FIT Fridays: Get out there and live!!!

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

Hey everyone,
It's time for a FIT Friday post! If you're new to FIT Fridays, please read our week one challenge before you jump in where we are now. Faithful friends, thank you for understanding the past couple weeks while I was away with my family. I prayed for my FIT Friday buddies throughout our vacation and I hope you are having a fabulous, fun, energetic, healthy summer!

At Yosemite last week, I was AWED by God's majesty. As we hiked up the granite mountain, I could find no words to describe His handiwork. Simply inspiring. So many times, we stopped, just to look. Five of us, hushed by the enormity of the space around us. We are so small. I felt insignificant against that backdrop. Yet God's word is clear. He cares more for us than anything else in all creation! (Matt. 6:26)

Hiking up those mountains, I was constantly reminded that God created the world for us -- for you and for me. He created this world for our enjoyment! Just as parents prepare for a new child by painting the nursery, selecting just the right crib, decor, even hospital homecoming outfit, God prepared this world -- the whole thing -- for us. WOW! What are we doing with that?

• When did you last go to a park, just to walk and enjoy?
• When did you last walk through your neighborhood, listening to the sounds of the birds and bugs or enjoying the bright colors of summer flowers?
• When did you last walk along a beach squishing sand between your toes? Or watch the waves break against the beach?

Since our trip, I realize exercise does not have to be mundane! Instead of riding the exercise bike every day -- staring at the television as we log the time -- why not head outdoors and enjoy what God made while we enjoy the bodies He gave us? I got a better workout hiking through mountains than I ever have on an exercise machine! And it didn't "hurt" the same way! Enthralled by the ever changing view, I used my whole body to climb those rocks -- up three miles before getting to go down the first day -- and I never felt weary. 

This week, get out there (yes, the heat is way up -- go early in the morning and watch the world come to life as the sun climbs into the sky or go late as the sun sets and the noise of the world hushes, replaced by the song of the crickets)! Run, walk, hike through a hilly park. Enjoy God's majesty. Your routine won't get boring! You'll go farther than you ever thought you could.

As to nutrition, I'll write more on that next week. For now, keep drinking water -- lots of water! Perhaps it's time to "splurge" on a water bottle that makes you smile. Really! I have a pink stainless steel water bottle covered in flowers. I love it. My son selected a black, gray and silver "camo" water bottle and drinks twice as much as he used to. Enjoy that water drinking!!!!

While you're at it, head out to the farmer's market. Why not eat the freshest fruits and vegetables now that they're readily available? My NC friends, just stop at a corner fruit stand and load up! Fresh fruit and veggies are hard to beat for flavor and healthfulness!

Spiritually, remind yourself that you are special to God. Read scripture on His creation and majesty (the book of Psalms is loaded with these kind of verses). He made this world for YOU! I pray that you will realize that the world is not a burden (we make the burden by overloading ourselves with responsibilities). God's creation is a gift! Memorize a couple verses that speak to your heart. Meditate on them as you get out there and live!

Please share your favorite verse on God's majesty with the rest of us! 

Dear God,

I am simply awed by your majesty. Thank you for making such a beautiful place for us to live. Thank you for the variety of landscapes you created, just for our enjoyment. Help me remember to enjoy the world you created for me. Fill me with inspiration and commitment to keep getting healthier so I can truly enjoy the life you have given me. Remind me, Lord, to eat healthy. Convict me when the cookies tempt me -- and remind me that you created peaches, watermelon, strawberries, and so much more, just so I can eat fun food. I commit my health -- my life -- to you. Be with me as I continue to get healthier, so my life can bring you the glory you deserve.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Getting to know you

My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (James 1:19, NLT)

As we explored the "other" coast these past couple weeks, we got to know our kids a lot better. We are raising three very unique young people -- affectionately called "city mouse," "country mouse," and "princess."

City Mouse loves the convenience and chaos of city life. Car noise, hustling people, restaurants, shopping, lights -- all these things rev him up. He had a blast in San Francisco!

Country Mouse loves to climb and run. The more rocks, trees and open space, the better. He suffocates in a city, visibly wilting as the day goes on. All that city noise wears him down. Yosemite, though, he could live there forever!

Princess is happy anywhere, as long as she gets lots of attention. No surprise, her favorite vacation moments included dressing up and doing her hair. Those nights when I dusted her eyelids with a subtle, golden eye shadow, she just glowed. It had absolutely nothing to do with the nearly invisible eye shadow. She simply loved dressing up!

We already knew this about our kids. On vacation we really focused on them -- quicker to listen and less inclined to preach at them (James 1:19). Without cell phones buzzing or emails pinging, we weren't distracted. The TV didn't blare in the background like it too often does at home.

Without the distractions, we fell easily into spontaneous conversations about whatever was on our kids' minds at any given moment. They asked a ton of questions: "Who is your best friend?" (more on that next week). "When you were a kid...." "What if you were locked up in Alcatraz? Would you survive it?" (Uhhhh, NO! That's why I'm a law abiding citizen!!!) "Would you rather...."

We didn't bring home much in the way of souvenirs. We brought home something so much better.

• If you take a picture of us and my daughter says, "Tequila!" expect us all to crack up. We didn't drink it... but we sure did laugh about it. 
• We encouraged each other up the mountain and through the zipline -- so expect to hear us cheering even louder for one another when it's needed (as if we weren't obnoxious before). 
• "Poke!" This is annoying kid stuff, but it's likely to happen in the presence of others... and it has nothing to do with facebook. Just put up with us, please.
• "Bears are stupid. Look at Pooh!" It's part of our family language now.

There's more, but you get the idea. Put away that phone. Turn off the TV. Live. Savor the gift of family!

Investing in the future

Hello friends,

I know my blog has been quiet the last couple weeks. I had planned to prewrite some posts so they could "magically appear" but obviously that didn't happen. Preparing for a two-week "epic adventure" (as our family now calls it) takes a lot of work!

Even though the blog was quiet, God wasn't and I'm still processing much of it.

I prayed that this vacation would strengthen our family bond. God answered that prayer. We traveled for 16 days, sharing a single hotel room and logging more than 1,400 miles in a minivan (and 2500 miles on a cruise ship). That meant lots of togetherness! Believe it or not, none of us wanted it to end!!!

Even more incredible, we locked up the phone, computer and ipods on the cruise -- seven solid days without electronic communication. And Yosemite doesn't get cell reception (at least not through AT&T), so we had four more days of quiet solitude. You'd think my teens would go crazy without access to the outside world, but they both agreed it was nice to get away. Parents, when you vacation with your family, take the electronics away -- yours too -- for at least some of the time. Enjoy that rare face time with your kids! It's priceless!!!

Of course, time with the kids is important, but quality time with my husband is a gift that will benefit our family for a lifetime. Investing in our marriage prepares us for the future. I love my husband!!!

Without the demands of work and home, we could really focus on what the kids had to say. Rob listened intently as Ellie shared her day's adventures during dinner. She enjoyed her day with the kids, but she enjoyed our focused attention even more! "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children are a reward from Him." (Psalm 127:3). Take time to enjoy this special blessing.

Nathan and I climbed the rock wall together. There's nothing like meeting your kid where he's at and joining him in his life! Our kids spend so much of their lives following the demands of our hectic adult lives: "I'll join you when I finish the bills," or "Not today, sweetie. I have to work tonight," or (yes, I'm guilty of this), "Can't you see I'm busy?" On vacation we simply enjoyed each other.

We slowed down to watch our son, Ben, do what he loves most to do: explore! He climbed rocks, trees, rock walls, waterfalls, and Hyde Street (in San Francisco) and loved every minute of it. He didn't hear, "Not today, buddy. We have to " He climbed. We celebrated God's creation -- this beautiful world He gave us -- and our adventurous son.

We played. Together. Whenever and wherever we could. God tells us to "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as is the habit of some..." (Heb. 10:25). Our family intentionally chose to be together, without phones, internet or computers. We are closer than ever, just as God intended.

For now, laundry, bills and cooking beckon. Real life includes responsibilities... but I think it can include some amazing family time too! How about you? When was the last time you played with your family WITHOUT phone, ipod, or twitter? Why not try it? And let me know how it goes!!!!

Lots of love,

Karen