Power of Prayer

Lately I have been attending Eastern Pines Church of Christ in Greenville and I absolutely love it.  I have been going at least once a week, either to Sunday service or Wednesday bible study, and have met some really great people!  Going to church more often has really renewed my feelings about the power of prayer and how it can really make a difference.  With all of that said I could use a little prayer this week.  I started having abnormally heavy periods about 8 months so I my doctor changed my BC.  It didn't help so we changed it again.  Then 3 months ago I started spotting and it has not stopped since then.  I finally went to my doctor and after an exam he determined that I am having abnormal cervical bleeding.  He put me on 2 weeks of antibiotics with no positive result.  I go back for another exam and further testing this Wednesday and I am praying for the best (even though I can't get the worst out of my head).  I normally wouldn't be this public with these sorts of issues, but I am asking you to keep me in your prayers the next couple of days.  Clint claims that I just over worrying as usual... I am hoping he is right in this case!  Thanks in advance :) 

Buggin'

I have been known to make some rash financial decisions at times, so I need some help figuring out if my newest temptation is worth it or not.

The Body Bugg

If you have not heard of it, it is pretty much the coolest thing ever.  It tracks all your calories IN and OUT, so that you can try to reach your weight loss goal.  

My Pros:

• It will certainly help me lose weight because I will be able to see the impacts of my snacking habits visually
• It will encourage me to take move around more (i.e. take Bailey on more walks, start running, walk to class)

My Cons:

• Wearing it on my arm will most likely not be the season's best fashion statement when wearing anything without sleeves
• It will set me back $175.

I am anxious to hear some opinions! Thanks in advance :)

Finding balance

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, rhythm and harmony."  -Thomas Merton


...So true!  
Recently I have realized that I have felt a bit off due to a crazy, inconsistent schedule and no desire to get back into my workout groove.  As I decided to jump back on my Wii Fit this morning, I realized I have gained 10 lbs since before the cruise in March!  WOW!  Prior to the cruise, I was super busy with school but I was still eating right and working out, in some form or fashion, daily.  This lifestyle brought me down 13 pounds and even below my "ideal weight" of 130! Now I am back up a whopping +7 up from my ideal weight and I am feeling quite worthless!  Let me interject with, it is not about the weight anymore for me.  It is about feeling great and being healthy, and to get there I need to find some BALANCE with...

• eating right
• exercise
• quality time with family and friends
• spiritual life
• finances

Now, how I am going to do that?

Eating right will be a piece of cake granola bar.  I know what to do, I just have to start making wise choices, again.

Exercise is something I have to make time for.  It is not that I don't have the time, I just don't think about making the time.  Therefore, I am going to start writing my workouts in my planner so I will think of it more as a "must do" opposed to an "uh, I'd rather lay on the couch and watch Hoarders." 

Quality time is something that I think I have under control. But when you think about it, Is it really quality time when you are sitting on the couch watching a movie and not talking to each other? Maybe to some, but take a peak at The 5 love languages-- truly life changing. 

Spiritual life is something that I used to make a lot of time for, but my church going and bible reading has dramatically decreased over the college years.  I have made small steps to going to church more often, reading devotions nightly with Clint and reading The Shack.  Tonight I will make another small step in attending a bible study group!

Finances..YUCK! Hate dealing with finances and quite frankly I am not as great at saving money as I think I am.  I have recently taken up coupon cutting which has been helpful, but I still have a long way to go.  In my defense, it is pretty difficult to save when in graduate school and can only hold a part time job, but still have those lovely bills coming in each month.  

With a little dedication and a lot of encouragement I might actually be able to pull this off.  After all, you only live once!