Currently Reading The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness By Jerry Bridges see related

I have been training to teach aerobics/fitness classes at the YMCA.  It is a lot of fun...I get to work out and get special perks (like a complimentary family membership).  So far I have taught mostly step aerobics and subbed for a few low-impact classes but yesterday was my first all toning class. 

I was determined that it would be a good class and I knew the participants based the quality of the toning class by the following day's muscle soreness.  So, we targeted every muscle group and did lots of reps...and today I can say based on the soreness criteria that we had an outstanding class!  This morning I woke feeling nearly every muscle in my body...now I just hope that my future classes won't be boycotted. 

The newest thing keeping me busy is taking care of an older lady, Anita, who has been a long time friend of the family.  She broke one ankle and sprained the other so she has been limited in what she can do for herself.  I try to go over to her house for a couple hours in the afternoon to help clean, make a meal, and do whatever she needs.  My mom and sisters also take shifts throughout the day.  Anita is very considerate of others (which explains why she has so many friends), loves the Lord, and is a pleasure to be with.  Working for her has been a good opportunity and is quite enjoyable.    

Bible study last night was wonderful as usual.  We are on the last chapters of the Discipline of Grace and I will miss the study when it is over.  Read it if you get the chance...the last chapters are the best.  

This weekend was great. Saturday was the Nell Hill warehouse sale.  Two of my good friends (Gretchen and Heather) joined me and were the incentive I needed to brave that chaos yet another year.  We arrived at 6:15am in time to wait three hours for the doors to open at 9:00am (bizarre!).  From a few years of experience I think I have finally figured out how to navigate the sale as smoothly as possible so it was fun.  Obviously we had a lot of time to visit and I really enjoyed my time with those girls. Gretchen left after lunch to get back for her husband's softball game.  Later that evening Heather came back to Atchison with her husband and we cooked out. 

Sunday was incredible.  Our church service went so smoothly and the message was so timely...speaking to me on things I have been struggling with.  I felt God was personally speaking and caring for me which was something I needed to sense that day.  God is good!

I will close this post with a familiar passage that has come up on numerous occasions these past few weeks.  Since it has been so encouraging to me I wanted to pass it on... 

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." --II Corinthians 4:7-10

Currently Listening Eden (US Release - 16 tracks) By Sarah Brightman see related

Tomorrow, May 20, my sister Anna and I are hosting an Arbonne Spa Party at our parents house. We want to invite anyone reading this who might be interested in coming at 11:00am. 

We plan on having a little brunch and time to sit around and talk while being treated to mini massages, foot soaks, facials, etc.  We will also have a drawing for a few people to receive a make-over with Arbonne's new line of all natural make-up products. If you have any questions about the products, need directions, or want more details on the events just let me know. We think it will be fun and hope that you will come and make it even better.

Currently Reading John Adams By David McCullough see related

My brother Luke got me started on audio books.  I love listening to books while I do dishes, bake/cook, clean house, do laundry, etc.  It makes me feel twice as productive and makes everyday chores seem to go faster.  Even as a visual learner I can accumulate a little more knowledge and "read" things that I would have never felt I had time to read otherwise. 

Luke buys the books, screens them, and then lets me borrow the ones he thinks are good before he sells them on half.com.  Of course, this system subjects me to getting a lot of books that don't really interest me but this last one, John Adams was a great book.  Entertaining, educational, and enlightening. 

It is amazing the sacrifice our Country's founders went through to enable us to enjoy a stable system of government and unparalleled freedoms.  John Adam's personal life was also admiral and though it is common knowledge that his relationship with his wife was very strong, the extent of the intimacy, friendship, respect, and support they shared gives an amazing example worthy to imitate.  I liked it so much, I think I will listen to it again...and might even get a real copy of the book.