HUGE giveaway #reshapingitall #photography Today is the last day to enter!

Today is the last day to enter!

I have a HUGE giveaway planned for this month! With Reshaping it All and make huge changes in my life, I decided that everyone deserves to share in the success so far! Even small steps have greatly improved in the last two weeks. I am stopping when I am satisfied, making choices that are mindful of my body and treating at as a temple!

So…wanna hear what the big prize is?!?! I bet you do!

It is  a BRAND NEW DIGITIAL CAMERA! Everyone needs a camera and I am sure you know of my love of photography, plus, on July 4^th when the 65 days is over, you can take a photo of yourself and the changes you have made over the last 65 days!

Product Features

10.1 Megapixel Cmos, 8X Digital Zoom , 2.7" LCD, Face Detection, Anti-Shake

 

So, wanna know how to win??!?!? There are lots of ways! The contest will end on May 31^st and the winner will be announced June 1^st!!

Here is what you need to do to enter:

Follow Thirsty leave a comment stating that you did (or already are)!

Extra Entries:

Follow Missie’s Shutter and leave a comment that you did (or already are) (one entry)

Follow Missie on Twitter and leave a comment! (one entry)
Post this Giveaway to your Facebook and leave a comment! (one entry)
Post this Giveaway to your Twitter and leave a comment! (one entry)
Post this Giveaway on your blog and leave a comment! (one entry)
Leave a comment about why you want to win the camera! (one entry)

What is in the food we put in our bodies?

In 2004 I was having a lot of stomach issues and there seemed to be no source of reasoning. I was sent to a digestion specialist and was tested for gluten intolerance. My blood tests came up positve for gluten intolerance and I went a week trying to be gluten free while I was waiting for my stomach to be biopsied.

The stomach came back negative and the doctor diagnosed me with IBS. Nothing more was said about the gluten intolerance in the blood stream.

Three years of working in mortgage, stress and demand, I was tired all the time. But now, working in the fraud department, I am working at a normal pace, happy and stress-free. But I am still tired all the time.

I brought it up to the doctor at the beginning of this month and she ran a bunch of test. I was low on iron and low on vitamin D. Gluten can cause low iron and other nutritional deficiencies. So, I am working on a gluten free lifestyle. So far it is going MUCH better than it was 6 years ago. Our grocery stores are packed with gluten free foods and ingredients. Restaurants are on board with those with food allergies, including having gluten free menus.

Then I saw this video and boy, did it make my jaw drop. The food industry in the United States is out of control and we are all trying to eat healthy, but everything we put into our mouths, from the wheat to the milk are full of chemicals pumped in to make the food supply easier to manage and cheaper. 

Please take an extra 10 minutes to watch this video and then, please share it. I think the more people realize the weight of the decisions made by the food industries and how it is affecting our population, the more weight we have to back up our cries for change.

Discussions over the lunch table

With the whole situation last weekend with Harold Camping predicting the end of the world on Saturday has set the whole world in motion. More and more people are talking about the end times and what it means.  

I am reading a book called the Seraph’s Seal, which is a fiction book about the end times (a review to come when I am finished). It sparked a conversation in the break room at work yesterday and some odd conversation.

I was with two ladies and when I said that it was about the end times it brought out the whole Harold Camping ordeal. I stated that no man is going to be able to predict the end times, the rapture. Only God knows when that will happen.

But then it also brought out some other weird topics that I could not refute even though deep down I felt they were completely untrue. One of the ladies brought up that Hell is in the center of the earth. I have never heard that, nor did I think that on my own, but she could not give me biblical references, only that her pastor told her that.

I did some looking on the internet and that one seems to be a topic of confusion, some sites listed biblical references that could be persuaded to mean that Hell is in the center of the earth, but I could not find anything biblical that definitely said that.

The other part of the conversation was how long Christians (believers who have confessed their sins and have a relationship with the Lord) are going to be on earth during the beginnings of the end times. The lady at work was persistent that Christians would be raptured before the anti-christ came into power and that during the tribulation time after the rapture God would disillusion everyone so that they could not believe in him even after the rapture.

I have studied a lot, but the prophecy of the end times is hard. I knew that things she was saying were not correct, but I did not have irrefutable biblical references to give her. I spent time on the internet last night looking up biblical end time prophesy and trying to find a bible study, from a trustworthy source, to help me understand the end times better.

I felt so stiffiled in that situation. I knew better, I base all my information out of the bible. Even if a pastor says it, I need to read it for myself, study it for myself. Although I am sure the ladies at lunch did not want a biblical discussion and debate at that time, it made me realize how little I really knew.

For sure I know that we need to be ready, we need to believe and we need to realize that our time is fleeting. I am ready and excited to see the end times start, to see God work in our last days and to stand up for the faith we have even when we are treated as aliens. I am most excited to go to Heaven.

But, I feel that I need to be prepared while I am here on earth.

Does anyone have any good information on a bible study about the end times? I know fiction-wise Left Behind is a great series, but I want biblical verses and facts when I am presented with questions. Please let me know if you do!

Writing and the Persian Pickle Club

I am involved with a book club through a couple girls at work. I am really enjoying it because the group is very diverse, ranging in age from 28 (me being one of the youngest) to close to 60. It has lead me to book I probably would have not picked up on my own and really opened my field of literary knowledge. We have read Still Alice, The Help, A Wrinkle in Time and now The Persian Pickle Club.

The Persian Pickle Club has been interesting so far. I love having the library so close to work because I can take a quick walk over there and grab a book. The Persian Pickle Club is set in the 1930s in Kansas. The weather is horribly dry and farming is not going well. The Persian Pickle Club is a group of women, who also range in age, who get together to quilt. They help each other quilt when a top of the quilt is put together and share scraps, which are often pieces of old dresses, sackcloth’s and sometimes, coveted fabric.

I have always had a passion for words and have always wanted to write my own books. I have sat down and tried a couple times, but not successfully. I found a website that offers writing programs for students and I really wish I would have had something like this as a student. I loved creative writing, but growing up in a small school there was a lack of teachers for such a specific class.

Maybe sometime I will be able to dive into writing a book, I am sure that the drive and willingness inside of me would help produce something. But if I do ever have a child or find a young friend that is interesting in writing I will definitely use this writing program.  

Biblical willpower #reshapingitall

Today I wanted to focus on the biblical aspect of willpower. I know that I cannot make it through anything on my own strength. Last night with my bible study group I realized how much more things we could apply the principles from “Reshaping It All” to all areas of our own life.

God gives us strength, self-control and willpower through his word and with the help of the Holy Spirit. Here are some verses that we can apply to our lives, even memorize for those times of temptation.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

 

"The Lord is my strength and my shield ..." (Psalm 28:7)

 

"In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul." (Psalm 138:3)

 

"O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people." (Psalm 68:35)

 

"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29)

 

"For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught." (Proverbs 3:26)

What other ways can you depend on God?

• Willpower to choose salad over pizza
• Strength to get through the loss of a loved one
• Willpower to say no to the world (we talked a lot about secular college and the temptation to party)
• Strength to stand apart from the crowd, even when we so desire to be excepted
• Willpower to get out of bed in the morning to go to church even when we would rather sleep in
• Strength to witness, even when it is the most uncomfortable thing to do
• Willpower to give up time on the computer, television, magazines, books or any other forms of entertainment that keep us away from God’s word
• Strength to pray and worship constantly, with the rising of the sun and the go down of the same, we will praise the name of the Lord forever.

What other ways do you depend on strength and power from the Lord? How else do you use the willpower we have been gifted?

Week of Willpower #reshapingitall

We are 23 days into the reshaping it all journey and I can sadly say I really have made no changes. Notta. I have fallen back into my old ways, even with the new wisdom in my head from the book.

In chapter seven Candace offers us four keys that unlock our freedom and empower us to reach our goals (from the blog)

1. Willpower
2. Belief
3. Decision
4. Action

I have decided that I am going to work on one a week. Willpower this week.

o   

       What is willpower? Willpower is defined as: self-control: the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior

o 

      Resolutely controlling your own behavior. My health, the way my body feels, my energy level, my skin and my overall quality of life are all under MY control. I made the decisions that effect myself daily. Do I want to feel sluggish all day? Then I should stuff myself full of fried foods and ice cream.

I am going to have willpower this week. The decisions I am going to change this week are:

1.    No sweets. I do not need them. They have no nutritional value and my body does not need them for any reason. (I am saying this realizing that there is sugar in almost everything, including fruits and carbs)

2.    I am going to stick to a gluten free diet all week. I ate gluten this weekend and almost immediately felt bloated and my stomach hurt. When I spent the last two weeks without it I felt much better)

3.    Veggies and fruits. I am going to shop the outside of the grocery store and pack in as much fresh fruit and veggies into my husband and I’s diet as possible.

4.    Portion control. I am really going to work on eating only until I am satisfied, eating slower and really listening to what my body is telling me.

5.    Prayer. This week I am going to pray for willpower and wisdom.

What are your willpower goals? How do you stick to your Reshaping it All plan? Any ideas? Please share!

The Corruptible

Book description:

Ex-homicide detective Ray Quinn never had glamorous thoughts of the life of a private investigator—but being cornered in a bathroom stall by the enraged philandering husband of a client? That’s something he could live without. Retired from homicide and living with a painful disability, Ray’s options are limited. Stick to the job, keep impetuous sidekick Crevis alive, and spend quiet evenings with trusted pal Jim Beam, that’s about the best he can hope for.

As a new client emerges, Ray finds himself in an impossibly large boardroom holding a check with enough zeros to finally lift him from his financial pit. The job seems easy enough: find Logan Ramsey, an ex-cop turned security officer who’s taken off with sensitive corporate information. But few things are easy in Ray’s world, regardless of the amount of zeros in the check.

In what should be an open-and-shut case, Ray stumbles across Logan Ramsey in a seedy motel room. Only Ray wasn’t the first to find him. Now Logan’s dead, the client’s information is nowhere to be found, and Ray’s employer is less than forthcoming with the details. Suddenly the line between the good guys and bad guys isn’t so clear. With a foot in both worlds and an illuminating look at an unhappy ending that could well be his own, which will Ray choose?

I really enjoyed this novel. Although I missed reading the first Ray Quinn novel, I was able to jump right into the second and definitely am going to follow through with the next novel. Most crime investigation novels are pretty cut and dry, but this one was so well written that all the pieces didn’t fit together until the end.

The Christian side of the novel was slowly introduced. A side character, Pam, is a devout Christian. Pam speaks to Ray about Jesus and faith a few times, but Ray is not ready to believe yet. Ray (spoiler alert) is not yet ready to grasp a relationship with Christ, but I believe the sensitive way Pam gives him information and God slowly working on his heart, he will within the series.

Do you know who you really are? #reshapingitall

We all have areas of weakness and controlling those thoughts about our weakness can take control and keep us captive. Like Paul has shown us in 2 Corinthians, we need to boast about our weaknesses so God can give us the strength and instruction to overcome these thoughts and weaknesses. Evil thoughts generally create an evil person; good thoughts generally create a good person. I have been working on growing the Fruit of the Spirit, but my thoughts have been stomping down the small blooms.

There is one thing I am realizing more and more as I get older, just as much as I need food, water, shelter, and the necessities – I need the Bible. I need the connection with God as much as my fingertips need blood pumped from the source.

My entire life I have struggled with some of the same things, 28 years of battling the same thoughts, the same shameful actions, the same diseased and rotting fruit, instead of grabbing onto the knowledge I have as a Christian and the guidance from the word.

So, here are my weaknesses, I am giving them to God and working on the knowledge the Bible has 

given me to expel these thoughts from my life and replace them with the truth from God’s words.

Lack of Self-Worth vs. God’s Words

Psalm 139:13-17 For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; you works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the day ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Lack of Self-Control vs. God’s Words

Titus 2:6-8 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Lack of Self-Discipline vs. God’s Words

Titus 1:7-9 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Lustful vs. God’s Words

Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practice and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Envy vs. God’s Words

James 3:13-15 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Uncontrolled tongue vs. God’s Words

James 3:9-12 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

The Lord knows exactly what is going on in my life, exactly what my sinful nature is and what still grips me, but he has also given me truth about who I really am.

• I am fearfully and wonderfully made
• I have been given integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech to live my life by and share the knowledge of God’s grace with those around me
• I am holy, upright and disciplined with the wisdom that God has given me and enables me to share it with those around me.
• The Lord has rid us of the old, sinful nature and has given us a holy and pure path to walk in.
• I have a renewed knowledge of who I am and who I was created by
• I have been made in God’s likeness, made to praise and live a good life

These are the traits that God has given me. I am more than the mistakes I have made. God is remaking me and my thoughts, but the only way for me to walk in God’s path is to hook up to his IV. Prayers, the Bible, fellowship, music and Christian doctrine are all medicine against the old nature. I have to let go of my fears, my lack of control, and my lack of self-worth and realize that I am God’s child. Do you know how amazing that is?

I cannot wait till the day that I can kneel at God’s feet and thank Him for the grace he has given us. Even in times of doubt or time where I fall out of line, God pulls me right back in. We will be given Heaven; can you even begin to imagine how amazing life will be without the devil in our lives?! 

Although tomorrow isn’t going to be the day (I am fairly certain), we need to live with the knowledge that our last day is unknown. Share God’s word; show that we are holy children. Beat the old nature to the ground and share a witness that screams living in the arms of the Holy Creator.

Invisible War

Last night I started reading Battlefield of the Mind and within the first chapter my eyes were open. Joyce Meyer is a wise woman, but I have never read one of her books until now. I think God totally lead me to this book, because controlling my mind and thoughts has to be the hardest thing in my entire life.

I believe in Heaven and Hell. I believe in God and the devil, but I never gave a second thought about how much power the devil has. Meyer writes this in the first chapter of the book:

Remember, he (the devil) has a strategy for his warfare. He has studied us for a long time. He knows what we like and what we don’t like. He knows our insecurities, our weakness, and our fears. He knows what bothers us most. He is willing to invest any amount of time it takes to defeat us. One of the devil’s strong points is patience.

Wow, that totally struck me. The devil studies us. I have always learned, and read, that God knows the deepest desire of our hearts and every hair on our heads, but I didn’t even justify that the devil knows the same things.

Paul  gives instruction in Corinthians about this, but last night I fully realized what he meant.

In 2 Corinthians 11:30 Paul says, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

I believe that about 90% of my sin is in my head, hidden away from anyone. I can try to hide this fact, but the devil is in my head telling me to sin, to go with my desires, that it is okay to be angry, okay to be envious, okay to lust, okay to gossip, okay to think evil thoughts about someone. None of this is ok. The little angel on one shoulder, devil on the other image is SO real in my life. I just never realized how much power over my thoughts I gave the devil, I gave into the old nature.

But today, with you and those around me, I will boast, but I will only boast about my weakness. Bringing my weaknesses to light is going to give them to God and allow God to help me work through these weak parts of me. I am excited to see where the wisdom from the book and my relationship with God will bring me. I desire to be closer and closer to him, which is one of the major reasons that I have such a warfare going on with the devil. He knows my inmost thoughts and desires. He knows when I can easily be enticed to sin.

I am weak. I cannot change this weakness on my own. I am not strong enough to fight spiritual warfare on my one. I need God, we all need God. Instead of trying to hide my weaknesses from now on, I am going to speak them out. When I am tempted to gossip, I am going to tell my friend I am tempted to gossip instead of gossiping. When I am envious, I am going to pray and thank God for all my blessings, when I feel like screaming out in anger and rage because things do not go my way, I am going to get on my knees and ask for forgiveness.

I never realized how powerful the battle was, or how much I was involved in it. I am going to read through Paul’s works along with this book, because I was completely oblivious to the invisible war that was happening within my own life.

1,860 #reshapingitall

You have probably seen this one before, one of my first verse images, but today it was resonating with me. I need to trust God. Trust God with EVERYTHING. I wrote a while ago about H.A.L.T. (hungry, angry, lonely, tired) to turn to God, to trust in God. Yesterday I did not do well with food. My husband and I are working out a new budget and I am exhausted from all the running around, so I have gotten myself to a place where I am frustrated and tired. Do you know what I did? I went straight to Taco John’s and shoveled a super potato ole meal into my mouth. I sure didn’t come out feeling any better about money or any less tired.

In fact, I felt the complete opposite. Then that evening I was running late and ending up going to Wendy’s for dinner…instead of a salad or a baked potato I got a deep-fried chicken sandwich with cheese, ranch and bacon.

That added up to a WHOPPING 1,860 calories. Yuck. Bad for my body, bad for my soul. I had the wisdom and knowledge to eat healthy, to treat my body as a temple. But I didn’t. Temptation for the fried fast food overtook me and I gave in.

On that note, I am really looking to find a new bible study to get into. I have been reading through Jeremiah a bit and working on The Promise and the Blessing book, but not getting fully fed. Does anyone have any ideas for a new bible study that I can start and “devor” the word of God instead of a big disgusting fried sandwich? I would love to know what bible study’s you are doing and those that have really changed your walk! Thank you!

The Tree test #reshapingitall

You Are Kind and Sensitive

You relate to others easily. You have many friends, and you love making their lives better. You are genuinely warm and radiant. People feel comforted by your presence. Becoming a better person is something you think about every day. You want to be interesting, insightful, and special. You need love more than most people in the world. You're willing to love those who don't love you in return.

A blogger I follow put this test on her blog, you pick a pick of a tree that appeals the most to you and then it gives you an outcome for the type of person you are according to the image you choose. Mine was kind and sensitive. I am pretty sure anyone that knows me well can say that fits me to a T (I have my bad moments, but for the most part, it takes a LOT for me not to give you a million tries).

I have a lot of friends, sometimes too many, but there is one thing I have known for quite some time. God’s spiritual gift for me is compassion. My heart is three times too big. I cannot watch Extreme Home Makeover without bawling so hard I look completely ridiculous. I tear up at special moment, feel the pain that others feel when they are going through a hard time and love to be a comfort for people. I am horrible at prayer, but I am great at sitting there in the midst of trouble holding someone’s hand or listening to a broken heart speak.

I do love people more than anything in this world and this past weekend I got to spend some time with a friend in the hospital. It was an unexpected time in the emergency room, but I felt called to be there and we spent time praying, talking about God’s will and I comforted her as much as I could. It was hard and patience was something we both lacked, especially by the end of the three hours spent in the emergency room. We were 3 ½ hours away from home, supposed to be getting ready for a friend’s bachelorette party. We missed all the games, but there is not a doubt in my mind that God called me to go to the cities that weekend (despite the fact that I was tired and longed for a weekend at home more than another weekend out). I sat in a chair at the end of a long, cold hallway and could hear God whispering, “this is why you are here.”

It is hard, because I am so hard on myself. I want to be that perfect friend for everyone, to not stumble and not make a mistake. I take on the problems and emotional baggage of my friends and family and it cuts straight to my heart. Compassion is my gift, but sometimes it feels like a punishment. I love everyone so much and have such a huge heart, yet those times where the bad thoughts seep in, those points where I cannot find love for someone because I am judging instead of loving, those break me. The devil uses this desire for perfection as a step-hold to get the rest of me and pull me down into an emotional pit.

I want to be interesting, insightful and special, but sometimes I let that desire radiate me instead of radiating God. I want  people to notice me. I need people to love me. I fill the whole that I should be filling with God’s love with acceptance, laughs and general praise from those around me. Even this past weekend, after we arrived back to the party from the hospital room, it was easy to push aside the work that God was doing in my life and try to fit in with the group. I let some of the old nature slip in and it devastates me. I know that the whole reason that no one is perfect is because it shows how much we actually need God, but sometimes I cannot get over that “good is not good enough.”

There are a lot of things I need to change. I really need to watch who I hang out with on a constant basis, even though I have a lot of friends, not a lot of them are friends who will be the encouragement and uplifting friends I need. I also need to remember that I am love, precious and desired, both by my husband and by God. I have beautiful friends and sometimes I get jealous when I see them get hit on when we are out on the town. This makes NO sense since I am married, desired and loved by my husband. Plus, I really know who my  value is in and it isn’t random people I meet on the street. The jealous green envy monster gets me down a LOT and I need to learn how to pray it away and push it out of my thoughts.

I can feel the seeds of the fruit of the spirit growing in my life, but sometimes my desire to be a fully grown tree filled with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness and self-control leave out the big steps in between. You cannot grow a tree without growing the roots first.

Nick of Time

Book Description

Tying the knot may be the toughest thing Nick Polchak has ever tried to do.
Nick Polchak is comfortable with bugs. Their world is orderly. He knows where he stands and exactly how to interpret the signs they give him. But a fiancée and an upcoming wedding? Not so much.
That's why—a mere four days before the nuptials—Nick finds himself driving to Philadelphia for the monthly meeting of the Vidocq society. Being among a group of forensic professionals consulting on cold cases will surely allow him to feel useful and normal.
But while there he discovers that a close friend has been murdered . . . and in classic Nick style, begins to follow the trail of evidence rather than returning to his fiancée. Fearing that his one-track mind won't lead him home by Saturday, Alena and three of her dogs go to track him down.
When she finally finds him, nothing is as Alena expected . . . because the twists in this case will surprise even the most dedicated Bug Man fans.

Nick of Time was a very interesting read, full of twists turns and packed with marriage advice. It was odd to read marriage advice in a fiction book, but it really flowed well within the text. The characters were well built and had great depth. I know that this Nick of Time books are a series, so I am going to to have to grab some of the other books and check them out as well. The book was a great easy read and it definitely had an ending that no one would suspect. If you like forensics books, murder mysteries or the like, you will definitely enjoy this book. It was fun to read and I am excited to read the next book in the series. The book ends with a new beginning (not to spoil anything) and I am excited to see where the author takes our interesting characters.

Plan First

Every day we make plans, follow plans, divert from the plan or hopefully stick with the plan.

We have life plans. Married by age 25, three kids, a career, house with a white fence, ect.

We have work plans. Get A, B, and C done before 5pm rolls around.

We have daily plans. Mine normally is wake up, get ready for work, work, eat lunch, work, go to the gym, go home and make dinner, shower and then clean or relax. But on Mondays my plan includes bible study and one Thursday is book study and one Tuesday is Lion's.

I made eating plans. I count calories, make sure I have healthy snacks for the deal, meal plan for supper and work to have a healthier body. I even know a week early what I am going to order at a restaurant this weekend.

But I realized there is one thing I don't plan for and it is the most important thing in my life. I do not have a plan to grow in my relationship with the Lord.
I fit the Lord in where I can, praying when something prompts me during the day, reading at night (if I feel like it) and going to church (as long as I can drag myself out of bed).

I was so convicted when I heard a radio DJ talk about her pastor's sermon about planning. We make sure we are home for our favorite TV show. I make sure I am planned and have all my summer weekends packed. Often, instead of grabbing my bible at night I grab my ipod and watch the next episode of Numbers on Netflix.

I have a lot of idols. That sucks to say, but if you look at my life and how I am living it, it doesn't necessarily scream Jesus. I am working on willpower and self-discipline, motivated by Reshaping it All and my blog friends.

I am going to make a plan to grow in my relationship. I will read the bible every day, spend time in prayer, go to church even if I don't want to get up and continue to go to bible study. God is going to be on the top of my plan rather than just getting "stuck in."

What are your plans for getting closer to God?

Monday Weigh-In #reshapingitall #glutenfree

My first week down and I actually am okay with saying that I did not lose any weight. But, I made some huge changes to my diet and am very proud of them!

First off, I have quit drinking anything but water, black coffee and the occasional glass of wine. No more diet soda, sugary or chemical filled drinks. I thought a lot about what I was putting into my body and was highly disappointed by what I was seeing.

I meal planned for the entire week, stuck to the meal plan and ate healthy.

The biggest kicker is that I have decided to try going “gluten free” for at least a month. My doctor appointment reveled something that I probably knew was coming. I am most likely anemic (blood tests have not come back yet) and found out that it is in my family history too. My aunt has been working with her doctor about her anemic diagnosis and found that gluten has been blocking her from absorbing nutrients that her body needs.

I was tested for gluten intolerance in 2004 and the blood tests came back that I was. But, after a stomach biopsy the doctor said that it was not affecting my stomach, so he did not believe that the gluten was causing stomach issues I was having. At that point I was so involved with trying to figure out why I was getting sick to my stomach rather than really thinking about the fact that the gluten was affecting my blood somehow.

So, now on top of dieting, I have decided to work on going gluten free to see if it helps raise my iron level, as well as, helps me feel better and less tired. The first three days have actually gone really well and I believe that instead of seeing some food as a temptation and uneatable, I can see all the new foods I can try and all the foods I actually can eat.

If you are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease I would love to know how you eat! I would love recipes, ideas and encouragement. I am glad that it is more prevalent now than it was in 2004, because our grocery stores are filled with gluten free products and there are so many more resources.

So far, Reshaping It All has made a huge difference in the way I look at food, my diet and my spiritual relationship. Not only have I been working on self-control and willpower in the area of food, it is working well in my devotion to the Lord. (More on this later)!

How is your week going? Are you “Reshaping it all?”

And the winner is....

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 4

And the winner is…Wendy from Living Simply! Congrats Wendy, you are going to absolutely love this book! It is so cute and such a blessing!

Wendy please send me your address and I will get the book mailed to you! Thanks again for your entry!

The Knot #reshapingitall

This weekend I took a well needed trip to the cities to see my girlfriends from college. But God had something completely different in mind for the trip. Along with my girls, I learned a lot about my marriage through the church the girls attend in the cities. The church is currently going through a series called The Knot. It is about marriage and how we view marriage.

Paul and I have been talking a lot about our marriage. Our first year had some ups and downs, but the one thing we know is that through it all we love each other and are committed.

I watched the podcast from last week before attending church this morning and man, did God speak directly to me.

The pastor spoke about how marriage was not to make us happy. I am learning that I depend almost solely on my husband to create my happiness. God did not make marriage to only create happiness within its boundaries. God created marriage to make us holy.

The pastor spoke and I listened intently while I was getting ready for my day with the girls. (Amen for technology, seriously!) Marriage allows us to realize our faults in a way that being single never did. I am definitely sure my husband can vouch for that.

But in that way, we can help each other learn how grow more and more selfless, more and more like Jesus. That growth process will help eliminate the sinful nature between us and help us become holy, and most importantly, closer to God.

The honesty of the pastors at Eagle Brook church and my own church here in Fargo has helped me push my spiritual relationship with the Lord to a whole new level. Sometimes we seek so hard to be perfect that we put others on pedestals. When the EB pastors spoke transparently with their wives it was hilarious, insightful and human. Paul and I are committed, that is the man thing. We are working on figuring each other out, our roles and how to be selfless.

The cherry on the top of the cake was that as I drove home (about three hours) I was so excited to run into my husband's arms. And he, so excited to see me, greeted me with a bouquet of beautiful spring flowers.

God is working, moving and changing me. The Reshaping it All series and now The Knot podcasts make me feel so blessed. I am saddened by the fact that not all those around me are able to have the technology and resources I have. I have never felt so close and I am praying to grow and understand my role and relationship with God and my husband more and more every day.

God is good.

Kingpin

I just finished reading Kingpin by Kevin Poulsen. I had to share, because the book is based on a hacker who was so smart that he took over the underground criminal network and hacked millions of dollars. Max Butler is the main “character” in the book.

The book is written more like a novel, but is the true story of Max and his hacker friends and enemies. Max grew up around computers and did basic DOS encoding by age 8. He was able to hack into early computers and was involved with phreaking  (Phreaking is a slang term coined to describe the activity of a subculture of people who study, experiment with, or explore telecommunication systems, such as equipment and systems connected to public telephone networks) at a young age. Others around that same time frame began phreaking too, such as Steve Jobs, but Max chose a different route than Steve Jobs.

Max started to learn how to hack into computers and was put into jail early into his college education. After his first jail visit he ending up working undercover for the FBI for a period of time. He felt like Robin Hood during a lot of his life. His knowledge from the FBI insights lead him deeper and deeper into the cyber world. Once again Max was put into prison and his fairly new bride divorced him.

Through friends from prison Max started hacking once again. This time getting smarter. He found out that he could hack into the POS (point of sale) systems at restaurants and steal their card information. He started giving these cards to his friend Chris who would then make purchases that would be sold on Ebay.

After this success, Max started CardersMarket.com, where underground criminals could purchase groups of cards that they could in turn make purchases with. Dispute Visa’s best efforts, the hacking continued. Max took down other underground criminal forums and made millions, until he was caught.

This is a quick, easy read. It was suggested by a fraud analyst I work with and I was just amazed reading it. I was the other side of my job, the side that I try to protect customers from. If you are at all interesting in fraud, computer hacking or criminals, grab this book. It is an easy, but educational read.

Also, I have learned a lot from my job in the last 6 months. Here are some tips and information to help keep your card safe and protected. Newer and better technology is surfacing every day, but it is still a possibility. 43% of fraudulent transactions are from cards that were lost or stolen, not hacked. Keeping an eye on your purse or wallet is the best line of defense against any fraudulent attacks.

Card safety tips:

1.       Keep your card in a secure place. If you do not need it, leave it at home.

2.       Keep your card in sight at restaurants and stores

3.       Do not respond to emails asking you to “verify your identity,” “give your account information,” and anything of the like. These are called phising emails and they are sent out by hackers who may have partical information, but need personal information to gain full access to your card. Card issuers and your financial institution will NEVER ask you to do this.

4.       If someone call claiming to sell a product or collecting money for a charity, ask the caller to mail you information. Legitimate companies can do this; fraudsters will get angry or try to pressure you over the phone.

5.       Don’t make your PIN “easy,” like using your birth date, anniversary date or 1234 – these numbers are easy to guess

6.       Never ever write your PIN on your card or even carry it with you in your wallet.

7.       Check your statements as soon as they arrive or keep an active eye on your online account. Catching any fraudulent transactions right away helps you stop fraudsters from making high dollar purchases on your card. You as the customer are not liable for fraud on your card, but it helps save the hassle of disputing the fraudulent transactions.

8.       Shred unwanted pre-approved offers, expired cards and any other correspondence with a card number or details.

9.       Always remember to read the fine print, especially with a “free trial.” There is typically a small period of time to cancel before they will charge your account and you than are liable.

10.   Instead of using a ATM/Debit card for reoccurring transactions (such as itunes-Ipod, amazon.com-Kindle, barnesandnoble.com-Nook, charities or gaming stations-Wii, Playstation, Xbox) use a credit card. This means that your personal account is not affected and you will not incur NSF charges and possibly be without cash during the dispute process.

It is always a good idea to know how your bank processes disputes. After a customer finds a dispute (within 60 days of the transaction) the financial institution has up to 10 days to give a provisional credit while they investigate. My bank gives the provisional credit between 1 to 2 days, but other national banks have practices instated where they wait the full 10 days before giving the provisional credit. This means that you could potentially be without the stolen funds for up to 10 days.

Fraud is more prevalent and sometimes there is no real good way to protect yourself. Hackers usually only get your card information, so identity theft is less likely. Closing your card and reopening a new one solves the issue. Just make sure when you use your debit card to make wise purchases from reputable merchants.

Don’t fret or stress about it, I am not trying to scare anyone, but just help people realize how smart hackers really are. The fraud detection centers and your financial institutions are there to protect you. Do not feel like you need to stop using your debit card, you are not liable and it will be worked out. Debit cards are convenient and the securities are always changing. But there is nothing wrong with staying one step ahead of the bad guys.

Eat your peas faithfully GIVEAWAY!

These two gift books are the cutest books I have ever encountered in my life. Filled with quick little quips of love, wisdom and heavenly guidance. I gave my mom the Eat Your Peas for Mom becaus knew she would love it.

The book describes its self as a "3 minute forever book," and it SO is! The book starts "at the heart of this little book is a promise. It's a promise from me to you and it goes like this..."

I don't wannt spoil it for you, because every page turn makes you feel loved, needed and happy. I was super excited to see this book at Target last time I went through the store, because I plan on getting this book for all my friends.

On that awesome note...I have a book to share with all my blog friends!

Here is what you need to do to enter:

Follow Thirsty leave a comment stating that you did (or already are)!

Extra Entries:

Follow Missie on Twitter and leave a comment! (one entry)
Post this Giveaway to your Facebook! (one entry)
Post this Giveaway to your Twitter! (one entry)
Post this Giveaway on your blog! (one entry)
Leave a comment about why you want to win this book! (one entry)

I am so excited to share this book with you! The words of Cheryl Karpen and art by Sandy Fougner are awesome and breathtaking. This is such an inspirational book that every coffee table needs one! Hopefully you will win one today! Entries will go through Sunday, May 8th at 5pm. The winner will be announced on Monday!

Making a plan #reshapingitall

Weight Watchers had a great article today about ways to fit in extra calorie fighters and move closer to your goal. I love the couch potato excersize, but my husband and I just got rid of cable, so now we have no commercials. I will have to just do them during the shows on Netflix we watch.

Eat in the A.M.: Every morning, as soon as you get out of bed, have something to eat or drink. Lisa Dorfman, sports nutritionist in the University of Miami Athletic Department, says that even a piece of fruit or coffee with an ounce of milk will help kick-start your metabolism. "Research shows that any food [you eat] in the a.m. breaks the physiological fast, the state your body has been in while you sleep — hence the word 'breakfast,'" says Lisa.
Reduce stress: Keep stress in check by adding exercise, prayer or meditation to your daily routine. Stress can actually set off a chain of hormonal events that can result in excess fat deposits.
Sofa aerobics: While you're watching television, stand up and sit down repeatedly during each commercial break until you're tired or the break is over. This is basically a modified squat thrust. "Start with a minimum of two sets of 8 to 12 reps," said Karen Merrill, ACE 2004 personal trainer of the year. "Make sure you focus on good form to keep your core engaged and work the abs along with the legs."
Spice it up: Carry a bottle of red pepper flakes in your work bag or keep a jar of hot chili peppers in the refrigerator at work, advises Dorfman. There's evidence that adding them to your lunches may help boost your metabolism.
Extreme eating: Make a conscious effort to eat very cold snacks, like a popsicle, or very hot ones, like a cup of hot consommé. The extreme temperatures will make you eat slower, which gives your body time to signal your brain once you've had enough to eat.
Gab on the go: Make your weekly phone calls to loved ones on your cell phone while taking a brisk walk. You'll burn a few calories and make your mother happy.
Stair master: At the top of every hour at work, head into the stairwell and walk up and down a few flights to get your heart pumping. Once you start to feel fatigued, take a brief rest: Brace yourself on the hand rail and work your calves by doing toe raises on the top step.
Eliminate one fat: Each day, make one non-fat substitution. Swap out half and half with fat-free creamer in your coffee, for example. You can save hundreds of fat calories each day that would otherwise go straight to your hips and thighs.
Tell the world: Put together a support team. Whether they're family or friends, tell them about your goals so they can help you stay on course and encourage your progress. "Get as many people on your side as you can — at work, at home — who know what you want to do and are there to support you," says Merrill. "With a solid support team, there's no reason you can't accomplish what you set out to do."
Bribe yourself: Buy a bathing suit you absolutely adore, even if it's a bit out of your price range, and use it as a reward for when you're done shaping up. Not only will the promise of a splurge help motivate you, it's also guaranteed to make you happier about how you look when you finally slip it on.

I finished Chapter 2 of Reshaping it All and it really focused on making a plan. I totally agree. I am making a plan and sticking to it. I was lose 25 pounds in 12 weeks, which means that I am aiming at 2lbs of weight loss a week. I am cutting out the junk, including diet soda. If I indulge in a sweet it will be with a group, not eating a whole dessert by myself. I am going to bring healthy treats with me when I am out of the house and stick to the “outside” of the grocery store, more whole foods, fresh produce and meat, not filled with preservatives.

What is your plan? I would love to hear your ideas! Please share!

microdermabrasion #reshapingitall

I had my first microdermabrasion treatment yesterday. I won it in a package from a radio station. It almost felt symbolic using it yesterday. I was starting fresh with my diet, working to change my inside and outside. The microdermabrasion scrubs your face of dead skin cells that cover the surface and leave you with new fresh skin cells. My face felt so soft and renewed. Although I cannot afford to have this done on a normal basis (they suggest every 28 days at $120 a time!), it was a great experience and a great way for me to start revealing it all.

If you ever get the chance, it was really fun. I was given the treatment, then treated to a facial massage and spa lotions. It was definitely a treat and I am blessed to have won such a gift. It was a good way to scrub off all my old habits and start fresh. I am down 1 lb so far and excited for my weigh in on Monday. Don’t forget to stop over at the Reshaping it All blog today for some extra inspiration!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ~ Romans 12:1-2

Reshaping Me

I swear I am constantly tired, sluggish and want to sleep. Although I could claim that I am overworked, stressed or run myself dry, I know that is not really the case. I eat horribly and I do not take care of my body. There it is, the honest truth.

I was doing Weight Watchers for a while and lost a few pounds, but a couple months into my new position I had gained though pounds back, and then more. Yuck. I hate that taking care of myself is work, but I am not one of the lucky few who can eat whatever they want and stay a size 2.

I know I am beautiful. God made me, so I am. But, he also made me his temple and I am not doing a good job of keeping up that temple. If I am tired and want to be in bed all the time I struggle doing things that help my relationship with him and witness to those around me. I am often too tired to read my bible by the time I head into the bedroom, claiming that watching Netflix on my Ipod is all the energy I can muster. I skip church because I want to sleep in because I am always so tired.

You know what? I can change this attitude by adjusting two things in my life. My eating habits and my workout habits. Although I would rather sit on the couch eating nachos, I am going to stick to my healthy foods and get my rear-end to the gym.

I have found the best way for me to “diet” or as I would rather think, change my lifestyle, is to plan. If I meal plan for the entire week and plan snacks to help me get through the day I stay on track and do really well.

I am having some issues on good, portable snack ideas. I made veggie baggies to take to work, but this weekend I will be out of town and I know that weekends are my downfall. What healthy  and filling snacks do you have eat when you are on the go? Please share your ideas!

I also get in a rut for cooking. I try new recopies, but I often don’t want to make meals that take a half hour to prepare and then cook. I am hungry when I get home and I want to eat NOW. I am totally one of those people who turns into the incredible hulk when I am famished.  Where do you get your easy meal planning inspiration from?

So, I am back on Weight Watchers, because logging my food and activities really make me take notice of what I am putting into my mouth. I am also picking up my copy of Reshaping It All this evening and am so excited to get reading and gain inspiration!

Please, share your ideas and I will be checking in with you all each Monday to let you know how my week went!

All images from Google Images

Reshaping it All #reshapingitall

Today I am starting “Reshaping It All.” I have found this book through a few other bloggers and yesterday the women of Reshaping it all have starting a blog for all of us to link to, get encouragement and make strides for a healthy lifestyle inside and out.

Here is more about the book:

Candace Cameron Bure first became known to millions as a co-star on the hit ABC television series Full House. Today, like her brother Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains, Fireproof), she is the rare Hollywood actor who is outspoken about her Christian faith and how it helps overcome certain obstacles.
Bure’s healthy lifestyle has been featured in US Weekly and People magazines as well as national talk shows including The View and NBC’s Today. In Reshaping It All, she continues the story, inspiring women to embrace a healthier lifestyle by moving faith to the forefront, making wise choices, and finding their worth in the eyes of God. Candace shares a candid account of her struggle with food and ultimately her healthy outlook on weight despite the toothpick-thin expectations of Hollywood.
More than a testimony, here is a motivational tool that will put readers on the right track and keep them there. In addition to practical advice, Candace offers a biblical perspective on appetite and self control that provides encouragement to women, guiding them toward freedom.

I am about 25 pounds heavier than I want to be. I am sluggish and tired all the time. I need to change. I have added a weight loss tracker to the side of my blog and am looking for some motivation and hopefully, through the book and the blog would, the extra push I need to get healthy and feel alive again.

A few other bloggers are doing book giveaways and I am sure that you would love to win a book as much as I would! Here are their websites, head over and comment!

Gina from Chats With an Old Lady is giving away THREE copies of Reshaping it All. YES—three!!! So head on over there and put your name in the draw. If you already have a copy, then maybe you can win one for a friend.
See Zweig Run is having a giveaway at her site where she has TWO copies of Reshaping it All to give away!!!!

So tweet along (Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall), and send any encouragement you have my way! I will certainly do so for you! We can change and create a revolution of healthy Christian women ready to change the world!

 

Water for Elephants

I cannot tell you how much I loved this book! It was full of sorrow, adventure, romance and suspense. The author was amazingly talents in her writing, bringing the words to life.

The story is about a young man who loses everything and walks away from the life he lost, only to find a new one. Jacob jumps onto the first train he sees and it happens to be a circus train. He works hard for a day, proves himself and ends up meeting Big Al, the boss. Big Al learns that he is an almost Cornell graduate with a degree in Veterinarian Science. Big Al hires him to work with the animals. I don't want to ruin the story for you, but there is love and anguish and a great read in this book. (I saw it at Target the other day for only $5.99!)

Last night a friend and I went to the movie. I really enjoyed the movie as well. It followed the book fairly closely and was done really well. It was fun to see how circuses in the 1930s acted, moving from town to town by the railroad. It was a great movie, although it was really hard to watch the treatment of Rosie the elephant, even harder to watch than it was to read.

Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson did a great job, as well as Christoph Walz. I do not recommend the movie for those under 13, but adults and teenagers would really enjoy the movie. It was colorful and whimsical, almost like Moulin Rouge without the music.