Words from the Heart

Happy Tuesday to all...I have decided Today's post will highlight some of the really cool things people have said or sent to me over the past several weeks...I may have posted  few before...but all are worth repeating.

  I am always sharing my words...my feelings...so I thought I would share some of my inspirations!!! Things you guys say and do...The following are just a few examples...some are touching...some are funny...all warm my heart!  There is no particular order...and I may have a back story or two...Hope you enjoy!  I know I did! 



"I know this Journey Started out as a goal to lose weight and better health, but as I read each day, it's clear that it is also a spiritual walk, leaning on God for strength to meet the goal each and every day. I truly think it's caused you to know yourself better. Your a strong person. I am very proud of you." (From my cousin-Barbara)

"I hope things r goin well. How is the cleanse treating you? I hope you're feeling like a million bucks. Keep on snacking! No need 2b hungry!" (From Kerri Walsh).

A card I received from my fabulous co-worker Lindsey after finishing Enchanted Rock!
 

 

 

 



ESTHER 2:13

"Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness. God is able to do the impossible and is always near. He loves us unconditionally."

Let's all say this prayer: Dear God, This is my sister whom I love and this is my prayer for her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs You the most, and let her know when she walks with You, she will always be safe. Amen!   (From my Friend Camille)



 

From my Co-Worker Kyle...as a Monday pick me up!

 

 

 

 



J, I could 'feel' the joy of your accomplishment in your words. I love that! Congrats!-(after I posted about my Enchanted Rock trip)

 

GO! GO! GO JAIME!!! Awesome! (from one of my wonderful Cheerleaders!!!)

 

 



Have a great day, Jaime! You do look amazing...but more than that, you ARE amazing. I am so very proud of all the hard work you have done and are doing. It shows. :)))  (Thank you, Lisa D.!!!)


Go Jaime go...Go Jaime go!!!!! :) (as I was getting ready to climb "the rock")

AWESOME job Jaime! Keep working hard. I know you'll make your goal! (FB friend)

Amen, to God goes the glory! Keep up the great work!
 
Hello 230's!!!!!!! YEA!!!!!! A.C. (my Aunt Charlotte)

Cleanse, Cleanse....rah,rah,rah
Cleanse, Cleanse....sis boom bah!!!!!!!!
It's going to be good for you!!!!!!!....... :) ...A.C.
Happy birthday! Wishing you the best! Good luck w the cleanse. Remember...the first days r the hardest & its ok to snack a lot! (Kerri Walsh)
 

 



I see this wkd is another milestone for you and I have no doubt you will conquer it!!!  Here's to the Queen of the Mountain in all her majesty!

 

Love this blog, I start every morning reading a devotional message that I get on line and then your blog.  So I get comfort and nourishment from God and then I tune in to Fluffy Girl and get my morning laugh and uplift. So I'm praying for good weather, safe travel, and lots of fun.  I have a song for you to sing along the way that has wonderful memories for me - it called 'Happy trails to You' Love you Jaime.  (from a friend I have known since I was a little girl...a loooong time ago....)
Many “warriors” become “heroes” and I’ll save that nickname for you when I’m watching you play volleyball. ( from my friend Patsy)
 

These are just a few examples...I plan on doing this from time to time!  I love words...I find them comforting, inspiring, uplifting...I particularly love words that come from the hearts of others...It takes time to be thoughtful...I appreciate that!  So to ALL of you...those mentioned above and those that have sent me all kinds of beautiful words along this Journey...please know that each has a special place in my heart..they each have gotten me over a bump in the road or have pushed me farther up the hill that I am working to get over.  They each help me believe that all of this is possible and each serve as a reminder that I am surrounded by amazing, loving people!

So...bring on Wednesday...I went for a walk last night...will be working out again tonite and I am seeing a nutritionist next week so that I can have a plan post-cleanse!!! 

Please keep me in your prayers and please know that you are in mine! 

Much Love!!!!
 

Winning the Uphill Battle

Happy Monday!!!  I am happy to be here today!!!  Happy to have accomplished another mini-goal and ready for the next one...which will be announced soon...

I keep thinking about this past weekend...thinking about the thrill of doing something that I truly thought I would never be able to do!  God has given me a wonderful "do over"...and I am planning on taking full advantage of it!!! 

I have been thinking about the symbolism of this past weekend...climbing a big rock (or a mountain for me) .  Over the last several years, I can't count how many times I have used the phrase..."________is an uphill battle about any number of things...(life, work, finances, illness, etc...)...I say it a lot...too much!  I say it in a way that would suggest that I have been defeated by those things...repeatedly.  I say it in a way that would suggest that I have been beaten badly and that I am incapable of winning those battles....That I do not have the strength to win going uphill!!! 

This weekend...I won and I won going UPHILL!!!  Here is the funny thing...It was NOT really a battle!  It was a challenge...it was a goal...it was attainable and I was prepared!  I worked for it and I won it! 

I had to make a commitment to do it...I had to have accountability and I had to BELIEVE I could do it!! I believed I could do it because I  have faith and because I am absolutely surrounded by people telling me I can do it!!!  I am surrounded by LOVE!

Here is the thought that I kept having as Kristen, Stephen and I got closer and closer to the summit...LAST MAY (2012)....I could not even take care of myself...I physically could not do every day life stuff or walk up a flight stairs and certainly could not have even walked around the block.  NOW...Here I am...climbing a 425 foot slab of granite!  God has given me a 2nd chance (or 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th.....).  If you don't believe God works Miracles in this modern world...Please know that HE does!!!

When I arrived at the top...I was further reminded of God's Grace by just looking ahead of me, behind me and all around me!  I know this picture was in my blog post a couple of days ago...but  I wanted to post it again...it is my favorite...it represents so much more than a pretty view...it represents a very long road...with lots of not so successful "uphill battles"...it represents a physical and spiritual triumph for me...I love this picture...it will always be a reminder that with God's help...I can do ANYTHING.  This is a picture of Victory!!! 

So from this point forward..I will remember this moment...I will remember what this picture represents in my own words and the next time self doubt and disbelief begin to creep in to my reality...I will remember this:


"For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done..."~Chris Tomlin (Joshua 1:1-9; 3:5)

I Came, I Saw, I Conquered

In the words of Julius Caesar.."I came, I saw, I conquered!  That is how I am feeling on this Sunday night...that...and I am whipped!!!  The chorus of Climb Every Mountain still ringing in my ears...I feel GREAT...a good tired!!! 

Accomplishing this mini-goal feels good!  First, it felt great to have a goal, prepare for it and accomplish it...but truthfully, the very best part...is that I felt great doing it!  I enjoyed it and I would and could, do it again! 

I had great support from my family and friends...I had my Mom and friend Nettie to spend a fun girls weekend with... AND I had two fantastic climbing partners...Kristen and Stephen.  They made the trip up the rock fun AND even met us for breakfast this morning...after having a stormy camping night that left them soaked to the bone and sleeping in their car!!!!  What great troopers!!! 

For all of you that sent me special messages...I thank you for your kind words and am sorry that I have been slow to respond..despite all of the techno gadgets I own...I have had a few connectivity issues this weekend. 

I have more to share about this goal within a goal...but honestly...am just too tired to elaborate this evening.  My mind and body are ready for a rest...but my spirit is soaring...I think this weekend is going to serve as a great launch pad for the rest of this Journey!!!!  I am ready for Week #30! 





Goodnight and May God Bless you and Keep you!

From Fluffy to Tuffy

Hello!  What a day it has been!  I did it!  I climbed a 425 ft dome of granite and I did it 45 minutes! 

Mom, Nettie and I got up early this morning, dressed, I had a protein bar and we headed out to make the 17 mile drive to Enchanted Rock...we had heard the weather was going to not cooperate...but God is good and so was the weather!  We met Kristen and Stephen at the gate to the park and by 9:05 am...we were on our way!

Get this...the climb was NOT hard for me...I mean I had to work...but I was not struggling! It was fun!  I felt good and I could actually carry on a conversation while I was climbing! In case you do not know...that is yet another miracle!  

You know...every time I think this Journey is gonna be too tough or I don't have it in me...God sends me another miracle moment to remind me that I AM doing this.  I am winning this battle and I can change my life.

I received so much amazing support today...from my travel and climbing partners, to all of the great messages of suppo

rt! It made today so very special...

Thank you all!

I have attached a few pics...will add more tomorrow?

After posting a pic on FB showing me on the top of the rock...my cousin Ronnie suggested I change my moniker from Fluffy Girl to Tuffy Girl....I like that!  Thanks Ronnie for the compliment!

Again...it has been a great day...so much love...so much joy!

More stories tomorrow!  LOVE!

Stop and Smell the Roses

Happy Friday! I hope all is well.  We are in Fredericksburg...after making a 3.5 hour drive into a 6 hr drive.  We can do some dilly dallying!
But we enjoyed our drive....we stopped to "smell the roses"...no rushing....just laid back traveling.

I finished the cleanse....Yay!   Lost 2 more lbs!  Just in time to have a few food challenges to face!  This is "kolache country" and bread, cookies...etc.  Lots of temptations....though I did "taste" a kolache....no other sweets passed these lips!

I am pumped for tomorrow....pray for doable weather!  I have my back pack ready....organized and ready to "rock" and roll!  Hopefully the rolling will be minimal!

I have received some really supportive, encouraging messages from friends and family today....kind words, funny words, all blessings and all appreciated!

Of course it makes me feel great...inspires me and reminds me that God has surrounded me with Angels.

No Exaggeration...EVERYDAY of this Journey is another amazing example of God's Grace...I may struggle at times...I may not always to see the blessings until they bowl me over and it may be take a lot longer than expected....But I am loving the smell of all of the Roses along the way!

I am going to try to get some sleep..

Thanks to all od my Angels today.

Keith, Camille, Marian, Stef, Brig, Mary....thanks for the special messages!

AND....thanks to my travel and climb partners...Nettie, Mom, Kristen and Stephen.

Love and Hugs...Climb Every Mountain.

Climb Every Mountain!

Today is my FRIDAY!!!!  No work for me tomorrow...We are leaving in the morning for Fredricksburg and Enchanted Rock. 

I am ready...ready to be outside and have some fun!!!  I just read the weather forecast and the chance of rain is 80% on Saturday...so we may have some weather issues to contend with while we are there.  I will say this...If it is thundering and lightening...I will NOT be on top of big mound of granite!  Ain't happenin'. 

But I am hoping to be able to get er done! 

I have been mind numbingly busy today and now am getting ready to head to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo...going to see Bruno Mars...YEE HAW!!!  Now that is a real cowboy!!!!  OK...maybe not.  But I am joining two "tweens" and their parents and this was the "tweens" choice.  
So I can roll with that...for you older generation...Bruno Mars reminds of Little Richard...just sayin'.

I got in my last "prep" walk last night...a little over 2 miles in about 40 minutes...I don't think I will ever be one of those "fast walkers"...but...I got my heart going and got this fluffy body moving!  Burned over 300 calories..

I have gotten several messages of encouragement in the last couple of days from family and friends alike and I got a nice message from Kerri Walsh today...I love messages!!! 

I hope you all have a terrific Friday and weekend.  I am hoping that posting will not be difficult and that I can send you guys photos of our trip. 

I am looking forward to the next step in this Journey...another blessing, another great memory to cherish and hopefully a few calories burned and a few lbs lost!!! 

Tomorrow is another Weigh In and the last day of the "Cleanse"....I DID IT!!!  I am really quite proud of that! 

One little funny before I go...the ENTIRE day I have been singing "Climb Every Mountain" in my head!!! HILARIOUS!!! 

 But...despite that fact that I am NOT actually climbing a mountain...the lyrics do have some significance for me...so I shall leave you with this...

Life is Good and Getting Better Everyday

Hello to all... I had so much to talk about last night that I have a few more things to share with you today.

First...only 2 days of the cleanse left!  I can see the finish line...though I must admit, this 4th week has not been difficult.

Secondly, we leave Friday morning for ENCHANTED ROCK!!!  Countdown has begun! Another mini-goal is ready for conquering!!!  We are meeting my co-worker Kristen and her boyfriend Stephen there and Kristen, Stephen and I will be doing the hiking!  Tone Tone and Nettie...will be cheering us on!!! 

Please keep us all in your prayers for safe travels and safe climbing! 

So last night...after my fabulous health news...I had dinner plans with my former English teacher (from 8th grade).  We have been in contact again for a few years now...thanks to Facebook and her willingness to send me a message!!!  As we sat at dinner last night...I had the realization that EVERYONE should have the opportunity to sit down and talk to a former teacher...especially one that makes a lasting impression on us...one that leaves a mark on your life and heart!  It is a fabulous experience. When we reconnected a few years ago..I took the opportunity to share with her how much she meant to me as a kid...I had very specific memories that I shared with her.  It was a great feeling to get to say something I did not even know how to say as a 13/14 year old.  It was cathartic!  It was fun and it was important for me to say!  It was a complete gift that I got the opportunity!

Which makes the fact that we have stayed in touch and have dinner from time to time so sweet.  She is reading my blog and was nice enough to not give me a grade on the grammar (or lack thereof) that I display here.  She shared with me some really kind words about my writing and I am grateful for her feedback. I am grateful that my teacher has become my friend.

It is a gift.  Another amazing gift that I have in my life.  I have a few other former teachers following along on my Journey and one of them sent me this message last night. 

Jaime, I couldn't be more proud of you and more happy for you!! Prayers are with you as you continue on this amazing journey!

Not only was she a teacher (she was my very 1st volleyball coach) that impacted my young life as a volleyball player and student...but she also impacted my Christian life.  I did not know that then..as a 7th grader...but I know now. 

So I hope they both don't mind...but I am going to thank them both right here...


Thank you...Beverly "Mama" Jennings and Coach Carolyn Farr!  You can both know that you left a lasting impression on me as a kid and continue to impact my life as an adult.  For that I am eternally grateful and I am feeling quite blessed! 

So each day of this Journey teaches me something new.  If my heart is open and my eyes are on God...there are blessings around every corner and over every hill!!! 

A few more blessings for today:

AGAIN...my sweet co-workers are showing me great support!  Thank you Lindsey for your generosity and your sweet heart.  Thank you Kristen for your wonderful enthusiasm...it keeps this old fluffy girl inspired!!! 


Life is Good and Getting Better Everyday!