Health Journey

All my life, I have had an interest of being skinny. I was never extremely heavy, but my idea of beautiful was not what stared at me in the mirror when I was young. I always saw the girls in my grade as more attractive, and even friends that I hung out with I felt were much more pretty than I. 

It wasn't until I was pursued by my husband that all of the lies in my head subsided, but even then, the temptation of comparison was always lingering around. I felt that my hair wasn't as nice, or my measurements were right, or my features weren't as spectacular.

I had to get the Word in my heart and renew my mind. I had to tell myself that I was fearfully and wonderfully made. I had to tell myself that God does not make ugly people and I am loved. However, once I started to have children, I noticed that my body began to change. 

Of course, you might say. Well yes, I expected that, but my lifestyle changed. I was a stay at home mom off and on, but I never got back to the level of activity as I had been before kids. Our living situation changed which limited my space for exercise and then the weather of course plays a role as well as time itself. 

Recently, I just had our third child and she just turned one! Having a sit down job for the last 3 1/2 years has not helped my health at all and during pregnancy, made me put on a lot of extra weight....of course people tell me I look good, but I know where I came from. 

When I came back to work last summer, I knew that I was going to have to change some things in order to get back into a more healthy me. I found the 21 day fix and let me tell you, it works! I started the program in the fall of 2016 and continued right through the holidays. 

I lost about 15 pounds and felt great! However, because of time, I stopped after only 1 full round. I gained 5 pounds after I stopped, and now slowly the ounces want to creep back up. 

So, it is time to get back on the horse and ride, figuratively speaking HA! I am planning my meals and working out 30 minutes a day...only 30 minutes! I am looking forward to losing another 15 pounds and then we'll go from there. For 3 weeks, I can manage a work out regiment and change my eating. Just 3 weeks...and of course I have to keep telling myself that once I start ha ha ha. 

I am looking forward to blogging about my progress and if you would like to get involved with me just let me know!! 21 day fix is on!

Knowing your enemy

The enemy is subtle. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 that he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. The amplified version says he is like a lion that is fiercely hungry. That means that he is in intentional, stealthy, clever, and tenacious. 

Have you ever watched one of those nation shows that goes to the African safari to follow a pride of lions? Hunting is one of the major pieces to their existence.

When a lion is on the prowl, they fix their eyes on the horizon and wait. Looking back and forth over their pride, they wait for a potential victim to appear in their view. Whether large or small, they know that whatever it is, the other animal is going down.

Stealthily, they creep up behind their prey; taking their time so they don't scare it away. A lioness will step and then pause, step and then pause, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. The group of lions might be starving, but they wait patiently knowing that in the small amount of time it takes to perfectly set up their trap, they will then be able to feast for hours and not have to eat again for days. 

Closer and closer a lion will sneak up, almost freezing itself in motion so it isn't seen. A lion's poise and muscle control is focused and it's eyes are fixed on the target. A lioness will pick out a small and feeble animal, but can also bring down a wildebeest on her own. A pack of lions can bring down a giraffe or even an elephant. 

When she does seize the moment, a lioness will run at full speed, pounce at the victim, and sink her claws into the animals backside bringing it down to the ground. More lashings of her claws and then her teeth go straight for the jugular. She will tenaciously continue until the animal has no strength left. 

I've watched videos where a lioness will just drag the animal to a spot where she will just clamp down on the animal's neck and just wait until her prey is completely dead. Motionless, bleeding, fresh flesh to feast on for the whole family. 

Once the animal is lifeless, the pack will come and tear the carcass to pieces. Ripping muscles, pulling at bone, picking off every fiber of flesh from the skeleton. There is no mercy, no feeling, no thought as to the family that animal left behind. I mean these are animals, so of course they are just taking care of the instinct that God gave to them.

However, I want to bring a point here. Your enemy is the same way. Peter wouldn't have compared him to such a predator without the truth of his character being as such. Satan has his eye on each and everyone of us. He looks for ways to creep up behind us and set his trap. He looks for those who are isolated, lonely, hurting, sick, feeble, or alone. 

He speaks to our minds to try to gets picked off from the pack so we are easier targets for his hunting mission. He tells us things like no one cares, you aren't worthy, you'll never be well, why did God do this to you? His lies aren't new though. He started in the garden with Eve and now look at the mess that she and Adam created by yielding to his madness? 

Just remember how a lion brings it's prey down and how it feeds. Then think about the fact that that is what Satan wants to do to you. He will use whomever and whatever to get at you, but behind the faces of people or the evident situations, remember that he is the one behind it coming after you.

Here's the good news. We don't have a certain end like the wildebeest, giraffe or elephant. For us, God created a way of escape! 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

Who is the tempter? Satan himself. You don't have to be taken down by your enemy, God is on your side. What's even more exciting is that Jesus has already overcome and because we are in Him, we are more than conquerors, and greater is He that is in us that he that is in this world!

Being aware of who our enemy is will give us the edge that we need to stay sober, well balanced, self-disciplined, alert and cautious at all times as Peter commanded. He is cunning, but he is also defeated. In Christ we can know that we have authority over him, but he cannot be taken for granted. 

Knowing who our enemy is keeps us in victory. We can get the jump on him when he thinks he's got the jump on us.  

A brand new year

Today is a unique one. Today is the last day that I will be 33 years old. Overall I am content with what I have and where I am. I am in love with my husband of almost 12 years, I have three healthy and intelligent kids, our church is growing, and we have dreams and plans for the future. 

However, looking back through this last year, I realized that it's been quite a 'cruise control' type of year. Last year, I was recovering from maternity leave and it was tough for me to go back to work. We changed schools with the kids midyear and raised an infant. We just continued with our heads down with our jobs and responsibilities. 

Then, there was one day that just made me think about the fact that where we are locationally is where we need to comfortably call home until the Lord moves us elsewhere. We've been moving for so many years that this is the first place that I know we are going to stay at least for a little while. I also realized that the more I just put the kids to bed so I can have quiet time, or the more I just keep running from place to place; checking off my list, the list will just keep growing, but life is passing by. 

I see the kids growing up in front of me and I wonder if I am teaching them what I've always told myself I wanted to teach them? Do they know Jesus or are they just going to church? Is my marriage on coast or am I doing everything I can to make it better, deeper, more meaningful? Am I really communicating to people around me that I care about them or am I just staying busy doing things to say that I care.

There's just so much to gain and so much to lose in this life if we're not careful to focus our attention on the right things. 

Beginning tomorrow is a brand new year of life for me. It will include our 12th anniversary, another slue of holidays, another school year and children turning 2, 7, and 9. I believe that it will also include some major faith projects coming to fruition, but the question that I have for myself is AM I INTENTIONALLY INVESTING IN WHAT'S ETERNAL, RELATIONAL, AND MINE.

Is what I'm doing just spinning wheels, wearing myself out? Or am I making an impact? Does my husband know that I care, that I listen, that I do what he asks and that I do respect him? Do my kids know that they are important, that they are worth my time, that I do have time to play, and that God has a plan for them? Am I eating well, taking care of my body, my soul, my spirit? Am I taking time to rest and to play? Am I stewarding my money, my possessions and resources well? Am I doing what God told me to do, or just what I want?

That might seem a little heavy, but in my 33 years, I've seen how people waste their lives chasing after dreams without God's wisdom. I've seen them use up all their energy on things that don't matter or that will never be finished. I've seen people stay broke, sick, frustrated and unfulfilled; and I am just determined not to be one of them.

This year is the year I promise not to be perfect. I promise to not have all the answers or to be able to fix every problem. I promise to do the best that I can by leaning on Jesus for every moment that I live and by loving my family as fiercely as I can. I promise to grow from my mistakes and through the proving of my faith.

My goals are to accept more quickly when I am wrong and apologize, but also to change and forgive. My goals are to put important things first, and allow everything else to fall into place. My goal is to have less of me and more of Him. My goal is the make more space for my wellness and making memories.

This is it 33! Here comes a brand new 34!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow; the Bible has a lot to say about it. In Proverbs 27:1 says "Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring." In James 4 it talks about tomorrow being like a fog that is for a little while and then it's gone. Jesus even spoke about not worrying about tomorrow because tomorrow will have enough trouble to think about.

Satan has many tricks up his sleeve to try to keep believers from fully stepping into the divine nature that God designed for us to live out. Worry is one of them. It paralyzes us in fear of what tomorrow might bring. Apathy is another. It says, "ah, there's no hurry. I'll just take care of that tomorrow."

Friend, today is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2. Today is the day that the Lord has made. Psalm 118:24. Even Moses said in Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom."

What we need to realize is that we are only promised 120 years. You might so whoa! That's forever! But in the eyes of God, it's nothing. Moses saw that we need to cultivate a attitude of efficiency. Doing much with little. Wisdom to use our years, days, hours, and minutes for good, for advancement, for His glory.

The days that God gives us should not be something that we take lightly. They will never be returned to us and He has given us a responsibility to meet. To work hard with our hands, to love our families, to preach the Gospel, to take care of ourselves, and to worship Him in everything that we do.

I pray that as you read this today, your heart is stirred to SEIZE THIS DAY. Whatever you have planned for the day, bring to Jesus. Ask Him for wisdom on how you can use this day to honor Him. Ask Him for wisdom on how to do you job better or how He wants to use you. Spend time praying for those around you.

In whatever you do, know that you are here on purpose and for a purpose. Don't listen to the lie that says you don't matter and what you do doesn't matter. If change is needed, seek the Lord. But remember, that we will be held accountable for what we do with our time here on earth, and everything that we sow will reap a harvest. This time is precious and we need to be constantly eternally minded.

Be encouraged today. What you do matters. And what you speak creates atmosphere. Let's yield ourselves to Jesus so that our existence here on earth moves heaven to impact generations to come.

Local Eateries

This past weekend, my family and I went to Asheville to watch Cars 3. While we waited for the show time, we stopped at a local burger join called BT's burgerjoint. I've been wanting to taste their food since they opened just a few years ago at the Biltmore Park! 

When we walked in, it reminded me of a fuddruckers, but with out the toppings bar. With fun artwork on the walls, I got a sense of family at the same time I expected funky times ahead. 

We were greeted by the menu which offers pre-designed burgers, chicken sandwiches, Nathan's hot dogs and salads, as well as make-your-way options. They even had a separate kids meal which isn't always easy to find especially when you're trying non-chain restaurants. 

As we approached the counter with our orders, the kids took a window seat that overlooked the street facing the movie theatre. The place was clean and not very loud, but had some well familiar music playing while scattered televisions were showing sports games all around. 

Making the order was quick and painless. There were a couple of cashiers that were ready to help and were pleasant in doing so. We received our cups and a number card after we paid and got our drinks at the fountain. 

We chose to sit indoors, but BT's also has a patio option directly beside the street. Soon after we sat down to wait, our made-to-order meals were brought to our table. 

The kids ordered mac n' cheese with fries while the hubby and I ordered burgers only. I specifically asked for the All American which was a 1/3 lb burger with Thousand Island dressing, pickles, tomatoes, onions, cheese and lettuce.

First off, the fries were great! They had a battered texture to them and the flavor was not heavy. Of course it helps when everything was hot!! The kids loved their food and so did my husband. They all thought the it was wonderful.

My opinion, however, was that my burger was hot and thick, but I think the sandwich itself was a little too wet. The tomatoes were steak sized, which is too thick for my taste, and the the bun was saturated from the pickles, lettuce and dressing. Don't get me wrong! The burger was good, but it kind of fell apart. I didn't get the flavor pop from the meat that I was looking for, and it wasn't as juicy as I like, but I will definitely go back to try another sandwich since this was my first time and since the family loved their food. 

Let me know what you think if you get a chance to visit!!

To find their menu and more visit: https://asheville.orderamericanburgerco.com/#/

Shopping Finds

I have never been one that is obsessed with shopping or beauty products. I probably should pay more attention, but in my awareness of that, I am working on becoming better. 

As someone who is in leadership as well as in customer service, I understand that having an attractive appearance makes you look more professional and can help people take you more seriously. However, I feel that having on an amazing outfit, eye-catching accessories, dazzling hair, and naturally applied makeup will also help you feel more confident.

It's not that I find my identity in these things, but I do like looking nice, and so does my family. So, in my attempt at sprucing up my wardrobe, I stumbled upon this gem!!

Now, granted, it came from Target, but WHO CARES?? Faux leather, yes, but the color was what spoke to me! I wasn't interested in straight gold for the metal accents, so I went through bag after bag until I found this one!!

It is a cross body style option with great snaps and pockets inside! The handles are pretty hefty as well, but overall the bag itself is really light weight.

I love that it looks more expensive than it actually was!! $35 before tax is a steal for something like this. A bag that is inexpensive, but does feel or look cheap! I wasn't able to find this bag online though which is sad, however, it does have a matching wallet that I plan to buy in the future. 

To find similar bags shop at Target.com!

Cars 3 Movie Review

I have been a huge fan of Disney/Pixar since day one. I remember when Toy Story came out. I was in sixth grade and I absolutely fell in love with the toys that came to life when Andy wasn't looking. 

Since then, we have seen some pretty amazing animation come from their studio and most of them I can say, have left me suspended in hopes that they come up with a sequel!!

Cars 3, however, left me a little sad. I am not the best at keeping the most important details secret, so I will do my best. 

The opening of the movie helps us catch up to Lightening McQueen's career since we left him and Mater in Cars 2. All is looking successful and reputable until during one race, a rookie car leaves Lightening in the dust!

We are introduced to a whole line of new technology cars that have the most advanced engineering for the best results on the track. Lightening, however, finds himself alone after watching his old friends be replaced by newer rookies their sponsors decide are better investments, and struggles to hold on to his position as the best racer of his time. 

Sold to a new sponsor, Lightening McQueen is uncertain, but hopeful that his

future will be better than before. As he begins to find his bearings, he is placed under the care of a new, much younger, trainer. She has state-of-the-art equipment that the faster rookies are using to train and this sends Lightening head over heels.

Everything looks exciting and promising until Lightening, and his sponsor, realizes that he just can't keep up. Nothing feels right. In his attempt to keep his sponsor interested in him, he places a deal on the table. He challenges his sponsor to allow him to train the way he wants to and then allow him to race. If Lightening wins, the deal is that he will quit when he wants to, but if he loses, then he agrees to RETIRE!

I could just feel my heart sink....I know right? It's just a cartoon! But this beloved character, I felt, was leaving us for good! He can't give up! He just can't retire!!

Through several adventures, Lightening and his new trainer experience highs and lows in racing, as well as, vulnerability to their pasts and dreams for their futures. In the end, the race's outcome will have to viewed by YOU, since of course there is a twist, but in my opinion, Lightening's luster lost a little of it's glimmer in this film. 

I left with a sense that there would be a fourth movie coming out in the future, but that Lightening will probably take a back seat, no pun intended. Ha ha ha. And I could be wrong, his glory didn't seem to be the same.

Morally, the story was good. You can teach your children about grace, compassion, truth and kindness; never giving up and being confident in who you are. However, there is a bar scene that in my opinion isn't that big of a deal, and a few inappropriate connotations that the kids won't necessarily read, but the adults will get them. Overall, these didn't take away from the movie, and the written connotations were very few in the credits.

In general, I enjoyed the movie, and of course who wouldn't love Mater -- in the few scenes he was in, but it left me disappointed because Lightening takes second fiddle. Yet, I want to see where the story of Lightening McQueen continues to lead. I am holding on to the hope that he returns no matter what his role is. 

The best judges are the kids, and my kids absolutely loved the movie. I will probably end up buying it. The humor was there, we all laughed! And the cuteness factor was definitely stamped throughout. Congratulations Pixar, you have done it again!