mrssarahmonk

[mrssarahmonk]

ONE WEEK

Until my dad, step mom, and two step sisters will be here!!!! I am SO excited to see them and show them the island! :) I have done as much planning as possible, so hopefully everything works out! I cannot wait to see them!!!!! It's been over a year...wayyyy too long in my opinion! Hope they have a good time, enjoy the island and everything else goes smoothly!

#personal #vacation #family #travel #hawaii

[mrssarahmonk]

Mondays.....

The only way I'm going to get through today is with my headphones in & worship music turned up loud. 

I know it is Monday, but cmon people, I am TRYING to be positive here. I want to be happy and full of joy and compassionate, and dedicated to my work! Chill out with the cursing and the complaining already....

#personal #work #worship

[mrssarahmonk]

Sounds like a YOU problem.....

Instead of enjoying the water park with my husband, I was CONSUMED in body image. In every direction I saw flat stomachs, sculpted thighs, nice round butts, thin arms.... etc etc (I'm in Hawaii remember) Now, not every body I saw was perfect by any means, but I could not help comparing everyone's body to my own. And I was devastated. 

I know that I have come a long way... Being 5'9 has it's advantages, but being 180 is not one of them. Thankfully, I lost 35 pounds before my wedding last May dropping from a size 12 to a size 8. Since then my weight has fluctuated between 145 and 150 and my size is between 6-8 in shorts/pants. (This morning I weighed in at 148) If you were to look at a height and weight chart I am perfectly 'healthy'. I fit into the weight range for a medium frame (which is what I am). Do I think I'm fat? No. Do I see room for improvement? YES. But whose fault is that?? No one's but my own. 

I am my own worst enemy. I constantly compare and instantly become let down when I see a better body than my own. But I had a revelation this weekend.... it's MY problem. My lifestyle does not reflect one that is trying to have the best body possible. My eating habits don't line up with someone who is trying to get/stay fit. So how can I bet mad or disappointed? I KNOW that I am the problem. 

Since going to the water park, I have ignited a new determination in myself. I want to have a lean, athletic feminine body for ME. I want my body to reflect self control, hard work, perseverance, but most importantly self worth. One day I'm going to be a mom, and I want my kids to be proud of my body when we go to the water park as a family. I want them to understand the importance of being healthy!! Not skinny.... healthy.

So... we are going on day 4 of eating clean and working out (weights + cardio). It's a great feeling knowing I am doing this for myself. I'm not doing this for anyone's approval, acknowledgement or love....I'm doing it for me. And I'm going to look and feel better because of it.

Bring it on bikini! 

#personal #health #weight #eatclean

[mrssarahmonk]

The birthday boy with some of his new gifts!! #24

#24

[mrssarahmonk]

Our heart will cry "BE GLORIFIED, be lifted High above all", for YOU are King and with everything we will shout fourth Your praise!!!!!!!

[mrssarahmonk]

[mrssarahmonk]

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

Ladies, let's start believing the truth the Lord tells us rather than the lies Satan whispers to us. #wearebeautiful 

[mrssarahmonk]

[mrssarahmonk]

Epiphany

I HAVE to get out of the way so God can do His work. 

As a control freak, I try and inch my way into every corner of my life, including my relationships (especially my marriage). Today it came full circle to me. When I shut up and back off about a situation, it allows God to work in that area. He can use me yes, but when I try and control and manipulate his timing...I am just another burden rather than a servant. I learned the real meaning of 'let go and let God' today. He is faithful

#personal #God #timing #marriedlife #prayer

[mrssarahmonk]

Then there is this....

THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS TO BREAK EVERY CHAIN.

Every chain I have, that I just listed, even the ones that I didn't God's all sufficient sacrifice has the power to break every single one. He already won. The cross is enough. I have to remember the cross is enough, there is power in the name of Jesus, the cross is enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNAV98bAqng

#humbled thecross Jesus chains redemption youtube

[mrssarahmonk]

Case of the Mondays....

Today I feel defeated, deflated, bloated, blah, numb, just not here.

I have so many things going on in my head that it just kinda stopped. 

My weight, my eating habits, who I am as a person, student loan debt, building a house, affording a house in CHS, maintenance on my bug, looking into what we can afford towards a newer car when we get back to CHS without affecting a down payment for a home, my skin problems, missing home, strengthening my marriage, sex, issues with my birth control and how it is affecting my body, trying to make a doctor's appointment with the Army is impossible, being sore from the gym, making time for the gym, finding motivation to go to the gym, balancing wants and needs, effective communication, clean clothes that need to be put away, clothes that need to be ironed, Lexie needs quality time too, drinking 6 bottles of water a day is harder than it sounds, going to the bathroom 235734697 times a day is annoying, being 5000 miles away when four of your closest friends are getting married, oh and don't forget I need to go by the grocery story after work after the gym, what's for dinner?, Proverbs 31, time and discipline & a willing heart for quiet time, I wish I could visit my brother at Clemson......I JUST WANT MY BRAIN TO STOP.

And for my life to straighten out all on its own. 

Until then...back to work I go.

#stressed

[mrssarahmonk]

[mrssarahmonk]

All of the praise unto Your name FOREVER!!!

[mrssarahmonk]

Your Glory God is what our hearts long for....

#worship #humility #Gospel

[mrssarahmonk]

I am happy happy happy

[mrssarahmonk]

Blessings in disguise

You can't understand the value, purpose and worth having a friend is until you don't have any. 

Moving to Hawaii has been great. Leaving behind all my friends though has been a bit of a challenge. And...making new ones really isn't my strong suite. 

Today I had lunch with two friends I have made here on the island. I cannot tell you how happy my heart is. To be sitting at a table full of girls and just laughing all through lunch. I don't need ten acquaintances, I need real, close friendships. 

One girl in particular has been nothing but genuine with me. I truly value her friendship, honesty, hospitality and personality. We click so well together! She doesn't even know how much of a blessing she has been to me. She always goes above and beyond and is such a giver! 

Thank you Lord for hearing my cries and sending me these women! Such a blessing in disguise! 

#friends #girl time #happy #life in hawaii #blessing #answeredprayers

[mrssarahmonk]

When you take your problems and worries to God in prayer, just remember that you are praying to…

- the God who walked on water - the God who caused the blind to see - the God who caused the paraplegic to stand, jump, and run.. - the God who drove out demons - the God who parted the Red sea - the God who caused water to flow from a rock - the God who sees the future - the God who raised the dead - the God who holds the planets in orbit - the God who spoke the sun and moon into existence - the God who spoke the stars into existence - the God who spoke the animals into existence - the God who knelt in the dirt to form us and gave us the breath of life.. - the God who loves you - the God who died for you - the God who defeated death itself

HE IS THE GOD YOU PRAY TO; Remember that.