Summer Bible Study is over!

I got to be apart of an incredible Bible Study this summer. My friend Lisa and I decided to do something together this summer to keep us in the Word and not get too lazy. We thought it'd be fun to do this study and get together every other week for lunch at her house and discuss it. My friend Jen (in Ohio) told me about the study and invited me to do it. Lisa had seen it on the web and thought about it already. So - there you go! We decided to do it.



I had NO idea how it would change my life! I always expect to be challenged when I do a Bible Study, but I never saw this coming!



The study was introduced on Beth Moore's blog. She challenged women to join her in doing a study over the summer. She put a video on the blog every other week to watch and discuss with your group. Women from all 50 states proceeded to sign up! I know that over 500 finished it - the count is still rising. Then Lisa's sister-in-law Beth joined in and the three of us spent the summer doing the "No Other Gods" study by Kelly Minter.



I had been "jumping through all of the hoops" to get my surgery approved and scheduled since January. I had been praying about it all along the way. I had been asking God for the strength to go through with it. The surgery is not easy. And it is just a tool. It still takes great discipline and restraint!



This study really made me aware of how much my love for food and eating was a sin. It became so apparent that it was an idol in my life. I was challenged to give it up as an offering to God. This process brought me to the point of being so willing to make right eating choices for God. I even lost 10 pounds before the surgery. It has had a great impact on my heart. I am thankful! I feel like I've been set free!



Here are my Summer Siestas!

And...they're off!

Well, today is the day. It's been much anticipated and a little dreaded. My little ducklings are all at school.

Yes, I am excited about the new school and so, so thankful for God's gift that they can all three attend. I am sure that it will be a better year. I just wish that I could homeschool them.

They all handled it like pros. I'm so proud of them. Missy Prissy did ask me three times, "Mommy, what if I'm not brave and I'm shy?" She is such an outgoing child - after she gets to know you. She is VERY shy at first and it is so hard for her to get past it. Now, once she's past it, look out!

I walked them in to the morning assembly (they start everyday all together in assembly for prayer and devotion!!). After each class was dismissed and went to their classrooms, I went down to Missy's room to carry the rest of her stuff down to her. She had big tears in her eyes (before she even saw me). When she saw me, she started bawling! I took her into the hall and held her for a few minutes. Her teacher was taking the class to show them where the bathrooms were, so she went with them bravely.

Letting go... again...

This ain't no public school!

I'm so excited! We went to the kid's new school Open House last night. It was so amazingly different than public school! I'm so excited!

To hear that my children's teachers have been praying for them by name every day this summer and will continue to do so every day this year! To begin the assembly with prayer! To end the assembly with laying hands on each teacher and praying for them!! I was so ecstatic and had to be glowing!! I can't tell you what it felt like to put my hand on Guitar Hero's teacher and pray for her and to look her in the eyes afterwards and see her tears and hug her!! Wow!! How powerful!

School starts on Monday. I know most moms are so ready for school to start by this point. I'm not. Sorry, but I'm not! I love having my kids at home! I do! I love having lazy evenings with them, staying up with them, sleeping in. I love being able to go and do as we please! I love their relaxed attitudes that no school allows. I love their hugs throughout the day as I'm working. I even love their interruptions and opportunities to spend time one on one with each child! But it is almost over...

Back to hurry, hurry. Back to schedules, homework, agendas, studying, mealtimes, bedtimes, and all the emotions and upsets that go with all of that structure!! Still, maybe it will be better with all the additional prayer from the school. Do you know that everyday at school will begin with an assembly where they will pray and have a devotion? How very different from public school. What a great tone to start the day! Oh, how I pray it will make the difference in my children too!

I guess it's no secret...

Well, it's been a little while since I've blogged. It feels longer than it's actually been!! There is a reason for this. I've had a major life changing event take place and I wasn't ready to share yet. I think most of you know now though. So here I go...

I had surgery on Tuesday. Yes, one week ago tomorrow. I was in the hospital for 2 nights. It was planned surgery. I knew it was coming (for a couple of months actually). It was just something I had prayed about a great deal and needed as few distractions as possible before doing. Most people have their opinions about this surgery and won't hesitate to tell you (or bombard you, in some cases!). I needed to stay on track with the research that I had gathered, as well as the preparation that needed to be done without having to reassure too many people.

Do I have your curiosity peaked enough yet? Are you thinking I had breast enhancement? No, of course you aren't. You know me way better than that!! I had gastric bypass surgery. It was a huge decision for me. It was not considered lightly. Much research and prayer went into it. I feel really good about it.

It has been a hard week, but not too hard. I've had a great support system of close friends. I can't help but sing Lisa's praises at this point. What a friend! She stayed in the hospital with me all but one night shift. She is the one who pushed me to do every single thing the doctor wanted me to do (so lovingly). I couldn't have done it without her. I didn't know I'd need the help. God did. He sent Lisa. I'm so grateful.

Also, my sweet friend Kendra. She kept my Missy Prissy. She's arranged meals to be brought to my children for the first week (can't tell you how thoughtful that is, since I can't eat!!). Many others have helped too. Thanks so much!

Where am I at now? I am drinking 64 ounces of fluid every day - approx. 60 grams of which is protein. Every day I feel a little better. I drove to Food City for a quick trip yesterday. I worked half a day today and rested before driving to a support group meeting tonight. It was good to be with other people who've had the surgery.

So, here is my "before picture". Enjoy, since I will be changing rapidly (10.5 pounds less already).