Happy "Fat Loss" Dance!

I just have a minute to write something real quick! I am doing the happy "fat loss" dance this morning! I stepped on the scale and realized that I'd lost 10 lbs since starting the HCG protocol! How in the world is this working? It's amazing! It hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it has certainly been worth it!

I have so much more to go. At some point I'll have to come clean about how much I weighed before I started. It's hard to even imagine it myself. I have always had such a good self image despite the weight, so I don't think of myself as weighing that much. When I see photo's of myself, I'm shocked--because I don't think of myself that way. Does that make sense? Oh boy! I'm sharing a lot today.

I think that by being grateful to be alive and living life the best I could when I was so ill, made me focus on my spirit more. I know that our Savior loves me and is mindful of my struggles. How I love Him!

I've had to reach outside this big shell and find joy in my life despite my pain and suffering. It has been something I strive for daily. I've tried to learn from these experiences so I can help others. It's hard and sometimes lonely. But, every season in life brings such blessings.

I'm looking forward to spreading my wings and soaring! After just 10 lbs lost, I feel so much better! So much healthier! I am ready to keep going now! I won't give up!

Pardon me while I go and eat my half a cup of Cheerios and half a cup of milk for breakfast! YUM!

For all of you on the HCG diet, keep going! You can do it if I can do it too!

I start walking today! Yeah, if you live in my neck of the woods and you see a fluffy red faced red headed woman struggling to get up that hill, please cheer her on!

Always Be Yourself....It's a Good Thing!

I found this in my drafts folder and realized how far I've come over the past year. Life continues to amaze me! I hope you enjoy this and continue to read about my journey. Elder Otis has been out for over a year now. I can't wait to speak to him at Christmas!.......This was written a year ago.

Recently, our youngest son entered the Mission Training Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is now beginning a two year mission as a full time missionary. We are so happy for him.

I haven't been writing very much here or anywhere for that matter. I'm trying to correct that starting today. I've been caught up in a trial of my heart, and the healing of my body that has been all consuming--The past six months or so deflated my spirits and made me feel very sad. It has be alleviated by getting healthy again and our youngest son entering the MTC and serving a mission. All is well now. I feel like I can move forward at this time. It's wonderful!

I belong to a women's group for missionary moms. I love it! It makes me realize how loved we are by our beloved Heavenly Father. I see their struggles and their faith and my own spirit soars. I'm able to help where I'm needed and that service heals my own spiritual wounds. Service is so key in moving outside ourselves and our pain and suffering. I know it's true.

This week I've conversed with women all over the world whom I have come to love. They cheer me on and I am able to respond in kind. It's a blessing in my life to be able to help in some small way.

We are all so different and yet, so alike in our struggles as Latter-day Saint women! We are really not ever alone. Heavenly Father most often works through others who don't even know they are helping to have our prayers answered.

I've been so blessed with the sweetest daughter in law in the world! We all love her dearly and soon our second son will be marrying an equally amazing woman. Two daughters in one year! Wow! I'm overjoyed to be so blessed! This is a very happy time of my life indeed. Jason and Julie's wedding was last May and Matt and Jelly's wedding will be on December 30Th. I can't wait to see our kids! How I've missed them as they attend college!

A quote really struck me as true this week. "Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones who mind, don't matter!" So true! In my younger years I remember feeling stiff and even superior with excess pride.To my regret, I often judged others.

As my life progressed and I matured, I loosened up and had many life lessons that made me realize that pride was baggage. That is was painful. As I set it aside the blessings began to flow into my life. I learned to love myself and others more fully. How blessed my life became! Those blessings continue as I can see the love in the things others say and do and don't take offense so easily. It's a good thing too.

Same Sex Attraction and Hope

Recently a sister in my Missionary Mom's group told how her teenage son had confided that he was attracted to other boys and not to girls. She asked for assistance in knowing what to do to help her son. This was my response....

I once gave a talk in church about this same subject. I quoted Gordon B. Hinkley and I can't seem to find the talk now, so I'll say this...Our Prophets heart went out to those people in our church and in the world with same sex attraction. I feel the same way.

In a talk by Elder Holland, I found so many answers to this sisters question. I have often heard the Prophet say the same. I pray this soothes your mothers hear a little. You can find the entire article by placing the title in the search window at LDS.org.

Helping those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction

By Jeffrey R. Holland 

of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"A pleasant young man in his early 20's sat across from me. He had an engaging smile, although he didn't smile often during out talk. What drew me in was the pain in his eyes. "I don't know if I should remain a member of the Church, " he said. "I don't think I'm worthy."

"Why wouldn't you be worthy?" I asked.

"I'm gay."

I suppose he thought I would be startled. I wasn't. " And...?" I inquired.

A flicker of relief crossed his face as he sensed my continued interest. "I'm not attracted to women. I'm attracted to men. I've tried to ignore these feelings or change them, but..."

He sight. "Why am I this way? The feelings are very real."

I paused, then said, "I need a little more information before advising you.  You see, same-gender attraction is not a sin, but acting on those feelings is--just as it would be with heterosexual feelings. Do you violate the law of chastity?"

He shook his head. "No, I don't."

This time I was relieved. " Thank you for wanting to deal with this, ' I said. "It takes courage to talk about it, and I honor you for keeping  yourself clean.

"AS for why you feel as you do, I can't answer that question.  A number factors may be involved, and they can be as different as people are different. Some things, including the cause of your feelings, we may never know in this life. But knowing why you feel as you do isn't as important as knowing you have not transgressed. If your life is in harmony with the commandments, then you are worthy to serve in the Church, enjoy full fellowship with the members, attend the temple, and received all the blessings of the Savior's Atonement."

He sat up a little straighter. I continued,  "You serve yourself poorly when you identify yourself primarily by your sexual feelings. That isn't your only characteristic, so don't give it disproportionate attention. You are first and foremost a son of God, and he loves you.

"What's more, I love you. My Brethren among the General Authorities love you. I'm reminded of a comment President Boyd K. Packer made in speaking to those with same-gender attraction. ' We do not reject you, "he said." We cannot reject you, for you are the sons and daughters of God. We will not reject  you, because we love you.'

We talked for another 30 minutes or so. Knowing I could not be a personal counselor to him, I directed him to his local priesthood leaders. Then we parted. I thought I detected a look of hope in his eyes that had not been there before. A thought he yet faced challenges to work through--or simply endure--I had a feeling he would handle them well."

****

I pray that today, this article helps someone out there in cyberspace who is struggling with same sex attraction.

How amazing our church leaders are! We learn such compassion for our brothers and sisters through their examples! 

Do not shun or throw your children away when they confide in you! Love them, hug them and take the advice above and strive with your children as they try their best to live the precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When or if they choose to stray from that path, remember, God loves them still--and so must you.