Happy Blog Birthday

Wow, it has been a year since I set up this blog. I haven't posted much but I hope this year I will post more. It is so inspiring to read other people's blogs and learn about the things that they are passionate about. It inspires me to aspire to do greater things; to bring glory to God the Father who put the dreams in my heart. Perhaps I will write more about my dreams and about living them out.

I need Nathan, my tech minded son, to help me get some photos on here. Pictures make blogs so much more interesting and since they are worth 1000 words it would certainly save readers some time. For now all you have are many, many words to read. Thank you to all who do read my thoughts. It encourages me to know that you are interested in what I have to say.

April thoughts

My son, Nathan or Nate as he likes to be called, did take pictures of my needlework but when he stored them he had some technical problem and they ended up getting deleted. I am currently working on sweaters for my girls. I followed a pattern for Liz's, it is knitted, but ran into problems and am doing some revisions to make it work.

Right now I am working on Laura's. It is a crocheted sweater, I have never crocheted a garment before, so I am following a pattern. I hope she will let me embellish it and make it my own work of art after I am finished with the sweater. Hopefully I will get that posted.

Our family is being tested by the Refiner's fire right now. The difficult economy has affected us personally and we are searching for additional sources of income. I know that God is faithful to meet all of our needs but the waiting is truly the hardest part. I also know that in the coming months God will give us a testimony to share about his unending love and his provision for his beloved people. Instead of feeling panic stricken I feel excitement (and fear too since stepping out in faith is always difficult).

God reminded me yesterday of how he told Joshua to be strong and courageous. In fact, as God prepared Joshua to take his people into the promised land following Moses' death, he told Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. Placing emphasis on it by saying be strong and very courageous the third time. You can read about it in the first chapter of the book of Joshua. God often repeats himself because he knows that we need a lot of encouragement. He makes sure that we know he is with us. He tells us that when we are weak then we are strong because his power is made more perfect in our weakness.

Trusting in him,
Grace

Getting Creative

I've been searching the net for inspiration with the hope that I will get busy and start producing art. There are many wonderful blogs and talented artists on the web. Lots of connections can be made and lots of time can be spent too.

I'm inspired for sure but I still haven't produced work. I have an idea that I have been gathering supplies and inpiration for but that's as far as it's gotten. I have dusted off my crochet hooks and made some cute potholders for an upcoming bridal shower so at least I've done something creative. I added my own personal touches and used what yarn was available so they are not a carbon copy of the original. I'll have to ask my son to help me photograph them and get them posted for others to see. They are cute.

Well, hopefully some of the inspiration I have gathered will soon materialize into something tangible that I can share.

Pictures make blogs so much more interesting to read. I always want to know what the people I'm reading about look like. So I offer to my readers, if there are any, a glimpse of my life.

These happy girls are Liz and Laura at the lake last spring. Liz cut off all that beautiful hair last fall and now has an equally beautiful bob. Laura continues to wear what we call her signature style.

Liz turned 16 since this picture was snapped and is driving now. Watch out!

Nathan graduated from high school last June and we captured a rare moment with the men actually willing to stand for a photo. You can see by my shoulders that I have been spending time in the gym (which I love doing) and you can see that my bangs are a little on the short side. My smile reflects the joy I feel celebrating Nathan's wonderful accomplishment. I love my guys!

As you can see I have undergone a major transformation. On the left is one of the early photos. I had begun exercising and eating healthfully and had already lost some weight. The photo on the right was taken about 18 months later when I was close to my goal.

I enjoy sharing my story because it speaks of the grace of God in my life. After years of struggling with overeating and excess weight I prayed that the Lord would help me. Within a few weeks I ended up in the emergency room with chest pains. I imagined my family having to bury their then 41 year old wife and mother. That was what I needed. This problem wasn't just about me but it was also about the people I love. That fear was a gift from God because it gave me the strength to do what I needed to in order to be healthy.

After many tests the chest pain was ruled to be an anxiety attack but I think of it as a change of heart. God provided the support I needed and continue to need through the local TOPS group and a wonderful website called SparkPeople.com. He led me to so many things along the way. First Leslie Sansone exercise videos, then running and bicycling, and finally a free gym membership. My family, my church family, my TOPS family, my friends, and even my community have become my cheerleaders. They are all a blessing to me.

Good health has changed my life. I feel like a new person and I have been able to inspire and encourage others along the way. I hope I can continue to do so.

I will probably always struggle with the fear that I will regain the weight but I keep going to weekly TOPS meetings and exercising. I give it to the Lord and trust that he will keep giving me the grace to live out this life in good health.

If you are reading this and I can help you in any way please contact me. I would love to help you.

So now you know a bit about the woman who writes this blog and my dear family too.

Thanksgiving in upstate New York

I created this blog back in May and haven't been back until now. I thought I would jump in and say a little about a NY Thanksgiving. It is different from a Florida Thanksgiving. The only thing we did outside was run from the house to the car and from the car to the house. I'm sure the sun did rise because there was more light than there had been when I got up to go to the bathroom at 5 am but that was the only indication that the sun shined yesterday. If any shorts were worn they were hidden under layers of warm clothing and our turkey was cooked indoors where it is warm.

NY Thanksgiving is similar to a Florida Thanksgiving in many ways. Mom and Dad's house was bustling with the voices of three generations of our family. Many of the dishes were reminiscent of childhood holiday meals of years past. One notable exception was the gluten free pumpkin pie which Mom reported was not anything like the wonderful pie Matt made for her last year. Matt, hopefully you will be able to join us for a get together soon and bring along one of your signature pies.

Laura added something new to our celebration. A family from our homeschool group shared a Thanksgiving devotional and she adapted it for our celebration. She made a paper turkey and provided feathers for each family member to write something they are thankful for then she and Alexa read them aloud. It was heartwarming to hear what people are greatful for and fun to guess who wrote what.

Webkinz were at the top of the list for our youngsters. I'm wondering if all our readers will be familiar with these stuffed animals that are all the rage here. The kids love the fact that each purchase offers rights to access the Webkinz website and with it countless hours of mindnumbing fun not unlike that of our Atari and Ninetendo fixations of our own childhood.

It was perhaps the last Thanksgiving we will share in our childhood home. Although the market is not favorable for quick home sales I trust that God who is able to do immesurably more than all we could ask or imagine can work a miracle in this situation. I know it will be hard to say good bye to our old home but it would be a great blessing to know that another family will be creating their own memories in a place that many Mann family memories were created. A house is just four walls, it is the love inside that makes it a home. No one can take away that love or the wonderful memories that remain a part of who we are. It will also be a blessing for Mom and Dad to be able to enjoy their golden years caring for each other rather than a big house.

I am thankful for this electonic means of communication that make it possible to bridge the miles and share what is happening in our little corner of the world. Most of all I am thankful for each of you. I love you my dear family. May you be richly blessed as we begin this Christmas season and may you be mindful of the reason we celebrate, our wonderful saviour Jesus.

Wow, I actually created a blog and it was painless. I do not consider myself technically savvy so I am amazed how easy it was. I know Mom and Dad think we’re so much more advanced in computer use but the truth is probably not. I have just figured it out through trial and error like they have. I’ve just been trying and erring a few years longer perhaps.

Well, I hope to keep everyone up to date with what is happening here in our little corner of the world. I just checked my Spark mail on sparkpeople.com the other day and had unread emails from last summer so I don’t know how well I’ll do.

We’ve got some upcoming excitement here. Mom and I are going to celebrate Mother’s Day with some lunch and an introduction to second hand clothing stores, my new thing. Nathan is graduating from high school next month and taking his road test tomorrow. Mike and I are traveling to State Recognition Days for TOPS next month. They will be held in the Catskills at the Friar Tuck Inn. I am receiving an award for being one of the top losers in my weight category last year.

I had my 15 minutes of fame last month when my before and almost after (still a few pounds from goal) were featured in the Pennysaver second section to advertise our TOPS open house. Many people congratulated me and my family. I even heard from some people I haven’t connected with in a long time. But Satan, always ready to tear us down, brought people into my life to tell me of their large weight losses and accompanying gains. All the encouragement and success can be swallowed up with a few negative thoughts. Today I read Joyce Meyer’s Battlefield of the Mind Devotional. Joyce shared how, new in the ministry, she spoke before a group and received many words of encouragement but Satan tried to steal her joy with the negative comments of just one man. Here is just one of the many scriptures that defeats the plans of the enemy and reassures me of God’s truth: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

I know many people look at me and think that losing so much weight is what makes me joyful but that is not what it’s all about. This journey has taught me about what really makes a difference in life, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Even though I have know that for many years only a recent commitment to morning prayer and quiet time has really brought that reality alive for me. It all started with reading the book The Prayer of Jabez and praying that scripture. God isn’t kidding when He tells us to give Him the first fruits and He will multiply it. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:10)

I have been learning about worldview lately. I’m teaching a 6 week class on this subject to the high school aged kids in our home school co-op. Basically, I learn it and then I share it. If you want to learn about something sign up to teach a class and you will force yourself to learn fast. You may find yourself scratching your head saying, “Why did I do this to myself?” but you will learn. I’m not an expert but I love this subject. What I have really come to realize is that we all are dealing with a lot of the same stuff No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13). The difference between those with a biblical worldview and people with a different worldview is that we have a way out, a hope, “God is faithful”. God loves us. I hope that this knowledge will reassure you today and every day.