WBLGO - Wk 2

So the loss was NOT that good this week. But I did lose! .6 pounds! haha! We ate so bad this weekend - fajitas, guacamole, chili dogs, cake... must... learn... self... control!

Got a mani this past weekend. I was discussing how I hadn't had one in almost a year, and a dear friend felt sorry for me so she got me a gift certificate for one. I now remember why I shouldn't get them. I can't stop staring at my nails! I don't get them polished - just buffed. The shininess is getting to me. I'm so easily distracted by the shiny. And it got me to thinking.

There are a lot of people in this world that are distracted by the "shiny". They allow thoughts of money and things distract them from the work they are supposed to do.

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. " I Thess 5:1-2

Jesus is coming back. There are lost, hurting, confused people in this world who are being 'distracted' and lulled to 'sleep'. I pray that we aren't distracted by things or positions or the 'shiny' things of this world.

Time is short. What are you doing with what you have left?

Thank you Lord

God is so good.

Sondra and I have been truly blessed. The last week and a half have been very trying. As Sondra has eluded to previously, her father was in the hospital and I lost my grandmother to a sudden heart attack. But through it all, we've learned to rely on the Lord for strength. Cause Lord knows, we ain't got it on our own! :-)

I want to take a moment to thank all my friends and church family for being a tremendous support to both of us. We love you all dearly.

WBLGO - Wk 1

This week was the first week of our Work Biggest Loser Girls Only competition. Annnnddddd.... I LOST SIX POUNDS! Now, I am FULLY aware that it was a lot of water weight - and that I ate a TON of junk at the hospital and at the funeral and when you stop eating all that it will drop of quick at first. HOWEVER. I am still excited about it!

Life is starting to slow down, and I am so very thankful. Dad is home and recovering. He's still weak - but doing so much better. We're still working through Mimi's death - but I know that will be something we will work through for the rest of our lives. It's never easy when you lose a loved one. My pastor one time spoke of ambush grief. Those moments when you aren't even thinking of your deceased loved one and then BAM! You smell something, you see something, you hear something - and the grief side swipes you. My family calls it Christmas Aisle moments because that's when it first happened for us. Walking down the Christmas aisle in Wal-Mart. My grandmother passed away 10 years ago and I still have Christmas Aisle moments.

I have a confession. My family and I have this horrible tendency to laugh in stressful situations. Case in point: Pastor is at the hospital praying for my father. He makes the statement that we are praying a hedge of protection around him. I laugh. Why did I laugh? Because all I can think about is the video below.



SEE?!?!?! It's a HORRIBLE THING!! HAHAHAHAHAHA! But you have to admit... it's pretty funny! :)

THIS Is My Story.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest!
I, in my Savior, am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with his goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

On All Sides

Saturday morning Donnie woke up late. He didn't wake me until he was getting ready to leave for work, so the morning started off a little off. Within an hour he called me from work saying that his grandmother (Mimi) had passed away. This was very hard news - she had not been sick and it took us (at least Donnie and I) by surprise.

Saturday afternoon Donnie and I arrived early at a Father/Daughter banquet. We were the entertainment (a skit) for the night. My sister had convinced my father (surprisingly!) to come and be our "dates" for the night. Halfway through my father began shaking and feeling poorly so Stephanie took him home. After our skit, Donnie and I rushed to their house. His temperature had reached 104. My mother was very worried, the doctor was called, and he was taken to the emergency room. That night he was admitted into the hospital. The prognosis was a UTI and a kidney infection. Again.

Sunday morning his temperature reached 104 again. The tylenol and drugs were not bringing it down any. The doctors immediately set in motion a cystogram. His breathing was very shallow and rapid. This caused worry since the aenesthesia normally caused the same effect. In went a breathing tube and a feeding tube. They removed the stint that was put in at the end of January and put in two more. After the surgery he was heavily sedated and placed in ICU.

This morning the breathing and feeding tube were removed. He is very groggy and doesn't remember the last 24 hours. However, he was allowed to sit up in a chair for a few minutes.

They still don't know what is wrong - why the infection won't go away. Why he seems to be a kidney stone manufacturer extrodinaire. However, if things continue to improve they will put him in a regular room.

Mimi's funeral will be Wednesday at 10am. Ginger has requested that Leah, Donnie and I to sing 'Blessed Assurance'.

Please say a prayer. This has been and still is a very trying time for the Gandee's and the Gooch's.

Psalm 118:1-8
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Picture to brighten your week!

It's been so busy around here!! I'm such a bad blogger - but I just haven't had the time to keep up with my HAVE-To-Do List that my would-LIKE-To-Do List has really suffered. To give you something to look at and so you won't forsake my little neglected blog entirely - I thought I would give you a few pics!


L to R: Mandy, Krista, Kerri and I at the TMV Party 2008


Lady crawled into our suitcase when we were getting ready for the cruise and stayed just long enough for me to snap a picture. She wanted to come with!


Donley and I on the boat in Galveston - and YES! I was COLD!


Have a fantabulous week!

Senseless

Life is too short and uncertain to not live right.

Kristen Martinez

This is the son of my previos pastor in Grand Prairie. We went to high school together and were three months apart. His funeral is tomorrow afternoon.

I haven't spoken to him in many years. But his death is hitting a little too close to home. It is making me realize just how uncertain life is. You don't know when God is going to call you home, or when the trumpet is going to sound. I don't want to be unsure of where I am going when it happens. I don't want to have let circumstances steal my chance at heaven. There are too many other things that are so much more important.

Lots of rambling... but it's what is on my heart and mind today...