I am writing again outside enjoying the sunlight, longer hours, and warmer weather. I decorated the porch today with adorable wind chimes I got at the Dollar Tree.

There has been a lot going on in the past two weeks. Part of it felt like there wasn't a lot going on, yet, you know when you look back on a week's worth of material (a.k.a your life) you will ALWAYS find something noteworthy. I found more items for my soap making which is great! But something bigger happened last week and that is exercise.

My husband has been going to the gym and he suggested I try the program with him. I was nervous for quite a few reasons. I haven't gone to the gym in awhile. I do not do well in settings where I hardly know people, it makes me uncomfortable. I definitely felt and knew that others would be WAY more advanced than me and I did not want to slow down my husband.

Well, the night before gym day, I had a dream that some girl made a comment to me and then I was suspended from the gym. (Yeah, talk about nervousness) Fortunately, that was not what happened. But four days of body soreness and more to follow definitely did.

When we arrived, I did not know what the program would entail, but I found out that it was a high intensity program. One that definitely was not the best for a beginner. But instead of being negative about this experience, I want to share with you what it taught me. After a spider man crawl, a leg thing I have no idea of the name, something that had to do with core and legs, ATTEMPTING to live through a run of up and downs that equaled 1.5 miles ,(I only did two whole turns around the building before they told my gasping for air self to take a break. No, I definitely did not run the whole way.) then 10 minutes of 5 pull ups, 10 push ups, and 15 air squats repeated till time was up and ending with a leg stretch that I'm pretty sure I didn't do completely correct. I thought I wasn't going to move. But that was only the beginning.

After the run, or let me clarify my break while others were still completing the task, I felt the desire to get back up and try to jog some more. Sure, I suck at running/jogging but hey I could still try. The taste of the desire to try was finally accepted. Well, the soreness increased throughout the next hours that passed after the workout and onto the next day and the next day. Pretty much, I couldn't sit without crying out. But you know what, I kept telling myself even when I wasn't working out and sore that I could do this. I tried to rest the next day and I did for a bit. But I told myself that laying down was not going to help me get better. (Note: rest is good for you but I all ready had rest) So I began, as my wonderful husband began to call it, "hobble" around the apartment. I worked on laundry and cleaning. On the second day after the workout, it was a Friday, we were back at the gym.

I had decided that an intense program that constantly burnt me out was not going to help me gain strength. But what I could do is train myself to get stronger. So I headed to the machines. That's one thing I love about gyms. They have so much for you to try out! So instead of 20 minutes or 30 minutes, I told myself for an hour I can do a workout. I worked out for an hour two days ago and I learned that I could push myself farther than I thought I could.

My body was all ready hurting and sore so it may sound weird but I didn't have to wait for the burn to happen. It happened as soon as I started to move my body. My main obstacles were stay focused and push. If I had to slow down fine but I couldn't just stop when I had a goal. The other obstacle was my heart beat. I've heard and read that it is good to keep your heart beat in the 150-170 range. Too low you aren't pushing yourself enough and too high you're pushing yourself too much. The machine I was on indicated what your heartbeat was. This was perfect.

The two people (if you will) that I constantly thought of were my husband and God. The two who have done a lot for me. When I worked out with my husband on the previous Wednesday he was extremely encouraging during the run. He kept pace with me and he kept giving me encouraging words to keep trying through the pain. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have even finished the second run around the building (the first one had me done). He constantly pushes me to keep going to the next step. With my writing, with people, with my faith, with my life he is always pushing me to keep at it.

And then, I have God. The single Being Who has always been there since before my birth and even played a role in my name. The One who has always helped me when I haven't been able to move on farther. He gave me my husband. He has always walked in front of me. He never stops and I feel that even in exercise I can glorify His name. Give Him my all and still praise Him through pain.

It's a humbling experience because even when I'm hurting there is so much to be thankful for. I can feel pain while there are others who want to feel. I can walk even if I hobble sometimes when it's hard to walk, but I can still walk. I have someone who is encouraging me while being my friend and my husband. I have faith in Someone who I believe has always been there and no one can take that away from me.

Yesterday I went back to the gym and I'm happy to report that I increased both the calories I burned and the miles.

Saturday, I looked at a party store (party favors are the perfect things to look at if you want toys for soap) and my pain from Wednesday's workout was finally over though Friday's workout pain was definitely noticed. Later on in the day, I had some down time to myself. I was thinking about some things that left a negative impact on me and when I felt those feelings I decided to again push it at God.

And somehow through His perfect timing it became an experience that bettered me in so many ways. I have stated that I have fourteen words that guide me in having a relationship with God. Well friends, I'm proud to say that number has went from 14 to 60. One of the items I had bought at the store was a set of popsicle sticks. Rainbow colored popsicle sticks to be exact. After the list of 14 was made I had been working on another list of 14 that I wasn't able to finish months ago.

Since I was newly inspired that I could push past previous obstacles, I sat down and thought about all of the different things that happen in a relationship with God, certainly there were more than 14. Here are the lists. 4 sets of 14 (one being the original) and 4 words in addition to the sets.

1. Eagerness

2.Desire

3. Self-Control

4. Talent

5. Trusting

6. Caring

7. Healing

8. Strength

9. Assurance

10. Holiness

11. Guidance

12. Gentleness

13. Empathy

14. Light

Set 4- Phrases (particular ones that are encouraging to me)

1. Warmth when cold

2. Provides another way

3. Hope in fear

4. Wings to fly

5. Hand never leaves

6. Stable ground to stand

7. Light in darkness

8. Armor doesn’t break

9. Always close when alone

10. Sword of promises

11. Stands in front of us

12. He gathers His elect

13. He is family and home

14. Always is glorified

Extra 4 words

1. Sensitive

2. Understanding

3. Graceful

4. Chosen

All 60 are in one of my favorite mugs.

Each day I take one out and remember that word. Today's word was humility. These words and phrases have also helped my writing. All of the main characters can relate because each of the four girls represents a color while the leader represents the girls.

Speaking of my writing, I have been blessed with a friend who is a graduate student in the writing field. She has been extremely busy and it was so nice to hear that she likes what I've written. It's very encouraging! Also, Melissa's T.R is so close to being done. I just need to keep pushing myself to not give up.

Before I close, I want to add some of the deep thoughts I've been having recently. These are also some that I plan to write about in my devotional.

-We have felt love and know what it is like to experience it. Can you imagine at all what it must be like to come from the One who created it.

-The image of God standing in front of me protecting me has had a huge impact on me. I keep telling myself that no matter what happens if it is in His plan He will make it happen. No one will stop Him from being glorified.

-When God glorifies Himself even if the act is looked upon as selfish I want you to take it a step farther. Think of the fact that when God glorifies Himself His glory ALWAYS helps someone somewhere. Even when God told the Israelites that His glory was not for them but for Him He is still helping others! (Isaiah 48:9-11)

Just like the flower seeds I planted are growing, I too want to grow with my skills! I want to blossom through faith, writing, life and strength. Till next time my friends, keep holding on.