I took my first Zumba class today at Great West Fitness. I had a blast! The instructor's name was Michelle and she was incredible. If she is not a Christian, His Spirit is sure on her! She is friendly and warm and full of energy. She introduced herself to the 'newbies' in the class and hugged everyone else as if they were old friends.
The class was high-energy and lots of fun. There was no one showing off; everyone was free to be who they were in whatever size or age they are. At the end of the class she played this song while we stretched. Now this might sound a little cheesy but she starts lip singing it to each person in the class; like going up to each person's face and telling them that 'You are amazing just the way you.' 'You are beautiful.' She made a point to say it to every person in the class. It was actually quite powerful. I was looking around at these women and thinking this might be the only time in the week that they hear that they are beauitful and amazing just as they are.
I know for me when I'm all sweaty and looking in the mirror and know that I'm not the exact figure that I want to be, it's quite encouraging to hear that I am OK right now, just the way I am. That's the truth; that's the kingdom come right there.
So Zumba and the Spirit; yep, they go together.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Doing Life Together
So our ladies small group has just grown to a dozen women and I am so excited about it. We started out as five women doing a book study and keeping one another accountable to make both phsyical, spiritual and soul changes in our lives. We finished our book and decided to open the group up to more diverse women - different ages, stages of life, and all with something to bring to the table. Our first meeting was Monday and it was great! I'm so excited about what God is going to do together as we get to know one another and grow together.
This isn't no group for the faint of heart - we are calling women into growth and life in Jesus. We memorize scripture weekly, have a prayer partner for support and get to do homework each week. Our heart is to grow closer to Jesus in a community setting. We all know how tough it is to commit to prayer and reading the Word. I mean even if that's our heart's desire, it still seems like such a battle to do it. It's always easier in numbers. So we've decided to get involved in one another's lives to help us all move closer to Him. It feels like life is flowing through the Body when we walk this journey together.
We have ladies that are past the childrearing stage who will have wisdom to pass along, young moms, newly marrieds, and a few in between, but all are women who love Jesus and are ready to love Him more.
It's so great that we can get together and encourage one another, even when it's hard, even when it's uncomfortable; it's a safe place to risk.
I'm so glad I don't belong to a group like this. This one made me laugh as it's probably the opposite of all that I talked about on Monday. As much as we all sometimes want to avoid growth and depth in our relationships, the real deal is so much better.
This isn't no group for the faint of heart - we are calling women into growth and life in Jesus. We memorize scripture weekly, have a prayer partner for support and get to do homework each week. Our heart is to grow closer to Jesus in a community setting. We all know how tough it is to commit to prayer and reading the Word. I mean even if that's our heart's desire, it still seems like such a battle to do it. It's always easier in numbers. So we've decided to get involved in one another's lives to help us all move closer to Him. It feels like life is flowing through the Body when we walk this journey together.
We have ladies that are past the childrearing stage who will have wisdom to pass along, young moms, newly marrieds, and a few in between, but all are women who love Jesus and are ready to love Him more.
It's so great that we can get together and encourage one another, even when it's hard, even when it's uncomfortable; it's a safe place to risk.
I'm so glad I don't belong to a group like this. This one made me laugh as it's probably the opposite of all that I talked about on Monday. As much as we all sometimes want to avoid growth and depth in our relationships, the real deal is so much better.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Remind me not to do that again!
OK, so with all this baking for Mother's Day my flesh took control and I started sampling a little something here and a little something there. Yesterday we still had six gluten free truffles sitting in my freezer. It was just too much temptation for me to resist and so throughout the day....I....ate...them...ALL!!
My tummy didn't feel toooo bad but I still wasn't sure what the repercussions would be in the morning. And boy was I sick!! Oh my, this was definitely a reminder that I don't want to do that again. My stomach is in pain and... I think that's all the detail I'm going to go into. So I am back on my restrictions and am writing it down so you all know!
I'm halfway through so it's time to be strong and stick with it. I know that if I can do this, in the long run my body will thank me for it. So as much as I love chocolate, that was the last chocolate I'm going to eat for the next three months. Bye bye my dear sweet chocolate; it was so nice to see you again. I just wish you weren't so violent with my body so I could enjoy you more often!
As terrible as it is to be sick when I eat things that aren't agreeing with me, it's also a blessing and a reminder NOT to eat them. I'm thankful for that. It's what keeps me disciplined to walk this road out.
So bring on the carrots and beans and rice and fish and turkey. Today is a new day.
My tummy didn't feel toooo bad but I still wasn't sure what the repercussions would be in the morning. And boy was I sick!! Oh my, this was definitely a reminder that I don't want to do that again. My stomach is in pain and... I think that's all the detail I'm going to go into. So I am back on my restrictions and am writing it down so you all know!
I'm halfway through so it's time to be strong and stick with it. I know that if I can do this, in the long run my body will thank me for it. So as much as I love chocolate, that was the last chocolate I'm going to eat for the next three months. Bye bye my dear sweet chocolate; it was so nice to see you again. I just wish you weren't so violent with my body so I could enjoy you more often!
As terrible as it is to be sick when I eat things that aren't agreeing with me, it's also a blessing and a reminder NOT to eat them. I'm thankful for that. It's what keeps me disciplined to walk this road out.
So bring on the carrots and beans and rice and fish and turkey. Today is a new day.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Having a Morning Off
It's amazing how nice it is to have a morning off. I can't actually remember the last time I had a complete morning all to myself without having to take Caleb to school or run errands or clean the house. This morning I got up and got to go to the gym, pick up photos from our photographer and have lunch and a shower without my children around! How nice. Don't get me wrong; I love my kids. But it is so nice to have some quiet time for the soul. After a relaxed (yet sweaty) time at the gym, I arrived home to an empty house thanks to my in-laws taking the girls to the park and was able to just sit and relax with my food instead of running back and forth to the fridge to get milk and clean up spills and refill plates. Then because they were still not home I hopped in the shower to enjoy a long and relaxing one without the screams of children and knocking on the door.
Its the little things that re-charge the soul. I need to remember to figure out a way to do this more often. It does a mommy good.
Its the little things that re-charge the soul. I need to remember to figure out a way to do this more often. It does a mommy good.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Psalm 103
Mike and I have been preparing to share on Sunday and we've been looking back at how God spoke to us. Last summer Mike lost his job and it took a couple of weeks to be able to spend time with God again. I just couldn't focus and when I did I was just crying or complaining or angry.
Finally, we were away at Camp Likely - in the middle of nowhere with no cell or internet reception, a place where we had to slow down - and so I went down to the dock one more and spent some time reading. And this is what I read:
Praise the Lord O my soul; all my inmost being praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5
At that point in my life I was taking a hard hit with depression and was definitely 'in the pit'. It was hard to believe the Lord was going to renew me and satisfy my desires but I felt like that was a scripture to hang on to...and so I did. That Sunday we went to church at my in-laws' church in Williams Lake and what scripture were they speaking on???? None other than Psalm 103. The Lord was confirming this word in me.
With no job, no opportunity, no joy in sight, I wasn't sure how He was going to accomplish this but I put it my backpocket and waited to see what would happen. We had a busy summer and it included a friend from my precious friend Sarah Gilman, a missionary from Haiti. We talked about the possibility of me coming out and visiting her, something I had longed to do since she moved down there a year prior.
Looking at the place in life we were, I knew that this might be the perfect timing - Mike could take care of the kids, we were still on severance and I could go to Haiti. I struggled with the thought for another month and then took the huge risk of going to a third world country for the first time and booked my ticket. Two weeks later I was on a plane and on my way to St.Marc, Haiti.
The trip was a gift, a big kiss, from the Lord. The minute I got on the plane, my heart was giddy and excited like a little girl, there was joy bubbling. That was something I hadn't felt in a long time. And it didn't stop there. I beamed the entire bumpy ride to St.Marc, reveling in this new experience. I took every moment in as a gift from the Lord. I went with no expectations as to what I would do and ended up having many opportunities - to go to the jail, visit tent cities, do food distribution, even preach at the church. And what scripture did I preach? Psalm 103, because it was there that the Lord satisfied my desires with Good Things! It was there that he RENEWED me like the eagle's. It was there that he crowned me with LOVE and COMPASSION. It was there that he reminded me how much He loved me and that this whole trip was orchestrated just for me, just to bless me. I left the shadows of my life in Haiti and came home a changed person. There was a lightness to my step, a new joy and excitement for what was to come.
I don't think God allowed Mike to lose his job just so I could go to Haiti, but I do know that He works all things together for the Good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. I thought that scripture included Mike as he was the one 'in the thick of it' and yet, the Lord cares so deeply for me that He intended to make every Good He possibly could as I walked through this dark time. He is such a good God! Praise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me, Praise His holy name!
Finally, we were away at Camp Likely - in the middle of nowhere with no cell or internet reception, a place where we had to slow down - and so I went down to the dock one more and spent some time reading. And this is what I read:
Praise the Lord O my soul; all my inmost being praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5
At that point in my life I was taking a hard hit with depression and was definitely 'in the pit'. It was hard to believe the Lord was going to renew me and satisfy my desires but I felt like that was a scripture to hang on to...and so I did. That Sunday we went to church at my in-laws' church in Williams Lake and what scripture were they speaking on???? None other than Psalm 103. The Lord was confirming this word in me.
With no job, no opportunity, no joy in sight, I wasn't sure how He was going to accomplish this but I put it my backpocket and waited to see what would happen. We had a busy summer and it included a friend from my precious friend Sarah Gilman, a missionary from Haiti. We talked about the possibility of me coming out and visiting her, something I had longed to do since she moved down there a year prior.
Looking at the place in life we were, I knew that this might be the perfect timing - Mike could take care of the kids, we were still on severance and I could go to Haiti. I struggled with the thought for another month and then took the huge risk of going to a third world country for the first time and booked my ticket. Two weeks later I was on a plane and on my way to St.Marc, Haiti.
The trip was a gift, a big kiss, from the Lord. The minute I got on the plane, my heart was giddy and excited like a little girl, there was joy bubbling. That was something I hadn't felt in a long time. And it didn't stop there. I beamed the entire bumpy ride to St.Marc, reveling in this new experience. I took every moment in as a gift from the Lord. I went with no expectations as to what I would do and ended up having many opportunities - to go to the jail, visit tent cities, do food distribution, even preach at the church. And what scripture did I preach? Psalm 103, because it was there that the Lord satisfied my desires with Good Things! It was there that he RENEWED me like the eagle's. It was there that he crowned me with LOVE and COMPASSION. It was there that he reminded me how much He loved me and that this whole trip was orchestrated just for me, just to bless me. I left the shadows of my life in Haiti and came home a changed person. There was a lightness to my step, a new joy and excitement for what was to come.
I don't think God allowed Mike to lose his job just so I could go to Haiti, but I do know that He works all things together for the Good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. I thought that scripture included Mike as he was the one 'in the thick of it' and yet, the Lord cares so deeply for me that He intended to make every Good He possibly could as I walked through this dark time. He is such a good God! Praise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me, Praise His holy name!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Big Cheat
This afternoon I did a big cheat from my diet. I was making oat fudge bars and one of the batches looked a little underdone so I thought I should try a little to check. Instead of cutting a sliver, I took a big piece and ate the whole thing....and then another one. What in the world was I thinking? My draw to chocolate gets exceptionally strong when I am PMSing and well, I am PMSing and so I just couldn't stop myself. I'm a little nervous to see how my body reacts to all that sugar, butter, flour, eggs, and chocolate that I haven't let myself have for two and a half months!
It has been difficult at times to stick to this diet but I have felt a definite divine grace as I've walked through the last few months. I know I cannot make it through the summer without the help of my God. He is the only thing stopping me from digging in the freezer and grabbing another oat fudge bar right now. And really was it worth it? Why is it we do want we don't want to do?
My life is a little like that these days. I know I need to continue working out and getting up for my devotions but somehow I find a way to stay up till midnight so I'm less than coherent when my alarm rings in the morning. And working out....well there's that excuse that there is no ink in the printer to print out my groupon for Great West Fitness. I guess that excuse is done now that Mike brought home ink this evening.
So what am I saying? I'm just saying I'm weak. Just want you to know. I can't keep it together on my own, and I fail when I try....point already shown above. I continually need Jesus and I continually try to do it without him. Thankfully he is ever-patient and ever-kind and ever-loving and will let me start again in the morning.
I guess it's not the falling that matters so much, it's whether we choose to get back up or not.
It has been difficult at times to stick to this diet but I have felt a definite divine grace as I've walked through the last few months. I know I cannot make it through the summer without the help of my God. He is the only thing stopping me from digging in the freezer and grabbing another oat fudge bar right now. And really was it worth it? Why is it we do want we don't want to do?
My life is a little like that these days. I know I need to continue working out and getting up for my devotions but somehow I find a way to stay up till midnight so I'm less than coherent when my alarm rings in the morning. And working out....well there's that excuse that there is no ink in the printer to print out my groupon for Great West Fitness. I guess that excuse is done now that Mike brought home ink this evening.
So what am I saying? I'm just saying I'm weak. Just want you to know. I can't keep it together on my own, and I fail when I try....point already shown above. I continually need Jesus and I continually try to do it without him. Thankfully he is ever-patient and ever-kind and ever-loving and will let me start again in the morning.
I guess it's not the falling that matters so much, it's whether we choose to get back up or not.
Breaking the Funk
Enough already. I've sat down to blog numerous times over the last few days and have never posted what I wrote or didn't finish enough to post it. It's time to break this funk I've been in!! I've been without a computer in the day so that hasn't helped but I now have a power cord and am ready to begin again!
And so for a recap of last night's dessert. I made Almond Butter Ice Cream with Carob Chips.
Slice two bananas and freeze for at least two hours. Once frozen, throw them in a blender with 3 tbsp. Almond Butter and blend and blend and blend until smooth. I added about a tsp or so of agave to sweeten a little as well. If you neeed to, use a spatula to clean the edges and push down; this process took a little while because the bananas are hard and you want them to get to a smooth texture. Once smooth, spoon into a bowl and add a few carob chips or chocolate chips if you are so privileged to be able to eat them right now!! Mix and eat. So yummy and smooth and a great treat with way less calories than the real thing. Enjoy!
And so for a recap of last night's dessert. I made Almond Butter Ice Cream with Carob Chips.
Slice two bananas and freeze for at least two hours. Once frozen, throw them in a blender with 3 tbsp. Almond Butter and blend and blend and blend until smooth. I added about a tsp or so of agave to sweeten a little as well. If you neeed to, use a spatula to clean the edges and push down; this process took a little while because the bananas are hard and you want them to get to a smooth texture. Once smooth, spoon into a bowl and add a few carob chips or chocolate chips if you are so privileged to be able to eat them right now!! Mix and eat. So yummy and smooth and a great treat with way less calories than the real thing. Enjoy!
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