Thanks on Thursday

Today is Thursday and we all know what that means. Thankful hearts. Now we should practice this everyday....but today...lets reflect:

First, I want to share with you what I read in a wonderful devotional book Jesus Calling today. SO appropriate for thankful Thursday!

Read 1 Corinthians 10:10 and Hebrews 12:28-29

"Let thankfulness temper all your thoughts. A thankful mind set keeps you in touch with Me. I hate it when my children grumble, casually despising my sovereignty. Thankfulness is a safeguard against this deadly sin. Furthermore, a grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life. Gratitude enables you to see the light of my presence shining on all your circumstances. Cultivate a thankful heart, for this glorifies Me and fills you with Joy.

So go about your day in Thankfulness today. Reflect on your blessings. We have so many.

I am thankful for:

1. My time with the kids right before bed when we snuggle, tickle, pray, and talk

2. God's timing in aligning me with awesome people in a new business

3. special long hug of gratitude from my Lily

4. A husband who takes us out to dinner so I don't have to cook every night

5. My new car and the ability to buy it

6. My awesome goup of women in my boot camp....and my awesome boot camp instructors

7. New beginnings and second chances

8. Waking up to the pitter patter of rain against my windows

9. Going to sleep to the pitter patter of rain against my windows

10. My awesome Brother in love and sister who are welcoming me to stay with them next week

Oaks

....and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:2-4

The other day, I wrote about navels and oranges. I determined that I am a navel, but maybe not a fully ripe navel. I am a work in progress, not fully arrived. If you haven't read it...it is a few posts down. It inspired me to research other trees I have seen referenced in the Bible. Some of you reading this may find it boring and click right on to the next blog you follow....no offence. I find it fascinating that trees and fruits are mentioned so often in scripture.

After doing a little bit of research, I realized that Oaks are mentioned quite a bit. Oaks are beautiful, and after studying them a bit, and learning what they symbolize, I think they may be my new favorite tree. I found over 20 references in the old testament to oaks. When I am driving in my car, or on a run/walk, and I see an oak, I cant help but stop and praise God for this gorgeous tree and all it symbolizes and pray that I will be an oak in my journey of faith.

Many times, in the Old Testament, Oak Trees were the places where angels came to visit, or where godly men came under and where people were buried under. There must have been something pretty special about Oaks in those days. As I researched I found that Oaks have long been a symbol for endurance, steadfastness, and courage.

An oaks wood is of great strength, and harshness. This is why I am sure that its wood was used to build ships.

The bark on an Oak was also found to be good medicine. It's bark is also resistant to insects and fungal attacks due to its high content of tannin....it is poisonous!

Oak is said to have elasticity, and it symbolizes stability, truth and wisdom.

No wonder God says we will be Oaks of righteousness in Isaiah. and James 2:9 says we will be strong as Oaks. In Genesis 13:18 Abram- after he obediently went where the Lord directed him AGAIN, he dwelt near the Oaks of Mamre and built and altar to the Lord.

it seems that an oak is a pretty respectable tree. I want to be an Oak....

I wanna be Good Medicine

Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones

I wanna be so strong and rely on God for my strength.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

I wanna be so dependent on Him that my heart will resist insects and fungi's (discouragement, discontentment, gossip, complaining, defensiveness, critical spirit, and many others...choose your poison) sent my way to get me to stop growing.

I wanna be stable, yet flexible

2 Chronicles 20:17
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'

Psalm 37:23
If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;

Psalm 40:2
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand

I wanna be full of truth of God's words

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer

I wanna be wise

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise

I wanna endure this race and press on

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

I wanna take courage (a favorite word of mine)

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go

I wanna be steadfast

Psalm 108:1
My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.

Psalm 112:7
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Psalm 119:5
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you

I desire these things so that I will be a planting of the Lord

for the display of His splendor!

If you would like to look up verses, here are some that I found:

Genesis 35:4
Genesis 35:8
Joshua 24:26
Joshua 24:25-27

Judges 6:11
Judges 6:19

2 Samuel 18:9
2 Samuel 18:10
2 Samuel 18:13-15

1 Kings 13:14
Psalm 29:9
Psalm 56:1
Isaiah 1:29
Isaiah 2:13
Isaiah 6:13
Isaiah 44:14
Isaiah 57:5
Isaiah 61:3
Ezekiel 6:13
Ezekiel 27:6
Hosea 4:13
Hosea 4:12-14
Amos 2:9
Zechariah 11:2
Zechariah 11:1-3

Monday Monday

I slept soooo good last night, that my daughter had to crawl in bed with me to wake me up at 7:15 this morning. Sometimes that is okay right....like I am not always THAT mom. Usually, I am up and running before they get up.

I woke up fresh and ready to begin my busy week. I have so many exciting things coming my way. I just bought my new car on Saturday and am so excited to have it. So blessed to have it.

My brother is cooking tonight for us.....Shrimp and Grits.....mmmmm...mmmm! Lovin that!

As you know, My friend and I are leading up Franklin Prayer on the Square once a month and we are meeting with a representative for the Tennessee Prayer Alliance tomorrow.

Very excited. Today's boot camp is the "biggest loser" I am sure I dint win that..but fun!

I heard the MOST amazing man speak this weekend! He spoke Saturday night to us, then he spoke at my church Sunday.....and I heard him speak last night too. So inspiring. His name is Steven K Scott...a best selling author and founder of a new company I am involved in. He wrote the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived and the Richest Man Who Ever Lived, among others.

He inspired me to read a chapter in Proverbs every day for two years. More on that later. But today I would read Proverbs 22. Who will join me? Lets do it! I will come back later to talk about that and boot camp today...

Love!!!!! Love!!!!!

Shelli

If you haven't visited this blog....do it now...it is beautiful!

Today is Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for

14. praying with my husband

15. my husband's generosity of heart

16. dark dark chocolate

17. small gifts from God throughout the day (seeing a missed friend out of the blue)

18. my daughters beautiful heart to see the good

19. my son's boyish behavior that makes me laugh..

20. abundance of friendships

21. the smell of coffee brewing

22. a roof over my head

23. God's provision, mercy, and grace as he gently leads me down "His" road

I pray your day today is filled with thankfulness. Something truly supernaturally happens in our spirit when we have an attitude of gratitude. The aroma of our hearts pleases our Father. Have a wonderful day.

Shelli

Feelin' Groovy

Today, I am feelin' groovy.



I have been in Boot Camp for 11 weeks now, and I have had my hopeless moments of thinking, "is this really gonna work?" I have seen results, slowly. Lost a little weight. I have gotten stronger. Two days ago, was the first time I did REAL push ups......in sets! I did 15..then back down for 10....then back down for 8.....and then back down for 5. The entire time on my toes...not my knees. I know I am getting stronger. I am feeling better. But my clothes are still fitting me and I want them loose...so I can go buy me some new size 6's. I am ready for a smaller cup size in my bra. Not happening yet...BUT.....today, I am feeling groovy. Ya wanna know why?



I am feeling groovy because, today on March 17, I went to put on my designer jeans and I am on the last hole on my belt....and I have NO muffin...not even a teeny tiny one....AND.....My bottom is a completely different bottom than the one I had two months ago. It is lifted. I can tell where my hammies end and my glutes begin.....I cant believe it. It just may take this now 40 year old a little longer, but Boot camp is totally making me feel GROOVY. My abs have more definition....my arms...well, they are sculpting out. So, I am happy. I know with my body type....that the last place that the fat will drop off is my hips and thighs...but I am hangin in there....I will be ready for bathing suit season!



On top of that, I had the most delicious lunch today. I had leftover Salmon, and my friend Tera told me how to make an awesome veggie side dish...and it was really yummy and filling and I got lots of nutrition in.....I will call it a sweet potato hash....I will tell you how I made it....but this is straight from Tera's kitchen, not mine....



1 sweet potato...diced small...I used my food alligator

1 small sweet onion diced the same as the potato

couple of cloves of garlic sliced

about a cup of quartered brussel sprouts

olive oil...just a tad

salt and pepper



I combined all of this and I baked it in the oven at 400 for about 45 min. I covered it with foil for the first half of the time and then removed it. DELICIOUS! I had leftovers for tomorrow....



Boot camp was great today. Kelly killed our upper body....and boy those kettle bells are definitely a cardio workout....let me tell ya!



Have a super day!



Shelli

Got My ZUMBA on

So yesterday it was either run or zumba. I chose zumba at Temple Fitness. With boot camp, we get a free class a week. Last week I did TRX. But Zumba was a BLAST. I know I know, if you know me you are finding it hard to believe that I used the word blast in the same sentence as zumba! But because we were all new in the class, Kelly spent time teaching us steps and moves before the music started and it made it better. PLUS, we are all so busy concentrating on our own moves and watching Kelly, that we don't see each other...so there is no intimidation like I felt in a room full of women who did Zumba alot.

And, the kicker is that, my heart rate was high the whole time......so I burned more calories and it was way more fun than running.

Zumba.....the new running for me!

Are you an Orange or a Navel?

I have been reading and studying a book by Neil Anderson called Victory over the Darkness. I am going through it with my mentor. Fabulous book to read. I can't seem to get off this one couple of paragraphs and it has inspired me to dig into some scriptures and really understand this truth of being a new creation in Christ.

Let me first say that when I initially read the comparision of a navel and orange (which I will explain) I asked myself, "wow, am I an orange or a navel?" I know the answer now, but I will challenge you to ask yourself the same question.

You see, Paul says that "You were formely darkness, but now you are light in the Lord"
(Eph 5:8) The question comes, "are we both light and darkness?"

2Cor 5:17 says "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old things passed away; behold a new thing has come."

We can't be partly new and partly old then, right. As a Christian, we can't have two natures, right?

The story goes on to explain how an orange tree is planted and it bears fruit. Physically, it is the color orange, it is round, it has a certain texture and sweetness, and it has seeds. All physical signs that it is an orange. Later, the branches are cut and they are grafted....a new root coming out from the branch....from that grows the deliciously sweet and juicy navel. Navels have the same physical features of oranges, they come from the same rootstock~ But it is definately not the same fruit~ in fact, if I understand correctly, the oranges on these trees are bitter.

The navel orange grows above the graft...it is a new creation from the orange. Its a seperate nature. Oranges can pass as a navel...until its opened up and the seeds are exposed and it is tasted and its much sweeter...not bitter. We taste it's sweetness. It has a sweet aroma....Scripture says to Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)

Some things may look good, beautiful, sweet, but when surveyed and "tasted" and examined~we find it isn't authentic...its an orange...not a navel! Imposter! There is an old saying, If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck and walks like a duck, it must be a duck. I say NO. Its not necessarily a navel orange....just because it looks like one, it has to be examined...this new creation. We will know by its fruit...break it open, taste it. The Bible says we will be recognized by our fruit. If we are in the vine (Jesus) and grafted in, (which in my limited knowlege is the opposite of pruning. pruning is cutting away, and grafting is adding on) we will bear fruit of the Father, have His aroma. The navel came from being grafted.... We will be grafted.

The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, self-control, and faithfulness. (Gal 5:22) Matt 7:16 says "you will know them by their fruits and a good tree only produces good fruit and a bad tree only produces bad fruit. Not everyone who says Lord Lord will enter the kindom of heaven."

Me thinks that there are some fruits out there who may be:

1. Oranges trying to act like navels. Imposters. Trying to sneak in with the navels....

2. Oranges out there who really think they are navels...but they aren't....

Matt 7:22 says, "many will say on that day, Lord we prophesied, cast out demons, and performed many miracles (we were navels...) and God said, I never knew you"

People, its not about works...we can't be oranges and act like a navel. We aren't foolin anyone....

Then, there are some navels out there...

3. They are really navels...new creations....who have maybe fallen into the wrong basket....They are mixed up with the oranges and begin acting like the oranges....and take on the character of oranges. ...They forget who they are and that they are a new creation. They don't know they are a new creation in Christ....

So many of us today are either oranges or navels...We are oranges who look nice with all our packaging, but open us up and examine us a little deeper, taste, smell...and our bitterness is exposed. Others, are navels, who don't remember we are free, we are new, we are saints, not sinners....SAINTS...grafted in by Christ...and we continue to identify ourselves as oranges....

People, lets get in the right basket with the navels...We are free! We are Saints, hemmed in, and a new creation, from the Light! We are sweet, we have been pruned and refined, or maybe we are going through the pruning process now....it hurts...but we will come out as a sweet navel....we will carry the aroma pleasing to the Lord.

See this You Tube link on Grafting, it’s wonderful when you think of how we are grafted to Christ! A wonderful lesson! Watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EwtyO16dFg

So there it is...are you an orange, or a navel? Think about it.

thin body and a FAT soul

Proverbs 13
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

a wise son accepts his father's discipline,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
From the fruit of a man's mouth he enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is violence.
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
But the soul of the diligent is made fat.
A righteous man hates falsehood,
But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.
Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless,
But wickedness subverts the sinner.
There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing;
Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
But the poor hears no rebuke.
The light of the righteous rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked goes out.
Through insolence comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But the one who gathers by labor increases it.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
The one who despises the word will be in debt to it,
But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

To turn aside from the snares of death.
Good understanding produces favor,
But the way of the treacherous is hard.
Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool displays folly.
A wicked messenger falls into adversity,
But a faithful envoy brings healing.
Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline,
But he who regards reproof will be honored.
Desire realized is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.
He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Adversity pursues sinners,
But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor,
But it is swept away by injustice.
He who withholds his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
But the stomach of the wicked is in need.

This Proverb is a treasure to me today. So many good things in it to apply. But the first one that stuck out for me was the fat soul verse....It goes right along with my boot camp...spiritual and physical. I am diligently working on getting in better shape (thin body) and diligently working on fattening up my soul too. How do I fatten my soul? I am in the word, in prayer, listening to my heavenly Father as he disciplines me lovingly. He says in his word he disciplines those whom he loves. I am walking with the wise. I strive to surround myself with wise women of faith and experience. I listen to their instruction and it is a fountain of life. These women love me, but they love God more, and I know when they speak into me.....it is God himself speaking to me. I am thankful for them. I am thankful for the Bible where I can always go for instruction. This chapter 13 is rich in how to fatten our souls. I highlighted a few that really meant something to me for where I am in my journey now. I hope it speaks to you. I love comments...please post how it may speak to you.

Love,

Shelli

Monday Food Diary

Breakfast:

Steel Cut Oats.... 150 cal
Whey Protein Powder 116 cal
1 Cup of Strawberries ?
coffee sweetened with Agave Nectar and a dash of almond milk..

I gave up dairy and sugar this month...just to see if it makes a difference.....

I will keep updating as the day goes on.....Off to boot camp

Lunch:

while grocery shopping,

a Detour bar 350 cal

1/2 cup blueberry applesauce 50 cal

I am growing biceps!

Lovin my new Muscles!

Yesterday, in our TRX class...which is very hard and I hated it the first time I did it, Kelly took some pictures. I was shocked to finally see some bicep action in class. So, I asked her to take a pic or two so I could post on the blog.....

So, there I am.....using the TRX band to do some biceps. Can you see the definition there in my shoulder...and my triceps aren't as flappy.....but there you can see, some little biceps developing. This is a big deal, cuz SISTER aint never had biceps......So, after only 10 weeks of boot camp.....I am beginning to see some results.

Oh, and thanks so much to Kelly for only getting waist up shots! She is a smart one!

THIS, for me is a victory. I WILL be ready for spaghetti straps, strapless, and sundresses! I am only halfway through boot camp.

My new plan for this week, is to do boot camp on M W F....run on Tues, and Thurs, and do TRX on Saturday....all accounting that I DON'T roll my ankle again. Friday, doing a very high step and holding kettle bells, I came down and rolled my ankle and really hurt it. I had to sit out and ice it...but while icing I did tricep dips off the platform. then while everyone did their stuff on their feet, I went to different machines and worked upper body and abs til Kelly did mat work with all of us. My ankle was quite sore yesterday....but I just doubled up on my MAX GXL glutathione supplement and it did the trick! I am telling you that this supplement is awesome......you need to ask me about it next time you see me! Since I started taking it, I have given up caffeine pretty easily, slept like never before, and my muscle recovery is amazing!!!!!

It is awesome. you can google it or go to www.max.com

Givin' Thanks Thursday

Givin' Thanks Thursday is something new I am gonna do.....But...and I mean BUT...

I wanna hear from you. What are you thankful for today? Please comment. I love to hear from you.

Today, I am thankful for:

1. sick little boys that I stay up with and snuggle with at 1 a.m.
2. early morning snuggles from my precious ones
3. a hub who makes me coffee when I need it
4. a better week than the last
5. God's mercy and love for me when I skipped my q.t. today
6. dear friends who come over to pray
7. Chuy's
8. Sister-in-love who went with me to Chuy's
9. authenticand Godly women that have been given to me...I treasure each of them
10. gettin frozen yogurt with one of my besties
11. Dark Chocolate
12. my amazing Bible study teacher...who is used each week to challenge and sharpen me
13. Feelin' like I am finally seeing results from boot camp..amen and amen...

Okay, I know I am being a copycat here.

I saw this on my sister's blog and went to it and...

L-O-V-E it!

@ a holy experience is a beautiful place to visit, kick your feet up, and sit a spell. My sister was right....her words are truly...

ANOINTED!

Her name is Ann Voskamp....if you get a chance, go visit it....you won't be sorry.

I think it is a great thing, to be thankful. I think it is a practice. Sometimes it doesn't come natural. the Bible says much about bringing Him a praise offering, or a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. I know I need to work on gratitude and this Multitude Mondays gives me inspiration to be more deliberately thankful. My sis lists off things she is thankful for on her blog.....I would like to do it too....on top of my boot camp reports. I may call it Thanks on Thursday or something like that. What do you think? I would love your comments. Any verses on thankfulness you want to add would be great too!

Much love,

Shelli

I love my sistas!

Sisters are great. Sisters love and encourage each other, no matter what. I am telling you, God knew what he was doing when he created sisters. I got me some sisters! I am thankful for all of ya.

I got my sister, Shannon. It was so amazing to see her this weekend. She and her hub came for the weekend and we got to shop, do make-overs, go house-hunting, make-up shopping, and eat at a fabulous favorite of mine...the Firefly Cafe. It was so great to have sister time with her. I love her and hope I am half as much an encourager to her as she is to me. She encourages me in the Word. I needed some of that this weekend for sure. My sister is a prayer warrior. I see so much of how she loves Jesus and how Jesus is shining in her. I miss her and hope she moves here really soon.

I got my funny, zippy new sista...Jenna that I love. She just moved up here from Orlando along with her husband...my Brother and baby Addison. I have loved getting to know her better. She is a fun loving, easy going sister. We laugh all the time. She helps me not be too too serious. She is a spunky thing, too that girl. I am loving that she is here to share life with me...and share her sweet lil' 7 month old Addison too.

Then, there are my spiritual sisters.....too many to name...but you know who you are. One I have prayed through brain surgery with and walked with her in her journey of healing. One, who I meet with weekly to pray with and encourage eachother. I have one who leads a prayer campaign with me for our country. One sister is challenging me to a contest to see who will lose the most body fat this month.....winner pays for the pedicures. One sister of mine and I are helping eachother overcome sugar through prayer and encouragement. There are many more than what I have named just now. But, You, my sisters are the ones who listen to the tears, laugh, share the joy, encourage, sharpen, and challenge. You are my covenant comrades and prayer warriors, fighting with me the daily battles. I too, am fighting with you, praying with you, crying with you, and laughing with you. We mentor each other.

I am forever grateful for the honor of having all my sisters. I don't take you lightly. I love you dearly. I pray for you daily. I treasure and guard the secrets you share with me. You are the best.

Too Early!!!!

I don't even know what to tell you about Boot camp today. First, I think 5:30 is an UN-GODLY hour to exercise. I only do it for one more week...that is when my Bible study will be over. Then I can do the 9:30 class on Wednesdays. You see the thing is this: I go to bed early b/c I need to get up at 5. But I begin my restless slumber around 3 or 4 b/c I worry my alarm won't wake me. I also wake thinking about "what time is it? will I get more sleep in before my alarm wakes me? Oh I am dreading getting up....but I have to....I already paid for it." This scenario going on and on in my head......too much...so I really wake up tired!

For those of you who don't know, I have kicked the coffee habit....thanks to MAX. (http://www.max.com/) But this morning, I really was wanting a warm cup of brew at 5:00 a.m. As I am driving to the class, another car comes up close behind me....it is Tera.....the only other crazy person up and driving that time of day. We talk on the phone as we drive in and see more crazies running in the 20 degree weather at 5:15 a.m.! I am amazed. I don't think I will ever ever ever get used to that early to be honest. Yes, it feels so good to have it done and over with and start my day.....but, come next week.....no more 5:30 a.m classes for me. That is final.

Plus, we got a new instructor...no more Joey. She was HARD......I didn't like her. She was HARDER than Joey. and Joey is hard too! I mean she was HARD. I mean, who does sit ups alternating with push ups for what seemed like 10 minutes strait. And the stair running? She kept yelling two steps, every other step! In my mind I was yelling back....just can't say what I may have been yelling back.....I only ran one step...I am such a rebel. Any would you believe how hard 1 pound weights are in each hand doing lateral and shoulder raises and pulses are? HARD after a while! I didn't care for it.......Just a change that is all....it is nothing personal if she reads this....

My day got better, when I came home and my sweet boy comes downstairs and snuggles with me on the couch. He don't care if I am sweaty.....He wants me to read to him this great book that a friend of ours illustrated. The main character's name is Trip.....just like my sweet boy...only my boy is Tripp.....so we read for about 15 minutes, snuggling under the blanket. Good times. I will never get that moment back...but I will forever have the memory.

Who Inspires You?

I was given an assignment by a certain mentor in my life. He told me that I should make a collage of pictures and words of people who inspire me. It has been fun. I have a variety of pictures. Some are authors, others are actors, some just great friends in my life who inspire me. The exercises has been cool because in this discovery of "who inspires me?" I am finding that the things about these people who inspire me, are characters traits that are congruent with things of my heart. It has been a great self-discovery of me and my heart. If you are stuck in a yucky place in your heart, or you forgot what it was like to dream or forgot when the last time you even had a dream was, God wants to waken your heart. Get out your scissors and start your collage.....you may be surprised what you find. I am still journal ling my discoveries.

On another note. Month 3 of boot camp has begun. I think month 2 is a wash. I don't know if I gained lost or stayed the same. I weighed in and said, "keep it to yo-self" We are doing a BIGGEST LOSER month....a little friendly competition amongst our group. I have definitely kicked it in high gear again. NO SUGAR. My good friend Edie and I are together giving up sugar. That will help...and with harder boot camps, and eating...I may just be the BIGGEST LOSER! Ya never know. A girl can dream can't she?

Blessings,

Shelli