PRAYERS NEEDED

 Went in for blood work and it came back quite elevated, so I need to go in for more testing to see if the cancer is back.  I would appreciate any and all prayers, and thanks in advance.  I am in a sort of daze so not a lot to report, but I will tell you that I trained and completed my 5k in 34:39 and out of 75 women came in 54th, not too shabby for my first 5k. My son will run the next two with me, so that will be fun.  Blessings to you my friends and I will keep you informed as I find out.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp* 

© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Happy Tuesday Peeps

Hey there just wanted to say, yay the kids are back in school officially!!! So nice to have the house to myself for a few hours...so nice to be able to just listen to the quiet and not have someone yakking at me constantly.  Love the kids, but also love quiet time. 

Here is a little inspiration for today...

"It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect It's successful outcome."
William James 

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

My Journey With MFP Aug/Sept.

So September was an AWESOME month for me all around.  Joining the August challenge was a huge accomplishment and motivation for me.  I lost inches (not sure how many) and 7.2lbs, so all in all it was a very productive month.  

I signed up for my first 5k in October and I cannot wait to see how I do.  My fastest time for a 5k so far is today's time 35:53, yay!!!  Of course my 5k's are not official ones but 5k's non the less.  

Alex, yes that picture of me is recent, although my hair is dark now, but yes that is me in July.  

The kids are all heading back to school next week, woohoo!  I am so ready for them to be back on a routine.  Come the second week of September I will be helping out at our little store, for the lunch rush.  Hopefully that will work out, my hubby is having me help out rather than have to spend the money hiring someone else to work a very short shift, 2hrs at most M-F.  This will cut into my lunch date with my bff Julie and my cleaning job once a week, but I am sure I will figure something out.  

I have become quite addicted (in a good way) to exercising at the local YMCA. Betcha have that song going through your head now.  Ha, Ha !!! I love the elliptical trainer, adaptive motion trainer, and the recumbent bike trainer, they all give me a kick butt workout and are helping to shape my body.  I have also added some weight training to my regime, and will be increasing that as time goes on and allows.  

Our prune tree out back yielded quite a huge crop of prunes (taste like plums) and my son had my mother-in-law make us some prune jam...sounds gross but soooooo good. This winter we will be enjoying some tasty jam, can't wait.

Things at home are going well and we are having some great weather to boot. The hot days are not so hot anymore, and mornings are beautifully fall like.  I can't wait for the trees to change their colors and to feel that cool breeze day after day.  As a result of my weight loss I can now wear my leggings and look great at the same time...woohoo!  I love being skinny but more than that, I love being healthier and more fit.  

Blessings my dear friends and as usual please leave me a little somethin' somethin' when you come by.



© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

My Journey With MFP

Remember this site that I shared with you last month...well it's what has been keeping me busy.  I joined in on a challenge for the month of August, called Kickin' The Crap Outta August, and well, that is exactly what I have been doing.  Kickin' some major hiney. My team is called F2F (Flab to Fab) and we are doing great so far.

Every day we have challenge exercises like strength training or cardio bursts the make you stretch your perceived abilities...I have found that I am much stronger than I thought I was...and that I can do so much more that I believe. So far this month I have lost 7lbs as of last Sunday and hopefully when I weigh in on this Sunday I will have more to report...I am building more muscle and regaining strength I lost during my battle with cancer, treatment etc...This challenge has just 6 more days and then I can relax a little, and baby my back a little more.

So I will keep this short and sweet, and will check back in at the end of the month to more fully report on my progress and what I have learned in these last couple of months. 

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Thought Maybe I Should Check In

Well I have been busy exercising and eating the right kinds of foods and somehow I forgot to post how I have been doing.

The last couple of weeks has been a lot of exercising and trying to eat good. I found This wonderful website that has helped me to keep track of all my foods, exercise, and water intake...and a lot more.  I have found a wonderful community of people who are in the same boat, so to speak as I am...they are on a journey to health and fitness.

So I have been logging my foods through that site as well as all my exercises and water intake...I love that you can go to your home page and see how everyone is doing and post how and what you are doing as well.  I have found that my new friends are very sweet and motivational, and it is always nice to log in and see that someone left you a note of encouragement. 

This is mostly what I have been eating

Coffee
Creamer
Eggs
Cheese
Strawberries
Chicken
Squash
Corn Tortillas
Salsa
Onions
Nectarines
Salad

Well anyway you get the idea...healthy stuff

Although I did have a few days where I went off the grid and ate not so healthy stuff...like Shari's restaurants All American Panini Sandwich...w/fries and no sugar added Apple Pie...yes, that's right not good choices at all, but boy was it good. We won't even talk about when I ate chips w/dip, pizza and orange slices (candied), that'll just be our secret. Shhh!

I have been walking a lot and riding my bike (Choncho) as well as working out on my weight machine with my son training me...I just need to add some more muscle so I can burn more fat and get these last few lbs off of me. It seems like the last few pounds takes a lot more work and a lot more time. I will post my progress in a few weeks.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
 

© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Food and Exercise Journaling

Let me start by just saying ugh...

My Daughter just turned 11 and we celebrated her birthday with cake, ice cream, and pizza...all of these have either lactose or gluten in them...yes I paid for it, silly me, when will I learn?

So just to be completely honest with myself...I can no longer eat/drink milk products (except hard cheese which has no lactose) and no more bread/wheat products.  I am sad, because I love these foods.  I just cannot keep hurting myself in good conscience. (Insert sad face here)

Yesterday I ate...

Breakfast (Don't judge) 4 piece chicken nugget 
1 Cup Strawberries

Snack 
1.5 Cup Watermelon

Lunch
4 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
5 tbsp Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing
Salad


Dinner
:0( Pizza
:0( Cake
:0( Ice Cream


Exercise
Jogging 40 minutes on mini trampoline
Cleaning house


Water
8 (8oz) Cups


So even though I ate a crappy dinner I still stayed over 100 calories below my goal...At least I can smile at that.


Let's hope today is much different...no make that...Today will be much better. Please feel free to come by and leave me a comment or some good advice...Thanks and May God bless you abundantly.


I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
 
© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Journaling My Relationship With Food and Exercise

 

I am continually striving to use the tools I have acquired over the past few years in regards to exercise and diet.  I thought it would be nice to document my journey as it continues, with you.  

Over the years I have learned that you cannot hope to lose and keep off unwanted pounds if you are going to just diet...because a diet is a temporary fix to a permanent problem.  Learning to eat properly and exercise is a life long solution to keeping off unwanted and unhealthy pounds.  I am constantly reminded by my body that it needs to be fed healthy food in the proper portions and get regular exercise in order to run properly and optimally.

 

Whenever I take a "break" from eating the right foods my body pays...every time.  This is something you would think that I would have learned by now...but, no!  I seem to conveniently "forget" when I see that delicious piece of chocolate cake, or scrumptious slice of my niece's Cherry Cheesecake.  However, it only takes a few minutes for my body to pay the price...including...cramps, gas, diarrhea just to name a few. 

In the last couple of years I have started to realize that my tummy troubles may very possibly be related to gluten and lactose intolerance. For years I have had I.B.S. but I am slowly learning that it may be more than that.  When I eat bread, or pasta or cereal I get cramps, etc...When I drink milk in particular I get the same symptoms...gas, cramps, diarrhea and just a horrible stomach ache. I have been working at eating low carb, low sugar and cutting out milk and most gluten.  This means I eat a lot of fruit, veggies and lean meats.  It has been very difficult giving up grains and milk since I absolutely love bread, cakes, milk etc...I mean who doesn't love a great double chocolate muffin from Costco? Me, Me Me !!!

All that being said, I am on a continuous journey of learning to eat properly and exercise more regularly.  I just recently turned 40 and so far it has been fabulous but also it has made it even more evident that in order to stay healthy in body and mind I have to work hard at eating right and I have to be consistent in my exercise. So I invite you to join me and as always I would love to hear from you regarding your own struggles with these issues.

So this will be my journal entry for the last few days:

Breakfast is as follows...

2 Eggs Scrambled 
1/2 ounce of Cheddar Cheese 
2 tsp. Tomato and Green Chili

Coffee with Creamer

Lunch is as follows...

1 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 4oz
2 Cups of Salad Greens
4 Tbsp of Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Salad Dressing 

Dinner is as follows...

Same thing as lunch or...

3.5 oz of Lean Hamburger
2 Cups of Salad Greens
1/2 oz of Cheddar Cheese
2 Tsp Tomato and Green Chili 
1/2 oz Yellow Tortilla Chip Crumbles 

Snacks are as follows...

Jello Sugar Free Pudding Cups
Grapes
Strawberries
2 Tbsp Light Whipped Cream 
String Cheese
Lots of Water Throughout the Day

*Exercise is as follows:
*Jogging on my mini trampoline 30 minutes

This is just what I have been eating these last couple of weeks, and I do realize it is not too varied but again I am dealing with the whole gluten and lactose issues so it is a learning experience and like in life this is not a sprint but a marathon. So come along and remember to share with me what you are doing, who knows you may learn something, as well as teach something to me. 

 I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Update On My Life 2011

 Hey all...just wanted to let you know what has been happening in my life these past several months.


Well the kids are all out of school and on summer fun break.  1st thing we all did was go to Family Camp 2011 at Lake of the Woods. So much fun would be an understatement.  The boys and Miss M. usually go with dad on Friday and stay until Sunday, but my mom and I go just for the day on Saturday.  Although Miss M. did get to go to a great day camp for aspiring writers and artists on the week before family camp, this was the first family event we all went to.  


Over the last several months I have been going through a sort of closure as well as a letting go of a certain person and time period of my past. I previously wrote that I went on a Sabbatical to find my "me-ness" you may or may not remember reading that post, at any rate during that time I also let go of a certain person and time period of my life.  That person is my father.  

Now let me just start by saying that he is not a horrible person and that I do love him, which I am sure leaves you wondering why in the world I would remove him from my life...let me try to explain it a little more.  For some odd reason he never really learned or tried to be my "daddy" and all that word implies.  He did provide well for me and my family growing up, and he did instill in me values, morals, ethics and discipline.  These are all admirable characters to have and be given and I am grateful to him for that.  

That being said, he never really showed me the nurturing part of love, I was never good enough and will never be good enough for him to change what he has been doing his whole life and do something to develop and continue a real relationship with me and his only grandchildren by blood. He was of the mind that children are to be seen and not heard so I am sure you can imagine what it was like growing up in a home like that, or maybe you know all to well what I felt like because you yourself grew up in a home much like my own. When you grow up with strict discipline and little to no nurturing you develop a skewed sense of self-esteem and your value as a person.  As a result of this relationship in my life I have spent most of my teen and adult years trying to be "good enough" for everyone I came into contact with but especially for my father.  


After my Sabbatical I DECIDED to let that relationship go.  I decided that after 40 years of not being good enough I was going to take control of this part of my life.  I was going to decide who I allowed in my life and who I did not allow or want in my life.  Life is too short to be surrounded by toxic or negative relationships...I am called to love my father and I do, I am not called to continue in a relationship that brings me pain and negativity.



Let me just say that I am not writing this to get sympathy or advice from anyone who happens to stop by and read this post.  This blog is about my life and is like an online diary of sorts, it is mainly cathartic for me.  I am also not writing this to hurt or be mean to my father, it is for me a way to share my life with anyone who comes this way and also a way to speak my feelings, whether you like it or not, it is how I feel. 


Above and beyond what I just wrote regarding my father...my life is wonderful.  I am loving my life and intend to enjoy this summer to the fullest whether that means doing nothing but relaxing or that it means going and doing family camps, family reunions, taking road trips, reading, etc...I will enjoy every moment I receive like it is a gift...because it is...I am alive, and I am abundantly blessed by my ultimate Father, God.  I don't have to be good enough and in fact I can never be good enough...He loves me just the way I am but not because of anything I do or have done or will do, but because of who He is.  The point is I don't have to try to be good enough to win or deserve His love, He just loves me.  I am His child and there is nothing I can do that will take away His love. Wow, that is such a blessing and the fact that I am so undeserving makes it even more so!  


God bless all who may pass this way...May He bless you as abundantly as He has blessed me...May His face shine upon you all and give you joy overflowing.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp* 


© 2011 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Nichole C. Mullen Call On Jesus

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

I Think I May Have Found Me

 So I have been on a kind of "Journey" or "Sabbatical" these past 10 days and while I would like to say it was a life changing experience, or that I had a  "light bulb moment" I really can't.  Let me tell you why.

Let's just be honest here...this whole finding yourself thing isn't really rocket science.  I have found that I just need to stop, take a breath and get some things into perspective.  I have also come to find that I am one of those (Hsp) people...or Highly Sensitive People, and because of that everything stresses me out, literally.  Including but not limited to...noise, bright lights, caffeine, too many things going on at once, etc... 

So I have begun to do some things differently...for example:

I meditate, candles, music and all that jazz.
I journal every day and night.
I pray every morning before I get out of bed.
I end my day calmly (This one I have yet to implement)

Turns out all I really needed to do was to stop, and take a moment for myself, and to remember that I am the kind of person who needs to turn off all the stimuli every once in awhile and just breathe.   It's okay to have silence, in fact, I find that in the silence I can truly be me...and isn't that what I have been searching for all along?

I found this on facebook on day 4 of my Sabbatical and I found it to be just what I needed to hear.

On this day God wants you to know...

...that it's time you remembered who you really are.  You are not your wallet, your job, your kids, your house.  You are not your activities or your worries or the labels other people give you.  Like an actor you play these roles, and like a good actor you sometimes forget who you really are.  Time to wake up now, and remember that you are a being of immense power and breathtaking beauty created in the image of God.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Aaron Shust ~ My Savior, My God

 I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Finding My "me-ness" and Lent

I have been going through a sort of mid-life crises the past few years...and last weekend I had a melt-down with the family.  I have put all my eggs in one basket, so to speak, and it has come back to bite me in the proverbial butt.  


I moved straight out of my parents home and into that of my husband and then almost exactly a year later I became a mom.  So I know how to be a daughter, a wife and a mother, but I don't know how to be "me".  Somehow in the crowd of people, that I share my life with, I have lost myself, my "me-ness", I guess you could say.  So my wonderful husband has offered me a Sabbatical from my normal life of wife and mom.  It is almost Spring Break and my own beautiful mother is going out of town and she has graciously agreed to let me stay at her home, for which I am eternally grateful. 


I will spend this time trying to find out who I am, and what I want to be when I grow up.  I will do things like, make lists of things I don't want to do and lists of things I do want to do, and then I will start to live the life I want to live, instead of living the life I have felt obligated to live.  Don't get me wrong, I love my life with my guy and our children and have no intention of going anywhere.  It's just that I have poured myself into these roles for 18 years and now I am lost, I can't find myself at all.  I am on a journey to change what my life looks like, to find out who I am besides someones daughter, someones wife, and 4 someones mama. 


I have already started to do somethings that are new and exciting...for example, I love to meditate (no, I don't chant or pray to Buddha), and I have started to keep a journal of my thoughts and feelings, as well as some prayers.


Also...


I have always wanted to celebrate Lent, so this year I am doing it.   Lent is all about prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration for Easter. It is not only a Catholic tradition it also has roots in the Protestant religions.  So this year for lent I will be giving up coffee (hello, can anyone say my name is____ and I am addicted?), also on Mondays and Wednesdays I will not watch television until after 5pm.  I have also decided to pray 2x a day and try to attend stations of the cross on Friday evenings with a friend.  It doesn't really matter what a person gives up, but it should be something that will be difficult to go without.  


So these are some things I have already implemented into my "new" life and so far things are changing, little by little.  I find after meditating I am less stressed and writing in my journal helps me to get the thoughts and feeling out of my head and onto paper.  I am hoping that these 9-10 days my husband is giving me, will be a great start to a new perspective on life.


I am lucky to have a husband who is willing to send me away for a "Sabbatical" to try to figure things out...a lot of women are not so fortunate.  He (hubby) says if I don't do this he is afraid he will have to put me in the nut-house...lol, because I am going crazy just ignoring the situation. He knows I love him, yet he also knows that he cannot fill this void in my life, no one person or group of people can...this is only something I can figure out and do.  For 18 years being a wife and mother has been more than enough for me, but now the kids (especially the teenage boys) don't need me so much and I find myself walking around waiting for someone to tell me what to do, and there is much anxiety in that "lost-ness".  


When I am able I will share my journey with you.  Be blessed today and beyond.


I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

We Are Yours

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

A More Beautiful You by Jonny Diaz

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

All Mamma Ever Wanted with Mark Lowry

. I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Mamma Had Enough With Mark Lowry

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

A Little Funny For Your Day

Thought this was so funny and just had to share it!

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

January 10, 2011

I hope this post finds you all happy and healthy in this new year...I am here, and I am surviving...but...

Sometimes it feels like I am just holding on for dear life...do you ever feel that way?  Like life is just so wild and dangerous, you just gotta hang on and hope you make it...well don't despair, God can help get you through whatever it is that you are going through...I trust He will get my son and the rest of us through this next trial we are in right now.

So today I will choose to focus on God...I will let Him carry me...I challenge you to do the same.  Let God take over...trust that He will see you through your trial...take to heart this verse... Philippians 4:13 from the amplified bible...

¹³I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who ^[a]infuses inner strength into me; I am ^[b]self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

May God's face shine upon you today and beyond, and may you have joy abundantly.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

Carrie Underwood~Temporary Home

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

A Devotion From The Pocket Testament League

DAY 53: “WHERE DOES GOD LIVE?”

Acts 7:2b-3

"The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran."

As Stephen begins his testimony he launches into a full history of the patriarchs from Abraham to Moses. Why? It certainly wasn't because his audience didn't know Jewish history (those listening to him included the Jewish chief priest and Sanhedrin). The purpose and one of the main points he is making relates to his defense of the accusation against him of "speaking against this holy place." Stephen's response is that God doesn't reside in a place -- He is not tied to a particular country or building.THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:

The Jews in Stephen's day were guilty of placing God in a box -- confining God to their locations and ideas. The "God of glory" reference that Stephen makes, indicates God's sovereign nature (He can do anything He wants); and His appearance in Mesopotamia to Abraham, illustrates that God does not confine Himself to a particular country.

So often we do the same thing. We think that God is only at church, or only interested in Christians, or supports only an American agenda. God is as interested in your son or daughter's salvation as He is in the salvation of a drug dealer in Colombia, a prostitute in Paris, or a child with AIDS in Africa. God doesn't have boundaries and no one is a waste of time or effort for God.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

We all are guilty to one degree or another of placing boundaries on God. What restrictions do you place on Him? Where have you put God "in a box of your own making?" Intellectually you may agree that God is not only at church, but sometimes we do not have the same "feeling" of being close to God outside of the building where we worship. What thoughts or ideas about God do you need to change?

This devotional was too good to keep to myself, so I am sharing it in with you...I truly hope you take it to heart, and ponder it's wisdom. 


I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

A Note From Yours Truly

As I sit here this morning I feel the need to do a bit of blogging...hey that's a new and refreshing feeling for me, I kind of like it!


I am reflecting on the last couple of weeks, here on the homestead, with my family.  The kids were out of school for the Christmas celebration, and things were more relaxed and spontaneous than usual.  Normally we have certain schedules to keep and needs that have to be met, but not @Christmas-time.  During this time we can sleep-in, stay in bed all day and watch t.v., or just hang out with each other and have fun...there is no schedule.  Well, except for one little thing, Jacob my son broke his thumb 2 days before vacation (wrestling practice) and had to go to the E.R. to get a cast...then a few days later to the orthopedist to get a hard cast up to his elbow...but even that did not get me too down. (Okay, maybe it did a little)


It has been a joy to just be with the kids, and the hubs, of course. We were able to spend real time together, and have lengthy conversations, or just play some games on our new Wii . Given the circumstances of the last 5 months, it has been very nice and welcome.  I seem to have come through the depression and things with my 17 yr old son are looking up, as far as our relationship goes, so that is good news. I have yet to return to church, but I am reading my Bible and working on the relationship with my Father in heaven, so we (my Father and I) are making some progress on that front as well. 


This Christmas season was real important to me, due to the fact that last year I was still so sick and recovering from treatment (cancer). Last year I was obsessed with my cancer and treatment so I had a harder time focusing on the reason for the season, although I did pray a lot and spent time reflecting on all I have been blessed with, so there is that.  


This year I was able to sit back and relax and enjoy being alive and with my family and friends for another year, maybe many, many years, who's to say!  All I know is that I am healthy, 50 lbs lighter, and in total remission from cancer...but more importantly the relationship with my heavenly Father is better, and I am a stronger person because of what God has brought me through, not in spite of it. 


I truly hope that you all have been blessed this Christmas and in return, blessed someone else.  God has been such a rock for me to lean on, and for that (and many more things) I am so, so grateful.  I have leaned through the ages, that no matter what it is I am going through, God will bring me through to the other side, and show me wonderful things, that I might not have seen had I not gone through what he wanted me to experience.  Not only that but God has a wonderful sense of humor...I'll leave that one up to your imagination.  


Oh, and who knew that a Wii could bring a family together for some much needed bonding?


I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*

A Bit of Helen Keller

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. "

~ Helen Keller

 I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*