35/294 Days- Upping my spiritual wellness

Ron and I joined a home group this week. If you're not sure what a home group is, let me explain. A home group is a regular gathering of a small number of people, couples, or families that "do life" together. You are all there to support each other, grow in your faith together, and better your community together, all while sharing the message of Christ.

The group we joined meets in Graytown on Wednesday nights. It's at the home of Del and Cindy, whom I met on my mission trip a few weeks ago. They invited us to come over and check it out and that's exactly what we did! We met some really nice people and I was very comfortable with everyone in the group.

Ron and I have been talking about joining a group for a while, but we never found one this close to our home. We are very excited about getting to know everyone better and to experience spending time with other Christians outside of church. We both feel this is just one more step in the right direction. We are trying to have better habits- to be more thoughtful in our decision making as far as how we spend our time and who we hang out with.

Like I said, I want this journey to be a transformation of all aspects of my life. Not just physical, but emotional and spiritual also. I like the steps we took this week....

Day 31/294- Slipping into old habits...

Why is it so easy to slip into old habits? If you know the habit isn't good for you, if you know the results of that habit are not what you want, if you insanely continue to repeat the things that got you to this point and you aren't happy, why do we do it? I'm not sure why habits are so hard to break....

Yesterday I was rushed, tired, running the kids around, and putting everything ahead of myself again. All I wanted to do was get home to watch The Biggest Loser and get my weekly dose of motivation. On the way home though, because I hadn't planned out dinner, I stopped at Walmart to pick up something quick. I let the fifteen year old talk me into getting fresh pizzas and breadsticks from the deli, which we took home to cook. If that wasn't bad enough, after my three pieces of pizza and super-large breadstick, I made ice cream sundaes for myself and Ron WHILE WE WERE WATCHING THE BIGGEST LOSER!!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE!!!! If Bob Harper could see through to my living room he would have been highly disappointed. Jillian would have kicked my ass!

I should give an update since I have been at this now for just over a month. I weighed myself yesterday morning and I have lost 4.4 pounds since starting on this journey. It's better than gaining, but I need to step it up a few notches if I wish to succeed at this weight loss thing.

On the exercise front, I found a new resource to help me. I purchased the Gold's Gym Cardio Workout for the Wii. It is a blast! I have done it twice in the past few days for 30 minutes each time. Both times I could feel sore muscles in my arms, abs, and legs the next morning. The best part is, it's really fun and there is a lot of boxing moves involved. What a great way to get rid of some of my stress. I am a punching fool when the music starts. (You get to choose from a variety of music to workout to.) When Eye of The Tiger comes on I am unstoppable...lol.

Next subject...wellness and relaxation. I don't get enough. Period. Planning to get away with the hubby one of these weekends to check out some cool hiking trails or fall foliage. Clear the mind as they say. We both need that and I think it would be a great way to connect with each other. We don't get enough of that bonding time.

One thing we are doing together is joining a home group. One of the couples that I met on my trip live very close. They are great people and have asked us to join their home group. We are going tonight and I am looking forward to it. Usually I don't like meeting a whole group of people I don't know at the same time, but I know a few so it should be fine. What could go wrong in a room full of Christians, right? Ron is willing to meet anyone, at anytime, anyplace. He's much more comfortable with people in that respect. He has never met anyone who wasn't a friend after a five minute conversation. He has a good heart and he is good for my soul.

Well, I am trying to get back into the habit of writing this more regularly. It, also, is good for my soul. I promise I'll be back in the next few days....

-Pam

Day 23/294- Home at last!

Well, I made it home from Honduras in one piece. What a remarkable experience! Our team was able to accomplish our tasks and have a lot of fun along the way.

I was able to make some new life-long friends. Some that live here and some that I had to leave in Honduras. Funny, I usually don't consider myself out-going at all, but on this trip I feel like I really stepped outside of my comfort zone and approach others to talk. Usually I hang back and let others take the lead, but I was really comfortable meeting new people. I guess I had to be. Before I left I knew no one that was going on the trip. I knew no one that was going to be there when I arrived. I really had no choice...lol.

Thank you to all of you that supported me in going on this trip. I really do appreciate the support and love that was felt.

Health update: I weighed myself when I returned from Honduras and it was as I suspected. I didn't lose any weight on the trip. We were served A LOT of carbs this week. Lots of white rice, potatoes, tortillas, and bread. We were advised not to eat any fresh vegetables (because they are washed in the local water) and we could only eat fruit that could be peeled (like oranges or apples). We didn't want to risk getting sick by drinking the local water. We were given bottled water every day and I drank TONS! There were days that I consumed five or six liters of water and just sweated it out. I never gave my kidneys a chance to filter it...lol.

I am not getting myself down over this though. Everyone said there would be water weight gain from the trip and that we would probably lose it within a week or two, so I'm not even stressing about it. My weight was 199.

My body did well during the trip, but I am having problems adjusting back into the American way of eating. My body is protesting. I'm hoping in the next few days things will even out and I will be back at it with the weight loss.

As for now, I'm catching up on work, sleep, and spending time with my family.

Until the next time.....

Pam

Day 12/294-Off to Honduras

Okay, so I've had three offers from people that would like to travel with me this week. I am going to Honduras and let me tell you...there is not a spare inch in my CARRY-ON! Yes, I am living out of a carry-on for nine days.

This one is certainly a change for me. I only packed what was on the list (except for an extra paperback book, because I read fast). I am proud of myself for sticking to the list. I am putting myself in God's hands this week and letting Him show me what He wants me to do. I am really not even that nervous in the dawn of what is to come. I don't know who I am staying with, if they speak English, who I am rooming with, what type of services they may need me for at the medical clinic, or any of it. I feel like I am doing exactly what needs to be done this week in my life. I am going to try and make good choices and soak up every second of the experience while I am there.

I think the hardest part will be being away from Ron and the kids for a whole week. In the ten years that Ron and I have been together, we have never gone more than a day or two without talking to each other and five or six days without seeing each other. I am going to miss him like crazy. I'm not going to have cell service there, but I am hoping to sneak a few emails home if I get the opportunity. I feel like I am going off to summer camp and I am going to be homesick.

Well...the bus is leaving (as my dad would say) and I need to be on it. I will be thinking of all of you and making memories to share when I get back....

Sweet dreams and see you next week.....

Love, Pam

Day 10/294 -Teenagers

Okay, how many of you survived "the teenage years" in your household and lived to tell about it? Seriously, I'd like to know because I need some tips. Most days I am outnumbered 3-1.

Yesterday it was a trifecta with all three of them arguing about something with me. The boys (Keenan and Nate) were going at it at the doctor's office and I had about had it. I wound up leaving there, taking them home and assigning chores for the evening. That made me feel slightly better as I watched Keenan cut the grass and Nate scrub the toilet, but it was short-lived...

Brooke then "tapped in" for her turn with me. I was upset with her because she keeps putting off a two minute job for the past few weeks, that I keep reminding her about. Apparently seventeen year olds have all the answers to all the questions and parents are stupid for even asking them. Why shouldn't I expect attitude back, right? AAARRRGGGHHH! It's enough to send me over the edge and start the stress eating. I am resisting though.

Today I had a better plan. When I got home I said hello to everyone, put the leash on my beautiful dog Blake, and we went for a nice long walk. I finally found someone that appreciates me for just being me (and for walking her...lol). I am going to start walking her more often as part of my fitness plan. She can benefit from the walks as much as I and it is a great stress buster. All is calm tonight in the Overly household....*SIGH*.

Tomorrow I am going for a massage so I should be nice and relaxed for my trip later this week. Where am I going, you ask? I will let you know before I'm gone, but let's just say I won't be able to blog for 9 or 10 days. I'm not sure I will have access to the internet where I'm going...

I'll keep you guessing until next time...

-Pam