Sunday, March 25, 2012

4 Minute Workout

My friend Rachel gave this to me! She is pretty much a rock star! I wish I could say that I did this every day, but I do not!! I might have to work on getting on this again!!  :) 

Here is a picture of my scale, at the weight I would love to see it at when I am on it!!  :)





This is how it works, there are 6 different exercises. You choose 4 of the 6, three to four times a week. You do each of the 4 for one minute each. You time it with 20 seconds of exercise, and then 10 seconds of rest, twice per exercise. You do this with each of the four you chose for the day. It is only 20 seconds on, so you must do this a quickly as your body will allow!

The Exercises:
1. Squats
2. Lunges
3. Power Jumps (touch the floor, and jump reach as high as you can)
4. Sit ups
5. Push ups (yes wall ones count!)
6. Wall jumps (jump as high as you can and "hit" the wall. Rachel demonstrated touching above the door jam, I don't think that I personally could reach that, but maybe.)

Guidelines: 4 minutes 3-4x a week
- Pick 4 of the 6 exercises
- 1 minute per exercise
- Timer: 20 seconds on 10 seconds of rest
for each of the 4=four minutes

I realize that I already explained that part, but I wanted to show it the way she wrote it!! :D

Caloric Intake
*655+ (4.35x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years) =_____________

* Then x by 1.55 (for three days of the week of excercise) = calorie intake.

* - 500 (to lose weight) The total is the calories per day!

When you are done, you can look as lazy as Pickle!!  You have earned it!!  :)

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Wow!!

It has been almost two months since I have posted anything new..  So I thought that I would give an update.  I have not finished the Bible yet..  Though I am pretty consistently reading at least something every day.  That being said, there are days that I miss some.  As good as my intentions may be, sometimes I fail, sometimes I fall short!  I am not giving up though!  The good thing is that I know that no matter how far I fall, He will pick me up!  This is just a short update, but I thought I would let everyone know what was happening!!  :)

As for Facebook, I am rarely on it at all anymore!  Lately it is less than once a week.  Though before, even when I was getting on more frequently, it was not daily, and it was for a small amount of time! 

Saturday, April 30, 2011

One week later...

My fast has been over for a full week now.  I feel that I have transitioned in nicely.  I am still making sure to reserve part of my day to God, no matter how busy I am.  I am also limiting my Facebook time to little a day.  I am aiming for no more than an hour a day.  This will just be a short entry, I just thought I would post how everything was going!!  :D

Saturday, April 23, 2011

The Final Hours: April 23, 2011

Well, as of tomorrow, (which is technically in 4 hours and 35 minutes from the time I started writing this) my fast is over. It has been a very long, yet not long enough, journey. When it started I just wanted to make sure that I was spending much needed one on one time with the Lord. A goal that I feel that I have reached. I gave up Facebook in order to spend more time with Him. As it turned out though, after only one day, I got the bright idea that I could read through the entire Bible, through this fast. It didn't sound like it would be too hard. 9 daily readings from my yearly Bible. That meant about 2.5 hours of reading a day. That felt completely logical and doable at the time. As time went on though, I would often find myself curious about something that I was reading and would want to research it. That is not a problem!!  I am quite excited about all of the questions that stirred in my mind as I went through The Journey. These questions though, took up time. When it came down to it, it was far more important for me to fully understand, and do my best to find out the answers to the questions, than it was to reach my goal. I am proud of the progress that I have made. It did become slower once I started work, though, I still fully intend to be through the Bible in less than 6 months. For those of you who may be curious about how far into the Bible, I did get, here it is in the Old Testament I have read, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and I am in 1 Samuel. In the New Testament I have read, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and am in John. I have read 105 of the Psalms and about 1/3 of Proverbs. In about 6.5 weeks, I don't think that is too bad.

As much as I have missed Facebook, these past weeks, I am so thankful that I have given MYSELF this time that I needed with God. I am also glad that I have given GOD this time. I am grateful for everything that has happened in the course of this past 6.5 weeks. I have started a new job, that I happen to love. I have been more disciplined than I have ever been.

God is taking us in a whole new direction! I can't wait to share all of the new exciting things God has in store for us, as they begin to unfold! Stay tuned, God is big and I think He has some big things planned for us! (No I am not pregnant) Thank you for being a part of our Journey!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Days Thirty Nine - Fourty One: April 17-19, 2011

I am entering the home stretch!!  Technically my fast could be over.  I have gone 40 days without Facebook!!  I will continue on through the fast until after Easter.  It has been a super long, and surprisingly short ride!!  I wonder what Ruth said to me today on Facebook... She did not know about the extra few days!!  As you may have read, I counted and realized that from Ash Wednesday-Easter Sunday is really 46 days, not 40.  Since I am not Catholic, I didn't realize that they add in extra days because they allow themselves to indulge on Sundays.  I chose not to indulge, and to just add in the extra six days.  My friend Ruth, was going to count down the days on my Facebook Wall..  So I wonder what she said today, being that today is technically day 41.  Anyway, back to the home stretch!!  I am almost done with my fast.  I have to say, while I never really missed it, I have missed the people that I have been keeping touch with through the addictive social networking site! For those who don't know me, I have recently moved from the only state I had ever lived in, to the state next door!  This was all about a week and a half before I decided to give up Facebook for Lent!  It has been hard to not check in on pictures, status' etc.  I had three friends who had a baby during this fast, and I have missed seeing their beautiful pictures.  I also had a few friends who's babies had a birthday while I was gone.  One friend who was married, all of these, I feel that I missed out on!  That statement alone makes me sad.. When did looking at pictures on Facebook become our way of feeling present?
 
On the other hand though, I have not really felt like I have been lacking anything from my life, other than pictures.  Even freeing up the time I spent on Facebook, and only working part time, I still feel that there are not enough hours in the day. I guess it doesn't matter how much time you have, it's never enough. 


The next time I post, it will probably be a summary of my Journey!  :D


Until next time..

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Days Thirty - Thirty Eight: April 8-16, 2011 (I think...)

Well, it has certainly been a few days since the last post...  I guess I am a slacker!!  :D  Tony has officially made it to NE, so I have been spending my "spare time" with him.  As I expected my reading has not been as much per day as it was prior to him being here.  Though, it is still daily, and at least one daily reading.  I am on April 27th, and started with January 12th, on March 9th, Ash Wednesday.  Although I have not reached my goal, I do believe that that is quite an accomplishment.  I have read over 25% of the Bible in a little over a month!!  I am pretty excited to see everything that God is providing us lately!!  He is pretty awesome!!  I can't wait to see what all He has in store for Tony and I in the comming months!!  :D 

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday.  I again urge you if you are in an area that has the Passion Play that you try to make it out to one!!  It is pretty awesome!!  Enjoy this week, and reflect on what it is really about!!  :D

Until next time....

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Day Twenty Nine: April 7

Today's post will be short and sweet! Though it says it all!!

I stole this from my mom!!  She has a daily email that she sends called blessings.  This is found at the bottom of it, I thought I would share it!


Place your mouse on the X below and drag to the O.

X Even though you can't see Him, GOD is there! O

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Day Twenty Eight: April 6, 2011

I love when a good Bible study becomes great.  I love when I am reading, and just going along, then all of the sudden I decide that I need to find something more out about what I am reading.  Whether it is something I feel that I need to understand more, or finding out where exactly something is located.. I am terrible with Geography in general, with the mile radius around me, let alone another country.  So when I decided to find a different Bible that had maps in it, I was pretty amazed when the little |-----| part of the map was 20 miles..  I used the imaginary ruler between my index finger and thumb and realized (even more so) how big this territory that God had set apart for the Israelites really was/is.  Yes I realize that God knew then that the population would increase.  Though, if that chunk of land seems so huge to me now, imagine how large it would have been then!  It's pretty fun really!!  I have always enjoyed Bible Study.  I have never really done an individual Bible study though.  With no book leading me, or outside of the comforts of a group Bible study.  Unless you count the times that I have taught Sunday School or Youth Group.  I guess what I mean is that I have never done a personal Bible Study, on my own, solely for me, and my enjoyment.  I am learning more than I thought I ever would, and still feel that I could be getting so much more out of it than I am!!  I can't wait to see what else is in store!!


Until Next Time..!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Days Twenty Six and Twenty Seven: April 4 & 5, 2011

I feel very accomplished the past two days.  I have gotten a lot done!  While I am only averaging 3-5 "days" of reading in a day, I feel that I am getting a lot of reading done.  Sorry I know that last sentence was a bit confusing to read.   I hope to get some more in a day in the days to come.  I am very excited about my job and all of the fun stuff that is to come in the near future there too!!  Life is looking up, and I couldn't be more excited to see what all God has in store for me!!  


It's pretty exciting!!  :D


Until Next Time.....     

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Days Twenty Four and Twenty Five: April 2 & 3, 2011

This has been a very busy weekend.  Yesterday I went shopping...  I bought several things (including a pair of shoes) and spend only $12.80-something.  I think that I am a pretty good shopper.  A "quality" that annoys Tony to no end!  He hates that I will buy something, that I will eventually need, just because it is on sale.  He thinks that there are some conspiracies around it.  Though, other than the shoes (that are pretty cute considering they were only $0.54) I needed everything that I purchased. 


I feel that I have accomplished a lot in the past couple of weeks.. Though not spending nearly as much time with God as I would prefer!  After I post this I will be heading to bed for some Bible and prayer time.. Then some much needed sleep!!  I am excited to start another week of work, we will see what new and exciting things are in store for the month of April!!  After tomorrow, there will only be 20 more days of the fast if my memory is right..  I am sure now that I will not be finishing the Bible in time.  I do have faith that I will get it read soon though!!  I guess that 9 daily readings was a little presumptuous for me.  While they are all about 15 minutes each, when you factor in my "study time" and rereading so that I understand what I read fully, they end up being closer to an hour!!  Part of me still hopes to finish it, as unrealistic as that may sound.  I have not really missed Facebook too much.  Though from time to time, I wish that I could get on to get an email or phone number.  Who knew how dependant one could become on social networking?!  It has not even been around for that long in all reality..  I had found myself accidently signing on from my phone from time to time.  It is a bookmark, and I would out of habit go to that number for the bookmarks rather than my email, or google.  As soon as I noticed though, I got out of it.  I didn't scroll down to get a glimps of what I was missing.. I did see that I have at least one friend request, I didn't see the name or names and didn't click on it to see who it was.  That is something that I have been curious about since seeing it.  That was toward the beginning of the fast..  I feel bad, if it is someone who actually knows me, I hope that they are not feeling as if I don't want to get in touch with them.. Though, that is probably just a way of making the temptation stronger for me..  It won't be too long now before I will answer their request.  Who knows!?  I may not even know the person!!  :)  Well I have ramled on and on quite a bit tonight, so I think that I will give the readers, and my brain a rest, and conclude this post!


Until Next Time...

Friday, April 1, 2011

The Well

There was a girl, with a broken heart. Like a fragile glass dropped, and shattered.  It doesn't matter how long one spends sweeping up the pieces, she will still find more slivers days, or even weeks later.  Each time reopening wounds that she thought had long since healed.  A heart, once broken takes a long time to mend itself.  It takes time to find all of the pieces to make it complete again.  


She was hanging from a rope, leading down a well.  She held on with every bit of strength she had.  Just when she thought she was at the end of her rope, miraculously there was another foot, and then an other.  Until finally she reached rock bottom. 


She had sunk so far down that there was no visible light, coming from the opening of the well.  The only light she had with her was a small flashlight she kept close to her heart.  Stubbornly though, she was convinced that she didn't need it.  She had made it this far without it, she wouldn't use it now, unless she became desperate.  She justified these feelings by telling herself that she would need to use the flashlight if someone came looking for her.  The light would be needed to shine in order for them to see where she was.  She could not risk wasting the little battery life she had left.


She spend what felt like days, crouched down with her head resting on the knees, that she hugged so tight.  Waiting for her rescuers to come save her.  Finally, when she had given up hope of ever being brought up out of the well, she turned on the small flashlight.  To her amazement, the entire well lit up, as if the sun were right next to her.  Just feet in front of her, there was a tunnel.  A tunnel that was not very long.  She got up and followed the tunnel.  Within minutes she could see the light of day. 


Had only she turned on the light she had with her the whole time, she would have found her way out right away.


If we call on Jesus when we feel like we have reached rock bottom, (or the end of our rope) it won't be long before he leads us out of the darkness, and into the Light.

Days Twenty Two and Twenty Three: March 31, and April 1, 2011

Well, the past couple of days have been a little busy.  I have not gotten the chance to post a blog.  This may be partly because I have not had many great profound or wise things to say. (Hence the use of the word "things") There is nothing new or exciting with my fast, there is nothing new and exciting in my life... So this will also be a short entry. 


So, until next time!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Days Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty and Twenty One: March 29-30

I have reached the halfway point in my fast (but not really) I am not halfway through the Bible, actually not even close! I have read every day, and have learned a lot.  I have not written in several days because it has been pretty busy, and I have not had much to write about.  I am enjoying my job, and feel that it is a good fit for me!  I am excited to help start an infant room there!  As far as the journey, it is a pretty slow moving journey, but a worthwhile one none the less.  I have been doing pretty fine without Facebook.  I have not experienced any withdrawls/shakes. :)  Though I am pretty excited to get back in touch with everyone, and see what everyone is up to!  I can make it though.  It is only 19 (but really about 25) more days!


Until next time!!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Day Seventeen: March 25, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TONY!!  Today, (which was actually yesterday) is (was) Tony's 28th birthday! 


I also enjoyed my second day of work!  :D


I got some reading done.  Not too much.  I didn't really factor in trying to get in my reading while still being a functioning contributing member of society.  Next week I will be there for about 3.5 to 4 hours before I will be working though, so I guess I will probably get in a lot more than I did this week!  I have a feeling that posts will be less often, and shorter now that I will be working.. 


Until next time!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Day Sixteen: March 24, 2011

Today was my first day of work!  I loved it!!  I was able to spend the beginning of my morning by reading.  I am not caught up on my reading, but as I said yesterday, I am not going to stress out about it right now!  Tomorrow, I get to work a full day!  I am pretty excited about that as well!  It was awesome!  I was very excited to be at a center that talks about Jesus, and prays before meals again!!  :D  Today was a good, and exhausting day!  ;)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Days Thirteen, Fourteen, and Fifteen: March 21-23, 2011

I am a little behind in everything right now!  I have a feeling it will only get worse from here on out too, because I finally start my new job tomorrow! 

I have noticed that it has become harder and harder for me to get through my daily reading.  There are just not enough hours in the day for me to accomplish everything that I want to accomplish.  It doesn't help that every so often, I come across something that I need to look into.  That is not a bad thing.  I love that I am learning new things, and seeing new things.  It is just time consuming!  :)  I love that it doesn't matter how many times I read a passage, I can see something different the next time!  I have really enjoyed, not just reading the Bible, but digging into it as well.  That being said, I have decided that even though I hate failing (I think that I may even have a fear of failure) that I may not get the whole Bible read through by Easter.  If not, I will not be angry with myself, because I have still been spending time in the Word, and studying!  That being said, even as the words come out of my, hands, I will still continue to work toward my goal, and will continue to reach for it.  I just won't be disappointed with myself, if I do not succeed. Or so I say now!!  :D 

Monday, March 21, 2011

Day 12: March 20, 2011 (a day late...)

I am posting a day late..  I just didn't post yesterday.  There is no abundance of wisdom that I have to share about  my day yesterday.  I am excited that yesterday marked the first day of Spring!



I had gotten some rather sad news through out the day though.  I have a friend who is a grandmother to a little 9 month old.  She has custody of her.  The little girl has spina bifida.  She is a trooper!  She has already had several surgeries, with another scheduled for Wednesday!  This one will be on her brain and spine.  Another friend had a newborn (less than a week old) who has elevated bilireubin levels. She also quit breathing one day, and has not been eating as well since being home.  She is spending her time in a little bed that her Mommy calls her "baby tanning bed."  And yet another friend who has a little boy that is about 1 and a half if I remember right.  Her little guy was a bit early, and has had some breathing issues off and on.  He is in the hospital with breathing problems again. 



I am a baby person, to get all of this information, in about an hours time, was a little bit heart breaking.  I don't know why babies have to suffer.  As a Christian, I'm asked this question all of the time.  "If God was real, why would He let children get sick." Or "why would He let 9-11 happen..."  I don't know why people get sick, other than the fact that we are born into sin.  God didn't make us sin, we made that choice.  He gives us free will, we are allowed to chose what we say and do.  Yes He could have made us all love, follow and obey Him.  But he wanted us to make that choice.  Love doesn't mean as much if it's not given, rather than forced.  I always hated when people said "don't you love your parents.." and the answer would be "well, yeah, but I have to."  We don't have to, I'm sure that there are people that really feel as though they are loved (or love) because they feel that love is a requirement, not a gift.  Granted, Jesus does say the most important COMMANDment (Matthew 22:37-40) is Love God with all of your heart, mind, and spirit, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.  Yes, we are commanded to love, but we make the choice to give that love.  God gave us that right!  He wants us to love Him, but we wants us to want to love Him!  Likewise, he commanded us not to sin, but we still have the ability to sin.  It is in our nature.  Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And because this is our nature, we cannot have the perfect story book lives that we are expecting God to give us.  Yes He is mighty, yes He can grant any miracle we ask for, yes He can take away our right to choose.  He can easily decide to make us unable to sin, to worship Him, and only Him.  He wants us to make these choices.  He could have easily made the trees in the garden in accessible to Adam and Eve, after all, He knows all.  He could have prevented them from ever being able to get to the tree.  I'm not claiming to know all and see all!  I cannot fully understand what is in Him.  But I do know this, God does not make people sin!  We make the choice to fall into temptation.  God did not fly those planes into the World Trade Center.  People become ill, or are hurt because they live in a world stricken with such evil and sin.  Sin is in all of us.  Christians are not immune to illness, anymore than we are immune from sin.  There is a term, living in sin, but in all reality, we are all living in sin.  There is not greater, or lesser sin.  All sin separates us from the Glory of God.  Babies are innocent yes, so why do babies become ill?  That is a question that I am not wise enough to answer.  Other than to say, that they live in a world so filthy, so corrupt, that even they are not immune to the damages we have put into this world! (This is not referring to pollution and whatnot... Well maybe metaphorically, our hearts are polluted..)



Could I be wrong...  Possibly!  I like I said, I don't have the capability to fully understand the Heart of God.  He is too big and too powerful, and too WOW for me to ever be on the same playing field as Him.  I know He allows us to be tested to one prove our faith, and two to strengthen our faith.  But it is not in me to fully grasp everything that is in Him!  He is omnipresent and omnipotent, while I am only present, and not even semi potent!  These questions would be better asked of God!!  Or at least one much wiser, and smarter than I.



Wow, so I started "yesterday's" blog with nothing to say, other than it was a little rough in the news category, and I went off on a completely unknown tangent!  That being said, I am still doing well on staying away from Facebook, and ok on reading my Bible.  Yesterday, I didn't read much at all, but (as you read) I spent some time in prayer!  I would love if you would add these, and all families really, to your daily prayers.  I will do my best to keep you updated, as I know more!! 



Until Next Time!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Day Eleven: March 19, 2011

Today was a good day! Not a whole bunch happened.. I started my day off with reading, and cleaning! Then some exercise, I have lost approximately 10 lbs since Christmas! We also went to a Boy Scout banquet, and had a family movie night! The coolest part is that a friends baby needed prayer. An issue the dr expected to worsen overnight, stayed about the same! Which may not seen like a big deal to some, but it's huge to her Mommy and Daddy! They know that God heard their prayers, and the prayers of friends and family! I don't have a doubt in my mind that He gave them a miracle, and I am blessed to have been a part of the prayer team! Even if I was a whole state away! God works in bigger ways than we can comprehend. This may seem like a small miracle, (or to some not a miracle at all) but the only small part about it is the size little girl who is healthy!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Day Ten: March 18, 2011

I refigured my Bible readings.  Due to the longer Lent time frame, even though I have not gotten in as much reading as I would have preferred some days, my daily reading has gone to 8.6 daily readings a day. That being said, I don't really want to do a half of a day, so I will probably still do the 9. 


I feel wonderful about today. I got to go to my little Brother-in-Law's school and eat lunch with him today.  The kids in his class are super cute! I had a good time with them! I also PASSED my written driving test!  So I am officially a NE resident... I made a yummy chicken entree, called "honey mustard chicken tenders."  This recipe is from my friend Linda Burgett.  She has written a few cookbooks with easy recipes with only a handful of ingredients.  (Her blog, My Kind of Cooking, can be found here: http://mykindofcooking.blogspot.com/) I met her several years ago, when I first was in the Passion Play.  I was still a teenager! And I excersised a bit today..  All in all a pretty productive day!  I hope to be starting a new job next week..  My Nebraska life is starting to fall into place!  :)


Until Next Time...

Friday, March 18, 2011

Day Nine: March 17, 2011

Today is St. Patrick's Day.  For anyone reading this, that may have seen my last Facebook post, suggesting that you research the real reason that we celebrate this day, or those who just happen upon this, I am posting some of it now! Even though, technically in NE is now March 18. Contrary to popular belief, it is not about wearing green, and drinking green beer until your pee turns green.  It's not about parades, or lucky four leaf clovers!    St. Patrick was a missionary..  Legend suggests that he drove all of the snakes out of Ireland, though there have never actually been snakes native to the area.  It is believed that this is actually referring to druids.  Also, he used a SHAMROCK (not a four leaf clover) to give a visual description of the Trinity.  The Trinity is made up of three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, though they are all one.  This is a confusing thing to grasp, for the human mind.  St. Patrick used a shamrock to help understand a little better.  Similar to the Trinity, a shamrock is three in one.  If you look at a shamrock in a pot, there are several stems with leaves coming up from them, much like most plants.  A shamrock however, at the top of the stem, has three leaves, that make up one!  There are a lot of cool things about St. Patrick, that I urge you to research yourself.  These are just two of them that we as Americans observe, but maybe don't know why!


Also, as for how my day went today, It was splendid.  I do miss Facebook.  I want to check in with everybody, but I won't!  I said a few days ago that I couldn't figure out why we started Ash Wednesday when we did.  I had counted and it put 40 days at Palm Sunday.  I asked my Pastor if he knew, and he told me that Sundays are not counted as part of the fast.  Sundays are to be spent celebrating the resurrection.  After he said that, I remembered that a Catholic friend of mine had told me about that.  So according to typical Lent rules, I could actually check into Facebook on Sunday.  But like I said, I am not Catholic, and I do this fast to grow closer to God, to reflect on everything the Lord has done for me and to show thanks for Jesus' sacrifices for me.  Not because someone tells me I should.  That being said, how can I reflect on the resurrection, on Sundays if I am not fasting from things that take time away from the Lord.  Isn't that what a fast is for in the first place?  You give something up, for a certain amount of time, to spend the time you would be spending on that something with Him!  I personally don't see how adding those things back into your life for one day a week, makes it so that you are celebrating the resurrection.  Plus, as part of my fast, I am adding in daily Bible reading..  Maybe it is because of the nature of my fast that makes me not understand this.. 


I guess if I had given up chocolate, eating a few M&Ms wouldn't take away any quality time with the Lord.  I would probably be thanking him for creating the cocoa plant!!  Because lets face it, that was one of his best creations!!  So I see both sides, for me, especially with what I gave up, it makes more sense for me to go straight through, even if it means adding a few days! While, I can also see that if you are depriving yourself of something, like say chocolate, or steak, or a meal a day, or showers, you might need a day to recoup!  You might need a day that you are not thinking about what you don't have, and be able to rejoice in what He has given you!!  Because of this, I will also not be going back to Facebook until the day after Easter.  That day should be devoted to Him!  I don't want to make that day about getting it back.  Though, I do still plan on having the Bible completely read through by Easter!  Not that I don't want to read the Bible on Easter, I just want to have taken in every ounce of the Word before I celebrate the day of His resurrection!!


Until Next Time!!