Haiti trip part 1

My trip is still about 3 months away, but it has already become an adventure. It all started when I couldn’t find my birth certificate. I tore my house upside-down trying to find it. I found both my sons’ and my husband’s but not mine.

I went to the county court house, to get a copy for $10. When I got there the clerk couldn’t find me. Finally she asked me a very personal question. I could tell she really didn’t want to ask, but had to. Her question was “Were your parents married at the time of your birth?” My answer “No,” I thought to myself “why should that matter?” She told me that in the 1970’s and early 1980’s if parents weren’t married, the birth certificate didn’t get filed with the county clerk. And that I would have to go through the State. She handed me a business card with a phone number and a website.

I called the phone number. Of course I never talked to any one. It was all automated. As I listened to the recording I learned that this was going to cost more than $10. For $26 I could get my birth certificate in 6 weeks. For another $10 the State would send it in 4 weeks.

I got on the website on the card. For $44.50 I could have it in 2 two weeks. So I started to fill out the online forms. Half way through I lost my internet connection. I had just entered my credit card #. So I wasn’t sure if the order went through. I called the first thing the next morning. It had not gone through. So back on the internet I went. I filled out all of the forms this time, but their server couldn’t verify that it was me who was requesting my birth certificate. So I had to fill out a paper form and upload it to their server. I tried this 4 times and all 4 times their server wouldn’t accept it for some reason. I called my husband at work, frustrated because it shouldn’t be this hard! He said he would fax the form for me in the morning. He did.

I got the birth certificate this morning in the mail.

Hold Your Fear Captive

…They will take captive those who were their captors, and rule over those who oppressed them. –Isaiah 14:2

We are sometimes held captive by our fears. Let’s look at some: how about fear of parenting your kids wrong, or fear of your child/children being hurt. My favorite is the fear of what others think. I know others who have a fear of health issues and still others who fear the future. I could go on, but I won’t.

The Lord of Hosts is mustering a host for battle. -Isaiah 13:4.
How can we be part of the “host for battle” if we are captive or enslaved by our fears? We can’t! The answer lies in 14:2 of Isaiah. We must take captive those fears that were our captors. We must rule over them.

Right behind fear is worry, waiting to capture us. The only way to capture our captors is to let go of them. Lay them at the cross. Leave them there! Don’t pick them up! No matter what they are Jesus can handle them!

You are not too young!

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’, for to all whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.”-Jeremiah 1:7

God has a purpose even for young people. He knew you before you were born. He designed you for a purpose.

Before you say “I’m just a kid or I’m only a teenager. How can God use me?” let’s look at some young people in the Bible who God used.

First there is Joseph. He was a young teen when his brothers sold him into slavery. God used him even in his youth. Soon he became the second in command of Egypt. His story begins in Genesis 37.

Next there is Samuel. God was using him even before he was born. Read 1Samuel 1.

Then there was David. As a teen/young man fought and killed a Philistine giant. He also wrote many of the Psalms as a young man. Read 1 Samuel chapter 16 through chapter 18.

Fourth there was Josiah, who became king of Judah at age 8. Check out 2 Kings chapter 22.

Then there was Daniel and his friends. The four of them were used mightily by God, as teens. Look up Daniel chapter 1.

We finally come to Jeremiah. Even though he was young, God chose him to be a prophet at a young age. God even told him not to say “I can’t, because I’m too young.” Read
Jeremiah chapter 1.

So remember, you are never too young to be used by God. You just have to be willing.

Two Roads

Be careful to obey all the commands I give you; show love to the Lord your God by walking in His ways and clinging to Him.-Deut. 11:22

There is a famous poem that talks about two roads. In life there are two roads also. I think Mr. Frost was referring to these two roads.

One is well worn, from lots of travel of many travelers; smooth and safe looking. You will see many of the travelers. What you don’t see is the regret and guilt most travels of this road have. This road leads away from God; away from His perfect will for your life.

The other road in life is less traveled, just like the road in the poem. It looks hard, long, and deserted. You may see a few people, but not very many, comparatively. Along the way you will find many blessings and see many miracles. This road leads to the One, who knows what’s best for you.

If you find yourself traveling on the crowded road, don’t lose heart. Ask God for help to get back to the right road. He will not follow down the crowded one, but He will show you how to get on the less traveled one.

His Word (the Bible) gives you road signs that will show you the way to go. So open up your Bible and read, but also keep walking.

Month 3 of Lose for the Fuse

Feb 27-March 26

Month 3 tip: Try eating at least 85% of meals at home. You are more likely to over eat and take in more calories when you eat at restaurants. Eat at home or if you are on the go, prepare you meals in advance. You’ll save on calories and cash.

Week 1: We went ice skating with the youth group. I fell twice. Once was so bad it knocked the wind out of me. I lost 2.6 pounds! Average jog 5.170

Week 2: I lost 1/2 pound. We ate out way too much this week. Average jog 5.199 miles

Week 3: I lost 1.1 pounds. Which is great! This week Jamie and I celebrated our 15th Anniversary at a B&B. I ate way too much. Now I have a nasty cold and haven’t done much exercise. I only ran 2 days this week. Average run 5.287 miles

Week 4: Monday the 22nd we went swimming for an hour. I lost 1.5 pounds. Average jog in place 5.211

Lost total of 5.7 pounds!

Now let’s see if I met any goals this month. Nope! But oh well. Not going to complain.

Next month’s goals are: 1) lose at least 5 pounds. 2) jog 5.5 miles or higher at least once, this month.