Things no always as they seem

Well, it has been 5 1/2 weeks since my Gastric Bypass surgery. There's been lots of up and downs. I am seeing myself in a new light and my family also. I know that in every season of our lives there are changes that we are to go through in order to move onto the next one. God is so good. I know that it is a time for me to slow back down, listen to Him, and prepare for some great NEW things! Time to say farewell to some things and hello to some others. But, physically, we've had some kinds of week. It began with trying new things fish, potatoes, and yogurt. I am now back to clear liquids after some complications beginning on Tuesday evening. I really am believing and praying for some healing and that my opening will stay open. You know in all things God teaches us things. We may complain about fasting, not believing we can do it...well, I believe that will look different for me know. Knowing I can do it now, will not be a good excuse come January.
My family is also learning and growing....watching and seeing more of them has taught me alot also. What a mighty God we serve.
225 lbs

Almost 5 weeks

Well.....what a road we travel! Mine has had some bumps in it I truly didn't expect! Last Tuesday I ended up having to have my opening to my "new stomach" or "pouch" stretched. It was reportedly only a fourth of what it should be! Oh, boy, I was beginning to think that the remainder of my life would be spent hearing everything that I ate or drank gurgling! Oh yes, like it was bubbling back up to visit! I spent quit a lot of the week and a half prior to the procedure in pain and discomfort. Everything I ate, except Jello or Popsicles, caused pain or came back up! Not so much fun!
You know though, I have come to see side of my own emotions and behavior I wasn't aware of in myself. I realized I had been on a liquid diet for 5 weeks, that beats the 21 days we fast in January we all fuss a bit about. I am so grateful God showed me that side of myself. I enjoy food, but know that He has the time and season for me.
I am very grateful that God sent my surgeon into my life! He has stood by me through the entire process. Calling me every day or so to see if "I am being a good girl or not"! I am honored to even know him but to know he's my doc is great! Appreciate all the TLC! Knowing he cares for each of his patients like he has myself, what a blessing!
This weekend we celebrated 18 years of marriage....what an amazing thing! We have been looking forward to this weekend for quite a while...at least I was able to eat...something! Did have Broccoli Cheddar soup at IHOP after seeing RED! It was fun! (had to sneak an applesauce into the movies, no popcorn just yet!) We also went to St. Johns Seafood for lunch on our anniversary...ATE ME SOME FISH! It was our unified goal, doc, Sterling and mine. Praise God it came true! Love the Lord!
We are down to 227.

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1.03.01

Now to recovery...

Well, surgery went very well! Sorry for no sooner posts, but the energy level and just mental clarity wasn't there! I am so excited to say that today was pain free. Bent down to pick up something and didn't grab my incision. WOW!
As many of you know, on the 14th, I had my gastric bypass surgery. So grateful for my friends and family who supported me 24/7 for the first week! There is NO way I could have made it alone! The food brought over and cooked in my home has really blessed my family. The people willing to come and help me walk, shower and keep sane, I Love You! God has truly taught me alot, about myself, my family and even about my friends. What a blessing, what a season of just letting go, what a time of quiet. Lord, thanks for the times of chaos and the calm.
Last weekend was really rough. Found myself in a place I wasn't prepared for. As a Mom of 5 and a love for serving my husband and children, I was really frustrated to have to know that I just couldn't serve them right now. But you know what, my precious hubby reminded me for two days that this was going to pass and was just temporary. Everyone survived the last 3 months I was pregnant with the twins and the months following when he held down the fort alone and we would get through this as well! He told me I should write a book, I really think he should: 5 pregnancies and 2 surgeries in less than 6 weeks and he's still smiling! WOWOWOWOW and here! What a testimony!
Well, more details to come! Just wanted to post something tonight. Back getting tired. May everyone who reads this realize those around them they should/could say thanks to!
Much love!

241lbs! and counting!

Wondering why....let me tell you!

I know some of you wonder why I am doing this, especially sense I have successfully lost 33 pounds in 3 months. Well, it really all began 10 years ago now after the twins were born. I was, OMG, 327 lbs. Didn't realize I had gotten that way. No, you can't blame the twins, gained only 32lbs with them and dropped more than that after they were born, okay do the math, that really tells you how much it was, OK! After talking to my doctor, he had some tests he wanted me to do and sent me to a surgeon for my surgery. Did what both wanted me to do and did loose 90 lbs, and decided not to pursue the surgery route at that time. Discovering some heath concerns that would have to be addressed beforehand anyway, showed me that it wasn't time anyway. But, now I know it is time! God has laid it all out for me.
Over the last 6-8 years, I have gone up and down and landed at 285 this year. Knowing that has been an issue for me my whole life and my thyroid isn't going to change, made choices very clear for me. Yes, Gastric bypass is a huge choice. One not to be taken lightly or without lots of research and prayer. And one, I definitly wanted comfirmation on! That came this year!
This semester Pastor Kerri and her staff chose for us to study "Can I have and do it all, Please?" by Christine Caine for Sisterhood Mornings at Celebration Church. There was so much in that study that ministered to me but, the week Ms. Glenda (Momma) and I went over to hear Pastor Kerri speak about Endurance, well, I knew that was it! God has called each us to do great and mighty things! With the five children I have, that alone is a reason to want endurance but, I am very aware that God has so much in store for the minsitry He has for me to come. Shabah!
I knew that it was time to take my temple into the care and consideration it needed and that it was going to be the key to my endurance. Getting ready for the race I am to run! So, Momma and I headed to Dr. Orallo for my thyroid check up and I asked for a referral. Without hesistation or conversation, he said YES! Told me who and we were in the process of getting my referall! So much so fast, yes! Knew it was God!
My appointment with Dr. Yaserabi was the Monday after Shine! Funny, every year I come to serve and do so love it! Can't wait to walk up to that table to pick up my shirt next year and ask for something other than that infamous 3x!
But, boiling it down, I am ready to run! Run my race! and be able to keep running! To know that my body won't be the reason to pause. To know that yes, I will be able to do what he's called me to do. And to be an example to help others prepare and run their races too! Knowing that God has called me to help women, to open doors for them, I realized I had to open this one for myself!
September 14 will be a big day and one that will forever change my life! I trust that as my temple is opened and changed, God will come in and do a mighty thing! As I prepare for this, I cling to God's word and cherish my daily devo! Join me in prayer for those whose doors are closed so tight they can't see, and that they will see the light only an open door can allow in!

Thank you Lord for a voice and time to share! Hope it touches someone and opens a door or window for someone!

Drawing near...

As I sit and reflect over the last 3 months, I see lost of changes that have occurred along this process. You know that things are going to change in life, you open doors that allow change to come in and you close the ones you want to stop or hinder. But, this process has shown me the little cracks in the walls and foundation we don't often tend to! I have found that food has and probably always will be a huge part of my life. Hospitality is a huge part of my gifting and being. But, to know that I can change how I look at the abundance God has given us in this and use that to greatly influence those around me through it. To encourage openness, serving, understanding, and even the times of grief, pain and change. Amazing how quickly we as women will open up over a simple cup of coffee, in paper cup or a huge mug! Seeing myself in the kitchen has always be a comfort for me, realizing the power we kitchen people wield is, well truly overwhelming! We can feed our people the things that will nurture them or the things that will not. We can do this in both spiritual ways and literally with our food choices. Coming to realize the mood of the core of our homes flows out into all other areas of our lives and those we serve w/in our own houses.
God fed His disciples on the beach up his return from the resurrection. Do you sense the power in that, our own Savior! He took His nail scared hands and cooked for those near to him. Can we not do that for those we love. Serve them with the Love of Christ. Serve, well, because HE did!

Also, along the way I can already see changes in my own spirit. A cleansing if you will. My first surgery opened that doorway. Showing me that, INDEED I can stop and rest. I can let things go. And yes, things will get done and keep going. No matter if they are done MY way or not, releasing that to God, and KNOWING He's in control and well, as a quote I rec'd this week says:
"You remember the bus, well some have to get off, so others can get on." Okay, sometimes we just have to get off the bus so others can get on. If we decide "we" are the only ones who can do, well the flesh takes over and kills what ever we touch. Not only that, we don't release others to move in their own giftings and callings. Who in the world are WE to decide....to no allow others growth? WOW, what a reve!

Know that God is in control of it all!
Thanks for listening to me ramble, hope it touches someone! Even my heart!
Regina <3

Stirring the nest...

Before a baby Eagle leaves the nest, the Mother Eagle "stirs the nest". That could really bring about many different implications for us as, well Human Mothers. The baby eaglet will not leave the nest or fly until Mom determines it to be time. She will watch their every move, even when they are learning how to fly. Most birds will simply allow their young to leap and well, land where they may. But, the eaglets Mom will be right there along the way....If the baby flutters or flies, she will be there for whatever happens! As a Mom, are you like the eaglet's Mother or ....just like any other bird? God chose Moses to do the Mother Eagles job so to speak when He sent Moses back to "free His people" in Genesis. Moses stirred the "nest" when he went back to Pharaoh, made things uncomfortable and shook up the "as usual". We tend to become complacent and believe that "well, God will move this or that" when He is really waiting for US to get up and fly! As with the eaglet, Moses stayed with the children of Israel for the "entire flight". He never really left them and arrived just in time for their great "fledgling" moment while he was on the mountain receiving the 10 Commandments from God. You know, as Moms, do we want to leave them to their own devices or stir the nest and challenge them to be all they can be? Even as followers of Christ, we often see or sense the stirring of the Lord! Is He stirring you to move onto bigger and better, camp out and wait, or stop altogether and reflect? Take time to reflect and seek the Lord! Know that He's always stirring up something....we just have to be paying attention!

Stumped...

God gifts each of us with different gifts and talents. Each of us are set up for a different race, in our own lanes, with our own vision of the end results. The difference in how we achieve those goals will greatly depend on who we depend on! If you are doing for the sake of doing and for the world, your path will hold trials and tribulations...if you are doing for the sake of the Kingdom, for the glory of the Lord, your path will also hold trials and tribulations, BUT, yours will also hold HOPE! Having you begun something only to find that the end is nothing like what you'd planned? IN God's hands that is quit often the case. Right now I am in just such a time. I see God calling me to quiet so that He can put some curves in my lane. My lifestyle has changed alot! When I used to head out somewhere it included where I/we might stop for something to eat or even drink. Now, it's a matter of how many places can I pass up on the way! It is a matter of vision or direction. Sounds like something simple but in the eyes of one who could choose the places to eat by how they brew their tea or even their coffee, that's huge! The little choices and decisions are the ones that cause us to stump our toes. The ones that cause us to stumble....
As we move further into this HOT month, lots of us are making choices. Some are deciding what schools to send our kids to, where to move to, which book to read next, should I join a devo group or not, which sunscreen to use and yes, even where to get our next snack on! Seek the one who truly cares whether you stumbled or run the race to win! God is our ultimate COACH!

Be blessed!