Resolution Road

It's 2016 and I've really had to contemplate, what my resolutions would be this year.  As I think about what a crazy end of year 2015 was, and how 2016 is starting out, I've decided that I'm going to choose the subject that seems to resonate with me the most. To make it my goal, to become the best version of me, I can. This one, will be hard to measure, but it means the most to me, so I'm willing to do my best. My first goal of the year, is to give to others, to the best of my ability, with all my heart.  This means to stop making rash judgments of other people/situations, and to look inward and see how I can change. You know, judge less. Love more. This is a voting year, and I think we all agree, that we have already seen some crazy politics and opinions. Just scroll down your news feed on Facebook, and it won't take you long to see what people's opinions and judgements are. Everyone has their opinions and thoughts about who the best candidate is. I do! Wh...

I had quite a shock the other day when I met with Tracy Medd, the Christian Ed Pastor at my church. We were just visiting and I was explaining to her how the past year had gone for me. 2014 was an overall good year. I was able to meet many of my goals, including financial, physical and spiritual. But it was the spiritual goals that we were discussing most. In the last year I had completed the Beth Moore study, "Breaking Free".  That study single handedly changed the direction of my life.  In past articles I've discussed how my hope needs to be found in God, how I get upset when my relationships with people don't translate etc. etc.  The Breaking Free devotional helped me to realize that I can't please everyone, that not everyone will like me and that's ok. That I can't fix everyone and that my need to, to make myself feel better was really selfish.  That truly my hope does need to be found in Christ. BUT I was never able to give a word to that definition. ...

The alarm goes off at 6:00am and my first thought is "What did I get myself into?!" I know I've trained for months, drank tons of water, ate a massive plate of pasta the night before and got plenty of sleep, yet, a quick moment of fear passes over me. 7:00am Jill comes over and I feel a bit more calm. We eat some candy and then get dropped off at the race. 8:00am the race starts, music playing, ear buds in and we're off. Don't worry, I won't give the moment to moment recap but I will say we finished the race at 10:22am. A time of 2 hours, 20 minutes and 35 seconds.  Our goal had been to finish the race, running or walking and we made it running the whole way. We were very happy with this. It was so cool to run the last lap in Lambeau Field. When we crossed the finish line, I actually shed a fear tears.  It's been months of training and hard work and it was something I was never sure I'd be able to do. As cheesy as this may sound, crossing the finish li...

I thought it was about time for a little update on the goals.  I never really did share any of my other goals for 2014 and I haven't given any details about the progress on my previous goal.  So, for the previous goal of running and training for the half marathon, here's where I'm at:  I have signed up for the Cellcom, in Green Bay, at the end of May. I have been training since my last article. I was completely unaware of how fast the race booked up and found out they were sold out way back in February. Thankfully there are friends, and Craig's List and I was able to secure a spot in the race. One of the many benefits of training for the marathon is that I've been able to lose 25lbs. Mostly through a beginners half marathon training schedule and also a low carb diet. My sister introduced me to this amazing workout in Howard called Bod-e Bootcamp. Wow!!! It's all about muscle confusion and some pretty intense workouts. I absolutely loved it! I went for a week an...

My first thought when deciding what to write for my first blog of 2014, was to recap last years goals and group them into successes and failures. You know the popular phrase: "Think about how far you have gotten.  Not about how far you still have to go." That sounds so good and yet the the message of a new year, tells us that we are NOT supposed to think this way.  It's message really tells us to look forward by making resolutions, goals and life changes. To "keep your eye on the prize." To take your vision and dreams, making them attainable goals. And so, I will look forward not back. No recaps, no funny failure stories, only the new year, new beginnings and new resolutions. With that I present my first goal of 2014:  1.  Run a half marathon. - My friend Jill and I were hoping to run a marathon in Florida this year. The race was already booked by the time we tried to sign up.  It has now become a goal of ours for the new year. So I am still going to get myself...

There are certain desires that all of us have. The desire to be loved, respected, and treated with kindness.  Mother Teresa said "The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved." I have to say, I just love people.  I know that sounds corny, but I do.  I love them.  I'm drawn to people and have a desire to get to know them.  I want to be involved in their lives.  I have a huge heart for teenagers and young people.  I love people who have less and I have a huge desire to help people in any way I can.  I've already talked about Camp Daniel and my love for people with disabilities. I'm so glad that God gave me a heart for people. In this pursuit to help   love,  I've developed some amazing friendships.  I'd like to say I've changed lives and made a difference but I wouldn't say that.  I just know that I've been able to get to know and try with whatever gifts God has given me, to serve them in wha...

This run will hopefully help with two of my  resolutions!