Blowing Bubbles

Do I just scrap all of the research I've done for quite awhile?  Or do I share?  Does anyone really care?  It's something for myself and realizing what you need to do, with the WOW, is something for you.  Except for the basic premise, the odds are, we will do different things and both will be right.  The WOW is a part of our religion and we are expected to live it and it tells us even the weakest of the weak can do that!  that is me!

So no soap box here.  Summarizing...exercise and healthy eating...that is what I'm going to do.  I did the 6 month exercise with no clear or real emphasis/focus on the food.  Now I'm doing the combo. The 5-day biking was so much easier this past week with no deadline hitting me in the face.  I'm much more relaxed and just doing it and it makes it easier and satisfying.  I want to do it.  Same with the eating...I figured out what I want to do and I'm enjoying it.

I toyed with the idea...aim at 6 months?...3 months?...one year? Then it hit me...health is for life so this will just be the way I will live.  Exercise and healthy eating on a regular basis.  For life!  Not only for the rest of my life but also to give my daily living some life!  I'm on or in or whatever!

In reading all sorts of data, in Church/out of Church, I kept writing things but not posting.  I'm going to share this one as it gave me the understanding that I was on the right path....maybe, just maybe, you will enjoy it as much as I did and still do!

(and now I'm questioning...am I soapboxing???  so be it!)

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 In April General Conference- 1996, I remembered a talk that Elder Boyd K. Packer gave and how impressed I was about two stories- one about crocodile warnings and one about staying in a safe area when making choices.  I've used both of those great stories over the years in lessons.  In my quest for figuring out how to live the Word of Wisdom in my own life, I re-read that talk   (Elder packer...here)

This paragraph really impacted me.  It had never really registered before!! Especially the part I underlined.

The Word of Wisdom was “given for a principle with promise” (D&C 89:3). That word principle in the revelation is a very important one. A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor.

(and he also said....
The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings.

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President Monson spoke about the WOW in General Conference 2016 along the same lines as Elder Packer in 1996.  That is 20 years later and both of them have not changed their counsel, nor have any of the other authorities since the commandment was given...1833. 183 years ago!

President Monson talk here  2016 CR
He mentioned exactly what I want in my life.  A Living Prophet said.... Those who are obedient to the Lord’s commandments and who faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular blessings, among which are good health and added physical stamina.1

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The commandment has stayed the same but society has changed.  At first people, in and out of Church, didn't feel cigarettes/coffee etc. were really harmful.  People, in and out of the Church, came around to the fact that they were harmful.  Nowadays people both in and out of the Church, with all of the allergies/food intolerance/carb counting etc. etc., question the wisdom of grains.  Grains are right there in food listed in the WOW.

It doesn't make sense to eat something that causes you harm physically.  My husband best not eat Hazelnuts or his throat might close.  Maybe grain does cause problems to some but I have no problem with it.

I've heard people say the WOW needs to be updated and grain removed and also all meat.

Getting back again to what Elder Packer said....

The Word of Wisdom was “given for a principle with promise” (D&C 89:3). That word principle in the revelation is a very important one. A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor.

You and I are free to take the general basic outline of the WOW and tailor it to work for us.  What works for one, most likely will not work for someone else.  In our world of abundance we have as many lo here and lo there voices about the care and keeping of human bodies, as past and current pulls towards religion.  Everyone seems to be promoting, for their personal gain, be it exercise equipment or a specific weight loss program that costs you $$, telling you what will work for you!!

I am tailoring something for myself.  The 89th Section- the WOW is not a one size fits all program in detail.  It's a basic guideline and I will figure out how to make it work with the restrictions and the acceptable things to eat and all the while avoid the advertising as mentioned in the last days would come about.  If I want to run and not be weary and walk and not faint, the promises of living the WOW, then it does make sense that I get up off the chair and move!  So exercise and healthy eating...my plan!

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Okay.  I'm thinking that is all I'm going to say and just let it rest.  You know I'm frequently changing my mind but as I've been saying...this is not going to morph into some sort of health blog or a monitoring of my weight/health/exercise/eating etc. etc.  (boring. yawn) 

You all are doing the same thing in figuring out what to do for yourself and really, I wish you the best, just like I know you do me!!  IF this actually creates results planned and wanted!?...well, that ups the ante and I might start talking it up but most likely I'll just do it and see what happens!

If I'm honest, and I'm trying to be honest!, then I was on my soapbox!!

on my soapbox.  again!!

Hooray!!

Surely if our town had a bell tower it would be ringing today!  If the sun was shining and grass was green and skies were blue and sweet scented lilacs blooming and tulips nodding...most likely there would be a parade, with lanky youth almost toppling while carrying and beating on bass drums...and majorettes in white leather boots, with tassels bobbing, throwing batons and waving sheet sized satin flags.  Fireworks in the evening and then MY moment as the announcer, the Mayor of the city, taps on the mic and does a sound check and announces, to the massive cheer from the crowd....

And now, fellow citizens...our citizen of the year!  Our woman of the year!  The winner of our SheDidIt Award!!... (and I'd nearly faint, feigning humility, as he called my name!!)  She kept her word to herself and today she completed her 6 month, 5 days a week, 40 minutes a day bike ride to nowhere!!

Yeppers!  today is my day of celebrating!  It's over!  I did it!  I did not end up trim and get hired by a modeling agency for FSFS (FormerlySuperFatSeniors) but I had that total meltdown and like the Phoenix I am rising!  Most importantly- I've had a marvelous brain shift and a new determination to get healthier, which does involve weight loss.  No matter how you call it or rationalize or whatever...there is no way I can be my healthiest when I'm hefting a lot of extra pounds.

I said that I was taking 2 weeks off my biking starting now. Yesterday I had a mindshift, longed for and dreamed about...I biked those 5 days a week because of my determination to do a specific measured amount.  I had to do it.  No less would meet the criteria and would be chalked up as failure to meet the goal.  Now?...a shift in thought!--I will continue to exercise because I want to not because I have to!!  There would be a headline in the National Enquirer and heard around the world if I was famous!  Woman Has Radical Mind Shift!!

I am amazed at how that shift feels!  I knew that exercise would need to be a part of me getting healthy but I really did think that I'd set a time limit etc. like the biking challenge I gave myself.  I'd already figured out my exercise options to choose from but it was a given, to do something, have it planned in detail to meet success.  Then that marvelous shift came and came the dawning, the light-bulb Aha! moment...I don't have to exercise!, I want to exercise!

That coincides simultaneously with...I don't have to eat healthy BUT I want to eat healthy.

The difference between the have to and the want to...not just words or some affirmation or mantra...I feel this soul deep.  It is real!  It energizes me to just think, I WANT.  It is exciting to contemplate what the end result will be.  True...I don't know exactly what the end result will be but it will be good!

My determination to get stronger and healthier through living the Word of Wisdom, in my own specific strategic way, is now my new challenge.

(not going to make you yawn by turning my blog into a weight loss journal etc.  Just a couple of days of acting all uppity health guru as I get on my new WOW quest. do your hear an orchestra softly playing the impossible dream?  oh, it's just me?  okay.  I'm doing my health plan anyhow!)

opened the window blind and saw this!! .....

Yes!

Prepping for battle....

I resisted the temptation to make comments about the march... reminded myself that I'm not going to do that sort of behavior that stirs up negativity.

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It was fun to get out of the house and go shopping for the first time in 16 days.  That was by choice, to have not been out and about, but today...starting to get items for my weight loss eating strategy...Think these will work????  getting ready to do a fat attack!!  Soon!

obviously...dark chocolate

pure pomegranate juice

Hmmmmm...think so??

spuds...white ones and sweet ones also!

eggs!

Choices....

It seems that we are never going to have this political division/upheaval settle down.  I've kept quiet about my opinion and who you should vote for and who I'm going to vote for etc. etc.  I've kept quiet about the news broadcasts that evidently think that I can not hear someone speak and understand what was said...they have to not only tell me what I just heard, repeat what was said, and then tell me what the speaker meant!!  the gall!!  I've kept quiet about a lot of things.  I've even kept quiet about the Woman's March for all women and yet they wouldn't let those against abortion march with them--even though they supported all of their other grievances.  I didn't even mention the vulgarity of their signs and some hats, the screaming and protesting voices, or even the litter mess they left behind for others to clean up.  I've kept quiet about a lot of things and really it's not my nature to be quiet.  You know that I seem to have no filter in speaking my mind and to hush and be quiet about things I feel passionate about.

With all of these goings on and so much quiet non-action reaction on my part...I sure did think of a lot of snarky comments and sarcasm that was point on in trying to put someone down.

I see many of our citizens, like a bunch of snarling warring cats surfacing and spewing anger and at times riotous behavior but I've still kept quiet.

Today I made a decision.  I decided I need to choose how I will respond and what I will even think about, as far as responses go.

I'm going to use my voice for the Gospel.  I'm going to speak peace and not get in word brawls.  I'm going to remind myself that these are the Last Days and I need to be an example of the peace the Gospel can bring into our individual lives, in the midst of such confusion and strife.  I want to be a beacon of hope and firm in my testimony of the reality of the Gospel and the reality of the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I want to shine brighter, in the midst of the ever darkening situations around me, as wars and violence and nastiness and no worldly standards spreads like filthy sludge.

I have long loved the Counsel from President Kimball in 1979 and also what Sister Beck, General RSP, and also what Sister Naudald, YW General President in 2000.  I've printed these before but they are so worth repeating and rereading.  Here are snippets of each of these talks.  I took them from some past blog posts and they are all doctored up with colors etc.

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In September 1979, the second Women's Fireside was held and broadcast to 1500 locations.  President Kimball was ill and in the LDS Hospital.  His wife, Sister Camilla E. Kimball, read his address.  He made a request, I'd never thought of or heard of, but it just went right straight to my heart and has stayed there for 32 years!  

From "The Role of Righteous Women"   (emphasis added) 

.....much to be done by way of parallel personal development—for both men and women. In this connection, I stress again the deep need each woman has to study the scriptures. We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians—whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family.....

Regardless of your particular circumstances, as you become more and more familiar with the truths of the scriptures, you will be more and more effective in keeping the second great commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself. Become scholars of the scriptures—not to put others down, but to lift them up!....

Finally, my dear sisters, may I suggest to you something that has not been said before or at least in quite this way. Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world....Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the Church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility....Thus it will be that female exemplars of the Church will be a significant force in both the numerical and the spiritual growth of the Church in the last days.

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Definition of Articulate:  adj. 1. spoken clearly, in words

                                                             2.  able to express ideas clearly

                                                           

                                                      v.  1. to say distinctly

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Relief Society:A Call to Minister

by Julie Beck-

Sister Beck asked the women to become articulate in sharing their testimonies by studying the scriptures. She encouraged them to develop their talents to be used to build up the Lord’s kingdom. She urged them to seek revelation by asking questions and to share what they know. She challenged them to get over the excuses they have allowed to keep them from doing the Lord’s work.

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Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.

The Joy of Womanhood  2000 General Conference by Margaret Nadauld

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Hopefully, eventually, I am going to reflect the peace and hope and joy of the Gospel and when the women of the world are seeking for some relief...I want to help them.  My dream--My testimony will be strong and I'll be able to articulate doctrine in such a way that they will want that peace in their life also.

Not going to muzzle myself but not going to word fight in the world.  I'll keep on keeping on!

Yes.  Today I made a choice.  And it feels just wonderful for me.  It's a good fit.

MyLife

The weather continues to be reminiscent of past Alaskan days.  It's been 15 days since I went to the grocery store or anywhere for that matter (except for Church).  We are fine with adequate everything but I'm ready to have the roads and sidewalks reclaimed and available for use!  (I think sidewalks are so nice!  I've never lived with sidewalks before and it's a treat!)

fog hiding houses and trees!  

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FB and computer stuff sort of crashed but at least it didn't burn!  I am so non-techie and it makes me feel both irritated and helpless when that sort of thing happens.  Hopefully it will hold for a long time.  I have no expectation that it won't have problems again.

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So....It was so difficult to ride these last few days and I still have 2 days left to make it to my 6 month biking goal.  My bad attitude made it drag along but opting out was not an option.  It had to be done and I'm almost there!

A few days ago I started my daily weighing.  First time in over 6 months that I've stepped on that bear trap device!!  I decided I wanted to get going on that before I formally start my strategic plan. Weighing daily and averaging weekly is the base of what I'm going to do.  Dawn arrived and I donned my birthday suit and stepped on.  Pretty much where I was last time I stepped on and vowed to never weigh again.  It's necessary for what I'm going to do so no since bemoaning numbers.  It is what it is and those numbers will help me lose weight and get healthy as I use those facts to my advantage. So 3 days into it...I decided that I was not going to enjoy, or have the patience to put up with changing clothes so much.  My solution...haul the bike in from the garage!

I was tired of looking at Costco stuff and Christmas stuff not yet put on shelves...it was cold and I neglected to have a flu shot this year (why?  just procrastinated!) and didn't want to be vulnerable to some sort of flu or a bout with pneumonia...Terry sort of ignored going out and using the bike...so it made sense to bring it in.  I did.

It's old and small and very simple.  Exactly what I like!  it works just fine without bells and whistles that I would never use anyhow!  I've enjoyed listening to BYU Devotionals.  And Terry used it also!

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Sometimes I promise the moon on what I want to accomplish and then I end up with egg on my face or run around like Don Quixote with a shaving basin on my head...singing The Impossible Dream.  Remember my make a quilt for every family member, 24!, by July 24th when we go to McCall for our family reunion?  Yes...that is me singing full voice...The Impossible Dream.  It's wonderful to think of how happy they all would be and happy I'd be and all sorts of great adjectives could be used but the truth of the matter is...it ain't a gonna happen!  I've overwhelmed myself and it is taking me down to the mat for a pin!  I told the family to grab a Kleenex and sob for the loss.

MyLife allows me to consistently sew in limited time spans but not hours on end!  Do good intentions...desire...love...and 8 quilts in process count?  Yes...if that was my goal.  It wasn't the goal so no counting.  A life lesson reminder for sure!  So in that sense...yes, it counts!

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No keeping word on quilts for my world...especially since my biggest project right now is my health. Time consuming and on some level, mentally all consuming!  I continue to look forward to Wednesday and taking 2 weeks off of biking.  Now I'm not saying I won't do it...I'm saying I don't have to as I completed my goal that was shortened from one year to 6 months.  I'm regrouping and strategizing. So many subjects can be researched and I've enjoyed it.  I'm just about ready to start putting together my personal strategy.

These are some of the things I looked up....usually it was a question that I wondered about....best time to weigh...morning/night?...daily or weekly?  * top foods to eat for weight loss? *  best time to eat ....breakfast or wait until hungry?  * juices? * best exercises.  eat before exercise? how much exercise. * length of time for overall goal. * how much water and when * must follow WOW * average weight loss * morning drink...prune juice?  vinegar. * spices that help with weight loss....cinnamon *General Conference talks.  * scriptures etc. etc. and then to receive some guidance/confirmation/counsel from the Holy Ghost!  What an undertaking!!

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it has been very interesting and I'm optimistic and confident.  DO NOT DARE TO TELL ME THAT I HAVE A BARBER BASIN ON MY HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Impossible Dream

Luther Vandross

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
And to run where
The brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
And to love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march,
March into hell
For that heavenly cause
And I know
If I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart
Will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be
Better for this
That one man, scorned
And covered with scars,
Still strove with his last
Ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable,
The unreachable,
The unreachable star
And I'll always dream
The impossible dream
Yes, and I'll reach
The unreachable star

Songwriters: Joe Darion / Mitchell Leigh

The Impossible Dream lyrics © Helena Music Company

A milepost

 finally my blog is up and running again.  Techie stuff drives me bonkers and I'm a non-tech!

Weather here is still icy and the snow is covered with a gorgeous satin sheen.  I took a picture but it probably won't show much.  The reflection is just glowing. 

Not a prize winner but my best effort!

It continues to be nice for us because we don't have school kiddos or jobs or appointments or need food etc. etc.  We have running water and heat and lights and we are still set!

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We finished the Book of Mormon this morning.  We thoroughly enjoyed every word!  It was the most wonderful experience to share someone reading to us and we followed along on the computer screen.  We usually averaged 3 chapters a day (I think).  We read enough that the entire scenario unfolded and we weren't feeling like we were reading isolated events.  It really all tied together.  It became so real and we just admired so many of the leaders and their testimonies.  We were both strengthened spiritually.  It was fun to talk about what we'd just heard.  In light of the chaos and evil that abounds throughout the world...there were recorded events that sounded like today!! 

I always remember the first year I taught the Book of Mormon and the CES Supervisor teaching ...the happenings in the Book of Mormon parallel the Last Days.  Not that it will follow exactly but those things will happen.  I remember reading and finding it unimaginable to think of cities falling into the sea or cities being buried by landslides etc.  all of the things of nature.  Then there came a time that I realized...that is happening right now. 

So I could see that parallel of weather destruction but not the wickedness that was prevalent once the devils plan was found and put into practice.  The killings...the beheadings...the wickedness of evil leaders...and on and on.  Today when we read Chapter 9 of Moroni I was sickened.  And then I thought of similar evils that come across, unasked for, on computer news feeds, of the evil doings of evil people.  The treatment of women and children and I can't believe I can say it, but the evil deeds mentioned in the Book of Mormon are in the world today.  heartbreaking.  Last Days.  Not just bad things but evil!

The flip side is the wonderful amazing hope of the Gospel.  The assurance and promise of God's love.  The necessity of constant steady repentance and being baptized by one with Priesthood Authority and receiving the Holy Ghost.  The Lord throughout the Book of Mormon is so kind and merciful in His pleadings to repent and come unto Me. 

That 9th Chapter was so tough to hear.  And then the marvelous 10th Chapter with such promises.

Those men, the righteous ones, were just like our Apostles today, in their unwavering faith and continual invitations to come to Christ and live the gospel.  It started with faithful Lehi and ended with faithful Moroni and the words of his faithful Father Mormon. 

I was also impressed with Moroni, the last man, thinking he would be already be dead and finding himself still alive...decided (surely he was prompted) to share some letters that his father, Mormon, had written him.  I loved that he had saved those letters and they were important to him.  A good plug for letter writing and journal keeping!  Those Chapters are so amazing with what was taught. 

Also his chastisement to the members and then detailed teaching about the practice of baptizing children.  That is all so revelatory in light of how even in the world of today, there are Churches that still do that.

I could go on and on but I just want you to know that I loved the reading with my Hubby and we will start over.  I also want you to know that I have a deep conviction of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon is right there at the heart of it!!

My study of the topic grace was strengthened by this reading.

Treat yourself to having it read to you.  LDS.org...what a repository of all things that we love and believe.

no party today!

One time in Homer our youngest son, about 10 years old, ran what is called the Spit Race.  He ran the long jutted piece of land at breakneck speed against all ages.  It was a brave thing to do!  That little guy ran 4.5 miles! 

We were waiting near the finish line for his arrival.  He came barreling along and saw us and relieved, ran into his Daddy's arms.  He was gasping for air and broke out crying.  His Dad was saying...Benjy!  Benjy!  You haven't finished the race.  The finish line is over there!  You have to go!  Run!  He was so frustrated, as others in that short stop of his, ran past him.  He cried his way to the finish line!

Now it's my turn!

Soooo...I get out my calendar to gaze on my marker of 6 months pedaling!  Circled and starred and just looking so smart.  I did a double take when I realized...NEXT Tuesday is my 6 months achievement!

For Pete's sake!!!  Now I have to bawl and squall and keep on my steel wheel for another 7 days.  You could not pay me to stop and say it's okay.  No way!  I'm finishing this in honesty!  With a smile?...doubtful but I haven't smiled daily doing it anyhow so that isn't a bad thing! 

Almost to the finish line!  I can do this.  I will do this.  I'm doing it first thing!

Painful to think how obnoxious I've been in my bragging which turns out to be a big fat lie!  Well, I'll right my wrong.  Don't you think it's an error?....changing calendars etc.  Truth is...I have it marked correctly...I had circled tomorrow and then scratched it out and made the real official one for the 24th.  I even remembered that it was sort of fun to think of celebrating 24 weeks on the 24th.

One more week! 

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We are almost finished with the Book of Mormon.  What a beautiful experience it has been to have it read to us and we follow along on the screen.  Terry says we will start over and I'm looking forward to that.