Mission Accomplished

As many of you know, and as I keep letting you know for accountability purposes, my goal is to run a 5K by the end of the summer.

Josh left for a YFC mission trip today, and he will be gone all week, which means Aurelia and I get to visit family in Clare and Mecosta for the week (yay vacation!!). We left Saturday evening, and have been enjoying our stay thus far. It was really great because Saturday night was nice for running, and I went the furthest I have gone yet! Also, it was out in the country on sand/dirt roads, so it was a bit more challenging and hilly than it is back home in Kingston.

It was such a good feeling to know that I finished what I had set out to do... which was run further than I had before at one time. My last distance was 1.85 miles in 24:20. This time I ran 2 miles in 24:53! That is about a 12:26 minute mile, but those numbers are just to help push myself to do better and go further and faster. Anyway, what a great feeling to know that I could run 2 miles! It is also good to know that even though I am on vacation, I still can have the discipline to keep 'training' and to keep getting healthy!

Also, Aurelia went swimming, and abosolutely loved the water! She was splashing and talking and sqealing for quite a while with us in the pool! It was a lot of fun; today is another action packed day with Mommy, Grammie, and Great Grammie as we head to Mt. Pleasant for a girl's day out!

Good Morning Sunshine...

Literally. So I have been planning to run since Tuesday, and because of the heat, I just haven't had the courage to do it... even after Mr. Sun went down... So last night I said, "I'll just run in the morning after Aurelia wakes up and eats"... I was thinking it would be cooler. Well, I did run, but it definitely wasn't much cooler at 8:00 in the morning than it was all day yesterday... at least when running is concerned, it didn't feel like it was! I give many kudos to people who run in the heat... especially to that guy who ran across America in weather like this :P

While the heat and humidity brought a new aspect to my running adventure, it felt good to finally start running again since I had my wisdom teeth removed 13 days ago. It was also a nice change to run in the morning. Since I'm already up and awake, it makes it easier, and I feel accomplished already, and it isn't even 9AM yet!

I still plan on running a 5K this summer, but I will definitely have to get used to at least some heat, since I will probably be running a race in August... I think it would be awesome to have lots of people running it with me. I will keep you posted on when and where it will be. And if you've never run one before, or have never run before, or are just starting, don't let it intimidate you... God made us all to be able to run, and if you put your mind to it, you can do it! We don't have to run fast, and we don't have to run with perfect form, we just have to run! Because its good for us :)

Alright, time for Aurelia to lay down for her morning nap :)

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.