done... done... done

I'm happy to say I got my 3.5 miles in today. I took it easy coz I'm still not feeling 100% and haven't worked out for a week and a bit now. Hoping to do more walking this afternoon! :) But I do feel good going for my walk this morning! Praise God!

fruit of the Spirit...

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..."

This past Sabbath my PH (Pastor Husband) mentioned the fruits of the Spirit in his sermon. He said that for mid-week prayer meetings at church they encourage everyone to pick a specific fruit of the Spirit and for the next month practice that fruit of the Spirit and to pray for this to grow. That got me thinking which fruit of the Spirit would I like to pray for and practice this month. The first one that came to my mind and seem to stick was self-control. How fitting, I thought! This would tie nicely in with my goal of disciplining myself in my appetite, time management and relationships (God and men). So for the next month, I will be praying and practicing self-control. With Him beside me, I'm hopeful that it will be a month filled with many challenges but also sweet victories! :)

Weigh In Day!

Weigh in day this morning and I'm thrilled to say that I've lost 4.5 pounds!!!!!! This is so awesome especially it's weight loss that I don't feel I deserve because I've been kinda off routine. I've been sick with little energy that I'm not able to workout and there's been too many get togethers in the evening when I'm suppose to have my lightest meals. So 4.5 pounds is an awesome loss and surpassed my goal of 2 lbs a month! YAY GOD!!! :)

walk... walk... walk

About two weeks ago, I pulled out an old DVD that I've had for years in an attempt to slowly get myself working out again. It's a walking dvd by Leslie Sansone, called the 5-Mile Walk (pictured on the left side). I thought, "no biggy... I so can do this... it's walking, how hard can it get?!" Yeah, right! Let me tell you it was no easy walking for one so inactive and in recovery from her vacation in beautiful Cuba! lol. I didn't die or anything but it was a challenge! It took me a few days to get the hang of it and by the end of the 1st week, I started enjoying and loving it!!! :D

Walking wasn't the only thing that I decided to incorporate into my daily routine during the holidays, I started drinking between 3 to 4 litres of water! wooohooo! This is a victory for me! Praise God!!!! AND... I also started to watch my portions and make sure that I don't snack in between meals. Check me out! I was on a roll, baby!!! :P I was feeling like a new person! I felt real GOOD!!!! :)

Then... I got sick!!! :( Me... soooo not a happy lady!!! At first, I still kept walking (of course, not in the same level of intensity) just to get into the habbit of doing it everyday but it soon became evident that I was just too sick to even just walk slowly so I had to stop. :( I was pretty frustrated because it would seem that often times I would get into the habit of working out and eating clean and then bang, I get sick!!! So NOT cool! It is very difficult for me to get started and now I'm afraid that I'll have to start over again when I get better. :(

BUT... I've decided that I'm NOT going to beat myself up and get down!!! NOPE, I will refuse to feel this way! I will not focus on what I cannot do but instead focus on what I CAN do!!! I will continue to eat clean and drink lots of water. I will not let these challenges get in my way. :)

Anyway, back to the DVD, I really like this program... I love it (ok, I must admit that I didn't always like it esp. in the beginning)! If you want something that will ease you into working out or just some physical activity, this is for you! It's great during the Winter months when walking outside isn't very appealing and if you are like me and can't afford a gym membership (or know that you just won't go anyway). Check it out! :)

"Walk... walk... walk... walk!" ~Leslie Sansone

When we pray... we really are exercising our faith and trust our amazing God!

closing 2010

As 2010 draws to a close tomorrow, I found myself reflecting on the year today. 2010 brought many joys to our lives and many big changes as well. I could remember moments during this year when I felt my heart would burst open in it's fullness of joy and thanksgiving. Moments in my life when words aren't enough to describe them. Moments like our son's baptism, my husband's graduation, family trip to FL, my husband's installment in his churches, our son's wonderful success in school, our 10th year anniversary! These were only a few of the amazing blessings He's given us this year. At times like these, you cannot help but say, "God, you are soooo incredibly good!"

2010 also had it's share of valleys. The death of my Uncle Tim shortly before the holidays was particularly difficult for the family and for me. Both my grandfathers suffered a stroke a day apart from each other in the Philippines. The distance definitely made the news harder to bare. The most difficult valley for me to willingly cross was leaving the place I have grown to love and cherish, moving from Berrien Springs back to Canada. It has been especially difficult for me to adjust to my new surroundings and the demands of living in the city and adapting to it's lifestyle have been something I continue to struggle with. It hasn't been an easy year for me personally but through it all, God was and is with me. Whether it be in joy and happiness or in mourning and sadness, He is beside me... holding my hand and forever faithful. And so even during the struggles, one can't help but say, "God, you are sooo incredibly good!"

There's an old song that I used to listen to when I was a little girl that came to my mind today. The words speak exactly how I feel as I look back at the hills and valleys of 2010.

More Than Wonderful

He promised us that He would be a counsellor.

A mighty God and a Prince of Peace.

He promised us that He would be a Father,

and would love us with a love that would not cease .

For He’s More Wonderful than my mind can conceive.

He’s More Wonderful than my heart can believe.

He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.

He’s everything that my soul ever longed for.

Everything He’s promised and sooo much more…

More than amazing. More than marvelous.

More than miraculous could ever be…

He’s More Than Wonderful, that’s what Jesus is to me!

I stand amazed when I think that the King of Glory

Would come to lie within the heart of man

Oh, I marvel just to know He really loves me

When I think of who He is and who I am.

For He’s More Wonderful than my mind can conceive.

He’s More Wonderful than my heart can believe.

He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.

He’s everything that my soul ever longed for.

Everything He’s promised and sooo much more…

More than amazing. More than marvelous.

More than miraculous could ever be…

He’s More Than Wonderful, that’s what Jesus is to me!

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." - Robert Collier

Merry Christmas!

missing a loved one this Christmas

The day after my husband and I got home from our getaway in Cuba, I found out that my Uncle passed away in the Philippines. It was pretty devastating news for us all especially my Dad. Uncle Tim was the eldest in his family. What made it even harder was that we were so far away from our family in the Philippines. My Dad was able to get time off to go to the Philippines and be with his remaining siblings and lay to rest their brother.

Migrino Family

Uncle Tim's death was a difficult one for me. He's the 2nd death in our immediate family (1st was my MamaLola... my grandma). I still cry sometimes when I think of him. He was so young, only 57 years old. In the midst of the grief, I recognize that God is still love. I don't question Him and I just cling to His promises and love. I'm so glad we have His promises and His promises are real and are not empty. I will see Uncle Tim again and also my MamaLola. I cling to the promise that one day there will be no more sorrow, pain and death. I look forward to the day when sin will no longer have any hold on any of us. I hold tight to the promise of my Saviour that He will come again and take us all with Him.