I finally joined a book club!

After about 15 years of debating and looking into it, I joined the book club in my ward last month. I was able to go to a planning meeting and hear about all the books that were read last year and what was possible for this year. I had a nice time being with others who have been able to give me a different light on some of the books I wanted to read or have already read.

So, I was able to be the host for March. When you host it is at your house on the fourth Wednesday of the month in which you are hosting. You provide the book title and refreshments. At the meeting you lead the discussion, easy task for me since I am a talker anyway. You also introduce the author and give a brief history of him and some of the books they have written.

This month's book was The Shack, by William P. young. He is originally from Canada, however he now live in Oregon with his wife and six children. This book, as I believe, was a heeling for him as it is about healing through a tragic loss. Mr. Young was raised for six years in an aboriginal tribe in the former Papua New Guinea, they were considered to be stone-aged. He was abused sexually as a child, then chipped back to Canada to boarding school where it happened again for several years. The book gives a perspective of the Godhead that will shock some and impress others.

Here are my thoughts on the book:
I liked it. It was very interesting to see the pain that Mack went through from childhood through adulthood. He never really let go of the abuse he and his family suffered at the hands of his alcoholic father. No forgiveness was in his heart for his father, even after his father had died.
He married a very sweet lady and had six children. His youngest daughter, Missy, was kidnapped on a camping trip and murdered. Only her blood and red sundress were found in the shack that day.
The entire family was devastated. Mack blamed himself and was not able to see that his daughter blamed herself and stopped talking because of it.
Nan, his wife, called God "Papa", which Mack though was very sweet that she felt that close to him.
Four years after Missy is believed to be murdered Mack receives a note from "Papa" asking him to come to the shack to talk about forgiveness. he is very upset about this, but decides to go anyway.
That afternoon at the shack he walks back into the darkest moments of his life. He meets God, Jesus and the Creator (Holy Ghost). God is a Black Aunt Jamima looking woman who sings and walks around barefoot and loves to cook. Jesus is a carpenter and looks like an Asian/Indian with chiseled facial trademarks of leather, but talks to Mack as if he were his friend. Jesus is tender and soft spoken. The Creator (Holy Ghost) is a short robust woman who walks around creating all the beauty of the earth, including the thorns and thistles. She giggles a lot and talks a lot about the beauty of the world.
Mack is lead through a journey of healing and forgiveness as he sees Missy is okay and is able to feel her wrap her arms around him through a think veil.

This was a very different way of healing through writing. I saw a lot of similarities to some religions as i read this portrayal of the Godhead. I also noted the similarities of the abuse Mr. Young went through as he portrayed the kidnapper and the Godhead.

I recommend this book to others so they may be able to see how forgiveness and healing can only come through the healing of our God and faith in Jesus Christ.

Next month's book: The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth Speare

It's all going to be fine, right?

Okay, so I have been officially single for almost three years now. It's all going to be fine, right?

I started dating again within a few months of the official divorce. Things were difficult and I hated the men I was meeting. So, I gave up for about six months, that was just what was needed.

Then a wonderful man called me. We talked for and hour the first time on the phone. We both felt it was as if we had known each other for a long time. We went out every weekend, since he lives so far away. We would trade off on travel to make it fair and more exciting for all of us. The kids love his and vice versa. He has amazing kids, and I do as well, but we already know that. Anyway, we became very close and talked everyday. Sometimes we wouldn't see each other for a couple weeks, but we talked on the phone. Then last July we decided to spend less time together. Than we drifted further apart. We love each other, yes we have told each other this, but he is nervous and afraid of commitment. I tried to be understanding at first. Then I just stopped calling him. I still wrote him up to February. We haven't spoken in two weeks. We decided at Thanksgiving to stay friends. Doesn't seem to be.

I am pretty happy where I am right now. All seems to be okay. I have my ups and downs, who doesn't? Anyway, I feel like my kids are the most important priority right now and that will be the way it is for a long time to come.

I have recently been set up by a friend. I think this man is very nice. I am just not sure anything will happen, but I am willing to give it a chance because it would be unfair not to. Not only that, but I would be a hypocrite if I didn't give him a chance. That's a story for another time.

I am so frustrated about dating in general, so all the time I am spending with the kids or even alone doing my own thing is a nice change. I think dating is boring. I got married to my ex in high school, that was the day when dating was not only casual but fun. now you are just older and less exciting. The single men out there are very interesting to say the least. So I will just let everything come to me for now, it is so much easier to let it fall in your lap so to speak. Theres no pressure when you sit at home and play games or read a great book.

So, it's all going to be fine, right?

Diet update :(

Well, needless to say I have been working out and eating well and gained five pounds back. I do have muscle gain, however not five pounds worth.

This is frustrating due to the fact I have tried really hard to change my habits, and stuck to it. As well as working out three nights a week and at least once on the weekend, which makes four most weeks. So gainung back weight has not been nice.

Each Friday we weigh in and I have been the same weight, give or take 1/2 a pound or a couple ounces, for the past three weeks now. I am not impressed with this at all.

So, I am going to trudge along and stay on the course I am on hoping for a change in the way I look rather than the weight I would like to see disappear.

I just wan to stay healthy and strong. So this will just have to be the way it is for a while until I can visibly see a better change.

New Personal Progress Rules ~ Exciting

So, last night was New Beginnings for my daughters. I hurried home from work and found a very irritated daughter which is not unusual u=in our house at times. Anyway, Quelle was almost ready to go because she is the Laurel class president and had important things to do as well as going early. She is not to happy about her calling most of the time, but I think she tries the best she knows how.

It was themed as the Value Olympics. All the girls in the Miamaids and Laurels were in the "ceremony of flags". They each gave a brief talk on the color flag they were carrying and did a great job. Quelle was the torch bearer as well as the conductor of the program. She did a great job. All the participants did.

Then they all received a gold medal from the leaders and we were introduced to them as talented and special girls that they are.

During the talks the Laurel advisor told us we, as mother's, may now participate in the Personal Progress program and earn the medallion with our daughters. They can pass us off and we can pass them off now too. They gave each parent a book and journal so that we could participate with our girls.

I am excited for this as I never received my medallion 20 years ago. Unfortunately I made mistakes when I was younger and was not allowed to finish due to my indiscretions. It used to not matter to me that I never got it. Then as my girls started to do this program I felt saddened that they could not follow in my footsteps in that way, so this is exciting for me. I am so happy to know I may now join my daughters and get this medallion with them.

I hope they are going to be supportive of me and help me out as I try to help them as well. This is a great opportunity to grow closer to my daughters, Courtny and McQuelle. I hope they feel the same as I do and are excited that we may do this together.

Good luck to you girls I love you.

I Hit My Weight Loss Goal!

Well, almost a week ago my office did weigh in. I lost three more pounds, hitting my 10 pound goal! YAY ME! I can tell in the rear of my slacks and the top part in the front (above my legs). I feel great and am definately not starving. This has been good for me.

Here are some of the exercises I have been doing to slim down:

• Eliptical
• Core exercises (Love that thing)
• Stationary Bike
• Yoga
• Dance Mix Routines
• Stretches
• Walking

Some of the ways I have adjusted my eating habits are:

• Smaller portions
• No morning snack
• More Water
• Calorie Watching
• Small afternoon snack (between 2 and 4 usually)
• No evening snack (most of the time)
• Healthy Dinner
• Less Sugar

This has been amazing for me. I feel great and am super happy to continue this lifestyle change. I know I can keep it up!

The diet

Well, I am doing well so far. My work is doing a fitness routine. I am almost to my goal of 10 pounds. It has not been as difficult as you would think, the reason, there are eight of us in this office and we are doing it together. Everything is so much easier when you work together towards your goals.

I have lost eight pounds in the past three weeks. My doctor said he thinks its great as long as I stay healthy and happy there is no problem with losing a little bit of weight. I love that he agrees with me. He also said my abs are getting nice and tight already. YAY ME!

I also would like to point out that I have more energy and feel great. I am portioning my meals better and not having a morning snack has not been a problem at all. I am not hungary all the time, nor am I starving.

I am exercising and toning my muscles as well. It was very painful the first several days, but now its a breeze and I cant wait to work out at the end of the day.

My offic eput in an "exercise room". We have two bikes, an eliptical (my favorite), and a stretching machine. One of the ladies I work with and I brought our yoga mats and core balls too. We are having fun while we do this and I have to admit it is fun.

I hope I look great this summer....lol. Maybe I will meet a man because I look and feel better...j/k. It will be worth it though.

I am so glad I have people to do this with.

Christopher's Eagle Advancement

Christopher looked very dapper in his Scout uniform. (I am not biased at all) The ceremony was wonderful and the video presentation my friends, Don and Kerstin Sparks, put together for me was amazing.

There was family and friends and only a few available seats left. Such support from family and friends.

Christopher's Uncle Robie spoke about Scouting and the great young man Chris has become due in part the Scouting program. He gave a great history of Scouting and informed us that the Boy Scouts of America will be 100 next month. He spoke of how wonderful it is to be a part of the Eagle Nest throughout the world and welcomed Chris with open arms into the nest.

Next our neighbor, Gil English, was supposed to speak however he did not make it back from Georgia in time. So, Steven, Christopher's dad, spoke about how proud he was the day he was born and the special boy that he is. He told him how proud of him he is and that he is very glad to be a part of the Eagle Nest with him.

My friends video of Chris through life and Scouting was then played. The background music Chris chose for the video was "Don't Stop Beleivin'", by Journey and "Sweet Dreams", by The Eurythmics. It was very good and there were some good laughs as well. Thanks for the help Don and Kerstin you are amazing friends.

Then the award was presented by Bishop Williams. Chris gave me the Mother's pin and a Mother's scarf to represent my son's acheivement in Scouting. Then the Father's pin was given to his dad.

A council member came and gave him the Eagle Oath. That was done with great pride by Chris as he recited it back to the council member. He was presented with a special plaque with this recognition from the council as well.

Many of his friends, family friends, neighbors and family were able to attend. However, his Grandpa Kilpatrick was not able to attend, so when Chris presented the first Mentor pin he asked his Great Grandpa Kilpatrick to accept it in his Grandpa's honor. That was a very emotional moment for all of us. The second Mentor pin went to John Horan. He has been a very influential part of Christopher's life for the past seven years, as a Scout leader, Friend and Home Teacher to our family. John was honored to receive another honor from one of his boys.

After all the hubub was over the family came to our home had pizza and hung out for several hours. It is hard for us all to get together very often due to the size of our family and the distance between our homes. So this was a great time for all of us.

Chris, I want you to know how very proud of you I am. You are a wonderful son and so caring too. I really appreciate how much you do for me and your sisters. You mean the world to me and I am so very blessed to have you in my life.

Thanks to everyone who helped with his project. We understand the Humanitarian Center has used them in recent events in Haiti. How wonderful to know they are being used well at this time.