Monday, April 25, 2011

Selfless Love

This past weekend was Easter weekend.  A weekend where we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In the midst of all the bunnies, eggs, and chocolate we still celebrate the fact that our God is alive...just as much as He has always been. 

This morning (Monday morning), I woke up extremely early (3:30am) and began thinking about all the lessons that we can learn from Jesus during His life here on earth.  He was, is, and forever will be a perfect man, but never did He "throw that in our faces".  He was so humble.  A man who had every reason to be self-righteous, never was.  He ALWAYS recognized that what He had came from His Father.  He truly was a man of love.  People until today are drawn to Him because of the selfless love.  It's such an amazing thing...to know that a perfect man could love you no matter what. 

As my mind wondered thinking about Jesus' attributes and all the things we could learn from Him, I was so amazed at how much more we would enjoy life if we were to just follow His example.  Many times we take a verse that convenient for us and throw it around like a sword to force people to act a certain way, but we forget about the verses we should use to better our own lives...and ultimately the verses that shield us.  To be on the offensive all the time is exhausting...and will ultimately lead to frustration and defeat.  If we were to focus on building our shield...on the attributes that will protect us for the circumstances of this life and the attacts from the enemy, we would be so exhausted and wounded when we must attack.

There are so many attributes of Jesus I could talk about, but His selflessness is the one that intruiges me the most.  This man would do things for people and expect nothing in return.  It was all out of love...selfless love.  Many of those who know me, know that I get very upset when I see people do "favors" for people and expect things in return.  It hurts me to see how selfish the world has gotten.  Don't get me wrong, I have my fare share of selfish moments, but when I do something for someone I do not expect to get anything back. 

I know that I get taken advantage of a lot...I get hurt and upset because people "know" they can step on me, but I just can't and won't become someone who does things for people because of what the return as for me.  The bible says "Give and you shall receive", but it doesn't mean that you should impose the receipt....it will just come your way.  And sometimes just the act of giving will be all the receiving that you need...when you can see the joy and gratitude in someone.  Today, I don't suffer the leven of disappointment I use to feel because with time you become wise.  You learn when and to whom to give to.  You also cannot always expect people to be grateful...but that's all a part of being selfless.  At times it's painful.

Jesus in His most selfless act, died.  He died simply because He had to in order to give us life.  In those hours of suffering, At a point, the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain was so great He didn't want to be there anymore, BUT His goal was to make sure His Father's will was fulfilled.  That day, He gave us a gift and He knew that many wouldn't appreciate it.  Many would put it away and never look at it.  Many would spit on it or throw it in the garbage, but He still did it.  Not because of what He would get in return but because He loves us.  Would you buy a gift for something if you KNEW it would be thrown away??  If you would, I'm sure you would buy the most inexpensive gift possible.  and that is the difference.  Jesus gave us a priceless gift...one that is so expensive you can't even put a price on it.  He knew that people would throw it away...but he did it anyway.  That is a man that we can look to as an example of how to live.

There are people who go to church multiple times a week:  they many be preachers, church leaders, members of the worship team, sunday school teachers, seminary teachers, or just someone who serves in every area of the church as much as they can, but they still don't KNOW Christ.  Jesus is someone they know about, someone they've been taught about, and in many cases someone they teach about...BUT Jesus should be someone you live about, someone you act about, and someone you love about.  You can and must speak of Jesus, but we must live Jesus.  Jesus lived...and lives.  So let's follow His example...live more, talk less. 

If you look around and find you are alone and people want nothing to do with you...or you find that everyone is so flawed that you want nothing to do with most people you know...I think it's time you start talking and thinking less and start living more.  If people are drawn to you as they were to Jesus, than we must stop, think, and figure out what it is that we need to change in our lives.  I encourage us all, incuding myself, to take some time after reading this and take a look at the Fruit of the Spirit.  I truly believe we will all come to a realization after doing so, again, including myself.

If you read this far, thank you.  Thank you for listening to me ramble on with my thoughts.  I don't blog a lot, but when i do, it's because I feel led to.  May you be blessed.

With lots of love in my heart for all you readers, whether I know you or not,
Andi

Tornado in NC - A weekend I will never forget

I wrote this entry as a note in facebook...but wanted to share it here as well...

Before anything, I would like to thank all my family and friends that contacted me out of concern after hearing about the tornados that swept through North Carolina.  I feel as though I have been numb these last few days, just acting to protect my girls and my father-in-law, who was with me during this all.  Everything has happened so fast and decisions needed to be made so quickly to ensure my girls had everything they would need, especially security.  At times, we must do what is best for our family and put them first because they are a gift from God.  As parents, we have been assigned by God to take care of our children and teach them the way in which they must walk.

Deciding to come to NJ early was a very painful decision.  Although I knew it was the best thing to do for the family, it broke my heart to leave knowing that so many people - my neighbors - have just gone through so much loss.  The emotions within me were very strong, yet it was as if I could not feel a thing.  My mind and body switched on into a mode I never thought was capable.

Many out of love and concern would send their love our way, saying things such as "God protected you and yours", and such comments were painful to hear.  I live surrounded my brothers and sisters in the Lord and there was no way I could accept that "I" was protected and the person next to me was not deserving of the same from God.  NO ONE deserves so much loss and devastation...no one.  God has plans far beyond our understanding and God acts in ways that we will never comprehend.  That is something we all need to learn and accept.  A few yards from me a tornado passed and left destruction in its path.  Loss that will mark so many forever.  God did not love me more than any other person that day because my home was missed by just a few yards...this was NOT a personal message from God.  It was just a message from God period.  It's not about the material being lost...it's about how in seconds, everything can be gone.  Your home, your security, your loved one.  In seconds, what you once knew no longer exists, reminding us that all this here, in this world, is so temporary.  Why, oh, why do we waste our days on things that do not lead us to live a happy and fruitful life.  Life is not about what we have, but who we have.  A home is made up of love.
Just as the day of September 11 will mark my life and memory for the rest of my days, so will April 16 & 17.  The sounds, smells, and sights will forever be engrained in my memory.  As numb as I felt these last few days, my memories are so real.  I can remember every bit of what I heard, smelled, and saw.  Hail, the sounds of heavy wind, and the smell of fresh pine will always remind me to appreciate life, because it can all be taken away in moments.  The moon will serve as the rainbow in the days of Noah...within all the chaos and destruction, there is still beauty far greater than any man can create.  The moon that night, was the light of my world.  I can no longer see a tree and not see an emotion.  As we saw the devastation on Sunday morning, Ana became very quiet and said "because the trees were very sad".  As we tried to show her the areas that were not affected and tried to convince her the trees were ok, she persisted and said, "ALL the trees are sad".  In that simple statement, I realized that my daughter understood the sense of community.  One tree was hurt means all the trees were hurt.

There are no words to describe how I feel.  Sadness just doesn't seem to justify it.  We've all seen scenes of destruction on tv and we've been touched by it, but nothing can prepare you for seeing it in person.  Pictures don't do it justice.

To stand on a street you have been on so many times and not be able to recognize where you are just blows my mind.  I have run those streets so many times and was so familiar with a few details and when I had to take local roads and was a bit disoriented, I headed back to the intersection of the main road to catch my bearings and get a sense of direction.  I knew that place so well, but at that moment I had no clue where I was.  All I remember is finally thinking "Wait, that's the Pizza Hut over there...oh my goodness, THAT is the school".  The elementary school I had run through so many times to get some extra mileage in was destroyed, not recognizable.  To many, the picture I took of the school didn't bring a sense of what truly happened there, but to me, that picture speaks volumes...because I remember what that school looked like before the tornado tore it to pieces.

Homes exposing rooms with furniture and tvs in their original location, but were now open for everyone to see with no walls or roofs to cover them.  Tree roots completely ripped from the ground.  Cars thrown against each other and flipped upside down.  Branches pierced cars and walls with the strength of the wind.  Trees tumbled down over homes.  Homes stripped to their framing.  Power lines laying on the ground.  Brick walls demolished. This all sounds terrible and trust me it is, but seeing it will change you forever.
I really have no objective in writing this or moral to teach.  I simply woke up in the middle of the night, the numbness of the whole experience gone, and tears started running down my face and I felt the need to share my story with you.  It's not a happy one...but not everything in life is about happy endings.  In the end, all I know is that I am not strong, as many think.  ALL I have is a God, who I know without a doubt loves me...but no more than He loves anyone else.  He moves in my favor every single day and recognize that He does.  He is my strength and all I do is because He gives me the strength to get through it.  This weekend, to many, I looked and acted strong, but inside I was crying...and I know my tears were not alone...God was crying with me.  He loves us all...without exception.  That is my God!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

How you can help a former Biggest Loser Contestant change lives.

Do you watch The Biggest Loser? If you do, did you ever ask yourself why you watch it? Why do you like it so much?

One day, someone asked me that question. After thinking about it I realized...

All though I have never been obese, for some reason I empathize with those who are. It's to the point where someone who doesn't know me would think I was obese at some point in my life. I was slightly over weight after having my 2 girls, but soon after my second I went into action and changed my life. I started getting active and changed my eating habits...all to create a healthy lifestyle, and of course lose weight. I was inspired by a friend who was running her first marathon to take on the challenge myself. I thought it would be a great long term goal to keep me motivated. A few months later I ran my first 5k and let's just say I became a running addict. In 2 years I have run countless 5ks, 10ks, 15k, half marathons, and 2 marathons...with 2 more marathons scheduled this year.

Anywho, it has taken me 2 years, but I am 3 pounds shy of my goal weight. To date, I have lost 27 pounds. And each pound took lots of sweat, hard work, determination, and mental battles.

Losing weight isn't easy...actually it's probably one of the hardest things most of us will ever have to do. It's physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging to lose weight. Although, I have been able to do it on my own, I am positive that many people cannot. They need the support, the encouragement, the teachers to guide every step of the way. That's where Tara Costa's Inspire Change Foundation comes in. This foundation can provide the support to people who just need that push to get them to the start line, the hand to help them get over the hurdle, and the cheers to get them to the finish. (Tara is a former contestant on Biggest Loser Season 7).

I strongly believe that although obesity is caused by overeating, there is a root cause, and that in MOST cases is emotional pain. People who are depressed or think that losing lots of weight is impossible are always in need of support to get started and need someone to help them find their way. We, as individuals, may not be able to help many people on our own, but by supporting Inspire Change Foundation we can. Weight loss may not mean a lot to you, but to some people it will CHANGE, and in some cases even SAVE their lives.

Help SAVE a life. In October, I am running the Marine Corps Marathon to not only help support the men and women that defend our freedom, but I am running it to help my fellow Americans who struggle with the latest obesity epidemic get a chance at a new life. One that without Tara Costa's help they may not get. You may not be able to run a marathon, but by donating to this cause, a part of you will be running with me...LET'S CHANGE A LIFE TOGETHER!


With lots of gratitude for your support.
Andi Dornelas