I’d like to share some insights of what I learned by depending on God to help me lose weight. To begin with, I replaced my nighttime binge eating habit with searching through the Bible for a scripture to encourage me. No organized plan, just random searching.
Depending on God to help me lose weight. (Picture by Deborah Crocker)
This plan was based on Joshua 1:8- This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you should meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
I do want success and to lose my excess weight. Don’t you? So, here’s a list of what I learned during this experiment:
1. Pray first, before looking at a menu, before deciding what to cook in your kitchen, and before ordering at the fast food drive-up. Pray before every food situation. I don’t know about you, but I need wisdom in my food choices. (If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT)
2. Listen for God’s guidance. Usually, it’s a quiet knowing in your heart. (Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk, in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21
3. Follow God’s guidance. Obey His leading. Before every meal, pray for wisdom. Wait until you know. Then follow as He leads you.
Depending on God to help me lose weight. (Picture by Deborah Crocker)
4. Wait until you are hungry before eating. With me, usually my stomach growls. Sometimes, it’s just an empty feeling.
5. Stop eating before you get full. Don’t argue with God, you want it all. I’ve done that before and it resulted in weight gained. So, if you want God to lead you, follow His guidance.
6. Sometimes your body wants to keep what you ate and not let it go. Therefore, the scales will stay the same for days. But hold on, if you continue to stay on program, the scales will go down. Never give up.
7. Use the scales as a tool, not punishment. They’ll help you learn how specific foods affect your body. For example, some people consider pork skins a good snack since they’re zero carbs. But pork skins cause me to gain weight.
8. Be careful, even what you consider to be low calorie foods can cause weight gain. Remember, all things in moderation. Once, I ate three bowls of egg drop soup thinking it was safe to eat as comfort food. I thought it was low calorie. Nope, it caused weight gain. So be careful.
9. Don’t beat yourself up for mistakes. (See above concerning egg drop soup.) Just consider it a lesson learned.
10. Celebrate your victories, even your small victories, but not with food. How many times did our moms reward us with a cookie for good behavior as a child? No wonder I love cookies. I was the good child. Laughter.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
Child, if you will listen and obey without hesitation, then “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye.” Psalms 32:8.
Lord, that’s what I want. Guide me, lead me.
Listen and Obey (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
Then, My child, you must be willing to listen and obey without hesitation the first time, not later. So follow My instructions immediately when you hear My voice speaking to your heart.
But Lord, how will I know it’s You and not myself speaking to myself?
Child, you will know. My children hear My voice, “Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” Isaiah 30:21
Lord, I want to hear Your voice.
Then My child, you must be willing to listen. Be still before Me and listen. Be still before Me and listen. Fine tune your ears. Shut out all distractions and be willing to listen and obey. Also, be willing to follow as I lead you.
Be still and know I am God. . . Psalms 46:10
Lord, what do you say now?
God loves you. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
Child, I love you; I adore you, and I will never give up on you no matter how many times you turn away. I will always be calling your name and I will always be calling on your heart. So come before Me now, My child, and let Me speak to your heart, soul, and mind.
Then I will fill you with Myself, My Presence, so that you may go forth sharing My love with those I place in your path. Even those that irritate you, share My love with them. Even those that intimidate you, share My love with them.And even those who hurt and disappoint you, share My love with them.
Because that’s what I do. Many have hurt and disappointed Me. But yet, I continue reaching out for them, each one, to share My love with them. Even though many reject Me, I still continue reaching out to them in love.
Because I am patient, I will wait as long as it takes to reach each one. Also, I am constantly providing opportunities and additional chances for each one to come to Me in surrenderso that I may bless them. I plan to each one individually with My love, My precious tender love.
Since I’ve already made the sacrifice. I’m only waiting for them, each one, to suddenly awaken from their slumber and spiritual blindness to come to the realization of My deep love for them, for each one exactly where they are and what they are doing. I am still calling on their hearts, souls, and minds.
Come home, My child. Come home, for I am waiting to bless you with blessed assurance of My love for you. So, come home My Child. Run into My waiting arms to receive you with My forgiveness of all your past, all your present, and even all your mistakes in your future.
In fact, I will heal you ofyour brokenness, both inside and out. So come forth, My child. Come into My Presence for I am calling your name. I have not forgotten you and I never will.
Choose God’s Way (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
But it is up to you to choose, for I will never ever force Myself upon you. No, instead I am forever waiting for you, to receive you into My arms, to love you and to cover you with My blessings of love eternally.
Come to Me, My child. I am calling your name. In fact, I have your name written on My hand. I will never forget you or forsake you. I will never cheat on you for I am the one who loves you more than you can imagine or know.
So come to Me, My child, for I am here for you. I offer unto you a life filled with joy and peace, love and joy. Come unto Me, My child. Come unto Me.
Child, you take on guilt and self-criticism of many things. Then you beat yourself up over every mistake. So next time you make an error, come to Me with what you think you broke. Bring it to Me. Turn it over to Me. Because I understand you’re human, and I understand your weaknesses.
But know this, I will make you strong. Child, quit beating yourself up. You have many self-inflicted wounds in your spirit, due to your own self-inflicted beatings. Stop it. See and behold, you, My daughter, My child, one I created a creature of beauty.
You are wonderfully made. (Phot0 by Deborah Crocker)
When you look in the mirror, you see wrinkles and age spots. Even your nose and lips, you criticize. My child, do you know I created that nose and those lips. So, every time you criticize them, you are criticizing My creation, what I made.
So, stop it. See yourself as I see you, My beautiful daughter, My beautiful creation, the daughter I created. You, My child, you.
Yes, there are flaws of selfishness and greed. But as you yield to My love for you, I will erase and remove these flaws one at a time. Also, you will notice guilt and self-criticism are gone as well.
(Photo by Deborah Crocker)
Child, I will make all things beautiful. That was My intent all along and I will have My way for in the end all things will be beautiful. For I will have My victory.
Thank you, Lord, for talking with me.
Child, it is My pleasure to talk with all My children. If only they would listen, stop running around aimlessly or so preoccupied with their own agenda and media. Then they could hear My voice calling on their hearts, souls, and minds.
Because I am calling on each one. I am calling their names. If only they would listen, then they could hear My love words for them. I do indeed love each one and I will set them free from all that holds them in bondage. That is My intent, to set My people free.
You think it is only politics or debt that holds My people in bondage. No, My child, it is much more. Just as you have strongholds of guilt, shame, unforgiveness (especially of yourself), a judgmental attitude (especially of yourself), and assorted addictions, others do also.
And I intend to set all of you free, free indeed. It is My will that all be full of My glory, My Presence, and My Holy Spirit. I died suffering the worst earthly death to set My people free so they could walk, live and breathe in My love for them.
God loves you more than you can know. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
They think I am a God of rules and punishment. But no, I am a God of eternal love, freedom, and forgiveness. So, if they would come to Me, then I would set them free and cleanse them from all that holds them in bondage.
I would set them free to a new life and re-create them into a new creature, a new man, a new woman, walking, living, and breathing in My love for them and My victory. Now, come to Me, for I will set you free.
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For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
“If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32
Therefore, if the Sonmakes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
My child, I say unto you, “Obedience brings freedom.” You want a diet, a program, or a plan. But My child, it is obedience that brings freedom.
Freedom, success, and victory is possible with God. (Phot by Deborah Crocker)
When you are on a diet, program, or exercise plan, you obey the structure of that plan. You hope it will bring you desired results. But why not obey My plan for you? Then you will be on My program and My plan for you.
My plan for you is the highest and the best. So why not follow My instructions in obedience and yield your desires to My will for you? In fact, Child, obedience is a key to freedom.
When you follow a structured diet plan, you are obeying its rules. So why not follow My plan for you? My plan will bring you victory and success.
But Lord, I can’t seem to stick to any plan for that matter.
Believe. God has already designed your victory. (Phot by Deborah Crocker)
Oh, why do you doubt, My child of little faith? Know ye not yet, I AM the God of all, over allthings? I have all power and all ability to set you free. So come to Me for your deliverance. My truth shall set you free.
But Lord, what is truth?
The truth is I AM the God that healeth thee.I AM the God who gave His life in exchange for yours. I AM the God who loves you more than any other. And I AM the God who reaches out to you in love. In fact, I AM for you, and I want your success and victory.
Child, I have come to save the world, whosoever will believe. You believe I rose from the dead. Now believe I can bring forth your victory. You don’t have to stay in this place of defeat. Because I have already planned for your victory. Now you just need to believe it.
But Lord, when it comes to food, I go braindead. In fact, I become a zombie and mindlessly overeat.
My Child, this is a trap of bondage to compulsive overeating. Because I created food for you as nourishment for your body, not as a stronghold of defeat. Child, I have come to set you free. So walk in My freedom today for I have already planned and delivered your victory.
It is not My will for you to walk in defeat and shame. But it is My will for you to walk in victory. Now, My child, go forth today in your victory.
Look For Your Victory (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
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For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Luke 1:37 AMPC
Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work withing us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 NKJV
No matter what’s going on in your life, I want to encourage you “Never forget your dreams. Never give up”.
For me, a lifetime struggle has been my weight. Most of my life I have weighed over 200+ pounds. But back in 2013, God worked a miracle in my life. I weighted 241 pounds, and He helped me lose around 90 pounds.
Me, in 2013, weighing 241 pounds (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
After a sponsor in Celebrate Recovery told me she couldn’t help me, I cried for three days. She was a recovering drug addict. But she said she didn’t know how to help someone with a food addiction. Because I was beyond the help of an x-drug addict. But God. But God.
In 2014, age 61, after losing 90 pounds. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
Then I cried out to God and He helped me lose over 90 pounds. No pills, no shots, or no surgery. Just God. Now it’s over 11 years later. Yes, I’ve gained some back, but I’m never giving up. God’s not giving up on me and He is not giving up on you either.
Now 11 years later, age 72. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
So, I want to lose another 20 pounds. I want to write books. And I want to help others to win victory over their own weight loss struggles.
So, what about you? What do you want? Also, what are your dreams? What do you want out of life?
During parts of May and June 2025, we went on vacation out west to Yellowstone and other sites. One of the sites we visited was the Crazy Horse Memorial. It’s awesome and huge. They’re still working on it, after 77 years. God is still working on you too. Check out the following link: https://crazyhorsememorial.org/
One thing that impressed me about this memorial was their statement, “Never forget your dreams.” So, what are your dreams? What do you want out of life? Think about this, what do you want to achieve? What do you want to be your legacy? Again, I say to you, “Never forget your dreams. Never give up.”
I bought this little medallion to remind me. “Never forget your dreams.”
Never forget your dreams. -never give up. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
God placed those dreams inside of you. And you can be confident of this, He’s going to continue working on you until those dreams are finished. He has planned for your victory. Try talking to Him about your dreams. It just might surprise you how He answers your heart.
No matter how many times you messed up. No matter how many times you fell down, God will pick you up, clean you up, and give you a new start. Yes, after talking to Him and telling Him all about your failures, He will cleanse you and give you a new beginning, clean and fresh.
Then as you continue to seek His guidance and follow His leading, He will lead you to the fulfillment of those dreams He placed within you so long ago. Talk to Him today. How about now?
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God is the One who began this good work in you, and I am certain that He won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 CEV
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. Proverbs 24:16NLT
He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. they will soar high on wings like eagles. they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV
You can still enjoy the Easter Candy and still lose weight. It’s all about your mindset. To begin with, I suggest you pray, ask God to give you strength to resist overeating these treats. Then listen for and follow the checks God gives you that enough is enough.
The point of this article is to help you enjoy the pleasurable taste of your Easter candy without binge eating. So you can enjoy them without guilt or added weight.
With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
1.Chocolate Easter Bunny: Always eat the ears first. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? Then save the rest for later. Look at the calories listed on the box. Then divide that Bunny into as many pieces as you can. Try to keep each piece less than 50 calories if possible.
I also suggest you hold each piece in your mouth and let it melt. Overall the goal is to make the pleasure of eating that Bunny last as long as possible. So if you eat one section per meal, then the chocolate bunny pleasure will last a long while.
Also, if you get one of those chocolate crosses (calories 260 ), I suggest you cut it in four pieces (260 divided by 4=65 calories). While you’re eating it, remember the cross as Jesus gave up His life for you.
2. Cadbury Eggs: Now that’s some awesome Easter candy. But one regular size Cadbury egg is 150 calories. So if you really want one, I recommend putting it in the refrigerator first to harden. Then cut it in half, or better yet, in thirds. Then you can enjoy it three times, 50 calories a piece
Another suggestion, get the Cadbury mini eggs. They are 160 calories for 9 pieces. Therefore, it’s only about 18 calories a piece. So you could eat 5 to 6 mini eggs at a time. I do recommend letting each one melt in your mouth. That increases your pleasure.
3. Russell Stover Marshmallow Egg: For one, it’s 140 calories. Therefore, I recommend you put it in the refrigerator to harden. Then cut it in half. Eat one half now and one half later. You’ll get twice as much pleasure for one
4. Milk Chocolate Easter Eggs: 180 calories for 8 eggs. Therefore, I recommend eating one or two at time. If you’re really craving chocolate pleasure, eat three. They’re about 23 calories a piece. Again for the most pleasurable experience, hold each one in your mouth until it melts. The point is to let it melt as slowly as possible. Therefore, you should be satisfied with your chocolate pleasure.
5. Robin Eggs Minis, Whoppers: I love Whoppers, don’t you? But the goal is to enjoy the whoppers without becoming a whopper. When I weighed 241 pounds, my Hubby would put his arms around me and say, “It takes two hands to handle a whooper.” Yes, he did say that. But no more, thank you Lord.
These Robin eggs are 140 calories for 18. Therefore, they are about 18 calories each. So I think you could eat about 5. But again, I suggest eating them one at a time and holding each one in your mouth until it melts. Don’t crunch it. If you do, the pleasure won’t last as long.
6. Snickers Original Milk Chocolate Easter Eggs: It’s 160 for one egg, so I recommend you cut it in half (80 calories) or even three pieces. Again, let it melt in your mouth. Then chew up the peanuts. This is well worth the effort.
7. Chocolate M & M’s: I like the small individual single serving size. So I can count all the little M & M’s . Yes, I lay them all out on the counter to count them. Then I’ll eat half of them and save the rest for the next meal.
Another important hint to get the most enjoyment is to put one M& M in your mouth at a time and let it melt until it’s all gone. That way they last longer and you get the most enjoyment.
8. Chocolate candy bars: To begin with, buy the little miniature bars. Then eat just half. If the calories are low enough, you can eat one whole one. After all, it’s half the size of a regular size candy bar. Right?
9. Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses: My favorite. 160 calories for 7, which makes them 22 calories a piece. Wow! That’s a lot of pleasure for 22 calories. I highly recommend you hold one Hershey’s kiss at a time in your mouth until it melts. So much pleasure for only 22 calories. Something else, I like to do, is freeze them. Then takes a while for it to melt in your mouth.
10. Reese’s Miniature Peanut Butter Cups: If possible always choose the miniature Reese’s cups. Then it’s easier to enjoy this pleasure in small portion. 130 calories for 3 pieces. So one miniature Reese’s cup is about 43 calories. Again, hold it in your mouth until it melts to get the most pleasure
If you buy the regular size, it’s 210 calories for two regular size. So I advise you to cut one in half and only eat the half. Save the other time for later. Again, I recommend letting it melt in your mouth so the pleasure of it will last longer.
11. Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs: The package I looked at had two pieces for 170 calories. So one egg would be about 85 calories. I would be these in the refrigerator and cut in small pieces to enjoy it for longer.
12. Reese’s Pieces: 140 Calories for 38 pieces. Wow! That makes them about 4 calories apiece. Hmmm, you could probably eat at least 10. Be careful to eat them one at a time. Therefore you can be satisfied without eating too many. You may even discover that you get satisfied with only five. It’s the chocolate taste, not the amount to focus on.
Additional Easter Candy
These next two Easter candies are not chocolate, but they are Easter candy tradition. So I decided to list them as well.
Peeps: Don’t you love these little marshmallow treats. The whole package is 270 calories with 10 peeps. So one is only 27 calories. Again the goal is to make it last as long as possible for the enjoyment.
Jelly Beans: These are definitely an Easter traditional candy. They are about 110 calories for 10 pieces. So that’s 11 calories apiece. Wow! Remember your goal, enjoy the taste, chew slowly one at a time.
Why We Celebrate Easter
While we are enjoying these Easter treats, let’s remember the real reason we celebrate Easter, “Resurrection Sunday.” It’s all about the sacrifice our Jesus did for us. And how God raised Him from His grave. We can celebrate because of Him, if you’ve invited Him in your heart, then you also will be raised up from the dead to eternal life.
Child, yesterday’s success was because I helped you. I gave you the strength to make it through without binge eating. Although you almost messed up when you ate those pecans, but I took the desire for more away from you.
Yesterday’s success was because of God’s help. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
So, your yesterday’s success was because of My Presence with you. Know I will heal you of this binge eating. Trust Me. Look to Me for your instruction on how to eat. Listen as I lead you. Then follow and obey My instructions.
If you focus, listen, and follow My guidance, you will succeed in your personal victory. Because I will be leading you and I always win the victory. After all, you asked for My help, and I intend for you to win too.
Lord, I need your wisdom, just to get through each day and make decisions as I go. I need your wisdom even to relate to those You place in my life. Help me to bring You honor and praise.
Thank you for the weight loss in spite of eating those pecans after supper. I can’t believe I lost another pound. Wow! Thank you for Your help.
Child, if you had stuck to the plan I gave you, it would have been more weight loss. Listen to Me and follow how I lead you. Then you will have more success for I am success. In fact, I am victory.
Yesterday’s success is not enough. I intend for you to be successful in this weight loss journey and your life as well. In fact, all who seek My will, listen, and follow as I lead them will win their victories, especially over “self”. Because I always win.
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If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask HIm, be sure that your faith is in God alone. James 1:5
I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10 :27
Look For Your Victory (Photo by Deborah Crocker)Never Give Up (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
Lord, I know it just takes faith. So I’m asking You to increase my faith, especially to overcome my compulsive overeating. This is what bothers me the most.
Believe it! Because it takes faith. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24
. . . If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
Child of Mine, not even losing excess weight is impossible. In fact, it’ll be easy. Because it just takes a little faith.
However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21
Child of Mine, yes, it will take some denying yourself and some fasting. So start today with denying yourself and some fasting too.
But Lord, I don’t like to fast. I don’t want to fast.
Child of Mine, know that everytime you say, “No” to calories-laden food pleasure, it’s a form of fasting. Everytime you say “No” to temptation, you’ll grow stronger. So begin your walk in your new strength today.
Jesus said to him, “If you believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24
So, Child of Mine, it will take some fasting and letting go, for your victory. Are you willing?
Lord, I am willing, but I am weak.
Trust Me Child, Because today is a day of victory for you. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
Child of Mine, I will help you.
Let the weak say I am strong. Joel 3:10
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. Psalms 28:7
In the day I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalms 138:8
Child of Mine, you already have the strength to say “No” to temptation for I have already given it to you.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1John 4:4
Yes, Child of Mine, you have all the power you need. As a matter of fact, you alreadyhave all the strength you need to overcome and destroy all the giants of defeat in your life. Because the victory to overcome is already yours. In fact I have granted you victory.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye. Psalms 32:8
Child of Mine, I will lead you to the victory I designed for you. After all, you just need a little faith.
Act like it. Then believe it’ (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
Believe it all
Because it takes faith. (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
Lord, how do we get success and victory over all these issues in life? At times, I don’t know what to do about my weight, my eating, my job, or just daily life.
Child, quit trying to figure everything out. Because I will work out all things for your good. Just trust Me and watch as I work out all the details.
God will help you gain success and victory. (Picture by Deborah Crocker)
But Lord, what do I do about this extra weight I’m trying to get rid of?
Go back to seeking My advice about what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat. Trust Me as you did before. Trust Me again as your weight loss coach.
Quit trying to create new rules for you to follow. You never stick to them anyway. Just focus on asking My advice about each time to eat or when you want to eat
The most important thing you can do is follow, rather obey, My instructions. I promise you success and victory if you will seek, trust, listen, and obey. In other words, submit your will to My will for your life.
For therein, is your key to success and victory. Quit trying to control yourself and surrender yourself to My control. Overall, you’ll be greatly surprised and thrilled with My results for your life.
In fact, I have already planned success and victory for you. So now go forth today, praising Me for the victory I’ve given you. Rejoice My child, rejoice for your victory is now, today.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT
Completed Victory in 40 days (Photo by Deborah Crocker)
I completed 40 Days in Victory over food addiction. During this 40 days, I was recuperating from foot surgery and mostly sitting in a chair with my foot prompt up. I knew if I ate whatever I wanted and as much as I wanted I would gain more weight. And this would just make my situation worse.
So with God’s help, I determined to follow the way God instructed me to eat when He helped me loss over 90 pounds. I am so amazed. During my time of recuperation following God’s instructions for my eating, I lost 11 pounds.
