Sunday, September 19, 2010

Questions....

Tonight Holden called me into his bedroom to ask me some questions.
Questions that a boy at school was asking him.

"If God is all powerful, why doesn't he just destroy Satan now?"

"Why aren't dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible?"

"Will Jews go to Heaven?"

"What about people who have never heard of God?"

"Why did God create the universe?"

I asked him why his friend was asking him these questions. He said he had asked another friend if he knew Jesus. He was sharing the Truth!!! I so need to follow his example!!!

Friday, August 13, 2010

This Sweet Man

Dear God,

As my summer vacation comes to an end, I am sitting here thinking about the wonderful life I am living. I look around at my house, my car, my clothes, my health, my family, my church family, my friends. You have truly blessed me! The grace and mercy you have given me blow me away!!!

Four years and two months ago, you introduced me to a sweet man. We met at Chili's for dinner. We are the perfect example of how first impressions are not always lasting impressions. I saw the big gap. He heard a lady who was too stern and set in her ways for his tastes. But, thank you Lord, for opening our hearts to giving it another try. I thank you for this man's strength to tell me a few months later that it wasn't working out. I thank you for working in my heart and teaching me that it was my job to rest in you and honor this man. Once I stepped back and allowed that to happen, the rest was history. You brought this man back to me and opened both of us up to love (after I watched all six of the Star Wars movies of course)!

Almost three and a half years ago, I married this sweet man. Lord, you created our marriage. Our marriage covenant has made us one. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But we long to be grounded in your Word. We both have the same hopes and dreams for our family. So when a disagreement arises and my stubborness and pride get in the way, I know that my sweet husband will go to you in prayer and ask you to soften my heart. What a struggle I have sometimes, but thank you, LORD, for teaching me submission.

Submission is often perceived as a negative thing in the world. But your Word and my dear friends that have mentored me have taught me that submission is a gift!!! It is my release. The way that I can follow your command of not worrying. It is my job to submit to this man, and his job to submit to you! I lift my submission up to you Lord. I want to be his helper! I want to build him up for the world to see what an amazing man you have designed just for me!

Thank you for giving this man so many amazing qualities. The first of which is an unconditional and unwavering love for his son. His respect for his mother and grandmother showed me that he would treat a lady like a lady.

You also created in him a work ethic that surpasses many. As long as we have been together, this man has been respected at in the workplace. When he is at work, he focuses on the task and works inside and outside the box to make things happen to please the customer and his collegues. His ability to process and problem solve has always amazed me.

His communication skills are exceptional! The first time we ever spoke on the phone, I loved his voice. It was so warm and friendly. When he would answer the phone at work, I must admit, he sounded sexy. Even today, I love to listen to the messages he leaves on my voicemail. So tender and loving. Even in the midst of a storm, he is able to keep his cool and talk in a voice that is calm (unless of course I push him over the edge - which I have been known to do). Thank you, God, for forgiveness.

Thank you for the temperment you created in him. You created a man that is grounded and calm for a woman with an excitable and energetic personality. But you created us to balance each other.

We have so much fun together. Thank you for creating a man that can make me laugh. We love to sit on the couch together and watch our favorite television shows. Some so simple, but yet that time is special to both of us.

Thank you for creating my perfect opposite in so many ways. The introvert and the extrovert. The public speaker and the sit-in-the-back-of-the-room and not be noticed. The one who never met a stranger and the one who is content staying at home. But the most important thing that will never be an opposite for us is our love of you! We both love you! We both believe you! We both want to follow you! We both want to be like you! So all the opposites, they don't matter to me. They make me love him more.



Thank you, Lord for my sweet man, Jason Ray Ivy. You have made my cup overflow!

Love,
Raechelle

Thursday, August 5, 2010

39th Birthday




I look and feel better than I have in 38 previous years!!!
Had bloodwork done...my cholesterol is down to 162!!!!
Last year it was over 240!!!!
I am so much healthier!!!!

.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Say it Backwards

Forgive me if this offends anyone...but this was so funny...I have to post it so I never forget!!!

Today I was standing at the computer doing the "potty dance". I said, "Oh Sh*#, I gotta poop."

Jason laughed and looked at Holden and said, "She could have said that backwards and it would mean the same thing!"

We were all cracking up....again I know it was probably totally wrong...but we laughed....

Monday, May 31, 2010

As Of May 31, 2010

Last night I went to Target and bought shorts in a size 12!!!
You have no idea how that feels!!!
I am sure it has been more than 15 years since I have been a size 12!!

I currently weigh 168 pounds....down from 246 pounds....total loss of 78 pounds!!!

Waist 33 inches
Hips 44 inches
Upper thigh 23 inches
Chest 39 inches

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

New Weight & Measurements

Ok...here are the newest Numbers....

172 pounds.....down 74 pounds

Waist 34 inches....down 10 inches
Hips 45 inches.....down 11 inches
Chest 40 inches....down 8 inches
Upper thigh 25 inches...down 6 inches

I am so proud!!!!
Wearing a large shirt
and 14/16 pants!!!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Update!!! April 20, 2010

Last week I reached my 70 pound loss goal!

I now weigh 176 pounds! I do not have my measurements right now. I will add this later. But I am comfortably wearing a size 16. I even bought size 14 last week. I can button them and zip them, but they are a little tight, so I will wait a couple more week to actually wear them.


I feel fabulous! I love my new body!!! I love that Jason loves my body too!!!


I am so glad I made the decision to have the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass! Especially now that I can eat easier than 3 months ago. I can pretty much take a bite of anything without being sick.


The pictures here are from Greg and Alicia's wedding. Greg is Jason's brother. We had such a great time at their wedding! Jason and Holden got all dressed up in handsome suits! I got to wear my Marilyn Monroe dress. I felt like a princess! Jason bragged about me all night! And we make such a nice looking family! I am the luckiest person on earth!!! God is so good!!!