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“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”

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“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16) 

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“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.” (Psalm 119:93)

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Seeing A Bud

I noticed on my paycheck that 12 hours were not deducted from my vacation time, so guess what? ............................................................................................. yup, I stepped up to the plate and told the HR director that I needed 12 hours deducted. And I felt good about it. Believe me, a few years ago I probably wouldn't have. It's in little ways like this, that I see myself really growing in Christ. :)

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“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

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There's A Stillness

For about two weeks now, I've been feeling a particular way that I can't explain in my spirit, and now I figured it out.... there's a stillness.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

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Met Up With Old Friends

I hooked up with my friends of about 9 years: Amy & Betty!
Here are the pictures of us hanging out...





Laila took this picture of us below. Look at my baby pointing - -that boy LOVES to point.

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“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

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“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” (Psalm 119:60)

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After Church

Laila had been complaining about her stomach hurting all this morning, so I had given her a teaspoon of Pepto before church. Afterwards, we went out to eat with Tia, Mike and Kelvin and Laila slept in my lap the entire time. My poor baby, I hope she feels better. I took pictures of Zachary eating his ice cream. Well he actually didn't eat it... it was more like make faces at it, because it was too cold.

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“Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.” (Psalm 112:5)

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“Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

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4 Months

When I was praying this morning, I heard four months. We'll have to wait and see what happens in four months. Let's see, that'll be right around... November 22^nd.

God is Good.

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“But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15,16)

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Bill For Patent

Well I got my bill today for my patent.... drumroll please.... I owe the attorney $2,831.37! And it's still not over. I've paid him $700 already... yup which means the bill was almost $4,000 before!

Smile and pray, smile and pray.

I sure hope this invention pans out.

It's funny, I was praying about it this morning, telling God how thankful I was that He chose me with this idea, because He could have easily choose someone else if I would have sat on my butt... just the way He did with the spinning rims! I'm still not happy about that. And this evening... I get the bill!

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“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.” (Psalm 119:30)

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“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

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Feeling Refreshed!

I am feeling pretty refreshed at work today! Thanks to my vacation!

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“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” (Psalm 119:7)

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Back From My O-town Visit!

Here is a pic of me and my old friend Greg that I ran into while in O-town.

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“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16) 

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Going To Visit My Sister!

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“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:10)  

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Doctor Called!

The doctor called that had me to take a blood test for the spots that are appearing on one of my legs, and guess what... she said that there were quantitative amounts of C-Reactive Protein, which means that I have some form of heart disease I guess. Am I still as healthy as I thought? Guess I have to do some research on what this stuff is.

Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C-Reactive Protein

How does inflammation relate to heart disease and stroke risk?
“Inflammation” is the process by which the body responds to injury. Laboratory evidence and findings from clinical and population studies suggest that inflammation is important in atherosclerosis (ath”er-o-skleh-RO’sis). This is the process in which fatty deposits build up in the lining of arteries.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the acute phase proteins that increase during systemic inflammation. It’s been suggested that testing CRP levels in the blood may be a new way to assess cardiovascular disease risk. A high sensitivity assay for CRP test (hs-CRP) is now widely available.
The American Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published a joint scientific statement about using inflammatory markers in clinical and public health practice. This statement was developed after systematically reviewing the evidence of association between inflammatory markers (mainly CRP) and coronary heart disease and stroke.

What’s the role of CRP in predicting recurrent cardiovascular and stroke events?
A growing number of studies have examined whether hs-CRP can predict recurrent cardiovascular disease and stroke and death in different settings. High levels of hs-CRP consistently predict new coronary events in patients with unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Higher hs-CRP levels also are associated with lower survival rate of these people. Many studies suggested that after adjusting for other prognostic factors, hs-CRP was still useful as a risk predictor.
Recent studies also suggest that higher levels of hs-CRP may increase the risk that an artery will reclose after it’s been opened by balloon angioplasty. High levels of hs-CRP in the blood seem to predict prognosis and recurrent events in patients with stroke and peripheral arterial disease.

Should I have my CRP level measured?
If a person’s cardiovascular risk score — judged by global risk assessment — is low (the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease is less than 10 percent in 10 years, no test is immediately warranted. If the risk score is in the intermediate range (10-20 percent in 10 years), such a test can help predict a cardiovascular and stroke event and help direct further evaluation and therapy. However, the benefits of such therapy based on this strategy remain uncertain. A person with a high risk score (greater than 20 percent in 10 years) or established heart disease or stroke should be treated intensively regardless of hs-CRP levels.

What is the normal range of hs-CRP level?

• If hs-CRP level is lower than 1.0 mg/L, a person has a low risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
• If hs-CRP is between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L, a person has an average risk.
• If hs-CRP is higher than 3.0 mg/L, a person is at high risk.

If, after repeated testing, patients have persistently unexplained, markedly elevated hs-CRP (greater than 10.0 mg/L), other evaluation should be considered to exclude noncardiovascular causes.

Checklists for Lowering Your Cholesterol

Eating to lower your cholesterol

It's fairly easy to lower your blood cholesterol.
Just eat more foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and cut down on high-fat ones, especially those high in saturated fats. Here are some simple daily guidelines:

• Watch your caloric intake by eating a wide variety of foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
• Eat six or more servings of cereals, breads, pasta and other whole-grain products.
• Eat fish, poultry without skin and leaner cuts of meat instead of fatty ones.
• Eat fat-free or 1% milk dairy products rather than whole-milk dairy products.
• Enjoy 30–60 minutes of vigorous activities on most (or all) days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
  
  Please visit Delicious Decisions for more information about great recipes, tips for eating out and our Recipe Quick Find tool.
  
  Getting started on an exercise program
  
• Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers or flat shoes with laces.
• Start slowly. Gradually build up to 30 minutes of activity on most or all days of the week (or whatever your doctor recommends). If you don't have a full 30 minutes, try two 15-minute sessions to meet your goal.
• Exercise at the same time of day so it becomes a regular part of your lifestyle. For example, you might walk every weekday from noon to 12:30 p.m.
• Drink a cup of water before, during and after exercising (but check with your doctor, because some people need to limit their fluid intake).
• Ask family and friends to join you. You'll be more likely to stick with it.
• Note your activities on a calendar or in a logbook. Write down the distance or length of time of your activity and how you feel after each session. If you miss a day, plan a make-up day or add 10–15 minutes to your next session.
• Use variety to keep your interest up. Walk one day, swim the next time, then go for a bike ride on the weekend.
• Join an exercise group, health club or the YMCA. Many churches and senior centers offer exercise programs, too. (Get your doctor's permission first.)
• Look for chances to be more active during the day. Walk the mall before shopping, choose a flight of stairs over an escalator, or take 10–15 minute walking breaks while watching TV or sitting for some other activity.
• Don't get discouraged if you stop for awhile. Get started again gradually and work up to your old pace.
• Don't engage in any activity that causes chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness. If these happen, stop what you're doing right away.
• Don't exercise right after meals, when it's very hot or humid, or when you just don't feel up to it.

Please visit Just Move for more information on getting more physically active.

Making lifestyle changes

• Ask your physician or healthcare professional to help you with nutrition and physical activity advice.
• Learn to read food labels so you'll be able to tell how much fat, sodium and other ingredients are in your diet.
• Keep a diary of all your nutrition and physical activity efforts. Seeing your successes written down will encourage you to continue your good habits.
• If you don't feel like you're making progress, talk to your physician and ask why your progress is slow.
• If you're having trouble giving up smoking, ask your doctor if you can take a smoking cessation drug to help.
• Become an active participant in making treatment decisions and solving problems that keep you from following the doctor's orders.

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“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

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Tuition Rate Hike!

My children's tuition went up to $515 & $465! Why in the world is child care THIS high in the little city I live in?

I'm laying that down at Jesus' feet too!

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“Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

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“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. ” (Jeremiah 32:17)

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"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) 

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Hurricane Dennis Is Trippin!

Hurricane Dennis is somewhere in the south and is causing all this rain today, so we didn't get a chance to go swimming.

Anyway, last night I saw Dateline NBC and they were talking about the guy who randomly killed an entire family and kidnapped a little boy and girl (ultimately killing the boy and sexually molesting the girl). He was a sexual predator with a lot of problems. Anyway, I was reading his blog at: http://fifthnail.blogspot.com and was really taken back by the fact that this guys appears to really have love and compassion, but have allowed the demons inside of him to take over. It's a really good read of how demons use us. You should check it out.
This part in particular, I thought was intriguing : "I have been asking God to help defeat the demons. In fact, last night I was on my knees begging him, crying out loud to him, to help me. He didn't answer, again. The problem is I am loosing my religion. I don't accept anything at face value, not even my own thoughts. So when I start having religious convictions I question the source. And in my current situation I figure I am under a lot of stress, and there are perfectly natural human mechanisms that account for all religious experiences. The demons (if that's what they/it are/is--I use the term for mere convenience) have convinced me that I should at least question my religious beliefs, (this makes sense, otherwise I would believe anything) and that is how they got the key to the dungeon, and trapped me inside."

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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20,21) 

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Laila Has Made 15 Green Lights In A Row!

Laila has made 15 green lights in a row, so her prize is... drumroll please... we're going swimming! Hurricane Dennis is heading this way, but not supposed to be within a few hundred miles until Sunday, so hopefully we'll have good weather. I've been always wanting to take my babies to the pool, it just amazes me of how fast the time goes by. If you consider that there are really only 3 good months each year here in Florida to go swimming, you have to grab those months... no time for procrastination, because the seasons don't stop.

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“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.” (Psalm 138:2)

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“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 18:30)

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“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)

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Chuck E. Cheese

We celebrated Laila achieving ten green lights in a row by going to Chuck E. Cheese's.

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In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.” (Isaiah 12:4)

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Happy Independence Day!

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“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)

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Back from ATL

We're back from K2's wedding in Atlanta. While we were there, I had a chance to introduce my children to their great Uncle Larry :) I think he was more fascinated that Zachary looks like my dad all over again. We all went to the mall and spent time together... it's always great to spend time with family that you haven't seen in a while. Here are a few pictures of our event.












Laila's upset because she can't fit in the car.

Laila took this picture of us.

Then we took one ourselves.



Laila and K2 make bubbles at the wedding

Congratulations Lorenzo & Sebrena!

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“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

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Headed To ATL Today!

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“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3)

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