why as a Christian I voted for Hillary Clinton

This is why as a Christian and a US Citizen I stilled voted for Hillary Clinton:

God gave us freewill on if we want  to follow him or not for a reason. The government assigning law to create an oppressive society is not going to bring anyone to Christ.  God knew this that is why he created freewill. He wanted people to follow him because they wanted to because he is a loving kind father who knows best for them not because they are made too. Outside of laws and programs that protect someone person safety and personal rights and assuring all our citizens are cared for if they are unable or taught how to rise above circumstances; I feel the government should step back. Let the Church, the real loving church who follows the greatest commandment......Matthew 22:36-40

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Lead people to God and through his love they may willing follow his truth.

With that said this is why as a Christian I voted for Hillary Clinton.  Was she perfect? No not by any means.  I don't agree abortion and I really don't care for partial birth abortion. Would I personally have one,  no. Do I see heart breaking cases where I understand abortion?  Yes. When a mother is carrying h a child who won't survive and she is deathly ill.  Where a 12 year old is pregnant from incest etc.  many of you probably don't realize trump believes in abortion in those cases. So I see no future of that getting overturned.  Do I condone lying? Absolutely not.  But I did vote for an agenda that would help people stuck in other counties with no hope instead of voting for fear. I voted for an agenda that would have saved my mother life if as a working individual she would not have had to go without healthcare until a week before she died and that was only because she quit working.  I didn't want to vote for a man who degrades women because I was fearful the right person would not get into Supreme Court.

With all this said I wish I would have had the courage to post this sooner. I was acting out of fear of the mean response. I was having fear of man.

But also I do want to say since Trump is in office as a Christian I am looking for the good and I am trusting as God has shown he can change anyone's heart. I'm praying for a King DAVID situation. I'm praying for the people who are afraid..,The fight or flight I am seeing in people who are really  scared for the new leadership.  I'm praying for all to love and be loved.  HIS love.

Anyone who is scared or worried or angry because of Trump being elected as president please feel free to message me I would love to have coffee with you or go on a walk or you can come sit by me at Church and I can help you see the loving side of God who really does care about your hurts.

#empowered

6 years ago I stood sick, ridden with headache after headache.  On medication for insulin resistance, depression, anxiety and not to mention the medication I took and ran out of for migraines each month.  I was tired all the time.  I was not the mother I wanted to be.  I decided to walk into a weight watchers meeting.  A year later I had lost 50lbs and a year after that an additional 30.  Since then have I not only learned how to eat right, but have accomplished several physical goals of complete 5 half marathons, numberous 5k,  climbing Pikes Peak, completing a metric century.  (Below see my before and after picture)

I stay active but food continues to be my main struggle.  The scale became my idol and how I felt about myself went up and down with it.  Feeling like I have been doing everything "right" but yet gaining 30lbs back, I have been ridden with fear that all those health problems will just return and it is out of my control. 

Since picking up the made to crave book I have been filled with a sense of  empowerment.

 I have realized that I do have my own orange Monster taunting me and lying to me and I do give into emotional eating.

  Yesterday after a success of reciting a bible verse 1Cor 10:23, Everything is permissible (to me) but not everything is beneficial (to me) and asking for Gods help I was able to overcome a craving, a craving of a large chocolate Lava cake I might add.  Only hours later overeating more than I have in month.  All the while making a choice to deny God and chose food.  I want to be different, I want to be strong, I want to be strong in body, mind and spirit. Not for me but for God so I can be who he needs me to be while I am here on earth.  I am powerless to do this on my own, but am empowered through Christ.  Already through our bible verse of the week, and using Verse Mapping,(http://heatherbleier.com/?s=verse+mapping)....Love it.

 I have identified that my true CRAVING is not food but yet security that I can only find in Gods arms.  Rest that I can only find in his house.  When crave food and it is not beneficial for me, I will take that as a warning sign that I need to find rest in HIM not food. And such empowerment in the FACT that I CAN CRY to him and he DOES here me, I just have to be willing to admit and ask.  Psalms 5;1-3.

To learn more about the Made to Crave Bible Study that is empowering me on this journey, follow the following link.

Whole Wheat Pancakes

2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour (now you can actual use a combonation of flour, corn meal, protein powder but use mainly the flour. I use 1 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup of soy protein powder so I will feel full longer.)
4 tsp baking powder (If you have never shopped at ALDI..seriously save where you can baking powder is baking powder no matter how you add it up),

2 tsp LOCAL Honey (Again among other places Root Beginning cares some, Tuttle Orchard and I have a friend who will have supply soon at Locust Farms)

1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree (You don't taste this, it add vitamins and you use it in place of eggs so you save on fat and cholestrol, if you would rather use eggs, you can use 2 eggs instead)

2 Cups of milk or milk substitute ( I use Silk Vanilla Soy LIght)

Splash of Vanilla

Mix all ingredients if seems a little thick add a little water. I then heat griddle to 350 degrees. Pour batter, once they bubble and edge set, flip. Serve with LOCAL maple syrup(http://www.locustfarms.com/) and Natural Peanut butter.

All Natural Chocolate Pudding.

GREAT Recipe for those weak moments of PMS. Ingredients for vegan, all-natural, chocolate pudding!
One ripe avocado one ripe banana

1/4 cup cocoa powder one cup alternative milk (I use SILK Vanilla Soy light)

2 tablespoons of local honey.( pick it up at our local farmers market or at http://www.rootbeginnings.com/)

Blend in blender. EAT right out of blender (With it off of course) or refridgerate and eat later. Personally like it better once it has been in the fridge but who has time for that. :)

Slightly Adapted from http://www.nutritionturnaround.com/

Fall Sweet but Good for you recipes

Pumpkin Fluff


Ingredients:

2 packages vanilla sugar free instant pudding
2 1/4 cups skim milk
16 ounce can of pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
8 ounce tub of fat free cool whip

Directions:

1. Whisk together vanilla pudding and milk until thick (about a minute or so).

2. Add (to the pudding/milk mixture) pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and fold in cool whip.



Caramel Apple Salad

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
4-6 Granny Smith Apples (According to size of apples)
2 small boxs sugar-free fat-free butterscotch pudding (or regular)
1 (8 ounce) container fat-free cool whip
Directions:
1Mix all together. The longer you let it refridgerate the better it taste.

November: Not to be overlooked or ignored.

November: Not to be ignored. A time to reflect on the gifts God has blessed one with. Today I am thankful for this day, and each one God has blessed me with. Some are bad, some are good but each one a gift. Another day to love my family and the ones around me.


Thankgiving Menu

Turkey (Trash can turkey)
Apple Salad
Cranberry Salad
Pink Baby Poo (AKA Jello Salad)
Cheese Ball/ Crackers/Celery
Pumpkin Pie
Mashed Potatoes
Mac and Cheese
Rolls

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

Traditions:
Pumpkin Patch
Carving Pumpkins
Pumpkin Seed Roasting
Weinie Roast

Pumpkin Seed Recipes

Spiced pumpkin seeds

Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
2.Combine the margarine, salt, garlic salt, Worcestershire sauce and pumpkin seeds. Mix thoroughly and place in shallow baking dish.
3.Bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

REALLY Spicey Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon red pepper salt
1 teaspoons Worcestershire sautabasco
2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
2.Combine the margarine, salt, garlic salt, Worcestershire sauce and pumpkin seeds. Mix thoroughly and place in shallow baking dish.
3.Bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.


Ingredients
2 cups pumpkin seeds, rinsed and dried
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 cup white sugar, divided
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F .
2.Combine the pumpkin seeds, margarine, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl; stir to coat the seeds. Spread the seeds in a single layer in a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan.
3.Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes; stir and return to oven for 15 minutes more; remove from oven and sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar over the seeds; stir to coat. Return to oven and bake another 15 minutes before removing again to sprinkle with remaining sugar and stirring. Bake another 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Store leftover seeds in an airtight container.

Movies of the season:

Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin
Practical Magic

Halloween Night

Everyone meets the house. Food.

Chili, Cracker, Cheese, Peanut Butter
Cookies, Molasses
Hot Apple Cider

Control

This week I have been focusing on God and what he is trying to tell me about me, I have been keeping my eyes wide open. I have been blessed over and over this week. The truth is that I like to be in control of everything, not because I want to be a controling person but because I feel like I need to be on top of everything all the time as not to let my family down. I want to make sure my children are successful, I want to make sure my Husband has a good relationship with my children, I want to make sure I have a good relationship with my husband. Therefore I am always evaluating how I can change what I am doing, what my husband is doing and what my kids are doing to assure they are on the right track. IT is a huge weight to carry. I was doing all this because I was not TRUSTING that God had my back. Don't get me wrong, I realize a person still needs to make good choices. But the point is that really although you can guide your children, you can share what you feel is right with your husband, they are still their own people with their own minds...they have that pesky "Freewill" that God gave us. I can really only make choices for myself and know that God is working with them as well. The funny thing in all this is that this week, I have let go of so much. I have share with my children how I feel and continue to set boundaries for them, but I have been quick to listen, slow to anger, slow to speak with them. (Sound familiar..you can find it in the bible.), with my husband, I have let go and let him be the leader, I share with him ONE time what I might think or feel and let it go from there. If I worry that he is not leading, I remember that he loves me and the children and know he will always base his decisions on that and let it go. The truth is that my burden has been lifted and this has been the most amazing week with my family. I have witness whole family less stressed, have meaningful conversations. want to be in the same room all without my suggestion. My family is as "Perfect" as I have been working for and guess what... God is GOOD and GOD is always walking beside you.

True Love

As think about Valentines Day and the true meaning of LOVE, I am brought back to the verses I chose to be read at my Wedding and the Bible.

Recently attending a service, or maybe even something my child shared with me they had learned at church, it was suggested to read the verses I listed below but when the word LOVE was, insert your name.

It really puts a new meaning on if I or YOU really know what true love is. To be more Christ like in my thinking, I have decided to evaluate how I stand with my walk with LOVE. By putting my name in this verse. Because I firmly believe in the verse that start this out, "But have not love, I gain nothing."

Also with this think about are you truely loving the ones you should be showing this TRUE love to. For me it is easier with the kids but harder with the husband, Easier with when my children were younger but harder when they push the limits.

1 Corinthians 13 3-7
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.



(Laura) is patient, (Laura) is kind.
(Laura) does not envy, (Laura) does not boast,
(Laura) is not proud.
(Laura) is not rude, (Laura) is not self-seeking,
(Laura) is not easily angered, (Laura) keeps no record of wrongs.
(Laura) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
(Laura) always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.

What I am going to try to take from this, is before responding to the people I LOVE, I will first evaluate if I am responding like above.

Pondering.

Today has been a day of reflection. A struggle of a day really but ended on a good note.

New Goals: Be thrifty with my $ by price matching and coupon. Got my coupons cut and ready. : ) Plan to get them organized soon. found several helpful sites. www.cellfire.com and of course www.kroger.com

Gardening, going to be focus on gardening, start a compost.
http://thehappyhousewife.com/frugal-living/diy-compost-bin/

Also read the bible throughout the day and came to a few verses,

James 1;5 If any one of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who give generously to all without finding fault.

From this I would like to focus on being less critical and lifting my husband and children up. Focus on me more when it comes to my feelings of anxiety and discontent.

James 1:5 Perserverance must finish its work so that you be mature and complete not lackign in anything.

From this one I reflected on the importance of finishing what you start and not giving up with knowing in the end it will build you up. Also passing this on to your children. Finish what you start and buck up and don't give up.

Proverbs 24:26 An honest answer is liek a kiss on the lips

this spoke to me as I enjoying being around people who are honest. Who tell you what you are thinking but also allow you to think freely as well. nothing causing me more anxiety that someone whom you can not trust.

Lemon Basil Alfredo Pasta

1 T Olive Oil

1.5 lb Chicken Breast

2 Lemons

Basil Dried)

3 Garlic Cloves

2/3 Chicken Broth or 2/3 cup water and 1 tsp of chicken boullion

Salt and Pepper To taste



1 lbs pasta of your choice, whole wheat



Aspargus (as much or as little as you want)

1 can evorated milk

1/2 Parmesan Cheese (Light)



Put water on to boil for pasta



Cook Chicken over medium heat in olive oil, season with basil, salt, pepper and 1 garlic clove. Squeeze onehalf lemon over it. When almost cooked through, add chicken broth, rest of lemon juice and zest of entire lemon add aspargus on top and cover. Simmer about 10 minutes.



Cook pasta according to directions of box.



Add the milk, 1/2 paremesan cheese, a little more basil, rest of garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cooked pasta.



.

Popcorn Snacks

All recipes call for 94% Popcorn Microwave Versions

Parkay Spray Butter



Spicy-Combine 15 Parkay Spray Butter with about 2 tsp frank red hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and a sprinkle of red pepper, Alternate Popcorn and Mix, toss with hands



Pizza Popcorn-Spray wtih Parkay Spray, 2 TB Parmesian Cheese light, Italian Seasoning (I use the one from Walmart Bottom Shelf) and Garlic Powder



Sweet and Salty-Spray Butter, Cinnamon and a 2 tsp of brown sugar.

Defy Gravity

So the last 3 months have been a real emotional rollar coaster. And with that an emotional eating spree. I have managed to accumulate 13lbs, since October. I am very frustrated but today is a new day and I have managed to get my eating in order.

My new years resolution is to Defy Gravity, not let my emotions or anything else control me or bring me down to the ground. Gonna let my wings fly. I want to love without fear and know that God is in control. I want my husband to feel my unconditional love and to enjoy my children to the fullest. And I want to continue to put my health first.

When I eat like crap, I feel like crap. When I eat good, I feel good. When I exercise my headaches and anxiety disappear.

Positive:

1)First an exciting new is that I completed my 5k on Jan. with a time of 33minutes. : )
2)I also have found a couple.
2 secret weapons-

Brainbrew Tea -www.teapots4u.com

Awesome Hot Chocolate Recipe

2 Tb Cocoa
2 tb Bulk Splenda
1 Cup FF Milk
Splash of Vanilla

To change up taste, you can use Almond or Peppermint Extract instead..maybe even orange.

104 Calories
or

3 Points.

3-Got my new Tennis Shoes and my training schedule for the mini


4.Today I am going to a spin class.


So goodbye 168.8lbs.-

Evil named Anxiety

Lets face it...I have been struggling for the past several months. I am feeling in limbo land. I have been questing who I am, my faith....I guess you would call it a midlife crisis. But what I recently relized above everything else is I was allowing Evil to guide me and seep into my thoughts. I would like to name this evil Depression. I have struggled with Depression since my teen years. I usually shake it off and over come, replacing happy thoughts with negative thoughts but then there are things that I can't just brush off or make go away. Some people see this behavior as controling. I have routines for everything from morning to night...routines to eat right, routines to stay in shape, routines to keep my house clean. These rouitnes or rituals I set up are to keep me on top of things..because recently, I realized I am not Depressed..probably never have been but rather have deep rooted Anxiety that causes me to get down if I feel overwhelmed and or can change something in my life. Usually to fight anxiety, I look at what caused me to get overwhelmed in the first place and set up a routine or a way to do things differently in the future. The problem is when you live with 4 other people, one an adult themselves you can't force them to always go along with your thoughts or ideas. Therefore, Anxiety prevails. Oh by the way....I am a deep things therefore if I come to a solution for something, it is deeply thoughout out and planned...no impulse here..so once I have something thought up..I am a little rigid in out it is going to play out..either way.

So back to the faith questing situation. Well what it really boiled down too is that most of my life I have made decision based on what I felt was right at the time. What was going to give me and my family the best life possible, not always what I wanted to do or felt emtionally what I wanted to do. I just ignored my emotions. Well one of the things I questioned was my believe in God. Every possible doubt I had seeped into my mind. Well recently instead of fighting God I have been researching all my doubts. And the more I read the bible and study the more peace I feel. Which since I am paying attention to my emotions more, is a clear sign to me that God is my father who love me and bring me much peace. Also I struggled with why I was feeling so much strive and pain in my relationshihps in life. And the truth is God made a perfect world and gave us free will. Which means life is not going to be perfect..because quite frankly people screw up..but by trying to follow what God wants for us we can feel a little of that perfection, peace and love.

Also my health has not been what it needs to be..I have gained about 10lbs. My promise to myself is to put my health first..body, mind and spirit. starting today.

advice for love in tune

Honesty by Rodney Atkins:

honesty, sincerity, tenderness and trust
a little less time for the rest of the world
and more for the 2 of us.
kisses each morning, i love yous at night

Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice
be a best friend, tell the trust, and overuse I love you
go to work, do your best, don't your outsmart common sents
don't let your praying knees get crazy
love like crazy

BFF, has been right there all along.

Someone to bring you up when you are down. To take you by the hand when you feel you can not walk alone. Someone to believe in you when you forget to believe in yourself. Someone you can trust with all your secrets and thoughts and know they will not be shared with anyone else. You can trust them your deepest darkest thoughts as well as your bizarre dreams and know they will love you anyway. They deal with you in your worst mood possible and fly with you in your happiest moods. Sometimes you love them, sometimes they drive you crazy. They aren't perfect all the time, they have flaws just as you do. They have bad days. You can scream and yell at them one night and wake up the next day holding hands and ready to take on the world. This is a bestfriend. This is my husband.

Future quotes to inspire writing.

No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings. -William Blake

Religion is not a burden, not a weight, it is wings. Harry Emerson Fosdick

Sadness flies away on the wings of time. Jean de La Fontaine

Sometimes, if you aren't sure about something, you have to just jump off the bridge and grow wings on your way down. Danielle Steel

The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence. Denis Waitley

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings. Hodding Carter

To stay ahead, you must have your next idea waiting in the wings. Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Truth is not a matter of fact but a state of harmony with progress and hope. Enveloped only in its wings will we ever soar to the promise of our greater selves. Bryant H. McGill

When we are touched by something it's as if we're being brushed by an angel's wings. Rita Dove

Of what use were wings to a man fast bound in chains of iron?

The last few weeks have been really hard. I have been struggling with a mood I just can't shake. Life seems hard to get though on days. Sometimes I feel life is just happening and I just do not have much control over what is happening in my life. I realize God is the one ultimately in control and I should not worry or feel as I do but it is still happening. Part of my struggle is that I have just felt exhausted lately. Does not seem I ever feel rested. I am sure training for the marathon is taking a toll on my body. I am disappointed because I wanted to feel stronger at this point not like this. I need to go back on my vitamins as well. Female issues I am sure are making my iron low. So for now, I am going to use my "Wings" to lift me up and help me fly although my mind and body are struggling to sink. I will not let the weight of my mind weight me down but break free of the chain and fly again, fly each day...

Darn that white chocolate easter bunny...it smiled and winked at me til I ate him. : )

Many know that I started my weight loss journey about 2 years ago. I have lost 70lbs. I have only 6lbs until I will be at the weight that will give me a bmi that said I am at a normal weight. The weight loss has never been about looking better although that has been a benefit, it has always been about how when I eat better I feel better. When I exercise, I feel less anxiety and stress. I feel in control. Why is it then that I get into slumps and know that eating right an exercising will make me feel better but is is the last thing I want to do? A vicious cycle really. Thus why today I managed to consume 1000 calories of white chocolate bunny...damn bunny and damn my brother for leaving it here. : )

With Wings I can run...

I allowed negative comments that loves ones had told me to shape me thorughout my life, although I don't even know if the person has knows how it has impacted me.For instance recently I just realize I could run. : ) Before in my mind I remember my step-dad saying "Its okay you can't run, your just solid...meat and potatoes..solid people can't run." Therefore whenever I tried to run since the time I was young, that would pop into my head. Instead of trying to push throuhg it, I would play that over and over in my mind until I just started walking. So for years I would tell people I am not athletic, I can't run when really I can and I do!!