We Can!

Hey hey there! I know it has been a minute but a girl has been busy like you wouldn't even believe. The 2013-2014 school year has ended along with all the different end of the year tasks that come along with closing out a school year. I worked on a huge presentation that I am giving over the summer (it's still not completely finished but don't tell anyone). I painted the town red with one of my nieces and even more importantly, I just finished my summer grad school class so my first year of grad school is officially over now---whew!!!

John 13:7

To be quite honest when I walked out of my final exam for my summer class last night, I really felt on top of the world. As the wind hit my face when I walked out of the door, I truly felt that I was walking right on the path that God had laid out for me. Sure it has been ROUGH--exams and research projects in the midst of busy seasons at work and toddlers who are bright-eyed and bushy tailed at
4AM even though you have a full day ahead of you. But overall, I am proud that I was bold enough to blaze a path for myself in uncharted territories in order to start the process of making a major career shift. I really stepped out on a faith towards something that was completely foreign to me while managing trying to get closer to God, being a wife, mommy, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend (and even being in a book club!). But by God's grace, I did it and did it well.

I say all this to say that we can do WHATEVER we truly put our hearts and minds to. We may not be able to follow a carefully laid roadmap all of the time but we can do so many amazing things. How great it is to operate in a faith zone! I don't need to know exactly what the end is going to look like but I know that it will be great!

This song really sums up how I feel right now and it's just an all around feel good song period so enjoy.

Press on my friends. We can do it!

Faith in Action

Yesterday was a Sunday in which I didn't particularly want to get up to go to church. Sleep has been scarce these last few days and my body is sore from my first spinning class. But like most mornings when I have these feelings, I tugged along and made it to church. But, as if I wasn't having enough of my own issues, my sweet baby boy succumbed to his toddler ways that lead to even more annoyance on this holy day--even me getting peed on in church--the joys of potty training.

Nonetheless boy did I hear a word from the Lord. The sermon was titled Let Go and Let God preached by our special guest Rev. Robert A. Diggs, Senior Pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia. The key verse from this sermon was one of the last seven words uttered from Jesus when he was on the cross: And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46 KJV)

Rev. Diggs talked a lot about the different meanings of the word commend. Here is what commend means from the Merriam Webster Dictionary:

1. To entrust for care or preservation.
2. To recommend as worthy of confidence or notice.
3. To mention with approbation (approbation meaning approval).

Now I have talked about letting go before but this sermon really brought a whole new meaning to the phrase let go and let God for me. Like if we are really commending our spirit, our life, and our plans to God then that means he has control in a way that transcends so many of the trivial things we experience on the day to day. We will still have times when we are hurt and disappointed. However, if we truly commend our spirit to God--man we can take over our own little corner of the world (emphasis on your own little corner not mine or another sistahs--more on staying in your lane later). This further illustrates why we can not hold on to everything. We have to let some stuff go--some extra weight, some old habits, some people, some mindsets, some jobs, whatever it is that is holding us back from or getting in the way of our God given assignment (even if we are still working out exactly what that is).

The Reverend also emphasized that when the Lord has freed us from whatever it is that was holding us back and empowered us to do whatever it is we are supposed to do, we should not let anyone else tell us differently. I believe in growth and transformation but as I mentioned before, as trivial as it may sound, we live in a world full of haters and back-stabbers. People will try to make you feel like you aren't enough. They will make you feel like you owe them something but the reality is we owe it all to God and God alone. I am all about constructive criticism but some people are just plain nasty. So be strong my friends. 

My prayer today is this: Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. Thank you so much for all that you given me. Thank you for continuing to grow and develop me. Please continue to guide me on a path that allows me to continue to do your will. Teach me how to act in love even in the most difficult times. Help me to remain humble. Show me how to lead with compassion. Give me strength when my body is weak. Give me hope when there is despair. Watch over those near and dear to my heart and bless them according to your will. Bless those who curse me Lord. Help us all to be better and do better so that our actions are pleasing in your sight. Let us be blessed Father so we can be a blessing to others. These and all things I ask in your son Jesus's name, Amen.

Feel Good

I saw these on my walk Monday morning. How can you quit when you see this on your first walk in a while!

This week and probably next week will be filled with a whirlwind of end of year school activities and paperwork at work. But I am excited because I have really gotten back to being serious with my weight loss and exercise habits. It never ceases to amaze me how hard it is to lose weight but how easy it is to gain if you aren't paying attention. It has been challenging to get up at 5:30AM to get a walk in the mornings but it really makes me feel better. Now only if it would NOT rain. 

I am realizing more and more the importance of really taking care of my health. When you just feel good about the direction you are going in, in whatever area that may be, it makes all the difference. I have dusted off my UP band and I am trying indoor cycling this weekend so pray for me saints! Lets see if I can be under my calorie goal 90% of the time this month folks (my goal is still 1,500 calories/day).

This week, I have been all about a good salad and some protein for lunch. Here are two that I loved and topped on with some Tyson's Seasoned Steak strips that are really good too.

I haven't checked in about fitness and weight loss in a while. How is everyone doing? What are you doing? Don't let go of those New Year's resolutions and goals yet! We are at the halfway point and we can make it!