How Did You Do It?

Thanks all for the many encouraging comments on my last post. A few of you wanted to know how I lost 50 lbs. It happened at first not by design. I wish I could tell you that I did this diet or that diet and it worked miracles. That is not the case.

About six months ago I was going through a very hard time. The things of life were difficult. I wrote Functionally Depressed out of my difficulty. It helped to put into words what I was feeling. My acid reflux during this time period was in overdrive. For about three weeks food was not my friend. Unfortunately I lost about 20 lbs in that period of time. I say unfortunately because I don’t recommend losing weight this way. I’m in a very good place now and it’s because of God’s healing touch in many areas of my life.

I wasn’t excited about the weight lost at first because I figured when my stomach healed I would gain it all back and then some. Instead when I started to eat normally I ate much smaller portions. I found that I could eat what I wanted without gaining weight back. The weight comes off much slower this way. I feel better, I move better and I’m not as tired. I want to lose more weight but I’m in no big rush.

I’ve struggled with my weight all my life. I’ve been really thin and really large. Through it all I’ve been with Tom. I have to tell you that he has never treated me any different in spite of the scale. He always showed and told me that I was beautiful and he loved me. I knew he meant it. It doesn’t matter to him now that I’ve lost weight. He’s proud of me and for him the issue is that I’m happier about myself. He’s a very good man and it’s one of many reasons I adore him.

My cell phone ringer plays a special song when Tom calls. It’s the chorus from Martina McBride’s song, My Baby Loves Me.

He thinks I’m pretty, he thinks I’m smart
He likes my nerve and he loves my heart
He’s always sayin’ he’s my biggest fan
My baby loves me just the way that I am
My baby loves me just the way that I am

© Nadine Z. 2007

There’s No Place Like Home

I’ve had a very busy weekend. On Sunday we had a joint service with our sister church in town. The ministry our church is associated with Streams Ministries’ founder, John Paul Jackson was in town for a visit. We had a very nice visit with him and he spoke on Sunday morning.

My husband wanted to get this new shirt for Sunday and we went Saturday evening to find him one. And where else can you go at ten o’clock at night? That’s right, Wal-Mart. Well I got to looking and for new pants for me. I’ve lost about 50 lbs in recently and I wanted to wear something casual that fit.

We found ourselves in the shoe section looking for shoes for Tom, when I wandered over to ladies shoes. I found these red high heels shoes. See picture above. I thought to myself, who could walk in these without breaking something? So being the funny gal that I am I show Tom the shoes and say, “Hey babe what about these?” To my surprise my dear husband’s eyes got very large and a big smile appeared on his face. He was determined I buy those shoes.

To make a long story short, I walked out of Wal-Mart with the red shoes and a new outfit. I know what you’re thinking – how in the world can she walk in those things? Well, it takes some skill.

The reaction from our people was very positive. Everyone loved my new outfit and my shoes. (Thanks all you made me feel great.) The best part was Tom’s smile when he looked at me.

Why the title to this post? Well it appears some of the folks had the same joke in mind, “I just want to see you click your heels together.”

You would think the pastor’s wife coming to church in red high heel shoes would put people off but no . . . not this crowd. You just gotta love them and I do.

© Nadine Z. 2007

Longings

The last time I wrote a poem it was during lunch. It came to me within minutes. Click here. I’m not a poet, but I love poems. My desire to know God better inspired this. It’s called Longings.


My heart longs for You
My spirit craves intimacy with You
My desire is to know You better

The shadows of life engulf me
The limits of time constrain me
The laziness of my soul refrain me

Who else knows me better?
Who else loves me like You do?
Who else can I trust with my deepest fears?

The longing I feel
The longing that drives me
Is placed inside of my heart by the One who longs after me

© Nadine Z. 2007

A Good Stretch

Stretching is one of those things that are good for us. Before exercising we stretch so that our muscles are loosened. The purpose is so that we don’t get hurt while exercising.

During a baseball game there is the seven inning stretch. The fans get up out of their seats and stretch. In case you’re curious this tradition started with President Taft in 1910. Being a heavy man and sitting in a small wooden stadium seat was not a good combination. He got up to stretch his legs. Everyone in the stadium thought he was leaving so they got up also out of respect. The rest is history.

Sometimes when my back stiffens nothing feels better than stretching my it out. It cracks a bit but that makes it feel great. So stretching is a good thing, right?

Then why is it when God stretches us we give Him a hard time?

In about a month I’m going to be part of a team of teachers. We’re teaching a class over a period of a couple of days. Preparing for this class is stretching me. God is doing this and it’s a good thing. It doesn’t always feel that way. I have no trouble speaking in front of people. I love meeting new people and am very outgoing. But put a notebook in front of me and place me in front of a class of people . . . well let the stretching begin.

Stretching when God does it is not always a comfortable feeling. It may be a bit scary or a lot scary. The bottom line is that it’s good for our muscles. It prevents us from getting cramped. So Lord, go ahead and stretch me, but remind me when I start to complain how good it is for me.

© Nadine Z. 2007

A New Bag

Yesterday the handle to my bag broke. It was annoying to me because it happened late at night. We had a conference at our church and I was busy all weekend. I wasn't sure when I would get the opportunity to buy another one. I usually get the same style or color bag every time. As much as I vary in my tastes in so many areas of interests, I usually get a black or brown bag. It must have a separate compartment for my cell phone and at least two major compartments for other stuff.

Today after church Tom and I had to make a quick stop at Wal-Mart. While there I asked him if he wouldn’t mind me looking at the bags. He was kind enough to humor me. So I made a bee line for the same exact style and color bag I have now. My dear hubby comes over to me and says, “I believe God has a new bag for you.” At this point I wanted to cry, but I didn’t. I just didn’t have a brain to think or to try to hear God. At our church we teach classes that have to do with the Art of Hearing God and dream interpretation. One of the exercises we do is to let God speak to us through an object. He saw the frustration I was feeling. He went on to say, “I think it’s red and God will speak to you through it.”

I’m thinking to myself okay I’ll give this a shot. So we look around and I find a red bag and it’s something I never would have bought for myself. (See picture above.) It’s pretty but I’m not that bold in the bag department.

I took my new bag home and as I started to transfer the stuff from my old bag into the new bag. It started to speak to me. I took some time to pray and when I look at my new bag this is what God spoke to me –

It’s a one zipper bag instead of two because my role will be more defined. There is a snake skin pattern on it. A snake sheds its skin and there is a new one underneath – God’s shedding my old nature and a new one is waiting underneath. It’s like new wine skin for the new wine He has for me. The red represents passion for Him and for life that I once had. It also stands for His blood that was shed for me to have that new life and have it abundantly. The bag is bigger than what I usually get because the new thing is bigger than what I’m use to. I felt He told me that passion, freedom and hope is mine – that is His promise to me. That I will have renewed passion in my love for Him, my love for Tom, my love for my children and my love for His people. I will have freedom to express myself in the call He has placed on my life – freedom to worship Him, to love Him, to be creative and be one with Tom. I will have hope that these are not mere words on a page but a promise.

So thank you Lord for your encouragement to me today. I will look upon my bag daily and be reminded of your love and promise for me.

© Nadine Z. 2007

Happy Birthday Tom!

Forty-seven years ago today my dear hubby was born. I am truly grateful to the Lord and his parents. He is a good man who is loved not only by me but many others. He is a good father, pastor, friend and most importantly husband. I have the privilege of sharing this adventure we call life.

Thank you honey for all your support, encouragement, guidance, friendship, leadership, and love you’ve given me through the years. You’re my best friend and I love you.

So Happy Birthday Tom and know that I’ll always remain-

Forever Yours,
Nadine

© Nadine Z. 2007

Happy Valentine’s Day

I’m married to a wonderful man. He gave me a card and chocolates this morning. I was thrilled. While at work, he stopped by and bought me a dozen yellow roses. (See picture above.) He knew those are my favorite and how delighted I would be to see him in the middle of my day.

I was looking forward to the end of the day because I was so tired. Tom called and suggested we go out to dinner. Funny how quickly my fatigue fled. I met him for dinner at a restaurant called, Bonefish. It was a nice restaurant but very crowded hence the long wait. It didn’t matter because we got to be together. We had a wonderful meal. During our meal Tom told me to look at a couple with a child seating in a booth to my left. “Married or unmarried?” he asked. I took a quick look and noticed the child, the woman and the man all sat on the same side of the booth. I turned to Tom and said “Unmarried.”

The next booth had a man, woman and child. Again he asked, “Married or unmarried?” The man and woman were on opposite sides of the booth and the child was seated next to the man. “Married.”

Observing people can be fun. The way they sat next to each other told us plenty. The “unmarried man” looked off like he was bored and wished the kid was home with a sitter, made us think “unmarried.” The way the “married” man took care of the child next to him made us think “married.”

Now whether or not our observations were correct the funny thing was we agreed. It was fun. So hope your day was as lovely as mine.

© Nadine Z. 2007

Pastor’s Wife

When I first got married to Tom I was just marrying the man that I loved and wanted to share my life with. I soon realized that there was a call of God on his life and that he had certain gifts and abilities. It became apparent that he was going to be a pastor one day. I thought that was great until I realized I was going to be a pastor’s wife.

The problem was I didn’t feel I would measure up. I spent many years thinking I wasn’t good enough. What gifts did I have? What abilities did I possess? Then God freed me of the box I put myself in. He simply told me that I was perfect for the job – I was Tom’s wife and no one else was better suited for it. I was being who He created me to be. This freed me to just love him and our children without the stress of measuring up to other people’s ideals of what my job should be in the church. I only did what I felt God called me to do and served the best way I could.

I love our church and love even more the people in it. I have been so blessed by the people in our church. I feel their prayers for us, but it doesn’t stop there. They have been there for me in hard times (nothing was harder than hearing your husband has cancer) and there to celebrate good times. Their love and support is priceless. As I look around I’m pleased to see how much that love and support is extended to each other.

To the members of our church I want to let you know - I’m honored that God allows me to serve you in the little ways that I do. You bless me more than I could ever say. Thank you.

© Nadine Z. 2007

Photo of our church, The Bridge

The Ankle Bracelet

Twenty-nine years ago today my husband and I got together. If you want to read about it, you can here and here in previous posts. I was only sixteen at the time and he was almost eighteen. Even though many people in our church heard the story about how we got together, my husband thought it would be a cool idea for us to tell it together before his sermon. It was fun and I love making people laugh.

Growing up in Brooklyn there was a traditional gift that was given to show you were going steady – the ankle bracelet. It usually had two hearts and two leaves with your name and your boyfriend’s name on it. If you had a good boyfriend the double heart had a little diamond chip in it. As you can see in the picture above mine had five diamond chips. He saved a long time to pay for it. One more piece of trivia about the ankle bracelet - you didn’t wear this around your ankle. You added another chain to it and wore it around your neck so that everyone could see it. I found that outside of Brooklyn no one did this. If you ever did, let me know but I’m thinking it’s a Brooklyn thing.

Thank you, honey, for loving me for the past twenty-nine years and always remember I’ll remain forever yours, Nadine.

© Nadine Z. 2007

UPDATE: For those of you who have found this post and are interested in getting an ankle bracelet like the one pictured above, I've not found any links that sell them. What I suggest is you can give the picture to a local jeweler and see if they can come up with something for you.

Swan Lake

My husband had given me tickets to see Swan Lake for Christmas. I had mentioned how I’ve never seen a professional ballet in person. I’ve seen it only on television and amateur performances. He knew how much I loved the ballet and did research and found that Seattle has a professional ballet company. I know what you’re thinking right about now– how sweet. Yes, but it gets better. He made an event out of it. We went last night and stayed in a hotel. We had a nice dinner at a place called The Keg. Nice fireplace, really good steaks.

We got to sleep in and got ready for the matinee at our leisure. I wore a lovely skirt and high heels and Tom wore his suit minus the tie. He looked handsome.

We stopped at Denny’s for breakfast and then left with an hour to spare to get to the show. So far everything was so wonderful . . . until we got off the exit for the theater. The traffic was backed up and it took us forever to get to the theater – it’s now half an hour before curtain time. We see the signs for parking and follow them. The problem was that there was construction all over the place and there was no visible sign or entrance to the parking. So we got all turned around trying to get back to where we started – twenty minutes to curtain.

Tom was afraid we might not get there on time and found a public parking area. We parked the car – fifteen minutes to curtain. We walked in the general direction of the theater. We stopped a passerby to make sure we were going in the right direction – twelve minutes to curtain. The pace picks up when we realized we are several blocks away – eight minutes to curtain. Did I mention I was wearing high heels? At this point he tells me that if we don’t get there on time, they reserve the right to not let us in – six minutes to curtain. I believe I set a new record for speed walking in heels for when we got to our seats it was two minutes to curtain. Yeah!

I was now hot and sweating and never so glad to sit down. I was afraid of taking off my shoes for fear that my feet would swell up and I couldn’t get them back on.

Alas, I was there and I was so happy. The theater was beautiful. The live orchestra was really good. The professional dancers were amazing. The costumes were colorful and sparkly. I did have one observation – when twenty four swans are in toe shoes and dancing at the same time . . . well let’s just say they are not as light on their feet as you might think.

I have a wonderful husband who sat through three hours of ballet, smiled, held my hand and told me how happy he was because I was happy. We stopped in Ellensburg which is about a couple of hours from where we live to have dinner at the Starlight Lounge. It’s one of those places we love to go to if we are ever in the area.

Thank you honey for the wonderful Christmas present. I love you.

© Nadine Z. 2007

Best Jobs

This morning was rainy and cold. As I drove by I saw a man on the street dressed as the Statute of Liberty. He had a hooded sweat shirt on under his costume. His job was to draw attention to the new business, Liberty Tax Service, which opened up in my neighborhood. I felt very badly for this grown man who had to stand outside in the rain and cold and wave to passing cars. He didn’t look very happy and I just said a word of prayer for him.

It got me to thinking. There are so many jobs out there that people do – some of them not pleasant. Some provide essential services to make our lives more convenient. Then there are those who put their lives on the line everyday in order to make our world a little safer. To list a few; policemen, doctors, nurses, fireman, airline workers, bus drivers, gas station attendants, 24-hr supermarkets, latte makers, garbage collectors, gardeners, mail men, maids, cooks, etc.

Then there is a job that encompasses being a cook, maid, gardener, doctor, nurse, taxi driver, etc. all wrapped up in one. That person keeps the home front running better known as mom. My kids are grown now and I love this stage of life. I do remember how it was to stay home and take care of young children and the home. I’ve done many things in my life that I got paid for, but that’s one job I would have paid to do. Yes, I was tired and it seemed like my work was never done. At times it felt like no one appreciated my cooking, cleaning, caretaking, etc. but that wasn’t true. They showed me in the most important way – they grew up to be incredible individuals. My children are young adults and I’m proud of who they are. I love them with my whole heart and I’m grateful that God let me borrow them.

One thing I've learned was that I couldn’t be a good mother without first being a good wife. These beautiful children grow up and move out, but the one who stays behind is the man I married. As much as our children tease us, they know that their parents love each other and enjoy each other. They witnessed us taking time out not only for them but for ourselves as well. I don’t regret taking time for our relationship. Those scheduled dates were important as well as the yearly vacation with and without the kids.

One day our daughter said she wanted a man that will love her the way her dad loves her mom. She continued to inform us that she won’t settle for anything less. That’s worth all the paychecks I didn’t get all those years.

So treasure every moment, every step, every smile, every hug from those little ones, but don’t forget the man who help bring them into the world.

© Nadine Z. 2007

My Son’s Short

Those of you who know me, know that my son graduated the Seattle Art Institute in video production. He is at home presently saving enough money to move to Los Angeles to find work in his chosen profession. I’m very proud of him. He recently filmed a few shorts that he wrote, directed, acted and edited himself. I picked this one called “Wake” that stars him and a friend, Hannah. I thought it was funny and I hope you enjoy it.




© Nadine Z. 2007

What’s Cookin’?

There is nothing I enjoy more than cooking as I mention in my previous post, Entertaining. Unfortunately I don’t have standard recipes for many of the meals I prepare. I don’t cook with a tablespoon of this or a cup of that. What I do is pour or sprinkle until it looks and taste right. So if someone wants a recipe I can give them a generalized idea how to make it.

This brings me to a lovely young lady in our church who wanted to learn how to cook. I was thrilled to teach her. She came over to my house and I “showed” her how to make Italian sauce (I’m not Italian but learned from my Italian mother-in-law), anti-pasta salad, chicken parmesan and garlic bread.

She was so thrilled, but not as thrilled as her family. Sometime later she was able to reproduce (with a couple of phone calls) the meal for a friend. How cool was that? It was a great day and it’s something I enjoyed so very much.

So if you love cooking, look around and see if there is someone you can pass on some of your skills with. You could just hand them a recipe card (and there is nothing wrong with that), but if they are a young person, invite them over, and use the “hands on” approach.

© Nadine Z. 2007

Super Bowl Sunday

Yesterday was the Super Bowl – The Colts vs. the Bears. The first fifteen seconds were exciting – touchdown! But let’s be real, unless your team is playing then do you really care who wins? You watch it, have a party and enjoy being with family and friends. I have to admit I really enjoy watching the game.

Unfortunately this year I had a very long weekend and fell asleep sometime during the third quarter. I only slept for three and half hours the night before.

I enjoy watching the commercials just as much. They had some good ones this year. Everyone has a favorite. I decided to post the one I liked the most. Just click and enjoy. What was your favorite?



© Nadine Z. 2007

Everything Starts at Number Three

I have a friend who lost two children to cancer. After his daughter died at the tender age of five, he didn’t blame God. He grieved but this is what he told my husband.

“I know two things and that’s all I know.
1. God is good.
2. God loves me.
Everything else starts at number 3.”

The amazing thing is he said the same thing after his son died at the age of nineteen. These two children were extraordinary. They loved God and loved spending time in His presence.

Whenever I’m going through a hard time God reminds me of this. It puts life in perspective for me. Whether life is going my way or not I still will worship Him and honor Him. Why? Because He is good and He loves me. The circumstances don’t change that.

Today I examined my circumstances. My husband still has cancer – he’s in remission and I rejoice in that. My mind will not be at total peace until he is fully healed. I want to quit my job in order to do other things for God – explore full time writing, travel with my husband, explore more ministry opportunities, not necessarily in that order. This is all good things to want and desire.

Still all of that starts at number three. I don’t know what circumstances you are facing right now in your life. Some of it is probably more serious or tougher than my circumstance, but I believe that with my whole heart it starts at number three.

There are times in our lives when it seems God is quiet and not listening to us. We pray and nothing seems to happen. Today I heard Aaron Evans talk about that. He said when we were in school and taking a test, the teacher was at her desk watching. She wasn’t talking to us so that we’re not distracted from the task at hand. So when God seems to be silent it is because we’re in a season of taking a test and He’s watching us.

Lord, change my heart to praise You in all things. Always remind me that You are good, You love me and my circumstances don’t change those truths.

© Nadine Z. 2007

A Sandwich Day

Some days start off really well. It’s Friday, it’s pay day and the office manager bought me a latte. The latte was totally unexpected and so out of character for her. I was lured into expecting the rest of the day would be just as nice.

I was very annoyed by my dealings with a lawyer’s assistant who wanted the doctor to testify in person. I tried to explain how he doesn’t do that, but would gladly do a video or regular deposition. The gal calling me was relentless and tried to threaten me with a subpoena to have him appear. To make a long story, short - let’s just say she’s still breathing and he’s going to be doing a video deposition.

My day started well, the middle wasn’t as pleasing as I would have liked but it ended well - hence the title of this post.

A local church was hosting a conference with a speaker that will be at church in April. We went to support them; we are friends with the pastor and his wife, and because we know the speaker. We heard Aaron Evans and was not disappointed. He’s a very good preacher/teacher – witty, easy to listen to, but most of all anointed. He speaks with authority. He's not full of himself and very down to earth.

Afterward he prayed for everyone. My husband and I were blessed and encouraged. So tonight I end this post simply by asking God to bless Aaron in his ministry because he truly blessed me.

© Nadine Z. 2007

Author, Author

At the end of a great play, the crowd would cheer, “Author, author!” So what makes you an author? The dictionary states an author is somebody who writes a book or other test, for example a literary work or a report. It also describes an author as a creator or originator of something.

I love to write, but I’ve said this before, I’m not the best writer there is. I’m okay with that. Is an author a person who is published? I don’t believe so. You may disagree and that’s okay. I believe an author is a creator or originator of something. The best authors receive it from the Creator of all things. Click here for a great post on this subject. If you enjoyed the post called, Dances with Words, then you have enjoyed a favorite author of mine. She is not published . . . yet. But when she is, I can say I knew her when. She inspires me to write better stories. I’ve learned a lot from her. Just as I am inspired by her there are others that inspire her to better herself. When we think we have arrived, then we leave no room for God to teach us and bring us to new levels of inspiration and creativity.

What do we do when God gives a gift? Our responsibility is to use that gift. The more we use it, the more the gift improves. I’m much better now then when I first started writing this blog. Of course there is room for improvement.

Writing a blog has been fun. Writing a novel is different. What I love to do is tell a story. I love to allow God access to the creativity He placed in me and let the story unfold. The process looks a bit like this – I pray . . . I stare at the blank screen . . . I pray again . . . I take a deep breath and wait for God’s presence . . . then I place my hands in position on the keyboard and let the words flow.

I’ve never taken a writing course. I’ve never graduated college. My first novel is not published. I’m working on my second. Am I an author? I let you answer that question. I write because I’m compelled. It’s something that is inside me and my desire is to enhance the gift God has given me.

© Nadine Z. 2007