The Little Engine that Could | Running Program

picklewart.blogspot.com

It's the beginning of Fall, and I am four weeks into my new running program: The Couch to 5K Running Program

When I started, I had hopes that if I was really really lucky, I might be able to do a 5K (3.1 miles) by the time the Turkey Trot came around this Thanksgiving... which also just so happens to be my 35th birthday! (I see a special T-shirt design in my future...)

Now honestly, I'm not a runner and never have been. I'm quite a chunky gal, so running, obviously, hasn't been a "thing" for me for a long time! But when I saw the Couch to 5K program through a friend on Facebook (yes, FB can be a GOOD thing!), it motivated me to, at the very least, give it a try. So, in prayer and with much apprehension I started the program. I acknowledged that I may very well fail, but at least I would try it out and see how it went... so, I DID.

You mothers out there will understand my initial concerns of WHEN I would have the opportunity to even do this exercise program. So, after much consideration of the very young ages of the children, the new school schedules, church activities, work schedules, farm schedules, etc. I decided to go with the EARLY AM runs. So, 5:30 AM is my new wake-up call. Boy was it painful at first... trust me... even this morning person was hurting when that alarm went off!

Off I went running - Week 1 made me realize just how out of shape I really was. Sad.Sad.Sad. So, huffing and puffing I went - for a whole 3 minutes of running and then walking and then a little more running and then some walking - for a whole mile. I thought I was going to die. (Verses about your body being a temple and gluttony and laziness plagued me.) And so the theme continued for the next several weeks.

Week 4 - Something happened this morning... this incredible Friday Sep 17 morning. Something truly glorious! I was out doing my running/walking duo, except I skipped the walking part.
Yes, I ran... and ran... and RAN!
It was a beautiful morning... just before the sun was going to rise.
The owls were still hooting.
The ground was cool and the air crisp.
The cows were just beginning to stir.
The breeze was starting to slip between the trees.
The stars were like crystals in the sky.
My obnoxious rooster, Lenny, wasn't even crowing yet!

I decided today was the day to run 1 mile straight. So, I did. I hit a rough spot about 12 min in when fatigue hit and the heaving chest breathing pains almost took over, but I kept telling myself my mile wasn't done yet, and if I could just push a little further, I'd be there! But the "pocket" of pain passed and it was like I hit this bizarre "high" and suddenly the breathing became perfectly natural and the fatigue became less of a feeling of exhaustion and more of a feeling of automation.

And then I realized I had more in me... so I ran further, and further, until I had ran a full 2 miles - without stopping! For many of you, 2 miles probably isn't all that impressive, but for this heavy gal that's not a runner, this was a huge accomplishment. I still can't believe it. Honestly, I can't.

Well, here I am now ready for my next day of running - and really looking forward to it. (I cannot believe I just said that.) I know I can do 2 miles, so I've got 1 mile to go until I can reach my first goal of running that 5K Turkey Trot in November... but you know what the coolest part is? I know now that I'll be ready before then! Incredible. And to think, I started this whole thing praying to God to help me "give this thing a try" and to not let me embarrass myself with failure.
God is good.

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Poverty

picklewart.blogspot.com

Matthew 5:3,5 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

Are you a poor person? Do you live in poverty? Most of us would say "No" to these questions, and we're blessed to be able to do so, but perhaps our poverty lies elsewhere. For some, it really may be the common idea of a lack of money and provision, but for many of us, it might be in a lack of security or safety. Or what about a lack of a strong marriage or other personal relationships? Do you struggle with a lack of self-confidence or emotional stability?

We all have our own place's of poverty. This area is where God desperately wants you to meet Him. "Blessed are the poor"… your blessing is hidden in your need, in your hurt, in your poverty. We can be caught up in presenting a strong front, a Christian life, a perfect way… but we're not perfect, and that's where life gets real with God.

I'm not a perfect wife, mother, worker, or ministry servant. I never have been nor will I ever experience perfection in any of these things. BUT this is where God meets me – in my imperfection, in my shame, in my humility. He wraps a spotless robe of white around me, embraces me, shows me mercy, and helps me to do better each time.
I am so thankful to have His absolute perfect love. I may have areas of poverty in my life, but right now, I sure do feel like a very wealthy person!

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Summer Daycamp Swap

picklewart.blogspot.com

I know it's getting late in the summer, but I read about the concept of a co-op.-style summer camp swap to do with your friends. Each friend takes a turn hosting a day of "summer camp" or "fall camp" or ANY season of camp for that matter! This idea greatly intrigued me. I have many Christian friends that I would feel very comfortable entrusting the care of my children to. As I look into it, the more I realize this could really become a blessing to both you and your friends! A break to do what Mom needs to do, a savings on the cost of a babysitter while you do it, and the opportunity to serve one another in a much-needed way!
So, here's what I'm finding as I go along:

• Come up with a theme for the day. It will make it more memorable for the kids involved.
• Agree on discipline ahead of time. Ex. Time-outs, corners, etc. with phone calls if it needs further attention.
• Agree on no TV, movies, computer, etc. beforehand.
• Define any age limits of children involved in the summer camp swap.
• Address nap times. All children are different. As long as everyone knows ahead of time, any nap schedule can be accommodated.
• Before adding new members to the rotation, discuss in private with the existing members before offering.

Below might be a timeline example of a Summer Camp Swap for preschool-aged children (older children could do longer days):

9 AM Drop-off - Coloring sheets while they settle in
9:15 Books, Songs/Music, Circle Time
9:45 Craft/Art
10:15 Outdoor Activity
10:45 Small snack
11:00 Free Play
11:30 Indoor Activity
12:00 LUNCH!
12:30 Indoor Activity/Free Play
1:30 Pick-up
(This schedule allows for PreK ages to go home for rest/nap times in the afternoon.)

I'm curious if any of you have ever done anything like this. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!!
~Michelle

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Is looking good your god?

"When did looking good become your god?"

picklewart.blogspot.com

When I first read this I thought to myslef, "That's not me. I'm not obsessed with fashion. I don't spend hours on manicures, pedicures, and hair. I'm just a simple girl."

Maybe so, but, if I'll be honest with myself, I do put quite a bit of thought into my appearance. And not that some thought is bad, but let's face it, a lot of thought can be consuming. And really, even a little thought can be wrong if it's for all the wrong reasons. I really appreciated my daily email from Proverbs 31 ministries today. It hit home... even when I didn't think it was really meant for me. But as usual, a little thought and meditation on it showed me much more than I could show myself!

In her write-up, Rachel says: "...a mind that is not set on Christ derives too much pleasure from being admired. But here I sit today, a bit disheveled, in need of a haircut, with my feet in my lap like a child. And what's equally honest is I want to enjoy sitting here like this without regret. Without worry that I'm not a shiny, suit person right now. I wish I looked my best at all times, and at the same time, I don't want to be driven by that wish. I see that for what it would truly be: slavery to image. I want to look nice when it's fun for me to, or necessary for me to look professional. But I don't want looking good to become my god. Thank You God, that You look at my heart and not my appearance."

What would happen if many of us put the time into our hearts that we put into our hair!!

I Samuel 16:7, "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.'" (ESV)

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Who am I?

"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body." 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

I received this verse in my Proverbs 31 newsletter today. The author was commenting on her struggles with fitting the mold of how many Christians believe Christian women should be.
We all know there are a MILLION books out there on how to be a better Christian woman... many of which promote wonderful characteristics emphasizing the fruits of the spirit. But sometimes, we get caught up in what good Christian women wear, look, what their hobbies are... feminine things like looking delicate and always put together, sewing, cooking, flower gardening, decorating, hostessing tea parties, crafting, and the craze of scrapbooking.
Let's face it. These are all very womanly things... none of which are bad whatsoever...
and almost none of which I partake in.
I can't even begin to recount the many times I've guilted myself into trying one of these hobbies... because they're what good Christian women do, right? It's taken me a very long time to get past these things that surround me in other Christian women - many of whom are my own friends and family. I've finally stopped allowing myself to feel pressured to do these things just because others are doing them. It's been a long journey, but I sure do feel a lot less stressed now that I know I don't have to sew aprons and skirts or scrapbook every vacation just to "fit in". I am who I am... and God made me this way to serve His purpose and to give Him glory.

Who am I?
I am a Mom.
I am a computer programmer.
I am a chicken farmer.
I am a vegetable gardener.
I am a housekeeper.
I am a cook - although I'd like to think I am a chef. ;-)
I am a camper, floater, and hiker.
I enjoy offroading in our Jeep.
I love shooting rifles.
I consider myself the resident weed eating expert. :-)
And I want to go hunting.

I am not many, many, many things... but I am who I am. And I think I like it. After all, God made me in His image and knew me long before I knew myself. I guess we can give credit where credit is due.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of workings, but the same God works all of them in all men." 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

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The Painful Process of Pruning

My friend Kara (also our new pastor's wife!) has been getting up at a very early hour (God bless her heart) and doing a new Bible study series. She had a post on her blog last night about her latest reading and thoughts.

...abiding...
www.karaguffey.blogspot.com/2010/02/abiding.html

She shared some very encouraging words with us. There was one scripture she shared that really set in with me this morning.

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit" John 15:2

The first thing that popped in my head was the concept of pruning things out here on our land. There are so many things that need pruning: bushes, trees, and all our fruting plants... especially our treasured thornless blackberry bushes. As many of you know, I grew up in a decent-sized city, Springfield. We lived in an urban neighborhood with ordinary urban neighborhood homes and yards and streets and... you get the point. Well, actually, my point is that we didn't grow much, and I had no real concept of how to grow fruiting trees and vining plants. The first time I had a lesson in pruning, I was horrified!

"What? You mean you want me to lop off a perfectly good looking branch? What a WASTE!"

Yes, I absolutely cringed when we would prune our blackberry bush before the next fruiting season. But after some researh and some coaching from Courtney, I found the truth to be that it was ABSOLUTELY necessary. The fact of the matter is that if I, the gardener, do not prune off the branches that have matured and spent their fruit, the plant will not reach its full potential that next fruiting season.

And isn't this how God works in us? It seems so painful at the time. I know I find myself saying, "Why?" or thinking that He doesn't really need to put me through these tough times to teach me my lesson. I couldn't be more wrong. What lessons in life stay with us the most? Well, I can name a few and not one of them was a pleasant experience.

So go ahead God, prune away. Just like my treasured blackberry bush, I know that next season's fruit will be so much better because of it!

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The Friendship Project

Click here to view the Proverbs 31 Ministries blog post on The Friendship Project

My friend Lisa emailed the content of this to me, and it really hit a chord. So many of us yearn for these kinds of relationships but just can't seem to figure out how to cultivate them. We're busy... there's no doubt about that. We're working, struggling with ailing family members, trying to just keep up with taking care of our own. We're tripping over our little ankle biters, juggling nursing schedules, rushing around to keep up with housework. We have homes, farms, a chore list a mile long, projects, crafts and hobbies that we love (and need) to have in our lives. We serve in multiple ministries at our church. All good and necessary things that I don't believe any one of us would be quick to rid ourselves of. Lets face it, we (um, that would be I ) sometimes feel like we're just barely getting by as it is and can't imagine adding more to the load. But nowhere in there are we building a support system for ourselves or others. Not only does it take a village to raise kids, it takes a village to get one another through hardships, through tests and other trials, and yes, to be there to praise God with one another - in good times and bad.
~And it takes the knitting together of our hearts to make it more than just another duty to do it for one another.

Here's a hit-home excerpt from this Proverbs 31 Ministries blog post:
"I am realizing that women of all walks of life crave friendships. And yet so many of us feel that we are lacking meaningful, authentic relationships. How is it that a church full of women with a common thread of faith are not friends? Worse yet, if we aren't friends, can we hope to offer authentic relationships to those who enter the doors of our churches every week?"

The timing of Lisa's email to me was uncanny to say the least. Many would call it coincidence. I call it God's perfect timing.
Thank you Lisa.

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I've Become Too B.U.S.Y.

A friend posted this link, and I wanted to share it with you all. I am very ashamed to admit that I've fallen into this trap. I know I've been feeling His tug to get my priorities in the right order. Will you also take the time to watch this, and let it speak to you about your life?
CLICK HERE to watch this very powerful video and decide for yourself.
We all have different circumstances, and what's right for me may not be God's will for you and your family. I just hope that this reaches someone that needs it right now.

picklewart.blogspot.com

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