30 x 5 - 100 Finale, Project 365, Moving Update

First, let me just say..... THANK YOU, LINDA! for hosting the 30 x 5 - 100 challenge. It was more difficult to meet my own goals during Phase 2 but that's what happens when you set the bar too high. Because of my grueling schedule of finals, final projects, presentations, a conference in Chicago, and getting settled in a "new" house, I didn't meet w/my personal trainer regularly for my 30 minutes/day workout. I am not stressin over it. Most days I surpassed my goal of 7000 or more steps on my step counter. There were even several days that I logged over 12,000. Most days I made wiser food choices, well....except for the three days I was in Chicago..... I was in Chicago for cryin out loud! The food was fabulous!

The challenge has motivated me to keep moving. The other ladies, The Challengettes, who are doing this with me are inspiring. Yep, sign me up for Phase 3 (and I don't even know what it is yet). Maybe I should rethink this.....hahahaha.

I'm also participating in Project 365 hosted by Sara. Taking a picture a day is more difficult than you think. We have just completed week 17 in 2009 and my pictures are posted on my picture blog.....Shutter Clicks. You can link up here or on the icon located in the side bar.

Several of you have inquired about house hunting and how the move is going. The closing for the house we sold was on April 15, and we are completely moved in to a rental house. The rental house was not lived in for over a year (that's a story in itself) and there have been several problems arise as a result of this. Small electrical issues, phone problems, and plumbing catastrophes have plagued getting settled. Yet, my goal has been to make this house a place of comfort and a refuge from the outside world. A place that when you enter, you can feel the love and peace of God. Thank you Robin for your posts of Living a Legacy. You have encouraged and motivated me to do this in my own life. I applaud you.

We are actively looking for a house to purchase. I'm not stressin over not finding something either. God has a house for us and in His time, it will be revealed. It is difficult to not be anxious about it, but just as He brought a buyer for the house that sold.....He will provide a house for us to buy. Heartfelt thanks to each of you who are praying about this with us.

What do you stress over? Do you put energy into worrying about things which you have no control over? Give them over to the LORD today, This Day. He will turn your worries into triumphs.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

James 1:2-3 (NIV) ²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Blessing of the Bikes - 4/26/09

Nearly 6,000 people, riding more than half as many motorcycles, journeyed to Bald Knob cross for the 17th annual Blessing of the Bikes, an event hosted through the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

Sponsored by The Lord's Paheece CMA chapter, the gathering is meant to encourage prayer and worship among riders. It is a magnificent event bringing bikers together regardless of their beliefs. There is a brotherhood and camaraderie that cannot be found anywhere else.

On This Day for many, it is the only church they will attend all year, the only the only time they will hear God's word. Seeds have been planted and we thank God for the harvest.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 19:10 (NIV) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Thankful Thursday - 4/23/09

Welcome to Thankful Thursday where every week (God willing) I list five things for which I am thankful.

1. I'm thankful for today, This Day. Each day is a true blessings from God for a cancer survivor.

2. The sunrise. It was beautiful this morning.

3. My eyesight....actually, for all five of my senses. They are all working within their operating parameters. lol -- Also for spiritual eyesight.

4. My husband. Yep.....he makes the top five again. He's just about the sweetest guy ever. Besides that, he's handy. He has the ability to fix just about anything and in our current rental house, we are relying on his skills more and more every day.

5. Electronic media. I'm working on my final project and it would take me months to complete the training manual without computers, the internet, webcasts, etc.

What are you thankful for this week? Today? Link up with Truth 4 the Journey by clicking on the button at the top of this post or comment here. As always, thanks for stopping by to visit.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 19:14 (NKJV) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Wordless Wednesday - Earth Day 4/22/09

Psalm 119:64 (NIV) The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.

Psalm 72:19 (NKJV) And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.

Special thanks to Rick at Organized Doodles for supplying today's artwork.

Project 365, Challenge 30 X 5 - 100

Greetings to everyone! Two weeks worth of pictures are posted on my photo blog, Shutter Clicks. Whenever you get the chance, hop on over and check them out. I'll be posting some other pictures from my Chicago trip as time permits. Thanks to Sara for hosting Project 365. Be sure to visit her blog and see other's photos too.

Linda @ 2nd Cup of Coffee is hosting "phase 2" of a challenge to get moving. The first two weeks were pretty easy for me. This first week of phase 2 started on 4/14 and I haven't been moving as much. I'm still wearing my step counter and logged over 9000 steps on the 14th, 15th, and 16th. On Friday the 17th, I logged over 17,000 steps. That was my shopping day in downtown Chicago. Yesterday I logged about 7800 steps even with the train ride. I did get to do more shopping before catching the train. The second part of this challenge is to knock out 100 calories each day. That hasn't been too easy with all the great food in Chicago. Let's just say.....this week I'll do better.

I'm off to get caught up on chores and homework. It's good to be home and I'm thankful for safe traveling. Most of all, I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. We celebrated our 6th anniversary today. We're thankful for every day God allows us to spend together. Be sure to tell your family how much they are loved today, This Day.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV) ²⁴ " ' "The LORD bless you and keep you;

²⁵ the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." '

Thankful Thursday - 4/16/09

I'm thankful for selling my house. Yes, even tho it is sad to leave it is exciting to see where God will lead us now. The closing on the house was yesterday.

The time my husband and I are apart......at our jobs. During a time when so many are out of work, I'm so thankful we have good jobs.

An expense paid trip to Chicago. It is work related, but I still get to go to the Windy City for three days. I'm sure to get some shopping time in.

I'm thankful changing seasons. Spring is such a beautiful time of year, but each season is a parallel to changes in our own lives and how God sustains us.

My blogging friends. Yep, I'm thankful for each one of you. You have touched my life in many ways, encouraging, challenging, teaching. You have reached out through cyberspace and shared yourself with me. Thank you!

That's my five for the week. What are you thankful for today, This Day? When you stop by, be sure to leave me a note and let me know how God has blessed you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 13:8 (NIV) Love, for the Day is Near ⁸Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Wordless Wednesday

Romans 6:6 (NIV) For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—

Special thanks to my buddy, Rick, at Organized Doodles for this awesome artwork. If you're not familiar with his work, stop on over to his blog spot and check it out.