The Healthy Woman

If you are in the area there is still time to come and join us!

The Healthy Woman Conference

 February 10-12, 2012 

YWAM Base, Roaring Creek   

Hosted By  

The Child Development Foundation   

Registration begins at 4:00 pm Friday, February 10. 

The conference will end at noon on Sunday, February 12.  

Saturday’s sessions are from 8:30 am - 9:00 pm   

Theme: 

The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength   

Topics include:

Gomer: A Story of Hope and Redemption (Friday evening) 

Hope for the Battered Woman (Saturday) 

How Abuse and Trauma Shape Our Choices (Saturday) 

Pursuing Purity and Holiness in Singleness (Saturday)

The Path to Healing from a Past Abortion (Saturday)

The Power of Forgiveness (Saturday evening)

My Identity in Christ (Sunday morning)  

Our Speakers:

 Ms. Diana Shaw, founder/director of CDF and child advocate

Mr. Tom Sharp, Christian counselor and therapist 

Mrs. Dana Richards and Ms. Connie Oslund, post-abortion counselors

Mrs. Jadine Fritzler, CDF board member and conference coordinator

We are excited to see what God will do in the lives of the women who will be there this weekend.   

Please pray for those who will be attending...that it will be a safe and loving environment for each woman.  Pray also for all of the volunteers who are working hard to make this weekend a success.  Pray for good weather and for health for all of the speakers.  

Thank you! 

Which step have you reached today?

source

To quote my brother, Stephen, "if you're gonna talk about it...be about it!" 

 I have talked about getting healthy.  So obviously my next step was to be about it.  Since I wrote the post Determination today...better health tomorrow I've been walking consistently each week.  When we have an errand to run, if it is within walking distance, we choose to walk instead of taking the car.  I have finally made the shift in my head to telling myself I can do it instead of making an excuse as to why I can't do it.

And my reward for being about it?  

The weight gain has stopped!  At first nothing changed.  But this week I stepped on the scale and was down a pound.  But, the best part is how I feel.  Mentally and physically I feel so much better when I am able to get a walk in...even if it's a short one.  The week is not over yet and my goal is to get two more days of walking in this week. Can you guess what I am telling myself about that goal?  I can do it! 

Which step have you reached today?

thought for today...

In my wildest dreams I never thought that I would ever stand in Red Square.
  I never expected to see St Basil's Cathedral.

2005 was the year we sold our house, packed up our belongings, and moved our family to Russia.  We invested five years of our lives among the Russian people.  Learning the language, studying the culture, ministering where needed along the way.  We worked hard to understand life around us.  We worked hard to fit in with how our neighbors lived their lives.  We made friends that came to feel like family.  All the while  knowing we were foreigners...each and every day of those five years. 

The reality is that our journey as foreigners began long ago.  

Tom came to Christ at 13.  I came to Him at 10.

And I am reminded of the words of an old song from my church growing up. 

"I am just a stranger down here. 

This old world is not my home.

One of these morns you're gonna look for me, 

but praise God, I'll be gone on home".

For each of us, those who follow Christ,  we live abroad.  This earth is not our home.  We don't fit in here.  We don't belong here.  And much of the stress of daily life could be attributed to culture shock or culture stress.  

I have learned a great deal from our seven years of living outside of the US.  

Here are five of the lessons I have learned that I think we as Believers can apply to our lives:

I Must Adjust My Expectations-

I should not expect the people from another culture to act, think, or conduct themselves exactly like me.

I Must Moderate My Behavior-

I must remember that my actions are seen as representative of my home country to everyone I interact with.

I Must Give Thought to My Words- 

I teach others about my home country every time I open my mouth.  

I Must Adjust My Attitude-

I must learn to live in this environment and not expect it to bow to my values or my way of seeing life.

I Must Remember My Position-

I must remember that I am not a citizen of the country I am living in...I am just a stranger down here.

How do you see yourself as a foreigner where you are?

linking up with:

Tasty Tuesday...

I am thinking a trip to the bakery would be a good thing for today.

There are so many choices...breads, cakes, pastries...we still have not sampled everything!

counting the gifts...

My nose is stuffy. I feel achy and tired. I just want to breathe freely and think clearly again. I cannot tell if my allergies, sinuses, or just a common cold are to blame for how I feel.  Either way...I just don't feel good.

And yet, I feel so blessed.

475.  Thankful that Tom rearranged our schedule so that I could have an extra day to rest.

476.  Our house guest made it back home to the states safely.

477.  Super bowl commercials with Betty White in them.

478.  Time with Spencer and some of the YWAM staff.

479.  Seven of us watching the King's Speech together.

480.  Tom being asked to speak on a panel for the Christian Club at Galen University.

481.  learning a school chant at a pep rally before the panel started.

  

482.  contagious smiles

483.  watching the room fill with students 

484.  meeting the chairman of the university...who was such a gracious host.

485.  watching the students take notes as the men on the panel spoke.

486.  Listening to their insightful questions when the presentations ended.

487.  getting out to walk three times last week despite the rain.

488.  our monthly meeting with local missionaries here in the Cayo District.

489.  fresh honey from a local farmer.

490.  cups of hot tea on chilly rainy days.

491.  vanilla flavored soy milk 

492.  two more weeks of classes left for this session at Belize Bible Center.

493.  Pink hair bows, colorful beads, and the little girls at church.

494.  shoulders for little ones to lean on.

495.  learning that I am stronger than I thought I was...

496.  embracing a life of simplicity.

and

497. finding joy in being thankful.

joining in with the gratitude community:

Girl, if only this chair could talk...

Each week we have clients who sit in this chair.

Male, female, young and old...all with one thing in common...pain.

If this chair could talk you would hear it gossip about the intimate details of those who have suffered through various traumas.  Thank goodness that chair keeps the confidence of those who sit for an hour or so seeking relief.  

We cannot talk about the details either.  However, to update you and to ask for prayer I can say that this was a tough week.  We had a few new people in the chair.  Word of the counseling center is spreading and we have gotten referrals from schools and other programs in the area.  And we are grateful for that.  

Please pray for the teens here in Belize.

Pray for the children.

Pray for those struggling underneath the weight of a secret that they feel could destroy them or their families.  

Pray for more social workers to be appointed in our district. 

Pray for the lone social worker here in Cayo and her staggering work load.

Pray for students that Tom is currently training in the Christian counseling class he is teaching on Saturdays.

Pray for the upcoming Healthy Woman Conference that CDF is putting on next weekend.

Pray for us to have wisdom, insight and compassion to relate with each individual who sits in that chair.  

We truly appreciate your prayers...we are already seeing the payoffs of working here.  

We give praise for the referrals we have received.

We give praise for school principals who see the needs of their students and take action.

We give praise for foster moms, youth workers and teachers who care enough to intervene.

We give praise for the breakthroughs a few of our clients have experienced.

We admire the courage of those who choose to sit and share their pain with us.

We are grateful for each one of you who are supporting us with prayer.

Those petitions are truly valuable...and we cherish them!

Negative Calorie foods?

I saw this list on Pinterest last night.  

source

Since I had not heard of this concept before I turned to my trusty friend, Google, for insight. 

I found this over at LiveStrong.com:

The concept of negative calorie foods, or the idea that you burn more calories digesting and metabolizing certain foods than the foods themselves contain, is more of a diet myth than a reality. Even though some foods may give your metabolism more of a boost than others, and some contribute so few calories to begin with that they do require a couple of extra calories for digestion, the extra calories burned won't be enough to affect your weight.  click to read more

and this over at MayoClinic.com:

The bottom line: Many of the foods touted as negative calorie foods are vegetables and fruits that can aid in losing weight as part of an overall healthy diet plan. But they're probably not negative calorie and they're not a magic bullet for weight loss. In addition, following extreme diets that promote eating only a few foods can cause you to miss out on important nutrients. The key to successful weight loss is adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise. click to read more

I think it bears repeating that there is no magic bullet for weight loss.

Say it with me!

"There is NO magic bullet for weight loss."

And that is okay by me because I was not and am not looking for a fad diet.  

I am looking to be healthy. 

And to do that the answer remains the same.  

Eat right.  Move more.  

Both of which I can do.

I also found these words to live by:

This is my goal for the year...what's yours?

thought for today...

I love watching birds.  Being in a country with over 580 types of birds is absolutely fascinating to me.  I don't know the names of every single bird.  I think this is a Kiskadee.  We see them in our neighborhood and in our yard.  They swoop in and peck at the seeds or fallen fruit in the yard.  Listening to their call is such a joy.

It is as if they are announcing themselves to all within the sound of their voices...

kis- ka- dee, kis- ka- dee!

I enjoy starting my day in the word and in prayer.  However, in the midst of a busy and stressful day there are times when you would not be able to tell my day started that way.  There are times when I allow people, circumstances or my hormone induced attitude to erase the seeds planted during my quiet time.  I wish I could say that in past tense.  But, I can't.  As a recovering perfectionist it is difficult to cop to that.  I want to keep that to myself.  Sometimes...I don't even acknowledge it before God.  Obviously, during those times I am choosing to forget that He already knows all about me.  

That which He plants in me deserves the opportunity to grow and mature...to make me complete in Him.  It is up to me to obey the commands, meditate on the promises, and apply the words of instruction laid out in the Bible.  I am to blame if I allow anyone or anything to negatively impact my walk with Him.  God is faithful.  His word can change our lives if we let it.  

As I surrender...allowing Him to have His way in my life this year...I also accept full responsibility for the quality of my spiritual life.  I surrender to the call to be watchful.  I need to watch out for whatever may try to distract me or rob me of the seeds God has placed in my life. 

Is there something eating His seeds in your life?

linking up with:

What is your brain made of?

Source

  

Did you know all of this about water?  

I sure didn't.  

Tom and have always been water drinkers.  We don't keep soda, or even juice in the house and we only buy them for special occasions.  Depending on where you live and how active you are the amount of water you need to drink to avoid dehydration varies.  Most days we each drink two liters of water.  On really hot and humid days Tom might drink up to four liters of water and I drink three.  When we first got here we bought bottled water to drink and to cook with.  

After experimenting with a few different water filtration pitchers we settled on the Brita pitcher we have now.  But, when the time came to buy a new replacement filter...they were no where to be found.  Our friends saved the day for us and donated enough filters to last an entire year.  Water filters may not be the most expensive gift we have ever received but they most certainly are valuable to the quality of our lives.  Especially in light of how important water is to the proper functioning of our bodies.

So what do you drink the most?

What is your brain made of?!

counting the gifts...

I have surrendered to the fact that while I don't like exercise and sweating...my body seems to like it.  I am feeling much better physically and mentally.  Spiritually, I find myself reflecting on my surroundings and feeling more 'dialed in' when I am out walking.  Last week I walked four out of seven days.  This week the goal is to repeat that.  I am grateful to have found something simple (and free) that I can do for myself that yields such great results.  

553.  working toward better health one day at a time. 

554.  knowing there are greater things ahead.

555.  having our friend, Paul, visiting from the states.

556.  taking photos against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea.

557.  having a reliable vehicle that allows us to provide transport for others when needed.

558.  knowing how to make our dollars stretch when there is more month than money.

559.  learning what my food cravings mean.

560.  fresh fruit and vegetables.

561.  fresh smoothies for breakfast.

562.  not believing everything I tell myself about myself.

563.  sharing Tom's birthday with Belizean friends.

564.  passing the mid-term in Tom's counseling class. 

565.  gifts from America.

566.  enough Brita water filters to make it through the year.

567.  pumpkin pie flavored pop-tarts.

568.  a new oven thermometer.

569.  a new compass for the car.

570.  sharing our favorite hot wing spot with our friend from the states.

571.  the spirit of unity we feel here in our community.

572.  a difficult book that challenges my thinking and brings me to my knees in prayer.

573.  a phone call from my brother.

574.  understanding why God is sometimes silent during difficulty. 

joining in with the gratitude community:

Lolita's broken life...

 Excerpt from Lolita,
 by Vladimir Nabokov                         

"I'll die if you touch me," I said.  "You are sure you are not coming with me?  Is there no hope of your coming?  Tell me only this."

"No," she said.  "No, honey, no.

She had never called me honey before.

"No," she said, "it is quite out of the question.  I would sooner go back to Cue.  I mean-" She groped for words.  I supplied them mentally ("He broke my heart. You merely broke my life").

                                                                     

It took me years to face this book.  Other books by Nabokov are not so difficult to read.  I knew that it was about a middle aged man and his relationship with a 12 year old girl.  I didn't think I had the strength to make it through a book like this.  I read it while we still lived in Russia.  It was a difficult read.  It broke my heart.  It moved me to tears and it made me angry.

Vladimir Nabokov is quoted as saying:

Some people, and I am one of them, hate happy ends.  We feel cheated.  Harm is the norm.

I disagree.  Harm should never be the norm.  

But, sometimes it is. Each week there are children and teens whose lives, hearts and spirits have been broken. Some of them are brought to their knees by their life circumstances. Others were abused or mistreated by someone who was supposed to care for them.  These dear ones often struggle to conceive of a power great enough to mend their lives, heal their hearts, replenish their spirits and redeem all of the suffering they have faced.

I still believe though...that healing can begin with a whispered prayer calling forth the Light of Healing.

Join with us in prayer for those who are still victims.

Please remember the Lolitas of the world.  

Determination today...better health tomorrow!

On Monday, I got to work and realized that I had forgotten the power cord for my computer.  Our first client of the day was male so I knew that I had time to dash home to get it.  Tom suggested that I walk instead of using the car.  I was a bit put out...I mean it was only a five minute drive.  Then I thought about it.  The walk would be good for me.  And we were getting low on gas and pay day was not until the end of the month.  

So, I walked home.  

When I got to the house 15 minutes later I realized that the walk was not horrible.  It didn't kill me. I used the time to refocus and reflect.  I was able to throw a load of laundry into the washing machine, drink a cup of tea, and write in my journal for a bit.  I changed out of my cute shoes and put on my walking shoes and went back to work with the cord for my computer and a new attitude.

And I have been walking daily since then.  

Tuesday, I walked to the post office and stopped by the market to pick up some fruit.  Yesterday, we walked over to the counseling office to pick up some copies from the secretary.  Belmopan is a small city.  The first four months we got by without a car.  We got around the city either by foot or on the bikes graciously donated to us by a couple in Nebraska. It takes longer to walk or bike but it is doable...especially since we are now into the dry season.  

There are some health benefits to walking.  

I have been feeling better physically, my mind is clearer, my mood is lighter. 

I know it will take a while for me to make walking a habit but I know that if I put my mind to it I can do it.  Tom has been walking five days a week for several weeks now.  He is determined.  I respect that.  And his faithfulness is admirable and contagious. 

Determination today will lead to better health tomorrow.

What are you determined to do for better health?

 

Thought for today...

I took this photo on Hummingbird Highway on the way to Dangriga.  We were out sightseeing that day.  It was our first weekend with the new car.  It is hard to believe that a year has passed so quickly.  I had Tom stop the car so I could snag this photo.  He is used to me making requests like this and he pulled over long enough for me to get the shot.  We work together like that...after 30 years together it just seems natural.

How important is unity?

Unity at home.  Unity in neighborhoods.  Unity in a country.  

Does it really make a difference to the quality of our lives?

I think so.  When God's people live in unity it is good and it is pleasant.  It is part of His intention for us. We are to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  Jesus prayed for all believers to be brought to complete unity.  Disharmony in a home or church is an oppression that prevents growth.  The harmony of lives in unity with one another allows each member to thrive.  

I want to see everyone thrive.  

The people we see in the counseling office.  Those we meet as we move about the city.

Our loved ones back in the states.  Our friends back in Russia.

I pray that the God who gives us endurance and encouragement will also give us a spirit of unity.  

May every home be a place where unity flourishes 

so that individuals are free to grow, thrive, and live as He intended.

And may it all be good and pleasant to Him.

linking up with:

Tasty Tuesday...what your cravings mean

I came across the handy chart on Pinterest.  This is fascinating to me.  Not long ago I blogged about my sugar cravings.  And now I can clearly see what my body is missing when I have those cravings and what real foods can give me the nutrients that I am needing at the time.  

How awesome is that?!

source

Not only do I love sweets but salty foods too.  Popcorn and potato chips are my weaknesses.  Tom and I are both looking to make better choices with food.  As the one who does the cooking I feel a greater responsibility to make sure that I am doing my part to help us both eat better.  And I have been inspired by his commitment to walking.  He has been going out five days a week.  We walked a lot before we got the car last year.  We lived for five years in Russia without owning a vehicle.  But here in Belize the public transportation system is not like it was in Russia.  Since purchasing the car I have gained ten pounds.  I was shocked when I got on the scale.  Absolutely shocked.

Today is Tom's birthday and he asked for a cake.  I will bake him a Texas Sheet Cake today but we will be sharing it with friends so we won't be tempted to eat the whole thing just the two of us.  

We aren't going to be counting calories and weighing in each week. 

 The goal is to make better food choices, 

eat treats in moderation and walk as often as we can.  

What changes are you making for your health this year?

Celebrating Chinese New Year and counting the gifts...

There is a first time for everything.  And yesterday we celebrated Chinese New Year for the first time!

We attend a multi ethnic church here in Belize and one of the ethnicities represented is Chinese.  As part of his message Pastor Han told us about the beginning of Bethel Disciples Church.  It began with a group of Chinese believers who came together to worship.  And they called Pastor Han, a Korean, to be their pastor.  He does not speak Mandarin so he preached in English and used a translator.  Others heard about the church and began to attend.  And now just about every ethnic group in Belize is represented at the church.  It truly is a beautiful sight to see everyone worshiping together each Sunday.  

After church yesterday we were treated to a buffet of Chinese food, made by several ladies from the congregation. It was all very tasty.  I can't decide if the noodle dish or the dumplings were my favorite.  I would be willing to taste it all again, you know, to be sure!  There were also gifts for the kids, lots of laughter and great fellowship to be had.  We were thrilled to be a part of it all.  We have been attending Bethel Disciples Church for a few months now and it is beginning to feel like we have found a home. And that is truly a gift!

531.  a place to worship and grow in Him.
532.  wooden tables laden with more than enough food for everyone.
533.  sermons that seem to have been written just for my ears.
534.  worship songs that lift up an offering of praise.
535.  text messages that let me know a friend is praying for me.
536.  phone calls and texts from Nathan and Spencer.

537. being the mother of two incredible sons.

538.  Tom taking a bullet for me during my week of no bread. 

 I ate the fish burger and he finished off the bun.

539.  learning to ignore the wires and just focus on the sunset.

540.  beautiful moments to end the day.

541.  Creation speaking words that enchant the soul

542.  Christmas gifts that bring tears to the eye and joy to the heart.

543.  the thoughtfulness of on line friends.

544.  Ornaments to replace items lost in Russia.

545.  sweets from home filled with childhood memories.

546.  papaya-orange smoothies

547.  fresh fruit and veggies from the market

548.  having a friend drop off a container filled with fresh baked goodness.

549.  eating Johnny Cakes for the first time.

550.  watching American Idol after the football game.

551.  having people who trust me.

552.  the serenity that abides in a grateful heart. 

.

joining in with the gratitude community:

Chocolate and water and modern day slavery...

It was hard for me to imagine the connection.  

However, according to Change.org there are five ways that lack of clean water leads to modern day slavery.  In the opening lines of the article we read:

"The global water crisis contributes to poverty and disease, holds back gender equity advancement, and affects the use of enslaved and exploited labor in commercial agriculture. These problems and others make millions of men, women, and children vulnerable to modern-day slavery."

Here are the reasons cited in the article:
1. Lack of water access keeps people in poverty
2. Fetching water can put women and children at risk for trafficking
3. Lack of water keeps women from being equal
4. Unsafe water and unsanitary living conditions cause disease and death
5. Industrial agriculture enslaves people made poor by lack of water.

If you click on the link and read the article you will see each reason expounded upon.  click here

Learning about water got me to thinking about what other industries contribute to modern day slavery.  And then I found this story about chocolate's child slaves.

The chocolate bar you snack on likely starts at a plant in a West African cocoa plantation, and often the people who harvest it are children. Many are slaves to a system that produces something almost all of us consume and enjoy.

We have learned from our work with the Child Development Foundation that poverty is a major factor in child trafficking.  There are unscrupulous people who prey on poor families whose only assets are their adolescent sons or daughters.  We have learned more than we ever wanted to know about the depravity of mankind.  And as we conclude a productive week of working in the counseling office and look forward to another class this weekend of Tom training counseling students...we are praying.

Praying for those around the world who are still victims.  

Praying for those here in Belize who are suffering.  

Praying for the abused, misused and neglected children.  

And praying for the perpetrators to WAKE up and repent of their deeds.  

Won't you pray with us?

If you are looking for a cause to support please consider making donations to the following organizations:

The Child Development Foundation works to bring awareness of the problem of commercial sexual exploitation of children and eradicate this situation here in Belize.
Water Missions Belize works to provide whole villages with access to clean water, does education on hygiene and helps to set up micro businesses to abate poverty.
Hearts of Christ works against illiteracy by providing children with sponsors who will pay for their education.  Education in Belize is not free.  And poor families often keep children home to help earn a living.

Do you ever feel this way?

 Some days I just want to run to the store or do my errands and not run into anyone who knows me.

I don't want to be rude I just want to be invisible.  Maybe it's the introvert in me.  Maybe it is a holdover from the five years of being the only black woman in the region we lived in back in Russia. There are days when it is obvious that the feeling of always being on stage hasn't fully left me yet.   

But then there are days like yesterday.  

I went to the post office to pick up a package from a blogging friend

 who was sweet enough to bless us with some treats and Christmas ornaments.

As soon as I walk in one of the workers in the back looks up at me and smiles.  She walks toward me with a piece of mail that had our first address on it here in Belmopan.  The man at the counter is waiting on someone else when I enter.  He goes to get that person's package and mine at the same time.  I have not even given my name or shown him my paperwork yet. When my turn comes he gets me out of there in record time.  Thanking him, I turn to leave, smile, and God reminds me of the benefits of being recognized.

 It is not about being on display. 

It is about being a part of a community. 

And we are truly blessed indeed to be able to live and serve here.