Unexpected Start to the Year

Well hello! We are nearing one week in to 2015. Let me tell you, it has not started off exactly as I had planned. Caring for my husband with influenza took over all the cleaning, organizing, and planning I had hoped to get done this past week. HOWEVER - I maintained my commitment to eat according to the Whole 30 protocol, continued working out, and continued my devotions. So what if my "to-do" list has to wait for another day, I took care of someone who needed it, as well as myself and my kiddos. That's what matters. Right? Only thing is, now I am beginning to have the same symptoms as

my hubby, and I am desperately trying to fight it. Salt baths, saline sprays, water, water, and MORE water, and a lot of prayer! I ended up on the couch this afternoon, took a nap, and feel as though I might just be fighting it off. I don't want to type too soon, though. But I do want to share a few things that I have had on my heart the past couple of days.

Many of my thoughts have been on my goals for 2015. I touched base on this a little bit in last week's post, but didn't go into too much detail. I simply stated "Growing stronger in Christ, living at peace with myself and others, loving & experiencing life with my children and growing closer to my husband..." In addition, I do still have my physique and physical health goals. These are good goals, but not very specific. So I prayed about it, and got into God's Word and came up with some very specific things I can DO to foster my heart's ultimate desires. Here's a glimpse of the goals laid on my heart:

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1. A daily goal of beginning every day with devotions and prayer. Yep, something I had on my heart in September, back when I was compelled to begin this blog. This causes me to grow stronger in Christ, creates peace in my heart which then transfers to my relationships with others, and certainly impacts my experiences with my children and husband.

2. A daily goal of continuing to eat clean and whole foods. This is so important to my physical well being, which also impacts my thoughts and emotions (to the

extent that I allow them to). So far, this has been really rewarding. I enjoy connecting with other likeminded individuals around food, and looking at their photos and meal ideas. It is kind of fun to see what I can come up with next, because of the inspiration of others.

3.  A daily goal to give my anxieties and concerns to God, and allow His Holy Spirit to bring me a peace that passes understanding when I begin to experience doubt, fear, concerns, etc. This means living in the moment, to an extent, and being aware of how I feel and letting it go to God. It also means allowing His Holy Spirit to lead and guide me more and more each day.

4. A daily goal to get some form of exercise. I have most days planned out right now. Monday, Wednesday and Friday being strength days, and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday being HIIT cardio days. Sunday will always be my day of rest, but have stretching incorporated.

5. A goal or theme for the year, that keeps recurring in my mind - BE REAL. Just be real and not worry about what others are thinking. This subject has come up so many times in the past week. It was a theme in my devotions, it was the topic of an online sermon I watched this past Sunday and during prayer. It's funny, because I like to think I am real. But the more this topic came up, the more uncomfortable I became. Why? Because I do get concerned with what others think. Judgment is so prevalent in online communities, I wonder if there is judgment on what I write in my blog. I keep things vague and general, so as to not divulge too

much information. I sense I have to step outside of that and just make myself more of an open book. I have no way of knowing for certain, but I sense my journey will positively affect someone I may not even know, the more open I am about my struggles and accomplishments. Of course this requires discernment and God's leading, and only a willing heart on my part. That's where the first goal comes in.

6. A goal for the year is to do a couple Spartan races and one figure competition. Specifically, the Spartan Indy Sprint in May, and the Spartan Chicago Super in September. The figure competition I would like to compete in, is in July. Again, making sure I keep my daily/weekly goals, will get me ready for each of these three competitive events.

7. A daily, weekly and goal for the year - step outside my comfort zone.

Part of the message this past Sunday was to ask myself if I was truly willing to risk being ridiculed, judged and mocked for the sake of others. In my heart I gave an emphatic, "YES!" I was pumped I was like, "Yes Lord! Move through me in any way you see fit!"

After all, I may meet someone during a figure competition who will come one step closer to Christ after a conversation we have. Or, I may post something someone has never come across before, and it causes them to reflect on their relationship with God. I have no idea. But I know I said yes, and I was immediately challenged with the notion.

I sensed I needed to get back to posting the Scripture from my morning devotions. I also sensed I needed to begin reaching out to others I don't know. That was easy. But then people I know, who aren't really connected to this site, nor did I ever expect them to be, began following the happenings. I was real uneasy. Immediately I wanted to implement filters. And you guessed it, I was reminded of that resounding "YES!" I said in my heart on Sunday morning. God is funny that way. Not only does He want me to grow and become less concerned with the cares of living in this world, but He wants to move through me to help others do the same. I may not understand the avenues to which He plans on doing it, but I know I meant it when I said yes.

That's where I am as I move into the second week of 2015. I hope you are well and have a great week!

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