Light It Up

The Challenge: Read 12 books of 200 pages or more in 12 months. That's one book per month.

The Time frame: January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011

The Reason: Studies have shown that reading helps keep your mind healthy and active. The mind you save may be your own.

January

Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! - Robin Jones Gunn

Sisterchicks in Gondolas! - Robin Jones Gunn

Sisterchicks Go Brit! - Robin Jones Gunn

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

What I'm Currently Reading

One Tuesday Morning

Karen Kingsbury

Book Count 2011:  3

I haven't even watched the game yet and I'm already more than aware that the Bears beat the Seahawks today.  (Sorry Leisah.  I know you were rooting for your Seahawks, but I can't apologize for what I understand was a well-played game.)  I DVR'd the game because Al and I took Snarf to the rehab center to visit Corri, but of course, people who were there visiting other women were watching the score on their cellphones and much to my chagrin, reporting the score every time there was an update.

I was feeling fine this morning, but was very tired for some reason, and I couldn't go back to sleep because we had to go visit Corri.  The first hour at rehab is spent in family counseling, where one of the counselors comes in and talks to us about alcoholism and addiction, and to be perfectly honest, I couldn't sit through her talking.  I was falling asleep.  I got up and walked around as she was talking, and then because I knew what a distraction it was, I went to the bathroom.  When I came out, she was breaking up the family session and calling the women in for their visit.

We visited with Corri for about 40 minutes, I guess, and she had spent the hour of family counseling time with Snarf in the gym.  She was happy to be reunited with her kitty, and I'm sure Snarf was happy to see his Mama.  She said she got lots of head-butt kitty kisses.  After that 40 minutes of visiting time, I asked Corri if she'd mind terribly if we left early because I wasn't feeling well.  She told me my eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and I just nodded.  I think the bloodshot part was from my contacts, but the glassiness was because I felt simply exhausted.  Corri was fine with us going, and I apologized profusely to her.  I'd been looking forward to this visit, too, but I just couldn't keep myself awake.

Al had me test my blood sugar in the car on the way home, and it was higher than normal at 169, but not so obscenely high that it would've caused that kind of reaction in me.  I know the elevated level was because I drank a hot chocolate on the way to rehab.  I don't do that very often, but it was cold outside and I wanted something hot to drink and I'm not a fan of Dunkin Donuts coffee.

Since I've been home, I've taken some motrin for my headache, and while I'm still achey, I feel slightly better than I did, but I haven't been able to sleep.  I've been wide-the-hell-awake all day, but I have a feeling I'm going to sleep really well tonight.  I took out my contacts right away because I have a feeling that was contributing to the bloodshot eyes, but I know the glassiness is because I was so exhausted.

Al is pissed off because his Patriots lost.  I'd never rub it in on him, but I'm glad they did.  I can't stand Tom Brady or the Patriots, and I've been saying for a week that they were going to choke and not win the Superbowl like everyone was predicting.  Sure enough, today they choked under the Jets. 

Now if only the Bears will beat the Packers next week...

Point to Ponder:  God wants to say something to the world through me.

Verse to Remember:  1 Peter 3:15b-16 - Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.

Question to Consider:  As I reflect on my personal story, who does God want me to share it with?

This particular chapter was about our life message and how to share it.  It was broken down into four parts:

Your testimony - the story of how you began a relationship with Jesus

Your life lessons - the most important lessons God has taught you

Your godly passions - the issues God shaped you to care about most

The Good News - the message of salvation

In the Catholic church, we are not real big on altar calls and standing up before the congregation to give our testimony, but rather, we are called to share it with people either individually or in other small groups, such as religion classes and bible studies, or when we are doing works of kindness and charity for others, especially non-believers.  I've shared my testimony with a lot of people in various groups, and even here in my diary.  I've also shared life lessons, things I'm passionate about, and the Good News in all those different arenas of life.

As for who God wants me to share it with, I think he wants me to share it with everyone I possibly can, in any way I possibly can, but I think, honestly, he wants me to start with my husband.  Al believes in God, but after that, I'm not exactly sure what he believes, even though he was raised and still claims to be Catholic.  Getting him to church is a struggle for me, but sometimes we have some really wonderful discussions about God.

In all honesty, I love sharing my faith with people who are open to hearing it or listening to me talk about it.  If they aren't, then I shake the dust off my feet and move on.  I have many precious things in my life, but nothing is more precious to me than the gift of faith and the salvation I've been granted through Christ Jesus.  Nothing matters more, no matter how much I dwell on things here in life, than having an eternity in heaven with the God I love.

When we feel bad about ourselves, we tend to dwell under a dark cloud of depression.  Sometimes we can't think of anything else but how much weight we've gained and how much we would like to lose.  The good news is that darkness is always replaced by light.  We can get out from under the burden of our weight.  We can change for the better.  Our Lord is a liberator.  He frees us from anything that oppresses us.  Obesity is oppressing, and God is ready and willing to free us.  No darkness is too great for God to dispel.  No matter how dark and dismal our physical condition may be, in the light of Christ, we can trim down.

Today's thought:  We always look better in God's light than in our own darkness.