My Progress

MY SHOUT OUTS HAVE CHANGED!

It's often the little things that really counts...well some big ones too.HA! Anyway I've noticed a thing or two about myself of late. First, I don't write and blog like I should, and I don't tell my husband to bring back junk from the store. I can remember shouting out "bring me some ginger snaps, the orange sherbet, fiddle faddle, a roast for supper and on and on. I never really thought about it much but I really enjoyed sweet stuff. I was always baking things, and taking a bite or two, haha. I really liked meat too, in fact sweets and meats were my mainstay. Living in the country we had cows and hogs and turkeys and geese and duck, and goats...yes goats....and of course the infamous chickens. We were poor, but daddy was a great provider and fed not only his family but the NEIGHORHOOD! There was seldom a meal without meats and sweets.Now this isn't about blaming my parents for my failings, but the truth must be told, then we glean from it.



Coming home from school was usually a treat in that momma always had a "treat" for us, cookies, a pie, a cake, a sweetbread, a sweet potato pudding(the best!), and that was life on the farm. Then we would go out and daddy almost ALWAYS had work for us to do.



Though I was skinny as a rail then...I remembered those "good times", and incorporated it into my way of life...the Southern girl that I am! Later in life I attributed my weight gain to my genes. I am a McAllister, the genes run in my family. And of course DNA plays a part in many areas of life. But you can change your genes, but buddy it's hard work. I always wanted to look like daddy, tall and slim,WHEW he was skinny all his life. The baby of 22 children, his siblings tease that "there won't much left when he came along" For the Stewart's were big boned, daddy was the ONLY skinny Stewart I've ever seen. All his siblings were a ripe old size, not fat but tall and say "generous". I have sisters and brothers that look like daddy, but me and my deceased sister, and a brother took right after momma....not that there's anything wrong with that!!! Walking by the mirror sometimes I stop in amazement of how I look like momma, she was a beautiful wonderful woman, she struggled with her weight like me, but finally lost weight and lived 89 years. I would like to be like momma, able to change. I remember momma lost a lot of weight and was so proud of herself. I was skin and bones then and didn't think much about it, but she really did good.



I'm working hard to change my genes and a lotta other things in this time of life. I don't shout out the bad things anymore when my husband goes to the store without me. And when we go together, I can easily pass things up, no more sugar, and salt ridden things go into the basket. I do remember I have children and buy some things for them, but very little bad stuff.



Leaving for the store last week, I shouted to my husband, get me some apples(Granny Smith), carrots, some collards, a cabbage, some squash, vegetable broth, and I stopped in my tracks..Unknowingly my wants had changed! I would always want SOMETHING sweet, a pie crust, some kind of frosting for a cake...something..pork chops...something. I really can say that " No salt, no sugar, no junk, yeah me thing is working. And I had barely noticed...better keep it up, no need to go backwards now. I often think of this scripture and pray and work hard that it never happen to me again. 2 Peter 2:22 "But it happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." Thank God my shout outs have changed!

My Progress

GETTING BETTER....THROUGH THE SPIRIT

I must admit I’m rather proud of myself…..I have the opportunity of teaching a Bible class on Thursday nights(that’s not why I’m proud of myself)….but last Thursday night, I discovered something about little ME.

I sometimes have a tendency to be too dependent on others, a bad thing, for me anyway. As one of the members couldn’t come, I almost decided to cancel and meet another night. But then I was spirited onward, do it, teach the class. I was bold and as I was teaching from the book of Esther, the member of the class came in. I have been working on being consistent in everything I do, and I almost MISSED it.

I thank God for helping me see, I must depend on Him, not the attendance of others. To God be the glory, great things He has done. If you’ve never studied the book of Esther, study along with me, we’re on chapter 7 next week. I encourage your input.

Be Blessed
Torrence

STILL TOUCHING AND MOVING.....

Amid the many boxes and other LOST items in the garage are many old videos of times past. Today I had the special priviledge of watching my favorite movie of all times….The Ten Commandments. I had no idea were it was, somewhere in some box or the other, my DH found it and I watched the whole thing! I do little television and even less movies, but this one is special.

As I was watching it and enjoying the familiar storyline from the Bible, I couldn’t help but be drawn into this epic even more than in times past, or so it seemed.

I was especially moved to tears when I saw how the slaves were treated. The mud pits where the old man was killed because he dared speak out, when Moses knowing who he REALLY was had visited his people. I thought about how I sometimes complain, and get carried away with such futile things, and these people, God’s chosen people endured such hardships. For some 400 years, day after day, the drudery and the whip of wicked taskmasters made their lives unlivable.

But God had a plan and a purpose only He could fulfill. But they suffered, were killed, the women used as harlots, they were made to build buildings, using straw to make bricks; and yes sometimes without the straw. They were paid nothing, and enjoyed little…..but they were God’s people. And they remain His chosen people.

I pray before I start to whine and complain, I will first remember the sufferings of others, and say Thank you Jesus for my wonderful life……and I will be the more THANKFUL!!!

Be Blessed,
Torrence

6.7 Miles to the beach….SWEET….

Just got back from a wonderful trip to the beach. There have been many such trips since moving to Florida almost a year ago, but today was extra special. You see, this was the first trip to the Atlantic since moving into our brand new home in Sebastian, which is about thirty minutes south of Palm Bay.

The Lord really blessed us with this home, the exact replica of our rented home on Bougainvillea in Palm Bay, God really has a sense of humor!!! I used to tell my husband, I love this house, I don’t want to leave this house. Well, God heard me and gave me the exact same house, the same builder, the same floor plan, and even a big fenced in privacy back yard! Many nice upgrades, and a sprinkler system that is the BOMB! The front yard landscaping is like a page from a magazine! Will have to keep it looking fresh and nice. All the back yard needs is a couple of fruit trees...orange, lemon or lime, and grapefruit(of course).... This was a model home for a short while, and God saved it, for us, brand new, never lived in! A brand new house with full warranty, a home to retire and finish out our lives here on planet earth! The Torrence's have bought a house in Sebastian Florida(I love saying that!) When I think about God and His love and kindness towards His children, I can hardly take it. And less than 7 miles from the Atlantic ocean….

I was raised on the coast of North Carolina, and always wanted to live close to the water again, but the 23 years in Nashville seemed unshakable! But look what the Lord has done….

The beach was nice and breezy, and everyone was having fun…the surfers were out, and we enjoyed looking at them. ha! They were too funny......

We met the most wonderful lady at the beach, so glad we went today. She 's 79 years young and looks great. It was like we've known each other forever. Just started talking and she lives close to us, and will be looking for our house the next time she's on Barber Street, we will check her out on Clearbrook too. Such a wise and caring lady, talked with good sense and respect, talked of family and life with understanding.

She knew we were new to the area and invited us to her church, I just might go, I have seen this church. She didn't seem to mind that we were a bit different looking than she was, just being kind and hospitable. And I said to myself, "what a wonderful world".

I thank God for His favor on the Torrence clan, both now and in times past, and for the good things in the future. For the Word of God says “He gives good gifts to his children”.

Now we continue to love and serve Him, and love and help others as we have opportunity..What a good life He has provided, and a new home on the beach too!!
Blessings
Torrence

SURPRISED........

A good surprise is good….sometimes. Mama used to love surprises, don’t dare tell her what she’s getting for Christmas, her birthday, or than Aunt Arabella is coming from Philly tomorrow!!!!! Yeah, Mama loved to be surprised….

I’m a bit different than mama (with due respect). LOL
I really like to know what’s “happening now”, as the late Flip Wilson would say.

Sunday morning I got the surprise of a lifetime and was it good, well God made it good, even better than good; it was a blessing for me and the people of God.

I got to church a bit late, but as I was not on program, I wasn’t too stressed about it…..The worship was good and I joined in and was having a ball…Then something says to me “look at the program”, I had gotten one from the usher on my way in….So I glanced at it, reluctantly….Word of God….Evangelist Glenda Torrence, I thought WHAT…SURPRISE.....

I had preached at the Greater Palm Bay Church of God before, and I enjoy the fellowship and the people, and frequent there along with a couple other churches. Assistant Pastor Valentine, had said something to me last Sunday, but I didn’t understand what he was talking about, something about preaching, I just smiled and moved on, he was telling me Pastor Lewinson wanted me to speak at the 8:00 service next Sunday! I wasn’t paying attention (or he wasn’t clear!!!). Anyway….

As I was scrambling through my Bible, they were calling me up, and the Lord said…DON’T LET NOBODY TURN YOU AROUND… But I couldn’t remember where the story of the wicked Jeroboam, and the “man of God that came out of Judah” was found in the Holy Writ..

What did I do? I told them, I didn’t realize I was to preach, and asked the congregation to help me find the passage. As I began to preach Bro. Jerome, the youth pastor and pianist said 1 Kings 13, then it came to me YEAH. Me and the Lord, and the whole church had a time!! Thank God for the anointing of the Holy Ghost…..it was wonderful, the Lord preached me Sunday like I had never seen, and everyone is still talking about the whole day Sunday.

After the Lord finished blessing me with the message, Pastor Lewinson called the congregation to the altar and began singing and worshipping God, the Holy Ghost was so strong in that place..... The pastor stood and lead singing through the Sunday School time, there were two of the most encouraging messages in tongues I've ever heard, and he preached under such a heavy anointing. He stood on his feet for 2 complete hours, we finally took the offering....

I guess the greatest miracle (to me), was how the Lord helped me, and I really enjoyed it, I love preaching; and I have so many opportunities here. I’m seldom nervous when I minister, but God gave a peace Sunday that was so sweet and encouraging, and I didn’t even know I was to preach. Oh the power of God Oh the love of God towards His people……SURPRISED......loving it in Florida….
Blessings to all,
Torrence