Week 5

I have heard from runners that running can become increasingly more difficult as you continue to train.  I am finding this very thing to be true with reading as well.  Life just gets in the way sometimes.  This week was full of football games, birthday parties and holiday parties at school.  It was also red ribbon week (drug free & proud) and the school was buzzing with activities and themes.  My drive and determination were deterred by other priorities.  There are times when running takes a toll on your body.  Many factors affect your running. 

• Have you gotten enough rest?
• Have you had your daily dose of water?
• Are you eating the right foods to help fuel your runs?

The slightest things can change your running success as well as create issues for the success of your training.  Weather, illness, lack of motivation...all can lead to a bad week of training. 

The important thing to do, is to learn from your mistakes.  This week made reading difficult.  It got done every day...but not without a lot of self convincing.  Devotions are such a good way to start your day...if you get up on time and have your life in order.  Reading at night is a perfect way to escape life and settle into your bed.  If you don't have a million things to do from the moment you get off work until your head hits the pillow. 

Your desire to read has to outweigh the things that keep you from doing it.  You have to get out of your own way and get motivated to continue on the path to reading for pure enjoyment.  I really do enjoy the times with my book.  They just come so few and far between sometimes.  Ninety minutes doesn't seem like a lot...until you barely have ninety minutes to give.

Oh well...next week is a new week.  The book is still very interesting and I am learning a lot about women's equality and the battle for equal rights.  It is hard to believe that we as a country used to act this way.  I can't imagine going backwards, but know it was a different time that brought forth a different attitude altogether.  Thank goodness we have the blessings we have now in equal rights. 

Hopefully this next week will allow for more enjoyment reading and less obligation.  Have a wonderful week!

Amy

Week 4

Training myself to read is becoming easier and easier with each week.  I have been getting up every morning and reading my Max Lucado devotional, followed by reading each night with my book, The Help.  The devotions in the morning give me such a great start to my day and also give me material to write about for my other blog.  I have to surrender myself each morning to the Lord.  I have to let go and let God have my day.  Knowing I have no control over the things that happen in my life gives me the peace to get through the day.  Knowing I have all the control to handle the things that happen in my day gives me the opportunity to be a reflection of Him every, single day.  I love that feeling.

Each night, I've been finishing up my nightly routine by reading my book.  I love getting a cup of coffee and snuggling up with this book.  I only allow myself a little at a time so I can continue to read each day.  If I overdo it, I'll become tired the next day.  After a long day with our life, I struggle to keep my eyes open long enough to enjoy the book. 

I have really enjoyed our class readings this week as well.  I thought the chapter was so interesting and helped me to remember the importance of vocabulary in the process of becoming a reader.  Understanding words gives you the foundation to be a comprehensive reader.  I can be honest in saying I had no idea teaching children to read had so many important parts.  It all makes sense and I look forward to using these concepts in the classroom. 

As I go through this journey, I am reminded how much I love to read and how grateful I am that I've been given the opportunity to do so.

Amy

Week 3

This week, I read my devotional by Max Lucado every morning.  Each devotion offers me peace and guidance for my day.  I also read my book The Help over the weekend and am almost half way through.  I am LOVING this book.  Can't wait to finish to give my final review of the story.  I wanted to share one of the devotions I posted to my other blog about one of the devotions I read this week.  I hope you enjoy.  Have a wonderful week!

My devotion this morning was too good not to share. The prayer at the end said:

Lord, we cannot control the storms of life, but we can control where we look in the storm. We choose to look to you. We choose to see you in the middle of our heartbreak and our health crises. When we are tossed about by the trials and temptations of life, remind us not to be overwhelmed by fear and doubt, but to look for your calming presence, amen.
(Max Lucado, Live Loved)

The devotion for today was all about being in the middle of your storm...whatever that may be...and how you choose to handle it. We all have storms in life. But where you look in your storm is key. I thought the prayer for today was just too perfect. We don't usually look for Jesus in the middle of our storms. We look for Him at church and in prayer time. We feel his presence as we worship, and sometimes in other happy times in our lives. But we don't usually look to see Jesus as the tears are falling. Yet...through the blur...there He is. Crying too. He calms the raging seas. He tells us not to fear. And we are to obey...no matter how hard that might be. Let go of the fear and allow God to be the calm in your storm.

Finances...
Divorce...
Broken Homes...
Health Issues...
Parenting Troubles...

In the places where you might least expect to see Jesus...He is there.

I know personally, I am depending on my relationship with Christ to get me through the tough times in life.  I have no where else to turn.  And one of my favorite quotes says...

When you can't stand...

kneel in prayer. 

Have a blessed day!
Amy

Day...what day is it anyway?

I have been staring at my book all week.  I have taken it everywhere, hoping I'd have a second to crack it open.  But, no such luck.  I had homework...the boys homework...football and more.  So there sat my book...waiting patiently on me to open it. 

Finally, I told myself...

you are never going to finish this race if you don't start.

 
So, I cleared a little time in my schedule last night.  After my husband went to a fish fry with his friends, and the boys were tucked safely in their beds, I made a cup of coffee and climbed into my bed. 

An hour later, I couldn't put the book down.  I knew that would happen.  It was almost as if I was avoiding the book because I knew it would become another addiction in my life.  Like I need something else to occupy my time.

Or did I?

You see...reading this book is giving me time to escape the worries of the kids...our marriage...our finances...and our life.  The craziness subsided for the next hour and I was able to fall back in time.  The intensity of this book gave me a new perspective on things I've just never allowed myself to think about.  I know three other people who are reading this book and who are loving every minute of it.  I woke up this morning and read for another hour.  I finally had to make myself get in the shower to get ready for church. 

So...when will I be reading again?  Oh, as soon as I wrap up this post.  Can't wait to get into the heart of the matter. 

This "running" stuff isn't so bad after all.  Looking forward to logging a few more miles this week.

Amy