The Early bird gets the worm............and the Monster drink ;)

Work is EXTREMELY busy, but I'm not complaining!!! I had a slow start last month, but I received 9 patients in 2 days last week, so I have been swamped. I am thankful to be able to make a diffence in these patient's/familie's lives and make things easier for them.

Training is very consistent. We are following everything our coach has assigned us and then some. This equals tired legs, monstrous appetites, and an energy crash around 2-3 pm most days ;) Nothing that a sugar-free Monster energy drink can't fix, or at least in my case ;)

What I looked like Thursday afternoon BEFORE the Monster drink:



This week is a "recovery week." Our bodies will thank us for it down the road, even though it feels like not even training at all when your body is adjusted for such a large amount of everday wear and tear.

Nothing really new to report: we had a pretty non-eventful weekend. Matt and I both worked late Friday, and met for a date night at Stix for sushi and hibachi! Saturday was a 2 1/2 hour trainer ride, followed by lunch at Mint with Brett and Heather, my brother-in-law and his wife. Sunday was a morning long run, church, lunch, and then an afternoon bike trainer ride again. One of my best friends, Staci, stopped by the house to visit Sunday, so it was great seeing her.

That's all for now!!

Awesome marriage advice from an awesome pastor......

Last week, our sermon was on marriage. I always enjoy Chip's sermons (Pinelake Church). He has a way of explaining things on a level that everyone can understand. This past Sunday was no exception. He gave some of the best advice one could hear. I can only speak from a woman's point of view, but his top few things to make a woman happy were spot-on. I am posting the sermon link below. Check it out if you want to be inspired to be the best spouse you can be.

January 24: "U-Turn - God Can Turn Around Your Marriage" from Pinelake Church on Vimeo.

I am continuing to keep up with the L3 Journal for the year. Sometimes I miss a day or two, but I always try to catch back up to where we are at the current date. It is really helping me put my priorities where they need to be. We all get busy in life and different things come before Bible reading, etc. I want to strive to become better at that this year. I love to have the time to get up, get my training in, and sit down for a while with the Bible/journal before work. Sometimes that doesn't happen if I get in a rush, but I switch it to before bed if I have to rush in the morning.

Here a few verses I have written down in the last month that have really stuck in my head :

Psalms 4:4
Do not sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.

*** We can all learn from this one. If we could think before we speak, how much
better would the world around us be? We become angry and shout out from
emotion, before even realizing how hurtful words that come from our mouth can
be to the ones we love, or to basic acquaintances. "Sticks and stones can break
my bones, but words will never hurt me"?? So untrue. If we obeyed this verse
and remain silent, most likely by the time we think about it overnight, the
anger and pure emotion will have subsided and we can think rationally.

Psalms 5:8
Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way
plain for me to follow.

*** Today's society is fully of enemies. If we just listen to that "inner whisper"
from within, God will steer us in the right direction. WE are responsible for
listening to it. He will help us choose the way to follow, but we have to be
willing to let Him in.