Birthday Wisdom

06.28.19.  I almost typed 06.28.64. Today is my birthday! "Double nickles" is what a friend said when I told her I'm 55. You better believe this senior citizen asked for the 10% discount on the first purchase that offered it. 

Yesterday, in the EMBRACED book, Lysa TerKeurst asked the question, "What holds the key to your heart?" and I paused.

For the past two days, Ephesians 3:14-21 MSG has been my altar call. 

"God, I ask you strengthen me with Your glorious inner strength, Lord. Plant my feet firmly so that I can stand with others to fully experience the extravagance of Your faithful love to know its full height, depth and width and length. I ask for a full life that is full of You and fully Yours. I ask to see miracles and be part of miracles by Your Spirit working in me and through me." 

(cue the tune "Yes and Amen" by Jesus Culture)

Have you ever prayed the Word using each verse as your personal message to God and from Him to your soul? 

Every morning, my soul feels like that vibrant flower in need of a drink of cool, fresh water. Head and shoulders bowed just slightly from doing life in daily elements that spend her supply of energy until she thirsts for more of His Voice-Written-Down. Then, with face turning upward, she fills up with the goodness that strengthens her to fully and gloriously be who God created.

If you are looking for sage wisdom from an old, experienced one, this is it: I would encourage you to ask yourself Lysa's question and ask God to help you discover the answer as you pray His Word. He promises to hear our cry. 

In Wisdom's Time-Out

06.26.19.  Wisdom.

When I pray for His wisdom, it is imperative I know my own motivation. Is it to hoard wisdom? That's goofy. Is it for selfish pride? That's not godly. Wisdom of the Lord. Wisdom for the moment. Not to be the smartest person in the room, but to know His direction. To consult the Lord and know His thoughts and, then, act or speak or be still and quiet. Why do I pray for wisdom?
I need wisdom when I speak with people.I need wisdom when I make decisions. I need wisdom for ministry and work responsibilities. I need wisdom in the emotional moments when it would be easier for me to knee-jerk react. I need wisdom to know myself.

"...make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding. If you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding and if you search for it like silver and hidden treasures, THEN, you will have a reverent respect and trust in the Lord, because He gives wisdom and speaks knowledge for us to hear and treasure." (Proverbs 2:1-6 SAMtrans)

This weekend had been one day longer with friends, ministry and travel. Engaging and fun.

But, by yesterday, I woke up feeling tired and stiff. Eager to write and catch-up on posting my thoughts from the EMBRACED book, I started. There was plenty of time, but my head felt disconnected as if it didn't want to crank. After several attempts and coffee and prayer, I pushed my journal and computer aside. No sense of getting frustrated. Move on.

Am I the only one who needs wisdom to know when to push through or when to push aside without guilt or self-condemnation?

Not conscious of the wisdom of the moment, I made something to eat and rested my body and brain with a National Geographic Channel recording about the National Parks Service. In case you place to much attention on my viewing selection, know that's not what I'm driving at.

Sometimes, the wisest thing we can do is rest our body and mind. Why fight it when fatigue clearly is the victor? I would like to think that a residue of wisdom was clinging to the frontal lobe of my brain like a kind of spiritual lichen clinging to the northern side of a tree and, causing me to wisely retreat to the couch for a couple of hours. 

After learning about the birth of the parks service and a couple more episodes of the diverse beauty in our National Parks, I found my feet and brain and moved with more clarity. Wisdom had set me down and propped me up in a much needed time-out.

Notes from Lysa TerKeurst and my missing EMBRACED posts:

How am I spending my soul?
It's good to use wisdom and knowledge and an understanding of your resource capacity to access your decisions. (This "resource capacity" dealio, by the way, is brilliant!)
Not every opportunity was meant to be my assignment. (Yes! Sam, pay attention!)

Her thoughts on wisdom were setting me up for me to make a wise choice.

Learning about myself has been this month's reading focus using The Road Back to You: An

Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. If you have not read the book, I encourage you to put it on your list and study it, soon. If you have explored the book, then you are cued to just how wonderfully we've been created! For those interested, I'm either a 7 Wing 8 or an 8 Wing 7. Yep, my motor runs hot... until it doesn't and I need to engage that part of wisdom that instructs me to rest.


We have opportunities every single day to let wisdom guide us, if we ask, listen and obey.

Time Well Spent

06.17.19. HA! Turns out my Day 15 of #100DaysOfSummer blog post segued like a well cued song on the radio for Day 16 Devo in Lysa TerKeurst's EMBRACED! So, I skipped posting and waited for today.

If you've just jumped into my blog series, know that I am spending 100 days reading her 100 devotions found in the EMBRACED book and asking God to deposit into my spirit and spark something that flies tandem with that day's devo. I'm not rewording her daily devo, but allowing God to bring another fresh word into my focus.

And, as an added bonus, in prayer and praise before reading the EMBRACED devo, I place myself in a position of hearing God speak. Although I don't ever recall in my life hearing His audible voice, sometimes, words and phrases land in my mind. Sometimes, a knowing happens. I have spent my time just 5 minutes quietly thanking Him for stuff while at other times, I have walked and worshiped for a lot longer. Any time spent in God's presence is time well spent. 

This morning, within the non-profit/ministry, MVP Leader Group, my hubby and I launched, we decided to declare Psalm 34. I chose to use The Message version to pray each verse aloud while the tune "Surrounded (Fight My Battles)" written by Michael W. Smith was on repeat on my Spotify account.

When I started declaring the verses, I was seated. By verse 7 I was up on my feet doing battle for the lives of my family, friends, and preachers and preacher's wives! If you haven't read Psalm 34:7, lately, let me just let ya in on a promise: God sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray! 

Woah -- the picture in my brain is that all of heaven snapped to attention and God commissioned one of those big guys (or two) to guard me while I was wielding the sword and the shield! "Boys, our little princess-warrior is running to the front lines. Let's provide air support."

Here's the dealio, when we spend time in a position of openness reading His Words written down (the Bible) and in prayer, He is faithful to guide our focus -then and later- for making decisions. 

Lysa lays out some straight up truth and wisdom for "Chasing Down Our Decisions" using Proverbs 27:12 as a springboard for her Day 17 devo. She offers, "Our decisions aren't just isolated choices. Our decisions point our lives in the direction we're about to head." Good decisions head us to a good place. Likewise, poor decisions lead to a destination that tends to cost us more in the long run. Read Lysa's Day 17 devo of chasing down a decision before it's made.

I choose to spend time listening to the Lord for good decisions and good directions which have a positive effect/affect (I always get those confused.) on my life for the future. It's doing life with God for His name to be great instead of mine.

BTW: You can get EMBRACED: 100 Devotions to Know God is Holding You Close on Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover or MP3 CD on Amazon! 

Follow The Twins

06.15.19.   Trust & Rest are complimentary words. In a way, they are twins. 

We see both in Psalm 23 frolicking in a meadow and making their way to the refreshing stream. Like lambs they are herded by the Good Shepherd to this scenic place. And, because they are twins connected by some unseen tether, they stay close separating just far enough each can sense the other twin's nearness. 

An onlooker could hardly distinguish the two until they moved together. Their DNA is so similar, but their personalities reveal the difference. 

Trust has that frisky nature. Meandering quietly along until he looks up alerted to something only he sees, kicks his heels, and darts forward, occasionally, headbutting another lamb. He makes it to the shore's edge, first, and calls out the invitation. 

Tenderly grazing along is Rest, the gentle-eyed sibling, who is in no hurry. Eventually he joins his brother and sees the best spot to kneel for a cool sip. Because the other sheep having been traveling in this herd for most of their lives, they've seen the twins in action and follow. Then, together, they find a nesting area in the grass to lay their travel-sore bodies and slumber deep through the night until morning's light wakes them. Strength being restored, they rise and follow The Good Shepherd out, again.

The relationship of the twins to the Good Shepherd is easily missed if not understood. In His wisdom, He has prodded and protected the herd for the entire journey in the direction that was known to Him. At times the landscape was treacherous, but from His vantage point, the path always visible. He knew each sheep from birth and watched them grow into the pet-names He lovingly bestowed. At times the herd would need a course correction, because they had wandered apart as they were busy doing what sheep do, but He found each one.

The Good Shepherd had watched little Trust and Rest move in partnership and encouraged them to continue. Each time, the flock followed the twin's behavior, He observed those sheep would be ready for the next part of the journey.

Dear Reader - Are you soul-weary? Your heart too heavy for another step? Perhaps your body aches from the daily journey weighted with a burden?

It's time. Time to follow The Good Shepherd who knows the path to the lush meadow where your needs will be met. It's time to Trust as He leads you to the safe and perfect place where nourishment awaits as a feast. It's time to Rest completely knowing He watches over you as your body, mind and soul are restored.

We can push ourselves to the physical and emotional limit, yet, feel like we have not done enough. Then, in our own weakened condition, we keep pushing until our body and mind give out.

I see this in ministry leaders and family leaders and business leaders. They work and pull and push and burn the blue light of technology late into the night trying to get an edge or get ahead not aware of the toll it's having on them and those around them. Y'all, even God the Creator rested! 

We go, go, go not eating right and not resting properly until utter exhaustion when the body begins to break down leaving the immune system compromised for a cold or some germ to take hold and the mind can no longer focus with clarity rendering decision-making and creativity lifeless. Our "machine" is forced to stop. Are you familiar with this cycle?

Probably the most debilitating is the weariness in your soul where nothing satisfies. The desire for anything feels dead. Passion has no flame. Isolation would feel so good if it didn't hurt so bad. Depression picks up a heavy blanket with its bony fingers, wraps it around your shoulders and clicks off the light leaving you to spiritually decompose.

Come to me, all you who are weary and 

burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

It's time. Time to evaluate your need to Trust and Rest in the Lord's best for you.

After this morning's quiet 5 minutes of praise and prayer, Lysa TerKeurst's words in the EMBRACED Day 15 Devo sparked my soul. Let me encourage you to order or download a copy either at Amazon (click this link) or at Lysa's ministry to women, Proverbs 31 (click this link). AND... for heaven's sake -- go eat and take a nap!

Ready. Start Walking.

06.14.19.  Remember the five-minute stillness challenge? Have you done it, yet? I did it, again, today. Actually, I think it went longer than five minutes, because my quick peek revealed the alarm on my phone didn't set. 

During the 5 minutes-plus, I reminded myself of His goodness and that everything He does is good. How could He be anything other than what He is? 

As I quietly honored the Lord, words like feathers softly landed in my soul. 

Milk
Vessels of Honor
Desire for us
Aim is perfect

Some have scripture addresses.

1 Peter 2:2: "...desire the pure, spiritual milk of the Word. Cry out for this nourishment."

1 Timothy 2:21: "If you keep yourself pure, you'll be a vessel (utensil) for honorable use. Your life will be clean and ready for Him to use you for every good work."

Song of Solomon (Songs) 7:10: "I am my lover's and His desire is for me."

I need these words. I need all of the soul macro-nutrients. As they are consumed I become healthy and ready with energy to burn for any good job or "honorable use." I don't have to get ready, because I am ready! Can you imagine holding up a finger asking God to wait until you could skarf down a pb&j?

If you've been keeping up with these #100DaysOfSummers devos, you may remember this is my read-thru year with the Bible. The New Testament reveals God's desire for me, but the Old Testament opens a window into God's personality. I love this! It's like turning the corner into a hallway and bumping smack dab into His chest while He makes a goofy face feigning the breath got knocked out. A glimpse reserved for those dearest and nearest.

How about His aim? 
Perfect.

In the Day 14 devo in EMBRACED, Lysa TerKeurst recalls a divine activity He created for her to participate. God's aim is perfect because of being all-knowing, omniscient. He knew when and where the lives of everyone involved would intersect and Lysa was ready for the good work.

When our son was a teenager, we told him to start walking -doing life- and God would bring about divine intersections. It's the same for you and me.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. 

He delights in every detail of their lives. 

Psalm 37:23

Today, a friend I haven't seen in over a year came to the morning fitness class. Afterwards, we headed to The Juice Bar to catch up on life. Turns out, her son and his fiancé were, also, headed there. Over açaí bowls on a wobbly table in the sunshine, the conversation evolved and laughter eased some of the more difficult topics just as naturally as if we had grown up, together. And, then, it was over. 

Although nothing overtly spiritual was detected. God's aim is perfect. Even if it was for pure joy and healing laughter, I have to believe our little impromptu brunch was His design. One never knows what the future holds, but God does. I choose to be ready.

I invite you to look back into situations where God divinely timed a connection. Feel free to share, below. I'd love to read how He delighted in the details of your life!

What's In My Hand?

06.13.19.  Every now and then, a girl must shake herself from the routine and ask, "What am I doing and why?"

In this morning's Day 13 EMBRACED devo, Lysa TerKeurst brings to the stage Mr. Shamgar, the maybe-farmer who "struck down" six hundred oppressors with a cattle prod. Say what? I must have zoned out while reading through that part of Judges, because either I glazed over it or read the account as just another win for God's team. How could another miracle ever become too familiar? Further proof I need a shake-me-up miracle of my own.

Check it for yourself in the Old Testament book of Judges Chapter 3. 

After reading through the devo, my insides were all jittery. Not like from too much caffeine on an empty stomach. More like anticipation at finally getting to unwrap the gift from that one person who totally gets you, because you know it will be the best gift ever! I wanted to dive right into ripping the paper off this best-ever gift with words and action.

But first, in Obedient Heart and Feet I challenged you to be still -without requests or grievances- for 5 minutes each day until Sunday listening for God's voice. I did it. I opened my journal to a blank page (just in case) and set the timer (because I'm lame). I knew there would be difficulty in actively listening if I were to be wordless (That reads like the most oxymoronic sentence). Multi-tasking is a strong suit. As I offered up words of praise and thankfulness, my spiritual ears were at-the-ready to catch His words of love and instruction sent down to my open spirit.

Did I hear the audible Voice? Nope. 
Did my hand begin to mysteriously scribble notes? Nope. 

Instead, an emotion of stillness seemed to settle around me... peace was accompanied by the sweetest knowing that I am loved by the Heavenly Father. 

Back to the shaking of myself, if being all that I am is living to make His name known, then I am living with impact. Every situation, every gathering, every encounter becomes His best gift to me by choosing me for the thing at-hand! My willingness qualifies me! Little ol' me in a little ol' town in Tennessee need only to look at what is in my little ol' hand to accomplish this extraordinary thing for today and the days to come. 

In my hand, today, there's a computer keyboard clicking out a blog about the living and loving God. There's a kitchen to prepare nourishment for which my family will thank the Lord for providing. There's an evening fitness class that will end with prayer for my friends -- whether or not they have a relationship with their adoring Creator who wonderfully made our bodies to move and be strong.

Tomorrow, there will be more opportunities to make His name known with impact. 

As Lysa asked in today's devo from Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God is Holding You Close, I'll pose a question to you: Even if you feel small and unlikely, what's in your hand to accomplish extraordinary things in His name?

Obedient Heart and Feet

06.12.19.  Have you ever decided to sit and listen for God? Instead of doing all the talking, all the asking, all the telling Him about grievances, have you ever thought of sitting and listening for the voice?

Next question, how long did it take before your mind started darting around or you just stopped listening?

Most every morning, my busy mind cranks up and begins rolling like a self-propelled lawn mower almost as soon as my eyes open, even without the shot of caffeine. There's a chair in the living room where I love to curl my feet under me to read and journal, but I don't always get there. There's a rolling chair in the office where the morning sunshine spills on and I feel like the family pet absorbing its warmth while studying the Bible, but I don't always get there, either. There are so many places that are perfect for being still and being quiet, but I don't get there until late or never.

Honestly, sitting and listening for the voice of God is not my forte. I beg to hear His voice, but never close my mouth nor intentionally open my spirit for His promptings. If it's not my mind rushing around, it's my feet.

In today's devo in EMBRACED, Lysa TerKeurst shares about her own rushing past and missing opportunities for acting on God's instruction. She repents and He provides a do-over! 

Finding the perfect spot has little to do with hearing from God. The point is to be available and, then, obedient to partner with Him.

Sitting in the first row of chairs at church is where I sit, because they are available and mostly because I'm 5'3". One Sunday, I felt a prompting (a knowing) to stay put after the service. Instead of rushing off to talk to friends or rushing to a restaurant, I sat back down after the closing prayer. Hardly two minutes clicked off when one young lady approached for godly advice. Another faced me with tears and began pouring her heart into a crumpled Kleenex. In a matter of minutes, my obedient heart was full because I had been available for His purpose. Lysa calls this "companionship with God."

Each time I choose to listen and obey, my "spiritual ears" become familiar with the voice. Each time I choose to listen and obey, God must certainly line up opportunities to make me part of His plan. That's how I want to live!

Let's -you and me- decide to spend 5 minutes actively listening from now until Sunday to see how God wants to partner with us! 

Personal Desperation

Hubby was out of the country. It was my turn to teach the Bible study group. Praying and prepping led to a study of being spiritually desperate for the Divine. Wrapping up the study were three points when being in personal desperation.

A whisper tugged at me, "Pay attention. You're gonna need this."

STOP trying to manipulate a solution to your problem .

God’s ways and thoughts are higher than my own and my attempts to bring about a solution can often worsen the situation. 

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your way and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9).

Ok, God. Point taken.

PERSIST in crying out to God in prayer.

I’m guilty of wanting to pray, once, and be done because I want God to immediately respond. While instant answers to prayer do happen, I am on God's to-do list as He develops strength and faith in me when answers are delayed and I continually come to Him. 

Taking the reins comes honestly almost innately to me. My mom raised us to be independent, reminding us, "You don't need anyone." I kick into gear. It's not an act of rebellion or being snarky. Consequently, when answers to prayer are delayed, I assume the responsibility and take matters into my own hands. 

To say God is too busy isn't my thought process. However, my actions truly stem from the root of a lack of persistence to trust Him. 

Here I am, still learning this lesson. When answers are delayed, we are spending more time in prayer or even joining in prayer meetings. Join me in letting our problems drive us to the Problem-Solver!

WAIT for God’s solution and breakthrough.

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31)

Once God responds, don’t stop there. Let your heart and soul burn brightest with His desperation to see others come to Him.

And, for the record... I am in the big, fat middle of needing this. Stop. Persist. Wait. Repeat. <sigh>

Does this ring true with you? Say so, below. Someone may need to hear your voice.

Smiling at 50: People Matter More

The Coffee Marathon
Pa Bunk's route - 5.8 miles

Did your plans for this past week play out the way you intended? Mine did not go like I thought it would. It does not matter I mapped out a running and workout schedule. The plan did not get executed. I could have gotten all bent out of shape and demanded my way, but that's not the way I wanted to do things.

Instead, other events overrode my plans and took me on another journey where people matter more than the miles and points logged. Should I be so bold to call these event "divine encounters?" YES!

When I would have been pounding the pavement, concentrating on breathing and sweating it out...

• I connected with old friends doing the daily business of speaking life into their congregations.
• I met a group of pastors, pastor wives, students and church people who heard our story of Calcutta. As a result 25,000+ people in Calcutta will receive food for, at least, one day!
• I engaged in prayer with other friends who need miracles.
• I dreamed with a dear friend those big dreams that are way too big for just her or for just me and know it will take God to bring these dreams to fruition.
• I was introduced to a woman who had it in her hands to creatively be obedient to how she felt God say to bless people in Calcutta. I never would have seen this one coming!
• I considered my hubby before myself and he turned right around and supported me.

Paul wrote the Believers in Philippians, "Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." But, then, he took it even farther by adding, "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." (Philippians 2:3-5)

I may be able to just barely tolerate my schedule being changed and fake a smile through gritted teeth when considering others, but the Lord knows my heart. He requires me to genuinely be concerned with other's lives and considering them with His love. 

Funny thing, the Lord somehow manages to turn it all around and gave me back some time and energy to get some 10K training accomplished!


Completing Training Week 4, I increased my mileage and worked on speed. There are 60 days until the 10K!

Smiling at 50: Training Week 2

"He is faithful to 'complete that which He started' (Phil 1:6) in me."

That was an excerpt of the post from last week after receiving what I believe to be a healing in my right foot and left shin. Since then, the pain I have experienced has been more related to fatigue and exercising the muscles in that foot. Who knows how long I have been walking stiff-ankled and on the outside of my foot? But, because of this awkward, halting stride, I am having to strengthen and stretch muscles and tendons that have not been used to their full potential. My heel strikes, first. Then, my toes kind of slap the floor instead of my step rolling through the natural heel-->midfoot-->ball-->toes stride.

God will finish the healing process, just like the Word promises.

This part of the healing process reminds me of when we do not move in our potential as children of the living, loving Heavenly Father. 

For whatever reason, we have incurred an injury to our spirit which restricts our "muscle" movement in a fluid manner. A person with a critical tongue causes us to withdraw from creatively expressing His passion. Fear of the past stiffens once flexible tendons until the atrophy has us hobbled in agony avoiding life that thrives in the fullness God intended. 

Sure, I want to rush or skip the therapy, but that would not enable a correct healing. I have to face some discomfort for the healing process to fully be realized. But, I have His promise. He is faithful, trust-worthy, constant, true, and committed to completing the process in me.

The 10K training has not gone according to schedule, this week. But, I have run, planked, walked, lifted weights, stretched and rested. And, I have served others, testified, cried and given glory to the Great Physician!

Smiling at 50: My Wonderful Report!

I have lived in pain for several years.
Plantar Fasciitis. 
There haven’t been many mornings where I could stretch without pain and tenderness in my right foot and heel. Going barefoot is almost intolerable. Wearing flat shoes would leave me feeling hobbled in just a few hours. High heel shoes are easy to wear because the ball of the foot bears the weight. Forget about jumping out of bed or rising from a chair and walking normally. What causes it? Don’t really know. I’ve prayed for healing for years.

Last week I began training for a 10K, which involves running, walking, strength training, and cross training. I knew it would be tough on my foot, but if I could push through the pain of each first mile, I could do the training and, ultimately, the race.

However, this week a sharp tugging in my left shin presented. Shin splint. Between this new development and my old issue, I painfully struggled through Zumba Fitness and went home defeated and feeling crippled.

While soaking my leg and foot in a hot bath, I cried to God, one more time, to heal me. “I can hardly walk. I’m empty of myself. I’m empty of pride. I have no Plan B. I believe in Your divine healing.” Later, the thought flew through my brain that when I wake up I could be healed. I giggled to myself, “Now, that’s childlike faith just assuming I’d wake up pain free.”

This morning, I stretched and quickly realized something was different. No pain! I’ve walked stiff-ankled out of habit for so long, I had to be intentional about walking correctly. Every step I take is in victory! I give God the glory for healing! Tonight, my foot is fatigued from being up most all day, but there is no pain! Oh, and the left shin…there’s no pain in it, either!

I waited until now to reveal my wonderful news, because I had to be certain! There is still slight swelling and some stiffness, but I choose to believe He is faithful to “complete that which He started” (Phil 1:6) in me!

What are your thoughts about healing?

Book Review: Draw the Circle

In the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, the church where my family attends began a prayer focus. The goal was for each member of the congregation to voluntarily purchase and read a chapter daily from Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson in addition to reading the Bible and being intentional about praying. 

Each chapter is a quick read with a personal story to bring the reality of that day's reading to the forefront. The book is a spin-off prayer challenge to The Circle Maker written by the same author.

Our people were encouraged to pray. Prayer could be in the form of speaking aloud, journaling quietly, alone or with a group, done while kneeling, walking or sitting in bed before the light was turned out. If those members had Facebook and Twitter accounts, they could post the time they were praying followed by the hashtag "#LA40Days" like a classified code known only to the participants.

No matter the HOW or the WHEN, the idea was for people to pursue an intimate relationship with God, our living, loving, Heavenly Father. 

Wednesday prior to Easter weekend as the challenge was winding down, several of our church friends expressed they were sad this mutual activity would be completed. The camaraderie of lifting another person's name in prayer and genuinely caring for others' needs has increased faith and motivated faith into action! Here's the truth: Prayer doesn't have to end!

If you are looking to establish a habit of daily connecting with God AND to build faith AND to see your life transformed, look into Draw the Circle as an accompaniment to your spiritual disciplines personally, with your family and as a group.

Have you already read Draw the Circle? What're your thoughts?

Nutrition and Fitness: Know Your Numbers!

"Ms. Allen?"
"Yes."
"I have the results of your recent blood work. All is normal."
"Normal?"
"Yes. Have a nice day."

"WAIT! I need to know what those numbers are."
"Would you understand what those numbers meant, if I told you?"
"Yes! See, I've been working really hard for a long time and want to know if it paid off."
"Your total Cholesterol is 177 and your TSH is 1.96."
"HOLY COW! HOLY COW!"

When you've struggled with with lousy, high cholesterol all of your adult life...
When 1/3 of your momma's heart doesn't work due to a major heart attack...
When the average weight for everyone on the maternal-side of your family is at 200+ lbs...
When you're genetically predisposed to high cholesterol...
When your grandmother and bio-dad died of heart disease...

...you want to know your numbers!

Let's Break Down the Numbers

Cholesterol is a fatty substance manufactured by our liver. Lipoproteins are fat and protein vehicles that transport Cholesterol. There are several kinds of vehicles, but we'll keep to the 2 major types everybody talks about, LDL and HDL.

LDL (low-density Lipoprotein) - the wheelbarrow transporting cholesterol to the vessels and arteries.
HDL (high-density Lipoprotein) - the Amtrak transporting cholesterol out of the body

An easy way to remember which is which:
LDL = "Lousy"-density Lipoprotein (eL-evating the risk for heart attack)
HDL = "Healthy"-density Lipoprotein (hauling-out the risk for heart attack)

The average healthy person should have an LDL of <200, even better to have <130. For those who have risk factors (genetics, heart disease, obesity, smoking, hypothyroidism, fatty diet and an inactive lifestyle), the good doctors desire to push the LDL numbers down below 100. This is really a hard feat without the help of meds, nutrition and fitness working together.

The target HDL of an average healthy person is >60. If the HDL number is lower, this increases the risk for heart attack. 

My Experience with the Numbers

My total Cholesterol has been over 260 since my early twenties when it was tested. I am genetically predisposed for high cholesterol, but helped to keep it high with my poor nutritional choices. And, at some point, my thyroid decided to stop functioning efficiently. The thyroid aids in ushering out the LDL. Mine wasn't doing it's job. So, three years ago I started taking Levothyroxine (Synthroid) to keep my thyroid active and hoping to bring both thyroid and LDL numbers down. Still, the numbers remained unhealthily high.

When the doctor decided to ward off the potential for a heart attack, he prescribed Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and I cried like a baby. I felt like a failure and a geriatric. I, now, refer to my meds as "vitamins." Again, there was little change in the LDL numbers, even while being semi-active.

December 1, 2012, through prayer I felt like God was encouraging me to go on a partial fast eating only fruits, veggies, nuts and whole grains while avoiding animal proteins and sugar. Not easy for a couple of weeks. Then, on December 18, my husband suffered a heart attack...about the time of the arrival of my Forks Over Knives cookbook. I watched the documentary by the same name in the Critical Care Unit at Vanderbilt Hospital as Terry slept.

The church where we attend is focusing on a 40-Day Prayer Challenge. One of my prayer "seeds" is to receive healing from this lifelong battle with lousy, high LDL...even if God has me work for it! 

Jan 2010: Total Cholesterol 336, LDL 250, TSH 11.45
Mar 2010: Total Cholesterol 313, LDL 225, TSH 6.18
May 2011: Total Cholesterol 339, LDL 256, TSH 3.47
Sep 2011: Total Cholesterol 250, LDL 173, TSH 6.12
Feb 2012: Total Cholesterol 207, LDL 130, TSH .92
Mar 2013: Total Cholesterol 177, LDL 98,  TSH 1.96

So, what brought my numbers down?

I am convinced that without spiritual intervention, my numbers wouldn't have changed so dramatically. I continue to pursue healthy, nutritional choices with plant-based foods on a daily basis and consuming meat only once-per-month. Consistently, my fitness includes 2-3 hours of cardio (including Zumba), each week, and recently adding light weight training. And, I still take my "vitamins." It is my prayer to be taken off the cholesterol drug although my age (50 in June) and the odds are against it. I believe in God's odds as my prayers are being answered and my 
numbers finally reflect a change!

I'm jazzed when someone contacts me quietly...in an email. I'm super stoked when someone leaves a comment on the blog! Please let me know if this was a helpful post either below or in an email. Thanks!