Monday, November 24, 2008

A little funny for your day...

I got this in an email and thought it was entertaining enough to share. I don't vouch for the validity of the actual court case but I enjoyed the idea behind it.

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter & Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews & observances of their holy days. The argument was it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized day.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed."

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your Honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter & others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur & Hanukkah. Yet my client & all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do, counsel, your client is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is 'April Fools' Day. Psalm 14:1 states 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."

Thursday, November 20, 2008

35th Birthday Week

Hello all! Well, this week I celebrated my 35th birthday. It was a great day, nice weather in the middle of a week of very cold weather on either side. Everyone is so nice to you when it's your birthday, why can't we treat each other this good when it's not our birthdays??

To be honest, this is a bitter sweet milestone for me. When you are young and have your whole future in front of you, it feels like you could do anything! As you get older, you begin to realize there just isn't enough resources, energy or time off of work to do all the things you want to do in life. The life you end up living is far from the life you dreamed of, more times than not.

This is especially true if you have certain plans and hopes and dreams that require participation from other people outside of yourself. You can't *make* people do what you want or feel what you need them to feel or think that they should. You simply can't *make* these dreams into reality. People will always disappoint you in one way or another. The Lord is the only true rock to depend on. He will never leave nor forsake us. Things, life on the other hand, just doesn't always turn out like you thought it would, leaving you in a state of grief over your losses. There's nothing wrong with this mourning. In fact, I would argue that it's a necessary step in the process. If you don't take the time to mourn those losses and unfulfilled dreams, you will spend years waiting for them to happen when you could have moved on to dream new dreams! But you can't dream new dreams until your old dreams are in the past.

I will never be a young bride. My wedding photos, if I even have any, will all be of me in my mid to late 30's, wrinkles and all.

I will never be a young mom. My dreams of being young and spry with little ones under foot will never come to fruition. I may still have children either from me or by adoption but I will always be atleast 36 years older than them. I will never have the energy of a 20 something woman to keep up with their energetic needs.

I will never fly in outer space.
I will never be a filmmaker in Hollywood.
I will never be a professional photographer.
I will never be a chef.
I will never be a teacher.
I may never be wife or a mother.

So what then? Shall I lay down and sob for the rest of my days? No way!!!!! There are plenty of satisfying things I can do with my days here. This world is not my home anyway. I can get busy for the Lord and seek what He would have me to do. I enjoy so many things, I can do them and find that contentment abounds! The important thing for me to do is have a time of mourning for those old dreams and then move on to dream some new ones! For every 40 something person who wakes up and wonders where their life went and what happened to all the things they didn't do, is a 30 something person waisting their life waiting!

I'm 35. It's time for me to dream new dreams and get to it!

Friday, November 14, 2008

So much for this week...

Well, I had big hopes at the beginning of the week to utilize a new writing technique in a way of being creative with my 'To do' list and actually get excited to complete tasks and mark them off the list. Then the big kitchen construction project came up and frrrt! There goes that idea!

Clustering can be used to quickly and creatively drum up writing ideas and begin to "branch" out on a given topic expanding the areas with which you can write on that topic. When you begin to try these different writing techniques, you'll find you can use the ideas for other applications. Someone suggested using clustering as a 'to do' list in lieu of a boring straight list that has a less likely chance of being returned to mid week for reference or completion.

(Be nice, I'm no artist, but that's the beauty of it!)

So here's my first one. You'll notice me in the middle, hello BeccA! Then I have a few branches that will be the standard of areas I need to focus my attentions. Starting in the upper left and continuing clockwise: Home, New Ideas, Personal Spiritual growth, Church and finally Online life. It's important to date the page giving a point of reference for later when you have more than one of these to refer to. I highlight the items I get done, this gives me a sense of accomplishment and also allows me to see what I have already finished rather than just marking through it. You can see the clustering effect in the branches from each main area, and them sometimes there are other ideas branching from those, as in the prayer list.

Monday, November 3, 2008

I love Cato!


Ok, I know it's not *that* big of a deal but I went to Cato yesterday and bought 6 tops for like $18!!! Wooo hooo! Of course they are summer weight shirts but I can wear them under sweaters and jackets and be just fine. Heck, it will even be better considering how easily I get hot in layers, so it's better that the tops are thin and short sleeved or sleevless alltogether :) It's easy to get excited over a good bargain!

Oh, and I know it's because of the different styles and makers .... but it made me feel good yesterday, 2 of my tops were the next size down!!!!!!! Woo hoo!!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Feeling better now

I haven't posted here in a few weeks. I was sick for about a week and a half and I'm feeling much better now. I was glad to get rid of that cold or whatever it was. I felt fine, I just was annoyed with a chunky chest and sounded horrible.

Things have been pretty much as usual for me lately. We had a Fall Family picnic and pig roast at church a couple of weekends ago, which was alot of fun. It's always nice to be sociable and fellowship.

This weekend, I enjoyed the Autumn Advance at my mom's church. Everything was beautiful and nice. I actually got to go for free because my mom's friend who bought a ticket couldn't go at the last minute and so I was able to take her place. We had the options to take 3 of the classes they offered. I chose 1. Scripture books, 2. The power of prayer & 3. Cake decorating 101. The first class making scripture books, has inspired me to a new project for the revamping of our women's ministry at my church. We have been talking about how to minister more and I think the scripture book idea is just the thing we need. You can theme the books for encouragement or love or salvation....the possibilities are endless! That way, if we send someone to visit someone in the hospital, we can leave a bit of the Lord's word in a creative and interesting way. They can take it home with them and flip through it whenever they like! Or for new visitors or whatever! I was a little let down by the second class only because the teacher spent a great deal of the time talking about the effects of prayer and not so much on skills or practical applications. Of course, this is my continued complaint with most teachings and preachings. I'm just a hands on kind of girl. Which brings me to the third class, cake decorating. Now, I already know some about it and have some supplies for doing it, I just thought why not? Besides, we got to take home the cake we decorated!!! Which I took directly to some friends of mine with 5 kids so they could enjoy and make use of it and I wouldn't be so tempted to eat it myself :)

I watched my two 'nephews' on Sat. night so my friends could enjoy a nice date night out. A rarity for them these days, I was happy to help and happy to spend some Aunt Becca time with the boys. I went for a visit with my cousin and her family on Sunday. My brother is out of town bow hunting, he's called 2 times now, he got a buck and a doe so far.

I have been way into renting movies from the Red box lately and have enjoyed the luxury of watching them in bed all curled up with my ear buds in. It's fun for me! Also, I'm in the midst of applying for a part time job being a concierge at a retirement community overnights on the weekends. I need to do something to pay off some bills and get this debt under control. My normal income just doesn't cut it anymore. I'm sure you all know exactly what I mean there.

My eating plan and bible study is still going. I don't work on my bible study as much as I'd like to...perhaps I shouldn't be watching so many movies, priorities, Becca! The eating plan is going well, this weekend I discovered I needed to switch around a couple of days and I did so without any problems. I will need to do that again for the different holidays. My only issue is staying as strict with it now as I did in the beginning. Also, getting back on track with what 1/2 really is. My halves have been too hefty lately. So, with that in mind and the fact that I now own a scale that will weigh me, as long as I lose *something* each week, I feel like I am on track. It's really more about honoring God with my eating and well, everything else too.

So that's me in a nutshell. I am so grateful for the Lord allowing me to find such a wonderful and spiritual website that offers me support and education to live my life more to the Glory of God than ever before!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

A refresher course in crocheting

Crocheted coaster 10/7/08

I have fond memories of my mom crocheting when I was growing up. I remember she would take it with her different places when she knew there would be down-time or if we went to the country to visit family, there she'd be with her yarn and hooks. She was always making coaster, table runners, doilies, squares for bedspreads and so on.

She taught me how to crochet when I was much younger and I remember making a few projects with spare yarn she had left over from her various projects. I've dabbled with many different crafts throughout the years. I have enjoyed embroidering, latch hook, crocheting, finger weaving, friendship bracelets, painting, old skool scrapbooking (with those big books bound with string and big black pages and scotch tape), contemporary scrapbooking (complete with top loading pages, cutting tools and tape runners), rubber stamping, card making, sewing and knitting, just to name a few. We even did those ones where you use fabric paint in different colors in a dot pattern to make pictures. Basically, if it was crafty, I enjoyed it or atleast wanted to try it!

Recently, I've been wanting to get back to some other crafts I've enjoyed in the past. I came across an old tote back from when I was a child and inside I found a group of white embroidery squares that were partially completed. So I worked on that for a while and really enjoyed it! I just need some new patterns for that. My decorating tastes have changed since then. I've also tried crewel in the past. Crewel is a mix of stitches and threads on a preprinted picture to add embellishment. I really enjoyed that type. I'm just so bad about starting something and NEVER going back to finish it! Books, crafts, cleaning and so on and so on.

I've been on my mom lately about refreshing my memory on how to crochet, so Tuesday night that's what we did. After a couple of bad starts, I finally got er' going pretty good and made a nice coaster for my desk at work (see photo above)! It didn't take long for my carpal tunnel to overtake my grip and my right hand began to go numb. Just like in knitting, I have to take frequent breaks...which allows distraction to set in and hence, I'm less likely to finish a project. However, I was happy to complete the coaster and we'll see what other crafts I can get myelf involved in. I have a sewing project for a couple a church to finish soon, it's way overdue.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Interesting blog title, where did it come from?

The French Alps in route to Italy from England - Sept. 2007

I've always enjoyed flying. There's just something so special about being above the clouds looking down at the earth with awe and wonder, this is God's view! The tops of the clouds themselves are much more interesting and beautiful than the underside we can see from here.

Leonardo De Vinci once said:
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

Wow, how could he have known? It's not like they had airplanes back then! The thing is, the closer I walk with the Lord and the more I long for my real home, I know for sure, I'm living on the wrong side of the clouds! This life will be a short one full of toils and troubles, heartbreak and sorrow. Sure, there are plenty of pleasures to enjoy, for a time, but they do not satisfy my heart! I still long to be in heaven, away from this world and all it's hatred and pain. That's why I called this blog 'The Wrong Side of the Clouds'. It's about my journey from here and all that goes with it! I hope you will bookmark this page and stop in from time to time. Please comment and let me know you're there. Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Hmm, just a tidbit.

I'm really enjoying my Bible study and wanted to share this with you from today's lesson:

Finding pleasure in Christ is what The Lord's Table course is really all about. You see, many diet groups feel successful if one of their members stands up and testifies, "I have lost 30 pounds in 60 days, have gone from a size 14 to a size 8, and now everybody notices the new me." This is not success at all. Where is the mention of the heart finding repentance and forgiveness, the soul feasting on Christ, and the joy over a life that now lives to honor the Lord, rather than to gratify the flesh? This feasting and rejoicing and honoring the Lord all come from repentance. Any change apart from this will lead to pride and will-worship. "I did it, I lost weight, I overcame, I, I, I."

No, our purpose is not to exalt the will of man or woman. Our purpose is to honor the Lord, to magnify His grace, and to show the power of God in our lives. Repentance is the only way to truly be free from the power of temptation and sin, to honor the Lord with a disciplined life, and to savor the preciousness of Jesus Christ.
This is great stuff! I really feel like I have hit the jackpot with this study! I feel changed in my heart about food and eating and this is the only way to get there!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Lord's Table - Setting Captives Free

Today I'm about 2 weeks into a new eating plan and accompanying bible study. So far it has been great learning how to glorify the Lord with my eating and changing my eating has brought about changes in other areas of my life as well.

Physically: After even the first week, I felt amazing and am feeling better every day! My clothes already fit more loosely and I can move around much easier. At first, my body was not used to a smaller intake and continued to make alot of acid. It's amazing how quickly your body adapts to new habits! I watch 'The Biggest Loser' and I hear people talk about how in just a couple of weeks of eating better and getting active, they are able to come off of medications. Now I can see first hand how that could be true. I do need to increase my activity, I have the treadmill all set to get started! My goal was to get up early each day and do my bible study and then walk before getting a shower and going to work. Well, pray for me because I have a hard enough time getting up for work on time much less early!!

Spiritually: I have been pleased so far with the bible study portion which is an online course on the Setting Captives Free website. I love that this help is online and free for everyone to have access to. It is offered in many languages and in many parts of the world. They also have online courses that deal with many other issues than just overeating. There are other eating disorders, gambling, substance abuse, sexual issues as well as bible studies of other kinds and lots of resources too.

Phase 1 of the course called 'The Lord's Table' is a 60 day study. There are lessons you read and respond to for each day and they suggest you adopt 1 of the 2 suggested eating plans. Adopting the eating plan I chose was honestly very easy to do. In a 7 day week, you get (2) normal days (without overeating), (2) 1/2 days, (2) liquid days (with 1 light meal) and (1) day or really, 24 hour period of fasting. So from after dinner the night before, just water until 24 hours, then a light meal. You can arrange the days any way you need to in the week, as long as you don't put 2 of the same days in a row. I sat down with calender and arranged my days on a fixed schedule that seems to be working out great!

I was extremely worried about the first day of fasting, especially considering my overly acid-y issue of last week, but it went just fine! I used the time to take the focus off of food and direct my attention and desire toward God. It was a really great day! I'm reading a book by John Piper called A Hunger for God-Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer. You can read it as a PDF file online if you like. So far it has been a great resource for discovering why fasting is biblical and all the ways it can benefit your life. I like this eating plan because I get something different to do every day. It keeps me on my toes and makes me feel a little different every day. The eating plan allows me to feel more intentional than 'just watching what I eat'. The only days I have to plan anything special for are the liquids days. I just need to make sure I have some broths and other acceptable liquids around me so I am not tempted to stray. You still get to eat something everyday, even 'the day of fasting' since you consider the evening before as part of the 24 hour period! It's working for me, I feel in control and more importantly, I feel like I am walking towards God and not out here on my own trying to struggle to lose the weight. God is our hope and our helper, He wants us to be healthy, He will provide strength when I need it. I will post more of my progress as I go along. I have no idea how much weight I've lost since my scale still says 'E' (which means I'm too heavy for it!) But honestly, I don't care about pounds, I don't care about inches...God will take care of all those numbers, I'm just concerned with staying on a healthy track. Once I am fully adapted to the eating plan, I will begin to incorporate more movement and exercise into my day. I'm slowly getting there, keep me in your prayers, I will keep you in mine!

Welcome to The Wrong Side of the Clouds

I first had the idea for this blog when I discovered the need to journal more about my personal life both spiritually and physically. BeccA's Buzz has been a great platform for me to express certain things in my life but I feel as though it has taken on a life of it's own now. It's much more a public place than a personal space. So I created this blog where I will focus on more personal and spiritual needs as they arise. I plan for this to be a place of great personal expression, a place where I am free to say it like I see it, a place where I can praise the Lord and talk about my weight loss, sometimes in the same post! Stay for a spell if you like, leave me a comment to let me know you stopped by. My door is always open :) Welcome to The Wrong Side of the Clouds!