CTI Expectations Review (April)

Note: Written after one Tuesday evening after Hermeneutics class, reflecting on the past months in CTI and looking forward to this school year coming to a close (honestly, it's been very intense).

One huge point that God reminded me of at this point in the program, is that our expectations should not be on any individual or set of individuals, not Pastor Hayes, not Pastor Erickson, not Andy or Stacy, not any of the teachers, but from the Lord.

He is the reason we're int he program and He is the one who is going to reward us for our efforts, and He is the one who is going to bring out any junk in us that needs to be brought out!

Our expectation should be from Him!

I love my Mama!

I talked to my mom on the phone the other day and it was such a sweet conversation. Over the past couple of years, my conversations with her have changed. We have conversations about deep topics (spiritual and non-spiritual) , sometimes I ask her questions and sometimes she asks me questions. It's really cool, and I cherish those conversations so much.

The other day we talked about the 'notion' of Jeoff and I having more children (or not) and we both shared our perspectives on the possibility. I told her how much I respected and valued her opinion and told her I would take everything to heart.

I won't forget the last three words of advice she gave me.

She said no matter what, if you have more than the three you have now :

• make sure you don't get so overwhelmed that you don't keep your house up


• make sure you keep yourself together especially for your husband, and
  


• make sure you take time for yourself!

I don't ever want to forget that. I could read something like that in a book, a magazine, online, or hear it from a speaker, but it was nothing like hearing it from my very own mommy.

Thank you Ma!!

Been a Long Time

It's been another forver since I've posted.

Eventually I'll get back in here and post some updates about CTI but for now I entered some below with brief tidbits. I also updated where I am on my health quest!

Today I'm starting with hittin' the keyboard about the weekend. It was pretty laid back which is not the usual for us.

Friday night was the ACS Relay for Life. The oldest little mama came with us to the relay. It was fun! Our team raised about $500 this year. We hope to do much more next time!!! It was a good year to learn about how the relay works.

Saturday day we looked at some more houses, and the night, we hungout at home for a bit. Grandma (Jeoff's mom) came to visit. Jeoff & I got out for a bit just to have a little couple time. We went to CompUSA, DSW and Famous Footwear ....shopping ......but it was nice to be out together.

The rest of the weekend was pretty laid back as well. Maybe too laid back because I didn't finish my Hermeneutics homework yet!

CTI March

In March, our class for 2nd Year students was Apologetics II but I am retaking Hermeneutics from last year (since the smallest little mama was born this time last year and I missed it).

I'll talk a little here, when I get another minute to post, about my renewed fire for apologetics and evangelism, although I'm not physically in the class.

Another 21 Days - Interesting perspective

Starting again with healthy eating today. I like starting fresh each month. It keeps me on my toes!

This time it's not just for healthy eating but it's actually a fast the Jeoff & I are doing together.

We're starting with this week - Holy Week. The week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and ressurection!

It's interesting because when it got tough today, we thought about what it must have been like for Jesus this week in history! Our little suffering with not eating until 6PM, is NOTHING compared to what He suffered this week!!!

CTI February

In February, the class for 2nd Year students was Hearing the Voice of God. It was an incredible class, taught by Charles Rosson.

Mr. Rosson is 79 years old and heads up one of the Prophetic Life Teams at Covenant. His wisdom and experiences were invaluable. In the next to last class session, he brought his team with him and divided us into 4 groups. His team members prayed for us one by one. It was amazing because many of themsaid they were new at prophecy and they were really just allowingthe Lord to speak through them.

Everyone student I spoke to said they received a personal, encouraging, and "on-point" word from the Lord. Regarding either where they are today, where the Lord has brought them, or where He is taking them!

For us the Lord spoke about our current concerns, specific steps, and our future direction.

It was so exciting!

We're supposed to get a CD of the prophecies so we can play it again (as many times as we want) to remind ourselves of what was said.

We are all called to prophesy! Prophecy is declaring the Word of God over our selves, our circumstance, and over others!!!

Sound of the Dishwasher

I'm sitting at home in my family room, typing on the computer. It's 2PM on a Saturday afternoon, and al I hear is the sound of the dishwasher. Such a nice sound!

I never thought I would enjoy the sound so much. It's sorta like the sound you hear in the house when the TV is off all of a sudden. My mom reminded us of that sound one day at her house when all of the grandkids were there, and all of her four daughthers, we were all around the dinner table running our mouths and to add to the noise, the television was blaring in the background. Mama yelled (yes she yelled) "turn that tv off." After someone obeyed her command, she said "now, that feels good." And it really did feel good.

That's the feeling I have today. On that day I totally agreed with her but I didn't understand it the way I do now. I don't think I had any children at all that day but today I have almost as many as her. The contrast between a loud and a quiet home is huge to me now and right now I'm very appreciative of the quiet sound of the dishwasher, scrubbing away all the dirt of today's and yesterday's used dishes.

Another 21 days

Today I am starting again with another twenty-one day push for cleansing/healthy eating.

Last time I got through about 60% of the time period with no compromise and I'll keep trying until I get to a 100% run.

So today I'm starting with my breakfast of eggs and sausage.

Good Start - Update January 25

I haven't sent an update in forever.

Let's basically say that I've learned that if I don't get a good start each morning with an immediate breakfast of something like eggs and sausage, and multivitamins.

I'm doomed for the rest of the day!

Cravings and all kinds of thoughts creep in!!

So here and there I've had some coffee, some pizza, and even a few cokes!!

The 21 days with Covenant Church, ends this Sunday. I hope to do well between now and then start up with another go at it.

I can say that I HAVE lost about 8 pounds through all this! Yipee!

Good Start - Update January 15 - 17

The last three days. Okay, I'm getting behind.

** Monday 1/15 **

I can't remember exactly! But I know I did pretty good this day.

Something like eggs in the morning, salad for lunch, etc, etc.


** Tuesday 1/16 **

The beginning of the day was fine. Had chicken strips for dinner, which is a borderline decision.


** Wednesday 1/17 **

I fell off the wagon for breakfast today because I didn't eat any before I left and we stayed out that morning until almost 11am. So at 10:28 I rolled into Chik-Fil-A! And had coffee with Hazel Nut and some chicken minis!

The rest of the day I did good.

CTI: Holy Highway Outreach Event

The event this past weekend was incredible. Not only was it a chance for Jeoff to minister through music and for me to sing with him and the other participants, but it was an incredible move of God.

The ladies there at the facility were so touched by the princess makeovers they received and the messages from Pastors Derozette and Cyd, and not to mention the one on one ministry they received from all of the ladies who travelled to Pickton from Covenant Church.

It was an experience I'll never forget, and hopefully one the girls won't forget either.

Good Start - Update January 14

Eating today:

Protein shake
Caesar salad
Apple

Omega 3s
Multivitamin

Good Start - Update January 13

Eating today:

Protein shake
Two slices of pizza
Chips and queso
South Beach snack bar

(Not so healthy today!!)

Good Start - Update January 12

Eating today:

South Beach Snack bars (I brought those with me out of town, since I wasn't able to do my normal routine)

Chicken Strips
Protein shake
Orange

Omega 3s
Multivitamin

Good Start Update - January 11

Eating today:

Protein shake, caesar salad

Omega 3s, Vitamin supplements

(I know I should have eaten more today)

Rosberg Marriage Resources

Click here to see som of Gary and Barb Rosberg's resources on communication and conflict resolution

Good Start Part 5

Today's eating:

Breakfast - Eggs, sausage

Lunch - Protein shake

Dinner - Chicken strips and caesar salad

Snacks - Apple, Peanuts

Good Start - Part 4

Today was a pretty good eating day.

I started with breakfast (albeit late) including eggs and sausage, with a portion of an apple.

For lunch I had a caesar salad with croutons and cheese.

With peanuts as snacks in between.

For dinner I had a protein shake.

Throughout the day I had multivitamins and Omega-3 supplement.

CTI January

At some point I'm going to have to compile all of the notes I've taken over the course of CTI this past year and half but here's an update for January 2007.

This weekend we will be going to an outrech event for Holy Highway Home for Girls. Jeoff will be playing and I will be singing along with some really great ladies who sing a lot more often than I do! I count it a priveledege and it'll be a great experience.

I'm especially excited that Jeoff has met some great new musician friends who love the Lord and love their craft.

This home we are going to is for girls who have gone through difficult times in their lives and had to be sent there for rehabilitation. The theme of the weekend is "A Night with the King". We are praying that these girls truly have an encounter with the king that weekend and that his impact brings about a change in their lives that will last forever.

In January we are beginning a 3 week class, entitled Biblical Leadership.

And we will also be working with the CORE students on the original songs they have written. During this first month of the semester we will begin developing the musi for their songs and move forward toward production!

Good Start Part 3 (Eating Update)

For the past 4-5 days, I have been having eggs and sausage for breakfast, salad with croutons for lunch and a protein shake for dinner. With peanuts to snack on here and there. I've also had a multivitamin to supplement.

On Friday Jeoff bought some of the To Your Health and I've had 1 oz of that each day since then. I'm not sure how long I'll continue that because I don't want to be dependent on it.

I will also change up my choices of foods at some point but for now I'll stick with this because it has gotten me going and has helped me get the coffee and sodas out of my diet.

More updates later.