My Rainbow After A Storm

For those of you that may be new this blog, two years ago this past June, after "trying" for over a year to become pregnant, I walked into a doctors office for a routine exam, and came out after being told I may have cancer.

Two weeks after that appointment, I had an operation done that confirmed I did have ovarian cancer, and one of my ovaries was removed, and 3 cycles of high dose BEP chemo was started immediately.

Praise the LORD, the cancer was found very early, and removed during the surgery. Chemo was administered to ensure the cells would not regrow back, as they tend to do in the type of cancer (grade 3 immature teratoma) I had.

And I am now cancer free.

To be told you have cancer is devastating. It is made out to be the worst thing that can happen to you in this society. Although I could think of much worse things to go through... ;)

But the most devastating thing for me was hearing how my chance of becoming a mommy was lessened.

I wanted for so long to become a mommy. It was something I prayed for daily.

And here I was being told I might not ever get that chance.

But...

Our GOD is greater. And HE had a much bigger plan.

Because statistics do not affect HIM in HIS work.

 

 

Seven months after the completion of my chemotherapy, I felt GOD's leading to take a pregnancy test.

And it was only by HIS leading that I did that day. I had given up ever taking one again for fear of disappointment.

And I will never forget that moment in time. Where two little pink lines showed up. On not one. Not two. But three tests.

I couldn't be too careful, could I? :D

Our GOD is great, and ever to be praised!

 

HE answered my prayer, in HIS perfect timing.

HE brought a rainbow after a VERY LONG, DIFFICULT storm.

And although this rainbow is a challenge to see some days...

 

 It is always there reminding me of the LORD's mercy and grace, and HIS great power.

 

^"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. "

1 Peter 5:10

What rainbow after a storm has the LORD brought you? What has that rainbow taught you about the LORD?

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

So Hard and Scary, But Much More Blessed

Right now I am sitting in my favorite comfy chair in my living room. I have a tall cup of hot coffee beside me, and I hear my hubby keeping our wee one occupied in the other end of the house.

So, long time no blog. I have not intended on taking such a long break in blogging. For I dearly love this little corner of the world, and had every intention of coming back to blogging regularly after things had settled down from our little Flynn's arrival.

But, truth be told, things have not settled down much since his arrival. In fact life has been more busy and unpredictable than ever. That's motherhood though.

Motherhood:

The busiest, scariest hood you will EVER walk through.

But one of the most blessed, sacred places you will ever get to visit.



Before you become a mother, you have so many dreams of what your days will look like. Or at least I did.

I pictured a mostly quiet little baby, sometimes fussy, but ready and eager to be worn in my sling all day, and me feeling blissfully happy all the time.

I envisioned me being able to keep my house spotless and all parts of my life well organized.

Yes, I knew it would be hard and not perfect all the time. But the kind of hard this has been, I could never picture.

I could not picture postpartum depression clouding the first 5 months, and it still haunting me.

I could not picture a baby with serious food allergies that have caused him to spend 90 percent (no exaggeration whatsoever) of his awake hours fussing and screaming from the discomfort of head to toe breakouts.

And with that me having to give up any form of wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, sesame seeds, almonds, and even my beloved peanut butter so I can continue to nurse him.

The past five months been a time of sacrificing and growing and learning and letting go of ALL my high expectations. It has been a time of adapting to all of the hard parts.

Including having to restart this post who knows how many times because my wee babe is not very content to chill on his own. ;)

And humility. Boy does your pride get knocked to the ground as a new mom...

Every idea of life with a baby I had, has had to be thrown out the window and into the wind. :)

And that has been hard for me. Especially since I tend to be the kind to hold tightly to my "dreams" and tend to become saddened when they do not turn out as I so longed for.

It has been a season of rearranging my priorities and hopes. And learning to cope better when it does get hard.

And I can finally say that the past few weeks have been better for me in that area.

Do I have a happy, joyful attitude when I look at that mountain of needed to be folded laundry that has been marinating on my couch for 4 days?

Ummm... Not quite always...

Am I to the point I can easily not get frustrated when I do have to stop trying to clean or blog or sew or attempt any sort of a creative endeavor after the billionth time my baby has woke up earlier than I hoped?

Not exactly.

Can I be calm when he has woke up EVERY hour from 12 am on.

You can ask my husband about that one... ;)

I do not know that I will ever come to the point of complete peace and calm with any of those all the time.

But I am learning more to lean on the LORD during those times I get so frustrated and tired. And accept that great grace HE bestows on us during our bad times.

Yes, it is sooo... hard and scary this motherhood thing.

But it is sooo... much more blessed.

And I can praise the LORD for that fact.

What has surprised you the most about motherhood?

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

Healing

 Right now I am sitting in my favorite chair, a warm, tall cup of liquid happiness is sitting beside me, and the sound of my hubby vacuuming out the two inches of dust that settled into my Jeep after a day riding trails with the doors off, is filling the air.

 

I feel blessed today. And happy. And content.

 

 

I am not going to lie, that has not been the case over the past month or so. I have been in such a funk mentally, it is not even funny.

 

Life has been very good. I am physically healthy. I lift weights daily, have very high energy levels most days, and hey! I even ran my first ever 5K two weeks ago.

 

I was even blessed to spend a weekend away with my hubby, at a gorgeous little B&B.

 

 

So why have I been in a funky mood?

 

Worry. Fear. And discontentment have plagued me.

 

 

I have been so worried and afraid of my cancer coming back (even after being told by the doctor, I am clear, and healthy, and have very a small chance of recurrence) to the point of making myself feel ill, and making others miserable around me.

 

Cancer took a lot out of me mentally. It took away my peace of mind, and days of not worrying about the future.

 

 

About two weeks ago, I broke down for about two days. Crying, and worrying, and even bitter anger erupted from me.

 

And I came to a realization. I needed healing.

 

 

I so desperately wanted my life to get back to normal after treatment ended last year, that I suppressed those feelings, and hid them away, until they just spilled over during an angry rage while exercising. (pretty sure anyone who drove by during that walk thought I had lost my mind with how I was waving my arms, yelling, and crying...)

 

 

I never gave myself a time of mourning. A time to miss what my illness brought and took away.

And for me that was wrong.

 

"When there is a fresh wound in your heart, keep it open until it heals. Air it out. Understand it. Dive into it. Be fierce enough to become it. If you ignore it, it won't be able to breath. If you ignore it, it will merely deepen, spread, and resurface later, wanting to release. And when later happens, it will hurt even more, because when later happens, you won't know what you're bleeding for. Remain with it until it clears, and watch the beauty pour into your openness. Remain open to feel lightness. Remain open to feel free." ~ Victoria Erickson

 

I should have allowed myself to cry over those losses. To mourn. To let GOD step in and heal my broken heart. Maybe if I had, the past few months would not have been so emotionally tumultuous.

 

 

GOD has been showing me it is okay to feel sad and even mourn what has been taken away from you in life. Our responsibility though is how we react to such losses.

 

"It's not the load that breaks you down. It's the way you carry it." ~C.S. Lewis

 

While I am by no means healed mentally from this disease, and it's gains and losses, I am feeling better about it.

 

 

I have even been transferring my nervous energy into making quilts for friends that are having babies, and for those in my church that have recently lost loved ones.

 

 

I am not 100 percent there, by any means. But GOD is at work, and I am doing MUCH better.

 

After you season of suffering, GOD in all HIS grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

 









Have you ever hidden a pain in your life to the point where it suddenly erupted and surprised you? How has GOD been helping you heal that pain?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thank for stopping by!

Angel

By GOD's Grace, I Was Ready

I recently dropped off a meal for a visiting evangelist and his family, at our church. I made one of our favorite meals of Caprese Lasagna, and a side salad. I made sure they had a variety of dressings to go with the salad, all of which were organic.

Later on that evening, the evangelists wife came up to me and thanked me for the meal,asked how I was doing, and even asked questions about my cancer story. She then went onto to ask if having cancer was the reason I eat organic and natural. I told her that actually, I had been eating that way for almost two years.

She was kind of surprised, and went on to share how she has gradually begun to incorporate more natural ways of living with her family. She even shared how they were trying to reduce sugar consumption, as sugar as been linked to cancer. And then she asked how much sugar I consumed.

I shared that since the beginning of this year, I have tried very hard to limit my sugar intake, and even did a Whole30 to help with it. I also shared how important good nutrition has been to me over this past year.

Amazed, she then asked a question, that has crossed my brain a number of times these past few months, "Did my cutting back on sugar, and doing a Whole30, limit the growth of my cancer?"

Friends, I don't know if cutting back on sugar, or eating organic really did stunt the growth of my cancer. I think it is a possibility.

What I do know is that over the past few years, I have felt the LORD's leading to eat in as natural way as possible, and to learn all I can about nutrition.

I've talked about that here before. Remember this post where I talked about having your body ready and healthy for anything the LORD leads you to do?

I thought I was prepping my body for pregnancy. That is the path I "thought" the LORD was leading me to. Having my body ready to grow a healthy human being, with minimal complications.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I was really learning and getting my body ready for a test MUCH bigger than pregnancy. Cancer.

I do believe, without a shadow of a doubt, GOD's great mercy and grace, pressed upon my heart, to learn all that I could about nutrition and good health, so I could face cancer, and use all that knowledge, to make that journey smoother.

On your very first day of chemo, a nutritionist meets with you to offer nutritional advice. Every single word she told me, was info I already knew!

By GOD's grace, I did not have to spend those awful feeling days learning, and trying to figure out what was best for my body. I already knew!

I knew what foods I needed to consume to replace vitamin stores, and how much protein to aim for every day.

And I was ridiculously excited over putting my knowledge to good use. :D

So my dear friends, my message is the same. Try and have your body ready for ANYTHING the LORD may call you to do. You truly never know what that may be. :)

Has the LORD ever pressed something upon your heart to learn, and then you saw later on down the road why?

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

One Week Of Chemo Done!

Guess what? I survived my first week of chemo!!!

 

Sweet surprise found on my door, on the last day of my first week of chemo

 

 

Day 1, Before being injected with all manner of chemicals...



 

A week later, and I've been totally transformed...

 

Scary? Huh? Don't worry, it's just a bentonite clay mask to hopefully get rid of the HORRIBLE chemo induced acne... :D

 

So, how did it go? Not nearly as bad as I thought it would. Not saying that it wasn't and is still not bad. Currently, it is not as horrible as I expected.

 

The first part of the week started out good, with no side effects until Wednesday. Then began the total loss of appetite and nausea.

 

The nausea was worst in the mornings. On Thursday I put into effect that morning sickness trick of eating saltines before your head leaves the pillow, and it worked like a charm. :D

 

My appetite is still much the same. Non-existent. Which is a really weird feeling for a girl who has always had a huge appetite.  And when I do get hungry, it's for things I never in my life wanted before.

 

Like spaghetti and apple juice. Together. ;)

 

I'm thinking I could live off spaghetti for the next few months. :D

 

Fatigue did not really set in until this weekend. But when it did, it was like I smashed into a wall. My daily two hour nap has become my best friend. :)

 

Yes, it has been a ROUGH week and a half. But my GOD has seen me through it. HE has granted more strength than I could have ever hoped for.

 

But more than that, HE has taught me so much! I have never in my life been more appreciative of good health. Trust me on this one ya'll. CHERISH YOUR HEALTH.

 

And cherish the little things in life your health allows you to accomplish. Like being able to wash dishes. Meet your husband at the door with a hug and kiss. Take a walk in the sunset. Bake your sister a cake. Hold your own glass of water and sip it by yourself.

 

I was not able to do most of those things last week.

 

But today has been a good day, and I have been able to do each of those. And I appreciate them more now, than I would have otherwise.

 

Suffering passes, while love is eternal. That's a gift that you have received from God. Don't waste it.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel

 

P.S. Thank-you so much for all the prayers! Keep them coming! The next two weeks will be critical, as I will be very prone to infections, as my white blood cell count will be at it's lowest. Please pray I will stay well, and no germs come my way. :)

It's Cancer, But GOD is Good

My dear friends, I was given the test results from the surgery. And they came back showing cancer.

But I don't want you to feel all sad from that news. Because even though this news is not great, there is some good in it. GOD's goodness.

So, what's some of the goodness and blessings GOD has shown through this trial?

 

1. The cancer was found very early. The tumor was confined to my ovary, which was removed. Chemo will be given as the type of cancer cells are fast growing, and will more than likely come back without the chemo.

2. There is a 90% success rate with the chemotherapy.

3. My husband and I have been drawn more close than I ever thought possible.

4. I've been able to spend a lot of time with my mom and sister while they have taken care of me post op.

5. I have a new appreciation and wonder for the simple things in life. Including the ability to wash dishes (which I have always loathed...)

6. I'm going to learn how to cover my head with pretty scarves, and hats.

 

I'll admit, I have had a VERY hard time accepting this. Being told that this natural living, herbal remedy loving gal is going to have chemicals put into her veins, to heal her body, has not set well.

 

The thought of being completely exhausted and nauseated all the time terrifies me.

Hence the reason there have been more tears flowing this past week, than I am pretty sure my entire life...

But, GOD has brought me to the place that I know I can fully trust HIM with my future. I am not to worry about tomorrow, or the next day. Only today. I am going to have to take this one day at a time.

But hey! We are all called to live our days like that...

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34

 

I am not sure when I will be blogging again. As the severity of side effects from the chemo cannot be known until I am in it. I will be going through 3 cycles. So as long as no complications arise to delay it, I will be finishing up around the first of October. 

 

I would like to use this blog as an outlet to share GOD's glory during this time. But I cannot know for sure if I will be able to. So, if you would like to stay updated, drop me an e-mail, or a message on Pinterest, and I hope to stay in touch there. :)

 

So my dear friends, please continue to pray. Pray the side effects will not be too severe, and I will have strength to endure them. Prayers that there will be no complications from infection or cell level counts, are needed as well.

 

Remember, GOD is good, ALL the time!

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel

 

P.S. Since I was told I would lose my hair, I figured it would be wise to get a shorter style to help lessen the shock, as I am one to panic if the length is any bit touched during a trim. Surprisingly, I like it. Everyone says it looks like Rapunzels, from Tangled. And I agree. What do you think? :D

 

 

 

 

Came Through The Surgery

 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Praise God the Father who’s the source;
Praise God the Son who is the course;
Praise God the Spirit who’s the flow;
Praise God, our portion here below!

Just a quick update for all you dear folks, who have been praying for me. I came through the surgery well, and am at home recovering.

The doctor did end up removing my ovary. Once the cyst was removed, he found some suspicious tissue on the ovary, and knew it had to come out. He believes it was cancerous, but caught very early. Additional testing was done, and we will know the results early this coming week.

Please continue to pray for quick healing. I am not in a lot of pain, praise the LORD. Just a bit tired of not being able to get a glass of water on my own, or walk around my house without someone following me to make sure I don't fall. ;)

Thank-you for all the prayers! Keep them coming! :D

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

Of Being Told I Might Have Cancer

What would you do, if you went to your doctor, and after some testing, they told you might have cancer?

I know what I did.

I cried.

My dear friends, I am facing what might be the most terrifying storm of my life. Let me share.

If you have been reading this blog since at least the beginning of the year, you know that a New Year's goal I set was to find a naturally minded doctor. Someone that would listen to the concerns I have about my health, and not just write it off, and give me pill. I wanted someone to help me look at the problem as a whole, and possibly treat any problems with natural means.

About 2 weeks ago, after quite a bit of research, I found the name of a gynecologist, and really liked the reviews of her. I called to schedule an appointment, and the soonest I was able to be seen was this past Friday.

I made a list of all the questions and concerns I have had over the past year or so. Primarily dealing with not becoming pregnant easily, and concerns over thyroid health. I wanted to be ready, and hopefully get some answers.

Friday came, and I was feeling pretty optimistic. I walked into the office, signed in, and waited to be taken back.

My name was called and the nurse took my vitals. I was ushered to a room, and quietly waited for the doctor to come in.

She came in, we were introduced, and she asked questions about family history, etc.

She then asked if I had any concerns. I shared my list, and she gave her advice. She ordered a full thyroid panel to be taken, after hearing some symptoms I have been experiencing, and she then moved to the physical exam.

She came to the pelvic exam portion of the visit, and asked when I had last taken a pregnancy test. I told her the day before my period. She said my uterus felt enlarged, as if I was pregnant.

I told her the test was negative, and my period was very normal that month.

She then named off a few possibilities, but wanted an ultrasound done that day.

I was unable to be scheduled in for an ultrasound that day. So, I had to wait until Monday at 11:15.

Never has a weekend lasted that long.

You think of all sorts of possibilities when you are to told to wait and see what is wrong with your body.

Not only that, when it is something involving reproductive organs, you begin to think your dream of becoming a mother, will be snatched away from you.

My appointment came Monday. I was so blessed to have my mom and sister with me.

The ultrasound was done, and once again I had to wait for the doctor to get the results.

But not long.

The doctor called, and asked if I could come in that afternoon. And I did.

Sitting in the waiting room, waiting, and praying, I tried to remain optimistic. But it was becoming very difficult.

I was ushered to the room, and once again, waited for the doctor to come in.

She walked in, and the look on her face, and tone in her voice made my heart sink to the floor.

She asked if I was told anything at the ultrasound appointment, and I said no.

She then goes on to say, well, it was not your uterus that was enlarged, and she paused.

You have a baseball to softball size mass on your right ovary.

What she was saying did not sink in immediately. It did not seem real.

She then began to explain that the reason she thought it was my uterus is that the mass is so large, it has pushed my uterus and other organs back.

She then told me my only option is to have the ovary removed.

She explained that it would be best to have it removed via surgery, whether it is cancerous or not. It is just so large, it could rupture, and cause other issues.

I will not find out whether it is cancerous or not, until after the surgery.

During the surgery, the doctors will be able to test the mass immediately and determine if it is cancerous. If it is cancerous, they will immediately do a lymph node dissection, to ensure it has not spread.

There is a glimmer of hope in all this.

I have two aunts that had to have their ovaries removed, when they were my age, due to the same conditions. Their growths were not cancerous.

The doctor was relieved upon hearing this. She said this could just be a genetic issue, and nothing to worry about.

But right now, I am worried. No, I am terrified.

My life seems so dream like right now. Just like when I have nightmares. I want to wake up, as I have done so may times before to hear my husband comforting me, and his arms around me, saying it's okay, it's okay.

But it's not okay right now.

I have been sobbing off and on. And while my husband has been holding me and telling me it's okay, I am still terrified.

Will you pray for me?

I need prayers for comfort, grace, and peace.

I know GOD has a plan and a purpose in all of this. And HE will work out everything to HIS honor and glory.

Lord I need You, when the sea of life is calm

O Lord I need you when the wind is blowing strong

Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees

Lord I need You, Lord I need You

Sometimes when life seems gentle and blessings flood my way,

I turn my gaze away from you, and soon forget to pray

But when the sky grows darker and courage turns to fear

My anxious voice cries upward with words You long to hear

 

Lord I need You, when the sea of life is calm

O Lord I need you when the wind is blowing strong

Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees

Lord I need You, Lord I need You

Lord help me to remember, I’m weak but You are strong

I cannot sing apart from You, for Lord You are my song

Although I’m prone to wander and boast in all I do

Lord keep my eyes turned upward, so I depend on You

Angel

My Whole30 Experience

I did it! As of 12 p.m. midnight on June 8th, I completed a Whole30! Woot-woot!:D

And right now, I am completely and totally amazed that I did finish. Because I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to cave in and grab a spoon full of peanut butter, or just lick the batter off the spoon, while making Justin applesauce bread... ;)

In case you are completely oblivious to what a Whole30 is, I shall explain in short detail. It’s a 30 day, whole foods challenge, created by Melissa and Dallas Hartwig. Basically, you eat Paleo for 30 days. That means no grains, no dairy, no sugar of any sort, no snacking, and lots and lots of veggies, meat, and fat 3 times a day. All in an effort to reset bad eating habits, and to improve health.

I’ve been hearing about the Whole30 for quite a while now, but did not think it was something for me.

For the past 2 years, my eating habits changed drastically from the ones I had pre-marriage and early marriage. Where I used to eat a lot of premade foods, I now make most everything homemade, rarely buy pre-made foods, use only natural sugar sources, and buy organic or grass fed as much as possible. I’ve kind become a health nut in that area…

So, I really did not think a Whole30 challenge would be for me.

But, over the past several months, I let my guard down a bit, and allowed myself one too many sweet. And bread. And several spoons of peanut butter a day...

I knew a drastic step was needed. I had such a horrible craving for sugar daily. And so, I looked into the Whole30 more closely, and dove in.

Oh, silly me thought it was going to be a breeze. What sort of problems would I have with cutting out dairy, and bread, and sugar, and peanut butter? I eat pretty healthy. It’s gonna be smooth sailing.

Boy, did I get a heavy dose of reality and a big ole' kick in the pants.

For the first week, there were headaches, extreme fatigue, meltdowns, more tears than you can count. Maybe even a lashing out at the poor hubby for no reason at all...

But, by GOD’s grace, and my sweet husband’s encouragement, I made it through.

And I learned so much about my eating habits, and nutrition.


My favorite lunch from the Whole30: Turkey Stuffed Portobello with roasted cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots

I never realized how much sugar I consumed in a day. From my daily honey mustard dressing, to little bites of Justin’s desserts, fruit, I was consuming WAY too much.

I also discovered the reason I was so hungry all the time. And why I always wanted to “graze” during the day. I was not consuming enough protein and the right kinds of fat at each meal.

Favorite Breakfast from the Whole30: Scrambled eggs, mixed with avocado, tomato, and topped with Cajun sautéed shrimp, with roasted sweet taters on the side

While on the Whole30, you basically stuff yourself 3 times a day, with the most nutritious fuel for your body.

And I am not going back. I now have a greater respect for the role the right food plays in our health. I will continue to eat this way at least 80-90 percent of the time. I am going to start soaking grains, and cut out all the nuts and nut butters. I will be allowing a sweet treat once a week, and being okay with eating something not the healthiest in the world, when in social situations.

The fact that my moods have been stable, there were very few PMS symptoms (aside from the dire need of deep, dark chocolate), more muscle definition, and an almost ridiculous amount of energy most days, is worth not eating like I was pre Whole30.

If you have never given the Whole30 a try, I would highly recommend it. Especially if you are trying to learn more about health from the nutritional aspect of things.

It will be hard. It was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. But it will be worth it.

Oh. If you do plan decide to do this, take this peace of advice from someone with experience. Try to plan it around social occasions. Like two graduations, and two weddings. Unless you just want to sit there and watch everyone else indulge in cake, and banana pudding, and cookies... ;)

Have you ever done a Whole30? Are you bringing in any habits from it to your life? Or, are you making any other improvements in your health via exercise or diet changes?

Have a wonderfully blessed day! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

This Is What I Have Been Training For

Justin and I decided to spend our Tuesday afternoon working on our newly purchased land. There was litter that needed to be picked up, and two trees hanging over the road, to be cut.

 

We both started out with the trash detail, and then headed to the trees.

 

I stood, watched, and waited until he had the first tree cut down.

 

While he cut the branches of the tree, I began to pick up the branches, and toss them into the woods.

 

While I paused to allow him to cut more branches off the tree, a thought hit me.

This is what I have been training for.

What have I been training for, you may ask? Life my friends, life.

All those long hard hours lifting weights, and running laps, paid off. I was physically able to spend the afternoon helping my husband with some pretty serious, physical labor. Lifting logs, picking up and throwing branches felt so easy!

So, the next time your sweating it out, and feel like giving it up, don't. You never know what the LORD may call you to do the next day of your life. Maybe it's helping an elderly person carry their groceries, run errands for a sick neighbor, carry a child on your hip or in your body, or maybe throw some branches around to help your hubby out. Being physically ready should be a priority for us all.

What has exercising helped you accomplish lately? Any work going on around your place?

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

This post has been linked to...

Thankful For Health

Today I...

Ate salmon cakes and grits for breakfast,

Lifted weights,

Showered,

Ate a peanut butter sandwich and banana for lunch,

Browsed the computer,

Cleaned the house,

and napped.

 

Why am I sharing such useless, normal, day to day activities? One word...

 

Influenza.

 

My dear friends, Justin and I are recovering from 4 days of...

 

Fever,

Debilitating body aches,

Eye Pain,

Dripping in sweat but freezing,

Hacking our lungs out,

Total loss of appetite,

and a headache.

 

Oh. We've drank more elderberry syrup, Echinacea tea, and bone broth than we ever care to drink again.

 

So, today I am more thankful than ever to be able to accomplish these normal, and seemingly mundane tasks. In fact, I am even more thankful for overall good health that the LORD has blessed us with.

What are you thankful for this Monday?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel

How I Keep Up My Excercise Routine

Pre workout, deer in headlights look...

 

I mentioned in this post from last July, that my primary reason for wanting to be physically fit, is to be ready to serve, in any capacity, where the LORD calls me to. Whether it's motherhood, or travelling to a foreign mission field, (the first being the more likely scenario), I want to be able to serve my LORD, to my fullest ability, without adding any hardship, that could be avoided by simply exercising daily.

As I have done my whole adult life (all 6 years...), I set a goal on New Year's Day, 2014. I said I was going to keep up a daily exercise routine. I will admit, up until last year, keeping up a regular exercise routine was really difficult. But for the first time in my life, by GOD's grace, I achieved my goal. :D

Unless I was sick, or feeling really under the weather, I completed some form of physical activity at least 5 days, every week.

Sometimes it meant getting it in at 5 am, when there was a particularly busy day ahead. Other times it was kicking it out at 10:30 in the evening because I fought against any movement the entire day.

But I did it.

And along the way, I learned some tricks to help keep me motivated, to keep pushing on. And I would like to share those with you. My prayer is that they will be an encouragement for you, in your journey to good health.

~ Set a goal, or choose a specific motivation. I had several goals when I set out to achieve my goal of exercising daily. The first, I will not deny, was to lose some weight I had put on our first year of marriage. The second was to be physically ready to maybe become pregnant later in the year. That was a huge motivator, and still is.

~ Find something you love to do. I am NOT an athletically inclined gal. But, I love weight lifting. I've always had this weird love for lifting heavy objects, so this activity is perfect for this wanna be tough gal. It makes me angry when I can't lift a certain weight, and makes me work harder to lift heavier. I also love being outdoors when the weather is right. So, when I can, I will run, walk, or bike. Exercise doesn't have to be a certain routine. Just get up and move in a way you enjoy.

~ Set a plan. Every year that I have set my goal to exercise, I realized I never set a plan. I just sort of meandered through my set workout time. Doing whatever exercise came to mind. While I was moving, I was going no where. I had no direction. But last year, I went online to BodyBuilding.com, and chose a plan from their site, that was planned out for beginner female weight training (including weekly HIIT routines for fat loss, which I really wanted). All the exercises I needed to complete were in spreadsheet form, for me to check off when completed. There was no more wandering and wondering what in the world I needed to do. :)

 ~ Buy clothing specifically for working out. A few days after I started my routine, I went to Ross and picked out two pairs of workout pants, and two shirts. Every couple of months, I would pick up a new Under Armour shirt on the clearance rack at Dicks Sporting Goods, or a pair of shorts. I don't know about ya'll, but when I get new clothing, I 've got to wear them soon. So, knowing I was going to be able to wear my colorful, comfy clothes was a HUGE motivation to work out. :)

~ Lay out your workout clothes before bed. And if you can, put them on first thing in the morning. I found this tip online somewhere, and incorporated it. Knowing I had my workout clothes ready, or on me, was a great reminder to get the work done, and SOON. :)

~ Compile a playlist that gets ya movin! My playlist of workout music is not what I would listen to regularly. My list ranges from country, pop, and hip hop. And I ONLY listen to those songs when I am working out.

~Use Pinterest. But with caution. When I say use Pinterest, I'm not talking about pinning "inspirational" photos, of fit, and nearly naked women. I use it to keep a collection of at home workouts, and inspirational sayings to memorize when a workout is a bit on the rough side.

~ Change it up. Maybe you are like me, and you get bored easily. Every few weeks I change up my routine, and will incorporate some new exercises to catch my attention. This is also great for challenging the muscles to work in a new, or different way.

~ Pray. Above all else, prayer is what keeps me going most days. I can't tell you how many days last year I would break down crying in a workout, thinking I could not keep this up. But, those cries turned into prayers, that turned into strength, to make it through.

Oh yes, all done!

Oh, and keep these two thoughts in your head also...

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

1 Timothy 4:8-9

 

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31

What are some things that keep you motivated to workout?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel