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Sunday, June 30, 2013

"You're so skinny!"

So I just got back from a week of visiting friends in Michigan where I helped teach English to non-English speaking ladies.  Some of the ladies I've known for several years.  In their limited English, I heard many times "You're so skinny!!!!"  One of these ladies is a dear friend of mine and she even pulled some cookies out of her purse and said, "You must eat!"  She went on to say, that I was skinny and she was fat.  I took her face in my hands, looked her in the eyes and told her that she is beautiful!  It took several times for me to say it before she finally said thank you instead of disagreeing withe me.  I wish she could see herself as God sees her!  I'm praying for that!

I must admit, it was really fun to see the shock on their faces, or the "Whyyyyyyyyyy????"  (which I interpreted as "how")  Every time I'd remind them that I was healthy and it was because of God helping me that I could lose the weight.  As part of one of their end of the year celebration, all the students brought in food to share.  My dear friend told me to eat a lot of the aseed.  Her teenage daughter told me it was because she wanted me to get big again. She makes me laugh!!

The point of this entry is that I'm still uneasy being called skinny.  I am still critical of the flaws.  I look at pictures and my eyes immediately move to my problem areas.  On the flip side, for those who don't see me often, I suppose I do look "so skinny" to them.  Regardless, I hope I could inspire these ladies to seek God for their problems - regardless of their problem.  He is the source of my strength and the reason I am able to do what I do!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Loving the NSVs!

Thought I’d list out some of my NSVs from my recent trip to Turkey.  These are kind of fun to list!
  • Being able to sit on the ground in a crowded waiting area at the airport and being able to get up off the floor without a problem.  Even being able to get up gracefully!
  • Not needing a seat belt extender on any flight – even having to tighten the seat belt after I fastened it.
  • Running through the Rome airport because I almost missed my flight.  The whole time I was stressed about the situation I was also amazed that I was running through the airport…and I didn’t miss my flight!
  • Walking down the aisle of the airplane without needing to turn sideways to avoid contact with people/seats.
  • No swollen feet after very long flights!
  • Walking hours (6 was the most in one day) with very few “sitting” moments and having absolutely no aches or pains in my knees, ankles, feet, back!  Plus not being out of breath when walking up the steep hills of the streets in Istanbul or climbing stairs to the top of the Galata Tower in Taksim or to the top of the Bodrum Castle.
  • Fitting in the back of a small Honda with 3 other people (yeah, not legal in the states…but I wasn’t in the states!) Previously, I would have taken up the space of two people!
  • Enjoying new foods without incident!  (Fully 100% credit this to God!)
  • Going down the slides at a playground to the amusement of a 2 year old!
  • Not shying away from the camera…even in a bathing suit!

In all honesty, this whole trip is one NSV and a testimony to the work God continues to do in my life!  May he receive all the glory and honor and praise!

And now some pictures...because it's my blog and I can post what I want!  LoL


Flight #1 - no seat belt extender and window seat.  Yep, happy camper!

Sitting cross-legged...on the ground.. yep, I did that!


Historic train station in Istanbul

Beautiful view at lunch time.

In front of Dolmabahce Palace


This is the view the Sultans and Ataturk would have from the palace.


Galata Palace - Taksim, Istanbul

Breakfast table...lots of fresh food, eggs and cheese...see the breads???


They included me in the family picture!  :)

Fashion designer cousin...does beautiful wedding and special occasion gowns!

Love this girl!

Foca - yes, the water is that blue!

I took this picture for one of my blog readers... Deniz!  :)  It's "her" restaurant!



View from their home in Bodrum.


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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Monday, June 10, 2013

I'm Back!

I'm back from my two weeks in Turkey and have a lot of great stories.  But I think I want this entry to be about things I did well, things I could have done better and things I did really poorly while in Turkey.  I'm going to start in reverse order so I can end on a positive note!  LoL

Things I did really poorly while in Turkey

  • I ate WAY too much bread.  Every meal, every day... bread.  
  • I couldn't always tell the sugar content, yet I ate things anyway.  
  • I did not drink nearly enough water.  Lots of hot tea, ice tea, Turkish coffee and Nescafe - not enough water.
  • I often drank with my meal.  
  • I gained 1.1# (could be worse, I know...but boo!)
Things I could have done better while in Turkey

  • I could have been better at saying no when something was offered.  The hardest to turn down?  Fresh fruit when I wasn't hungry anyway.
  • Occasionally I ate too much. Like I knew I was "full" but would have one more bite.  Didn't happen often, but I know it happened, which means I could have done better.
Things I did well while in Turkey

  • I tried many new foods - successfully!
  • I ate very little processed/packaged food.  Tons of fresh veggies, fruit, meat, etc.  
  • I got plenty of protein in - various cheeses were also staples for almost every meal...and eggs for breakfast.
  • Walking - we walked a lot...up hill...both ways!  ;-)  Seriously though, this could also be considered an NSV!  Many hours walking without pain; climbing steep stairs in a castle; running through an airport... many NSVs!
Overall, I think I did well and the trip was great.  Just some observations that I want to get down in writing so I can concentrate on getting rid of that 1.1# and refocusing on good healthy eating!  I thank God for His protection on my pouch!  It allowed me to enjoy the hospitality and generosity of my international family and friends without incident! 

First Turkish Coffee of the Trip

Breakfast

Being in Turkey with this woman...two thumbs up!

The ladies!

Public Transportation (had tea here too!)

Fresh fish sandwich - (I didn't eat this bread)

Memories

Turkish Tea

Ice Creams

I went down the slides!!!!

Dinner table

My plate

Stuffed Mussels



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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14