Starting back up...

Today is the day that I am going to start running again... I am going to wait until later though, when the sun is going down, because it is SUPER hot out! I am a bit nervous, because it has been about 12 days since I have run at all, so it is probably going to be a hard run, but I just have to get this one over with so that they keep getting easier. And I won't ever finish a 5K if I don't run until the event... that would just be an ugly sight!

So, I am in this thing to finish it out -- to become a runner, or at least to become a person who can run for more than five yards before I get tired... :P It is also becoming an awesome way for me to trust in God in another aspect of my life. Trusting in God isn't the easiest thing in many different areas of life, some of the hardest for me being finances and self confidence. I remember when I finally figured out that I could run for more than a minute without being completely winded and out of breath, and it was such a great moment that I had to glorify God -- there was simply on other answer for it! So, as I keep trucking on, I remember that I am doing this for God, to make this temple stronger for Him, physically and mentally.

Oh, and also, as some of you know, I am part of a book blog, and when I post a book review on my blog, you should read it and rate my review. You can rate it right from my blog! That way I can keep being a part of the book blog and I can get free books. If you like to read and have a blog, you can join the blog too! Just email me and ask me how :)

One more thing: I am super excited for dinner tonight... I am making broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breasts with rice and zucchini on the side!! Mmmmm.

5K Bound..

A few weeks have gone with no update on my 'weight loss journey' that I started a little while ago, so here is an update. But first I need to address and change the name of this journey. I was talking to Josh last night and realized -- remembered, really -- that while losing weight is important, the most beneficial thing for me is to feel healthy and in shape. So with that said, I am trying not to focus too much on weight loss right now, and am focusing more on running. I guess we can call it My Running Journey, or something that like that.

I have come a long way in just a few weeks, but as is life, I've had a major setback. Let's start from last week, though... I think Josh and I did a good job of running every day that we were supposed to... We missed our Monday run, but because we were at the cottage, we took advantage of all the different styles of cross-training there and went kayaking, biking and swimming. Thursday I ended up going for a run on my own because Josh was pretty tired from working so much, and it ended up being an awesome run! I was a little apprehensive because I knew that Josh was a major motivator for me on runs, but I ended up running almost two miles without stopping!!! I praise God for that run because now I know that long distance running is a possibility if I trust in Him and put my mind to it.

On Friday, I had to get my wisdom teeth removed, which was the roadblock to this exciting journey... I haven't run since Thursday. I am excited to get back to the grind though, and I hope that it can be sooner than later... my mouth is healing, but it is still sore when I run. And this week has been pretty hectic too... We've had four softball games already, and the Pigeon YFC Auction is this Saturday, so Josh is working long days.

So, I plan on starting running as soon as possible, but I think it might be Monday before I can. Oh, and my goal is to run a 5k by the end of the summer, and I feel like that goal is in sight! I've run close to two miles, and with God, I know that I will have the strength to run three :)

Thanks to all those who have been a blessing to me throughout this journey... all the encouragement really keeps me moving forward toward my goal.

The Final Hour

The Final Hour by Andrew Klavan is an exciting, action-fiction book that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. The last book in a four book series, Klavan wraps up the story with unexpected twists in plot and memorable moments. Klavan does well with building up the story and then giving the reader an over-the-top ending.

Even though this series is an action series geared toward teens, I really enjoyed this book and would suggest the series to anyone looking for an easy read that is exhilarating and suspenseful, yet not to gory or scary.

I received this book for free from www.booksneeze.com

Lilies in the Moonlight

"Lilies in the Moonlight" by Allison Pittman is novel about love and second chances. Set in the times after the war, Lily is a girl who, while trying to make money for rent and living, meets a family that shows her about acceptance, love, and what it means to do the right thing. It is a nice story that you will capture your heart and will teach you something more about life.

I really enjoyed reading "Lilies in the Moonlight" and I would suggest it to other readers who are looking for a light and relaxing read. Pittman does a great job building the characters and setting the plot for the story.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah.

What a life we live!!! :D

I guess there has been a lot going on in these last few months, and the summer isn't any less busy! Josh and I have been going through a lot personally, trying to figure out where and how God wants us to be serving Him. God has also been teaching us both a lot in our relationship with each other, which has been the most emotionally and mentally draining part!

I can only speak for myself, so God has taught me that He didn't put Josh in my life to give me complete satisfaction. I can't look to my husband and try to get the kind of love from him that only God can give. Because when I try, I put expectations on Josh that he will never be able to live up to. Only God can give me that love that is perfect and always fullfilling. I am also learning that while part of being a Godly wife is serving God by serving/taking care of my family and household, it is not the only part. Yes, God has called me to be a wife and a mother, but that doesn't mean that that is ALL that He has called me to! God has great plans for me, and I have been putting God in a box and not letting Him show me just what I can do! Josh and I have realized that whatever we end up doing and wherever we end up, it will be a place where God can use both of our talents to glorify Him. If we are truly following and seeking God, then we will end up where we are both doing some things that we enjoy!

Finally, Josh and I have been experiencing exactly what God can do in our relationship when we put Him first. We get along better, and there is more of a realness to our relationship! It still isn't perfect, and it never will be, but it is getting better every single day we decide to put God first.

In other news, God has been teaching me about commitment lately, and its been for a while now. Our pastor did a sermon that talked about commit and not quitting or something like that, and it has really stuck with me. I have been much more intentional about following through on things, not just when I commit my time or efforts to other people, but also to myself. For instance, running. I have told myself that I am going to learn to run, and that I am going to run a 5k. So I am going to do it. It was hard at first, especially because I never thought I would be able to learn how to breathe while running. But I have overcome that hurdle, and am now running 1+ miles at a time! (For the record, the last time I did that was in 10th grade) And it feels so good!!

Aurelia is getting so big! She just turned five months, and I have a feeling she is going to be mobile very soon! She is rolling over onto her tummy and onto her back, and she is such a happy baby! She loves her play seat that Grammie Ricolo and Great Grammie Bay bought for her -- she spends most of her day in that... and she seems to really enjoy being outside. Daddy wants to take her camping but Mommy isn't quite ready for that yet :P Next year for SURE!!!

I ask for prayers for our ministry situation -- for us to keep seeking God and that He would guide us to where we are going to be, whether it is where we are at or in a different country.

The Blessing

John Trent wrote "A Place Called the Blessing" to help people relate to the message of his relational classic entitled "The Blessing". It is the story of one young man's search for acceptance and love in a world where he has only known hurt and rejection. Josh grew up moving from foster home to foster home, separated from his two older brothers, the only people he felt safe with. They ended up in a children's home after Josh was the cause of a terrible accident. After Josh's older brothers were adopted, he was left at the children's home until the day he turned 18. His search for love, acceptance, and trust starts as he learns how to survive in the world on his own.

"A Place Called Blessing" is a book full of emotion and truth. Trent incorporates the five elements of biblical blessing (From his previous book, "The Blessing") into the story quite well, and also includes a chapter by chapter study guide in the back of the book so that you can more deeply apply the elements to your own life. I personally enjoyed the story of Josh and his brothers, and I would recommend this book to an individual looking for a good read/devotional as well as to a small group.

I received this book free through www.booksneeze.com

The Barbarian Way

I just finished reading a book titled "Unleashed" by Erwin Raphael McManus. I have to admit that in the beginning, the book didn't seem to catch my attention. The author seem to be we writing in circles around what he was really trying to get at. But then I realized that I needed to pay closer attention to what I was reading.
This book, which was previously released as "The Barbarian Way", is a book about living the way God intended us to live. Our society tends to offer Christians a nice and easy, safe and carefree way of living. McManus points out that the Bible doesn't and never has called us to that. In fact, the bible calls us to be Christ followers, which means trusting in God ALWAYS, even when we don't know where He is leading us, or what His plans are. 'Unleashed' is about finding your inner barbarian and going against what this society says we should do but seeking Christ instead.
McManus offers a simple read with challenging content in his book. He urges and encourages us to change our hearts and mindset to that of the barbarian way. If you are looking for a life changing book that can make you feel more alive*, I would recommend this book for you.

*You must decide and commit to the change before it can actually take place in your life. The way to do that is to commit EVERYTHING to God, and to follow Him fully, no matter the cost.

I received a free copy of this book through booksneeze.com