***MONDAY'S ROLL CALL***

It's Tuesday....a day late but thought I would respond anyway. I'm spending a lot of time on the computer these days but it is mostly related to my on-line classes. 1. I had surgery 12-15-03 and I don't know that my life has changed as much as my outlook on life has changed. My mind is so open to everything around me because I'm not depressed about my weight and failing health. 2. I have no regrets about the surgery. I may have concerns...but not regrets. 3. Actually, I have had no one say those words to me. If they did, I would assure them that emotionally it was probablay one of the toughest things I've done in my life. 4. This is an age-old question. Jeremiah questions God about this in Jeremiah 12 and if you are interested you can read it on your own. This is a self-righteous attitude. I think the issue here is that the people start looking to the those around them, comparing and become resentful. This takes the Glory away from the Believer. The non-believer is unaffected by this attitude. I pray that everyone has success after this surgery. 5. I've been to the Christian messageboard fairly now for about 4 0r 6 months. Have a blessed day~luvitsunnyv

Hi Cindy! This is a day late but I am still answering! Thank you so much for the email. I will be giving you a call. Yesterday I was skiing in Jackson Hole in 8" of the most beautiful powder I have ever seen! Fantastic! Answers: 1. If you have already had your surgery, how has your life changed? You have heard me say this before and I'll say it again: This surgery has been a miracle for me - a gift from God. After I was told this past year that I wouldn't be able to ski again I cried and started looking into WLS. At less than 3 months out I started skiing again and I am now a fitness trainer and I can play with my granddaughters on the floor. Sex is great (it was before too but it is just easier now!) and I can shop all day and not hurt. Yesterday I skiied hard for 4 hours in 8" of powder - takes a lot of work but I had a blast and thanked God for every moment! 2. If you have had your surgery, do you have any regrets? None! Not even that I wished that I had had the WLS sooner because I believe God's timing is always perfect. 3. What do you think of the comment, "You took the easy way out"? Bunk! There is nothing easy about this!! I am looking forward to the day when I don't have to concentrate on it so much. It takes a lot of discipline to walk down this road. I just needed the extra help and I am not ashamed of that. 4. What do you think of the comment, "How can God receive the Glory for this surgery when even the unbeliever has it and looses weight"? It rains on the just and the unjust. I am a chosen and therefore am called to the higher calling in Jesus Christ our Lord. It doesn't matter what others are doing just what I am called to do. II Cor. 10:12: "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise." I compare myself to God's standard for myself - and that is how God gets the Glory. 5. How long have you been visiting/posting the Christianity Messageboard? Since Sept. of 2005. I love you Cindy! God Bless, Lynda Phil. 4:8

Hey Cindy, I know I'm 2 days late responding to this rollcall but I wanted to answer your questions. Obviously, I am also finding it hard to get to the computer too. I guess this is one of the pitfalls of our new more active lives. 1. How has my life changed? I have more self confidence. I like the way I look. I enjoy wearing clothes. I am not embarrassed in my uniform anymore. I can actually bend down to pick things up when I'm in uniform now. I feel like I have more room in my car, my bathtub, my bed, etc. Everything just feels better. I know you know what I mean. 2. I only had regrets when I was really sick and thought I would never get well. Now I have no regrets at all. I can honestly say that it was all worth it. Even being so sick for so long. 3. In a way, it does seem easy now. I'm not hungry all the time. It's easy not to overeat. I don't want sugar or high fat foods or lots of carbs because I know they make me feel sick. The surgery was hard and painful. And since I am selfpay, I will be paying for it for the next five years instead of having a new car. So that in many ways it is not easy. Also, I do worry about a few years from now. I know that then I will be able to eat sugar and fat and carbs even though they will be in small amounts. I worry about regaining the weight after all of this. I know that this can be undone with bad habits. 4. I think God definitely has received the glory for all of my weightloss as well as my healing. Everything we recieve is a gift of God. As believers we give the glory to Him. Unbeliever still receive gifts from God they just don't know *****ally takes the credit for it. 5. I have been on this board since Aug or Sept of '05. This board has been a huge blessing to me. I do not attend a support group locally. I consider everyone of this board my support group. Whew! Good questions Cindy! Talk to you later! Love, Jacinda