Always on a Learning Curve

The last couple of days I have been reading up on the

 Ketogenic Diet by Dr. Eric Westman, recommended by Dr. Steve to Ron and I last week when I saw him

for a follow up on my diabetes.

The good news is my A1C was 6.6, 

down from 7.6 taken in July.

6.5 is average!!!

What I like about Dr. Westman's diet plan is that it is not an all or nothing plan,

it is 5 days on and 2 days off.

I have been checking out recipes and meal plans

I do so much better if I have a plan to follow

so I am learning lots of new things.

I struggle a lot with "having quiet time with the Lord"

and on Monday at Forever Friends I was encouraged 

when Carolyn shared she was talking to God while making the beds.

WOW...just talk to God whenever I want

and wherever I want.

Yes, I know God is always available

but feeling like I have to have designated time to be alone

to pray, read and talk to God...yes that's important

but talking to God freely as I go through my day,.

time to relax and talk more to God!!!

And this morning with my devotional,

being reminded its not enough to just talk the talk

but walking the walk is so important.

God's Word is truth and I need to fill my mind with His truth,

not necessarily only by reading, but listening, singing,

giving praise to the Lord.

And I struggle with feeling like I am so NEEDY

I am always asking God for things,

take this away from so & so, or help so & so with ?

And then I was reminded 

that my prayer should not be "take this or that away"

but 

Protect and Love on 

our children, our friends and myself

That it is okay to ask God for things but 

more importantly

So today

my goal is to 

Praise the Lord

through all that I do

and while I tackle my To Do List.

Hope y'all have a great day and find reasons to give thanks to the Lord.

Remembering our son, Royce

This past week has been a bag of mixed emotions.

We celebrate the birth of our son, Jamie

Shown w/daughter-in-love, Suzanne.

Who turned 37 on August 8...can't believe he is that old already~I keep asking him how he can be that old, 

when I am so young!!!

And we think often or our son, Royce,

Jamie's twin brother,

who died when he was 3 days old.

We have always made Jamie's day his day

and then do something to celebrate & recognize

Royce on August 15th

(the day we laid him to rest).

This year we couldn't do that until August 16th.

Sometimes I find a cemetery and find a little baby 

that has been buried there and leave a small balloon or flower arrangement

along with a card for the family.

And anytime we get to Las Vegas

we make a special trip to the cemetery

to see his marker.

So this year we let off balloons

(a tradition we have done for many years)

For Royce

For Royce from Brandon and his family.

For Royce from Jamie and his family

 

From Mommy & Daddy

And then we drove over to a little place along Lake Taney-Como

Walking down to the lake.

Such a quiet and peaceful place.

Letting them go, one by one,

Looking back towards the dam

Looking up the lake towards town

Admiring the sunflowers as we quietly

walked back to the Jeep.

There is always a talk of what our life would have 

been like if Royce had lived, asking the what if's?

But we always come back to 

God is Good

and 

He knows the plans He has for us

and 

Knows what's best for us.

We know that Royce has no pain,

no health issues,  or sadness

that he is being loved on by

all four of his grandparents

and safe in the arms of Jesus.

And we are truly thankful

for Jamie & Brandon,

two strong healthy young men

with sweet wives

and 

they have given us 5 wonderful grandchildren.

Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have showered on us.

For those blessings here and now in our lives.

And reminding us that 

God is Good All the Time!!!