Fit, Fabulous, 40's Friday!

Hi Friends, remember me?

I know, that's not me, but didn't it make you smile?

Yes, it's true! A Post!!  Happy Friday!!
I've been busy with my children and my ministry at church and God is just doing so much right now.

Here are the Cliff Notes, sad if you even know what these are!!

In July, I get a call from an old friend Tracy, out of the blue, who works at church and says, "Janet, the person we thought was going to take over our Cross Fitness class can't do it anymore.
I prayed about it and GOD brought you to mind."

What would YOU say?
Well, knowing the reputation of this woman and the sheer respect I have of her...I told her I would pray about it.
I called my husband, (who is AWESOME-by the way) and he says, "I think you should do it".
Of course, part of me was wishing he said not to, because I've never lead group instruction. I had done some personal training, a little one-on-one, and this would be a risk for me, translation: I was scared!

20 minutes later I called Tracy to tell her that I would do it.

My first class, there were probably about 12-15 people. I was super excited and was doing this for the Lord, so I just went for it.

Last Wednesday's night class had almost 80! Crazy, right?

So, back to teaching my first class, I prayed.
I prayed for music, the workout, what God wanted me to do, say, EVERYTHING!!!
What a blessing it was, and slowly the class began growing.

2 months later, I was asked to support the other fitness classes on campus- Holy Yoga, Zumba, Stetch and Strengthen, Walk & Worship, Bootcamp. I immediately started praying for these leaders, their ministries and the community we were serving and continue to serve.

I remember meeting Tracy after a few classes and just feeling very dependent on God, not knowing why He had me there.

Tracy gave me this verse:
Romans 4:1-3

It didn't make much sense to me then, but boy, it sure does now!

(Basically, this passage speaks of how if Abraham was able to do what God asked Him to do, it would be an Abraham-story, and not a God story. If I was asking God to bless the things I was planning, doing and creating, then God would not get any credit, as I was able to do these things on my own energy, strength and ability.
But because Abraham entered into what God had for him by surrendering his plans and trusting God to take him to places and do things on his own, it became a God-story.)

Back to what's happening:
The New Year hits and Pastor Rick launches his new Daniel Plan book and we have a Rally and start the bible study, "Transformed".

Pastor Rick wants to shut down all the fitness classes on campus but Tracy negotiates for us and they give us permission to keep our classes going as long as we all lead groups, at which time, Walk & Worship, Zumba and my Cross Fitness Class are all on the same night so we decide to collaborate into one tent.

We have a medium sized group but are stoked that people come and groups are formed.

Shortly after we start the study, I get a call from Mrs.A, who says that the Daniel Plan is going to make some Fitness videos and she wanted to know if that sounded interesting to me.

WHAT? Ummmmm....YES!!!!

So, she tells me that I need to make a video and submit it as an audition and since I was going to have class that night, just video tape myself....
#1- I hate watching myself on video
#2- the videos she sends me to look at as samples are totally professional
#3- I'm not a professional
#4- I haven't been trained to act
#5- Did I say, I'm not a professional?
I will post it sometime...

So, all my stuff that the devil likes to shout at me, starts coming up.
I do it anyway!!!
I send it in.

I get a call, and the producer would like to meet me in person.

Her assistant meets me and takes pictures and asks me to jog in place so she can make sure I don't look like I'm twerking or something...
I'm going to be a "cast" member in the back, but I don't care. There will be 5 of us. I'm one of them!!!

A week later I get a call from Sony (actually a woman representing Sony) asking if I'm ok with the dates, the pay and some details.

Can I just say, "WOW"? God is creating HIS story.

So here I am, I got a call today about my sizes for outfits, I have 4 clients that I train regularly and love the place I am in.

I'm blown away. This is God's story...not mine anymore.
It happened when I said, "YES", to Him, with ALL that I have....EVERYTHING.

I know being a part of Mary De Muth's  book launch a couple of years ago, helped me on my journey to handing God Everything.....THANK YOU Mary, for trusting me and just for being a bright light in this world.

I know that being a part of Deborah's bible study at The Gate also helped. I grew this last year....the process is so slow you almost can't see it, unless you LOOK BACK. Thank you Deb, and ladies from that Bible study- Connie Bear, Janet T, Sue R.



I also know that my church and Pastor helped....a lot....and
spending time in God's word, the Bible, helped the MOST!

So, this is a small part, but the cool thing is that a year ago, I could not have ever guessed my life would look like it does, but God knew.
He was waiting for me to give my life to Him so He could use it.

I'll be posting my exciting ventures while in rehearsal and the filming, if I can.
Stay tuned!

Oh, and here is my Cross Fit Devotional and Recipe for the week:
Inspired by the Bible Study I'm currently doing, "Faithful,Abundant and True",
Speaker of the week: Priscilla Shirer

Verse:”The disciples believed in Him”  John 2:11 (NASB) 

This passage tells of the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. His disciples were there, they saw the whole thing, and it tells us of their reactions to what they saw- The disciples believed – only after they saw this miracle.

It tells us that it is possible to be a disciple and still not believe God.

You can pray, talk with God, serve Him and walk with Him, but still not trust God with your life.

I can relate to this story. For years, I had lived as a Christian, going to church, praying, having a very deep relationship with Christ, however, I wasn’t trusting HIM with my WHOLE LIFE, and it showed up when I went through my father’s death. I fell into depression and sin, and was in the biggest pit in my life. I was even contemplating leaving my husband.  I was angry at God even though at the time I would not admit it. Luckily, HE gave me enough sense to seek counseling and go to my small group of women prayer warriors, who prayed for my heart to change when I couldn’t pray for that myself. Through my husband’s unconditional love and forgiveness, and a lot of time….I was able to see what I had become and that I was holding back from God.  I questioned, “how could this happen to me, I’m a Christian?”, but I realized that although I had asked God to come into my heart, I didn’t allow HIM to have ALL OF IT,  just MOST of it.

That changed when I surrendered ALL of my control and MY entire life to loving and serving Christ. I stopped asking God to bless my life and the things I wanted and started asking God for guidance and to seek His journey instead of asking Him to bless mine.

Think: What is the difference between belief and trust?

Ask: Am I trusting God with my life? With EVERYTHING?

Look: Where am I still trying to control my life and even my spiritual life?

Pray: Father, Thank you for all that you have given to me. Help me to see where I am still trying to control this life you have blessed me with and help me to be courageous in having YOU control it ALL. 
Help me to be obedient in where you will guide me, 
help me to be brave when I know I should do what you want me to do and 
help me to hear your voice above the noise and chaos of my life.
I love you, Father, and want to surrender EVERYTHING, all of my life to you.

In Jesus’ name- Amen

Oh, and a healthy, yummy recipe from http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/

Chocolate Chip Quinoa Cookies

Category: Healthy Cookie Recipes  

▪                1/2 cup minus 1 tbsp quinoa flour (52g)

▪                1/4 tsp baking soda

▪                1/8 tsp salt

▪                2 packed tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar (22g)

▪                2 tbsp white sugar or xylitol (20g)

▪                2-4 tbsp chocolate chips, optional

▪                up to 2 tbsp milk of choice, as needed

▪                1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

▪                1 tbsp plus 1 tsp vegetable or coconut oil (15g)

Go to her website for instructions! She Rocks!!!

Be blessed and covered in love~

Fit, Fabulous, 40's, Friday

Happy FRIDAY!!

"3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Romans 5:3-5 (NET)

On Wednesday night at our Cross Fitness Class,

I shared this verse.

Sufferings, challenges, trials, the yucky stuff of life.

We all  have them, and if you don't, praise God -  and then just wait a few days.

 When God says here that we rejoice in sufferings, 

He is acknowledging that 

suffering WILL happen,

problems WILL occur,

challenges WILL stop us in our tracks,

but there is a bigger picture, here.

As we go through suffering,

problems and challenges, remember a couple of things:

1) we are never alone facing it

2)God is doing something deeper in us as we go through the suffering,

deal with the problem and wrestle with our challenges.

He is doing some heart and soul work-

He is strengthening us for bigger battles.

Sure, you can totally AVOID going through, dealing and wrestling,

but it's as though God continues to have us go into the same battle over and over until we work THROUGH it. Can I hear an, "Amen"?

So, the answer is to walk through them.

Yes, easy for me to say and put out there -

but I know it to be true.

As we struggle, suffer, wrestle and deal with problems and trials,

God is using these situations to build character, 

make us stronger.

This totally applies to our physical bodies, as well.

As we challenge our bodies to work hard, say "no" to foods when we are not hungry,

push ourselves to exercise, go that extra mile,

say "yes" to what we know is best for our bodies, 

we are building strength physically as well as mentally and spiritually.

During one of the darkest times of my life, when my girlfriend, father and a mentor passed away within 6 months of each other,

I chose NOT to battle.

I chose to do what was easier- have a pity party, isolate myself and get mad at God.

My head knew what I should be doing-fighting through it

but my heart was so broken and I felt so defeated, I had no energy to battle.

All the while, God was waiting...

and waiting....

and waiting....

It took a series of unfortunate events that landed me flat on the floor-

ashamed, guilty and defeated.
Yup, I am so totally human, and grateful that I came to my senses.

I realized where I was- in the pit and although I felt as though no one would "help me get out", I put myself there and CHOSE to stay there.

So, I decided to take responsibility and had faith that I could turn things around.
I put on my Big-Girl panties on, wiped my tears, put my boxing gloves on to have another go at it-

I knew I had to run back into His arms and when I did,

I was overwhelmed with forgiveness and unconditional love. Not just from God, but from those closest to me that I hurt.

I realized that God was doing something in me and through me, and He grew me spiritually as I spent time with Him, 

praying, 

listening and 

reading His word.

The struggle produced strength to endure more, it built my character, humbled me and gives me hope that I am loved even though I am still so very far from being perfect.

What struggle are you going through?

Facing a trial that seems overwhelming?

Feel like you just can't push anymore?

Feel defeated?  

I have a solution: Trust God. How?

Pray- talk or yell out to God.

Read- His word, the Bible. 

Listen- the hardest part for me, to BE still, sit and call upon the Lord.
Journal....record what comes up....what did He say in the quietness?

The older I get the more I realize that God has and IS EVERYTHING we need, 
if we just 
ask, seek, listen, and then do - 
or sometimes, don't do! Ha ha!

He loves you and me so very much that He wants us to grow to become more like Him and we all know that He carried the biggest burden for us- our sin, out of His love for us.

You are not suffering, battling or wrestling alone. 

You have the One who is with you, who is never changing, who has always loved you and loves you now.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for my friend reading this. I pray Father, that you would shed some light in their darkness, share some joy in their pain, and Father, give them some HOPE in this time of struggle. I pray for endurance and the character to do what is right, and I pray for confirmation for my friend, that they are on the right path to becoming victorious over this battle. And if it does continue, Lord, that  they would continue to lean into You for the strength they need, the encouragement they need and the power of the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work in them.

I love you, Lord, and thank you for this reader and what she/he is going through and how you are doing a good work in them.

In Jesus' name I pray, 

Amen

How can I pray for your struggle?

Have you ever battled and have seen God's hand in it?

What is a challenge in your life right now?

Be blessed,

Happy First Day of School!

Hi there!

I know, you thought (hoped) I was never going to post again, right?

HA!

Gotcha!

It was a long and wonderful summer filled with lazy days and a lot of laughter!

But of course, 

time marches on and here we are-

Back 2 School!

For Team Hertogh, 

today is the first day of school for the 2013-2014 school year.

Here are my 3 Blessings!

Just yesterday they were like this...

well, more than one day- many years!

(wipe tear)

Most of the population begins the New Year on January 1st,

but for me,

after 11 years of teaching, 

(that does not include 2 years of being a Teacher's Aide, 1 year of Student Teaching

and 7 years of Substitute teaching)

MY year always begins NOW!

I set goals for the year,

think about what the kids are going to learn and accomplish this year,

and prayerfully consider what Jesus wants me to pursue,

focus on and walk towards.

It doesn't always turn out the way I planned-

in fact, it usually doesn't,

so I lay expectations down and surrender what I think so I can hear what He thinks.

ONE thing we can do for our children EVERYday is to pray for them, 

each child-specifically.

(their friendships, academics, self-talk, covering for protection of what they hear,

who they let into their lives, mental and spiritual protection)

If it sounds overwhelming- 

yet as a parent,

our children are our FIRST ministry from God.

And whether your children are babies or adults,

you can and should feel privileged to continue praying for them.

As I pray for them today, I am also praying for their futures-

their jobs, ministry, relationships 

and

thanking God in advance for all that He IS doing and WILL be doing.

My prayer for YOU today-

that you would spend MORE time with God this year-

in HIS word,

sitting with HIM,

chatting or going deep with HIM,

and listening to HIM,

and for Pete's sake,

SLOW the heck down!!

This devotional from HomeWord was really good about slowing down-

also,

Doug Fields, one of my favorite Teachers/Speakers

wrote another good one regarding families Here

called, "Busyness Doesn't Satisfy".

We move too fast and focus on so many things that will not be important in 

5, 10 or 20 years.

One thing I know for sure-

OUR children are out there-

and without prayer,

there is no protection or covering.

Can bad things still happen?

Absolutely,

but I know our prayers are heard by God.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:

1. Journal your prayers to God (as if writing Him a letter)

2. Go through one of the books of the Bible (Psalms, Proverbs)

*read a sentence or paragraph and ask yourself what God is trying to say to you*

3. Purchase a Devotional such as Jesus Calling- read and write out your reflection or pray,

Stormie Omartian also has many great books on praying for your family. 

4. With all this technology- you can Google "prayer" to find blogs discussing prayer

5.Ask someone in your church for some help in this area ( an older attender or friend)

6. Use the Acronym, "ACTS" to get started.

(A-Acknowledge God for who He is

C-Confession of our sin

T-Thanksgiving for all He is doing and has done and will do

S-Supplication- where we come humbly to HIm with all of our requests through prayer

6.You can also find a local prayer group like Moms In Prayer,

 (used to be called Moms In Touch)

or start your own!

7. Allocate time EVERY day to pray -priorities are put in the calendar!

(something is ALWAYS better than nothing! Start with 5-10 min)

8. Don't guilt yourself into doing it- this is precious time spent with Jesus,

I look forward to being filled and fed by His Spirit,

but it was not always like this, do it and you will see fruit!

Though we will go through difficult and challenging times,

knowing that there is a purpose and opportunity for growth during those times and knowing that

We have God covering us, Jesus beside us 

and the Holy Spirit within us,

gives us an assurance and a peace that we cannot explain.

Dear Lord,

THANK YOU for this beautiful day!

Thank you, 

that I can come to you with all of my concerns, wishes and worries

and ask that you carry them for me!

I ask Lord, 

that you would do the same for my friend reading this today-

that my friend would be filled by a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Phil 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I pray that my friend would have a JOY that only YOU can give through your Spirit!

I pray that this school year would be incredible for our children,

knowing that YOU have their lives and futures under control!

I also pray that this year would be a year that we all grow closer to you-

that we would lean into you for ALL of our needs-

physical, emotional, relational and spiritual

because you, Father,

are the Provider of all.

I love you Lord, and the friend reading this.

Please bless my friend and bless all who pass through this post!

Remember,

it's NEVER TOO LATE to start praying for your children,

to start all over, 

or

to try something new!

Do you pray?

If so, how do you pray?

What is your process?

PLEASE share!!

HOW can I pray for you?

Love & Blessings-