Annual Battle of the "Bulge"

Aren't you doing it too?

Setting new weight-loss goals.

Promising yourself that THIS is the year you will DO IT.

I swear. TRULY. I mean it this time!

So far so good. I have already lost, gained and then lost again the same 5 pounds. I am elated, disappointed and then elated again. The good news? I have broken even!

For Christmas I got an excellent exercise video. I have even mentioned it here before! It's quite a work-out for me. And I have to confess, I am unable to do ALL of the push-ups and ALL of the crunches. I hope for that to change soon.

If you remember, I have talked about my daughter not being an early bird. Well, she still isn't. And therefore, neither am I. It's something I'm working on. Still. My point in bringing this up is to stay that this is one goal I am improving on! Yeah me!

“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, 

drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not.” 

Mark Twain

Do you feel that way sometimes?

I do.

It's Christmas...

This is such a wonderful time of year. I find myself feeling reflective as I wrap my last minute gifts and make a few last minute goodies.
My life has always been blessed. Even now, during a particularly difficult time, I am being blessed.

 Consequently, I find myself hoping that what I have accomplished this year is enough; that it is acceptable to the Lord.
I look forward to spending some time reviewing last years goals and setting some new ones.
What are you aiming to accomplish in 2010?

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. 

And "may your days be merry and bright".

See you next year!

Prone to wander.

Photograph by Mark Mabry

Tonight I was able to attend a dinner and program for the women of my church.

The organization is called Relief Society.

It was a delicious dinner. And the program was lovely.

One sweet woman read a story called

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.

I love this story and must own it. So should you. Go get one for yourself (see the link below).

Then there was some beautiful music performed and a video slide show of

Reflections of Christ.

The images were put to the song "Come Thou Fount", which is one of my very favorite hymns.

Listen...

The part of the song that always resonates with me is the last part.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Far too often I find myself "wandering" from the God I love.

Whether it's in the way I interact with my family, the way in which I fulfill my callings, or simply whether or not I am diligent with my scripture study and prayers. All of those things, when not sought after or acted upon, can lead me away from the God I love. And I echo the sentiment of offering my heart to the Lord, that He may take it and seal it His.

Hopefully in this act of sacrifice I can become better.

More humble. More lovable. More teachable.

That I will be found with a "pure heart and clean hands".

This year, more than any other, I have found myself hardly able to contain the joy I feel from the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
That He has come! The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
I picture myself there. That I was an angel in the choir that sang at His birth. I was unable to contain my joy and rejoicing and sang with all my heart.
I believe I must have been there, because I feel the same way today.

Joy to the World!

(photograph by Mark Mabry)

(Here is one of my favorite chapters on having the Lord's image in my countenance. It's beautiful and inspiring.)