The Power of Love

February - the month of cupids and love...or on a patriotic note...the celebration of two most remarkable Presidents of the United States...Abraham Lincoln on the 12th and George Washington on the 22nd.  It truly is a GREAT month of fun and gratitude celebrations...

This February 2010...will have a different tone to it for me...but, one of HOPE...and one filled with GRATITUDE...

The OUTPOURING of LOVE for Garvin due to his current physical challenge...has been one of PURE CHARITY...from all across the country...The POWER of PRAYERS...have given us the COURAGE to MOVE in a direction to "overcome" his current condition....It has affected both Garvin and myself...

It is hard enough to change a major pattern of "eating"...but, to REFINE it in such a radical manner...takes all the "self mastery" one can find inside one's soul...

But like all "challenges"...they can become GIFTS....We are finding "hidden treasures" that come from this "deep spiritual cleansing"...

I didn't want Garvin to walk the path alone...so, I am incorporating 90% of the changes he has to make in his life...in order to "give him more time" to do his work here on the earth...Consequently....we are BOTH being GREATLY BLESSED...Garvin has lost 18 pounds...and I have lost almost 10 pounds...But, it isn't simply the WEIGHT LOSS that is blessing us...It is the types of foods that we are putting into our mouths...Living the "Word of Wisdom" in the DO areas of the commandment...has been INCREDIBLE....Can feel the difference...in small ways, already...

We have a LONG WAY to go...BUT...with GREAT HOPE...and FAITH...that the path we are taking...will lead us to a more fulfilling physical life here on this earth...

THANK YOU...to EACH OF YOU...for YOUR LOVE and SUPPORT...What a difference it has made...in our lives....

Life's Challenges Sometimes Forces Our Hand...

During the past 9 days, a "wake-up call" in Garvin's life...forced our hand...to make changes than involved BOTH of us to change the way we have taken care of our "physical" bodies...

Nothing like a little drama of facing "immortality"...to wake up the senses to do a major "over-haul"...(smile)


We began..."juicing" fruits and vegetables and eating most of our foods in its "raw" state...to kick start...a cleansing process...As soon as we can get Garvin's situation under control...we will slowly add..."cooked" foods in moderation...I believe, our lives have changed forever...in this area. It will be awhile before we can return to some sort of normalcy in the "eating" of foods that we enjoyed in the past...but, it will NEVER be like it was...We will stick VERY CLOSE to do's of the "Word of Wisdom"...which...is quite strict when you truly study it in "detail"...


So far, Garvin has lost 15 pounds...and I have lost 6 pounds...All "challenges" truly are "gifts" from Father...They are given to "purify" our nature...not to "defeat" us...!!! (smile)

New Beginnings..."Finding JOY in the JOURNEY"

I have loved rereading President Monson's talk on "Finding Joy In the Journey"...This one paragraph in particular drew my attention:

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."

Don't you just love that? Years ago...all through my teens and young 20's...I managed an "athletic" body...I could RUN for MILES and not feel it...Bend and Twist my body around...almost like I was double jointed...In my early 20's I was between 110 and 115 pounds...It was amazing how much fuller I was able to live life...with a HEALTHY body that could take anything on that came my way...My mind and physical stamina was able to cope easier....because it was healthy and strong...


Wow...If anyone told me...that my "athletic" body would change..I would have never believed it...However, I REALIZE that it was CHOICES I have made over the years...that places me in the situation I am in, today...


However, I am THRILLED for another CHANCE to "overcome" this "weakness" I have developed over the years...I believe "MODERATION" in all things...is acceptable...so in the future...I do hope to "enjoy" the gifts of life in food form...that I believe are blessings from our Father...Nothing like sitting around a table with family and friends and sharing GREAT FOOD...together! (smile)


Holly, I have CHANGED your TICKER...It is already for you to begin your new year...once Josh leaves again for Iraq...You came real close to your goal in 2009 by losing "42" pounds!!!! That is absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! Hugs and HIGH FIVE for that accomplished goal!!!!

We can find "JOY IN THE JOURNEY"!!! Even in the efforts of losing weight!!! (smile) 

Happy New Year!

It has been awhile since we have exchanged thoughts on this BLOG...I know some of you are SUCCESSFULLY losing weight with another blog program...and I am THRILLED to hear that it is WORKING for you!!!!

These past many months, especially in the past couple of days, I have come to know...what a precious "gift" our physical bodies truly are...One of our challenges in life...is to "take care" of this body... with the intent to fulfill our divine missions here on earth using this wonderful "gift" from our Heavenly Father...

We, as members of the church, were given the inspired "Word of Wisdom"...Many members have mastered the "don'ts" very well...However, the "do's" seem much more challenging, because for most of us...it takes a determined spirit...to self-master...the "natural man"...and "appetites" is one area that is at the top of the LIST...that Satan LOVES to tempt us with...on all levels...

This past year and spilling into this wonderful New Year...my life is now facing one of the greatest challenges I ever had to be confronted with...Like many of you...we are to be "tried and tested" in all things...How we DEAL with these challenges...seems to affect us all in many different ways...

Food often brings "comfort" and when we are under "stressful" conditions...we go where we can "calm" our spirits...I decided that FOOD will NOT be that path for me, anymore.  I have come to KNOW that our TRUE comfort can only come from the SPIRIT...and I will be turning to HIM...for that "calming" affect that only HE can BRING into our souls...

I ended 2009...having GAINED an additional 13 pounds...weighing MORE than I have ever weighed in my ENTIRE life! I have many excuses I could use for this...but, in my heart, I know I could have made better choices in handling my life. Food should not have been the answer...

I, once again, sat down...and pondered over my goals this coming year. With a renewed attitude and with the help of God...I am determined to succeed in a couple of areas...My physical body...being one of them. I am determined to overcome the "flesh" in order to build UP my "spiritual" side of my nature. One can not take on the challenges of life...without the power of the Holy Ghost.  None of us can afford to lose that edge...

I would still LOVE to hear about your SUCCESSES...and WHY you are succeeding this time...

Since the first of the year - 17 days - I have lost 3 solid pounds almost 4.

My love to you all...Deb

End of the Year...Reflections

As this 2009 year comes to a close...Many of us...drifted slowly away from our goal of losing a pound a week or at least I did...I want you to know, however, I had found it very helpful...banding with others to lose weight...I did very well...at the beginning...

As time went by...my daughter-in-law, Holly...took off...and continued to do very well...Some of you...Gail and Renee...had already lost a tremendous amount BEFORE we even started the BLOG...The "3" of you...truly were "inspiring" to me....

However, my world turned upside down....I found myself becoming unfocused and my personal goal to lose weight got lost in the shuffle of "moving"...After 21 years in Florida...we moved to a frontier unknown...the state of Montana...This was truly a major change...I know it was not an excuse to "eat" whatever I felt like, yet I did....These past months since AUGUST...living in an RV park for 2 months and now, in a ONE room motel for the remaining year...with Garvin and a 16 year old...no HOME to care for...no callings to keep me busy...no GARDEN to tend...I found going to the refrigerator my constant sense of companionship....Reading and working on my computer became my "activities" day in and day out...Fortunately, I did do some Seminary teaching and a few assignments for the Relief Society took my out of "my room"...Other than that, I became more of a recluse and found myself...being drawn into a way of life...that was "new to me"...

After 4 months...gaining all my "weight loss" back...PLUS an additional 15 pounds...I am now weighing more than I ever have in my entire life...It was time for me to take a deep look into my soul...I needed to understand why I was choosing a path leading me more into a destructive mode "physically" and in other ways "mentally"...than a positive one...Though, I learned a GREAT DEAL in "spiritual" truths and insights...I wasn't dealing with the "inner" me...

I am discovering answers...and am setting "goals" to pull myself out...of the "hole" I was digging for myself...I can NOT do this "alone"...I have come to KNOW...that through "Christ" all things are possible...if I but, truly, TURN TO HIM on a DAILY BASIS...Some of you may be surprised by my comment...perhaps...thinking I had this all down in my life...but, for the past 3 years...I was "slipping" from what brought me the greatest JOY...PEACE...and STRENGTH....I was trying to handle Life's situations...with less prayer...less scripture study...less drawing from the only source that will make one "whole"...I KNOW I had to TURN from going "inward" to an "outward" way of living LIFE...SERVING Father FIRST...which in turn...places me living to SERVE others...and "losing myself".....

I have rededicated my life...my "covenants" mean more to me...now...than they ever have...My understanding...has deepened...and my DESIRE...to build Father's kingdom...is my life's focus...

So, what does this have to do with THIS particular BLOG..."weight loss"...? Well, overcoming the "physical" is a step towards...deepening our "spiritual" relationship with our Father...Our body is a "temple" and it does have a "direct" correlation with our "spirit"...

I am resetting my "weight loss" goals...but, with a difference emphasis...on WHY the need to lose my weight...I can do "all things" through Christ...who WILL STRENGTHEN me...

I will weigh in on New Year's Day...to set my "ticker"...(smile)  Happy New Year, everyone...!!!!

Time to play the game again...

Well, this round did not play out like we thought so back to the, well, umm, stirups again. :)

I started the Femara last week and last night was the last dose (for this cycle). Tomorrow I start the ovulation testing again (yeehaw) and Friday morning I go for another Ultrasound.

If they find a viable follicle then I get to take home a shot again.

Last month for the first cycle we wound up spending $500.00 between the meds and 4 Ultrasounds. Sheesh!!!

That is all to report for now. :)

down but not giving up!

Hello ladies,
I know it has been a while. Last time I posted I shared about putting some weight back on well....still trying to get that back down again(: I came across a really great quote and I try to keep it in my mind when I am reaching for the wrong kinds of food, sometimes it works and others too late(: but the point is keep moving forward and always striving to do better. I still plan on getting to my goal by Jan 1 2010, we shall see. The quote was " Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" Simply put but powerful. Ok ladies back to the grind. I wont be able to do my workout videos for a while as out TV is now broken (another story another BLOG-our family BLOG) so I am going to try to get to the gym a few times a week or play tenis with a friend if holidays and timing work(: Watching what I eat and not just as it goes in(:
Ok I know enough already lady(: hehehehe
I hope you all have a super duper week and make it better then the last(: It takes one day even one minute(second too) sometimes but we can do it(: