1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (ESV).

I've been learning a lot about these verses lately, especially about giving thanks "in all circumstances." It's not like something terrible has happened in my life and I need to start learning about giving thanks even when it seems impossible. I'm learning more about being thankful because thankfulness results in deep, genuine joy. I want that joy! Giving thanks in the everyday, mundane tasks will allow me to find joy in my seemingly ordinary life.

Also, each piece from these verses work together. If you are constantly praying, you are able to give thanks and find joy. I cannot find true joy in anything but the Lord, so what better way to find that joy than through prayer and thanksgiving!

"The discipline of thanks only comes with practice." -Ann Voskamp

Another thing I've been learning is about being fully alive. It's one thing to be physically in a place; it's another to be fully there and fully attentive. And I can choose to be fully attentive. I want to do that; I want to be fully present everywhere I am in order to give glory to God and be able to serve others.

I want to pray continually - without ceasing - that Thy will be done. Not my will. His. I must trust in His plan for my life because it is perfect. And that trust will lead to joy!

The Lord has blessed me with so much and I want to become the blessing to others now.

"Passionately serving Christ alone makes us the loving servant to all." -Ann Voskamp

Talented Siblings

I am so incredibly proud of my siblings.

My brother, James, just performed in his last piano recital on Sunday and he did a phenomenal job. Seriously, I'm convinced he didn't make a single mistake (although he insisted that he was not perfect). He played technically well, but his pieces were also full of emotion, especially his Chopin Prelude. James has a lot of natural talent when it comes to music. He is stopping piano lessons in order to take up bass guitar lessons which I know he will absolutely love. He also has a great voice. He's really modest about it and probably would never sing for you by himself, but he really does have a gift. We just found out that he will be a part of the advanced mixed choir in school this coming year! It's very impressive because sophomores are not typically put into this choir. I am super excited for him and his upcoming musical endeavors.

Katie, my sister, graduated from high school today. Holy cow. I cannot believe it. Sometimes I feel like I just graduated -- but that was two years ago! She did a stellar job in school this year, earning above a 4.0 GPA. And let me tell you, I did not get a 4.0 my senior year...or at any point in my high school career...or ever. She didn't just shine academically though; she was one of the captains of her high school lacrosse team and was the second highest scorer on the team. Katie is extremely driven, especially when it comes to sports. She will be playing lacrosse for West Chester University in the fall and I cannot wait to see how her hard work will pay off there! She was also in a Music and Computer Technology (MCT) class this year where she learned a lot about composing music. She put hours and hours of time into this class and has grown immensely as a musician. Her performances never fail to blow me away and move me to tears. She puts her heart into her music and it shows.

I love my brother and sister more than they know and I am so thankful for them.

LOVE.

Summer Reading List

1. Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges

2. Radical by David Platt

3. A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller

4. Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney

5. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung

6. More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell

7. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

8. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

9. Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper

in · san · i · ty

The word "insanity" is defined as, "the state of being seriously mentally ill; madness."

Let me tell you, I must have been in a mentally ill state when I decided to start INSANITY.

Insanity:

"Insanity is a workout regimen similar to P90X in that it claims to improve fitness in 60 days through strenuous stamina training. Developed by Shaun T., Insanity's advertising emphasizes "max interval training", a method of exercising during which one works out strenuously for 3-4 minutes and then rests or "cools down" for approximately 30 seconds before starting the whole process over again. This is essentially a reversal of traditional interval training, during which participants exercise mildly for 3-4 minutes and then exercise strenuously for 30 seconds."

I decided to do this workout program for a number of reasons:

1) To get in shape. Plain and simple, I'm really out of shape.

2) It provides routine. I tend to start working out pretty well for a couple weeks and then I just stop. A workout program motivates me to be exercising every day.

3) It will challenge me. I also tend to do what's easy for me when I workout. I'll run for a little bit, but not too long and not too fast. And when I lift weights I often avoid that parts of my body that are weak.

4) To feel better about my body.

5) Part of me is doing this just because I want to be able to say that I got through it and did not give up. Maybe that's bad, but it's true.

I officially started yesterday. All I had to do yesterday was take the "Fit Test." First there was a warm-up (which pretty felt like a workout from the start). Then, there was a series of exercises that I did one at a time for one minute each. For instance, one of the exercises was called a "suicide jump" (lovely name, right?). You start by quickly bending down and getting into a push-up position and then getting up and jumping up. And you repeat that...over and over again for as many times as you can do in a minute. And there were eight exercises like these. There was a 30 second break between each exercise. It was honestly SO HARD. I am incredibly out of shape and I must say, I felt like I was dying to some degree. And when the workout was over, I sweating like mad and I wanted to throw up. Now granted I haven't worked out since the end of April. (Nice, I know.) But all the same, it was hard. And even if I had been in shape it would have been hard because you have push yourself to your limit. I will take the fit test several more times through the 60-day program to see how my results improve as I get faster and stronger.

Today was Day 2. Today's DVD was "Plyometric Cardio Circuit." Holy cow. So tiring. I had to rest a LOT and I could not keep up with it, but I know I will improve with time.

The name of this workout program is a perfect description of it because it truly is insane. And maybe I am insane because as tough as it is, I cannot wait to continue with it and challenge my body in ways that I could not do on my own.

Tomorrow's workout is called "Cardio Power & Resistance." Should be a fun time. HA.

I'm also excited to be challenged in other insane ways this summer through my job, through the Word, and through relationships. I can't wait to share some of those things as well.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 2:17