Home with Tracy

This weekend my husband is at a men's conference down in Georgia.  This is the third year in a row that he has attended this conference.  Each year when he attends this conference I reflect back on the year that has passed and I am amazed at how much our marriage and family has changed.  It has been said (specifically by my former pastor) that I am a strong willed person.  It was that strong will that convinced my husband to attend this conference the first year that he went.  I don't think he was looking forward to it, but I could be wrong.  I just remember that I was looking forward to it.  To be honest, I was not looking forward to it because I wanted my husband to be filled, refreshed and renewed.   I was looking forward to it because I wanted him out of the house.  I wanted that 36 hours to myself (not really by myself, our 4 small children were with me).  Our marriage was at an all time low and I was done.  Little did I know how God would use that conference as a tool t

Week 2 is now complete and it was horrible!  I managed to exercise once and the herniated disk in my back start hurting.  REALLY?!?!  I was so annoyed and bummed.  So what do you think I did?  Not what I was supposed to do!  I took that mopey, pity party for myself attitude and I ate.  I ended up gaining back the weight that I lost the first week.  So, what am I going to do now?  I will turn to my gracious Heavenly Father because I cannot do it alone.  These are the verse that I am going to be repeating over and over this week: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.   Isaiah 40:29 Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past.  Isaiah 43:18 I cannot change this past week.  I must put it in the past where it belongs or I will not be able to go forward.  This week will be a better week.  I am not going to rely on my own strength but pray daily that God gives me the strength that I need.  This isn't just about weight loss.  This is, and has be

I have completed the first week of my new journey.  My journey is to turn away from my craving for food and start craving more of God.  I must admit, so far it has not been too hard.  On December 31st, I drank my last pop.  I have replaced it with water.  Lots and lots of water!  I made the mistake of going to the grocery store while I was hungry, and even though I did buy a few more groceries than were on my list, they were all healthy!  I have started eating breakfast every morning.  I would always make time to feed the kids, but I used to not make time for breakfast for myself.  What I haven't done so far is make time for exercise.  I work 2-4 hours a day typing, homeschool our 4 children, plus all of my other responsibilities as a wife and mother.  What are all those reasons for not finding time to exercise?  They are just excuses!  I usually find time to sit and watch a show or movie with my husband.  I usually find time to catch up with friends on Facebook.  Why don't I

This week I am starting a new stage in my faithful journey.  I am not dieting.  I cannot stand the word diet!  I am making a lifestyle change.  This lifestyle change will impact me physically, mentally, emotionally and most importantly spiritually.  A few days ago the whole family was leaving to go in to town to run some errands.  I got everyone else fed, dressed and out the door, but I - as usual - did not eat.  I decided to just grab a sugar cookie and a cup of coffee and head out the door.  When I got to the van one of my daughters said "mom's eating a cookie!"  I believe I mumbled something about not having the time to get myself something so I just grabbed what I could.  After my response my oldest son said "mom eats cookies all day until dad gets home".  OUCH!  The truth that our children speak. I always knew that I ate when others weren't around, but I always said it was because that was the only time I had to eat.  Since my son blurted out that o