Happy St. Patty's Day!

Gotta LOVE Maxine!

(She makes me smile!)

Just checking in to see how everyone's day is going!  We are having wonderful weather.  It is like the air is super charged!  We had some thunder and lightning last night, but no real rain.  I think the super charged air is the result of the lightning that passed through.  It feels awesome!

The book I have been wanting to order (but had to wait for the "extra" funds) came yesterday.  I could not put it down last night!  I have been wanting to read this ever since Linda (Prairie Flower Farm) first mentioned it.

I want to tell you, if you have a heart for God, for children, for foreign places

....any of the above....

This book is LIFE changing!

It is the story of Katie Davis, being called to the mission field right out of high school, which was not what her parents (or herself) had planned for her future.  It is a tremendous book!

Christian Book Online has it on sale.  I am going to be ordering more copies for gifts and I already promised two sweet friends they could "borrow" it to read after I'm finished.  Now, I'm thinking of buying an extra copy just to loan to those who are interested.

(So, if you are, get yer name on the list!  Just let me know in the comment section.)

Love this!

Besides the weather being fantastic today, sticking with the eating plan has been good!  I like "good" days, when it's "easy".  I think I'll wait and weigh on March 31st.  I was going to say, "April 1st" but then everyone would think ~ April Fool!  So, I'll do it a day early.

I can't believe I have so much to accomplish in the next few months, but I am getting really excited!

I worked some on the sidebar late yesterday (even with all the grands (all eleven) here).  Now, I want to make some "pages" to keep some topics separated.  I think I will like that better and it will make it easier for readers to find *stuff*.

Okay, I'm going to get off and make my sugar scrub.  I've been out a few days and that is not in keeping with the plan.  I'll post the recipe tomorrow or Monday.  It is so easy and works so well!

May your day be blessed!

~ Shabbat Shalom ~

Cheryl

Time for some Girl Talk!

Diet News, updates, changes,

…And a Big Thank You for your patience with me!

I know that it has been forever and two days since I posted.  I apologize for that!!  To review the events of the past few weeks and bring everyone up to date here’s a list:

January – 1/1/12 I started the Sacrificial Diet.  Basically, I was sacrificing two meals a day, to the Lord.  It is a great diet, first started by my friend Angela, who needs to be writing a book!  However, during this time back the end of November, I developed a terrible cough.  I self diagnosed said cough as allergies…..okay, I was wrong (I can admit that on rare occasions) so I finally went to the doctor on

February 1^st – the doctor (being smarter than me) diagnosed me with the crud (better known as pneumonia).  I was still doing the Sacrificial Diet, but while on the medicine to treat the pneumonia I did not want anything to eat (so unlike me!).  I become a lot weaker with absolutely no energy.

March - One of my longest and bestest friends had started using Herbal Life shakes back in the fall.  She has not only lost 45 lbs. she feels great.  She talked me into using the shakes to re-coop some of my energy.

Now, I drink one or two shakes during the day and eat dinner with the family.  Of course, like anyone else, I have good days and bad days.  As Angela says, “more good days than bad – that’s the goal.”  The last time I weighed, I was down 22 pounds.  I am trying to refrain from running to check the scale each day!  It is not easy for me to do, but because weight can fluctuate 1 to 9 lbs in a 24 hour period….it is best if I don’t go *see* how I am doing so often.

I am beginning to regain my energy, but it has been slow….or so it seems to me.

For  you ladies who are interested, The Sacrificial Diet is now on Facebook.  It is a “closed” group for ladies only, so if you are interested, you will need to contact Angela!  Her blog is 

Free Spirit Haven   
~ or via ~
Facebook

As for the Prairie Maid blog (here) – I never wanted or intended for this blog to become a place where the main focus was my dieting woes or that I would constantly write about my walk with the LORD.  But…..these are the things that have been on my mind and in my heart the last few weeks.  So, since I barely have had the energy to think at all, I decided to take a break from posting.

The funny thing is, these two subjects along with spring here on the farm and the grandkids are about the only things I can focus on, still I really don’t want to bore you, so I guess this is kind of a *warning*…..if and when I post, the subject is going to most likely be

1. Diet and health
2.  My walk with the LORD
3. Farm life (and woes), spring babies
4. Grand KIDS!

I know eventually, other things will enter my head and I will need to pour my heart out here…..but for now, this is it.

 

And keeping with that thought, I want to tell you a little about the coming year, our plans and what I am going to be doing to improve me.  (You all know, if you want to change your circumstances, you have to start with YOU!)  This is about me, changing me….or allowing the the LORD to change ME!

The Year of Esther….

This coming April 4^th will mark our 39^th anniversary!  (I’ve mentioned this before, but here we go again.)

 "My beloved is mine, and I am his:" 

~ Song of Solomon 2:16 ~

So, one year from the above date, we plan to renew our vows.  For this occasion I want everything to be nice, not perfect, but nice.  I want to feel as awesome as possible, look as good as possible and appear as young as possible.

 

Because this has become the desire of my heart, I have asked the LORD to help me to achieve these goals.  I know it won’t be easy…..I know I will have to be diligent.  There will most likely be bad days, but I believe the good days will far out number the bad!  I have hope and determination.  

And, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  (Phil. 4:13)

Anyway, to make a long story somewhat shorter, after studying the Book of Esther over Purim this year, the Lord began to deal with me concerning how I treat myself.

You probably remember, before being presented to the King, Esther received a year’s worth of beauty treatments….this is almost beyond anything I can imagine!!!  Because, like many of you, about the nicest thing I do for myself is blog!  If I remember to put lotion on my elbows and feet at night, I’m doing great.  But ABBA is changing that.  Simple homemade (for the most part) beauty treatments are becoming a way of life (homemade/inexpensive/which I will be sharing).  I'm taking the time for a nice luxury bath at least twice a week (not just jump in and out of the shower), It is Heaven! 

A special treat once every 4 to 6 weeks….oh yeah – maybe a pedicure, massage….we’ll see.

I want to keep some sort of journal about my feelings and my progress.  I want to share this walk and time with you, perhaps do some sort of photo journal.  I want to share our plans for our special day and why we feel lead to renew our vows.  I want to share anything and everything about this special time in our lives, from where it will be held to what will be served and who will be doing what.  Sometimes, I’ll want your advice or opinion….

I really do like input from others!

I hope there will be some surprises along the way to make things interesting!

So, if you can bear with me…through diet talks, my walk of faith, etc., You are invited!!!

I think it will be an interesting year!

So, come on along!

Also, as I have time, I am going to be making some changes in the blog itself.  It will mainly be on the sidebar.  It has needed to be updated for sometime.  However, anytime you need or desire for me to pray with you or for you, I am here and will feel honored to do so!

Blessings of love and peace,

Cheryl