“Erika I like this figure youre going in right now”
“Erika.. you look great (with the sexy sign thing lol)”
“Erika this.. erika that..”

All of those were said with a huge smile on their faces not knowing that everyone was seeing the changes in me.. I don’t know how I will react nor do I know what to say whenever complimented about my weight loss. Yes, it took me several sweats and miles to actually see changes in my body. Yes, it took awhile for everyone to notice.. Yes, it took me months to actually achieve the weight I really wanted.. Yes I even came to a point where I thought I will never get back to my weight 5 years back in the days.

I wouldn’t say having this kind of lifestyle is easy. It is hard. There will be temptations along the way that will make you say, “why am I even doing this?” There will be days when I will have mad cravings about food I decided to stay away from and I have to tell myself “don’t give in”. I won’t brag about how I got to this stage because everyone can do it. It takes determination and self control. Everyone can lose some weight they don’t have to have. You have to do one thing though, you got to change your lifestyle.

I pray late at night for my daily bible reading and my sister will talk to me and if I don’t respond will turn off the light on me.. Then I will have to stop in the middle of my prayer because my thoughts are not set right anymore to tell her that I am not asleep yet.. Smh..

Serving God sure isn’t easy. You’ll lose friends because they will think you’re not cool, you’ll get persecuted, trials will come, and how do I know that? It happens to me alot but my world is not shaken one bit because I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Jesus will always be there for every single one of us. ALWAYS!

For me, this day is nothing extraordinary. No cheesy surprises or super huge cuddly bear nor heart shaped balloon either. This day is just a day where I go to school go home, rest for a bit and then cook. Well maybe cook a little more that how I do on a normal day. For this day, my menu was baked potato and teriyaki salmon. I was so excited to cook the salmon since it will be my first time ever trying to cook it myself. I love teriyaki everything so I was happy when I tasted the teriyaki and it was like what I eat at my favorite restaurant! :))) After I prepared the main dish, I went and started making the frosting with my mom and aunt. I was so excited too because it will be my first time decorating a cake.. not a cupcake but a cake ;) It went smoothly and I was happy with the outcome though I didn’t get to it the cake.. actually none of us ate since we were all full from out dinner.

It was one of the memorable valentines I’ve had. I may not have someone special but I have lots of people that matters to me. People that I love and support me no matter what. Honestly, I look at my life everyday and tell myself that I don’t need anyone to give me butterflies because having my family is enough. No, having the Almighty God in my life that continues to love me no matter how often I make mistakes is true love.

Every year we have a snow day at church and today was that day this year. All the kids were geared up for winter with their thick jackets to beanies and gloves. They all looked so cute walking together to get to the snow outside the church. It’s fun having snow the Sugar Creek way which is ice turned into snow. While the kids were playing there was a machine that creates a snow fall which is so awesome. It actually looks like there was a snow falling from the sky with how gloomy the weather looks like. With snow not happening in Houston ever year, all the parents probably missed the service and took a picture with their kids instead. It was so much fun. Then after church we ate out with my aunt’s family. After that we went home and changed then my sister and I were on our way to church again. Yup we love the church :) Xlr8 starts today which is where we volunteer and spend time with the kids helping them with singing, dancing, playing instruments, art and other activities that can show them that they could also glorify God through doing those kind of activities. It has been a chaotic but fun kick off. May the kids continue to come as the days go by because without them we wont be able to do such a wonderful work of art.