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~

Tickle Me Tuesday

A Few Differences Between Men and Women...

That is me, especially when I

need to make a quick visit to the market for eggs....

it is never, just eggs!

LOL!

Right?

Ahem....

TRUE!

Uh, oh!

LOL!

Then they ask, "Are you ok?"

Appreciate the relationships in your life, 

whether you are a man reading this, 

or a woman!

We both have our assets and our liabilities 

and even though there are many, many differences,

it is important to remember that
LOVE

ties everything

completely together!

What other differences have I missed?

Have a terrific Tuesday!! 

Be blessed!

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

Goodbye 2012-

Hello 2013!

Imagine that-

a new blank page.

Ahhhhh,

whatever happened in 2012 is gone.

Still remembered, 

but gone.

I love the thought of a new year.

Yes, I usually do this every year :

and I've done it already with 2013 in mind, 

but this year will be different.

How?

Well, I think goals are important,

however,

I believe what is MORE important

is the process and journey that we are in and on to achieve our goals.

I believe that giving God the glory for each and every goal set and achieved 

is 

what's important.

I believe that as we strive to deepen our relationship with God,

we change,

we become stronger,

more able,

through 

HIS strength

and

HIS power.

By our surrender to HIS strength and power,

we are allowed access to it.

My #1 goal for 2013 is to grow in a much deeper, 

closer, 

more intimate relationship with God.

When I do that first,

then I truly believe that my goals will 

be achieved with much more 

JOY 

this year.

My list of goals:

#1: Growing in a deeper relationship with God

through daily prayer/meditation,

memorizing a verse each week

# 2 : Continue to prioritize my relationships w/my spouse

and children through quality time w/each member, each week. 

#3 : Write daily

500+ words a day

(gotta start somewhere)

#4 : 2 or more 1/2 Marathons,

beating my own times.

#5 : Maintain my fitness routine

through 5 days @week workouts

#6 : Count my blessings each and every day!

What are your goals and priorities for 2013?

Don't have any?

Still thinking about them?

Want to join me and my friend, Mary DeMuth and 

work on a 

new heart 

for

 2013?

How can I pray for you?

Merry CHRISTmas!

This CHRISTmas, 

may you realize that Jesus came to give you the ultimate gifts- 

His love and His grace!

"And she will bear a Son; 

and you shall call His name Jesus, 

for it is He who will save His people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21 

Enjoy today and cherish the memories that are made!

I want to share a video with you-

 our Pastor asked Mark Burnett, the producer of "The Voice" and "Survivor" to create a video of 

Cee Lo, singing "Mary, Did You Know?"

so he did!

It was shown at church and was just amazing,
oh, and grab a tissue,
you may need one or two, or three!

Love you-

Merry Christmas!

Kindergarten Lessons- The Gift of Christmas

I've cried a lot since hearing about the shootings, in fact, who hasn't?

My husband, who rarely sheds a tear, cried.

President Obama cried.

I think at some level, our entire country cried.

I'm still in unbelief. 

I taught Kindergarten for many years 

and it is still my favorite age to substitute teach when I am asked.

They are still so innocent-

they are still so little

 and 

mostly, still so pure.

And if you have children, 

I know you would agree that we learn so many lessons from our children.

 I wanted to share one lesson I learned from one of my past kindergarten students. 

I shared this story at the Christmas Boutique that Salem Lutheran, in Orange, 

held the Saturday before last.

Leigh Anne, the Women's Director of Salem

was so wonderful!

I hope you enjoy it.

I titled it "The Gift of Christmas".

My favorite grade to teach was Kindergarten.

 I remember this one year, 

I had a student named James.

James stood out to me for a few reasons.

He was smaller than the other students, and he was thin and frail.

His blonde hair was very sparse on his head and he came to school with dark circles 

under his big blue eyes.

Many times when I would be reading a story, 

the students would be intensely listening to me 

and James would be totally sprawled across the floor.

Once, 

he had actually fallen asleep!

Well, I later found out why James always came to school tired and disheveled. 

His mother had left him and his baby sister to be raised by their father alone.  

I can only imagine James’ father getting him to school, 

going to work and taking care of the household, 

which is why I think a lot of James’ needs were just barely met.

Well, the months went by and Christmas vacation was almost here, 

so we had a little party the last day before the students had their 

Christmas Vacation.

I always gave my students a coloring book or notebook,

 with pencils or crayons. 

I made sure to wrap the presents w/paper and ribbon 

because I knew that for many of my students, 

this would one of only a few presents they would receive for Christmas.

I usually didn’t open the gifts I received from the students while they were there 

because I would never want anyone to feel bad about not giving me a gift, 

but one of my Mentors, that taught there for many years, 

said she opened the gifts, 

mostly because the students liked watching her open the presents, 

so I thought I would try this out this year.

One by one, I’d pick up a present, 

most of them wrapped with paper and lots of pretty bright ribbon, 

and one by one, 

the gift giver would come to the front of the room 

to stand next to me as I opened each present.

After unwrapping the gift and showing it to the students, 

they would clap and giggle, 

then wait for the next present and giver.

I was finally getting to the end of the presents and the last one I noticed was a 

small gold box.

It was somewhat beaten up, looked like it had been run over, 

and there wasn’t any wrapping around it or any ribbon. 

I picked it up and held it up to the class and said, 

"Now, I wonder who is giving me this beautiful box?” 

I looked around at the little curious faces as they all sat on the rug in front of me, 

and slowly, 

my eye caught movement in the back.

I saw a blonde head slowly rising above the others, 

and James stood up, 

with his little head bowed down 

as he slowly stepped over the children sitting on the rug, 

to the front of the room where I waited for him.

He stood next to me as I held the little gold box and I looked at his big blue eyes.

I said,

 “I wonder what is inside of this little box?”

As I opened it, I could feel all the children on the rug lean forward in anticipation,

as if to be able to peek inside if they did this.

They waited patiently.

Inside the small gold box was a very small, white button.

I took the little treasure out of the box to show the students and held it up 

so everyone could see.

They all began clapping excitedly 

and as they did this, 

I noticed that James was slowly picking up his lowered head. 

I exclaimed, 

“James, this is the most beautiful button I have ever received!!!”. 

(it was the only button I have ever received) 

He blushed, and as I bent over to give this little boy a hug of gratitude, 

I could feel his small bony body, 

in dire need of a hug.

He said that he found it on the floor in his mother’s closet 

and it was from one of her “pretty tops” 

that she took when she left.

He said he saved that button but he wanted to give it to me. 

It took everything I had to not just start bawling like a little baby!!

I didn’t really know what to say, other than 

“thank you so much, it means so much to me”.

His eyes were lit up with joy.

I learned a big lesson that day.

It is, really, the thought that counts.

It's not the size or the cost that is important when receiving a gift.

It is what it represents-

love for you.

Don't get consumed by gifts and presents this Christmas-

seek HIS presence

and 

you will receive the greatest gift-

HIS LOVE.

He is and was the true reason for this HOLYday.

May your day be merry and bright-

Filled By God's Grace

God Can Even Use Me

I am so humbled that God continues to use me. 

I'm in a different season in my life where all 3 of my children are in school full time
and I have time to do some of the things I've dreamed of doing.

I can write and speak and I have time to just....BE, 

(In MY dreams! .LOL!)

in between cleaning, washing, cooking,

homework, substitute teaching, bible study,

the gym, their sports activities.....whew! 

It is in the BEing, that I meet God.  

It is in the BEing,

 when this pot is filled and where my cracks have been 

patched over by 

His Spirit and by His Grace.

Isaiah 64:8  (NIV) says,
"Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are all the work of your hand.
We are the clay,
you are the potter;"

 I have made A LOT of mistakes in my life.

In fact, I have made  THEM ALL- 

Yes, I am one BROKEN and CRACKED pot

but...

The bible says:

Isaiah 1:28
"But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, 
and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed."

I wasn't broken or cracked at first. I was born pretty, clean and wonderful.

Then, as I grew up, I began making some bad choices, mostly from fear, and selfishness,
but also from just not thinking of my consequences.

One of  my earliest memories of making a bad choice
was eating an orange fruit candy from a bin at the market.
 Remember those?
A piece had sugar all over it and it looked like one wedge from an orange?
Yes, I have always loved candy,
and my selfishness ran me as this 6 year old put her hand in the bin,
took it out,
 and ate it in front of her little sister. 

Of course she told on me,
mostly because she was mad that I got a piece of candy
and she didn't.

Needless to say,
my mother walked me up to the store manager where I,
 in tears and orange sugar dripping from my mouth,
apologized for "stealing" this candy.
I was a thief.

Stealing......Crack!

Selfishness.......Crrrraaaack!

Then, as a young college student, I made many mistakes by giving my body away to feel loved. 

Fear...............Crrrraaaaack!

Murder........CRAAAACCCCKKKKKK!

Selfishness and Fear..........BIG CRRRAAAAACCKKK!

My father dies and my heart opens up, but I try to fill it with the wrong things.

Lying.........Crrrraaaccckkk....

Judgement........Crrraaaaaaackkk.....

Lust........Craaaacccckkkk.....

God is growing me, filling me, yet I still continue to crack!

Comparison............Craaaaaaccckkkk.....

Perfectionism.......Crrrraaaaccckkkk....

Jealousy and Hate......Crrrraaaccckkkk......

A TON more selfishness.........  Crrackkkkkk a  laaaccccckkkk...

More growth, and HIS FORGIVENESS, 
me, forgiving myself.

This goes on and on...

I meet the Lord face to face.
He loves me and embraces me with ALL of my cracks....

He fills each one with GOLD....they are still there and each crack is a lesson learned.

Each crack is a reminder that I am a sinner, I continue to sin, but now that the Lord is in my heart, 

HE continues to fill each crack.....

with HIS LOVE.

He heals me, does something with my heart 

and

His forgiveness changes all THAT sin

into 

MY SALVATION.

I'll never be perfect, 

but in my imperfection,

I am loved

and

SO ARE YOU!

Our imperfections make us unique,
they give us a story that only we know 
and 
we become a work or art!

A one of a kind, 

Masterpiece.

Today,
I thank God for the journey called Life,
where I have made mistakes,
learned lessons
and
have lived!

How do you feel about some of your journey?
What have you learned through it?

"Everything" Blog Tour

Welcome Friends!

I couldn't be more excited to share some new insight with you today regarding

  Mary DeMuth's new book, "Everything".

I am also very excited because I got to hear Kay Warren (Pastor Rick's wife) speak at our High School Ministry this weekend, and some of what she said really resonated with me, 

especially because it was a confirmation to some of the things that Mary states in her book.

Now, before I get into sharing my ONE BIG THING about "Everything", I have to share with you what has been really going on in my life that I have admittedly been hiding from you all.

Yes, I have been hiding something from you.

Please don't judge or hate on me,

I'm just like you, 

or maybe, some of you!

This summer, when Mary let me be a part of this book launch, 

she had no idea that it came at the exact time I needed it. 

I had been wrestling with God, like Jacob, not just for one night, 
but for most of my Christian life. 

Reading Mary's book actually took me to a place where I had to look at 

MY LIFE, MY FAITH, and MY HEART 

and ask myself, 

"Have I really, truly given Jesus EVERYTHING?"

Tears well up in my eyes even now as I am reminded that my answer was,

"NO,

 not everything. 

I hadn't given Him my heart, in it's entirety, 

maybe 90% of it, but that was enough, wasn't it?"

Then I justified it....

I had served for years, in Women's Ministries at church, speaking for MOPS, volunteered, taken meals to friends, encouraged, inspired and even lead others to Christ,

 and yet, 

at the very bottom, the pit of my soul, 

I realized that I could "DO" what Jesus wanted 

and

 I could "BE" the type of woman Jesus wanted me to be, (on the outside)

but

 I did not "GIVE" what Jesus was asking for ....my WHOLE heart.

Pretty big realization after being a Christian for more than 35 years and really serving in ministry for the last 12, wouldn't you say?

Pretty big to me.

Well, of course I began praying and asking the Lord for 

wisdom, clarity and the courage

 I needed to really discover why I hadn't given Jesus everything, 

and it came to me.....

what has always been my ONE BIG THING- 

FEAR.

I was born a scaredy-cat!

I was a shy, timid, scared child.
(I'm sure those who know me would really be surprised by this)

I don't know why, and that doesn't even really matter. 

What matters is that at some deep level, I have known that, 

and I have worked Oh, soooooo very hard to overcome many, many fears, 
so much so, 

that I am someone who has done things many others haven't- 

to overcompensate for my fear.

I'm not afraid of snakes, I actually like them.

I will kill spiders with my bare hands.
I'm not afraid to hold bugs, reptiles or other yucky things.

I have had my belly pierced, shot a handgun and have gone skydiving.

I've spent 24 hours alone, on a small mountain with nothing more than a sleeping bag.

My largest obstacle has been to learn how to stop my eyes from watering (a subconscious reaction) when I speak to large groups.

And although I have overcome most of my fears, 
I had not given my heart fully to God because of 
that same fear.

In "Everything", 

Mary says,

"We think we can manage on our own, so we reject the help that God readily supplies. 
We fear that if we let Him be in control, 
He’ll make us open up to people, risk ourselves, do scary things,

 or let go of the sins we cherish.

He wants all of us, all the time, our minds and hearts deeply engaged with His so we will joyfully follow Him toward every single adventure He plans for us."

Adventure?

Kay Warren went on "God's Adventure" when her heart broke for children

orphaned by AIDS.

I was afraid of THAT kind of adventure.
What about you?

"But Jesus says we’re not to live like every- one else. 
Our lives should be different, 
marked by
fearlessness and bold belief.

He asks us to abandon our control so that He can reign in our lives and grow us.
We would rather live a lie than come to the Truth Personified, Jesus, 
and let Him show us our hearts.

 To follow is to give up our lives, 
particularly our expectations of how our lives should be. 
We need to let go of our presumptions about the life we should have 
and 
let Jesus dream a new dream for us. 

A dream where others are changed through the Holy Spirit in us. 
A dream we can't even fathom."
Mary DeMuth

Because of the words in this book,
I have released FULL control of my life
and 
ALL of my heart.
Yes, ALL.

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 
For whoever would save his life will lose it, 
but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it." 
Mark 8:34-35 ESV

Mary gave me a gift, by including me in a group,

 that I questioned why I was there every day,

by allowing me to read her book, process it and talk about it with other readers.

I had a lot of time to chew on it and really think about what I was reading

 and how it applied to my life.

Thank you, Mary!

God used Mary to truly and deeply bless me 

through this book.

I absolutely believe that when you read it,

you too, 

will think about how it applies to your life,

your heart, in your head and in your hands,

and my prayer to you 

is that YOU 

will bravely and courageously

  look honestly at yourself 

to see 

if

you truly have given 

Jesus 

everything.

And if you have, get ready for your adventure!

I AM!

Saving faith is not just believing that Jesus lived and died. 

Faith that saves is the confident, continuous confession of total dependence on, 

and trust in Jesus Christ to meet the requirements on your behalf 

to give you entrance into God's Eternal Kingdom. 

It's the surrender of your life in complete trust to Him to do what you cannot do.

You're my Everything

Rendered speechless by Your beauty
Lord, I'm blown away
With everything that's in my heart
A million words could never say all there is to say

Chorus 1:
You're more than just a song, You're more than just a whim
You're more than just a passing fantasy
You're my Everyday
You're my Every Way
You're my Everything

Verse 2:
If I could see forever
In just one moment I would say
These todays are worth tomorrow
When I will see You face to face

Chorus 2:
I want to be with You
I need to be with You
I long to be with You, precious King
So with every day, Lord, in every way
You're my Everything

Bridge:
You're my Everything
You're my Everything
You're my Everything, Oh Jesus
You're my Everything

Ending:
You're my Everyday
You're my Every Way 

What do you think it means to give Jesus everything?

Have you given Jesus everything?

Why or why not?

Have a beyond wonderful week!