A Much Needed Trip

Last year over Spring Break, our dear friends M, M, M, M, and M Crydo were heading out to Florida. Jared and I were over at their house late at night just a few days before they were going to leave. They were telling us all about what they were going to do, the campground they were going to stay at etc. I don't know who said it first, but somehow we started joking about how Jared and I should join them on the trip. Pretty soon, our joking turned into checking out airfares down to Florida at the last minute and before we knew it, we had booked tickets and planned on leaving about 2 days later!!! The trip we took last year was full of a lot of much needed relaxation, lots of fun and laughter, but most of all, really deepening our friendship with the Crydo clan. We had such a great time together that we all decided right there and then that we had to do the same thing again next year...

Which brings us to today. Jared and I get to leave on Tuesday for Naples FL for a week long vacation with the Crydo's!!!! We are so thrilled that our dream of getting together with them again, especially after moving away last summer, is actually happening! Thanks to some airmiles and saving up our tip money, our Florida Cramerine trip is possible once again! I can't wait for all the stories, fun times and memories that come from this trip:)


~Angela M.

What A Pain in the Knee

So for about the last month, I have been a dedicated die hard Jillian Michael's client...ok maybe she's not screaming at me in person, but through the television. Her 2 workouts that are my fave are her Boost Metabolism and her No More Trouble Zones workouts. Recently a few times a week I've been doing them back to back (they are an hour each). I've seen great results and think they are really fun.

About a week ago I started having some knee pain in my right knee--I had the same a few years ago when I was running a lot. I try to do everything right when doing squats and all the Plyometrics--don't let your knee go over your toe, don't let you knees go out or in, land on your toes...but still the pain-I think I'm on my way to get a little knee brace thingy.
I'm old.
~Angela M.

Can People Really Change??

Tears were streaming down my face this morning as I heard the story of a pastor in New Hampshire who has recently allowed a former inmate and convicted child killer--and convert to Christianity--into his home for a few months while the man (Raymond Guay) gets back on his feet after serving 35 years in prison. (click here for full story) Raymond met Jesus while in prison in 1993, and has only returned to this community after being ordered by a judge to spend his time there while on parole.
What completely broke my heart was how the entire community, and specifically his neighbors were re-acting to this great Christ-like act of the pastor and his family. Every time Raymond steps out of the home, someone fires a warning gun shot and yells and screams at him. They have a tent set up across the street so someone from the neighborhood can continually watch Raymond. People in town have posted signs in their yards saying "no kid killers". Neighbors are not allowing their children to go outside to play by themselves, and have tried to get officials in the town to kick out Raymond Guay. They are also purchasing firearms. Not only that, but Pastor Dave Pinckney has received several threats, including one threatening to burn down his house.
Now I want to get one thing completely clear-what Raymond Guay did in the past was in every way completely wrong. He murdered a little 12 year old boy for no reason, which brought on a lifetime of grief and pain for this boys family. I can not even imagine how terrifying it would be to go through something like that. Does what Raymond did in the past mean that defines who he is for the rest of his life????

When Good Morning America interviewed people in the neighborhood, they asked people if they thought Pastor Dave was doing the right "christian" thing. Their responses shocked me. One woman said "I'd say there are more deserving people to give second chances to. The child he murdered doesn't get a second chance. His mom doesn't get a second chance."
The sister of the murder victim was quoted as saying "You don't shoot a little boy in the face and find Jesus. A person who can do that is just not capable of that."
The pastors response to the threats is this: "I think people change. If people don't change, the Gospel has no merit," he said. "And we're kind of a hopeless society if we don't believe people change."

I simply can not believe that other Christians may feel like this act of grace was unmerited. When you look at the life of Christ--the very people He chose to hang out with were the worst "sinners" of that time. People can and they do change all the time by the love of Christ. I may not have killed anyone in my past, but I am a different person because of God's love. I have met countless people who have been radically changed by the love and sacrifice of Christ. I am praying today for Raymond, Pastor Dave, and his family as well as the Zimmerman family who are still feeling grief and pain. I hope that there will be others in the town who will show the love of Christ in this situation. If we do not show compassion and mercy, how can we truly be called a Christ follower?

~Angela M.

Where Have I Been!!!???
I have been such a bad blogger recently! All of you fans who are just sitting on the edge of your seats in anticipation for my next blog...I deeply apoligize-the waiting must have been hard!
This is the start of our 3rd week of Daniel Fast-I am planning on doing it for 4 weeks, but once those 4 weeks are over, I don't anticipate changing my diet too much from the DF. I've been enjoying being creative with meals, and have really enjoyed knowing the food that is entering my body is actually beneficial for me! I have also greatly increaed my exercise level, doing at least and hour-an hour and a half of workout videos a day. I alternate between Jillian Michael's Shred, Metabolism Boost, No More Trouble Zones, and our P90X DVD'S. I'm definetly loving having OnDemand! Although it just means no one in the family can watch tv while I'm working out!
We are thinking about buying another car. It is just getting too difficult to share the car especially when I am subbing and need the car all day. Jared tells me about every other day a new car he has found that we need to get:) I love my husband:)
The most exciting thing in our life right now is our much anticipated trip with the Crydo's to Florida in just over 2 weeks! The Crydo's have been so influential in our lives-we love all of the M's:)
Well that's the brief update on our lives. I will finish with a post of todays newest DF meal:

Sweet Potato Soup:
3 Sweet Potatoes
5 Cups Broth/Water
1/2 sweet onion
1 Cup Lentils
1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1/2 tsp Tumeric
1 tsp. Cumin
(I added cinnamon too)
1 lemon full of juice

Add everything to a large pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 min. Add lemon juice. Blend/Mash soup and serve.


~Angela M.

DF MEALS WE LOVE:

Red Lentil Stew (as shown to me by my friend Karen-although I changed things a bit)
3Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 chopped onion
3 celery stalks chopped
3 carrots chopped
2 garlic cloves chopped
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. cumin
1 can diced tomatoes (undrained)
2 tsp. italien seasoning
7-8 C. Water/Broth
1-1 1/2 C. Dry lentils
3 potatoes
2 Tbsp Vinegar

1. Heat Oil in a large soup pot, add onion, carrots and celery and heat for 3 min.
2. Add garlic and cook 1 more min.
3. Add all other ingredients EXCEPT vinegar...bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 45 min-1hr.
5. Add Vinegar just before serving

Sufferin Succotash Salad

1 bag frozen lima beans
1 bag frozen corn
1/4 bag frozen peas
1 Can diced tomatoes (drained) --OR 1 chopped tomato
1/4 onion chopped
1 Tbsp Parsley
1/4 Cup Balsamic vinegar (I used half balsamic and half Apple cider vinegar)
1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1. Cook up frozen veggies and drain
2. Combine all veggies and Parsley
3. Mix Vinegar and mustard together and pour over salad.

~Angela M.

Argyle Day at Church:

Not too sure why we did this today...because we can I suppose:)


~Angela M.