The year in review
2011 was a year full of unexpected events for me. One thing I had planned - a pilgrimage to the Holy Land - came off and was a true delight! I left my government job and endured some employment but I ended the year gainfully employed and hopeful for my future progress. And I made some improvements to my health.
Health
I ended 2010 with a few doctor visits testing and diagnosing a condition of Sleep Apnea. My doctor mentioned that my apnea was pretty mild and that if I were to lose 25-30 lbs. I might not need a CPAP machine at all. So even in December of 2010 I started making an effort to lose weight. I remembered the advice of another doctor - Eat less and exercise more! I did that and was shedding a few pounds. In February of 2011 I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting and found the program to work for me.
I weighed in at that meeting on February 23 at 253.2 lbs. As of my weigh-in on December 29, my weight is 174.8 lbs - a total loss of 78.4 pounds. The program works for me - tracking my food, watching my points, getting in activity and making better choices. I have friends who were successful with Weight Watchers and I was encouraged that it is a program to learn how to make better food choices. I'm eating real food - not buying meals from some company. At this point I am within 5 lbs of my goal weight!! Very excited about that! Commercial over!
This change in my weight has also required some changes in wardrobe. Initially I had my dress pants taken in and that worked for a while. But soon that wasn't enough. So I went shopping and bought several pairs of pants - I'm now wearing a size that I haven't worn since my college days!!
I couldn't have done this so well without the support of my partner George. Whenever Weight Watchers would talk about keeping your food interesting by using spices etc. George was ahead of the game. He is a creative cook and enjoys playing with new recipes and spices. He did have to learn to measure amounts because that is my constant question. How much is this? How many ounces is this?
Pilgrimage
Our first stop was Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and we had Mass in the chapel of St. George. From there we visited Bethlehem University, run by the Christian Brothers and sponsored with monies donated by the EOHSJ. Next a visit to Shepherd Field.
There are three designations for places in the Holy Land - true, strong tradition and traditional.
True spots - the grotto of Bethlehem, Calvary, the Tomb of Christ, the Tomb of Lazarus, the site of the Annunciation, Mount Tabor, Caiaphas' house, the Upper Room - we know these are the actual spots where the event reported in the Bible took place.
Strong tradition -the Hill of the Beatitudes, the church of Dominus Flevit - where Christ wept for Jerusalem and some others - historians, scholars and archeologists agree that this is the likely spot.
Tradition - somewhere in this vicinity - maybe within 500 yards or so - is where the event took place - Shepherds Field in Bethlehem and where Christ taught his disciples the Lord's Prayer on the Mount of Olives. We aren't sure of the precise spot, but we know we are close.
We had a small group and excellent guides. There were some profound moments that touched my soul and brought a deeper understanding of the mystery of God's love for us all. We had a holy hour in the Church of All Nations - built over the spot (True) where Christ endured his Agony in the Garden. We also spent some time in the grove of olive trees where Christ was betrayed.
Another spot where we were able to spend some time in prayer and reflection was the Upper Room. This is the site where Christ and his disciples celebrated the Last Supper and Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist. It is also the place where Jesus appeared to the disciples following his Resurrection. And - about 50 days later, the Holy Spirit descended upon Mary and the Apostles on Pentecost.
Our guide talked about Christ and the Apostles as being a group of friends. I reflected on the friendship of Christ and the call to love others. I prayed for mercy for myself and for others.
Another amazing day was the glorious day we had a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. I particularly thought about my father. As much as he loved boats and fishing and being on the water, he would have loved thinking about St. Peter, the Fisherman. My dad was so present to me in the time we were on the water that I could see him.
Our last stop on the trip was Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation. Thanks to my mentor, Fr. Patrick J. Gillooly, I have long had a devotion to this moment in the life of the Virgin Mary and the life of our faith history. When all of God's plan came down to this moment of asking a 14 year old girl if she would be willing to be the mother of the Savior. Fr. Gillooly described how all the angels in Heaven held their breath, waiting to hear what her answer would be. For those who believe, we know that her answer was Yes - May it be done unto me according to your word.
I continue to hold moments from the pilgrimage in my heart and I am thankful that God has been so good to me!
Duties beckon for now - more on my year in review when I get back to the computer!
