have happened in our life.
I have known for sometime God called and gifted me,but along the way I got off track. I have served him much of my life,but the times have caused change. God has purpose and wants to use our hurts as a testimony for him.
Last night God revealed to me that the things that had happened in the past 3 1/2 years he wanted to use for me to help other women. Women who feel they can't go on. Women who have been so hurt and abused they feel lost, like failures,rejected. 
I thank God that daily he takes my the ashes of my life and gives me beauty. Nothing in my own power could change me only my lord.

Beauty for ashes..only with God

We must run the race and lay aside the worlds distractions

We must keep our eyes open to see where we are running!
Do you ever find yourself running to and fro,but coming back full circle..never getting any where,but worn out,stressed out and blisters on your feet. I think we all have and I know I have. Many times this happens because we are not running the direction God has for us or we take our eyes off the finish line.We get sidetracked by so many things along the way.
When a runner runs a race, his focus is not on the people in the stands or the runners around him,but on the finish line! As a believer,your life is just like a race and as you run,it is important to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus
 (Hebrew 12:1,2)
1)Therefore then,since we are surrounded by so great of cloud of witnesses who have borne testimony to the truth,let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weigh)and that is sin which so readily(deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us,and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race set before us.
2) Looking away from all that will distract to Jesus, Who is the leader and the source of our faith giving thr first incentive for our belief and is also the Finisher bringing it to maturity and perfection. He for the joy of obtaining the prize that was set before him,endured the cross,despising and ignoring the shame,and is now seated st the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us if we are going to run the race we must lay down the weight( What has you past and life weighted you down with that you still carry? We must lay it down to make it to the end)
We also in this race have to make sure we are in shape( fed up in Gods promises to give us strength to go forward)
We must also see that there is nothing attached to us that will hinder our run.(shed the garbage from your life that has weighted you down)
Some hindrances to running a race well is to many commitments is one that keeps us from developing our potential.Letting others control us and tell us how we should do, can keep us from our potential.Not knowing how to say no and getting to involved in others problems keeps us from our full potential.
The devil comes up with many ways to get us sidetracked to keep us from doing what we should be doing.
If we want to do what God has called us to do, we MUST stay focused because the world we live in is filled with distraction and entanglements.
KEEP YOU FOCUS ON THE LORD AND LAY ASIDE EVERYTHING THAT MAY DISTRACT AND HOLD YOU BACK
FINISH THE RACE GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO!!!

I was called to LOVE

I was talking to a very good friend of mine a few weeks back and our conversation turned to being a wife and mother.I told her how much I missed it and how sometimes I felt something was missing. I know it may sound crazy to some,but I knew from a very young girl where my heart was. God defiantly blessed me with the heart to love.I will never forget when I was just a small girl I didn't just play with dolls I had the whole setup. I had turned my dads chicken coop into a house. I had clothes,shoes and purses hanging on one side so I could dress like a mommy. I would go in the garage and get moms canning jars and pretend I was canning and cooking. There was nothing I loved more and I always had friends coming over that loved my playhouse.
There is nothing that can make me more happy than to be able to love and take care of someone. When I make others happy I am so blessed. and fulfilled.
The sad thing is today a woman that stays home and raises her family and makes the house a home is not seen as important anymore. Our phone conversation also led us talk about what God calls use to do as a wife and mother. I remember when I got married at a very young age and started having my family there was never a doubt how things would be. I had a husband that never wanted me to work and knew that it was a job in it's own.I have always took pride in my home and making sure everyone that walked in my door felt love. I remember one of my prayers used to be that people would feel the love of Christ when they visited. I also pray over my food that people will feel the love from my heart when I cook.
I still miss having my children come in from school and work because I always had them something special made. I was the mom that believed home made is best..the house that the teenagers would pile up in to eat and watch TV.My son had me cook for the couples on Prom night and serve them and then come back about two in the morning for biscuits and chocolate gravy. Those are memories that can never be taken from me and will always be special .
 As good as those days were after my divorce I always felt an empty spot. A unfulfilled feeling I could not shake.I woke up one day and I was all alone. I know longer had to prepare and take care of a husband and the door wasn't swinging open with the children coming home.For awhile I thought there was something wrong with me because I still had that desire.after doing some Bible studies and sharing with others I now know that this is my gift. Not all women have this ability and love to give. I think God has used this time to heal my heart and give me that deep desire again. I will say that having sometime to be me and find peace and comfort in my life has been good,but I can say that isn't what I desire long term.So many people have tried to talk to me and say just travel and have fun. I say I will do that,but it will not always be alone. I am trusting God to give me the other half..my best friend..my lover and companion.  He must be a special man and one that believes in marriage the way God ordained it because I am a lady that has come to realize "I was called to love" my gift from God

The past is gone..move forward

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

The past is just that..gone,over with,something that happened before.

Letting go of the past and moving forward is one of the hardest things to do. The enemy loves to remind us of our past so we can not let go and move on. We find ourselves giving to much time to how and what has and hasn't happened in our lives keeping us paralyzed and stagnant. It seems like such a simple thing,but yet so hard. 

I know when my children were growing up and found difficult times in there life I always told them " You can't move forward looking back..you will stumble every time" I know you remember as a child how much fun it was to try and walk backwards. It was fun until we fell and scraped our knees and then our mind was on the hurt. This is just how life is today. We find ourselves walking down the road of life and looking back. The pain of the fall and mistakes we made start to hurt and we are consumed in the pain.

In my speaking to others God showed me another vision that I like to use. The grave and death. We are to bury the past and not dig it back up over and over. When something dies it starts to smell rotten and deteriorate.Maybe at some point it was beautiful and had life,but no more. It is buried and covered up for a reason. We can have a beautiful picture in our mind about how it was,but when go back to the grave and look that picture soon changes.

I stand here today and say we all have a past.It is a daily choice to bury it and not allow the mind to dwell there. God has given us the power to cast these thoughts down. The same power that we have to cast the thoughts down is the same power we have to move on.

We have to stop listening to the lies and grasp the promises.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken
Psalm 55;22

Where are our values today?

It has been a good day today I got in a good workout,came home and made a big pot of soup and now im sitting here alone with my fur babies.
One of the key words is ALONE. I have really had a heavy heart lately to see the value that people put in marriage and relationships these days. It seems every where I turn homes are breaking up and people are giving up. What happen to for better or worse,in sickness and health until death parts us? We have become such a fast fix it, selfish nation that we have allowed it to enter into our homes and lives. I look around and I see so much pain and brokenness.Adults wondering how to go on and children having to suffer. 

I'm not sure if this burden is stronger for me because I have lived it or what. I know God has spoke to me and said that which the devil meant for bad I will use. I take that to mean that he has used this process to prepare me to help others facing pain. I ask myself "Who am I" just a vessel that is willing to share a testimony. Yea I know most testimonies have a happy ending and I am still claiming mine. With all the destruction going on in marriages and relationships it doesn't make it easy. I have been single going on four years and I have met some bruised and abused men. Each time I meet someone and hear the stories I question...where are values? When did women stop being what God says we should be? When did men stop loving like Christ loved his bride? The picture in this world that we have painted before us sure isn't the

picture God has for us. I hate to see so many with hopelessness in their faces. I for one am holding on to the hope because Genesis 2:18 "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Yes that is the truth...Man does need woman and we are to be his helper and in return we need them. I believe there is strength when a husband and wife team follow God. When we set Godly examples for the youth of today then we will start to see less destruction. It is a team effort and a team has two or more. Marriage and relationships can not be one sided.My desire is for my team to have three that is God as the center.Satan knows this and that is why he is out to destroy the home.

Now let me get back to how easy it has become to walk away. I have heard it all for sure..she didn't do this right..he never did this. All excuses because we are none perfect and we all have issues. Real love sees the faults and loves them anyway. We will none see perfection until Jesus comes back so isn't it time to stop running? Isn't it time we study more on what God says is our duty?

It is usually to late when we find out the "Grass isn't greener on the other side" it still has to be mowed,weeded and taken care of to make it beautiful!!!

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a 

(English Standard Version) 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (ESV)

It's been WAY to long

It has been Way to long..I feel like I abandoned my friends!!! Is it okay if we call it Summer break? Thanks I knew you would all agree. It has been in action packed Summer and I have been running the roads. My sweet daddy always called me "Road Runner" so I guess that makes it okay. I have truly missed all of you,but did enjoy my time away. So much has happened since I checked in last I don't know where to start. I have been on trips,went to concerts,visited family and even got to enjoy the birth of my new granddaughter.

My three weeks away started with my trip to Louisiana for the birth of Chloe' .I arrived to get to spend time and stay in the home of my baby son Chancey and Charlie. It was so much fun to get to be in his home with his family. The day after I got there it was an honor to be in the room and witness Chloe' being born. The memories that were made during this time can never be taken away. 

I also got to spend time with my daddy and sister while I was home. We did way to much cooking and eating.

Loved getting to visit with my daddy

Spending special time with my sister is always fun.

I am one happy Nana

After a few weeks in Louisiana I got to go on an amazing trip to Atlanta. I had never been there and it was so much to see. The trip was to attend a pinning for a beautiful girl that is making her dreams come true in nursing.It was such a blessing to be included in this special event.I must say it was a fun packed weekend..site seeing..dancing..and making great memories. The fun didn't stop there though.On the way back home we stopped in Jackson for a Darius Rucker concert..Yep you all know how much I love Rucker. I am so thankful for all of the special things I got to do this Summer.

It does feel good to be back home and get ready for Fall and most of all get back in the gym. 

Stone mountain 

Visiting Martin Luther Kings home and grave was amazing.

Thanks for stopping by

Do life's bruises follow you??

Today Im writing about something that has been on my mind and that I have talked to others about." Do the life's bruises follow you in life?" Bruises and trauma in life can come in many different ways. It maybe a divorce,abuse,finding out you were adopted and many other areas. Just lately when trying to start my life over have a realized just how bruised I am from my marriage and divorce. I started to see this when it caused issues in my life today. It may seem simple and crazy to many,but it happens.Have you ever had such a desire to be loved? Oh I know we all have because this is how God made.I am talking about the simple acts to show love.Coffee in bed, holding your hand when you step up stairs,opening your door,Ironed your clothes? These are very simple things that only take a minute,but speak so loud. Who would ever think these things would be hard to except right? I have realized that bruising from your past can cause this to feel abnormal when it is really the normal..the way things should be. Showing love and care in the small ways can go very far and make a big impression.
Something else I have noticed that can cause problems is harsh words. When you have never been built up and spoken positive about it really causes damage.Hearing people cut you down and lie about you becomes so strong that you start to believe it.Proverbs tells us life and death are in the tongue."Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" 
Yes when we speak to and about other we can bring them life or death. Do we even realize sometimes what we are doing? I really don't think when it is taking place we do,but sometimes people are just that mean. I think the question is how to over come this? How do we remove the pain and allow the good feeling to replace? I am still trying to do this,but I think God is the only way. Asking to to mend and fix the pain we have been through. Jesus is there to heal the broken and bruised.

Pleasing others...Acing your age....Living life

I was sitting outside this morning having coffee doing some thinking and wondering what I would Blog about. As I sat there I started to think about how since the age of 18 I had been married and soon after having babies. At that point in my life my world became all about being a wife and mommy.I never really realized until my divorce how I had lived to make everyone around me happy and put me on the back burner. I guess it comes from being a pleaser at heart. I thought pleasing others and making them happy would make me happy.
When I walked in from having my coffee I signed on FB and a friend had posted the photo above and it had me thinking for sure. I'll never forget when my husband walked out how lost I felt. I wasn't a wife anymore and all the kids had left home. I looked in the mirror one morning and didn't even know the woman I had become. I realized I had put my likes aside for everyone around me and I knew at that point I had to start to live again. Yea yea I know others look at me and say "She acts like a kid" maybe I do and what is wrong with that? There are so many things I desired and loved to do in life that I never did and why not now? I used to hear others say "Age is a number" "Your as old as you feel" I truly understand those words now.
I have always had a young heart and loved adventure...living life on the edge is what feeds me. So when I found this picture it reminded me that I gave my life for others and it is my turn to be happy!!! If my being happy and not always acting my age bothers you then don't watch me because that is just what I'm going to do.NO im not doing things crazy that would hurt my children because they will always be first,but I am me and love it!!!
So today if you have pushed that person God made you to be deep down please let him or her out...LIVE

The Cross Roads in life

Have you ever been going down the road of life and came to a
" Cross Roads" and pondered which way do I go? You stop and glance down each road and they all look right,but you know deep inside one has to be the right way...each road leads some where,but where?
I have to say in the past three years after my separation from my EX I have been at many "Cross Roads". So many times I just headed out  and had to turn around and come back after realizing I was headed in the wrong direction. I feel deep in my heart there has to be path for me...a path that as I stay on it leads me by beautiful pastures. I think I am coming up to a " Cross Roads" in my life again and im so afraid to pick. What if it is wrong? Will I be wasting time or is this finally the road that takes me where my hearts desire is? I know getting on this road will lead me away from people and things in my life that I have got comfortable with. 
So today I stand here at the "Cross Roads" what will I do? I think I will just stand here and look each way ....maybe I will sit down and ponder...It is kinda pretty from where I stand.

Looking back on the change

Today I updated a picture on my Facebook and decided to add one from the gym. As I sat and looked at the photo I seen a different woman. Not only in the past few months has the body started to change,but so much more.1)  I can have the courage to step out and do things I never would. 2) I can be a leader to others because of where I have been. 3) I have a drive and determination that has been buried for so long. You ask did this just happen over night? I promise you it has been a change that has taken place over the years. I think each and everything that I have gone through has made me a stronger woman. Where once I used to run from things, I now hit them head on. I'm reminded of a quote from the movie "Dirty Dancing" where Patrick says " No body puts baby in a corner" See I got tired of being shoved to the side,hurt and not appreciated. I got up and took my life back and you can do the same. All you have to do is make up your mind and take steps toward your goal. One day you will "Look back on the change"

Working out at 180 Fitness

God doesn't make MISTAKES

Have you ever found your self sitting there thinking...this had to be a mistake or was I a mistake? Im here to tell you today the answer is NO. There is a reason for everything that happens in our life. It is all up to us to what we will do with it. I know it isn't always easy and so many times the enemy comes to lie to us and beat us down and many times we fall under that lie.Today I feel lead to share a couple of areas of my life that I pray will help you that have had this feeling.

                                                                         New Living Translation (©2007)
"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." 

First let me start with my birth.
 I was born.
 April the 13th to two of the most loving parent's I could have ever ask for,BUT people do things out of ignorance. I was born the last child and BABY...oh yea im proud of that. All of my life as I was growing up when my dad would introduce his family these would be his words " This is my wife Freddie and our children Raymond,Debi and Richard" then he would get to me and say he gave us three before we had our little MISTAKE.This went on all my life and yes it was a big joke to him,but not to my little spirit. The words and power of our words are so important. When I got older and we traveled as a group and sang in churches the same thing would happen."this is my wife Freddie,my son-in-law,Brian and our little MISTAKE" . After many years of this and I have to admit some healing God showed me he doesn't make MISTAKES!!! He makes blessings and knew each of us before he formed us. So one night when we were in Alabama at a church the same thing happened,BUT at this point I took the microphone and said " Im not a MISTAKE I am a blessing because my God doesn't make mistakes" After this day my dads eyes were opened to words that had been spoken all my life and my eyes were open to the the fact that God picked me and sent me to the parents he wanted me to be raised by.

Now lets move forward to my marriage and divorce
. I meet and married my Ex husband when I was 18 and was married for 29 years before it ended. We had three beautiful children that I am so proud of,BUT when my husband left I didn't feel this way. Night after night and day after day I felt like why? what could I have changed? why did I give my life to this man? Was it a MISTAKE to marry him? Today I can give you this answer NO it wasn't a MISTAKE. God knew what would happen in my life,but he also knew that each step in my life would make me who I am today. 

Putting the two together
   The enemy would like nothing better than to keep you down and feeling you have no future. He will go back in your life when something happens and use anything he can!!! I know after Brian left and I felt so beat down I would start to hear the words  "This is our little MISTAKE" and then he would try and torture me with words like "If you would have done this different" " You can't even keep a man" "You have been married all your life and you will never make it" it went on and on day after day until the day I took a stand the same way I did when I took that microphone at church. Devil " My God doesn't make Mistakes"
So I say to you today if you are reading this and found your self in areas in your life that caused you to feel this way...You and anything you have endured in life WASN'T a MISTAKE.

Determination Or Excuses

Let me just say before I ever start this post it IS NOT about any one person. This post comes from a combination of things I have endured and watched others endure. 

I also should let you know this is a rant and if you decide to get angry im sorry.

I came in from the bike trail today and fixed something to eat and decided I need to soak in the tub..see my ankle was hurting some. After a warm bath I decided to write this blog. In the last few days it seems every where I look I see excuses of why people CAN'T do something. Growing up I remember my dad saying "Can't never could" and man was he correct. I was raised to be a fighter and determined ..some would call it hard headed. I love and try to be understanding, but I don't deal well when people always have a reason why something can't be accomplished. 

New Living Translation (©2007)The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

I just love this scripture and it was taught to me most of my life. Oh I assure you I have been at points in my life that I didn't speak life. I can only preach what I have been through. People look at me today that don't know my past and haven't watched my journey and say what gives her room to talk. Well I promise I have been there and done that and have the T-shirt!!!

I spoke in the beginning about my ankle hurting..how many of you know that the lady you see in the photos riding her bike,working out and loving life at one time had to be in a wheel chair? Yes you read right. The year before my husband left me I had my right ankle crushed,my toe on another foot cut off, a wreck and after bleeding for eleven weeks a hysterectomy. If anyone ever had a reason to give up it was me. Not only did all these tragic things happen,but I lost my mom and then the pain of the man I loved and devoted my life to was gone. Oh there was times I felt like I wouldn't make it. I had to dig down deep and grab every ounce of determination I could find. I would wake up in the mornings and choose to change my life..choose to live. Day by day and month by month I started to see ME" the bull dog" the one that grabs hold and doesn't let go. I also used the scripture and decided to speak life and not death. Oh yea many times I caught myself saying thing like I can't,but then stopped and changed it.

I just want every person out there to see that YOU CAN..it maybe weight,drugs,alcohol,death,divorce,pain in your body,but no matter what it is we are all equal and Gods promises and strength are for you too. He is no respecter of persons.

Today I ask you to see your self as the winner you are ..be determined and speak life .

The only way not to win is to never start

My family is my heart

Just sitting here this morning with a special little man in my bed drinking coffee and thinking...My family is my heart. Saturday I was going to keep three of my grandbabies so I called to get another one that is very special to me. Yea I know I maybe a sucker to take off on a day trip with four children,but they fill my heart.My family was my medication that helped me during my divorce. There were so many nights that I felt so alone and unloved,but having one of these sweet babies to stay with me was having pure unconditional love.I know that nothing can take the place of a mate and I trust that if Gods will one day I will share that with a great man,but until that time comes I will love my family.

I would like to say to you that are out there and are feeling pain find the sweet little things like time with your family to bring you love.

Four of my favorite people waiting on their train ride

Little man acting like a monkey

Having a Picnic in the park after our trip to the Zoo

My sweet grands about to ride the train..one isn't liking the noise

There is nothing like a date with a "Real Man"

Memories and Pancakes

What more could a mom ask for than making special memories with her daughter? HUM maybe some AMAZING Pumpkin Pancakes? That is just what I did yesterday.Yesterday was my scheduled workout,but when my daughter ask me about a bike ride I was pumped!! I love riding my bike,but I love her way more. I decided to get up and go get my gym in early and meet her on the bike trail. Man were we in for a surprise.I guess you would have had to be there ,but it got pretty exciting. I'll see if I can take you on our journey. When we took off we were not sure what our limit would be because this was our first time together on the trail. I had ridden  alone and April with her family,but today we were on a mission!! To start the ride off I checked my bike and we were on go. April took off first and I noticed her tire was low so we stopped to air it up. Little did we know that her tire had issues BUT we sure found out about five miles down the trail. We were clocking along pretty good when I noticed April had fallen behind.I not thinking more than she was tired went up ahead and finally stopped at a rest area.I look up a few minutes later and here comes April...what the heck is wrong with my girl? Something has gone wrong with her tire so I go to check it out.OH NO the tube is coming out of the tire and what are we going to do? Oh well lets take a break and think about this.We are setting there talking and enjoying the nature when all of the sudden we hear the loudest POP . We both are freaked out because we are just sure someone is shooting either out in the woods or at us.We both jump up and I guess the first thing on my mind is getting the heck out of dodge. I jumped on my bike and was ready to roll when I looked back and April is by here bike. Oh no she can't ride on the tire!! All of the sudden I hear her say " Don't leave me momma"I knew better,but im not gonna say I hadn't thought about it. At this point I figured what the heck if they were trying to shoot us they would have already so I climb off the bike to take a look at hers. OH NO the tube had blown up and that is what the noise was. Thankful no one was trying to kill us,but wondering what the @#$% were two women going to do with a bike a mile away from our van? We couldn't ride it or roll it so my wonder woman daughter decides we will carry it!!!Yes you guessed right we took turns carrying her bike for the next mile. Now we knew we were getting a good workout and that we did. After making it back to her house and yes very worn,but still pumping with adrenalin we laughed until we cried about our trip.I was having to much fun to leave. I decided why not stay and go to Zumba with her and my grandaughter .After a short rest and some good cold water April decided to make me some AMAZING Pumpkin pancakes full of protein and wow I sure enjoyed. Im not sure if I enjoyed being in the kitchen with my daughter or the pancakes best??? Hum let me see ok ok the PANCAKES.

WONDERFUL Pumpkin protein pancakes
http://www.fit-fun-delish.com/2012/10/protein-pumpkin-pancakes.html

After a great meal we finished our day off with a great Zumba class. I so look forward to making more Memories and Pancakes with my beautiful daughter.

My wonder woman daughter carrying her bike

Getting ready to ride

Momma has to smile lol

Lets Take A Ride

Taking a water break

Along the Trace

The day I got my Bike

Do you just love my Bike? I do and Im so thankful to my daughter and her family for getting it for my birthday.

 So come take a ride with me and lets talk.

How many of you know that when we are small we have desires in our heart that God put there? So many times in life as things change we forget those. I remember as a small girl growing up in Cotton Valley Louisiana I used to love riding my bike. It seemed like Christmas was a time for a new one and I enjoyed it all year or until I out grew it. I would leave home some days and ride all the way up town and never think twice.

After my separation from my husband and I started to exercise for my health and sanity I thought about how much I loved to ride. I really wasn't thinking distance,but just the pleasure of the open area. I had talked to many and voiced how much I wanted to ride,but because of things from the divorce money just wasn't there. On April 2013 I got a big surprise when  April and Paul got my PINK bike for me.I felt just like a child again when I climbed on my bike and I couldn't wait to get it on "Longleaf Trace" 

Longleaf is an amazing trail that runs close to where I live. I am just getting started,but I see many miles ahead.

So go back and find the desires that you once had and never forget all things are possible if you believe.

The first time I rode after getting my bike

                                                            http://www.longleaftrace.org

A stop along the Trace

I earned a Road trip

Morning friends...just checking in today early before I hit the road. Yes "Road Trip" time. I really think I earned it ! I had a pretty good week but it could have always been better.I know it seems like I am to hard on myself sometimes,but someone has to keep me in check. I really wanted to do some bike riding this week but was waiting on my shorts to arrive. I will have no excuse this coming week because they came yesterday.
I just love them and can't wait to try them out,but for today I will not be feeling the Blues about what I didn't do or should have done....I'll be in Jackson listening to the Blues.
Enjoy your weekend

A House Is Built One Brick At A Time

"A House Is Built One Brick At A Time"

Often, the goals we set for ourselves are daunting

How many times have we heard this said or used to teach? " 

One Brick At A Time"

 Today when I was headed home from the gym I opened my phone and I see this quote used and it started me to thinking. We can use this in many areas of our life,but for me it was about health and fitness.

I met with a trainer today just to go over some problem areas and talk. I so enjoyed it and it amazes me how anothers input can help us. I have been working out and eating good for most of three years and it has been a journey. As I sat and talked with the trainer he was happy with my determination and where I have come from and the things I have over come. See in my eyes I sat down with problems and looking at how far I have to go, but he on the other hand saw it the other way. After our talk I spent some time with him showing me what I needed for the areas and It went great. After reading that quote on the way home I was better able to understand. 

Take a look at a brick home and what is one of the first thinks we notice that makes it strong? The foundation right? Look at the time and effort that goes into making that foundation solid.You also have to make sure to use great products like metal rods and concrete.If it isn't poured right or the weather is wrong for the day it is poured more than likely you will end up with cracks.What do cracks cause...a bad structure and in the end damage causing the life of the home to be altered.

Our life is the same way..what goals have we set and what have we done to see that the foundation is solid? I started to see I have worked hard in preparing the foundation and with each step I have taken.Then with each task I concord and over came  I was adding bricks one at a time. This is when I started to see yes I may have some skin to tighten,some muscle to build and so on,but I have to see each thing as one brick at a time.

 No my house isn't complete and there is always room for upgrades, but as long as we are building it will come to completion.

The finished product is beautiful and well put together,
but it was built "One Brick At A Time"

Lets Talk Fat Flush Water

If any of you follow me on Facebook you know I have been posting about the "Fat Flush" water. This recipe and others has been floating around the web for sometime. I just came across it last week and decided to check into it more. I did find out that .....Kim Lyons’ was on Dr. Oz  and is on YouTube making the water. It not only flushes out your system,but has other benefits.Fat Flush contains grapefruit that’s loaded with vitamin C to help your body turn fat into fuel. The tangerine increases your sensitivity to insulin, stabilizes blood sugar, and stimulates genes to burn fat. Cucumber helps you feel full and acts as a natural diuretic, which means less bloating and water retention. And lastly, it has peppermint, which is not only refreshing but also promotes better digestion and stomach calm.

Here is the recipe...I filled a glass jug and let it set over night. you need to drink an 8 oz glass before each meal,but better if you drink more. I will be drinking my whole pitcher through out the day.It is best to stay on this for ten days.

Fat Flush Water

Ingredients, per 1 pitcher

 Water

1 slice grapefruit

1 tangerine

½ cucumber, sliced

2 peppermint leaves

Ice

Directions

Combine ingredients in a large pitcher

Your body is your car

My Beautiful High Speed CAR

Good Tuesday morning..this is like Monday to me because I took a LONG weekend. I really missed everyone,but sometimes we just have to GO.
I woke up this morning with a text from my daughter (nothing like waking up to that) after my first cup of coffee we had time for a talk. We can always find time to talk about health and diet. The conversation led into eating certain foods,clean and fast food and so on. I guess with my gifting I have from God many times when I see things they are kind of in vision form. So this is what I started to see and share with her. YOUR body is your vehicle (CAR) it is all you have to get you where you need to go. Cars need certain fuel to run right,but we also have to keep up with the maintenance because without it they start to run rough. See I know in my mind I am a fine sports CAR and it takes a premium fuel to run it. I may pull up to the gas pump sometimes and see a cheaper fuel and even ONE that they have added stuff to and made it so anyone can buy it. It is totally up to me which fuel I pick,but when my car starts to run rough,not take the hills and spit and sputter because I picked to add the cheapest fuel to my car today it is MY fault. With cheap fuel comes other problems. Air filters don't last as long and get clogged,spark plugs,more wear on the engine.what does the cheap fuel do? Oh we may have saved at the moment,but months down the road we still have to pay for the damage it has done. So what type fuel are you picking? Has your car stopped running correct? There is some good news...you can do a good flush and overhaul and start new and add the better choice and keep up maintenance and be up and running before you know it.
This is a great FLUSH to get your engine started....
http://fullbellies.blogspot.com/2013/03/fat-flush-water.html

If we are what we eat..what are you?

1.                      If we are what we eat...this is ME

Fresh Tilapia,Quinoa,Broccoli with fresh salad

Healthy Pizza made with Joseph's bread,grilled onion,pepper and mushrooms

Fresh yard egg and spinach omelet with cottage cheese ,yogurt and strawberries

                                      I used to be this...

If you are what you eat what are you?

I just love this saying...I never really gave it much thought until I was faced years of weight gain and sickness.
I was raised in the "GOOD OLE SOUTH" and we do have some yummy food.and  I was also raised by one of the most amazing mom and cooks around. There was never a meal around our home that wasn't fresh and home cooked. Was it all healthy? Im sure it wasn't because my mom loved SUGAR and BUTTER and she taught me well.
 I truly don't think back in the day when we raised our meat and vegetables it was as bad as it is today.
Like the message above we have become a country that lives life in the fast lane and so we eat FAST food that is killing us. We go for the cheap food that is just that CHEAP and has no goodness in it. We are always looking for EASY so we get boxed food that you add water and it swells into food.The thing is all this food is FAKE. We are eating food that the government has allowed to be filled with chemicals, preservatives,fillers and more.
So I know some of you are asking what happened to change me?? First I will say off and on in my life I always desired the healthy way. There was a time that I ordered from the Coop and cooked that way,but without the support of others in the house it can be hard. When I woke up a single lady all alone except for the dog and cat (and they can't tell me what to do ) I decided I can cook and buy things I desire. Along about this time I started to get closer to God also and in my reading it all came together. What did God make for use to eat? If he made it then it was good.When did we start to see such an increase in sickness and early death? The answer came..When MAN started to mess with what God made.
Little by little I started to go back to the pure foods.Trying to keep things as fresh as I can. I still have along way to go and alot to learn,but today I am so much closer than I was. How has it helped? I feel SO much better,I am no where as sick as I was,I have more energy.I promise when you stop eating some of these things and one day decide to get a Big Mac and it makes you sick as a dog ...your body is talking to you.
 All we need to do is listen.I