Perseverance

It's amazing what God can share with you during a late morning run.

I had coffee with a dear friend this morning. I left her house feeling blessed and sincerely thankful for her hospitality, wisdom and nurturing. I am a better person today because of her.

So, as I'm driving away in my work out clothes on my way to my 3 mile run, I'm contemplating just how hot my later than usual morning outdoor run was going to be. Let me sum it up for you....IT WAS HOT!!!!!

One mile in, I was already having to pace myself. At one and a half, I wanted to quit. Coincidentally, I forgot my headphones so I only had my thoughts of misery to entertain me. That's when it happened.

BOOM! Out of nowhere. God spoke to my heart.

So many times in our lives we're "running" along, things are going okay and we are doing pretty good. Until something begins to wear us down and we want to quit. Throw in the towel. Be done. I can't help but wonder how many times I've been on the verge of something great and quit before God had a chance to reveal it. WOW.

So, instead of quitting when we are exhausted or worn out, we need to simply slow down a little. Look around. Dig deep and pray like never before. We need to forge ahead with God leading the way. And then His strength will fuel us. His direction will lead us. His will will find us. Truly amazing.

So....a monotonous and hot morning run turned into an inspirational conversation with my Creator. An opportunity to grow even more. I slowed myself down, reflected on where I was and what my goal needed to be and finished the run I had started. I didn't quit. Even though it was VERY hard, I persevered.

Hmmm......maybe I need to forget my headphones more often!

When You Least Expect It

It's funny how certain revelations enter our consciousness without a moment's notice. It never ceases to amaze me when a moment between my Saviour and I arrives smack dab in the middle an ordinary day, transforming it into a cataclysmic event.

My work weekend was busy as usual. Three back to back weekend night shifts. On Sunday mornings I leave work at 7:00 am and go straight to the early service, coffee in hand, at Faith Baptist Church. Although my body is exhausted, having worked two nights and still having a third to go, my Spirit is energized and eager to hear from God's Word and to fellowship with an amazing group of Christ followers.

This Sunday was no different, except that I had to stay longer for a New Members class that I had signed up for. As is usually the case, I was blessed beyond measure through Pastor's words during the message shared to us as placed on his heart from God alone and yet again as he lead this new class to almost 50 of us. This was a double blessing indeed!!

As I was leaving and driving home for some much needed sleep, my heart was swollen with love and fulfillment for my magnificent God. Never in my life have I felt so at the center of God's will. I knew without a doubt that at that very moment, I was exactly where He needed me to be. I felt unbelievably loved and comforted. Completely and wholly at peace in every sense. It was if I could feel Jesus' arms wrapped tightly around me. WOW!!! It was amazing.

If you have ever had a moment like this, then you can relate to the intensity of such an event. If you have not, I can only assure you that when we live with Christ at the center of our existence, trusting Him with everything and living to bring Him glory, moments like this become more and more.

God is good. All the time.

The Sky's the Limit

Routine is good...right?? Of course. Except when it shadows the possibilities we have in Christ.

For so many years, I was caught in a cycle of routine. I was rigid in that routine. Anything that fell outside of it was not well received. It made me very uncomfortable. It was very hard for me to fully embrace God's best for me. Almost impossible.

I have learned that there is a freedom in living in the moment. Living spontaneously. Being willing to change direction when God calls me to. Wow. So many years spent worrying. Crazy.

The sky truly is the limit. My future is an empty slate. I will continue to trust God and live my life as He leads me. I will enjoy each precious moment.

Dear friends, please let go and let God. I know this sounds cliche, but it is heart felt. If you are stuck in the steel grasps of a rigid routine, know that you can break free and once again feel joy and anticipation for all that God has in store. Don't fear change. Don't fear tomorrow. Instead, embrace them both. Lean on those Everlasting Arms.

Back to Life...Back to Reality......

No, really. Truly, this IS a good thing!!!

We are back form vacation. What an awesome time in Orlando with family and great friends!! A much needed get away and time to connect. Priceless.

Coming home was ok. Strangely enough, it was good. Liv left for Space Camp the very next day....and I miss her like crazy!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!!!

Will and I are kicking back and enjoying our week together. We have a return trip to Aquatica planned for Thursday...weather permitting.

All in all, coming home to life as it is, the reality of being divorced, living life one day at a time, is going to be ok. I continue to live my life for the glory of God. That will not change. I have learned so much about who God created me to be over these past couple of years.

With God's help, I will continue to transform into the person He wants me to be. I will laugh. I will live. I will cry. I will pick myself up and not feel sorry for myself. I will praise Him for everything He blesses me with. I will trust Him in all things.

Praise God. Everything's gonna be ok :)))

Vacation

Vacation.

Vacation.

Vacation!!!!!

It is my favorite word. The kids and I are escaping to beautiful Orlando for a week of much needed rest and relaxation.

I'm not sure how much R & R is in store for me, but my focus will be on my sweet kiddos...helping them to have as much fun as possible.

I hope you all have a great week. Praise God in all things!!!

God Bless :))))

Living in the Moment

One of the precious things I have learned is the value of living in the moment.

My earliest memories consist of worrying about what might happen. Preparing myself for every possible scenario. Trying so hard to think of every possible outcome to any given situation in an effort to never be taken by surprise.

The result??? Being miserable. Anxiety, fear, dread. Always being guarded. Keeping up enormous walls. Issues with trust. Loneliness. Sadness.

Why would I choose to live this way? Well, for me, it was the way I had been conditioned to live. Partly by poor examples and partly by familiarity.

When my world as I knew it crashed and burned, I was forced to my knees. The way I had done things was futile. As hard as I tried to predict every possible outcome, I failed to see what was coming.

I had to place every bit of myself in my Creator's loving arms and for the first time, fully trust Him. No questions asked.

At first it was so scary, but over time, He gave me a freedom. A peace. A new found joy that I have never experienced. He put a new song in my heart. A song of faith and hope. The ability to live and love without judgements and walls.

I strive to live each moment as they come to me. I try not to look past it. I don't fret about tomorrow.

The result??? True laughter and giddiness when I play with my kids. A calm deep inside as I watch the sunset. Thankfulness when I head out to work. Contentment when I lay my head to sleep. Faith as I pray for my family. Joy as I wake up anticipating all of the blessings and treasures in store for me each new day. Love as I think of my God.

It is true. There is joy in the morning.

Focus on Fitness

Every Monday, I plan on blogging about a fitness related topic.

Today's topic is......Push ups!

Yeah, yeah.....I can hear the gasps and sighs :((( Turn that frown upside down, ladies. Push ups are such an amazing way to tone your entire upper body in one move. They can be revised for the beginner by simply placing your knees on the floor. Before you know it, you will build enough upper body strength to do them in traditional style.

Start out with a goal of 5. Add 1 per day. You will be surprised at how quickly your body will adapt.

Already able to do push ups?? Looking for a challenge?? Go here and start the challenge today!!! I did this in the past and got to 75....

If you have a Wii Fit, use it for push ups!!! Try using Perfect Pushup portable handles to increase difficulty. Once you build up enough strength, try alternating legs. Put one foot on top of the other and only have the one foot on the ground.

The reward.....toned triceps, biceps, shoulders, back and abs!!!!

Who's game?????

Topsy Turvy

Ever feel like things are just totally out of control?? I am sure the answer is yes. The last couple of years could most definitely qualify as such for me. I truly do not know how I could have ever made it to the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel had it not been for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The light at the end of tunnel was different than what in my "humaness" I at first sought it to be. I envisioned my family back together, under one roof, stronger than ever, living life to the fullest for the Glory of God.

You say, "What???? That shouldn't be the goal?"

Nope. The goal needs to be this. Getting to a place in life where all your faith and hope rest in Christ. No matter how good or bad life appears to be. When we set goals in our hearts and minds that fall outside of this, we never will truly experience God's best in our lives.

That is what I want. God's best. My life at the center of His will. Trusting fully that He will bring about His will in His perfect time.

Once I got to this point, true peace came. Rest and joy followed. I started to enjoy my life as it is. I am far from perfect. But I allow myself to now yield to God's will, not my own.

I can honestly say this. Good things will come. Good things are around me every day. To God be all the Glory. Amen.

Staying Active!

Another question I get asked a lot is, "What kind of exercise do you do?" For me, running and strength training have been my thing. A quick 3 mile jaunt outside is what I crave. But I have learned to appreciate a good treadmill run just as much!!

It's all about perspective. I have a 24 hour gym with awesome equipment available to me where I live, so....I run on the treadmill as often as I can and take full advantage of the incline option!!! That has been absolutely amazing!!!

Those of you who have worked out with me in the past know that I own a full set of free weights. I use those but have recently acquired a Wii Fit. This has been a huge addition to my fitness repertoire!!! The things that can be done on it are endless!!! I did a few reps on the strength training mode yesterday morning (pushups with side torso twists) and am impressively sore this morning.

You see, it's all about seizing what is readily available to you. Don't kill yourself literally going that extra mile if you have another creative option at your fingertips!!!

It's all about finding something that you love and doing it frequently. It's not what you do, but that you do something often.

Trust me...I know that there are so many things that can be used as excuses. Kids, work, being tired, etc...The truth is they are challenges, not excuses.

I have two kids and currently live without my spouse and am able to work out almost every day. I work 3 nights a week but work out during the week. Working out wakes me up when I am tired and gives me that energy boost I need.

Getting started is the first step. Write it down. Schedule time on your calendar. Do it because you are important and deserve it. Do it because it will help you live longer and be healthier.

For me it has become all about honoring the body that God has blessed me with.

Nutrition Overhaul

One of the biggest changes to date has been my nutrition. I have had so many people ask "What are you doing differently?"

Let me start by saying that this one change has yielded amazing results. My body has changed in ways that I have never seen before. Seriously. No lie.

After reading a book that was given to me by a dear friend titled Plan D, by Dee McCaffrey, I felt more empowered than ever to instill some serious changes into my diet.

You see, I had thyroid cancer at the age of 33. I grew up eating pretty much whatever without ever thinking about what was in it. Convenience was all that mattered.

This book forced me to analyze all of the toxic things that are in processed foods. YUCK!!!!

With no history of thyroid cancer in the family, I had to accept that my ways of eating....all of the sugar substitutes, additives, etc, could have played a part in my having cancer at such a young age.

Sooooooo.....change happened and it happened fast!!!

I eliminated processed food. All of it. I eat whole foods. Meat, veggies, fruit, dairy. But, I read labels. I buy food that has less than 5 ingredients. I use butter, not margarine. I add stevia instead of splenda. I buy organic whenever possible.

The result?????? Fat melting off of my body!!!! I feel healthy. I have energy.

I followed this book closely for several months, made some tweaks. I cannot stomach cider vinegar. It is nasty beyond anything I have ever tried!!! I do buy regular bread instead of Ezekiel bread....I just buy whole grain or whole wheat.

I say all of this to show everyone out there that it is easy to eat healthy. Once you make the decision...and it has to be your decision. It can be done.

My kids have benefitted greatly!! My 10 year old daughter and I enjoy wide ranges of fruit every night (with a little melted dark chocolate) instead of cookies or other bad choices. My 4 year old son asks for apples instead of chewies!!

I have added exercise as well. That will be for another post.

I offer support and advice to anyone who is interested. I won't have all of the answers, but will do my best to encourage and inspire.

God desires us all to take care of our beautiful bodies. I have committed to do so. How about you???

Hola

I can't even fathom how long it's been since I've actively blogged. I can say that I have missed it.

I look forward to upcoming posts that reflect who I've become over the past year and a half. God sure has mixed things up in my life....and It's all for His glory.