When I saw this I knew that this is what I needed to post about today.

My father-in-law, Scott aced his CNA written test today & received a new job at the hospital this week as well. We couldn't be more excited for the direction of his new career & that he is enjoying it so much! Scott & Darla have truly been an example of what true faith looks like... Thank you both for having complete faith that in God's timing & that a perfect door will open for you! Its been amazing to see God work lately in & around me!

I am also proud of my husband, Jeremy. Each year he amazes me more & more! I am excited to see where this season takes us! I am praying that we continue to have faith in God's timing :) 

Have faith in God's timing this season!

Where do you find your self-worth? Is it in your job? your accomplishments? your bank account? your family? your kids? your jean size? your husband or boyfriend?

I must admit that I have let my self-worth lie in one of those categories at least once in my life... today as we were driving to the field I heard the song What Love Really Means by JJ Heller & it just reminded me how thankful I am that I don't have to find my worth from anything in this world because my Father loves me for ME. I think so many times as women & especially in the lifestyle we are in that we can get caught up in how we look in our clothes & what clothes we have... or who what level our husband is playing baseball at or their career status.. or maybe even our own career status.... am I at the top? What really is the top anyway? Or maybe if I was just thinner my husband would really love me?

I have a friend who puts alot of stress & effort into what others perceive her as... wealthy. in shape. Godly. Hardworking. Overachiever.  etc.... I tend to find myself here sometimes too. (more than I really want to admit) I don't want to long to get my worth or fulfillment in my accomplishments but in my Savior. He is where we find true worth & fulfillment. I don't have to prove anything.

NOT in my jean size, hair cuts, clothes, career status', accomplishments...  my worth is in HIM.

Why do we stress so much about what other people think or how they perceive us as? Why not instead be who you are? Today I am going to be ME & be confident in the fact that my Father loves me for me :) Has it ever occurred to you that God placed you where you are & made you perfectly in his image for a purpose? Yes, I am talking about you. YOU have a purpose in this world today. Go fulfill His purpose for you today!

"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:7

You are WORTH it. 

God's Love.

I tend to not want to post a blog just to post one but to wait until I am really moved by something & want to share... so here is what God is showing me lately. 

Through all the different things I am going through or around daily God keeps showing me the same thing, love. From how I am suppose to love as a mother, wife, personal trainer, friend, & even stranger to many.

Here in Arizona I tend to notice how there are so many different kinds of people... Let's just say sometimes people are crying out for love yet it can be mistaken for being "rude."I will be running with Jace in his jogging stroller up & down 79th street's sidewalk & people will literally stare me in the face, keep walking, & cause us to run off in the grass.... We will be in line at the gas station & I see the others in line who are well, miserable...you can see it in their eyes when they curse the person behind the counter... The person who is counting change to make sure they get every lottery ticket they can buy each day bc just maybe if they win that will give them fulfillment..We will be at an away baseball game & literally not be noticed... a friend of mine's son held the door open for a group of people (he is 4yr old) & not one person said thank you... When these things happen I just think, "wow! Are you kidding me?" but something God has been telling me when I see them is... its like a whisper in my ear, "I love them too... love them Sarah, show them who I am." Now I think.."Wow! What can I do? And... who am I to look down upon them? If I don't show God's love to them who will?" This breaks my heart...

So, with all that said this morning as Jace & I went for our run I began to think about what will Jesus ask me? What have I done to show him to others? Am I loving enough?? Loving the way he does? Am I serving the hungry, thirsty, homeless?? Am I making a difference in this world? Or am I just caught up in my world? How am I reacting to others?

We did a study in the off season called the Radical by David Platt & one thing that was discussed was the verses in Matthew 25. ( ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40)

I want to be so radical not just in the big things but the small things too... my daily life. This means to not just show love on mission trips (which by all means we all should do!) but the people on the streets, the pregnant teenage girl whose debit cards are declining at the grocery store, the grumpy old man at the baseball games, the lost baseball players, the kids roaming the mall, the homeless man staring you down as you turn at that stoplight, the lady who cuts you off on the sidewalk, your friends, your family, & your children. 

God didn't say love who you want... he said.. 

Love your neighbors as yourself. Share my love.

Today I am humbled & pray I love on others today.

Lord, forgive me where I fail you.

Chicago: 3 million people & 500,000 college students from all over the world...

Today I want to ask you to be praying for a group in Chicago on a mission trip.

My brother-in-law, Scott, took a group of 19 high school seniors & college students to Chicago on a mission trip for the week of spring break. 

They will be working at two Chicago universities during the day, working in the community of Maywood in the late afternoons, & feeding the homeless in the evenings.

Here are the names of the group in Chicago: 

-Steve Clark

-Sky Farley

-Scott Greenland

-Abby Hahn

-Emily Hahn

-Danielle Haralson

-Carol Jackson

-Sami Garroutte

-Brett Knaust

-Calli Knight

-Derek Maloy

-James Rehanek

-Tonya Rehanek

-Justin Romaine

-Matt Shearer

-Heidi Stair

-Abby Tanner

-Chelsea Treloar

-Wes Walker

I want to ask you to be praying for this group today & the rest of the week. I also want to ask you to be praying for the people they will be in contact with.... college students, maywood community, & the homeless at night. Pray that this group will see every opportunity that is given to share Christ & serve this week. On Friday Scott told me that the college campuses do not have a BSM (baptist student ministry) or anything relevant to that... they are hoping to help get something started eventually at these campuses. 

I am looking forward to hearing how God worked this week in Chicago! I will be sure to update you on the trip when they get back! Thank you so much for your prayers!!!

*Let us not forget to be praying for Japan & everyone affected by this tragedy... 

One thing I know Jeremy is looking forward to having when we buy a house is his own garage with his tools. I remember last off-season when he was building his own portable pitching mound he stayed out in the garage for hours. He had borrowed some of both our dad's tools & with all those tools he poured right into his project. Without these tools he would have not been able to complete his pitching mound. Every now & then he would holler at me to bring him a tool... I am definitely not an expert at naming tools. If it would have been me building this mound I would have had to hire someone else to either do it for me or show me what tools to use. This brings me to my blog today....

What kind of tools are you missing in your life to be healthy? Maybe you are like I was when Jeremy asked me for a philips screwdriver.... "wait which one is that one? The flat one?" lol... Its ok, you can laugh at me :) Maybe you know you want to eat healthy but you don't know what that looks like? Is that eating fat free foods? Do I need to just drink diet pop & not regular? Do I just need to walk for 30 minutes to lose weight? Not sure?

I think alot of people want to be healthy. Truly, honestly want to have a healthier lifestyle... However, they are missing key tools to use in order to accomplish this goal. As a personal trainer my goal everyday is to show my clients the proper tools to change their life.... physically, spiritually, & emotionally.

 So how can you learn these tools?

I am starting a program to help women learn how to make lifetime choices on a day to day basis & hold them accountable for 6 months. After 6 months I will be confident in knowing that they know the tools they need to have in order to keep this a lifestyle & not a diet program. These tools are key.

In order to reach any goal you must have the tools to get there.

p.s. If you are interested in the Lifechangeher program please contact me @ hefnerfitness@yahoo.com :)

First group starts in April!!!!!

Lifechangeher

A 6-month mentoring program designed to help women create & establish solid habits physically, spiritually, & emotionally.

You might ask:

What will I be doing these next 6 months?

-Along with 11 other women you will be making daily decisions to be a healthier you!

Examples:

-Time management strategies

-New recipes

-Grocery lists

-Reading

-Workout routine (in home, no equipment, & personalized)

-Accountability calls from Sarah

-Weekly 30 min conference call with the group (guest speaker each week!)

-Setting goals

-Weekly homework

-Recommended vitamins & resources

*Along with many other day to day tips!

How often will you visit my home?

Your first visit will your “kick off to a new lifestyle visit” & we will go through the Lifechangeher packet,  set your goals & choose a workout that helps you reach those goals along with doing this workout together. I will visit your home once a month to reevaluate your progress & goals. At this time I will go through a new workout with you :)


***I will be emailing you flip videos with video of myself doing each exercise of your workout routine for reference! :) No excuses, right?!

What kind of commitment will this require?

This will require FULL commitment to taking small steps each day to a healthier lifestyle in order to reach your goals.

How much does it cost?

$600 for 6 months or $100/month

*You are able to set up a payment plan. Please contact Sarah for details.

Why should I commit to the 6-month program?

This program is for you to learn how to make being physically, spiritually, & emotionally fit apart of your daily life. A lifestyle. You will have a personal trainer as your resource & one that is willing to pour into you for 6 straight months. This allows you to get more out of your money$$ than just those “I’m totally lost here” trips to the gym that sometimes just don’t make sense to fit into our schedules anyway! You DESERVE time for you!

It takes 30 days to create a habit & 3 days to break it. 

Want to sign-up?

Contact:

Sarah Hefner

(405)564-4048

or

hefnerfitness@yahoo.com

*Once you join Lifechangeher you are a lifetime member to all classes & events offered by Hefner Fitness!

Jace has been cutting 3 teeth for a total of 7! :) I cannot believe how fast our little boy is growing!!! With that said... I cannot believe how amazing & exciting each day it is to be mommy.

This morning around 3:45 Jace woke up crying for me because he has gotten the bug Jeremy & I both have had... Normally I would let him cry himself back to sleep but as mom I could tell it wasn't his normal cry so I went & picked him up. The minute I grabbed him he clung on to my shirt & wouldn't let go. I could tell he wasn't feeling well... All he wanted to do was lay right next to me in my bed with the tightest grip on my shirt. If I even tried to move & get comfortable he pulled on my shirt & said... "mamamama"... it broke my heart so I decided not to move ;)

When I got home this morning after running & training he was feeling like his old self again, thank the Lord! I hate to see him not feel good or hurt. We played for awhile once I got home & laughed alot.... The minute I sat him down to fix a drink he went after his basketball in the entry way (tile floor) & all of a sudden I heard a loud BOOM. Jace had fallen face first on the tile floor... normally he crys for just a second & gets right back up... today he sat up & blood...yes, BLOOD was running down his face. I took a deep breath & tried not to panic. He has NEVER held my shirt this tight before! Thankfully he just busted his lip open a little bit but it scared me so bad!

We put some ice on it & I held him for a really long time until he started smiling again... I gave him his tylenol & juice & off for his nap he went! I felt so bad everytime I looked at his little lip... When I laid him in his bed to take his nap I sat & looked at him for a minute...shook my head & said, "Ok God... here we go! This won't be the last time my son hurts himself so I better get use to him being a boy!" Then I turned around & shut the door behind me... 

I began to wonder what other kind of "accidents" my son will have growing up...  you know, the typical boy accidents... I am sure I will have too many to remember but no matter how many times he bumps his head or cuts his knees I will always hurt for him. I know for myself that even as a little girl I have PLENTY of stories to share (maybe thats just bc I was clumsy & still am?lol) so I know to expect these things from a little boy.

So, as mothers & fathers we can feel the pain for our children... even as they grow up. It's almost like we are putting ourselves in their shoes, right? Well, last night at the youth's Wednesday service Scott & Steph were talking about how the word tells us in 1 Peter 3:8 to have sympathy for one another... He isn't just talking about our children & when they are hurt, our friends, or even just our family.... but the whole world. This is going to hurt but this means.... EVERYONE. This means to have that same type of sympathy we have for our own kids for the one who teaches your kids the things you DON't want them learning at school to your co-worker that you want fired so bad you can't stand it to your neighbor who complains about everything you do to the homeless man on the street. He wants us to love like Him. 

If Jesus is God's son don't you think he had that same kind of sympathy for Jesus we have for our kids when they bust their lip open? I can't imagine how he felt the day he was crucified on the cross. That is how much LOVE our God has for us. He gave up his only son for YOU. Yes, you, me, & everyone in this world. Hard to grasp but so thankful I live for a God who loves me that much because when I look at Jace I can't stand to see him even cry a tear. Our God wants us to love everyone like that... He doesn't say love your kids, your family favorites, & your group of friends like I love you... but in 1 Peter 3:8 Peter told us we were to love EVERYONE... I think sometimes I get so caught up in what is going on in my world I forget that this isn't a suggestion but a commandment everyday. God's love is big. The next time I see Jace hurting I will be reminded that the sympathy & love I feel for him is just a smidge of what that day was like when Jesus was on the cross & I will remember just how much our God loves us & how I am to love others that much too.

I am humbled today by God's love.

Let us love each other today the way God loves us! Let's put others first & not make today about us!

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 
 1 Peter 3:8