It's been quite some time since I have wrote on here mainly because I was on vacation and wasn't on the computer at all, which was really kinda nice.

I was gone for a week in Houston, TX. It was the best week I have had in a really long time. I visited my best friend that lives there. We did so much and had the time of our lives. The weather was really nice, 70's and sunny and clear skies. Who would have known clear skies existed from living in Portland.

A big part of the culture out there is eating out. They must have at least 5-6 restaurants on every corner of every street on both sides of the road. It's a huge city. I had some amazing food :) We had a spa day, went to museums, got a tour of the city.. And People are soooo nice there! :)

My next trip will be to AZ in April and this is gonna to be a really hard decision for me. I feel so torn between two places and feeling tugged into too many directions and it stresses me out a little. In Houston, there is such a great vast amount of opportunity. So many jobs and good school programs. It's a place where 23 year olds are making 80,000 a year and owning their own house already. It's crazy but awesome. I fall in love with TX everytime I go there. I will be really pressing into what God wants me to do. This is a big decision for me.

Weighed in today! Lost 2 more pounds and 1.5 inch off each thigh and 1 inch off my waist so far in a week! Total of 6 pounds lost so far!

I don't even know how I got through today. I was so exhausted in every logical sense of the word. Yesterday I was tired too and drank 2 of those FIVE HOUR ENERGY shots. I was told they work good. My final synopsis is yes they sure WORK. I had the lemon lime flavor and it tasted so horrible. In fact it tasted just like alka seltzer. I used to hate when my mother would make me drink that stuff. ugh :( anyways... Note to self and everyone else who reads this, Don't drink those if you want to go to bed anytime soon. I couldn't fall asleep till eight this morning,eight this morning! which of course made me really really tired today and when I got home from work, made it even harder to work out...But I DID IT! Another 4 miles on the elyptical and my 2 other DVD workouts. Whoa! I don't know where my motivation comes from honestly! But keep it coming!

So I really need to go to bed. I have a doctors appt with the surgeon tomorrow and graduation tomorrow night. Yay!!!

Ill have more to write tomorrow. Before I go though, there's a verse in Romans that says Patience in affliction...

I don't even have much patience when i'm not in affliction. I'm really working on this. Not an easy task for me..

I dont have a creative title for today :)

Today was a really good day! Remember how I said I would have to exert all my energy last night to work out? Turns out I had more in me than I thought! I did 4 miles on the Elyptical! I always amaze myself but that's a good thing. Tonight I did another 4 miles and then my ab workout and my full Cardio workout! I'm feeling so good, it's super nice!

This Friday, I will be ending what's been a big chapter of my life this past year. It's been some tough, hard lessons I have learned the HARD way!

In recognition of that, I reflect on this: 2 Peter 1:12-21

12So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

16We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."[a] 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

I believe that every scripture means something unique and different for every individual especially in relation to our lives and what we have gone through. What we know and believe has a huge effect on our lives and how we conduct ourselves, especially for me How I will be a Godly woman. I'm pretty sure when I first read this is Missionette's I probably thought this was just some letter Peter had written to some churches.

However now,to me it means profoundly that I am battling to keep my mind focused on truth, rather than distracted, and ultimately ruined, by the secular world who are always trying to substitute their errors for truth.

Life is not easy by any means and I'm sure every Christian and non-Christian can attest to that. But honestly if life wasn't hard then we would be some shallow people without any character or substance to us.

It's so important to feed the building blocks of Christian character to the faith that God has given each of us. Virtue is SOOOO essential to a productive Christian life.

We live in a world where we constantly want new things, new innovations, bigger and better and it's important to constantly be going back to the basics of JESUS and reinforcing that in our lives so we can stay focused and strong.

I so many times find myself in need of renewal, of spiritual arousal where I have dozed off spiritually. I need to do again the things I know to do but where I have slacked off. I need to go back to the basics in my life. Growing up in church, I always felt like to be a person of influence you needed to be a leader in the church of some sort but What God has shown me in the past few months and so has my mentor--that you don't have to be in a position of leadership in the church. You can be that person of influence wherever you go, whatever you do.

I have become a much different person in the past eight months. I owe that all to the grace of God and to the amazing friends I have in my life who keep me accountable and love me constantly. I have learned to not stress like I used to, how to facilitate my feelings on life and everything that includes. It's amazing how much God can change our lives if we are just willing. When your parent's look at you and tell you how very proud they are of you and where your going in life, it's an incredible feeling. When people see the change in you.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit you way to the Lord; trust Him and He will do this. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. ~Psalm 37:4-6

I am soooo exhausted today!

Yesterday I got up early and met my friends for Brunch at Salty's on the Columbia River. We had a beautiful view from our table! The food was amazing and so was the company. And I was very good about what I ate, I didn't want to fall off my new healthy wagon.

In Football news, I was very HAPPY to see the SAINTS win! :)

This morning when I weighed in, I for sure thought I would be a bit heavier. Mainly because Sundays are the one day I don't work out. But I was lighter :)

I had a short shift at work tonight. It's gonna take all my energy to work out and then I'm going to bed!

Good night all!

EVEN ANGELS......

It cannot get better if it doesn't hurt. A statement I believe to be so true throughout life in any aspect.

Watch this video. I hope it moves you as it moved me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh8afQK8D5k

I’m driving in circles, shoulda bought that new phone
I cant find my way to, all the places I call home
I’m (on my own)
I’m at the station pumping gas, yeah I’m taking out the trash
I’m (all alone)
And who’s there? Who’s there?


Since you been gone, I learned how to move on
How to be myself, I don’t need nobody so
I’m doing so good, I forgot that I could
Live like this, woohh


First step, take a deep breath
You don’t need a reason why
You can, you can take, take time
You can, you can walk, run, dive
Close call, you think you might fall
But all you gotta do is try
Even angels, even angels learn… to fly

Coming home and it’s late night, shoulda left the lights on
I can’t help but imagine, all the things that could go wrong
I’m (on my own)
I’m in the kitchen on the chair, reaching for the top shelf
I’m (all alone)
And I’m ok, I’m alright

Everyday I’m stronger, cant get better, if it, if it don’t hurt
Why? Oh I! Oh I!
See me in my next life
Cause heartbreak’s a teacher, and I’ll love, I’ll love a little bit deeper
Why? Oh I! Oh I!
Yeah

First step, take a deep breath
You don’t need a reason why
You can, you can take, take time
You can, you can walk, run, dive
Close call, you think you might fall
But all you gotta do is try
Even angels, even angels learn…to FLY!!!!!!
FLY!!!!!! FLY!!!!!! FLY!!!!!!

Close call, you think you might fall
But all you gotta do is try
Even angels, even angels learn how to fly

Im big on song lyrics for some reason. I love music and it helps me facilitate my feelings. Its been a rough couple days in my life. Not due to any specific event. Lately for the past couple days I have felt very quiet inside, not much to say. I believe it is the Lord's way of talking to me and quieting my spirit so that he can speak to me.

I have a big transition in my life that will happen this November. I've been so excited about it that the hours feel like days and the days feel like months and so on. Today, talking to a sweet woman that's a great friend to me told me to live in the moment, enjoy this time in my life before it's gone. I realized that I wasn't really doing this. Its important to make big goals and dreams for ourselves but to also have small ones so that we feel like we are accomplishing things and moving forward.

So tonight... My room mate and I met for sushi and then headed over to Cheesecake factory for some delicious cheesecake that was so decadent that I won't even describe it to you because it will just tempt me to want more. Clearly afterwards, my body was hating me and it wasn't a wise idea. But you only live once right? Gotta indulge sometimes and Im an emotional eater and since I was feeling sad, it seemed like a good idea at the time. So my room mate and I decided that was a bad idea after we got home and our stomachs hurt soooo bad. We laid in bed and watched My Sister's Keeper! Oh my, that is by far the saddest movie I have ever seen! If I didn't get enough crying out in the last 2 days, I definitely got even more out tonight. But the movie sure makes you appreciate life and want to make it great and be proactive and healthy. So... I got really motivated and got my HIP HOP ABS DVD's out and did the AB SCULPT two times! Two times! Oh my! And if that wasn't enough, I then did the HIPS BUNS AND THIGHS one too! Whoa! My body will feel it tomorrow I'm sure. But I feel really good! Especially after having that cheesecake! oy!

I recently learned of a new protein shake which is a great thing to drink in the morning when I don't have time and definitely important to have after you work out so your muscles can heal and re cooperate. I order it off of www.allstarhealth.com and they have so many different kinds. I order the ISO PURE-ZERO CARB one. To find a zero carb protein shake is amazing! And the prices are amazing! You can get a 3 lb jar for $35.00 when they retail out for $50-85. That's a steal of a deal!

One of my favorite things to eat in the morning for breakfast though is to toast whole grain english muffins from Trader Joes. I don't put butter or anything on them. I Put 2 poached eggs on top and have some yogurt with granola in it. It's super yummy :)

I feel so much better about myself now that I'm being healthy. When I was doing my videos tonight and my room mate was doing them with me she told me I danced like a black person which I suppose I will take as a compliment because that means I have coordination! I'll take it! :)

These are some small goals that I have to get in shape and hopefully some day as a side hobby to help others get in shape as well! If I can do it, then so can anyone else!

When I start school again after my big move in November, I will be going for Nursing. It's interesting that nurses are in such high demand, however it's really hard to get into nursing programs. I used to think that I wasn't smart enough or I couldn't do it but I'm believing God will open the doors for me. I've never really been too interested in school because my TRUE hearts desire is to be a wife and a mom But I still need to go to school and trust in God's plan.

My mentor today told me she was sooo proud of me for all that I have overcome and that meant ALOT to me. Sometimes when your making so many changes in your life, you feel like sometimes your just stuck in one place not going anywhere. Its comforting to know your a person of positive influence.

Im headed to TX on the 15th and am EXCITED to get out of town and catch some warmer weather! I will post Pics when I get back!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATTI!!!!

:)

My life is crazy!

Oh what a weekend! And Monday is over already!

Well Work this week is interesting. One of the managers took a week off to re cooperate herself since She been really depressed lately. And... much to my surprise, our owner asked me to be the manager for a week. I was pretty flattered. It's kinda of a nice change of pace after you have been waiting tables for so long to just be a manager but the money isn't as good. But I'm glad to know I can help out. I have managed other restaurants and its not too bad of a job.

Ive been working out and feeling great and better every day. I love seeing results. Its addicting :)

I leave for TX on the 15th and am excited to check things out in TX and spend time with some good friends of mine....

I kinda like that time is flying. Others might not agree! My parents came in to see me at work tonight and eat dinner. It's kinda sad when your so busy in life that they have to come see you at work :) It was nice to see them and tell them all about what good things are happening in my life. :) They are proud of me and that's a good feeling.

My next trip is in April to AZ which I am so stoked about. And then the Fourth Of July I actually get to do something this year! YAY!! What a treat!

I think this week will be good! Just super busy!!!

I really need to blog more. seriously. I need to find time for it.

February is going to be a good month I think. I feel like everything God changed in my life and has been teaching me, is kinda be putting to the test lately and so far so good. Im living for Jesus, loving Jesus, hanging out with Jesus. :) One more book left and then on to read Anonymous :)