Last Update for the CCCII and Merry Christmas

So, here I am again after a long and extremely busy absence. We are moved and in the new house. Still some unpacking and shifting around to do as the new place is quite a bit smaller and very rustic. We moved from Panama City, the capital, to the "campo" or the country. While it is verrrryyy lovely and peaceful, there are some adjustments to be made.

Yayyy for getting our internet back up and running. I was afraid that we wouldn't have access 'till after the New Year, but here we are! So nice to be able to call family and use our webcam to let the kids participate virtually in some of the family holiday traditions.

Well, though I didn't count my points or use the ticker this particular challenge, I have been so very blessed to participate and I believe it was just the "kick in the pants" that I needed. I weighed in today at 149 lbs. this is down from the 160 that I started with. It is so nice to be able to pull anything out of the closet and have it fit great or even be too big and loose now. My waist is at "32, which is so much better than when I started and I have lost inches everywhere else that I measured. Can't believe how great I am feeling! My long-term goal is to get down to 135 lbs. and be fit and firm. I'm planning to stick with it because for me the benefits of the weight loss, great energy, and the "new lease on life" feelings far outweigh any desire for a temporary taste sensation.

Thank you to Dani Joy for hosting this challenge and for being such an inspiration and encouragement. Thank you to each one of you who left encouraging comments or advice when I updated. I hope that each one of you have benefited in some way from this challenge, whether through weight loss or being the recipient of another's prayers on your behalf or an encouraging word shared by another sister-in-Christ.

Merry Christmas to each one of you, wherever you may be and may God richly bless you in the New Year.

Blessings,

Ruth