SSMT 2011 Scripture Acrostic

It's almost time to begin scripture memory for the 2011 SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team). The SSMT is Beth Moore's wonderful idea! Here is a link to her blog where she has posts regarding this. I had trouble accessing her blog just now, but I bet it will be back up very soon.

As a member of the SSMT you commit to memorizing twenty-four scriptures of your choice over a year (two each month). Below are the twenty-four and a half scriptures I'm committing to memorize in 2011. These scriptures are in an acrostic that I made up so that I'll easily be able to recall all the scriptures, even though there's twenty-four and a half of them. If anyone is interested in memorizing this set of scriptures just memorize one scripture every two weeks in sequence according to the acrostic. When you get to Nehemiah chapter four, memorize Nehemiah 4:7b-8 in one two-week period. My acrostic is in the King James Version but you could choose whatever Bible translation you prefer.

The acrostic groups the scriptures by chapters. Reading downward the acrostic spells "Hear God". When you learn what each letter in the title stands for along with the scriptures that go with it, you'll be able to recite so much scripture! Having so many scriptures memorized and easy to recall is wonderful for prayer time because you can fervently pray through each scripture and experience more spiritual growth.

At Beth Moore's blog, on the first and fifteenth of each month, is when you log in at the blog comment section with your name, city, scripture and translation.

HEAR GOD

Holiness
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (KJV)

Enemies
Nehemiah 4:7b the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped then they were very wroth, 8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them… 15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. (KJV)

Accomplished
Nehemiah 6:3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? … 15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. 16 And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. (KJV)

Restorer
Isaiah 58:10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: 11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. (KJV)

Glorify God
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (KJV)

gave Over
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (KJV)

Diligence
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Greeting the Day With a Smile!

This morning meditating on two scriptures I'd memorized helped me to get up and face the day enthusiastically! I'm so thankful I slept last night. I've had several sleepless nights lately. This forces me to sleep in the daytime. Sleeping in the daytime a lot it brings greater temptation to go back to sleep even if I've just gotten plenty of sleep. Daytime sleeping causes me so much consternation. I'm left with hardly any time to be productive. There are so many things that I need to do!

I thought about fruit of the Spirit which I had prayed about last night.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)

Thinking about this scripture this morning, I mostly asked for peace and patience in starting my day.

Next Proverbs 21:5, which I also prayed about last night, came to my mind. This Bible verse really encouraged me. I prayed for diligence and a profitable day.

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (NIV)

These two scriptures along with prayer filled me with good cheer. I sprang up out of bed with enthusiasm and began my day with courage!

A Great Day!

Yesterday I took a pretty ride out in the country to where my church is having it's family weekend. I played dominos for the first time except for on a computer and it was fun. I noticed I was feeling a lot more calm and relaxed on my way home. I sure was glad. Another thing I thinked really helped was the prayer of my friend, who said she'd pray for me after she asked how I was doing on Facebook and I told her about one inconsequential thing after another upsetting me. Thank goodness I think I'm over this now and today has been a great day. I went to church this morning and the service was mostly hearing awesome testimonies after our singing. I really loved the music and getting to sing along.

I awakened early this morning and found a lot of great scriptures on love. After church I made them into a scripture acrostic and started memorizing a couple of the scriptures this evening. Having a new set of scriptures to memorize fills me with exuberance! God's word is so precious and is so powerful too. One of the things I love to do after I've memorized a set of scriptures is to meditate on them and pray through them. This seems have a trememdous impact and gets the power for daily victory flowing through me.

After my walk this evening I sat on the porch with my mom for a few hours with candy for trick-or-treaters. We had a wonderful talk about what her growing up years were like. I just love hearing her tell me about this. I think my mom is such a neat person.

September Mornings

I've been thoroughly enjoying these September mornings. A taste of cool weather is so nice. The sunlight is beginning to mellow a little bit and it's just lovely. I got dressed for church this morning and sat and visited with my mom on her porch. Hummingbirds are frequently at the feeders and sometimes fighting. Squirrels scamper around. I also heard a couple of loud "thwacks". Magnolia seed pods are starting to fall. These seed pods are so pretty when they are closed and when they are open the seeds look like red beans. I'd been anxiously awaiting September and I love it.

So Hot Now, Summer Starts Tomorrow

It seems like we've been in the height of summer for a few weeks. It was 100 degrees in the shade today. I'm so thankful for a good air conditioner!

I'd been eating too much fast food which has left me not feeling well. To counteract this I've been eating wild salmon sandwiches, asparagus & watermelon (I just love watermelon) and drinking blueberry walnut yogurt smoothies with flaxseeds, green tea and organic apple cider vinegar mixed in a glass of water. I'm beginning to feel much better. I'm so glad I've had energy this evening.

I'm getting back on track on Professor Horner's Bible Reading System. It's been working great to open an internet window that has all of the day's Bible reading each morning as soon as I get up. Then I make sure I get my Bible reading done as well as surfing on the internet whenever I get online. This seems to be a great approach but after doing today's reading I noticed that at the web address where I was reading it, it was replaced with a new website. When trying to find another option I found Dr. Horner's Bible Reading System supported on Youversion.com All I had to do after signing up was click on "Read Plans" and select Professor Horner's Bible Reading System. I've completed day 91 but this started me out on day 1. I clicked the "Next Day" button 91 times which brought me to day 92, which I've now got bookmarked. I'm relieved there's no longer a problem with finding my daily Bible reading online.

I'm glad I can still do my Bible reading online in the Bible version I prefer. I love reading the different versions of the Bible, but the New King James Version is my choice for reading my ten chapters everyday. There are many versions of the Bible available at YouVersion.com including some of the great new versions such as (ESV) and (NET)!

Such a Beautiful Afternoon

Today was the day to honor graduates at church. A wonderful sermon was preached which was very applicable to everyone attending. After church I went out to eat at Logan's with my sister, brother-in-law and a family we're freinds with. The company and the food was really great. On the way home I stopped at Walgreens and just browsed. When I got home it was around 3pm.

I went next door to my mom's porch, with a book and an index card with the titles to my Scripture acrostics on it. This jogs my memory so I can recall all my current memory verses. As I expected my mom was taking a nap. I put my cell phone to my ear, so people wouldn't think I was talking to myself, and recited all my memory verses. I love to recite my memorized Scriptures to people but I look forward to times when I say them when I'm alone too. My sister says I seem to be a lot more positive now that I've memorized all these Scriptures. After I recited my memory Scriptures I read some of the last few chapters of Beth Moore's "So Long Insecurity". This is such a great book! My mom got up from her nap and walked to the porch. Then she said she wanted to read her George Foreman grill cookbook. We unpackaged the grill and went back to the porch. Mom read the book that came with the grill and I read my book. Then I recited some Scripture acrostics for Mom. I got some coffee. After mom went inside I finished reading my book which is due at the library tomorrow.

It was cloudy and overcast this morning. I'm happy it turned out to be such a beautiful spring day. The sun provided just enough warmth to make it enjoyable.

Cat Watching

I was walking in the park and a white cat ran like a bullet into the park, so fast it looked like a blur. The cat got to a fenced in temporary storage area of the park, crawled halfway under a flap in the wire fence then just stood there frozen, staring back at me. I wonder if it was afraid it was going to get in trouble. A few minutes later the cat walked into the fenced area and then began climbing up on top of some stacked water pipes and stopped and stared at me again. Animals can be fun to watch. The cat is kind of wary but the temporary storage area is now it's own playground.

Armor of God

We CAN be strong in God's mighty power!!!

Belt of Truth
When we obey God's Word then we know the truth. The truth is what sets us free! If we don't gird ourselves with the belt of truth we could end up getting tripped and falling and injured instead of being at liberty to live life the way Christ wants us to. God lovingly gave us his Word which is the Bible because it really is the truth we need for living our lives which successfully counteracts the lies of the devil.

Breastplate of Righteousness
Realize the vast importance of watching over your heart with all diligence and living a life of righteousness. God loves righteousness. Consistently live your life as if your thoughts and acts are going to form a strong powerful breastplate of righteousness which will keep you spiritually close to God, instead of straying to ways that are hazardous.

Feet Shod With the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
From believing the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we walk in newness of life! Everywhere we go we walk with readiness to let God's Word be our light. We share the good news of the gospel of Christ!

Shield of Faith
Faith comes from hearing the word of God. Faith is evidence of things hoped for. The shield of faith protects us from the fiery darts of the evil one. God refines us with fire to purify us. The evil one wants to set our lives aflame with destructive fire from hell. The shield of faith can extinguish every flaming dart of the evil one. When we are beset with fiery darts and saturate ourselves with God's Word a satisfying hiss from the extinguishing of the fiery darts will be readily aparrent.

Helmet of Salvation
God loved us so much he sent his Son to die in our place for our sins-- so that if we believe Jesus died for our sins and commit to live a life that pleases God, we receive God's forgiveness and eternal life. Rejoice in God's lovingkindness and great goodness and that He's always available to powerfully answer us when we cry out to Him for help, remembering that God's ways are so much higher than our ways.

Sword of the Spirit, Which is the Word of God
Fighting with the sword of the Spirit helps us to walk in the Spirit with victory over the world and the flesh and the evil one. God's word is quick and powerful and helps us to mightily win the battle. Keep your sword gripped firmly in hand to fight with. Don't forget that we are in a war against spiritual forces of evil.


Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;(KJV)

Pollen!

I was almost beside myself because I love to walk this time of the year but wind, heavy pollen and contact lenses just don't mix. Ouch! One year I lost a contact lens when pollen got in my eye. It was almost impossible to resolve to go walk indoors at the gym or the mall during this lovely spring weather! I decided to go shopping and see what kind of goggles I could find. I'm so glad I found a pair of tinted swim goggles that look like regular glasses, because the plastic around the eyes is clear. These are great because they keep all the pollen out of my eyes! Problem solved.

I've been busy in the kitchen. I made some more of my healthy brownies. I've had good self-control and have been limiting myself to two brownies a day, which is included in my daily alotted calories. I froze the brownies and some red beans and rice in single servings. I made a wonderful green salad which I ate with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

My mom trimmed my hair today. I was so glad to get it trimmed. I've been using shampoo for redheads. It covers gray but seems to be damaging my hair. The shampoo smells like hair color so it must have some of the same chemicals. At the roots my hair is salt and pepper gray and I think I'm just going to let my hair turn this color naturally by stopping using the shampoo for redheads.

A Lovely Spring Day

I had a wonderful two mile walk this morning. The temperature was a brisk sixty degrees this morning, a beautiful overcast day. I saw heavy pollen falling from a tree all over the road. My stamina and breathing during walks is still improving! I can't wait to bump up my walks to the 2.5 mile then 3 mile levels because I get to see more beautiful scenery and really lose weight when I do this.

I had lunch with my parents and made grilled wild salmon. My mother liked the way I fixed it. I was glad because I've been encouraging her to eat salmon for the great health benefits.

I fixed some delicous healthy brownies, with organic wheat flour and honey, this afternoon. I'd been eating a little Lindt 85% cocoa dark chocolate everyday, but decided to try something less expensive. I know dark chocolate has health benefits and I'm hoping that these brownies, made with three-fourths a cup of cocoa, will be just as good for me. I had to learn how to have self-control in eating dark chocolate, and now I want to exercise the same self-control with these brownies. I cut the brownies into 200 calorie servings and ate one a few minutes after they came out of the oven. For supper I ate two brownies. From now on though, I just want to eat one each day. I froze the brownies in convenient individual servings.

I had wanted to jump in on housecleaning after I cooked the brownies but I was tired. I got on the computer for a while. After I was rested I cleaned the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, vanity area and mirror. This wasn't a whole lot of housecleaning, but each little bit that I do lessens the number of chores that need to be done, which encourages me.

My Heart and Housecleaning

I was glad to have a day without anything planned except to do laundry and housecleaning. I got a lot accomplished today and plan on working on the rest of the things on my "to do" list tomorrow. It wasn't a struggle at all, as it often is, to nudge myself to start housecleaning today. I'm still saying a lot of scriptures I've memorized to help me with this. What greatly motivated me today was a commentary I read on Proverbs 17:3 last night.

Proverbs 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. (KJV)

I was really thinking about all the effort I had put into memorizing scripture, for the purpose of becoming diligent in caring for my home, realizing that God was going to try my heart after I got up and had breakfast to see if I actually would be diligent. I got a lot of things completed that I had been wanting to do and I even had fun doing it.

I took a one mile walk this evening and I'm glad that, even though I didn't walk two miles, at least I got in both housecleaning and a walk today. If I keep at it I think my stamina will improve and then will be able to take more two mile walks. I want to be sure I work at keeping a clean home home and not just on exercising.

Spring has Sprung

A two mile walk and shopping has taken all the steam from me today. I had to get a skinny vanilla latte while I was at Abertson's, getting a prescription filled and picking up some asparagus and a cantaloupe, so I'd have the strength to go to Walmart. We're having really nice spring weather and I've been wearing shorts and t-shirts. I'm loving this warm weather.

My diet is still going well. Most days I hit the target of 1,500 calories and on other days I don't go over 1,800 calories. The scales are being very stubborn but I've noticed when I'm getting the phone book off the top of the refrigerator my stomach is a lot less in the way now. I just can't wait until it's obvious that I have a smaller body. I want to keep doing as well as I can on my diet to do my best at slimming. It's full steam ahead for me, for maximum accomplishment.

There was a beautiful sunset this evening. There is always a great view of the sunset when I shop at Walmart in the evening. This evening there were so many colors in the sky. I saw powder blue, cornflower blue, robin's egg blue, pale pink, pale golden yellow and the clouds were outlined in a bright golden pink.

After the Rain a Nice Evening

It was a great day to take a long nap because of the rainy weather. This evening I wanted to get out. First I picked up a few things I needed at Krogers. Then I got a ginger-peach tea to go and visited my brother and his family. I love my brother and his family. It was great visiting with them. My brother really makes me laugh a lot. He is hilarious and he's also a wonderful Christian. He liked hearing me quote all the scriptures I currently have memorized.
I came home with a big bag of Roma tomatoes I'd gotten on sale. I'd never cooked or even eaten scalloped tomatoes but have been wanting to try them. I remembered seeing an interesting recipe but I think the cookbook was sold in the garage sale (I had way too many books). I sliced the tomatoes, sprayed canola oil on them, and sprinkled with onion powder, black pepper, and dried basil. I baked it uncovered for almost an hour at 350F then added soft whole wheat bread crumbs and cooked it for about 15 more minutes. Overall I'm kind of happy with how it turned out. I served it with Parmesan cheese. Some bites of tomatoes taste too spicy and some taste great. I think next time I'll just add a little of the basil to the bread crumbs, instead of sprinkling it directly on the tomatoes, so it wont taste so spicy. I really, really love vegetables and I'm glad to add another vegetable dish to my repetoire.

Quiet Rainy Monday

Sunday my mom invited me to lunch and served garlic shrimp over angel hair pasta and T-bone steak. I brought some asparagus and steamed it. I'd love to learn to cook shrimp and steak as well as my mom does. My mom is such a good cook.

Sunday evening I had a really nice walk. It seems like I'm getting back to the fitness level I had previously. I'm so glad! This is so important to me and I'm excited about it. I'm hoping to swim a lot this spring and also want to start doing yoga again.

Insomnia has been threatening my diet because normally I'd be sleeping instead of getting hungry late at night. Something like this is exasperating because I really want to do well on my diet in order to lose weight. I just realized that one of my medication's has the side effect of insomnia, so I'm going to take it in the morning instead of at bedtime. Hopefully this will make a difference.

It's been raining all day today. Mostly today I just took a long nap and did my Bible reading. I finished the book of Revelation today. I read four chapters of Proverbs today (29-31 and 1). Usually I just read whichever chapter the day of the month is but I didn't want to skip four chapters. I use Professor Horner's Bible Reading System and I'm on my sixty-fifth day. It was a struggle to do my reading consistently at first but I'm doing better at it now. I completed twenty days out of twenty-eight this month and hope not to miss any days in the month of March. I love reading God's Word and had an awesome time in the Word today.

Great Progress!

I'm so glad I was able to walk two miles today, with few pauses and without even getting very tired. All that exercise is making me feel good. I know sometimes my positive improvements in exercising can be fickle but I think I'm on a good health regime now and am hoping that I'll keep doing well and can regain my previous level of fitness. There's a lot of great things about being fit enough to walk two or more miles several times a week. It's really enjoyable for one thing. If I can keep up my two mile walks it'll be a real accomplishment, something that I've been striving for for about a year. All the exercise will help me to lose weight more easily. My diet is going well and I'd love to do some major slimming. That would really be great!

God is continuing to help me with dieting. I like being able to accomplish decreasing my calories enough to lose weight while being able to enjoy healthy tasty food that I love. Losing weight is definitely a science, but it's an art too and something you can become skillful at. I like meeting the challenge to maintain an attitude that helps me win at the dieting game instead of being overwhelmed at the challenge.

Most of the last night I was awake meditating on my latest Scripture acrostic. I think I might write a Bible study on it. Meditating on God's Word is so awesome. I want it written on my heart so well that I walk according to it all the time filled with the Spirit. I want to be deeply affected by God's Word much in the same way the wind fills a sail and causes a boat to sail in the direction determined by how the sail is set.

Sunny Cold Day

We didn't get any snow last night and it's been a cold, kind of windy day with nice sunshine. I slept really late this morning but I got plenty of sunshine today so this should help me to wake up earlier in the morning. I've tried setting alarm clocks to get up earlier but they really don't do any good unless there's somewhere I have to be. I walked about a mile and was pleased with how well I did. There's still a lot of improvement I'd like to make. My perspective is that I'm happy I'm doing as well as I am now; progress is welcome and will make me even happier.

I had a nice nap after my walk. Then I got up showered, cooked supper, cleaned the kitchen and began working on memorizing more Scriptures. While I'm memorizing the Scriptures I surf the internet too.

I like quinoa and just tried it for the first time yesterday. It's classified as a grain but it's really a seed of a spinach like plant. I like it cooked in the microwave with just a little salt, Splenda and cinnamon. I was eating it last night without drinking water along with it and it got stuck in my esophagus. This was really scarey and painful but thankfully didn't last very long.

I'm about to turn in for the night. Sweet dreams everyone.

Better Now!

I'm feeling so much better today and eating pretty normally too. I'm so thankful for this. It's a marvel of creation how food is digested and nourishes our bodies, instead of just sitting in our stomachs and spoiling, unless we're sick. There are so many things about our bodies' function that are wonderful-- which we take for granted.

The weather has been chilly again today with 1-3 inches of snow predicted for tonight. It's doubtful that the snow will stick since the overnight low is 35 degrees and tomorrow's high is in the fifties.

Mom visited for a little while this morning, which is kind of rare since I usually visit her. We both want warm weather again. I said that it's nice Spring isn't too far away, atleast for people like us living in the deep South.

About all I've accomplished today is grocery shopping. I enjoyed this. I ate at Subway at Walmart. I got a oven roasted chicken sandwich with lots of veggies and no cheese. I love these!

Not Feeling Well

I'm on liquids because I was miserable after eating breakfast this morning. It began yesterday and just got worse. I'm going to give my stomach a little time to get better after being sick this weekend. I went to bed at about 11:30am and slept till 4pm. I love the quilt my Aunt Henri made for me. It's so warm and cozy and comfy. I still dont feel so well. I had hoped to work on memorizing some more of the Scriptures in my latest acrostic. I love it when I can recite the whole acrostic and this is so powerful spiritually for me. I think I'm probably going to go to sleep early even though I slept a lot today. I had hoped to make it to the grocery store for jello and popsicles. I've been drinking Crystal Light Lemonade. Hopefully my stomach will be all better in a few days if I give it time for this. I need it to get better because I'm not one for a bland diet.

My Mom's Terriers

It's been an overcast day today but really nice and 70 degrees. I took a walk in the park and my breathing is doing better. I'm really thankful for this. I haven't had much energy today but it seems like my energy is on the increase now. I was sick yesterday and my mom really helped me a lot. My mom's two dogs, a Scottish Terrier and a Welsh Terrier, used to bark at me like everybody else. Now they recognize me from afar and don't bark. I always walk to the gate and talk to them. They didn't even walk to the gate today. They like me though. When they see me in the house they are very friendly.

Great Warm Weather

I've enjoyed my day inspite of problems I'm having. Taking a walk in the bright warm sunshine was nice. The warmth lifted my spirits and has me happily anticipating spring. I would have liked it even better if I didn't have to pause fairly often due to getting winded. I still enjoyed being outside and the sunshine was beautiful. I'm not out of the woods with my back yet. I enjoyed spending about an hour neatening up my home. It looks so much better. I can tell my attitude towards housework is majorly improving. I'm quite happy about this. The time I spend doing housework adds up and I see the beginnings of the progress I want so much. My latest Scripture acrostic is really changing my outlook for the better. I love the effect God's word has on me.

This evening I went out to eat catfish with my mom, stepfather, aunt, uncle and his sister and brother-in-law. The catfish was really good. The golden glow of the sun setting through the woodsey country side was so pretty. They were talking about eating cake after returning to my mom's home. I thought about it but came home and had a no sugar added popsicle. I've found that if I want my diet to continue, I can't resume my dieting fast enough. Most of the time when I eat something out of the ordinary I'm careful to make sure I count calories to make it fit into my daily calorie allowance.

A Beautiful Day

My aunt and uncle, with my uncle's sister and brother in law, arrived this afternoon. It was good to get to see them and visit with them. They drove up just when I was heading out for a walk in the park. They are staying with my mom.

I had a nice short walk. I think my endurance is increasing. I'm glad of this because I can't wait until I can take two mile walks without getting super duper tired.

I enjoyed getting out and doing some shopping today. I mostly got groceries. I did get a new pair of slippers that are really comfy. I also picked up some red hair shampoo, which brings out the red highlights in my dark brown hair. I went to Sally's, Krogers, Sam's Club and Walmart. Today has been a beautiful day.

Today I read something (see anti-inflammatory benefits) about flax seeds and walnuts, which are rich in Omega 3. These would be a lot better for me than the peanut butter sandwich I eat everyday. So I decided to replace my nightly peanut butter and banana sandwich with a smoothie made with yogurt, blueberries, flaxseed, and walnuts. I just made my smoothie and liked it. I got a coffee grinder and ground my own flax seeds.

I'm about to do my Bible reading for the day. I like doing this in the morning. I didn't feel well at all this morning but I now I feel good. I'm glad I was still able to make the most of my day.

I Got Motivated

Lately I've been getting sleepy at about 6pm every evening. I'm glad I'm not even sleepy yet at almost 8pm so maybe I'll sleep through the night. In the middle of the night last night I was wide awake and wrote the Scripture acrostic in the previous post. God brought to my mind several of these Scriptures right before I wrote the acrostic. I got more Scriptures from previous acrostics that I had written. I made this acrostic to inspire me to be better at taking care of my home. Years ago I used to be pretty good at this. I want to do my best and be consistent in it. I memorized the Scriptures that make up the first word in the acrostic tonight. I got so motivated after reciting these scriptures that I did some cleaning I'd been procrastinating over a long time. This builds my hope.

I'm really glad my diet is going well. I'm doing great at getting this diet tailored perfectly to fit my needs. This is really nice because I get to eat things I really like, even dark chocolate. On another post I might describe my diet to you. I really want to burn calories exercising, plus exercise makes you feel great. I didn't get to walk this afternoon due to wheezing. This is from a drug side effect. It seems like anything that really helps my joints causes wheezing.

I'm looking forward to my Aunt and Uncle's visit. They'll get here tomorrow afternoon. My youngest sister and I didn't get together yet this week like we'd planned, but we might tomorrow.

New Scripture Acrostic

Here is my latest scripture acrostic.


A Woman of GRACE and PRODUCTIVITY

Grace
Proverbs 1:8b-9 do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. (NIV)

Rejoiceth
Proverbs 13:9a The light of the righteous rejoiceth: (KJV)

Aglow
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (KJV)

Child
Proverbs 23:24b and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. (KJV)

Excelleth
Ecclesiastes 2:12a-13 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and... Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. (KJV)

a
n
d

Profit
Proverbs 14:23 & 21:5 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty... The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (NIV)

Run
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (KJV)

Obedience
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (KJV)

Disciples
John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)

Understanding
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (KJV)

Course
Psalms 36:4b he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong. (NIV)

Things that are excellent
Philippians 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; (NAS)

In the paths of righteousness
Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (KJV)

Vigorous
Proverbs 31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (KJV)
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. (NIV)
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (NIV)
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (KJV)
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (NIV)

fervent In spirit
Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; (KJV)

Triumph
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. (NIV)

Your God
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (NIV)

A Busy Day Planned

I'm up at a good hour this morning. Today I'm looking forward to having lunch with my youngest sister. She wants to try my chalupa soup and we're also doing a Bible study together. The Bible study is Beth Moore's "Stepping Up" on the Psalms of Ascent, a great Bible study. This afternoon I have an appointment. It's 31 degrees and very windy today so I'm going to try to walk on the indoor track at the gym. I missed taking a walk yesterday afternoon because I was so sleepy I had to take a nap. I'm hoping to thoroughly clean my kitchen this morning, including mopping the floor.

I really had an appetite yesterday and overshot my calorie allowance. My goal is to eat about 1,600 calories most days, but yesterday I had about 2,200. Atleast it was no junk food. Often it is so easy to stay within 1,600 calories that, on days when I want to eat more, I don't manage as well as I could. I think I need to eat more vegetables and drink more water. These are good for controlling hunger, as well as staying busy. I want to try to stay at eating at about 1,600 calories for a year and then I should see some good and welcome changes in my health and appearance.

I want to start painting again. I used to love painting T-shirts and sweatshirts. I like the Tulip fabric paints because they don't have fumes. I think if I stretch my own canvas, prewashing it first, I'll be able to use fabric paints to paint pictures. I hope I can find all I need in this paint line. I've got to check at another store because the store I went to this weekend didn't have a full line of Tulip paints. I love art and working with colors. I keep thinking about all the cute coloring pictures the elementary school teachers provide for their students. I was a substitute teacher in elementary schools a few years ago. I remember how much fun these were to me when I was a child. Often the coloring pictures have a holiday celebration theme. I think every day, even in the rather mundane things, offers something worth celebrating.

Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (KJV)

Chalupa Soup

I made this soup today and I really love it! It has a great zesty Mexican flavor and is mild.

Chalupa Soup

1 lb. dried pinto beans
1/2 lb. eye of round steak, cut in bite sized pieces
vegetable oil spray
1 medium onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, pressed
1 jalapeno, seeded & chopped
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 cup grated Mexican style 4 cheese
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
corn tortillas, torn into bite sized pieces
salt & pepper to taste

Wash beans and soak for 8-12 hours. Discard soaking water. Coat skillet with vegetable oil spray. Lightly brown steak over high heat. Cover beans with water, add steak, onion, garlic, jalapeno and cumin. Simmer till beans are tender. Add cheese, stirring till melted. Add drained tomatoes and bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes. Place tortillas in serving bowl and add soup to bowl and serve. Enjoy!

calories: 310 for 1 cup of soup with 1 5 1/2-inch tortilla

NOTE: This soup wasn't as zesty tasting the next day. It might help to add the cheese whenever it is served and/or to spice up leftover servings with Tabasco.

An Early Start to the Morning

I woke up at about 1am this morning. I went to bed at 7pm because I was tired. Six hours of sleep is a decent amout of sleep for me. One thing nice about to waking up really early like this is that it helps you get a nice early start to the day. I woke up thinking about Philippians 4:8, which is one of my current memory verses.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things. (NIV)

It struck me that I should really start doing this. I did this while I lied in the bed until about 3am and it was great.

When I got up I got some pinto beans on to soaking. Beans cook so much faster when they're soaked and I'm going to try to make chalupa soup. I want the beans to cook up nice and tender. I've eaten my aunt's chalupas before and they're really good. I started thinking about this yesterday and called her to get the recipe, but I thought chalupa soup would be really good. I don't know if anyone has ever made chalupa soup before! If it turns out good I'll post the recipe.

We got lots of snow Friday and it stayed on the ground for over 24 hours, which is so rare in the deep south. Yesterday I went to look at the park and a lively snowball fight was going on. I didn't get to see much of the action because most of the commotion stopped when they saw me. I heard the action begin again when I was walking back to my apartment.

When I lived on the Gulf coast, I could count on spring to make it's glorious arrival by the end of February. All the azaleas would be beautifully in bloom. Now I live a little farther north, but it's still the deep south. I keep looking at the ten day weather forcasts hoping to see a warming trend. Instead the opposite has been occurring, so I'm quite curious as to when we'll see some spring. I love the four seasons though. Winter used to be my favorite season because I loved walking in the bracing cold air. I'm a little more careful about exposing myself to the elements now. Really wind and dampness are more what I have to be careful of to try to avoid getting sick.

I'm about to do my morning Bible reading--now in the book of Exodus and 1st Samuel. I read chapters from 10 different books of the Bible. It's great.

It's Sleeting

I'm having a pretty productive day for not having slept last night. I had caffeine last night and I tried to get a little sleep in the wee hours of this morning but my back was just too uncomfortable. My back, hip, and shoulders have been giving me some problems. I'll be glad when the weather warms up. Right now it's too cool at the indoor pool for me, since I have to take rest breaks between swimming laps, and get chilled. I've taken a couple of short walks this week which I enjoyed. I've got to get out in the elements today--cold and light rain, to pay a bill.

I'm glad about what I've gotten done so far today. I'd gotten off track on my daily Bible reading. I try to read ten chapters from different books of the Bible each day, (Dr. Horner's Bible Reading System). Reading the ten chapters is no problem once I just start reading. I like to copy a few Bible verses, that really make me think, into my journal. I think it's great to take in so much of the Bible like this everyday if I can. I always seem to be reading things that really make an impact on me. Once I'd read all of the Bible, I never found a reading plan I was happy with-- until this one!

I balanced my checkbook and cooked a nice lunch and cleaned up the kitchen already. My mom just called and said I need to go pay my bill now even though I need to shower because I've been taking garlic. She said it's sleeting and the roads are going to start freezing over. Buh bye!

New Scripture Acrostic

I was trying to think of scriptures to encourage me to only eat healthily and God brought scriptures about following to my mind. I've got these memorized now. Today I wanted to go get something fattening to eat, but when I recited these scriptures it was totally nipped in the bud. Hence I don't have to worry about any of those calories or any ill effects of the junk food. Hallelujah! God's Word is wonderful and full of power! Praise the Lord!

P L E A S I N G God

Pure
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (KJV)

Love
1 Corinthians 13:13 &14:1
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Follow after charity... (KJV)

Eternal life
1 Timothy 6:11-12
...follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (KJV)

Acceptable
Romans 14:17-19
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (KJV)

Spirit
1Thessalonians 5:15-19
...but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. (KJV)

In Christ Jesus
Philippians 3:12 &14
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. ...I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Noble
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things. (NIV)

Good
3 John 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (KJV)

So Cold!

It's so cold today. I just about froze going to the gym today. I was planning on going grocery shopping but decided not to when the temperature dropped. The wind chill was 28 degrees! This is good sleeping weather. I took a long nap this afternoon, after a wonderful lunch with my mom and sister. My mom fixed beef stew, corn bread and sweet potatoes.

I walked on the indoor track at the gym for about a mile this morning. I took a walk a few days ago I had to stop every block or two to catch my breath; I have a lung condition that causes flare ups like this sometimes. Today I'm really proud to say I walked about a mile without stopping! It was a great work out! I love making progress in physical fitness. When I was swimming this week I thought it was great when I could tell my lungs were working better. I love it when I can surge though the water as fast as I want to-- so exhilarating. I still took a rest break after each half lap (only when swimming the crawl) but hopefully my fitness will keep improving. I'm excited thinking about all the calories I can burn walking and swimming now that I'm getting fitter.