March Montage

This is a montage of thoughts. I've never done this before, but I thought it might be kind of fun.

--Snow, not once, but twice. Not just any snow--the best kind. Wet, fat, fluffy, and huge--extremely huge flakes of winter "fun".
--Strep throat, sore throat, stomach ache, "Please cancel my appointment--I'm not feeling well."
--Politics. Scandal, disgrace, hope, playing mean, playing nice, not playing fair at all.
--Soft drinks and all foods containing high fructose corn syrup. Beware, watch out! 90% greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer. God's speed Patrick Swayze.
--Belly fat. Stubborn, sneaky, out-there, disgusting, will be dealt with. Little meals, very little sugar, keep working out--hard!
--Almost Easter. Trees budding. Thoughts of the Lord and His great sacrifice. New world some day!

I'm Back!

It's been over 2 months since I've blogged. I apologize if you have been checking and finding nothing all of this time. I will try to make it up to you!

We went on a Cruise to the Carribean the week before Christmas. We were gone from Friday through the following Saturday ( a week plus). We had a great time! We went with some friends from the Club, making it especially fun! In the evening, we would all share about the adventures of the morning and afternoon. Charlie played golf at Mahoganny Run in St. Thomas; we rode horses by the beach and even into the ocean at St. Lucia; we swam with the dolphins at Tortola; and we snorkled with the Sea Turtles at Barbados.

After we got back from the Cruise, I got the "tidal wave" of new clients for the New Year. This is the busiest time of all for Weight Room patrons. I have enjoyed seeing some new, "old friends" that haven't been at the Club for a while.

It's almost Valentine's Day! This year is going by at warp speed. There is an excellent presentation about how big the universe is and how awesome our Creator is. Mike Messerli, one of our pastor's but this on his blog. You will be blown away. Mike's link is: mikemesserli.blogspot.com Check it out!

Good Friends

I'm good, but I'm tired and I don't have anything significant to share. God is helping me pull everything together and I do so appreciate that. He has blessed me with the best friends that are giving great tips and are so willing to help with anything needed for our Cruise. Thank you, Lord, for such good friends!

Busy, Busy....

How is your Christmas shopping going? I still have a little more to do, and I seem to be able to stay ahead, one day at a time, for delivery of said items. I am also trying to get ready for a Cruise to the Caribbean (coming up on Friday!). So, please pardon me--I will try to do better tomorrow.

Babysitting Duties

Charlie & I are babysitting our granddaughters, tonight. They are so, so precious. We are so blessed! Will keep this short so we can spend time with them. I'll be back tomorrow!

Remembering Some of My Favorite Things

Oops! For some reason, the link doesn't "link" for the interactive Christmas card that I mentioned in yesterday's blog. Sorry about that!

I had an excellent day--doing some of my favorite things:

• shopping for Christmas presents
• having lunch with a dear friend
• teaching group exercise classes
• personal training clients
• being with friends from our mini-church for a Christmas Party
• planning for a Cruise we will be taking at the end of the week

My cup overflows!

The Power That Works Within Us

Today I received two interactive Christmas cards from Ashland University. You click on a ball of snow and it turns into a snowman. You click the sky and it goes from dawn to star-filled skies. You click a track and a small, gray train starts to move slowly around the track. Words of encouragement and gentle nudging to go on to the next thing appear. Beautiful Christmas music starts to play and you are encouraged to enjoy the moment--stay as long as you like. Each aspect of the Norman Rockwell-like picture being added until the masterpiece is done. This is what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. He gently leads and encourages. As we follow and do what we are shown to do, He gives us new pieces of the puzzle, new revelation to cherish and savor until we come to a full appreciation of Who the Heavenly Father is and how much He loves us.

From Ephesians 3:14-- "For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 3:16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 3:18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,3:19 and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

If you would like to see one of the cards in action, just click this link. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html