Mothers and Daughters

Chicken Soup For The Soul books has come out with a "Mothers and Daughters" book. I can't wait to read it.

I'm not sure what is refers to, but I just thought I'd do a "take" on my daughters and me.

I have three daughters. Each one is as unique as can be yet, alike in some ways.

First born is Kathy, Katherine Lois Stuart. How do you like that? First billing? Named for me, the Lois "thing". She is as independent as the day is long. She's a survivor as are the other two in their own way. Can't take "shopping"--not like her mother.  They keep as close as they can with their "work-a-day" world. Unlike their mother they are in the "work-force". A must in today's world. She is a dedicated Registered Nurse and loves the excitement of the ER and ICU and CCU. She remains single at this writing but, soon will probably be hearing wedding bells.

Debbie Gail Smith, my second born. The "middle" child. Poor her. However, she is my "writer".

She followed her father's footsteps to work and the "plant". She is now considered a publisher and editor of a small magazine "Alive In Christ". It is put out by the writer's guild she founded. The Agape Inspirational Writers Alive writer's guild is connected to the IWA of Houston, First Baptist Church. 

She has inspired me to write and "blog". She favors my mom and I have pictures to prove it. She is the mother to my only grandchild, a son, Thomas. She is very proud of him with a right to be. But, hold on this is about mothers and daughters. She loves to shop. Now that's where she comes to be like me. 

Not quite as avid a shopper as I, she usually "thinks" over each purchase very carefully. 

Tracey Lynn Rabalais, my "baby". Sorry, girls. :):) I was my father's "baby" when I was 50. She's stuck with the label as I have with my brothers. She's a "workaholic" like the others. They are alike in that way. They get that from their father, even if I do stay "busy" most of the time.

She's my "shopper", though. We are always finding "bargains" and sharing information about shopping.

One time I went to Houston, where she lived, to shop with her. I arrived there at 9 a.m. and we started when the stores opened at 10 a.m. We were still shopping at 9 p.m that night. When, Bobby, her then boyfriend, called her she said we were headed to another store. His reply was, "Where can you shop at 9 p.m? Aren't the stores closed?" She said, "No, there's always "Wal-mart". We shopped til 10  p.m.

What can I say? My mom and I went shopping every Saturday afternoon, downtown, Port Arthur, Texas in the 50's.  She has taken me as far away as San Antonio and Houston to shop with her. She had "style". However she liked jewelry. I prefer clothes. 

My mother's mother bought material and had clothes made for my mother and for me when I was young.

I can only guess, there are many things handed down from generation to generation. I know this is one thing we can't escape. "Shopping".

Good Luck in your endeavors as you reach the "peak" of your lives, girls. Live today as fully as you can.

Mom/Lanell

Goals For The Future

Goals give us a since of hope and accomplishment. Goals can be long term or short term. They can be challenging or simple. Goals should be reasonable and attainable. They should be set for a certain time limit. Too long from now and we will feel overwhelmed.

Some people don't want to have goals because of fear they may not be able to accomplish those desires. Therefore they use generalizations such as "I'll try to be a better person". Too many times we have set goals and not been able to accomplish them. Therefore we don't set any goals at all. How sad not to look forward to anything and settle for the mundane and end up with a boring life.

Happiness can come from setting new goals and looking forward to the future. We don't always know what the future holds, but nothing comes from doing nothing. Goals can keep us involved with people and doing the Lord's work.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you hope and a future.

Praise Jesus Now

 Christmas is my favorite time of year. It was my mother's favorite also. She loved buying gifts for just about any and everyone she could think of.  All the hustle and bustle of shopping. All  of the Christmas carols being heard in the stores and in church.

I hope you will keep in mind the reason for the season: Jesus. He loves you so much. He wants the best for you and your family. 

He fills me with a peace that passes all understanding. I am particularly mindful of His presence this year because so many good things have happened recently. My health is better than it has been in a long time. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I believe it is because He has chosen this path for me.

Events happen in our lives to prove God is an ever present help. You too can have this presence. Just call upon His Name, Jesus and He will lead you in the paths of rightness. Even when life gets hectic as it can. He can give you the peace that you deserve. This is a time of year for peace and happiness, so don't let life get you down. Look up to the heavens and praise God for your life and those people that come into your life. 

Praise His holy name and all that is within me! 

Christmas This Week

I have so much to do and a short time to do it in. Isn't that something like a song?
Parties, parties, parties, what can I say. Monday our Senior Choir will sing at a local nursing home while the Women's Missionary Group serves cookies and presents. That evening is the S.S. Department party for 3 S.S. classes.
Tuesday, I may have time to do some christmas shopping????
Wednesday, is a Bible Study luncheon at a member's house and I will make sandwiches for that. The luncheon will last till about 2 p.m. I am looking forward to attending. Wednesday evening is the last of a Beth Moore study: "Believing God".
Thursday is a Christmas party for the Jeff Chem club and we will eat supper there and play games.
Friday is my husbands S.S. Department Christmas party in the evening.
Saturday is really a big day. My first born is coming for Christmas celebration from Houston. She will be in Florida this year on Christmas day. She will be enjoying a new and exciting relationship with her new boyfriend and his family. I hope it turns out happy for her.

Weight Loss

“7 Weight Loss Tips That Will Enrich Your Life”

With the Lord’s help, and reading many books on the subject of weight loss, I was able to lose 40 pounds in 6 months. By incorporating the Bible with some good advise from worthwhile people you too can learn some hints to keep the weight off once you commit to doing so. Some of the verses will probably be familiar, some new to you. All scripture is worth learning. I just praise the Lord for being kind to me. The first scripture is probably familiar and can be used throughout each hint. Proverbs 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

1. KNOWING WHEN YOU ARE FULL. Gwen Shamblin’s “Weigh Down Diet” says gauge your fullness as if you had a tank of gas from ‘e’ being empty to f being full. Combining this with hint with no. 3 you should be able to tell the difference between full and stuffed.
2. KOWING WHEN YOU ARE EMPTY. Most people eat because the old clock on the wall says to. Have you ever waited to see if you were “hungry”? This is America there are food establishments on the next street corner. You will not go hungry if you don’t eat at 12 noon on the dot.
3. EAT SLOWLY. It sounds like a myth but it really does work. Dr. Phil Mac Graw in his “Ultimate Weight Loss Solutions” says it takes 20 minutes for the message to go from your stomach to your brain when you are full. Put your fork down between bites. Our life styles don’t always advocate it. Take all 30 minutes of your lunch break if that’s all you have. It’s better than taking 10 minutes to “stuff” yourself with what you really aren’t hungry for anyway. Matthew 17:20b if you have faith as small as a mustard seed……..nothing will be impossible for you.(NIV)
4. WHERE YOU EAT. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) advocates eating at the table instead of in front of the tv. This will keep you from “mindless” eating and make you more aware of not overeating.
5. DEVELOP GOOD EATING HABITS. Try each step for a week. It will make a difference. In a month you should lose from 5 to 8 pounds.
6. EATING OUT. You can eat your favorite foods. Just ask for a to-go box before you start your meal and leave half of it on your plate. I have taken leftovers and used them for the evening meal. You can microwave for one minute and place them in a toaster oven for 5 minutes and it is as crispy and tasty as when you first ordered it. If you finish before your friends, just sit back and enjoy the dinner conversation. You can even enjoy a cup of coffee during that time.The “E” word
7. EXERCISE. Don’t be intimidated. You don’t have to be a gymnast. Start by walking for 10 minutes a day if that’s all you can walk and work up slowly to 20 minutes a day. This one is difficult for me but, I try very hard to do something 20 minutes 2 times a week. If you have time just exercise 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon I am able to know I am trying my best. Isaiah 40:31b you shall walk and not grow weary you shall run and not faint. (NIV)

Introduction

I'm new to writing and cyber space. I have found some new friends at a recent college writing course through cyber space who have encouraged blogging. Also to mention my writing daughter, Debbie, who has inspired me to write devotionals, other articles for magazines and blogging.

I haven't been published yet, except in a local newsletter. It is called Alive In Christ and published through our Agape Inspirational Writer's Alive chapter.

I invite you to email me and join our little writer's group.