From the Outside In ...

Well we have all heard the saying ... "From the Inside Out ..."

This post is just to say ... I have not had a lot of success working on me from the inside out because since I have had such a hard time with self-esteem, or liking self ... then it is hard to feel good enough inside to like me outside either.

However, some of you don't know that I was diagnosed with the dreaded diabetes in February of 2007. When that happened I took the meds, but ended up mad because the meds & changes I tried to make didn't work. The number just wouldn't go down much. So I got mad & quit trying. I went back to eating what I want to ... which is a lot of what I don't need to (potatoes & bread).

Then my sugar levels really got high. So ... as of this February ... I am SERIOUSLY trying to make some changes, and a couple weeks ago I got a PLESANT surprize at the doctor. The dreaded scale (I only weigh at the doctor - don't like to live my life by that number) ... I was telling the nurse what I weighed (where to start measuring) ... but that I was trying to make changes & as I was saying that she kept backing up & backing up. I finally said "WHAT IS IT?" ... she told me & I had lost 16 lbs. since February!!!

That is PROOF that I have made better decisions ... and I am making changes.

You got to understand ... I have fluctuated 2 lbs. up or down from my weight for a long time. I have never been off that weight in years. The new number ... well let's just say it has been about 6 or 8 yrs. since I weighed it.

So ... that is helping me inside a lot. It is proof to myself (& others) that I can do it & that I AM DOING it ... making better decisions & changes like I said I was!!

In a year from now ... I have a goal that I intend to have reached or be near! So in this case I am changing the outside ... and that in turn will go a long way for me inside ... I believe that it will.

On a mission ...
Jenn H.

Fatih Equals Self-Esteem

Well ... bloggers, I see how hard it is to blog everyday. No. 1, I don't have enough important information to share. No. 2, I am not getting any participation.

Anyhow ... today I want to discuss the concept of faith (in God) and self-esteem.

I have always struggled with a LACK of confidence in myself. I never think much of myself. I have always felt I was commanded by God to not think too highly of myself, and maybe I have gone the extreme other way.

A friend said to me the other day that "... if I lacked good self-esteem, then I lacked faith." I said "Faith in what?" She said ... "Faith in God."

I know there is that passage (in Philippians, I think) that talks about God CHOOSING us as His children. That has been a case, I suppose, to prove that we should feel good about ourselves. I just never have been able to feel good enough about myself.

So ... if my self-esteem is low ... does that mean I don't really believe in God, or have real faith?

Well, friends, please chime in & help me out. Where do I go from here? How do I fix this?


Seeking Help!
Jenn H.

"What Can the Church of Christ Do For Me?"

Wow ... a profound question from an unexpected place. I read a story recently on another blog ... in it the blogger told a story about having been asked this question. That blogger confessed that this question had really come out of left field, and totally knocked him on his behind.

Well ... I am here to confess that this question takes me by complete surprise as well. What a profound question. On the surface it seems to be a selfish question to ask ... I mean it is totally focused on "ME" ... What can I get?

... But let's look at this from another viewpoint!

What if someone knocked on your door and asked you this question? What would you do? What would you say? How could you help the person who comes knocking at your door with this question?

I do not have an answer to offer to you myself for this question. I just want to throw it out there for discussion among my blogging pals. So, let's all chime in on this one!

Seeking ...
Jenn H

Resources for you!

Today I have added some links to this blog ... I hope they will be of use to someone. I suppose before they can be of use to somebody, then there must be somebody coming to read my blog. I guess if I hope to have somebody reading my blog then I must tell people that I have a blog.

I am not sure where to go with this post ... but I guess I must confess that I am just in search of inspiration in my life. I need to "get out" more, some people tell me. Well I plan to, but meanwhile, maybe I can create a place where others can stop by to encourage those reading this blog. I want this to be a place for creativity, sharing, encouragement, and inspiration.

So PLEASE blog here ... bring your thoughts, and share them with us. Whether it be a Bible verse speaking to you today, or something else prevoking your thought, or pricking your heart. Please SHARE IT WITH US HERE!!!

You may notice that at the right I have some "Blog Buddies" listed. These are blogs that I read, and that I find thought prevoking, and worth the time. If you have some good blogs ... please share them with us.

Also under that I have added a list of resources (other links) to websites that I find helpful, or useful. Some are churches that have nice, or useful sites; others are tools online, or places for wholesome surfing. I will try to add any site that my be particularly inspirational or useful to women, and women's issues.

I would especially like for all the women reading this blog to visit the one called "Women Walking with God". This is a conference in Wichita, KS that started last year. They are about the kick off the 2nd annual conference. This year the featured speakers are two of the FINEST speakers, and people I have ever heard. I have heard both of these women speak. I encourage you ALL to GO to this conference. I am going to try to go this year. If I am able to go ... I anticipate a feast for my soul, heart, & mind. I need this ... so, come and go with me to Wichita, KS in April.

Please E-Mail me for the password to the Friendship C of C Women link in my list. No men allowed ... for sisters-in-Christ ONLY!

May God bless you & yours!
Jenn H

Ink Jots

Hi everyone, anyone, somedody?

I don't know that I have much to say that means anything to anyone else but me ... but I have been wanting to get into the "Blog" world. I am not too sure what direction my bloggings will take, but hopefully it will be useful, or interesting to someone reading it. Some days I may talk about my dogs (well a lot of days :-D ), but others I may just put in a Bible verse or something other musing that I have found thought prevoking.

This is the 1st day ... so I don't have much to say. I look forward to putting my "Ink Jots" here, and finding somebody to converse with on these pages!

Jenn H.