Weight tracking(4/21/2015) and fun

Well not much to report on the weight loss front.  I weighed in at 370.8 this morning.

The fun is that the Barry Manilow concert last night was amazing.

Weight loss for 4/14/2015

So as of this morning I am down just over 30 pounds.  371.2 and only hating the diet sometimes.

Well it's been almost two years since I tried posting my health goals on the blog.  They did not end up going too well.  I did walk a fair bit but I didn't really keep things up dated and then I ended up hurting my knee playing laser tag and stopped walking.  I then gained a lot of weight.  Over the year and a half until January I ended up at 401.4 lbs when Kim was starting the weight loss challenge.  The challenge ended up not going anywhere but I had decided to get my weight in check and so I started to tracking my food and using myfitnesspal.com(and the app).

So far I have lost 27.4 lbs (374.0 on Tuesday).  I'm feeling well and I am a lot happier with where things are heading.  I weigh myself every Tuesday and I'm going to try to post on the blog that day as well with my progress.  If any of you want to use myfitnesspal as well my name is blessedexchequer and you can send me a friend request.

I have also started some light exercise and will start walking again as the weather improves.

The start of our mission

The day of our setting apart was a miserable one for me. I woke up with stomach flu. I spent the day in the bathroom. It has been years since I have had this kind of sickness. Just before leaving for the church I called Kim and Dave and asked them to say a prayer for me to be able to keep control over my stomach and bottom, then I asked Dad and Dennis to give me a blessing. When the blessing was over I ran for the bathroom. But the blessing worked and I had control until the setting apart for both Dad & I was over. Then it was back to the bathroom. Bishop Hadley took all of the family that was here to a large room. He asked the grandchildren some questions about why we were here. Then he asked Richy how our mission was going to affect him, next he asked Kari, Dennis, Sean and Heather the same question. They talked about how this mission was a perfect fit for dad and I, how we loved teenagers and they loved us. How we would have the opportunity share our testimony more than we did on our first mission and how we would influence more people this time too. Sean mentioned our helping to shape future mothers on the gospel and rearing children. I went first for the setting apart. The thing that I remember most about my blessing was that I knew it came from God. Things were mentioned in my blessing that were concerns for me that only the Lord knew and He answered them through Bishop Hadley. One thing of concern was my knee and back. He blessed me that they would not be a problem. I have been concerned about not being able to help in what we were called to do, but he assured me that I would be able to fulfill my calling. I had not gained a testimony that this was the mission that the Lord wanted us to go to. I wanted to turn in our papers and go where ever the Lord called us. To put faith in the Lord that He would call us somewhere that He needed us to go and that we would be able to afford. My blessing told me to have faith that this is where the Lord wanted us to go. I knew that dad had a strong testimony about going to this mission, but I had not been convert until last night. Then dad was set apart. The one thing that I remember about dad's blessing is that he would be a great influence on the girls threw his story telling. He was also blessed that he would not have any health issues. In dad's blessing he was told that this was the mission that the Lord wanted us to go on. That dad had been led by the spirit. I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man who hears and listens to the spirit. I have no more worries. I know that we are meant to go to the Heber Valley Camp. I know that the Lord needs us there. I know that we will be able to help and strengthen many young girls while serving there. And I know that we will be able to influence more than the girls. Our blessings mentioned influencing young men, priesthood holders, leaders etc. I want to be an instrument in the Lords hand to strengthen testimonies and to let everyone know that they are loved by the Lord and Heavenly Father. I want all of my children, children in love and grandchildren to know that I love each and everyone of you with all of my heart. I will miss you all dearly. Be safe, be happy and know that you are loved. Mom Holliday

Hello?....

Is anyone here?

Thanksgiving and business

I just wanted to say that I'm thankful to be part of this spectacular family.  You are all such a blessing to me!  Thanksgiving has always been a favorite of mine, but in recent years its been less so because I don't get to spend it with you all.  This year I was really focused on how much I love my family and how thankful I am for all of you.  I can be thankful for you, even if I can't be there to celebrate with you!

I hope your holiday was full of gratitude and love!

Book Club announcement: Let's do it!  I'll choose the first month.  The book will be The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.  We can discuss even discuss it in person (for the most part) at the end of the month, since I will be in Utah!

General Conference announcement: I, for one, am going to be sharing a tidbit from conference now and again.  I really think it will be fun if you do the same!

Today I wanted to mention President Packer's talk.  I usually have a hard time listening to him speak. I tend to lose focus, but when I read this one I just loved it!  Here is the link, you should definitely read the whole thing!  I feel blessed that we were raised in a gospel centered home by loving parents who helped provide an atmosphere where we could each develop our own personal testimonies.  Here are some quotes from Pres. Packer...

The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer.

I have felt the scriptures bless my life a lot lately.  And I've needed the spiritual protection they hold.  Depression is a real thing in my life, Satan knows that I get discouraged easily, but the scriptures are a great protection against his powers.  And I love what he says following this paragraph, a story about  a member of the Seventy that taught him about reading the scriptures.

If you are set on a course of faith and activity in the Church, stay on course and keep your covenants. Continue forward until the time when the Lord’s blessings will come to you and the Holy Ghost will be revealed as a moving force in your life.

If you are presently on a course that points away from the one outlined in the scriptures, let me assure you there is a way back.

Jesus Christ has prescribed a very clear method for us to repent and find healing in our lives. The cure for most mistakes can be found by seeking forgiveness through personal prayer. 

These words are just comforting to me.  None of us is perfect and we each need repentance to be clean.

The gospel teaches us to be happy, to have faith rather than fear, to find hope and overcome despair, to leave darkness and turn toward the light of the everlasting gospel.

I love the gospel.  It is perfect, even though none of us are.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ prepared a way for us to be happy and they want that for us!  Doesn't that just amok you feel hopeful, that the Creator of the world is in your corner, cheering you on?  It does me.

I bear certain witness of the scriptures as a key to our spiritual protection. I also bear witness of the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, “that through him all might be saved”¹² who will be saved. The Lord’s Church has been established on the earth once again. Of the truthfulness of the gospel I bear witness. Of Him I am a witness. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Amen.  :-)

Meeting

Hey.  So, I've been thinking.  I like you guys.  You're all pretty darn cool.  I'd like to "do" more stuff together.  You know?  I would like to see if you guys are interested in doing some stuff together.  Here are my ideas, please share your own as well.

• Book Club: Wouldn't it be fun to have a book club together?  A friend of mine here does this with her kids who are all over the country.  They read a book together each month and then get together via g+ or something to discuss it.  I think it would be great fun.  Each month one of us would choose the book for the rest of us to read. That way, we are broadening our horizons and trying new things, but we know we'll get to read something we want at least every so often. :)  I think it would be fun, what do you think?
• General Conference discussion: Ethan and I are trying to discuss a new talk from the most recent GC each week.  I know we are having a difficult time posting on this blog as frequently as some of us would like, but what if we just shared a thought or two from a talk that inspired us?  That way we can be helping ourselves by reading or listening to the talks throughout the next 5 months and helping each other by reminding us of something that might help us as well.
• If you got my text today, you know my proposal for a family meeting on g+ tonight.  Maybe it will be a way for us to communicate all together and actually get something decided on.  It might be a good idea to use this tool more frequently.
• And finally, I am going to add all of us to the email list so when one person posts something on this blog everyone will get it in their inbox.  In order to comment you will still have to click over to the blog, but this way you will be aware of what is being shared.