Category: Health and exersize

The Process of Growing Stronger

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Fighting Battles that have already been won.

The year 2024 is filled with UTI’s after every run.

The reason probably has to do with pushing hard to regain the ability to run.

My body has battled with UTI’s my whole life but drinking cranberry juice has always kept it under control. This year cranberry juice hasn’t been enough.

During every run the burning feeling shows up in the middle or end of the run. I confess healing in The Blood of Jesus, drink more juice, drink a gallon of water daily, and eventually go to the walk in clinic to get antibiotics. I hate knowing what my problem is and they think I couldn’t possibly  know.

Listening to people while standing in line for my prescription, I hear about cranberry pills and apple cider pills to help the fight.

One day after a year of fighting this monthly, I walk out the door to run and,

I know God healed me.

The Battle is won!

It is so wonderful to run and be healed.

A year after being healed, the burn returns. The fight continues to keep the Healing these last months. Thankfully, I haven’t needed go to the doctor again. I am winning the fight!

February 2026, I ran 3 miles for the first days of the month then my runs grew to 5-6 mile runs. This increase of miles has grown the days of recovery, taking me by surprise.

Wednesday March 4, 2026, the battle of getting stronger is being won. I run 5 miles.

Mile one, 18 minutes; mile two, 19 minutes with dogs.

Miles 3,4, and 5 are me alone and the time shortens with every mile.

 I run

Mile five

 in 14:48mm.

This is the fastest run in 8-10 years! I made the choice to fight differently the last week of 2024, by starting to do at least one minute plank and 12 push-ups every night before bed. Strengthening my core to make running easier!

I know it has so much to do with obeying God by increasing the distance, no matter how well the run goes. The last run in February 2026, I ran 5 miles with only a run/walk, taking 20-22 minutes a mile. (In case you are wondering it takes more than 2 hours to run 5 miles at that speed) Most people walk faster than that!

Even though I had a thought to quit, I pushed through hoping that soon my feet will be able to keep a run going.

The fast run fills me with hope!

God is getting ready to start using me more!

I am getting stronger again!

God is so very Good!

God Bless each of you with strength growing no matter your age. Keep moving in Jesus. Amen!

Beauty of God’s Creation

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After 2 days of sleeping I ran 6 miles!

Do you ever stop to enjoy the beauty of outside?

For ten years my husband and I used to walk at sunset to catch the changing sky. Many times my husband would get upset because he wanted to walk with me while I kept stopping to get the next shot.

My run is slower than desired because I keep seeing another wonderful sight. This is also the first time to try out my new phone with a better lens.

Why do I mention sleeping for two days before running six miles? This has much to do with scoliosis and the rod holding my spine up. Sitting up at the computer to write these stories exhaust my muscles. Some days I need to give into the pain and rest, which took two days this time.

It is the first time in five years to run 6 miles. The two days of rest have something to do with the ability to run. It wasn’t fast and it was made slower by my desire to stop and take pictures.  I would have taken more pictures but my hands froze with the strong NW wind.

It was the first time in a while to see the sun!

 

I enjoy watching how the wind sculptures the snow and the sun changes the color of the snow!

Growing up in North Dakota there are few trees with plenty of open spaces that become covered in snow, so I learned to enjoy snow sculpted by wind! 

 

It taught me to appreciate flat beauty.

Does anyone else enjoy the pictures?

How many want to go out into the frigged temperatures to take the pictures?

One of the things God is teaching me is to keep Good thoughts on my mind.

Beauty is a good thought!

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally Brothers and Sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,–if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise–Dwell on These Things!

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–put these things into practice, and the God of Shalom, Peace, will be with you!

Doing this has kept my mind in a much better place. It also helps me understand if my thought is from God or elsewhere. I ask myself if it is a good thought to think on and if not I ask God to fill my mind with His thoughts! Amen.

God Bless each of you who read this. Amen!

 GOD IS SO VERY GOOD!

Changing Hours

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Frontier comes to set us up with less expensive WiFi!

IT is noon when the technician arrives and my husband wakes me from sound sleep. I am so tired my body cannot stay awake until he leaves then I text the choir director that it would be dangerous to drive because my body cannot stay awake. Sleep takes me until 10:00 P.M., it is strange to eat breakfast at midnight.

Most of my life sleep was normal from 10:00-6:00 with a 3 hour nap in the middle of the day. For the majority of my life I didn’t have the ability to stay awake after 10:00 P.M., because of  weakness.

Turning 50 with menopause my sleep becomes disrupted. I started to wake at 2:00 A.M. and stay awake until 5:00 A.M..

Simultaneously as I miraculously gain nerves which create muscles which gives my body the ability to gain strength, I am able to stay awake until midnight for the first time in my life.  Not going to bed before midnight takes care waking up in the middle of the night. (There is another story about midnight but that is for another time.)

Add in the driving back and forth to the West coast about 15 times in 5 years has trained my body to sleep at odd times.

A few years ago God taught me to stay awake and finish a story I was working on. He was telling me time doesn’t matter. A few times it stretched to 6:00 A.M..

Most of this time I have been waking in the late morning, but this last year as I am gaining my strength back, more sleep is needed. My wake time has stretched to 2:00-3:00 P.M., and maybe later.

It messes with my mind spending all my life waking at 6:00 A.M., and now my life is up side down going to bed at 6:00 A.M..

Every time I have tried to change it back it doesn’t stick.

But today God suggests He is switching my hours again.

I will let you all know about how God does in changing my hours back to more normal times.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of a man Plans his course, but ADONIA, The LORD, directs his steps. Tree of Life Version.

It is now 2:00 A.M. and I have an hour to pray and read Bible and confess Truth!

God Bless each person reading with the LOVE OF GOD Filling your soul daily. Amen

GOD IS SO VERY GOOD.

Keep Going, Trust!

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Something in my soul is ready to erupt but…

Yesterday feels as if it is a waste. Depression is trying to take hold. I can’t even listen to music as I pray. “The House of David,” becomes my comfort.

Keep Going!

God helps me realize my strength IS growing!

Some days are recovery.

I did run 3 days ago.

Today, starts with some energy!

Yeah!

I start laundry and do a few loads!

My husband reminds me we accomplished paperwork yesterday. It doesn’t feel like much but it is important!

Sam is suggesting we walk at 10:00 P.M., looking at the temperature for how to dress, it is 4 degrees with a wind chill of -2 degrees. Not bad. We do have winter this year.

The picture is not the best but it proves we got out into the winter weather all dressed up for the cold.

Keep going putting one foot in front of the other.

Pick one more thing up off the floor.

Maybe make a new dish for dinner.

Find something to enjoy! I enjoy snow! I enjoy snow pictures!

God Bless each of us with get up and go!

God Help us find JOY and LOVE TODAY! AMEN.

GOD IS SO VERY GOOD!

First Winter Storm

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Of course, I am out running in our first winter storm!

Somehow my body isn’t willing to get moving when the weather is nice and 40 degrees and sun. It is always ready to move when it is hot or humid or freezing and blowing wind.

The wind is blowing 20-30 mph with snow coming in bands off the lake. There are times I need to put my mitten up to protect my face from the wind and frostbite.

Are you surprised I see no one else out here!

I dressed appropriately in layers and layers. It feels like 20 degrees so I put on double pants and socks with 4 layers on top and the hood of the sweatshirt tied the hat down tight.

Thankfully, God showed me where to find my neck piece. It keeps my neck warm without the bulk of a scarf. The temperature has been cold enough and I have looked everywhere but my neck piece was nowhere to be found. Then one day, I saw a piece of it sticking out from under a piece of fabric. God is so Good!

It is strange to wear the hat with the bill all winter but I find the bill blocks out almost all of the light when I run in the dark. It does help keep the snow off my glasses or out of my eyes to some degree. When the rain is coming it is very helpful.

I did run 3 miles in the open West wind. There was a calm point just before the last big wind and a shift to more NW wind. Getting home I offer each dog once around the block. It is a bit warmer since the wind is slightly blocked by the houses in town.

The run did take more out of me than I expected. Getting my strength back is important and getting my weight back down to fit into most of my clothes is also important.

It feels so good to be able to run when all summer I could only do a run/walk for the whole 2 miles at the cemetery. It was a bit embarrassing to not be able to run. But now I am running at a good pace some times and each time I go out it gets better.

Exercise is so important to life. Getting up and moving as often as possible is good for our bodies to feel better. It lifts our spirits to get outside even in the winter.

God Bless each of us with the ability to move and get stronger each and every day. Amen.

I do have days I cannot get off the couch but my body recovers and is up and moving soon after.

GOD IS SO VERY GOOD.

 

Payment Due

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Back and neck muscle are rebelling!

The 24 hours of work (running 6 miles, moving furniture, and vacuuming) are taking their toll today.

My muscles are shutting my body down. After some rest I will be able to make food, eat, and hopefully walk later on. The muscles did fine during church today! Standing to Praise God and sitting to listen to the sermon went well. I was even awake and alert!

After church the muscles said, “Enough!”

Back in my 40’s I learned the 24-48 hour window is when muscles start to fully come asking for payment! It baffled me for a while because I thought it was the next day that muscles felt the work. Does it take longer to really feel aches and pains as we age?

My husband and I did walk 1.5 miles to get our 10,000 steps. But before we start walking, we check the weather app to find Winter is entering  our neighborhood, now.  We need to dig out warm gloves, hats, and boots.

I’m heading to bed early to rest my muscles so I am able to go to Prayer Meeting in the morning. Last week my body couldn’t move and I missed our Prayer Meeting.

There are some things that need to happen like rest so here I go. God Bless!

Leaving some pictures from the walk we had today!

GOD BLESS each of us with healing and pain relief.             Hopefully all is well with each of you as Winter enters and Autumn departs.

Oh Yeah, I picked my lemon from my tree. I gave my first two for first fruits offering and this will be my first one to try. It is much larger than what I buy at the store.

 

GOD BLESS all who read this with The LOVE OF GOD and THE JOY OF THE LORD Filling every cell in your body, bubbling up and overflowing to all those around you!

GOD IS SO VERY GOOD, GOOD, GOOD!

Even If

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Today I wake with the desire to run!

The sun is shining and everything is peaceful for a moment.

Soon the wind picks up and the rain pelts us with hail!

 

 

Does anyone appreciate my lemon tree? It is soon time to bring it in the house, we did cover it once this Autumn along with a few other plants. Thankfully we have not had a need to turn the heat on yet.

I start looking at the Weather App for a good time to run, there might be a break in the rain  and thunderstorms around 5-7 P.M.

It is one of those days it would feel good to sit under a blanket and watch TV. Looking out the window I see the mail-lady and decide to go check out the flowers. This is the beautiful sunshine as I walk to the mailbox in my slippers. My slippers get wet!

Deciding to fight the desire to stay under the covers I choose to walk the dogs. The sun is shining, perfect timing. Hoping Sam will run, I put on my old running shoes. It might be the only run I get. I don’t want to get my good running shoes wet.

We run the half mile around the block. Sam is done so I pick up Charlie. It starts to rain before I step outside again, so I grab my umbrella.

We walk at good pace for our elder dog Charlie and I am staying dry until…!

About 3/4 around the block the storm picks up! I hold my umbrella with both hands to keep it from being ripped apart! The rain is pelting us and there might be ice in the mix!

The wind picks up and almost blows me over!

I am trying to hurry home when I have a thought, “take vehicle!”

The thought drops into my mind to drive to the cemetery, giving me a safe place if it storms again.

I end up running for 2 miles and never getting rained on, but when I arrive home and enter the house the rain begins again!

 

The thought that drops into my mind is from God.

I have had enough experiences to recognize a God thought to differentiate it from my thoughts or evil thoughts. God Thoughts are meant to be obeyed for my best life.

The clouds are fascinating as they go from stormy to sunny and back again.

God Bless each of you with safety in your day! Amen!

GOD IS SO VERY GOOD!

The Importance of a Step

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Sunshine is a good motivator!

But last week there was a day God was drawing me outside to the warmth of the sun, but I stayed inside with my pain. It would have changed that day and the ones that followed.

Today, only takes an hour for the shining sun to draw me outside.

Walking around the flowerbed I chose a spot to pull grass in the sun.

The temperatures are dropping into more normal range of the 60’s. I choose to be brave and try my jeans from last year! Thankfully they fit comfortable enough to work in. The temperature is just too cool for shorts.

Do you think I have work? There is a hosta in the middle of the grass which I dig up and attempt to get all the grass roots separated from the hosta roots. I am not sure how well I did so we will see what happens when Spring arrives.

 

 

 

After working on the hosta, I see grass starting to grow from roots left in the dirt and dig to pull each root, then I continue to the grass behind the flowers.

Back in this area the dirt is holding the moisture from the last 2 days of rain making it more difficult, but I keep working.

 

 

Continuing to dig until the sun sets I do make an impact. Remembering years past this area used to be filled with hosta plants. Some of them probably left because of the change from shade to sunlight but mostly they were just crowed out by the grass that overtook everything.

Walking outside for sunshine transforms my day.

It helps me walks the dogs and puts a smile on my face. The better attitude helps me not get frustrated with the TV not connecting to WiFi.

Start each day, choose to move, one step at a time and shine.

God Bless Each of you with The Joy of The LORD Filling you daily! Amen.

GOD IS SO VERY GOOD.

A Space in Time

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This morning/afternoon I woke thinking run.

My husband suggested it is suppose to rain all day.

God will provide the way if it is His idea.

After an hour of waking up I start to get dressed to run and head out doing my best to miss the puddles of water everywhere.

Every once and a while I see the sun trying to peak through to give me encouragement! It reminds me of walking in the dark cloudy nights and having the clouds parting to show me the Big Dipper. It always makes me feel like God is watching out for me to keep me safe.

I suppose this day with the sun peaking out God is telling me He is keeping me dry and giving me what I need to run safely.Today the first look of Autumn surprises me! 

When I am not at my strongest my eyes look down so I see the patch of leaves on the ground long before I see the tree they fell from.

This color of leaves gives me great JOY! I think of it as Beautiful! Do any of you enjoy the beauty of leaves on the ground? Or do you prefer them in the trees?

God gave me a whole hour to run 3 miles, DRY!

I am Thankful!

My run has moved from 20mm to 17mm. Most people will think it is slower than they walk and that is probably is true but I can only do what I can do.

I didn’t experience any rain falling the whole time I ran. It started up a few minutes after getting home. It was probably the only dry moment of the day! God is Good!

GOD IS SO VERY GOOD.  

God is telling me to start typing every day so we will see what happens. I am noticing things to experiment with so we will see what I try and what works out.

So you like the pictures this big? Or do you want them smaller?

God Bless each and everyone with The Joy of the LORD FILLING your soul daily! Amen.

The Sea-Saw of Life

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Depression seeks to steal my life!

It has taken two hours of hunting for summer running clothes, only to find I have none that fit. The sudden rise in temperature has taken me by surprise! I don’t want to wear the warm running shorts meant for the cool spring temperatures.

I resort to cutting the elastic waistband,

but it doesn’t work!

This forces me to wear my warm shorts because they are loose enough. Rolling the legs up helps me stay as cool enough.

The shock of my body size is exposing how long it’s been since I’ve run regularly. I’m remembering in 2017 when I was running 10 miles I had a hard time with pants falling off, this is quite the opposite problem.

It seems every time I start succeeding life interrupts and it feels like I am start over.

Fitting into my clothes has been a see-saw experience, clothes fit one day but not the next. FRUSTRATING!

It is a daily fight to keep pushing to succeed! I have to hold on to every inch of life, fighting to stay out of depression.

Hope Rises! June 4, my run is a consistent 4 mph!

The Runkeeper app announces my speed at 14mm, or 4.1 mph! This is better than I have run for a long time. Most of my runs have been in the 18-22mm or 3 mph.

Fifteen years ago Charlie was a young dog with lots of energy that needed to be used. When I took him running I learned how to keep up.

Finally, I realize I am not going to gain speed with my two older dogs who want to stop and smell all the smells.

Today, I am getting comfortable without having a dog to keep me company and being my protection. It is forcing me to push out earlier than sunset so I am able to run the 2 miles in daylight.

Now it is my body I fight against and the heat.

Screenshot

My first decision to getting stronger is to run the length of the rows and stop at the end to catch my breath.

The 14mm doesn’t count the rest time because I pause the app.

In July, two rows connect without stopping!

These are my high points. There are days in between when my body says,

“All you are getting today is a run/walk!”

Then there are days my body says,

“No running at all! You can barely walk! Good luck on getting 10,000 steps!”

August 21 my body runs one mile without stopping!

The continuous run of 15:44 is the first one in years.

Bonus: I can now fit into my skinny summer running shorts!

 

 

                        Today, pain says,

“Stay on the couch!”

But I decide it is time to move and push past the pain and outside to weed the flowers I cry out,

“Help, Jesus! Help!”

Sometimes the movement causes pain. But I keep going, knowing it is important and I still want to get my 10,000 steps. Working in the flowers pulling grass makes me smile! Pulling weeds also loosens my body enough to walk, finishing my 10,000 steps.

Last spring as I was stepping outside to run, I heard God say,

“Thirty days!”

That month I made 29 days but day 30 I could not move off the couch. The months since that day have been 5 to 10 day stretches.

Something seems different about August 1, 2025, and so far things are moving in the correct direction. I have a 26 day streak of 10,000 steps, so I need 4 more days. Believing the next step is a 30 day streak of running every day!

“Help Jesus Help!” 

Life will start to change: my body will be strong, and my confidence will grow!

“Help Jesus! Help”

I experienced this 15 years ago and I believe God is moving again!

“Thank You! Jesus! Amen.”

GOD IS GOOD!