Wow

It would be a way big understatement to say it's been awhile. My life's pretty much done a 180 in the last couple months, which has, fortunately or unfortunately, resulted in my inability to update this blog. Pretty sure whatever following I might of had has complete dissipated, but figured I'd update none the less. I haven't even had any sort of harassment from Ashlie! Maybe she even gave up on me! ;0)

So, for the update...I'm now am 110% working all the stinkin time. Most of you know, I'm a personal trainer for 24 Hour, and really loving every minute of it. I seriously work from 5:00am to 8:00pm on a daily basis (minus my Sundays), but am currently trying to create some boundaries so as not to go crazy. I also get to teach cycle a few days a week, as well as some ab/bootcamp classes. Friday's have become light days, and I pretty much just take morning clients. I am definitely poolside for the rest of the day! God has seriously blessed me beyond measure, and my business is pretty ridiculous. I am nothing but grateful for all He has brought into my life. My training staff is pretty great, and we've been blessed with an amazing brand new gym. Love it...

I will admit it's not the easiest environment to be in. It's a world where vanity, self, and success is more than glorified. The more you work, preform, and succeed the greater the respect you gain. I have found myself, more often than I'd like to admit, slipping back into habits and struggles God and I have been walked through before. There is such a tension between success and blessing.

The scripture I've been meditating on for the last week or so...

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." Col 2:6-7

and one more...

"...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Phil 2:13

That I would remember to sink my roots down into Him alone. That I will not be distracted or consumed with the things around me. That I would remember that those things that surround me will fade, and it is Him alone that will remain. Please allow me to overflow with patience, grace, peace, love, and kindness through Your Holy Spirit. Thank you for who I am in YOU.

I will try to do better at keeping what few of you remain updated!!!

MS 150

So, I'm kinda getting into this whole endurance racing/training stuff. I've done the marathon thing, have started swimming, and most recently have taken up outdoor cycling. Most of you know I have taught indoor cycling for some time now. I absolutely love it. One thing I did not love so much was the though of outdoor riding. Um, clipping into a bike going 20+ miles per hour? No thanks. Too stinkin scary. What if I had to stop suddenly? Or I hit a bump and was falling over? NO WAY I want to be clipped in to something!!!

Well, a good friend from college, Ashlie, asked me to think about doing the MS150 with her. What is that you ask? Well, it's a 150+ mile bike ride. Yeah, I said over 150 miles. That's a lot of stinkin miles!!! Long story short, and probably not a huge surprise, I agreed to do it. It was for a great cause (raising money to help end multiple sclerosis), and an awesome challenge. We were to do 86 miles on day one, and the 66 on day two.

We were able to ride through the beautiful countryside of north Texas (basically to Oklahoma). It was awesome just to ride through and take it all in. Well, it was awesome up until the last 10 minutes of the ride. At that point torrential downpour started. It was miserable! We walked around for a solid 2 hours trying to figure out how to leave. You can go to Ashlie's blog to see pics and get a few more details. We were unable to ride day 2 due to the rains, but all in all I gotta admit I wasn't too sad about it. My bum was definitely thankful. It was a great weekend of riding, spending time with Ash and her fam, and getting some quiet time on the road. Thanks for talking me into it Ash!!

The Kashubas

Where to even begin. God has blessed me exceedingly and abundantly more than I could have ever asked or imagined with Amanda and Michal Kashuba. Amanda has become more than a best friend, but an amazing sister in Christ. It's one of those rare friendships I believe few get to experience. I am blessed by her in countless ways, and can honestly say have never taken advantage of the gift she is to me. Amanda, you are irreplaceable, and have been a true Godsend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

I have the great privilege of being "Aunt" Heather to their 3 precious children. These gifts from above have entered into their home and our lives in a special way. Chad, Brett, and Kaylie became official Kashubas today! It's been a much anticipated day, and one we all never will forget. I have learned so much through both Michael and Amanda, and count it a huge honor to have walked alongside them these last few years in there journey to their new family. It's been a hard, sweet road. One I believe has totally been worth the wait! I only hope one day I have the privilege of adopting my own children. There are so many of God's children that need love, and so many of us able to provide that love.

Lord, that we would remember to pray for and love on your precious children...regardless of circumstance, age, race, or gender. Let us see them through your eyes. And Lord, thank you for the Kashuba family. Thank you for Chaddy, Bretty, and KK. I love them more than I can say, and hold them each close to my heart!

Needing some Jesus

As of late, I've been feeling the lack and desperate need for Jesus in big ways. It's been quite a road the last 9 months or so. I wish I could say I've been full of faith, hope, and trust, BUT the truth of the matter is I've been clinging to the verse "faith as small as a mustard seed" to be more true than ever. No doubt I feel my faith has been tried, tested, and embarassingly small over the last year. BUT in God's ever perfect, unchanging, faithful way, He has proved true in so many ways.

I was talking with a friend the other day about the difficulty in sitting at His feet in the midst of tremendous proof of His faithfulness, and the huge lack of faith on my end. Do you know those moments I'm talking about? You've spent days, weeks, even months questioning and doubting He is who He says He is. You've been frustrated, annoyed, even angry at the "obvious" lack of doing on His part. No matter how many times He has proven His all-knowing, perfect plan I somehow still doubt Him. It's embarassing...really embarassing. I'm having a hard time resting in the loving grace He provides and desires to lavish on me.

How hard it is for my small human mind to comprehend His never ending love and faithful embrace. Oh Lord, that I would have the faith to trust in Your Word and Your forgiveness.

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
Hebrews 4:16

Get ready to groove

And for the original...Mr Marvin Gaye ladies and gentlemen...

Pslam 51...Enough Said

I read this Psalm the other day, and it convicted me to the core! Kinda one of those hurt-so-good-moments...

Lord, that I would remember it is you alone I am living and breathing for. May I recognize, and not take for granted, the grace you bestow on my life daily, even hourly. Please, let me embrace and not turn away the forgiveness you have bestowed on my life through Your very Son. Thank you. Your love and faithfulness is more than I can comprehend.

"Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

What if...

My step-dad asked me the other day...

"Heather, what in the world would you do if your computer broke?"

My response...

"Buy a new one."

I think he's tryin to tell me something...

What I'm Rockin

I often have people ask me what I'm listening to, or want my suggestions for new stuff, so I thought I dedicate this blog to the artists I'm currently rockin. Here's a list of a few artist I think are worth your time...

Rosi Golan
Check out the album The Drifter and he Gypsy. My fav tracks are I Don't Want to Wait, Hazy, and Been a Long Day.

Jack Savoretti
Album to start with Between the Minds. Tracks Between the Minds, Dreamers, and No One's Aware. Good stuff

Erin McKeown
She's fun and her sound's catchy. Born to Hum and Slung-lo of her album Grand are awesome.

Michael Warren
I'm obsessed with the track No Way from his album Race to Beat the Sun. Such a great sound. Really like the entire album.

Meaghan Smith
Her voice is intoxicating. She's got this vaudeville jazzy sound mixed with a modern contemporary element. I Know and If You Asked Me, and A Piece for You kinda gives you a rundown on her sound.

St. Lola in the Fields
Creative, emotional sounds. They only have an EP out, but it's good. Don't Say and He's in Love are my top picks.

Erin McCarly
Love Save the Empty and SleepWalking are two songs that get me going. Pitter-Pat is a bit slower, more of the ultimate "break-up" kinda song.

The Alternate Routes
I got to see these guys live...they're fun. They got a kinda rock with a bit of softer folk feel to them. Try out The Future's Nothing New and Asked You Twice.

Leona Naess
She's a bit funkier. Her album's title track I Tried to Rock You But You Only Roll goes with me on lots of runs.

Schyler Fisk
I just started listening to her. Haven't had time to listen to a lot of her stuff. I do like Hello and Fall Apart Today. Singer/songwriter genre, but more on the pop side of that.


Alright, would be interested to hear what you thought. And would love to hear YOUR suggestions! I'm definitely a person that would be lost without music, so I'm always up for something new.

Finally...

I've been meaning to update this for a LONG while, but just seem to always find other things to do...after some gentle nudging, some not so nice facebook comments, Ash ;0) , and the stomach flu, I figured it was a good time to go ahead and do that.

So, enjoy the updates below, and there will be a couple more to come...soon hopefully ;0)

A Child of the Great I Am

I came across one of my old newsletters, and this one in particular really jumped out at me. I wrote this almost a year ago...which made me sad. Sad because it took little introspection to realize I'm still living in that sad shadow of a slave. I pray it would cause you to take a second and ask yourself," Am I living as the child He intended, or the slave?"

Tim Keller has done a great study on the book of Galatians. Each week my team and I read through the study through winces and cringing. It tends to cut straight to the heart of the matter, bypassing the pleasantries and getting right at it…just hurts so good. Before I begin each week, I take a deep breath and pray God’s grace to grow and be challenged. All that to say, it’s good stuff…

So, a couple of weeks ago brought us to Galatians 5:1-15. Paul is re-introducing the truths of our freedom found in Christ. He’s confronting the problems coming from those misusing that freedom. That understanding our freedom; the gift of Christ on the Cross, and the love He poured on us, that is what propels us to obey. This lead us to ask ourselves the question, “Am I living as a Son of slave?” So, take a deep breath, and meditate on the differences. Are you living as a Son or as a slave? (Here we go…)

Slave: Compulsive obedience. Obeys God and moral codes out of fear of rejection- a compulsive, driven moralism.
Child: Obeys out of joy in your Father and out of gratitude for the certainty of his love.
Slave: Hiding. Lots of strategies to hide our inner and outer failings from one another and ourselves. Lots of gossip, blame shifting, defensiveness…
Child: Open and transparent. Freedom from having to put up a front. Able to appreciate people who are different and hurting.
Slave: Isolation. Feeling that no one understands, that no one cares. An unwillingness to trust or intense, idolatrous trust of someone who inevitably disappoints.
Child: Because of openness and transparency and a lack of self-absorbed self-pity, a growing circle of friends with whom you are neither too independent nor over dependent.
Slave: Controlled by people’s opinion. Expectations and approval of others become the real moral standard
Child: Integrity and courage regardless of who is watching. “The only person whose opinion counts is my Father’s!”