New Weight Goal

Okay so with the weather starting to warm up a bit, I've been thinking lately that I need to up my goal. I reached my first goal which was 130. It was about 15 pounds I was going for then, and I reached it which is great, but I'm thinking I can push for just a bit more. Honestly, I have cut back on a lot of the bad stuff I was eating, but since reaching 130 I've started to figure out ways to cheat and stay at 130 which isn't good! I don't want to be thin, I want to be healthy! And that is the hard part. Unfortunately, I love a juicy burger now and again, and I LOVE chocolate, and I even enjoy a vanilla coke once in a while, but if continue to substitute bad foods for all the good ones, then my cholesterol and my long-term health is what's going to suffer. SO, I think that if I can crack down a bit more on my fast food and sweets, and up my exercise, maybe go walking with Jace more, I think I can make it to 125 by the summer. I know it's only 5 pounds, but I have a feeling those last 5 are going to be the hardest. Especially since the lightest I've ever weighed (since being out of middle school that is!) is 127. We'll see, but I think I can do it.... with some help of coarse. Some help from the Lord to give me strength when I'm being tempted by all the yummy, delicious foods I want to eat. Help from Chris who is still keeping his weight off and looking great! And help from friends. From today til summer, it's time to get back into being healthy! .... and a tiny bit thinner would be nice too =)

OKC photos

I unfortunately forgot to bring the camera, but my girl Rachel took a couple on her phone. Here are two from the OKC Star competition. Thanks again everyone!

Me and Rachel Williams

This is me being my normal CHEESY self. (Also evidence that I have officially lost my baby weight!!!! Thank You Jesus!)

"We're Family!!!"

So the results are in, and I didn't place as well as I had hoped, but I can't say I'm disappointed. It was a fun night. I sang my best and can't say I would have done anything differently, the competition was just really tough.
The fact that I even made it as far as I did is something to be happy about, but what topped it all off, and made the night better than ever was the crowd. In the crowd, there were about 30 people from Peoples Church there to support me! I felt so special and SO loved! It's funny because since being out here, I've always told people that the only down side is that we're far from family, but after this past weekend, I realize that couldn't be farther from the truth. The second they announced my name, everyone from our church stood to their feet, screaming, waving dozens of posters, and blowing into kazoos... yes kazoos! I mean.... really, they were the best! Even though I'm sure there were many other things they could have all been doing with their time, they chose to come out and support me. I have to say, I am definitely feeling the love! Thanks guys so much. I'm so glad we're here, living life and doing ministry with such amazing, loving people. We are family! ... and I love you guys!

A living testimony of youth ministry

The other day in the office, I overheard Mandi talking to a volunteer about a recent video we showed in service. It was our Crazy Generations video, and during the video there were clips of Chris and Mandi where they shared basically their heart for ministry. It's a powerful video, that highlights the importance of youth & kids ministry and how relevant it is that we have an impact on the youth of the next generation. Mandi was sharing how she's so thankful that just as she is able to invest in youth, she was also invested in when she was younger. As I heard her talking about it, it just really resonated with my heart. Truthfully, if it were not for my youth pastors and spiritual mentors that God put in my life, I really don't know for sure what my life would be like today. It's eye opening to think that every week Chris and I have the chance to impact youth's lives for eternity. Some people may disagree about the importance of youth ministry, but the truth for me is I am a product of youth ministry and so is my husband Chris. When I think about it, it makes youth ministry that much more real to me.
I just wanted to take a minute and say thank you to all those people that have taken the time, made the sacrifices they've made, and invested in me because they saw my worth. Thank you so much. It's not a gratitude that words could ever really express. I want to say a special thanks to Pastor Tim and Kristina Martin, and Pastor Paul and Debbie Hinzman. They were my youth pastors. They were a part of my life when I needed someone most. They loved me unconditionally, accepted me for who I was, and saw something special in me that at that time I didn't even see. Because of all they did, they helped lead me down a path that has lead me to where I am today: serving in ministry and serving my family. I'm so glad God put them in my life. It's something I'll forever be thankful for. To them, and to anyone else who ever took the time to invest in me, thanks.

the offizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

So I did it... I gave it a shot. A fair shot too. I watched 4 or 5 episodes in a row, and much to my dismay, "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz". I know. Right now, I have friends that disagree with me and probably don't like me very much for saying what I just said, but I'm sorry. I guess British comedy just isn't for me! I have to say, it had a few giggle moments, I'll give it that, but for the most part, everyone talked it up so much that maybe my expectations started off way too high. On a scale of 1-10 on the laugh'ometer, it was barely a 6 for me. Could it be that I make myself laugh so much that nothing else is really ever "that" funny?.... NAH!
Well, like I said, my deepest apologies to all those out there who revolve your entire week around "the office", but from this day forward, I think I'll have to stick to my favorites. The shows that never dissapoint me: 24, LOST, Heroes, Survivor.... ahhh. I'm smiling. I didn't even say it, I only typed it and I'm smiling.
Sorry Dwight =(

"The Office"

Everyone out here seems to watch the office. After much convincing from almost all of our friends, we're giving into the peer pressure. So tonight the journey begins with season 2 of "the office". As I prepare to hit the play button, many questions are bombarding my mind: "Will I love it just as ALL my friends do? Could I possibly commit to one more show when I'm already spread so thin? Will I be able to handle the pressure of following "the office" with Survivor getting ready to start back up as well?" As these are all equally important questions, one question sticks out in my mind the most, and may haunt me for years to come: "Will watching all these shows turn me into a T.V. junkie???!!!"....... NAH!

Love Lockdown

Well last night was fun. As some of you probably already know, I love to sing, but when it comes to speaking, that's my husbands area of expertise =). But last night, I had the opportunity, for the first time, to speak to our female students and it was so much fun!!! A little scary, but fun =)

We just started a new sermon series called, "Love Lockdown" and it's all about dating and relationships. When Chris first asked me to speak, my first reaction in my head was, "me? are you kidding?!" But once he explained to me that I would be talking to our girls about modesty, I instantly was excited about getting to share my heart on this issue. I'm not going to lie, I was definitely nervous, but I'm pretty sure that was inevitable. All in all, I'm pretty happy with how I did, and the best part is last night, several students gave their hearts to Christ. That never gets old. Looking back, I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to speak into the lives of our girls. I think it's important for them to hear from someone who knows what it's like to be a teenage girl and to struggle with the same things they struggle with. I hope they all heard my heart, but more importantly I hope they were all challenged to be godly young women.