My gym membership ain't what it used to be....

When I started going to the gym, Melinda would meet me at my house, I'd wait for her, she'd wait for me. We'd walk to the gym, talking and laughing, or crying, the whole way. We'd work out next to each other, encourage each other, and then walk home. Talking even more. But Melinda is moving. So now I go with Todd Erickson and Clay Erickson who tell me if they have to wait more than 2 minutes they are leaving me, who walk in front of me because I walk too slow and who have asked me not to speak to them, because I interrupt their "gym" time. Then, if I don't want to get left at the gym, I need to leave when they do. So today, I am feeling kinda blue, as I realize that I'm not getting as much out of my gym membership as I used to!

When is being called fat a compliment? A change in perspective.

My sister, Eileen, came to visit. She is tall, thin and beautiful.



I took her to meet the two Godly sister in Santiago, Zamora. I was so excited for them to meet my sister.



"Maureen," they said, "You are fat and your sister is thin."
Wow, in the US that could end a friendship.



I have lived here in Guatemala long enough to know that saying someone is "gorda" or asking their age is not rude. However, it still catches me off guard. But it was their next line that changed my perspective.
"Todd is able to provide food for you. You are blessed to never go hungry."
I assured them that my sister's husband provided plenty of food too, my sister just eats less and exercises more.

What a paradigm shift. Next time you look in the mirror and are about to complain that you think you look fat, use it as an opportunity to thank God that you have enough food to eat.

I have been working on losing weight because it is a better witness and much healthier. I just hope it doesn't reflect badly on Todd.