ARGH!!!! MY KNEE!!!!

So our Change4LYF challenge has been going really well until today at our Week 4 women's training session my knee gave way and gave a mighty loud CRUNCH!!!  I was so annoyed..and to think that I have a condition called "netballer's knee" and today we did.....NETBALL DRILLS!!!!!  Come on Richard!!!!

So know I'm in a little pain, hobbling around the house trying not to snap at people.  But despite what I'm going through, it was sad to see on the news earlier today about what was going on in Christchurch, NZ!  The people of Christchurch have had a bad run of earthquakes and after shocks since September 4 and today an earthquake of 6.3 and only 5 - 6 metres deep was too close to home for a lot of New Zealanders!!!

Facebook was flooded with messages of prayers, thoughts and help for our fellow man in Christchurch.  It was sad to hear that the death toll had reached 65.  The City is in a state of emergency.  New Zealanders are asked not to use their cellphones, landlines unless there was an emergency to allow for those that are still missing and their families to use the lines to contact loved ones.

What a wake up call for everyone to really appreciate the life they have and to spend it wisely with those who really matter in their lives.  Like a thief in the night our Lord will come for us.  The earthquake happened so unexpectedly as most natural disasters do however this came at a very busy time of the day and hit the centre of Christchurch city.  So many people going about their daily work and routine in the city were quickly stopped in their tracks.  I felt so helpless watching the news and seeing footage of people waiting to be rescued from their floors of skyscrapers.  Helplines have started and New Zealanders are donating to a relief fund for families in Christchurch.

I had no words to describe or express that today was a very sad day for New Zealand.  My prayer is for those lives that were saved, may they comforted in the knowledge that there is a reason for living; for those that are trapped under debris, in buildings, may they find peace that they are not forgotten, may you guide our rescuers to these people and bring them to the light; protect all our families and friends in Christchurch and across the country.  We are in a state of fear and panic, may we all find peace in this tragedy and hope that Christchurch will live to its name...that our CHRIST is in His CHURCH and waiting to rebuild the lives of His People....

For Christchurch!!

It's the little things....

If we are not faithful in the little things how can we be faithful in the big things!!
I'm contemplating tomorrow's first weigh-in since we started the Change4LYF challenge..and after scoffing down a pizza with stuffed cheesy crust, spicy chicken wings and coke...I am pretty certain of what my result will be tomorrow!!!  BUT I am staying positive that I can do this challenge!!!

I've made it a fitness goal to play touch next summer.  It isn't really my sport, and I've always felt lost.  One of the best memories I have growing up is watching my brothers play.  (I miss them!).  Another goal is for me to wear my wedding rings again...it's been a long time, initially because I lost my wedding band :) but I would really like to wear my rings again...signifying to the world that I am in love and married my best friend and awesome dad to our beautiful girls.  That day will come....  Hopefully before our 10th anniversary next year :)

This morning we had our first catering gig for our church at a Men's health clinic.  It was such a humbling experience to work alongside my sisters-in-Christ.  With only four of us in the kitchen doing the cooking it was such a blessing we all worked in tune and continued to check on each other throughout the clinic.  It was a breakfast clinic and we expected to cater for 300.  Such a blessing.

I have been spending the afternoon with my girls which I'm really enjoying.  Playing this game called Mancala with my eldest is a lot of fun and very addictive.  We are now going to jump into our PJs and pull out our airbeds to watch a movie (and play some Mancala) before we crash out.

Today is a day to remember for the Hutt Valley Spartans Gridiron team for they won the Wellington Championship....can't remember what they call it...like the "Superbowl" ...I think its something like the "cereal bowl" :P...not sure.  Big UPs to the HV Spartans for their hard work and training....and injuries!

I'm looking forward to the Word tomorrow....I'm sure it's going to be refreshing....

Have a great Sunday ....

Finding my motivation...

Before I started typing this blog, I reflected over the week gone by and thought MOTIVATION has definitely been the message this week.  Motivation to continue exercising, motivating to continue tracking my meals, motivation to focus on my work, motivation to....the list goes on.

This past week I have found myself contemplating deeply about what is going on in my life (oh my gosh!! I just saw a chick riding her bicycle really fast down our steep street!.....okay that was distracting...)...and I know I said that I will slow down, but in the past week I have felt the pressure of doing too much.  I have learnt to take a step back and letting people know where I can and can't contribute.  I think it is a good idea for me to participate in this 12 week challenge because it's helping me to really put things into priority.  Like taking care of me.

However, in taking care of ME I need to be mindful that I do not neglect my family.  I do see at times my girls are wanting to spend time with me.  They don't harp on to me about having little time with me and they do understand our commitments to serving in our church, at work etc.  But you see it, little things that they do that you know and feel isn't how little girls should behave.  In spending more QUALITY time with my girls can help my girls grow into strong, confident women.

I sat down with my girls the other night and talked to them about a very sensitive matter that not everyone likes to talk about but it needs to be said.  When we think about the known and unknown cases of child abuse that happens in our families you really have to draw up the courage to sit down with your children and help them to understand situations to look out for and who to talk to.  My heart sank when Mira expressed how at times she can feel uncomfortable and in the same heart beat she made me proud when she wiped her tears and said confidently what she would do if anyone hurt her.  I was so thankful that in that conversation I was lead to help my girls understand that our bodies were not made to feel uncomfortable or to be hurt by someone.  I have always thought that God had blessed us by giving us two beautiful girls and it is our earthly obligation to protect them as much as we can and to raise them in a way that is pleasing to God.

I know that my biggest fault to work on at the moment is patience.  And I am seeing more and more that when I lose my patience with my girls, the situation is telling me that I have not organised myself properly or that I have just taken too much on.  I received an email from a close relative that I need to "sloooooowww doooownnn" :)...and she is right.  This year is going to be a big year for my family....and I will keep saying that until 31 Dec.  We are into the 2nd week of February and already God has done great things in my family!!! I just need to keep believing that and that alone will give me the motivation that I need!!!

5 steps forward.......then someone kicks you back....

So I need to say that I'm feeling a little down today.  I started off feeling great about the good work that is happening in my life and then I get hit with the reality of discouragement that surrounds me!  It's amazing how you can think so positively about things and then a word is shared with you, one's perception, then you watch how quickly your world turns gloomy!!!  I can keep tell myself not to worry about it, or listen to my husband say to me "who cares, but God cares" and then I sit alone...with my thoughts and then argh!!!!!  Right now I'm sitting in the dark and though I'm not expressing my feelings outwardly...on the inside I'm feeling....blaaaahhhhh!  Why is it that no matter how many positive people you can surround yourself with, you only need one person to bring your world down??  Why do we allow ourselves to listen to things that hurt our spirit.....

Anyway....enough of that :P....We had our first women's training session last night for Change 4LYF challenge and it was great! 45 mins walk around Stokes Valley and then an hour of volley.  Definitely feeling it today.  Tonight's session was for our men's group.  They did a fabulous job! We may be small in numbers but we are making an impact!!!  One kid in particular really encouraged me....no matter who we are in life and how we've come to be, you will never know your true worth until you PUSH yourself!!!  Thinking about seeing how hard this kid had trained tonight just pushes out any negativity/sad thoughts in my head right now.  Everyone has things to be angry/sad about, but until you have walked in the shoes of someone who has less and is living HARD....you will never know who you really are as a person!!!

This Change4LYF challenge is helping me to realise that this is not just about a physical change it is very much mental and spiritual for me!!! Change for life.....I need to CHANGE FOR LIFE......change my ways forever, change FOR LIFE, change so that I may live!, change so that my children can have a better life....CHANGE.....

Change...Dan's message last weekend included changing our perspective.....I'm sitting here thinking to myself..I have to start changing my attitude, changing my behaviour.  We teach our girls to instead of "who cares"...say "it doesn't bother me"...and thinking about it now...it is something I need to say aloud...'IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME!!!'

I have so much on right now than to worry about someone's PERSPECTIVE...I need to refocus my energies on the things that will change ME for LIFE......

Everyone has an opinion, everyone has a perspective.  As unique as God has made us, so are our thoughts.

My lesson learnt today....  I have better things to occupy my mind and time... :)...like CHANGING ME FOR LIFE!!!

Wow!!!! I have re-read your comments!!!

As I start my journey through this 12 week challenge ...and then the next 12, and the final 12 weeks :P, I read through all the comments I have received from families and friends after reading this blog.  I am truly blessed and overwhelmed by such loving and encouraging words!

A lot of times when we go through challenges in life, we can downgrade our value but when you receive loving messages like I did while I was sick it is such an uplifting experience!! To feel loved in that way and to feel like you really are making an impact on people's lives.  Even if it is a whole lot of rambling on my part.

So thank you, thank you, thank you!! Your words even now continue to help me.

I am inspired again to continue writing this blog and record this new journey in my life to finding a healthier me in body and in spirit!!!