Weight Loss Update: My weight has been fluctuating so much lately it is kinda crazy. Sometimes I can tell people I am down 48 pounds and sometimes it is 42-45, depending on when I weigh in. When I post on here, I go based off of the Medifast scale when I weigh in. As of this Tuesday morning I am down 42.7 pounds in 11 weeks. My weight is starting to maintain a little more than I want it to, but since we are in the Holiday Season and eating healthy isn't always easy, any weight loss is productive. I am finally starting to realize that I need to add more exercise to my program. I have been doing little by little everyday to work up to the Insanity program and I am officially starting that on January 6th after my first day of student teaching. I can't wait to get into that new routine.
When I looked up religious percentages in the United States, it says that about 80% of the US in Christian. It actually seems kinda low to me, but I checked multiple sources and that seems to be the finding among many. So how many people celebrate Christmas? 80%? 85? 90? The findings were incredible, but 95% of people celebrate Christmas. That means over 40 million people celebrate Christmas who are non-Christian, so my question to them is, "What do you celebrate?"
Do they celebrate so they get presents? Do they celebrate because everyone else is doing it? Do they celebrate because they feel weird if they don't?
This Christmas, I want us all to remember the true meaning of Christmas. If you have younger brothers/sisters, obviously they are excited about Santa Claus and presents but have we explained to them why we celebrate? Before we gather with family, do we pray for the time together or do we go right to opening gifts?
Obviously spending time with family is super important and I am not condoning people who celebrate with family even though they might not be religious. I am simply stating the numbers that there are millions of people who have no idea why they are celebrating. So go to Church with the family and hear the story of the Birth of Jesus. Understand that he is truly our savior and that tomorrow we celebrate the day he is born. Pray before you eat and thank God that everyone is able to be together. Some aren't so lucky.
Also, say a prayer to the troops who are abroad and can't be celebrating because they are busy fighting for our freedom. We wish them save travels home soon.
This Christmas I am also praying for some extended family members who are going through treatments and who aren't doing so well. I am praying anyone who is going through chemo treatments and fighting the battle with cancer. I am also praying for the Lefebvre family who needs special prayers over this holiday season. Even if you don't know them, please say a special prayer today for them.
Today and everyday I want to wish all of you the very best. I hope that no matter the struggles, that we can all take time today and tomorrow to celebrate what this holiday is really about. I speak for my family and the whole Hines family when I say that we all wish you a Merry Christmas. We will be spending Christmas Eve at church and then eating and celebrating at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We are all truly blessed to be able to have so many of us gather together.
Happy Holidays, I love you all
God Bless,
-J-
