I'm celebrating small victories today. 

Joshua's travel team had a tournament in Brighton this weekend. Normally I would have just hopped into the car and gone off to the tournament and gotten fast food.  This weekend I took the time to slice cucumbers, pack sandwiches for the kids, put carrots and nuts and grape tomatoes into containers, sliced lemons and filled a jug with ice water to drink, and put in some strawberries for something sweet.  No fast food for the Kuhns this weekend.  Then there was a cook-out afterwards.  I brought my own whole wheat buns and cut up lettuce, tomatoes, and onions to top my one burger.  I did not have any chips, cookies, or fattening salads.  It wasn't that difficult.

I have not had any Coke for a week.  This is no small victory.  I drank so much Coke that they are going to miss me.  A day in the life of Nan included at least three 32 ounce Coca-Colas a day.  Yikes!!!  That's $3.00 a day on sugar pop with empty calories.  That's $21.00 a week and ultimately $1092.00 a year spent on supporting my Coke habit, not to mention the pounds that have accumulated on my body through those calories.

I've been preparing and cooking my own foods this last week.  My family is also eating healthier this week, much to Joshua's dismay.  He is not as on board as the rest of us.  Lizzie is excited at the prospect of eating healthy.  Eric has been very supportive of my efforts as well.  This Biggest Loser Competition has been just the kick in the butt that I have needed to jump start my life again.

Thank You Jesus!

Day 4

I did it!!!  Personal victory for me.  I conquered the Woodhaven hill.  I have to say that this week has been one of the toughest things that I have experienced in my whole life.  I know that it sounds a bit dramatic, but it's true.

This experience is going so much deeper for me than just the exercise.  I am trying to break patterns and yes bondages that I have held for a very long time.  I apparently don't ever do things that I am not good at.  I used to joke that I never participate in an arena where I can't win.

I very quickly realized that this endeavour was not going to be easy for me.  I had to work harder at this than I have worked at something in a long time.  There are just things that I can't do, not yet anyway.  It has made me angry.  I mean really angry.  How did I get to this point?  Where did I go off the path?  When did I become a passive observer in my own life?  And sadly, how is this affecting the rest of my family?  God has surely been dealing with me this week and I don't like it.  In fact I HATE IT!

Hebrews 6:10-12

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

I have unfortunately become lazy.  Procrastination has become my constant companion.  Now the road back is uphill and it lives in Woodhaven.

Pressed Down Shaken Together

Pressed own shaken together running out all over,

stomp on the grapes,

tread out the new wine,

Give thanks to the Lord forever.

If your bless him, then he'll bless you,

and fill you up with a wine that's new.

So

Stomp on the grapes tread out the new wine

Give thanks to the Lord forever.

As I was getting my butt kicked real good today, this little diddy came to my mind.  When I was a teen this was a song that our youth leader sang with us.  At one point he had to lead worship out at camp and made my friend and me come up and lead the motions.  Way outside my comfort zone I might add. This song kept running through my mind as I was making my attempt at running today.   I am outside my comport zone, not just flirting with the edge but way out there like Pluto. When I came home I looked up the reference in the bible.  I really like how it applies to all of us going through this training together.

It made me think.  I am certainly feeling pressed down and shaken.

Luke 6:38-40

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure -pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." 39 And He also spoke a parable to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit ? 40 "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.

I really like the message that God is teaching here.  It is about generosity and getting a good measure, more than what your paid for and more than your deserve.  Essentially if you buy a bag of potato chips (Not that I would do that. LOL), you pay for a bunch of air.  This passages has to do with not only getting what you "pay for" so to speak, but they have pressed it down, crushed it together to be able to get as much in as possible and then some. 

These trainers are pressing us down.  They are giving to us, we are giving to each other, and we are all doing it for the glory of Him who has made us in His image.  We are becoming fully trained so that we may become like the teacher.  I don't want to be like the blind falling into a pit.

Day 1

I know it is going to sound stupid, but I just did one of the scariest things I have ever done.  I have joined with my  brothers and sisters in Christ and embarked upon a journey called, "Metro's Biggest Loser".  For any of you who have ever watched the show you kind of have an idea of how it is going to go.  I must admit that I myself have never watched an entire season, but I know the premise.

Metro South Church, my church, has taken this formula, added a God  perspective, blended it all together, and came up with "Metro's Biggest Loser".  Don't let the church thing fool you.  These people are butt kicking, whip you into shape, take no excuses, trainers. 

We gathered, all shapes, all sizes, all ages, and all fitness abilities in front of Anytime Fitness in Flat Rock.  Chatting and laughing in anticipation of what was about to happen.  Fear of the unknown mixed with excited nervousness, and a healthy dose of determination.  A multitude of reasons brought us to this one place for this one purpose, a life changing encounter with God at the center of it all.

As I experienced each of the activities I made a mental check on the list.  Looming down at the bottom of my list was running the mile at Trenton High School.  Dread and fear washed over me like waves of the ocean in hurricane season.  It has always been so easy to quit in the past.  I could find an acceptable reason why I couldn't, but now no reason is acceptable.  I had run smack dab into my fears.  "I know I am going to be last."  (Pride)  "So what, I won't quit." (Determination)  "What if I can't do it?" (Fear)  "I can do it!" (Perseverance)  "Will people laugh at me?" (Ego)  We cheered for each other. (Camaraderie)

I am so excited to be a part of something that is such a "God thing" that it is going to blow everyone away.  I don't think we can even begin to imagine the lives that are going to be changed.  I know that no matter where I end up in this journey, I know that right here, right now, I am ALL IN!