Friday Means Fitness Day. (Yea, well not quite)

It's time for me to put actions behind my words in the area of fitness goals. Really, it's way past time.

As all those who have passed THAT certain age know, if you don't use it you will lose it. Well I've lost it--or at least a lot of it. With each passing year I am less flexible, have less strength and my endurance... well let's not even talk about that. I might need carbs if I start thinking about that.

Honestly, there is little to no excuse for not doing something to reverse this aging tide that has caught me in it's rapid current. Oh, and I didn't mention this: I was diagnosed with Osteopinnea several years ago--not good and it might be worse now as I've done little in terms of intervention.

Yep, it's past time for me to do something about this matter. I have all the essential equipment here inside my dry, warm home: treadmill, a fitness band, hand weights of various sizes, weight scale, kitchen scale...and time.

To inspire me I painted the 'exercise' room a bright yellow, put a radio in there and made sure the treadmill was pointed towards the window so I could look outside at the beautiful view. Really what more do I need?

And it occurs to me, in my present 'inner arts' focus on stewardship, that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit so it really belongs to Him. Yikes.

Come to think about it-all that is standing between me and better fitness is to obey the Word and just do it. And then keep doing it at least 3-5 times a week.

What are you doing to prevent Osteoporosis?
Do you have fitness goals?
How do you stay consistent with your exercise program?

Blessings needed for my bones, Aimee

"..your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." I Corinthians 6:19, 20 KJV

Time For A Change~

The season has definitely changed here in the NW. We just got finished with a spell of really rainy days here and some snow has fallen earlier in the mountains too--conclusive evidence that though we might get some nice days again (before July 4th that is) we’re now caught in the 'dreaded' clutches of the monsoon time AKA as a NW winter.Good for skiers and all plants; bad for us SAD sufferers and sun lovers.

But today we had a momentary reprieve from THAT time and it was beautiful here! I was thankful and yet I stayed inside for most of the day (albeit with the mini-blinds open). Why? I know better. I know these days are in short supply and each one needs to be cherished like the precious jewels they are. I know I’ve tons of stuff to get done too and yet I wasted too much time again.

And what is even worse is that this pattern is happening too often, especially lately, since I ‘retired’, Each time I’m left with an unsatisfied feeling and a hunger for something better. And it isn't like I don't have control over doing it differently.

When I was working, the days were very challenging and I usually liked that. I enjoyed the stimulation of creating and conquering the tasks and problems put before me (well most of the time until things changed there). But deep within me there was a battle--a struggle over two passions of my heart. The love (and security) of a job that paid relatively well and I knew I could do versus the deep, almost overwhelming desire to be a homemaker again. And I stopped feeling passionate over my job because I knew my heart was no longer there but at home.

Time passed, prayers went heavenward and finally--in a way I would never have guessed--the path lead home and it was good and peaceful, and I was - for the most part - happy and so was my husband.

Of course all problems did not magically vanish, for life here om earth is never that easy or predictable. At home we still fought the battle of the mice that most if not all country dwellers fight, and we still had mold/mildew in places. For awhile, too, my dad suffered some medical challenges-but I was home to help and that was good. And our plan for a new home was put on hold but it was paid off fully and I was HOME and that nourished my soul.

I went on trips to see my children and grandchildren. And that was good! I enjoyed the passing seasons and that was good (except for the extended rainy time). I enjoyed cooking again for the man-cub. And even when he said nothing or that it was just 'OK', I knew he liked having something other then fast food on the table most nights…and a wife to greet him each afternoon. And I liked it too.

But now it’s been over a year and a half since I quit… and life is still good but it is not great! And that is not good. You see I have wasted way too much time--something I never did at work (well 99.99% of the time) and I am definitely feeling more and more that this is bad stewardship of the time and talents I’ve been given. And that is not good because someday I won’t be here anymore and all those unfulfilled dreams and purposes for which I was sent won’t be accomplished. And that is really sad.

So it is accountability time for me--time to stop procrastinating, time to stop the laziness, time to CHANGE. But the change won’t be coming from the government and it won’t be coming because that is a key phrase of today. Nope--it won’t be coming because I am being forced into it either. Not even close. It will be coming instead because I want to make a difference in my family and friend’s lives by being a good steward and I want to please God who made it possible for me to again be home where my passion lies.

Blessings everyone, Aimee

Proverbs 31:10-31

Photo: NW Coast Range

A Walk in His Gardens

Take a moment to change your focus…

From the worries and stresses of your long, hard day...

From the news of war, more crimes and a bad economy…

From all the negativity and uncertainty that surrounds us all and invades our senses..

Instead -

Imagine yourself in a beautiful garden...

A garden created by the Master Gardener for all of His beloved children…

There you--
Feel the sun on your face as you smell fragrant herbs and flowers, harvested fruit and the freshness of the clean air there..

in His garden

There you see--
vividly colored autumn leaves of red & gold

forests of tall evergreens, ferns and native woodland plants

and

blue lakes and rivers set below high, snowcapped mountains.

Feeling better now?

Take a moment to fully experience God’s handiwork as you walk in His gardens.

Take a moment to feel the abundant love He has, for you, His child...

And remember that
He who made all of this...

Says to “Fear not” for He is with you---

always

And for those who don’t believe in Him…..

He is waiting to welcome you as a son or daughter. You just need to accept the gift of salvation He so freely offers.

Blessings, Aimee

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16, 17 KJV

Photo: Olympic Penninsula, possibly Marrowstone area

Mountains, God & Serenity

I love mountains. I really, really do!

I am drawn to them wherever I go because of their great beauty and immense size--their glory if you will. I never get tired of looking at them or being near or on one.

But I think another reason I love mountains so very much is because of the message they speak to all of us (though some might think them silent).

And that message is that they were created by God and so am I. That message brings me peace and comfort even in tough, uncertain times like these.

Blessings, Aimee
Psalms 121
Photo:
The Wallowa Valley & Mts near Joseph, OR