Mercy and Grace

Have you ever known something like a fact or a concept for so long that you just don’t even think about it anymore?  Your head knows it’s true but your heart hasn’t pondered it for a long time.  I had a moment recently where I heard one of those things with new ears and it entered my heart in a way that I understood it like I hadn’t before.  Here’s the nugget I picked up as if for the first time:

When God holds back the punishment we deserve, we call that mercy.

When He does it over and over again, we call that grace.

This is stuff I know.  I know that Jesus died to save me from my rightful punishment.  I know He forgives me over and over.  But recently, I started to understand that in a way I haven’t thought of before. 

God loved me enough to send His son to die for me.  Stop.  Wait.  That’s so big but easy to move on from because I’ve known and believed it for years.  But I heard it in a new way recently by thinking about it like this:

My mom probably loves me more than anyone in the world.  I believe in her love for me and know that she would give up a lot for me, but I don’t think she would allow her son, my brother, to die for me.  My husband is the greatest man I know.  He loves me with such intensity that sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve it.  He would probably do most things for me but would never allow one of his sons to die.

I am so fortunate to be the recipient of some pretty powerful love.  But no one would condone someone dying for me.  So how much greater is God’s love that He permitted that?  He allowed Jesus to die for me.  My stomach gets a knot if one of my children skins their knee.  I couldn’t bear the thought of sacrificing my child for anyone.  God loves me that much.  God loves you that much. 

He holds back the punishment we deserve because he allowed Jesus to take it instead.  That is called MERCY.  Jesus is the final payment for our sins and will be over and over again; that is called GRACE.  I have heard that with new ears.

This stuff is big.  I don’t even know if my words can describe what’s in my heart.  I made a step toward getting it instead of just believing it because it’s what I know.  This stuff deserves new ears so the magnitude can be appreciated. 

I don’t think it’s ever possible to fully wrap our minds around what God’s love feels like and the freedom that’s offered by being forgiven, loved and cherished.  I think the key to beginning to understand is to think of how you can relate it to your own life.  How much does your Mom love you?  How about your Dad?  Wife?  Husband?  Best Friend?  How good does that feel to be loved?  Would they ever give their child for you?  God did.  That’s how crazy in love with you He is.  How thrilling it is to live in it and move around in the freedom of what that really means.  I am so thankful for mercy and grace and am moved beyond words that it is available for all of us to embrace.

Busy-ness

I’m updating for the first time in a long while.  It seems like the days just get away from me sometimes and although I have all these great ideas to share, I just plain don’t have the time or energy to write them down.  I don’t like being so busy like that but it seems to happen often.  The feeling of being rushed and lacking energy that comes along with that keeps happening until I make a point to stop it.  Isn’t that the way life is sometimes?  You just keep going along with something until you get so tired of it that you have to make an intentional change to stop it.

Change has been a theme in my life the last several years and I’d like to think I have gotten used to it, if not even a little bit good at it.  But the busy-ness, the everyday-ness has a way of being so normal that it keeps creeping up on me and keeps getting me stuck.

So today, if only for a few hours, I’m making a decision;  I’m going to slow down.  I’ve got a few hours before the kids come home from school and I’m off work early.  I’m not going to go home and dive into cleaning the house or doing laundry.  I’m not going to work on coaching/speaking stuff.  I’m not going to think too much about anything.  I’m just going to sit here at my favorite Starbucks, drink my favorite drink, and smile at the other people around me.

Although this long-overdue update is short and only about me doing nothing, I hope you won’t be disappointed.  Instead, I hope it will provide an example of how sometimes that’s the best update you can give and the best decision you can make.  Slow down!  Take time to do nothing!  Take care of yourself so you can go out there and take care of your family and friends.

What do you do to slow down?

Treasure Hunting

Have you ever gone treasure hunting?  I mean for reals?  Like really searching for treasure?  My family and I do it all the time and a friend of mine at work suggested I should write a blog about it.  Why didn’t I think of that sooner?  Of course I need to write a blog about treasure hunting!

So technically, I guess it’s called Geo Caching but when you’re toting around a 2 , 5  and 7 year old (and a husband), it’s called “Treasure Hunting”.  You go to www.geocaching.com and enter your address and it will pull up all the “treasures” in your area.  The way it works is that other players go and bury or hide their treasures and then write down the latitude and longitude coordinates from their GPS.  Then they create a new treasure at the website where people like me can input the coordinates and find them.  Then you just follow your GPS and search the area to find the booty.   Lots of us already have the Garmin GPS in our cars.  Most of them have a handy feature where you can change it from “automobile” to “pedestrian” and that works really well, you’re all set to go!  You can also find a cheap handheld GPS on craigslist sometimes as low as $20!

The rule is that if you take treasure you must leave treasure in it’s place.  Sometimes if you’re really lucky, you’ll find a “travel bug”.  You take these and move them on to the next treasure spot you find.  You can log on the website, input the number and see where it’s been and where it’s going.  In this hummer’s case, he’s trying to make it to Iraq.  He started in Canada and we’ll be dropping him off in a treasure spot near the military base in our state when we got there in a few weeks.

It’s amazing all the interesting places we’ve found treasure.  Some of the hiding places have made us laugh out loud at their creativity.  The kids love it, Vic and I get out hiking and enjoying the beautiful scenery and it’s another reason to get everyone outside and active.  I love it!

A Great Trip to Mexico

Wow, I didn’t realize I hadn’t updated since we went to Mexico!  It’s been a while and so much has been going on!

The trip turned out to be wonderful and we really had a great time.  The family was grateful, our hearts were full of love for them and once again, I fell in love with their children and the neighborhood kids who came out in droves to help us build.  It was another great experience that reminded me that the world isn’t really so big and it only takes a bit of my energy and effort to change a family’s life forever.

Because of the swine flu and some people having concerns about security, many teams are cancelling their trips or not even signing up this year.  The family waiting list is long and there aren’t many houses being built.  Because of this, YWAM is offering a trip for people who may not be able to hook up with a  group to go but may want to have the experience anyway.  They are accepting individual sign ups and will call the team complete when they have 20 people.  If more are interested, they’ll open another one.  If you’d like more information about how you can sign up and have this incredible experience, go HERE to learn all the details.

So much more to say but I’m running out of time.  I’ll post more later and let you all know what I’ve been up to.

We’re off to Mexico

We’re headed off to Mexico this weekend to build a house for a family currently living in awful, shocking, unsafe conditions. 

Last year was my first mission trip of this kind and my heart broke for the families who were living in places that I could hardly imagine.   My eyes couldn’t believe what I was seeing and my mind couldn’t fathom what life would be like to live without safe, sanitary housing. 

In the cities we go to, most people do not have running water or electricity.  They sleep on dirt and have tarps over their heads.  Last year, the family we served had five children living in an 8X10 plywood shelter with barely enough room for everyone to lay their heads down to sleep. 

Although the living conditions seemed awful, what touched my heart the most was the truly amazing spirit of the people living there.  The joy they possessed made me see the true beauty of their character and put my own life into perspective in a way that I wasn’t quite prepared for.

We in America are so blessed.  We have food, shelter and clothing.  We have a good measure of peace and safety and it wasn’t until I went on this mission trip last year that I realized I had been taking all those things for granted.  My eyes saw a complete city of people who cannot lock their doors because they don’t have any.  They cannot sit and watch a television program because they don’t have electricity.  They cannot wash their hands because they don’t have running water.  They cannot trust their corrupt police force or government.  It is a place where people steal from each other simply to survive.

Having said that, even amidst the harsh, practical realities, what changed me even more and made me see the true beauty of the people of Mexico was the pure happiness they had.  The children were so full of life and excitement.  Although we couldn’t understand each other well because of the difference in language, we were able to feel their character and personalities through their squeals of laughter, excitement in the games they played and their desire to be right with us throughout our work. 

There is a simplicity that we experienced in Mexico that was both heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time.  I am in awe of the families we met that they carry a contentment in them that has nothing to do with material possessions or status.  It is a very real and honest love of life and family and I am envious of the simple delight they have for life.

I still pray for the family we served last year and I have already been praying for the family we’ll be building for this year.  I am so privileged to be a part of giving to them.  I crave the anticipation of unveiling their new home and seeing the relief that will come when the genuine need of a sturdy, safe home is satisfied.  We all deserve the basic necessities of life; food, shelter, and clothing and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this family’s story.

This mission trip is SO not about me but I am looking forward to the work God will do in my own spirit as I serve others and witness the value of working together for a family in need.

 

 

 

 

Good Conversations

I just LOVE good conversations.  I come away from a good talk feeling like I’m energized and can take on the world!  That is just one reason that I am absolutely blessed to have the privilege of being a weight loss coach.  I get to work with people sorting out their stuff and untangling inside emotions.  I get to help change their perceptions and awareness to become free of ties that have bound them for too long.

In a discussion recently, I was reminded that it’s really amazing how so many parts of our lives are connected to each other.  At first thought, why would we believe that our work performance may be deeply related to our reasons for over eating?  How would we naturally know that our relationships with our families and friends may hold the keys to releasing us from addictions we didn’t even know we had?  Why does a messy kitchen have anything to do with our tendency to eat when we’re not hungry?  Why is it important to look at the whole person to solve a weight problem?  Because that’s just it; it’s not just one issue.  It’s all connected.  But how would we see that without good conversations to pull it out of us?

I live for discussions that can help us see things differently and make connections with things we never knew were related.  Our lives seem to make more sense when we see clear links that we wouldn’t have known to look for.  Our world tends to become a little smaller and more manageable when things make sense and the reality of finally taking care of our JUNK and becoming free becomes more of a possibility.

I just love a good conversation.

It’s Not Just About Will Power

You know how many diets I’ve tried?  You know how many years I was consumed with dealing with a weight problem?  You know how many times I berated myself because I didn’t have enough will power to see a diet through?  You know how many people feel exactly the same way?

Being a weight loss coach I have the absolute privilege of walking with people along the same path I have traveled.  I’m amazed at how many of us are dealing with strikingly similar issues. 

Let me tell you something that might just release you from some of the guilt you’re carrying around as it relates to your weight and being unhappy with your body. 

It’s not just a will power issue. 

Did you hear that? 

So many of us are stuck in the shameful cycle of yo yo dieting and we’re beating ourselves up because we don’t have enough will power to get out of the pit that sometimes we feel we deserve to be in.  But it’s not as easy as just dieting and exercising.  If it were, we would have lost weight 20 years ago and never struggled with it again.  There’s simply more to it.

You know what we need to do to finally become free of the chains extra weight has put on us?  Do you know how we can finally have the success that we’ve longed for?

We can admit that the problem is bigger than we are able to overcome by ourselves and we can ask for help.  We can get help to search our hearts for what is really going on; figure out WHY we’re not able to stick to a healthy lifestyle plan, WHAT messages we send ourselves that allow us to quit our most recent diet attempts, and WHEN we’re most likely to make decisions that move us away from our goals instead of toward them.  We can get to know ourselves well enough to know what’s going to work for the long term and figure out the issues that have stood in our way from making it happen 20 years ago.

We need to ask ourselves the “why”, “what”, “when” questions and give them focused energy and reflection instead of just glossing over them with a quick thought and never going back.

It’s not just a diet/exercise/will power issue.  It’s equally emotional and spiritual.

So many of us struggle with weight and body image issues.  It’s not easy to get these things figured out but it is possible.  Even if you don’t totally believe you have issues, you are holding the keys to break free.  You’re not stuck.  You’re not alone. 

So how do you learn to look at things differently and change your perspective?  You ask for help.  You go to a counselor, coach, pastor, support group.  You see that you’re not by yourself in this and that other people have similar feelings and used to be stuck in the same place you are.  You learn to look at things differently and have revelations about yourself and your circumstances that will allow you to learn, change and grow to become a person able to tackle the weight problem that affects every area of your life.

It’s never too late to get your weight problem under control.   It’s not hopeless.  You can change. 

How can I help you move in the right direction to freedom?

How do you respond?

When you’re asked to do something big, how do you respond?  What if it’s something so big that you’re not sure you’re the right one to do it?  What if you look at the job and look at yourself and just don’t see how it’s all going to make sense?

There have been a few times in my life that I’ve felt God preparing me for something and I’ve wondered if He’s really sure; if I’m really the right one for Him to be asking.  Each time that I’ve said “Yes” to God’s plan, I see myself gradually morph into the person He’s wanted me to be to accomplish the task He’s given.  He’s just good like that.

I feel the pull to preparation for something again.  Momentum is gathering and I’m anxious to see what’s in store.  Along the way I’m reminding myself that if He’s calling me, He’ll teach me and mold me into the person who can do what He wants.

I’m reminding myself to remember that God doesn’t make mistakes.  If He’s calling me, I’m the one; even if it doesn’t quite make sense to me.

I love my kids

Can I just say I have the best three kids in the whole world?  They are completely unique, wonderful and full of love and life.  I got one of those fun surveys from facebook and sat them down tonight and asked them these questions about me.  Here are their responses.

From Zack, age 7

1. What is something Mom always says to you?  “Let’s do homework.”

2. What makes Mom happy?  “Doing what she says.”

3. What makes Mom sad?  “When you don’t do what she says.”

4. How does your mom make you laugh?  “When she tickles me I laugh so hard!”

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?  “She played with her brother.”

6. How old is your mom?  “33.”

7. How tall is your mom?  “I really have no idea.”

8. What is her favorite thing to do?  “Read books with me.”

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?  “Play with Becca and Josh and makes dinner with Dad sometimes.”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  “For singing at church.”

11. What is your mom really good at?  “Coloring.”

12. What is your mom not very good at?  “Fixing stuff.”

13. What does your mom do for her job?  “She works at the church.”

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?  “Pizza.”

15. What makes you proud of your mom?  “That she’s nice and kind.”

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?  “Hmm, I don’t know.  Some kind of mom I think.”

17. What do you and your mom do together?  “Read and do math.”

18. How are you and your mom the same?  “We’re both really nice.”

19. How are you and your mom different?  “We have different color eyes.”

20. How do you know your mom loves you?  “She hugs me.”

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?  “That he’s a good cooker.”

22. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?  “The Ocean.”

 

From Josh, age 5

1. What is something Mom always says to you?  “That I’m a good boy.”

2. What makes Mom happy?  “When I do good stuff.”

3. What makes Mom sad?  “When I do bad stuff.”

4. How does your mom make you laugh?  “By telling me jokes.”

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?  “Play with dollies.”

6. How old is your mom?  “15.”

7. How tall is your mom?  “20 inches.”

8. What is her favorite thing to do?  “Play with Becca, Zack, Dad and me.”

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?  “Go to work.”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  “Winning a triathlon because she won 4 before.”

11. What is your mom really good at?  “I think playing foosball.”

12. What is your mom not very good at?  “The piranha game.”

13. What does your mom do for her job?  “She goes to church.”

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?  “Coffee.”

15. What makes you proud of your mom?  “She says prayers to God.”

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?  “Jessie from Toy Story 2.”

17. What do you and your mom do together?  “We pretend to sleep and she snores in my ear.  That tickles!”

18. How are you and your mom the same?  “We both have brown eyes.”

19. How are you and your mom different?  “She has longer hair and I have shorter hair.”

20. How do you know your mom loves you?  “Because God loves her and then it goes to me and then it goes to her and then she sends it back to God.”

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?  “That he loves me.”

22. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?  “The coffee place.”

 

Becca, age 2

1. What is something Mom always says to you?  “Huggie.”

2. What makes Mom happy?  (waving arms) “Fly.”

3. What makes Mom sad? (stops flying and pouts) “Cry.”

4. How does your mom make you laugh?  “Stomp, stomp.”

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?  (pointing at sky) “aahhh.”

6. How old is your mom?  “5.”

7. How tall is your mom?  “Big.”

8. What is her favorite thing to do?  (puts her finger to her lip)  “ummm, Becca?”

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?  “Out the window.”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  (pointing to playdoh) “uhh, that!”

11. What is your mom really good at?  “uhhh, all my kitties.”

12. What is your mom not very good at?  (points at window)

13. What does your mom do for her job?  “My bunny.”

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?  “a salad.”

15. What makes you proud of your mom?  “I like Isaias!”

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?  “A Queen.”

17. What do you and your mom do together?  (swings arms and rocks back and forth) “Dance around!”

18. How are you and your mom the same?  “we’re big!”

19. How are you and your mom different?  “I’m little.”

20. How do you know your mom loves you?  “Mommy tells me.”

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?  “Uhhhh, my kitties.”

22. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?  “Uhhh, doggies?”

New Year’s Resolutions

Did you know the number 1 New Year’s resolution is to lose weight?

Did you know that 92% of resolutions fail? 

What an awful time of year to hear that news.  When so many of us are trying to change our lives, where’s the hope that it can be done?

Let me tell you some good news; there IS freedom to be found.  There is a way out and you can find it.

There are so many pieces of advice I can give to set you off with a renewed sense of encouragement and motivation but with limited time and space, I’ll tell you some of my favorites.

1. Don’t limit yourself by your past.  So many of us have tried to lose weight in the past and have failed.  Not just failed a little, but failed a lot!  We can look back at failing time after time and wonder why we think this time can be different. 

I’ll tell you something that set me free; something very simple.  This time will be different if you want it to be.   There is a path and a combination of practical skills and emotional work (this is often overlooked!) that needs to be carried out for you to become free of your bondage.  You will find it if you determine that this time you’re going to do it right and do it for the long haul.

2. Reach out for help.  Surround yourself with positive people and positive stories of those who have done it before you.  With a little searching, you can find tons of stories of those who have lost drastic amounts of weight and kept it off.  I am one of them.  I lost a total of 185 pounds five years ago by changing my diet, learning to be physically active and figuring out my emotional junk.  Search for stories like mine and others who have travelled the same road and won.  Listen to what those people have to say.  Do what they do.

3.  Get to know yourself well enough to know what your best course of action will be and what just isn’t going to work.  You don’t think going to the gym every day is going to work with you or your schedule?  Find another way to be active.  You don’t really want to turn into a vegetarian like your neighbor who lost 50 pounds?  Find another nutrition program that will work for you.

The fact is, if you’re currently struggling with weight, what you’re doing now isn’t working for you.  It’s a pretty obvious idea that you have to change something but making drastic changes and following a plan that doesn’t fit you only sets you up for defeat.  That’s why we feel like we’ve already tried everything and NOTHING has worked.  What we’ve done before is either tried a plan that set us up for failure or we’ve given up before we’ve gotten over the hump of change.

Find a time and place to really get still and ask yourself questions to figure out what is really going to work for you.

Ask yourself: 

What combination of eating right, moving more and doing emotional work is going to work for me?

Why has it been so hard before?

Why do I continue making unhealthy choices?

Does food somehow make me temporarily feel better?

If I didn’t have to worry about my physical body, would my current life reflect who I really am on the inside?

 

Do you finally want to check “Lose Weight” off your To Do list?  Do you finally want to become free of the chains that have held you down for too long?  Don’t limit yourself by your past, reach out for help, and get to know yourself.  Let 2009 finally be the year that the resolution lasts a lifetime.