I'm so motivated!

(This was actually written earlier this week, but posted to another blog I contribute to in error. Oops! - Enjoy!)


Some of you may know that I am a diabetic, so losing weight this year is important to me on a number of levels. As a diabetic, every three months, I have to have a specific blood test done (called an A1C test) that basically takes measure of my blood sugars for a three month period and then gives a result. My doctor wants my A1C to be in the 5.0 to 6.0 range. At my worst, my A1C was a 11.4, but sort of stabilized for the last year or so in the 7.2 to 7.8 range - not bad, not great, just ok.


On last Thursday, I had my A1C test done and for the first time in the three years since I have been diagnosed with this horrific disease (ok, when you LOVE food like I love food - you don't want any disease that demands that you watch what you eat!), my number was below 7.0: 6.8!!! That is MAJOR! I am so proud of myself that I think I've hurt my shoulder reaching back to pat myself on the back since I got the news. AND this morning, for the first time in a long time, my fasting blood sugar was below 100! (It should be between 90 and 110 - it is usually 120 to 140).


BUT this has motivated me in ways I cannot even begin to explain to you. My doctor has been preaching to me for three years - "Exercise, watch what (and how much) you eat, exercise, control your sweets" and I heard, but didn't listen...if you hear what I'm saying. Now that I see that the results of controlling my portions, eating more vegetables, cutting back on the pasta and rice (which is major for me), and especially putting exercise into the routine - all of this is making a difference - and I want the differences to continue.


Sometimes we want to see BIG results immediately in order to stay motivated to do the things we know we need to do for our good health. Let me encourage each of you that it is in the consistent, baby steps and small changes that we make every day that will add up and make the difference. And this applies to our spiritual lives as well. (Just thought I'd throw that in there...)


I am involved with a group of about 15 women at work who, as a group, have decided that for the next five months, we are moving from "Fat2Fit" (ok, I HATE the name of the group, but love the concept behind it). Everyone is doing their own thing - 'cause let's face it, every thing don't work for everybody. Some are doing Weight Watchers, some NutriSystem, we even have one woman who is skinny as a rail to the rest of us who is just there for moral support and encouragement. But the group support - the "thumbs up" in the break room at lunchtime - the smiles of encouragement - have all been a blessing to me and keep me pumped as I move towards my goals.

Finally: just a warning to all the men out there: If you didn't love me when I was "fat and fabulous", don't even TRY to step to me when I am "fit and fine" - which I will be...sooner than you think! So, show love now! hahaha.

Be blessed.

Glued to the TV...

It has been almost 48 hours since Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America and I am still reeling from the emotion, pagentry, symbolism - everything about the day. I, along with my 66 year old mother and 89 year old grandmother, sat glued to the TV from 8:00a until late into the night. (They stayed up later than me because (1) I got up at 5:00a to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner so it would be ready WHENEVER anyone wanted to eat; and (2) I needed rest for the drive back to the airport the morning after.)

I have always voted in the Presidential elections - my dad told me early on: If you don't vote, you have no voice - and picture me with no voice! Horror of horrors! BUT I have never in my life watched the inaugural proceedings that would put the person I voted for (or didn't vote for)into office. Just wasn't interested. But this time, cell phone was ignored, I was away from the computer, and I yelled at my brother Kevin when he called at 11:45a just to say, "are you watching?" Of course, I was watching! What a knucklehead!

CNN News asked viewers, people there in DC and at home, to take a picture of what they were doing at "THE MOMENT" Barack was sworn in. I aimed my camera at the TV and the picture attached is the outcome of my moment. [It was the ONLY picture that I took on the TV that came out - the rest (of the parade, of Michelle and the girls, of the Obamas and Bidens watching the Bushes leave the Capitol) all came out blurry and out of focus.]

The whole world was watching as history took place. And whether you agree with his political agenda, whether you thought his speech was inspiring or insipid, whether you liked Michelle's dress or not - for the 20+ minutes that he was speaking, he had our undivided attention. And as I watched, I thought (again), he's a rock star. He is a cultural icon. For the next four years (maybe 8), he is the "face of America".

Now the real work begins. The hard tasks in front of him are daunting. Two wars, global financial crisis, health care, global warming, the education system, the housing crisis, joblessness, hopelessness, despair - all rest on his (as one commentator put it: very well defined) shoulders. He cannot do it without our prayers, support and help. As he said in his speech, it is time for us to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and get to work. I am prayerful that we, as a country - UNITED in our goals - will do just that. We have come together before in times of great hardship and crisis, we can do it again. I have hope. I have faith. I have confidence. Don't you?

Be blessed.

Celebrating 76 Years...

In less than 36 hours, I put over 500 miles on a rental car - all in order to pay tribute to my mother's eldest brother, Elder Hector M. Mouzon, Jr. "Uncle Heckie" celebrated his 76th birthday on 14 January 2009 and as a family, we traveled from Atlanta and Birmingham to celebrate his birthday and what he means to us. It was a grand occasion, attended by over 30 family members and what a surprise to him, since we actually pulled this off without his knowing. The picture is only a partial group picture - we never did get a full "everybody in" picture - and I am kicking myself for not getting a picture of the five siblings who were present (missing: my Uncle William, who is the only sibling who is deceased; and my Uncles Al and James.)

We have a big family - my grandparents had seven children and then later adopted two additional sons. All of my uncles and my only aunt all took to heart God's command to be "fruitful and multiply", so I have cousins out of the wazoo! And when you add spouses and the second generation - well, you can just imagine. And, then on top of all the family that attended, there were friends who think they are family (and they are) who joined the mix...it was a wonderful celebration. Gathering all of these people together in one place on time took lots of time, coordination and Calling Post calls - and while there were hitches and glitches - when it was all said and done and over - what an amazing time we had. Good food (thanks Olive Garden!), great fellowship, lots of laughter, time together to hug and tell each other one mo' time again that we love each other and how important we are to each other. It is so important to do that because who knows when THIS exact group of family and friends will gather again. And I am thanking God that everyone traveled back home safely and there were no incidents, accidents or tragedies.

Thank God for family - even when they get on your nerves (and we all know family knows what buttons to push! - but praise God, not a single button was pushed during our celebration on yesterday). Love them, embrace them, celebrate them every time you can!

Be blessed.

Have you heard...?

He's coming!
He's arriving today!
It's been months since we were told he was on his way, but today is finally the day.
Are you going to the celebration?
Will I see you in the crowd?
I heard people are traveling from all over to be a part of the event - I wonder if (insert name) will be there?
Did you buy a new outfit? a new hat? gloves and shoes and purse to match?
They say he will bring a change and Lord knows we need one.
The faithful few who stood by and waited patiently will be joined by brash, young upstarts and returning members to the fold - all because he's coming!
I better get there early in order to get my spot.
Have you heard?
Are you excited?
Or are you going to watch from the sidelines, contemptuous of all the hype and noise?
Will you embrace the change - run to it or run from it?
Are they playing drums?
Are they singing songs?
What's going on over there?
Man, I cannot see a thing.
I should have stayed home and watched this on TV or the Internet.
Have you heard?
He's coming!
Today is the day.
Finally.

I wrote this in recognition of the arrival of our new pastor at my church today - but as I wrote it, I realized it could be taken in several different ways. On Tuesday, we will inaugurate the first African-American President of the United States and the buzz around that event could make even the most skeptical of critics of him stand up and take notice. [I have a DIE HARD African-American friend who is a Republican and voted for McCain who would barely talk to me during the entire Presidential race because of our differing political views who admitted to me that she will be watching on Tuesday - her "excuse": Well, Kristina, it's history in the making. Yes, it is.

But as I wrote the above, I thought about the pending (and prayerfully soon) return of Jesus Christ. Will we all be just as excited about His return as we are about Pastor Wesley Knight's taking of the pulpit at Decatur SDA Church today - or Barack (and Michelle)'s induction as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday? Or will we be running to the hills saying, "hide me from the One Who sitteth on the Throne?" I pray I am one of those running TO Him and not FROM Him.

Be blessed.

Traveling after a potential disaster...

So, we were all glued to CNN or CNN.com yesterday to watch as over 140 people and crew members were rescued from the cold, murky waters of the Hudson River after their flight took off from LaGuardia airport. Reports state that a flock of birds may have been sucked into the engines of the plane, causing the plane to malfunction. Through the grace of God (and let's not diminish that it was truly HIS mercy that all lives were spared) and the skill of the pilots, the plane landed in the Hudson River in such a way that people were able to stand on the wings of the plane until rescued. What a miracle! The plane didn't hit any of the bridges crossing the Hudson, didn't crash into any of the downtown NYC buildings, and then, most amazingly, no loss of life! As one of my prayer partners said this morning, "someone on that plane was praying..." [Side note to Marquis: probably more than one.]

On Monday, I have to get on a plane. Am I nervous? Uh...no more than normal. I am an Air Force kid, I have been flying since I was six months old, so I know planes are capable of flying, but as I get older and think logically about it: how the heck is it possible for tons of steel, tons of human weight, pounds and pounds of luggage, food, water and snacks to make it up off the ground and thousands of feet into the air, blast away at hundreds of miles an hour, and land a few hours later hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles away - safe and sound. Because, when you think about the numbers of flights that take off and land safely everyday around the world - it really is amazing. But anytime there is an air incident, it makes you pause and wonder, "Hmm...do I really want to get on a plane right now?" I think about my attorney, Robert, who was in NYC at a meeting and was actually sitting in the LaGuardia airport when the plane went down yesterday. How much faith did he have to have to board a plane later that evening to fly back to Atlanta? I know I might have had some second thoughts...

BUT, God willing: I will get on that plane Monday morning and my mom and I will travel to Palatka, Florida where we will watch the historic inauguration of Barack Obama with my 89 year old grandmother and commemorate the eighth anniversary of my grandfather's passing. I am placing my trust in Him, even today, that we will take off and land without incident. I am prayerful that we will have a nice visit, enjoy our time together, and then on Wednesday, get on another plane and head home to Atlanta. Yep...it will be alright.

Whatever you are doing during this holiday weekend, I pray God gives you and yours safe travels as well.

Be blessed.

Taking artistic license...

I have never seen the play JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR GOSPEL. I went last night to see the production currently being mounted at the Alliance Theatre here in Atlanta. I spent six seasons working at the Alliance as a house manager and was thrilled to see old friends - both in the front of the house and backstage. The production is HUGE! The set is multi-tiered with moving balconies and stairs that extend into the audience (if you have front row seats at this production, you should be paid for being part of the show...kidding, just kidding.) The cast, which includes several local Atlantans making their theatrical debuts as choir members, is one of the largest I've ever seen - next to the annual classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. And the talent - amazing! Some of my favorite acting and singing talents - Bernadine Mitchell, Chandra Currelley, Eric Moore and Valerie Payton - are all a part of this amazing cast and newcomer Nicole Long - let's just say, you ain't heard the last of this bank teller turned actress, not by a long shot.

BUT...(you knew it was coming, didn't you?)

I sat through 75% of the play squirming in my seat at how the last week of Christ's life was being presented on stage. I understand all about "artistic license" and I am not a Bible-thumping censor that thinks that the way I believe is the only way to believe, but ... where do we draw the line between telling the truth of the story of Christ's sacrifice and the story of salvation and "doctoring it up a little" so that it is ... sexier, edgier, more appealing to the masses? I couldn't finish reading Dan Brown's book, The DaVinci Code, for the same reason. No where in the Bible is there an intimation of an intimate and/or sexual relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene - and yet, Dan Brown's book and this play (albeit in a subtle way) both touch on those themes. No where in the Bible does it imply that Christ, while in the Garden of Gethesemane on that fateful Thursday evening, blamed God the Father for the path He was about to trod. It just made me uneasy...and here's the reason why:

What if someone has never heard the gospel story of Jesus and this is their first exposure to it? If you take away Jesus' divinity and only show His human-ness, then He becomes nothing more than a "good man" who did a few miracles - as opposed to the Son of God Who became flesh so that we could have salvation and a right to eternal life and communion with God. I don't mean to preach my beliefs, truly I don't - but I just think some lines shouldn't be crossed...not even in the name of "artistic freedom or license."

Be blessed.

16 Random Things...

Ok so my Facebook friend Janice from England started this, so here goes...Rules: Once you’ve been tagged on Facebook, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged, including the person who initially tagged you. So, here goes:

1. I am an Air Force kid, not a "brat", a kid
2. I am spoiled, but not rotten
3. Purple is my favorite color with green as a close second
4. I really can survive on 5 hours sleep a night
5. If I could spend all day doing one thing, it would NOT be what I spend all day doing
6. I am a firm believer in the "stop and smell the roses" philosophy of life...
7. ... and while you are smelling said roses, stop and take a picture!
8. Friends are important and necessary and should be cherished
9. I don't plan to leave my beneficiaries anything but good memories. It's my money, I earned it, I plan to spend as much of it as possible.
10. Being responsible is over-rated (and yet, I am)
11. I really am not as "together" as everyone seems to think I am - I just use the right tools to keep track of stuff and get things done
12. If you juggle too many balls, eventually you will drop one
13. I have an addictive personality - good thing I never tried drugs
14. The soundtrack of my life is found on my iPod
15. If I ever write that novel, I promise to change the names of the innocent ... and the not-so innocent
16. There's a whole lot of world yet to discover - hope I get a chance to do so.

So, what 16 random things do you want to share?
Be blessed.