Heart Choices: 2013-09-29 -->

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Five Minute Friday: Write


It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with The Gypsy Mama. We receive a one word writing prompt and get to write for five minutes flat. Our word for this week is WRITE.

GO

I love to write.  I can trace it all the way back to elementary school.  I loved to read so writing just seemed to be the natural extension.  I had the opportunity to go to a creative writing class during the summer after fifth grade.  Each day we wrote stories and shared them in front of the class.  Mr. Yocum would critique us.  I discovered that I loved it ...

I began to journal on a consistent basis on January 1, 1994.  That was the day my Nana died.  I wrote about her homecoming.  As I look back over my many journals, I read true stories of joy, heartache, and pain.  I recorded my thoughts and feelings over the years.

But the pattern I see over and over is the God who loves me.  You see, He was there when I was hurt and I held it in and refused to cry.  He was there when I rebelled and did my own thing.  He was there when I was burdened.  He was there to bring joy to my heart no matter what was going on in my life.

I continue to write in my journals.  But for years now I've been blogging. I get to write and share with many people I've never met.  My writing has opened up new relationships with other bloggers.  I'm discovering my voice.  So I continue to write.

STOP

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Stay Healthy and Enjoy the Journey


Life is a journey.  But much too often I find myself on autopilot.  I'm checking off items on my to-do list but not taking the time to stop and enjoy the moments.

To-do list:

  • Exercise on treadmill
  • Drink lots of water
  • Stretch
  • Free weights
  • Morning quiet time
  • Writing
  • Get ready for work and get there on time

I want to get back in great shape. You see, I know what it feels like:

  • to have lots of energy
  • to have clothes that fit well 
  • to get dressed once and not have to go back to the closet and change after catching a glimpse in the mirror
  • to not focus so much on food and exercise
I want a healthy lifestyle to simply be a part of my every day life.  

I have a lot of living to do.  And I don't want to miss out.  I want to stop and smell the roses.
I used to teach heart patients ways to stay healthy and prevent future problems. Diet, exercise, keeping track of their cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. But I wanted to know what pushed their buttons.  What would motivate them to start to take better care of themselves and live a healthier lifestyle.

So I conducted a research project in the Cardiology practice where I was working.  I had the patients fill out a form to find out what they were most afraid of. Many had been close to death after all.  The results were a little bit surprising to me.

They were afraid of losing their independence.  

They wanted to be able to do the things that were important to them whether that was golfing, working in their career or simply playing and keeping up with their grandchildren.

So for today, I make the choice to exercise and eat healthy.  As time goes on, I discover that it has become a habit.  So I don't have to think about it and focus so much on it.  It's simply a part of my every day life.  I want to be able to do the things that are important to me too.  How about you?


I'm linking up with Kim of Just for Clicks for Weigh-In Wednesday.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Be Thankful



Be thankful.  Maybe you are going through difficult circumstances right now. Maybe your life isn't turning out the way you planned.  I've learned that despite challenges, choosing to be thankful is the best way to live.

Each day you have a choice to make.  Will you dwell on what's wrong or will you look for what's right and good?  This doesn't mean you should ignore the issues that need resolving.  But I can tell you from personal experience that when I choose to be on the lookout for those every day blessings, my day is so much better. I make the choice to be thankful.

I work in a classroom filled with children who are 3 or 4 years old.  There isn't a day that goes by when I'm not greeted by little children who clamor to me for hugs.  If that doesn't bring a smile to my face, nothing will.

Last week, the children were learning the letter "C". Here they are with paper cameras on the lookout for things that start with the letter C.  Of course, camera starts with C.
I get to work with some amazing women.  Megan and Heidi are too cute. Rancho teachers do rock, you know. :)

I was so happy to see my good friends Pete and Susan who are missionaries overseas.  They were on furlough for several weeks.  Today they leave to return to the mission field.

They were interviewed in my church on Sunday.  When asked how our church family could pray for them, Susan provided an acronym; WE GO.  She asked for W=wisdom, E=energy, G=glorify God, O=ongoing opportunities.  I will remember so it makes it easier to pray specifically for their needs.  What a blessing to see them and pray for them.

Our church is in the process of memorizing Colossians 3.  I am reminded of verses 14-16 (ESV):
 
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


#968  Sweet greetings each morning from little children
#969  Seeing children beginning to learn
#970  The excitement on the children's faces when they can answer correctly
#971  A wonderful sermon from Colossians 3:12-14 by our Minister to Young Adults Scott Savage  (a fellow blogger at The Joshua Collective)
#972  Listening to the beautiful voices of New Life New Life Singers from Grand Canyon University
#973  Getting to talk and worship with Pete and Susan

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays.



Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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