I am back! The surgery was a success, the fatty tumor removed and I am very, very sore and tired. I think I’ve had enough excitement to last me a year or two. It’s good to be writing again.

I have lost 4 lbs. last week. Since I have cut my meal portions in half a while ago, and kept that part of my diet going – no matter what was going on – the weight has finally started to come off. I was feeling so frustrated when nothing was happening. But suddenly my body gave up the struggle and the pounds started to drop. I have written ‘more patience’ on my writing board in the kitchen. I think if I just keep doing healthy things and have patience, I will lose this weight. Now I know what they mean when they say ‘Never, Ever, Ever, Give Up! It works!

The doctor said I can do anything I want…within reason. I am still doing bicep/tricep curls while sitting on the floor and it certainly has helped the arms look better. No more bat wings. They are only 3 lbs. and since I am sitting, I am not ‘pulling’ my neck or upper back muscles much. I will start the treadmill soon. Again, I will have to start over, doing it slowly. I will have no choice as I am still weak and my body will not allow me to push myself with anything.

I have written a lot about using dumbbells for bicep/tricep curls. That is because, no matter how I feel or how discouraged I get, when I look in the mirror and see my nicely formed upper arms, I know the rest will follow and I feel better. They are not difficult to do and once they look good, it does not take a lot of work to keep them looking that way. Spring and summer are just around the corner, and I like to wear sleeveless shirts and dresses. This year, I will be ready!

Blessings and Peace, Ginger

Tomorrow (Feb. 10) I will have surgery to remove the fatty tumor from my upper back. Please say a quick prayer for me that it will be an easy surgery and my recovery at home will be swift.

I have had many operations before and none have made me this uneasy. Maybe it’s because I’m old now…at least that’s what my husband suggested. At any rate, I will be back here as soon as I can. I will be able to sit up straight in my chair and type and PRAYERFULLY, hope that my migraines go away and I can start working out regularly.

I have not been wasting this time waiting for this day to come. While watching TV, I have been sitting on the living room floor and lifting my dumbbells in many different ways and stretching my legs. It’s amazing to see how these little ‘floor exercises’ make a noticeable difference when I look in the mirror. The muscles have tightened up – a little, but it sure looks better and I can feel the difference. I have to remember that sometimes, less is better than nothing at all. Blessings and Peace, Ginger

Have you read or heard about the many ‘end of time’ stories that are being sent via email, or are broadcast on TV? I have viewed a movie that outlines the many ways nuclear weapons are now able to be used by everyone and that an island in the Pacific will lose part of its structure into the sea from an earthquake, creating another horrific tsunami.

My first thought was why do I care if I eat right and work out because I’m going to die from some unnatural cause anyway. But I have decided to look past these things. If I am doing the will of God, by eating right and taking care of my body, my body will be of some use to God, no matter what happens. I have to be ready, spiritually and physically for His Will to be done.

I constantly fight the thoughts ‘What does it matter? Who is going to know? Who is going to care?’ (Guess where those doubts come from?) Well I know the answer to that. There must be a reason I am being guided to get stronger and healthier, to become the best Ginger I can be. We cannot give up our missions, no matter what the media says will happen. There has got to be a reason to keep on doing the best we can. You see, God knows, it matters to Him and He cares.

There are plenty of resources available to tell us how to prepare for disaster. But there is also the open door of the confessional and the door of the Tabernacle to help us prepare spiritually. Two doors – both contain the essence of our faith. Both are sanctuaries from the outside world and both offer peace in these troubled times. Both are Sacraments of love, healing and communion with God.

It is in walking through the door of the confessional and receiving Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament that I draw close to Our Lord and He releases my fears. It is at this time I receive the encouragement I need to keep evolving into the woman He wants me to be.

I feel He wants me healthy and strong. And when I obey Him, I receive a double portion of faith and strength to keep going. I pray that you will be aware that we are in some kind of change and that you will not be afraid. Fear casts out faith. But God casts out fear. I pray that you will spend some time visiting the Blessed Sacrament either in the tabernacle or the Monstrance during Adoration. You may learn your mission, or receive graces for a problem. The best part is when you feel the love radiating from the One who loves you and you will not be afraid of the future. Blessings and Peace.