Well, it's been a hectic week, but we've completed school for the week - so what a huge blessing God has given me in that! One less thing to worry about...ahhh...
Right now, as we speak, I have 22 pounds or so of chicken breasts cooking in my roaster to be turned into chicken salad tomorrow. I'll have about 5 or 6 pounds of grapes to cut in half and add to it as well as a few stalks of celery. God has provided, however! Not only do I have shifts set up for a few crews of wonderful helpers to come in and help mix everything together, but God even provided all of the produce (through a member of the church's family) to help us provide food at an amazing price! I worried about our budget (of $5/person total) for dinner on Friday and for breakfast on Saturday - well, we are certainly under budget! God is so good - all the time.
Since I have crews, however, I have to learn to do something that I am not at all good at: delegating. I simply cannot focus my mind long enough to determine who should do what...and terrifyingly, I am in charge! I am trusting that God knew what he was doing and is stretching me to teach me so that I might learn more hospitality. Please pray that He helps me to focus and be able to truly enjoy this endeavor - food for 100 ladies and no one else to blame...YIKES!
God has still been teaching me this week and I am in awe of how he can bring lessons from two entirely different studies to help me go deeper with Him. It is just simply amazing. I won't go into much detail, but I have truly got to learn to control my emotions. I have begun to get a grasp on self-control when it comes to food, but Satan definitely has a stronghold when it comes to me letting my emotions dictate my choices. Well, what can I say? I'm a work in progress. :)
Since I didn't get to update Monday about my weight loss, I will share now: I lost another 3+ pounds over the last two weeks! I have lost more than 16 pounds total since September - and if I work hard, I could be below 300 pounds next week! Simply amazing!
Next topic: my gall bladder. Well, friends, I have had off and on issues since I was pregnant with Kiddo ten years ago. A few weeks ago I had an attack that nearly landed me in the emergency room. An ultrasound showed gallstones - thankfully...the next test would induce the mother of all gallbladder attacks. I met today with the surgeon - she was a nice and very smart young woman - and will be having my gall bladder removed on January 4th. I was originally scheduled for December 14th, but due to some financial issues I've had to reschedule for the beginning of next year. I have never had surgery and I am obviously very anxious about that, however my biggest concern is for our finances. So far God has already worked out some details to make that easier for us, but please be in prayer for the rest of these issues to be resolved soon. I would love to at least be able to see before my surgery that He's worked out all the kinks and our finances (while not in great shape) will hold up. The good thing: if anything else comes up for me throughout 2010 my deductible will be met. :)
I have to go and find something for dinner, friends, but I am praying for you and thank you for remembering to lift me up as well. What wonderful friendships I am cultivating here, and I am so excited to think that I might soon get to hug some necks of some wonderful friends from the blogosphere! Be blessed...I am!
Gratituesday: Our Big, Big House
6 hours ago
