February 2 - Fuzzy

Photo Challenge Day #2 - Fuzzy

Today is Saturday. A Saturday with very little scheduled. So I'm cuddled up on my couch, with some comfy, cozy, fuzzy things.

I plan on staying here until guilt over takes me and I start my Saturday list of thing to do!

A few other fuzzy items that have been in my life recently:

So blessed by my trip to NYC this year, but also so full of fun, especially at Dylan's Candy Bar and the massive M&M's store!

"The Spreadsheet"

Last summer I realized I needed some lessons in a healthy lifestyle. I was at a point where I felt like all areas of life were unhealthy. I knew it would be a long process to journey back to health, probably one that continues through-out life.

I decided that the first task I was going to tackle was the "physical" aspect. It seems to be the most tangible (compared to emotional and spiritual).

One of the blogs I follow is Colourful Palate. My friend, Charissa, is a huge inspiration in many areas. I appreciate her love for life, her desire for healthy living, and her love for Jesus. Back in July she had a "Smoothie Challenge" in which she challenged us to have a smoothie a day. We had to document what we had each, and she tracked our "points". This was of course to encourage a healthy lifestyle, but also a side goal was to loose 5 vanity pounds. :)

This made me smile, and I shared it with my other blogging buddy, Jocelyn. We started to brain-storm some ways we could loose our vanity pounds, but most of all, spur each other on in living a healthy lifestyle.

Thus, "the spreadsheet" was born. If you're friends with me on Facebook, you will have heard of the spreadsheet. Everything I do or don't do seems to relate back to the spreadsheet. Being an office woman, any time I can create a fantastic spreadsheet I do a little happy dance, so that's exactly what happened...

It's all about the friendly competition. We track our daily activities, and the spreadsheet (with some fantasticlly awesome formulas) tracks our weekly totals, and then each monthly total. That's the ultimate "winner" so to speak. It is all in fun, but someone else knowing my every day movements spurs me on! Each day we track:

~ Excerise (walking, running, ringette, hiking, etc)

~ Work outs (sit-ups, push-ups, crunches, planks, etc)

~ Treat Eating (Dessert and Starbucks!)

~ Healthy Eating (Fruits and Veggies)

~ Water Intake (8 cups/day)

Our vanity pounds have indeed shed themselves, but more importantly, we do truly lead a healthier lifestyle. We're conscious of what we eat, and of the exercise we do - or don't do. We've had another friend join us as extra inspiration (she's killing me this month! Gah!).

It's all apart of the process. The long process of building a healthier me. Thankful for Jocelyn and Meghan who daily inspire me to keep doing my sit-ups. Thankful that HE gives me the strength and energy to keep going.

February 1 - Friend

Photo Challenge Day #1 - Friend

There is no way that I could pick one photo. Do you know me?

Rachel & Erin

These are my working buddies. 

It is seriously so much fun to work with your friends. Rachel is married a good friend of mine growing up, and has become a great friend of mine in the last 2 years (and we're unstoppable together at work!). I've known Erin since we were 13 and we have many the boy-drama stories to swamp from Junior High. ;)

Mikayla and Kristin

These two are the greatest. Knowing Mik since I was 9 years old, there is more history there than I sometimes care to admit. Kris and I are pretty much the same person but different too - So much inspriation and passion that I admire in her. I love seeing these two on the best night of the week - choir Tuesdays.

Jocelyn, Nessa, Gina, Jess, Bev, and Laura

 My life wouldn't be the same without my girls. What a blessing they are in my life. This year we've switched up our prayer schedule, and committed to prayer for each one of us on a specific day. What a special to bound with each other and with the Lord.

February Photo Challenge

I know. *Everyone* is doing a photo challenge. You're probably shaking your head at me right now. But well, to be honest, I don't care! ;) I like 'em, for a few different reasons. 

~ They require discipline. It's something that needs to be done every day. This is a good thing in my life. Keeps me focused.

~ You need to "search" for your photo. Either by looking through your photos for an old photo, or by looking through your every-day life to take the perfect photo. You start to see things from a different perspective.

~ They help you notice people, places, tastes, colour, or anything that is already a part of your life! 

So, here is my Feburary Photo Challenge - borrowed from marvelousthingsphotoblog.com

Enjoy - or ignore if you really are sick of photo challenges! ;)

Overwhelmed

My heart is overwhelmed. I just finished a weekend of four concerts, and my heart is full, 

to overflowing.

Overwhelmed by grace.

It is only by His grace that I can worship...and I know I can't do it in my own strength. I'm overwhelmed that He has given me this skill (feeble as it often is). But in truth, it means nothing if it isn't for Him. It's moments like this that I recognize my own broken-ness even more and revel in His gift of grace.

Full of joy.

There is nothing that gives me more joy then worshipping the Lord through song. I can't help but smile as I play, and my heart can't help but soar.

Pulled into His embrace.

There is never a sweeter feeling than being pulled into His embrace. Reaching my arms to Him to be comforted and filled with contentment.

Surrounded by peace.

Realizing that peace is something that only comes through Christ. Through Jesus. It creeps into to messy situations, to heartbreak, to loneliness; there is stillness. Recognizing that life is okay, because God is with us. Emmanuel. (Thank you, Aimee!)

I literally sobbed my way home tonight. Overwhelmed by these realizations. 

So full of joy, wonder, contentment, and love. 

Psalm 34, vs. 3 "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together."

vs. 8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."

The Journey Continues...

Mind, body, and soul. 

Emotional, physical, and spiritual.

All three are connected, intertwined so they can't be separated. And all, when neglected, leave one exhausted.

Life seems to take on a new form of busyness. A busyness of the mind. Where reality seems to cave in and collide all at the same time. The emotions can't cope, and they slowly turn off -- And you sink into a place of unfeeling.

This leaves the physical realm much to be desired. When unable to handle the cartwheels going through your mind, the last thing you feel like doing is real cartwheels. Life seems easier from the desk chair and from the couch.

And while you know that the Comforter is always ready to hear from you, it's all your little soul can do to indeed remember that He is there. You're holding on by a thread.

Coping.

Facing choices.

Little choices. Daily choices. Hourly choices. Perspective choices. Learning that when your perspective changes, your life, year, day, and minute can change.

When overwhelmed, look for the little task that you can accomplish. 

When upset, find one small area that brings you joy. Find a reason to smile

When sad, look out the window and find beauty. Revel in it.

When lonely, call a friend. Don't wait for them to call you.

When exhausted, either take a nap or do some push-ups.

And in all things, give thanks. To Him. The Giver of Life. The Healer of Dreams. The Prince of Peace. The One True Rest.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; Who redeems, who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed." Psalm 103:1-6

NWSC - Singing Praises

"Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises."

Psalm 47:6

"Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the 

remembrance of his holiness."

Psalm 30:4

"Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among 

the people his doings."

Psalm 9:11

"Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with 

stringed instruments and organs."

Psalm 150:4

And that is why I do what I do. I do it to praise the One who gave me these gifts. 

That is why I love these people. I love that we can proclaim His name. Together. As a single voice testifing to His power, love, and grace. Immeasurable grace.