Just one step...

Just one step...Just one step...Just one step!

This is my phrase for the week.  After the crisis of last week, I find myself flitting in the wind.  Last week my routine and schedule were non existent. I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't exercise....there went my running plan.  I didn't exactly make the wisest choices for good nutrition...there went my weight loss.  I didn't have my morning time with my Maker...there went my peace, strength, confidence, patience, and a multitude of other comforts that I receive when I spend time with God.  I miss Him.  I miss hearing His voice...

Now, typically I would start with a unrealistic goal plan beginning on Monday morning: exercise for an hour, plan my meals to cover all food groups, bible study/pray for an hour, etc....however...my soul and body are still tired...so I am going to extend myself some grace and take just one step!

My first step will be to be in bed on time tonight. 

My next step will be to exercise for 15-20 minutes in the morning.

My next step will be to open the Word, read, sit and listen...resting in the comfort of my Lord's arms...

Looking forward to the steps and getting back on track!

Hope you have a great Monday!



Off track

Last Friday evening, as my hubby and I were making up a cheese and meat platter, we received a call that a very special person to us admitted to hospital for emergency surgery on in infection in the bones.  Unfortunately, he experienced some complications and ended up in ICU.  The last few days have found him regaining his strength in the pulmonary unit.  I love this man and these past few days have been one of challenge, support and endurance. 

With the challenge of hospital visits, work, and home life.  I am an engine who has been derailed....


A great big Happy Birthday to my brother!  J.  I am so blessed to have you as a brother!  May this next year bring you many blessings!  I am so proud of you and the man you have become.

YIKES!!! Wipe OUT!!!!

My morning:
4:15 AM--alarm that I thought was set for 5:15 AM goes off.  Turn off alarm.  Lay in bed, doze back to sleep
5:25 AM--wake up hubby and ask him if he wanted to go to gym--a groggy "no" was his reply.  Attempt to wake up 15 year old daughter to go to gym--"How can it be morning?" was her reply.  Get dressed to go to gym by myself.  (After all, I have told my cyberspace cheering team that I am running for a 5K.)
5:40 AM--drive to gym.
5:42 AM--arrive at gym--what?? All treadmills in use...I would like to say my thoughts were "good for them!" But, nope, I was thinking, "You have got to be kidding me, I am all psyched up to run and now there is no machine....urghhh."
5:45 AM--realize that although it is still pretty dark outside, the temps weren't too bad, so I could just do my running outside.  Drive home!
5:50 AM--put on my gloves and hat, start my walk/run.  (Thanks Elisa for the tip on downloading the training program to my iPod....works awesome--love it!)
6:05 AM--receive a phone call from dear hubby with a warning to be careful as there are some real slick spots that are hard to see.  I assure him that I am watching it!
6:08 AM--WIPE OUT!!  OUCH!!  Down I went...(thankfully nothing broken.)
6:10 AM--Walk through front door with tears in my eyes and limp slowly to my chair.  Discouraged and frustrated.

I don't know about you, but my life is sometimes like this morning.  I try something, it doesn't work out, I try it a different way, I wipe out....many times I repeat this cycle....but.....thankfully....with God's help, I always get up.  Sometimes, I may have a limp...and many times a few tears....but I always have His guidance and direction leading me to home!! 

Hmmmm....a spiritual lesson from falling on the ice when training for a 5K....

May you have a slip free day! 

PS.  If you do slip, remember God is there to help you up!

5K Update, Week 1, Day 3

I am happy to report that yesterday (Saturday) I completed day 3 of training!  Thank you all for your encouragement on this "out of the box" goal.  Now, at one time, I wouldn't have thought a 5K was too big of a deal.  Four surgery's, 16 chemo treatments, 6 weeks of radiation...for me, it is a really big deal. 

To be honest, I don't know if I can do it!  To be really honest...only two things got me off of the couch and to the gym yesterday.

 1) This blog

 2) The fact that losing weight and exercise helps decrease my risk of recurrence significantly.

I wish I could say that I was a person who exercised just because they like it.  Just between us...I would much rather sit and read blog entries (or write them).  Or go out for coffee and chat.  Or.....

So, I push forward...knowing I that I can share with you all my struggles and my triumphs. 

Blessings on your week!

Ps.  For those of you who are interested in joining our team, you can register  at http://www.averaracesiouxfalls.org/reischracers

Pss.  To explain our logo:  My younger brother had carcinoid syndrome (Zebra) which created tumors in his liver and my younger sister was a live liver donor. (green ribbon).  My family and I have much to celebrate!!

Psss.  You don't have to run to participate.  Many on our team will be walking!  (Just us silly ones will be running!)

Proverbs 31 She Speaks 2011

Tonight I was going to write what I had hoped was to be an award winning blog for a scholarship to this summer’s Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference. From the She Speaks website "She Speaks is a life-changing conference for women of every generation seeking to explore the tug on her heart to reach out to the world for Jesus. Through She Speaks, Proverbs 31 Ministries encourages and equips women who are called by God to share our mission to bring God’s peace, perspective and purpose to today’s busy woman. Sharing God’s truth with love is not only a holy calling but a remarkable responsibility. We believe by equipping women to become more effective at sharing the Word of God, we multiply our efforts to reach a hurting world with the life-transforming hope of Jesus."  I was blessed by some individuals who believed in me, when I didn't believe in myself and was able to attend this conference last year.  So, my intention this evening was to write why I would love the chance to attend again this year and share some of my experiences from last year.  However, this evening I am finding it a challenge for my words to make sense. You see, my heart is heavy with concern and sadness for a few individuals who have recently had their cancer return. To be honest, my heart feels like it is breaking and all I really want to do is climb in my Father's lap.  After He dries my tears, I want to ask Him why???  It really seems silly to want to write a fancy story for a contest, when you know there is someone who is having to endure a tough battle just so they can have another day of life.

Perspective….

However, I do feel prompted to enter the contest as I have been hearing the gentle whisper of the Lord to receive some speaker training. I totally cannot believe that I wrote the last sentence. Isn’t it so like God to call you to do something that you can only do if He steps in to assist? I have never spoken in front of a group. To be honest, I have never really had the desire to speak in front of group…that is until lately. Actually, I still don’t have the desire to speak. But I do have the greatest desire to spread hope to those who are broken and hurting.

• I want to share with others that God loves them, especially when they have believed the lie that they are unlovable and unworthy.
• I want to share how when I prayed to God and said, “Here is my life Lord, use it however you want…” and less than 8 hours later, I was diagnosed with an invasive breast cancer.
• I want to share with others how it was through the dark days of cancer treatment when I found healing…spiritually and physically.
• I want to share with others how only God can make a blessing come out of a mistake.
• I want to share with others how God can take a broken person and make them whole.
• I want to share with others how God stepped in and reconciled a marriage when the divorce papers were being signed. (Okay, I don’t know if I really want to share this as I will be forced to face my shortcomings, however I am getting the feeling that God maybe wants me to share parts of this story to encourage other women in their marriages.)

One of the greatest blessings I have received from my cancer journey is the opportunity to offer love and support to others who find themselves on the same path. I am so excited about our organization which is in its “infant stages” called Hope Lives Now! Hope Lives Now believes that “Cancer is a journey that no one should walk alone.” Through God’s hand, I have been asked to share about Hope Lives Now to a few organizations. Now, I have never had any training on how to speak in front of a group. Guess this is just one more step in the “trusting.”

Well, there you have it.  My mixed up words for tonight. It is time for me to take this heavy heart and teary eyes off to find some comfort in prayer and slumber.

  

Don’t take your health for granted—do something good for your body today!!

For those of you interested in applying for the scholarship, here is the link.
http://lysaterkeurst.com/2011/03/she-speaks-scholarship-contest-2011/


Ps.  please pardon any grammer/spelling errors...I am finding that my new "training" schedule is making me really tired, so a few head bobs going on...

I did it!! 5K here I come....????

Well, here is another thing I am going to throw out to cyberworld.....this morning was my official start of training for a 5K run.  The Avera Race for the Cure is in May and I plan to run a 5K (for more information you can click here.) 

I am hoping by sharing this information with all of you it will help me stay accountable and possible encourage some of you to join me in this challenge.  I am stepping out of my box and comfort zone.  I don't know if I can complete this goal.  I do know that I have set a plan in place and I am going to give it my best effort.  For those of you who may be interested in running a 5K, there is a really awesome plan called  from couch to 5K at Cool Runnings.

As I was completing my first day of training this morning...I started thinking about a recent conversation I had with my 21 year old son.  I was explaining to him that in life we need to have goals, remembering that to achieve our goals it typically requires planning, discipline, and often times sacrificing.  So, as my children watch me work towards my goal of a 5K, I am modeling to them a life skill. 

As, with most goals...the encouragement and support of others motivate us, so I will be popping in here with random blogs entries on how my training is going.

How about you...

What goals have you set for yourself?
How can I help motivate you?

Blessings on your day!

Happy Birthday to the "girls"

There was a time in my life, that I would have never shared the information that I am about to share with cyberworld.  If you are easily offended...stop reading and come back when I post some other day.

So, I was sitting at work...working...when all of a sudden I heard some singing along with a few giggles.  I turned around and much to my surprise, my coworkers were singing "Happy Birthday!"  For those who know me, know my birthday is in May.  The giggling was because they were singing to "my girls!" 

One year ago today I had my implant exchange surgery.  What a relief to get rid of those hard expanders.  So, for those of you who could use a little humor in your life...here are some pics:

Special thanks to L. for the cake!

Hope you all have a great day!!