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 4O's Friday!

Becoming Emotionally Fit:

        

This has been a struggle for me,
feeling beautiful,
that is.

Growing up, I never looked like the girls on TV or in the magazines, 

and the ones on TV or in the magazines all had blonde or light brown hair 

and they were all thin and had long legs.

I always wanted blonde hair.
Somehow, an asian with blonde hair was just so wrong in so many ways!

It has taken me a long, long time to really "get" that I am unique,
one-of-a-kind,
masterpiece.

How about you?

If I were to ask you right now "Are you beautiful/handsome?" what would you say?

Rather, what would your inner voice say?

Well, she/he is a liar!

I know what your voice is saying because mine says the same thing,
(NO!)

even though I actually DO think I am unique, one-of-a-kind and special gal.

What is it with us?
(women, especially)

Why is is so darn difficult to embrace our beauty?

In the Asian culture,
when growing up, my parents just wanted us to fit in.

We would never want to "stand out" in a crowd for any reason.
And beauty showed itself by being more of a timid and shy young lady-

I tried for a long time to embody this picture...

but I'm really more like this.
Seriously!

For many years I wondered what was wrong with me.

I never felt like I fit into my family.

Having a Sanguine personality in a Choleric culture did not rock.

Growing up,
I was never the "Smart One" like my big brother
or
the "Strong One" like my younger sister-
I was the "Loud One". 

No one told me this: 

Not only that, my mother never liked the bright colors I liked to wear,
how I would yell out the window if I thought I saw a friend walking down the street,
and she never approved of the RED Miata convertible I bought.

"It's soooooo red", she would say in disapproval.

I had some confidence in school because I was popular and outgoing,
and  I always had a boyfriend,
so
my confidence came from those things.

I went to college, got a teaching job and then my confidence came from my work.

I got married, then my confidence came from my husband.

I had my first child and left my job, my income, and most of my friends,
and
 what I thought my main purpose was-
consequently,
I lost the bulk of the confidence that I had.....

then I met Jesus.

HE gave me REAL CONFIDENCE.

Confidence in knowing I am loved...no matter how I look, how much I weigh,
 how much money I make, what kind of car I drive,

I. am. Loved.

And,
so. are. YOU.

Jesus-
He is not about whether you go to church or not,
He is not about what your background is or was,
He is not about where you live,
what you drive
what size or shape you are
or
how you look.

He is about LOVE.
He is LOVE.

As I opened my heart to feel His love,
and allowed it in,

I grew in confidence.
I grew in a lot of other areas, too.

I love being fit and healthy
but I'm fabulous
because I have confidence in a Savior,
the one true God.
Jesus.

"Your confidence is in Christ and Christ alone!"
Philippians 3:3


How is your confidence?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Living The Best of Your Life!

I am so grateful for each new day!

I've been pretty good so far regarding taking small steps each day

towards my goals for the year.

But one question for you -

are the goals that you have set for yourself going to add positively to your life, 

for the rest of your life?

After going to church this weekend,

there was talk about resolutions-

actually

LIFE CHANGES.

One of my favorite words ever:

transformation.

One of my very favorite verses:

Romans 12:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)

A Living Sacrifice to God

12 And so, dear brothers and sisters,
^[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all 
he has done for you. 
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. 
This is truly the way to worship him.^[b]
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,
but let God transform you into a new person by 
changing the way you think. 
Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, 
which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Instead of making resolutions for 

this year,

what about making

resolutions that will add to the 

rest of your life?

For some reason, 

I was able to see this differently this year.

 My vision 

E     X     P     A     N     D     E    D. 

As I made my resolutions/goals,

I was able to see how each one of them will benefit my

growth, change 
and 
transformation

to the person God wants me to be.

I am able to see my life in a 

life long

perspective

vs.

year to year.

Here are a couple of my goals and how I'm looking at the lifelong benefits:

 I yearn to grow in the Lord and learn more about and absorb his word and we (as a family)

will be memorizing more verses.

We will be starting with Ann Voskamp's memory practice sheets for 

"The Sermon on the Mount".

I desire to stay fit and increase my running times/speed,

so I'm training for the Huntington Beach 1/2 Marathon 

                                                       and will do the OC 1/2 Marathon.

My goal to write a book....

someday,

(with this guy's guidance)

which will be the result of writing everyday of this year

if I could just win this battle:

I've got to write..

one word or 500, 

or something in the middle!

(I think I had previously posted 500 

which is a lot more than I thought it was!)

and realistically, 
I could do at least one word every day,

right?

:-)

I will focus on loving people

not things,

prioritizing my family and friends.

I've actually purchased note cards and will send at least one card out a week.

Send me your address and I'll write you 

a

hand-written note!

I even signed up for this!

Imagine receiving a letter through snail mail!

Imagine!

What IF God could really transform you this year?

He can

if 

you

let 

Him.

Let him.

Have the best day ever!

Prayers Please!

You know what they say?

"Be careful what you wish for,

because 

you might actually get it!"

I have always dreamed of being a 

REAL Speaker,

you know, someone who actually gets paid for it?

Well, this week I have a few speaking dates,

and I'm a little scared.

I could really use your prayers!

On Wednesday,

I'm speaking for one of my favorite Mom's Groups,

Mission Hills' Mom2Mom Group.

On Saturday I have my first

"REAL" Speaking opportunity at a Boutique in Orange.

Then, on Monday,

I have another "REAL" talk that another speaker referred me to since she couldn't make it.

I will be sharing 3 different talks,

within 

1 week.

Please say a few prayers for this girl! 

(two thumbs pointing at myself)

I am praying this:

But I'm not so scared that I'm not preparing or doing what I need to do.

Our God is faithful.

HE always shows up.

HE always provides.

HE never leaves me,

ever.

So, I don't have to be afraid.

That doesn't mean that some of the ladies won't like me.

:-(

That doesn't mean that I will bring all the lost to the Lord.

That doesn't mean that my fear is completely gone.

It is still there....a little...

but HE calls me to be brave,

faithful,

courageous.

So, 

I'm stepping!

Please say a prayer for me and for the hearts of these women that I will be speaking to

1) on Marriage (Wed)

2) on The Gift of CHRISTmas (Sat)

3) on The Power of a Praying Mother (Mon)

Thank you SO, SO MUCH!

And may I pray for you?

Lord, 

Please bless my friend reading this.

I pray that this week, he/she would see you, that you would make yourself 

supernaturally real for this friend.

I also pray that this friend would be blessed, protected and be swooned by you and your love!

Lastly,

I pray that they too, would step out in fear,

and that they too, would be brave,

courageous 

somewhere in their life this week!

Thank you, Father, for hearing every word, every prayer, every heart!

I love you,

in Jesus' name I ask these things,

AMEN!

Bucket List

Have you ever seen the movie "The Bucket List"?

Awesome actors, great story,

real life.

I have a Bucket List, do you?

It's one of those things that I heard about on Oprah,

probably in the late 80's.

I think I made my first list in college.

(yup, I'm that old!)

1. Go to Japan

2. Get a degree

3.Get a credential

4. Get a Master's Degree

5. Go Skydiving

6. Lose 20 lbs

7. Become a size 8, 6, 4

8. Shoot a gun

9. Ride a camel

10. Go on a safari

11. Go on a missions trip

12. Speak to over 1,000 people at one time

13. Visit Betty Launer's grave in Utah

14. Become a Principal

15. Run a 1/2 Marathon

16. Have a home with a view

17. Live on the beach

18. Write a book

19. Publish that book

20. See a show in New York

21. Meet Oprah

22. Get a belly piercing 

23. Get a tattoo

etc.....there's more!

I got to cross off #15 Sunday, as I ran my 

FIRST 1/2 Marathon in Long Beach!

My family


Now, 

I have been training 

and it has NOT been easy doing something that I do not enjoy doing,

but boy,

was it worth it!!

I had to stretch myself and train with a goal in mind.
I had to discipline my mind to keep going and "Embrace the Suck".
I had to do the little things that would help me prepare for the bigger thing.

I had to change my thinking 
and
think like a runner.

Have you ever intentionally done that?

I was encouraged by these bible verses as I ran-

 Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 

Hebrews 12:1

 With God’s help we will do mighty things. 

Psalm 60:12

 Anything is possible if a person believes. 

Mark 9:23

Favorite quote from "The Bucket List"

Edward Cole( Jack Nicholson) :  I envy people who have faith, I just can't get my head around it.
Carter Chambers(Morgan Freeman):  Maybe because your head's in the way. 

Do you have a Bucket List?

If so,

what are you going to cross off next?

If not,

why not make one?

What are YOU going to cross off first?

#11 & #18 are next for me!

Blessings-