Weight Watchers Update (February)

Since November 25th 2010, I have been fervently seeking to loose weight through the program Weight Watchers. Since I am no longer embarrassed by my weight, I started out at a whopping 209.0 lbs. I am currently at 185.2 lbs! That is a 23.8 lb loss! It feels good to look in the mirror and finally see the results. I love the compliments my husband and especially my dad give me. The reason my dads compliments hold higher than my husbands (sometimes) is because growing up it was just my dad and I. My mom, for those who don't know, died when I was ten years old. Well being a girl and having a dad who really did not have a way with words, a simple suggestion like lets get you to a healthy weight turned into a "You know Sarah its annoying that you can't ever find the right size for pants" or " You shouldn't be eating that because you need to loose weight". Those words stung in the mind of a developing teenager. I know now what his intentions were only to help me not to tear me down. Well now I receive comments like " Hey Skinny!" -Dad and Charlotte, lol or "We do not enough in the budget this month to yet again get you new shirts." -Manager at Work. Speaking of clothes my current closet are all too baggy. I have to layer undershirts (I hate extra clothes btw) to make sure my tops do not sink too low which before was never a problem and my pants look baggy after one hour of wear. I really do not want to buy transition clothes. For example, last month I bought a new pair of size 16 work pants. Please note that it was two sizes smaller than the pants I had at home. Now a month later and I am relying on my belt to hold them up and washing/drying them almost every day to keep their tight shape. Most people would say "oh poor you!" sarcastically but I also hate spending money on clothes. I have no idea why but it just bothers me. I guess I'm too much like my dad in that area. Well I just had to get my blog on today. Since I found out how to change backgrounds and banners, I have become addicted to my blog. It will subside, unfortunately, but until then enjoy! : ) P.S. I will / should be posting again tonight with the day 4 challenge.

The 31 Day Challenge: Day 3

Todays blog theme is to get a picture of your favorite TV show. My favorite TV show is most definitely the Merlin Series. I love the renaissance themed everything so its no surprise my favorite show is set in the medieval era . The show is about a sorcerer named .. you guessed it Merlin. His duty is to protect Prince Arthur from harms way until Arthur is crowned King of Camelot. The downside to all of Merlin efforts is that Prince Arthur's father ,King Uther Pendragon, has made all forms of magic and sorcery illegal in Camelot. Together Arthur and Merlin battle the forces of evil without anyone knowing or finding out that Merlin is a sorcerer including Arthur.

Right to Left: Uther Pendragon (King of Camelot), Arthur Pendragon (Prince and Future King of Camelot), Merlin (Young Sorcerer), Gaius (Merlins Guardian and Royal Physician), Morgana (The Kings Ward), Gwen (Morgana's Servant)

31 Day Challenge: Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.

The person I have been closest to would be my husband Jon. The above picture is us at the "Blast From the Past Youth Fundraiser". I believe that this picture was taken in 2007 sometime. Jon and I have been inseparable since May 13th 2003. That is 7 years and 9 months worth of commitment. Take a good look at his sunglasses....

Our wedding day! May 1st 2010. We chose to dance down the isle wearing converse and sunglasses. Its crazy sometimes to think of how we survived high school and got married. Earlier I asked you to look at Jon's sunglasses. No they are not the same exact pair but he does love the aviator style. These pictures were taken about 6 years apart! We have both changed so much.

The 31 Day Challenge!! Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

My dear friend Christine has challenged me to a 31 day challenge. I'm not sure the purpose but I liked the daily challenges. So here is Day 1


1. I am a Child of God.
2. I am married to Jon Dixon.
3. I work at PetSmart as a Dog Trainer.
4. I am on Weight Watchers.
5. My best friend is Jenise Mowery.
6. I help Jon with his Youth and Music Ministry.
7. I love chocolate!
8. My dogs name is Pluto.
9. I am afraid of the dark.
10. I love my Daddy.
11. I want children some days closer than others.
12. I love to babysit.
13. My favorite jewel is the diamond. (shiny!)
14. I watch tons of movies.
15. I have a blog.

Decisions / Choices

I find myself questioning what kind of people I have surrounded myself with. Lately I have felt nothing but hurt and remorse for the lost "friendships". Apparently I am very good at being used. In the past I have closed up my heart to numerous people but I did not like the callous life style that accompanied that decision. I was sitting in my adult Sunday evening class and we were talking about how Abram left his family to follow God (Genesis 12:1-3). This was definitely not a simple task for Abram, unless he had the "friends" I do then it might have been an easier decision. But seriously, he left all the comforts of home and went to a land that God would show him. I feel that I will need to burn down some bridges between me and a few select people in order to continue to do what God has led me to do. Ministry is not an easy road. Dont get me wrong I love working along side my husband to do Gods work but it sometimes takes its toll on our relationship. We have had to work harder in order to communicate. I find comfort in Genesis 12:3 because God promises Abram that he (in a lump sum) would take care of him and Abram wouldn't need to worry about those who curse him. In the same manner I am positive that God will do the same for me. I just need to remember to keep on keeping on. Although better said than done.

On a different note. I feel like God is leading me back to Him. I have strayed yet again. Not in the sense of doing a whole lot of bad things but just not communicating and reading his word on a regular basis. Every sermon that was presented to me has been directly aimed at me and where I stood in my walk with Christ. If that were not enough, God also revealed his power and provision. Last month Jon and I were $100 short of rent and we had no idea how we were going to make it until the next paycheck. Because of the snow we were cooped up in the house for 2 days straight. We decided to do some cleaning around the house and found some old bills (already paid) and other mail. I opened a few envelopes and discovered in one were 3 checks from the medical insurance company stating that I had no obligation to pay certain co-pays. The refund checks totaled around $98. Simply stated "It was a God thing!" Looking back it reminds me of Philippians 4:19 NLT (new life verse BTW) which says... "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus"