Why I Run

I used to run to try to lose weight.  Then I realized I ate too much to lose weight, so I changed my motivation ...not to gain weight! This worked pretty well.  I didn't LOVE running, but it was an easy and quick way to get a work out in and not get fattER.  :-)  I entered a few team relay races, and although I was nowhere close to fast, I would compete with myself for faster times each race.

Then I couldn't run anymore.  In fact, I could barely walk.  I had been complaining about a weird pain in my foot for a few months when it became unbearable.  My foot was so swollen I couldn't wear shoes and any pressure on it was extremely painful.  I went from doctor to doctor and after another few months, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (an auto-immune disease similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but not usually affecting as many joints.)  Mine was just in my left foot.  After a couple more months of trying to figure out the right treatment plan I started to feel better.  I went from being constantly tired and uncomfortable to having energy again!  At this point, my 30th birthday was looming.  After months of sitting/laying around and hobbling let's just say I wasn't in the best shape.  I wasn't about to leave my 20's and enter a new decade like that.  I found out there was a half marathon that literally went right by my house that was the day before my 30th birthday.  A handful of my girlfriends decided to run too, in solidarity, and even more friends cheered us on.  Then I was running to prove to myself that nothing could stop me - not the dreaded 30's and certainly not arthritis!  I hung on to Philippians 4:13

" I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"

It was a REALLY tough run, but I was so thankful I was able to finish.

I guess the lazy bug bit me and I stopped running.  Last summer I got to my heaviest weight and was just tired of it.  A couple of friends were joining Weight Watchers so I tried it.  I shared before that it really worked for me.  I lost over 30 pounds.  During the winter I started running again and was amazed at how fast I could run and how much easier it was with 30 less pounds on my body.  People at work started talking about running in the Baltimore Running Festival and using that as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for World Relief.  They were even able to set it up as a fundraiser for those who wanted to be involved.  I don't talk about my job a whole lot on here, but I absolutely love it!!  The mission of World Relief is to empower the church to serve the most vulnerable.  That couldn't align more with my passions and beliefs in life AND I get to work on my dorky spreadsheets while serving this mission.  We are connecting churches and giving tools to the churches around the world to help those who are the most oppressed - like women and children.  I was already bordering losing too much weight, so I certainly didn't need to run for that reason any more and I had already proved nothing could stop me, but I was motivated this time just because it's something I CAN do!  I run because I'm able...because I have food to nourish my body, because I have shoes to protect my feet and legs from injury, because I have free time to train.  The people we serve don't have these luxuries.  Some don't have food to feed their children, or any pairs of shoes.  They spend their days doing hard manual labor if they are able.

Those who are familiar with World Relief know that we STAND for the Vulnerable.  I'd like to think in this instance that I'm running for them!

Here's a link if you'd like to help me!  You can also find out more about what World Relief does and other ways to get involved by clicking here!
http://worldrelief.org/page.aspx?pid=3312&tab=0&frsid=514

Oh, and I have to mention - I got new running shoes a few weeks ago...

I'm not gonna lie - looking down at those Ravens colors sometimes helps keep me going :-)

Wow

Thank you all for sharing your struggles with me too!  I think one of the reasons God created us to live in community is so that we can encourage each other just like this!  Life isn't easy, and I know some people struggle more than I can even imagine - but no one is alone!  I felt so encouraged by the people who sent me kind words and shared their stories with me.  You all are awesome!  


So...while I don't want any of you to fall into the trap of obsession with food and exercising, I was thinking it might be fun to share some links/tools that help me make good choices in my journey to stay healthy.  I want to take some pictures, so that post will be coming soon.  


Do you all read any blogs or frequent any websites or have any helpful tips for living a healthy lifestyle?  Maybe we can include them in the comments of that post.  It's amazing how much great stuff is out there!  i love reading about people's journeys - our stories have some much power to encourage others!


It's also amazing how much crazy stuff is out there!  Do you know there are blogs dedicated solely to tearing down other people who blog?  There are people researching other's lives, making guesses about what mistake they'll make next.  Seems like so much energy you could direct somewhere else!


I feel like I'm starting to get a little rambly, so I will leave you with a verse that I was praying through this morning... 


Search me, God, and know my heart; 
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24


Like I said, one thing that really makes me anxious is food, and that is not how God wants me to live.  Thank the Lord, He IS leading me in the way everlasting, so I can look at things like this and still feel relaxed...

Cupcake wars at work. AMAZING!

Dinner at my dear friends'.  They are amazing, generous and talented women of God!

Inspiration

I don't take really great pictures.  I don't always have funny anecdotes to share.  I don't have thoughtful political ideas to theorize.  I guess I just haven't been feeling very inspired to blog lately.

Since I've lost weight , a number of people have told me that I have inspired them to lose weight and get healthy.  That is amazing and humbling.  Don't get me wrong, I love helping to motivate someone to be more healthy, but it really made me examine my own motives for getting skinny.  I think it started out to be more healthy.  Before I lost weight, I was slightly "overweight", but was active and pretty much healthy and happy in all other respects.  My goal was to get into a healthy weight range.  I started going to Weight Watchers, attending meetings and logging my "points" in online.  I had great encouragement from friends doing Weight Watchers too - sharing recipes and meals and helpful words.  But like many things in life, too much of a good thing can sort of turn you upside down.  I was very successful with my weight loss and felt so good about the control I had over my eating and working out.  I was good at losing weight and I became obsessed.  I reached the goal that I had set (about 15 lbs above the low end of the range for someone my height), which I felt like I could maintain without feeling deprived.  I did 6 weeks of maintenance and lost about a pound more, which was still right on track.  Over the course of 4 months I lost about 10 more pounds as I obsessed about every piece of food I put in my mouth and paid my penance at the gym.  My boyfriend has been encouraging me, almost since the time we met, to chill out about it.  My mom gets frustrated with me when I bring food to her house.  My friends ask me to go out to eat or e-mail me about their concern.  And I love them for it.  And I know it's a problem.  And slowly, but surely, I am changing and letting go of control, but it's a long road for me.  I am proud of the weight I lost, and will probably gain a little bit back as I let go of control, which is hard for me to think about, but I know it's good.  (I am NOT buying anymore new clothes though!  This whole losing weight thing could break the bank!)  I learned GREAT tools from Weight Watchers about choices and moderation, which I am trying to put into practice without obsessing anymore.  I pray daily that in ALL areas of my life, I would release control and give it to God.  Seriously, I have to ask for this every morning.

I only say all this to request that you don't use me as your inspiration to "get skinny,"  although if you see me make healthier choices and think "I can do that too," then by all means, go for it.  And to those who have told me I've inspired them - THANK YOU!  Your words definitely encouraged me and even now are helping me to get healthier.  I thank the Lord that I am healthy and fit and able to do so many things.  I would much rather be an inspiration, though, to leverage a healthy body for God's glory.  Rather than "she's skinny", I want to hear, "she has a lot of energy to serve the Lord."  Actually, don't tell me that, just use your energy for the same!
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:30


I hope my story will inspire you as well to seek the Lord in the areas where we fail and let him lift us up!
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13


I don't have it together.  I don't get it right even half the time, but thank the Lord, He never lets me go.  


And just to give you a little taste of my progress - 

This was dessert on Saturday night, and thank the Lord I didn't even feel guilty!  :-)


Like me, you may not take the best photographs, or have the most interesting opinions, but your story is worth sharing!!  

Up Close and Personal

Is it sad that this chicken is the most interesting thing I could take a picture of this week?  Oh well.  This is my life :-)  The other day said chicken was a little too close for comfort.  Are chickens territorial?  There is no zoom going on here, she walked up that close to me.  And after I snapped this shot I slid away :-)  That beak looks sharp!
Interestingly, the next day, there were chicken feathers all over the parking lot.  Not quite sure what to make of that.

It is hot hot hot here!  And I love it!  I don't know if I'll be loving it tomorrow when I'm sitting outside at a wedding (my outfit choice is based purely on what will show the least sweat.)  But seriously, I am so excited for my friends Greg and Christina and cannot wait to celebrate their big day with them!!  They are 2 of the kindest, most easy going and generous people I know!

In case you thought the chicken was the most exciting part of my week, here's some evidence to show otherwise...

I texted this picture to my boss on Wednesday when I got our Keurig set up!  First things first - Jesus is the primary source of joy to my day.  Hot coffee falls high up on the list :-)  It's the little things.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
    it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
 Praise the Lord with the harp; 
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 
 Sing to him a new song; 
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.

 For the word of the Lord is right and true; 
    he is faithful in all he does.
 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; 
    the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Psalm 33:1-5

Happy Friday!

Do you see what I see?

I've got a joke for you!
Why did the chicken cross the road, er, ugh, I mean tracks?
Oh - you've heard that one before?
Well that's ok, I don't know the answer anyway.
But what I do know is this...
I was late for the train today, and it just pulled away while I was getting out of my car.  I've chilled out A LOT with my obsession of getting the early train, so I took it in stride, pulled out my book and passed the time, glad to be outside on the first day of summer!  That's when I heard the sound - a low pitched scream coming from the bushes.  I looked over.

Do you see it?

And I thanked God that I missed that train, so that I could see this funny sight!  And I was reminded that my day can be filled with moments like this, when I slow down and live in the present.

I have no idea where she came from, or where she was going, but I was glad to start my day with her.

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a


Yep, today I'm thankful for a run in with a chicken :-)  What are you thankful for today?

Wake up in the morning feeling like...

...writing a blog post.
I know, I know!  Where have I been?  It's funny you should ask!  It's been a busy few months.  Here's an idea of what I've been getting into...

There've been lots of weddings!

Many congratulations to Keisha and Noah and Liz and Jack.  Praying for both couples!










There's been some gardening...

...and the neighbor drama that always ensues!  I know she means well, and she does ask *sometimes*, but digging up my potted plants (even just a few flowers) and planting them in your yard is not ok.  There's a bit of a language barrier, or maybe it's cultural - I don't know.  All I know is that my little work of art here is much thinner on the flowers, and she amazingly now has some in her front yard.  And I was actually watering them this time.  Oh well.  From now on, they go straight in the ground!!  Thank goodness all the veggies are planted on the deck.  I just have to keep the squirrels away from them.

I also had my birthday, which was fantastic.  My wonderful boyfriend and his wonderful sister took me to dinner at an Indian Restaurant none of us had tried.

It was the absolute perfect setting, perfect weather, perfect company and perfect food!!

To celebrate we also spent the day in Annapolis with my family, which included sailing of course!

The whole weekend included a lot of cake - which is my weakness.  Thanks to my small group, my family and my co-workers for knowing just what I like!

It has already started feeling like summer and to celebrate we had some crabs in the back yard.

We will definitely be doing this again sometime soon.

And this past weekend we celebrated the Sailibration (200th anniversary of the war of 1812) with my bf's family and the tall ships.

Of course Mexico was my favorite.  We got to see a little bit of the blue angels as well, but getting pictures of them was quite the comedy of errors.

I also got to go home with the bf to his parents house and spend a weekend there, which was really nice.  We ate great food, but I forgot the photographic evidence.  Fried oysters aren't that appetizing to look at, but they are DELICIOUS!

I've also managed to spend a little too much time at the hospital for my liking - one scheduled trip, one because I passed out at the doctor...and sprained my ankle twice (I skipped the medical attention on those!) I thought I'd spare you pictures of that mess.

It's taken all I have to keep up with my work load, but it seems to be easing up a little.  It's also taking all I have to keep up with maintaining my weight, but that's a story for another blog.

We are starting a heat way here in Baltimore, so keep cool friends!

Time is short - energy is low

First of all, Happy Birthday!!!! to my Dad today.  He is such a great man and I am so thankful for him!

To say that work has ramped up would be an understatement.  But it's ok - I have a long weekend coming soon, including a mystery trip with Seth.  He hasn't even told me what to pack.  If you're an ultra planner like me, you know this is extremely difficult! At the same time, though, I'm super excited to not have to plan a thing!!
Life has been busy lately.  One of my very best friends, Liz married my other good friend, Jack two weekends ago and I got to celebrate with them as one of her bridesmaids.  It was an amazing ceremony on the end of a pier in the harbor and not even the blustery wind could dampen the Spirit there.  The whole weekend was so beautiful, and I will post some pictures as soon as I have time to upload them!

It's funny, people often ask me, since losing the weight if I have "so much more energy now."  The truth is, not at all!  I think it's time to practice slowing life down again!
One way I plan to start slowing down is making a weekly date with a friend to watch So You Think You Can Dance again.  It starts at the end of this month!  And for the record...I know I still can't dance!
Here's the proof :-)

The Result

I made that!  (I meant to post this before, but forgot!)  This was the result of my glass blowing last week.

"But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. " Malachi 3:2


Similar to how fire refined and reshaped this glass, I feel like I've been going through some refining myself lately.    It was amazing to watch the blazing furnace turn powdered dust into crystal clear glass.  Removing all impurities.  It takes a hot fire to do that.  I can feel God burning away my impurities - my self-centeredness, my control freakniness, my worries and anxieties.  Letting Him put me in the flame is the hard part, but then He does all the work.

The other thing about the refiner's fire is that it makes the glass mold-able.  You should see the way you can stretch it, blow air into it and form it.   You can add color.  Friends, God desires to mold us into beauty.  I want to let Him.

Jesus died and rose again in order to refine us.  He never said it would be pain free, but I know for sure it's worth it!

When He Uses Geese

Sometimes I get sorta wound up.  I mean like tight.
Yesterday was one of those days.  And my boyfriend was in a mood to joke around...I wasn't.  I was wound too tight to take a joke.  It was ugly.  It's one of the things I hate the most about myself.
And as I worked on our study on the fruit of the Spirit last night I thought, "Am I really living in the Spirit, if my need to control affects my ability to let God move in my life as He pleases?"  Yeah...not so much.  My boyfriend has tried to remind me of this, and I'll agree with him, but not really be able to unravel from my sprial of control and anxiety.
So I prayed last night that I'd be able to let go...of my need to plan and schedule everything, of my need for things to always go my way, of being so wrapped up in myself that I lose track of the gifts all around me, that I can't laugh at life.
And it was going pretty well...

...until I got in my car!  I made it to the gym, got my workout in, showered and left a little later than I was hoping, so I knew I was going to have to rush to make the train.  Now, why I have to make this particular train and why I drive like a maniac to get there, I cannot tell you.  I don't have a set time to be at work, and I can always stay later if I get there later than usual.  There really isn't a need to rush, unless you count being a neurotic control freak as a reason.  No?  Ok, yeah, I didn't think so either.

Anyway - miracle of all miracles, I make the first two lights perfectly, but then the person in front of me starts driving so slow.  The anxiety starts creeping up.  Doesn't the person driving that car know they are throwing off my whole day?  But it's ok, I think I can still make it.  I turn left onto the street the station is on, already planning my parking spot, when I'm stopped dead in my tracks.  A flock of 6 geese is standing in the middle of the street.  They are unwilling to move.  I slowly drive up to them and rev my engine a little - they keep slowly tottering down the middle of the street like I'm not even there.  I honk my horn - they honk back.  I laugh and FINALLY let go.  Right there, in the middle of the street, with geese surrounding my car and honking, the train pulling into the station in the distance, my car inching forward little by little.  And I laughed and let my plans for the morning go.  And I laughed and unwound that spiral of control.

I parked my car and had an extra few minutes on hand.  The sun is shining, the only sound is the birds chirping.  My Bible is open to John 17 and I wait.  Instead of the train, God shows up.  Peace grows.  Oh friends, His plan is ALWAYS ALWAYS so much better than mine.

I was telling my boyfriend about it this morning and he gently reminded me that this is what he's been telling me. And I told him, "sometimes it takes God using geese for me to see it!"

And I slow down and give thanks.

I think of this weekend and the amazing time I had with my small group.  They remind me to slow down and enjoy life.  I'm thankful.  They remind me that sometimes it's ok to eat cake AND ice cream.  I'm thankful.

And as we're sad to see this couple move on from our group we are all thankful for what they brought to our lives!  Congratulations Keisha and Noah.

Living in the Spirit today!! :-)

That's about 2,000 degrees

I think I have the most interesting friends in the World.  And I mean that in a good way!  Last night the ladies from my small group celebrated one of our own's last few nights of singleness.  We are so excited for Keisha and Noah and can't wait to celebrate their big day on Saturday.
Keisha is probably the most crafty person I know, so for her bachelorette, her sisters got friends and family together for something hot!  I mean, it's a bachelorette after all.  Can you guess what we did?

Not sure yet?
Does this help?

How about this?

Yep, Andrea is blowing glass!  Actually, we all got to make something.  It was such a great time with people I love so much!!

And pose for lots of pictures!

I'll show you what I made next time!

Have a great weekend!!

I'm saving my WW points for some Joe Squared Pizza tonight.  CANNOT wait!!

Patience and Why I'm a Mess

Don't you love when God teaches you the lessons you don't think you need to learn?

Week after week this keeps happening in my Bible Study.  Last week I thought I had a ton of peace and the lesson wasn't really that applicable to me...and then the anxiety reared it's ugly head!  This week was patience.  No comment, other than to say it's been ugly.  We were learning that one of the opposites of patience is judgement, and I thought "oh, I'm not judgmental" and almost immediately God sent the conviction.  I cannot stand to have MY time wasted.  When the lightrail stays extra long at a stop, it is inconveniencing me and I'm judging the driver or whoever it is that is holding us up.  When you drive slow in front of me, I hate to say it, but I am judging you.  When I'm stuck in meeting after meeting at work I'm finding myself irritable and more and more impatient.  I am so self absorbed, it makes me a little sick.  It's impossible to be patient when you think your wants and desires are the most important thing.

Sometimes conviction is painful!  As I'm asking God for less of me and more of Jesus and He hears my prayers and carves away my selfish desires, I often feel like a hot mess.  I was at the point yesterday when I thought "I just can't take this anymore."  I was frustrated with all the circumstances around me, overwhelmed with life in general and sick and tired of my bad attitude.  This is also known as "at the end of my rope."  God was pruning, but I kept holding onto the old branches He'd cut off.  In case you're tempted to try this - it's not beneficial - you have to let it go!

My friend Kim's birthday was yesterday.  I LOVE birthdays!  It's so great to have a special day to celebrate someone.  So yesterday, on her birthday, I mentioned I was having a rough time.  And on HER special day, she asked me to come over early before her birthday dinner so she could pray for me.  She modeled what I needed to see - less of us, more of Jesus.

It's funny, but that was the turning point for me.  Not even the actual prayer, but the offer.  I took a deep breath and got out my gratitude journal (that I hadn't been able to write in all day)...
# 30 Praying friends
And the gifts continued all night...

#33 Amazing food!

#34 Celebrating together


#35 Thank you Lord for growing those You love, and never letting us stay in the same place for so long that we become stagnant!

Count'n 'em

Peace.
I thought I had plenty.  Until my Bible study this week was on peace and I was talking to Seth about how I'm having a hard time applying the week because I don't feel like I'm missing peace right now.  Even as he chuckled a little and said, "Seriously?!" I started to remember Friday night, when I sorta freaked out, because he improvised on a recipe I was making.  And then the times my anxiety has ruled in the recent past came flooding into my mind.  My desire to control the things around me shrinks my life.  This is not truly living.
Is it because I lack trust in God to control things, that I feel that I must do it myself (even though, my control is just a facade anyway - none of us really have control around our circumstances)?
Ann Voskamp offers an interesting solution - "Count blessings and discover Who can be counted on."  Yeah, that should do it.
Here's a little blessing I visited last night.  She's about to be a big sister.

Determined to remain grateful today!

That's it?

I've been learning something recently that I wanted to share.  It's the simplicity of one word - gratitude.

Did you know that the mere act of giving thanks is life changing?  It is really and truly seeing God in everything.

After hearing Ann Voskamp speak a few weeks ago at a retreat, I bought a copy of her book, because I was so inspired.  She claims this is the secret to "living fully", a goal I have been pursuing thoughout my life, and with a revived strength most recently!  Ann took a dare to write down 1,000 gifts in her life and challenges us to do the same.  I extend that same challenge to you.

God is always doing something amazing.  When we actually slow down, truly take notice and let it sink in, I'm convinced our lives will be forever different.

With excitement, I give this dare a try!

Before and After

Before, I hated shopping...
Before, the beach was a bit of a curse...
Before, finding an outfit to wear was like punishment...
Before, I ate because I was bored, happy, stressed out, emotional...
Before, I actually looked just fine and was beautiful inside and out - I sometimes had a hard time believing that...

But now - oh but now!!!
After, I kinda like shopping, in fact, I can't wait to buy a new bathing suit...
After, getting dressed in the morning is easy...
After, I can run faster and longer than I ever thought I could...
After, I actually find the time to get up extra early in the morning to get that workout in...
After, I eat to nourish my body, to give me energy, and yes, also still because it tastes delicious!!!
After, I still look just fine and beautiful inside and out - and I STILL sometimes have a hard time believing that...

And the whole time - the whole entire time - I knew I was God's child....
The scale can never dictate the deep deep love that I know because of my Savior...
My weight will never define my worth...

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14


I'm so happy I lost over 30 pounds in about 5 months, and have kept the weight off already for 6 weeks (in Weight Watchers lingo, that means I'm now a lifetime member!), but I'm reminded that there are so many more important things in life than how much I weigh!  Taking better care of my body certainly helps me live this life more fully though!!  I'll have to find some before and after pictures to share!  And now that I shared this accomplishment with you, it's even more motivation to keep it off.


Have a great weekend!  Live joyfully and fully!!

All Linked Up!

I thought that the best way to communicate my life to you all today would be through links.
Here's what's important to me right now...
This lady - http://www.aholyexperience.com/
Ann Voskamp is the speaker at our Women's Getaway this weekend.  I'm so excited to hear her, spend some time laughing and relaxing with some great friends and getting to know some know folks!
Ann has an amazing story and I know it's going to be an amazing weekend.  I encourage you to read her blog!

These T's - http://sevenly.org/?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=FB&utm_campaign=FB_Sevenly  Please check out Sevenly.  It's a cool T-shirt company that designs t-shirts each week to support a cause.  This is the 2nd time World Relief has been featured.  Not only is your purchase supporting heroic women who work with WR in Malawi, you get a t-shirt that actually looks good!  I have the first one and it's the softest t-shirt I own - and ladies, your sizes come fitted, so they aren't super baggy!  If you don't need another t-shirt, watch this video and you might just buy one anyway!!  http://vimeo.com/36695007

These verses are keeping me going right now...

"Do you not know? 
   Have you not heard? 
The LORD is the everlasting God, 
   the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
He will not grow tired or weary, 
   and his understanding no one can fathom. 
He gives strength to the weary 
   and increases the power of the weak. 
Even youths grow tired and weary, 
   and young men stumble and fall; 
but those who hope in the LORD 
   will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
   they will run and not grow weary, 
   they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31


I've been praying about being stretched lately, which I wrote about earlier this week.  Oh my goodness - the Lord is answering my prayer and then some!!  


Have a great weekend!!

Jolly Old St. Valentine

What?  Did I get that wrong?
Well, Happy Valentine's Day anyway!
This is my first Valentine's when I've actually had a boyfriend (even though he's not a huge fan of the holiday in general)!  As much as I'm so very excited to hang out with him tonight, I have to say, God's love is what's really overwhelming me today.

I know a lot of people think it's silly to have 1 day a year to show people we love them, but I think of it more as an opportunity to reflect on ALL the love in our lives.  And whether you know it or not, we all have a Maker who loves us so much.  Unconditional love is so hard for me to grasp, but when I get glimpses of God's great love for me, it completely overwhelms me!!

Bask in the love of our God who,
"...did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32


Seriously - He loves YOU that much!  Know that you are loved today!!

Stretching

My boyfriend and I just started a Bible Study by Beth Moore on the Fruit of the Spirit.  (yep - I have a boyfriend :-)) (yep yep, it took me a while before I could actually say the word "boyfriend", but it has grown on me!  It helps that he's pretty wonderful...)
ANYWAY, the Bible Study.  We watched the introductory DVD last week and one of the things Beth Moore said really stuck out to me.  I've been thinking about it all week.
"If you don't feel like you're being stretched, you probably aren't walking in the Spirit."
Meaning, the Spirit was given to us to give us power to do what we can't.  If we feel like we are handling everything on our own (not being stretched), then do we really need the Holy Spirit?
I haven't felt very stretched lately, but the idea of God giving me something to stretch me is a scary thought!  Stretching can be painful! (If you've done P90x you know what I mean).  It is so necessary though if we want to live our lives to the fullest they were meant to be lived!
How are you being stretched right now?  I welcome you to contemplate that with me!

Let's Get Away

It's a new month.  And although it will be 64 degrees in Baltimore today, it's still winter.  It will be cold again.  I get an extra week of vacation this year.  I want to lay on a beach under the warm sun. Right.Now....


Crystal clear waters?

Sounds good.

How about some palm trees?

Well alright.

Sunglasses and a bathing suit?

Yes please!!!!!!!

Actually, I'd take just laying in my bed and dreaming about the Caribbean at this point :-)  Sometimes that's the best vacation there is.

We are one month closer to Spring!!

The Wife of Noble Character

Finally made it to Proverbs 31.  I feel like I could blog for about 8 days on this one, but I'll keep it short and sweet for today.

Before we get to the wife of noble character, can I just say how much I love these verses:

 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, 
   for the rights of all who are destitute. 
Speak up and judge fairly; 
   defend the rights of the poor and needy.” vs 8-9


It makes me sad that we (individually and as the Church collectively) aren't speaking up for the needy and vulnerable like we should.  Some friends and I were at a Christian concert on Sat night and were amazed at the huge amount of people there.  My dear friend commented that Baltimore would look so different if just each person in that room were totally living for God.  I don't care what your political views are - I think the church (we!) should be taking care of the hurting and needy in our midst.  More government programs aren't going to help - people being Jesus to other people is the only solution.  And that's wisdom folks!


Ok - off my soapbox!


On to verses 10-31.  Is this woman not amazing?  Truthfully, I get a little tired when I read about all she does...but I still love her and want for those things to be said about me one day.  Well, the wife and mother part I don't have as much control over, but the rest I can be working on now :-)  She works hard, loves fiercely, speaks wisely, cares greatly and laughs joyfully!!  What a combination!!!  I did get out of bed before it was light out, but not quite as successfully as her.  I made it to the gym, but forgot socks and deodorant (and of course it will be 60 degrees here today!).  Don't worry, 7-11 not only sells delicious coffee, I can also can pick up forgotten toiletries needed for the day!  :-)

Baby steps - I think that's how I'll work on this.  

Just Enough

Two things I ask of you, O LORD; 
   do not refuse me before I die: 
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; 
   give me neither poverty nor riches, 
   but give me only my daily bread. 
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you 
   and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ 
Or I may become poor and steal, 
   and so dishonor the name of my God. vs.7-9


Honestly, it's hard for me to ask this of God.  It's funny, because I don't really think I'm that selfish, but if I really contemplate what I ask God for, I realize I think I'm entitled to more than just my daily bread.  I've visited other countries where people don't have savings accounts and 401(k)'s.  In fact, they don't even have refrigerators, because they truly survive on just the food they can earn that day.  There is such a richness to their lives, because each and every day they are relying on God to meet their needs, and He is proving faithful.  


I notice an interesting parallel between this Proverb and how Jesus teaches us to pray "give us this day our daily bread."  Like the writer of this Proverb, Jesus knew that once we have more than our daily bread, our desire for even more continues to grow and grow.  There are times in my life when I have abundantly more than enough, and I notice that during these times I am much less likely to recognize my need for God.

The wisdom in this Proverb lies in the truth that it's all about God, not me.  The writer is more concerned with how his circumstance points to the Lord, rather than what his circumstances do for his situation in life.

Lord, please give me just what I need today, and help me to not desire more than that!

I Wore My Pink Rainboots Today and Thoughts on Friendship

I was having a hard time picking one Proverb to focus on today in Chapter 27.  There are so many good ones. As I read over them again, I started to notice a trend - there are a lot of verses about friendship.  Then I began wondering, why does the Bible speak so much to friendship?  Why are there so many words of wisdom written on that topic?

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, 
   but an enemy multiplies kisses. v 6


Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, 
   and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel. v 9


Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, 
   and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you— 
   better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. v 10


As iron sharpens iron, 
   so one man sharpens another. v 17


And those were just the ones I picked out of this particular chapter.  (There are some other really insightful Proverbs in this chapter that I might come back to next week!  Too much for this post.)


Anyway, we all know how I feel about my friends.  I love them like family and these verses totally apply to our relationships.  What's awesome to me is to think about how much God cares about friendships.  It's all over the Bible.  Jesus even calls us friends!  God designed us to live in community.  He cares about how the relationships within those communities function.  It amazes me that the God of the Universe cares about friendship enough to inspire words like above to be written.  It also convicts me to put the proper amount of attention and wisdom into my relationships.  Clearly, based on all the instruction we are given on how to NOT mess them up, they are easy to get wrong.  


I am certainly counting my blessings!


It's pouring in Baltimore today!  Cats and dogs I tell ya!  Thankfully I made a last minute wardrobe switch to these bad boys...

Hot pink polka dot rainboots are sure to brighten any rainy day!!
Have a great day and a great weekend!!

Sorry

Life can be exhausting sometimes, but it's just so good!  Last week was crazy!  Work has not quite slowed down as much as I was expecting.  Life outside of work has really ramped up too.  This whole, having a boyfriend business is a little time consuming!!  But I'm not complaining - just apologizing for not keeping the blog updated.
I hit my goal weight!  It is so strange to not be trying to lose weight anymore.  This is the first time I can remember that I haven't been trying to lose!  Liz and I went shopping over the weekend and I was shocked at the size I now fit into.  It's so nice to have clothes that fit again!  Now to clean out my closet and dresser to make room...that is the real challenge!

My uncle also had 5 bypasses last week and then had to go back into surgery the next day, because he was in such excruciating pain.  When they went back in, they found that the surgeon had left a sponge in his chest.  Now, I'm not a medical professional (in fact, just writing about these things kinda makes me a little whoozey), but from what I understand, that should never ever happen.  Thank you to everyone who prayed!  Please keep praying.  They took him off the ventilator finally on Sunday and he remains in stable condition.  Everyone is very optimistic!

I think I may have said this before, but it was really impressed on me this morning - we have to work for wisdom...

Apply your heart to instruction 
   and your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12




We need to be listeners, and we need to be listening to the right things.  Lord, give me ears to hear today!


Have a great one!

A lot to say

I had a great weekend with this little one!

And then had Monday off to recover :-)

I'm gonna leave it with the pictures.  After reading my chapter in Proverbs today (chapter 17), I'm left with the thought that less is more when it come to words :-)

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
   and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
   and discerning if he holds his tongue. vs. 27-28