Kenny Greenwood has mastered many skills in life-Special Olympics baseball, folding church bulletins and operating the church lights during worship services.

Ask anyone about Greenwood these days and they will tell you he is sporting a new image. As a matter of fact, people are doing a double-take when they see Greenwood, and with good reason.

On March 18, people from ages 2 to 92 gathered at the Burien Free Methodist Church to party hearty.

A card on the welcoming table inside the door greeted visitors. "You are invited to celebrate a great loss!" it read. Everyone signed a second card announcing, "You did it!"

This is a comfortable place for Greenwood, who has attended the church for 22 years-more than half his life. On this special evening, it somehow became more real, and much more official.

It was clearly Greenwood's night, as well-wishers gathered at the door. Pictures, a balloon bouquet and a Money Tree said it all.

But there was more. The official Weight Loss Chart, brightly displayed on the festive table, was clearly the topic of the evening.

The numbers are etched in Greenwood's mind: August 9, 2005-306.4, March 13, 2007-205.4.

Burien Free Methodist Church secretary Martha Rorabaugh faithfully recorded Greenwood's weekly weight loss from the start.

Greenwood would head to Burien Group Health every Tuesday to be monitored and weighed. He would jog the 11 miles from his home he shares with his brother, on Kent's East Hill, to Burien.

In the year and a half, Greenwood only missed one Tuesday at Group Health, and that was because the roads were icy. He was prompt in reporting each weekly weigh-in to his church family.

At age 41, will power is Greenwood's middle name. His inspiration to lose weight developed when he found himself huffing and puffing more than usual. He also described lying in bed and feeling an uncomfortable, protruding bulge in his abdomen.

These days, he proudly points to that area and volunteers, "it's thinner."

So, what is his secret? Greenwood is excited to share.

"As of last Tuesday, I dropped another notch. I've lost 101 pounds now," he said. "I eat salads, and do walking. I think The Lord gave me the strength. Without Him, it's impossible. With Him, anything is possible."

Greenwood carefully explains that he cuts portions in half, which he credits as being the major approach to his weight loss. He changed his milk from 2 percent to 1 percent, and caloric drinks are a thing of the past.

He has caring, outspoken friends who will not let him stray. When he has an occasional craving or starts to wander off track, his friends instruct, "don't go there."

And he runs, walks two to three hours a day, and bikes. Even when Greenwood attended the Warm Beach Christian Camp, he incorporated exercise, "his way," into the event. It was not exactly an easy workout-he circled the perimeter of the camp eight times with each exercise.

"The only things I stop for are lights and to take a break," Greenwood is quick to note.

Greenwood's appearance today is quite different compared to his large physique in the summer of 2005.

The Rev. David Downie at Burien Free Methodist Church smiles at Greenwood's new look. "I don't believe it. He lost 100 pounds. I would not believe it if I wouldn't have seen it with my own eyes."

Downie applauds Greenwood for his faithful commitment, not only to his now-healthy lifestyle but also to the church.

On the Sunday of last December's power outage, Downie went to unlock the church doors at 7 a.m. and there stood a shivering Greenwood. He had left his home on his bike at 5 a.m. to be there.

"He came when we had no electricity. He looked like an iceberg," Downie recalled. "He had a serious fall on the ice, he told me later."

On this freezing morning, Greenwood's determination and enthusiasm were a sharp contrast to the complaints of others about the lack of power and unpleasant car rides to church.

Friend Mike Rorabaugh beams when he overhears Greenwood discussing his improved eating habits. "He was willing to give something up, willing to give up to gain," Rorabaugh noted.

Lillian Oliveira, a mentor who frequently visits Greenwood's Sunday School class, conveyed appreciation for his dedication and understanding of worship.

"He really knows the Lord and he knows the Bible surprisingly well," Oliveira declared.

There were desserts-rich creations-at Greenwood's celebration. Two chocolate cakes graced the table, yet, the guest of honor still munched on his small plate of fruit.

Between bites, Greenwood reminded his friends, "When I put my mind to do something I do it!" He says it's a healthy, low calorie lifestyle for him now-except for that one treat in which Greenwood occasionally indulges, a Frosty.

Next on his agenda is the tossing of some rather loose, baggy clothing, and a shopping trip. Friends Joyce Olsen and Fred Teitzel at the church plan to take Greenwood shopping with the money that "grew" on the money tree.

Greenwood plans to continue losing until he reaches his ideal weight of 198 pounds.

A prayer is seldom said to give thanks for loss. However, it happened on this special evening as Downie joined in Greenwood's celebration.