Quick update from me

[Sheenar]

This will be quick. I'm tired and I want to get off the computer.

I'm with my friend's family at their house. I will be here until school starts. Please pray that this will be a time of growing closer to God and getting spiritually prepared for the new semester.

I'm having trouble sleeping. I've been clenching my teeth in my sleep and it's making my jaws hurt. I bought a NightGuard mouthpiece and have been using it for 2 nights. Pray it will help. My jaw has also been popping when I eat (doesn't hurt --just annoying). Saw the doctor for jaw pain. Said it's just because of the teeth grinding. Probably stress-related.

I was also pretty sad when I had trouble getting into my size 16 jeans. (I was a size 12 last Spring). I've tried so, so hard to lose the weight. It's frustrating. I just want to lose the extra weight for health (and to be a 12 again--I had a lot more energy then).

I wonder how Mom's doing. It's been over 3 months since I talked to her last...it's weird. I don't really feel like I've made much progress in healing either.

Anyway, wow, that wound up not being so quick. Anyway, your prayers will be appreciated (and if you have any weight-loss tips send them my way). Love you guys. Good night.

[teen4truth]

praying =)

I can't wait to hear where you are at when the new semester starts. Be sure to update!

[Blitzkrieg1701]

Hey, I wouldn't expect a lifetime's worth of issues to wrap themselves up overnight. Give it time! Anyway, I'll be praying for that and the health issues.

[Sheenar]

Yeah, I'm just really depressed about how much weight I have gained. I really want to be healthy. I do ok diet and exercise-wise for a while, then I start not being as diligent --"Oh, well it's just one soda" or "It's ok to eat this dessert." --Those things are fine once in a while, but I've been finding myself eating that stuff more than I should.
I just really want to drop the weight. Diabetes runs in my family and I'll be more at risk with extra weight (not to mention a diet full of junk). Pray for discipline. Discipline is hard, but I know it can be done.
Basically, my plan is to drink mostly water and no soda. I already walk a lot, so I'll just keep doing that. Hopefully I'll be able to lose weight that way.

I'm a little mad. The Bible study I had bought ("Lord, I Want to Be Whole") was in a red bag at my friend's apartment and I think one of her roommates accidentally grabbed it when they moved out. But I should get it back, which is good.

I have had a fun day so far. This town is very pedestrian-friendly, so I plan to walk around a lot. I think I'll try to get myself lost so I have to use my brain to find my way back. It's my idea of fun...

Thank y'all for praying. I really appreciate it. Know I've been praying for you guys too.

[Anna Mae]

My dad has an almost identical mouth condition. He got a special temporary retainer-type thing from some specialists. He's had it for several months and it has almost entirely fixed the problem.

You might have more success with the weight loss if you had an accountability partner of some sort to check up on your eating and go to the gym with you.

Praying.

[Sheenar]

Man, I am so stressed. I just realized that my phone charger is in the red bag. My phone is dead, so I can't call my friend to see if she found it. I'll try emailing her.
I'm going to try to go to the dentist in the morning. I'm going to call the office from the house phone to see if they're open before I go. Hopefully their office can work out a payment plan, as I'm broke and my entire next paycheck is going to my CareCredit bill.

It'll all work out. I'm just worrying and stressing myself half to death. I need to stop. God will take care of me.

[HiddenWoodchuck]

I'm sorry you are stressed out. I will keep you in prayer. God made a way for me with the bills a few months ago... somehow, it just all worked out and I was able to make all my payments... it was very close! This was when work was slow, we were not putting in 50 to 60 hours like we are now, so I didn't bring home the norm... but it worked out and I praise God for that!

[teen4truth]

Yes he will =)
You might already know these things, but just as a note of encouragement:
-God uses hard times and situations to build people up. He might be using this weight situation to develope your discipline.
-it's just life. It's perfectly normal to struggle and be frustrated.

[Sheenar]

Thank you guys for praying. I feel better today.

[USSRGirl]

In my prayers, even though I don't know the whole situation (I just saw this thread). I have trouble keeping myself from stressing over little things too and worrying myself to death. One of the best things to do is to take time alone in prayer and scripture to calm your nerves.

I hope all starts going well soon and that God gives you strength and comfort. PM me if you ever want someone to talk to.

Your comrade in Christ,

Temulin

[Blitzkrieg1701]

Glad things are improving

Still praying!

[Sheenar]

I'm going to the dentist in the morning. I don't have any money. Please pray that they can do something. I've been clenching and grinding my teeth so much that I'm having trouble sleeping. My lack of sleep has caused me to have several seizures (which thankfully only happen when I'm laying down). I just want it to stop. My jaws are so sore...

Side note: Enjoy your youth kiddos...being an adult is cool, but it's not all fun. Having to pay bills with a part-time work-study job is tough. But God provides. I'm just a bit stressed on how I'm going to keep paying bills--I have a gap in my paycheck coming (not working over the break) and 2 bills due during that gap. I'll have no money to pay.
I also really, really want to go back to the camp I worked at last summer. I worked at Camp Barnabus Texas and I really want to go work with the kids again. I love those kids. I just am not sure how it will work with having to pay bills but not working for the 3 weeks of camp. I can only work if I take classes, but I can't go to camp if I take classes. Please pray about this decision. God has really put it on my heart to go to this camp, so I'm assuming He'll take care of the details...
I just wish I could stop worrying about the future and about stupid money. God has never let me down. He always makes a way. Why do I still doubt? I feel so stupid. Why can't I get this into my head? (I must be really thick).
Anyway, I must sleep. I have to get up early, get dressed, and walk to the dentist. Pray that I can sleep.

[Sheenar]

I went to the dentist today and he made some impressions of my teeth (that stuff was terrible--it was like having Gak in your mouth) to make some night guards to wear when I sleep. They'll be ready next week on Thursday. I explained my situation to the clerk and hopefully they can work out something as far as payment goes. The dentist was really nice.
After not being able to sleep until 4 am last night, I'm turning in pretty soon. It's a little after 9. I'm going to take some Aleve and try to sleep. Hopefully I'll have a restful night (and hopefully no seizures).

[Blitzkrieg1701]

Ick. That impressions stuff IS nasty, isn't it?

Well, I'm still praying for you

[Anna Mae]

Camp Barnabas is is a neat organization. I'm sure that God will guide you. If God wants something to happen, he'll make a way.

[SnEptUne]

Regarding gainning weight, have you tried being more careful regarding the quality of the diet instead of the quantity? For example, is there any saturated fat or even worse, trans-fat (hydrogenated oil/fat), in your diet? Sugar shouldn't be too difficult to burn off as long as you have suffice exercise, but trans-fat is almost impossible to burn off.

And exercise doesn't have to be about going to fitness club or running, it could be standing instead of sitting, sitting on a ball instead of chair, walking a few blocks away instead of driving, cycling instead of driving, doing house chores, or getting involved in social gathering or community activities. I personally found it is silly to exercise just to lose weight.

[Sheenar]

I don't eat a lot of fat in my diet. I try to stay away from sodas. I eat things with no trans fat (I read labels).
As for exercise, I can only walk. I can't run because of my disability. I plan to go back to the gym on campus after I recover from my surgery and start back on the bikes (the ones low to the ground with a back to the seat). I also play with my service dog for exercise.
I don't have a car, so I walk everywhere anyway. Even to the grocery store.