Fat Chance and Fit Camp

I just read Julie Haddens book - Fat Chance and it has truly changed my life, my goals, and my walk with the Lord. She has encouraged me in ways that still blow my mind. Her story had me laughing and crying...sometimes at the same time. I laughed cause she's funny and I could so relate to some of her crazy stories, and I cried because I knew her pain all to well. At one point (around Ch. 3) I told John "she's writing my story!" The way she described how she felt as an over weight person, was as if she put into words all the things I feel... but could never find the words to express. Her book inspired me and made me want to lose this weight once and for all. I think what hit me the hardest was the night when I was sitting on my couch, reading this book and John told me I should work out (I opened that door by reading some of the book to him) but my comment was "isn't it enough that I am reading a book about weight loss?" we laughed, but as I sat there it hit me - smack dab in the face - this is my problem! I sit to much and complain about this weight, but yet I do nothing about it (or I try and then give up). Right after that I read a part in the book where Julie says "move more, eat less" (Novel idea, right? Well... easier said than done). After that I began to pray something like this...Lord, please show me how to do this...direct me, and please give me the strength to do what ever "this" is. After that prayer a Dear Friend (her name is Shea) kept popping up in my thoughts. Shea and I met back in high school through...well never mind...long story. Anywho, we lost touch but reconnected through Faceboook (got to love FB!). I knew Shea was working out last year, but back when we talked about it, it just seemed like to much work and my "excuse" was it was to far - there was another one of my problem...excuses 9and lots of them) Well, I didn't think it was a coincidence that she kept popping up ever time I read this book or prayed about this, so I got a hold of her and she directed me to FIT CAMP. After that I knew "this" was the "this" I had been praying about. So I talked with John and he said go for it!
So.... the next Fit Camp came... and went. Shea couldn't go (and there was no way I was going alone) so I said "next time" (thinking this would probably never happen), but it came time for the next FC and Shea got a hold of me and said something like - no excuses you better be there, so I went. I was a bit freaked out when I first showed up to Fit Camp and realized I was the biggest girl there, talk about insecure!...but I just knew the Lords hand was in all this directing me just as I asked, so I pressed on.

I am now on week three and still fighting threw the emotional and physical part of all this, but I'm fighting threw it with prayer and determination. The Lord has blessed me with meeting some great Ladies (who don't make me feel uncomfortable at all, even though my head still messes with me sometimes). Lynnette - our skinny mini instructor - has been so patient with me but also pushes me to do better, to do more, and to look ahead. Her and Shae have been great motivators and I love both these girls for being my support team on this long and painful journey.

Greek Chicken

John got this recipe from a co-worker (Jackie) awhile ago. It is so yummy, so I thought I would share it. Let me know if you try it and like it.

1. 2 large boneless/skinless chicken breast cut into bite size - (some times I leave them whole)
2. 2 tbs.. spicy brown mustard
3. 2 tbs. olive oil
4. 4 cloves chopped/pressed garlic
5. 2 tbs. fresh lemon juice
6. 1/2 cup pitted and chopped kalamata olives
7. 1/2 cup feta cheese (I use low-fat feta from Trader Joe's)

Combine ingredients 1-5 in an oven safe dish. Bake at 375 degrees until chicken is done

(I usually cook it for one hour. But I check on it at 45 min.)

Remove from oven and stir in olives and cheese. Let sit for a few minuets and serve!

You can serve this over rice with a veggie to make a complete meal.

One time I made a Greek salad with the left overs....ummm so good and pretty healthy too!

2009

2009 updates

* John started working for a new company. He is a rehab teck and loves it!

* Trenton stopped having seizures (last one was in Feb. 09)Thank you Jesus!

* We had two nieces born in 2009 - Autumn and Zoe - they are both adorable!

* kids enrolled in a charter school - lots of work but well worth it.

* We had two grandparents go to be with Jesus within one month - Grandpa Fain and Grandma D - they will both be missed greatly, but we look forward to being reunited with them again.

* John had a great year of health! John has had a few colds here and there but got over them faster than me and the kids did. PTL!

* Refuge Sanger became a church (Dec. 09) It has been so neat to be apart of Gods work here in Sanger. Please keep us in your prayers.

God has been so faithful and has shown us His grace over and over again this year! I am so thrilled to see what He has in store for us in 2010!

Here is our 2009 Christmas picture!
What a blessed year 2009 has been.

Lanier picture day (56 photos), by Brandi Lanier

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Too long!

My Computer doesn't seem to like my blog very much. Whenever I try to update my blog my computer either freezes or takes forever to load (and then I give up). Anyway, I figure it has been way to long so I need to try to update this thing before I completely give up on it forever.

Here is a few updates:

Trenton lost his 2 front teeth and tells me his really misses them. He usually says that at dinner time :)

Connor was born! He is so cute!

Our Thursday night Bible study is moving to Sunday Mornings! Refuge Sanger will now be an official church! We are starting Dec. 6th!

http://www.refugesanger.com/

Please pray for Daisy and her family

http://prayfordaisy.tumblr.com/

updates soon to come

Things are insane now that school is in full swing, but I hope to do some updates soon. So much to share - Moving into a house, Refuge Sanger AKA Calvary Chapel Sanger Outreach, School, family, Nieces dedication and so on :) oh and not to mention my Sister is coming to visit soon!!!!

Come let us worship and bow down

I have tried and tried to upload pictures from Worship Fest 1, but can't seem to make it happen. So try this....http://www.sangeronline.com/rsevent0809.html If your compy is anything like mine (SLOW!!!) than you may have to wait awhile for the slide show to upload.

This event was so amazing! Why? Because souls were saved! It was a night to share "THE GOOD NEWS" to many hurting and lost people. It was a night to worship the one true King...King Jesus! And it didn't stop there, many of the men that gave their hearts to Jesus joined us for church this past Thursday. I (along with many others) were so excited to see our new brothers come to learn more about Jesus. Please continue to pray for the lost and hurting people in Sanger.... and in your community also. May we not waste time, for the hour is drawing near!

Worship Fest 2 is coming!! Save Sept 26th to come worship the Lord with us. Bring you friends and family...all of them!! For more info. check out - http://www.sangeronline.com/rsevents.html

Camping/Beach Trip

Jacob & Daddy setting up camp

They did it! I love this picture (below)! My Love reading his Bible on the beach. It doesn't get better than that!
We had a great time on our 1st camping trip to the beach. We all agree that beach camping is a better fit for us than mountain camping...for many reasons. My #1 reason is less bugs. Plus visiting the beach during the day was a hit with the kids. I could do without the sand, but it was fun seeing them have so much fun. I can't wait for next summers camping trip to the beach.