Great Gravy!

Why is it I get so hung up on what I should or shouldn't write on here??? It is MY blog! Right?! This is about my life and my perspective of this life! 

Other years I have done a daily "grateFUL" post for the month of November... not going to put that pressure on myself this year! I titled this post, "Great Gravy" for a couple different reasons. 1) I remember someone as I was growing up would use that phrase instead of "my goodness!" I always though that was funny... the closes she got to swearing, I think! ;) 2) Gravy is like the good part on top... you know an easy job that made you good money or that yummy goodness on top of the mashed taters!

For me, today, "Great Gravy" means: thankFULness overflowing in my heart and life! I have emotionally dark days, especially when the sun does not shine for days at a time, but I am always reminded that my HOPE is in the Son, not the sun! No matter... I have to keep looking UP!

"Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine." ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17

My transformation is still going on... on the physical part... I now have released 40.2 pounds... YES! that .2 matters!!! I still have another 29 to release, but only taking it a day at a time! Little goals! I just feel so much better!

On the spiritual part... hmmm... every time I think I am figuring out where I am going, I am reminded that it is not for me to figure out, but to remain close to Him who already knows it all. His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalms 119:105) When the path is only lit one step at a time I best be staying close!

Once again, my dear Hubby and I will be leading Camp Living Waters Marriage Retreat in February. We have such a passion for encouraging marriages to take that next step in their relationship... it does so much for our marriage too! Please check it out here!

Before I go I want to share a little project I did. We went to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for a little getaway and I found this cabinet in a second hand store. It was labeled, garage cabinet, but I could see it as a night stand/cabinet... storage to hold/hide some of my stuff (a/k/a crap)! What do you think? I like how it turned out! Very shabby, but that is ok with me!

Be grateFUL... share your gratitude!

Being Transformed...

Writing my blog use to be one of my favorite things to do! Back in 2008 was when I first started writing here... it was my refuge to deal with the loss of a job. At the time, I really felt like I didn't know who I was if I didn't work outside of the home. It opened up a passion that was buried deep inside me.

For the last 5 years, I have not done much on this blog. Life has taken so many twists & turns... and taking time to blog was not on my to-do list. I've missed it! It makes my heart sad when I think about my neglect of things I really love to do. I enjoy operating the B&B, I would not change that at all! What I do need to change and figure out is how to be able to get all I need to get done and then not be too tired to participate in the other things I enjoy... like writing! My hubby is right here in the trenches with me... so blessed that he shares in the cooking and cleaning!

Shining Light Inn B&B had an amazing summer season! We are open all year round, but summer is the high-season here in Ludington. I am just in awe of all the people God brought into our home! "God brought?" you might ask. Yep, our prayer is always, "God, bring us the people you want to come to experience Your love through us." So we believe that good or bad, God allows who He does to come... it is always a lesson in loving people with Christ's love for me!!! :) And the majority of the guests have been wonderful! We have even had a few new friendships start with guests this summer.

Another thing that has been taken some extra time is getting healthier. Last February I decided it was time to take control of my health... as much as I could anyway. Menopause had been kicking my butt, and I used that as my excuse to not do anything to try to do any better. The time really has to be right... no one else can decide when the time is right, except you! I joined Weight Watchers online. This was not my first go with WW. In 2002, I lost 50 lbs. and became a lifetimer. But life happened & little by little the weight crept back up... as I said pre-menopause/menopause kicked my butt!

The WW program has changed since 2002... I think for the better. Plus, this time I know I cannot do it without the Lord. This might sound strange to many, but what I have found is that I need to be filled up spiritually... full on the Living Bread (God's Word) before my physical eating habits will change.

I am down 34 lbs. with another 34 to go... I know I will do it with God's help! My hubby is also on this journey with me. He has lost over 25lbs so far!

I don't share any of this to brag! I share it to encourage each of you that read this that you can make a change... with God's help... all things are possible. For me, it is weight. For you, it could be something different... only you know where that change needs to come.

I am a WW facebook group and on Fridays we do "face to face Friday", so here is the picture I shared on there today:

I had a hard time seeing the change when I looked in the mirror, but in the side by side pic, I can finally see it! Might have a few more wrinkles and a little more loose skin, but that is ok! I am feeling great!

"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." ~ Philippians 1:6

Just sharing

My confession

FREEDOM!

Just a quick post today to share how grateFUL my HEART is for being an American! Being born in this country! It is not a perfect country, but it is my country! It is all I know! No matter what may happen that is not so good... or things that go on that I am not happy about... I am PROUD to be living in the Land of the Free... the Home of the Brave!

Here is a little project I have been working on in my "free time"... not that I have had too much of that lately! ;)

“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.” (Ephesians 4:3–6 NLT)

The Inn is keeping us hopping this summer, but it is soooooo good! We have the strength we need to do what God has called us to!

Enjoy your 4th of JULY celebration! Freedom is nothing to take for granted! Have a blessed day!