Need? Want? Or a mix of both?

In my last post, I mentioned that I've been searching for an Elliptical. One question which I've been asking myself is:

"Is the Elliptical a need or a want?" 

Exercise is "good for the body". And my Chiropractor and I have been trying to figure out what types of exercise I can do without increasing the chronic pain too much.  With my back and leg injury and the chronic pain, I'm limited on the types of exercise I can do.

Last Summer, I found a Step Machine at a Garage Sale. The Step Machine had a feature that I thought would make it work for me—each step was adjustable. I could set the "bad leg" side to very little resistance, while "working out" the good leg. However, my "bad leg" just couldn't push down the step.  

I have a "peddle cycle" which I use with my arms, however, it puts strain on the back, and increases my back pain. Last week, I tried walking again. I walked around my apartment complex's parking lot. It felt good to be outside and "moving". But my back and leg can't take the "pounding" of the pavement.

So, what's next. The apartment complex's pool will open in a few weeks. Pool exercise is good for me, and doesn't add stress to my back and leg. Yet, how much I can "exercise" depends on how many kids and adults are in the pool at the particular time I'm there.

That brings me back to the Elliptical. Is it a "need" or a "want"? Or maybe a mix of both?

To be healthy, I NEED to find a type of exercise that will not increase the chronic pain. I've tried the forms of exercise available to me; however, they aren't working. An Elliptical provides a movement I can do without over-stressing the back and leg. So, does that make the Elliptical a "need"? 

I WANT to be healthy. And to be healthy, I need to exercise. So, does that make the Elliptical a "want"? 

I think it's a mix of both. Since my goal is to be healthy the Elliptical is both a need and a want. 

Over the last 11 years, I've seen God supply my needs, and even some wants, and provide some gifts, in the most creative and amazing ways. Even most recently, how God continues to provide for the new MacBook. I know that if God thinks that I "need" an Elliptical, He'll supply it—in His time—in His way.

I have a responsibility to make sure I'm not spending money, that I don't have. I also have a responsibility to WAIT on God and allow HIM to lead and direct me to the RIGHT Elliptical at the RIGHT time. I'm not a "good waiter". Once I make up my mind on something, I want to go "full-steam" ahead! But, on the Elliptical, I don't have a choice—but to wait. I can't spend money when I have other bills—that is not being a good steward. So, I wait.

Often creating a positive day,

is not about getting what I want ASAP.

Rather, it's about waiting on God.

Looking for 1 thing... finding another!

I'm searching for an Elliptical. One of those exercise machines that lets you move without stressing the joints. My online search and visits to a variety of stores has taught me that the machines are expensive. I've moved my search to garage sales. Maybe someone out there has one they'd like to sell... cheap. 

Yesterday, I stopped at one garage sale, thinking maybe, just maybe, they'd be selling one. I looked around and although they had a lot of stuff, no elliptical.

I was wearing my RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) Soldiers' Angels shirt. The gentleman asked what Soldiers' Angels was. I explain how we support current Military men and women, their families, wounded Soldiers and our Veterans.

He mentioned that he was a Navy Vet. He served on the USS Philippine Sea many, many, years ago. It was such an honor to talk with this gentlemen and hear some of his military service. What a wonderful surprise. I went searching for 1 thing.. and found a Navy Veteran!

It always amazes me when I meet Veterans and our current Military men and women—they are so humble and proud of serving our Country. I walk away from talking with them, enriched having just met and spent some time in their company. 

To each and every Military Man & Woman

and to each Veteran

"THANK YOU!!"

Often it's those unexpected surprises that create a positive day!

Celebrating my Birthday!

Today is my birthday!

The celebration has been wonderful.

This year, God gave me a new Don Moen CD! Last night, I learned that I won a contest for his newest CD—Uncharted Territory! How cool! I have a few of Don's CDs and enjoy them very much. So, I'm excited about receiving his newest CD.

I also received several cards from family and friends—love the variety of the cards and the encouraging notes. Many friends posted greetings on FaceBook. And I also received several gifts. One gift is a framed art work of Proverbs 3:5-6 created by Timothy Botts. Mr. Botts is an amazing and very talented artist.

Today, I was able to enjoy time and lunch with a great friend. God even provided a restaurant where I could enjoy a good meal without cheating on my diet! (That was very important to me, since I've lost a total of 20 lb so far. I still have more weight to lose, but since the Moore Health Ideal Weight Loss program is working, I really didn't want to cheat and delay my progress.)

(The last picture is Jake, my server, and me. Jake did a superb job of making sure our meal was very enjoyable.) 

And of course, Max provided some extra laughs today. It was 9 years ago that God gave me Max as my birthday gift. Max has learned a new sound. It's a soft and sweet whistle. When I say, "Pretty whistle", Max will whistle this new sound. I love it.

As I think back over today, I am truly blessed by God. It's so very special to be His child. Creating a positive day is very enjoyable when I'm counting my blessings!

Superabundantly!

I received a notice to stop by the apartment office to sign a new lease due to a change in a formula used to determine my disability rent reduction. I wasn't sure what that really meant. 

Today, on the way to my Chiropractic appointment, I stopped by the apartment office. The manager brought out the new lease....and my rent has been LOWERED! Yes, God has provided $5 per month due to the rent reduction. But that's not all! I also was given a CREDIT! So, God provided $50 plus the additional $5 per month for the next few months.

Once again God uses a VERY creative and unique way of providing! I've been on disability rent reduction for about 5 years now, and never has my rent decreased during that time...it usually increases each year. Never could I imagine my rent being reduced MID-LEASE! But God is not bound by disability rent formulas or time! He is ABLE to do EXCEEDINGLY ABOVE all we can ask or THINK!! 

"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]." Ephesians 3:20 Amplified Bible

So, let's recap so far.....

• March 9th I bought the new MacBook (Screen Went Dark; March 11th).

God has provided money the following ways:

1. The money I had saved for a new Wacom Tablet.
2. The discount at the gas pump (God did it AGAIN!; March 22nd).
3. The gift from friends via the mail (Hugs!; March 27th).
4. Rent reduction and credit (today).

I wonder what God has planned
for the balance due on the MacBook! Stay tuned!!

I'm so thankful that God is so creative! It sure encourages me to continue creating positive days!

Hugs!

There were some tweets going around on Twitter the other morning, about giving and receiving hugs from friends. The tweets were encouraging people to go hug someone. I thought, well, "I'm single, who am I to hug and who will hug me?"

It didn't take me long to begin receiving HUGS—from God! First, God shared a hug through Max, my parakeet. Max was extra loving and silly throughout the morning. Max's antics made me laugh. 

But God wasn't done yet.

Then the mail arrived. I received an encouraging and kind note from some friends. That was a warm hug from God. 

But God still wasn't done! God had prompted those friends to send some money toward the new MacBook! Now that was a "BEAR HUG" from God! God continues to supply the money for the new computer....and He is supplying in creative and encouraging ways!

But God still wasn't done!

A friend called, she was in the area and wanted to drop off some groceries! And you know what? When she brought the groceries by... she gave me a hug! That was a double hug!

God loves me, and that includes sending hugs!

Receiving hugs from God creates a very positive day!