Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tuesday Thank You's

Its Tuesday. I woke up this morning trying to think of what Tuesday's could mean for my blog. With my mind on Thanksgiving break, I thought Tuesdays could be a perfect day to reflect and be thankful. So, here are my Tuesday thank you's:

1. I'm thankful for cozy days like today, when God decides to put a blanket of clouds over the sun. Its chilly and its rainy outside. Days like these I'm thankful for because I feel like He's saying "Here, let me give you rest. Take a little nap today." Love.

2. I'm thankful for the absence of classes on Tuesdays. Its my 'day off' and its the best, most relaxing day of the week. Especially this week. I have no assignments due this week, so today was really a day off, and I'm thankful for that.

3. Thank you, Jesus, for not letting me be satisfied with doing things on my own. I need you, and you always remind me. Thank you, I love you.

4. I'm thankful for the winter-time 'fun drinks' at starbucks. I'm usually a straight coffee person, so I never get the chance to indulge in a pumpkin spice latte, or a white chocolate mocha. But ever so often, when the weather is perfectly cozy, I'll get a 'fun drink'. I'm thankful for those drinks & those days.

5. I'm thankful for friends who set aside their busy schedules to come visit me here in Arkansas. Not only is it 5 hours away, but its expensive to get here! Those who make a trip out to see me, I'm so thankful for you. You bring home back to me

What are you thankful for today?

Love: Scarf Weather

My favorite season of all time ever is fall. I love it. I love the cold, I love the warm drinks, i love the layers, I love the cuddles, and I love the cozy days (like today). But one of my favorite things about fall is the fact that scarves are not only acceptable, but necessary!! I love scarves. Scarves and hats, that's my thing. Love. So the fact that I have the choice of wearing a scarf any and every day makes fall that much better :)

         

These are some of my recent scarf purchases! Love them. So cozy. :) Happy Fall!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Love: Wisdom

Just went a friend's blog, where Chris Exley, one of my church's missionaries did some writing. Some words that he spoke really touched my heart about finding direction and my calling. I'd like to share it with you guys:


"Demonstrate your trust in me by sitting quietly in My Presence.  Put aside all that is waiting to be done, and refuse to worry about anything.  This sacred time together strengthens you and prepares you to face whatever the day will bring.  By waiting with Me before you begin the day’s activities, you proclaim the reality of My living Presence. This act of faith – waiting before working – is not popular in your world but is noted in the spirit world, where your demonstration of trust weakens principalities and powers of darkness.
When you need to take action, I will guide you clearly through My Spirit and My Word.  The world is so complex and overstimulating that you can easily lose your sense of direction.  Doing countless unnecessary activities will dissipate your energy.  When you spend time with Me, I will restore your sense of direction.  As you look to Me for guidance, I will enable you to do less but accomplish more."

Life: Health & Wellness- Your Whole Life

So, remember a couple weeks ago when I mentioned that I wanted to have something different to talk about each day? Well, today is Monday and from now on Monday's are going to be Health & Wellness day. I chose this because...well Monday is the start of the week. Monday is that day that I refer to when I say "oh, I'll eat right starting tomorrow" or "i'll go to the gym tomorrow." Ah! I'm so sick of that "tomorrow" mindset! Today is the day. I feel like if I make Monday's my day to blog about health and my own personal progress, it will give me not only motivation for the rest of my week, but also accountability. I'll be posting alot of personal stuff on Mondays regarding health and weight-loss stuff. I mean, I say personal, but it doesnt really bother me too much. Hopefully it will just be a way for me to have accountability and for ya'll to get motivated with me!

Soooooo, let me start off with introducing you to a book that seriously (& literally) shaped my life! My roommate got it for me as a gift in the beginning of this year. Its called "Your Whole Life" by Carol Showalter. This book focuses on 'being whole' in the person God created you to be. It incorporates three main ideas: eating right, living well, and loving God. It is a twelve week program that just focuses on being healthy & loving god and how the two go together. Each week has a theme (ex. Faith), and each day has a devotional that goes with the theme for that week. Additionally, for each week, there is a "check list" for living well, eating right, and loving god. The book doesnt focus on weight-loss, but as a result of following the book, you do. Trust me.


When I first received this book, it really changed my perception on health and weight loss. It amazed me that eating right and exercising could be another way to honor God. I started the 12-week program in March of this year, and after the three months was up, I had lost 25 lbs. Best feeling ever. After the program, I continued in my healthy habits and ended up loosing another 5. As the summer finished, I maintained and felt great. Fast forward to now, I am living my first semester of college. Heard of the freshman 15? Yep, its true, but luckily I havent gained all 15 back yet. I'd like to stop before it gets there though. SO, I've decided to start the 12 week program over again! I'm really excited and nervous at the same time with the holidays coming up. But, I have a goals set again and will be updating you guys every Monday with my progress!


Goals: 
1. My overall goal is to loose 30lbs by spring break (about 4 months/17 weeks) which will put me right in the middle of the 'normal' weight range for my height of 5'4.
2. To develop healthy habits of eating right and exercising.
3. To do so ALL NATURALLY. I will not be using any diet pills or 'dieting' any other unnatural or unhealthy way. It will be based only off healthy living, self control, exercise, and obedience to God by taking care of my body because it is the home of the holy spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
4. To honor God with everything I am, including my weight, so that I may be used in EVERY area of my life, including health. So that he would be known as a faithful God because of my obedience to him in this. And lastly, I'm doing this for my husband. Yup!





Week 1: The theme for this week is Faith and the verse to memorize is: 
"Be still & know that I am God" -Psalm 46:10

Weekly Goals: 
-Drink only water, with the exception of coffee & green tea
-go to the gym at least 5/7 days of the week
-loose 2lbs this week






So, YEA. Theres a little fun introduction to what I'll be doing on my blog on Mondays! Let me know if you need any more information on the book, "Your Whole Life" by Carol Showalter! 

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Countdown

5 days until my loves, Conner and Macy, get to Arkansas

7 days until Hillsong Live in Missouri

8 days until Thanksgiving break

9 days until I start my new job at Sephora

11 days until Thanksgiving

20 days until my 19th birthday!

30 days until winter break

42 days until CHRISTMAS!

45 days until IHOP's One Thing Conference

50 DAYS UNTIL 2012!