Beth's Real Life Journey to Success

[Livywilltim-mom]

Dear Beth,

Your menus look great, and I agree, don't worry too much about eating something that has good for you ingredients! You are nearly in maintenance anyhow.

It is so hard to watch our children separate from us, but what a blessing to have children that can do it. Raising confident, independent children is what God wants us to do friend, Great Job!!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

[Low Carb Mommy]

My mom sent this to me this morning. This is so true! I covet your prayers ladies!


Subject: God's 26 Guards

Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and
then just put it on a list and said,
'I'll pray for them later?'

Or has anyone ever called you and said,
'I need you to pray for me, I have this need?'

Read the following story that was sent to me and
may it change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray.


You will be blessed by this....


A missionary on furlough told this true story while
visiting his home church in Michigan

'While serving at a small field hospital in Africa ,
every two weeks I traveled by bicycle
through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies.
This was a journey of two days and
required camping overnight at the halfway point.

On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city
where I planned to collect money from a bank,
purchase medicine, and supplies, and then begin
my two-day journey back to the field hospital.

Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting,
one of whom had been seriously injured.
I treated him for his injuries and at the same time
talked to him about the Lord.

I then traveled two days, camping overnight, and
arrived home without incident....

Two weeks later I repeated my journey.
Upon arriving in the city,
I was approached by the young man I had treated.
He told me that he had known I carried
money and medicines.
He said, 'Some friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight.

We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs.
But just as we were about to move into your camp,
we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards.

At this, I laughed and said that I was
certainly all alone in that jungle campsite.

The young man pressed the point, however, and said,
'No, sir, I was not the only person to see the guards,
my friends also saw them, and we all counted them.

It was because of those guards that
we were afraid and left you alone'


At this point in the sermon,
one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened.

The missionary told the congregation the date, and
the man who interrupted told him this story:

'On the night of your incident in Africa ,
it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf.
I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you.
In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong,
I called men in this church to meet with me here
in the sanctuary to pray for you.

Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?'

The men who had met together to pray that day stood up.
The missionary wasn't concerned with who they were,
he was too busy counting how many men he saw.

There were 26!



This story is an incredible example of how
the Spirit of the Lord moves in mysterious ways.
If you ever hear such prodding, go along with it.

Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of ####.
I encourage you to forward this to as many people
as you know.

If we all take it to heart,
we can turn this world toward God once again.

As the above true story clearly illustrates,
'With God all things are possible'.

More importantly, how God hears and
answers the prayers of the faithful.

After you read this, please pass it on and
give God thanks for the beautiful gift of your faith,
for the powerful gift of prayer, and for the many miracles
He works in your own daily life... and then pass it on.
Who says God does not work in mysterious ways

I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today.
To guide you and protect you as you go along your way.
His love is always with you, His promises are true, and
when we give Him our cares you know
He will see us through.

So when the road you're traveling on seems
difficult at best,
Just remember I'm here praying,
and God will do the rest.

[seb]

I've heard that before. Something similar happened to a missionary friend of ours in Korea, but when he was fighting in the Korean War.

Are you alright this morning, Beth?

I'll be praying for you today.

[Low Carb Mommy]

I am doing fine, Sue.....I feel like I could go back to bed. I haven't gotten up at 5am in a long time! Thanks. I see that we started a new page in my journal. Did you see my first post this morning?

[Livywilltim-mom]

Wow, thanks for posting that Beth. I try to tune in to what the Lord is saying to me, this just illustrates to me that I need to be even more vigilant.

Peace and my prayers!

[seb]

I must have just gone to the last page and missed it..........off to read it.

[seb]

How nice to have some quality time with DS before he left this morning. I'll have to look up that movie.

.....to weigh or not to weigh......it's the question of the hour. I do every morning, but I'm getting better at not freaking out over the numbers, which never seem to go down. (well, sort of)

When I was at the health food store the other day, and eating low fat, they had these samples of wonderfully delicious bars that had every nut, seed, dried fruit and grain under the sun. I bought one and it was soooo good. I'm hoping when I get to maintenance I can have these periodically.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Oh, that homemade bar was out of this world. I forced myself to forget about the corn syrup that was probably in it. It also had peanut butter, pumpkins seeds, raisins, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, etc. in it. My mouth starts watering when I think about it. They are always a temptation when I get coffee at that shop.

Let me tell you.....when we left the school this morning this huge craving of cinnamon roll came over me. I told DH. He said is that what you need to give you comfort and calmness? I realized how silly that was.

We went to breakfast at a locally owned place. Guess what they had on the bar? Yes, the most gooey-est ( I know this is not a word) largest cinnamon rolls in the world. I knew it was the devil right then and there!!!! What are the odds? I told DH that my next craving was gravy and biscuits. I knew they would have those there! I resisted both!!! If smelling was a crime though, I would be locked up! I was pretty proud of myself. I kept telling myself that I would eat it, enjoy it, get sick , feel bad , emotions would get worse , and I would set myself up for failure all day long! Great way of thinking, huh?

We have to stay on top of these temptations even after being on LC for years I guess. They never truly go away totally!

[seb]

I'm so proud of you for overcoming those temptations, even when they were right in front of you. You're right; the ensuing feelings of guilt and not feeling well are so not worth it. Congrats on your victory this morning!

[Determinedtolose]

Oh Beth, you're so cute!! You had me laughing at your cinnamon/biscuits and gravy story! That is too cute, and all too true too! I think I would be locked up as well just from smelling!

To resist all that is showing the strength you have! And that as you know it, is from the Lord!

It's good that we can joke about things, it keeps this light and not so burdensome.

I look at the progress you have made and you have done a spectacular job!! I only hope to do as good as you have!!!

Have a wonderful day and God Bless!!!

[Low Carb Mommy]

It's truly wonderful to be here today. I am feeling more joy come into my heart as I have talked to all of you this morning. It has been so uplifting! Thank the Lord for such wonderful friends. I pray I get to meet each and every one of you some day!

[Determinedtolose]

Originally Posted by Low Carb Mommy

It's truly wonderful to be here today. I am feeling more joy come into my heart as I have talked to all of you this morning. It has been so uplifting! Thank the Lord for such wonderful friends. I pray I get to meet each and every one of you some day!

AMEN!!!!!

[NewYorkGiants32]

That was a great story...it gave me chills!

[KrystaLyn]

I was going to make Cinnamon Rolls for Easter, cause its a tradition in my family (and I make the best cinnamon rolls, if I do say so myself...), but I just can't bring myself to do it, even though I am sad about it. Hey, wait! I think I have a picture of the batch I made for Christmas!



At least we can look at it, even if we can't eat it (Imagine the smell along with it!)

[Livywilltim-mom]

Where O Where is SMELL-O-VISION when you need it?????

[Low Carb Mommy]

Oh, I got a double dose of the smell at the Mall of Georgia today. Can we say Cinnabon's? Torture I tell you. I stopped just for a moment and then shook my head and said NO! That smell just brings back great memories for me. Thanks for the picture Krysta! I really needed the visual for the 3RD TIME TODAY!!!!! I guess after you get pregnant you can put up a picture of you eating one to torture us all! LC style of course!

[Livywilltim-mom]

Blessed Wednesday Beth

[Debralynn]

What is it that is so comforting about cinnamon? I think we all need to sit down to a cup of cinnamon coffee with heavy cream until this passes!

Beth, thank you for sharing that story, it was so beautiful.

Have a warm, wonderful day. Your family is in my prayers!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Yesterday was such a busy day. The weather here was miserable also which made all my running around very difficult with two kids and an umbrella. I was just too tired to get on here last night.

I heard several times from the big boys. Thank God they care about their mom. They are having a great time. Both of them come home late tonight (really early tomorrow morning...around 1 am. It's amazing how much more quiet it has been around here.

My weight is still up....134. I have been eating a little more than normal and also sneaking non induction type foods in. I'm sure I will get it together soon. My sticks have been dark. I am wondering how much of it is just water or bathroom issues.

Menu from Tuesday:

B~Eggs(1.8), bacon(0),sm piece of chicken, coffee w/ 1/2n1/2(1), splenda(2), tea w/ splenda(3)=7.8
S~Atkins shake=1
L~Five Guys-Double cheeseburger(1)w/o bun, w/ lettuce(0), mushrooms(.7), green peppers(.3), Peanuts(2), Dt. Coke=4
D~3/4 Chickfila grilled chicken salad(4), ranch(1), 3 nuggets(3)(kids wouldn't finish them...they called out to me! ), tea w/ splenda(4)=12
S~2 Lindt squares=2.5

T~18.3 + 9 carbs of splenda

I think I am turning into a splendaholic. This really woke me up on the carbs that it adds. I am going to try hard to cut back. Nuggets....stress of the day....didn't eat those cinnamon rolls though.

After dropping off DH that morning, the little ones and I went to the Mall of Georgia. We went to find DD an Easter dress. All the Easter dresses here are sun dresses . I haven't seen many sweaters to go with them either. I guess they are expecting it to be hot even though Easter is early this year. I was frustrated. I finally found a dress that had sleeves that I loved. It was on sale too. I got her a $40 dress for $20. Then, I found a sale on shoes at JCpenny's. They had buy one pair of shoes get the second for a dollar. I just love those sales! We had a great afternoon....I tried to do some fun things with the kids in between stores....merry go round, play area, etc. We also saw the Easter bunny. They have never seen him before. They begged to have their picture taken. Here it is.... I thought of Krysta while they were getting it taken. They were worn out by the time we left the mall.



I did some shopping for myself yesterday. I tried to find myself a new dress but never did. I did end up finding a pant suit and some jeans I loved. I fit in a size 6 still but they were tight. I ended up buying a size 8. My jacket was a small. I just have to get the pants hemmed. As far as Easter goes, I guess I will wear a dress I already have (the one I wore at my youth group reunion). It's pretty.

DS#3 had an Easter party at school yesterday as well. They had a egg hunt. It was so much fun. It was the first hunt that DD had participated in. She wasn't quite sure what to do at the beginning but she caught on real fast. I haven't decided whether to do Easter baskets or not this year. I try to not focus on the commercial side of Easter. Plus, as we know, all that sugar is not good for them. They got lots of candy yesterday. I remember as a kid dipping the chocolate Easter bunny ear in peanut butter. Not much has changed since I was a kid.

Menu from yesterday:

B~Atkins shake=1
L~Sliced pork(0), some sauce(2), very small salad w/ ranch(1)=3
S~Cheese "crackers"(2), 4 squares of Lindt(5)=7
D~Parmesan chicken strips(2), spinach(.5), cauliflower w/ cheese(2)=4.5
D~Diet hot chocolate=3

T~18.5

I guess I need to hide the Lindt chocolate from myself. I just can't seem to stay away from it. It's been my comfort I must say. Oh well, I guess it's better than going off plan.

Today I will spend time at home....need to clean up, do laundry etc. Tomorrow all the kids are at home from school. We will make plans with my parents for the weekend. I'm not sure yet if we will celebrate Easter at our church or my home church (theirs).

[Livywilltim-mom]

Oh Beth! That picture is so adorable!

I applaud you for considering to keep the consumerism out of the holiday. In our family, the tradition is that each child, at their first Easter after being born, they receive a beautiful, wooden basket that is kept for their lifetime. My brother and I both have ours from infancy, and we have carried on this tradition with our kids. Our Easter Bunny usually leaves one electronic type of gift, a book, and a few pieces of candy...not a big deal, but the kids really love getting their baskets out of storage and having them on display for the week before Easter.

Blessings dear friend,

[Determinedtolose]

Hi Beth,
Got to hear your boys called and happy to hear they're having fun!!
You're little ones are adorable too! How precious they look in the picture and so photogenic!

You got some good deals shopping. I need to go shopping too for some summer things. I love wearing my sweaters! Now it's going to be in the 80's this week and need some cooler clothes.

I'm having problem with adding too much cream in my coffee and drinking too much coffee lately. I need to eliminate that. I think it's keeping my from losing.

Well, today is a beautiful day! I hope you're enjoying it!!

God Bless!!!

[Debralynn]

Oh Beth! What a beautiful picture! Those kids are the image of their beautiful Mommy! So great that you all spent the day having fun!

WTG on the sales, and in finding yourself an outfit too! You are soooo tiny!

You are in my thoughts about the splenda! I cycle in and out of the same thing. If it's your worst offense, I still think you are in great shape!

I have been a bit torn on the baskets, too. I gave in and did some pail and shovel sets (98 cents from Walmart!), and put a couple of little "Cars" (from the movie - DS#1 has that same shirt yourlittle guy is wearing! ), and a little lamb shaped egg with some hershey kisses in it.

Sending up a prayer for the big boys safe return tonight! It will be such a Blessed Easter with the family reunited! Praise God!

Take care!

[NewYorkGiants32]

Hi Beth!

I just did baskets for my kids last night, but did books, bubbles, stuffed animal, not too much candy.

The easter Bunny picture w/ your kids is too cute.