Disappointed

I failed in a little bit this week... I have had a mountain dew. I have to be strong again and go more days without it. Need to find a great alternative, otherwise I know I'm gonna have a hard time getting rid of it!

Success

Yay, I've made it a week with out mountain dew. I had a few opportunities to drink it, but I prayed and was able to stay away from it!

Monday quiet time

DESERVING PRISON

A French prince once visited the infamous Toulon prison. As the prince walked down the cell-lined corridor, the prison warden offered to release any prisoner that the prince selected. In order to make his choice, the prince asked each prisoner, "Why are you here?" Every man asserted that he didn't belong in prison. "I am innocent, my lord!" claimed one. "I've been framed!" cried another. Only one man told a different story. "Your highness," he replied, "I have no complaint. In my time I have been a wicked, desperate murderer. I deserve to be here." The prince replied, "You are indeed a wicked man. What a pity you are confined among so many honest citizens. You will corrupt them! I can't allow you to remain in their company another day. Guard! This is the man I wish released!"

Like this solitary prisoner, Daniel admitted his and his people's guilt (Daniel 9:3-19). He knew Israel deserved all the punishment God could give. That is why he said:...for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. God's mercy was Israel's only hope.

When we depend on His mercy rather than our own goodness, power comes into our praying. We can do nothing to "deserve" answered prayer. Rather, we need to rely on God's grace and mercy to give according to His riches in glory.

Daniel 9:18 NIV

Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.

Mercy for the sinner

REPRISALS

During his rule, Adolf Hitler ordered every tenth person shot in two villages near Warsaw, Poland. This massacre was in reprisal for the deaths of two German soldiers. Reprisal was a common practice of the mad dictator who in just a few short years plunged the tranquil country of Germany into bloody war. History will long remember the brutal behavior of Hitler and those like him who without mercy murdered innocent victims.

Blatant disregard for God and one's fellowman demands justice and judgment. Often when we read about God's judgment, we shrink back from it. It seems to make God sound so cruel and heartless. However, we must remember God deals with man in the direction he is going. To those who love, He says, "Follow me." To those who hate, He says, "The soul that sins, it shall die."

Ezekiel, in his brief prayer (Ezekiel 9), questioned God about mercy mixed with judgment. Even though the evil ones deserved all the judgment they were to receive, still Ezekiel prayed for them. Evil must and will be punished, and we can rest assured God will deal justly. Yet it would be well for us to have Ezekiel's compassion for our accusers and those who hate our Lord. Judgment will come, but may we pray that God will have mercy on those who repent.

Ezekiel 9:8 NIV

While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, “Alas, Sovereign Lord ! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?”

Devotional

THE PAIN PASSES

Pierre Auguste Renoir, the great French artist, suffered severely from rheumatism. It was extremely painful for him to paint, but he continued to do so. A friend once asked, "You have done enough already, Renoir. Why do you continue to torture yourself?" The artist looked at him for a long moment and then said, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."

As we read the prayer of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:15-18), we catch a glimpse of his suffering soul. Rejected by his family, friends, and country, this gallant prophet complained to God in this prayer about his agony. Why did Jeremiah continue to preach and pray? The same reason that Renoir painted: The pain passes, the beauty remains. Jeremiah knew the suffering of the moment could not be compared with the joy awaiting him for faithfulness. So he kept on preaching and praying.

In our moments of despair we, like Jeremiah, sometimes complain to God about our problems. It is comforting to know God understands and seeks to solace our weary hearts. Soon the pain will pass; the beauty of our obedience and faithfulness will last throughout eternity. Let us then be faithful in discharging the duties God has given us.

Jeremiah 15:18 NIV

Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails.

Working hard, enjoying lunch

My workout today was great. Hard, but great! I love being on maternity leave right now. It's allowing me to learn and workout with my husband.
We worked on legs mainly, but adding in abs is always good.

My lunch: Berry Peachy Vi shake
8 oz milk of choice
2 scoops Vi-shape shake mix
1/2 c frozen peaches
1/2 c frozen strawberries
1 peach flavor packet (optional)
5 ice cubes (if fruit not frozen)
Blend together, and enjoy!

Devotional

THE MAGNET

Oliver Wendell Holmes wisely said, "If you give me a dish of sand and tell me there are particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes and search for them with my clumsy fingers and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it, and how it will draw the almost invisible particles by mere power of attraction. The unthankful heart discovers no mercies but the thankful heart sweeps through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find in every precious hour some heavenly blessing."

May we pray "Oh, Father, Who has given us so much, give us one more thing--a thankful heart." The psalmist concludes the great "Hymnbook of Humanity" with the clear commandment to praise God. He says: Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Then, to add emphasis, he demands: Praise the LORD! (Psalm 150).

Today, let us allow the magnet of our thankful hearts to sweep over our memory and recall all the things God has done for us. Then, let us take a moment to praise Him each time a memory comes. We must learn to thank Him also for the tragedies of our lives, for in them we have begun to know Him better. Praise the LORD!

Psalm 150:6 NIV

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord . Praise the Lord .

Breakfast, workout, lunch

Breakfast was a half cup of oatmeal with peanut butter and Vi. Lunch was yummy, Oreo coffee Vi shake with spinach!

Another workout was great today. Did some squats, bench press, jump rope, mountain climbers and a few others. Feels great to work hard for something!

Motivation and self discipline

WINGLESS BIRDS

An ancient legend tells of the time God created the birds. According to the story, they first were made without wings. The birds complained that they couldn't go very fast or far by hopping. So God put wings on their backs. Still the birds complained. Together they went to the Maker and demanded He take away the heavy appendages. They believed the wings had no use except to burden them. The Creator told them to wait one week. He said if they still felt that way after a week, He would remove the wings. During that week, the birds began to experiment with their wings. They soon learned they could speed through the sky and soar heavenward with them. Needless to say, they did not return to ask God to take away their wings.

When it comes to praising, believers are like the birds in this mythical story. Asked to praise God, we feel it is another heavy burden added to our many problems. We complain that we cannot do it, that God expects too much of us. But, when we try praising God, our souls soar like never before. And, once we have tried it, we no longer want to be as we once were (Psalm 149).

Today, may we ask God to teach us to praise. This at first sounds strange, but such a prayer will be answered; and we will learn to give God the glory in all of our lives. In doing so, we will reach a level of joy we never knew possible.

Psalm 149:1 NIV

Praise the Lord . Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

On a roll

3rd day and still haven't drank a mountain dew... go me! Getting hard tho, this is when I start to give in. Need to keep going!

Blueberry muffin for breakfast, Yes Please!

Vi shake: blueberry muffin with spinach! Tastes amazing, and you don't taste the spinach!
Almond milk, handful of spinach, 1/2 packet of blueberry oatmeal, 1/3 c frozen blueberries,  1 T sugar free cheesecake jello, 1 t of real honey, 1/4 c crushed ice and of course 2 scoops Vi mix.

Waking up to Joy

This mornings devotional:

CONDITIONS

Richard Wurmbrand tells of the joy believers knew while confined in Nazi prison camps. Although many were cursing their lot, hating their captors, and plotting revenge, believers were serving their Christ faithfully, sincerely, and with great joy. Both the believer and unbeliever were subjected to the same conditions. However, one reacted as a saint while the other reacted as a sinner.

Viktor Frankl reminds us that true happiness in life depends not on conditions but on decisions. If our hearts are firmly turned toward Christ then we can and will joyfully worship Him--in good times and bad. This seems to be the essence of Psalm 148. Wherever we are, with whatever we have, we should still praise the Lord.

When our praise is based on God's goodness, rather than the conditions of our lives, then we have reached the state of true faith. No matter what the conditions, we will remain true. Like Paul, we learn both to be abased and to abound. Circumstances do not dictate our happiness--that is a result of a living relationship with Christ. And when He is in our hearts, we cannot help but sing--whether it be from the mountaintop or from the cellar.

Psalm 148:1 NIV

Praise the Lord . Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.

Strawberry deliciousness!

Strawberry Cheesecake Vi shake for lunch. Really tasty!

I also ate a single waffle for added calories. (Since I'm pumping)

Breakfast, no gym

Last night's migraine lingered into this morning, which prevented me from getting to the gym, grrrrr!

My breakfast was good tho. Oatmeal squares cereal.

Mountain Dew... so long!

Well, I've made it through my first day... with noooo mountain dew!
I have a bit of a headache, but that could be also from lack of sleep.
Apparently they say it takes 21 days in a row of doing something before it becomes a habit.
So, here's to day one! With dinner I drank black cherry sparkling water; I only like that one because it reminds me of cherry coke.

Stop to Appreciate

Today' s devotional:

STOP TO APPRECIATE

A middle-aged couple appeared before a divorce court seeking a final separation. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?" the judge asked the woman. "Yes," she firmly replied, "We have been married fifteen years and all that time I have kept house, cooked meals, and..." She paused tearfully and the judge asked, "And did he find fault with you?" "No," she said, "It's not that, but in all that time he has never once said 'Thank you.'"

Often we forget the thoughtfulness of a "Thank you." And at times we even take God for granted. Therefore, the psalmist reminds us that it is a healthy thing for us to praise God. Praise is a habit we need to learn for the pure development of our souls (Psalm 147).

Learning to praise God is beneficial to other areas of our lives as well. Expressing appreciation to God daily spills over into our personal relationships; we begin appreciating people. Today, let us seek ways to thank God for all He has done for us. And let us carry this appreciation over into our jobs, our school, and our families. In doing so, we will quickly learn that praising God can make us happier and healthier people. Today, "Praise ye the Lord!"

Psalm 147:1 NIV

Praise the Lord . How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Yummy lunch!

Butterfinger Vi shake, delicious!

The Beginning

Starting date: 3/18/2013

My Before:
Weight: 142 lbs
Chest/bust: 38"
Waist: 32.5"
Hips: 38"
Thighs: R:22.5" L: 23"
Arms: R: 12" L: 12"

My workout: 

Started it with stretching. Then working out with my husband we did this today. Did these in order, one set at a time, then repeating till all sets are completed.
Lunges, while moving forward w/ medicine ball, twisting toward the front leg. 3 sets of 20
Lunges, moving forward at an outward angle while lifting ball in the same manner. 3 sets of 20
Squats w/ medicine ball above head. 3 sets of 15
Medicine ball chop, ball by side of head down to opposite foot. 3 sets of 15, each side.
Push ups. 3 sets of 10 (I'm still weak, I did as many as I could with each set)
Kneeling crunches w/ machine. 3 sets of 15
Rocking abs on bench. 3 sets of 10
Tricep pull down. 2 sets of 15
Bicep pull down. 2 sets of 10

Body by Vi (Vi)

Pre-work out breakfast
Strawberry banana with Banana flavor shape-up mix in!
Delicious!

Happy me, I have God

This mornings verse is:
Psalm 146:5 NIV

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

Very appropriately, this mornings devotional was about just being with God. Being able to ask to be in his presence and feel him near. A great way to start my journey, with God near me!

To me, I really believe that everyone desires to have a closeness with someone. A closeness where you can just sit with them and be with them without needing anything.

Morning Meditation

First off, prayer and devotional (while pumping mind you) before heading to the gym.
My devotional comes from the bible app. I'm doing Draw Near - 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with God.

I have to be sure spending time with God is the first thing I do when I wake up. Before anything else is checked, I check-in with God!

The Challenge Begins

So I'm having some trouble sleeping; mainly due to my brain not wanting to shut off. I'm going to be starting a "new" 90 day challenge (thanks to body by vi: visit www.moore4you.bodybyvi.com for more info.) I'm going to be pretty detailed, as I'll be using it for personal record and self accountability. (That is if time and my memory allows me to.)

Goals:
#1: Develop a more intimate relationship with God
#2: Grow more in love and create a deeper relationship with my husband. (Along with my children)
#3: Gain back my muscle/strength
#4: Lose another 10 lbs (down 30 lbs since Jan 30, 2013. Because of a birth and using bodybyvi)
#5: A realistic goal (for me) kick the intake of Mountain Dew, except for the hopefully rare special occasions.

So now that I've spilled and documented what my brain was thinking, hopefully I'll get SOME sleep (before my 1 month old wakes up.)

Tomorrow I'll be getting my "before" photos and measurements. Looking forward to this journey and praying God has his hand over it!