Bittersweet?

Today was a bittersweet day. It started off normal, heading to work, getting lots done before everyone showed up at 8:00---and by 10:00 am I was ready for my break, to walk with my good friend Katie. Not only are we walking a mile in less than 15 minutes, we get to visit too. It's a win, win thing!! We headed out, and not even one full lap around the building (which is 1/4 mile), I twisted my ankle, and down I went....VERY hard, right on my knee. After getting over the "Why am I on the ground" feeling, and the dizzy nausea that took over because of the pain, I had Katie help me back into the building, and proceeded to do a damage check. After sitting a few minutes, I headed to the bathroom, yep, skinned knee....thankful I was in jeans (we can wear them on Friday), and not in dress pants that would have been ripped. I bandaged up, and the girls in the office fixed me up with ice. After about 20 minutes, my adrenalin was slowing down, and the pain began, along with the throbbing. I wasn't sure which hurt more, my knee or my ankle. So, at the encouragement of my coworkers, I headed off to urgent care, praising God that I now had insurance! Needless to say, after an exam, x-rays and a few ace bandages, I was on my way home to ice and elevate. The doc told me that since nothing was broken, and only muscles in my foot were pulled and my knee very banged up, he suggested some weight on it tomorrow, but light walking for the next few days. No power walking! I'm hoping an easy weekend will have me back walking by Monday.

The reason it was so bittersweet today, was while I was out walking/falling...this following article was published at work via email. When I came into my office, everyone was chatting about it....and I was a mess having just fallen. Talk about a crushed ego!! The nurse told me today, he could fix my knee with bandaides and an ace, but the pride was all in my department! I just think this was one more way of God showing me how I need to be more humble. Here's the article....,

ROCKING AROUND THE

BLOCK

OCCU Beat Reporter, Ima

Gettinfit, caught up with Shawnna Richards on a stroll

around the Corporate Office Campus. Ima noticed Shawnna making her tour a couple of times a day and thought she would inquire:

Shawnna says that she began walking in an attempt to lose weight after her husband approached her with concerns for her health. She started hitting the sidewalks during her breaks and at lunch, and when Weight Watchers came to the Credit Union and PacificSource started offering a reimbursement for attending meetings, she signed up. She believes that the primary reason for losing over 30 pounds in four months is the fact that she joined this support group and was held accountable! She encourages others to do the same.

When Shawnna isn’t at work she spends time with her husband, of more than 20 years, and her two teenage children. She stays busy tending to her countryside property, her pets, and just trying to be outdoors as much as possible. She hopes to double her weight loss by the end of Spring, for the Summer Season!

Way to set an example Shawnna!

Written by: Ima Gettinfit (aka Josh Masterson)

January Events (and a few February too!)

Has it really been a month since I've updated the blog. Goodness! Time flies when your life is upside down!

It's been a tough month. It seems that trials and tribulations have been all around us. Friends, family, friends that are family, and our church body has seemed to be under tremendous stress these last few months. Is it because we are growing in the Lord, and the devil is trying to sabotage us? I think so. I do know that lots of praying has been happening. We've started a bible study after dinner with our own family, in addition to Bill's & my morning study, in hopes to keep us strong through the week, to keep us focused, and keep our minds in the word, and not to be pulled down when the devil is on our shoulder. We keep praying for our family, as well as those around us. If you need prayer...tell us!!

NOW, back to the fun stuff. The month of January was pretty much work, eat, sleep, school, and church activities. Ryan is involved in two youth groups, plus school, and that keeps him on the go. Kristin has been busy with homeschool group, quilting with the ladies in town, and she too is involved with youth group. It seems we are always getting someone, somewhere, and are blessed when we can't that we have wonderful friends who get them there. (Thanks Dana, Troy, Dylan, Grandma Alice & Grandma Betty!)

The month started off with the kids doing a pancake breakfast as a fund raiser for youth trips that were coming up. We spent a lot of time running kids to & fro, Bill spent a lot of time in his books, as he has 18 credits this term (two math classes), and Kristin did get to head out on her youth camp over MLK weekend, which gave them three nights away.
It was quite an experience for her. She was touched by the spirit, and certainly brought home a lifelong memory.



We are all enjoying Bill's popcorn maker that he got for Christmas. I can't tell you how much better we like it rather than the greasy stuff from the bags. One tablespoon of oil, and 1/2 cup of kernels...makes for A LOT of pop corn! No butter needed...almost like the theater, without the goo on top! This is a typical sight while waiting for the popcorn to pop!!
It seems Bill has spent time at his desk after bible study and most free moments on the weekends for weeks now. He is overwhelmed with school right now...so prayer is welcomed!! On the positive side, he made the honor roll!!! Very proud of him! We had parent teacher conferences for Ryan, he is doing great...4 A's and a B--which is very close to an A.....we are very proud of him too!

In February, Shawnna will be a blip in a Healthy Matters article. Since late September I've been going to Weight Watchers, and up to Dec 20th, had officially lost 20 lbs. Being the group did not have enough to continue after the first of the year, I have still continued on with the program, but am not attending meetings. This last weekend, I hit an official 30 lbs.!! If feels good, and I've lost 6 inches from my waist, and gone down two pant sizes!! Yahoo! I will post the article when it is published...I believe it comes out this Friday.

This last weekend was packed with "stuff".

On Friday, The kids had a youth concert, featuring Benjiman and The New Divide (who we met at our seminar in September). It was a great evening, and filled with fun for the kids. The crowd was smaller, but we were all filled. If you want to see more...check out the full post by clicking HERE.

On Saturday Bill & I headed off to Eugene...dressed like we haven't been in a while!! It was a work function, dinner, dancing, etc. It was fun, but we've both become uncomfortable with that stuff...and didn't stay long. Thankfully, Nate & Katie were with us, and it made it more fun! These last few days have been low key for me, as I came home from work yesterday with a tummy bug of some kind, and have been down for two days. Feeling better tonight, and hoping to head to work tomorrow.

Will be back soon...hopefully, it won't be a month!!