02/23/14

Death's door has opened a lot this past week....enough so that I have felt surrounded by it.

A dear friend's son died suddenly at the age of 18.

Another friend's father passed away mid-week.

Another friend's mother passed away Thursday morning

My uncle (my mom's only brother) died on Thursday evening.  

On Saturday, my pastor's mother died.

 
The two that affected me the most, the 18 year old and my uncle, were sudden and so unexpected that they caused me to pause.

Death is part of life.  We all know that.  When it hits home closely it makes one realize the brevity of life - especially when it is  so sudden.

I took time to be still before the Lord and just ask Him to speak His words to me through the weekend.

What I came away with was nothing but peace and joy through the tears I shed.

The young man's memorial service was a blessing in more ways than one.  His mother showed much of the Lord's grace as she ministered to others as they were trying to minister to her and the family.  His service was a celebration of the full life he lived in his 18 years.

My uncle's service was similar.  It brought a joy and peace to celebrate a life of love, selflessness, and devotion to his family.  The Lord's grace was all over my aunt, mom, and other aunt, his twin, as they said "until we meet again."

There was peace in the midst of sadness.

There was joy in the midst of sorrow.

For those who know the Lord as Savior, death is not the end.  As I was reminded this weekend... death is the beginning.  It is the open door to eternity.

I meditated on this Scripture more in the last few days than I think I ever have:

I Corinthians 15:55-57 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 

 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

After watching the Lord work through these deaths this past week, I can truly say that there is no sting in death.  The Lord took the sting of death on the cross and allows us to have victory in times such as these.

He is faithful.

He gives us what we need when we need it.

There is a "peace that passes all understanding" and I have experienced it this weekend.

Our friend and her husband have been such a testimony of looking to the Lord this week through the personal tragedy of losing their son.  They have a hope that it is not goodbye.  He is alive and well in Heaven and they now have a new reason to long for home.

My Aunt showed courage and hope today when her husband of 54 years was laid to rest.  She knows he is in Heaven dancing with their two children that passed away before him.  My aunt knows she is just passing through this world and looks forward to the day she can join them all for eternity with the Savior.

For what the Lord has shown me this weekend through death, I am thankful and my life is richer for it.


These two songs blessed me so much today when I was walking at the end of the day after my uncle's service.  When we turn to the Lord and follow His ways, He will cause the world's sorrow and trouble to grow dim because we will see only HIM.  I encourage you to take the time to watch them both.

This one is short, but beautiful.

02/20/14

Here are some images of the snow we had this past week.  We have had an interesting winter here in NC.  I look back and see that we have been unusually wet and gray weather-wise through a lot of the past year.   Below the pictures you can read some of my musings as of late.

 

 

I have been learning from the Lord in years past that I am to appreciate each season that He gives for what He sends.  This applies to my actual seasons in NC.  I normally do not worry so much about gray, cold days.  I always look forward to spring, but I also try to capture and appreciate the winter season, too.

This year has been a bit different.  I think it is because we have been so cloudy/gloomy/rainy/wet for the last year.  Many times I have heard people reference that they didn't realize we were "living" in "Seattle, Washington."

I have felt a bit trapped inside as of late.  This is coming from an "inside person" so that is odd for me to say.  This season of cold/gloomy/rainy is beginning to wear on me and I am feeling the need for something more.  This past weekend I began to share with the Lord how I was feeling.  I was feeling irritable, sluggish, withdrawn.  I asked the Lord to show me what He was trying to teach me.

He soon revealed to me - I was craving the sun.

I have never put much stock in how much we need sunshine.  Yes, I talk about it with my students that there is great benefit from being out in it.  We gain Vitamin D from it, as well as warmth.  It has not been until recent weeks that I have understood more of my need for SUNshine.

This week at school I have been as excited as the children to get out and feel the sun on my skin.  I realize winter is not over, but these few days of the sun and a bit higher temperatures have given me some "pep in my step."  In fact, as I type right now I am sitting on our deck soaking in that sunshine.

As I continued to pray over what the Lord was showing me through this, He made another connection for me.  A connection that applies to my spiritual well-being.

When we go through hard seasons of life - death of a loved one, sickness, financial struggles, etc... sometimes we feel it is never-ending just as I have felt about the gloomy weather this past year.

It is in those thoughts that the Lord revealed to me my craving during those times is for the SON.  I need Jesus Christ to help me through it. I crave time with Him and when I do not get it, or choose to not come to Him to learn, I am indeed deficient.

How do we get SONshine?

We read His Word.

We soak in His truths.

We sing praises to His name even though we do not fully understand.

With the Lord, He is my light. He is my SONshine.  He is what gives me the spiritual vitamins I need to survive the season with which I am living.  The "winter" will pass and spring - new life - will come.

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Revelation 22:5

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

If you are feeling a bit like me and are living in the southern areas of our nation, take this opportunity to go sit out in the sun.  It truly does the body good.  (If you are in a US state right now where you can't because you continue having the gloomy/snowy/rainy weather, just cling to the fact that spring IS coming.)

If your mood/feelings are because of the hard personal season you are facing, look to the SON and allow Him to fill you with His light, His strength, His love, His grace, His mercy.

I want to soak up the SON.

 Off to bask in HIS glorious Word....

02/09/14

I am...

I am happy at how this photograph turned out.  It was one of those surreal moments in time when you capture the sun just so. 

I am silly sometimes.

I am tired sometimes.

I am a wife.

I am a mother.

I am a teacher.

When one thinks of the subject/verb combination of "I am", one thinks of simple sentences like those stated above.  These would be "bony" sentences according to what I teach in class.  :)

In teaching from Exodus in the last few weeks, I am thinking of another "I Am."

I am thinking of this:

Exodus 3:14

And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

I always marvel each year when I reteach this section how the Lord continues to bring new "nuggets" to my own learning.  This year "I AM" has taken center stage.  I want my kids to know that our God is the I AM.

 

His name is not:

"I Was."

"I Might Be."

"I Could Be."

"I Should Be."

"I Will."

He IS... "I AM."

Let's think on that for a moment.  

The Lord is always there.  When you are in the state of "I am", you are in the present.  He is always in the present, but that was also the past, and it will be the future.  

He always is.

What a comfort to know my Lord is the "I AM."  I began a search of all of the examples He gives us in His Word of using "I AM" and came away astonished.  Here are a few I found.  I hope they give you encouragement today to know that God is there.  

Always.

Exodus 6:7

And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. (Or for today... our sin!)

Exodus 16:12

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God.  (He provides what we need for nourishment!)

Leviticus 19:10

And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.  (He provides for those less fortunate!  We should be willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.)

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  (Be still and know Him!  He is there.)

Song of Solomon 2:1 
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (He is beautiful and so is His creation.)

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (What a comfort to me to know I need not fear for He is holding me with his hands.)

Isaiah 43:10

Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  (He is the one, TRUE God.)

Isaiah 44:24 

Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; (He is the Creator and my Redeemer!)
 

Isaiah 46:4

And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (What a precious promise that He goes with us into our older years and carries those who are His, home to be with Him.) 

Jeremiah 32:27

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? (How many times do we doubt that He can handle our troubles?)

Matthew 28:20b
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  (Always there, my Lord...)

John 6:35

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (You can be spiritually fed and never hunger when your trust is in the I AM!)

John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (I am so thankful that the Lord is my light and salvation!)

John 10:9

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (He is the door to freedom... to true joy.) 

John 10:14

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (I am so thankful that I have a Shepherd Who cares enough for me, His sheep, that He knows me and will always come for me.

John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  (The "I AM" lives today!  We do not serve a God of stone or one that is dead.) 

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (There is no other way to I AM than through Jesus Christ.)

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (Even though we think so, we can do nothing apart from the I AM.)

 

Revelation 22:13

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

He is.  He was.  He will be.  He is the I AM.  We can be assured each day that we can trust that the Lord will be there for every aspect of our lives.  Good and bad, He holds us and understands.

01/25/14

I have been reading A LOT in the past year. 

I know I have said this before, but I am amazed at how much has opened up to me in reading since I received my Kindle.  I love it... and, if I am being honest, am not sure I would ever want to do without it.

Before my Kindle, I was reading many, many fictional books.  They were awesome and I still need those from time to time.  However, what I have been focusing on more in the last year are books that are growing me mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

This blog will cover all of those, I believe. 

When I say the word "GRACE", what comes to your mind?

Is it a name?  I know Mikayla's middle name is Grace.

Is it "lack thereof" as we many times joke about when we are trying to do something of which we are not very gifted?

Is it God's Grace?  We so often think of that, don't we?

I have to say that many of those would have come to my mind, too, when first asked about that word.

I dare say that most Christians could quote many Scriptures containing the word grace.  

What concerns me most, is do we practice grace.

I have just finished (within the last hour of typing this post!) reading the following book by Philip Yancey:

This book has ripped me to the core and caused me to "chew" for many weeks.  It has caused me to re-think what I do or say to others.  It has caused me to take a long, hard look at what Christians in general do or say to others.  I HIGHLY recommend anyone to read this book!

This book will be one that I will refer back to for the rest of my life.  It has brought out so many points that when I read Scripture now, I can't go back to what I used to think about grace.

So, why am I rambling, and what do I really want to say?

I am not sure that I can put into words exactly what I want to say to explain what the Lord has shown me in reading this book.  I am just thankful He brought it to my attention and He led me to read it when I did. 

As Christians, many times we look at "the sinners" and treat them as trash.  I can say this, because I know I used to think many of these things:

• We look at the homeless and think they deserve what they get.  
• We look at the drug addicts and think they are worthless.  
• We look at the murderers and are so happy when "justice" is served.  
• We look at the children/teens who disobey, defy, turn to the wrong areas for love and support, listen to the "wrong" music, dress differently, and think: 'they are never going to change so what is the use?'  
• We look at homosexuals who are engaging in a lifestyle that is clearly wrong and think if they have died of AIDS or some other disease that it "serves them right."

However, we forget to remember our OWN weaknesses of pride, lying, gluttony, self-preservation, covetousness, "holier-than-thou" attitudes, ETC. that resemble those Pharisees during Jesus' day.  We are so consumed with following a rule instead of reaching out to a world and SHOWING them the grace that we have already been given.  We give off the impression that we have "arrived" in this life because we go to church, and look down on those who are different and do not.  No wonder many of those who are "down and out" want nothing to do with the church.  Some of the "different" people act more kindly than those who are professing Christians!

We all have something in common.  We ALL need GRACE.

That homeless individual needs grace and unconditional love.  Do we want that person to continue in their path, no, but we also must show true love and grace to give help in time of need.  At one time in my life I was homeless.... a sinner in need of a home not from here.  Jesus reached down and showed me grace and I accepted.  I now have a home for eternity waiting for me.

Those who are drug addicts... who cannot stop the addiction.  The ones who we see as "repeat offenders".... they need grace, too.  Do they need boundaries and love that expects much?  Yes, but it must be seasoned with grace.  Unconditionally.  I once was an addict... in fact, I still fight it daily.  I was an addict to sin.  Jesus shows me through His Word that I am not to remain where I am but to change daily into His image.  He gives me "the twelve-step" program of grace where when I stumble, He takes me back.  In fact, He RUNS to me.

That murderer who deserves "justice" to be served.... needs forgiveness and grace.  It isn't always easy.  Some of those people are very HARD.  However, grace can soften any hard surface.  I was a murderer... I have hated people, called them names, treated them as if they should not even live.  It was MY sin that nailed my Savior to the cross.  Through it all, GRACE did much more abound.

Those children/teens who seem as though are hard as stone.  The ones who are defiant, doing things that visibly are so wrong and seem to enjoy "shoving it" in others faces... and even those who look "normal" on the outside but are cutting themselves, addicted to drugs or alcohol, etc.  I may look like a well-adjusted person on the outside, but the Lord knows the struggles I face every day.  He shows me grace.  He loves me even when I am unlovable... when I disobey Him and show defiance.  When I do things to my body that I know I shouldn't... He gives me grace.

That homosexual who blatantly flaunts a desire for the same sex.  Whoa, that is a tough one.... it is just SO wrong.  Hmm... isn't lying, pride, covetousness just as wrong?  We still must show love and grace even though we do not agree with or believe in the lifestyle.  How is shouting out hate going to show anyone grace?  I have offended God in the fact that I am a lover of myself.  Yet, He extends grace to me.

Believe me, I do not think that grace gives us a ticket to just go and sin outright.  If we are truly conformed to the image of Christ, we WANT to change to become more like Christ.  Paul speaks about that in Romans 6:1,2 - "What shall we say then?  Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?  May it never be!  How shall we who died to sin still live in it?"

What I have learned is that we are all sinners in need of grace and if we, the Church, do not show the human version of that grace we have received and give off the appearance of having it all together, then how will we ever make a difference in this world?  I am reminded DAILY that I am nothing without the Lord's grace.  I am just like the homeless, the drug addict, the defiant one, the homosexual.... I NEED grace.  Are there consequences to sin, yes, but that doesn't mean we are to be hateful.

We are all created in His image and Jesus spent more time with those who were of the "outcasts" in society while He was on earth than He did with those who were "righteous."

It begins with me.  I must be always willing to show GRACE whether I agree with someone or not. I must not resort to "name-calling" but a desire to show the truth of God's Word with my speech and actions towards them, seasoned with grace.  I must treat others the way the Lord always treats me.

Easy?  No.

The flesh wants me to do the opposite, but I am to remember Whose Image to which I am being conformed.

Ephesians 4:7

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

This song is sung so many times at so many churches and events.  Let's make sure we LIVE it and not just sing it.

01/12/14

We at the Fowler's have started our year of 2014 off with a bang.... or, maybe I should say, a "cluck." 

Meet our newest "pets"......

Rooster - Otis

Hen to his left - Ellie

Hen that was under the feeder in the above picture, but now I finally caught a glimpse of her....

Thelma Lou

(notice she has a lovely "updo")

They are a Bantam Rooster and Hens.

Of course, I think Otis is pretty cute.  

So are Thelma Lou and Ellie.

(can you tell we went for a Andy Griffith show theme with their names?)

They are enjoying the henbit from the garden area.  Such a great weed for the HENS to eat, huh?  :)

Sweet Man worked on the chicken coop for two weeks.  I am proud of how he designed it and got it ready.

So you may be asking... WHY!?

Well, I must admit, I did, too.

The day after Christmas, Wesley came in the den with two bags and plopped them down in front of the fireplace.  Mikayla and I were enjoying a quiet afternoon watching so I didn't know what in the world they were.  

When I asked, Wes just matter-of-factly said "It's chicken feed... We're gettin' chickens!"

Me:  "We ARE?"

I was a bit in shock.  Not a bad shock, mind you, just a shock of "what in the world!?"

Sweet Man came in the back door a few minutes later and I suggested to him that he may have wanted to talk with me about this before we went into the adventure.  He shares with me that we did....

TWO YEARS AGO.

According to my calculations and remembrance, two years ago is a while and that conversation ended in "I don't want another pet to have to take care of...."

I am not sure as to what changed Sweet Man's mind other than his brother has some chickens, and Wes wants chickens... cows.... etc... because he still desires to be a farmer when he gets out of college.  I guess Sweet Man thought this would be a great way for Wes to begin that process.

I have only visited the chickens once as this past week because the temps got quite low for us southerners and I did not have it in me to spend a lot of quality time with them after school.  We also had a lot of rain.

I know, I know..... not the farmer's wife mentality and I believe I am going to have to get past that.  

I talk to them every morning when we are leaving for school.... does that count?

Wes, however, enjoys going out every morning before school and every afternoon after school. 

We have only gotten two eggs from our Thelma Lou and Ellie.  I think they were a bit traumatized this week from being moved here and then the cold/rain we had.  The first egg was a bit whop-sided, but the second one looks beautiful.  

Here is a picture of the first "whop-sided" egg.... :)

My grandparents had chickens, but I never really experienced them growing up so this will definitely be a learning experience.  However, that is what life is about.... learning new things.  :)

We are definitely getting back to Sweet Man's English roots.... being the FOWLers. 

12/30/13

It is the sunset of another year.

I look back on this year with fond memories.

Steve and I celebrated 20 years of marriage and took an international trip that neither one of us ever thought we would do.

I ziplined and LOVED it.  Would do it again in a heartbeat.

I continued to learn how to LIVE in this life and not just sit back and watch it go away without trying new things.

I learned to accept change even more.

I increased in my knowledge of the Lord.

So many things... I honestly cannot remember them all because they have now become a part of who I am.

In reflecting on this past year, though, I couldn't help but think of hard times.  I know of many people who have suffered much worse things than Steve and I this past year and I cannot begin to say I know what they have faced.   One thing I have been thinking on more and more recently is when we go through the storms of life in a year, are we thankful for them or are we just ready for the year to end?  I can remember saying in past years, "I will be glad when {insert year} is finished so that I can move on to another year.  It HAS to be better than this year was!"  

In reading my book on Job (Beginning at the End: Finding God When Your World Falls Apart by Cherie Hill) and studying about Job in Sunday School recently, it has caused me to reflect longer and harder on the trials, or storms, in my life.

Everyone hears that trials are what draw us closer to the Lord.  It is easy to SAY that statement, but harder to live it.  When you are going through a trial and you have no idea what is to come next, it is like walking alone in the dark and feeling that the next step will cause you to plummet to your "death."  I have been there.

Thankfully, God understands our weaknesses.  He knows that many of our reactions in those trials and storms of life cause us to become angry and bitter; we try to have self-sufficiency (control and manipulation); and they can also cause us to fear or worry.  That is why He tells us repeatedly in His Word to "Fear Not." 

So, truly, why DO we have to endure storms in this life?  What IS their purpose?  Recently, one of the pastors at church preached on this topic.  It was a wonderful reminder to me as to why the Lord sends those trials.  Here are a few snippets from what I learned:

Storms uncover areas in need of spiritual growth.

Storms calibrate or re-calibrate your view of God.  

(Renewed reverence for His Person and His Power.)

Storms prepare you for future ministry.

In short, storms in life force you to see you are only human and you NEED the Savior.  If everything went "just right" all of the time, we would forget our need for Him. 

We would forget Emmanuel - God With Us. 

We would forget what He did for us on the cross of Calvary. 

We would forget that He is alive today, having conquered sin, and is there for us every step of this life.

I can honestly say that, although my trials in this life have been hard, what I have learned from them have grown me more than any "good day."  They are some of my sweetest memories only because of how I clung to the Lord and He was always there, just as He is every day, but I chose to be still before Him instead of my do things my own way.

As I reflect on this year I keep coming back to what I read in my book on Job by Cherie Hill:  "[God's] bringing us to "The End," so that He can "Begin."

How do you view 2013? 

How do you plan on viewing 2014?

Forget resolutions... we hardly ever keep them anyway.

Take each second, minute, hour, day, week, month of this next year of 2014 and allow the Lord to guide you.  The way might be rough at times, but He will NEVER let you go and He always has a purpose.

12/07/13

Missed me much?

Yeah, yeah, I know.... been a while.  No words.

Literally.

I just have not had the right words to write about as of late.  I have been given lots of examples of things in life to share, but the Lord just did not give me the words.

For today, I am back.  I had to share the newest journey.

Earlier this year I talked about my weight.   I also shared what the Lord gave me this summer at a workshop about doing hard things.

Put those two things together and you now have one determined 40-something Mama on your hands.

The above picture was taken on our 20th anniversary trip in June to St. Lucia.  Whew... I can't believe it, but I actually gained about 6 more pounds after that picture was taken.... OY. 


My journey actually started in September when I began walking with my best friend.  We both decided separately that we needed a change.  The Lord was working in both of our lives about the same thing and we didn't even know it!  We began talking seriously about our eating choices and then started out walking around 2-3 miles and now we are up to 6 miles when we walk together. 

Fast forward to the first of October.  Steve had his yearly physical and the doctor saw some numbers in his blood work that were too high.  Now the Lord had Sweet Man going through the same need for a change.

At the beginning of October Sweet Man and I both began the journey of our health.  We both have high risk of heart disease and diabetes in our families and we knew we had to get control of our choices.

We have done this weight loss thing many times before, but this time has been different.  I can't explain it exactly.  The first time I lost weight I did it through exercise only.  The second time I lost weight it was through eating choices only.  Now, I am combining both... exercise and eating choices.

It has been both liberating and difficult.  However, DO HARD THINGS has been on my lips to my children and students, so why should it not also be to myself!

Since October, Sweet Man is now down 35 pounds.  Men can blink and weight comes off.  HOWEVER, he has worked VERY hard to get to this point.  He has changed eating habits and worked out almost daily.  I AM BEYOND PROUD OF HIM.

I have lost 11 pounds since we began the first of October.  I realize women lose weight differently... I get that.  Those 11 pounds have been hard-fought and have required much discipline.  I am thankful for what I am learning and how I am regaining who I am.  I have been walking with my bestie, doing Just Dance on the Wii, Zumba on the Wii, and Leslie Sansone Walk at Home videos.  (Let me just say that Leslie knows how to kick your tail.)  I love it. 

This journey is by far from over.  I still have a long way to go to reach my goal and Sweet Man does, too.  What I have found is having two of the people I love the most along this journey with me has made even the hard times easy.  Their encouragement, and the encouragement of others, really means a lot.  I have learned to be a cheerleader for others who are struggling in this same area.

Losing weight requires hard work.  It isn't a quick fix.  If you are looking for that, as I was earlier this year, you are missing out on what is truly important.  Anything worth doing takes time.

As Sweet Man heard on the radio - "Sweat is fat crying." 

Below is our latest picture together.  Sweet Man is wearing the same shirt he was wearing in the above picture in St. Lucia. 

I am learning it takes work and discipline to have a healthy body.  My desire is to continue to "do hard things" so that I may help others do the same.

I'll keep you posted as the journey continues....