Almighty God, it's time for a new healthy life. It's a new day. I begin and end everything else in my life looking to you for answers so this is no different. Walk with me and hold my hand through each day. When I am weak... make me strong. When I am tired... give me energy. When I am sad... give me joy. When I am upset... give me peace. When I am discouraged... give me encouragement. When I am lonely... remind me that you are there. When I am defeated... make me a winner! More than anything Lord, my father in heaven above... my daddy... When I am hungry... I ask that you feed me your HOLY SPIRIT!
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Yesterday I began the journey that I have been on a million times in my life, the journey of getting healthy. I have tried every diet, every diet pill, every drink-smoothy and yet I am sitting here larger than I have ever been in my entire life. I could use the excuses that I work full time, I am a full time student, I have 15 hours days so the drive thru is my best friend, I could say I dont have time to exercise, I can even say my health is so bad that its difficult to exericse. All of this would be absolutely true!
Yet, my heart wants a different lifestyle! I have a heart to help others. I want to help build houses, shelters, churches and food banks. I want to go to Oklahoma even Africa to minister to people. I want to run and play soccer with children to see them laugh. I want to feel alive inside again. So, what to do about it? The only person that has never let me down is God. He has walked me through heeling my relationship with my Mother. He has guided me to be a better parent, a better employee, a better wife. His word (the bible) has never left me with a void in my heart. So the obvious answer would be to turn to God. I have seen many miracles while fasting in years past. Through fasting; my son was saved, my sister was saved and started an entire new life by moving from Alabama to New York, I quit smoking after over 20 years - I just laid them down, and the best thing was when I received the baptism of the holy spirit. Now if those aren't testimonies of God's goodness then I dont know what is. The point is, God is the "secret ingredient" the "miracle pill" the "miracle diet" that I should have tried long ago. Not only will I be able to get my health back but the intimate connection it will give me to God will be amazing. Yesterday I simply asked God to help me make better food choices. I didn't ask God to email me a meal and exercise plan, I just want God to guide me through each day. I want to be dependant on God verses food or the scale. I don't plan to get caught up in daily scale checks and get disappointed if I don't see what I feel it should be. I'm not going to allow the enemy to use those tactics to discourage me any longer. I want to simply pray and let the Lord lead me daily. Join the journey with me! I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me! The pursuit conference was absolutely amazing this year. New Beginnings Church really went over the top with the decorations, the food, the worship and of course anytime you have the Holy Spirit... it's a party! The speakers Trey Lewis, Jason Daughdrill and Stephanie Crummley were on fire with the word and testimonies! I was so very blessed and encouraged by what God is doing in our church and within our community. If you are a Pastor and want to hear some anointed speakers, I suggest you invite one of these people.
The question for myself is... what am I pursuing? Wholeheartedly I can say it's the Lord almighty! I want him to be every part of my day not just a place to repent on Sunday. Lord, thank you for loving me for just being me, Stacie, your daughter! Also, thanks to everyone that bought a book and scheduled facials at the conference. I was so pleased and excited! I have been missing in action the last few weeks trying to get adjusted to a new career. The new hours has me getting up very early, add that to Madison's cheerleading and church mostly every night, I am exhausted. No complaints from me though, I have prayed for a year for God to send me the job that was "his will" and I must step into what he has planned for me. It just amazes me how God leads us in a direction we could never imagine.
I have never before considered working in a doctors office but I have to say... God knows exactly what he is doing. I love the patients, they make my day brighter. I have been there only a short time and these sweet elderly people bring me gifts. The nurse asked me this week, "What are you doing for these patients to be bringing you gifts all the time?" I had one lady give me German chocolate, seriously chocolate... from... Germany. Thanks again Mrs. Smith! My goal is that when they visit the office they feel as if they are the only patient, they are #1, and that they feel like family. When they leave I expect a smile on their face and saying, "I can't wait to see you again soon". Most of the patients are diagnosed with cancer. I don't even think about that, I don't dwell on the negative... I see each day as an opportunity to make them feel special and cared about. They don't know it but I pray over them as they are sitting, waiting to be seen. I pray over the Doctor's health so that he can give 100% to the patients, I pray for the nurse... what a job she has. That lady has a lot of stress and she is so very good at what she does. Oh Jesus, she will be out of the office today so I will be extremely busy. God has not shown me why I am at this job yet and it may take me years to find out. It maybe b/c of emotional or physical healing for the staff and it could be for the patients? Then again it maybe so that I can gain medical knowledge that will be used in the mission field? What I do know is that this time will not be wasted, it will be for God's glory! My health has gotten worse since I have started this job. I eat on the run everyday and it's starting to catch up with me. I feel terrible, sluggish, tired. I woke up at 2 am and can't go back to sleep and with this BIG day ahead it will make for a L O N G day. I have got to get my eating organized so that I can start my new healthy lifestyle on March 1st. Join me in prayer today that it goes well without the "AWESOME" nurse there. I'm very nervous! I will need some B12 or something to keep my energy up today. God bless everyone!
What an amazing morning! Well to explain how wonderful it is I must back up to a few days ago. I think in most households the evening time after work is a race to get everything finished before bedtime. With dinner, homework, dishes, laundry, and kids it's like a tornado in my house sometimes. This past Wednesday evening after Church our home phone rang which means it's either a politician, a solicitor, or my Mother-in-law, those are the only people that use our home phone. This call was a political survey. I handed off the call over to my husband which in turns hands it back over to me, all while the lady was on the phone, of course we were both very polite to her but thinking we really don't have time for a 15 min survey. Nevertheless, I took the challenge and listened to each question very closely in order to be as honest as possible. I am a true believer in if you ask me a question I will tell you the truth even it stings a little to hear it, ha ha. During the conversation she asks if I was a Republican or Democrat. I told her there should be a section for just American, I am American... as the conversation continued she asked if I was spiritual? Of course, I'm sure that wasn't part of the survey. She asked me to pray for her and her family. I was shocked but also excited! I shared with her my love for God, my faith, and that prayer changes life, that I was beginning a Daniel's fast soon for a month where I will be praying nightly. I told her I would gladly pray for her during this entire time, I asked her name, which is Janine. I asked her prayer needs, I wrote down her information and began praying for her that night. I told her about my website and asked her to visit here to stay in touch. Now fast forward to today... All my dear friends are aware that I have been submitting resumes and interviewing for jobs over 8 months now. This morning I had an interview with some very nice people. The job is something I feel confident in my ability to do but I am so terrible at selling myself. I can sell a book, a service, or company but selling myself is difficult. (I need to work on that) I came home thinking of "I should have said this or that" or "I didn't react or say this as I should". I began beating myself up over my mistakes and I open my e-mail to find one from my phone a friend, Janine. Wow, and it just made me step back and thank God all over again for my many blessings in life. BUT more importantly the fact that I could speak to a woman that lives in Idaho, across the country, minister to her, give her encouragement, and offer prayer, compassion and support for her difficult situation. Janine is a widowed mother of two, she has a difficult relationship with her children. She has a master's degree but works 2 part time jobs for $8 an hour, and on the verge of being homeless. If this isn't the face of our nation right now I don't know what is. Educated, hard working individuals on the verge of being homeless. I plan to respond and hopefully build a encouraging relationship with Janine, Lord please work in her life today! I ask you all to help me pray for her situation, that God give her favor and rebuild the relationship with her children. AND I thank God that he could use me for his purpose which is to express love and compassion to one of his children. When we think our situation is difficult there is always someone else with more need than ourselves. Be thankful for what you have for it could all be gone tomorrow! And above everything else, take the time to show love, compassion, and encouragement to someone everyday, you will never know how much it means to them and the depth of what God is using you for. A 15 minute phone call to a stranger could possibly change both of our lives forever, only God knows! What a wonderful day for me!! Don't be afraid to fast! If you have never heard of fasting this book is an amazing resource. Last year was the first time I had ever heard of or participated in a Daniel's fast. It changed both my life and my families life dramatically. It would take me a long time to tell you all the blessings and favor God has given our family over this past year. You wont starve to death so don't be afraid of the word "fasting". If you are looking for a NEW Beginning of happiness, favor, and spiritual growth than I encourage you to consider this fast! Introduction to my book.
Last year, my mother-in-law, Judi, and I had a girls’ day out. We attended a She Expo for women at the Chattanooga Community Center. We immensely enjoyed our fun-filled weekend. We saw a fashion show, watched cooking demonstrations, and met medical professionals. The best part was being able to meet Staci London from the show What Not to Wear (which I’m addicted to) and Paula Deen, the famous cook and author. I loved the event, although spending quality time having a mother–daughter day meant more to me. While waiting for Paula Deen to speak, I told Judi that I wanted to write a book about what the life of the American housewife was really like. She halfheartedly said, “Oh, what are the subject and the title?” I looked around at the fourteen thousand women in attendance and realized these are the real housewives of America. Most women are not rich and do not have a chef, maid, or nanny. We do not wear designer clothes or carry handbags that cost several thousand dollars. Nor do we wear a size zero. What we are… is real. Now, I’m not saying the ladies on the Real Housewives TV shows aren’t real people. I am sure they are fabulous women with great personalities, but let’s face it … the show is sensationalized. In real life, the average women’s earnings in 2009 are approximately $18,000 to $50,000 annually, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released June 2010. Most women come home from work to make dinner for our families, clean our own houses, and raise our children. We wear an average size 6 to 16, buy our clothes at the mall or outlet store, and buy shoes on sale. Somewhere in there we find time to take our children to their doctor and dentist appointments, soccer practice, and piano lessons. And, we never miss a school function. This is the reality of a real housewife. Why are we considered average when we are the majority? A below average, average, or above-average stereotype should not exist. We should be proud of who we are, period! We should be happy and comfortable with our lives, our homes, and ourselves. So, how can we make our life look as good, as interesting, and as exciting as the women on the Real Housewives shows? How many days do you wake up and say one of the following to yourself: I don’t have time for myself. All my energy goes toward my family. I’m so tired I just don’t think I can go through another day. I don’t have the energy to do another load of laundry. I can’t think of anything to prepare for dinner. I want to prepare a healthy meal, but where do I start? How can I afford to buy my son a new baseball glove when I can’t pay the electric bill this month? How can my neighbor buy a new car every year when I struggle to afford groceries? I feel that my husband and I aren’t close anymore; all we talk about are the kids. My husband and I haven’t gone on a date in years. My family drives me crazy. I’m tired of being unhealthy. I don’t know about you, but often I feel that I am going through the daily motions of life. If any of these statements has gone through your head once in the past month, this book could possibly help make your life easier or at least give you a good laugh. Now, I am not a doctor, therapist, or a sociologist. What I am is a real woman with life experiences. In this book, I discuss the areas of life that women deal with on a daily basis. My hope is, as I share my personal life experiences through the pages of this book that this will inspire others to follow their dreams. We can find peace and happiness within our home and more importantly, within ourselves. Happiness comes from within. I have heard this many times, and I am not sure if I ever truly got it until this point in my life. I have been happier in my thirties than at any other age. Materialistic things, such as a Mercedes, mansions, and diamonds, do not make a girl happy until she is happy with herself and her life. Oh, but they sure do help things, right? Even Tori Spelling’s family was so wealthy her father brought snow to California for Christmas. Now, that’s some serious cash there. She could have any material thing in the world she wanted. She has shared with her fans that she wasn’t always happy, including a strained relationship with her mother. It just goes to show money doesn’t buy love or happiness. They come from within your core, which is your family and friends that you love. You have to be happy within yourself. That doesn’t mean you have to be a size 2. You need to be healthy, but it’s not
based on the number on the scale or the size of your jeans. Stephanie, my best friend, and I were talking one day. I told her I kept feeling something missing in me. I couldn’t figure out why I felt empty. I have a great husband and two wonderful kids, so what was it? She suggested I find a hobby to give me a sense of fulfillment, peace, and enjoyment. This is what sparked the idea of writing a book. After Judi and I attended the She Expo, that gave me the mission. This book isn’t to sell millions of copies, go on a book-signing tour, or even be on Good Morning America. Although, I would love to meet Sam Champion and George Stephanopoulos (George, I want to meet your wife). I had the great pleasure of meeting Robin Roberts a few years ago. I have a signed copy of her book; it’s awesome! For me, my book is to open my heart, face my fears, and give me some passion toward a goal and the encouragement to go for it. I would also like to share words of encouragement with other women. |
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