latest....

Hello, here i am, with my friend Gi,  the day of my surgery after the wonderful day that started my life changing experience. Today is 2 weeks minus 1 day that i had the Lap Band Procedure done. I have lost 29 pounds and a few inches, my arms are not touching my hips when i walk... LOL..I kept thinking that it would be harder than what it is with the restrictions in the diet of the Lap Band, but I will say that the Prayer of my Friends and family, and the strength of GOD.

Surgery

Well it is finally here, My surgery date is 09/20/2013 2 weeks and 1 day away. I am on my way to see the surgeon and see what i need to do to prepare myself.
i just told someone, I am nervous.
i will start taking pictures and letting everyone that is not with me see my progress.... They said i can lose 50 pounds in 3 months and be 1/2 of me in 2 years, I HAV NEVER BEEN THAT SMALL, ok maybe at birth... LOL
thank you for your support.
love you all,
CHER

Surgery

Hello All,
Well on the 17th I went to my last doctor Appt before all that needs to be done, now the long wait to see if my Insurance will cover it, about 3 weeks, and then 2 weeks pre op instructions and start my "life changing" experience. Everything is a go so far, I am a great candidate. 
There is a 2 week pre op, and this is where I will do Protein shakes for 2 of my meals, and 1 meal daily. then after operation, 2 weeks of liquid only. I am so excited and still kind of nervous, but I have great will power when it is something that i am wanting for myself,
thank you all for your support.
love you all

New Patient

I know that some people will think... "where do you find the time" but GOD has blessed me with volunteering for Season's Hospice. I went a few month's ago and talked with Peggy the volunteer coordinator to see what it would take to volunteer. After visiting with her, going through training required by Medicare and OSHA and everything that is involved, drug screening, background check and criminal history, (Nothing was found) HAHA....

I received an email yesterday from Peggy, asking if I was interested in meeting a new patient named "A" (not sure that i should use her name) she is 101 in the last stages of Lung Cancer and is sharp as a tack. I am going today to see her. I am so excited,

I will just be sitting with her, listening to her and being her friend. I asked my coordinator if when I am with a patient if writing down what they are talking about would be acceptable so that when the patient passes, I can give to the family what history they may not know. she said that it was fine. I do know that sitting with Gramma Mac when back when she was passing away, and the stories that she told, I have kept in my heart, but I wish someone would have told me to write it down so that i could have shared the memories with someone going through something.

I am so excited, not because "A" is on hospice but that I can hopefully be a blessing to her and her family.
Please help me pray for "A" and her niece,

God Bless.

Cher

Too Long

OK, just a quick note to say I am still alive. I have been working and working and working,
I am still trying to attempt to finish my schooling, but it has been crazy. I have 6 classes i believe for my Associates and then i can apply for my nursing. I am giving myself 5 years I will then be 50.... YIKES

I am changing things in my life, I am going in and having the Lap Band surgery done, hopefully in the next couple of months, I go on the 17th of July and get the last little bit of directions and maybe a surgery date, I am doing this so that I will be healther. I am happy with who I am.. I am NOT doing it for anybody else, not for my neighbor nor any man.
this is me taken in Jan.
I will keep you all posted with pictures of before and after and all the in between.

cher

driving to church

Here is a picture of my nieces Briana (from the church on the left) and Laura.

This was taken in the summer time when Laura came for the summer to Arizona, they hit it off really well, we had so much fun,

Here is a picture of myself and megan, we are driving to church, megan is another "niece"

Friends

Today was a wonderful day, we are blessed to have a wonderful church family,
Sunday was Old fashion Sunday, it is a great time of fun food and fellowship, seeing how all are dressed in the different eras, from Gingham dresses and bonnets to Victorian, for the ladies, to the men wearing civil war, and like Pastor Garrett, haveing a suit coat, with tales, and a bow tie, and having his hair parted down the middle, and slick with "grease" Haha, it was a great time of fellowship as well, we had dinner on the grounds, and after words, had relay racing, potato sack races, and 3 legged races, and of course the great game of tug of war, where the young single men, wanted to challenge the married men, and well, after 7 games in a row, the married men after counting to 3 they just let go of the rope, it was funny seeing all the young men, fall all over one another, we finished the day, with baseball for the men till late, it is getting colder here in arizona, we for use 63- 66 is cold, and the ladies were all bundled under the blankets, that we had to hurriedly had to purchase from walmart, they made money off of us,

It was a great day, Hope you all were blessed with your family as well,

Hello

Wow, I guess it has been a very long time since I have blogged, I do know that I have no excuse,
I have been really busy, and have had more time on my hands,
i have quit my second job, that i worked at for 7 years, but i love having time for myself and for fellowship, I have decided to Start Weight Watchers, and in 2 weeks have lost 10 pounds, I enjoy walking now, it is getting cooler in Arizona, will be posting more later, i have some pictures that I would love to share, God bless,

Encouragement

Just a quick note, to say that GOD is Good All the time, We are still in revival with Bro Ham, from Mississippi, he is right on, GOD has been working through him, Pastor Garrett said last night that it is like Bro Ham has been in his study/office right with the saints that have been talking to him, I know for me personally, it has made a difference in my life. It was said last night that when we have revival, (churches in general) there are some saints that draw closer and closer to GOD, and then there are some that just keep getting farther and farther away, they are not always at church services and choice what services that they want to go to, since we have more services they don't feel that they have to go to all, I know for me, i want to be at all services, and I want to draw closer GOD. May the LORD bless you all

Thankfulness

Wow Services have been such a blessing to me, Bro Ham, has been listening to GOD that is for sure, from the first night that he has preached at our church, some of his messages have been right up my alley, and I am thankful.
He spoke about a TIME FOR EVERYTHING, and used examples, of when we think that we are going to do “something” just for a little while, thinking that we are in the will of GOD, and its that something that may just take us out of church, but we keep telling ourselves and others that it is only for a little while,

He spoke about a family that was in the church where he attended before going on the evangelistic field, and where the husband was going to a different job because it paid more and it was only going to be for a little while, however, that “raise” was only 50 cents and after they were there they realized that they were out of the will of GOD, and things started falling apart, first they couldn’t find a good church to go to, and then his marriage was falling apart, and in the end of the ‘little while” all they have all backslid, and are not longer in the church, but they were only going for a little while, Bro Ham, said that it is easier to allow things into our life than it is to get it out. How true this statement is

I wonder how many times that we think “this job, or that situation” is the will of GOD, only because it is what we want to hear, that what we want to do, we sometimes do things so that our “acquaintances” can always want us around, when we know that they are not doing what is pleasing to GOD, but we want to win them to the LORD, I know from experience, that if they don’t want to live for GOD, they are wanting to change me to make what they are doing justifiable, I had to learn the hard way and I am thankful for my “friends’ and knowing that even when it hurts and they tell me the truth, that they are loving me, I am thankful that I am living for the LORD, it will be 20 years that I have been traveling this road, and I am going to continue to travel this road,

God Bless you all

prayer works,

When I think of all that is going on in my life, it is at times hard to think clearly, I know that some have been through much worse situation than me but today I will say that I am totally overwhelmed.
I know that GOD hears my prayers and answers everyone of them, and still I have to wonder “why this is happening to me” I am striving to do better with my feelings and look at things differently. When I take steps toward achieving that “high” point in my life where I can say “whew” I made it, it seems that right then and there I am knock back even further than I was before I started, I am asking you all to help me pray, and if you have any answer, please feel free to share your heart with me. I have faith that GOD will continue to see me through, as I know that all things work together for the good...GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!
I am not saying that I am depressed, but I will say that I get so so lonely, all my close friends are married, and have a family, or have been married, and have children, I am too old to be in the youth group, (12-25) and not too many things are happening to the ones (in between age) we don’t have a “singles’ group, or anything remotely close to it, and I am not going to start one, I make myself work 60+ hours just so that I am not alone. Which is a "sickness" I will make it, I know, as for the last few years I have made it, I have a made up mind to live for GOD, and I wll not by the grace of GOD lose out with Him, I am asking however to... HELP ME PRAY,

message

Sunday morning we had Bro Raul Alvear Jr, Missionary from Brazil, come by, he had just finished preaching for the Conquerors Conference in Tucson, Bro. Paul Connor, and he spoke on "THE DEVIL'S TIME IS COMING TO AN END", and his message was just that, we are all going through things and the church is on the rise, and the devil knows that his time is coming to an end, it was an awesome confirmation on things that have been said now for the last few weeks with different ministers coming to our church. I remember someone telling me once, that the next time the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future, GOD has forgiven us of our past, and better yet, He has forgotten our past Keep on Keepin on, with Jesus,

Church, footwashing, blessings

As I am sitting here, and knowing what GOD did for me yesterday, I am in awe, we finished our week of prayer and fasting, thank you Jesus LOL, I can honestly say that I am more in love with GOD, if that is possible, I was touched, and this morning when I awoken I can say that I was rested, this doesn’t happen all the time, we had such a great service, and it is a great feeling knowing that GOD has preformed miracles, and will continue to perform them in the future, in some of the Men in our church, some of them have been missing a lot of church for what ever reason, and I know that they are the head of our households, it just seems that several of our families the dad’s are out of church a lot, and yesterday there was one certain man, and I know that last night at our fellowship meeting to break our fast, several families get together and have soups, and fellowship, it is so much fun, he said to his wife that during the early hours of the morning GOD woke him up and told him he was going to make it, and that he had a different outlook on life, seeing him worship and be blessed of GOD was great. We do footwashing different then most, I think, families get together and the “head of household” washes their family members feet, and then they in turn together was “their” feet. I will have to learn to download my pictures and show all that is going on
We are starting revival with Bro and Sis Hamm (Spelling?) not sure where he is from but will learn more Tuesday, God Bless

Trying Blogging Again!!!!

Wow it has been a very long time that I have posted thank you Sis Pryor for noticing, I guess this will be “hopefully” a new thing for me, I guess when I read others it is about their families I don’t have anything too exciting to share, at least that is what I think, others may disagree, I hope.

For this first post of the New Year 2008, I just wanted to say that I am thankful that I am in the Church, in TRUTH, and believe what I have been taught and what I have learned over the years of being in Church. I am thankful for the leaders that I have in my life, from the very beginning the Pastor and Wife, of Delano Ca, Pastor and Sis Paul Wilson for always coming by and asking if I was okay, if I was going to be at church, and taking me to work after we ate at taco bell, thank you Sis Wilson, I love you “nana” and even now when I call, making sure that I am still living for God and telling me that she is proud of me, and Pastor and Sis Allard, for the many times over the last years that you have made me feel at home, when I come to visit, and just making sure that I was okay and still living for God. Thank you for the many years that you have prayed, and for loving me.
Now that I am Arizona, I have been in Pastor Garrett’s Church, and involved in many “ministries” and am blessed, from Sunday School, to Children’s Choir and Children’s Church, and the funniest and most rewarding is our College for Apostolic Ministries, where not only am I learning the beautiful language of Sign Language but I get to be a blessing to others and provide them with food and fellowship atmosphere,

I don’t have a lot of things going on in my life at the moment, I am single for now and want to one day be a blessing to others in the Mission Field, I have prayed and asked GOD to help me to fulfill this dream, in his time.

God Answers prayers, *funny*

This is just what I needed,

The Power of Prayer



After starting a new diet I altered my drive to work to avoid passing my favorite bakery. I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and as I approached, there in the window were a host of goodies.

I felt this was no accident, so I prayed ... "Lord, it's up to you, if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery."

And sure enough, on the eighth time around the block, there it was!

God is so Good!

God hears ALL our prayers, I remember people telling me that GOD answers all prayers, it may be yes, no, or wait awhile, I am glad that I have a GOD that will at times tell me to wait awhile,

I am so thankful for God's Blessings

When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all He has done for me, I am in Awe, I know this is not how the song goes however, there are many times when there is nothing I am able to do and I am speechless, its okay to laugh some of you are laughing and saying, wow Cheri Speechless, that’s funny.
For the last couple of months or so, those of you who know, I have been contemplating on what to do, about the living situation, where I am going to move am I going to get an apartment on my own again, stay where I am, find a roommate, and I have went as far, as am I to move back to California? I was so serious about moving to California, that I did everything and was going to ask for a meeting with Pastor Garrett, Well after praying for awhile I know that moving to California is NOT the will of GOD right now,
I remember a good friend of mine telling me that you need to pray diligently and asking GOD what He things about a situation, before going to Pastor. God gives us enough knowledge to handle things, I guess what I am trying to say is when we are going through something trival, such as should I go here tonight, you don’t have to go to your Pastor, you have the ability to make some decision on your own, but remember you are the one that made that decision and you HAVE to pay the consequences, some of us go to Pastor, and don’t like what he has to say and do what we are going to do anyways, if you already have your mind made up why go to pastor in the first place.
There are times when we have to go to Pastor, for he is the Watchman over our souls, I thank GOD for the Pastors’ in my life, Pastor and Sister Garrett are my Pastor and wife now, I am blessed to be in Arizona. But I will say that Pastor Allard is a part of my life, Pastor Paul Wilson, was my very first Pastor, and Sis Wilson is still a part of my life, I can call on her and know that she has been praying, Sis Allard, is also a very important person in my walk with GOD, She is an encourager and I love them all,
A few years ago, there was a situation with a very close friend, and I went to Pastor Garrett for some advice about moving, he advised me not to go, that certain things would be different, well I didn’t believe him at the time, my feelings were out there, and I stayed, and I will say that since I had listened to him that my walk with GOD had been different, and everything that he said in the office on that morning has come to pass, I thank God that when it was all in the beginning and I was rebellious and wanted to go anyways that I have a pastor and church family that loves me enough to tell me like it is, and that they love me enough to be there when I didn’t understand. I hope this all makes since, Love you all

THANKS BE TO GOD,

I don't know if you all remember but a few months ago I posted to have you all pray for a friend of mine, Sis Diane Hughes, she had been told that she has cancer, had to go through surgery, the chemo treatments, and they whole thing, leaving her tired, not able to do all that she was able to do at the speed that she was used to however I just go a report and wanted you all to know as well,
OH! I almost forgot!!! God has healed my aunt Diane!!!!! She went in for her cat scan and a few other tests, and her cancer count was around 700 (very high) and when the doctor came in he said," I don't know WHAT has happened, I have NEVER seen this before, but you cancer count is already down to 17"!!!!!!!! 17!!!! Wow! That is like when they are just about cancer free! He said, 'well, I guess we'll go ahead and go through with one more treatment, just to be safe.....but............" Needless to say he was SPEACHLESS! Thank you Jesus. Thanks for all your prayers! God is SO awesome. What a testimony my family has for God's miracle working power! Never-ever-doubt-HIM

Sisters,

To my sisters in the Lord.....
There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a close look at herself.
Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, not how unfair life is, or at who made you do it. She has to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection.
Have you ever admired a woman who has been through changes in her life? Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up. Before you make this mistake, take a closer look. A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger.
Think of all the great women in the Bible: Mary Magdalene, Ruth and Naomi, the woman with an issue of blood flow, and Esther, to name a few. Mary was a prostitute, a very uneasy woman. But by the time Jesus was done with her, she was His closest follower. Esther was unfortunate in marrying an abusive man, but by the time God was done with her, she had married one of the wealthiest men in the land.
Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up. Before you wonder, "What's up with her?" ask yourself, "What's up with me?" That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend, or co-worker, etc. That woman could be ME.
Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let's build and encourage each other, as did Ruth and Naomi. Pass this to all the women in your life. Encourage and love, forgive and forget, and trust that the woman that receives this will be touched in some way.
May you be blessed by the LORD I love you, Cheri

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBRA,

I just wanted to say, to my younger sister, Debra, I love you Deb, and I wanted everyone to know that I am wishing you a very Happy Birthday, I wish I were there to give you a hug, but this will have to do for now ((((DEB)))). When I saw this I instantly thought of us. I love you Deb, Hope you have a great day.

Bro Neil Lacour's Message

While in Church Tuesday evening, our midweek service, Bro. Neil Lacour *not sure about spelling* preached to us a tremendous message, he Titled it "FROM THE HOUSE TO YOUR CLOSET" it is awesome first to have the Lacour's home right now, they are evangalizing, they used to be our Youth Leader and family.

Bro. Lacour was asking each of us, not on a personal level but in general, How many of us only Pray at Church, do we have a prayer closet at home, do you make time for GOD before you make time for work? Do we read our Bibles more that just in the house of GOD. We may think that we can get by with things in our lives and think NOBODY will ever find out, as long as I stay in the church and put on a good show, and dress the way that I am expected too, nobody will see a different in me, I remember someone saying, *you can fool some of the people some of the time, some people all the time, but you CAN'T fool GOD any of the time. God has put a watchman over each of our lives. I for one am thankful that I have MY pastor(s) in my life. We may have been in Church for a short time, or all of our lives, or somewhere in between. And the devil will still work on us, saying you can do that who cares nobody will see. LORD, I pray that all who reads this that you put in them a desire to do more for your Kingdom. Keep them safe, and teach us to do more for you LORD.