Lets be practical.

Hey there!

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday :).
We had a great weekend full of a birthday party, the fair, church, and a baby shower!
Hopefully a restful day tomorrow!

In my last post, exercise for the glory of God, we talked about how training our bodies is a smaller example of training ourselves to become like Christ. I need more organization in life when it comes to exercise and more planning to make it happen. This is why I started talking about this but I will continue talking about it because I love how God desires our bodies to be healthy to be able to do what he calls us to. So, this is not to lose a ton of weight, fit in smaller clothes, or just feel better about ourselves because we look more attractive to the world. It's to become more disciplined in exercise and then think about how discipline not only brings results in our earthly bodies but discipline can also help us become more like Christ.

I don't have money in the budget for a gym membership. Maybe you do, maybe you don't. But we all have a living space or somewhere outside that we can get moving - for FREE!

Cardio:
-Walk
-Jog
-Sprint
-Bike

These are great options for cardio, to get our blood pumping and our bodies moving! I will always choose jogging for a few reasons. Walking takes longer and I can be impatient... I'm not a sprinter because well - I just haven't tried it. I don't have a bike :) so that explains itself. But, whatever you choose - choose one! Or two and get out and start moving!

Now here is what is new for my workouts... Strength training! I did a post before on my nap time workout. I have found a few others that have worked really well for me on Pinterest (I have my friend Shelby to thank for most of these!) that take such a short time that anyone can fit it in. But the part of this that I really love is that I don't need to own weights to do this! I can just do one repetition if I have a short time, or do it twice, or even three times for a longer and more effective work out.

Source: theeverydaywarrior.com via Megan on Pinterest

Source: itsfitnessbaby.com via Megan on Pinterest

Source: toneitup.com via Megan on Pinterest

All three of these are so great! They get you moving but also bring in exercises so that many muscle groups are worked. They also leave you sore!

Everyone is going to be different as we are all starting in a different place -
But, this is about planning and becoming disciplined in exercise.

SO- Make a plan!

Here is mine:
Monday - Strength training workout
Tuesday - Run
Wednesday - Strength training workout
Thursday - Run
Friday - Day off
Saturday - Run
Sunday - Strength training workout (or if I am too busy, another day off)

Hope this practically gets you thinking about how to fit exercise into your busy life!
~Meg

Exercise for the Glory of God

1Timothy 4:7-8 says,

"Rather train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 

&

1Corinthians 9:24-25

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

I love this. I love that working out, self control with exercise, and discipline are all worldly examples of straining toward a higher goal. The higher goal of godliness or becoming like Jesus. 

So, how do we become like Jesus?

Through constant conversation with him (prayer), reading His word (the bible), and living in constant fellowship (life) with people who love him too while on mission to spread the good news of Jesus everywhere. We can't become like him without a self controlled life that leads us into a devoted discipline of getting to know him.

In that same way, we cannot be healthy without a self controlled life that leads us into a discipline of working our body toward a higher goal. This isn't about losing weight, being a skinnier you (or whatever all those internet sites tell you), or dieting. It is about viewing our discipline of working out as a smaller example of our discipline to becoming like Christ. 

We really can't do either of these things without reliance on the Holy Spirit. Of course we can work our bodies out in a frenzy for any of the things that I mentioned this is not about.  When it's not about Jesus our reasoning for exercising goes chaotically astray. But, if we do rely on Him - I believe that this can be for our good and His glory! We can be healthier, prolonging the bodies longevity, and have more energy to do what he has called us to. 

We are all here at a different place. 

You could be

-Already relying on the Holy Spirit for a disciplined life of exercise

-Like me in occasionally exercising but feeling that you need to be more disciplined and regular

-Exercising rarely and feeling lethargic and exhausted most of the day

-Not exercising at all and feeling like it is a far away and lofty goal that can't be attained

No matter where you are at, I know that God desires you to be healthy, energetic, and answering His call to have the gospel proclaimed through your life.

Today was about the theology behind exercising for the glory of God.
In the next few days I'll show you how I intend to practically live this out.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!
~Meg

Getting organized.

Are you an organized person?
If you said no, do you want to be?

I wouldn't call myself a Martha Stewart, everything has the right bin that's labeled or a Tsh Oxenreider - Simple Mom who has the wonderful capability of only owning what she uses on a regular basis.

I'm just not there yet.
But I want to be.

 Sure, I've struggled with finding the balance between not caring at all and caring too much. But as the Holy Spirit moves me to become more reliant on him in all my roles as Daughter of God, Wife, Mama, Friend, Servant - I've found I'm beginning to see how I can care for my family well by planning without going OCD on every little area.

A few areas I'm trying to be more organized in are:
- Working Out
- Cleaning
- Meal planning/buying/preparation
- Siena activities
 - BE (a little acronym introcduced to us by our pastor this week, B is for Bles s and E is for eat)

 Over the next few weeks I'm going to share with you what I've accomplished and see if anyone wants to join me in a few activities :).

 So, this isn't about getting our homes completely organized and put away - although that's always a goal of mine. It's more about being organized mentally in areas of life that can easily bog you down. 

What are a few areas you would like organized?

ER Visit #3

This week I read this quote out of a book that my gospel group is reading called Fight Clubs.

Expect unexpected change in your day and remember that it's Holy Spirit directed.
{At least that is my paraphrase...}




Sunday night I sat on my bed after putting Siena in her crib and started to make a list of things on my phone that would bring me rest and rejuvenation if I did them the next day. We had an amazing weekend full of parties, celebrating really amazing friends, and fellowship with lots of families in our church. I was exhausted by the end of it as it was two days of 30 minute naps for Siena and really no time to get anything done around the house - but was incredibly uplifting and fun!

This was my list that I made:
-Workout: Run with Siena or family run
-Bathe Mama and SJ
-Plan meals and prep during nap
-Time with Jesus at 6:45
-Get some work done in bedroom (we just got a new desk; which I am so happy about!!)

Monday morning I woke up at 6:45 with Chris. He left to go meet some friends at the gym and I sat reading/praying in bed. All of my list was washed away when my husband stumbled into the bedroom a half an hour later when he should have been gone at least an hour. I asked him what happened as I could see that he was covered in sweat and was really pale - a look that I had only seen on him one time prior and that was disastrous. He told me he fell and that I needed to look at his leg.

I started to look at them and found a 7cm by 7cm gash on the back of his left thigh. I told him to lay down and that we had to go to the Emergency Room right away. To that he preceded to say, "It can't just heal on it's own??" I told him no... you aren't looking at what I am. He sat there looking like he was going to pass out from the pain/ his body was going into shock.

There is so much more of this story that I could type. But the thing that the Lord is teaching me this week is that I need to be ready. Ready at any moment for him to change my plan, my day, my moment.

I thought that Monday was going to be this relaxing stay at home kind of a day. It turned into 6 and a half hours in the ER while my sweet husband lay on a hospital bed on his stomach. I got one thing checked off that day that was on my list. Getting up with Jesus and spending time with Him first so that my thoughts, motives, actions were in line with his. I am so thankful that I was prompted to do this.

The hospital is probably my least favorite place in the world. But in the last seven months we've been there three times and Jesus has taught us so much each time were there.

We are helpless when we're there. We are at the mercy of a God who loves us but sometimes has a different plan than our own. We have had some of the most strengthening conversations, laughable moments, and been bonded in our marriage because of this trial.

And I am thankful for this ER Visit #3.

Disney, you never disappoint.

We had the most relaxing three days. I am so thankful that we were able to go up and visit Chris' grandma at his wonderful aunt's house!

The trip started on Tuesday at 1pm (no, Siena hadn't napped yet :) we were hoping she would in the car - but she didn't). I was given a  huge gift from my husband that day. Usually Siena says Mama about 1,000 times while we are in the car. She may want a toy, a snack, a chance to say something sweet or the opportunity to whine. I was quite tired though and started to rest with my eyes closed. Chris told Siena that I was napping and for the hour ride I got to have my eyes closed while Chris talked with Siena. It was a HUGE gift and started the getaway off really restfully.

Below is a few pictures from our morning at Disneyland with Siena. We stayed for about two and a half hours with her and went on a few rides and walked around. She loves it! She was dressed as Tinkerbell :).

Around 11:30 we drove back to Chris' aunt's house and put her down for a nap and grabbed some lunch. His wonderful grandma and aunt then watched Siena the rest of the day so that we could have our first Disneyland trip without Siena! Right before we took Siena home we tried to get a picture of her with Mickey but the line closed as soon as we came up. A picture of her mama and dada with Mickey is as good to her! To love my husband well I said ok to going on a few rides that I really don't like. Before we got to one of them I asked him what would happen if it broke down. You will see on the bottom left that we then chose not to ride the ride. As we walked there we saw a car of people stuck before a massive drop off. They all had to walk down. No. Thank you. We had a seriously fabulous time going on rides (together), walking around, eating, and watching a few shows. Thank you Ellen and Grandma!

The next day we stayed and hung by the pool. They have a fabulous backyard with gorgeous flowers, palm trees, a swing for Siena, and a huge pool with a hot tub built in. It feels like a personal resort. Siena also spent a lot of time drawing on an exchascetch lying on her belly and playing with family.

Yesterday we had our sweet friend Eleanor's 1st birthday party! It was put together so nicely by her mom Megan! Siena absolutely loves Eleanor and Megan (maybe Megan a little more, Hold Megan? Is the question constantly asked!).

 Eleanor received a lot of very lovely presents and Siena helped open them. :)

We had a wonderful week and ended it last night with our first ever Salsa dancing lesson with friends. I didn't really want to go... and then I LOVED it. We will probably be going back!

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday enjoying God, his people, and his creation!

~Meg

Walt, I'll see you tomorrow!

Yes, my family of 3 will be visiting with Walt Disney's statue again tomorrow. Chris' grandma will be in town in LA, so we are visiting and getting in a little Disney for SJ.

Did I just say for SJ?
Just joking.

Chris and I love Disneyland more than any child. We walk in there excited for the fake happiness of every worker, the yummy corn dogs and ice cream piled high in a waffle cone, and to get the thrill of going on one more ride.

I'm going to instagram my way through our day and post them when we get back!
See you in a few days!
-Meg

I'm here with a new look.

Hey there,

I've been gone for over a month. I'd say probably to do some healing, talking, interaction face to face with people closest to me. I don't want to stop blogging. But I think I needed a break. 

Those words in that frame? It is not about you. Those are sweet words to me. Meditating on them help me to remember who my life is really about. It's about Christ and his purposes; not my plans. 

Thank goodness. 

I'm excited to change up my blog and go to a simpler view. I'm thinking it will help me remember to focus on why I write here. To share my life with others, to share Jesus' love for them, and to remember what we did in times past.

Here's to a fresh start!

Cheers!
Meg