Donna Partow

When I heard about Donna Partow’s online study, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, I recognized that this could be a tool that God could really use in my life to bring focus. I had recently returned to church, after a period of spiritual apathy caused by my discouragement at some of my own failures. Being involved in that local church and through the ministry of my wonderful pastor, I had begun to “bloom” again spiritually, but still had a long way to go.

In this study, the single most important factor for me was the establishment of “Time Alone with God” or “TAG” time, as Donna calls it. No matter what the topic of the day’s study, God used that time to talk to me as I talked to Him. I began to find purpose and direction in all areas of my life. As I told Donna on the concluding radio show of the pilot study – it’s not like she invented “quiet time”, but her emphasis on this discipline in her book paid tremendous dividends to all the women involved in the study.

The beauty of this study is that all areas of a woman’s life are addressed: health, fitness, finances, relationships, household matters, spiritual knowledge, ministry, and much more. This sounds like a lot, but it is set up in “baby steps”, so it is not overwhelming. The women in the study found that God used the program differently with each of us: some concentrated on health and weight loss, others tackled their finances, while others began to minister to others in a different way than they ever had before. Most women said that they would do the study again, knowing that God would continue to use it to make changes in various areas of their lives.

For me, it was a way to begin to “get it all together”, which I know will be a life-long process, but this was a catalyst to put me on the path to becoming the woman God wants me to be, as the title of Donna’s book suggests. I am now more involved than ever in being a useful member of my church, my finances have improved to the point where I am hoping to buy a house, and even my adult children’s lives have experienced positive changes which I attribute to the time I have been able to spend in prayer for them and in the wisdom that God has given me to share with them. At this point, I feel like there is nothing limiting me from walking out what God desires for me to accomplish in my life.

Jan Ellis

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Dear Donna,

I hope this isn’t too long for you to read but I simply have to share this with you.

I belonged to Crossings Book Club and needed one more book to fulfill my obligation and cancel. I saw the book “Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be” and figured that sounded pretty good and should offer some good information.  I purchased it in October and decided to keep it until January 1 as my new book of the year to read.  (What a coincidence that January 1 was when you launched the online support J)  Wow, when I finally opened that book I was in for a surprise. This was no ordinary “read and glean” a few helpful thoughts and ideas.  This was something else, a lifestyle change, a complete makeover – the challenge to end all challenges!  Loving organization I adapted well to your ideas of a binder to record verses and thought, inspirations, etc.  I bought colored index cards (I love color).  I began to record and track so much.  When I got to the portion about weight control I was very convicted.  You see, I’m a 63 year old divorced woman and have used every diet you can think of.  Lose, gain, lose, gain since early adulthood, spending more money to lose weight than I want to know about. 

I just happened to have a picture that was recently taken of me shaking hands with a retiring coworker.  I saw how really fat I was and the outfit I had on that I thought I looked so good in was not good at all. I was embarrassed that I had let my weight escalate to 224 pounds on a 5’4” frame.  Although I was heavy in childhood I had never gotten this heavy in my life.  I cut that picture out and pasted it inside the cover of my new binder with the date and weight.  I only used your vegetable diet for a short time and decided to start managing my weight through better eating habits – no diet or quick-loss weight programs.  I began to eat more vegetables (I only like about 5 vegetables but I made myself try more) and to eat more salads, probably my least favorite dish!  I drink plenty of water every day. Living in Idaho it was difficult to walk in the winter. I had a cheap Walmart mini-tramp that I pulled out and began to use just to see if I would use it faithfully before I bought a good one and added it to my list of expensive exercise equipment in my next garage sale. 

I finished that book and went on to the “Woman I Want to Be”.  Between those two books and your daily online presentations, I believe my life has been transformed.  I have cut out all sweets to the best of my ability – no fried and coated foods – no fast food joints.  Sometimes I get tired of all the “inconvenience” associated with eating better but I continue on.  I’m pleased to say that today (June 8, 2009) I weigh 196#.  I have also lost 27 inches!! My goal is to be at 189# by July 1 and to continue gradual weight loss with a goal of 150#.  I’ve gone from a size 24+ to a size 18 to 18+ depending on the style.

Donna, I owe so much of this to you.  You helped me to understand why I ate for comfort, why food was my crutch.  You showed me from God’s word that my overeating and lack of self-control was a SIN!  No one else told me that.  Even my doctor didn’t tell me I needed to lose weight.  However, he was very pleased when I visited him last month and he saw my weight loss and overall better health.  He could see a difference in me (He’s a Christian also).  He said if I continued losing he may take me off blood pressure medicine.  My blood pressure has dropped so much and is steady.

After bouncing on the Walmart mini-tramp for 3 months, I order a Cellerciser.  What a difference!  I love it and have found that exercise is fun when you enjoy it.  Just a few minutes a day while listening to your affirmations is all I need.  It invigorates me and gets my day off to a good start.

From May 20-27 I went on vacation and wasn’t able to bounce and listen to your affirmations during that time.    I went to Alabama for a week and was very concerned about gaining weight with all that wonderful southern cooking – you know how they like to feed you. For the most part I ate what they offered (except dessert) only I ate smaller portions and many times I didn’t finish what was on my plate.  I gained 2# which I lost in 2 days.  Could have been water gain because of a 12 hour airport/flying time.  Never before have I been able to refuse all that delicious southern food.  I believe the tools that you gave me to learn how to eat wisely played a big part in my self-control.  With the help of the Holy Spirit I experienced fantastic success.  When I returned home I couldn’t seem to get into the old routine and kind of loafed around, feeling blue, not knowing what was wrong.  This morning it dawned on me that I had not been listening to your affirmations for over two weeks. I had been bouncing to some music but only half heartedly.  Needless to say I turned on those affirmations, bounced, and got ready for work.  My spirit is renewed and refreshed.  I’m getting back into the old “before vacation routine”.

I have continued to write down verses that speak to me.  So many times those verses come in handy when I’m talking with a friend who needs a word of encouragement.  Isn’t it wonderful to recycle God’s words?  You reminded me that my beauty comes from within and from God, not makeup.  You made me realize that everything I say and do reflects who I am in God. 

I have to be honest and tell you I had never heard of you until I bought that book from Crossing but I’m one of your biggest fans now. I know that buying that book was divinely orchestrated.  Not only did I experience such a positive weight-loss message but I have grown closer to God.  I have been a born again believer since early childhood – but I’ve grown so much in the last few months as I’ve learned to really believe that God’s promises are meant for me personally, not just for me in general.  I just love talking with the Lord and becoming better acquainted with him.  I’ve been able to lay aside past sin and guilt that has haunted much of my life.  My friends have mentioned that I have a radiant countenance about me.  My mood swings are less often and I recognize when they are starting now and am able to stand against them.

Accessing your website during the week makes me feel that I am your friend and really know you personally.  I could go on and on but I know you’re busy.  Just know how totally grateful I am to you, for your books, your sincere caring, for your website, and for all you do for people like me and for our Lord.  You have been so instrumental in the new me.

Martha

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