Reflections on Being Thankful

Well, as you know, yesterday was Thanksgiving. What a time of year. An excuse to overeat. I don't think I did that though. Which I am thankful of.

I try to avoid the sharing time with my "family" each year because I am always very emotional. This year however, God had another plan. They didn't do the sharing until later in the day due to schedules. So, yes, I became very emotional. This year has been VERY HARD. Between the constant up and down with my mom's health, her attempting to take her life and just not being able to plan anything because of not knowing what her status would be each day. Also, with Penny's cancer. This has been a very hard year. I have put on a lot of weight. It has been discouraging with that as well because I should have been to my goal weight by now and I am basically starting over. Then there is losing hours at work due to the economy. Financially I am in a bad state and because of my cats ruining my carpeting I can't even put my house up for sale because I can't afford to get new carpeting. And my right side has been messed up for almost a year. Makes it hard to function. Pastor Bill and Peggy moved to Michigan and they are truly missed.

So, what is the point of this entry? It is to look at the things I am thankful for dispite the hard times. So, here is my list:

MY SALVATION - Knowing that no matter what I will get to spend eternity in Heaven.
GOD - Without him I would NEVER have been able to make it through these trials.
MILLER/BALTZER/HOFFMAN/MILLER/MAY FAMILY - God knew several years ago that I would need this amazing group of people in my life and I am so thankful that they have been such a blessing.
MY CHURCH FAMILY - What an amazing group of people. I feel so blessed everytime I walk in the doors or get a message on Facebook from this group of people.
HAVING TWO JOBS - In today's economy I am truly blessed to have this.
HAVING A HOUSE AND FOOD TO EAT - So many today are homeless and hungry. I am neither and I am thankful for that and don't take it for granted.
LESSONS BEING LEARNED - Don't like this one too much but am thankful none the less. I know that I am being taught some important things through this year and I sure pray I am listening and learning.
CHILDREN - I know that I put my "family" on there but the children at church have been so much fun. To see them get excited when I walk in a room or to have them want me to hold them instead of going to choir - how amazing is that?
MY BLOOD FAMILY - Through the things that have been going on with mom these last few months I have had more contact with my family. It has shown me that they really are special and there are more who know Christ then I thought. Though physically they have been unable to be there I know that they are there if I just need to talk.
GETTING TO BE A HOSTESS AT THE E-WOMEN'S CONFERENCE - What an unexpected opportunity. Getting to host Stormie Omartian and her daughter for the weekend. She and Mandy are both such a blessing as well as Stormie's sister and friends. This was something that I will never forget.

These are just a few of the many blessings that I am thankful for. I know that God is with me through all of this. Though I struggle a lot with things and try to do most things on my own, He has not given up on me and I am so thankful for that.

So, that is what this post is about. I pray that everyone who reads this finds things to be thankful for as well, even if your life is not crazy.

God Bless as we go into this amazing season to celebrate Christ's birth!!!
Karen

Going in the Right Direction

Just a quick update. 4 pounds down since last week. Should I choose to eat better I am sure I could lose a lot more. I started counseling last night and I am really looking forward to working with Michele and at the gym to try to get healthy.

Brought mom home from the hospital today for another bought of Congestive Heart Failure. She is already worried that she will have a panic attack. Trying to convince her that she will not have one if she chooses to not have one.

Thanks for praying,
God Bless,
Karen

Trying Once Again

Well, last night we started the Biggest Loser at the gym. It is going for 7 weeks. It was a hard workout since I have not been going much lately because of all the things going on with mom and just not feeling like I am accomplishing anything. I need this accountability. I start meeting with a counselor on the 11th to try and work through a lot of the stuff that has built up over the years with mom and with me personally. I am looking forward to this step. I am tired of hiding from life. I am very scared but can't wait to see how God is going to use this time of struggle to glorify him.

I do ask for prayers. I started this session at 342.6 pounds with my shoes on. That means that since July of 2008 I have gained back over 50 pounds of the weight that I had lost. It is VERY FRUSTRATING. I worked so hard to lose that weight. I know that with God's help I can and will do this. I just have to go back to the one meal at a time attitude.

God Bless,
Karen