One of the daily devotionals that I read is from Elisabeth Elliot – it is always refreshing, often challenging and very inspiring.  This mornings entry was simple, yet profound and true.  Are you making yourself miserable today?

Several Ways to Make Yourself Miserable

1. Count your troubles, name them one by one–at the breakfast table, if anybody will listen, or as soon as possible thereafter.
2. Worry every day about something. Don’t let yourself get out of practice. It won’t add a cubit to your stature but it might burn a few calories.
3. Pity yourself. If you do enough of this, nobody else will have to do it for you.
4. Devise clever but decent ways to serve God and mammon. After all, a man’s gotta live.
5. Make it your business to find out what the Joneses are buying this year and where they’re going. Try to do them at least one better even if you have to take out another loan to do it.
6. Stay away from absolutes. It’s what’s right for you that matters. Be your own person and don’t allow yourself to get hung up on what others expect of you.
7. Make sure you get your rights. Never mind other people’s. You have your life to live, they have theirs.
8. Don’t fall into any compassion traps–the sort of situation where people can walk all over you. If you get too involved in other people’s troubles, you may neglect your own.
9. Don’t let Bible reading and prayer get in the way of what’s really relevant–things like TV and newspapers. Invisible things are eternal. You want to stick with the visible ones–they’re where it’s at now.

If you would like to receive Elisabeth Elliots daily devotions in your email inbox (or even to your handheld device) you can find hers and many others here.

For those of you who have missed the “Fat Face” updates (although no one has commented – where are my “virtual” accountability partners?) - here we go.

The past two months have been…hmmm…shall we say….pathetic.

Between our summer camping vacation and summer camp, a trip to NYC, my birthday and just plain lack of motivation, I have been “on again, off again” (and unfortunately with “off again” winning) the past couple of months.  My exercise program also bit the dust as I have been battling blisters that kept my walking to a minimum.

The results?

I have gained 10 pounds (ugh!), the “skinny” clothes are getting tight, I feel more tired and sluggish and my blood pressure is creeping upward.  None of this being good (although the BP is the biggest concern), I knew the day of reckoning needed to come soon. Since yesterday was the first day of autumn and because I don’t know anyone who says – “I am going to begin dieting & exercising on the first day of autumn.” (being the non conformist that I am) – I decided that September 22 was the day to get…Back at it!

So here I sit at Starbucks waiting for my daughter to get finished with choral practice and despite the incredible auroma of coffee, the moutwatering pastries staring at me from the counter and that little stinker in my head saying – “ah come on…one ice coffee won’t hurt” – I am resolved to get back to living a healthy lifestyle consistently with just my monthly day off and date nights to splurge.

I know that once Thanksgiving arrives there very well may be another “hiatus” as I enjoy the holiday season.  And since Thanksgiving is just a short eight weeks away (! How does that happen?!) – my goal is to lose 16 pounds, walk 5-6 days a week, do resistant weight training 3 days a week and stay on the Fat Flush diet that entire time (with the exception of our fall family outings to Apple Hill & the Pumpkin Patch, my October & November date night with dear darling Dan and if I can somehow come up with the finances to attend Parents Weekend in October at The Kings College in NYC…I might have to do a modified version that weekend.)

The results of feeling more alert & rested, lowering my blood pressure, fitting comfortably into my clothes (yes, I did ditch most of the “fat clothes”) plus being able to relax and enjoy the holiday season will be well worth the self discipline and sacrifice.

Does anyone else want to join me in my Autumn Resolution?

As we were heading out the door to celebrate the 4th of July in Red Bluff with my in-laws, the girls and I ran over to Old Navy to pick up a few patriotic shirts. In previous years, Old Navy has always had fun, festive and affordable shirts and so I assumed it would be a quick “run in, run out” errand.

Besides being immediately disappointed in the colors of most of the “patriotic” apparel (baby blue, Caribbean blue, creme and orange based red are NOT our countries colors  - they are navy blue, a dark red and white)…I was very disturbed by the verbiage printed boldly on the front of these shirts.

“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of….Boys.”  SAY WHAT??? There are so many things wrong with this proclamation being plastered on the front of a patriotic tank top being sold to girls and young ladies (at least I am assuming that is their target audience – I can’t imagine married women my age wearing such a slogan?!)

• First why are we degrading our Declaration of Independence, written by some of the most educated, eloquent and brilliant men of all time by replacing the words “pursuit of happiness” to a trivial “pursuit of boys”? There is nothing even slightly amusing about that. It is offensive.
• Secondly even if someone thinks I need to lighten up and that it is just a harmless play on words - tell me WHY we want to suggest  to girls that the “pursuit of boys” is something that is worthwhile, valauble or honorable?  It is certainly not what I want my daughters pursuing during their youth and season of singleness.  I want them to pursue….godliness, righteousness, charity, good works,education, wisdom, noble character, health, fitness, skills, maturity, selflessness and the list goes on! (and pursuing boys is not anywhere on the list – is it on yours for your daughters?)
• In addition what girl do you know who honestly takes joy in pursuing versus being pursued?  Despite the boy crazy culture teenage girls live in with all its crassness, aggressive behavior and role reversals – I know that in their heart of hearts they want to be pursued, to be desired and to be sought out by a gentleman who respects, honors and treats them like a princess.  It is just the way the Lord made women.  Yet, we are standing by letting the current culture continue to shape girls attitudes and actions towards boys resulting in a host of unhappiness and unfulfillment of their God given desires.
• Lastly – Why would anyone want their girls, teens or young ladies wear such a message on their chests?  Doesn’t it seem a bit pathetic? shallow? desperate? degrading?

The next shirt I picked up said - “Hot as a firecracker”  Don’t even get me started on how anyone would allow their minor daughter to wear such a statement.  Shaking my head, we left the store.

I just ran across an article on people who live to be 100.    Of course there were the obvious things like eating “heart healthy” and watching your waistline  –  but look at this one –

Giving birth after age 40 more than quadruples a woman’s chances of living to 100.

You can read the article here

Wow!  Who knew?  I have had two sweet babies after age 40 – I wonder if that means I have eight times the chance of living to be 100? 

I am always saying that having kids at my age keeps you young!  I guess I was right.  I often wonder if I only had two children (Michelle & Amy) and I was on the home stretch towards an “empty nest” like many of my peers, if I would feel like slowing down and taking it easy?  Perhaps I would “feel”older.  Of course when you are chasing a one year old (and are trying to adopt another baby) slowing down does not even enter your mind, nor is it an option.  Perhaps aging has a lot to do with your mindset. I can’t think of slowing down for at least 20 more years.

Just thought I would share that fun fact with you today.  My daughter Rebekah who is always saying “Mom, You have to live to be 100″  was simply thrilled to hear this information (and being the strong willed choleric child that she is she will now settle for nothing less than my living to be 100!).

For now….I will keep living and enjoying my life as if today was the last day.

One more thing –  The article also said -  Coffee is another potential “health drink,” with studies showing that moderate coffee intake is helpful in preventing diabetes, gallstones, Parkinson’s disease, cirrhosis, kidney stones and even heart disease.  You don’t even know how happy that made me!  As soon as I reach my goal weight, I will be adding coffee back into my regular routine (in moderation of course!) along with a splurge of dark chocolate also said to add years! (it is TRUE – read it here & here)

“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”   James 1:4 

Endurance – that is what I need to continue to work towards achieving my weight loss and health goals.  This month despite continuing to be self disciplined in my eating and exercising (except for the last two weeks of not being able to do weight resistance training due to my back pain) I only lost…

2 pounds

Not really very motivating for my ”results oriented” personality.  However, I did lose 3 1/2 more inches (which is why I always recommend weighing and measuring)  and I got my blood test results back and my total cholesterol was 195 with my HDL (good cholesterol) going up significantly and my LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides going down!  All other tests (kidney & liver function, thyroid and blood sugars) came back well within the normal range.  This was GREAT news! My blood pressure continues to hover at the 133/82-84 level. (which I am confident will improve with the next 10 pounds)

So despite the less than impressive weight loss – I will endure and carry on with the program realizing that these final 15-17 pounds may take longer than I want them to.  In the first four months all I needed was personal self discipline which was quickly and regularly rewarded in many ways – the scale and tape measure showing shrinking numbers consistently, fitting into smaller size clothing, losing the “fat face” and double chin and the compliments and admiration of others.  But now I need endurance, which often does not come with any immediate rewards.  Endurance means carrying on no matter what.  Endurance is what it takes to get you through despite discouraging circumstances, bad reports, slow change, negative predictions and even when you can’t see the “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Endurance is a key component to most everything important in life.  It takes endurance to -

• Complete a degree or training program
• Become an outstanding athlete, musician, actor, artist, writer or any other pursuit
• Start and grow your own business, especially in the early years or when there are major setbacks
• Stay committed to your marriage vows for life even when things look hopeless, strained, complicated or just hard
• Be a good and diligent parent for decades with often little appreciation
• Walk through the seemingly never ending adoption process
• Live a Christian life without compromise when you are being tempted, belittled and berated from all sides

We could all use a hefty dose of endurance in areas of our lives.  I know that if I continue to endure with this healthy lifestyle, I will eventually reap not only the reward of meeting my health goals but I will have built up my endurance which will benefit every area of my life!

High school sports – there’s nothing quite like ‘em.

I have spent much of my life playing, coaching and now regularly attending high school athletic events.  I was on the swim team and played field hockey in high school (and college too).  As a youth pastor I attended high school sporting events all over the city to cheer on the kids who attended our church. I faithfully sat in the stands almost every Friday night for three years as my fiance and later husband, Dan coached a local high school football team.  When I began to work as a teacher at a Christian High School I got talked into coaching the Varsity Girls Volleyball team (which thankfully my dear darling hubby took over later – and did a far superior job!) and for the past 21 years of working at Christian high schools we have been in the bleachers cheering wildly for countless sporting events.

While I have enjoyed watching my girls (and I am sure all to soon, the boys too) playing youth soccer, swimming on the neighborhood swim team and playing city league softball, I loved going to college football, volleyball and basketball games and I thoroughly enjoy attending a professional baseball game (when we can afford it)….there is still nothing quite like high school sports. 

The emotions run higher - the victories more thrilling and the losses more devastating. The friendships formed often create a bond for life. The fans are more connected to not only the team and the school but to one another as well. The coaches (who get paid very little) are there because they love the kids and they love the game. The entire atmosphere is electrifying.

This past weekend we got to experience yet another exciting high school athletic competition as we attended the softball section finals for our area.  Our beloved Lady Eagles from Jim Elliot were in the championship game for the fifth consecutive year.  Our team was down by one run in the bottom of the seventh with the tying run on second and two outs when the player at bat hit a triple and then ran home to win the game on an overthrow error.  The screams, whistles, wild cheering, hugs, tears of joy, jumping up and down went on for what seemed to be eternity.  Just several feet away, the other bench felt the agony of defeat after being so close to beating this powerhouse team.  The sobbing, down on bended knees, hitting the dirt, consoling in one anothers arms, looks of shock and dismay equaled the emotion of the championship team. For those talented teams, dedicated coaches and devoted fans, it will be a day not too quickly forgotten.

For the vast majority of athletes…that final high school game will be their last time in competitive sports. A few will go on and play in college and then four years later, they too will close that chapter of their lives.  But the lessons learned through athletics will be with them for life! These lessons are some that could benefit our families, our marriages our businesses and our lives.

• You learn the power in having a positive attitude

Every good coach or trainer will tell you that the athlete who wins is the one who believes he is going to win.  The single best predictor of success when two athletic teams have equal ability and talent is what is in their minds before they compete.  We hear it over and over again…but when will we start being diligent at putting positive things into our heart, mind and spirit.  It is the difference maker!

• You learn that any team can win on any given day

What a great way to live – knowing that no matter what hand you have been dealt, no matter what the odds, no matter what the gloomy prediction – you can win, you can overcome and you can beat the odds!Unfortunatly this lesson can also work against you – that same softball team that won the championship on Saturday learned this lesson the hard way last year when they lost in an agonizing defeat to their biggest rivals who they had beat decisively several times earlier that same season.  They came in with the a relaxed attitude and a bit lazy, knowing that even if they had a bad game they could easily win the section championship.  They did not play their hardest, they made stupid mistakes, they were a bit arrogant and they were not on the offensive costing them their fourth consecutive section championship and the number one ranking in the state.  You have to live life on purpose, on the offensive and always ready to give it your all.

• You learn that you must stay focused even under incredible pressure

This perhaps is one of the greatest lessons competitive sports can offer us.  When the pressures of life come, you must not fall apart but remain calm and focused.  With two outs and the team behind by one, the batter up was under an incredible amount of pressure.  If she had concentrated on that pressure instead of being focused on hitting the ball, she most likely would have failed.  In the same way when the third baseman, on the opposing team, was under extreme pressure trying to prevent the winning run from scoring, she lost her focus and overthrew the ball resulting in the game winning run.  How often do we do the same thing when under pressure with often disastrous results. Extreme pressure has destroyed many a marriage, caused businesses to close and contributed to many health ailments and damaged relationships all because we crumbled under the pressure instead of focusing on the fundamentals and keeping a cool head. 

• You learn that the long hard practices pay off when you win the game

Face it – no one likes to practice.  It is hard work, causes pain, takes lots of time and energy and equires discipline.  It is for the love of the game that people spend hours daily practicing and training.  Yet 90% of an athletes time is spent in practicing and training.  But the 10% is worth it all.  This is not much different than our businesses.  No one loves the hard work, the phone calls, the rejection, the paperwork, the hours spent with seemingly no results….but we all love the pay days, the incentive trips and the rewards of being a business owner.  Our relationships often take lots of hard work, practice and self discipline too.  But what a great reward in the love of a child, a strong solid marriage and life long deep friendships. Almost every area of life takes a large measure of hard work, personal discipline and practice but the rewards are worth it all!

• You learn that it takes more than individual talent – it takes teamwork

No matter how talented you are – you can’t win on your own.  In order to win a championship, you need a team who will work together towards a goal. A team that is committed to the same end. A team who will support, encourage, challenge and hold each other accountable.  In life, in business, in marriage and family – you need to be a team!  You cannot win on your own.

• And on a Christian school team you learn that the most important thing is to glorify God!

Last year when the team lost the section championship and this year when they won – the game ending cheer was the same – “Good game (the opponents), thank you officials,  Glory to God!”  The most important thing we can do in our businesses, in our marriage and family life, in our jobs or careers, in our friendships and in our lives is to bring glory to God.  Whether we win or lose, whether we are number one in our field or just barely hanging in there, whether or marriages are strong and healthy or we are struggling to stay together…the most important thing is that we look to glorify the Lord in everything.  We don’t have control over all the circumstances in our lives (and those that we do have control over we need to do something about) but we do have control over our response to the circumstances.  Are you praising or cursing God? Are you calmly trusting His will or panicking and stressing about life? Will you give God glory no matter what the outcome of your current crisis? Is what you are doing glorifying God?

Congratulations Lady Eagles on your fourth Section Championship. May the lessons you have learned during your years as a high school athlete be a foundation for a life of excellence.

Many of you have been asking how the adoption is coming along.  For an update as of last week – go to www.babybrother.wordpress.com.  Please pray for us :

• as we are ready to begin the last thing we have to accomplish – our home study.  We have no idea what to expect.
• for the remaining money to be provided through donations, adoption grants or other creative fund raising ideas.  After paying for the home study, it looks like we are going to need another $7,000. We are believing!
• and as always…for the Lord’s will to be done.

For those of you who read this by subscription – you need to go to the site and see my new blog header – the most darling baby with big blue eyes – it makes my heart melt!  www.bethlambdin.net.

We are still enjoying immensely our time at the beach – here is what I am looking at as I write this morning – does it get any better than that? God is good to me.

I’m off to take my daily walk on the shore with the sweet baby while the big girlies enjoy sleeping in.

Blessings to you all,

Beth

As promised…I have posted about many of our Christmas season family traditions. (not all believe it or not – so you will just have to wait until next Christmas to hear about the remaining few!)  I have back dated the posts to when they actually happened – so if you want to see them all,  you can –  simply by going to the Categories section and clicking on “Christmas Season” and it will give you all eight postings. (or just click here)

Enjoy! I hope to be back in a regular routine with my blog this week.

Blessings,

Beth