UPDATES

So, several things have happened in the past six months that I thought I should post:

Since January, I have been working out, juicing, boot camping and going to physical therapy. I have lost 32 pounds and 6 sizes!!!!! I have never been in a single digit number in my life!!! I am feeling great, working hard at not only being healthy, but staying healthy - and I can tell you it really can happen to you!!! Lindsay once told me that it's 20% exercise, 80% food - and it's true! If you cut out all the sugars - for me that meant cutting back on fruit which was SOOOOOO hard - and adding green vegetables in place of the fruit, watching the 'white junk' - bread, pasta, crackers, etc - and limiting calories to how much you burn, then it's true, your body has no choice but to burn fat!! So, if you don't walk, exercise or move much, 1200 calories is too much. Eat less of the good stuff, and little by little, it will shed - that's what happened when I injured myself a month ago.
That's my second incidence - I hurt myself during boot camp and couldn't move....not even walk!!! During that time, I realized how grateful I am for the ability to WALK! How many of us take that for granted daily? I would watch people walk and be jealous - crazy, huh? But really, what an amazing ability that comes from the simple fact that our body was created in a way that several muscles facilitate the movement of a large limb. I had lost the function of two muscles - abs and glutes - on my left side which prohibited me lifting my leg off the ground! After a week of rehab, I could function again and was so grateful!!! Thank you Heavenly Father!!! I finally had tears of joy instead of tears of pain. I have such a small understanding now of those who have difficulty with movement due to childhood illnesses/conditions.
Thirdly, my grandma has been ill for several weeks now - I'm sure it's just age..... but I love her dearly and miss her very much. I wish I could be there. So my realization is this: appreciate those around you who you can love - not just those who love you. What an awesome opportunity we have to love and serve family and friends around us. When you're thousands of miles away from your family, you tend to realize that more often...... Thanks to all my 'friends' and family who show me kindness and love through generous acts of service - mowing our lawn since my lawnmowers broken, fixing my drain pipe since it's been blocked for 2 months, spending time to call and care. Thank you.