Heading back to the doctor...

I still have a sick baby- but he amazes me with his cute little smiles!  I wasn't feeling all that "smiley" this morning after another non-sleeping night, but who can resist baby smiles?!  So we got up & around, got Elisabeth ready for school, my amazing hubby dropped her off for me (THANK YOU!!) and Carter & I took a little nap :)  We are heading back to the doctor this afternoon.   It's his 2 month checkup, and I'm hoping that things are still okay with this awful cough hanging on...

So yes, it's been a rather stressful week!  I'm glad that I took some time to thank God for our stresses :)  Yes, that may sound rather odd, but I am thankful for it!  

• Stress over a sick baby- I thank God for giving us Carter!  He chose us to raise this awesome kid!
• Stress over work stuff- I thank God for providing work & giving us what we need!
• Stress over lack of sleep- I thank God for coffee :) :) :)  

My point is that we should be thankful for everything that he sends our way.  Although it may be tough at times, when you look back at a specific situation later on you will realize that there was a reason for it!

Here are a few verses that I found...

'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.' 
-Romans 8:28 

'O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.'

-Psalm 139

'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

-Jeremiah 29:11

Have an awesome day friends! 

~Jen

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day!

I hope that everyone is able to enjoy their day today!  Our 4th of July celebration started last night when we went to the Branson Landing fireworks display with some friends!  Despite the thousands of people there, it was great!  Great food (Cantina Laredo- yum!), a Journey tribute band, great friends (old & new!), & a beautiful night for fireworks!  

FAITH-

Today I am thankful that I live in a free country.  I think that no matter where you live, there are people that aren't happy with the way that the government is running or choices that are being made.  This is something that has happened throughout time, and there are always going to be people who agree & disagree.  Despite the things that I may not agree with, I am still thankful that I live here.  God gave us freedom- so what are we doing with it?

Today's reading for me was Romans 8.  To me, it's full of hope!  If we accept Jesus then we have nothing to fear!  Also, it talks about our present sufferings, which is something that has weighed heavy on my mind lately.  It says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)  How reassuring is that?!  This entire chapter is worth re-reading, and really it's worth posting, but I'll just put a link to it HERE!!  It ends with:

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died —more than that, who was raised to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[j]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future,nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

FAMILY-

I'm looking forward to a July 4th celebration with my family this evening!  Now, I just need to figure out what to make :)  Pat & I are both off of work today for the holiday, but no kiddos to share it with :(  I did, however, get to Skype with Elisabeth yesterday!  I just love that technology can make a great distance seem much smaller!!  It was good to see her crazy, smiling, laughing self for a few hours!

FITNESS:

Last night's bootcamp was killer!  (in a good way!!!) We did some strong sets of heavy weights (my butt & legs are feeling those squats!)  Today will just be cardio for me- I'm thinking about a bike ride this morning before it gets too hot!  

My water intake & my nutrition are going well!

Here are a few pic's from last night:

Fireworks!

More fireworks!! (My phone didn't do them justice- they were beautiful!)

Katie & me - enjoying the beautiful evening!

Have a wonderful 4th of July! Be safe (don't burn anything down!) & enjoy your day!

Want to get ahold of Jen?  Questions on fitness??  Email trainingbyjen@hotmail.com

July 3rd :)

Happy Tuesday!  The sun is shining & it's going to be a good day :)


Faith-
I keep a prayer journal.  I haven't been very consistent with it, but it's a concept that I recommend!  One of my personal training clients does this, & always talks about how it helps her with prayers & watching how God answers them.  So I decided to give it a shot!  I know so many people right now that are going through rough times- physically, emotionally, financially- and it's easy to feel like everything is going wrong as you feel like you're spiraling out of control.  God is in control, and we have to remember to turn it all over to him.  


Today's verse on my app is Romans 8:18:
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."


It's tough to struggle.  But stay strong, and rely on God.  Surround yourself with family & friends, & pray.  I have noticed with my prayer journal that God always answers.  He answers in His way, and in His time frame!  I'm not the most patient person, so it's been good for me to be able to look back and see how things always work out!


Family-
R is coming over tonight!  We haven't seen him for over a week, so we're excited!  And I'm missing E like crazy- going to the gym and seeing all of her friends while I'm teaching bootcamp's is tough!!  Pat has been busy with work, and our garden!  I am SOOOO happy that he is good at gardening- it provides lots of veggies for us!  The rain we had was much-needed!  E's garden section is growing like crazy!  She has a cantalope growing- it may be ready before she gets back to Missouri!

Baby cantalope!!

Fitness-

It's been hot!  And sticky, and muggy, and just plain old HOT!!  I'm so proud of my clients that are keeping up with their workouts!  It's hard when the weather isn't perfect- on a 70 degree day it's a lot easier to go for a run then on a muggy 90 degree day (at least it is for me!)  Your body will thank you for not slacking off!  As long as you are being safe & staying hydrated, you're doing a positive thing for your health!

My personal fitness- I met my goal with the water consumption yesterday!  I'm already starting it today- I like measuring it out, at least until I am confident that I'm drinking enough!  Paleo is still going pretty well- I've had a few non-paleo foods (bad, bad!!) but overall I'm making smart food choices.  I haven't worked out today- I'm still debating if I need a rest day or not.  My body says yes (sore knee, burnt foot) but my mind says to quit being a slacker!  It's hard to meet my goals if I'm not pushing it - the great mental debate :)

Have a wonderful day, and have a great 4th of July!!