O the Bliss of waking up to birds chirping and a gentle breeze blowing through the tent!
after a delicious breakfast of yogart and fruit parfett's, it was time to take the bikes out for a lil ride around the Park. man, i have respect for Triathete's. i dont know how you sit on that seat so long! it was a good work out, Lake Anna is not too hilly, it was fun exploring around. just before heading back to the campsite we biked down to the lake and before we knew it, Brittany and i were watching Aimee roll herslef (purposefully) right into the lake! twas great!
After we broke down the camp, grabbed a quick bite, and dropped some things off at Aimee's, we were off to the Rappahanok for some Tubing!!!
after our intense morning of biking, we were ready to chil in a tube and float down the river for a couple hours. we were quickly becoming very grateful for our awesome water shoes when we had to walk our tubes over the rocks, through the algae and seaweed and shallow parts which were becoming more frequent! though we got a good distance of relaxed floating, when we turned the corner the wind picked up...and it was blowing against us. Since the river was quite low, the current was overpowered by the wind and we found ourselves layin on our stomachs paddleing with our hands and arms through the river. poor Britt kept getting caught on rocks and algae patches, she was about done.
None of us had been on this river before so though we knew our end destination, we had no idea how far away it was or how long it was going to take us to reach that point. we had anticipated it taking us about 4 hours. none of us had watches or anything with a clock so we had no idea where we were or what time it was. for reals, it was crazy! lol
there came a point where we realized when we walked through the water vs. floating and paddleing we were going faster. and our backs were getting a break, so we just walked it. tripping and falling all over the rocks. stepping in seaweed and algae. sinking in the sand as we walked. Then, Aimee said "If only we could find a trail that goes through those woods over there." not even five minutes later, she spots something in white rolling through the woods and ventures towards it. Britt and I follow her and sure enough, the white figure she had seen was a biker, thus leading us to the Trail! with our tubes on our backs we climbed onto the trail and began walking. Some more bikers came through, we must have been a strange sight. 3 girls in their bathingsuites, dripping wet, carrying water tubes. they informed us that the trail would lead us to Fall Hill and we were so excited! by this point we still were unsure of how long we had been in the water. we kept walking...and walking...andwalking! walked under 95 and up and over a huge hill and finally came to...The Fall Hill Ghetto! lol. k, picture it again, 3 girls, bathingsuits, water tubes, dripping wet, walking through the Ghetto.
Luckily i had brought a shirt along with me, i had no idea why, but Aimee was able to us it and britt and i used our deflated tubes to cover as we walked through. got on to fall hill and reached the truck! what a glorious site to see! FIVE HOURS LATER!!!!! and had we stayed in the river and trecked on, it would have been another 2 hours!
after that, we were STARVING! we ended the day with Pizza and icetea at Aimee's.
hours later, after we were showered and ready to crash, Britt discovered that our route was a 6 mile stretch, of which we stayed in the water for about 4-5miles.
for future trips, we will be bringing a waterproof camera for the many hilarious moments (such as falling out of the tube, or slipping on the rocks...) we will be making sure that we get out sooner! and that the river is higher so that there will actually be a current to take us and help us avoid all those stinkin rocks!
it was an awesome day, and we all slept very soundly and well!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
camping
O the BLISS!!!! O the amazingness of the outdoors! this week has been FULL to the brim with wonderous adventures outdoors!
Thursday night, Aimee and I met up at Lake Anna State Park to set up the campsite and gather wood. Aimee Scott is wilderness woman extrodinare! She was picking up logs and smacking them against tree trunks to break them for firewood.
it began to rain while we were setting up the tent, luckily, the storm blew right over us and we only got a slight drizzle.
Just after we were done pumping the tires in the bikes it was time to get britt from CWAC. (Thanks Jen for the shortcut through the back roads)
by the time Britt and i returned to the site it was just about dark and aimee had the fire blazin! we made hotdogs (the only time i ever eat hotdogs is when camping) and just as we were prepin our s'more, the drizzle of rain came back and we scurried to get all the food and stuff in her truck. the drizzle lasted about the same amount of time it took to get everything in the truck! but the S'mores were tasty!
we went on a lil walk down to the lake round 10, our pump flashlight was not that helpful as it went out like 3 times! Amen for Cellphones!
with a crazy packed day planned for the morning, we headed to bed.
Thursday night, Aimee and I met up at Lake Anna State Park to set up the campsite and gather wood. Aimee Scott is wilderness woman extrodinare! She was picking up logs and smacking them against tree trunks to break them for firewood.
it began to rain while we were setting up the tent, luckily, the storm blew right over us and we only got a slight drizzle.
Just after we were done pumping the tires in the bikes it was time to get britt from CWAC. (Thanks Jen for the shortcut through the back roads)
by the time Britt and i returned to the site it was just about dark and aimee had the fire blazin! we made hotdogs (the only time i ever eat hotdogs is when camping) and just as we were prepin our s'more, the drizzle of rain came back and we scurried to get all the food and stuff in her truck. the drizzle lasted about the same amount of time it took to get everything in the truck! but the S'mores were tasty!
we went on a lil walk down to the lake round 10, our pump flashlight was not that helpful as it went out like 3 times! Amen for Cellphones!
with a crazy packed day planned for the morning, we headed to bed.
Old Rag
Wednesday, I set out to Old Rag Mountain with a couple friends: Brittany, Josh, Shane and Gabby. I have always heard everyone talk about this amazing hike and being deprived of mountains in Florida, i was determined to hike this before the summer was out.
We arrived at the mountain around 8:30. Decided we would take the shorter trail, 3 miles, and began our hike at 8:45am. for the first half of the incline, it was like any other mountian trail i had been on, steep and a nice path. then we came to the Rocks! Let the fun begin!
we found a dog on the trail amidst the rocks, called the owner, owner was rude. the dog looked etremely weak and tired. we were saddened by this...
Ok, while i have a fear of heights, over the years i have begun to realize that to let my fears run my life will only have me miss out on some awesome opportunities. When ever im faced with a height fear to overcome, i let my self freak out internally for a few seconds, take a deep breath, and just go for it! this method was used mucho wednesday as we had to jump up, down, over and under rocks along the mountainside.
its a good think josh and shane were there to guide us and help us up some of the rocks.
the views along the way and at the peak were INCREDIBLE!! so worth it! I love how each mountain top view i have seen is completely different then the one before. God has such creativity that he created each uniquely!
for our decent, we chose the 4.5 mile route, basically meaning we circled the mountian that day! it was great! this trail was just as steep as the other one had been, but was a steady steep and didnt have the crazy rock wall and maze that the other side did. At the end of the day, im glad we went down the 4.5 mile way, but i love and will probably always hike up using the 3 mile route. its mucho fun and awesome!
pics are posted on faceboook.
We arrived at the mountain around 8:30. Decided we would take the shorter trail, 3 miles, and began our hike at 8:45am. for the first half of the incline, it was like any other mountian trail i had been on, steep and a nice path. then we came to the Rocks! Let the fun begin!
we found a dog on the trail amidst the rocks, called the owner, owner was rude. the dog looked etremely weak and tired. we were saddened by this...
Ok, while i have a fear of heights, over the years i have begun to realize that to let my fears run my life will only have me miss out on some awesome opportunities. When ever im faced with a height fear to overcome, i let my self freak out internally for a few seconds, take a deep breath, and just go for it! this method was used mucho wednesday as we had to jump up, down, over and under rocks along the mountainside.
its a good think josh and shane were there to guide us and help us up some of the rocks.
the views along the way and at the peak were INCREDIBLE!! so worth it! I love how each mountain top view i have seen is completely different then the one before. God has such creativity that he created each uniquely!
for our decent, we chose the 4.5 mile route, basically meaning we circled the mountian that day! it was great! this trail was just as steep as the other one had been, but was a steady steep and didnt have the crazy rock wall and maze that the other side did. At the end of the day, im glad we went down the 4.5 mile way, but i love and will probably always hike up using the 3 mile route. its mucho fun and awesome!
pics are posted on faceboook.
Friday, July 23, 2010
thought of the day
"Have nothing to do with irrelevant, silly myths. rather train yourselves for godliness. for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way as it holds promises for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Tim. 4:7-8
21st
July 21st was my 21st Birthday! this week has been pretty much centered around it! the Lord has really provided for our family recently, thus making it possible to purchase a few items that were on my "gonna need them pretty soon" list that i would not have otherwise been able to afford.
When I got back from SBCV Studentz Camp on Friday, my dad had called to tell me that he wanted to get me a new laptop for school since mine was on its last leg. So, on Sunday, after church, i met up with him at my parents house and off we went to Best Buy. The laptop is stinkin Awesome! i am truly grateful for this blessing, Dad did not have to do this, and i definitly dont deserve it. But it is so awesome!
After Best Buy we went and test drove a car at the Toyota Dealer in Stafford. Great car, too expensive. next thing i knew we were setting up a time to meet up during the week to go Car shopping!
Tuesday was full! I was surprised by the Ladies at Bible Study with a Surprise bday celebration complete with cupcakes and gifts and amazing people! After that, my dad and i headed to Pohanka Honda where we test drove and purchased a 2001 Honda Civic. Silver. a DEFINITE Gift from God (and my Dad). and I believe that God was looking out for us even more so because the car broke down on the way home from the dealer so the dealer had it towed back and they are fixing it free of charge. these repairs, had they come a month or so from now would have had to be repaired from our pocket so BLESSING that they are going to fix it. (praying that that is truly the only thing needing to be fixed). PTL!
Wednesday, the actual day, i loaded up in my mom's car(AC) with Brittany and Josh, Gabby, and Zach. our plan was to go to Old Rag Mountain in Shenendoah National Forest and hike to the peak. Ive always wanted to do this and i figured for my 21st bday it sounded like a brilliant plan! well, nature didnt think so. we got almost the entire way there and had to turn around because of rain. we proceeded to try to find something else to do. out of bowling, putt putt, funland and chic-fil-a, Chic-fil-a was the only success. so went home and relaxed. watched tv, took naps(we had gotten up at 6 to go hiking so we were tired) and played trouble. Momma Shaw came home and we went out for chinese, (part one of her surprises) after bible study they had cake and sang happy birthday to me. Got the most stinkin hilarious cards from the shaw fam. then it was glorious bedtime!
this was seriously the best birthday ever! my previous 3 bdays were spent working at camps, not a bad thing, but family and friends were not there. i enjoyed being able to celebrate with them. not to mention it was the "golden Bday". and it was my first year in like 10yrs of having a bday party-ish. i felt special and loved by the 2 surprise days! how does one get so lucky!
Thank you Lord, for your blessings this week and for your protection and provision all throughout my life! Thank you for the breath i breathe and the love that you have placed in my life via such awesome family and friends!
When I got back from SBCV Studentz Camp on Friday, my dad had called to tell me that he wanted to get me a new laptop for school since mine was on its last leg. So, on Sunday, after church, i met up with him at my parents house and off we went to Best Buy. The laptop is stinkin Awesome! i am truly grateful for this blessing, Dad did not have to do this, and i definitly dont deserve it. But it is so awesome!
After Best Buy we went and test drove a car at the Toyota Dealer in Stafford. Great car, too expensive. next thing i knew we were setting up a time to meet up during the week to go Car shopping!
Tuesday was full! I was surprised by the Ladies at Bible Study with a Surprise bday celebration complete with cupcakes and gifts and amazing people! After that, my dad and i headed to Pohanka Honda where we test drove and purchased a 2001 Honda Civic. Silver. a DEFINITE Gift from God (and my Dad). and I believe that God was looking out for us even more so because the car broke down on the way home from the dealer so the dealer had it towed back and they are fixing it free of charge. these repairs, had they come a month or so from now would have had to be repaired from our pocket so BLESSING that they are going to fix it. (praying that that is truly the only thing needing to be fixed). PTL!
Wednesday, the actual day, i loaded up in my mom's car(AC) with Brittany and Josh, Gabby, and Zach. our plan was to go to Old Rag Mountain in Shenendoah National Forest and hike to the peak. Ive always wanted to do this and i figured for my 21st bday it sounded like a brilliant plan! well, nature didnt think so. we got almost the entire way there and had to turn around because of rain. we proceeded to try to find something else to do. out of bowling, putt putt, funland and chic-fil-a, Chic-fil-a was the only success. so went home and relaxed. watched tv, took naps(we had gotten up at 6 to go hiking so we were tired) and played trouble. Momma Shaw came home and we went out for chinese, (part one of her surprises) after bible study they had cake and sang happy birthday to me. Got the most stinkin hilarious cards from the shaw fam. then it was glorious bedtime!
this was seriously the best birthday ever! my previous 3 bdays were spent working at camps, not a bad thing, but family and friends were not there. i enjoyed being able to celebrate with them. not to mention it was the "golden Bday". and it was my first year in like 10yrs of having a bday party-ish. i felt special and loved by the 2 surprise days! how does one get so lucky!
Thank you Lord, for your blessings this week and for your protection and provision all throughout my life! Thank you for the breath i breathe and the love that you have placed in my life via such awesome family and friends!
Monday, July 19, 2010
thought of the day.
i like to go/dream for the impossible, but the realist in me says it just wont happen. goodness gracious.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
disecting the brain
im definitly one track minded. i become very tunnel visioned and focused for one thing. and when that one thing has hit its climax, my attention span diminishes.
Camp was my one thing i was focused on and tunnel visioned for. now that its over, my mind cant help but vere off to thoughts of school starting back up.
With a renewed outlook as the one the Lord has been producing in me this summer, i want to finish strong and get to school! So much to think about! FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS!!!! im freakin out!
i miss my school buddies.
Camp was my one thing i was focused on and tunnel visioned for. now that its over, my mind cant help but vere off to thoughts of school starting back up.
With a renewed outlook as the one the Lord has been producing in me this summer, i want to finish strong and get to school! So much to think about! FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS!!!! im freakin out!
i miss my school buddies.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
update
let me just say, had i gone to Liberty University, i would have the craziest calf muscles ever!! no joke! so many stairs and distance between everything is crazy! im back in the grove!
i had just about forgot my secret weapon to weightoss, CAMP! which can be translated to no stop activity and choosing salad instead of nasty greece filled mess. :) lost about 5lbs this week just cause of all the walking and stairs and tons of water and portioned not crazy meals! (go figure!)
i had just about forgot my secret weapon to weightoss, CAMP! which can be translated to no stop activity and choosing salad instead of nasty greece filled mess. :) lost about 5lbs this week just cause of all the walking and stairs and tons of water and portioned not crazy meals! (go figure!)
camp
I was on staff with the SBCV Studentz Camp this past week.
God rocked the house! we can now welcome 100+ into the family and Praise the Lord for the 40+other decisions that were made. one statement that the speaker made to the students was that they need to be ready because "the devil will be waiting in their driveway." for clarification, he was illustrating that Christ had gotten ahold of their hearts this week at camp and that sickens Satan. He was cautioning them to be on guard and aware of what they would face as they return to reality, to life outside of camp. Please join in praying for these. Our Brothers and Sisters need us to join along side them, praying for and encouraging them. though you may never meet any of them, please join in praying that they would hold on to the truth of God. and that they would rely on him for strength when faced with temptation. Pray the they CLING to His word as if it were the very breath they breath.
The Lord also refreshed me this week. Challenged me to not give up, to pursue holiness even more fervently then ever. He blessed my life this week. felt like i was falling in love with Him all over again. Amen for a great week of serving along side some amazing people, and for conversations i will never forget :)
God rocked the house! we can now welcome 100+ into the family and Praise the Lord for the 40+other decisions that were made. one statement that the speaker made to the students was that they need to be ready because "the devil will be waiting in their driveway." for clarification, he was illustrating that Christ had gotten ahold of their hearts this week at camp and that sickens Satan. He was cautioning them to be on guard and aware of what they would face as they return to reality, to life outside of camp. Please join in praying for these. Our Brothers and Sisters need us to join along side them, praying for and encouraging them. though you may never meet any of them, please join in praying that they would hold on to the truth of God. and that they would rely on him for strength when faced with temptation. Pray the they CLING to His word as if it were the very breath they breath.
The Lord also refreshed me this week. Challenged me to not give up, to pursue holiness even more fervently then ever. He blessed my life this week. felt like i was falling in love with Him all over again. Amen for a great week of serving along side some amazing people, and for conversations i will never forget :)
Friday, July 9, 2010
F.
Well, im off tomorrow for a week in Lynchburg, VA. Studentz Camp 2010 is my destination. once im done here at CWAC for the day, i will be off to pack and get ready.
Prayer Request:
Lord, make me invisible. Lord, be the only one that is visible this week. May the words that come from my mouth be Your words. May You be glorified in all that happens. Break down our walls, reveal to each of us Your Truth. May we come face to face with you this week and unable to leave unchanged. Help me to lay aside selfishness, pride, any thing that is of me and my desires. Help me to lean on you and you alone for strength, for joy, for wisdom, for discernment. Lord. Wipe out everything that is blocking us from seeing Your heart and following Your will, example, and commands.
Prayer Request:
Lord, make me invisible. Lord, be the only one that is visible this week. May the words that come from my mouth be Your words. May You be glorified in all that happens. Break down our walls, reveal to each of us Your Truth. May we come face to face with you this week and unable to leave unchanged. Help me to lay aside selfishness, pride, any thing that is of me and my desires. Help me to lean on you and you alone for strength, for joy, for wisdom, for discernment. Lord. Wipe out everything that is blocking us from seeing Your heart and following Your will, example, and commands.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
my drug of choice
i have an extreme urge to go jogging, alas, it is 10:30pm and im babysitting and ive already been freaked out by movements outside....
earlier this weekend i had one of those moments where i just felt like a blob. just completely off and in a daze...
i want to start new, but at the same time I am tired of starting new, and im reminded of how hard it was to let go of bad habits. habits i had gotten rid of but have slowly crept back in the last few months.
Keeping focused on the goal is key and so that is what i will do.
today, the Lord blessed me with the urge to LIVE! i dont know if i sound ridiculous now, but what i mean by that is that my gloppy feeling that has lingered over me the last week or so just really sickened me today. and i found myself soaking in the sun as if it were my strength. swimming in the Lake with the Garman girls, wishing to just go free and swim around the entire area. and as i road Annie's bike, i was reminded of how amazing it feels to have the wind blowing at your face. I got a taste of what i have missed so much today.
why do i so easily forget these beautiful things in life?
I want to live. i want to "feel the burn" that somehow says i have accomplished something today! i want to soak in the beauty of the world around me that the Lord provided, that He created!
thats the kind of medicine that is good for my soul.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
epic failure
first couple days doing this and its already an epic failure! my streak of not gaining or losing any weight has broken, but not in my favor.
i shudder to write that i have gained 5lbs.
this is stinkin hard...
back to the drawing board.
lets try:
no eating after 6:30pm
one desert a week
ive not been doing good about writing down what i eat...
i need to revamp the exercise thing...right now i need to figure out when i can make time to exercise. usually the nights are all i got, but when i excercise at night i cant get to sleep, so i dont excercise because i have to be able to sleep to get up in the morning for work.
maybe ill try something DRASTIC!!! like p90x....?
i shudder to write that i have gained 5lbs.
this is stinkin hard...
back to the drawing board.
lets try:
no eating after 6:30pm
one desert a week
ive not been doing good about writing down what i eat...
i need to revamp the exercise thing...right now i need to figure out when i can make time to exercise. usually the nights are all i got, but when i excercise at night i cant get to sleep, so i dont excercise because i have to be able to sleep to get up in the morning for work.
maybe ill try something DRASTIC!!! like p90x....?
Friday, July 2, 2010
Acountability
this past semester and into this summer, i have had a seriously dead time in my goals of becoming a healthy 20 year old. its been tough to not see myself loosing weight as easily and consistently as i have the past few years since Graduating High school. for the last 3 summers, i have been able to shed about 15-20lbs a summer (40-50ish lbs). this is great! and I'm so excited to be healthier then i was in High school, Mentally, Physically and Spiritually.
but I'm in a slump. I've hit the wall. i haven't gained or lost weight in the last 6months. so while that is good, and while i have accomplished some success, my goal still is not met. I'm not the completely healthy person that God created me to be, or that i desire to be.
I sought out assistance from a dietitian on Base, but in order to see her i have to attend a class, which is offered twice a month and always seems to be when I'm either scheduled with CWAC or doing something else for my internship. so i asked if i could just meet with here privately. i really just want to get a move on this. i want to get started for Pete's SAKE! i have questions, but alas, i cant meet with the dietitian till i go to the class.
while that is on hold for now, i will just have to take matters in my own hands for now. I have set some goals and am going to blog about them for accountability purposes.
this is an ego buster for sure because i am going to admit on here to my weight and to everything about my weight loss journey. this is all i know to do, i figure, if my pride gets me in trouble most of the time, i might as well use it strategically.
I will be transparent. and well, i just ask that if you have any negative comments (excluding some constructive criticism) please keep them to yourself. please understand this is hard for me to do. but i promise to be honest.
Its always been about a lifestyle change for me in my attempt to be a healthier person. diets have never worked for me. I'm a free going person who loses focus alot and diets become a drag and i just usually drop them.
I don't know much about the ins and outs of health food and whats truly good and truly bad for me...thus is why i wanted to talk with the dietitian...so we shall see how this goes. advise is welcome.
The GOALS!!
GOAL Weight-145
GOAL BMI- 24
Strategies:
control portions.
record what i eat.
utilize my-calorie-counter.com
exercise- walk/jog 10 miles a week, or 30-45 minutes a day.
continue drinking a ton of water!!
Starting weight- (i cant believe I'm doing this...) 213 lbs
Starting BMI- 35.4
but I'm in a slump. I've hit the wall. i haven't gained or lost weight in the last 6months. so while that is good, and while i have accomplished some success, my goal still is not met. I'm not the completely healthy person that God created me to be, or that i desire to be.
I sought out assistance from a dietitian on Base, but in order to see her i have to attend a class, which is offered twice a month and always seems to be when I'm either scheduled with CWAC or doing something else for my internship. so i asked if i could just meet with here privately. i really just want to get a move on this. i want to get started for Pete's SAKE! i have questions, but alas, i cant meet with the dietitian till i go to the class.
while that is on hold for now, i will just have to take matters in my own hands for now. I have set some goals and am going to blog about them for accountability purposes.
this is an ego buster for sure because i am going to admit on here to my weight and to everything about my weight loss journey. this is all i know to do, i figure, if my pride gets me in trouble most of the time, i might as well use it strategically.
I will be transparent. and well, i just ask that if you have any negative comments (excluding some constructive criticism) please keep them to yourself. please understand this is hard for me to do. but i promise to be honest.
Its always been about a lifestyle change for me in my attempt to be a healthier person. diets have never worked for me. I'm a free going person who loses focus alot and diets become a drag and i just usually drop them.
I don't know much about the ins and outs of health food and whats truly good and truly bad for me...thus is why i wanted to talk with the dietitian...so we shall see how this goes. advise is welcome.
The GOALS!!
GOAL Weight-145
GOAL BMI- 24
Strategies:
control portions.
record what i eat.
utilize my-calorie-counter.com
exercise- walk/jog 10 miles a week, or 30-45 minutes a day.
continue drinking a ton of water!!
Starting weight- (i cant believe I'm doing this...) 213 lbs
Starting BMI- 35.4
E.
My Crazy week of the summer is over. i met some great people that i got to work with who came up all the way from the Eastern Shore of VA. miss them already, they were such a blessing!
at CWAC right now.
new post series to come.
at CWAC right now.
new post series to come.
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