Day 3

Day 3 of my new life.

This day, I thought would be harder because we start the 30 hour famine today. But I managed to run all of my errands, and even make it to the gym...which was a good pre-work out to loading up my Costco cart with bottled water and juice! Then ate a hearty salad for lunch, and am good to go for the next 30 hours!

I'm feeling good, but realizing that I am much more out of shape than I thought. I'm kind of ashamed of this. But the good news is, I figured it out now, so that I can get a start on this new life!

We'll see how it goes Sunday for 2 days of nephew birthday parties!

Gym...Gym...Gym!!!

And guess what?

I'm kind of having fun with it!

36 days...and reflections of one week

36 days until I pack my bag and leave for Spain.

As I finished my many flights of the summer, I started thinking about how restless my legs become on a plane. Knowing that I would be going to Spain in April, I thought, this would be the best time to get in shape and hopefully use my legs so they won't be so restless. Well, as you can see, I've been putting that off...one more day...one more week...one more month....WELL NOW I ONLY HAVE 36 DAYS!!!

Having this kidney stone episode has been a blessing in disguise. Having my parents cook for me, and not being able to eat much, has naturally started me on a new diet. Also, while I sat in the hospital, thinking about all of the things that could have been wrong with me, I realized...NOW is the time for a change. So, with the ability to only drink juice and water for the last week, I'm continuing on this track. I may only have a month until I go to Spain, but I have a lot that I can do in that month! So, today, I started my new way of living.

3 healthy meals. I made it to the gym in the first time in....well...nevermind. But I had a great workout! I'm feeling better, and even though a month is a short time, I can still get ready for Spain, but only if I start now.

While in Spain and Italy, I am going to be doing a lot of walking. Not to mention the tour that takes you up and down over 300 stairs, I need to get ready! I'm realizing that I still have the mentality that I can do anything, but my body isn't keeping up with me anymore. And lets just be honest, I NEVER want to have a kidney stone, ever again in my life! So, it's time to start preventing what could happen!

Like I said, for the last week and a half, I have only been drinking juice and water. People say that pop can cause kidney stones. I'm not sure if that's true, but I don't doubt it! And, I had 3 big pops on the Friday before the episode, "because it was my day off!"

I'm always treating myself to "something nice, something good." Well now, that's good health! So that's what I'm doing for lent! Because it naturally started at this time, and my Spain trip is Easter weekend, I am giving up pop for lent! Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, but without realizing it, pop has become a regular part of my diet over the last year. It's time to make a change.

And with that, I am also making the gym a part of my daily routine. I'm not just giving pop up for lent, but I'm giving Jesus my health, and my hope for a future. So even as I write this, I'm going to write down time in my day, every day, to exercise. If I can take a nap everyday, I'm sure I can go to the gym. And honestly, that's just another health issue...I'm sleeping too much.

The problem is, when my life stops (like when I'm sick) my depression acts up. And it's been acting up bad lately, so as I prayed through my day, this is what I feel God leading me to do. But I can't do it on my own, so that's why I'm posting it here. Almost for accountability. I don't want anyone mentioning it, I just want to tell the world, and hopefully give regular countdowns and updates. Call me Bridget Jones. I don't care!

So here we go...to health...to happiness...to strengthening my walk with the Lord.

Please keep me in your prayers, I need a lot of help!

36 days, it's just the beginning. it takes 30 days to form a habit...here's hoping!

"KIDNEY STONES"

As you read the title to this blog, I hope you hear the voice from "the one hundredth" episode of FRIENDS, the doctor telling Joey that he has kidney stones.

What a week this has been! I feel so out of touch, and out of the loop. I have to say, it's been nice to have a week off, but the guilt overcomes me. I am a workaholic. I should always be doing something more, and deep down...that frustrates me. I don't know if its the drugs or what, but I have some of my biggest moments of doubt, and reflections of why I'm in ministry when I'm on pain killers. That's probably not the best time to do so.

Today, I headed back to church, and it was great to be around family and friends. Yes, like a 15 year old with her first job, my parents had to drive me, but I've really been enjoying the time that I've been spending with them this last week...even if I was knocked out for most of it. It's really nice having my parents so close, especially having my mom at the hospital with me. I have been so blessed to have them taking care of me, even taking care of me to the point of getting me back to work.

Tomorrow is a new day. I head back to the urologist, in hopes that they will blast these things out! One week is long enough!

But today, I consider myself blessed!

Valentines day for the CCA

Every year, 105.1 the buzz does a 28 hour "telethon/auction" called "Valentines day for the CCA." Every year, I spend the day listening to stories of children with cancer, who have overcome the odds, or who are battling it in the moment. Every year, each story touches my heart. CCA is the Childrens Cancer Association. If you are interested in making a donation, it's not too late. You can find information on www.1051thebuzz.com or call 1-877-656-5437 to make a donation. I guess this is a cause that is really close to my heart. When I was nine years old, my bone marrow shut down, I had no red blood cells, and the doctor told my parents that I had leukemia. That night, I had a blood transfusion, and my church surrounded me in prayer. The next day, the doctors came in and told me that they don't know what happened, but I was healthy and could leave. I spent the next few days, weeks, months, and still years checking my blood count regularly, but only had to deal with anemia. I've always thought about what might have been, or how things could have turned out so differently. I was so lucky. I AM so lucky!

These families are going through the toughest news of their lives, the kids are fighting cancer, and it is a disease that is tearing families apart. I have lost two close children to me to cancer. One child I used to babysit, and another from church. This year, another family in our church lost a child to cancer. It is something that causes so much pain to families, and to those around them. CCA helps to cushion the blow, it's not much, but it is something. Kids get "chemo-buddies" to help them take their mind off of the illness. CCA offers music programs, and many other programs to help kids. In addition, they have a cabin where families can go, be safe, and have a place to be together. They also provide plane tickets to families to be able to be with the children. CCA cares for the children, as well as their families. I believe in this cause.

So, if you can, think about giving to this cause. See what you can do. Every little bit helps!

Even buying a pizza from PAPA MURPHYS any time before 11 tomorrow, $1 from each pizza goes to CCA. You can even get their heart shaped pizza for only $7.99. We had pizza for dinner tonight, and it was wonderful knowing that we were helping a greater cause.

Tune in to 105.1 the buzz to hear more stories, and testimonies from the kids

Got my "Mitch Lat!"

This weekend was absolutely wonderful! My two best friends from San Antonio, Jen and Lori, came to visit. It was such a wonderful weekend, and I feel re-charged! We spent the weekend at the beach, shopping in Cannon Beach and Seaside, playing games at the cabin, and just spending time being together. It was absolutely wonderful! I am so blessed by my friends. I am so thankful for the people in my life that God has blessed me with!

When we returned from the beach, I had a note in my inbox from a friend in Mexico, that we work with on our mission trips. She was in Cannon Beach and wanted to get together. Sadly, I had just returned, but no fear...she stopped by on her way to Portland, so I still got to see her and say hello. I'm really excited about this year's mission trip...we are taking people of all ages, including my mom! I am so excited to share this part of my life with her. Seeing Ineke really got me excited to serve, and ready to go back. Even in the short conversation that we had, I was brought to tears. I am so excited for what this year holds.

So all in all, it was a great weekend! Also, just for kicks...the Saints won the Superbowl, which happens to be the team I was rooting for. When Katrina hit, they spent a year playing in the Alamodome, so I felt like I was almost rooting for a SA team!

Great weekend, good friends, many blessings!