Small Steps to Progress

I made the mistake of telling my friend (you know who you are) what day I planned to run last week. When he followed up with me on that day, two feelings occurred- a feeling of surprise and a feeling of chagrin. I was surprised he remembered and chagrined because I hadn't gone running. I didn't end up running that day, but I learned my lesson.

I recently read this book about running that inspired me. It's one I'll read several more times. The author shares her story of how she became a runner along with training stories and funny antics along the way. She and I are very similar in that we grew up as bookworms instead of athletes. What I love most about the book is she is a self-proclaimed average person like me. It gives me hope that if she can run a marathon, I can run a half marathon.

I've decided to adapt something my team does at work. Each Monday, we pick a statement to focus on during the week to foster a better team atmosphere. I'm calling it my Mantra Monday! I'll pick a new quote or saying to inspire my training for the week.

This week's mantra is one I've used in my fitness journey a lot, but I think it really applies this week.

It's all about progress not perfection!

I really love this quote by Elder Bednar because it so eloquently reminds me that progress is what leads to perfection.

It's the small steps, figurative and literal, that make goals and dreams become reality. Each step adds upon the last until the entire distance has been crossed. That is a hard lesson I am learning this week.

Today's Workout

Total Distance: 2.25
Total time: 35:29
15:46 mile average

The Starting Line

I am not a runner. There, I said it.

I don't remember who first suggested it, but the idea came about for my aunt, my sister-in-law, and I to run a race together. At a family gathering back in June, we decided we would run the Cowtown Half Marathon in Fort Worth, TX next February. So, let me say this again. I am not a runner... yet.

Today was my first training run. It was a great accomplishment for me!

This year has been a crazy adventure of dealing with anxiety and depression. The last month or so, my depression has become paralyzing where I have the hardest time doing anything. That's how I spent last weekend. So, convincing myself to leave the house after work, let alone to go running, was a huge success for me. I am hoping focusing on my training will help me deal with my depression in addition to improving my overall health.

So, there you have it. I will post updates on my training so I can track my improvements over the next several months until I reach the finish line.

Today's Workout
Total Distance: 2.85
Total time: 44:34
15:38 mile average

First, I must apologize for not posting my wreath pictures from February and March yet. School kind of consumed my life for a while. I will post them during my vacation next week.

I am feeling impressed to share a miraculous experience with you. For a while now, I have prayed to gain a testimony of tithing through paying it faithfully and diligently. I gained a testimony of tithing a few years ago because I did NOT pay it. During that time, my finances were in a state of disarray, and I could not for the life of me make ends meet. That was partially why I moved back to Washington.

So, when I struck out on my own for a second time, I was determined to make tithing a priority. There have been times when it took every ounce of my faith to hand in my check. Other times, I didn't know how I would pay for all my bills. Yet, I knew that through my faith and diligence I would be blessed. Malachi 3:10 reads "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse ... and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing..."

This month, that blessing poured down from the windows of heaven arrived. After realizing my income was not stretching far enough to cover my bills with more than ten dollars left over, I decided to seek out a second part-time job. Within about one week of starting to look for a second job, I found one! On a Saturday, I told my roommate that I was starting to look. By Monday morning, she learned of the perfect job to fit my needs. Monday afternoon, I had an interview set up for Tuesday morning. I was offered the job Tuesday morning and started on Thursday. It all happened so fast that I felt spun around for a while!

This is a huge blessing for me! My financial stress will not nearly be as much. For example, I am taking a week off of my day job to visit family, which is a big hit to my next paycheck. However, with the second paycheck, I will have enough to cover my rent (which is what I've stressed about the most over this trip). It will be nice to have more than $6 leftover after a paycheck. I may even start being successful at keeping money in my savings accounts!

I hope you all have a marvelous week!

Wreath Wednesday- on Thursday

Pretend that today is yesterday. Rather, pretend that today is Wednesday. Okay, now that we have that settled, let me introduce my monthly segment for this year. Wreath Wednesday! A goal for this year is to create a wreath each month to hang on my front door. I didn't want to take down the hook I bought last month to hang my Christmas wreath.  Hopefully, this will satisfy my need to craft while I am in school starting next week.

Are you ready?

Lessons & Accomplishments of 2011

As the old year passes and the new year approaches, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some lessons and accomplishments from this year.

In 2011, I learned that asking for help, while extremely hard at times, is important. I am still trying to implement this principle in my life. I know that I can't do everything as much as I think I can. My visiting teachers and other friends have come to my aid and rescued me from the "dragons" that I faced. I witnessed the example my brother's family gave me of accepting help. They were probably most influential in teaching me this lesson.

In 2011, I learned the blessings of tithing. I had previously gained a testimony of tithing by not paying it in previous years. This year, I really strived to pay my tithing no matter how hard it felt. Let me tell you, there were a few months where it took every ounce of my faith to write and hand in my check. Because I have religiously paid my tithing, I have witnessed a few financial miracles. I've had a general peace about my finances. I have been able to better manage my money (for the most part) to live off my paychecks.

One miracle that stands out is the day my a headlight on my car burned out. I was down to my last dollar till my next paycheck with nothing to spare. A co-worker purchased a jewelry order from me. As I was driving to the bank to deposit the money from the order, I noticed my headlight was out. I was then able to immediately buy a replacement bulb and resolve the problem. That experience may seem like nothing special to you, but I recognize the timing of that blessing.

In 2011, I overcame a roadblock in my life that I had forgotten was there. It took moving to Utah and meeting an amazing friend to change my life in a way that resolved years of trying to avoid that particular roadblock.

In 2011, I completed my first quilt made entirely by me! I enjoyed that project immensely. I love seeing my quilt appear in pictures posted of the baby recipient on Facebook. I love hearing the compliments about my quilt given to the mother. At one point, the mother teased me that she received more comments on the beautiful quilt than on the cuteness of her baby!

In 2011, I learned the importance of working a job that I enjoy. After going through a bad situation in a job that I dreaded, finding my current job was a God-send... literally. The day after I quit my first job, I met the employment specialist in my ward. I didn't know she was the employment specialist at the time. I told her about my need for a new job, and she promptly helped me revise my resume. She helped me find a job faster than I ever could have on my own. Just as an needless piece of information, I have now worked at this job longer than any other job in my work history!!

In 2011, I experienced the greatest loss in my life so far. However, out of that, I have learned to trust in the Lord's timing and tender mercies.

This last year has been a roller coaster of a ride! Here's to a the year 2012!

Happy New Year my friends!

You Know It is Really Cold When...

1. The radio announcer is looking forward to returning to 30 degree weather.

2. The room temperature pot of water steams as you dump it outside.

3. Your checks feel and look sunburned once you return inside.

4. Wearing two pairs of gloves doesn't keep your fingers warm.

Warm wishes for a safe December!

A Tribute of Gratitude

Like most people, I have pondered gratitude a lot this month. I decided to focus on people I am grateful for this month. While I am grateful for the influence of so many people in my life, I want to dedicate this post to a just few!