It never rains, but it pours...

...but at our house, it's hailing!!

It seems as if life is determined to test our little family.  I just read the blog-post prior to this one, and realized the challenges just keep on coming - and coming - and coming....

Sinus infections started it.  Pneumonia and bronchitis followed.  In the midst of canning 50 pounds of potatoes, I started having shoulder pain that hasn't gone away.  Jackie got her impacted wisdom teeth removed.  I scheduled that for a Friday so she wouldn't miss too much school.  Over the weekend, she started coughing and spiked a fever.  The washing machine broke-down...  Jackie's cough and fever turned out to be pneumonia, which kept her out of school for more than a week.  My shoulder pain turned out to be a torn rotator cuff, which might need to be repaired surgically.  This morning, the water heater decided to join the fray and stopped working.  Can you see the hail falling down??

As bad as all that sounds and lest you think I am engaging in a pity-party; let's look at the other side of the coin.

Kevin got better.  Let's say that again!  Kevin got better!!!!! (He had me more than a little worried.)  I can still use my OTHER arm and I'm learning to do things left-handed.  Who knows, by the time I'm done with all this, I might actually be ambidextrous. haha  The washing machine got fixed. (thank-you Marc & Deb)!!! 

All kidding aside, I have been looking at our lives, and in spite of the challenges we're facing, I can see so many, many more blessings that have been showered down upon us.  

We have a loving family-relationship.  Kevin and I have a wonderful marriage that we both treasure!  Our children are learning, growing, and becoming the daughters of God Heavenly Father wants them to be.  I have a wonderful son-in-law whom I cherish!  Kev has a good job.  We have a nice home that shelters us from the elements.  We have loving family and friends who enrich our lives beyond measure.  Most important, we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  We've made covenants in Heavenly Father's Holy Temple which will allow us to live as a family forever.  We have a living prophet on earth today and apostles to help lead and guide His Church.  Their counsel and guidance enrich our lives beyond measure.  We have the knowledge that we are children of God and that He loves us.

When viewed through the lens of our many blessings, what seemed like hail now looks like a gentle Spring shower.  

Good thing we have a blessing-umbrella!

Grateful...

It's been a tough few weeks here at Happy Acres.  Kev and I both had a sinus infection that wiped us out pretty thoroughly.  Then Kevin got REALLY sick with a cough that turned out to be pneumonia.  Then had a severe allergic reaction to the medication the doctor gave him and almost ended up in the hospital.  

Scared me a little.  (Ok, more than a little.)  Just when Kevin started feeling more like himself, I came down with a cough and Kevin whisked me off to the doctor.  Who knew pneumonia was contagious??? Not me!  According to the doctor, my lungs looked and sounded "junky"...is that a new medical term? lol

In the midst of all this, I have taken time to look at our lives and found great reasons to give thanks to our loving Heavenly Father.  As bad as Kevin got, it could have been so much worse.  As sick as I've felt the last few days, I didn't get as bad as Kevin because my sweet Hubby took me right in to get this treated.  We have had Ward members bring us dinner and friends and family praying for us.  We have felt the benefits of those prayers everyday.

Most of all, I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who trust us with challenging circumstances in our lives.  I see Him guiding me through these challenges and trusting me to learn the lessons from them that I need to learn in order for me to become who I am supposed to be.  

Today I felt a little better (getting a warm shower definitely helped! lol).  I had a long talk with my Heavenly Father and then read my scriptures.  I am so grateful for the time I get each day to learn from the scriptures and talk to my Father-in-Heaven.  I love how it makes me feel.  I love how much closer to Him I feel when I do what He asks of me.  My days go better, I am more patient, kind, and understanding.  I love His influence in my life.  Most of all, I love how grateful to Him I feel each day, for His love, kindness, and tender-mercies!

Just sayin'...

Twice a year!!!

The first weekend of each April and October is General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Those are also my very favorite weekends of the year!!!

Twice on each Saturday and Sunday of those weekends, we get to listen to our Church leaders teach us the doctrines of the Gospel and how to apply them in our lives.  They are inspiring and uplifting.  I always come away feeling full to overflowing with hope and optimism for my continuing journey through life.

Here in Utah, we get to watch these sessions of Conference on TV from the comfort of our own living room! We lovingly refer to this as "jammie-church".  We get to be comfy and cozy (often in our PJ's) to watch, listen and learn.  Usually we accompany this with yummy food, so there is a definite celebratory feeling to the entire weekend.  Other people get to go to the Conference Center in Salt Lake City to watch it live.  

Still others attend at their various meeting-houses and watch via satellite.

However, even if I had to dress in Church-clothes and go to a Chapel to watch and listen to Conference, it would still be my favorite time!  More than anything, I love how I feel after Conference weekend: uplifted, inspired, and loved by my Heavenly Father!

If you're interested in watching or learning more, please feel free to go to www.lds.org or www.mormon.org for more information.  We love to share those things that make us so happy!

Invisible vs. Inspiring...

September 29, 2009 I posted a blog entry entitled "Invisible No More".  It was a very personal entry about my weight-loss journey.  I re-read it again today.  Interestingly enough, I've strayed from the path that prompted that post.  Strayed?  Maybe not the best word, maybe I should say I've found a better path on that journey.  When I wrote that post, I was in the midst of trying yet another "fad-diet".  It worked for a time, but didn't last, anymore than any of the others had.

On December 13, 2013, I wrote a related post entitled "Things I Am Learning".  This was the start of a different, healthier weigh-loss journey which nine months later, I am still on.  What does this have to do with today?  Well, hang around for a bit longer and I'll tell you.

When I first began working with Jerry Shannon (my personal trainer/nutritionist), the most difficult exercise I could do was something akin to cross-body-toe touches without actually bending far enough to touch my toes.  Ten to fifteen minutes on the treadmill on a zero incline almost did me in.  I measured initially at over 155% body-fat.  YIKES!!!  Now, I am doing resistance-training (weights), I am able to do every exercise Jerry gives me, and have increased my repetitions.  Yesterday I did 35 minutes of interval training (inclines up to 6+%) on the treadmill.  On my days outside of the gym, I am regularly walking a mile and a half!!!  What a difference nine months have made.  Yesterday we measured me.  I am below 138% body-fat.

This was me at my heaviest...almost 400lbs.

 This is me, today!

What prompted this new blog entry?  Well, I'll tell you...

Yesterday, at the gym, I was approached by a woman who was just leaving after working out.  She was fit and trim and looked amazing!  As she walked out the door, she caught my attention then said, "You are inspiring!!!".  I looked at her and said, "Who? ME?!?!"  She laughed and said, "Yes, YOU!!! You are an inspiration to all of us!"  Me?? An Inspiration???? WOW!  I said "Thank you!" and pretty much finished my work-out walking on air.

I have never thought of myself as inspirational.  I am just me...doing what I do.  I feel blessed and lucky that Heavenly Father has heard and answered my prayers.  He has put people in my life to lift and inspire me.  He has guided me through experiences which have given me the courage and faith to do "hard-things".  Let me tell you, for someone my size and in my physical condition; walking into that gym the first time was a hard thing!!  Along the way, I have developed some habits which are helping me be accountable.  

Every time I work out, I post my experience on Facebook.  I have such supportive family and friends who read my posts and give me encouragement.  I need that!  But I mostly post to FB in an attempt to hold myself accountable to those loving and supportive family and friends.  Every time I work-out I report to Kevin what I've done.  He's become my "work-out-buddy".  He's WAY more advanced that I am, but we do similar exercises and allow Jerry to torture us  both into shape.  Along the way, we've developed similar aches and pains.  Ask about life after a "leg-day" sometime. haha

I have a beloved sister who regularly responds to my FB posts with "Keep it up, Sissy...I am SO proud of you!"  I can get SO much mileage on the treadmill with posts like that!  I have an equally beloved sister-in-law who regularly calls me "Skinny-Lou-Who".  I can lift extra reps with THAT name in my heart!

I have been the one sitting at home moping about my lack of energy and obese condition.  I have also been the one out there actively pushing myself to be better.  I have felt the aches and pains of obesity and the arthritic conditions it causes.  I would rather feel the muscle aches and pains that I currently feel because I am out in the world getting healthy and strong.  Every time I feel muscle aches, I tell myself "But, it's a GOOD pain" haha

In the end...I would rather be INSPIRING than INVISIBLE!!!!

It's that time again...

...BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!

Last year and this year have seemed a little surreal as school started.  I guess I'm still not used to only having one kid going back to school.  This year, Mandy wasn't even in the house.  Like I said...surreal.  Still this is life and change is definitely a constant here at "Happy Acres".

This year Jackie begins her Junior Year of High School.  She has changed and grown over the summer.  She is still our "Whackie-Jackie" and makes me laugh like nobody else can, but there's a depth of maturity in our girl that is heart-warming.  Just like every other school year, the night before school started, Kevin sat Jackie down and gave her a "Father's Blessing".  Again, like every year, I sit in awe at the counsel and wisdom our Heavenly Father shares with my children through Kevin as he exercises his priesthood.  I am grateful beyond words for the gift of a husband who worthily honors his priesthood.

So, while Jackie begins her adventures as a Junior in High School, Amanda and Chris continue their adventures of newlywed-life.  Amanda is working at her first job as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant).  She finds it challenging and rewarding at the same time.  What she loves most is having the opportunity to care for her patients.  Mandy loves the elderly, so this job is a great fit!

More adventures in our family came today as Jackie got her driver's license.  She passed the driving test with her Driver's Ed teacher a couple of weeks ago.  Today we trekked down to the DMV and got her license.  Jackie's excited....the drivers of Utah County should beware. haha  Actually, she's a good driver, just not very experienced. 

 Seems as if this has been our year for milestones....Like I said, change is definitely a constant here at Happy Acres.

Wedding Day!!!

Here it is...the Wedding-Day blog. I am just going to post pictures that highlight the day for me. Hope you enjoy! I know I did!

Confirmation...

A lot of things have happened at our house, so far this summer.  Not the least of which was Amanda's marriage to Christopher Christiansen.  Since I just received the wedding pictures from the photographer, I will have a blog about that day coming soon.

However, something else happened just yesterday that I felt the need to share.  It isn't anything new in my life.  I've done this more times than I can count.  This time, I needed to express my feelings about it.  

When I was 12 years-old, my parents introduced my siblings and me to a pair of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Elders Call and Bates taught us the Gospel of Jesus Christ and introduced us to the Book of Mormon along with the story of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I grew up without ever having heard the word "mormon", and yet their message sounded so familiar to me.  It was like something I had always known, but forgotten somehow.

Since that time, I have read and re-read the Book of Mormon more times than I can remember.  Each time I do, I learn something new, or gain an insight that I never had before. Yesterday, I finished reading this marvelous book again.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  It is a record of the ancient inhabitants of this land, and contains the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It goes hand-in-hand with the Holy Bible.  Indeed, it is another testament of Jesus Christ. Because of this book, I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ died for my sins.  I know He is my Savior and Redeemer.  He knows me, loves me, and is always there when I need Him.  I know that by reading and following the teachings contained in the Book of Mormon, I live a better, more fulfilled, and happier life.

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.  I know that he saw God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ.  I know that through him, the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth.  I know that by the power of God, Joseph Smith translated the ancient record into what we have today as the Book of Mormon.

At the end of the Book of Mormon, there is a verse of scripture that includes a challenge and a promise.  Moroni, the last prophet to write in the Book of Mormon says:  "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

All those years ago, when I first read the Book of Mormon, I took Moroni's challenge to heart and I asked God if this book was true...if the story of Joseph Smith was true.  I can't truly describe what I felt in answer to that prayer.  It was peace, and assurance and a deep abiding certainty that these things were indeed from God.

From that day to this, every time I finish reading the Book of Mormon, that certainty is reaffirmed.  Every good and precious thing in my life has come because I took that challenge and found the truth for myself.  I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for having mercy on a 12 year-old girl, and bringing the gift of His Gospel into her life!