Insanity

Yesterday marked the beginning of Insanity- the workout video program that we will be doing for the next nine weeks.  So this means some changes... work out everyday, change how we eat, push our limits, etc.  But, I must say that I am excited.  I'm tired of not working out and staying in shape.  My hope for Insanity is that it will get me back in to shape and that I'll be consistent.  Now Insanity's goal is to push you past your limits to get your hardest body ever using MAX interval training.  But we have decided to start out slow since it's been a while that we've worked out.  So we will work out everyday following the workout plan the best we can.  If we aren't satisfied with the results at the end of the "60 days" then we will start again and keep working until we get to our goals.  And we have the "before" pictures and measurements so we can celebrate how far we go...

And our motivation verses...
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (HCSB)
Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

A few projects...

So life lately has still been busy.  But this time, it's busy with things other than the ordinary day-to-day activities which encourages me to post.  If I posted more often, I would be able to devote a post for each item (along with all the lovely details).

First of all, I decided to create Mini Oreo Pops.  I got this idea from some cool crafty ladies at www.thecraftingchicks.com.

                     

              

It's a pretty easy project.  However I failed at creating these cute tasty treats.  When I would dip the oreos in the red candy, they would fall apart.  Or I would succeed in dipping the oreo but then fail at sticking the "stem" and "leaf" on the "apple".  Luckily (and thankfully), my wonderful husband was patient and successful.  Eventually he convinced me to try again.  Unfortunately this craft project wasn't my cup of tea... which really bothered me.  After all, I like to succeed.  Maybe next time.



My second project from this week was a name painting.  One of the graduating seniors asked for a painting with her name to hang on her wall.  She requested the blue and light pink as well as the swirls, hearts, and stars.  Hopefully, she will like what I created.

Note: I still have to add the ribbon to hang the board. 

And now I'm going to end this post with today's festivities.  I woke up at 4:45 (EARLY) to meet a crew of about 16 to drive down to Amory, MS.  We were going to spend our Saturday helping clean up the debris from the tornados that destroyed homes and businesses in the Amory/Smithville/Wren area a couple of weeks ago.  Now, I had seen pictures and heard reports of the damage but seeing it in person gives a new perspective.  It was sad to see how so many had lost everything.  But it was encouraging to see all of the volunteers and supplies provided to help the families.  I am thankful for the opportunity that I had to help.  It was hard work, but it was good... I was spending my day being productive and helping others (two things I love).   Here are some pictures of the area where we worked today in Wren, MS.  Our group helped clear a pasture so that the cows would have room to graze and what not.  

The cars' windows were out and the inside was filled with debris. 

What's left of the house.

An uprooted tree.  And one of the chickens.

Well, until next time...
Live life to the fullest!

Busy, Busy...

Busy, busy... dreadfully busy...

When summer is here, I will enjoy it!  I must.  I am too tired/exhausted and have been for about the past month.  So I will try and enjoy this next month the best I can... but come summer then there will definitely be some changes so that I can live life "better"...

Now, today is May Day (May 1st) which means that it is time for SSMT verse 9.


Philippians 4:11b (HCSB)
... for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Oh how this verse needs to be true in my life.  Feel free to hold me accountable.  :)
And I do hope to become better with blogging as I make some changes...
Please don't give up on me just yet.

Spring has sprung!

Hello spring!  You have come with such attitude...
crazy temperatures - sometimes it feels like summer and others it feels like winter; storms and strong winds which make it ridiculous (and occasionally dangerous) to be outside sometimes; beautiful sunshine; sports- baseball, softball, tennis, golf, spring football games, basketball championships; excitement for summer and the end of school; and so much more...

I'm glad spring is here, but I am getting anxious for summer.
Hopefully I won't wish spring away and miss all of its goodness though.

Well, I must get back to being productive...

Here's verse eight for twenty-eleven:
May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from His glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience.
Colossians 1:11

One-fourth

SSMT update:
Six verses down and only eighteen to go.

This time I had trouble deciding on my next verse to memorize.  It was the end of Friday (April 1) by the time I finally decided.  It comes from a devotional that I had read the night before.  These words are quite interesting to me.  And I don't think that I had read them before the other night.  Now I'm going to share them with you.  Chew on this...

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (HCSB)
But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

The Grace Card

Last Saturday we had the pleasure of spending the evening out... going out to dinner at Olive Garden and then to the movies.  This was our first date night to the movies since we've been married.  The reason for dinner and a movie?  First of all, it was needed... and wanted.  Secondly, we have some great friends and family who had given us gift cards.

The movie we watched is called The Grace Card.  I'm not going to spoil the movie, but I do want to share a few things.  It takes place in Memphis... which is pretty cool since that's such a familiar city for us.

I want to share with you the challenge that was given throughout the movie...
When someone hurts you or offends you, respond with grace... the grace card...
"I promise to pray for you everyday, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same, and be your friend always."

It's a great movie... realistic and down to earth!  I encourage you to watch it!

Encouragement

I love encouragement!  

I love to give encouragement and I love to receive encouragement.  Encouragement is something we need and also something that I think we desire.

This past week I had the honor and joy of being encouraged in a very large city many miles away.  It's a city that many people love... I even love this city but not for the same reasons as many others.  We went on a mission trip to Las Vegas.  We were able to spend the week with some old friends who have recently moved and some new friends from the same southern state.  :)  These people were a great encouragement throughout the week... through their faith and their optimism.  People we met along the way through surveying neighborhoods, serving at a rescue mission, and sharing at a homeless ministry were also encouraging throughout the week.  It was a great week!  I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to go... to learn... to share... to live...

This week I have even been encouraged by those around me here at home... the Word, my friends, my coworkers, my family, and even others in the community whom I didn't know until this week.  It is so refreshing and revitalizing to be encouraged.  

I hope that I can be an encouragement to those around me.  May my words and my actions be positive and productive/beneficial to those around me!