I have this desire to be the best person I can be. The thing that stops me is...me.
We were talking about the 7 deadly sins at work today. (Proverbs 6:16-19, Galatians 5:19-21)
I could have sworn that being lazy was one of them, maybe it is, just not in the versions I have read. Or maybe they are in another book of the Bible.
Instead of focusing on the things I don't want to be I want to focus on the ones I do want to be.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Proverbs 31:1-3 Who can find a virtuos and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
Proverbs 31:20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
Proverbs 31:25-27 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her house and suffers nothing from laziness.
I want to be like that. Loving, hard working, energetic, wise, helpful and kind. So many things I want to be.
How am I going to put the things I want to be into practice? Lord help me to become this women. When life situations arise that make me want to react in a way that is not Yours, help me to remember who I want to be in You.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Ugly Run
I told you guys that I have been running with James' command. They do a large group PT with all the students on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays the turtle group (that's me!) meets up and does just a little warm up with 15 min cardio then a cool down. 30-45 min tops.
Last week I was good. I was motivated. I was like yeah buddy, I can do this. Today.....was UGLY! Man, I hated every minute of that run. It was humid, my glasses fogged up and I had to take them off, then I couldn't see. I was red faced, sweaty, slow, breathing hard. I stopped running for about a minute just before we were halfway done. The last girl behind me caught up to me then she wanted to stop cause I stopped.
Well crap, now I have to keep running so this girl will run. Pump my arms, pump my arms, pump my arms. Don't stop, get it, get it. Pump my arms. Jesus help me. Breathe. Pump my arms.
I knew I shouldn't have ate those rolls and mashed potatoes last night! I keep going. I was trying to let my body rest this weekend so I didn't do anything unlike last weekend where I just did a little running on both Saturday and Sunday. Apparently I'm not allowed to take two days off cause today just plan sucked. I keep going.
I run the whole rest of the way and complete the stupid 3 mile run. Sweat dripping, red faced, can't breathe, I did it. BAM! Boo Yah! It was ugly, but I did it.
All that to do it again on Wednesday.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.
Last week I was good. I was motivated. I was like yeah buddy, I can do this. Today.....was UGLY! Man, I hated every minute of that run. It was humid, my glasses fogged up and I had to take them off, then I couldn't see. I was red faced, sweaty, slow, breathing hard. I stopped running for about a minute just before we were halfway done. The last girl behind me caught up to me then she wanted to stop cause I stopped.
Well crap, now I have to keep running so this girl will run. Pump my arms, pump my arms, pump my arms. Don't stop, get it, get it. Pump my arms. Jesus help me. Breathe. Pump my arms.
I knew I shouldn't have ate those rolls and mashed potatoes last night! I keep going. I was trying to let my body rest this weekend so I didn't do anything unlike last weekend where I just did a little running on both Saturday and Sunday. Apparently I'm not allowed to take two days off cause today just plan sucked. I keep going.
I run the whole rest of the way and complete the stupid 3 mile run. Sweat dripping, red faced, can't breathe, I did it. BAM! Boo Yah! It was ugly, but I did it.
All that to do it again on Wednesday.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.
Friday, April 5, 2013
I Can
Hey Guys! Today I did the PRT (physical readiness test) with James' command. I did better than I thought I would. Yay!
Monday was my first day of actual running. I have never really ran before, more than from here to the stop sign type of deal. So Monday I was like, "Okay Audra, let's see what you can do." Well I ran on the treadmill for almost 20 min without stoping. I was proud of myself for that. Then I just did intervals of walking/running until the hour was up.
Wednesday I went to the command PT. I felt a little awkward, just a civilian with all these Navy peeps. Once we got started it wasn't so bad. When we started running though, thats another story. They started running at a pretty fast pace. James was next to me for that part. I was like "Babe, I can't do it. They are going too fast. They are 19 yrs old."
He said, "Exactly, they are 19 yrs old. They get beat everyday, and they are right there in front of you. You can do this."
Mind you we were only like 2 blocks into the run. I was already feeling like I'm in way over my head. He said just wait, they will start dropping like flies. Sure enough I started passing people. He told me to just pump my arms. I kept saying in my head, "pump my arms, pump my arms, pump my arms." You know what happend? I kept going. I was able to complete the 3 mile run with the group and I was even ahead of about 15 people. I was so proud of myself. I ran for about 45 mins. 45 MINUTES!!! That is such a long time for me. I'm still proud of myself.
Today was the PRT. I have to tell you I did fail on the sit ups. For my age, I need to be able to complete 43 sit-ups in 2 minutes. I did 34. I need to complete 13 push-ups in 2 minutes and I did 23. Yay! I need to run the mile and a half in 16:08 I ran it in 15:12 or 15:20. I was too exhausted to really hear. I thought I was going to throw up. I did it though! I'm so proud of myself! I wanted to cry, but I didn't want everyone looking at me even more so I held it back. AHHHHHHH! I can do this guys.
A year ago I never would have thought this was possible. In the process of trying to lose weight and get my body healthy to carry a baby this dream to join the military came alive again. I have lost 37 pounds over the past year. I still need to lose about 10 more pounds to comfortably pass the weigh in. For my height of 64.5 in I need to weigh less than 160. At 160, I will get measured. I weighed in at 159. If they measure me a half inch shorter I need to weigh 156.
I have discovered in just this past week that I am capable of more than I thought. I want this. I pray for this and about this. I still get scared but when I complete a run I'm excited. I'm going to succeed. If I'm the only one who believes in me, that's enough. I'm enough. I CAN!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
Monday was my first day of actual running. I have never really ran before, more than from here to the stop sign type of deal. So Monday I was like, "Okay Audra, let's see what you can do." Well I ran on the treadmill for almost 20 min without stoping. I was proud of myself for that. Then I just did intervals of walking/running until the hour was up.
Wednesday I went to the command PT. I felt a little awkward, just a civilian with all these Navy peeps. Once we got started it wasn't so bad. When we started running though, thats another story. They started running at a pretty fast pace. James was next to me for that part. I was like "Babe, I can't do it. They are going too fast. They are 19 yrs old."
He said, "Exactly, they are 19 yrs old. They get beat everyday, and they are right there in front of you. You can do this."
Mind you we were only like 2 blocks into the run. I was already feeling like I'm in way over my head. He said just wait, they will start dropping like flies. Sure enough I started passing people. He told me to just pump my arms. I kept saying in my head, "pump my arms, pump my arms, pump my arms." You know what happend? I kept going. I was able to complete the 3 mile run with the group and I was even ahead of about 15 people. I was so proud of myself. I ran for about 45 mins. 45 MINUTES!!! That is such a long time for me. I'm still proud of myself.
Today was the PRT. I have to tell you I did fail on the sit ups. For my age, I need to be able to complete 43 sit-ups in 2 minutes. I did 34. I need to complete 13 push-ups in 2 minutes and I did 23. Yay! I need to run the mile and a half in 16:08 I ran it in 15:12 or 15:20. I was too exhausted to really hear. I thought I was going to throw up. I did it though! I'm so proud of myself! I wanted to cry, but I didn't want everyone looking at me even more so I held it back. AHHHHHHH! I can do this guys.
A year ago I never would have thought this was possible. In the process of trying to lose weight and get my body healthy to carry a baby this dream to join the military came alive again. I have lost 37 pounds over the past year. I still need to lose about 10 more pounds to comfortably pass the weigh in. For my height of 64.5 in I need to weigh less than 160. At 160, I will get measured. I weighed in at 159. If they measure me a half inch shorter I need to weigh 156.
I have discovered in just this past week that I am capable of more than I thought. I want this. I pray for this and about this. I still get scared but when I complete a run I'm excited. I'm going to succeed. If I'm the only one who believes in me, that's enough. I'm enough. I CAN!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Best Husband Ever
Ya'll I have to tell you my husband, is the best one ever. I know I've talked about him on here before, but I just can't resist from posting again.
He is supportive of doing what I want to do, all the time. Not just with joining the Navy. We watch the shows I want to watch. We are eating healthy this month to ensure I am ready for basic training and even when I'm not there he chose to have a salad with his work buddies instead of something else. (I on the other had eat spoonfuls of peanut butter when I'm alone.) The past couple of weekends we went hiking and used our new off-brand camel-bak backpacks. Hopefully hiking can be a new healthy hobby for us.
He spoils me. He posted the other day about how I had never filled my car up with gas. It's true. We got it in December and until just after he posted that, I had never filled it up.
He makes me laugh. I know that sounds generic, but he is funny. For instance, he took my phone (when I wasn't around) and took a picture of himself making a funny face and put that as his picture when he calls me. Now every time he calls his funny face pops up and I answer the phone laughing. Genius, I tell you.
He loves our dogs. I know he is supposed to and I know it will make my heart melt 100+ more times when it's our (future) baby that he is loving, but I love that he loves animals.
He hugs me. It's that "everything will be alright" hug. Pulls my heartstrings and calms me down every time.
He always shares his candy with me. (That's love folks!) Yes we are eating healthy and still eating candy. We can do that right?
He loves me. I can feel it. I can see it. I can hear it.
I am so blessed to have him as my husband. This year has been the best one yet. I'm over the moon in love with him.
We are a team. We have each others back. I know that the rest of this year is going to be a bit crazy for us. I do ask that you keep us in your prayers as we will be apart. You can never have too much support and I am asking for yours.
I love you.
Audra
He is supportive of doing what I want to do, all the time. Not just with joining the Navy. We watch the shows I want to watch. We are eating healthy this month to ensure I am ready for basic training and even when I'm not there he chose to have a salad with his work buddies instead of something else. (I on the other had eat spoonfuls of peanut butter when I'm alone.) The past couple of weekends we went hiking and used our new off-brand camel-bak backpacks. Hopefully hiking can be a new healthy hobby for us.
He spoils me. He posted the other day about how I had never filled my car up with gas. It's true. We got it in December and until just after he posted that, I had never filled it up.
He makes me laugh. I know that sounds generic, but he is funny. For instance, he took my phone (when I wasn't around) and took a picture of himself making a funny face and put that as his picture when he calls me. Now every time he calls his funny face pops up and I answer the phone laughing. Genius, I tell you.
He loves our dogs. I know he is supposed to and I know it will make my heart melt 100+ more times when it's our (future) baby that he is loving, but I love that he loves animals.
He hugs me. It's that "everything will be alright" hug. Pulls my heartstrings and calms me down every time.
He always shares his candy with me. (That's love folks!) Yes we are eating healthy and still eating candy. We can do that right?
He loves me. I can feel it. I can see it. I can hear it.
I am so blessed to have him as my husband. This year has been the best one yet. I'm over the moon in love with him.
We are a team. We have each others back. I know that the rest of this year is going to be a bit crazy for us. I do ask that you keep us in your prayers as we will be apart. You can never have too much support and I am asking for yours.
I love you.
Audra
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Trust
It's been awhile since I gave an update. I have been debating on what to say or if I should say anything, but here goes.
Tomorrow morning I am heading with one of the recruiters over to New Orleans. I will be going through the screening process and swearing into the Navy on Tuesday. I am so excited! I also have little moments where my heart beats really fast and I have no idea what I am about to do. Then I take a deep breath and think on what my pastor has been saying for the past month about trusting God. More importantly I think on who God says I am in Him.
You see, I can't do this on my own. I'm not one of those strong willed women who think I can do anything a man can do. That's not who I am. I do know though that I can do anything God says I can. He didn't say it would be easy, in fact he says the opposite. Isaiah 43:2 When you go through the deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through the rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
I know I can't do this on my own. I don't want to think I can do this on my own either. I don't want to become prideful or take light of this by saying, "Oh, people join the military all the time. You grew up military, you married military. You are familiar with this." Those are comforting words to say to myself, but they make me believe in myself, not in God.
John 17:13-21 "And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I am not asking that you keep them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.
I believe God has set it up for me to do this, in this season of my life. I believe that with God, joining the military will be a catalyst. Setting into motion his work through me.
I am asking for you as a reader to be in my corner. I need to be reminded who I am in Christ. I need cheerleaders. Pray these versus over me. Philippians 1:2-6 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Every time I think of you I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
With Love,
Audra
Tomorrow morning I am heading with one of the recruiters over to New Orleans. I will be going through the screening process and swearing into the Navy on Tuesday. I am so excited! I also have little moments where my heart beats really fast and I have no idea what I am about to do. Then I take a deep breath and think on what my pastor has been saying for the past month about trusting God. More importantly I think on who God says I am in Him.
You see, I can't do this on my own. I'm not one of those strong willed women who think I can do anything a man can do. That's not who I am. I do know though that I can do anything God says I can. He didn't say it would be easy, in fact he says the opposite. Isaiah 43:2 When you go through the deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through the rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
I know I can't do this on my own. I don't want to think I can do this on my own either. I don't want to become prideful or take light of this by saying, "Oh, people join the military all the time. You grew up military, you married military. You are familiar with this." Those are comforting words to say to myself, but they make me believe in myself, not in God.
John 17:13-21 "And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I am not asking that you keep them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.
I believe God has set it up for me to do this, in this season of my life. I believe that with God, joining the military will be a catalyst. Setting into motion his work through me.
I am asking for you as a reader to be in my corner. I need to be reminded who I am in Christ. I need cheerleaders. Pray these versus over me. Philippians 1:2-6 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Every time I think of you I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
With Love,
Audra
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Valentine
Valentines day is this week. Some love this holiday and some could care less. I am in the former group. I will shamelessly tell the world, I LOVE VALENTINES DAY!
I have heard several different stories of the origin of Valentines day. The one I like the best is this ruler guy who was in charge of some soldiers noticed that the single guys were better in battle than the married guys with families. He decided everyone would be a better fighter if no one could get married, so he made it illegal. That is where Saint Valentine comes in. He still preformed weddings in secret. Awe! Such a romantic that Valentine! Then he was killed for preforming those weddings...yikes.
I like what Valentines day represents (war and murder!). It's not the chocolate or the flowers. We have the freedom to love and get married in public. On Valentines day we celebrate that we get to love out loud!
Also, a reminder ladies, Valentines is not all about you. It's about expressing your love, appreciation, and respect. Send your man a sexy little text. Rent the movie that he wants to see. Write a note on his mirror or leave a sticky note on the steering wheel for him before he goes to work. Don't wait for him to call up someone to watch the kids, be proactive! Do something for him that lets him know you think he is really something great.
Yes, those things can and should be done all year! If you haven't been loving out loud then start now. You have that freedom, so celebrate it!
I have heard several different stories of the origin of Valentines day. The one I like the best is this ruler guy who was in charge of some soldiers noticed that the single guys were better in battle than the married guys with families. He decided everyone would be a better fighter if no one could get married, so he made it illegal. That is where Saint Valentine comes in. He still preformed weddings in secret. Awe! Such a romantic that Valentine! Then he was killed for preforming those weddings...yikes.
I like what Valentines day represents (war and murder!). It's not the chocolate or the flowers. We have the freedom to love and get married in public. On Valentines day we celebrate that we get to love out loud!
Also, a reminder ladies, Valentines is not all about you. It's about expressing your love, appreciation, and respect. Send your man a sexy little text. Rent the movie that he wants to see. Write a note on his mirror or leave a sticky note on the steering wheel for him before he goes to work. Don't wait for him to call up someone to watch the kids, be proactive! Do something for him that lets him know you think he is really something great.
Yes, those things can and should be done all year! If you haven't been loving out loud then start now. You have that freedom, so celebrate it!
Monday, January 28, 2013
The God of Angel Armies is Always by My Side
I heard this song on the way to work today and I was so encouraged. I had to look up the story behind the song.
The video player is too small for the actual song but I hope you will go take a listen and be encouraged like I was. I just have it playing on repeat and am having my own praise session going on over here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg
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