My oh my has it been awhile since I have last been on here! When was it...oh yeah! The very first day of this semester, and now there are only about 4 weeks left! God has done a lot of many wonderful things in my life since that day, but there's just too much to possible post in one entry! So today, I'm here to (once again) bring about a change of pace in my blog.
I have made it a goal to run my first half marathon in the fall. There, I said it. Now everyone knows! Over this semester, I have started running, quite literally, STARTED running. I used to be able to run some distance, but in soccer, you never really would need to run long distances in the game. But after a few years off soccer and focusing primarily on academics my first year in college, I lost whatever running ability that I had left. So I started a running plan to get myself in running condition. I went from being only able (barely) to run 5 minutes straight, to being able to run over 30 minutes and still feel strong! It's an amazing accomplishment in my book! Now, I don't have to say that I wish I was a runner, but that I AM a runner! PTL! So, with all of that being said, I have made it my goal to run a half marathon in the fall with this entire summer to train up!
Today was the first official day of my half marathon training and it went relatively well. This past Saturday I ran slightly over 3 miles on a very hilly course. Apparently my legs were still beat AND I was running with one of my friends which caused me to run at a faster pace then I normally run at (which is exactly 10 minutes a mile). So, I was supposed to run 2 miles, but only managed to crank out 1.5 miles, yet at a fast pace! But I feel really good and didn't really feel super exhausted afterwards, which is definitely a great sign of improvement! I realize that 2 miles out of 13 is nothing much, but I am confident that with God as my strength, I am going to be able to run those 13 miles!
Today just marks that first day, that first step, towards an amazing goal.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
"you belong to Me"
Well, here it is. The start of the second semester. After an extremely stressful and lonely first semester, I'm surprised that I can even continue. I have been dreading this day since the first day of winter break. I was afraid that the same old things were going to happen again: I'm going to be so alone, no one wants to hang out with me, there's too much going on back at home, I miss Craig, ect. ect. the list goes on. But here I am, sitting at my desk in my dorm room.
Winter break has been very good to me. I have been able to spend a lot of time with God processing the things that have happened last semester and ways that I can overcome those battles this semester. I have really saw the need in my life for a daily quiet time and daily prayer. Packing and leaving my house this morning was stressful because I didn't really want to go back, and as a result of this stress, I wasn't able to have a quiet time. So, here I am at 11:00pm when I have class bright and early tomorrow, getting my daily dose of God. But what God has revealed to me could not have come any more conveniently.
"You Belong to Me" was the title of my daily devotional focusing on the verses Isaiah 43:1-7
"But now, this is what the Lord says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your random, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, Give them up! and to the south, Do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.'"
This verse is so perfect. And the sad thing is, I had this verse written on a note card pinned to the cork board on my desk as a daily reminder, but I saw it so much that it seemed to have lost it's meaning...until now. As my new semester starts, I can finally have peace and realize that I am not alone, ever. We belong to God, He created us, called us by name, we're precious to Him, He has made us to bring Him glory! Just that last part has me jumping for joy! I don't know what it is, and I can't explain the feeling, but my heart feels so joyous right now because I have realized (finally!) that I am never alone! If only I had this devotional last semester...
God is always watching us, He is always with us. And I knew that last semester, I kept trying to tell myself over and over again, but it wasn't helping. The problem was the world. I was so focused on what I'll call "earthly alone" that I wasn't seeing the big picture. I was focusing on, 'where are all of my friends, why haven't they called me?', 'I hate that Craig isn't hear to keep me company, without him I have no one." I was seeking comfort and worth in people, who are broken, and not in God, who is Perfect. God didn't make us to hang out with friends (not that He doesn't want us to), but He created us to glorify Him! And tonight, I have realized that if I spend my time bringing glory, honor, and praise to God instead of dwelling on the thoughts of how sad I am and how I have no one to turn to, I will find inner peace and joy and realize that God is all the company that we need!
I can honestly say that it isn't easy bringing glory to God everyday through everything. I have dealt with painful things in my life. But God is so much bigger than anything we could worry about, that it really isn't worth my time to be thinking about how pathetic or depressing things are, but I should be praising God and trusting that He will bring me through everything! This semester is going to be full of many battles, but I am ready to fight them, with God at my side, knowing that He has made me the way that I am. My new focus through these battles is how can I bring God the glory and not myself? I challenge you to do the same.
Winter break has been very good to me. I have been able to spend a lot of time with God processing the things that have happened last semester and ways that I can overcome those battles this semester. I have really saw the need in my life for a daily quiet time and daily prayer. Packing and leaving my house this morning was stressful because I didn't really want to go back, and as a result of this stress, I wasn't able to have a quiet time. So, here I am at 11:00pm when I have class bright and early tomorrow, getting my daily dose of God. But what God has revealed to me could not have come any more conveniently.
"You Belong to Me" was the title of my daily devotional focusing on the verses Isaiah 43:1-7
"But now, this is what the Lord says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your random, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, Give them up! and to the south, Do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.'"
This verse is so perfect. And the sad thing is, I had this verse written on a note card pinned to the cork board on my desk as a daily reminder, but I saw it so much that it seemed to have lost it's meaning...until now. As my new semester starts, I can finally have peace and realize that I am not alone, ever. We belong to God, He created us, called us by name, we're precious to Him, He has made us to bring Him glory! Just that last part has me jumping for joy! I don't know what it is, and I can't explain the feeling, but my heart feels so joyous right now because I have realized (finally!) that I am never alone! If only I had this devotional last semester...
God is always watching us, He is always with us. And I knew that last semester, I kept trying to tell myself over and over again, but it wasn't helping. The problem was the world. I was so focused on what I'll call "earthly alone" that I wasn't seeing the big picture. I was focusing on, 'where are all of my friends, why haven't they called me?', 'I hate that Craig isn't hear to keep me company, without him I have no one." I was seeking comfort and worth in people, who are broken, and not in God, who is Perfect. God didn't make us to hang out with friends (not that He doesn't want us to), but He created us to glorify Him! And tonight, I have realized that if I spend my time bringing glory, honor, and praise to God instead of dwelling on the thoughts of how sad I am and how I have no one to turn to, I will find inner peace and joy and realize that God is all the company that we need!
I can honestly say that it isn't easy bringing glory to God everyday through everything. I have dealt with painful things in my life. But God is so much bigger than anything we could worry about, that it really isn't worth my time to be thinking about how pathetic or depressing things are, but I should be praising God and trusting that He will bring me through everything! This semester is going to be full of many battles, but I am ready to fight them, with God at my side, knowing that He has made me the way that I am. My new focus through these battles is how can I bring God the glory and not myself? I challenge you to do the same.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
i can cook?
So, winter break has been going by WAY too fast, and honestly, I am not ready to go back to school. But, I have to. My winter break has been filled with nothing too exciting, wasting time playing Sims 3, a little bit of League of Legends, some awesome time with God, and something new. Cooking.
It all started with an awesome cookbook that I got from Craig parents for Christmas: Cooking Light Vegetarian. It is sooo awesome! After looking through the entire book page by page, I was inspired by lots of yummy recipes. So, I started cooking a few. Then, I started cooking dinner for my grandparents. I even made a couple of dinners for when Craig would come over after work! And now, I've just been cooking things as an experiment! I have decided that I love cooking! I've made a personal goal to cook all of the recipes in the cookbook, eventually. All of this cooking for people, especially Craig, has REALLY made me so excited to be a little wifey, which I hope will happen soon. ;)
I have decided that I am going to add to this blog some of the recipes and/or experiments that I have done over break, and will attempt to continue once school starts again. I'm really excited about cooking, which is weird for me.
Today's recipe: Veggie and Tofu Stir Fry
Here are the yummy ingredients I chose! I absolutely LOVE basil, so I tried it out and it actually tasted so delicious!
Yum! All ready to eat. It was so tasty and very filling! All of these vegetables makes me super excited for the spring and summer to come so I can plant my garden and enjoy fresh, garden vegetables.
It all started with an awesome cookbook that I got from Craig parents for Christmas: Cooking Light Vegetarian. It is sooo awesome! After looking through the entire book page by page, I was inspired by lots of yummy recipes. So, I started cooking a few. Then, I started cooking dinner for my grandparents. I even made a couple of dinners for when Craig would come over after work! And now, I've just been cooking things as an experiment! I have decided that I love cooking! I've made a personal goal to cook all of the recipes in the cookbook, eventually. All of this cooking for people, especially Craig, has REALLY made me so excited to be a little wifey, which I hope will happen soon. ;)
I have decided that I am going to add to this blog some of the recipes and/or experiments that I have done over break, and will attempt to continue once school starts again. I'm really excited about cooking, which is weird for me.
Today's recipe: Veggie and Tofu Stir Fry
Cooking!
Yum! All ready to eat. It was so tasty and very filling! All of these vegetables makes me super excited for the spring and summer to come so I can plant my garden and enjoy fresh, garden vegetables.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Beauty.
"Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."
1 Peter 3:3-4
Beautiful women of God, please take this verse to heart. We spend so much time each and every day planning what we're going to wear, how we're going to do our hair, our make-up, ect. But why? To please the world?
God is so much better than the world! He created us to be perfect and beautiful in His sight! There's nothing we can do to make ourselves more beautiful to Him! He's the Only One who's opinion of us matters! I can honestly say that I definitely struggle with self-image more than I really should. I'm always thinking: "If only I was thinner, a certain dress size, had longer hair..." The list could go on and on. But why do I want these things? To please myself? To please society? I should only be focusing on what God wants to see. He doesn't want to see me spending all of my time dieting or buying the latest fashions or spending an hour doing my hair and make-up. He wants my heart to be fully devoted to Him. Our Father wants our spirits to be humble, gentle, and quiet! This is want truly pleases Him. Shouldn't that be our focus in the morning?
I challenge you to remember this when you wake up in the morning! Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you're beautiful--because you are! God made you completely beautiful to Him; He delights in you! What I find helpful is to write on my mirror (in dry erase marker) this verse:
"The King is enthralled by your beauty." Psalm 45:11
Every time I look in the mirror and start to think of all the things I want to change, I see that verse and find comfort knowing that the God of the universe thinks my beauty is enthralling. PTL.
Have a great day, beautiful women of God!
1 Peter 3:3-4
Beautiful women of God, please take this verse to heart. We spend so much time each and every day planning what we're going to wear, how we're going to do our hair, our make-up, ect. But why? To please the world?
God is so much better than the world! He created us to be perfect and beautiful in His sight! There's nothing we can do to make ourselves more beautiful to Him! He's the Only One who's opinion of us matters! I can honestly say that I definitely struggle with self-image more than I really should. I'm always thinking: "If only I was thinner, a certain dress size, had longer hair..." The list could go on and on. But why do I want these things? To please myself? To please society? I should only be focusing on what God wants to see. He doesn't want to see me spending all of my time dieting or buying the latest fashions or spending an hour doing my hair and make-up. He wants my heart to be fully devoted to Him. Our Father wants our spirits to be humble, gentle, and quiet! This is want truly pleases Him. Shouldn't that be our focus in the morning?
I challenge you to remember this when you wake up in the morning! Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you're beautiful--because you are! God made you completely beautiful to Him; He delights in you! What I find helpful is to write on my mirror (in dry erase marker) this verse:
"The King is enthralled by your beauty." Psalm 45:11
Every time I look in the mirror and start to think of all the things I want to change, I see that verse and find comfort knowing that the God of the universe thinks my beauty is enthralling. PTL.
Have a great day, beautiful women of God!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
happy 5 1/2 to me!
Today is my 5 1/2 year anniversary with my wonderful boyfriend, Craig. It has really been an amazing 5 1/2 years I might add too! God has been too good to me for blessing my life with Craig! I am really excited to see what God has in store for us.
Happy Anniversary! (:
Happy Anniversary! (:
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
O my Strength!
"But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies."
Psalm 59:8-10
Things have been extremely rough for the past month, which officially makes this the worst semester yet. There have been so many things in which I have just been struggling with! Academics, Craig not being up here, things with my mom and sister, and all of my internal battles. I've been feeling so depressed and weak, and alone. But why?
Because in all of the mess that the world has thrown at me, I have fallen victim to it. I have failed to cling to the One who paid it all for me! The One who gives me strength for anything that comes my way. After an entire summer filled with serving God and growing immensely in my faith, I though that "I" would be strong enough to manage all of these things. But there's a problem..."I". "I" can't do anything apart from God. And that's what I've been trying to do. God has finally opened my eyes to this.
Last night before Bible Study, I was reading in Psalm. I randomly opened up to this verse and I was filled with total comfort. God is my strength and my fortress! He is ALL that I, or anyone, needs! The world has nothing for me and I need to stop trying to get my fulfillment in the world! All of the battles in which I am going through, God is getting me through in order to make me stronger! To help me grow! And one day, "God will let me look in triumph on my enemies." I cannot wait for that day!
Until then, I need to constantly cling to Him and rely on Him to get me through the day and NOT myself or other worldly things. I'm ready for whatever else God is going to bring me through. I know He will take great care of me and make me stronger!
I hope that you can reflect on this verse and think of what it means to you. What are some enemies you're dealing with? Remember that God is fighting with you and He will never let you down. He will never let go. Cling to our Father above all else!
Psalm 59:8-10
Things have been extremely rough for the past month, which officially makes this the worst semester yet. There have been so many things in which I have just been struggling with! Academics, Craig not being up here, things with my mom and sister, and all of my internal battles. I've been feeling so depressed and weak, and alone. But why?
Because in all of the mess that the world has thrown at me, I have fallen victim to it. I have failed to cling to the One who paid it all for me! The One who gives me strength for anything that comes my way. After an entire summer filled with serving God and growing immensely in my faith, I though that "I" would be strong enough to manage all of these things. But there's a problem..."I". "I" can't do anything apart from God. And that's what I've been trying to do. God has finally opened my eyes to this.
Last night before Bible Study, I was reading in Psalm. I randomly opened up to this verse and I was filled with total comfort. God is my strength and my fortress! He is ALL that I, or anyone, needs! The world has nothing for me and I need to stop trying to get my fulfillment in the world! All of the battles in which I am going through, God is getting me through in order to make me stronger! To help me grow! And one day, "God will let me look in triumph on my enemies." I cannot wait for that day!
Until then, I need to constantly cling to Him and rely on Him to get me through the day and NOT myself or other worldly things. I'm ready for whatever else God is going to bring me through. I know He will take great care of me and make me stronger!
I hope that you can reflect on this verse and think of what it means to you. What are some enemies you're dealing with? Remember that God is fighting with you and He will never let you down. He will never let go. Cling to our Father above all else!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
what a week!
Okay, so Thanksgiving has come to an end, and so has the awesome Thanksgiving break. It most certainly wasn't long enough. School is now back in full swing and I have two incredibly hard exams this week which I did not studying for over break. But, I'm not one to complain.
These next few weeks are definitely going to be a test to see just how much I need to rely on God for my strength and NOT my own! He has blessed me with an amazing week of being out in the woods, spending time with my wonderful boyfriend, awesome family time, and the best part yet, He provided me with my very first deer!
After putting in countless hours since opening day and not seeing ANY deer all week, I was really beginning to wonder if this was going to be the year that I got a my very first deer. But on Saturday evening, a little after 4:00pm, God provided me with a 1 year old nubbin buck with which came within 25 yards of me before I shot. It was quick and painless. And I did it all on my own (apart from God). I was in the tree stand alone, shot when I wanted to. Of course, my boyfriend was hunting not too far away from me so he helped me drag the deer to his truck. Now, the deer is all self-processed (yes, I butchered it myself with a little help from Craig's dad) and in my freezer. It's enough meat to feed my grandparents and I for quite some time!
Even though I wish that break was still going, God wants me to be here at school and so I need to continue on with this journey of my life. He WILL give me the strength I need, even when I feel like there is NO WAY I can possibly continue. God is so amazing and this week was exactly the refresher that I needed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)