Its Friday (well here its 1:33 am Saturday) but today was busy...and honestly I completly forgot about Five Minute Friday.
This weeks topic: BEYOND
Growing up my mom and dad listened to many sacred records, tapes, and radio. Thankfully, I grew up in a church that sang the old hymns. When I read the topic "beyond" I had no idea what to write....then for some reason an old song I heard came to mind-- "Beyond the Sunset."
Last October I was determined to lose at least 30 pounds by June 20 (my birthday). Did I make that goal...unfortunatly no I didn't. I did lose about 10 pounds though--eating more healthful foods, exercising, and cutting out greasy and sugary things (except my two or three a week caramel macchiatos). Then just recently school started 9 weeks ago...sadly within nine short (and some long) weeks I gained every single pound that I had lost back.....grrr at myself. How did I do that???
Well one I haven't exercised one bit since my surgery...been busy and well honsestly lazy. Then here comes the big one.....I am an EMOTIONAL EATER. After a hard day at school what do I like to do...well go home and stuff my face with junk food...chex mix, soda, high calorie coffee drinks....anything fried or greasy....and what have I done to myself---all that hard work I did in eight months were erased within weeks...so once again (and around the same time as last year) I want to lose weight, I want to get healthy, and I want to look and feel better. How do I go about doing it??? First, a little bit of determination and changing my diet--and yes that means even eating my veggies and doing what I hate doing---exercising. :P
I have to admit that it has been a very discouraging past week and into this week...not going to go into the details why--but have been pretty discouraged. This morning, before my students came in I was even crying...the smiling teacher who always smiles, and laughs, and gives hugs was crying....the teacher who loves being with her kids wanted to go home and crawl back under her blankets...the teacher who loves her job thought...well lets not go there. I have to admit that through some situations going on at the moment I haven't complety nor fully relied on God or really looked to Him with what has been going on. I have been fighting...and that fight has exhausted me--I came home yesterday and slept for two hours after work. But this morning, even before the tears, I was remided of something by this little brownish creature with long legs...it was a frog. Okay so frogs are not my favorite creatures in the world--they are cute but cuter in box and not near me. =) Even yesterday I think the Lord was trying to tell me something through seven or eight frogs I saw but if course my stubborn self was too caught up in my problems. But again this morning I saw this one little lone frog jumping across the parking lot (let me back up I haven't had a car for almost two weeks so I have been taking a short walk to school each moring--I have seen some amazing sunsets, felt the crisp fall air, and yesterday saw some frogs--been complaining about the whole walking to work thing but if I had my car I wouldn't have seen the frogs). But the frogs taught me a lesson that at the moment I am trying to grasp. In the situation going on in my life that is causing discourgement and frustration---God is still in control. He still loves me and He will work it out for good. He knew that this would happen before time began. He knew I would be discouraged and frustrated. He knows that everything will work out when in my mind they seem like they won't. All I need to do is Fully Rely On God (FROG). So that is my simple little reminder from a bunch of frogs jumping around on the church steps. =)
I am a simple southern girl. I like twirly dresses even at the age of 28. I love ringlets in my hair. I wish I were still a little girl who can sit on my dad's knee. I am a Christian saved by the grace of God. I am someone that not everybody knows about---my face isn't plastered on the front page if the New York Times or People's Magazine. I am not "teacher of the year." I am not on the news stations--nor any popular TV show. You say the name Rebecca Page to a simple stranger and they say "WHO?"
I am a simple ordinary girl who enjoys the simple life. I may never be popular. I may never be plastered on magazine, newspapers, books, or TV.
I am a child of a King--this simple ordinary young lady who loves teaching her thirteen students....a friend to those...filled with humor....who loves Starbucks...who loves to cook...who as an ordinary simple person knows that no matter what the Lord can use ME---simple little ordinary ME.
(((well thats it)))
but I also had to post the song by Sarah McClauglen (sry if I botched the spelling)
Tests..I hate tests...I feel like I am in a test at the moment. I mean I am not really going throught a great trial or testing time at the moment---its more of a everything is going great and then something happens and now I am discouraged. I feel like I want to cry. I wonder WHY do I do the things I do. I wonder...should I do things differently. Then a dear friend and a roommate reminds me---Satan is trying to steal your joy. I am happy and content about my life. I am glad to be single, I LOVE LOVE my job, I love my students, I love having a roommate....but Satan doesn't want to see me in the Lord's Will. Satan wants me from being happy and content to discouraged and wondering "should I really be dping this."
I will not let him steal my joy....as the song my mother taught me...
"If I had a little black box to keep the devil in I'll take him out and smack, smack, smack and put him back again."
Okay my title is already cracking me up...I think I have been around kindergarten kids way too long---good thing I LOVE my job!
So it has been four months since my surgery (well as of the 7th it will be). It has been amazing to see the process of healing and the right side of my nose getting smaller and smaller....kinda like a balloon with a small hidden hole....it takes time to shrink. =) So to mark the almost four month anniversary of having nose surgery---yes plastic nose surgery I have edited a BEFORE and AFTER picture...now since I have done the pic the swelling has gone down a bit more...=)
AND can I say I am so so so thankful for Dr. Trimas and his team for their sweetness and Dr. Trimas' talent in nose surgery. =)
Two days later I am finally sitting down to write. =) I have been pretty exhausted the past few days and had a headache which has made me go to bed early. But, I am excited about the topic on friendship.
I have always had a hard time making friends. I blame myself for it since I am very picky choosy about who I hang out with. I am thankful though for the close friends that the Lord has given me....each of them unique and different in their own way....along with several different types of relationships. Today, i am going to introduce you to three of my closest friends.
Amy: met at BJU, freshmen year. We became instant best friends. She has always been there when I needed a friend to talk to or someone to pray with. She was always a spiritual encouragement in my life. The Lord knew I needed a friend like Amy-she was the type of friend I have prayed for. (and a side note also tells me the truth when I really need to hear it) Hannah: fun times, Starbucks, talks, tears, laughter, Jones Soda, Sonic, Barnes and Nobles, and artist series (oh and scary eyes) are a few things that makes me think of Hannah. Hannah and I met when she came to BJU to visit another good friend of mine. We connected instantly and I was able to easily talk to her about things on my heart. When Amy left BJU, Hannah and I became inseparable.
Lori: sorry Lori had to mention you in this! =) Lori and I met when I first came to Florida. She was quiet...I was bubbly and hyper (all the time). Lori became the older sister I never had. She is a true friend and even though I do not want to hear it she tells me the things I need to hear. Lori is fun the hang out with and be with.
Amy, Hannah, and Lori may fail me, or our friendship can fall apart. I am thankful though to have a very best friend who is always there when I call on Him (Jer 33:3), who is always there when I need Him, who sticks closer than a brother, some one who will always be by side and walk along with me. That BEST FRIEND is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ--He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Amy: met at BJU, freshmen year. We became instant best friends. She has always been there when I needed a friend to talk to or someone to pray with. She was always a spiritual encouragement in my life. The Lord knew I needed a friend like Amy-she was the type of friend I have prayed for. (and a side note also tells me the truth when I really need to hear it)
Lori: sorry Lori had to mention you in this! =) Lori and I met when I first came to Florida. She was quiet...I was bubbly and hyper (all the time). Lori became the older sister I never had. She is a true friend and even though I do not want to hear it she tells me the things I need to hear. Lori is fun the hang out with and be with. 