BHAPS & Husbands

So i've talked about these before.  BHAPS.  BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS PRAYERS.

Former BHAPS include: a reliable cheap car when mine wrecked, a digital camera when mine broke, a cute house in a good neighborhood (with several specific requests including an ice maker in the freezer), then a DSLR camera, then a mac, then another car.

God has answered EACH of those things with BETTER than I asked for.  He has provided in ways I couldn't even have imagined at the time.  So why am I so hesitant of continuing to ask... or even to put out there (like I've done in the past) that I'm asking?  I have no idea- but this post was SO hard to start!!!

So that is what this post is about.  Another BHAP.  This is my current one... A Husband.

This isn't a "I'm 30 and single and need a man to complete me." or a "gotta find a dad for Nate before he's too old" or even a "i'm tired of everyone getting engaged around me and its my turn." Honestly, its none of those things.  Its more that I am ready to share all of my life with someone, all of me with someone.  I want a best friend and a partner - in life and in ministry.

I feel like the Lord has taken me through a lot of things in the last several years.  He has solidified my identity in Him (not that I won't need reminders every now and then!) and He has given me just an overwhelming peace and joy in Him.  He's placed me in a community that runs towards Him and that encourages me to do the same.  He's restored me from confusion, desolation, brokenness.  He has healed relationships in my family.  He has deepened my friendships. He has taught me a little about submission.  He's shown me what it is to love someone unconditionally and that it isn't easy.   He has opened my eyes to people around me.  He has given me a heart to pray for people I care for, marriages I care for, families I care for. He has shown me purpose and vision.

So now that I feel like I'm complete & I'm sure of what I want, where I am, who He is in Me, & of who I am... I'm whole.  (or at least moving towards wholeness) - its not so much that I'm dying to 'not be alone' or even the "gotta find mister RIGHT. "  I just want to share who I am, what I love, etc with a man the way God intended.

In Genesis He saw what He made and it was good... but then he saw it wasn't good for man to be alone.  Even the sinless man who lived in perfect community with God.  He gave his first 'son' the gift of a wife - created just for him.  To my knowledge, Adam didn't even ASK for it... but God met his need for relationship anyway.  Thats just how He is!  

I'm part of a lifegroup that is full of younger married couples (most with 1 or more kids) and I feel like its EXACTLY the group I'm supposed to be part of... I love the depth, I love watching the kids, the families interact, etc... and yet- I feel like part of me is missing when I'm there.  Dont get me wrong- I am not saying I dont fit in... I"m saying I LITERALLY feel like I'm missing something that is supposed to be there - like I'm there but my right arm isn't.  It is the weirdest thing. It doesn't create discontentment in me... but more a just a deep hope and longing for that 'right arm' to be part of the group as well. 

He has given me desires and visions for my future.  Even for my community, my lifegroup, etc.  Those dreams desires involve a faithful man that will stand beside me, raise a family with me, run after God with me.  I believe my dreams are good.  They are valid.  Its valid for me to want 1-2 more kids (and even valid for Nate to want a brother and a sister as he so freely tells people).  And my daddy God who loves me more perfectly than my earthly father could or more completely than I could love Nate wants to give me things that would delight my heart.  Why else would he have given me new cameras and a great car and the perfect little house in a cul de sac with an ice maker? BECAUSE He LOVES Me!

So because He loves me, I'm going to continue to ask for what my heart desires.

And until I see it, in Faith, I'm going to talk about it, actively ask, actively pray and KNOCK [pound!?] on the door of heaven that he would meet my current BHAP better than I ever could imagine.  I'd appreciate your prayers and wisdom as well... (and would love it if you'd comment your thoughts on this post so I don't feel so weird putting it all out there not knowing who read it!!! :)


And as a side note- if anyone feels led to introduce me to or set me up with a single Man of God who loves to worship and  who's heart beats for the Lord... I'm open to blind dates! :)

Week 2, Day 3

Well i didn't make it to work out yesterday at lunch bc one of my sweet friends brought me homemade chicken enchiladas with an ice cold DP for lunch... So my plan was to do it last night after Lifegroup- BUT... I didnt.  I just honestly did. not. have. the. energy.

So I decided yesterday was my "off" day for the week- which means i have to get in 2 workouts this weekend.  At this point- my goal is to do them both in the morning on Sat and Sun before showering and getting ready for the day.   Hopefully Monday I will be able to report that that was true and i made it throught ALL 6 days of working out on Week 2.

TODAY i got to work out with my co-worker Emily.  She had to start a little late and leave a little early- but it was still good to have that accountability.  I know if she hadn't done it- I prob would have bailed... but once I "pushed play" - I knew I had to do it!

Today I'm also starting to drink one Protien shake per day.  We'll see how that works out.  Someone told me to drink it right after my workout... sooo I'm trying now... its not the best...its just really thick.  I may play around w this a little bit.  Anyone have any advice about protien shakes? or good post workout lunches that would be easy for me to bring to work?

I read somewhere that after your workout your body can absorb nutrients better than any other time.  It also said that you should have 3 parts carb to 1 part protien for the best nutrient mix.  I just dont know what i should eat!  I'm gonna try to goto the store this wkd for foods for the next couple of weeks - more fresh ingredients like fruits, veggies, etc, too hopefully!

I went down to the workout room at the church to weigh today - just to see... and I was down 4.25lbs from the beginning weight. Not too shabby!! :) I want to do inches again just to see if anything has changed since last friday - bc stuff like that (seeing even small-ish changes) totally motivates me to keep going!  It is when I dont see ANYTHING or FEEL anything that I get bored/discouraged.


 

Week 1 Day 2

Well, we did it again. Day 2 is a success I'd say.  And the great news is- the other 2 girls want to do this EVERY DAY! 5 days a week! Together! They are super motivated by the # on the scale and the contest and just wanting to be in better shape overall. 

Some parts seemed harder today- but some were definitely easier.  I did get a little light headed after a million Squats-so i stopped before I did shoulder & tricep moves...but I figure I prob need a few more calories in me before we do the workout- so my goal will be to adjust the eating a bit tomorrow.

Anyway- i think i want this to be my place of accountability.  So maybe I'll be blogging more... afterall- this is WHY i started this blog in the first place...
to talk about my journey to become more FIT! (and why it hasn't had a whole lot on it in the last yr after I gave up on running)

The Goals are SET!

So last night after LG, I got to have a great time of fellowship and planning with 3 of my favorite girls! We all set goals for ourselves in the realm of running! (while downing some Chick Fil A fries!! of course!)

So- for accountability sake- I will post my goals here:

**Long Term Goal - Run the Cowtown 1/2 Marathon - Feb 27 or 28th, 2010 (13.1 Miles)

**Group Goal - Run the White Rock Relay Full Marathon - Dec 13, 2009
(Relay divided between 4 or 5 runners so btwn 4 and 6.5 miles.)

**Short Term Goal - Run a 5K before my 29th Birthday(June 9, 2009) -
(3.1 Miles)

I found a few potential 5K RACE options on http://www.runningintheusa.com/

Probably one of the BEST options would be June 7, 2009 in Plano, The Komen North Texas Race for the Cure. Its for a good cause, I could wear Pink and it'd be a great start to my 5K experience!

Now for the hard part... getting to those longer term goals....

I set up IMMEDIATE Goals and they are going to be divided into monthly goals (that may flex over time, but we'll see!)

**MARCH: get to where I can run a Mile (without stopping!) Doesn't sound like that big of a deal- but I can't really even run more than like 2 or 3 minutes without trying to quit right now... so a MILE sounds like a LOT to me!!

**APRIL: Run 2 Miles without Stopping

**MAY: Run 3 Miles without Stopping and be ready for the 5K!

I actually found a 1mile "fun run" (fun!? Really!?!? Man! I never thought I'd think that running is fun!!! EVER!!) on that above website on April 4 that I might consider registering for, just to push myself to make sure I get there! Plus it'd be good experience! Maybe I can talk some of my girls into doing it with me!! Its the "Victory Over Violence Walk/Run" in Ft Worth. Another good cause I'm sure! Why not?! Right???

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Training Plan:
Daily Goals-

**Tuesday's (Starting TODAY)- I will leave work at 5pm- change clothes and then go spend about 45 min run/walking the trail at Eastfield College (right across the st from my work). I will come back by 6 to get Nate and then we'll go home. Why didn't I think of this before?!!

**Wednesday's while Nate is in Awana- I will get a few of my girls to meet me (hopefully) at the track at Eastfield and do interval training until I can run for a solid 30 minutes. I basically will have from about 6:10 till 8:10 to work out, train, etc.

**Thursday's I will probably start leaving at 5, running at the Eastfield trail and then coming back to get Nate at 6, unless I can get a babysitter for a bit on Thurs evening (as is the case this week- thanks to some pretty awesome guys who asked if they could hang w Nate).

**Friday's- once a month at least I'd like to do the Ballroom dancing thing (but of course that will depend on Nate and where he is)

**Saturday's - For at least 1 hr on Saturday, I will take Nate with me somewhere to do something active- even if its just walking or kicking a ball with him or something. I want this to begin this week..... not sure if that will happen or not- but I am going to
try!!

**Sunday's - will be a day of Rest.

**Monday's - not sure yet! maybe a strength training during lunch break or something?! I dont know. I dont want to get all hot and sweaty bc we have LG on Mon night... so I might take Monday's off too or alternate Monday/Sunday or something. We'll see.

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FOR NOW- this is my plan. It might change- but I'll keep updating this as to how it does change for greater accountability!

Interval Training

My Final post for today is going to be the Interval Training plan I"m going to follow until I can run for 40 min straight!!

Wk Run/Walk Workout (Repeat 4 times per week)
1- 5 min Warmup, 4 intervals of (5min walk + 2 min Run)
2- 5 min Warmup, 4 intervals of (5min walk + 3 min Run)
3- 5 min Warmup, 3 intervals of (5min walk + 5 min Run)
4- 5 min Warmup, 2 intervals of (5min walk + 8 min Run)
5- 5 min Warmup, 2 intervals of (5min walk + 10 min Run)
6- 5 min Warmup, 2 intervals of (5min walk + 12 min Run)
7- 5 min Warmup, 2 intervals of (5min walk + 14 min Run)
8- 5 min Warmup, 2 intervals of (5min walk + 16 min Run)
9- 5 min Warmup, 2 intervals of (5min walk + 18 min Run)
10- 5 min Warmup, 40 MIN RUN!!!!!!!!



I CAN DO THIS!!! :)
Tiff