Heart of Thanks: Day 16

So... Today I PR'd my 5k time!!! 

My ultimate goal is to get to a 30something 5k, but it is not a "right now get it done" type goal. ;) 

Concentrating on that Marathon in January!! 

Worked the abs today. :) They on fiyah!!!! 

Today My Heart Focus is on the time I get to spend with my husband. Today I had the opportunity to work with him on a project--- even though it wasn't "romantic time" or a "date", I thoroughly enjoy just being with him. He's definitely my best friend, and I love him MUCHLY! 

I am thankful. Truly. 

Heart of Thanks: Day 14

Today I woke up with the memory of what took place yesterday. *oww!* 

I am sore, seriously. *hahaha* 

I remember the trek to Mt LeConte just 4 months ago--- and thought I would look back and compare. :) 

Enjoyed Sunday School festivities this morning and our annual "Harvest Sunday" Dinner-On-The-Ground" at the church. Nothing quite like spending time with your family and church family!! 

I stopped by the gym this evening for a mile run. Regardless of how sore or how much I limped around today, I know I have to keep the streak alive! 

9:31. Tonight's run showed me without a doubt that I can be a cry baby, and that I can do much more than I will admit, at times. Hahahaha 

As I was running I thought back over the message tonight. 

Today I am thankful for hot (and cold) clean running water and most sincerely for a HOT BATH to soak sore muscles in! Sometimes we take the smallest of things for granted. I don't ever want to become so deadened to the small miracles and blessings in my life! 

Heart of Thanks: Day 13

Today I accomplished something. 

Something big. 

I ran my first 25k. 

On the side of a small mountain. 

Yes. 

As I posted yesterday, this Candice chic is always getting me into these types of messes!!!!!! AND I LOVE HER FOR IT! 

She challenged me to run this 25k... 

And I did. Boom. Just like that. 

Sure, there were aches and pains, maybe a few tears, lots of growling and maybe even a little homicidal tendencies... 

But it was all fun and games. 

You are capable of so much more than you really give yourself credit for. 

Stop underestimating yourself or selling yourself short on life! 

I had quite a few opportunities for solitude on the trail today... Including the moment I fell on a downhill climb (Heeheeeheee!) and I'm thankful for it. 

It gave me the opportunity to reflect on many things... 

Today My Heart Focus is on Tranquility that only Christ can bring. 

The state of being Tranquil. 

1. Free from commotion or tumult; peaceful; quiet; calm: a tranquil country place. 

2. free from or unaffected by disturbing emotions; unagitated; serene; placid: a tranquil life.

I am ever so thankful for the tranquility God's love can bring to ones life. You can never experience anything more powerful. 

Heart of Thanks: Day 11

What a day! 🎉 Got my workout in this morning and was able to grab lunch at school with my darling niece!!!!! 

She's such a doll. God performed a miracle for my Sister-in-Law and gave her this miracle child. She's brought such joy to their family! 

My Shakeology of choice today was GREENBERRY!!! Added Banana, Pineapple and Strawberry! DELISH! 

Aaaaaaaaaand this evening after gym-time, I received a EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT! Joseph gave me the Garmin watch I've been eyeing foreeeeeeeeeeever! 

Today My Heart Focus is on family quality time. 

The little moments. 

Lunch prep in the mornings for my loves.

Lunches at school with nieces. 

Coffee on a porch swing. 

Kitten cuddles with the niece & nephew. 

Car lines with the kiddos. 

Spending time with a sister setting up a mobile home.

Gym time with the hubby. 

Dinner. 

And surprise gifts from my love. 

It's the little moments that make life worth living. I am ever so thankful. 

Heart of Thanks: Day 10

DAY 10! 

So I completely forgot to take a workout selfie after Pilates, so you get the picture of me with drenched hair in the car line to pick the kiddos up. Hahahah!!! 

The  Tuck Jump is still my biggest challenge in the Pilates Extreme. Maybe next week I will nail it!! 

"Forget All the Reasons Why it Won't Work and Believe the One Reason Why it Will!" -- the one reason? Because I won't give up. I am determined. 

Are you ready to believe in yourself? Please-- contact me and JOIN me in my next challenge round!! We can do this TOGETHER! 

My Heart Focus today is my Sister and Brother-in-Laws anniversary! 15 years in this day & time is quite a feat! So proud of them and I can't wait to be celebrating 15 years with Joseph. There's just something about vows and commitments, they make my heart smile.

Heart of Thanks: Day 4

~*Day 4*~

DONE! 

I delayed my workout.  

Like, by 30 minutes. I felt myself slipping into old habits... So I got up, and jumped into my workout. Possibly with tears in my eyes, but I got it done!!!!  

Biggest challenge today? LUNGE KICKS! 

I'm committed. 

Not just interested. 

I will see this through. 

Had Pumpkin Spice Shakeology *yum!* and a mile run in today!!! 

I can't wait to see the results of this round. 

Want to join me???? See post HEART OF THANKS for more details! (http://pamdiggity.blogspot.com/2015/10/heart-of-thanks-challenge.html)

I'm going to be transparent with you today. 

I just finished my workout, but I've got something real heavy on my mind. 

I'm sure you've seen my posts about "battling past depression", but today, I want to get a little real with you. 

I learned yesterday a young man took his life... He was twelve. This breaks my heart. 

My life story is full of laughter and animation (my parents can attest to that!) but I want to share with you briefly a few not-so-happy recollections I have of my past. 

I faced some mental hardships at 17. Was it anything in particular that triggered this turmoil? No, not really. I was just severely unhappy with myself. There were days I would hardly eat, and days I would eat all day long. I didn't have any real friends to connect to and I felt isolated and alone. This time period didn't last too terribly long, but the heart pains and dark depressive thoughts that attacked me made it seem like forever. 

It was during this time that I received some of the absolute best advice I could have heard. "Pam, be yourself. Be exactly who YOU are. You don't need anyone but Jesus. Maintain your relationship with your savior, let Him lead your decisions, friendships, and heart." 

Was I alone? Sure, physically I didn't have friends surrounding me, but my heart was full. I spent more time reading the Word of God, praying, fasting... My days was spent with school, work and shut up in my bedroom with my Bible. 

I lost an Aunt to suicide that December. It really shook me, because similar thoughts had haunted me just three months before-- but I had tapped into strength to ground me. Something no one could take away. My relationship with Jesus mattered far more than what I perceived others were thinking of me. 

It was just 2 months later, I met Joseph. I wasn't looking for him, nor did I want a relationship. But I had been praying and fasting God lead my life-- and as "they" say, I guess "the rest is history". 

God brought me through such a trying time to a season of joy and laughter -- and I only found it by drawing near to Him. 

Regardless of who agrees with me or not, I know that JESUS is the answer for "the world" today. But how do you change "the world"??? 

ONE PERSON AT A TIME. 

How do you change "one person"? 

BY STARTING WITH YOU. 

Be the example. Dive into The Word of God. Allow God to direct YOU -- and in turn, you can lead with passion & purpose. Love God & Love People. 

Be the One. 

Make an impact. 

Reach to those around you. You NEVER know what people, kids, children are going through. 

Be the Light. 

Illuminate the dark.

My Heart Focus Today: 

I am thankful for the Love of God. I cannot say it enough. There's nothing like it. He reaches to us where we are, regardless of where we are in our lives. He brings hope and love. He has fashioned us for a purpose! Before we were formed in the womb He fashioned us for a purpose in this life. We are HIS children! I cannot thank Him enough for keeping His hand over my life!! 

Heart of Thanks: Day 3

This morning was a lot like yesterday-- I AM WAKING UP SORE! Seriously! Like, all over, SORE! It's a WONDERFUL feeling of PROGRESS and CHANGE! It's Day "3" and I'm currently down 4 pounds! *YAY!*

I was able to work out a few kinks with the "lengthening and strengthening" moves of Pilates... Today, I struggled with the fire hydrants! Phewwwwww! Talk about BURN! 

My Simple Combine & Shake recipe for Shakeology was delicious this morning! 8oz Coffee, 1 Scoop Shakeo, 1/2 cup crushed ice. Shake and drink!!! 🎉🎉

I realize the choice to change is one you have to make every day you wake up. Having people you're accountable to helps, on the real. IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE!!!! 

I had surprise visitors this morning so I postponed my run to this evening! ((SEE ABOVE!)) 

The thought crossed my mind that it wasn't really 100% necessity that I run tonight... And I thought about the 8 days prior to this moment and realized I just really didn't want to waste a start to a running streak - AGAIN! 

Something exciting for my chirrin' today--- their School Veteran's Day Breakfast! ((Naomi and Zayne were completely thrilled that they were able to eat breakfast with their grandfathers. Absolutely nothing like PawPaws and PaPas!!!)) 

Speaking of Veterans..... 

Today My Heart Focus is on Our Veterans.

I am so very thankful for all Veterans... past, present, and future. Some gave their freedom to preserve ours, while some gave their life. The sacrafices made by our service men & women are above and beyond the call of duty, and without their willingness to serve, our country would not be what it is today. Its a rarity, that we can have freedom to choose where we worship, who we worship, what to say... the little things we take for granted can be traced back to the sacrifices made first on the cross, by Jesus Christ and also by a veteran. 

"The task before you is never greater than the POWER behind you." 

The love of your family, the appreciation and prayers of your country, and the mighty hand of the Lord are with you!

(Ephesians 6:10)

Lord, thank you for the men and women who serve to protect your people so selflessly!!!!

Heart of Thanks: Day One!

DAY ONE IS HAPPENING!!! 

I've committed to pressing play by 7:30 everyday for a strict round of exercising at least 30 minutes AND keeping my nutrition clean! 

I am excited to see where the next 21 days take me! *I will be sharing my results!* I've weighed, have "start" pictures and measurements. 

Had the best Starbucks Shakeology to kick start my day! ☕️ 

Do YOU want to lose 5-15lbs before Thanksgiving???? 

START NOW! It's guaranteed success if you just commit to the process! 😁😘 

My Heart's Focus today is my parents... John & Juanita Whittington. 

My Dad is the absolute greatest daddy I could have ever hoped for. I shadowed him as a child, always wanting to be by Daddy's side- from under the greasy hood of rusty trucks to the woods scouting for squirrels or deer... 

He raised me to know right from wrong and established a biblical foundation in our home. He's been my hero and friend for as long as I can remember-- and he always will be. 

I am also equally as thankful for my beautiful, creative, strong, courageous, wonderful mama. She's a tower of strength and a warm heart to cry with. She's rooted deep and as beautiful as a rose. She's the epitome of love and did an excellent job raising 3 kids so close in age. She loves us each with all her heart and knew exactly how to make all 3 of us girls feel important and special. 

Today I am simply grateful for her friendship. For her patience and trust during my teen years, for her counsel during my daring year (singular!!) and for her constant prayer and support during my struggles. For accepting my husband a her own son before we were ever engaged and for loving us -- unconditionally. 

My heart is full. I am pressing on!! 

If you want to join me on my journey, please visit the previous blog:

http://pamdiggity.blogspot.com/2015/10/heart-of-thanks-challenge.html