30 x 5 x 2 - Update

Since I get two days of my choice off with this program (thank you Linda), Sunday and Monday were the two days I chose. Besides being my hubby's days off, I was in class on Sunday -- I know....crazy, right? The 30 minutes of working out were off limits, but I did wear the step counter and still logged over 7000 steps each day.

Today, my workout included my regular personal trainer, Gilad, from Fit TV. My step counter has logged almost 9000 steps at about 6pm. With all the packing and laundry on my schedule tonight, I figure I'll break 10K. Sweet!

How are you doing with the challenge? Do you find it motivating that there are so many of us in the program? I sure do. Maybe I'm an over achiever, but I am determined to complete this by all the guidelines. Remember, even if you haven't started, you still have time today, This Day, to make that commitment.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

30 x 5 x 2 Day 3 AND Project 365

My photos for last weeks Project 365 are posted @ Shutter Clicks. Please stop by and let me know what you think of them. If you haven't stopped by our host Sara's blog lately to see her photos or those of the other participants in this project, please do so. Sara lost a precious aunt today. I'm sure she would appreciate a word of encouragement.

Day three of our moving 30 minutes a day for five days for two weeks was yesterday. Again, I worked out 30 minutes with Gilad. If you haven't worked out with him, let me just tell you, he wears you out! Plus a logged over 7700 steps on my counter. That's pretty impressive, considering I was in class from 8 - 3 yesterday.

Yesterday's class included taking a mid-term, giving a presentation plus listening to classmates present, and listening to lecture. After class is when I worked out, ate, then packed. By 9 o'clock, I was exhausted. Actually, I was probably exhausted way before then. That's just when I gave in to it.

When do you give in to the Spirit's tugging? Have you heard Him calling you today, This Day? Sometimes we are so busy trying to accomplish so many tasks that we either neglect or squelch His small, still voice. Don't be too busy to hearken to His call. He has a sweet message of love to share with you.

Peace and Joy,
SusanD

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) ²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

30 x 5 x 2 - Day 2

It's been a very hectic day with more ahead of me this evening. I decided to go ahead and get my post done because I'm studying for a mid-term tonight and in class this weekend. I know, you're envious of my wonderful, fun-filled life. :)

For today's 30 minutes, I exercised with Gilad when I got home. If you're not familiar with him, he has a couple different programs on Fit TV. Plus, I'm wearing my step counter. Even though I didn't get a 30 minute walk in today, I've logged over 8300 steps. Pretty good considering it's not quite 5pm.

I'll keep track of my progress over the weekend and post as time allows. There's an over abundance of activity happening right now and hopefully I'll have some down time to share with you. Scripture says that God never puts on us more than we can bear. I'm thinkin I'd like to divvy up some of it. What are your burdens today, This Day? Take them to the Lord and cast your cares on Him for He cares for you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 62:7 (NIV) My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

30 x 5 x 2

So, if my higher math skills serve me correctly, that's ummmmm WOW! 300! And no, I didn't have to use the calculator to arrive at that number.....but I did use it to make sure it was right. lol -- But 300 what, you ask? Well, Linda at 2nd cup of coffee is hosting this marvelous challenge that goes like this:

"Beginning on the 26th, I'm pledging to move for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week for two weeks. Thus my cleverly named project: "30 x 5." Did I mention its only for 2 weeks? Did I mention a bathroom scale in this effort? I didn't??? That's right; I didn't!

"Now, you can do this however you want; if you love the scales (are you from another planet?) or feel that you must keep track of your calories, that's your call. But don't hold the rest of us to that. Insert group whine: "That's too haaaaard."

As for me and my house :), we will not be writing down foods or checking pulse rates or focusing on muscle groups. Just movin'."

It's that simple! Let's get moving! Won't you join us today, This Day? I was able to use part of my lunch time and walk for 30 minutes. Plus, I'm using a step counter and at 6pm I had over 10K steps for the day. I figure anything over that is a bonus so I took it off.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Thankful Thursday

Five things I'm thankful for this week: Big or small.....God honors them all. :)

1. Prayer. Prayer for others, prayer from others, the power of prayer, the peace of prayer.
2. Good reports from the doctor. I'm thankful to be healthy again.....well, as healthy as a cancer survivor can be.
   
3. Coffee. That's right. I love me some good coffee. The smell of coffee roasting/brewing. The taste. I drink mine black at work. At home I spruce it up with a little sugar free french vanilla.
4. U-haul. Wait....what? That's right, they have great boxes for packing your stuff. Especially if it's going into storage.
5. Storage units. What else would we do with the furniture and keepsakes we want to keep until we find a house to purchase?

That's my five. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Leave me a comment and share your blessings.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 1:29 (NIV) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

Wordless Wednesday - Tea Party

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

It's Spring! Time for the UBP 2009!

Greetings and welcome to my little corner of blog world.

Spring is probably my favorite season. To me, spring symbolizes renewal, hope, starting over, new life, promises fulfilled, and the list goes on and on. In honor of spring, I'm joining some of my blogging friends in the Ultimate Blog Party. Is there a better way to kick off spring than with a party? I think not! So help yourself to the buffet, grab a seat, and let's get acquainted.


I am fairly new to this blogging stuff but feel it is another way God is stretching and honing me. I wear many hats: wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend, and princess. That's right, I'm royalty! A child of the King! The Most High God.

My life has taken many paths and the journey I'm currently on is probably the most exciting and challenging. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Praise God for His love, mercy and grace, for modern medicine, an awesome husband, and wonderful supportive friends. Where would any of us be without that? Just today, This Day, I received the wonderful news that my cancer markers show no sign of that nasty little mitosis' return. Definitely cause to celebrate!

One of my favorite pastimes is riding my Harley Davidson motorcycle. I lovingly refer to it as "my scooter." My hubby and I belong to the Christian Motorcyclists Association which we absolutely love. We participate in several rides throughout the year where we enjoy fellowship and witnessing. Our chapter also sponsors an annual "blessing of the bikes" where thousands of motorcyclists gather to have their bikes blessed for the upcoming riding season. For many, it is the only time of year they hear God's Word.

I'm very thankful for my blogging friends. I enjoy meeting new people through this medium. I am also participating in Project 365. This project documents every day of 2009 with a photo. Thank you for stopping by hopefully, you enjoyed your visit. I'll be sure to visit you soon.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Proverbs 16:24 (NIV) ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Week 12's photos

Yes, it's true......twelve weeks have already passed this year. Doesn't seem possible. I'm thoroughly enjoying the photo journal and hope you are too. Please stop over to see the current slide show at Shutter Clicks.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV) The Armor of God ¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Thankful Thursday

At the encouragement of Chatty Kelly who is Sometimes Teaching Always Learning about God's Love, I decided to join in on Thankful Thursday. I'm thinking that it will be harder to whittle the list down to five that come up with five. This is my first one, so I'll start with the basics and go from there. So today, This Day, here are the top five things I'm thankful for:

1. Salvation through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2. God's Word, my guidebook.
   
3. My wonderful husband. He is such a blessing.
4. My family, about as normal as abnormal can be....and I love each and every one of them.
   
5. A home. Even though we just sold our house and are moving (more on that another time), wherever God takes us we will be at home because He will be with us.
   

What are you thankful for today, This Day? Leave me a comment or link up at Truth 4 the Journey.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Wordless Wednesday - Moving Day

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Week 11 of Project 365

Please view this weeks photos of everything that's blooming here.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 6:27-29 (NIV) ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Count Your Blessings

Yesterday, my blog buddy, Rick at Organized Doodles, posted this Pet Peeve monster and made a challenge to get some of my own angst off my chest. So what are some of my pet peeves? People who complain.....you know them.....they're around every day. They are the Debbie Downers who never have anything good to say to you or about you. A friend of mine calls them "toxic relationships." These people are toxic to themselves and everyone around them.

What is your solution when people like this try to bring you down.....suck you in to their toxic world? Me? I turn it around on them. When they want to talk about this situation, or that problem.....I remind them of the many blessings they have that counteract those problems.

Have you tried that? What do you do when you are feeling down? Try listing your blessings! Every single one of them. Even if you have an illness, are unemployed, or just need a moral boost, writing down your blessings truly puts things into perspective. Do you remember the song....Count Your Blessings?



So I challenge you today, This Day, to kick that Pet Peeve monster to the curb and count your blessings. They are numerous and your attitude and outlook will be changed for the better.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Peter 1:4 (NIV) Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

House Cleaning Items and Awards

Week 10's photos are up on my photo blog.....Shutter Clicks. Be sure to stop by and let me know what you think of them.

I'm very tardy in getting this award posted to my blog. A dear blogger friend, LuAnn, was gracious enough to nominate me for the Great Attitude/Gratitude award. Thank you, LuAnn!


Yesterday, I received this lovely award from another dear blogger friend, Gigi. She finds some of the most unique images on the internet to go along with her stories. And her grandchildren are about the cutest children ever. She has a powerful testimony of God's plan being worked out in her and her hubby's lives. Thank you, Gigi for your prayers, encouragement, and friendship.


Rick, over at Organized Doodles, asked me to post a picture of me and my scooter. This was taken last year right after I got it. I've changed a couple things since then and will post more recent photos once riding season is in full swing. There is a current picture of my bike on this week's 365 project. Hop on over and check it out. If you're not familiar with Rick's artwork, I highly recommend a stop at his blogspot. He does some amazing work.


One last item. A while back I posted a photo of the Pineapple Upside Down cake I made on my photo blog. It's a very simple Pampered Chef recipe. You bake it in a skillet. Yep. And it's wonderfully moist and delicious. I've included the link to their website, but here it is:

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

1/2 C butter or margarine (I use butter)
1 C packed brown sugar
1 can (20 oz) pineapple sliced, undrained
5 maraschino cherries, drained and halved
1/2 C chopped nuts (I use pecans)
1 pkg (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 C vegetable oil
1 C thawed, frozen whipped topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in 12-in non-stick skillet (do not use stainless cookware) over low heat. Remove from heat; stir in brown sugar until well blended.
2. Drain pineapple, reserving juice; set aside. Arrange pineapple slices over brown sugar mixture in skillet. Place a cherry half in center of each pineapple slice. Sprinkle with nuts.
3. Add enough water to pineapple juice to measure 1 1/3 C liquid. In bowl, combine cake mix, pineapple juice, eggs, and oil; whisk until well blended and smooth. Pour over fruit mixture in skillet.
4. Bake 35-40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool 5 minutes. Carefully loosen edges of cake. Invert onto large serving plate. Cool slightly; serve w/whipped topping.

You will love this cake. It's quick, easy, super moist, and very delicious. Make it to your taste. Sometimes I use nuts and sometimes I don't. Cause sometimes you feel like a nut....and sometimes you don't. lol (sorry, couldn't resist). I rarely do the cherries, cause I rarely have them on hand. Be sure to use pineapple packed in juice.....not syrup; and you can use whatever you have on hand. I've used chunks, tidbits, and crushed instead of the sliced.

I have traveled many roads in this life, but the path I'm currently on with Jesus is by far the most exciting and rewarding. He reveals something new to me every day...... about Himself or about me. Sometimes both. No matter the circumstance, He is cause to celebrate and rejoice today, This Day!

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Eyes of Faith

Thank you for your encouraging and heartfelt words. It would seem that I need to seriously be more cautious when asking for something. Let me clarify that statement. At the beginning of Lent, I mentioned on my post that I wanted to see with God's eyes, to see everything I'd been missing: the lonely, the broken hearted, a love for humanity. I forgot that those types of requests usually begin with self-reflection, purging, and sometimes healing. I'm so grateful that when those requests are being fulfilled, God is fixing to do a work.....complete a work......prepare for what is ahead. And I better hold on for the ride! lol

These are the moments when I need "faith eyes." Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to see the completed work as God sees it? This so reminds me of Joshua when God was giving him the battle plan. Here is a warrior who has successful battles behind him, getting ready to take on the fortified city of Jericho. The Lord says to Joshua....."see, I have delivered Jericho into your hands..." Can't you just imagine Joshua squinting....trying to see? Yet, all he could see with his physical eyes was Jericho tightly shut up. It'd be like someone trying to point out the camouflaged wildlife to the untrained eye. "Follow your eyes down my arm, to where my finger is pointing.....you can see the deer.....right there."

This is when Joshua's faith and his actions were working together and his faith was made complete by what he did. This is also when our faith and our actions need to work together. Today, This Day, I'm exercising faith as it is an inheritance and am fully convinced that what God promises, He is able to perform.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

Spring Cleaning

In keeping with the Lent theme, I am doing some spring cleaning. Even though our house is immaculate (my hubby is retired Air Force), there still seems to be places where dust bunnies hide. They have a way of creeping in when and where you least expect. It's always best to pull out appliances and large pieces of furniture to find the obvious hiding places. But right out there in the open, can you see it? It's over in the corner where you were sure you had cleaned dozens of times.

Have you ever felt that way in your spiritual life? Where you are sure you have dealt with old hurts or long ago, forgotten emotions that somehow find their way back into your daily life. It has been that way for me recently. Honestly, I'm not one to share about myself. I long ago built a wall around myself and my emotions. Yet, it seems that God has been dealing with me in this particular area.

I have been finding it more and more difficult to write or come up with ideas for this blog spot. An idea will pop into my head only to be dismissed by notions like: that's not very interesting; no one wants to hear that; or you'll only open yourself up to ridicule and hurt. STOP! I know in my heart there is not a single one of you who would purposely ridicule or hurt me. But those old dust bunnies that still linger in their hidden spots have a tendency to rear their ugly little heads.

The best way to deal with them is to bring them out into the open and expose them to the Light because darkness has no power over the Light. So today, This Day, I am exposing dust bunnies to the Light. The Light will open my eyes so I can see as He sees. Not with fear, but with love and compassion.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)⁸ “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. ⁹ “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Project 365

My photos from this past week are posted on my photo blog. Please click on the link in the side bar and check them out.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.