Thursday, July 31, 2008

THANK YOU, JESUS

As I was walking around Harris Teeter supermarket just a few minutes ago, I began saying…Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus!!! You see my mind was going back to times when vertigo kept me from even going shopping, times I had rather forget, but I thank God. This is my testimony......

For months after this thing afflicted me back in 2001, my husband and children did everything for me, we even had to buy a dishwasher, the movement back and forward was just too much, just loading it still was too much. Some days John couldn't go to work, and I would frequent the emergency room many times.... When I did go back to the market and other venues, I would often get sick and had to leave, very frustrating and humiliating. Several times I would have to leave church and go outside and sit in my car. I even had to leave a couple of times...I rember one time last year while teaching Sunday School, I got so sick, I just sat down on the altar for awhile. Thank God for my wonderful husband and children, and for the prayers and support of the saints.

Many days I could not make it through the day, about 3:00 every day, I had to go to bed and just retire, until I could get myself together. I would lay across my bed praying the healing scriptures, I learned many of them by heart. The Word will work, if you work it! Often I would call the saints to pray for me, while I lay there, so out of it and feeling so very helpless. Sometimes thank you Jesus was all I could mutter, but that was enough.

God began to tell me to get up and play the piano. Mind you, I could barely get out of the bed, yet God would whisper, “get up and go play”. After a spell of explaining to God how bad I felt, I would carefully (very carefully), get out of bed and stumble to the living room, pull the stool out, dizzy as I go, and began to play. I remember playing two songs most times, Nothing but the blood of Jesus, and Sanctuary, oh.. I forgot Majesty worship His Majesty! Sometimes I would sing softly ,and feel the anointing of the Holy Ghost. I guess its true, “music soothes the savage beast”. I began to feel my strength come back in my body.

God began to lead me which supplements to take as me and my husband studied the condition, the doc said I had. I had to stay clear of salt and fried foods and nothing sweet! Those things still turn my world upside down, should I be foolish enough to eat them!!! Walking daily makes me feel so good as well.

I took so much stuff, and sometimes God would remind me to take my ginkgo and nutricalm, I still take them!, and mant other nutrients, praise be to God.

Isn’t God wonderful, I didn’t get well overnight but seldom do I feel like I use to, and I give praises to God. The condition isn't fully gone but I'm so much better, its like I'm another person at times.... Dr. Schwaber was shocked when I saw him a couple months ago, he couldn't believe the difference, and I glorify the God of Glenda Torrence!!

I have been asked to speak at a Prayer Breakfast on Saturday morning in Madison. Please remember me in prayer as I preach about “The Love of God, Yes, God loves You”!!
Blessings,
Torrence

Sunday, July 27, 2008

PRAYER FOR THE BISHOP

As you well know, we’ll living in perilous times…..I felt to blog this yesterday morning when Vicky called me about the need to pray for our beloved brother Ray Dupre, or did I call her? anyway... The thought came to me “prayer for the Bishop”. Being the head bishop of Tennessee I’m sure is not easy, but he has been dealing with a sick wife as well. My husband gathered me and children together and had a special service with scriptures and prayer. My husband can seldom pray without preaching a little! That’s good, it all goes together doesn’t it?

As we continue to stand and minister before God, let us really lift up this precious family to God, in faith believing. God will do His part as we do our part, that’s for sure.

Remember the girls, and their feelings and frustrations in this time. I still call them girls because when Bro. Dupre married me and John almost 23 years ago, Ladonna poured the punch, helping with the reception, and Jacinda was “counseling” my soon to be daughters, and Sis Brenda made the greatest cake you ever tasted!. Yes they have been part of us for a long time.

I can’t imagine what the girls, son-in-laws, and grandchildren are going through now, mama’s sick, now daddy. In the spirit of my beloved mother,"PRAY CHILDREN PRAY", and believe what you pray, and lets DO what we can to help and relieve the burden. Let us be like the ant and work together with the Dupre family at this time, all working to help the caregivers and everyone that touches these precious people of God. Thank you….
Blessings,
Torrence

Saturday, July 26, 2008

UP AND AT THEM!!!!!THE NEW BEGINNING

Can’t believe I’m up so early….I have never been an early riser, except growing up in the country, where I didn't have a choice! Daddy got up early and we did too.LOL

But today is so filled with expectantcy and excitement as we feast upon our first day after the sell of Tremont Avenue.

The coming week hopefully will be filled with MORE PACKING, or better yet, more cleaning out closets, chester draws, shredding of papers, sorting of MORE books and clothes, appliances....I’m getting tired! We are so looking to spy out the land of Ocala the first week in August, if the Lord wills.

I will need lots of energy today and the days ahead so I’d better get walking, it clears my head and make me feeling like "getting up and at them". No wonder my daddy was always up so early, I must be getting older…..I hope so.
Blessings
Torrence

Friday, July 25, 2008

DEBT FREE AND HOMELESS...HOW SWEET IT IS...

The late Sam cook wrote “I was born by the river, in a little tent; oh and just like the river I’ve been running..every since…Its been a long, a long time coming, but I know, a change gonna come, oh yes it will.” And to that I say thanks be to God, OH YES IT HAS..

Today as my husband and I sat in the Escrow office in Brentwood, many things flooded our minds, as we signed over the title of our home to good friends, the buyers. We were both thinking of the faithfulness of God over our lives and how He has keep the enemy from triumphing over us, all the days of our lives.

The selling of the house is a story within itself and one day, I may feel at liberty to share, but for now just know that God has been faithful, to the Torrence Family in a most miraculous way….to be continued..
Blessings
Torrence

Thursday, July 24, 2008

A SAXOPHONE, FOR DAVID...

My family is very musical on both sides somewhat, but our youngest son David truly have Stewart genes. He loves every musical instrument and wants to play everything! In the spirit of my grandfather, the late Professor Hillery Thomas Stewart who taught music and toured the country with his own choirs, David fits right in. Many of my cousins are great singers and players of all kinds of instruments, and in Baltimore Maryland, everyone knows the Leach Family records and videos. I told David several years ago, learn to play them all! He’s taken me up on it, I truly believe.

He started playing drums and we bought his FIRST drum set at about 5 years old! There would be three more sets, keyboards, a xylophone, a trumpet, piano (mine really), Loria gave him a clarinet, and there have been many other electronic musical things in between.

Bro. Tracy Wood gave him big old speakers that he refuses to part with, he is very sentimental like me and his father…

But this week he bought another one with his monies, a saxophone he always wanted. Found it on Craig’s list and the noise begans again ha ha. Really, he plays it well and is so proud of it. He stays in my room playing away, all of the children have always loved our bedroom, couldn’t keep the girls out either…
Its ok though, glad my children feel at home in their parent’s room!

Sam takes the noise in stride, its his baby bro, and he deals with life so well.

David the music man, happy and content….Thank God!!!
Torrence

VERY CLOSE, AT THE DOOR

To God be the Glory, great things He has done. If the Lord wills, tomorrow at around 2:pm in Brentwood, Tennessee, we will close on our home on 1304 Tremont Ave. It has been a dream and desire of our hearts for a long time, now about to manifest before our eyes. TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!!!!
Blessings,
Torrence

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

THE BALANCING ACT......

To make my weight-loss walking beneficial I really have to pay close attention to my diet choices as well. IT’S A BALANCING ACT!! I have to really reduce my intake of refined sugars, fats and starches like JUNK, the “whites, must be eliminated, except for cauliflower. White flour, salt, sugar and the white in meats must be tapered off. Instead I replace with more fruits and veggies, white meat (little), fish, and refined carbohydrates, such as cereals (small amounts), and whole-grain bread, a little pasta, and brown rice. I like an array of green leafty veggies, especially the cruciferous veggies. Limited amounts of nuts, seeds and soy are also important and nourishing to the body. Protein-rich beans, lentils, and peas are excellent meat substitutes, and provide good fiber.These foods give energy for my exercise but will keep weight gain at bay.

Fiber rich foods will fill me up longer and reduce the urge to snack, while acting as the rotor rooter to my GI tract. Of course healthy snacking is good for me.
I now “eat with purpose”, it’s a wonderful way to ignite my new lifestyle and repair any health issues I may have. Best of all it’s a preventive strategy, which makes more sense and is more productive. We don’t want to wait till the RED light comes on, do we? My mama used to say “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Speaking of "cure", I can't forget good clean water and electrolytes. Water is needed to matabolize fat and to keep the cells clean, and to remove toxins, and about a hundred other things for good health. Its also a great mood elevator, and water helps to keep the mind sharp and wards off the "blues". I've found that sometimes when I think I'm hungry, I'm really just thirsty.

Over time, the food eaten affects weight, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, insulin regulation, brain function, emotional health, and the all important immune system.

What I put on my plate, every day will play a major role, along with the gene pool, in determining much about my health and longevity on the earth.

By using the fork and spoon to my advantage, I can help myself to be what I want to be, and what God intended me to be.
Yes, that’s what I want!
Torrence

THE BALANCING ACT....

To make my weight-loss walking beneficial I really have to pay close attention to my diet choices as well. IT’S A BALANCING ACT!! I have to really reduce my intake of refined sugars, fats and starches like JUNK, the “whites must be eliminated, except for cauliflower. White flour, salt ,sugar and the white in meats must be tapered off. I'm proud I have really been deligent with this endeavor. Instead I replace with more fruits and veggies, white meat (little), fish, and refined carbohydrates, such as cereals(small amounts), and whole-grain bread, a little pasta, and brown rice. These foods give energy for my exercise but will keep weight gain at bay.

Fiber rich foods will fill me up longer and reduce the urge to snack, while acting as the rotor rooter to my GI tract. Of course healthy snacking is good for me.
I now “eat with purpose”, it’s a wonderful way to ignite my new life and repair any health issues I may have. Best of all it’s a preventative strategy, which makes more sense and is more productive. We don’t want to wait for the RED Light do we? My mama used to say “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. I haven't always heeded that truth but I am changing......

Over time, the food eaten affects weight, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, insulin regulation, brain function, emotional health, and the all important immune system.

What I put on my plate, every day will play a major role, along with the gene pool, in determining much about my health and longevity on the earth. Also what I drink plays a huge role too, because so much hidden sugars and caffein and other JUNK hides in our drink choices. I need more good clean water to metabolize fat and to wash out the cells and release toxins from "stuff" we don't even realize we have taken in. ITS A BALANCING ACT!

By using the fork and spoon to my advantage, I can help myself be what I want and what God intended for me.
Yes, that’s what I want!
Blessings,
Torrence

LIVING IN THE NOW...

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report...Hebrews 11:1-2.

I love the MORNINGS…well, really I’m pretty fond of the whole Day!! But there’s something very special that happens to me when I get up early and get moving.

My daddy was an early riser, oh my; sometimes we children thought he never slept..Always up by the crack of dawn, looking over the crops, feeding hogs and chickens (mostly my job), milking the cows, feeding the horses and mules and finding things for us “yunguns” to do. LOL

We could hear him singing and praying from our rooms and think, oh no, we’re next!

God has certainly given us wonderful weather to enjoy, and I’ve been taking advantage of it.
Walking early gives me a sense of WOW, the body feels so alive and energized and ready for whatever the day brings. Walking is the my time with the Lord, where we talk and muse together and He sorta "nudges" me on points here and there. It is a time of reflection for me, I think about the past, and the future; but swiftly shift into the NOW.

For the NOW is really where I want to stay. What would you have me do…NOW Lord, today…give us this day…Jesus prayed, our daily bread. Too much meddling over yesterday and looking too far into the future is a waste of my time, and may cloud the wonderful NOW that God has for me and mine.

As I was walking yesterday, I was feeling a little STUPID, I was thinking of how I had lost a good bit of weight several years ago, but had gained it and now losing it again… Walking down the alley my whole psyche was bothered by this line of thinking and it was weighing(ha ha) me down. I felt the Lord “nudge ,“keep walking, "stop thinking about that, look at you NOW.” I had to bring my mind back on focus, back on target, back on the NOW. I lifted my head, squared my shoulders and walked 4 and a half miles!!
Have a wonderful day and live in the NOW. For we have this moment……
Blessings,
Torrence

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

SOME OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES.....

Even the longest journey begins with a single step. Unknown

Be kinder than necessary to everyone you meet, for they too, are all fighting some kind of battle. Unknown

“UstaBees don’t make no honey. Mrs. Mamie Brown (Les Brown's mom).

Never look down at anyone unless you’re helping them up! Unknown

Stop living life for what’s around the corner, and start enjoying the walk down the street! Unknown

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.

You are successful the moment you start moving toward a worthwhile goal. Charles Carlson

“Finish each day and be done with it!
You have done what you could….
Some blunders and Absurditites have crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can! Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.” Dr. Joyce Brothers

“The key to willpower is want power. People who want something bad enough can usually find the willpower to achieve it". Unknown

“The only time ‘success’ comes before ‘work’ is in the dictionary..Unknown
Torrence

Saturday, July 5, 2008

I DID IT, THANK GOD...AND ME!!

Thirty days of successful, clean and healthy eating accomplished by me, yes I’m proud of myself and plan to continue now that the “streak” is over. What a motivational tool these streaks have become for me. The challenge wasn't nearly as hard as I thought, I guess the first week was the hardest, or should I say more "challenging". I thank God for my family, they didn't baby me, even though I wanted them too.LOL. My husband remembered to buy certain things he knew I needed, but bought things the rest of family liked too. He wasn't trying to "sabatoge" me, just letting me know its my choice, he would say"you don't have to eat it", he's right, and I didn't!!
I need to beef up my walking to 4 miles a day, let’s see…..two week streak starting Monday (God willing). Sounds good to me!!!
I really enjoyed logging my meals and keeping clean the whole month. I log on PEERTRAINER and SPARKPEOPLE, but this added even more accountability.
Now to continue….well that’s up to me isn’t it?
Blessings
Torrence

Friday, July 4, 2008

DAY 29, SUCCESSFUL......

I still hear the fireworks from Riverfront Park. When the girls were young, they would climb on the car port and get a perfect view of the festivities, and fireworks, what now seems a long time ago…..I didn’t eat my planned dinner today, had a subway sandwich instead, a good quiet day of rest, day 30 coming up!!
Breakfast
Go lean crunch
½ cup blueberries
½ cup yogurt with wheat germ
Apple, tea and water
Supplements
Lunch
Mixed salad with 2 tbs. vinaigrette
3 oz. wild salmon
Cup whole grain couscous
Green tea
Dinner
cup green beans
1/2 cup summer squash
baked chicken breast/salsa
cucumber salad
green tea
Snack
protein, tea and water
Torrence

Thursday, July 3, 2008

28 days of success....

Today was wonderful in the Lord, as all days are! We are busy packing books and stuff (I have books) and the move is really getting exciting! David sold his drumset to an Hispanic church today through Craigs List, we hope to sell every thing and take very little with us, my very nice piano, dining room set, sofa , washer dryer….everything. What’s left we’ll have yard sale or give it away, very excited…day 29...
Breakfast
Oatmeal with blueberries(my favorite)
Soy milk
Green tea
Apple and water
Lunch
Tossed salad with 2 tbs. vinaigrette
3 oz. tuna
½ cup green beans
Tea and water
Dinner
Cabbages
Lima beans
Wild salmon (left overs)
Apple and orange
Snack
Protein
Blessings,
Torrence

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

27 DAYS OF SUCCESS...SWEET

Busy busy day, the moving process is indeed ….moving. Spent some time with my neighbor Shirley, she seems to be recuperating nicely. Her son was there helping her, washing dishes and taking care of mom….a nice sight to see, day 28
Breakfast
Go lean crunch with soy milk
2 pineapple slices
½ cup of cottage cheese
Green tea and water
Supplements
Lunch
Mixed salad with 2 tbs. vinaigrette
3 oz. tuna
Apple
Green tea
Dinner
Baked wild salmon
Mixed green salad/w salsa
Small sweet potato (naked)
Cinnamon apple sauce
Water
Snack
Protein bar
Fruit
Blessings
Torrence

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

26 AND COUNTING....

I thank Ms. Carol Mithers for her wonderful article in the O magazine. She inspired me with her testimony and made me want to try 30 days of healthy, clean living. It worked! Lets go 27.…
Breakfast
Go lean Crunch/with sweet acidophilus 1% milk
Wedge of cantaloupe
Apple
2 pineapple rings
Green tea and water supplements
Lunch
Mixed green salad/lite dressing
3 oz. tuna
½ cup baked beans
Water
Dinner
½ cup baby lima beans
Cup of cabbages
4 oz. baked wild salmon
Tea and water
Snack
4 plums
2 pineapple rings (like the rings)
Torrence

BELIEVE,,...AND HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF.....

It is amazing how some people seem to have the capacity to either lift you up or bring you down….I know its all how you perceive it ….but…

Coming back from my walk today, I did not feel too particularly good. Don’t know why, an old blues song says “just be’s like that sometimes”. As I was coming up on 14th , I saw a car parking on the street, it was the ‘lady in the green dress’, I slowed a bit to holler at her (country talk). I could see her moving quickly from the car, not wanting to miss a chance to encourage me, and that she did. “Don’t let nobody tell you you’re not doing good”, she said. “You have to have will power, believe and have faith in yourself,” she continued.

I turned from her quickly as tears came to my eyes, “thank you”, I muttered and kept walking. The lady in the green dress(it was pink today), had done it again, she gave strength to the weak, encouragement to the ailing, standing in the hood with a world of knowledge and wisdom in her soul and spirit. I thank God how He made us to meet up at the same place at the same time, a divine appointment as Bruce Wilkinson, author of The Prayer of Jabez, would call it!

Have faith in yourself she had voiced to me, as she came closer to her yard with keys in her hands. Not faith in God, she could descern I already had that, but wisdom told her, I have a little problem with the “faith in myself” thing…..You see this is what had prompted the tears, she had found my heart and my weakness. Have faith in yourself, I work on this every single day of my life, seriously. Lady in the green dress, thanks…again.
Torrence