Inspiration

So Matt and I want to start a new hobby: biking. We have the bikes, but the bad weather has kept us from getting out. It started raining this afternoon and I've had it! I went to ride in the rain anyways.

It turned out to be very refreshing! Matt and I love riding and want this to be something we do with our kids. I have many fond memories of bike riding with my parents and brothers through Hazel Park, MI.

I also promised myself that since my job is only a mile away, I would start riding to and from work occasionally. Of course that has yet to happen, so that's what my bike ride was today. It only took 7 minutes....and I'm way out of shape still!

I was able to face the weather today because of my Mom. I just spent the best hour and a half talking to her on the phone. She has a new job in California, close to Kyle. Her job is only a mile away and she decided to buy a bike and ride everywhere instead of spending extra money on a rental car and gas. In the past three weeks she's lost 20 pounds!!!!!! That's amazing! I'm so proud of her! And what an inspiration and motivation!

I've started losing weight too. I'm at 7+ pounds, but ready to lose more like 20 pounds! Haha. So I'm striving to be more active than I have been recently. I used be, but it's getting over the tiredness or laziness and just getting started. Once I'm going I'm reminded of how much I love it!

So here's to more bike riding adventures!

Scars and Motivation

I think everyone has at least one thing about their childhood that makes them cringe. Today my "cringe" surfaced again. My parents always struggled with handling and spending money. They're aware, I'm aware and love them through it, but that didn't mean life wasn't stressful in their home. As a result of that issue, I developed a fear of unreliable vehicles. For some reason the memory of riding in cold, fogged up, embarrassingly noisy, and unstable cars is and will always be strong to me.

Today my Mother-in-law hit a pothole and blew her tire. Not a big deal. The car was not towed, she was safe, but....it still makes my stomach turn. The idea of being unsure if the car will make it or something could happen worries me.

My husband has done a marvelous job in providing security in this area of my life. Of course it doesn't change the past or release all my fear. It certainly helps though. We both come from families that didn't have money. God knows what he's doing and I think he's molded us into better people because of it.

I have sworn to myself that I will never drive or put my future children in a car that I'm unsure of. If it has maintenance problems, fix it. If there isn't the money for it, find another way to get there. Slightly extreme, but I'm the kind of person that would rather be safe than sorry.

I'm really thinking this may lead to a ministry that I will one day be involved in. Reaching people and meeting that need is very powerful to me.

On another heavy note, as a teacher I've been refreshed. The car situation made me think of one of my students and the life she has when she goes home. She's the one that can make me want to pull my hair out, beat my head against the wall, or just scream. I've come to a place of frustration and wondered what am I going to do to break through to her? Of course I know the answer, love. That's what God's called us to do and specifically me to do through teaching. To spread His love to my students.

I've be reminded that SHE is why I'm teaching. She is my MOTIVATION, not my frustration. She is why I wake up in the morning and passionately work hard every day. There is nothing more fulfilling for me than to see a student that usually goes home with a list of bad behaviors from the day, instead walk out the door with a smile and stickers showing they had a marvelous day!

Wow, an intense blog this time! Maybe I'll try to ease it up on the next one. :)