Catching Up

It's been quite busy these past couple of weeks. I'll try to summarize:

I've been working hard at keeping first things first...doing what's important; focusing on what really matters.

I started reading through the Bible in a year using "The Chronological Bible" with Cristin. It always amazes me how "new" things catch my attention every time I read the Scriptures. Even though we don't regularly talk about our reading, it's just fun to know we're on this journey together. 

Memory Verse Monday...Our Ladies' LIFE Group started a new study, "Loving God with All Your Mind" by Elizabeth George. From the start, I can tell it's what I need. Our first Scripture memory is Philippians 4:8. I wrote it out in 5 translations and am working diligently to think about - no - dwell on  whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent, or worthy of praise.

One of my coworkers said he is in a series about getting "unstuck". I like that. I need to get "unstuck" this year, starting with my thought life. Thankful for my "brothers and sisters" in Christ at my workplace. They are a source of joy.

Training Tuesdays...well, I've kept up with my exercise. I've only missed 5 days of working out, and some days I actually get two workouts in. I am finding that I prefer to walk/run outside, but in these brutal temperatures, I'm thankful for the treadmill. My colleagues and I even met by 6 a.m. to work out before our full days of meetings and tours in San Antonio. It was great to have that peer pressure and accountability.

Weight Watch Wednesdays...I am down one whole pound. Focusing on the positive - it's the right direction. I try not to feel discouraged about the progress with all the working out and watching what I eat. I re-joined Weight Watchers Online. This is another thing that takes up my time, but my friend, Kelly encouraged me that keeping track of everything that goes in the mouth was the only thing that helped her. It is really eye-opening and is giving me a new awareness of how much I really eat. Thankful for wisdom from other warriors fighting the same battles.

Thankful Thursdays...Thankful for a productive business trip and safe travels last week and a very encouraging performance review and group meetings with my boss this week. I have a new appreciation for his leadership. I'm also thankful for the means to take a vacation - 2 of them planned this week; one to Arizona to visit Nonna, Gramps, Aunt Rita, and Uncle Randy and the other to Charleston for Cristin's graduation in May. Six round trip plane tickets for a grand total of $105 (I ran out of frequent flier miles - temporarily). Now to start planning those trips: sightseeing trips, hotels, parties...

Fun Fridays...This still needs some work! I started playing Scrabble with Chad on Facebook. Does that count? Craig and I enjoyed a "date" on Sunday. Perhaps that should count! I was supposed to go out with a girlfriend last night, but with the threat of snowstorm we postponed our fun to this afternoon. I'm looking forward to meeting up with her at GLC.

Busy...but good. Finding joy in the journey this year.

God Sightings This Week

1) We're getting ready to start a new Ladies' LIFE Group Study, "Loving God with All Your Mind" and were praying the order would arrive in Saturday's mail so the gals could get their copy Monday night while I am away on business. When I checked FedEx tracking on Saturday around 11 a.m. it said it had arrived at the post office at 10 a.m. and not to expect delivery for 1-2 days...My mail lady delivered it to my doorstep at 1PM - 2 hours later! YAY God!

Thankful Thursday

On the way to work this morning, there was news of a horrific accident on I-696 involving a pedestrian. It turns out that a man was hit during rush hour traffic as he tried to change his flat tire...

Life is a vapor...everything we know can change in a tragic instant. It's good to take time every day to acknowledge all that is good:

Having both "kids" home for the last three weeks, and safe travels for them back to their school and jobs.

A very good job that I (mostly) enjoy, which abundantly provides to overflowing.

Health to be able to work out on my treadmill.

Beautiful weather for January in Michigan. - blue skies and sunshine to make me smile.

Spending the day at work and in meetings alongside my hubby.

An hour walk with my hubby in the brisk winter afternoon after work.

Hubby helping me clean up Christmas.

A "thank you" appreciation call from Cristin for her repaired power steering and new tire.

A "happy birthday" call to Gramps and hearing laughter and gladness in his voice. 

So thankful for my wonderful family - God has truly blessed me.

Weight Watch Wednesday - The Embarrassing Start

So, this is the humiliating start of my long road to health and fitness. It's hard to believe that just two years ago I had completed a mini sprint triathlon, and several 5Ks. 

The first 10 days of working out and making good food choices were discouraging. It seemed that the harder I worked and more diligent I was, the worse the results. The scale kept climbing each day. I wanted to "throw in the towel". I've heard it all before: "you're building muscle which weighs more than fat" & "it takes consistency over time to get your metabolism working right" ...blah, blah, blah. 

:-P 

I am sticking with it, regardless.

After 10 days of working this plan, I am down 3 pounds - just 57 more to go.  :-(

Training Tuesday - 50th Year Goals

During this year-long adventure, my ultimate goal would be to complete a half marathon representing my half century mark. Right now, that is unrealistic at best, and probably dangerous. Since my mini-sprint-triathlon and a few 5K's over two years ago, I haven't done any training. Regular exercise has been unknown to me since I started full time work back at GM in December 2009, and I have put on 20 extra pounds. Needless to say this is going to be a long, hard road.

For incentive, I have committed to the following benchmarks along the way. Here are the first two:

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Detroit, May 26th, 2012 - My goal is to run the entire 5K. I'm not trying to win any races, my goal is to finish without having to walk. That means one foot is always off the ground!

The Ann Arbor Marathon June 17th with my MMB "Big Sis", Jan "Z" Karnes and other MMB families. No, I don't have any grand "delusions" of running the Marathon or even the half marathon (unless - a miracle?), but to run the 5K and improve my time from the Susan G. Komen.

My current state: not much more than a 3 mph pace for 3.2 miles at various elevations every day for the past 8 days. I have a long way to go.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"

Memory Verse #1 - Running to Obtain the Prize

To hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" is the only prize I desire. Lord, help me to run the race accordingly.

The Race of My Life

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV)

As I take time to contemplate 2011, I am overwhelmed by the "prizes" I have received: God's goodness and blessing poured out for me and my family. I am also acutely aware of how I stray from the path of His best for me.


In 2012, my desire is to run the race He has planned for me - for His glory:

• Run that I may obtain the prize; "Well done, good and faithful servant."
• Exercise self-control in ALL things; eating and speaking are my troublesome areas.
• NOT run aimlessly, but with purpose;  the harvest is plentiful.
• Discipline my body and keep it under control; "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

This is my "50th Year Great Adventure with God" :

Memory Verse Monday - Scripture Memory Verse of the week

Training Tuesday - Training progress for health and fitness - 5Ks, 10Ks, Triathlon?, half  marathon, marathon? (OK, now that's a stretch!) 

Weight-Watch Wednesday - Weight loss progress

Thankful Thursday - "God Sightings" as Pastor Ty labeled it. Where and how God showed up during the week.

Fun Times Friday - Making a priority to have fun with friends, family, co-workers, colleagues, neighbors.

SongSpiration Saturday/Sunday - Music that inspired me during the week.





Lord,
Work a new thing in me this new year.