Stepping Stone #3- "Love Others as Jesus Loves You".  Here are some suggestions the author lays out as a "Sojourner's Guide to Loving Others":

• Catch Yourself Making a Loving Difference- "For one week, make a note of anything you do that makes a loving difference in someone's life.  This exercise will raise your awareness that you are fulfilling one of your life's purposes by endeavoring to love God's people."
• Get Connected at Church- join a bible study or small group
• Offer Forgiveness- forgive someone TODAY- even if that person is YOU!
• Pray for the Unloving and Unloveable

Confession time: I sometimes struggle with the whole concept of loving others, because I am not a huge "people person", and I often have a critical dialogue going in my head when dealing with people that are "difficult" or "annoying" to me.  So, this chapter was a bit of a challenge to me- and will continue to be.  I know it to be true.  Personally, I had done some emotional pulling away on several levels, and am forcing myself to reconnect in areas that I am really internally resisting.  I've got some hurt inside that has created a bit of a hardened heart, so I am hoping that will soften the more I open back up emotionally with some relationships in my life.  Guess I need to forgive?? 

On another note- I am reading another book simutaneously (often have about 4 going at once!) entitled: Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free  by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  I've only read the introduction, and already it's REALLY good!

I started a water aerobics class and a water back strengthening class (back to back classes on Mon/Wed).  I LOVE THEM!  I was splashing around in the warm therapy pool with a group of other women of various ages, shapes, and sizes, and thought- this is fun!  this is like a TREAT!  Then after my 2 classes, I soaked in the hot tub for a few minutes.  ahhh, bliss.  I do need to get water shoes, though, because I am a bit of a "bean pole" and I was having a hard time keeping myself on the bottom of the pool and not floating up!!  I need ankle weights or something!!  haha!