Welcome to my blog!

So the truth is that trying to survive in our world as a woman is hard enough at times but toss in some Christianity and you got yourself quite a challenge. My name is Miranda and welcome to my blog. I recently married the love of my life and went from the single life to the newly married adventure. I'm sure my upcoming writings will dive into this new and exciting stage of my life. Sometimes life is quite funny, sometimes it's downright entertaining, and sometimes it can get a little bit more serious. I love God and want to live a life that pleases him but that sometimes is easier said than done. :) So join me as I walk through the trials, struggles and joys of life when the only thing that works is a little chocolate and a lot of faith.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Believe it or not!

So have you ever prayed for something and then were surprised when you got it? Happens to me all the time I'm afraid. I pray for a situation to work out and then when it does I'm blown away. I could pray for someone to be healed and then it's almost a surprise when they are. I pray for God's will to be done and then barely recognize when it happens. Maybe it's just me!

The truth is I pray completely believing God at the moment and then don't always acknowledge or recognize His hand. For the last couple months I had to work at the drive through location of our bank and I have to admit I was kind of dreading it. So I prayed for a better attitude and that my time there would be productive etc. Well lo and behold I have one more week left in this rotation and I am now on the opposite side of the spectrum. I am actually totally sad to leave. I absolutely loved working there. I think I really appreciated not working between 2 branches every day and that might have played a significant role.

But the feeling of loss completely caught me off guard even though that's what I prayed for!!! God somewhere along the way changed my heart from it being something that I had to do to something that I not only wanted to do but enjoyed as well. So awesome how He does that. Makes the verse that says how He sings all around us while we are unaware come to life.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Men...

So I'm trying to understand the age old mystery of the differences between men and women(if anyone thinks they have an answer please share). You see being a single Christian woman is no easy task and men do not make it any easier. I wish they came with a manual. Let me fill you in.

Last summer I met this cute young man, full of ambition and a zest for life but not a zest for Jesus so it was see you later. If you think I asked the question "why Lord?" a hundred times you'd be wrong-it was definitely closer to two hundred. :)

Well didn't see or hear from this guy after we parted ways until a few weeks ago when one of my friends (who also knows him), and myself were out for a walk. Getting healthy and all that. So randomly we run into this old acquaintance who is super excited to see us and being his cute self certainly wasn't disappointing us in any way. We end up having coffee and catching up and he even made plans to take in a play.

Sounds good? Here's the conversation taking place in my head - Sure why not? He's such a great conversationalist. Who knows where he's at now? But he does still have the most amazing blue eyes ever. Was his relationship with the Lord any deeper? He must work out. Was he wearing a wedding band? His 2 puppies are pretty cute. Is it going to be awkward hanging out with him again? If only...

I should have saved myself the pain. Sheesh! Anyways for 3 weeks we are planning to go to this play with this guy (who invited us by the way), and even though we haven't heard from him we know he's pretty busy so we are fairly understanding. Now here my friends is the great divide that separates female-kind from man-kind. when we didn't here from him, my friend sent him a text the night before the play. He responded only that he was sorry he couldn't make it because he was doing some training for his job!!!!!!!!!Really???????? What just happened?????Was he not the one who invited us???????

I know there is a moral in this somewhere... but I am still stunned by the fact that he didn't even think to mention that he couldn't make it and thought it was no big deal. Common courtesy? Common sense? I know that all guys are not like that and I sure hope that God-fearing men aren't but all I can say for now is that when I do meet Mr. Right, he better know how to pick up the phone! :)

Identity

At some point in life I think some of us discover who we really are. Some realize who they are but decide they want to be someone different and there are those who go through life and will never find their identity. How long this discovery takes depends on the individual.

I see little kids imitate their parents (good and bad) and begin developing opinions and even prejudices that will stay with them throughout their lives. I know a lot of people who have had to break free from the way they thought as they became adults realizing that so much of their thinking they owed to their parents. At some point we have to take responsibility for our own actions.

I work with teens and it is the imitation revolution. One cool kid wears a funky outfit or does her hair a certain way and all of a sudden kids everywhere are doing it. The teen years are a series of fads and followers. Making the right decisions about life doesn't always come easy.

As adults we conform to our surroundings, school, workplace, social settings, whether by choice or not we succumb to the pressures of society and lose bits and pieces of who we truly are all along the journey.

By the time we are mature, we would have spent our lives living for others, by others, through others and because of others. Some people facing retirement become depressed at the thought of losing their identity.

I see it in my own life here and there. Getting so busy with living life that I sometimes forget about being who God made me to be. I try to find my identity in the work I do or my family or my friends or my church but all those things are just part. Listen to the scripture, "...it is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for", and realize how true that is. He is my creator after all, who better to help me discover who I really am, but Him. Labels removed.

I am not just a daughter, or banker, or drama queen, I am His. I like that.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Step 2- Stumbling Back into the World of Exercise

In continuing with the steps to a healthier life, I have come to the conclusion that turning 30 was a definite turning point...or a cruel joke. Either way something strange happened to my metabolism. People used to tell me that would happen when I crossed over the great chasm separating one's 30s and 20s and I laughed at them thinking what did these 'old' people know anyway? Well the joke is definitely on me. Today I was certainly I wishing that I hadn't taken my calorie burning, energy renewing, crazy metabolism days of my twenties for granted.

Snacking right has been a challenge but certainly worth it. So step 2 was to begin to get more physically in shape. For some strange reason with the slowing of the metabolism and the lack of exercise I have developed all sorts of...um...let's just say extra curves :)In an effort to tone up I decided to start walking. The last 4 days I have actually been able to get out and walk because we have had outstanding weather. I was doing ok covering mostly flat terrain. Until today...

I brought my sneakers to work and headed out after I ate my lunch to soak up some of the glorious sunshine and 60 degree weather. I decided to double what I walked yesterday (when I was in 4 inch heels) so I was feeling pretty good with plans to make a loop of 2 blocks instead of 1. I know, ambitious, that's just the kind of girl I am. Now, I am not a complainer but I want to know who put that hill in the middle of my loop? I mean halfway up the hill my thighs and calves were on fire and I thought if I don't make it, is my will in order?

Well with much pain I made it and I am still here. It was an accomplishment. The Word of God says "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." I have great respect for those who can push their bodies to become great at their game. I realize as much as we need exercise for the body we need spiritual exercise too. Lots of it to stay in shape for all that we face in our world today. Keep you posted.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Step 1 - Snack Right

So the journey begins with the realization that our working environment is really a breeding ground for unhealthy snacking. I mean who can't resist munching on whatever is at hand when you hit that mid-morning lull closely followed by the afternoon drag? I found myself digging into potato chips, candy, chocolate, pretzels, crackers, soda...well you get the picture. Not only was this practice unhealthy for my body but unhealthy for my wallet. Hungry...run next door and grab a candy bar...thirsty ...get a pop from the vending machine...invest globs of money in things that give bursts of energy and then leave you feeling icky. I decided that change must happen so I made a list of snack items based on all the relevant good food reports of the day and headed to Wally World.

Armed with snacks to last between 2 to 3 weeks I wondered how I would survive on these items. No cookies? no potato chips? What is this? Prison? OK the temptation to renege on this goal was very tempting. However, let's see I have been snacking for about a week on these new snacks and I was certain that I would be craving chocolate chips and beautiful frosted donuts...where was I again? Oh yeah, but nope I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was having more energy and less of the afternoon blahs and get this, I went to Timmy H's and got soup, coffee and a donut and I had no desire to eat the donut! I know! I guess it's true, you put enough good stuff in and that's what you start craving. Just like the Word. Taste and see that the Lord is good.

So here is the deal, if you need to take a step to healthier snacking, a little purposeful shopping and planning is what you need. Here is my list, maybe it will inspire you...just a little. In a week where I would normally have eaten at least 6 cookies, 3 candy bars, a muffin, a donut, maybe a bag of chips or two, I had a chocolate macaroon and I didn't even miss the other stuff.

FIRST SNACK RIGHT SHOPPING LIST

-Tub of favorite yogurt (more cost effective and if you have a fridge at work it's very convenient)
-Blueberries or other berries packaged in snack portions to enjoy by themselves or with your yogurt or cottage cheese. Excellent source of antioxidants!
-String cheese, convenient and tasty
-Applesauce, bring in a jar or single serving portions work great as well.
-Baby carrots, cucumbers or celery- get your veggies on!
-Replace your soda intake with water, juice or the great tasting V8 Fusion.
-Trail Mix-packaged in serving sizes. Get a couple different kinds and alternate. Great source of energy

Eating healthier may take a little more work but it is definitely worth it. If you have some great snacking secrets for work or home or when you are on the go, please share it. Snack Happy! :)
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Healthy is a marathon not a sprint

So, earlier this year I came up with a list of 21 Things to do in 2010. I'll have to do a recap and a success update of that in a blog really soon. Well one of the goals on the list was to get healthy. Some of you may not know but I've had a few health issues for about a year now and I continue to trust God for my healing but I know it is necessary for us to do our part. We are surrounded by enticements to eat anything and everything, the temptation to stay on the couch and watch TV is strong especially during the winter (which lasts forever around here) and if you are not a snow lover (which I'm not-give me a beach any day) opportunities to get active are hard to come by in our busy lives.

Truth is every great journey begins with a single step. I can talk the talk but if I am not willing to put in the work to get where I need to be I'll be going nowhere fast. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit after all and I have to be willing to honor that. Sheesh! it's not like I'm getting any younger. I remember being in my twenties and being able to eat anything and not work out and not put on a pound. That all changed when the #30 train pulled into the station. Now I realize that if I want to be healthy and fit it's on me.

But the leap from the couch to the gym isn't always easy. Then again no good thing ever comes without hard work. Right? Right? It takes more effort, more time and a bigger investment but the results are unparalleled.

So the journey begins and I am sure it will not be without its moments. And like any journey I think this should be done in steps. First challenge...Snack Right! Let's see how it goes.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Experimental Surgery

When your thoughts start out with "I wonder if I would need a doctor to do this or if I could do it myself?" you should know that whatever you are thinking of doing is probably not a smart idea. I know, now you are curious and have to hear the whole story so here goes.

See I had this little mole on my upper left cheek. It was about the size of a pin head. well for some reason it started to aggravate me so I kept picking at it. Mistake #1. Pretty soon the little pin head was sore and now broken and sticking straight out about 1/4 inch but of course still attached to my face. I was spending the weekend at a friend's house and preparing to play the role of Esther in my church's drama the next day. As I was staring at my face around midnight in the bathroom mirror I thought I can't play one of the most beautiful queens with this thing on my face and that's when I had that thought I mentioned earlier. Mistake #2.

I figured I could do this as I recalled how we had gotten rid of a mole on my mom's arm a few years ago. So why not? The truth is I forgot that my mom's mole swelled up like a ripe cherry and caused her serious agony for 2 or 3 days before it finally gave up the fight but somehow I managed to block that out of my mind. (Sheesh! I wonder why?). Mistake #3. So needless to say I walked into the living room and said to my friend, "so...do you think that we could get rid of this mole with some thread?". Mistake #4. Of course one would hope that in the event that one suggests something ridiculous and potentially life threatening, that one's friend would absolutely take a stand against it and refuse to be a part of it. Unfortunately in my situation, said friend replied "OK, let's do it" and headed to get her sewing kit. Mistake #5.Armed with thread we headed back to the bathroom and I braced myself as she tied the thread into a loose knot and got it around the little offender. As she began to pull the knot taut she said, "now this may hurt, are you ready?". Mistake #6.

Ever try to cut off a part of yourself using some thread? Not pretty or pleasant. She continued to pull the thread and it began to slice into my flesh. Ouch! I gripped the sides of...well I don't exactly know what I was gripping because I was experiencing a deep concentrated level of pain at the time. When she pulled it as far as she could go and she let go thinking the little bugger would pop off. Nope! It was still hanging on along with a now very long piece of thread which was attached to my face. I opened my eyes which had been shut and was about to ask if she got it when I noticed a stark look of horror on her face as she stared at the pieces of thread now embedded in my face. Mistake #7.

I groaned and felt panic setting in as I looked in the mirror. "Well we could trim the thread really close and maybe no one will notice," she said as she pulled out a pair of scissors and began the sanitizing process. Mistake #8. I looked at the very scary looking pair of scissors now being drenched in iodine, hot water and rubbing alcohol and I suddenly felt a little nauseated. Finally satisfied that the scissors were sterilized she turned to me and told me not to move. Who was moving? I was grounded like Punxsutawney Phil. Eyes closed I heard the snip snip of the scissors. When they stopped I opened one eye and asked what it looked like. She said I can't get the thread off. Mistake #9. I looked in the mirror and saw that she had clipped off the little mole and now there was a little knot of thread attached to my face. Well the good news was I think the knot cut of the circulation because I didn't even know when she cut off the mole. I took a deep breath and said to her very seriously, "Get the tweezers." Another sanitizing ritual and then with her holding the tweezers and me pulling the skin on my cheek down, 'Operation Thread Removal' commenced. Mistake #10.

Finally with the mole gone and the thread gone, we trimmed down a band aid, got the neosporin out and I grabbed some BBQ chips to ease the pain and anxiety as I nursed my booboo! The good news is by the grace of God,(and only by the grace of God), the operation was successful (this time). However a word of advice, in the future if you are thinking about experimental surgery on yourself... DON'T!!! :)

Austin

Austin
Miranda Tom