What does a Stop Sign mean to you?

This is how I saw an issue in my life that I couldn't face. We all have have things in our life that we try to go around, not address, and play as though it doesn't exist. I am no different. There was something in my life that I tried to remove emotionally for the last four years, yet I wouldn't let it go. I couldn't deal with the emotion, and I couldn't face the truth.

The situation was something that caused such hurt and depression that I never addressed it. It was a straight link to my over eating. To be sure I didn't over eat I would ignore the problem. It was also the elephant in the room, but I ignored it.

The stop sign represents where I am in my life now. My former thought process would have seen this stop sign and I would not have moved any further. But accepting that God has NO limits, I can look past the stop sign and begin to wonder what is beyond, what am I missing, what is out there for me that is waiting on me to explore.

In life if you have a "stop sign" in your life that represents excuses, bad relationships, hurt, pain, addiction whatever it is, make sure you look beyond and allow yourself to wonder what else is out there just for you.

Sometimes the stop sign is there to help you let go of your past so that you can move to your future!!

Holding on to the fire

How do you on to the fire when you are pulled in so many directions?

Well that is the question I am asking myself daily. I know the ministry God has given me. That is to educate society about the world of obesity as well as, encourage those who are going down that journey. I must do all of this while handling day to day life. Between work, working on my second Masters degree and trying to be the best mom I can, I can become stressed. But I bless the Lord that I turn to something positive instead of food when those feelings come. The last six months for me have been a whirlwind but I must keep my inner core calm while watching the tornado swirl around me. T.O.U.C.H. 52:11 Inc. always keeps burning within me. The fire is huge and buring brightly because I know my purpose.

This week think about your purpose. Are you living it? working it? encouraging others with it? or are you allowing your fire to be burned out daily by work, stress, no determination, self doubt?

Remember to always keep your fire buring.

Malcolm and Jasmine

They bring me such joy.

If you are a regular reader of my blog you know that I love my son Malcolm and I wanted to introduce you to my niece Jasmine (my nephew Samuel wasn't there the day they took this picture). I love seeing these two together. They remind me what joy truly is. The laugh, joke with one another and love on each other. I enjoy watching my son be a man, and make sure his cousin has what she needs, buys things for her, holds the door and her hand. It's truly sweet.

I wanted to be sure they are highlighted today as the "superstars for the week".

I ask God to cover them and all the children who are returning to school this week. May they have restful sleep, steady focus and determination. Cover the buses they ride on, the hallways they walk in, and cover the food they eat. Bless the teachers, staff and leadership in their schools and let them take time throughout the day and ask you for wisdom in all they do.

In Jesus, name we pray ....AMEN

Loving Life

There is no time like time with my mom. I have been so busy with work and being mommie myself that it was great to have time with my mom and son at lunch. My life lately has been a world wind. The favor of God is truly all over my home, work, and most of all my attitude. I am in such a good place when it comes to thinking about myself. I truly have a positive self evaluation and I am learning to accept compliments from others without thinking "do they really mean that" or "I don't really look that nice like they said". I am learning to embrace it all and do so with confidence.

I'm so grateful that God has given me this opportunity to start over and in the process help others do the same!!

Enjoying Six Flags without obese worries!!

What are obese worries you ask? terrible sweating, horrible pain in your legs, knees and feet from the walking, shortness of breathe, hungry all the time, feeling depessed and overwhelmed at the sheer length of the park, having to hold everyone up because you have to rest every so many yards.... But that wasn't a worry for me today!

What a fun day we had today at Six Flags. This is spring break for my son and I decided to take him to his favorite place Six Flags. It was such a reminder at how far I have come. First we had to park close to 2 miles from the entrance. The old me would have wanted to merely give up and not even walk to the front. The new me passed by the trolley that was their to pick us up an I walked with pride praising God the entire time that I had the ability to walk without pain. Arriving at the entrance I went through the turn style without getting stuck (which has happen to me in the past).

Once arriving in the park the first thing my son wanted to do was go on the Goliath roller coaster which was at the top of a huge hill. The entire day we walked and walked and walked. It was 80 degrees and we were sweating. But all I could think about was that my skin was bleeding from rubbing of the skin between my legs, and under my breast. At one point I actually stretched my arms out besides me and really felt the slight breeze of the wind. On one of the rides, I actually sat on a bench and waited for my son to ride a ride. While everyone else sat under shade, I purposely sat on a bench in the sun. I love to feel the sun, after so many years of running from it because of the weight.

We even left the park and went back to the car to get something to eat and rest a minute before going back to the park. It seems so much easier to do everything in the park but the fact that I could excited me.

I decided to go on a ride called the Ninja. I haven't been on a roller coaster in over a decade. It was fun and I felt like I was traveling back in time. I also remembered not being able to ride on a roller coaster.

As we left, we were tired and hot but decided to walk back to the car!! We passed up the trolley and just walked and enjoyed the fun of the day.

The day was fun and a blessing to spend time with my son. I am so happy I am able to be that fun mom who can do things with him an not just watch from the side lines.
Thank you God for allowing me to redeem time!!!!

DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER? PLEASE READ....

Achieving Lifestyle Living can seem so hard to achieve but it is possible. For those of you out there who really want to make a difference in your life and improve your health there is a contest for you!

T.O.U.C.H. 52:11, INC, is having a Lifestyle Living contest. This contest will require you to meet certain criteria.
Please email your name,age,DOB,phone number,weight,state(location),and clothing size. Once received an email will be sent with an attachment on the criteria that is needed.
Office phone: (262)52TOUCH
Email:info@touch5211lifestyleliving.com.

The winner will received free services from me and the ability the change your life forever!!!!

Sandra Kelley M.S. Education

Riverdale speaking engagement

What a wonderful speaking engagement I had today. The women who attended made the most important step to improving their health, they came to the event. Whether they realize the huge step they made or not, the first crucial step to recreating your life is to "simply begin".

I spoke about the issues I went through, the hurt, pain and embarrassment of my past obesity. I spoke about the broken tubs I would cause because of the sheer mass of my weight, how I couldn't wear a seat belt, I had sleep apnea and so forth. The women felt comfortable and were able to ask questions, talk about their issues and what their struggles were.

I gave them helpful hints on improving first their mindset and how to then move onto other areas of their life. It is such a joy to help others see themselves in a more enlighten state. I thank God for the opportunity to share my story and to give back to my community. I will always take the time to reach back with free informational sessions so that those who need assistance are able to receive it. I often think back to when I was 450 pounds, I wanted to have someone to speak to me one on one about their experience and how they were able to do it. I didn't have the funds to reach out to those who were outspoken about their weight lost, so I always promised myself I would help those who needed me yet weren't able to afford my services.

It's important to give back the gift that God gave me, therefore,
lets TOUCH the world together!!!