Acts of Kindness

I decided to stop at one of my favorite dining establishments on the way home from a friend's house last night.

I pulled my car into the parking lot and noticed that a man was laying in a snow bank with other people hovering over him. I parked my car and quickly grabbed my wool blanket that I keep in the car and placed it over the man. The man in the snow bank was large in stature and I quickly learned from the others that he had slipped and fell on some ice. One of the waitresses from the restrauant was cutting his pant leg and I surmised that she was a also a member of a rescue squad since she had an EMT bag with her. I noticed that cold snow was holding the man's head and thought that must be cold on his head. I walked back to my car, grabbed my spare work pants, and walked back to the man. I said "lift your head up and I'll place these pants under your head so that your head won't be so cold." He looked up at me and said "who are you and you're so nice to care." His eyes told me how shocked he was that a total stranger would care enough to make sure that he was warm as he laid there. The ambulance came and off to the hospital he went.

In situations like I found myself in last night, I often ask "how would I like to be treated if I were in the same situation and what would Jesus have me do?" This question always leads me to show acts of kindness and help someone in need if I have the means to. After all, isn't this what Jesus did when he walked the earth and wouldn't He want me to do the same?

Fire Up Club Report

The Fire Up Club has been meeting for the past four weeks. The membership continues to grow every week; there are now 32 ladies making lifestyle changes in order to live healthy today and in the future.

A couple nights ago I received a call from a member. She was excited to share with me a testimony about what God is doing in her life through the Fire Up Club. This member agreed to write about it so that I could post it to the Fire Up Club blog.

I posted her testimony just a few minutes ago. Click on the Fire Up Club link above or to the right to read about it. Check it out since I think that you'll be inspired by her story.

Close Calls

I spend about 50% of my time traveling the highways of the north country in my Toyota Prius. My defensive driving classes have taught me to always expect the unexpected to happen when driving. I'm glad that I had this knowledge this morning.
I was traveling back from the transfer station to my main office. I was about to go around a curve in the road when something caught my eye. On the bend of the road, there was a truck pulling a trailer and another car pulled over on the opposite shoulder of the road. My initial thoughts "strange place to be pulled over, they are not completely off the road, I better slow down." I began applying gentle pressure on my brakes when all of sudden I saw another vehicle passing them in my lane. It was an tractor-trailer heading straight for me. I quickly applied more pressure on my brakes and began to map out my escape route to avoid a head-on collision. After a few seconds, I determined that the tractor-trailer would get by me without hitting me and it did; sigh of relief!!

I'd be lying to say that I didn't have a few thoughts like "this is it for me, good bye world, and hello Jesus." I'm so thankful that it didn't turn out this way, but it brought me comfort knowing where I'm going to spend eternity when my time does come to depart this world. How do I know? I have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ His son. The Bible promises me that I'll spend eternity in heaven because of my faith in Jesus.

I thank God everyday for giving me Jesus so that I can spend eternity with Him in heaven. Jesus you're the best gift that I've ever received and I look forward to seeing You one day in heaven.

Featured Reader - Nutrition Twins Newsletter

The Nutrition Twins have published their most recent newsletter. My weight loss story is featured in their newsletter and on their website.

Check here to see the story.

Eating & Wearing Your Cake

My office held an open house this past week since we moved into a new building. All of the staff brought in food to serve our guests.

One staff member brought in a traditional strawberry filled cake. This is a cake that is loaded in the center with strawberry filling and is covered with a layers of white frosting. The cake was beautifully decorated for the occasion.

I was making my way around the table to put all those healthy snacks on my plate. I admired the cake with no intention of having a piece since I choose not to eat any desserts. As I was making my way around the table, I heard one of my colleagues say "Laura, you need a napkin since you wearing some of the cake." I looked down and my pants were covered with some of that delicious looking white frosting. I also got some on the bottom of my jacket. I quickly grabbed a napkin and began to remove the frosting my clothes. I also made a trip to the ladies room in hopes that some water would help to remove the frosting.

The lesson learned is that although I didn't eat the cake, I can still wear it whether I choose to or not. I told my co-workers this and they all laughed with me. It was a good laugh.

Going Shopping

I admit it...I like to shop. In particular, I love to shop for new clothes and I've shopped a lot this past year since I dropped by 5 sizes . It is fun to shop!

This year I also get to go shopping, but it is for something entirely different than clothes. I get to shop for a new garbage truck. You are probably saying "that doesn't sound exciting, who would want to do that?" My answer is a seasoned garbage professional like me.

There are so many options for me to consider: front-loading; rear-loading; side-loading; single versus multi compartment; dual steering versus single steering; engine size; etc. etc.

Perhaps when I'm shopping for a garbage truck this year, I'll come across some nice clothes that I can buy too. After all, a garbage professional like me needs to have matching clothes for my new garbage truck.

Fire Up Club

The birthing of the Fire Up Club came with the New Year.

What is the Fire Up Club? Simply put: it is a group to help ladies make lifestyle changes that allow them to live healthy today and in the future. I decided to create the group after several ladies in my church requested help regarding their weight.

To learn more, click on the link that is shown to the right under my links section.

Enjoy.