Two More Tests

So tonight I took one of the last tests for my MBA. Call me excited. So, now it's down to two. One that is basically the exit exam for the MBA program and one that's for my Portfolio Theory class. Pure craziness. I can smell the degree beginning to be printed and it smells pretty good.

Easter

Easter was great. Went to church this morning with the parentals and my grandma. Then, I got to spend time with other family. It's always fun to see family. Then, I ended the day at Austin Stone Community Church, which was awesome.

Running / Diet

From someone who's never really been much of a runner, I thought I'd share what's worked for me in terms of running. I've discovered I need something to keep my mind off of running while I run. The four letter word iPod has worked for me. I download new artists or songs I haven't really heard. I end up actually listening to the words. When it's a song I know, I tend to focus back on running. I also have gotten to where I run from my house until I get tired. Then, I turn around and run back. Not focusing on the time or distance has helped me run more than I would normally.

Food-wise, I eat what I'm hungry for. I just make it a point to not eat as much as I used to. If I want a burger, I get a burger. I just leave the fries at the store. Also, I've started snacking at more frequent times. Nuts, fruits, string cheese, cheese and crackers, apple sauce, etc. It works. It's a big help to keep you from getting to the "starving" point. From my understanding, if you get to the "starving" point, your body stores what you eat as fat. If you eat snacks more often, your body digests it better.

Just a few thoughts on what has helped me.

Healthy Living

It's funny how once you get into a habit of living a more healthy lifestyle you find yourself sliding into more healthy things a lot easier. One of the biggest things for me was not so much to "lose weight" as much as to just get healthier. 20 pounds and 2 months later, I'm under 200 for the first time in years. I can't tell you how much better I feel about myself. I end up not wanting to eat as much crap or near as much. I find myself willing to do things that just a few months ago I wouldn't even consider. I went rock-climbing at Enchanted Rock Tuesday. By rock-climbing, I mean up the side of a rock, not hiking around a rock. Since coming back to school 3 years ago, I'm down about 35 pounds. It's funny how once I got busier, I made it a priority. I had gotten so lazy just a few years ago. I'm now to the point where I'm thinking about the possibility of a 5K or 10K just to challenge myself. Who knows? It's an interesting situation, to say the least. I don't shrug off athletic events anymore. Perhaps it's God's way of helping me be more healthy. Perhaps it's working in the athletics industry. I'm not real sure, but I like it and feel better about myself.

Lazy Days

I love lazy days. Today, I have gone to church, worked on school stuff, gone running, and now I'm watching the NCAA basketball tournament selection show. I love days like this. Tonight, I'm drafting my fantasy baseball team. Love it. That is all.

Life is Charming

So I can't seem to come up with a better way to describe life than just plain charming. It seems like every time I get to that point where I'm not sure what God has in store for me, He places someone or something in my life. I love my friends and family more than I could ever put into words. I am blessed beyond what I could have ever dreamed up on my own. I have a great job, good friends, a great family, and a roof over my head. I've come to the realization over the last day or two that I have a lot going for me these days. Once I get through with my MBA in May, I can't wait to see what's in store for me. We all have our struggles, but with faith He will see us through.

Communion

This is a blog I started a while back, yet never finished. I've typed the finish now and thought I'd go ahead and post it.

Have you ever thought about the significance of something as "simple" as communion? It's a special time. It's our reminder that Jesus' blood and body was a sacrifice for all the things we really stink at. It's a moving time for me to have communion presented in a fashion of "come when you're ready." The interesting thing about this to me is that I'm not sure we're ever truly "ready." None of us are deserving of the sacrifice that was made for us. That being said, knowing that the power of God, through His son and the Holy Spirit has made it possible for us to be worthy. When you think about the significance of how many times we, as Christians, screw up, you begin to realize the true importance of the blood and body that was shed. Next week is Easter and it reminds us the sacrifice that was made for us. I've stopped calling myself a Christian and started referring to myself as Servant. If I'm not a servant to God doing his will, it doesn't do me any good to call myself a Christian. The percentage of Americans who call themselves Christian is disturbing when you think about how many of those who call themselves Christians don't live as servants to Jesus Christ. It's a thought that's not necessarily very politically correct, but a realization I've come to over the last couple of months. Don't get me wrong here. We all struggle with sin. Lord knows I do. It's our role to rely on God to overcome our sin.