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Magic Mile

by Filed Under: Fitness, Journal Entry Leave a Comment

1.6.11

I held my marathon training (MT) for later in the day.  Gary helped motivate me by ordering that we all go outside.  It was cold outside (low 50s) but we all needed the fresh air.  Rose and I were cheered on our merry way.

117OLYMP1

We ran for our Magic Mile MM.  It was awesome.  We prayed before the run for graces to grow in virtue, to reflect on Christ’s passion, to make it to the finish line, to go all out for Him, to seek Blessed Mary’s intercession……

I logged in 2 miles today.  My Magic Mile time was 10.58.12.  This is 1.42 min less than my MM time from last week.  My predicted  1/2 marathon pace time is 13:47 min/mile (3:00:31).  I’m not too concerned with this pace time–my goal for the race is to FINISH.

I opted out of running barefoot and  have more battle wounds because of it.  I hope to get a pair of these soon for the cold weather.

jan 5 work outthe wound was not as bad as the sock led me to believe.

Rose had a MM time of 9.41.59.  She missed her MM run last week.

I’m blessed to share this time with her.  She shared her running experience with me while we cooled down.  She reflected on Mary’s intercession for her during this run and throughout her life.  She is confident that Mary never fails her.  It makes me think of her younger days when she was eight or so.  We attended the National Catholic Family Conference. She was turned onto Sarah Bauer, a young Catholic Musician.  We bought her the CD and matching shirt with the Miraculous Medal with the words “Mary’s Got My Back.”  May God Bless Sarah for helping Elissa grow in her devotion to Mary. 

I pray for another grace-filled day tomorrow.  It will be a bit of a challenge to get my workout in since Thursdays are my errand days, Adoration days and we will be celebrating the Epiphany.  I pray that “Mary’s Got My Back.”

Motto

by Filed Under: Journal Entry, Motto Leave a Comment

1.4.11

(this is a response to a post by my friend/accountability partner)

You have a gift for writing.  Deo gratias!  You seem to say everything that I feel but cannot articulate.  Your post on Gentleness led me to revisit the word that has been lingering on my heart. 

My word is Charity.   I think we have the same application of the two words, to treat others the way He has treated us.

    • Do ordinary things with extraordinary Love.
    • Let us love one another as God loves each one of us.  And where does this love begin? – In our own home.  How does it begin? – By praying together.
    • “God told us, “love your neighbor as yourself.”  So first I am to love myself rightly, and then to love my neighbor like that.  But how can I love myself unless I accept myself as God has made me?” ~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Thank you for your gentle words of support and encouragement.  I pray to have all my JOY rooted in Him so that I do not lose peace over any trial or accomplishment.

Once again, I’m taking your lead.  I too, will post the following in my home and all prominent places so that I can be constantly reminded of His call for me.  I’m thinking it may even become a new set of family rules for 2011. +AMDG+

Be Charitable.

Be Useful.

Be Gentle.

Be Joyful.

Forget about yourself.

ALL FOR!

 

**Follow-up**

JOY helps me to better reflect on my internal JOY for Jesus, the JOY that needs to be freely shared with all, especially my family. Mother Teresa has not failed to guide us. it has been providential that our family’s patron saint for 2011, St. Josemarie Escriva, shares a very similar message.

“May you know how to put yourself out cheerfully, discreetly and generously each day, serving others and making their lives more pleasant.  To act in this way is to practice the true charity of Jesus Christ.” ~ St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, 150

Becoming Right Ordered

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1.4.11

I decided to forgo my workout for the day since it was my off day for running, I was already off on the classic plan, and I had a house full of sick little ones.

I was going to offer it up and then……I recalled something I just heard on EWTN.  Mother Angelica was holding an interview with someone.  I’m not sure, it may have been Raymond Arroyo.  The question asked went something like this, “How do you know if you are doing God’s work?”  Mother Angelica responded, “…does it give honor and glory to God?  Is it for the good of the family?  What are the fruits?”

I assessed my situation.  Dinner was done, the baby was sleeping, the other children were relaxing in the schoolroom with a movie, and Dad was napping (he hadn’t slept all day since his night shift from the previous day).  I knew that it would be easy for me to remain on the couch in a stupor but that more would be gained by working out.  I prayed that the results of my workout would give glory and honor to God, that I would attain more energy to better serve my family, and that I would become a better steward of my body.

I chose to complete my workout video.  I’m not sure what I was thinking.  The workout was just as demanding for me as the program.  I had to modify many of the exercises but I persevered and completed the workout.  My lower back needed the extra stretching.

Tomorrow, I plan to return to the program.

As I sit here and recap about my day and discernment, I’m left questioning my choice to workout.  Not that my working out was a bad thing, but, perhaps it was wrong ordered.  My family did not pray our family Rosary today.  Perhaps a better choice, more pleasing to God, would have been to gather the kids, wake dad, and pray.

Tomorrow is a new day!  I will keep Mother Angelica’s simple discernment close and remember the words from my Spiritual Director, “Don’t make greater expectations than we should.”  I pray to be right ordered and pleasing to Him, always.

Living for God

by Filed Under: Journal Entry, Meditations Leave a Comment

1.3.11

I’m going to be working on not letting my fitness consume me.  I do not want my prayer time to suffer.  Nor do I want my time with the children to be compromised.  I’m prayerfully going to take each step and remember that, although, I’m called to be fit (take care of my body), I’m also called to lie down my life for my family.  I’m prayerfully seeking the intercession of Our Blessed Mother to guide me in this area of my life.  May she show me what is too much and not enough.  May I follow her example and wholeheartedly serve those who’ve been entrusted to me, without holding back for anything.

I will continue to meditate on the quotes below, I do not want to be disqualified.

~~~

We should not be surprised to find, in our body and soul, the needle of pride, sensuality, envy, laziness and the desire to dominate others. This is a fact of life, proven by our personal experience. It is the point of departure and the normal context for winning in this intimate sport, this race toward our Father’s house. St Paul says: “That is how I run, intent on winning; that is how I fight, not beating the air. I treat my body hard and make it obey me for, having preached to others, I do not want to be disqualified.” ~ St. Josemaria Escrivia, Christ is Passing By, 75

 

A disciple of Christ will never treat anyone badly. Error he will call error, but the person in error he will correct with kindliness. Otherwise he will not be able to help him, to sanctify him. We must learn to live together, to understand one another, to make allowances, to be brotherly and, at all times, in the words of St John of the Cross, ‘where there is no love, put love and you will find love’; and we have to do this even in the apparently uninspiring circumstances that arise in our professional work or in our domestic and social life. You and I must therefore seek to make use of even the most trifling opportunities that come our way, to sanctify them, to sanctify ourselves and to sanctify those who share with us the same daily cares, sensing in our lives the sweet and inspiring burden of the work of co-redemption. ~ St. Josemaria Escrivia,Friends of God, 9

 

Forget about yourself. May your ambition be to live for your brothers alone, for souls, for the Church; in one word, for God. ~ St. Josemaria Escrivia Furrow, 630

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