Oh my word!! There and back again by Bilbo Baggens. Crazy. True story.
I don't know why exactly I want to blog about my crazy instead of writing it in a journal. I keep thinking my dream life I would not tell people what I eat, when I workout or what I weigh. I would like to just BE SKINNY one day and be like those crazy people who just say, I just ate right and exercised and the weight fell off". Or "I just don't feel like eating anymore."
Maybe because it will never be that easy for me... I don't know. Never the less, hear I am AGAIN telling the universe how done being fat I am.
So yesterday I weighed in at 269 dreadful pounds, and today I was back to my previously horrific weight of 266.
The other thing is this, there is an accountability factor in checking in a the gym, and when people say that they are encouraged by me getting my booty moving I can't help but tell them every time.
That being said... I am going to be a tiny bit quieter about it in the future.
I have almost nothing else to say except to say that my first goal is to get to 239, which is still nauseatingly fat BUT, my future goal is 140 and I cannot wait to not have to know and say and hear that I am more than 100 pounds over weight. I honestly wish I could just starve until then.
That's only 27 pounds. I can figure that out. right.
LSL <3
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Keep on keepin' on
Happy New Year!!!
Technically it is already 14 days in. We had winter break from Jack's school until the 6th then snow days until the 9th. All that to say I didn't check in mentally for a new start until Monday the 13th.
Checking in for me, once again means weighing in. This year I officially reached the heaviest weight I have EVER been. That includes when I was ready to deliver my son. It wasn't really a surprise, I have had terrible eating habits all summer. I never wanted to go to Hawaii fat, but that goal came and went this June. I think I was in the 230's and 240's when we got back.
Once Jack started back to school I started exercising again but never had good consistant eating habits. Until Christmas wine and baking, I had never seemed to break 256... well, I should have known that could really only go on for so long.
So, happy 2014, I started January 13th weighing 266 big ones.
It's not like I'm happy with that. I'm not going to pretend I was almost suicidal about it either though. I earned every pound and hate myself plenty along the way. As you can imagine, I have out grown EVERYTHING. So that doesn't help me feel better either.
I think I just have a healthier mindset than I have in the past. The day I weigh myself and weigh over 200 pounds, and just don't care....that's when I'll be in real trouble.
Thankfully for me, and unfortuantly for my him, my husband has a few pounds to lose as well. I always lose more when he is on board with the program.
I have set a goal to lose 65 pounds to start. By then I should feel a little better and start getting my face back.
I will be doing Zumba at least 4 days a week combined with some extra cardio and weigh training. So far my eating plan is just being smart.
Technically it is already 14 days in. We had winter break from Jack's school until the 6th then snow days until the 9th. All that to say I didn't check in mentally for a new start until Monday the 13th.
Checking in for me, once again means weighing in. This year I officially reached the heaviest weight I have EVER been. That includes when I was ready to deliver my son. It wasn't really a surprise, I have had terrible eating habits all summer. I never wanted to go to Hawaii fat, but that goal came and went this June. I think I was in the 230's and 240's when we got back.
Once Jack started back to school I started exercising again but never had good consistant eating habits. Until Christmas wine and baking, I had never seemed to break 256... well, I should have known that could really only go on for so long.
So, happy 2014, I started January 13th weighing 266 big ones.
It's not like I'm happy with that. I'm not going to pretend I was almost suicidal about it either though. I earned every pound and hate myself plenty along the way. As you can imagine, I have out grown EVERYTHING. So that doesn't help me feel better either.
I think I just have a healthier mindset than I have in the past. The day I weigh myself and weigh over 200 pounds, and just don't care....that's when I'll be in real trouble.
Thankfully for me, and unfortuantly for my him, my husband has a few pounds to lose as well. I always lose more when he is on board with the program.
I have set a goal to lose 65 pounds to start. By then I should feel a little better and start getting my face back.
I will be doing Zumba at least 4 days a week combined with some extra cardio and weigh training. So far my eating plan is just being smart.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Things that Stick
If you have ever had a conversation with me, I'm sure you've noticed I'm not a great communicator. It's just true. I have a hard time organizing thoughts and I talk fast and mumble sometimes. I usually have plenty to say and I don't think much before things start spilling out all over the place.
So plenty of the time I feel misunderstood and honestly plenty of the time I couldn't repeat to you word for word what I just said. Not because I didn't mean it, but because I probably said it as I thought it and retain almost nothing.
I have to say, my mom and I tease sometimes about some things that she said to me in my teenage years that she said lightly or in passing but I will never forget them. Like that I,"don't have a creative bone in my body" or "if you always say no when people ask you to do things, they will stop asking you to do things." or " your make up on your face doesn't match your neck! Take a mirror outside in the sun light!"
I guess life is just like that. Some things just stick.
Last week I had a moment like that. My son and I took my mom to lunch for her birthday and I had to get up to take him to the bathroom. As I was leaving the table, my mom said something like,"when you get back make sure you finish telling me about.. Or I want to hear more about..." Whatever it was that I was talking about.
I'm so thankful that those words stuck! or that the thought stuck i guess. I just keep thinking about it. It felt really nice to be heard. It meant a lot more than I'm sure she would have thought it did, that she cared about what I had to say. That, what was going on in my life was important and worth listening to, no matter how poorly it was being communicated. I guess I'm just like everyone else. I want to be heard acknowledged and understood. At that moment it was just really nice to hear that from my momma.
I want her to know that what she says matters to me, and I am thankful that what I have to say matters to her as well <3
Love you momma <3
Peace, LSL
So plenty of the time I feel misunderstood and honestly plenty of the time I couldn't repeat to you word for word what I just said. Not because I didn't mean it, but because I probably said it as I thought it and retain almost nothing.
I have to say, my mom and I tease sometimes about some things that she said to me in my teenage years that she said lightly or in passing but I will never forget them. Like that I,"don't have a creative bone in my body" or "if you always say no when people ask you to do things, they will stop asking you to do things." or " your make up on your face doesn't match your neck! Take a mirror outside in the sun light!"
I guess life is just like that. Some things just stick.
Last week I had a moment like that. My son and I took my mom to lunch for her birthday and I had to get up to take him to the bathroom. As I was leaving the table, my mom said something like,"when you get back make sure you finish telling me about.. Or I want to hear more about..." Whatever it was that I was talking about.
I'm so thankful that those words stuck! or that the thought stuck i guess. I just keep thinking about it. It felt really nice to be heard. It meant a lot more than I'm sure she would have thought it did, that she cared about what I had to say. That, what was going on in my life was important and worth listening to, no matter how poorly it was being communicated. I guess I'm just like everyone else. I want to be heard acknowledged and understood. At that moment it was just really nice to hear that from my momma.
I want her to know that what she says matters to me, and I am thankful that what I have to say matters to her as well <3
Love you momma <3
Peace, LSL
Monday, July 1, 2013
Big C
I was on my way to hang out with my dear friends who live in Novi this morning so I had some time in the car. One of my favorite Third Day CD's was in so I kept it on. I don't remember which song was on first, but it made me think of our time at Metro South Church. I don't mean to put down any other church band. I would not attend a church just because of it's band, BUT if I did, I'd choose Metro. E.J. and I were just saying we would really like to find a day to get to Metro soon, because we just love to worship there. I love how I can look around the room and know the hearts of the souls singing around the room. God is doing some amazing things there. Pastor Jeremy Schossau and the Dorbands and the others on staff really have a heart to reach the community and young people! Their enthusiasism is INSANE and inspiring!!!
As I was thinking about the Big C, God's church, I was remineded of all the beautiful things that are going on in all of the little C's we have had the pleasure of being a part of.
Bethedsa Baptist Church, in Allen Park will always feel like home because we got married there and it is the church I was mostly raised in. The people I grew up with there will always feel like family.
I am so excited about St. John's Lutheran Church in Waltz. It is the sweetest little church. It feels so naturally simplified. It's not modern, they don't have a big loud band. It has stained glass windows and is so soaked with tradition it brings me to tears almost every time I enter. It just ooses love and respect for Christ. Also, the way they pour into the lives of the children at the school is just amazing.
Last summer we had the priviledge of going to El Salvador, with Living Water International. This morning I was thinking about the team at Agua Viva. Every morning they have devotions and sing praises to heaven in English and Spanish. It is the most beautiful sound when you can hear both at the same time! Then they go and work their pattoties off in the name of Jesus and proclaim his name EVERY DAY!
Even thinking of our dear'Journey, friends. That chruch plant wasn't around all to long but the people involved will always have a place in our hearts and I know it had it's purpose in our lives for the Kingdom. Some of the people that were there have followed their call into the city of Detroit. I know God is doing some amazing things through them as well.
Currently we are attending Harvest Bible Chapel, in Westland. We are privilidged to hear the word of God faithfully and unashamedly preached, by an EXCELLENT communicator and man of God, Pastor Dan McGhee. It has been awesome to see our small group be challenged and serving each other and in the church and community. There is a couple in our group who is from Pennsylvania and it is so cool that it really seems like God has brought them here for the primary purpose to use them in a huge outreach called Hope For Western Wayne County. This year, faithfully they are heading it up again and could use your help if you are available. :) Another couple in our small group,and their son, are headed to Africa this summer on their very first mission trip!! so exciting!!!
I just wanted to share what a blessing and a privilege it is to be apart of such an awesome BIG C, and all the little C's too.
Love love love.... LSL <3 peace
As I was thinking about the Big C, God's church, I was remineded of all the beautiful things that are going on in all of the little C's we have had the pleasure of being a part of.
Bethedsa Baptist Church, in Allen Park will always feel like home because we got married there and it is the church I was mostly raised in. The people I grew up with there will always feel like family.
I am so excited about St. John's Lutheran Church in Waltz. It is the sweetest little church. It feels so naturally simplified. It's not modern, they don't have a big loud band. It has stained glass windows and is so soaked with tradition it brings me to tears almost every time I enter. It just ooses love and respect for Christ. Also, the way they pour into the lives of the children at the school is just amazing.
Last summer we had the priviledge of going to El Salvador, with Living Water International. This morning I was thinking about the team at Agua Viva. Every morning they have devotions and sing praises to heaven in English and Spanish. It is the most beautiful sound when you can hear both at the same time! Then they go and work their pattoties off in the name of Jesus and proclaim his name EVERY DAY!
Even thinking of our dear'Journey, friends. That chruch plant wasn't around all to long but the people involved will always have a place in our hearts and I know it had it's purpose in our lives for the Kingdom. Some of the people that were there have followed their call into the city of Detroit. I know God is doing some amazing things through them as well.
Currently we are attending Harvest Bible Chapel, in Westland. We are privilidged to hear the word of God faithfully and unashamedly preached, by an EXCELLENT communicator and man of God, Pastor Dan McGhee. It has been awesome to see our small group be challenged and serving each other and in the church and community. There is a couple in our group who is from Pennsylvania and it is so cool that it really seems like God has brought them here for the primary purpose to use them in a huge outreach called Hope For Western Wayne County. This year, faithfully they are heading it up again and could use your help if you are available. :) Another couple in our small group,and their son, are headed to Africa this summer on their very first mission trip!! so exciting!!!
I just wanted to share what a blessing and a privilege it is to be apart of such an awesome BIG C, and all the little C's too.
Love love love.... LSL <3 peace
Bull Horn Guy
Bull Horn Guy
Is that even what they call it? A bull horn? Any ways, I think you know who I am referring to. The last guy I saw, heard, yelling at people about the end of days was actually in Detroit, on our walk to Comerica Park to see a Tigers game.
I really am to a point where I don't give them much thought anymore. But I some how got going on a weird train of thought the other day and I guess I almost feel like I cannot blog about anything else until I get this thought out of my head.
The weird thing for me is how the bull horn guy came to mind and this turned into an Independence Day post. Honestly, I plan nothing, ok, except vacations, I never plan on what to write about.
Anyways, I have participated in a few conversations lately about places like China and India where Christians are not safe to talk openly to others about their faith.
I have prayed for pastors over seas as I am sure many of you have who have been taken prisoner or even put to death for their faith. I guess because of my distance from these men I never really truly hurt for them.
A very scary situation occurred recently with some Christians that I know through a chain of church family, and I prayed for them harder than I have probably every prayed for anything or any one. All of sudden the reality of our freedom in the United States hit me like a ton of bricks.
There are so many freedoms and luxuries I take for granted in this country. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are certainly up there on the list.
This somehow brought me to the bull horn guy. Do I like being yelled at? No. Do I like him yelling at non believers about hell and their need for Christ? No, and I don't thinks it's the most gracious or effective way to reach people and show them the love of Christ. However, I can appreciate greatly that he has the freedom to do so. Maybe he could even get in trouble for how loud he is, and that would be ok with me. But it got me to thinking. What am I doing with my freedom? I am certainly not yelling about Christ, I'm not even speaking about him to non believers most days.
So to the bull horn guy, I say kudos to you. Please yell away, shout it out, I bet he never regrets a word he says, or better yet, he won't go to sleep or die regretting what he didn't say.
On this Independence Day I will be sure to count my blessings and freedoms and praise the Lord that I live in a country where I can be safe and witness openly as a Christian. Please join me in prayer on our Independence Day for all of the believers in other countries where they are not free to live and witness openly as Christians, and I encourage you to exercise your freedom here in the US, while we still are free.
Mathew 5:16
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Romans1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Happy Independence Day friends!!
God Speed! peace <3
LSL
Is that even what they call it? A bull horn? Any ways, I think you know who I am referring to. The last guy I saw, heard, yelling at people about the end of days was actually in Detroit, on our walk to Comerica Park to see a Tigers game.
I really am to a point where I don't give them much thought anymore. But I some how got going on a weird train of thought the other day and I guess I almost feel like I cannot blog about anything else until I get this thought out of my head.
The weird thing for me is how the bull horn guy came to mind and this turned into an Independence Day post. Honestly, I plan nothing, ok, except vacations, I never plan on what to write about.
Anyways, I have participated in a few conversations lately about places like China and India where Christians are not safe to talk openly to others about their faith.
I have prayed for pastors over seas as I am sure many of you have who have been taken prisoner or even put to death for their faith. I guess because of my distance from these men I never really truly hurt for them.
A very scary situation occurred recently with some Christians that I know through a chain of church family, and I prayed for them harder than I have probably every prayed for anything or any one. All of sudden the reality of our freedom in the United States hit me like a ton of bricks.
There are so many freedoms and luxuries I take for granted in this country. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are certainly up there on the list.
This somehow brought me to the bull horn guy. Do I like being yelled at? No. Do I like him yelling at non believers about hell and their need for Christ? No, and I don't thinks it's the most gracious or effective way to reach people and show them the love of Christ. However, I can appreciate greatly that he has the freedom to do so. Maybe he could even get in trouble for how loud he is, and that would be ok with me. But it got me to thinking. What am I doing with my freedom? I am certainly not yelling about Christ, I'm not even speaking about him to non believers most days.
So to the bull horn guy, I say kudos to you. Please yell away, shout it out, I bet he never regrets a word he says, or better yet, he won't go to sleep or die regretting what he didn't say.
On this Independence Day I will be sure to count my blessings and freedoms and praise the Lord that I live in a country where I can be safe and witness openly as a Christian. Please join me in prayer on our Independence Day for all of the believers in other countries where they are not free to live and witness openly as Christians, and I encourage you to exercise your freedom here in the US, while we still are free.
Mathew 5:16
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Romans1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Happy Independence Day friends!!
God Speed! peace <3
LSL
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Detroit!!! IT"s the LAKE!!!!
Have you seen the movie Evan Almighty? Excuse me if you haven't, its a favorite at our house. I was in the car just now and had a light bulb moment and almost yelled out loud!!! ITS THE LAKE!!!!! It's the LAKE!!!
Translation, what if it's a school? What if Margie's vision, call from God is not just a community center? What if it's a Christian school in Detroit?
Is there a Christian school in Detroit? Is there one called Heritage Christian School? I don't know for sure about Heritage, that came later. I was just thinking it was kind of obvious what would be great to pass along would be our Christian Heritage.
Anyways, as Empty Buckets, we are reading the book BAREFOOT CHURCH, by Brandon Hatmaker. It is an AWESOME book that our fellow EB suggested. Some of us are currently having a hard time following the American dream, and really struggling with the American church. The consumerism and self service, and inward focus, to name just a few things.
We realize that we have our own city near by, not over seas that really needs to be redeemed. The city of Detroit needs Christ like San Salvador needs clean water. We are thirty minutes outside of the city and once inside, it feels like a third world country.
Last Friday the Empty Buckets went to visit a family that some of us had lost touch with over the past couple years, the Young's. They are a beautiful family that joined a church plant that some of us EB's were a part of. Even back then they had a call to plant a church in Detroit. They are in Detroit now faithfully following their call.
When we visited the other day, I know what hit most of us the hardest was that it is hard to serve the people in the city when you don't live there. Reaching in from afar is not as relational as any of us feel called to. Community is what most of us thrive on and are searching for what Christ has for us next.
I'm not saying that my family is ready to move into Detroit right this second. But what I am saying is that we are praying for direction and a clear calling on what to do next.
Back to the school idea that made me bust out the computer and start typing. E.J. (my husband) just called me about 2nd Mile Missions. It is a Mission that my sister in law's family started or helped start. They built a school in the Dominican Republic, I think it is actually several schools now, and I believe they are currently building a trade school. It's awesome!!!! You can even sponsor the children there just like you can with World Vision. They take mission trips there several times a year.
The more I thought about the school the more it seems like it could totally work. Margie could be the principle :) and lunch lady. Cesar could be the school counselor/ translator once he finishes school. Christy could teach music or something/translator. I could do landscaping/janitor/lunch lady/ something. Maybe Emily and Nathan Pergle could end up teaching there one day. Maybe SJ could teach? and Angela? Rachel could teach piano. Tricia, yes all the way from FL, just like Nathan and Emily....maybe GOD will call you, just saying. There are plenty of Christians around here, plenty of teachers, plenty of kids, and plenty for all of us EB's to do.
I don't know, I'm just dreaming right now but also, Detroit is a mission field just like any other city people are sent to. It would take some backing and support, but if a family can start a school in Bavaro, DR from Indiana. We could certainly start a school in Detroit, especially from Detroit.
Please just join us friends in prayer for Detroit, and for a clear call and possibly open doors. I don't know if it's a church, a school or just volunteering or a career with Habitat for Humanity or Blight Busters in Detroit, or partnering with the Youngs. Honestly, maybe it's not Detroit for all of us. Maybe it's some where else? But it is something. God is making a move of some sort, things are going to change, I can FEEL it!
I personally do not believe in coinsidence, I believe God in his perfect plan has brought us all together for a purpose, everone we know and love and support, who are trying to be faithful Christ followers. I appologize for calling some of you out and for those of you who we know who might get into this wonderful mess with all of us. Christ is King, he is in control and I will be praying that he uses you, yes YOU!
Also, please pray for the Young family living in Detroit. They are rockin the socks off Detroit city, honestly. What an encouragement they are. God Bless!
Peace <3
LSL
Translation, what if it's a school? What if Margie's vision, call from God is not just a community center? What if it's a Christian school in Detroit?
Is there a Christian school in Detroit? Is there one called Heritage Christian School? I don't know for sure about Heritage, that came later. I was just thinking it was kind of obvious what would be great to pass along would be our Christian Heritage.
Anyways, as Empty Buckets, we are reading the book BAREFOOT CHURCH, by Brandon Hatmaker. It is an AWESOME book that our fellow EB suggested. Some of us are currently having a hard time following the American dream, and really struggling with the American church. The consumerism and self service, and inward focus, to name just a few things.
We realize that we have our own city near by, not over seas that really needs to be redeemed. The city of Detroit needs Christ like San Salvador needs clean water. We are thirty minutes outside of the city and once inside, it feels like a third world country.
Last Friday the Empty Buckets went to visit a family that some of us had lost touch with over the past couple years, the Young's. They are a beautiful family that joined a church plant that some of us EB's were a part of. Even back then they had a call to plant a church in Detroit. They are in Detroit now faithfully following their call.
When we visited the other day, I know what hit most of us the hardest was that it is hard to serve the people in the city when you don't live there. Reaching in from afar is not as relational as any of us feel called to. Community is what most of us thrive on and are searching for what Christ has for us next.
I'm not saying that my family is ready to move into Detroit right this second. But what I am saying is that we are praying for direction and a clear calling on what to do next.
Back to the school idea that made me bust out the computer and start typing. E.J. (my husband) just called me about 2nd Mile Missions. It is a Mission that my sister in law's family started or helped start. They built a school in the Dominican Republic, I think it is actually several schools now, and I believe they are currently building a trade school. It's awesome!!!! You can even sponsor the children there just like you can with World Vision. They take mission trips there several times a year.
The more I thought about the school the more it seems like it could totally work. Margie could be the principle :) and lunch lady. Cesar could be the school counselor/ translator once he finishes school. Christy could teach music or something/translator. I could do landscaping/janitor/lunch lady/ something. Maybe Emily and Nathan Pergle could end up teaching there one day. Maybe SJ could teach? and Angela? Rachel could teach piano. Tricia, yes all the way from FL, just like Nathan and Emily....maybe GOD will call you, just saying. There are plenty of Christians around here, plenty of teachers, plenty of kids, and plenty for all of us EB's to do.
I don't know, I'm just dreaming right now but also, Detroit is a mission field just like any other city people are sent to. It would take some backing and support, but if a family can start a school in Bavaro, DR from Indiana. We could certainly start a school in Detroit, especially from Detroit.
Please just join us friends in prayer for Detroit, and for a clear call and possibly open doors. I don't know if it's a church, a school or just volunteering or a career with Habitat for Humanity or Blight Busters in Detroit, or partnering with the Youngs. Honestly, maybe it's not Detroit for all of us. Maybe it's some where else? But it is something. God is making a move of some sort, things are going to change, I can FEEL it!
I personally do not believe in coinsidence, I believe God in his perfect plan has brought us all together for a purpose, everone we know and love and support, who are trying to be faithful Christ followers. I appologize for calling some of you out and for those of you who we know who might get into this wonderful mess with all of us. Christ is King, he is in control and I will be praying that he uses you, yes YOU!
Also, please pray for the Young family living in Detroit. They are rockin the socks off Detroit city, honestly. What an encouragement they are. God Bless!
Peace <3
LSL
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Be Good To Each Other
A couple of weeks go my friend Jennifer and I met up with another friend of ours in St. Louis Missouri. Her name is Tamara. Once a month Tamara and her boyfriend, Jeff, head up something they call a Be Good To Each Other Drive.
They put a call out on facebook for donations and friends to help and they take sandwiches and snacks and personal hygiene items and pass them out to the homeless or needy people in downtown St. Louis. Jennifer and I were fortunate enough to be able to go with them the weekend we came to visit.
I'm writing about this because first of all I am proud to be friends with people who can love and respect people in need and second of all because it really touched my heart.
It was raining the morning we went into St. Louis. The good thing about that is that when it rains Tamara and Jeff know that the homeless people head into the library. We came across a few people just walking around and then headed to the library. Once you show up passing out bags of goods, word spreads like wild fire. More and more people started pouring out of the library. While in front of the library, a woman came up to me and I handed her a bag and she said thank you. Then she proceeded to tell me that her name was Jessica, and she asked me to pray with her. I just want to remind you that we were not with a church and not passing out any thing with religious connotations on it. I don't know why she asked me to pray with her, but to me it really just felt like one of those God moments.
I don't know about you, but I don't pray out loud with strangers very often. But I do know that when she asked I did not even consider being shy or unsure about it. I am very sure that the Holy Spirit took over and gave me the courage and the words to say. I don't even know exactly what I said, but I know I prayed for comfort, provision and peace, and that she would feel the Lords presence with her. What was super awesome was to my surprise, once I finished, she prayed too. It was awesome because she prayed with such conviction and belief, it was obvious that she has spent time crying out to God. I'm not saying that I thought that because she was homeless that she must not pray, it just caught me off guard. Jessica was scared and was praying, pleading boldly, expectantly, for a shield of protection.
After we prayed, she apologized for smelling like alcohol and then told me about another homeless woman that she knew that was just killed a few days earlier. The woman had been raped, strangled and was found dead and naked in the street. My heart just broke for Jessica and the woman who was murdered. I cannot imagine an hour in either of their shoes. Jessica was scared, and rightfully so.
I can't forget about her, and truthfully I don't want to. That day plays through my mind all of the time. I don't remember as often the fun that we had in the city. Most often I remember Jessica and how scared she was. I think of all of the scared homeless people throughout the world and its heart wrenching. My prayer is that The Lord continues to break my heart and provide me with opportunity to share his love and comfort, hope and resources with as many people as possible.
I am so thankful to know that at least once a month there are people showing love and respect to complete strangers in St. Louis, with no agenda or personal gain. That Saturday we passed out 88 lunches. Also, the more often they go, the less strangers they meet, and the more friends they will make.
Matthew 25:34-40 says
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35 For I was hungry, and you gave Mesomething to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and youvisited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give Yousomething to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Love in St.Louis
LSL PEACE
They put a call out on facebook for donations and friends to help and they take sandwiches and snacks and personal hygiene items and pass them out to the homeless or needy people in downtown St. Louis. Jennifer and I were fortunate enough to be able to go with them the weekend we came to visit.
I'm writing about this because first of all I am proud to be friends with people who can love and respect people in need and second of all because it really touched my heart.
It was raining the morning we went into St. Louis. The good thing about that is that when it rains Tamara and Jeff know that the homeless people head into the library. We came across a few people just walking around and then headed to the library. Once you show up passing out bags of goods, word spreads like wild fire. More and more people started pouring out of the library. While in front of the library, a woman came up to me and I handed her a bag and she said thank you. Then she proceeded to tell me that her name was Jessica, and she asked me to pray with her. I just want to remind you that we were not with a church and not passing out any thing with religious connotations on it. I don't know why she asked me to pray with her, but to me it really just felt like one of those God moments.
I don't know about you, but I don't pray out loud with strangers very often. But I do know that when she asked I did not even consider being shy or unsure about it. I am very sure that the Holy Spirit took over and gave me the courage and the words to say. I don't even know exactly what I said, but I know I prayed for comfort, provision and peace, and that she would feel the Lords presence with her. What was super awesome was to my surprise, once I finished, she prayed too. It was awesome because she prayed with such conviction and belief, it was obvious that she has spent time crying out to God. I'm not saying that I thought that because she was homeless that she must not pray, it just caught me off guard. Jessica was scared and was praying, pleading boldly, expectantly, for a shield of protection.
After we prayed, she apologized for smelling like alcohol and then told me about another homeless woman that she knew that was just killed a few days earlier. The woman had been raped, strangled and was found dead and naked in the street. My heart just broke for Jessica and the woman who was murdered. I cannot imagine an hour in either of their shoes. Jessica was scared, and rightfully so.
I can't forget about her, and truthfully I don't want to. That day plays through my mind all of the time. I don't remember as often the fun that we had in the city. Most often I remember Jessica and how scared she was. I think of all of the scared homeless people throughout the world and its heart wrenching. My prayer is that The Lord continues to break my heart and provide me with opportunity to share his love and comfort, hope and resources with as many people as possible.
I am so thankful to know that at least once a month there are people showing love and respect to complete strangers in St. Louis, with no agenda or personal gain. That Saturday we passed out 88 lunches. Also, the more often they go, the less strangers they meet, and the more friends they will make.
Matthew 25:34-40 says
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35 For I was hungry, and you gave Mesomething to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and youvisited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give Yousomething to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Love in St.Louis
LSL PEACE
Friday, March 22, 2013
With This Ring
Withthisring.org
To begin, I have to say, that this is not actually from or about me. If at any point you get distracted and put a little halo or think anything negatively please just exit this blog. This story is about being obedient to Christ. I know I am supposed to share this with you. I also know you may not have this same call, but I pray that God uses this blog post to encourage you to be obedient and to give sacrificially in Jesus name.
Also, it is long, but I don't think anyone will be inviting me to write book anytime soon, so, I'm squeezing all the thoughts and struggles of a year in one blog.
This past summer my husband and I went on a mission trip to El Salvador with some friends of ours, the Empty Buckets. We went to dig a well with Living Water International.
One day I was searching on LWI's website and I saw a link to a website called WithThisRing.org. It is a website dedicated to spreading the love of Christ to the ends of the earth. People can donate their wedding rings or other jewelry to be auctioned off on WTR's website. The money is used to dig clean water wells in third world nations.
Right away God opened my heart and my eyes to know that this was a possibility for me. It was and opportunity God was handing me to live out my faith.
My husband and fellow Empty Buckets had been challenging each other and have been being challenged through scripture to be open to opportunities to give sacrificially. Also to simplify and to really live out loud what Christ has done and is doing in our lives and to share what he has blessed us with.
Being a stay at home mom, with no independent income, sometimes I don't really feel like I can give sacrificially. I do give of my time and possessions, but this really felt like a great opportunity. It felt like the Holy Spirit was saying, well.... If you really mean what you say, you DO have something YOU can give, if you are for real.
Honestly, it was quite a while before I told my husband about it. He was, as I knew he would be, very supportive and cooperative to the idea. As I said, we had been studying about radical giving together in our life group for a while. It has been in our hearts and in our minds for some time, that idea of radical giving. By the time I told him about it I was certain I wanted to donate my ring I just needed to know he was on board and would get me some other sort of wedding ring because I still wanted to look married of course.
I was thinking just a small simple silver band. One day while I was in the shower, the only place a mother can be quiet and think sometimes. It was almost like I got hit on the head with a moment of clarity from the Holy Spirit. Clear as day, and I have to tell you, most thoughts I have are foggy. I knew that I didn't need just any simple band, I needed a cross. Because it isn't about me AT ALL. It is about CHRIST. I knew I needed a reminder of why I donated my wedding ring. I donated it to further the gospel and to sacrifice for Christ's cause. I donated it because having clean water saves lives in Jesus name, and through that clean water lives will be changed and souls will be saved. So, I hopped out of the shower and told E.J. immediately.
Remember how I said I needed to be sure, before I told E.J. Well, I have to tell you, I had honestly gotten to the point where I really felt like I would be being disobedient if I didn't donate it. I knew the opportunity was from Christ and I knew I was meant to take it.
It is AMAZING how God can change your heart! I'm not a total diamond hating monster, well to be honest, I almost am, but we'll get to that.
I remember not long after my husband and I started dating, we knew we were meant to be spend our lives together. We were shopping for an engagement ring and I picked out a descent sized gold sparkly diamond ring that I thought was a little over the top, but not outrageous. To be honest, he had been engaged before and for some reason, I knew how much he had spent, so I picked out a ring that I felt wasn't totally out of his range.
A few months later, we got engaged. I remember to this day, that night I woke up in the middle of the night and looked at my hand to be sure that ring was really on my hand and I was really engaged. I truly felt like a princess.
I was thrilled to have found the love of my life, and that ring meant to me that E.J. promised to love me forever. It put a certain value on our love, and I guess it felt like it put a certain value on me as a person too.
After I heard about With This Ring. I started thinking clearer and clearer. The well it self, that we dug in El Salvador cost $5,000. FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS to give life saving, life changing clean water to sick dying people. Fourteen years ago, my ring cost about $2,000. I have no idea yet what WTR will get for my ring, but I know that it will go to Living Water International and as far as I can tell it is certainly a God blessed organization, and I was starting to consider the alternative.
The alternative seemed to be such a waste. Let's say I keep my ring and I die today or in 30 years. What will happen to my wedding ring? Someone will probably keep it and put it in a box somewhere. Best case scenario, when they come across it they have fond loving thoughts of me and are comforted by it.
I began to clearly feel like I had been given a gift. I had been set free from and earthly trap, a weight had been lifted off of my soul. I believe all that I have is Christ's. I want to personally sacrifice for the cause of the gospel and I have a descent amount of money sitting on my finger. Money which will probably be buried in the ground or thrown in a drawer somewhere. What a WASTE. I got that guilty feeling in my gut and I knew God had better plans for that money.
I seriously wasn't going to tell anyone, except my husband, I especially was not going to blog about it. Slowly God has revealed to me that he didn't want me to be obedient in secret.
First I told my mother, because her ring finger hurt and it was weird that sometimes mine did too. I was thinking that maybe mine just hurt because God was gently reminding me that I had unfinished business. I still had not donated my ring. She was supportive but was thinking maybe we both had arthritis in our fingers, so she bought us magnetic rings. I lost mine in El Salvador.
Just before Christmas I had finally found the perfect silver cross ring, so E.J. went with me to order it. It was $35 and I was in love. I was so excited to pick it up in a few weeks.
I still was content to keep my secret the night I picked it up. We went to our small group from church where we were studying a book on sacrificial giving actually, called "The Treasure Principle". Someone closed in prayer that night and said some things about how giving is not about us but a reflection of Christ in us. The Holy Spirit almost nudged me off the couch. It became very clear to me that I was supposed to be a real life example of what we were studying. It wasn't just ironic that my ring was ready to be picked up on small group night, and that we happened to be studying about the topic of radical giving. The second whomever stopped praying, I quickly shared a tad bit of what God was doing in my heart.
A few days later having told no one else, but recalling telling our small group about the rings, I was just listening to the music on my phone through my car on shuffle. Just thinking about all sorts of things and wondering what God might have in store. A song came on called "Pass It on". Some of the lyrics are, "it only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up to its glowing. That's how it is God's love, once you've experienced it. You spread his love, to everyone, you want to pass it on."
To me that meant God did not want me to be silent. I was supposed to pass it on, set the spark and he will keep the fire going. He has for centuries now and now is not a time to be silent. Christ is real and working in lives, he just wants us as Christians to be obedient.
Since I feel like I cannot clearly put two thoughts together, I have been writing this in my head since.
Last month, as I thought about Valentines Day. I was thinking about how I am such a sucker for love. I love love, and weddings and especially HUGE GESTURES of love.
It occurred to me that a wedding or engagement ring is sometimes one of the only huge gestures of love women sometimes get from their husbands, especially once they are married.
BUT if spending a few hundred or a few thousand dollars on a diamond ring is a huge gesture, then how much more of a gesture of love is GOD sending HIS ONLY SON TO DIE ON A CROSS for our SINS?!?! THAT'S HUGE! I am thrilled to look down at my ring finger and be reminded of that every day!
I am now just dreaming of a day where Christian women can feel secure in their marriages in Christ and stand up to our culture and let them know that we know better. (insert growing hate for diamonds). So much money is spent on diamonds, money that could be spent on children, children sick and dying of thirst, literally and spiritually.
Here's the thing. Materialism, of all kinds is a trap. It is also commonly accepted in Christian communities. The size of diamonds and rings in the Christian church is literally nauseating. I get that God has blessed them, and that's wonderful, but I don't think the idea was to bless people so they could spend money on shiny rocks that some how put a value on the women or their marriages or how much someone is loved. Some how those shiny rocks get us girls EVERY time!!!!
I know a lot of people recently married or getting married and I am not suggesting every one gets rid of their diamonds. I am not actually saying anything, it's just what God is prompting me to be obedient to. BUT I am praying for a movement or revolution of marriages. We need it don't we. I don't want to get into legal issues of marriage, I do not believe we need the government to be our moral compass. BUT I do believe if we as Christians want to have successful marriages we need to start with and keep CHRIST first. What if when a Christian got engaged they set aside a certain amount of money to give to some Christian organization. Living Water International puts a plaque on each clean water well. It could even have the couples name on it. Celebrating love can happen all sorts of ways, why not start with a commitment to love others, the way that we have been loved in the name of Christ. Why not celebrate what love can really do? It can literally save lives. God's love can save us from an eternity in hell apart from him.
There are plenty of stay at home moms feeling like they want to give sacrificially and just don't have much to give, financially or other wise. This whole wedding ring thing, really turned out to be a reminder of what GOD really wants from us, our HEARTS.
I pray that he has yours.
PEACE and LOVE friends. <3 LSL
To begin, I have to say, that this is not actually from or about me. If at any point you get distracted and put a little halo or think anything negatively please just exit this blog. This story is about being obedient to Christ. I know I am supposed to share this with you. I also know you may not have this same call, but I pray that God uses this blog post to encourage you to be obedient and to give sacrificially in Jesus name.
Also, it is long, but I don't think anyone will be inviting me to write book anytime soon, so, I'm squeezing all the thoughts and struggles of a year in one blog.
This past summer my husband and I went on a mission trip to El Salvador with some friends of ours, the Empty Buckets. We went to dig a well with Living Water International.
One day I was searching on LWI's website and I saw a link to a website called WithThisRing.org. It is a website dedicated to spreading the love of Christ to the ends of the earth. People can donate their wedding rings or other jewelry to be auctioned off on WTR's website. The money is used to dig clean water wells in third world nations.
Right away God opened my heart and my eyes to know that this was a possibility for me. It was and opportunity God was handing me to live out my faith.
My husband and fellow Empty Buckets had been challenging each other and have been being challenged through scripture to be open to opportunities to give sacrificially. Also to simplify and to really live out loud what Christ has done and is doing in our lives and to share what he has blessed us with.
Being a stay at home mom, with no independent income, sometimes I don't really feel like I can give sacrificially. I do give of my time and possessions, but this really felt like a great opportunity. It felt like the Holy Spirit was saying, well.... If you really mean what you say, you DO have something YOU can give, if you are for real.
Honestly, it was quite a while before I told my husband about it. He was, as I knew he would be, very supportive and cooperative to the idea. As I said, we had been studying about radical giving together in our life group for a while. It has been in our hearts and in our minds for some time, that idea of radical giving. By the time I told him about it I was certain I wanted to donate my ring I just needed to know he was on board and would get me some other sort of wedding ring because I still wanted to look married of course.
I was thinking just a small simple silver band. One day while I was in the shower, the only place a mother can be quiet and think sometimes. It was almost like I got hit on the head with a moment of clarity from the Holy Spirit. Clear as day, and I have to tell you, most thoughts I have are foggy. I knew that I didn't need just any simple band, I needed a cross. Because it isn't about me AT ALL. It is about CHRIST. I knew I needed a reminder of why I donated my wedding ring. I donated it to further the gospel and to sacrifice for Christ's cause. I donated it because having clean water saves lives in Jesus name, and through that clean water lives will be changed and souls will be saved. So, I hopped out of the shower and told E.J. immediately.
Remember how I said I needed to be sure, before I told E.J. Well, I have to tell you, I had honestly gotten to the point where I really felt like I would be being disobedient if I didn't donate it. I knew the opportunity was from Christ and I knew I was meant to take it.
It is AMAZING how God can change your heart! I'm not a total diamond hating monster, well to be honest, I almost am, but we'll get to that.
I remember not long after my husband and I started dating, we knew we were meant to be spend our lives together. We were shopping for an engagement ring and I picked out a descent sized gold sparkly diamond ring that I thought was a little over the top, but not outrageous. To be honest, he had been engaged before and for some reason, I knew how much he had spent, so I picked out a ring that I felt wasn't totally out of his range.
A few months later, we got engaged. I remember to this day, that night I woke up in the middle of the night and looked at my hand to be sure that ring was really on my hand and I was really engaged. I truly felt like a princess.
I was thrilled to have found the love of my life, and that ring meant to me that E.J. promised to love me forever. It put a certain value on our love, and I guess it felt like it put a certain value on me as a person too.
After I heard about With This Ring. I started thinking clearer and clearer. The well it self, that we dug in El Salvador cost $5,000. FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS to give life saving, life changing clean water to sick dying people. Fourteen years ago, my ring cost about $2,000. I have no idea yet what WTR will get for my ring, but I know that it will go to Living Water International and as far as I can tell it is certainly a God blessed organization, and I was starting to consider the alternative.
The alternative seemed to be such a waste. Let's say I keep my ring and I die today or in 30 years. What will happen to my wedding ring? Someone will probably keep it and put it in a box somewhere. Best case scenario, when they come across it they have fond loving thoughts of me and are comforted by it.
I began to clearly feel like I had been given a gift. I had been set free from and earthly trap, a weight had been lifted off of my soul. I believe all that I have is Christ's. I want to personally sacrifice for the cause of the gospel and I have a descent amount of money sitting on my finger. Money which will probably be buried in the ground or thrown in a drawer somewhere. What a WASTE. I got that guilty feeling in my gut and I knew God had better plans for that money.
I seriously wasn't going to tell anyone, except my husband, I especially was not going to blog about it. Slowly God has revealed to me that he didn't want me to be obedient in secret.
First I told my mother, because her ring finger hurt and it was weird that sometimes mine did too. I was thinking that maybe mine just hurt because God was gently reminding me that I had unfinished business. I still had not donated my ring. She was supportive but was thinking maybe we both had arthritis in our fingers, so she bought us magnetic rings. I lost mine in El Salvador.
Just before Christmas I had finally found the perfect silver cross ring, so E.J. went with me to order it. It was $35 and I was in love. I was so excited to pick it up in a few weeks.
I still was content to keep my secret the night I picked it up. We went to our small group from church where we were studying a book on sacrificial giving actually, called "The Treasure Principle". Someone closed in prayer that night and said some things about how giving is not about us but a reflection of Christ in us. The Holy Spirit almost nudged me off the couch. It became very clear to me that I was supposed to be a real life example of what we were studying. It wasn't just ironic that my ring was ready to be picked up on small group night, and that we happened to be studying about the topic of radical giving. The second whomever stopped praying, I quickly shared a tad bit of what God was doing in my heart.
A few days later having told no one else, but recalling telling our small group about the rings, I was just listening to the music on my phone through my car on shuffle. Just thinking about all sorts of things and wondering what God might have in store. A song came on called "Pass It on". Some of the lyrics are, "it only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up to its glowing. That's how it is God's love, once you've experienced it. You spread his love, to everyone, you want to pass it on."
To me that meant God did not want me to be silent. I was supposed to pass it on, set the spark and he will keep the fire going. He has for centuries now and now is not a time to be silent. Christ is real and working in lives, he just wants us as Christians to be obedient.
Since I feel like I cannot clearly put two thoughts together, I have been writing this in my head since.
Last month, as I thought about Valentines Day. I was thinking about how I am such a sucker for love. I love love, and weddings and especially HUGE GESTURES of love.
It occurred to me that a wedding or engagement ring is sometimes one of the only huge gestures of love women sometimes get from their husbands, especially once they are married.
BUT if spending a few hundred or a few thousand dollars on a diamond ring is a huge gesture, then how much more of a gesture of love is GOD sending HIS ONLY SON TO DIE ON A CROSS for our SINS?!?! THAT'S HUGE! I am thrilled to look down at my ring finger and be reminded of that every day!
I am now just dreaming of a day where Christian women can feel secure in their marriages in Christ and stand up to our culture and let them know that we know better. (insert growing hate for diamonds). So much money is spent on diamonds, money that could be spent on children, children sick and dying of thirst, literally and spiritually.
Here's the thing. Materialism, of all kinds is a trap. It is also commonly accepted in Christian communities. The size of diamonds and rings in the Christian church is literally nauseating. I get that God has blessed them, and that's wonderful, but I don't think the idea was to bless people so they could spend money on shiny rocks that some how put a value on the women or their marriages or how much someone is loved. Some how those shiny rocks get us girls EVERY time!!!!
I know a lot of people recently married or getting married and I am not suggesting every one gets rid of their diamonds. I am not actually saying anything, it's just what God is prompting me to be obedient to. BUT I am praying for a movement or revolution of marriages. We need it don't we. I don't want to get into legal issues of marriage, I do not believe we need the government to be our moral compass. BUT I do believe if we as Christians want to have successful marriages we need to start with and keep CHRIST first. What if when a Christian got engaged they set aside a certain amount of money to give to some Christian organization. Living Water International puts a plaque on each clean water well. It could even have the couples name on it. Celebrating love can happen all sorts of ways, why not start with a commitment to love others, the way that we have been loved in the name of Christ. Why not celebrate what love can really do? It can literally save lives. God's love can save us from an eternity in hell apart from him.
There are plenty of stay at home moms feeling like they want to give sacrificially and just don't have much to give, financially or other wise. This whole wedding ring thing, really turned out to be a reminder of what GOD really wants from us, our HEARTS.
I pray that he has yours.
PEACE and LOVE friends. <3 LSL
Sunday, February 17, 2013
I Will Wait
I know it's been a while and trust me I have had plenty going on and will have more to say. Tonight I just wanted to share a song in my heart.
I just left my Zumba class and somehow spent too much time loathing myself in the mirror again. That hasn't happened for a while. I really enjoy zumba, it for sure is my soulmate workout.
I haven't been very clean with my diet and I am feeling it.
I was feeling discouraged and at the same time trying to gain some momentum thru some good music on the way home. I have heard this song, "I will wait" by Mumford & Sons, a million times. But tonight it struck me differently.
Tonight it turned into a prayer. I know The Lord hears the cries of my heart and I pray that he will give me strength to keep my diet clean and my mind focused on him.
It's totally awesome to me how God can bring together all the thoughts, worries and current issues in my life that are going on all at the same time and lead me back to his arms <3 praise God!
And I came home
Like a stone
And I fell heavy into your arms
These days of darkness
Which we've known
Will blow away with this new sun
And I'll kneel down
Wait for now
And I'll kneel down
Know my ground
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
So break my step
And relent
You forgave and I won't forget
Know what we've seen
And him with less
Now in some way
Shake the excess
But I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
So I'll be bold
As well as strong
And use my head alongside my heart
So tame my flesh
And fix my eyes
That tethered mind free from the lies
But I'll kneel down
Wait for now
I'll kneel down
Know my ground
Raise my hands
Paint my spirit gold
And bow my head
Keep my heart slow
Cause I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
*Mumford and Sons
God hears amen wherever you are! And I love you! <3
LSL
Monday, July 16, 2012
Insanity Fit Test #2
So far so good friends!!!!
Today was my 12th Insanity workout. It was the fit test. I do count it as a workout because it kick my butt and I sweat buckets!!!
Fit Test results
ok first I'll give you the first test # then this weeks. Apparnetly, last time I forgot to write the Power Knees, but I wrote it in my note book,so we're all good.
1. Switch kicks 100, 103
2. Power Jacks 40, 46
3. Power Kicks 72, 90
4. Power Jumps 20, 30
5. Power Knees 72, 90
6. Globe Jumps 5, 9
7. Suicide Jumps 10, 13
8. Push Up Jacks 6, the first time but fell to the ground everytime, this time I decided I would start keeping track of how many girl pushups I CAN do instead of how many Push up jacks that i CANNOT do . :) so 27
9. Low Plank Oblique 18, 26
I am happy to see some improvement and I am down 7 pounds!!! yay!!!
I have a bootcamp workout tonight that I am totally excited about!! Then more insanity tomorrow!!
I hope everybody's working hard and having a great summer!!!
Peace
LSL <3
Today was my 12th Insanity workout. It was the fit test. I do count it as a workout because it kick my butt and I sweat buckets!!!
Fit Test results
ok first I'll give you the first test # then this weeks. Apparnetly, last time I forgot to write the Power Knees, but I wrote it in my note book,so we're all good.
1. Switch kicks 100, 103
2. Power Jacks 40, 46
3. Power Kicks 72, 90
4. Power Jumps 20, 30
5. Power Knees 72, 90
6. Globe Jumps 5, 9
7. Suicide Jumps 10, 13
8. Push Up Jacks 6, the first time but fell to the ground everytime, this time I decided I would start keeping track of how many girl pushups I CAN do instead of how many Push up jacks that i CANNOT do . :) so 27
9. Low Plank Oblique 18, 26
I am happy to see some improvement and I am down 7 pounds!!! yay!!!
I have a bootcamp workout tonight that I am totally excited about!! Then more insanity tomorrow!!
I hope everybody's working hard and having a great summer!!!
Peace
LSL <3
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Insainty day 3 pushing thru
Ok, I don't plan on blogging about EVERY workout. I just had to share quickly a thought about today's workout. Today I did Cardio Power and Resistance.
I CANNOT YET DO A WALKING PUSHUP. I just can't! I tried and fell to the ground. However, I CAN do a pushup on my knees (girl style ish). I just wanted to encourage anyone who is as out of shape as I apparently am. I did not quit when I couldn't do something everyone else was doing, I just changed it up and as I get stronger I will do a regular pushup and then the walking kind.
Also, I had to change up the Power Squats. I can only do about 5 of those, so I stepped to the side and did a squat then to the other side and did a squat. I cannot wait till I can do them the way I'm supposed to but I'm not quitting and I hope you don't give up on whatever challenges you either.
Shout out to Biggest Losers Fitness Ridge and their staff for helping me beieve in myself and pushing forward. They helped teach me some moves like I stated above, whenever I couldn't do something exactly like the trainer. Progress not perfection is my mission. I am stronger than I think and I will reach my goals. You can too!
Happy Independence Day!!!
LSL <3
I CANNOT YET DO A WALKING PUSHUP. I just can't! I tried and fell to the ground. However, I CAN do a pushup on my knees (girl style ish). I just wanted to encourage anyone who is as out of shape as I apparently am. I did not quit when I couldn't do something everyone else was doing, I just changed it up and as I get stronger I will do a regular pushup and then the walking kind.
Also, I had to change up the Power Squats. I can only do about 5 of those, so I stepped to the side and did a squat then to the other side and did a squat. I cannot wait till I can do them the way I'm supposed to but I'm not quitting and I hope you don't give up on whatever challenges you either.
Shout out to Biggest Losers Fitness Ridge and their staff for helping me beieve in myself and pushing forward. They helped teach me some moves like I stated above, whenever I couldn't do something exactly like the trainer. Progress not perfection is my mission. I am stronger than I think and I will reach my goals. You can too!
Happy Independence Day!!!
LSL <3
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Insanity day 2
Today I did the second day of Insanity,Polymetric Cardio Circut. It was INSANE, really, I could have vomited. :) but in a good way.
It was of course really challenging, and I basically failed miserably, but I also kept my going and sweat like nobody's business. I couldn't keep up, of course and it was killer! I only spent one second though feeling like I was too fat to and out of shape to be doing it. Shaun T is a super great motivator and makes you thinkg you HAVE to keep going and you CAN do it. I know EVENTUALLY I will get stronger and do better. I want to improve and I will. I don't care if I have to do 10 sets of the 60 days.... I'm totally into it! I was sore this morning and almost skippd it. I'm so glad I didn't!
I do have to say I'm a little bit oddly exhausted today, not sure why, I am looking forward to going to see some fireworks with my guys tonight but I also feel so tired I could have gone to bed at 3pm. :/ I am contimplating taking something for energy. I thingk Jillian Michaels fat burner helped me with that some time in the past.
My diet was not perfect today and it won't be tomorrow either, although it was much better that the past few months have been. Tomorrow is the holiday and our first BBQ of the season. I won't spend the whole day eating like the end is near, but I will have a yummy meal and move on.
Happy 4th of JULY!!!
LSL <3
It was of course really challenging, and I basically failed miserably, but I also kept my going and sweat like nobody's business. I couldn't keep up, of course and it was killer! I only spent one second though feeling like I was too fat to and out of shape to be doing it. Shaun T is a super great motivator and makes you thinkg you HAVE to keep going and you CAN do it. I know EVENTUALLY I will get stronger and do better. I want to improve and I will. I don't care if I have to do 10 sets of the 60 days.... I'm totally into it! I was sore this morning and almost skippd it. I'm so glad I didn't!
I do have to say I'm a little bit oddly exhausted today, not sure why, I am looking forward to going to see some fireworks with my guys tonight but I also feel so tired I could have gone to bed at 3pm. :/ I am contimplating taking something for energy. I thingk Jillian Michaels fat burner helped me with that some time in the past.
My diet was not perfect today and it won't be tomorrow either, although it was much better that the past few months have been. Tomorrow is the holiday and our first BBQ of the season. I won't spend the whole day eating like the end is near, but I will have a yummy meal and move on.
Happy 4th of JULY!!!
LSL <3
Monday, July 2, 2012
Insanity
Today I decided to get back on track!!! Weighing in at 227 pounds. That's up 13 from the BL contest I won this spring :/
I just completed the Insanity fit test. My husband is going to take it to his work to do with some guys there, so I plan on only doing it this week and then doing some P90X and still Zumba and running when possible. I still plan on doing the Insanity fit test every two weeks, I figure it will still be a good fitness gauge, instead of just using the scale.
So here are my 33 year old 227 pound results :) LoL by the way I love Shaun T! And he is teaching my 5 year old son how to be very encouraging ;)
Fit Test
1. Switch Kicks r,l=1. 50
2. Power Jacks. 40
3. Power Kicks. 72
4. Power Jumps. 20
5. Globe Jumps. 5
6. Suicide Jumps. 10
7. Pushup Jacks. 6
(fell to the ground every time:/)
8. Low Plank Oblique r,l=1. 18
Peace LSL
I just completed the Insanity fit test. My husband is going to take it to his work to do with some guys there, so I plan on only doing it this week and then doing some P90X and still Zumba and running when possible. I still plan on doing the Insanity fit test every two weeks, I figure it will still be a good fitness gauge, instead of just using the scale.
So here are my 33 year old 227 pound results :) LoL by the way I love Shaun T! And he is teaching my 5 year old son how to be very encouraging ;)
Fit Test
1. Switch Kicks r,l=1. 50
2. Power Jacks. 40
3. Power Kicks. 72
4. Power Jumps. 20
5. Globe Jumps. 5
6. Suicide Jumps. 10
7. Pushup Jacks. 6
(fell to the ground every time:/)
8. Low Plank Oblique r,l=1. 18
Peace LSL
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Trust GOD
I've been helping my mom at VBS this week at Bethesda Baptist Church. I have to admit, well I don't have to, but anyway, I wasn't really into it. Kind of been in a blah mood. I haven't been exercising, we're off our school year schedule and I had surgery last week. I have been eating bad.... equals.... BLAH and TIRED!!!
On top of all of that, my parents are trying to sell their house, there have been dog issues and my husbands Grandmother is not doing well health wise. Since I don't have much going on in my own life I stress over all of the worries and stresses in my loves lifes. Including my FB friends. There is A LOT going on out there friends. I know you know this.
BUT TODAY.......ok, well yesterday, I asked my FB frieds to pray and I know that they did. Because today, about half way thru I got a call from my brother, saying he and my sister in law could help out with one of my parents dogs. It was just the glimmer of hope that I needed I guess.
After that, I had a few incounters with some folks and I can't stop thinking about it, so I thougt I should just share.
I keep thinking about all of the souls working at VBS. It's AWESOME! Ok, and a little sad, well heartbreaking really, but AWESOME!
There are soooo many people there serving who have sooooo much of there own "troubles" happening, some things even DURING VBS. Heartache, stress, physical injuries or concerns,with themselves or close family members. Honestly, MOST of the people I could look around the building at, I know, or have heard of a current struggle. You know what is awesome though, is that they are there.They could have opted out of helping to focus on themselves, or to wallow, or to heal, or to avoid, but they didn't they CHOSE TO TRUST GOD.
For a few hours or for a week, they put aside their own struggle, and focus on the mission. Sharing Christ with our children. WHAT AN AMAZING BLESSING. Really I feel like I was given such a gift today witnessing the love of Christ. OVER and OVER today I heard, and these people serving heard,"TRUST GOD". I feel like they were there because they do trust GOD and are just trying to teach the children to trust God, but even though they didn't volunteer to recieve blessings from GOD or encouragement, I hope they are getting it, because it is there. GOD is there, and he wants them to trust HIM. When we do trust him he does AMAZING things and gives AMAZING peace.
My mom was teasing about that some today, because it was certainly something she needed to hear this week and I just love how it really is something I think everyone there needed to hear.TRUST GOD!
Also, there was a girl there, who I know of from our church, Harvest Bible Church. I don't know her name so I haven't said hi yet, but what a blessed suprise she was. It just made me so thankful for the CHURCH, the big c not the little c. She was washing dishes in the kitchen of the church that I grew up in, Bethesda, telling a lady about Hope 4 Western Wayne County, and I could have cried just because I love seeing God use his church. It's not about my church or your church. We are THE church, we are His people and I bet it made HIM smile today too. <3
TRUST GOD
LSL <3
On top of all of that, my parents are trying to sell their house, there have been dog issues and my husbands Grandmother is not doing well health wise. Since I don't have much going on in my own life I stress over all of the worries and stresses in my loves lifes. Including my FB friends. There is A LOT going on out there friends. I know you know this.
BUT TODAY.......ok, well yesterday, I asked my FB frieds to pray and I know that they did. Because today, about half way thru I got a call from my brother, saying he and my sister in law could help out with one of my parents dogs. It was just the glimmer of hope that I needed I guess.
After that, I had a few incounters with some folks and I can't stop thinking about it, so I thougt I should just share.
I keep thinking about all of the souls working at VBS. It's AWESOME! Ok, and a little sad, well heartbreaking really, but AWESOME!
There are soooo many people there serving who have sooooo much of there own "troubles" happening, some things even DURING VBS. Heartache, stress, physical injuries or concerns,with themselves or close family members. Honestly, MOST of the people I could look around the building at, I know, or have heard of a current struggle. You know what is awesome though, is that they are there.They could have opted out of helping to focus on themselves, or to wallow, or to heal, or to avoid, but they didn't they CHOSE TO TRUST GOD.
For a few hours or for a week, they put aside their own struggle, and focus on the mission. Sharing Christ with our children. WHAT AN AMAZING BLESSING. Really I feel like I was given such a gift today witnessing the love of Christ. OVER and OVER today I heard, and these people serving heard,"TRUST GOD". I feel like they were there because they do trust GOD and are just trying to teach the children to trust God, but even though they didn't volunteer to recieve blessings from GOD or encouragement, I hope they are getting it, because it is there. GOD is there, and he wants them to trust HIM. When we do trust him he does AMAZING things and gives AMAZING peace.
My mom was teasing about that some today, because it was certainly something she needed to hear this week and I just love how it really is something I think everyone there needed to hear.TRUST GOD!
Also, there was a girl there, who I know of from our church, Harvest Bible Church. I don't know her name so I haven't said hi yet, but what a blessed suprise she was. It just made me so thankful for the CHURCH, the big c not the little c. She was washing dishes in the kitchen of the church that I grew up in, Bethesda, telling a lady about Hope 4 Western Wayne County, and I could have cried just because I love seeing God use his church. It's not about my church or your church. We are THE church, we are His people and I bet it made HIM smile today too. <3
TRUST GOD
LSL <3
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Failure
This morning before I ran I decided I would go for a fast mile vs. a long run. For a while I have been really feeling like I could get in a faster mile but this morning I realized I had been once again setting myself up for failure!!!!
I wanted an under 10 minute mile. A comfortable pace for me is about 5.5mph on an average morning, but even that is still kind of new. I haven't been running tons lately. I figure running with the bulls or a marathon are not in my near future so..... Less running.
Anyways, I typically start out at 5mph and I love to do 30 second to one minute sprints up to 8.5.
Usually when I decide I'm going to try And get in a good mile I've started at a 5 or 5.something and end up killing myself at an 8 and still not making an under 10 minute mile. How dumb is that!!!! So I work really hard and still FAIL!!!
This morning I put on my winner cap and knew I wanted a 10 or under 10 minute mile. I started at 5.5 and pushed myself to increase and ended up near 6.7. I didn't vomit, and I WON!! 1 mile in 9:58 :)
Not setting myself up for failure takes a little more thought than I'd like but it is SOOOO worth it!!!
<3 LSL
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Detroit
Ok, so I know it has been A LONG TIME since my last post. Before we get all caught up on the not so much that is going on, I wanted to post about last night.
I had a terrible dream. Somthing about creeping around downtown Detroit. I was alone as far as I can remember but I for sure remember talking to Danielle. I couldn't tell you what about. I just remeber being scared to death and looking at my feet we were climbing down something and I couldn't find out where to take my next step. All over covering the ground were rats, tons of baby rats, rat pooh and bugs!!! I was just so scared.
I have a history of very vivid dreams. I used to have bad dreams as a child and my Nana made me a dream box of pictures to look at if I woke up and was to scared to sleep. I often remember the dreams very vividly, to me they often feel VERY REAL. I have kept a dream journal before just because they were hilarious or scarey and I guess instead of just reliving it in my head I just felt like writing them down. ANYWAY.......
Last night I was awakened from my dream by a yelling child! Jack woke up yelling for me and literally running to my room. I put him back into bed,and as he drifted off to sleep he asked me,"mom, where were we that time when a bear was chasing your car!?" Then he fell back to sleep with a few songs. Well I was already scared and then felt horrible that he was scared too. Poor guy.
I tried to go back to sleep but I kept thinking about my dream and then I kept hearing a dog barking outside. Which, there should be no dogs to hear from my house, so I was totally creeped out.
I started praying and thanking God for the moon light that brightens up the scarey night sky and for my warm hubby to snugle up against. I was remembering having to sleep alone as a child sometimes when I was scared. Don't get me wrong, I climbed into my parents bed sometimes too or slept on their couch during thunderstorms, probably until high school.
Anyways, as I prayed I thought about all of the lonely scared children out there in the world, who may be cold or scared of the dark. I prayed that they would find Jesus, the only one who can give them real peace and comfort and light.
Somehow that took me back to Detroit and my dream and Danielle.
We were a part of a church plant a few years ago, and Danielle and her husband were in it to. Along the way we were joined by some other folks who came to the Detroit area because God had given them a heart for the people there. We left the church plant and it kind of dissolved I guess, but I know for sure one family moved into Detroit and there are some other families working/worshipping together there to win hearts for Christ. The last I heard Danielle and her husband were moving to the city also, maybe they already have, I'm not sure.
For whatever reason, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to pray for Danielle and the church there in Detroit. I cannot pretend to know at all what they are facing or experiencing there, but I felt like being affraid and not knowing where or how to take the next step had something to do with Danielle. I am going to send this link to her because I believe God brought her to my heart to continue to pray for her and her family and all of their next steps. I will pray that fear will not get in her way and that God will lead them in the path that He has for them. I will be praying for the children and families there that God will work in their hearts as well. I probably sound like a total weirdo, and I can't explain how it all made so much sense to me last night,all I know is what was going thru my mind at the time.
It was awesome to me, how I went from such a scared moment to a broken heart for a situation and people doing God's work. We serve a truly awesome and soverign God. Please keep these families in your prayers. Hillary and Ryan and Danielle and Aaron.
Peace
LSL
I had a terrible dream. Somthing about creeping around downtown Detroit. I was alone as far as I can remember but I for sure remember talking to Danielle. I couldn't tell you what about. I just remeber being scared to death and looking at my feet we were climbing down something and I couldn't find out where to take my next step. All over covering the ground were rats, tons of baby rats, rat pooh and bugs!!! I was just so scared.
I have a history of very vivid dreams. I used to have bad dreams as a child and my Nana made me a dream box of pictures to look at if I woke up and was to scared to sleep. I often remember the dreams very vividly, to me they often feel VERY REAL. I have kept a dream journal before just because they were hilarious or scarey and I guess instead of just reliving it in my head I just felt like writing them down. ANYWAY.......
Last night I was awakened from my dream by a yelling child! Jack woke up yelling for me and literally running to my room. I put him back into bed,and as he drifted off to sleep he asked me,"mom, where were we that time when a bear was chasing your car!?" Then he fell back to sleep with a few songs. Well I was already scared and then felt horrible that he was scared too. Poor guy.
I tried to go back to sleep but I kept thinking about my dream and then I kept hearing a dog barking outside. Which, there should be no dogs to hear from my house, so I was totally creeped out.
I started praying and thanking God for the moon light that brightens up the scarey night sky and for my warm hubby to snugle up against. I was remembering having to sleep alone as a child sometimes when I was scared. Don't get me wrong, I climbed into my parents bed sometimes too or slept on their couch during thunderstorms, probably until high school.
Anyways, as I prayed I thought about all of the lonely scared children out there in the world, who may be cold or scared of the dark. I prayed that they would find Jesus, the only one who can give them real peace and comfort and light.
Somehow that took me back to Detroit and my dream and Danielle.
We were a part of a church plant a few years ago, and Danielle and her husband were in it to. Along the way we were joined by some other folks who came to the Detroit area because God had given them a heart for the people there. We left the church plant and it kind of dissolved I guess, but I know for sure one family moved into Detroit and there are some other families working/worshipping together there to win hearts for Christ. The last I heard Danielle and her husband were moving to the city also, maybe they already have, I'm not sure.
For whatever reason, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to pray for Danielle and the church there in Detroit. I cannot pretend to know at all what they are facing or experiencing there, but I felt like being affraid and not knowing where or how to take the next step had something to do with Danielle. I am going to send this link to her because I believe God brought her to my heart to continue to pray for her and her family and all of their next steps. I will pray that fear will not get in her way and that God will lead them in the path that He has for them. I will be praying for the children and families there that God will work in their hearts as well. I probably sound like a total weirdo, and I can't explain how it all made so much sense to me last night,all I know is what was going thru my mind at the time.
It was awesome to me, how I went from such a scared moment to a broken heart for a situation and people doing God's work. We serve a truly awesome and soverign God. Please keep these families in your prayers. Hillary and Ryan and Danielle and Aaron.
Peace
LSL
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Honestly
I thought I should bring you up to speed on the Go St.Louis Biggest Loser run.
I need to move on, so I feel like I need to get this off my chest so that I can.
The contest winner was the person with the most votes, which were comments and likes.
I found out last week that a close friend of my husband and myself was being very helpful and made a questionable decision. There is a company out there that I guess he paid $5 to get 500 likes on my picture. That explains the insane number of likes right. :/
I didn't tell him I was going to have to back out of the contest because of it, but I new immediately it was the right thing to do. In fact he obviously eventually figured out on his own that that's what happened. Truthfully he's a really great guy and was really just trying to help, and I know that, I felt horrible just knowing how bad he would feel about it.
Ok, that's a whole lot of feeling going on, I know. This is why I just want it to be out of my mind.
The thing about it is this, the picture that got me into the final 12, and the picture that my friends, family and myself, sent all over the planet... Was a terrible picture of a very honest moment in my life. If it weren't for the contest I never would have posted it EVERYWHERE! LoL
The picture was of a moment when i truly decided that i could believe in myself and DECIDE to never be a failure again. I decided to love the person that God created. For the past 16 years that is what i have made myself feel like, a failure! Gaining and losing the same 50 to 80 pounds over and over again! Also, it was an honest plea to win a contest that I really wanted to win.
I hated putting myself out there like that but I do think that I can be an encouragement to others to believe in the person that God created them to be as well!
Also, all of the love and support that I did honestly receive in comments was such an unbelievable blessing!!! When I found out for sure that some of the likes had been bought and I had to write to the contest people I was obviously humiliated, horrified and embarrassed.
Then I didn't want to tell all of you either, because while I don't have high expectations of others, I care a great deal about the expectations that others have for me. I don't care what you THINK of me maybe, :) but I worry way too much about letting people down.
Anyways, I didn't feel like a failure, but I did feel like I owed you an explanation. I also didn't want you to think that I just quit or gave up on myself or that there was something wrong. I'm totally fine, physically and mentally (mostly) lol. I still feel blessed beyond belief and am moving forward.
Lastly, so I can sleep better, I need to say ... that I was bummed that I never did hear ANYTHING back from the contest people. I know they don't owe me anything and they obviously shouldn't care about me or my feelings. I'm sure for them it was just,"one less thing" but for me I guess it helped me decide that it's over.The Biggest Loser is a great show, it helps plenty of people, and it's great when people can be inspired by other contestants. But even in participating in that contest, I was SUPER excited about it, but at the same time I was SO SICK of myself. Sick of the picture and spending so much time "promoting" myself.
Thankfully, I remembered this the other day, if there is ANYTHING you like about me, it IS NOT ME THAT YOU LIKE it is my heavenly father who's spirit lives in me! And knowing THAT my friends cannot compare to a contest or a reality show! It cannot be bought, won, or taken away! <3
Thank you soooo much for the love<3
LSL <3
I need to move on, so I feel like I need to get this off my chest so that I can.
The contest winner was the person with the most votes, which were comments and likes.
I found out last week that a close friend of my husband and myself was being very helpful and made a questionable decision. There is a company out there that I guess he paid $5 to get 500 likes on my picture. That explains the insane number of likes right. :/
I didn't tell him I was going to have to back out of the contest because of it, but I new immediately it was the right thing to do. In fact he obviously eventually figured out on his own that that's what happened. Truthfully he's a really great guy and was really just trying to help, and I know that, I felt horrible just knowing how bad he would feel about it.
Ok, that's a whole lot of feeling going on, I know. This is why I just want it to be out of my mind.
The thing about it is this, the picture that got me into the final 12, and the picture that my friends, family and myself, sent all over the planet... Was a terrible picture of a very honest moment in my life. If it weren't for the contest I never would have posted it EVERYWHERE! LoL
The picture was of a moment when i truly decided that i could believe in myself and DECIDE to never be a failure again. I decided to love the person that God created. For the past 16 years that is what i have made myself feel like, a failure! Gaining and losing the same 50 to 80 pounds over and over again! Also, it was an honest plea to win a contest that I really wanted to win.
I hated putting myself out there like that but I do think that I can be an encouragement to others to believe in the person that God created them to be as well!
Also, all of the love and support that I did honestly receive in comments was such an unbelievable blessing!!! When I found out for sure that some of the likes had been bought and I had to write to the contest people I was obviously humiliated, horrified and embarrassed.
Then I didn't want to tell all of you either, because while I don't have high expectations of others, I care a great deal about the expectations that others have for me. I don't care what you THINK of me maybe, :) but I worry way too much about letting people down.
Anyways, I didn't feel like a failure, but I did feel like I owed you an explanation. I also didn't want you to think that I just quit or gave up on myself or that there was something wrong. I'm totally fine, physically and mentally (mostly) lol. I still feel blessed beyond belief and am moving forward.
Lastly, so I can sleep better, I need to say ... that I was bummed that I never did hear ANYTHING back from the contest people. I know they don't owe me anything and they obviously shouldn't care about me or my feelings. I'm sure for them it was just,"one less thing" but for me I guess it helped me decide that it's over.The Biggest Loser is a great show, it helps plenty of people, and it's great when people can be inspired by other contestants. But even in participating in that contest, I was SUPER excited about it, but at the same time I was SO SICK of myself. Sick of the picture and spending so much time "promoting" myself.
Thankfully, I remembered this the other day, if there is ANYTHING you like about me, it IS NOT ME THAT YOU LIKE it is my heavenly father who's spirit lives in me! And knowing THAT my friends cannot compare to a contest or a reality show! It cannot be bought, won, or taken away! <3
Thank you soooo much for the love<3
LSL <3
Friday, March 9, 2012
Overwhelmed!
It's been a while since my last blog and I cannot believe what has happened since!!!
On facebook I follow several of the Biggest Loser alumni, I guess you'd call them. Two of my favorites are Jennifer Rush Jacobs and her dad Jay Jacobs!!! They look AMAZING, have great personalities, they post often and reply to questions and acknowledge their fans <3 They are inspiring and encouraging!
Anyways, so one day I was inspired to enter a contest they are having. The winner gets to run with them and their, son\brother Matt Jacobs, in the Go St.Louis marathon relay team.
I almost didn't do it because we have a lot going on travel/expense wise right now AND you had to submit a picture!!!!! As a rule I hate pretty much every picture of myself, so entering one in a contest .... would be a long shot.
Anyways, I decided I'd send in my Stop Sign picture. And the day before they were supposed to announce the 12 finalists I remembered to tell my husband about it. :) lol
I remembered because my family was joking about how I always comment on peoples FB pages who are famous and such and they wouldn't typically do that. But I told them that often times they will comment back and engage :)
I kind of mentioned the contest, and told him that it would be in St.Louis and I know I probably shouldn't even really try and go, I mean I was just gone for a week last month so.... Anyways, I was SHOCKED when I got the email a few days later saying that I was a finalist!!!!! I don't know how many people even sent in pictures, maybe only 12? How I got so lucky i don't know but I WAS like... Oh my word... What have I gotten into?!?!!!! ;) and.... is this really happening!?!!!!
I sent hubby an email at work and as always he was completely supportive and so happy for me, and said we'd make it to St. Louis if I win, no problem. I'm a dreamer and he's the guy who makes it happen! <3 love that man!!!!
So.... 5 days later, my friends and family and I have posted my horrible Stop Sign picture all over FB and it says I have over 800 votes!!!!
For the record, I still don't believe it. I REALLY want to win. I can't imagin getting to meet and run with the Jacobs family!!!! I want it to be real, but I'm a low expectation kind of gal and in the end I feel like some of the votes won't really be there or something. It just doesn't make sense to me.
But I write all of that to say... I was looking back at some of the comments on my picture tonight and I started to cry. Hear I go again! I know it is just a click of a button to vote, or just a few words. But that click of a button and those few words of love and encouragement .... from family, friends, church family old and new, former classmates,and even Jack's preschool teacher voted for me today!! <3
I just want you all to know that even if I lose this contest and don't get to meet the Jacobs or Amanda Tyson (she rocks too!) I have already won!!!
<3 Each vote has inspired me to keep believing in myself, keep pushing forward and to never give up!!!
Dreams don't ALWAYS come true...but sometimes.... THEY DO!!!
Much LOVE!!!
LSL
On facebook I follow several of the Biggest Loser alumni, I guess you'd call them. Two of my favorites are Jennifer Rush Jacobs and her dad Jay Jacobs!!! They look AMAZING, have great personalities, they post often and reply to questions and acknowledge their fans <3 They are inspiring and encouraging!
Anyways, so one day I was inspired to enter a contest they are having. The winner gets to run with them and their, son\brother Matt Jacobs, in the Go St.Louis marathon relay team.
I almost didn't do it because we have a lot going on travel/expense wise right now AND you had to submit a picture!!!!! As a rule I hate pretty much every picture of myself, so entering one in a contest .... would be a long shot.
Anyways, I decided I'd send in my Stop Sign picture. And the day before they were supposed to announce the 12 finalists I remembered to tell my husband about it. :) lol
I remembered because my family was joking about how I always comment on peoples FB pages who are famous and such and they wouldn't typically do that. But I told them that often times they will comment back and engage :)
I kind of mentioned the contest, and told him that it would be in St.Louis and I know I probably shouldn't even really try and go, I mean I was just gone for a week last month so.... Anyways, I was SHOCKED when I got the email a few days later saying that I was a finalist!!!!! I don't know how many people even sent in pictures, maybe only 12? How I got so lucky i don't know but I WAS like... Oh my word... What have I gotten into?!?!!!! ;) and.... is this really happening!?!!!!
I sent hubby an email at work and as always he was completely supportive and so happy for me, and said we'd make it to St. Louis if I win, no problem. I'm a dreamer and he's the guy who makes it happen! <3 love that man!!!!
So.... 5 days later, my friends and family and I have posted my horrible Stop Sign picture all over FB and it says I have over 800 votes!!!!
For the record, I still don't believe it. I REALLY want to win. I can't imagin getting to meet and run with the Jacobs family!!!! I want it to be real, but I'm a low expectation kind of gal and in the end I feel like some of the votes won't really be there or something. It just doesn't make sense to me.
But I write all of that to say... I was looking back at some of the comments on my picture tonight and I started to cry. Hear I go again! I know it is just a click of a button to vote, or just a few words. But that click of a button and those few words of love and encouragement .... from family, friends, church family old and new, former classmates,and even Jack's preschool teacher voted for me today!! <3
I just want you all to know that even if I lose this contest and don't get to meet the Jacobs or Amanda Tyson (she rocks too!) I have already won!!!
<3 Each vote has inspired me to keep believing in myself, keep pushing forward and to never give up!!!
Dreams don't ALWAYS come true...but sometimes.... THEY DO!!!
Much LOVE!!!
LSL
Monday, February 20, 2012
Stop Sign
Stop Sign is the name of a hike at Fitness Ridge. In the whole scheme of things it's not actually probably too difficult, but there is just something about it.
Before I tell you about my experience with Stop Sign I just have to share a few other cool moments that got me to Stop Sign.
I have, like I've said before, been dieting for about 16 years. I have had many successes along the way, but NEVER quite made my final goal and obviously never figured out how to keep the weight off.
The closest I ever came to keeping 70 pounds off was when my husband and I really took up running. We trained for and ran 2 half marathons. Well, the second one we mostly walked and didn't really prepare for, we just did it to support a friend, and when she was ready to walk we glady obliged :) Anyways, running sometimes more than 20 miles a week, we were able to keep our weight down for almost 2 years. Even after all that running... I still wasn't ever proud of my accomplishments because I was STILL FAT!! I didn't take up running for fun, I ran to lose weight. :/ Even 70 pounds down, I was still 30 to 40 pounds from my goal weight of 140.
Anyways, during my stay at Fitness Ridge I really struggled with feeling proud of myself. It was a LONG week of a lot of time to work hard, push and challenge yourself and THINK.
In one of our classes with Sione (from BL season 7) I kinda had a break thru. It was a REALLY hard class. Well,it was called Mountain. It was about a 45 minute class with 3-4 minute intervals to "reach the mountain". So it was a continuous push to the top, harder faster every 3-4 minutes. In the beginning he asked us to pick a goal, I was feeling like making the most of it and getting my booty kicked but I couldn't run because of my heel so I was on the bike so I picked maintaing my speed or increasing and getting to level 15. I knew it was going to be hard, but I HAD NO IDEA HOW HARD. I had only gone to 10 before EVER and I didn't ever think of pushing harder.
I told Tamara my goal, because she was next to me and I needed her to know so I would be sure I hit it.
Sione is really good at the whole "let yourself be great" speeches. The music was great, and loud like I like it and he was talking to us all about our families at home supporting us and cheering us on and about challenging ourselves and how we are stronger than we think we are and all this junk and I of course started crying and of course... I made my goal,it was really hard but I was sick of feeling like a failure and I decided then that I wasn't going to be a failure any longer.
The support I have from my husband, my parents, my extended family and friends is really UNBELIEVABLE TO ME!!! They are the BEST!!! If they all love me and believe in me then I was the only one to blame for holding myself back.
I was climbing the "mountain" when I remembered when my husband and I ran our first half marathon. My mom had our son, and our closest couple friends, Vicki and Darryl, were teaching at church that morning, so we didn't plan to look for anyone standing along the route, cheering us on.
As we were running, just after the route cleared out so we were running almost alone.... we SPOTTED VICKI AND DARRYL!!! It was an indescribable moment of love and appreciation!! We were kind of in shock the first time we saw them but we saw them a few more times and made sure to stop and hug them. I don't know why it meant so much to have them there cheering us on, but it did and I'll never forget it, it was SO encouraging!!!
Remembering that whole scenario while climbing the "mountain" of course didn't help the tears. <3
A few days later, it was my groups turn to do the Stop Sign. It was 4 miles and 1,000 ft incline. So it wasn't crazy steep, but up hill just enough, the ENTIRE WAY!!! It wasn't like it was a race, but I was with people who were at my "skill or speed level". It was the only hike where you could wear your headphones and it was just you and the mountain. I had no idea how far I had gone, and it was a whindy path so you couldn't even know if you were close really until you could actually finally see the stop sign at the end. I just kept pushing. I had just caught site of the yellow sign showing that there was a stop sign ahead and I was FINALLY so proud of myself for pushing and making it to the top, when one of our hike guides, drove by and said,"you're doing great!" and I lost it.... :) I don't know why sometimes it is so hard to feel proud of your accomplishments, but turns out it is. Somewhere I have a picture of myself still crying and hanging on to the Stop Sign.
Don't get me wrong, I know I cannot do ANYTHING without GOD's help!!!! I wouldn't even be on the planet without him and most days, probably not even out of bed. We were just reading in John this week in our Friday life group, even Jesus cannot do things on his own "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me." John, 5:30 and another verse about God's strength, Philippians 4:13,"I can do all things through him who strengthens me".
I desire to bring glory to God and be a testimony for him and I think he's ready for me to do what I need to do to stop letting food and my fears distract me from him and hold me back from the best that he has for me, and his plan for my life.
I pray that I can be an encouragement to you, as so many have been an unforgettable encouragement to me!!!
LSL <3
Before I tell you about my experience with Stop Sign I just have to share a few other cool moments that got me to Stop Sign.
I have, like I've said before, been dieting for about 16 years. I have had many successes along the way, but NEVER quite made my final goal and obviously never figured out how to keep the weight off.
The closest I ever came to keeping 70 pounds off was when my husband and I really took up running. We trained for and ran 2 half marathons. Well, the second one we mostly walked and didn't really prepare for, we just did it to support a friend, and when she was ready to walk we glady obliged :) Anyways, running sometimes more than 20 miles a week, we were able to keep our weight down for almost 2 years. Even after all that running... I still wasn't ever proud of my accomplishments because I was STILL FAT!! I didn't take up running for fun, I ran to lose weight. :/ Even 70 pounds down, I was still 30 to 40 pounds from my goal weight of 140.
Anyways, during my stay at Fitness Ridge I really struggled with feeling proud of myself. It was a LONG week of a lot of time to work hard, push and challenge yourself and THINK.
In one of our classes with Sione (from BL season 7) I kinda had a break thru. It was a REALLY hard class. Well,it was called Mountain. It was about a 45 minute class with 3-4 minute intervals to "reach the mountain". So it was a continuous push to the top, harder faster every 3-4 minutes. In the beginning he asked us to pick a goal, I was feeling like making the most of it and getting my booty kicked but I couldn't run because of my heel so I was on the bike so I picked maintaing my speed or increasing and getting to level 15. I knew it was going to be hard, but I HAD NO IDEA HOW HARD. I had only gone to 10 before EVER and I didn't ever think of pushing harder.
I told Tamara my goal, because she was next to me and I needed her to know so I would be sure I hit it.
Sione is really good at the whole "let yourself be great" speeches. The music was great, and loud like I like it and he was talking to us all about our families at home supporting us and cheering us on and about challenging ourselves and how we are stronger than we think we are and all this junk and I of course started crying and of course... I made my goal,it was really hard but I was sick of feeling like a failure and I decided then that I wasn't going to be a failure any longer.
The support I have from my husband, my parents, my extended family and friends is really UNBELIEVABLE TO ME!!! They are the BEST!!! If they all love me and believe in me then I was the only one to blame for holding myself back.
I was climbing the "mountain" when I remembered when my husband and I ran our first half marathon. My mom had our son, and our closest couple friends, Vicki and Darryl, were teaching at church that morning, so we didn't plan to look for anyone standing along the route, cheering us on.
As we were running, just after the route cleared out so we were running almost alone.... we SPOTTED VICKI AND DARRYL!!! It was an indescribable moment of love and appreciation!! We were kind of in shock the first time we saw them but we saw them a few more times and made sure to stop and hug them. I don't know why it meant so much to have them there cheering us on, but it did and I'll never forget it, it was SO encouraging!!!
Remembering that whole scenario while climbing the "mountain" of course didn't help the tears. <3
A few days later, it was my groups turn to do the Stop Sign. It was 4 miles and 1,000 ft incline. So it wasn't crazy steep, but up hill just enough, the ENTIRE WAY!!! It wasn't like it was a race, but I was with people who were at my "skill or speed level". It was the only hike where you could wear your headphones and it was just you and the mountain. I had no idea how far I had gone, and it was a whindy path so you couldn't even know if you were close really until you could actually finally see the stop sign at the end. I just kept pushing. I had just caught site of the yellow sign showing that there was a stop sign ahead and I was FINALLY so proud of myself for pushing and making it to the top, when one of our hike guides, drove by and said,"you're doing great!" and I lost it.... :) I don't know why sometimes it is so hard to feel proud of your accomplishments, but turns out it is. Somewhere I have a picture of myself still crying and hanging on to the Stop Sign.
Don't get me wrong, I know I cannot do ANYTHING without GOD's help!!!! I wouldn't even be on the planet without him and most days, probably not even out of bed. We were just reading in John this week in our Friday life group, even Jesus cannot do things on his own "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me." John, 5:30 and another verse about God's strength, Philippians 4:13,"I can do all things through him who strengthens me".
I desire to bring glory to God and be a testimony for him and I think he's ready for me to do what I need to do to stop letting food and my fears distract me from him and hold me back from the best that he has for me, and his plan for my life.
I pray that I can be an encouragement to you, as so many have been an unforgettable encouragement to me!!!
LSL <3
Friday, February 17, 2012
A few more tips
Ok so here are a few more things I picked up at Fitness Ridge.
It is important to eat BALANCED meals.
Whole grains, protein, fruit and veggies.
We can get into suggested servings sometime. What has been the MOST beneficial part of this balanced suggestion, is that I have spent the past 16 years cutting out SOMETHING. Sometimes it's white breads and pastas, sometimes it's even fruit or fat or all carbs, or red meat. BALANCED is what they suggest.
If you eat a whole grain and protein and a fruit at breakfast you will feel full and satisfied longer. You can skip the whole grains, but the fiber is great for you and keeps you full and will help you to not CRAVE more sugar later on.
They also suggest you NEVER eat a CARB WITHOUT PROTEIN. You will get a spike in your insulin levels and you don't want that!
Also they say always make a plan that INCLUDES your favorite foods. Feeling deprived won't help anyone!
Our bodies only recognize nutrition, NOT STUFF (processed junk).
We will feel fuller and healthier and more satisfied on whole foods.
If you KNOW you are a late snacker, SAVE calories for that snack! Don't pretend you aren't going to do something you ALWAYS do.
If you are an emotional eater, pick a specific food to "allow" yourself to eat if you are feeling crazy. Jen talked about having a specific food for that, like popcorn or someone else hid 45 calorie fudge pops in her freezer. Worst case scenario you eat the ENTIRE box and you have done less than 500 calories worth of damage. 500 calories can be undone.
"there is no GOOD OR BAD, there is only what you've done."
Journal EVERYTHING so you can keep track of what you are actually consuming so you know how to adjust.
If you are "afraid" to eat carbs. Some of us sometimes are, I have heard lots of people suggest (Bob Harper included) don't eat carbs at dinner, keep it lean and green. But if not having carbs at dinner makes you crave dessert before bed, eat a whole grain at dinner ;)
I hope some of you found this helpful ;)
LSL <3
It is important to eat BALANCED meals.
Whole grains, protein, fruit and veggies.
We can get into suggested servings sometime. What has been the MOST beneficial part of this balanced suggestion, is that I have spent the past 16 years cutting out SOMETHING. Sometimes it's white breads and pastas, sometimes it's even fruit or fat or all carbs, or red meat. BALANCED is what they suggest.
If you eat a whole grain and protein and a fruit at breakfast you will feel full and satisfied longer. You can skip the whole grains, but the fiber is great for you and keeps you full and will help you to not CRAVE more sugar later on.
They also suggest you NEVER eat a CARB WITHOUT PROTEIN. You will get a spike in your insulin levels and you don't want that!
Also they say always make a plan that INCLUDES your favorite foods. Feeling deprived won't help anyone!
Our bodies only recognize nutrition, NOT STUFF (processed junk).
We will feel fuller and healthier and more satisfied on whole foods.
If you KNOW you are a late snacker, SAVE calories for that snack! Don't pretend you aren't going to do something you ALWAYS do.
If you are an emotional eater, pick a specific food to "allow" yourself to eat if you are feeling crazy. Jen talked about having a specific food for that, like popcorn or someone else hid 45 calorie fudge pops in her freezer. Worst case scenario you eat the ENTIRE box and you have done less than 500 calories worth of damage. 500 calories can be undone.
"there is no GOOD OR BAD, there is only what you've done."
Journal EVERYTHING so you can keep track of what you are actually consuming so you know how to adjust.
If you are "afraid" to eat carbs. Some of us sometimes are, I have heard lots of people suggest (Bob Harper included) don't eat carbs at dinner, keep it lean and green. But if not having carbs at dinner makes you crave dessert before bed, eat a whole grain at dinner ;)
I hope some of you found this helpful ;)
LSL <3
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