We Meet Again

Many of you have heard me talking (for weeks now) about my team training for Haiti.  I found out about a month ago that we would have a full day of team training this past Saturday.  I was super excited about spending the day with my team until I read on and saw two words that stopped me in my tracks... "Ropes Course".  Are you kidding me???  Can I just have one summer where I don't have to do a ropes course to volunteer for something?  (See previous post here.)  I continued to be positive and thought maybe this ropes course would just consist of activiites where we have to use one rope, two boards, and a backpack to get our team from one side of a flat, open area to the other side.  No one has to pick me up, push me, pull me, etc.  But, God has a sense of humor and that was not going to be the case. 
We started out the morning by doing simple team building activities which allowed us to get to know each other.  We had a (questionable) lunch that is supposed to prepare us to eat whatever is set before us on our mission trip.  (Let me just say, if Haiti eats lots of raw plantains I am gonna have a hard time).  Then we hiked deep into the woods to begin the ropes course.
We started off by doing "the spider web".  I immediately piped up and claimed the bottome hole of the spider web (big and close to the ground).  Then we did an activity where we had to traverse a cable while pushing against a partner on a different cable across from us.  Next, we hiked up a hill where the above picture stood towering (and laughing) above me.  I (again) endured the awkward moments of having three men hoist my butt up while I had two brave souls pull (yank) me up and over the top of the wall.  I was determined not to give up on any of the activities and simply laughed my way through all of it.  We ended by doing a trust fall from a 5 foot high platform.  I. did. it. all. 
I loved it!  Yes, that is correct.  I loved every minute of the day!  Let me explain why...
1. I already knew 3 people in the group and had spent the morning forming connection with the other group members, so the setting was way more comfortable than before.
2. Most of our group is close to my age, unlike at camp where I was depending on wee college freshman girls or frat boys to pick me up.
3.  I was not as self-conscious about my weight this time because I am in the process of doing something about it (I have lost 34 pounds since January :)
4.  Our mission team is AWESOME!  Everyone was so encouraging, patient, kind, etc.  I cannot wait to go to Haiti with this amazing group of people!

Step Up

This past Monday I went to a step aerobics class at the gym.  With a Barbie instructor.  With too much energy.  Who likes to do planks.  I hate her.
I have been to step classes before and really enjoyed them. It is a great work-out, but this week was different. The class started out like normal. But, about 20 minutes in, Barbie tells us that we are going to do some ab work so we need to get on our mats. I envision crunches, which are bad enough, but I was sadly mistaken. Next thing I know she is yelling into her Madonna headset that we need to get into a plank. Which of course elicits a giggle from me because I know there is no way I can do a plank. She gives a less challenging option which I cling to like a life raft. We go from planks into push ups, while I utter death threats under my (shallow and labored) breath. In my mind I am thinking, "Ummm, I came for a step class... Where we stay on our feet... Upright.... Can we get back on the step now?" We finish a song and she asks if we want one more round of ab work to which I furiously shake my head. Barbie ignores me and we go for round 2. She actually sings along with the song at one point. While I gasp for air. Finally we get back up on the step and go back to business as usual. We end the class with more planks (on our sides this time) and afterwards I crawl to my car to calculate how many calories I burned. My Fitness Pal app tells me 977. I think that should be doubled, but I go with it. Think next time it would be awkward if I just stood in the back and did grapevines or box steps for the 10 minutes of planks?

Can I get an AMEN?

For all my teacher friends, please read!

What Teachers Really Want to Tell Parents

Open Hands, Open Heart

"I may be weak, but Your Spirit's strong in me.  My flesh my fail, but my God You never will.  Give me faith to trust what you say... That You're good, Your love is great.  I'm broken inside, I give you my life." - Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship

I am learning more and more that God wants every part of me, not just the parts I feel comfortable turning over to Him.  He wants to give me His strength when I am weak and mess up... again.  He wants to comfort me when I am overwhelmed.  He wants me to trust Him to provide in every area of my life.  He wants me to have faith.

He is constantly reminding me that I need to come to Him.  In my moments of frustration, I hear Him whisper, "Let me handle it.  Give it to me."  In my moments of exhaustion, I hear Him whisper, "Rest in me."  Sometimes I think He is saying, "Hey, you keep doing this on your own.  How's that workin' for ya?"  And then I remember that I have the privilege of giving it to Him.  He promises that when I come to Him broken and ready to hand over what I have been tightly clutching in my fist, He will bless my open hands.  For when my hands are finally open and releasing whatever I have been holding onto, then they are also open to receive whatever He has for me.

"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders-He'll carry your load, He'll help you out.  He'll never let good people topple into ruin." - Psalm 55:22 (MSG)

"Don't fall for that nonsense.  This is your Father you are dealing with, and He knows better than you what you need.  With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.  Like this: Our Father in Heaven, Reveal who You are." - Matthew 6:8-9 (MSG)

The Plan

As you know, I am on a continuous weight loss journey (this is my new catch phrase because I think of diets as temporary).  Here is the latest:

• I am co-leading a small group this semester with my friend, Kristie.  We are doing a book study of a great book called Lose It for Life.  It addresses the spiritual, emotional, and physical elements of weight loss.  So far it has been great.  We have a group of about 15 ladies that we meet with on Monday nights and God is really bringing some things out in each of us that will hopefully allow us to see lasting success that we have not been able to see before.

• I have also started trying to become a little more educated about food and how it fuels our bodies.  Which foods give us the most fuel?  What are foods that I should get rid of?  How can I change my lifestyle and not just start a new diet that will last a few months at most?  I have been doing a no flour, no sugar program, which has been good so far.  I am now moving into a whole/organic/clean approach that focuses mainly on getting rid of foods that have sugar (especially high fructose corn syrup), white flour (or any type of enriched or bleached flour).  It is geared more towards whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, nuts, etc.  I picked up Dr. Oz's book YOU: On a Diet this week for some guidance.  I have a friend that is going to follow this plan with me, so I am excited about having a buddy!  Since the start of the year I have lost about 17 pounds.  I have not seen much weight loss over the past few weeks, so I am hoping to see more results in the coming weeks because I tend to get discouraged and give up way to easy.  I had not been weighing, which I think I might go back to in order to stay focused on the right things and not just the number on the scale. 

# 8 - Check, #12 - One Check

Last weekend I was able to get away for several days with some sweet friends from school.  We headed out of town after school last Thursday and spent the weekend together in Laguna Beach, FL.  We laughed, ate, cooked, cried, talked, and overall just relaxed and soaked up each other's company.  It was fabulous and perfect timing for all of us. 

While we were there, they were kind enough to agree to help me check some things off my list.  We watched American Graffiti and wondered how it ended up on my list of movies that were "must-sees".  I think we all much preferred our nightly Madea marathon! 

Another thing on my list was to watch the sunrise, so early Sunday morning while it was still dark and cold and windy we all climbed out of bed and trooped down to the beach and waited in the dark and the wind to see the sun rise.  Well, turns out we were not facing the spot where the sun would first peek up over the horizon, but we enjoyed the scenery (and donuts that followed) nonetheless. 

The Ultimate Sacrifice

About a month ago I started reading through the Chronological Bible reading plan.  I have now read Genesis, Job, Exodus and Leviticus.  I am currently in Numbers.  I have really enjoyed reading stories that I can remember being introduced to through a felt board in Sunday School as a little girl.  Even though I have heard some of these stories hundreds of times, God has given me a fresh perspective, which just proves that His Word really is living.  I have read again about Adam and Eve, Noah and the ark, Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and many other stories.  Among these stories there are also LOTS of rules, lists, guidelines, and procedures for everything imaginable (Yes, there is an entire chapter in Leviticus on bodily discharges - Leviticus 15).  There are guidelines for all types of offerings and sacrifices that are required to make atonement for sins.  Can you imagine having to go through this process every single time you sin?  Pretty sure my backyard would have to look like the picture above.  This has really opened my eyes to what a HUGE gift we have in Christ and the price He paid once and for all for our sins.  Reading the Old Testament has made me appreciate so much more what Christ did for broken, selfish, and stubborn me.

"There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins." - Hebrews 7:23-27

As I was typing this, one of my favorite Kari Jobe songs came on that fits so perfectly.  "What a sacrifice that saved my life, Yes the blood it is my victory."