Week One Wrap & Heart-to-Hearts

Week two is coming to an end, for the Oxygen Ultimate Challenge. While I can write it in the books as successful, both nutritionally and physically, it wasn’t without its challenges.

Right out of the gate my schedule, or plan, was changed up due to work. I learned a while ago to not expect things to be perfect, and I won’t grow as frustrated. It is always best to be adaptable. Both Wednesday and Thursday were modifications to what I had planned to do, but I got in the gym (at work and at home) and got it done! Friday rolled around and I was spent! I was ready for a nap, a glass of wine, a hot bath and tons of chocolate. But I didn’t give in. OK, I DID take a nap, but I got up, did my workout, drank my BCAA’s and went to the 4-H fair with my family.

Because I was SO tired Friday, I allowed my body to rest both Saturday and Sunday, which was good. I needed it. My family and I spent some time out of town listening to one of my favorite bands, then hit the fair and lake again on Sunday, after stocking up on groceries. Yesterday the week began strong with moving into Ephesians for devotions, meal prep, and a good conversation with my kiddos.

The thought occurred to me, I needed to check in with my daughters. In my mind I know and believe everything I do is for them to be better able to become who God needs them to be, and have me around as long as possible to continue to support and encourage them. The thought crossed my mind, “maybe they don’t view it the same. Maybe they view it as something that takes away from their time with me.” So we sat on the porch yesterday and had a wonderful heart-to-heart. They shared with me they know the most important things in my life are God, our family, being healthy and work. 

They are happy that I spend time in devotions, and encourage them to do the same. They appreciate me doing my best to be there for them, allowing them to have new experiences and supporting their time with their friends (they have quite the social life these days). They both, but mainly my oldest, think it is awesome I workout every day over lunch; they love seeing me become more healthy and fit. While they both wish I didn’t have to work, they understand it is necessary for our family right now, and they appreciate that it provides for them. They did have one request.

They expressed their desire to attend church more regularly and return again to praying as a family. Both shared with me they felt the conviction during church camp to be more consistent about joining our church family on Sundays. They also shared they miss our nightly prayers together. With summer here, it has been a bit challenging to get up and go, as well as pray together every night, but they were able to identify why. My heart was happy when they expressed they wanted to have their own relationship with God, where they KNEW He was leading and guiding them, rather than feeling like they were depending on my relationship and faith to be enough for them. I love how deep they are! I love how God is moving in their hearts. I love how God is answering my prayers.

This conversation was so good for my heart. In the past I have wrestled with feeling like I needed to do more. Like I needed to be a missionary in some exotic country to really be doing something for Christ. Or that I needed to be saving children from horrible things I know they experience. Or that I need to be doing more in the house of God, for my life to count for anything. God helped me understand then, and confirmed for me again, this family, in this town, in this state – is right where He needs me to be. This is my mission. This is His ministry and testimony in my life. Perhaps my faithfulness in raising them as He needs me, will cause them to be missionaries, or advocates for children. Perhaps the impact they will have on the community and our world, is dependent on my faithfulness. All I know is after I sat with them and during my time with our community, I felt so much peace, contentment, and a happy heart. I felt the joy of the Lord. I felt like I was doing exactly what I was called to do, where I have been called to do it!