|
| I turned 28 years old this year. When I think of that number, it seems so big. I never really imagined myself at this age. I just always thought of my brothers being this age, never me. But, here I am anyways. In two more years, I will be 30. THIRTY! Wow, what a big number. And yet, I have nothing to show for it, except a great and loving relationship with my God-fearing husband (which, by the way, I feel very blessed to have). Reflecting on my life and current status, I have decided that it is time for me to stop sitting around but instead, to get up and move. I am accepting the fact that time is not waiting for me. This year, I will not be static. I will make things happen. Some goals for me going forward is: 1. Work out - This I have already started and am super proud of. Yay for day 3 of workout yesterday! 2. Establish residency here in Illinois - I need to get my Illinois drivers license. 3. Take some classes - As soon as I establish my residency here, I can enroll in some science classes at the community college so that I can meet my long term career goal. I've already taken many of these classes before, but apparently, it's been over 6 years since then, and therefore I have to retake them in order for them to count. 4. Start a family - This is not really under my control, but I would be so blessed! As of today, I feel encouraged and hopeful. I hope that before 35, I will have started on my career and a family. I pray that God continues to work in my life and remind me of how loved and blessed I am. I am thankful for my husband, my family, and others who speak truth to me everyday. Praise God for his grace and goodness. Lord, lift me up and see me through so that I may learn to live a life that is pleasing to you. | | |
| Day two: CHECK Yes, I'm on my way. | | |
| In a number of months, my brother will be getting married. I'm so happy for him and can't wait for the wedding because I will get to see my family again. And to get myself ready for my family reunion, I am getting in shape. Before I was married, I fluctuated between 93 - 97 pounds depending on what time of day it was. This was a good weight for me as I am a petite young lady, only standing 5 feet tall. I had fit nicely into size 0 and 1 jeans, small shirts. What was also great about my pre-marriage size was that for some reason, I never worried much about what or how much I was eating. I didn't exercise either and yet I stayed within those numbers throughout my high school and college years. To tell the truth, I never thought much about my weight at all those days. Then I got married moved away. About a little over one year later, when I went home to visit my family, I was greeted with a, "hello auntie," along with "you are fat!" Since then I have not been able get back to my pre-marriage size. It's been 5 years. Right now I believe I weigh about 105 pounds (I have not weighed myself for a few months). I do not think that I am fat, just flabby, so what I want is to not necessarily lose weight but to get in shape. However, I believe that getting in shape will mean losing weight so therefore, my goal is to get back to my pre-marriage weight of 93-97 pounds. How I plan to get in shape is two things: 1. lift my 3lb weights and 2. go to the gym and do moonwalker machine thingy. Lifting my 3 lb weights will strengthen and tighten my flabby arms up, especially my left one. The moonwalker machine thingy is the cardio workout in which I hope will do everything else my body needs: a flatter tummy, stronger legs, eliminating the double chin and some face fat. The brother's wedding date has not yet been set but it will be sometime in the summer. If I can keep up with my workout plans, when my family finally sees me at the wedding I will be wearing size 0/1 again. Day one of workout begins today. "Check!" Day two: tomorrow. Hopefully, "CHECK!" Here is a photo of us right after our wedding. This is the goal. 
| | |
| This is my current wish list. Hopefully I can cross these things out one by one...soon. 1. Laptop/Computer 2. Nikon Camera 3. Humidifier 4. Water boiler/heater 5. Toaster 6. Jeans (2-3 more pairs) 7. Scarves and hats 8. Jewelery/Accessories (specifically, earrings, necklaces) | | |
| Today's Family Life devotion talks about parents, a topic that my neice and I were talking about last night. I have such a passion for our young teens and adults to have a good relationship with their parents. It is my prayer this morning. Seeing Parents as People Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it.
Proverbs 16:22 Not everyone has fond memories of their relationship with their parents. Perhaps even now, the relationship you share with your parents is strained and distant. You may even find yourself avoiding them, weary of being hurt by the things they say or do ... or don't do. But one of the great opportunities of being an adult is to step back and look at your parents in a fresh way--as real people, with needs and challenges. By looking at your parents more objectively--by seeing them through the eyes of Christ--you may be able to understand them and your relationship with them. And you may also experience what happens when His grace transforms the hard edges of a strained relationship into something that bears His redemptive fingerprints. Consider taking a fresh, careful look at your parents today. What do you see? Do you see people who experience worry, insecurity, fear, disappointment and anger--just like you? People who've made wrong and unwise choices in life--just like you? People who struggle--just like you? I remember how, when my parents were alive, I had to grow out of my childish self-centeredness and my desire for them to meet my needs. As I began to understand what their needs were, I was prompted to move toward them and want to help meet those needs. Most adult children do not know their parents as well as they think they do. By seeking to understand them, you also honor them in obedience to God's clear command (see Exodus 20:12). You can tell when it's happening, too, because even though their behavior toward you may not change, you find that you don't react to them like before. You find it easier to extend grace and patience. You don't always agree with them, but at least you understand them. Discuss
What are the things your parents are dealing with at this stage in their lives? How could you help meet their needs? Pray
Pray that God will give you true insight into your parents and help you better understand them and give them grace and honor. | | |
|
