Listening to God’s Plan

Listening to God’s plan does not come easily for any part of our life, especially when we grow up having dreams and expectations for our future. How many times are we asked: what do you want to be when you grow up; where do you plan to be in 5 years, 10 years from now; when are you getting married;  when are you having kids; and the list does not stop there, but you hopefully get the picture.

Life brings with it challenges, joys, sufferings, and peace. When we listen to His word, we are able to face those challenges and sufferings with hope, faith, and positivity. We rejoice and celebrate the joys and peaceful feelings. The Lord has touched me in so many ways over the years when I truly stop and listen. He has shown me the direction and provided a peace in my heart and soul to know that whatever happened or is to happen comes from Him.

As mentioned in an earlier post His Way is Best, I have lost that connection and spiritual awareness that once was so strong in my life. I will not discuss reasons why lost but want to look forward at ways to regain that spiritual connection.

The key is stepping back and providing myself personal time to reflect on the word and God’s teachings. This reflection and time can be achieved in so many aspects of life. Here are a few that I have been engaging in recently:

• Reflecting and writing posts/journal entries 
• Involvement with church activities
• Attending Monday night Mass and praying the Rosary prior to Mass
• Assisting with the Youth Ministry program
• Starting a weekly Young Professionals group and reflecting on the upcoming Sunday readings
• Attending Sunday mass and trying to stay more focused on the Mass instead of letting the mind run wild
• Providing support for the College Ministry program
• Reading Christian based and other books
• Recently finished…When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric & Leslie Ludy
• Currently reading…Smart Women Know When to Say No by Kevin Leman
• Helping and supporting others
• Surrounding myself around strong Christians
• Improving my health as seen here through other posts
• Enjoying God’s nature and beauty
• Limiting time in front of the television

These things are definitely changing my outlook on life, my actions towards things, and my overall demeanor. Things are not easy that’s for sure but in trying to be positive and seeking a new spiritual grounding things are encouraging.

When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric & Leslie Ludy

A book that really makes me:

• think about my actions today and how they will impact my future;
• stop to reflect on the motivations behind my actions or reluctance/fear to be myself;
• seek to be more pure and honest with myself;

How do I stop, listen, and let God prepare my love story? How will I know what that love story is all about?

Is it a love story with Him providing support, guidance, and direction for the youth, young adults, and others in the communities that I belong and reach out too?

Is it a love story with Him and a strong Christian mate with or without children?

Is it a love story with everything combined together?

If I knew the answers to these questions, I would not be sitting here typing today and seeking the grace to be patient and listen to God’s calling. One chapter in the book talked about creating a team for success: people who know you, who can help you discern what is of God and what is not through prayer, questioning, and support; who provide accountability; and who bring a refreshing perspective on the ups and downs of the journey.

If you are willing to be part of that team for success, I welcome you to the team in whatever capacity you would like. For those just reading this blog and offering silent prayers and support, I think you. For those reading and sharing comments or thoughts, I think you. For those who are more involved in my life and sharing, I think you. Everybody makes a difference one way or another, and that is much appreciated.

Healthier Living: Take 10 Plus

Week 10 -- 208.4 pounds
Week 9 -- 207.4 pounds
Week 8 -- 207.8 pounds
......
Week 1 -- 211.4 pounds

Not a good weekend but hopefully, it is just a temporary upward fluctuation. I was down again Tuesday morning to 207.4. We will just have to see where all the homemade banana ice cream in my freezer goes over the next week.

Homemade Ice Cream
Over a month ago, I bought an old time motorized wooden ice cream freezer. Homemade ice cream is delicious but eating 4 quarts is a bit difficult for one person. Therefore this weekend while my aunt, cousin, and cousin's child was in plus another cousin coming over to visit, I decided to try it out. Though not the best homemade banana ice cream, it is pretty darn tasty and enjoyable. Thankfully, I have a few co-workers that deserve a little treat so I have and will share with them.

Physical Activity
The physical activity again was not on the positive this past week as the only true exercise was Sunday at the autocross event again. This week does not look promising with temperatures in the 100s the end of the week, but we will see.

Co-worker walking again...today, a co-worker and I went for a late morning walk, which was enjoyable. Hopefully, this partner and I can get into a fairly consistent routine minus the very hot days to come the end of this week.

Due to the lack of walking/jogging, I currently do not plan on running in the Buffalo Trace 5K on July 4th. Instead, I look forward to sleeping in and getting a day of rest.

Vitamins & Minerals
Three weeks into the new vitamins & minerals regimen and seeing/feeling some changes in my body. I don't seem to be as worn out and tired. The sleeping is still not great. There have been some other signs that my body may be reacting positively to the regimen. Nothing of concrete origin has surfaced yet, but I have to keep reminding myself it has only been 3 weeks.

Due to the number of vitamins, I broke down just over a week ago and purchased a daily am/pm pill container. It nicely separates the morning meds and vitamins from the evening ones. Except it actually was not large enough to put the prenatal vitamins in as well. Therefore, that bottle is sitting out along with the melatonin, since you take it 30 mins before bedtime.

Healthier Living: Take 9

Week 9 -- 207.4 pounds
Week 8 -- 207.8 pounds
Week 7 -- 210.6 pounds
Week 6 -- 208.2 pounds
......
Week 1 -- 211.4 pounds

Actually, I am amazed that I slightly lost/maintained this past week. The week proved to be rough and very inactive. Sunday was the only day of activity with another Sunday of racing and walking over 3 miles over the course of the day.

Hopefully, I can get out towards the end of this week. Tonight has been a lazy night and the next couple of nights are busy.

Vitamins & Minerals: Part II

Wednesday, June 6th - The start of a new vitamin regimen. Thanks for those who shared on my last post regarding vitamins & minerals.

Prenatal Vitamin for base went with Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System. No specific reason. It seemed fairly balanced.

Then I am supplementing it with the following:
Morning
500 mg of B12
1 Tbsp of Flax Oil
250 mg of Magnesium
1000 IU D3
250 mg of Vitamin C
200 IU of Vitamin E
200 mg of B6

Evening
250 mg of Magnesium
1000 IU D3
250 mg of Vitamin C

Before Bed -- 3 mg of Melatonin to help me sleep.  

We will see how things progress.

Healthier Living: Take 8

Week 8 -- 207.8 pounds
Week 7 -- 210.6 pounds
Week 6 -- 208.2 pounds
......
Week 1 -- 211.4 pounds

Successfully down this week and looking forward to maintaining this lower weight.

The past week was rather stressful, which was good and bad. Activity type changed this week. On Tuesday and Friday, I went jogging/walking for 2.5 miles finishing both days just under 39 minutes.

The weekend was full of autocrossing. Saturday was a driving school and Sunday was an actual event. I recorded about 2 miles of walking Saturday morning and 2.5 miles of walking Sunday morning. There was definitely more time up on my feet and walking around in addition to the recorded times.

The biggest thing was on Friday when I went for a jog my muscles were extremely tight. Then I have proceeded to be sore and tight all weekend. Part of the issue is flipping my bed to the firm side, which does not work. Any suggestions on how to get stretched out and limber again?

I also started a new vitamin regimen this past week to be detailed in another post.

Healthier Living: Take 7

Week 7 -- 210.6 pounds
Week 6 -- 208.2 pounds
Week 5 -- 210.4 pounds (Tuesday)
......
Week 1 -- 211.4 pounds

Apparently this past weekend was not a good weekend because I was up though I was significantly down Wednesday and Thursday morning below 208.

Motivation and discipline are slowly coming together on the exercise front. The nice evening weather has also been a help.

Tuesday (Week Prior)
3.68 mile walk in 1:00:17 hours
16:00 min/mile pace and 217 calories burned

Wednesday (Week Prior)
3.47 mile walk in 1:00:03 hours
17:00 min/mile pace and 216 calories burned
Definitely was moving a bit slower after the Monday hike and the intense walking on Tuesday.

Saturday
Went to Taylorsville Lake and hiked about 2.5 to 3 miles. The first 2 miles was pretty muddy and also on combo hiking/horse trails. The last .5 miles is about the only non-horse trail and was rather enjoyable. I saw a deer as I came out from the first trail and into the latter trail. It ran off before I could see much of it though.

The app on my phone said I burned 0 calories and then refused to save properly so I am not sure how long the hike was either. It was good though not sure I would do a lot of hiking here but we will see. It was only one of many trails but as I said they are all horseback trails as well.

Sunday
Autocross day again so walked about 1.5 miles in the morning checking out the course and then again another .5 mile at lunch time to check the course out again, along with all the other days activities and movements. But apparently, I was not all that good for the weekend because was on the heavy side Monday morning.

So definitely had the motivation last week, this week has been a slightly different story for many reasons. I will report more on that next week and try not to be so tardy in my update.