Giving Thanks and Doing Planks

Week 1: https://www.strava.com/activities/2853361170
Week 2: https://www.strava.com/activities/2869860970
Week 3: https://www.strava.com/activities/2889006694
Week 4: https://www.strava.com/activities/2905404761
Also an instagram story highlight

If you haven't noticed, I love participating in campaigns and contests that relate to my life and things I support. During November, one of the campus organizations hosted #GivingThanksAndDoingPlanks, which made my heart leap when I saw the email announcement, and that is no exaggeration. I was so into it, I did one every day. The posts were to be submitted on their Facebook page, and you could make a new entry every day to encourage both healthy living and gratefulness during the month of Thanksgiving. Faith and fitness! Two of my favorite things! So I got creative and found something, big or small, that I was thankful for every day of the month.

These pictures below are out of order, but the above links to my Strava posts have them in order with their short descriptions. I think it is so important to find ways to see good things in every day, even if it seems like a "bad day."
Attitude of Gratitude.

And would you believe that I won!? I did! I won an Amazon Echo and a UTC Columbia pullover. I also got a new connection with the wonderful Carol Oglesby of UTC Healthy Living Initiative and Center For Student Wellbeing, as well as UTC Healthy Mocs on Facebook and Instagram. It also gave me something fun to be involved in throughout the month and ways to find thankfulness.

"Give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 
1 Thessalonians 5:18


Christmas shopping ** My dog



All the great holiday things this week: family, pets, Thanksgiving, Christmas, home ** Making holiday goodies to share (pumpkin spice Chex Mix)



New UTC clothes ** The "thankful bucket" I made for our dorm living room



Some time with God-Choose Joy! ** Birthday celebrations and carrot cake ** A free dark chocolate strawberry smoothie from the Smoothie King app



My first post of the month: at conference being thankful for the race and my roommate for the trip ** Vibrating foam rollers and chocolate milk in the weight room and getting stronger!



A class that gets me outside and in the community ** Pumpkins!



Class cancelled, so I got to take a nap and eat hot lunch on a very cold day ** Hotels!



Heading to region! and a new Clif Bar ** Cooking dinner


A new PR! For me and several others. ** Simply thankful



Seasonal pajamas ** Coloring (yes, it was for class)



Christmas lights (though for year-round decoration) ** Christmas socks and shoes!



Umbrellas and rain boots (essential for college!) ** Air freshener (especially fall scented and after a run in the pouring rain)



Coffee! ** Playing (yoga?) with some goats!



Heading home for Thanksgiving Break!

Follow @makenzie_jones

Follow me on  

Lenny and Larry's Baked Nutrition

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

Dog Sit and Walk with Rover

Fiverr

Care.com

Athlete Network

Shop and Save with ibotta

Get Off the Merry-Go-Round

Follow @makenzie_jones

Follow me on  

Lenny and Larry's Baked Nutrition

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

Dog Sit and Walk with Rover

Fiverr

Care.com

Athlete Network

Shop and Save with ibotta

Got brave today and kind of looked at the needles. I highly recommend dry needling for anyone having a lot of muscle pain that you just can't get rid of through other means. I am not a trend-follower, but I am tooting the horn of this trendy train.

Dang, this book jumps out at me when I am not expecting it to. It may start out with something I don't relate to then bang pops up outta nowhere! Starting chapter 4 after the end of chapter 3 left me hoping for something more, I got more that's for sure.
--Stop trying to go around it and go through it--avoiding things that may be uncomfortable or inconvenient at the time that will help me in the future has been something that comes back to bite me. But now I am focusing on taking time to do what I need to do when it comes up, even if I don't want to. No, I don't want to take time to go to physical therapy an extra day, but I want to feel better. No I don't want to make yet another appointment and go to the dermatologist, but it may save the skin on my face. No, I don't want to study for the GRE but I'll be thankful if I only have to pay for it and take it once and get it done at a more convenient time (um, still haven't started stuyding...), you get it.

--This is the big one! A pattern of work and relief that is no longer glorifying to God, though it may not look sinful on the outside.
---I love the grind of daily life. I love to work hard, stay busy and productive, always finding something I want to do. I love the thick of a training cycle. I can use this to make great impacts on the people around me when I do it the right way, and I've done it in the past. I worked hard, had success, had great chances to share joy and hope with others. Sometimes though, I get way too busy and caught up, and I am just rushing from one thing to the next, not really looking at what is going on around me or what God wants me to see and do. Then my gifts and opportunities change from a tool to a self-defeating weapon. Then things like injuries, illness, schedule change, whatever, come along to get me to wake up to take a rest. Now instead of going around these signs, I am taking hold of them and looking for what needs to change (although it is kind of forced right now, I am learning to do it on my own and hopeful for the future). Then I thought of a quote that kind of blew my own mind: Get off the merry-go-round and be active in the whole playground. -->>Get out of the cycle of work and rest only to move on to the next work, and enjoy the whole life you've got right in front of you.

Also so excited to be getting a bunch of my favorite dizzled kettlecorn! Share your dreams; God loves them. He wants us to be able to live joyfully if our hopes are aligned with His plans. This may sound silly, but having that recognized was encouraging to my recovery.

***********

Since I've been biking somewhere on the highway pretty much every day for a while now, I've wondered how many people have recognized me, and today, a friend finally texted me that she had seen me! And she asked if we could make breakfast one day soon! Oh, how I needed that. I had also gotten a message from a friend I haven't seen in a couple years but she had wondered how I was doing and gave me some great encouragement through my injuries. I've been pretty lonely lately, and basically no one knows or seems to care whether or not I am hurt/healing/healed, so these were both blessings that God sent to pick me up to start the day. It also may sound silly, but a couple companies reached out to me on instagram, too, to do some work for them. Just a little something to remind me that people are watching, and I am making an impact even when I don't feel like it. That's how God keeps me going.

This afternoon my Bible study hit me like a home run again today! About the "why." A lot of times, it doesn't matter so much what we do, but why we do it. Good things can be sinful if they are done with the wrong intentions, and mistakes can be okay if they are done with a positive outlook.

--It also brought up the same verse that was my verse of the day yesterday, Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion in the day of Christ Jesus."


--The main idea of this section was on rest. Over time, I've gotten better at it. Taking time to relax is so good when you finally do it. Rest is a great time to reflect, too, as I've seen a lot in recent years. We need it. If we're always pushing forward 100mph, we can't really take in where we are and where we've come from. I need to look back and learn, sit still and observe. I often forget things as soon as they go through my head. Mom keeps telling me that if God is trying to tell me something through all this, to listen with my heart. I know He is. It is so good to feel it.


--There are so many things that can get me motivated about rest. It's one of those things that is hard to do, but once you do, you want more. God likes to work that way, rewarding challenges in His timing ("carry it on to completion in the day of Christ" not the day of Makenzie). Here are some of those wonders: energy, sleep, healing, peace, strength, refueling, enjoying the moment, spending time with others, having time to share, celebrate!, spend the time as thanks for what is past and preparation for what is ahead. It's not only a time for me, but ultimately a time for Christ to be made greater. Rest shows that I have faith in Him in the ways that are hardest for me. I fear the loss of productivity, fitness, my daily routine, whatever, but where I need to act in faith is not doing but being; trusting and thanking God for His provision. Whatever I do should be an act of worship. Enjoy a day on the lake with my family--thanking God for the weather, my home, the wonderful people. Go to a party and celebrate whatever the occasion! God brought us through a great thing! Or sit on the couch and thank God for helping me through another week and pray and prepare for the days ahead. Rest should be joyful, not burdensome.

--Amazing quote! "Fight fast-paced and fear-based with prayer and praise."

Believe!

Follow @makenzie_jones

Follow me on  

Lenny and Larry's Baked Nutrition

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

Dog Sit and Walk with Rover

Fiverr

Care.com

Athlete Network

Shop and Save with ibotta

Believe!!! (From Strava, 7/2/19)

Out on the water is a great place to think, pray, plan (I have mixed emotions with this word), and get some inspiration from peaceful time away from everything else. Today I was really thinking about my devotion from yesterday. It can be applied to life and sports. You hear all the time that you have to "believe in the program." If you don't have faith in your training, you won't fully do it, and it won't work. It is psychological, too. The same goes for your faith and any other challenges. If you don't believe that there is a solution, that God is working something good, that He will reward faith, then you won't get the benefit. If you think you might feel better if you drink water instead of soda, but you also doubt that it will make a difference so you keep drinking mostly soda, that 'think' will not make change. You have to 'believe' and DO. God doesn't say if you think you will be saved. He says if you BELIEVE you will be saved. For me in this current predicament, I think I can come back stronger and motivated if I let myself rest and heal more fully than before. But sometimes when I just think and still hold onto my doubts, I don't allow change to happen. I tell myself, "Well, I might heal faster, but I might not, and then I would just be really out of shape, so I need to push myself super hard cross training, just in case." But now I am fighting back with telling myself to relax. See what happens. "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." I have to do things differently if I want different results. I have been through so much, and the only thing that brought me out stronger than I've ever been was giving up my faith in myself, accepting my failures, and totally trusting God to take care of my body and life. And He did. He always will. "Believe that He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

So this is me, challenging myself in a rather ironic way. The challenge to be confident in uncertainty of my circumstances and the certainty of God's plans.

Bear Fruit

Follow @makenzie_jones

Instagram

 

8:16 AM on Monday, June 4, 2018

Morning Ride Runoops/Bear Fruit

I was a little off from the get-go today. At the first mile spot, I wondered why I hadn't heard my watch beep. Then I remembered that I biked the night before and didn't change my "sport" before I hit "start" this morning. Oh well, that can be fixed later! Not that I really pay attention on vacation, but it was a Monday! To make it better (sarcasm), it was super hot and windy. But when I got down to the beach, the wind had decreased to basically nothing. That makes it better for reading and things not blowing away, but it makes it so rough for sitting in the heat and humidity with no air flow! Since there are no hills at the beach, I get some extra work fighting the wind then taking a run up the stairs after I finish. It is a great view out the elevator window!

This was the first day I started my new breakfast scramble (that I have now carried home and done almost every day). Eggs, peppers and onions, avocado, with some seasoning salt (can't do avo without something yikes). Plus, being a runner, especially in the hot and humid, NEED SALT.

For my extra reading thing for today, I took down a new (actually old) magazine feature that Mom had printed off for me for one of my "wish list" gifts from Christmas. It is a feature story on Ryan Hall that was in an issue in 2008. It's all about how his faith impacts his running. You can still find it online by searching Ryan Hall The Power and The Glory! As Christians are called to be "imitators of Christ" (Ephesians 5:1-2), Ryan makes that his goal in all walks (or runs, haha) of his life. While sports can sometimes take us away from church, it doesn't have to take us away from worship. Church is simply a place to gather as believers; worship is a way of life. The church the Hall family attends is totally supportive of his faith and sport, and he puts as much into his church as he can. While there were many ups and downs throughout Ryan's career, he was confident that the Lord had a plan. He didn't always have such a close relationship with the Lord, but through some trials and wake up calls along the way, his faith grew so strong. As I have also learned, I am not a runner who happens to be a Christian; I am a Christian who happens to be a runner. I am who God made me, and He lets me run as a way to bring Him glory. Whatever we do, we are to give it our best because it is something that God has given us to use. If I am strong and have endurance and running ability, I should make it my goal to develop my talent to get to the best opportunities (big and small, near and far) to use it for Him. Not necessarily winning or beating people, but thriving and reaching people. Just like we have to train to finish races, we have to be ready in strength of faith for the goal of heaven. Every day matters.

Lunch was the most proud of a project for the summer that I have been yet. I have a list of random things that I want to get done this summer, and this was one of them. I have to stop putting things off and just do them when I get a chance! I am a procrastinator, believe it or not. This pineapple bowl literally made my day. It was so much easier than I thought, and it turned out prettier than expected! I added a little bit of the fruit from it as well as some frozen berries, mixed in some Cheetah Chomps cereal, and sprinkled on some coconut flakes to eat on the beach. If this isn't quintessential summer, I don't know what is.

My Bible study from the NOW book today fit right in: John 15:1-11, "...This is to My Father's glory that you bear much fruit...I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and your joy made complete."

What good is a plant that has no roots? It can't grow. It quickly dies. It can't produce fruit. Then no one else can receive the benefits of it. Same goes with us. When we are disconnected from our source, Christ, we don't last long. We dry up and drift away, losing our own energy and keeping others from experiencing it, too. I want to do so much with my life, but the main thing I want is to make the moments matter. I have to remind myself along the way that to make my life matter, I can't be reserved and selfish. Yes, I first have to fill myself with God's Word, but that will then power me to share with others. I always have to have balance. I need to take care of myself, but I don't like to do things if others aren't a part of it. BUT I have to remember that I have to feed myself the fruit of the Lord in order to share the good fruits with others! (It's also been on my list for over 3 years now to have a potluck Bible study brunch with fruits, using fruit scriptures like this as the theme. If my life goes the way I wish--as we know God doesn't usually work that way!--things like this would be my job. (PS let me know if you want to have a Bible study with me sometime!)

Drink of the day was also fruity: new Ocean Spray Pact! Ocean Spray with a side of some real ocean spray...is it heaven?

Dinner is one of my beach favorites, not that I can't get it basically everywhere else, but it simply seems better here. The Salsarita's we go to has a great patio we eat on complete with nice picnic tables and umbrellas, music, and flowers. I love my burrito bowls. And that Salsarita's has all the flavors of Chohula sauce for customer use.

For the night's shopping, we went to TJMaxx! They always have good swim suits, but at the beach, it's even better. I spent so long trying them on...well over 10. The main issue is that with team training, we do swim workouts, and I really want a sporty one-piece! But those things are hard to find the right fit, and being small doesn't help. Full price at a sports/athletic clothing store, those things are outrageous expensive, too, and I am not about to pay minimum $60 for one, nope. We were there way longer than expected, but it's the beach, and I am doing all I can. Next we went to Broadway at the Beach since it is open later than most places so we could go a few places that Dad wouldn't want to go. The semi-annual sale at Victoria's Secret and Pink had just started, and I got some of the best deals! This is another place that I love but will not pay full price for. These deals were GREAT! I could've bought so many more things, but I am trying to restrain my spending to things I actually need more of.

(These pictures weren’t things I bought on the trip, but this was one of my projects of the day—some of my favorite beach-theme products!)

Last stop of the night was a new dessert place that I've seen local to Myrtle and wanted to go over the past few years. There are now two shops down Ocean Blvd. Kirk's Ice CreamParlor is a long-lived, local favorite, and I can see why! They have over 30 flavors, and they are all delicious! It is one of those places that has more than the generic. Not bad price either. Two of my favorite things. Needless to say, I told Mom we had to go back. She was not opposed because I got a nutty coconut flavor and let her try. She was amazed and wanted her own later in the week.