In Memory of Joan E. Young

Joan was a part of my life for probably 58 years.  First she held me in the nursery at church, later taught me in Sunday School, then when I was an acolyte, she would fix my robe before I would leave the choir room.  Later when she married my dad she became my step mom ... the word step mom can bring bad thoughts to one's mind in the world of Disney ...

but I'm really not a princess.  

She helped me, a 20 something grow into a strong young woman by giving me space and teaching me to clean the hair trap in the bathtub!  Yeah she hated when I was a slob. 

Later at my wedding she was the mother of the bride, then most importantly to her she became the grandmother of my children.  She doted on my boys Michael and Peter, babysitting often.  Joan bought them their first suit then taught them to be respectful young men.  When the children were babies she would often take them and disappear, teaching and loving on them.  

We called her the baby-napper.  

When my husband, Ken and I were thinking of adopting a daughter, she said, "there's always room in her heart to love one more!"  

That is who Joan was, always finding room for one more.  

She loved and doted on Theresa as much as the boys.  Just this past fall she got to hold her first great-grandchild, Adelia and I saw that twinkle in her eyes once more ...

The baby-napper had returned.   

My dad said she picked up strays, as he often referred to himself.  Family and inclusiveness was important to her, no one was ever left out, even if she didn't agree with your politics, you knew you were always included with Joan.  

One thing she always wanted to know was how my brothers were doing.   She wanted me to have a close relationship with them because she knew that family was all you had, besides God in your life and that was important.  As the years went on and my relationships got somewhat better with my brothers it made her happy because she wanted to me to always have family. 

Her legacy is one of love, compassion and bringing people together.  

May 2, 1930 ~ February 13, 2016 

I Need You In CLASS!

So you started an exercise class? Your instructor was great! She was energetic and fun!  You notice that class is large and everyone is engaged.  Leaving the class you think wow that instructor is great and that was a great class!  

Well, let me say YOU may be the reason that the instructor was great!  

I've been teaching 30 years and I have learned that it isn't all about me.  I need you in my class!  

When I new person walks in to my class, I'm nervous but also excited of what that person might bring to my class.   New participates coming into class will pump up the energy in the room, just by them being there.   So the next time you are starting out to a new exercise class and think you are going to be nervous or feel awkward, 

know this, just by you being there ... 

the energy level will go up.  

Energy in a fitness is class is a good thing! You need it to make the class motivating for all participates.  

I will teach my scheduled classes if there is 1 person there or I will teach it if there are 100 people there!  I know if you came to class, you were expecting to exercise, so I won't let you down. But the class is more enjoyable for all when it is a full class. 

SO 

When you can't make it to class know you that you are missed!  The more the merrier! 

When the class is filled,  the energy is up as well.  The instructor gets pumped and so will you.  So if you are thinking of skipping class today...

... DON'T!  

THE REST OF THE CLASS AND THE INSTRUCTOR NEEDS YOU THERE!  

Going Grain Free

Recently here in my family, we decided  we would do a month of grain free eating, which means we have taken all foods containing grains out of our diet.   Why you might ask?  Most of today's grains are highly processed and can cause many problems in the body.  I already am gluten free because I have a disease called Celiac.  This affects my small intestine and literally destroys the villi that aids in absorption by the body.  So I am already on my way to being grain free.  

Eating grain free is a TEMPORARY way of eating to encourage some changes in your body.  It reduces inflammation, detoxs the body, forces more vegetables in the diet, and can be a jump start to a weight loss program. 

If you were thinking of going grain free here are some things you may want to consider. 

First of all, here is the list of main whole grains and sudo grains (Carbs high in sugar that raise the insulin in your body) that I have taken out of my diet.  Wheat, barley, millet, rye, corn, malt, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, and rice. Sudo grains are white potatoes and some legumes.  Again I want to stress this is only temporary and after a period of time I will be introducing gluten free grains back into my diet.  Probably one per week.  

Second thing is that you will feel some cravings and maybe be irritable or experience headaches.  If you decide to do this remember you must eat more fruits and vegetables to make up for the loss of fiber and carbohydrates. There are many great recipes for grain free eating, just goggle grain free eating and a whole new world will open to you.

Drama in the News... CNN .. MSNBC .. FOX oh my who do I watch?

I have had many thoughts about this week's shooting ... I have listened to opinions on both sides.  I've heard the sheriff, John Hanlin state that he will not use the shooter's name ... and now many news medias are not using his name as well. But we all know it ... and with that said ... I just think we are graving drama in this country.  How many of you follow these stories?  I mean I do, so I'm not pointing any fingers but I think that is the problem.  We have too much access to what is going on immediately.  Just turn on the TV and there it is... instantly anyone who commits one of these horrific crimes, is all over the TV, even if their names aren't mentioned.  We will find their name and everything about them.  We will remember it for our lifetime and so we will have helped them succeed in their quest for being 'someone' for eternity.

I heard a quote from a convicted serial killer.  Travis Forbes... he killed one young woman in Denver and almost killed another in Fort Collins.  He said, "society is addicted to drama and that every tragic story presented by the media feeds the monster."  We DO feed that monster ... HOW do we change this?  WE can't reclaim TV or the 4 channels most of us grew up with. Technology is here to stay.  Not by changing the laws or by promoting mental health legislation because we all know that takes time.  So we need a solution NOW ...  we can change things by realizing everyone wants to be needed and loved.  If we can do that in our own homes and neighborhoods, I believe we can make a difference for the future in this society.   It starts with you ... Will you make the difference?

Sands, a Little too Deep

Some call me crazy...
      Some call me adventurous ...
              Some call me a dreamer ...

I'm not sure which characteristic is correct.  Maybe I just don't think and do things impulsively. One thing I do know about myself is that I don't like things to be boring.

When I ride my bike I like to go off  the paved trail, I like to ride in the dessert where it is bumpy and rough.  Since I've been riding on these desert trails I have learned that sand is hard to ride through.  If you are coming off a jump or going fast you have to keep peddling when you hit the sand or your bike will make a dead stop but your body will keep going and fly through the air.

Now that is adventure! 

I don't know why I like adventure but I do.  I like lots of adventure.  I don't think I live dangerously but sometimes I think I can do almost anything I set out to accomplish.  Oh there are times when I get sidetracked with old baggage but it doesn't take long until I'm back up and running, or should I say peddling.

Music is one thing that really helps me to get back on the right path.  All kinds of music.  I love to listen to words of the song and usually the more upbeat a song is the more it pleases my taste.

"Beyond Me" is a song I've been listening too a lot lately... 

That You gave me the stars, put them out of my reach

Called me to waters a little too deep

Oh, I've never been so aware of my need 

You keep on making me see 

It's way beyond me 

           Tobymac

The other day I hit sand too deep just as the song was playing on my iPod.   I thought wow ... I've been called to sand too deep but if I keep peddling I will get through.

I don't think we are to give up on dreams.  We are to keep peddling.  It might be a little hard going but once through the deep sand, that feeling of accomplishment, knowing you did it, will flood your soul...

And when in those deep places remember, you are never alone.  You will have the equipment to make it to the other side. The people in your life are there to help you through those deep sands or waters.  All you have to do is reach out...

BUT... 
        MAYBE ...

When you reach out you will be actually helping someone else out of a deep place.  You see, I think this life is bigger than any thing we can imagine.  I think there are forces at work that we don't see, working towards our good and urging us to be kind, or adventurous.  

Don't be afraid to be seek adventure or dream big dreams.  

IT IS ...

Way Beyond Me & YOU ... God HAS called us all to do great things.  Some things may not seem GREAT but they may be to someone else, especially if you are doing a kind thing for a random person.

We need to keep peddling and ...
   
        looking for those acts of kindness that help others ...
         
                             "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.  Aesop
         

Adelia Rose and other family news

Soon we will be welcoming a new member into our home; introducing Adelia Rose! Our first grandchild will be coming into our world sometime this summer.  It has been a rough go so far and we are praying the birth with be the easy part.  Our daughter-in-law Amy and our son Michael live with our for the time being and we are hoping that baby Adelia will be born at home.  We do ask for your prayers.

Michael is still looking for full time work, he presently works part time for a web design company.  Recently they were hit with a need for a new car since their car of 11 years and 190,000 miles died.  They did get a good deal but will need more income to purchase a home in the fall. 

Peter is also looking for a new teaching job either back east or here in Arizona. 

Theresa is still taking online classes at Grand Canyon University and is getting connected to some young ladies through a Bible Study.

Ken continues to love his job ... it is nice that we don't hear that phone ring 24/7!  And I am hoping to get more involved with the church we have been attending.   

If you remember to keep us in your prayers it would be greatly appreciated! 

Slowing Down ... for now

So I'm finding myself finally adjusting to Arizona life. I knew that I was settling in when I realized I was not really excited about going back to Pittsburgh. At first I thought it was the snow but as I got out of the car at the airport, I knew home wasn't a building that our processions are arranged in a decorative manner or is it a city where our favorite sports team resides. It is the people we live with or who are in our lives.  

Moving from Pittsburgh after living there my entire life has been a adjustment to say the least.

Here are the feelings I believed I would experience:  

I thought I would be anxious about going to the gym, never did I think I would be able to relax as a student in any fitness class. I thought I would find myself with nothing to do most of the time. I was ready to experience boredom and insomnia.  
I'm finding myself enjoying the slower pace.  

I think I'm even kinda busy but I'm not sure doing what.  

I really like the instructors at the gym and I'm proud of myself, I'm not critiquing them AT ALL! I am enjoying just dancing, singing, and not thinking. I'm walking the dogs most everyday which is something I hardly even did in Pittsburgh. I'm enjoying spending extra time with my daughter. And my daughter in law has gotten me in to cooking shows. Dinner could end up being a new adventure every day!  I am happy just spending more time at home putzing around.

This move has become a release of myself; kinda of what Jesus says in Luke 9:23-24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” 

I have left some of the most wonderful people and a rewarding career, but I'm looking forward to the path ahead.  I like to look at the lessons in nature, the redwood tree is so tall and mighty, but the seed has to decompose, die, before it can become a mighty tree. 

I'm happy that my friends are still in my life, thanks to Facebook, Twitter, email, and texting. As far as a career, God has something in store for me, I'm not sure what but I can't wait to find out. It will be exciting!