Sick.

Sick...very sick.

Wanna Make God Laugh....

I have been planning for this one day for months. The perfect gifts, great food, decorations just right-happy...happy...joy...joy. It was going to be the perfect Norman Rockwell moment. My little family gathered around the tree...sipping hot chocolate, Bing Crosby singing in the back ground, no yelling, opening the perfect gifts. lots of thank you's & this is the best Christmas ever...there would be no threats of beating bums... just picture perfect. Awww...let me bask in the moment. Awwww....just like in the magazines and on television.

WhOa...back to reality! Does anyone really have these types of moments? I think my friend was right when she said the media & the world tries to put these ideas...that are impossible in our head!

Two days before Christmas John got sick....I mean really sick. We took him to his doctor and two hours later he was diagnosed with Type-B flu and pneumonia. Which equals...no family time...tons of medicine...and around the clock breathing treatments every three hours. We had to bring him back the next day (Christmas Eve) to be re-checked to make sure he did not have to be put in the hospital. (I was VERY aggressive in John's treatment...every 2.8 hours he was getting a breathing treatment and I had the medicine on a strict schedule that I wrote down...planned...and followed!) The next morning Dr. Young was very impressed - John was much better - the doctor said I was a good Momma that I did exactly what he instructed! Unfortunately while I had John at his follow-up appointment Randy was at his doctor...he got the flu. Everything was put on hold. Which was a huge bummer for everyone.

My favorite thing this Christmas was John got better...and he didn't have to go to the hospital!

Merry Christmas!

Ha....Ha....Ha

Living on Love

1 Boy + 1 Girl

I would like to talk to these two young people in these pictures...when they were this age.  Could they have imagined in a few years they would marry each other?  They knew each other...but I am sure at this age they couldn't imagine marrying each other...much less having three kids together...or living in Texas.

Here they are...54 years later.Dad - thanks for asking Mom that night to marry you.  Mom - thanks for taking that chance and marrying that "Light" boy. 

I now know that marriage is hard...I now know that taking care of children is a full-time job...and I now know that getting up every morning at 5am and going to work everyday is mundane - but you both did it - and made it look easy.

Thank you for making it work.  Thank you for giving all you had and all you got.  Thank you for giving to us...your sons & daughter everything...before you gave yourself anything.  You are the example. You make me proud.  I am honored to be your Tina.

Happy 54th Anniversary!

December 12, 2009

Matthew 2:1-2,9-11                                                                                       After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

After they had heard the King, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

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Another Post???

I have had some e-mails about my weight loss journey -since I was so eager to brag about my successes I should tell you about...my failures.

The entire month of November was awful for my journey.  It started with a trip to Oklahoma to bury a family member.  On the way back home a stop in Oklahoma City help my lack of self-control plummet.

One of Randy's favorite memories as a teenager was a local hamburger joint here in Amarillo that went out of business many moons ago.  As we were looking for a specialty shop in OKC we drove past the following restaurant.This was "that" place.  Randy remembered that the owners of the Amarillo restaurant modeled their restaurant after one in OKC.  We decided to give it a try - we split one burger. And it was almost exactly what Randy remembered as a "hunter-burger".  We should have left at that moment but...and I am being really honest here...that was one of the BEST burgers I have ever had!  And notice the sign says "hot cherry cobbler" - that is one of my most favorite desserts - it was some of the best cobbler I have ever had.  Needless to say we went back through the line and we had a feast.  I now dream of making a day trip to OKC...its only 4 hours.I do regret the gluttony I surrendered to in the parking lot of the OKC Charcoal oven...but it was soooo good.  Trust me...I didn't get fat by eating bad stuff!

The derailment of the Tina Express started with the Oklahoma trip.  Next was some health problems that sudden happened - I am fine...nothing to be concerned about.  Then I had some family drama that threw me for a loop and...then there was Thanksgiving.  All of this "life" helped me gain back 10 pounds in four weeks!!  I was "feeding my emotions instead of feeling my emotions". 

I have been so discouraged and unmotivated.  It is very strange...it was like something just clicked off in my brain.  I have no motivation to exercise or eat right but...I decided last Wednesday that I have worked too hard to just give up. 

I signed up for the half-marathon for my birthday in February in Austin.  I have a training schedule for my run that I started following daily...along with cardio/strength training on days I do not run.  Not sure how I am going to run/walk 13 miles - I am up to 6 miles now.  But I am going to try.

I went to WW yesterday and I LOST 2.6 pounds. 

I try again.

December 10, 2009

Luke 1:18-23                                                                                              Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."  The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."   Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home.

I wonder what Elizabeth thought when Zechariah came home that evening and could not talk?  It makes me CrAzY when I have a dilemma or drama and I talk to Randy about it...and he says nothing!  I rant and rave until he says something!  How did Elizabeth handle it for 9 months?  I am sure she wanted to know how Zechariah felt about the baby...the plans and their future and exactly what happened at the temple that night.

I need my tongue bridled more often than not.  I don't know how many times I speak without thinking.  I read just this morning in another devotional to "put your words in gear before you put the engine in motion"!  The thought of the day is "when I find myself in circumstances in which I seem to have no voice, no influence, no impact, teach me to surrender to the silence".  Now that's a thought...silence.

December 9, 2009

Luke 1:6-13                                                                                                            Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John".  Wouldn't you like to have seen their faces - they had to be surprised.  I wonder what they thought...were they scared, happy, or both??  I hope God has this one recorded so that I can watch it when I get to heaven!

Thought of the Day:                                                                                               God is in control, even of minutiae and happenings as random as a lot cast into the lap.

Hmmm...God's timing. God has His own watch and it is not like our watch at all.  Randy and I love this picture of a waiting room.We laugh all the time because most of the time we feel like we are sitting in this waiting room...the song playing right now is the song playing in this room...there are millions of people in the room with us...it's hot & humid...the chair are hurting our bums...and angel just came to the door and said "now seeing #452"...and we are #1,243,654,765.  I also say...all the time - "You wanna make God laugh - plan what you are going to do tomorrow."

In all seriousness I know that God knows the perfect timing and I am so glad He doesn't listen to me.  Our world is moving so fast and changing faster - just look at technology since 1990.  We all have cell phones, computers, and the internet - at our fingertips!  It is good to be put in a place so that we may be slow to speak, quite to listen, and wait for the Lord. 

I hope you find peace today - God is waiting there for you.

Change in the Weather...

Amarillo, Texas has the strangest weather.  I thought the weather was weird when I lived in Odessa...but this place has it beat!!

We started the day at 7:30am at 16 degrees.  It did warm up to 22 degrees by 9:00am...then it started to ice with freezing fog followed by some light snow.

At noon the sun was shining - no rain...no ice, and it was a pleasant 45 degrees.

"Don't like the weather...wait a few minutes it will change."

At 1:30pm the temperature was 50 degrees but...the wind started to blow - blow is an actual understatement.  The wind was howling between 60-70 mph.  The dust in air made visibility less than 1 mile - it was insane!  Everyone's Christmas decorations were wrecked, stop signs were knocked over, and trees were up rooted.

Now at 7:00pm the wind has subsided to 16mph...but the temperature outside is 18 degrees...the wind chill is 15 degrees...so it feels like it is about 3 degrees outside right now.

I believe we had all four seasons - today!!

December 8, 2009

Isaiah 9:6                                                                                                               For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

This verse is from the book of Isaiah which is in the Old Testament.  The timeline shows this book written by the Prophet Isaiah between 600-700 BC.  I love and...I think I have said this before...I love when the Old Testament speaks of the New Testament - especially when it talks about Jesus.

This scripture is a form of prophesy.  There are lots of prophets & prophesy in the world today.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.   And Apostle John tells us in 1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Prophesy is a unique gift from God.  I have a very dear friend that would be very embarrassed if I mentioned her name but she had a dream of me having a son.  She had this dream just about the time John was conceived.  The baby in her dream looked exactly like John - she had no idea that I was pregnant.  She has had several more dreams and visions that have come to pass.  She does not like to discuss them.  These things sort of frighten her... I see them as a gift from God.  I ask her all the time if she has dreamed or seen anything...she tells me to "shut-up"! 

During a women's retreat in the Spring of 2005 my friend Melissa had a dream/vision of our children - her daughter Carolina and my son John playing together.  For the record...they played together a few weeks ago.

I love to have someone prophesize over me or give me a Word from the Lord.  Here's my advice if someone says they had a dream/vision/or a Word from God for you.  Write it down and pray over it.  Don't think to much of it and lay it before the Lord - let Him tell you about it.  He is not going to tell someone else about you without filling you in with the details!

There are many false prophets in our world today.  For example...someone told my best friend (who had been having major health issues) that she was going to die, or she seen her dead or something like that.  I do not believe that...I do not believe God would tell someone something like that.  Many people...prophets are predicting the world to end in 2012 - I don't believe this theory...I welcome it....but I don't think it is 2012.  All I know for sure is God knows and only God knows when it will all end.

Ending on a happier note...                                                                               I am eager to share with you a Word that Pastor Jimmy Evans gave me and Randy on September 12th.  We are still praying and seeking the Lord on this Word.  It was a good Word and will be an amazing testimony someday. 

December 7, 2009

Luke 2:6-7                                                                                                                  And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

I wonder...was she scared?  Mary & Joseph had traveled so far - was she tired?  Was she worried?  Upset?  What did she think about giving birth in a barn?  Was Joseph supportive?  How was the pain?  What did she think when she first saw Him?

For me...I was scared...very scared when the time came for John to be birthed.  Even though it was a scheduled c-section...I knew the exact time & place...I was petrified!!  I knew the date....the hospital...the doctors & nurses...I knew my family & friends would be there...and I knew John would be born in a clean, warm, & safe place.   At home I had planned & worked on his nursery for months...all of his clothes were cleaned and ready to use...I had plenty of diapers, wipes, & powder...there was nothing me or him lacked for.  Yet....I was still scared of the unknown.  I remember being taken in the delivery room and shaking because I felt so unprepared.  Even after Randy, my doctor & John's doctor prayed for me I was still so scared. 

As the process of the c-section started there were some major complications...painful complications I might add...but I started saying Philippians 4:13 out loud...very loud....and I made my nurse say it with me. 

Finally...when I heard John's first cry...all the fear, pain, agony, unknown, and trepidation I had was gone.  My life was never going to be the same from that moment on.  Everything that was important to me...everything that mattered to me changed in that moment.  I will never forget the first time I seen him...it was like nothing I had ever experienced.

As I type this I am in deep thought about  Mary and I wonder about her emotions, feelings, and her thoughts about the circumstances surrounding the birth of her Son.  I like to think that she had an unspeakable peace and she knew that everything was going to change & nothing would be the same. When she seen Jesus for the first time I am sure she was in love.  All the pain was gone and she knew God was in control.  Did she know??

December 6, 2009

Colossians 1:16                                                                                                       For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.

December 5, 2009

Matthew 1:21                                                                                                      She will give birth to a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

1 Timothy 3:16                                                                                                     The mystery of godliness is great: He was manifest in the flesh.

1 John 4:14                                                                                                          The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

This is an excerpt from the devotional today:                                     When Your Incarnation began as a formless group of cells in Mary's womb, my salvation had already begun.  Before Your little toddler feet ever took their first step, Your walk up Calvary's hill had commenced.  When You moved from Mary's womb into the expanse of earth, You were taking the first steps  toward the cross. 

The purpose for Your birth was Your death. The purpose for Your death was Your resurrection.  The purpose for Your resurrection was my salvation.

December 4, 2009

Luke 1:35-37                                                                                                    And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

I love these verses.  Especially the last sentence - For with God nothing shall be impossible.  I use to hear of people seeing the power of God...the miracles...the healings...the changes...because nothing is impossible for Him.  I always thought that was for someone else...not me - I was not special enough or good enough for God.   But I was wrong - really wrong.  I have proof that nothing is impossible for God.                          This photo was taken in November 2007. 

Eighteen months prior to this picture being taken I was separated, filed for divorce, living in a big city, and planning a different future.  Little did I know what God had planned.  Nothing is impossible with Him.  God put Randy and I back together and gave us John as a unexpected Christmas gift.

I use to think people couldn't change, situations wouldn't change, and miracles don't happen - I was wrong.

                                 With God nothing is impossible.

Keep praying.  Don't give up.  God wants to give you the desires of your heart - nothing is impossible with God.  There is a saying that goes "I have been more right than wrong" - God has never been wrong.

Happy Friday.

December 3, 2009

Luke1:38                                                                                                                    “I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your Word”.

Have you ever wondered about Mary? The bible leaves out some stuff I really want to know. I want to know if she was scared…or did God give her peace while she carried Jesus? I wonder what really went on when she told Joseph about the pregnancy…did they have a "Tiger Woods" moment that wasn’t so pretty?  What about telling her parents…how did she do it?  Where did she get her hope and encouragement from? Was she focusing on the moment or the end?

Okay...I know that she got her hope and encouragement from God.  That's where you and I should get our hope and encouragement from. 

I know that your marriage stinks right now.  I know that you can not see things getting better...repaired...forgiven...forgotten...and healed.  I know that divorce seems like the only answer to happiness...peace...and joy but it's not.  God...HATES divorce  ( Malachi 2:16).  It's not the answer - really it's not.  When you feel frustrated...aggravated...and bitter to your husband STOP!  Take that thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and take it to the Lord (Psalm 68:19 ).  I pray daily for you (Proverbs 18:24) , for your husband (Ephesians 5:28),  and the restoration of your marriage (Galatians 6:2).  I've been there - I know the place you are in.  I know you are thinking...how can he ever forgive me, how do I forgive him, how do I forgive myself, how do we move past this...this is all through the Lord. 

You have to be like Mary - you must to be a slave to the Lord.  Stop worrying and start praying.  I know this is easy for me to say this but I have been where you are.  Where does your strength come from?

Call me today.  I want to pray with you.

December 3, 2009

Matthew 1:1                                                                                                            A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Today's devotional started with the above scripture.  The devotional today was how the Lord was planned and the groundwork was laid.  The thought for the day is" "My little circumstances are just the setting in which Your Word to me can become visible".

In July my sister Linda shared with me how she was reading the Bible throughout the year and she was half way done.  I am so proud of her!  I...myself...have never read the Bible all the way through - cover to cover.  Without trying Linda inspired me!  Every morning...except Saturdays I get up around 5:30am to read my bible, devotionals, and pray.  I love this time and it has become very....very important to me - it sets the tone for the day.  I am reading in the book of Daniel today - have you read this book???  It is amazing!  I have heard the stories but to actually read then slowly and mediate on them - WOW!  I love....I mean really love how the Old Testament references Jesus!  If you get time today and you have not read Daniel lately....read this part Daniel 7:13 - tell me what YOU think it means!!

Changing the subjects again...

In the my blog yesterday I was trying to convey to you that this Christmas we should enjoy the season and not get so caught up and stressed about it.  Little did I know that Linda was working on a post herself about this very subject!  She hit the "nail on the head" with her blog.  Check it out - By Grace Alone. 

If you get a chance drop by Laura's blog - Fargo Fiskins.  We had the best time while she was here and she took some amazing pictures!  I think her blog today is...wonderful!

December 1, 2009

Matthew 1:22-23                                                                                              Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Is it not hard to believe that Christmas will be here in a few weeks?  It seems like it should be October!  The changing of the much colder weather and all the decorations zap me back to reality and make me realize that the new year is just around the corner.  I hope and pray that you and your family have a peaceful and non-stressful Christmas season. 

So you know...I really enjoyed posting to my blog each day last month - I have much to be thankful for.   This month I am going to  quote a scripture each day from a devotional called "Pursing the Christ" by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.  I read this devotional each Christmas season and it seems to give me peace and understanding that God has the ultimate plan - and it's a great plan!  Hope you enjoy.