Wake Me Up When September Begins

Last month at CIY my challenge card was to lead a devotion with my family once a week, pray that God will move in my family, and to start with the book of Mark.
When i first opened my card i was in awe of God's perfection. My family definitely needed something like this. We've tried family bible studies in years past, but it was always hard to get everyone together with all of the activities we were all involved in, so we gave up countless times.
Now we're on week 4 and it's been great!
We started with Mark... i kind of changed up the rules and went through a summary of Mark instead of analyzing it closely (not sure if that's cheating lol). Then we talked about our favorite verses from that book.
Now we're on to one of my favorite books from the bible, Ecclesiastes, and we're doing about 2 chapters a night. Satan gets me to feel so un-motivated every stinkin' week, but that just inspires me to push harder.
In the end, God makes me more thankful for my family. Thanks to everyone who has been praying!

School started a few weeks ago. Ever since then I've lost track of time. If every week is as fast as last week was we're in trouble.
I love my classes, which is kind of nerdy, but that's what keeps my day going. I have a day that's solely math and math-like classes alone, and i am so thankful to be able to focus on one subject in a day.

Thursday is small group orientation at my church and i'm so pumped for another year of growing with some lovely girls.
I have been biking and running everyday, and now i'm addicted. (: Our basement is slowly becoming a gym.
I am still getting the hang of balancing devotions, homework, work, college class, working out, friends, and church activities, but it's good prep for next year.

PS) I'm itchin' for some Fall weather. This summer weather heat is exhausting.

My Health/Fitness Observations

1. Water needs to be a priority. Don't drink anything more than water in a day. Try to make milk come in 2nd. So many times i crave a sugary beverage.. before giving in, drink water and see how you feel. usually the craving goes away for me.

2. Fast food? I see so many people make a bad habit of eating out constantly! My family eats out 1-2 times a month OR LESS. Save your money and your body.

3. Eat slowly! Give your comsumptions time to settle in your stomach. Then you will be least likely to go for a second helping.

4. Don't allow yourself to indulge in any junk food until you've had some type of fruit or veggie. it's great self-discipline.

5. When you take a break from working out for more than one day.. it instantly becomes a chore. Keep focused and push forward.

6. Pilates balls are excellent ab-workers. I love mine to keep my stomach toned. I just lay on my back and basically go back into a bridge (like in gymnastics) then slowly move up. It feels great and is more effective than sit ups!

7. When your brain tells you that you're hungry.. stay out of the kitchen for 15 minutes and engage in a distracting activity (excluding the TV because of food commercials), and your stomach should calm down. Try to listen to the depths of your stomach.. like the difference between love and infatuation.. know the difference between hunger and cravings.

8. Make dessert more of a treat than a habit. Make dessert a reward for a hard workout or a day of total healthy eating. Give yourself something to work for.

9. Put junk food in hard to reach areas.. when you eat sweets take small tidbits and put the bag or box in a complicated place.. in that way when you're done you can decide if it's worth it to get up again and walk all the way over for round 2.

10. Have you heard the supposed myth that a little chocolate a day is good for you? I'm not sure how
accurate that is, but i tell myself it's true. Like exercise, chocolate causes endorphins.. if i'm convinced
that i'm following the rules by eating a little chocolate a day i'm gonna be happy and motivated by that alone!

11. Never, ever compare yourself to someone else. First of all, we're all made to be uniquely who we are.
Looking at a fit person and wanting that look could easily cause jealousy. We're not all meant to look the same. It's not wrong to have a goal of what you want to look like, but comparing yourself is ungodly. Plus,
someone's always going to look better than you in your eyes no matter who you are (tough love).

12. Most importantly, remember what God thinks, "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; therefore, glorify God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19)
That does not only mean by what you wear or how you behave but what you eat and how you treat God's work of art! "It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself." (Proverbs 25:27) I feel like that verse applies to how selfish going out to eat several times a month can become. We're running out our money to satisfy ourselves with unhealthy food. Let's face it, owning money can easily become so self-centered, we buy things that we think will make us happy. Why not cut out something
that gives temporary happiness and long-lasting FAT.
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Like i said, fastfood kills your body and eats up your money. We need to work our hardest to keep our
bodies healthy. I believe that the Lord will bless us for it!

Short & to the point.

I am a female, a woman, a lady.

And i believe that a lady's job is to not pursue, but to be pursued.

To be honest, to be lovely, to be respectful AND respected, to be lively, to be godly, to be faithful, to be pure, and to be encouraging.

I love being a girly-girl. I love pink, lace, pearls, red roses, and love.

I love feeling pretty, I love being adored, and I love being a girl. I have a higher, much deeper opinion on this matter, but for now all i want to say is that above. the end.