This is a tough one...

...and I've been putting it off for a few days, okay really a few weeks.  I read back through my past posts and that definitely made me feel a little better about what I've been doing the past 2 years. 

Some of the last posts from then were regarding weight loss and fitness. The good news is I'm a little better with the whole working out/healthy eating thing and feel a ton healthier!  We have really tried to watch what we buy, as far as food is concerned.  And of course, when you are running 3-4 times a week, some pounds are definitely going to come off and your energy level is going to skyrocket!!

But, with all that said, I still don't feel like I'm where I need to be.  Training for the 13.1 miles proved to me, with God's power I can do what I set my mind to do.

Now, the hard part comes in.  I don't have an "event" to train for, so how do I keep myself motivated.  One of the girls who went on the Puerto Rico trip with us has been doing CrossFit for awhile.  It was something that sparked my interest because I've seen the CrossFit games.  Let me tell you, those people amazed me!!!  The strength they have!  So, my new friend invited me to come to her gym to check it out. 

I was totally smitten from the first time I even peaked at their website.  You see, Crossfit Solafide is a Christian family owned business.  On Sundays, they even have a Spritiual WOD (Work Out of the Day). 

So, I signed up!  And I'm loving it!  I've only been an official member for two weeks, but I can already tell a huge difference!  They've helped me with my diet and I'm starting to learn all the different moves/modifications. 

 

This is a group praying before working out!

So, here's where the blog comes in.  As I've said before I need accountability!!!  I have to keep talking about it or I will stop doing it!  And this time, I'm taking a huge step - I'm going to post before and progress photos!!!  I took photos the first night I went to a WOD and I'm going to post those now.  And then I will post monthly updates.  THIS IS SCARY!!!!

I normally look a little happier, but apparently I was concentrating :)

Help keep me accountable!!!!

 

Labor Day...

...as I've said before, Labor Day is a weekend of celebrating my sweet Daddy.  This year was no exception.  My niece and nephew came into town for the weekend to help celebrate so we started off with some adventure....CANOEING!

Now, I love to be outdoors and was totally excited to be out on the river.  Well, until it took almost twice as long to get down than river than it should have.  We haven't had a lot of rain before the weekend, so the river was low and slow.  All in all we had a great time, but man oh man, the bridge where we they pick us up, didn't come quick enough!

The girls were hilarious!  Emily got bored and fell asleep half way down and Elaina was loving the rocks in the water.  She had a huge smile the entire time! 

After a day of canoeing, it was time to relax with the family and watch some football, it was opening weekend of college football.  And there's not much better than watching football in your pj's and eating pizza!!!

The next day, we had linner (that's lunch/dinner for those who weren't aware) with my family and had Daddy's famous "Chocolate Lush" for dessert.  Elaina was disappointed there was no birthday cake! 

 

For his birthday, we gave him gift certificates to this awesome little hole in the wall restaurant/bar named "Twin Kegs".  He used to get me their hamburgers to go and bring it to me when I worked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car and he's been talking about wanting one of their burgers.  So, now we get to go together!!!

 

Happy Birthday Daddy!!  We love you more than you could ever know!!!

Worship...

It's a lifestyle, not just what we do on Sunday mornings...that's what the pastor said on Saturday at our Worship Arts Ministry Retreat.  And, wow, OH WOW, did that hit home!!!!

And then, about that time, I felt a little tapping on my shoulder and a whisper in my ear saying "You better listen to what he's saying, I've brought him here just so you could hear this message."  Of course, when you feel like you hear God speaking right into your heart, your going to stop and listen!

The pastor went on to talk about the Great Commandment and how we as Christians are missing the boat on what the Great Commandment actually is.  There a misunderstanding between the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.  And I think I have failed at the Great Commandment and have strived to accomplish the Great Commission.

And now that my eyes have been opened to it, God has shown me in several different ways, a particular set of scriptures, Deuteronomy 6:3-9.  But 6:5 is truely where it's at - "Love God, your God, with all your whole heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." NIV

But the verses that follow are my favorite part of these scriptures!!! 

"Write these commandments that I've given you today onyour hearts.  Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children.  Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.  Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. The Message

Wow, I have totally not been living up to this commandment in the past couple of years.  We still do church pretty much any time the doors are open, but not much else.  We say prayers before we eat and before we go to bed, but how sincere are those prayers???

We talk about loving God and His love for us...but do we offer a lifestyle of worship?  Not even close...

So our household is changing our lifestyle...we will be rising early to get in the scripture before we start our day....we will be listening to worship music in the car....we will be cutting out the TV time...we will be seeking God's will in all we do!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday....

 

 

A day late...but my favorite time of year is upon us again!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday....

I have to add a few words today...this picture is of one of our awesome Youth from our trip to Puerto Rico.  You see, her and her twin sister were in a car wreck this past Monday.  And I SO have a special place in my heart for these girls!  So, I had to put a picture of her this week.  She's still in the hospital, but every picture or FaceBook post I have seen, she's been smiling and has such a sweet spirit!  I love you both, Michaela and Bekah!!!  Hope you feel better soon!