God has brought some incredible new ministry friends into our life. They are John & Brandi Carrano, missionaries to Spain. (pictured above) They were our guest speakers at Northside this past Wednesday night.

For the past four years they have been pastoring young adults in St. Petersburg, FL just a hop, skip and jump down the road from us and my only sad feeling is that we didn't know them sooner, but God has a reason for everything. Evidently our time to meet is ordained now.

They are real young (almost half our age although Brandi has told me to stop pointing that out and making myself out to be some old lady) but despite our age differences, we hit it off immediately. Age is just a number when you have so many other things in common. And we do have so much in common, it's unreal!!! It would take me forever to list it all here, and I'm not just talking ministry, but everything from Weight Watchers (Brandi's a lifetime member and a WW leader), to the movies we love, to so much more.

I tend to mix even better with missionaries than I do with pastors sometimes. I don't believe there is any such thing as a "missionary wife" - only "missionaries." While you can have a "pastor's wife" who may not be involved in ministry or in some cases even attend church (yes, I assure you that's true), you will not find this in missionary wives except in some extremely rare bizarrre case. The fact of the matter is, it won't work to be a missionary's wife who isn't involved in ministry. Without a real partnership it wouldn't work and the husband would probably have to pack it in and come home from the field, that is if they ever managed to get there in the first place. To even get approved as AG missionaries, the wife has to be a partner in ministry. Being that this is the case, I usually hit it off immediately with missionary women because we have so much in common and so much to converse about since we are both actually living ministry.

Well, despite our age differences, we immediately clicked like we were long lost friends. We couldn't shut up for hours. I'm tellin' you, I love these people. Not only did I love learning about them and their ministry but they spoke some things to Larry and I about our ministry and Northside that was incredibly encouraging. Things I had needed to hear for a long time.

They are young - only in ministry for but a few years but they have restored a glimmer of hope in me for their generation, by some things they shared with me. I am inspired and encouraged by their passion, their attitudes, their commitment, their drive, work ethic, and a lot more. If you want to find out more about them or support their ministry go here. I want to stand with them in "believing for the impossible"(their mission) to reach young adults in Spain.

A bonus for me - they are just starting itineration and don't leave for a while! We're going to meet up for some skinny lattes and spend time together til' they go.

Thank you Jesus, for new friends. I'm so grateful for my long-standing friendships in ministry and will always nurture and appreciate them, while leaving the door open for new God-things to happen in this area.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."
Proverbs 23:7

Without a doubt, one of the main things that has helped me in losing weight and getting spiritually, physically and emotionally healthy is having a completely sacred and secret relationship with God through on-line journaling. I am a HUGE believer in the "secret of the secret place"!

I'm not kidding when I say it's helped me to lose a lot of weight. This is so important, I've put it first in this little "losing weight" series on my blog.

I have always journaled. Prior to three years ago, it was all in journals that I hand wrote the old fashioned way. Then I got an on-line password protected journal and my life changed. This coincided with me joining Weight Watchers. It's not something they teach you in the WW program, but it was something the Lord spoke to me to do. Here's why I'm a huge fan of on-line password protected journaling:

With my old fashioned hand written journals, I was honest to a point, but would think very carefully before I would write. Sometimes I'd rip things out later after I went back and re-read them. A few journals, I later burned, in fear that someone would find them. I realized someone could find the journal and read it, even if it was someday after I've gone to heaven. Quite honestly that always reigned me in somewhat when it came to how completely honestly I expressed myself. There were many words inside my head that never made it to the paper. I would think, "how would my kids feel some day to find this? Larry?" No, it just wasn't appropriate.

I'm a firm believer that everybody needs a private relationship with God that is shared with absolutely no one, not even their spouse. While Larry and I have an extremely open and honest marriage and do not "keep secrets" as a rule from each other, or confide in others about one another, we do both have a relationship with God that is private. I believe when I stand before God one day it will not be with Larry. I have to answer for my own self to God. We all do. Certainly we do serve the Lord together in marriage and ministry and we share spiritual things. But some things I do reserve for just Jesus and me.

One time I was at a women's retreat and the speaker gave an illustration of a pastor's wife who journaled daily, the "old fashioned" way - hand writing. On the outward she was always kind, uplifting her husband and encouraging and never spoke a cross word if she could possibly help it. This was how she believed God called her to live. But at times she would become overwhelmed and upset about things about her husband. Rather than criticize him or complain to her husband, she wrote all her feelings in these handwritten journals to God that she had carefully tucked away in a secret spot at home. Through these she expressed her feelings when she was upset with him rather than nag or attack him. All of this was great until she died and her husband found her journals while cleaning out their house, and was absolutely devastated. The retreat speaker said she felt it was a terrible thing that the pastor's wife wrote those journals and said we should never do that. In keeping a journal "the old fashioned way" I agree, it could be very hurtful to someone. But, thank God for newfangled things! (LOL) I'm telling you, this is one of the blessings of the internet. I for one believe we should take our problems, frustrations, and hurts to God. That's exactly where they should be taken. He already knows what's in our head anyway, so typing it out doesn't scare or offend Him. The problem is when others see things that are intended for God alone.

I believe in a private life with God so much that in my life coaching classes, all of the women are required to have password protected online journals. Why not just pray? Why write it out? Well, first of all, if you are someone who learns or expresses yourself well through writing, it's a wonderful way to connect with God. Second, in reading over your journals from the past you can see how far you have come. It gives you a point of reference and also helps you in giving glory to God for what He has brought you through. Through my journals of the past I see that there is hope for my tomorrow.

One lady that I had in life coaching had an issue that her husband was upset about her having a prayer journal. He said it wasn't right for him to not have the password and that he felt it was wrong for me to assign this and didn't want her to do it. I don't believe that's necessary or appropriate. While we should not share things with another human being over our spouse, we all have not only a right but I believe a mandate to have a personal, private relationship with God. After all, what is the "secret place" the Bible speaks of? Every human being needs this intimate time with God. Even a husband should not take that away. If they try to, I believe they themselves are unhealthy and insecure.

There are many thoughts that I safely share with God each day and once I do I feel so much better and so much closer to Him. I do it on live journal. Some tips:

1) Choose a screen name no one including your family would guess.

2) Choose a password completely unrelated to anything or anyone in your life, and preferably mix up letters and numbers.

3) Be sure to mark the journal for "private" viewing only. (if you use live journal it's at the bottom of the post, you just click private.

4) BE SURE to log out on any computer you use as soon as you are done.

5) DO NOT disclose to any human being what your screen name or password is, no matter what. Resist the temptation to share with anyone even snippets or thoughts from your prayer journal. It's sacred territory. Let this be the one place that stays with just you and Him.

And there you have it - a personal place for you to go to God and God alone, that will always remain safe - even when you go to heaven someday.

I'm not kidding people, this was a major catalyst in helping me lose almost 40 lbs! SERIOUSLY. Why? Do you know the amount of needless pain we bear simply by not truly expressing it, no holds barred, to God? I'm not the only one who has ever pointed this out, in fact a great hymn writer said:

...oh what peace we often forfeit
oh what needless pain we bear...
all because we do not carry...
everything to God in prayer.

Take it to Him. Everything. Get it out. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty or unspiritual for doing that. A password protected prayer journal might just be your secret to freedom - weight loss, victory, peace, and so much more.

The next few days I'm going to do a blog series on things that have been most helpful in my journey of losing weight and getting physically and emotionally healthier.

If you've been reading my blog any length of time or you know me personally aside from the internet, you know my personal relationship with God and the Weight Watchers program were the primary factors. However, there are many other elements that go into this journey I've been on for three years now, and I'd like to share some of those with you.

Something you need to realize if you have weight to lose is that it's never really just about the food. Oh yes, it's possible to be addicted to food. In fact, I was -- and although I have experienced many breakthroughs, I'm still on an everyday journey! However, if you struggle with food addiction, it's not simply an addiction to food -- there are reasons, IMHO, that drive people to addictions.

I was addicted to foods, but various things drove me to that addiction and until right thinking came into focus and I saw not just what I was eating but what was eating me...it wasn't possible to break through. It's not just a matter of apples or oranges (or Oreos)...it's a matter of what drives you to eat them when you aren't the least bit hungry.

I can't wait to share some of these things with you. Please don't think I'm coming at you with a condescending attitude, thinking I've arrived somehow.

Please. If you only knew.

Realize this is a very challenging journey that I face each and every day.

I fall down.

But I get up again. (Hey, somebody should make that a song...)

Seriously. If you struggle with your weight, I hope you'll open your heart to what I have to say the next few days.

It was a wonderful day. I love Tuesdays.

I work from home on Tuesdays. I get more work done than any other day plus have time for lots of other things I want to do, because I breeze through my work due to the lack of interruptions.

At the end of my work day I got my nails done pretty pink with beautiful designs. (I get my designs for free because I'm such a faithful client. Jesus has blessed me. See what tithing will do for you, my friends? In addition to knowing you are obeying the Word of God, you might also get free nail designs! LOL) When my hands and feet are freshly maincured it always gives me a better "put together" feeling.

When Larry got home it was time to go on our date. We've had this planned almost a month. I was so excited for a date night with REGULAR food! We have been looking forward to going on a date, after our fast was over, where we would be unlimited in our choices. Even though we could go anywhere, we chose a place right in our neighborhood -- Buffalo's. We did wings, steak, shrimp, etc. It was awesome, and we just talked and enjoyed one another's company. Bernie and Lisa watched Savanna for us. Dustin had plans for a date with Casey (takin' after his Daddy) so we had to make other arrangements for Savanna but it's never a problem. She went over and had tacos with them and swam.

We came home after our date and I wanted to walk a few miles. I have to weigh in tomorrow which I want like a hole in the head after being a carnivore extraordinaire the last three days, but I don't regret it. Right now I am still bowing down in Thanksgiving to God and praising Him for red meat. I'm not sorry I'm eating it, I've just needed to work harder on burning it off. I called Lisa and left a message that I was going but she didn't get it in time to meet me. On my way home she was driving up to the gym. She picked me up and instead of me walking the last mile or so home I went to the gym with her and we did weights for about 20 minutes.

On our way out of the gym at about 9 pm we were walking to the parking lot and all of a sudden on come the Lexington Oaks sprinklers...the big ones. Yep. We were caught in the middle of them and got all wet. We were trying to weave in and out of them and miss them but to no avail. I tried to run up the hill and got stuck up there in a worse one. Finally she said, "oh well, we're stuck..." I said, "I guess I'm doing my hair again when I get home..." (Styling) No biggie. It was quite humorous, actually. But I did say, "what are they going putting these sprinklers on when the gym doesn't close til' 10 pm?" Go figure.

I'm home now and we're checking out American Idol that we Tivo'd. David Archeleta just melted my heart. That boy has a voice that's like butter.

Future plans for tonight include spending some more time with the Teeb and capping off our night together. Mmmhmmm.

I took a few pictures on my most recent walk through the neighborhood, on my new camera I got for Mother's day...just thought I would share with you some sights I took in...

New plants at the gate of my neighborhood...the landscaping in our neighborhood is amazing ~ they put new annuals in everywhere throughout the development every 5 months. It's a golf course neighborhood so they are always grooming the grounds. I love walking here.

I love the birds here in Florida. We have a lot of sandhill cranes that just walk around in our neighborhood and also at the church. Dustin and Larry just love them. They call them their "girls". One of Dustin's favorites was killed by a car a few months ago and he just cried...that tenderhearted boy of mine.

I love flowers...what girl doesn't? They just planted some new orange and white flowers in the median of the main road through our development.



Fountain in our neighborhood...

Allow me to walk you through my Mother's Day - so far - with my new camera! Yippee! The best part of this day is - it's not over yet! So far it has been one of the best days of my life. Seriously. It started out early as usual with me getting all ready for church before the sun came up, then getting my family up and ready. Bobby came over at 7 am this morning to join us for Mother's Day. He took a photo of us outside the house this morning. Savanna's eyes were closed during the pic, but oh well, at least she was smiling. :-) Has anyone besides me noticed how tall my daughter is lately? She's always been tall for her age, since the day she was born, actually. But she is almost as tall as me!!! And the other day we realized she has SURPASSED me in shoe size now!!! And yikes...I'm a size 9!!! (Um, she might make the Guinness Book of World Records by the time she's done growing?)

Here's Jordan on the drums at church...

Worship with the Teeb coming to pray at the pulpit...


Here's the most sharp dressed, anointed man in Tampa! Yum, yum...I could just sop him up with a biscuit! (GRIN)


We had a great service today. I could feel God in such a mighty way in worship, I got chills. That doesn't happen to me often. I'm a person very open to the move of the Spirit, hungry for God, totally desiring more of Him. But when I am moved, it is truly moved by the power of God, not swept away by emotion. I am telling you, today was just saturated in the anointing. I could feel the power of God in such a strong way. There's days when you just KNOW it (and don't feel anything) and then again there's days where you FEEL IT. Man, today it was both. We had a Word come forth during worship and it was so on... God was so good to speak to us today in a powerful way and I know the best is yet to come! (Also we had a few re-dedications today during the prayer time at the end of service.) Also at the close of service we gave away a gift basket from Bath and Body Works to one lady through a drawing (Lorna won!) and each lady got a special bookmark that Aida had made.

Casey insisted on styling Dustin's hair for the prom. It was rather humorous. He would NEVER do this if it wasn't for Casey. I mean this is sooooo not him. We got a great chuckle out of it. Larry snuck a photo. Everyone was finding it entertaining and we heard Dustin say, "Casey, shut the bathroom door!" (He didn't want anyone coming in to see this) and she said, "no, I'm not shutting us in here by ourselves!" and kept styling.) Meanwhile we were all out in the other room getting a good laugh from all this.

CHEESEBURGERS ARE ON THE WAY!!! Everybody SHOUT NOW!!!

There's so much to report on what's going on with our family this weekend...

Today is our last day of our 50 day challenge/fast. I am soooo ready to eat. :-) Seriously, the fantasizing about red meat is almost OVER. Reality is upon us my friends. We are going to break the fast with a group of people from church, tomorrow at lunch, at Logan's steakhouse. That's where I really wanted to go, to get a ribeye steak (I think theirs are the best) and some of those yummy yeast rolls!!! I can hardly wait. We are going to be celebrating all day! Later on that night, once the food from Logan's has settled, we're getting together with our friends, the Currie's, to grill out and have burgers and more steak on the grill...yum, yum, yum. I've already started cooking, making my homemade potato salad, iced tea (my first in 50 days!!!) and some other things. It is going to be a true CELEBRATION, not only of Mother's Day, but the conclusion of our 50 day fast. There will probably be more red meat in my body than has been at one time. :-) Don't worry, I can handle this - been through it before and I won't get sick.

Also - never fear, I'm walking - A LOT. The past two days I've walked about 4 miles, to make up for the 3 miles I missed at Council in Orlando. I walked 1 mile the first day I was there, and 2 miles the second. I'm supposed to be doing 3 miles a day, so I have walked some extra since coming home, and I'll continue to do so, especially now that I'm having this huge "cheat day" celebration on Sunday.

Yesterday when Savanna got home from school I took her shopping for her birthday. She received money and gift cards and we went to spend them. She is so excited trying on all her little outfits and stuff. She's a clothes horse like her Momma. (LOL)

Tonight is the prom for Dustin and Casey! Susie (Casey's Mom) called and said she wanted to have photos taken early this evening with them - including some of us parents. This is a big night for them! We are excited for them and I'll post some photos here later. Speaking of photos...

Larry and the kids got me a new camera for Mother's Day! Yes, my very own! I squealed with excitement when I opened it. As you readers know, our family camera has been broken. It's a really good camera that we got a great deal on at Christmas time. So we will definitely get it fixed since it's of much more value (have to put it in the camera shop) however...the family got me my very own little pink Kodak Easyshare camera!!! I adore it! Not only is it officially all mine, but - it's pink, it's small and can easily fit in the pocket of my purse, or in my pocket to pull out when I take a photo in the jungles of Africa. :-) Seriously. I LOVE IT. Never have I been so happy about a gift. Thank you, dear family.

In other news, both boys have new jobs! They are so excited. Dustin is working at Publix - just started last Saturday - and Jordan works at Dairy Queen! Dustin works for us at the church but he needs more hours in addition. So far he's really enjoying it. I'm lovin' it because I can call Dustin at the end of his shift to bring home grocery items I need in a pinch, and Jordan can always bring me a Dilly bar in an emergency when I need him to. (LOL) Jordan is saving for a car and also to go to Africa with us. :-) Yeah, can't wait to take my family to the "motherland" as Rosemay calls it. A-May-Zing!!

Larry and I have been gone all week to council but we are now putting the finishing touches on a message we're tag-team preaching for tomorrow's service, called, "Where are you eating?" We also have a baby dedication and a bunch of other stuff and it was not a good week to be away all week but we didn't have a choice with council. It's made for a busy Saturday, but it's all good. Cheeseburgers are on the way tomorrow. Nothing else matters, except souls. :-)