PLAYGROUND RULES: Boundless or Boundaries?

So, blogging yesterday seems to have opened up the floodgates!

Driving down the road today, one or two of the bazillion fragmented thoughts flying through my brain took root and began forming into something I thought might actually be worth considering, so I thought I'd just start the brain drain here.  Why not?

This all started when the hubster called to let me know the "schedule" for the evening (we never have time to actually talk about things like this in the morning...morning conversations are for essential things like "because I SAID you HAVE to wear pants!" and "you just CAN'T have Dr. Pepper and chocolate for breakfast!" - and that's just the hubster and me, talking to each other!).  Anway, he asked me if I minded going solo with our youngest son tonight while he and the older one tended to their busy schedules.  So, I started trying to think of stuff to do with my youngest son, just the two of us. 

The first thing to pop in my head was to go to a playground somewhere.  He LOVES playgrounds!  Almost as much as he loves staying home and playing with his DSi or watching Ben10 DVDs (don't ask).

So, where to go?  My favorite is the "Blue Playground", which is located in our old neighborhood.  It's pretty.  It's safe.  We still know lots of the folks in that neighborhood.  It's appropriate for his age.  AND, most importantly, it is compact and has a BIG FENCE all the way around it, with a GATE to lock him in!  This means that I can take him in and just let him HAVE AT IT!  I can even take a seat on a bench and just watch, until I have to push him on the swing, or pick him up out of the mulch when he face plants.

                                               My oldest, on the "Blue Playground", age 2.

I love that fence and gate, and praise the person who had them put there.  It makes my playground experience so much nicer, and the young one loves the feeling of being able to run willy-nilly all over the place like a "big boy".

But then, that "other" playground popped into my head.  It's the "BIG Playground", the one at our local state park, and WOW!  Is it ever amazing!  Treehouses, slides, see-saws, & swings galore, and there's even a trail with little scenes from The Narnia Chronicles throughout!  If that playground had been there when I was a kid, I would have begged my parents to let me move in!

                                                My youngest at the "BIG Playground", age 4.

And something else special about this playground is that it's a "boundless playground".  It was designed to accommodate those with disabilities, and many wonderful folks went all out on the design and building of this beautiful addition to our community.  We love it, and are so grateful for it!

But, did I mention that, in creating such accessibility for everyone to this miraculous playground, a fence is nowhere to be found.  It is incredibly OPEN, and I mean OPEN...all the way around.

And, there are big woods close by.  And lots of cars and trucks driving through.  And a creek.  And strange people playing "frisbee golf" (whatever that is) in the lot next to it. 

                                            This is not a fence - it's a bridge, over the creek.

And, oh yeah, did I mention... THE LAKE!!!

Yes, there is a big ol' lake, just a few yard beyond this fabulous playground.   But, let's give thanks for the cars and trucks the kids would have to dodge first, before the lake would actually be a big threat to them.  Whew.

So, even though we love this playground, and the kids beg to go there often, it's not always my first choice.  First of all, I can't sit on my behind the entire time we're there.  In fact, I don't get to sit at all.  I have to follow little dude, and bigger dude, around constantly, and climb and run and jump and push and pull and see-saw and dig in the sand and have a second set of eyes out of the back of my head to make sure they are safe and sound the entire time we are there!  It's stressful!  I can't stand the thought of them getting lost or hurt, or even worse, there! 

You know, the kids aren't concerned about the sidewalk that could trip them up, the creek that probably has snakes, the woods that are big and dark, the strangers - not even gonna think about that one, or the lake - again, can't think about it,...they don't know about these things.  They can't see what is right outside the boundaries of their "boundless playground".  But I do see it, and I am concerned.  I want to prevent anything bad from happening to them.  I want them to enjoy this special place without having to worry about anything.

                                                   "BIG Playground" Treehouse...Cool!

And it seems that more accidents happen there - falling off equipment, skinned knees from falling on the sidewalks, other kids - bigger kids- pushing and knocking each other around to get to go "first", parents shouting with not-so-appropriate language, falling in the creek, even bee stings!

So, I have to make some major rules when we go to the "BIG Park":  Don't get out of my sight.  Don't talk to strangers.  Don't run.  Don't throw sand.  Don't eat sand.  Don't, don't, don't...

Yep, I'm saving the trip to "BIG Park" for a time when the hubster can accompany us and help out!  The "Blue Park" sounds just fine right now, thankyouverymuch.

So, in my brain, as all of these thoughts flew through within a span of about 3 seconds today, the thought caught root that all of this kind of relates to my own life...and how tempting it is to beg the Lord to let me live "without boundaries", to be able to run and jump and skip through my life with abandon, playing to my heart's content, doing those amazing things that bring me such happiness, flitting from swing to slide to see-saw...it's what I WANT!  I deserve that, right?  Boundless.  No boundaries.  Ah, freedom!  Right???

                                            Doe River Gorge - Me, flying free, on the "Sweet
                                            Chariot", swinging from the trees....(2011)

Or is it?  Is it really freedom? 

When I think about it, a life without boundaries is kind of, well, scary.  There are lots of "bad things" out there that can "get in" when there are no boundaries.  And, sometimes, well...I might step out away from the good things on my own, going just a little "too far"...into danger.

And sometimes, going too far, I find myself drowning...in the unknown...and it gets scarier, and deeper, the further I go.

I've always believed that two of the most precious gifts I can give my children are unconditional love and SECURITY.  If a child feels SECURE in the love and safety of their parents, they feel free to be themselves, and to take the risks necessary in life to grow and become the person they are supposed to be.

I once heard someone say that a child needs rules and boundaries in order to feel secure.  If a two year old believes that he/she is the one in control, and that there are no boundaries, no rules, then yes, of course, that child will "act out"...because he/she is SCARED!  I mean, think about it!  This child is thinking, "Wow, if I can control this big person, then WHO is going to protect ME here???!!!" 

That's a scary thought for a two year old!

If a child is insecure, scared, and/or feeling unloved, he/she will spend their lives trying to find that love and security.  And often, unfortunately, this leads to actions that are hazardous to themselves as they try to please others, and give in to societal pressures and expectations to prove that they are "worthy".  And, without rules, without boundaries, they run willy-nilly into trouble, and wind up getting hurt.  Really hurt.  Sometimes irreversably hurt.

I want my children to KNOW that they are loved, that they are worthy of love, unconditionally.

I was blessed, and am still blessed, to have experienced this type of love and security from my own parents.   Yes, there were those darn rules that my parents had.  I didn't always like them.  I rebelled from time to time.  BUT, they were for my own good, and they kept me from lots of harm, I know now.  And, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that my parents loved me because they cared enough to do the tough thing, and "fence me in" sometimes - even when I was begging, and fighting them every step of the way, to run free.  But their rules kept me from so much harm that I surely would have brought upon myself, and in turn, allowed me to grow into the person I am today (tadaaa!), with only a few scars and bruises to show for it along the way.

It's the same way in my relationship with God.  He has rules, ya know.  I don't always like them.  Sometimes, I just want to run free!  I just want to chase my own desires!  Hey - I'm not hurting anybody else, right?  Personal freedom at all costs, right?  Let's run, let's go, get out of my way y'all!

Sometimes I fight Him!  Sometimes I beg him to let me go, or to just give me what I want.  I don't want his rules, his boundaries, his fences!

But sometimes, I don't see what I'm running into.  The sidewalk.  The creek.  The woods.  The strangers.  The lake.  The unknown....

Oh yeah, that's kind of scary.  I didn't see that coming.  I didn't see how the choice to spend my money that way could lead to problems, to great loss, great embarassment.  And, oh, wow...I didn't see how choosing that lifestyle could hurt the ones I really love.  And, um, oops...I didn't see that stranger there...yeah, that one - the one that looked so nice and promised me great things - before stealing my innocence...

It's funny, how I can't see what's ahead, what's "out there".  But the One looking out for me does.  He sees all, knows all.  Just like I can look out and see the dangers - the cars, the strangers, the lake - for my own children,  the Lord sees those dangers lying ahead for me, and wants to keep me from them. 

And yet, he wants me to have freedom, within His boundaries, to run and explore and play and enjoy all that He has provided for me.  So, I need to appreciate that, and enjoy the freedom He gives me, without the need to run "willy-nilly" straight into harm's way.

That is true freedom.  That is what we call "freedom in Christ"!   It is freedom that has boundaries that provide the love and security we need to really live and explore and become the ones that He has created us to be!

I love this freedom.  But I love it within some boundaries...and the boundaries I choose are the boundaries of God...His rules, His perfect law.  His boundaries are there for my "good", for my protection, so that I may enjoy the limitlessness of His love and blessings for me.  And, even more, His freedom allows me to freely love others, and offer myself to them in love and friendship and security, which comes from HIM. 

And that's what I call "freely living".

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."  -Galatians 5:13

Love,
Tron :)

What The World Needs Now, Is....?

Yes, it's been a loooooong time since I last posted, I know.  Sorry!

It's not that I haven't had anything to say...it's the opposite.  My problem is that my thoughts are all over the place, and I keep thinking that this blog is the spot where I need to FOCUS on something spectacular and important that will draw the masses back here each and every day so that I can have a life like The Pioneer Woman.

And yet, it's been ages since I posted because I can't pull my act together!  Imagine that.  And every day I deal with the stress I put upon myself that "today is the day that I'm going to pull this blog thing together and make it happen", and then end up disappointing myself, once again, by the end of the day when I realize the blog hasn't written itself.

So, what's different about today, you ask?  Have I finally found the key?  The missing link?  The glue that pulls the corners of my crazy mind all together into one mass that has some semblance of a cohesive thought process?

No.  I haven't found that key, link, or glue.  What I found, though, was a spark...something sparked me, and it was enough to get me to the keyboard to share one thing with you that is so meaningful, so profound, so IMPORTANT, that it just could not be put off.

The spark...was an attack, on me, and on some others I love.  I'm not sure that the person even knows that he/she attacked me, or my loved ones, personally.  But this person did something harmful - something that he/she does not even realize the full effects of the harm done.  And, I am quite sure this person did this out of complete ignorance, not bothering to do the research that should have been done before diving into maliciously attacking others...others of whom he/she has NO understanding.

And, in so doing, this person afforded others NO GRACE.

GRACE is, according to one definition, the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful.

Imagine, is it so hard to hold your tongue long enough to take a moment, a mere moment, to consider the others whom your words may affect?

Take it a step further:  Imagine if, in that moment, you realize that your words could actually harm another, physically, emotionally, or in any way.  Is it so hard to hold back those words completely?

And now, let's take it one step even further:  Imagine that you actually put yourself in that person's shoes, and truly considered that their circumstances are beyond what your mind could even conceivably imagine.  Really, imagine that you, from your world, cannot even imagine the world that this person has been born into because your person hood, your backgrounds, your surroundings, your wounds, your scars, are so vastly different.  Would it be so hard to grant this person the favor of your pardon for their failings?  Or to even go that extra mile and extend them a reprieve, forgiveness, and even, dare I say it, understanding?  Here are a few other words used to define Grace that would fit in this instance:  goodwill, mercy, clemency, exemption, even indulgence.

Yes, what this world needs now is GRACE, sweet GRACE!  Is that too much to ask?  In a world in which we are so quick to become offended, so rushed to judgement, so eager to condemn and convict and lock up and throw away the key, GRACE may just be too much to ask of one another...it seems.

And yet, there is One who freely gave it, who sacrificed it all for our sake, though we have done and can do nothing to earn it.

Truly, we need DIVINE GRACE, which is truly something we humans do not deserve, and yet have been given freely.   And all we have to do is accept it.  Believe it.

And so, though this person has not afforded GRACE to me, or to my loved ones affected by this, I am going to grant them GRACE.  I am not going to respond to this person.  I am not even going to attempt to mount a defense.  Instead, I am going to pray for this person.  Love this person.  And, yes, even extend the hand of friendship to this person.  This person may never even realize what he/she has done, and honestly, it is my prayer that this person finds out the TRUE meaning of GRACE.

And please know, I am not deserving of ANY praise for this, for it is ONLY by the Power of the Holy Spirit's work in my life that I am able to do this.

I have experienced GRACE in my own life.  If ever one deserved to die for wronging another, I do, for I have sinned against the very one who died for me.  And yet, He gave me GRACE, yes, LOVE.  And I love, because He first loved me.  AMAZING GRACE!!!

Everybody Say Yeah Yeah Yeah Yes! To Va Va Va VBS!!!

Ever since I can remember, as a very little girl, Vacation Bible School (VBS) was always a major and memorable part of my summers.  Vague impressions....of marching into the cool sanctuary on a hot, summer day, singing "Onward Christian Soldiers", creating those valuable "works of art" out of the wonders of yarn and macaroni, memorizing Scripture verses, playing hot and sweaty games outside and coming in for cookies and Kool-Aid...drift in and out of my mind anytime "VBS" is ever mentioned. 

But, most of all, I remember the sweet ladies, and a few men, at my church who worked so hard every year to make our dreamy week of VBS adventure come true.  Miss Wanda, Miss Eula, Miss Shirley, my Momma, and more...they are forever etched into my mind and my heart.  The treasures they gave to us children in the church and our invited guests each of those years have remained with me throughout my entire life.

It has been an honor and privilege for me over the past few years to assist in some tiny way with VBS at our church now.  My part is always very small, and my sincere thankfulness goes to the ones who really do all of the hard work.  What they do is absolutely immense and immeasurable!  They put months and months of planning, designing, training, brainstorming, organizing, and prayer into this vital ministry of the Church, and they never get the gratitude they deserve - though I know that they don't do it at all for the praise of men!

Things have changed a lot since the 1970s, and VBS definitely looks a little different these days!  Lifeway and other organizations come out with slick new themes and materials that have it all down to a science!  They know how to get the attention of the children, not an easy accomplishment in these days of texting, Facebooking, instant messaging, handheld games, WiFi, and more.  Even the youngest of children, like my own 3 year old, are experts at Angry Bird on their parents' smart phones!   And one other big change, at least at our church, is the number of men who are involved in VBS!  From food service, to teaching, to safety and sound/video - they are there in huge numbers and really involved, and I KNOW that speaks volumes to our children!

Being really honest here, I will tell you that when I first experienced the huge production that VBS has become, I thought, "Wow!  This all seems so contrived and artificial!  And, isn't it just 'too much'?!!!  I mean, are we at VBS or is this "High School Musical"???"  However, after participating these past few years, I must admit, these organized programs really seem to "work".  By the end of the week, all of the kids (and the leaders!) are singing and dancing to the Word, and it has been written on our hearts, and is abiding in our thoughts!  If you can keep a secret, I'll tell you something.  Being quite honest - I LOVE IT!  I can't get those catchy tunes out of my head, and the meaning truly does sink in.  Shhhhh!  Don't you go tell my little secret to anyone!

Now, before you go thinking I'm all "saintly" like the good women (and a few men) who joyfully led VBS in my childhood days of yore, I must confess that every year I volunteer to help with VBS, not out of the goodness of my heart, but out of guilt that my kids are a participating and it is only right that I "do my part".  And it's TOUGH!  Whether you are helping with the refreshments, which have come a loooooooooooong way since cookies and Kool-Aid, leading crafts, or assisting with teaching Fifth Graders, it is WORK!  And sometimes the kids are hard to control, and loud, and you wonder if they are getting ANYTHING out of this.  Is it all a big waste of time, energy, and money?

But here's the thing that never fails to amaze me:  Somewhere, during the seemingly non-ending week, these kids start growing on you.  And you start becoming really impressed with how, contrary to what seems to be happening, they are really learning things.  They are memorizing Scripture.  They are repeating the Bible stories back to you, with understanding.  The songs and the motions have become more than cute little routines - they have meaning, and they have become Worship. 

And most of all, you have fallen in love with these young children...and they have become a treasured part of your heart...and the prayers you have been sending up to God for a "successful VBS" all the sudden become very personalized, with specific prayers, for specific children.

And on that last night, you find yourself laughing and loving them, and your poor heart is just overflowing with the hope that all of the seeds that have been sewn this week are taking root, deep root, into their sweet hearts.  And you pray that someday, these young ones, "In their righteousness, ...will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." (Isaiah 61:3)!

And then...the next night, when it is all over, and your own children are hopping around your home singing their favorite Vacation Bible School songs, and you are sitting in your living room writing your blog and thinking of all these children, you might just find yourself crying, missing those crazy kids, and realizing that from this point on...these young ones have become a part of your heart, forever.

For me, VBS doesn't end after the ice cream sundaes on the last night.  Nope, for me, I realize that I have been changed, and I have been given a new challenge, a new ministry -to continue to lift these young ones up in prayer for the rest of their lives.  I pray the Lord will grant me the endurance and the will to remember to do just that.

Everybody say Yeah Yeah Yeah YES to Va Va Va VBS!!!      :)

 

 

Prayer: Tarrying at a Promise

"Tarry at a promise, and God will meet you there." - D.L. Moody.

Having so many friends and loved ones suffering with health issues and other problems right now, I've been feeling a little bit overwhelmed as my prayer list continues to grow daily. I pray for each one on that list, but I still feel helpless about their situations and I keep wondering, what can I do for them? Take a meal, visit, run errands, etc...? Yes, those are all nice things. But, my heart yearns to make a real difference in their situations.

But, I know that prayer IS the answer. And I do pray. In fact, when someone requests prayer, or when I feel led to pray for someone, I try not to hesitate, I try to pray for that person right away. How meaningless, and scary, even, is it to promise to pray for someone, TELL them you are praying for them, and yet never do it? I have often wondered how many “prayer promises” are out there that are never really filled.

So, I do pray for others, often and on a regular basis. However, sometimes lately I have felt that my prayers were "lacking" in some way. Not that they are lacking fervency, or aren’t sincere. But for some reason, I was just feeling that when I prayed, it was to God who is "way up there"...and I was wondering if my prayers were really making a difference. Are they being heard? Am I praying the "right" prayers? I mean, I pray for the will of God, and yet I know that often times I find myself praying for what I want, or what others have requested me to pray….and then “cover it” with a hastily tacked on, “but above all, I pray for Your will, Father!” Is that appropriate? Probably not…at least not always.

I have been longing for more of the presence of God when I am praying. I long to have His reassurance WHEN I pray, WHILE I am praying….reassurance that He is there, close by, listening, hearing my prayers, and answering them. I trust Him for the answers, no matter what they are...but my concern is how can I KNOW what those answers are?! How can I REST in the assurance that He is listening, answering…?

Well, after some prayer, thought, and reading on this subject, I have been reminded of the importance of praying "intercessory prayers"...in other words, praying through the Bible, through God's promises in His Word! When we pray God's promises, we pray with the answers in mind. He promises, we believe. This is faith. When we pray His Word, we are praying by faith, knowing, by this faith, that He is working His will in our lives and in the lives of those for whom we are praying.

I have such a desire to learn to pray the promises of God more, and they are right there in the Scriptures! Why haven't I made the Bible my prayer book before now? I have even heard it said before that we should never pray without reading the Bible, and that we should never read the Bible without praying!

I am making an effort every day to pray with my Bible, through my Bible, and to memorize His promises in the Scripture. If you are doing the same, I would love to hear about your experience with this. What promises of God have held special meaning in your prayers? Are you feeling the presence of God? Are you feeling the reassurance of His answers through His promises? I love that God has told us that CHRIST is the ULTIMATE YES!  ALL of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ, Who is the Word!

“You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, my word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” - 2 Corinthians: 17-20

It would be a privilege to pray for you! If you would like for me to pray for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know your concerns. I promise to pray God’s promises for you!

Blessings!


Tron :)

A Blast From Walt Disney World Past!

So, when did I first fall in love with Walt Disney World, you ask? The month after it opened - and here's the proof!

These photographs were taken during my first visit to the Happiest Place on Earth in November, 1971, about one month after its official grand opening.

I was only two years old, and if the looks of delight on my face prove anything it's that you are never to young to enjoy Walt Disney World!

This first photo was taken at the Transportation and Ticket Center, I believe. Check out the groovy threads on that band, man! Far out!!!



This next photo was taken as we were getting ready to board the Ferry Boat for the ride across Seven Seas Lagoon to the Magic Kingdom Entrance (the lovely lady holding me is my Grandmother):





















Here we are, crossing the Seven Seas Lagoon. It was always our family tradition to ride the Ferry over at the beginning of the day, and the Monorail back to the parking lot when the park closed:





















Just for grins, I thought I'd post this photo of me on a trip to the Magic Kingdom when I was a senior in high school. We are in just about the exact same location as the photo above!

















In this next one, my parents have rented the stroller (check it out! They've come a long way on strollers, haven't they?), bought me my first pair of Mickey Ears, and we are enjoying the journey back in time on Main Street, U.S.A.!!!






















Our first character sighting, ever! Brer Fox and Brer Bear - you don't see those guys too often anymore. I wish I knew exactly what was going through my mind at this moment - whatever it was I'm sure it was a mixture of amazement, imagination, and sheer delight! Dreams and story books coming alive!

There are more of these photos to share in the next blog post. I hope you enjoyed them! I'd love to hear your comments if these have triggered some of your own memories of the parks as a child, or if you have noticed any changes in the parks since it opened from these pictures.

There are so many things that have changed in the 40 years (wow!!! FORTY!!!) since this first visit of mine. Some things I deeply miss, but most are for the better. I do know that what NEVER changes in WDW are the attitudes, imaginations, and optimism of the amazing people who work hard to create a place where we all have opportunities to make incredible memories that will last a lifetime!

Looking forward to sharing more of the magic with you!

Blessings!

Tron :)

These are a few of my favorite things....

As some of you are aware, I underwent gastric bypass surgery on December 16, 2009. Since that time, I have lost over 170 pounds...something I never imagined happening, much less in one year's time!


I know that this is all a blessing from the Lord, and, therefore, I am not trying to boast about my own accomplishments. Through all of the health problems I went through before the surgery, through the surgery, and now through the weight loss, I believe the Lord has led me each step of the way. He has blessed me, and I am able to say that I have been able to praise Him through every situation in my life, good or bad, and I will give Him all the glory for any and every "good thing" in my life!


I do plan to share the entire story of this journey with any of you who are interested in reading about it on this blog one day, hopefully not too far off in the future. It's going to take me some more time, though, to be ready to get through it all, to "screw my courage to the sticking place" and just put it all out there for the world to see! It's been a long, crazy, heart-rending, lesson-learning, life-changing journey, and I want to do it justice in sharing it with you...so please bear with me a little longer as I continue to get it all into words for you.


In the meantime, though, I've been getting lots of questions about the process, stuff like: "How was the surgery? How was the recovery? What is your typical daily diet/exercise program like? Any regrets? etc..." I am happy to answer any question I possibly can about this, and like I said, I hope to answer many of them through my writing on this blog in the future.


So for now, I thought I'd start sharing a few tips, as they occur to me. I would also love to hear any and all feedback from anyone else out there who has gone through this, and would be especially happy to hear any of your tips!


Today, I'm going to share my "TOP 10 THINGS I CAN'T DO WITHOUT SINCE SURGERY". Even if you haven't had Gastric Bypass Surgery, I highly recommend all of these things...based on my own personal experience. They are healthful, and they are GOOD, and you may just find a way to work them into your own daily nutrition plan.


(I am not being paid to endorse any of these products, they are simply my favorite things at the moment.)


10. Activia Light Fat Free Peach Yogurt: I eat this for breakfast EVERY morning!


















9. Adora Calcium Supplements: I recently found these dark chocolate chews, and consider them one of my daily "treats"!


















8. String Cheese:- For a great high-protein snack, Frigo String Cheese (mozzarella) is my fave!














7. Morning Star Black Bean Burgers: I eat these for lunch several times a week, sans bread, but I like to melt pepper jack cheese over it and add a few dashes of Red Hot or salsa...yummy!



















6. McDonalds Fruit & Yogurt Parfait: This is about the only thing I can eat from McD's, but that's okay, because it is delicious!!! I'm never disappointed on missing out on the burgers & fries!
















5. Diet Snapple Peach Tea: A great alternative to water when I need something "fruity" to quench my thirst. Not crazy about aspartame, but every now and then...














4. Pure Protein Bars: I've tried 'em all, and this is my favorite. High quality protein, low carb, low sugar. Great meal substitute, or between meal snack.













3. Breyers Carb Smart Almond Bar (Ice Cream): Okay, I confess, I have one of these almost every day! Love 'em and thankful they were invented!
















2. Syntrax Nectar Lemon Tea Whey Protein Powder: THIS, I cannot live without! I have to make sure that I get tons of protein every day, and I have been drinking this stuff, two scoops in a big glass of water and crushed ice, EVERY DAY since the beginning of all of this. I actually like the taste, which is kind of like Nestea Instant Tea with Lemon, and I sip on it throughout the morning, until it is time for lunch. Somedays I even have an extra glass (1 scoop) in the evenings, just for kicks and giggles. ;)

















1. Okay...my all time favorite meal BEFORE the surgery, AND AFTER! I can still eat this, but in much smaller amounts. This usually makes about three or four meals for me now...which is wonderful! CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL - CHICKEN BRYAN! OH YUM! Grilled chicken, topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomotoes, and a lemon-butter sauce, and cooked veggies. I don't even ask them to go light on the butter - it's a treat, and I eat very small portions (about 3 ounces at a time), so I can enjoy it, and boy do I!























So, these are my current faves! I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. Food is something that fuels my body these days, and I try to make sure that every bite/drink packs in as much nutrition as possible. I hope you'll share some of your faves with me!


Blessings!

Tron :)

New Year Resolution, or Not?

Happy New Year! So, how did you ring it in? We rang in the New Year with a bang – taking our two year old to the Emergency Room, screaming with a painful ear infection! Yippee! It’s okay, at least we got off to a great start with our friends there…they know us by sight at this point. And, he's doing fine now, thankfully.

So, resolutions! Ugh! Whether or not you are one who makes resolutions, it is certainly one way to separate us all into two neat little categories. Into which category do you fall? Are you one of those who has your resolutions set well before Christmas and it’s just a countdown to January 1st , when you can actually start documenting your success in keeping them all, checking them, one by one, off your carefully printed, laminated list? Or, do you fall into the group which laments that there is even such a thing as a resolution? Maybe, like Paula Deen, you refuse to even make them because you know you won’t keep them and the thought of making one just adds stress? Is that you?

I must confess, I have been in both categories over the years. I have always been an “achievement-oriented” person, one who sets goals and strives to achieve them, usually with a modicum of success. Some years, when I feel more confident than others, I am extremely resolute and revel in making goals to achieve. And, I have to admit, many times this lands me in a sea of depression when I realize, less than a week into the new year, that I have not managed to keep even one of them. Other years, I have lacked confidence in my ability to achieve right off the bat, and have not even bothered with the whole process. And, usually, when the latter is the case, I become even more depressed, eventually, at the realization that I have such a low opinion of myself.

This year, however, I find myself in a completely new realm, one that I have yet to fully understand or define. I have been feeling particularly optimistic these days, and with that optimism comes a desire to achieve more. The other day I said to my husband, “I want to do something amazing in 2011! This is the year I really want to do something fantastic with my life,” to which, my husband gave me a truly bewildered look, and replied, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!!!”

It took me a moment to figure out his response. But then, it hit me. The year “2010” was an absolute watershed year for me. Had I not realized that?

Let’s take a quick look back at just some of the events and achievements it held for me: I had gastric bypass surgery and lost over 170 pounds in less than a year, completely changing my life forever; I have a wonderfully blessed life being privileged to stay home and raise my two sons; I have been able to go back to work part-time in student ministry, which I adore; I am privileged to serve on the Board of Directors of an amazing, growing ministry within my community; and, last, but not least, I have been honored to be selected as a part of the 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel! As my sister-in-law put it into perspective for me, if the WDWMP was the only thing that had happened in 2010, that would have been over the top enough for most people!

After this realization took hold of me, I laughed out loud! The Lord had really just put it all into perspective for me. I have always been one to plan. I love being an organizer – of events, vacations (especial vacations to Walt Disney World!), weddings, parties, and my days. I’m a “nerd with a book”, carrying my planner/calendar around everywhere I go (still resistant to using my smart phone to do it ALL for me, yet). However, through the trials of the past few years, the Lord has been teaching me to live one day at a time, to lean on Him, asking for guidance and direction from Him, and then being patient enough to wait on Him for clarity and answers. I have realized that it is truly difficult, sometimes, to discern His will. Just because something seems to be the “right thing” to do when it first presents itself does not always mean it is the right thing to do, according to God’s plan. However, sometimes the drive to achieve super-cedes my patience level, and I have been unwilling to wait upon the Lord for His true guidance. Or, I often just assume that I already have His “go ahead” permission, without truly knowing.

Currently, I am reading the book, "Counterfeit Gods"*, by Timothy Keller. The subtitle is “The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters”. This book underscores how individuals and society try to find fulfillment in false hopes. For me, this really hit home, very personally, when I read pages 73 – 74:

“Achievement is the alcohol of our time,” says Mary Bell, a counselor who works with high-level executives. She goes on: “These days, the best people don’t abuse alcohol. They abuse their lives…You’re successful, so good things happen. You complete a project, and you feel dynamite. That feeling doesn’t last forever, and you slide back to normal. You think, “I’ve got to start a new project” – which is still normal. But you love the feeling of euphoria, so you’ve got to have it again. The problem is, you can’t stay on that high. Say you’re working on a deal and it doesn’t get approved. Your self-esteem is on the line, because you’ve been gathering your self-worth externally. Eventually, in this cycle, you drop to the pain level more and more often. The highs don’t seem quite so high. You may win a deal that’s even bigger than the one that got away, but somehow that deal doesn’t take you to euphoria. Next time, you don’t even get back to normal, because you’re so desperate about clinching the next deal….An “achievement addict” is no different from any other kind of addict.” In the end [says Keller], achievement can’t really answer the big questions – Who am I? What am I really worth? How do I face death? It gives the initial illusion of an answer. There is an initial rush of happiness that leads us to believe we have arrived, been included, been accepted, and proved ourselves. However, the satisfaction quickly fades.”

As I read this, I realized that, in my desire to constantly achieve, or in my own words, “do something amazing with my life”, I am actually making success, and the false sense of security it brings, an idol (as Keller puts it). I know, as a Christian, that only God can provide this security. What I am REALLY pursuing is God, not just "success", and not just "security". I am in pursuit of God, Himself - and realizing this, truly knowing this, changes everything! It is my prayer that I can apply these changes to the way I live my life.

So, what does this mean? How do I ‘ring in this new year’ now? Does all this mean I need to make resolutions, or not? I don’t think that it matters whether or not I am the “type of person” who makes resolutions or not. What matters is whether or not I am the type of person who will make changes once I have realized what a great debt has been paid for my life.

So, I do have a “New Year Resolution”, but it has changed from my desire to just “do something amazing or fantastic with my life”. It is much simplified. My resolution is to simply pursue the Lord: to honor Him with my whole life, to ask for wisdom and discernment in all decisions, to learn more deeply to be patient and wait upon the Lord, to be more thankful, and to find contentment with my circumstances, whatever they may be.

A wonderful, powerful scripture from the Bible says this all very well for me. From Philippians 4:11-13: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

I believe that 2011 is going to be all that God has promised life to be. He hasn’t promised us a life without trouble, but He has promised us help in those times of trouble. Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

May the Lord bless you and keep you in this New Year!
Love,
"Tron"

* Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters, by Timothy Keller. Published by Dutton, a member of Penguin Group (U.S.A.) Inc. October 2009.