For many women, dealing with their body size is for the birds. It can be painful physically, mentally & emotionally which for the most part is connected with deep rooted issues. Well, I have been part of this group of women most of my life. There has been much healing in my life concerning this area.
What I'm about to write I hope no one will take it the wrong way. Well, here goes.
I know we woman come in so many different sizes. Some women are size 0 & 2. And some women are size 4x or 5x. I have been so stuck at a certain size for many years, & it has become a bad 2 letter abbreviation to me. In my book this abbreviation is like a 4 letter curse word-XL; which stands for Extra Large. I don't know about you, but I have gotten sick & tired of seeing Extra Large (XL) everywhere.
Besides Extra Large CLOTHES, look at the FOOD industry. The portion sizes that fast foods & other restaurants serve have really grown, including the DRINKS. How about FURNITURE? A lot of the styles of comfy chairs are now over size. Even PAPER TOWELS & TOILET ROLLS are Extra Large. That might be the most practical, yet.
In my previous blog, "Sometimes, You Just Need A Woman!", I wrote about my shopping spree at Dillards. I had so much fun that afternoon. I hate shopping, especially for certain items.
Anyway, I was so proud that I had lost my first 10 lbs & it was time to down size. I thought I was out of all my Extra Large clothes. I first went to Walmart & picked the wrong size of work out pants. I bought Large, but they should have been Medium. YEAH!!! Great Start. I went down a size in my under ware. HEY!!! Then I bought a different style pair of pants. Uh Oh! Size Extra Large. Shoes-my feet had grown a 1/2 size but I had no root issues with that. Onto tops. Back to Extra Large. Costume jewelry-no size & no problem.
After a lot of hard work, great coaching from my trainer & encouragement from my husband; my body had changed-PTL. But, I also learned in talking with these sales ladies that they saw my size differently than what I thought of myself. What they wore & their bodies shape were precious. Guess what sizes they were wearing? You guessed it, EXTRA LARGE, maybe in their tops or different size in shoes or in pants or whatever else they might wore.
Ps. 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
God loves me no matter if I'm an extra small,
medium, extra large or 4x.
He just loves me.
ann :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
Sometimes, You Just Need A Woman!
There are three items that I hate to shop for: bras, jeans & swim suits. Can anyone else identify?
I put off buying a bra way too long, so I took the plunge today & off I went. First, I stopped at Walmart to find a smaller size in exercise pants. One of their brands that I love is White Stage. I have a collection of their tops. This year pants became available. I couldn't believe that I bought the wrong size a couple of weeks before. To make matters worse, I realized as I looked in the mirror at myself that the styles have changed & I was way off base. I did fine another brand that put me in a more up-to-date category. Now, onto the bra task.
I normally buy my brand of bra at Belks. This was a no brainer. All I had to do was look at the tag on my old bra, & buy the same thing. My problem was there wasn't a Belks near by, so I went to Dillards. I have always envied the stories about how some of the expensive stores would custom fit you, by measuring you, etc.... To my surprise, I got the royal treatment. The sales lady was wonderful. I learned more about how a bra should be worn than I have my entire life. After about an hour, and at least twenty bras later, I found the perfect fit. I felt wonderful.
As I was walking out, I saw a pants look that I wanted. I proceeded to the next department & another dear sales lady met me with all smiles. I bought 3 leggs pants, on sale, I might add. As I was checking out, the sales lady mentioned that now I needed boots to go with the new look. You guessed it. I preceded to the shoe department. You guessed it again, I went looking for a woman.
I didn't have a clue to where to begin in finding a boot. I haven't bought shoes in a long time. This sales lady was very up-to-date wearing the pants I just bought. To make a long story shorter, the shoes she suggested were perfect & half the price compared to the ones I picked out. Also, they were perfect with both types of pants I just bought. After I finished buying the boots, she suggested that I needed the rights tops to go with the pants & boots. My White Stage tops were too short, I must admit. She left the shoe department & took me to the tops department.
After getting several tops, the last thing I wanted was the very long necklace that the sales lady was wearing. I had fallen in love with it & of course I NEEDED an up-to-date necklace to go with my up-to-date tops, to go with my up-to-date boots, to go with my up-to-date pants, to go with my up-to-date bras.
As you can see in my case, the saying is very true, "You can more catch flies with honey, than with vinegar." LOOK HOW MUCH I BOUGHT! I probably wouldn't have if they reacted differently.
Not only were these women enjoyable, but they were very honest with me. They would tell me if something didn't fit right or if it wasn't the right color. They didn't try to sell me any certain brand, or something more expensive. In fact a lot of my items were on sale.
I had so much fun buying these difficult items thanks to these three woman. The afternoon was sweetness to my soul & healing to these bones. Sometimes, you just need a woman who can identify with you & all your bulges.
ann :)
I put off buying a bra way too long, so I took the plunge today & off I went. First, I stopped at Walmart to find a smaller size in exercise pants. One of their brands that I love is White Stage. I have a collection of their tops. This year pants became available. I couldn't believe that I bought the wrong size a couple of weeks before. To make matters worse, I realized as I looked in the mirror at myself that the styles have changed & I was way off base. I did fine another brand that put me in a more up-to-date category. Now, onto the bra task.
I normally buy my brand of bra at Belks. This was a no brainer. All I had to do was look at the tag on my old bra, & buy the same thing. My problem was there wasn't a Belks near by, so I went to Dillards. I have always envied the stories about how some of the expensive stores would custom fit you, by measuring you, etc.... To my surprise, I got the royal treatment. The sales lady was wonderful. I learned more about how a bra should be worn than I have my entire life. After about an hour, and at least twenty bras later, I found the perfect fit. I felt wonderful.
As I was walking out, I saw a pants look that I wanted. I proceeded to the next department & another dear sales lady met me with all smiles. I bought 3 leggs pants, on sale, I might add. As I was checking out, the sales lady mentioned that now I needed boots to go with the new look. You guessed it. I preceded to the shoe department. You guessed it again, I went looking for a woman.
I didn't have a clue to where to begin in finding a boot. I haven't bought shoes in a long time. This sales lady was very up-to-date wearing the pants I just bought. To make a long story shorter, the shoes she suggested were perfect & half the price compared to the ones I picked out. Also, they were perfect with both types of pants I just bought. After I finished buying the boots, she suggested that I needed the rights tops to go with the pants & boots. My White Stage tops were too short, I must admit. She left the shoe department & took me to the tops department.
After getting several tops, the last thing I wanted was the very long necklace that the sales lady was wearing. I had fallen in love with it & of course I NEEDED an up-to-date necklace to go with my up-to-date tops, to go with my up-to-date boots, to go with my up-to-date pants, to go with my up-to-date bras.
As you can see in my case, the saying is very true, "You can more catch flies with honey, than with vinegar." LOOK HOW MUCH I BOUGHT! I probably wouldn't have if they reacted differently.
Not only were these women enjoyable, but they were very honest with me. They would tell me if something didn't fit right or if it wasn't the right color. They didn't try to sell me any certain brand, or something more expensive. In fact a lot of my items were on sale.
Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
I had so much fun buying these difficult items thanks to these three woman. The afternoon was sweetness to my soul & healing to these bones. Sometimes, you just need a woman who can identify with you & all your bulges.
ann :)
Friday, September 21, 2012
Happy Place
Has anyone ever asked you to
close your eyes & go to your
close your eyes & go to your
Happy Place?
Well, I have. I don't know about you, but usually when I'm asked that question I go blank. It seems all my creativity goes out the window. I envy those people who can just imagine away just off their top of their heads.
During Memorial Day weekend & the following week, my Mother & I had the privilege to go to St. Augustine Beach for a few days. We had planned to go to a cheap hotel, but God blessed us with a condo on the beach at the last minute. It was not just any condo. This condo was a special place. A dear friend of theirs had blessed my parents & the extended family with the use of it for many years. We knew the last time our family stayed there was going to be our last trip which was several years ago. This trip was a spur of the moment thing for my Mother & I, & for this to be available & given to us really blew us away. It was a sweet gift from the Lord.
It felt so good to get away after dealing with my Dad's death in Jan, & then 4 months of preparing for the RDH Boards. We had a great time shopping, eating a lot of fried shrimp with the heavenly sauce on the side, & many walks on the beach. One of our most favorite things we like to do is have coffee on the porch. The condo is on the third floor which overlooked the beautiful pool & ocean waves. It is a little slice of heaven. It's great to watch the sunrises & beautiful sunsets. I must admit, I saw more sunsets than sunrises.
The first few days it drizzled some, which was OK because it kept the weather nice & cool. One morning it was just perfect. The sun was shining so bright & the air was crisp. So, it was time to lay out on the beach & tan our white bodies.
We have a dear friend who is so full of life & loves to spoil our family. Francis Hatcher gave Mother & me before we left on our trip, these precious pink & aqua monogrammed hats & bags so we would look like "classy beach bums." Well, I left my "stuff" at the pool because I didn't want to get anything sandy. Now, the chairs we had were the type where the legs were cut off so you're only a few inches off the ground. At Mother's suggestion, we were suppose to put the chairs at the edge of the waves, lay back & relax. Another slice of heaven.
All of a sudden I see my five foot Mother coming down to the beach in her cute matching bathing suit, hat, bag & chair, plus towels, etc... I don't know how she was managing all that "stuff". She then put all her "stuff" & her chair way back from the waters edge. She preceded to sit in the middle of the water. I then asked her, "Why aren't you putting your chair in the water like you suggested?" So, she then got up & moved her chair next to mine.
I hope you can picture this scene.
Here we are reclining in our short chairs. Mother decides she wanted someone to take a picture of us on the beach. Now, I wasn't about to have my picture taken. That is not something I wanted to capture for eternity. I was reclining in the chair with my arms out of the straps of my bathing suit. If I got up, my suit would fall off. Get that picture :-). Mother still wanted her picture taken. I took the camera from her so I could do as she had requested. In the meantime she decided to move her chair backwards. All of a sudden the chair folds up like an accordion, she falls backwards with all fours stuck up in the air like a "bug" while she is in the chair--laughing & calling out, "I can't get up, I can't get up."
Now me; I certainly can't get up out of my chair with the camera in hand & my bathing suit fixing to come off; so I do the next best thing. I start clicking away while dieing laughing at the same time. We did get help & we both got up. I laughed so hard I was crying.
Like I said earlier, we did have a good time, but we did miss the loss of my Dad, & Truffle; & missed my brother & his family who usually comes. It hit me one evening while drinking tea (on the porch of course), talking to Amy that this has been a happy place for me with many sweet memories.
It occurred to me while reading my Bible throughout the Summer that King David had a happy place. It was in the tabernacle of God. His great desire was to build God a beautiful temple for Him to dwell, like God needed a permanent place to dwell. God did grant him his request by allowing his son, Solomon to build the temple, but David had the joy in planning it. I can identity with David because I love to plan.
Psalm 27:4
One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Nov 9, 1997- May 1, 2012
I won't ever forget 14 Christmas's ago, 1997, Dave surprised me with a precious Yorkshire puppy about as big as my hand. I was like a gleeful child. All Yorkies are black when they are born, so the name Ann's Christmas Truffle. She was like having a chocolate drop in one hand. Many times through these years Truffles' name became Trouble, Truf, Truf Truf, & Boo to name a few.
We got her when she was 6 wks old. We also had a German Shepherd about 75 lbs named Titus. Dave was so fearful that Titus would eat her alive. Well, Titus became the mother of this dog. All Truffle wanted to do was stay outside & play with Titus. Many times you would see Titus curled up in the sunshine with this black spot tumbling all over him. This is where we believe Truffle thought she was as big as Titus.
As Truffle got braver, & about a pound bigger, she became the leader of the pair. We lived in the country at the time with a driveway about 2/10mi long. From time to time that little dog & her cohort in crime, would be found by the road after traveling down that long driveway. Before Truffle, Titus would never left his post by our back door.
Do to her size, Truffle could get herself into some jams. Several times I couldn't find her anywhere. We had just moved from our country home to our city home in Valdosta, leaving behind Titus. She had never been a yapper but she would have this annoying soft bark. She would make her noise, then you would wait for about 45 sec or more before another tiny whinny bark would come. It was like a dripping faucet. As soon as you would change your thought process or ignore her, here would come another whimper. Anyway, she got away & ended up in our neighbors garage all night. I sure felt odd having to walk over to our new neighbors before daylight to ask them if I could look in their garage for my 4 lb Yorkie. Sure enough, there she was. Another time she got caught in the pantry for a while.
First, Truffle was a country dog, then a city dog, then a mountain dog. She even loved the beach. My side of the family loved going to St Augustine Beach for many years with my parents. My Daddy loved taking Truffle on her walks. There was a long bridge from our condominium to the beach. Underneath the bridge was plenty of plant life that housed snakes, turtles, & rabbits. Truffle would shake with excitement starring through the railings just to look at those rabbits. Well, Truffle had a memory & she would remember every year about those rabbits.
One beach trip Daddy was taking Truffle for a walk in the parking lot where all the ponds & ducks were. Daddy was so proud of himself that he was teaching Truffle to walk beside him WITHOUT a leash. I told Daddy I always wanted Truffle on a leash, plus the complex wanted all dogs on a leash. Well, Daddy didn't think Truffle would get away. You guessed it. Where did she run? To the rabbits. Yes, she was under the bridge with the snakes chasing the rabbits. My Daddy immediately ran up to our condo to get my niece to help him get Truffle. Obviously, he didn't come & get me, because he knew he was in trouble with me When they all came back, He looked at Truffle who was happy & panting her heart out, saying "Bad dog, Bad dog!" I immediately looked at my Daddy & said, "No, Bad Daddy, Bad Daddy!" They were a pair.
Truffle's most famous mountain story was when she chased after a mother bear & her two very tiny cubs, & lived to tell about. Very briefly, Dave & I had gone our separate ways that evening. It was early Spring & the bears were just moving about in Highlands. They had gone to our door while we were out. Dave got home first, thank heavens! He let Truffle out to go do her thing, & off she went to chase those bears. Dave went after her in the woods. She yelped in pain & Dave knew she was dead. As Dave was looking for her dead body, he came across some huge bushes that he had to make a choice to decide which way to go. After his decision, he made his way through the thick woods. All of a sudden he felt some leaves & bark falling on his head. He looked up & there were the tinest bear cubs he ever saw. They must have been right out of the den. About that time he heard the mother bear huff. His next thought was, "I'm dead". He got out of there so fast & walked around the block. When he got home, there was Truf at the door, bleeding. That mother bear just picked Truffle up in her mouth & slung her. You could see the mouth bites of the bear on Truffle's back & stomach. Amazing how well Truffle healed up. What is so crazy about this story is that Truffle would go after them again. She never learned her lesson.
SOME OF TRUFFLE'S WAYS:
1. Truffle was a person in a dog suit.
2. She was definitely a lap dog. When Dave got home after a long day of working, he was ready to be by himself & veg. Well, Truffle prefered to show how much she luved Dave by laying in his lap. Dave just luved that. Wrong!
3. I loved seeing that tiny head pop up in the window of my car as she would be watching for me.
4. A. Truffle loved my parents. After a 6 hour drive, she knew when we were near their house. Truffle would start her whinning as soon as we would hit their neighborhood. When we arrived, I'd open the house door, & she would run throughout their house to say hello.
B. She loved sitting on the back of their couch looking for squirrels.
C. My Daddy put a basket on the front of his bike for Truffle to ride in. As soon as we would arrive, Truffle was ready for her bike ride.
D. All I had to say to her was, "Do you want to go see Grandpapa & Grandmama?" & she would go crazy.
5. Truffle never met a stranger unless, if it was another dog. She loved people & everyone loved her.
Everyone thought she was a puppy, up until she passed away.
6. Boy, could Truffle walk & hike. She walked about 3 mi, even up to the end of her life. When living in Highlands, she would hike Whiteside Mt about 2x a week during the Spring, Summer & Fall. Since we had moved to Maumelle, Truffle knew when Dave walked in the door from work that it was time to go for our walk.
7. She was my constant friend for 14 1/4 yrs. She slept with me, went on my errands with me, traveled
with me & naturally was there at home for me. She was a sweetheart.
We got her when she was 6 wks old. We also had a German Shepherd about 75 lbs named Titus. Dave was so fearful that Titus would eat her alive. Well, Titus became the mother of this dog. All Truffle wanted to do was stay outside & play with Titus. Many times you would see Titus curled up in the sunshine with this black spot tumbling all over him. This is where we believe Truffle thought she was as big as Titus.
As Truffle got braver, & about a pound bigger, she became the leader of the pair. We lived in the country at the time with a driveway about 2/10mi long. From time to time that little dog & her cohort in crime, would be found by the road after traveling down that long driveway. Before Truffle, Titus would never left his post by our back door.
One of Titus's favorite games was chasing after the soccer ball. Well, Truffle couldn't be left behind. I hope you can imagine this scenario. We would throw the soccer ball, Titus chases it, Truffle chases Titus. As she would get near Titus, this 2-3 lb dog would then start jumping up, while running mind you, to bite onto Titus's tail, which then became a ski for her; all the while Titus' tail would be going back & forth with this bump swinging on the end of it. It was too funny. We did get it on video. I now wished we would have sent the video into America's Most Funny Videos Show. I bet we would have won.
Do to her size, Truffle could get herself into some jams. Several times I couldn't find her anywhere. We had just moved from our country home to our city home in Valdosta, leaving behind Titus. She had never been a yapper but she would have this annoying soft bark. She would make her noise, then you would wait for about 45 sec or more before another tiny whinny bark would come. It was like a dripping faucet. As soon as you would change your thought process or ignore her, here would come another whimper. Anyway, she got away & ended up in our neighbors garage all night. I sure felt odd having to walk over to our new neighbors before daylight to ask them if I could look in their garage for my 4 lb Yorkie. Sure enough, there she was. Another time she got caught in the pantry for a while.
First, Truffle was a country dog, then a city dog, then a mountain dog. She even loved the beach. My side of the family loved going to St Augustine Beach for many years with my parents. My Daddy loved taking Truffle on her walks. There was a long bridge from our condominium to the beach. Underneath the bridge was plenty of plant life that housed snakes, turtles, & rabbits. Truffle would shake with excitement starring through the railings just to look at those rabbits. Well, Truffle had a memory & she would remember every year about those rabbits.
One beach trip Daddy was taking Truffle for a walk in the parking lot where all the ponds & ducks were. Daddy was so proud of himself that he was teaching Truffle to walk beside him WITHOUT a leash. I told Daddy I always wanted Truffle on a leash, plus the complex wanted all dogs on a leash. Well, Daddy didn't think Truffle would get away. You guessed it. Where did she run? To the rabbits. Yes, she was under the bridge with the snakes chasing the rabbits. My Daddy immediately ran up to our condo to get my niece to help him get Truffle. Obviously, he didn't come & get me, because he knew he was in trouble with me When they all came back, He looked at Truffle who was happy & panting her heart out, saying "Bad dog, Bad dog!" I immediately looked at my Daddy & said, "No, Bad Daddy, Bad Daddy!" They were a pair.
Truffle's most famous mountain story was when she chased after a mother bear & her two very tiny cubs, & lived to tell about. Very briefly, Dave & I had gone our separate ways that evening. It was early Spring & the bears were just moving about in Highlands. They had gone to our door while we were out. Dave got home first, thank heavens! He let Truffle out to go do her thing, & off she went to chase those bears. Dave went after her in the woods. She yelped in pain & Dave knew she was dead. As Dave was looking for her dead body, he came across some huge bushes that he had to make a choice to decide which way to go. After his decision, he made his way through the thick woods. All of a sudden he felt some leaves & bark falling on his head. He looked up & there were the tinest bear cubs he ever saw. They must have been right out of the den. About that time he heard the mother bear huff. His next thought was, "I'm dead". He got out of there so fast & walked around the block. When he got home, there was Truf at the door, bleeding. That mother bear just picked Truffle up in her mouth & slung her. You could see the mouth bites of the bear on Truffle's back & stomach. Amazing how well Truffle healed up. What is so crazy about this story is that Truffle would go after them again. She never learned her lesson.
SOME OF TRUFFLE'S WAYS:
1. Truffle was a person in a dog suit.
2. She was definitely a lap dog. When Dave got home after a long day of working, he was ready to be by himself & veg. Well, Truffle prefered to show how much she luved Dave by laying in his lap. Dave just luved that. Wrong!
3. I loved seeing that tiny head pop up in the window of my car as she would be watching for me.
4. A. Truffle loved my parents. After a 6 hour drive, she knew when we were near their house. Truffle would start her whinning as soon as we would hit their neighborhood. When we arrived, I'd open the house door, & she would run throughout their house to say hello.
B. She loved sitting on the back of their couch looking for squirrels.
C. My Daddy put a basket on the front of his bike for Truffle to ride in. As soon as we would arrive, Truffle was ready for her bike ride.
D. All I had to say to her was, "Do you want to go see Grandpapa & Grandmama?" & she would go crazy.
5. Truffle never met a stranger unless, if it was another dog. She loved people & everyone loved her.
Everyone thought she was a puppy, up until she passed away.
6. Boy, could Truffle walk & hike. She walked about 3 mi, even up to the end of her life. When living in Highlands, she would hike Whiteside Mt about 2x a week during the Spring, Summer & Fall. Since we had moved to Maumelle, Truffle knew when Dave walked in the door from work that it was time to go for our walk.
7. She was my constant friend for 14 1/4 yrs. She slept with me, went on my errands with me, traveled
with me & naturally was there at home for me. She was a sweetheart.
Thank you Dave for giving me
this sweet friend.
Good-Bye sweet Friend
ann :)
Monday, April 23, 2012
Where Is My Focus?
Beginning the first of last June, it has been very busy to say the least. Here is a little of what we have been through this part of this year: preparing for a move, buying a house, moving (& all the emotion that goes with it), setting up into a new home, enjoying all our children (who lives close by), holidays, death of my Daddy, making several long trips & preparing for my Dental Hygiene Boards for AR.
Two sisters in the Bible that I can identify with are Martha & Mary. Martha is the busy one, looking to the needs of everyone. We always find Mary at Jesus' feet drawing from Him. Well, I have to admit that with all this going on I feel I have been a mixture of these two women.
Since my Daddy's death in January, these last 3 months I have thrown myself into a full-time commitment & totally focused on preparing for THE BOARD. Trying to find a patient that meets the perfect criteria to take to the Board Exam can blow your mind. I am very grateful that in preparing for this exam, I have had the opportunity to have the Dental Hygiene School at UAMS to guide me. I didn't have this advantage when I took the NC Board 2 1/2 yrs ago.
At the beginning of this Board season of my life, again!; I felt that God gave me Ex. 31:1-5. (see Marinate vs. Faith blog) Not only have I been claiming these verses, but I have also been bombarding the Throne of Grace with Ps 61:2 & 8; Zech 4:6-7 especially on my clinic days.
Lead me to the rock (Jesus, who) that is higher than I.
:8-So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may daily perform my vows (service).
Two sisters in the Bible that I can identify with are Martha & Mary. Martha is the busy one, looking to the needs of everyone. We always find Mary at Jesus' feet drawing from Him. Well, I have to admit that with all this going on I feel I have been a mixture of these two women.
Since my Daddy's death in January, these last 3 months I have thrown myself into a full-time commitment & totally focused on preparing for THE BOARD. Trying to find a patient that meets the perfect criteria to take to the Board Exam can blow your mind. I am very grateful that in preparing for this exam, I have had the opportunity to have the Dental Hygiene School at UAMS to guide me. I didn't have this advantage when I took the NC Board 2 1/2 yrs ago.
At the beginning of this Board season of my life, again!; I felt that God gave me Ex. 31:1-5. (see Marinate vs. Faith blog) Not only have I been claiming these verses, but I have also been bombarding the Throne of Grace with Ps 61:2 & 8; Zech 4:6-7 especially on my clinic days.
Ps 1:2-From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed (I am overwhelmed by this situation);Lead me to the rock (Jesus, who) that is higher than I.
:8-So I will sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may daily perform my vows (service).
Zech 4:6-So he answered and said to me:
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel (me-Ann):
‘Not by (your) might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
7-‘Who are you, O great mountain (Board Exam)?
Before Zerubbabel (Ann) you (it) shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of “Grace, grace to (over) it!”’”
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel (me-Ann):
‘Not by (your) might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
7-‘Who are you, O great mountain (Board Exam)?
Before Zerubbabel (Ann) you (it) shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of “Grace, grace to (over) it!”’”
[PS Statement-These verses were taught at my Women's Retreat this Spring. If you don't go to Women's Retreat.....GO...!!!]
Now, I have not had a good day in clinic since this journey has begun. On top of all this, every patient I have examined for this exam, have not totally met the criteria. Even the Dentist in clinic said, "I could write a book of this subject." I am grateful that I do have a patient to take to the exam, but I will probably take a hit going into the exam. In other words, points are already taken off before I even begin the exam. I almost have to take the exam & be perfect.
The exam is Saturday (Apr. 28th). This past weekend I had time to regroup. During these last couple of weeks I have really had a chance to be in God's Word. Interesting enough Mt 6:25-34 has been coming at me from all sides, even on a beautiful mug that some dear friends gave me months ago.
In this passage, Jesus mention 3x DO NOT WORRY about... Well, it finally occurred to me I better take heed. What really spoke to me was in verse
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. In this passage, Jesus mention 3x DO NOT WORRY about... Well, it finally occurred to me I better take heed. What really spoke to me was in verse
What is the kingdom of God you ask?
Romans 14:17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Ouch!!!
Since I have been working on the food issue lately, that didn't help. But, where God wants me to put my focus is own His righteousness, peace & joy in the Holy Spirit during any situation.
It is time for peace & joy. He wants me to go into this exam with peace & joy; not after the Board & no matter if I pass or not.
One thing I have learned through this preparation is becoming aware of where am I getting my significance, my identity. Knowing Who is my identity & Where my significance comes from gives me peace & joy.
ann :)
ann :)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
cont... Marinade or Faith?
continuation...
I had the opportunity to take a wonderful 2 1/2 weeks trip a few weeks ago back to Highlands, then to Valdosta, GA & on to Atlanta. I hadn't been back to Highlands since we moved the end of Sept. 2011. It was great spending time with my Mom but, it was also a bitter sweet time because it was my first time back at home since my Dad past away this past Jan. Going to a Dental Conference to receive many CE credits in Atlanta is always fun. I learn a lot of information & I have so much fun being with Dr. Dyer's office. Along the way I got to visit with many wonderful friends & go to a wonderful Women's Retreat.
I had the opportunity to take a wonderful 2 1/2 weeks trip a few weeks ago back to Highlands, then to Valdosta, GA & on to Atlanta. I hadn't been back to Highlands since we moved the end of Sept. 2011. It was great spending time with my Mom but, it was also a bitter sweet time because it was my first time back at home since my Dad past away this past Jan. Going to a Dental Conference to receive many CE credits in Atlanta is always fun. I learn a lot of information & I have so much fun being with Dr. Dyer's office. Along the way I got to visit with many wonderful friends & go to a wonderful Women's Retreat.
While in Valdosta I got to visit with one of my dearest friends named Gaye. We went out to lunch in her new Jaguar. Boy, did I give her a lot grief about that. After talking about the families & all our girlie stuff, I began to talk about the woes of taking the Dental Hygiene Boards, again. The bottom line of that conversation, was the Lord was with me through the NC boards, He will be with me through the AR boards.
Then I began telling her after the joy of passing the boards, I now get to pay over a $1000 to take a course for a week about Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia. In other words, I've got to learn how to give shots!!! Not only do I have to learn how to give a shot, I get to be a guinea pig for someone else for five days for them to practice on. :( :( :(
Now, the Dentist & Hygienist over here love doing this. I am the person who HATES shots with a purple passion. I have hated them since I was a very small child. I can't even watch someone else on TV with a knife or an animal attacking another animal on the Discovery Channel. I can dig in your mouth & get all that gunk out, but forget a shot.
As I was telling Gaye all this we started dieing laughing. The more expressive I got, the more we laughed. About the end of this conversation, it was time for us to depart. We were still sitting in her car, talking of course, next to my car. Gaye then came up with this great idea. "Ann, just think of those mouths as being a chicken. As you are giving those shots, you are marinating a chicken. Just imagine that medicine spreading out like marinade all through the mouth." By this time we were roaring with laughter. Laughing tears were flowing down my cheeks. You know, one of those belly laughs. In fact, I am laughing all over again while writing this story.
Well, I must admit, that if I ever take the course I might kill over laughing with the shot in my hand & never make it to the patients mouth. At this point in my journey in preparing to take the AR Dental Hygiene Boards, I don't have a patient & my board is Apr 28th. That seems like a long time away, but really I have about 1 1/2 weeks to find a patient or maybe I need to withdraw from the exam & give up practicing DH.. If I don't get my license, then I don't have to take the course. Hey!! :)
Some anchor concepts of faith that I have really hung onto are: that God is good no matter what; He loves me & He wants the best for me & my family; & He is faithful no matter what. He hasn't failed me, & I haven't failed myself through this process. If I take the board or not, if I pass or not; He is still a good Father. Again, these concepts keep me grounded in my life. Other faith steps through this journey have been clinging to the verses that God has given me; not giving up; studying for the course before I pass the boards (I have to pass the boards to take the course).
Well back to the marinade, shots or no shots, God wants to marinade me in His Word & in His goodness everyday. Don't you love that?! Also, don't you love dear friends that help you keep life in perspective?! I do.
ann :)
Then I began telling her after the joy of passing the boards, I now get to pay over a $1000 to take a course for a week about Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia. In other words, I've got to learn how to give shots!!! Not only do I have to learn how to give a shot, I get to be a guinea pig for someone else for five days for them to practice on. :( :( :(
Now, the Dentist & Hygienist over here love doing this. I am the person who HATES shots with a purple passion. I have hated them since I was a very small child. I can't even watch someone else on TV with a knife or an animal attacking another animal on the Discovery Channel. I can dig in your mouth & get all that gunk out, but forget a shot.
As I was telling Gaye all this we started dieing laughing. The more expressive I got, the more we laughed. About the end of this conversation, it was time for us to depart. We were still sitting in her car, talking of course, next to my car. Gaye then came up with this great idea. "Ann, just think of those mouths as being a chicken. As you are giving those shots, you are marinating a chicken. Just imagine that medicine spreading out like marinade all through the mouth." By this time we were roaring with laughter. Laughing tears were flowing down my cheeks. You know, one of those belly laughs. In fact, I am laughing all over again while writing this story.
Well, I must admit, that if I ever take the course I might kill over laughing with the shot in my hand & never make it to the patients mouth. At this point in my journey in preparing to take the AR Dental Hygiene Boards, I don't have a patient & my board is Apr 28th. That seems like a long time away, but really I have about 1 1/2 weeks to find a patient or maybe I need to withdraw from the exam & give up practicing DH.. If I don't get my license, then I don't have to take the course. Hey!! :)
Some anchor concepts of faith that I have really hung onto are: that God is good no matter what; He loves me & He wants the best for me & my family; & He is faithful no matter what. He hasn't failed me, & I haven't failed myself through this process. If I take the board or not, if I pass or not; He is still a good Father. Again, these concepts keep me grounded in my life. Other faith steps through this journey have been clinging to the verses that God has given me; not giving up; studying for the course before I pass the boards (I have to pass the boards to take the course).
Well back to the marinade, shots or no shots, God wants to marinade me in His Word & in His goodness everyday. Don't you love that?! Also, don't you love dear friends that help you keep life in perspective?! I do.
ann :)
Marinade or Faith?
Almost two and a half years ago I completed an up & down journey that involved renewing my GA RDH license & earning my NC RDH license. This was one of the most stressful journeys that I have ever lived through in a very, Very, VERY long time.
This season of my life began when Dave mentioned to me one random day, that if something happened to him, it might be a good idea for me to renew my GA RDH license. We lived in Highlands, NC at the time; a tiny mountain town which was only about 30 minutes from the GA State line. This idea led to me doing the carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand in Dec of 2008. Then in Jan. 2009, after filling out all the paper work for the GA Board, I was now part of the waiting game. To make a long story short, I received my license in December of 2009.
In the meantime while waiting on my GA license, I really felt lead within my spirit to go after my NC license since I lived in NC. Makes sense, huh! This is where the stress of my journey really began. I had to find a patient who would consent for me to take him to the Board exam & clean a portion of his mouth. This was not an easy feat since I was not in a school setting anymore. It seems that this wouldn't be all that hard. Who wouldn't want a free cleaning, Xrays, all expenses paid trip to Greenville, NC, & money on the side. It doesn't work that way. The Dental Board has a very specific criteria for you to follow. God provided for my every need in many miraculous ways along this journey. Maybe one day I will write a blog about it. To make a long story short, the Lord got me a patient & I passed the Board in Oct, 2009. One of the greatest lessons I learned through this process was overcoming my battle with fear. Another thing I learned was I NEVER WANTED TO GO THROUGH ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN.
If you have been reading my blog; beginning 9-6-11; you would have learned that we have just been through a major move from Highlands, NC to Maumelle, AR the end of Sept 2011. Guess what that means? Yep!! If I am to practice Dental Hygiene, I am going to have to take the Clinical EXAM all over again! :( Yes, I have to find the perfect patient to meet the AR Boards' criteria to take to the exam. At least this time I can take the exam here in town & I have the Dental Hygiene School to help me in many ways. So here I go again putting fliers all over town, FB messages, hospitals & visiting churches with my information that I need in find that patient.
God has given me the neatest verses to carry me along this journey-Ex 31:1-5
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
Well this fits me to the TEE. I am like Bezalel. He was the only a blue collar worker that God put His Spirit into. He was not a leader or a prophet. I am God's child & I have His Spirit in me. I have prayed that God would fill me not only with His Spirit, but also in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, & in all manner of workmanship to work in all manner of workmanship of Dental Hygiene. Bezalel, had to do his job perfectly the first time. I need to do that with the Boards. He also worked well under authority. I have needed to have this in working with my instructors.
I hate long blogs, so I will continue the story later....
ann :)
This season of my life began when Dave mentioned to me one random day, that if something happened to him, it might be a good idea for me to renew my GA RDH license. We lived in Highlands, NC at the time; a tiny mountain town which was only about 30 minutes from the GA State line. This idea led to me doing the carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand in Dec of 2008. Then in Jan. 2009, after filling out all the paper work for the GA Board, I was now part of the waiting game. To make a long story short, I received my license in December of 2009.
In the meantime while waiting on my GA license, I really felt lead within my spirit to go after my NC license since I lived in NC. Makes sense, huh! This is where the stress of my journey really began. I had to find a patient who would consent for me to take him to the Board exam & clean a portion of his mouth. This was not an easy feat since I was not in a school setting anymore. It seems that this wouldn't be all that hard. Who wouldn't want a free cleaning, Xrays, all expenses paid trip to Greenville, NC, & money on the side. It doesn't work that way. The Dental Board has a very specific criteria for you to follow. God provided for my every need in many miraculous ways along this journey. Maybe one day I will write a blog about it. To make a long story short, the Lord got me a patient & I passed the Board in Oct, 2009. One of the greatest lessons I learned through this process was overcoming my battle with fear. Another thing I learned was I NEVER WANTED TO GO THROUGH ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN.
If you have been reading my blog; beginning 9-6-11; you would have learned that we have just been through a major move from Highlands, NC to Maumelle, AR the end of Sept 2011. Guess what that means? Yep!! If I am to practice Dental Hygiene, I am going to have to take the Clinical EXAM all over again! :( Yes, I have to find the perfect patient to meet the AR Boards' criteria to take to the exam. At least this time I can take the exam here in town & I have the Dental Hygiene School to help me in many ways. So here I go again putting fliers all over town, FB messages, hospitals & visiting churches with my information that I need in find that patient.
God has given me the neatest verses to carry me along this journey-Ex 31:1-5
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
Well this fits me to the TEE. I am like Bezalel. He was the only a blue collar worker that God put His Spirit into. He was not a leader or a prophet. I am God's child & I have His Spirit in me. I have prayed that God would fill me not only with His Spirit, but also in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, & in all manner of workmanship to work in all manner of workmanship of Dental Hygiene. Bezalel, had to do his job perfectly the first time. I need to do that with the Boards. He also worked well under authority. I have needed to have this in working with my instructors.
I hate long blogs, so I will continue the story later....
ann :)
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