Mentoring from God, Fitness Training, and More

Mentoring from God

On Wednesday I was privileged to speak to a conference of women at church about Charity- the Pure Love of Christ specifically about being a true follower of Christ. It is very humbling for me to speak about such intense and sacred topics and I appreciated the opportunity to study, prepare and deliver the message. I felt guided and mentored by heaven in the process and it increased my desire and hunger to include God more fully in my daily life and efforts in all I do.

I was determined to make Easter Christ-centered and I had a lovely week preparing for Sunday and feasting spiritually reading the crucifixion and resurrection accounts found in the 4 Gospels in the New Testament. I spent more time than usual in prayer and pouring my heart out and as a result I felt closer to Christ and felt more love for and from Him. During my prayers I took time to ask many specific questions and to really listen. I was re-reminded of God’s complete awareness and concern for every detail and his tender way of teaching with such love, in simple ways. One example of this was when I was praying about my training/family/work balance and reading my scriptures I opened to a verse that has been one of my life-long favorites from the Book of Mosiah (because I need to permanently etch it into my heart!) Here it is:

Mosiah 4: 27And see that all these things are done in wisdom and ^aorder; for it is not requisite that a man should run ^bfaster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

Even though I’ve heard this scripture a hundred times, in that moment, in answer to prayer, that was exactly what I needed to hear and remember. I am not required to “burnout”, there is wisdom and order… line upon line is how we learn things, do things, achieve the impossible. We don’t run a marathon without proper training, nor should we even run a 5k on an empty stomach with no sleep, so why do we try? 11 loads of laundry, 100 emails to return, exercise, dinner, diapers to change, etc…something’s gotta give, often it’s a shower, the oil change, the post office errand, or in my case all too often it’s my scriptures. Now I’m determined to try with more effort to ask God, “where do you need me next?” He wants us to keep our homes in order, our kids fed, fulfill our life missions and goals, and our bodies healthy and vibrant, I am confident he will show me the way if I keep asking!

Fitness Training Pays Off

I’m excited to share that I’ve lost nearly 11 inches in 1 month of weight training and cardio! I was shocked that I had lost the most in my thighs- 3 inches! plus lost 1 inch in my calves, both areas I wanted to see results. I also lost some in my hips and arms, which was a plus too. I have really enjoyed wearing my “skinny jeans” more loosely.We switched up my workout to make every exercise a “multi-tasking” one working multiple muscle groups at the same time, this was possible because I had already a foundation established from the first month of working out. I was really sore with the new workout and intensity of it, muscles that we hadn’t worked yet like my shoulders and triceps. We’re using an exercise ball more and strengthening my “core” while balancing on the ball and working my arms or legs.

Pageant Headshot

Here’s me with my new glamour look… thanks to Kelsey at Dyson Studio who did my hair and Rachelle at the Mac counter at Nordstrom who did my make up, and thanks to Ann Taylor (or rather the team of designers at Ann Taylor) who designed my great green silk shirt that I love! (And for all the women who left my size there so I could buy it an hour before the photo shoot) My chandelier earrings sparkly and beautiful from Nordstrom, (Thanks Matt!) I will cherish them as a reminder of this pageant time. And again, many thanks to Chad at Faces Photography in Draper who helped me feel comfortable and helped create a photo I’m pleased with and confident to use.

As for how I look at this moment, uh, I just returned from working out but thanks to my extensions and yesterday’s curling job for church my hair looks good and my eyelash extensions (thanks to my lash sponsor Linda Bledsoe of Absolutely Fab-u-lash in Provo/Lehi), I look presentable, but I need to get a shower, add some make up and put something stylish on so I feel worthy of that headshot and if I gave you my photo in person you’d know it was me.

Today’s Magic Wand: I challenge you to take your most pressing concern to God in prayer and pour out your heart– out loud, in private, and bring a pen and paper with you so you can listen and write down any feelings, ideas, or inspirations that may come to you. Get in tune with your heart and how you are feeling– do you feel peace? love? comfort? patience? mercy? joy? Answers come in many forms, listen for what God has in store for you. Enjoy the process!