Fitness & Friends

Our fitness class at LBC has been exercising and fellowshipping together for almost a year and a half now. We have changed the name of our class to "Fitness & Friends." Being in the fitness industry can be a challenge in several ways, but is mostly a joy. I feel challenged when assisting someone with their fitness because I want the best for that individual. The difficult part is everybody is different!

 

I have made a slight change to our bi-weekly fitness class. For now, Tuesday is called Boot Camp, and Thursday night is called Functional Fitness. I suggest newcomers to try Functional Fitness first.

 

Both classes follow the routine of :

1. Warm up

2. Exercise

3. Cool down

*And we finish with a devotional time.

 

The devotionals have changed since we've begun the class. We've had attendants give a devo, I've read from devo books, and last week I shared this verse:

 

"As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you.

Remain in My love. . .
I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."

John 15:9 & 11

The people I love in my life stem from my love from God.
Even though, I fail in some relationships, my hope is to remain in His love.
 

Samford friends
 

 

LBC friends

 

My other half :)

 

 Sara, Joseph, and me (I have no idea what year this was....)

 

The Griffin family last summer

 

 

 

 

Devotional time in Fitness & Friends is important to me and the group.

Usually, we continue to fellowship together for a few minutes.

I have grown to love my fitness class and look forward to new attendees.

26th Birthday

I'm realizing every birthday is different. Turning 26 this month was different than every other birthday. I'm a year closer to 30, catching up to my husband. So far, I've enjoyed my 20s, even though there have been highs and lows. Later, I hope to find out how great the 30s can be!

Since my birthday was on a Wednesday, I celebrated with local family and friends during the week. The following weekend, Mom & Dad came to Lineville for a visit. I loved having them in town for a weekend.

 

Fellowship with my parents and Martha & Buddy

(and Cooper!!!)

 

A birthday celebration isn't complete without a cake or some kind of dessert.

My cake (and cupcakes) came from Just a Little Frosting.

 

The strawberry was delicious!

And the variety of cupcakes were too.

Yes, I did shared some my birthday cake and cupcakes.

 

 

John 15:9

"As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you.

Remain in My love."

Big Day cont'd

I would like to give more detail about our Sunday School lesson that I briefly mentioned in my last post. We wrapped up a study about "The Life of Christ."
This lesson was titled "Exalted Like No Other."

*We began with Ephesians 1:3-14.

1. Planning our salvation (v.3-6)
2. Accomplish our salvation (v.7-12)
3. Securing our salvation (13-14)

**In Ephesians 1:7-10, we discussed these terms.

Redemption       Forgiveness
Grace                 Lavished
Wisdom             Understanding
                           Mystery


***Ephesians 1:18-21

Seeing the heart with 3 realities:
1. The hope of His calling
2. The riches of His inheritance
3. The immeasurable greatness of His power

Our Bible Study book has the quote: "Jesus now has many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His cross." -Thomas A Kempis

****Ephesians 1:22-23
"As His body, we are called to serve one another. Love one another. Honor one another. Encourage one another. Forgive one another. Instruct one another. . . . .
We are to function fully under the direction of our head, Jesus Christ. We are to reflect and honor Jesus in all that we do. We are His hands and feet."



Usually, we finish class with three ways to "Live It Out". . .
1. Thoughts: Do my thoughts honor the Lord?
2. Words: ...talk to others with the honor they deserve as people made in His image.
3. Actions: Keep a journal for a week of how you spend your time and assess if you're honoring Jesus...




I didn't plan to reteach my Sunday School lesson, but I truly enjoyed learning this lesson last Sunday. Also, I love our teacher and class dearly.

And, I love our church. This pic is from Chris & Jordyn's wedding shower the other day at LBC.

 

"The Big Day"

Hey y'all,

 

We had "The Big Day" at LBC this Sunday.

 

*We enjoyed our Sunday School classes. (Ephesians 1 in my class)

1. Thoughts 2. Words 3. Actions

 

**Church service was great. (Snapshots of Revelation)

1. Jesus is the Alpha & Omega

2. Jesus is the Lamb of God

3. Jesus is the righteous Judge

4. Jesus is the King of Kings

5. Jesus is the Bridegroom

 

Then. . . . time to eat!

 

***Our picnic was moved to the gym.

Friends helped decorate. Sunday School classes planned meals together last minute.

And we loved having visitors join lunch.

 

My wonderful Seekers class. We were missing several important few that couldn't be at lunch.

 

 

The "Keenagers" playing chicken scratch. . . .

 

 

Great time with family

 

 

Fellowship with friends

 

 

More family and friends!

 

 

The young children and youth group had fun too!

I have several pics of the youth group (look for on Instagram).

 

 

"Let His life and ministry flow through the story of your life."

-LifeWay Adults: Bible Studies for Life

 

With Love,

Stephanie

 

 

 

 

Early Morning

I'm slowly becoming a so-called early bird. I awoke early this morning, and didn't need to get ready for a work until over an hour later. . . .

I started my quiet morning with some "mind-body" exercise,  which we do sometime in our Fitness & Fellowship class. Then, I turned on some Christian music and retrieved one of my devotionals. I've begun reading Beth Moore's "Further Still."

I've done a Bible Study by Beth Moore with a group in college and really enjoyed it. I'm a fan of her and already enjoy "Further Still," (a.k.a. my devotional.) The book is subtitled "a collection of poetry and vignettes."

Reading "Further Still" the other day, I was picking topics from the table of contents and read whatever pulled at my heart. This morning, I started at the beginning and want to share the Scripture  she quotes to begin the book:

Matthew 26:36-39

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."


This Scripture and devotional is helping me as April has been a whirlwind for me (and some of my friends and some of my family). However, it's was also my 26th birthday this month! (sigh, I'm a year younger right?!)

As I continue to read, I want to share this poem by Beth Moore:

I May Never Walk on Water

 

I may never walk on water,

but I'll never drown.

God may never part the oceans

but I'll stand my ground.

My faith is not in my beliefs

but in the One I've found.

His Word is sure,

when I am not

His heart and mine are bound.

 

 





Until next time. . .
Much love,

Steph

Oregon

spring break

Jarred had Spring Break last week. And we were both ready for a vaca. 

We flew into Portland Wednesday morning.

Jarred and I rented a car and drove to the beautiful coast. We visited the "Goonies" house in Astoria.

 

Next, we drove to Cannon Beach to stay at a historical, sweet B&B. I've dreamed of staying at one and we had a wonderful experience.

 

At Ecola State Park, we saw (real close) some wild elk. This is only one of the breath-taking views of God's creation we saw on the coast. (I had trouble uploading a great pic Jarred took from a different view).

 

 

From the coast, we drove towards Mt. Hood, east of Portland

which is when we began to see snow. . . in April. Wha?

 

 

Jarred and I wandered up to Mount Hood, to ride the "Magic Mile," a mile-long ski lift ride up the mountain and down - not even to the top!

 

 

Which turned out for a pretty and fun view for good pics.

 

 

From Mt Hood, we drove back towards Portland but stopped for some scenic views along the way.

 

 

We saw some waterfalls.

 

 

 

I enjoyed the Multnomah Falls.

"Water is the driver of nature." -Leonardo de Vinci

 

 

 

We spent Friday touring the city, enjoying good food, and picking up some souvenirs.

 

Saturday was travel home to Clay County day.

 

We had a wonderful trip.

 

Steph & Jarred