Tuesday, January 31, 2012

An Update and On to Week Five


So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.   1 Cor. 10:31 ESV

Update on week four.  A very odd week.  It started out badly, when I headed out to go to work on Monday and my car wouldn't start.  It was also the morning that more tornadoes raged across our state.  Because I believe there are reasons for all things, I am trusting that my car sat unmoving all day in the driveway for a very good reason, but I really did hate calling in to work.  It turned out later to be a beautiful day and I set my mind to run again and drink in some good worship music.   Fortunately the car turned out to just have a dead battery and not need some other more very expensive repair!  However, other folks in nearby parts of the state did not remain untouched by the storms and for them I was heavy hearted. 

I managed to run on 4 different days this week.  This is huge for me.  On my run days I have been coming straight home to tackle some general strengthening exercises.  These help to prevent injury and to improve overall health and presence.  To run and not be injured(most of the time) is to run in a strengthened or practiced state.  To be strong or excellent in ANY endeavor requires practice.  Do I practice holiness?  Do I practice encouragement?  Do I practice intimate communication with my creator?   Do I put my faith into practice?  Am I continually in pursuit of these things?  These are questions that have rolled my way over the past year.   Revelations into Resolutions!  Yes, it really is connected.


The Other Goals:
So, I was dusting.  And thinking.  I stopped to take a picture of my plight.  Stacks of stuff I want to or have started reading and have not finished.  I love to read.  But lately it seems that saving the time for reading just doesn't come as easily as it once did.  I'm a mommy now.  I also need sleep. (I LOVE sleep)  I work.  I have a home to run.  We all have our obligations,  so I know I'm not the only one to be frustrated by such a desire.  Finding the time to read my three little chapters WAS tricky, but I managed.  And it was GOOOOD! I'll share more later. :)
Oh,  and I have lost my 4 pounds in 4 weeks. (Yay!)

Week Five
January 29th-Feb 4th
1.  I will read 3 more chapters.
2.  I will lose 1/2 a pound
3.  I will hold hands with someone this week who needs encouragement.

Sweet Journeys!!





Sunday, January 22, 2012

Week Four



2012  A year for Revelations- 40 weeks & 40 days

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.  Romans 15:13 ESV

Someone might stumble upon my journey here and think I am crazy.  It's way too simple.  Why blog about something so basic?  Maybe it is not really about the 3 resolutions per week.  Maybe it is about what I am learning about myself in the process.  Maybe it is about what is being revealed to me during my time in prayer and in the Word.  Sometimes there is solace in the simple.  Sometimes the Spirit speaks  most loudly in the simple.   I am a big fan of simple.

During week three I managed to take my apple cider vinegar on 6 out of 7 days.  I did make the appt. and my total weight loss for the three weeks is now 3.4lbs, with a little extra to spare for next week's goal!!  Yay!!  My vitamins continue, my water intake continues and  My foot is all better so I took the opportunity this week to start running again.  Frankly I am enjoying the empowerment that comes from success in the Holy Spirit and the encouragement I have received from others, and I'm looking forward to making new goals for upcoming weeks.  Stay with me won't you?  you might find something along the way that you want to work on too!!

Week Four
January 22nd-28th

1. I will Read 3 chapters (outside of the scripture I am already reading).
2. I will go running on 2 different days this week.
3.  I will lose 1 pound.



Monday, January 16, 2012

40 weeks and 40 days, Week Three

Well week two has come and gone.  It was another success.  I have to admit that drinking lots of water was not a difficult challenge for me.  I am a huge advocate for hydration of the human body.  Often when I am working late hours I do however get behind or don't quite drink enough.  It is hard to do this when you are busy in recovery, it's just not appropriate to drink in front of surgery patients! lol BUT I managed this week to drink 6 or more glasses on at least 5 days this week.  The same for my vitamin goal.  For whatever reason I get behind on my vitamins during the busy holiday season and that is when you need them the most!!!  I did lose weight again, 0.4 lbs to be exact, but who can tell amongst the misery (aka bloating)!!  Yeh, I know you understand.  My goal was to lose 1 pound but I'm giving myself credit since I lost more than one during the first week.  So..... water, vitamins, weight loss.  Check, Check, and Check!!!!  YAY!!!!!  If you are reading this and wondering what you missed then go here to find out what my adventure is all about.

Week Three
Jan. 15th-21st

1.  On at least 4 days this week, I will remember to take my apple cider vinegar.
2.  I will lose one pound this week.
3.  I promise to Just make the appointment!!!  (i'll explain that one later)

During this past week I became fully introduced to Pinterest!!  I must say it is quite fun and I can't wait to try out some new recipes.  I noticed a toddler experiment that involves mini volcanos with baking soda and droppers of vinegar, and I was quite intrigued.  Can't wait to try that with kiddo.  Reminded me that I needed to be more diligent about taking my apple cider vinegar, a habit I would normally have down.

No deep spiritual insight here, just a verse to chew on......
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, 
and like vinegar on soda.  Proverbs 25:20 ESV


hmmmm.....






Friday, January 13, 2012

40 weeks and 40 days-Week Two




Want to know what in the world I am doing??  click here


Week Two
Jan. 8th-14th
Living Water


I find that when I bask in the LIVING water that comes only through Christ and his word that I do feel more alive.  I feel healthier and more vibrant.  Hopefully my countenance reflects this as well.  Physically I can take steps to add  to a healthier presence.  AND since I have been lacking in this area over the last few weeks, I have chosen my goals for week two.
Remember. Small and reachable goals.
1.  This week I am going to drink more water.  (4or more glasses at least 3 days this week)
2.  Remember to take my vitamins at least 3 days this week.
3.  Lose one pound

Jesus to the Woman at the well, 
"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

Welcome 2012!!!

2012  A year for Revelations- 40 weeks & 40 days


Wow, can't believe I only posted once for 2011!  Really??  I must have been one busy mommy.  Or was it that 2011 was just such a weird year?  (Tornados, parents divorce, etc etc.....)  I'm not sure.  BUT, my creative juices are working again.  I'm chewing on something that the Lord has given me and I feel led to share it with you.  Not sure if it will encourage anyone but me, but I sure do feel empowered, inspired, refreshed etc......maybe you will find something you need here, but it's okay if you don't.  This will be my journey through 2012.   Changes and challenges.  Turning  Resolutions into Revelations OR vice versa.

Now I haven't visited any blogs in months so I have no idea at this point in my writing what all of my old bloggy friends are posting about New Year's  resolutions.  Hopefully I'm not stepping on anyones toes or blogs, but I would not be surprised at all that if God gave me this, then he has also spoken the same to others.  As Women we struggle with the same stuff, just in different waves and at different times.  Family, faith, our homes,  and dare I say it, weight!!  That's just to name a few.  When you make your resolutions do you dread it?  Do you feel passionate about it for a few days, months, hours??  Why should you make just one resolution?  One resolution to torture  yourself with all year long when you reach the point of defeat??  No.  I do not wish to live that way, and I don't believe the Lord would want me to either.   Why can't my resolutions be built around success?  Why can't my resolutions be built around hope, joy, and anticipation?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.  Romans 15:13 ESV

We all have areas of our lives we wish to improve.  We all have the tool or tools we need to accomplish these goals.   I would like to run more this year, be healthier, reflect Jesus more, be more encouraging to others, be a better mom and wife etc etc.  How could I possibly pick just one resolution.

Sooooo, my resolutions will change every week, for 40 weeks to be more exact.  And yes, weight loss will be included in those but will not be the end all be all of my transformation.  The 40 days is symbolic for many things that will be revealed in the end. :)   But it will include the 40 days of planning and praying for each new week ahead.   

There will seem to an outsider looking in that there is no rhyme or reason to my weekly resolutions, but I assure you there will be.  Sometimes I will explain them, sometimes I won't.  They will be personal and sometimes vague.  My one rule for myself is that each goal (there will be three) will be a small reachable goal, thus the built in success and the avoidance of boredom.  Boredom is the number one killer of New Year's resolutions!!  I just made that fact up. :)  But it sounds reasonably true doesn't it?  

So, join me if you wish on my journey into 2012.  40 weeks and 40 days.....


Week One
Jan. 1st-7th
Baby steps and back to the Simple....
1. This week I am going to lose  1 pound
2.  I am going to have a home cooked meal at least 2 nights this week.
3.  This week I am going to spend less money. 

My week one was very successful.  I lost 2.2 pounds.  I cooked at least three delicious meals for my family on my nights when I wasn't working late.  I think my hubby appreciated that one especially.  I spent less money by decreasing the eating out.  No crazy online shopping this week.  Again, beneficial to hubby also.  Check, check and check!!  Yaaaaaayyyyy!!