TGIF. Really.

It's Friday. I'm tired. Went to bed late after staying up with my hubby watching TV and talking about the Town Hall for Hope that our church hosted last night. Then at 4:00 am, my sweet little daughter woke up with a cough so hard that she threw up. She also had a fever. I couldn't go back to sleep after that.

So yeah. I'm tired.

But to update you on my goals, I made it for 5 days without going to McDonald's but broke down yesterday and went. Bad Chrissy. I confessed this to Kim, my neighbor, friend, fellow church member and fellow blogger. She learned how calculated the McDonald's trip was when I told her I even went to Love's instead of the one here in St. James because I was afraid someone would see me! (For those of you not from here, that's about 5 miles down I44 from our town.)

Perhaps once a week could be my goal?

I've also lost 3 pounds since cutting back on soda and avoiding McDonald's. Not surprising.

So...I'm now heading outside with my kiddos. No deep theological thoughts from me today. Maybe tomorrow after a nap...

Intercessory Prayer

I have a confession (I'm learning blogs are good for this). In my life, I have not been very good at intercessory prayer. Perhaps you are the same. If someone asks for prayer in your Sunday school class or in a mass email, do you really stop and pray for them? Do they stay on your mind and do you pray throughout the day(s)/weeks/months (if that's how long they need you to)?

Maybe you do. Until recently, I haven't.

But now it's different.

In fact, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, and that's because I feel more of a responsibility to do this now. I'm not exactly sure why it hit me all of a sudden. If you asked me to pray for you a few months ago, I might have remembered once - if at all. I feel ashamed to even say that, but it's true.

And then...I began to have people call me personally and ask for prayer. Sometimes they have been in tears as they tell me their prayer need. I thought to myself, "But God...there has got to be someone other than me that they could have called who would have been more dedicated to praying for them!"

And He replied, "But they called YOU."

I've also been getting more personal emails from friends or acquaintances. Not mass emails, personal requests sent to just my address. Again, I felt as though I was inadequate to pray for them. But I have learned that ALL of us need to be willing to do this for one another.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

This tells me that I can approach the throne with confidence! I do not have to doubt that I can pray for these friends just as powerfully as anyone else! What a wonderful verse.

And while I still feel a bit overwhelmed with specific prayer needs that have been brought to my attention, I know that God must have put my name in the mind of the friends who asked me to pray for them.

So I'm praying...a lot...

A few things about my Monday

I was sitting in our recliner, holding Gabriel, and I heard Sarah giggling. She ran up to me and handed over two large blocks. I took them and said, "Thank you!" but then noticed that they were dripping wet. I looked at her and asked, "Why are these wet, Sarah?" She just smiled.

Then Caleb informed me, "Mommy! Those are the ones she dropped in the toilet!"

Yeah. Lovely.

***

Caleb, Sarah, and Josh were playing on the floor tonight, and I guess Caleb was getting hot from running around Daddy and jumping on him. He decided to take his shirt off which he's never really done before (never taken it off because he was "hot"). A few seconds later he lifted up his arm and joyfully exclaimed, "Daddy! Smell my arm pit! Come on! Smell it!"

I about died laughing. I have no idea where he got this phrase or concept!

***

Report on my goals. I ended up having two, 12-ounce cans of Pepsi today. I must say that 24 ounces is a far cry better than the 42-ounce soda I always get from McDonald's or the 44-ounce drink at Sonic (and often, I'd get both in the same day, so you can see this is still a victory for me). I DID NOT GO TO MCDONALD'S! I sure wanted to, though. I had two opportunities today, and I passed it up. Thanks for encouraging me, Josh.

Enquiring minds want to know (maybe)

Well, I had a handful of people who either sent me an email encouraging me to post my goals or who said in a comment that I should at least write them down. I have achieved my first two goals today, but it's only 4:35 pm, and there is still time left in the day! :o) So, as silly as it's going to sound to some, here are my three goals:

1. No fast food during this week. I'm setting a short-term goal. I'd like to say forever, but I'm not sure if that's achievable.

2. No soda this week. Same as above, I'd like to quit permanently, but let's take baby steps shall we? :o)

3. Ultimately, I believe the two above goals will lead me to weight loss. So...I'll post a number. Let's say 10 pounds by my May Curves weigh-in. I know I won't hit that goal for my April weigh-in.

Seems simple, right? It's not. It's almost ridiculous how addicted I am to McDonald's. No, it IS ridiculous. When I take Caleb to preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it's almost like my van has a mind of it's own (I'd like to blame the van anyway). I'll cross over the I44 bridge coming back from dropping him off, and I feel my van start to head toward the left turn lane heading to McD's. It's pathetic. So here I am, blogging about my addiction. That means that when you see me there, you are to throw something at my van to get my attention. Then I'll know you saw me, and hopefully the embarrassment will keep me from going again! :o)

I asked someone this morning if it's silly to pray about weight loss. I mean really. There are hurting people in this world. People are battling cancer, going through divorce, struggling with a job loss. There are bigger things in life...why bother God about my silly addiction to McDonald's? But it's not silly to Him. He knows how much it would me to me to be free of this. I am reminded every day when I look at my blog that 1 Peter 5:7 says:

"Cast ALL your cares/worries/anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

He does care about me. He cares about the issues in my life, both big and small.

So I'm praying that He gives me strength, and I have confidence that with His help, I will achieve these goals.

A Goal

If I have a goal for myself, and I post it on my blog for all the world to see, would I be more likely to achieve it since others would know and could hold me accountable? If I do post it and do not achieve it, will I feel worse than I would have if I didn't mention it to anyone in the first place?

Pondering...

Where do I sign up for the Mommy Olympics?

This morning, Josh left a bit early to catch the bus at school that was heading to "Math and Science Day" at Six Flags. He was overly chipper, knowing he didn't have to teach, coupled with the fact that we slept an entire night without any interruptions from the children! He kissed each of us goodbye and left for his big day.

And then the phone rang...

"Chrissy, could you please bring me my sunglasses? They're on my fishing vest in the garage."

"But it's 7:35...what time does the bus leave?"

"7:45."

I thought to myself, "Could I possibly load up Gabriel in his car seat and encourage the kids to get in the van without a battle...and make it across town in less than 10 minutes?"

Some of you know where I live. Our house is on the north side of I44 and the school is on the south side of I44. It's not like we live in St. Louis or anything, but with morning traffic, sometimes it's difficult to get across town in good time.

But that wasn't really my dilemma. Honestly, getting out of this house is usually a huge struggle.

"Okay, kids! Daddy really needs us! We just have to hurry and get in the van as fast as we can! Let's see who can be the best listener and who can get in their seats without any fussing! Can we do that for Daddy?!" I said with as much encouragement in my voice as I could muster up.

"YES!" they exclaimed back.

The kids instantly went to the garage, Caleb opened the door to the van, and he and Sarah both sat in their car seats. I put Gabriel into his little seat, strapped him in, and then headed over to Sarah to help her buckle. Caleb always buckles himself.

And would you believe...I made it to the school with time to spare.

I can't remember a time when they have been so cooperative. Even Gabriel was great, and he should have been fussy because he hadn't even been fed or changed yet!

So I give myself a gold medal for this morning's achievement.

Even though I realize I might not even place in tomorrow's event. :o)

Susan G. Komen 2009

Today I will register a team for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure! Last year was my first time participating in the event, and it was so amazing! Originally I was only going up there with my sister, but then I started talking with my friend, Sarah H, whose mom is a 10-year breast cancer survivor. They decided to go with us! I was 18-weeks pregnant, so it was a bit of a challenge to walk 5K (since I didn't really work at getting ready...dumb mistake). My sister and I walked in honor of our grandma who is a breast cancer survivor.

This year I hope to take even more people with me! If you live in my area and want to participate, let me know. I raised $500 all by myself last year, so I know my team will do great! :o) The challenge for me this year will be taking Gabriel (since I'll still be nursing). But...I guess I'll just be setting a good example as I nurse him out in the open. Women who nurse are far less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer!

I'll post my fund raising website when I get it up and going.













Survivor Processional (I cried)















SO MANY PEOPLE! (Click on the picture for the "wow" factor!)















Us girls...don't laugh at the bunny ears...I was being festive! :o)

On a lighter note...

Caleb has school pictures today at preschool. It just seems so weird that I filled out a form for it this morning. How can this be happening already? He'll be 5 this summer...again, how can this be? These first 5 years of his life have flown by. I know that sounds cliche, but I really mean it.

I know I'll blink and then be helping him fill out college applications.

I'll praise you in this storm (re-posted)

Back by popular demand...the post that I deleted...

I have a confession: I have a lot weighing on my mind about something that I can't even write about on my blog. And while I'm usually pretty transparent about such things, I cannot be that way this time. Fortunately, the kids have been great this week, and Josh has proven to be the rock that God intended him to be in my life.

This is when I'm so very thankful for Christian music. I usually find myself reciting scripture during such times, but every now and then, a set of lyrics will come to mind that are comforting as well.

I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

My heart is heavy, and I'm sorry about the vagueness. But I'm thankful for the handful of people that saw the title of this post, noticed I deleted it, and said they were praying for me even though they didn't now what was wrong...they just saw the title.

"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

God has not given us the spirit of fear

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

I must tell you...I often cling to that verse. I find myself reciting it at least once a day, and this is something that I don't think I've really shared with anyone (why is it that a blog will allow someone to convey these things).

You see, I know that it is not pleasing to God for me to fear death, not that I'm afraid to die, I'm afraid to not be here for my kids. I'm afraid they won't know who I am. Recently I was praying for a young woman who I don't even know who was battling breast cancer. She has three children just like me. She is young just like me. There were nights when I couldn't sleep thinking about her. So I would pray, and then I would feel overwhelmed with the thought that it could be me someday.

I also fear losing one of my children. When I was pregnant with Sarah in the summer of 2006, I remember reading an article in the Rolla Daily News about a little boy who was hit on I44 as he tried to cross it. He evidently was upset after a little league game, and left the house without his mom knowing to go see his dad who was at the hospital. I cried for this family...who I don't even know. There were nights (again) when I just sat wide awake thinking about it.

Sometimes I fear losing someone close to me, specifically my husband. I wonder how I could live without my soul mate. How I could raise my kids without their daddy, and how I would make sure they knew who he was.

Funny...it's almost like God is speaking to me as I type this...How Great is Our God is playing on Sirius Radio.

I realize that everything I just typed is in direct contradiction to my blog title and concept. I really do give all of my daily happenings over to the Lord. If I'm upset with Josh, I pray. If I'm frustrated with the kids, I pray. I'm not sure why I let things that are completely out of my control...things that have not happened...get to me. I remember listening to Joyce Meyer once as she spoke about this very subject. She spoke about not letting a "spirit of fear" consume us. It was like she was talking directly to me.

So, I will pray. I pray that these thoughts will leave me. That I will enjoy each day that God gives me, whether it's 20,000 more days or 20 more days. That I will cherish my family and not take them for granted.

Because God has not given us the spirit of fear.