13.1 in 1/13

Who wants to join me in running 13.1 in 1/13? 

I hope to run the Callaway Gardens Half Marathon on January 27, 2013 and I would love it if you joined me!!! 

Here is my training schedule:

Prior to doing this training program you should build up your running to the point where you feel comfortable running a 6 mile run. You should also be comfortable running a total of three days a week.

During the training program be sure to take at least one day off a week from exercising. You can cross train for 30-40 minutes two to three days a week, if you like.

Key to schedule:

• Easy: run at a an easy pace
• Tempo: run at a race tempo pace
• Long: run at least one-two minutes a mile slower than your intended race pace
• Rest / XT: rest or cross train

Here is a link to registration for the  Callaway Gardens Half Marathon

*I'm not a running expert or a doctor. I suggest consulting one prior to joining the training program or signing up for a half marathon.*

I gotta run... God bless!

God is love,

Vanessa

5 Suggestions For the Average Facebook User {From An Expert}

So I have become that person on Facebook... you know, that person who is always there, somehow liking status updates all day. I use to wonder about people like me, "Don't they have other things they need to be doing? How are they on Facebook so much?"

 Be careful what you ask, because before you know it, you might live your answer. 


I recently moved across the country to Tennessee from Oregon; I'm a country away from most of our family and friends. Perhaps this is why I've become a Facebook addict. I don't really like analyzing this phenomena, so let's move on... 


With all the time that I've spent on Facebook the past few weeks, you might as well call me a Facebook expert... (how did it come to this so quickly...) and being the expert that I am, I have come up with 5 suggestions for the average Facebook user:


1. Don't Post Sh**. Literally. 
The other day I posted a status update that said this: 

"Just cleaned up my cat's diarrhea for the second morning in a row. Considered taking a picture and sharing it with you all, but decided not to. You're welcome."

I just knew that my friend and fellow cat lover Rebecca would think it's hilarious. But then I realized two things 1) she cleans her baby's poop every day and mentions nothing. 2) I should probably just text Rebecca.


Then I started thinking about all my friends who are nurses (especially the ones that work at nursing homes), and all my other friends who have babies... and what would Facebook be like if they all shared their daily interactions with poop... or worse.... Turns out poop isn't a big deal and should be kept to oneself. 

I deleted my status update and thought about people's interactions with poop the rest of the day. Learned that lesson!


2.  Facebook is Great if You Lose Your Dog.


Because of Facebook (& other factors which you can read about here) I was able to find my dog in 24 hours. 

But Facebook is not so good if you lose your keys, cell phone, money, or mind. Not much help there as it turns out.


3. People Are Watching You Watch.


I'm not sure why, but some video watching applications on Facebook allow everyone to see what videos people watch.

Am I the only one disturbed by the amount of people who watched the video about big zits? If you must watch stuff like that then please go over to YouTube, so I don't have to be embarrassed for you.


4. Last Logged In


Facebook should really have a "Last Logged In" function for every Facebook user. That way we could figure out who is a Facebook stalker (never posts, just looks) and who never logs on. I think I could clean up my Facebook friend list this way. We all have friends that claim they are never on Facebook but yet somehow know everything that has been posted... if you're a Facebook stalker, that's cool with me, just own up to it... That's all I ask. Openly admitting your addictions is the first step to recovery after all (thus this blog post.... *big sigh, head hung low*)


If this function were available, it would also have to have an option that said "Has Been Logged on Since..." for folks who have been logged on for over 3 hours. This would help us decipher the folks that never get off of Facebook. 

So mine would say "Last Logged in 5 Minutes Ago" and it would almost continually say that because I'm constantly logging on through out the day and staying logged in for just a few minutes. This function would really help my addiction because it would then become like a game to see how long I could go without logging in. By the way, I need a job. 


5. Facebook is What You Make of It.


If Facebook is a place that you choose to share the crazy drama in your life, then so be it. If it's a place to share your political beliefs in a cruel way, then so be it. If Facebook is a place that you choose to be a salesman, then so be it. Just know that I will block your updates from my feed, because I get embarrassed for you.

For me, Facebook is a place to connect with family and friends from all over the world. A place to share my life and my love for the Lord. It's ok if you block my updates in your feed, but just know, you might miss a diarrhea post... and some really good Bible verses. 




Lighten up already. It's just Facebook.


Oh. Ok.


God is love,
Vanessa the addict 



PS. Let's try to limit the self portraits on Facebook  to 3 a day, I get embarrassed for you. Duck lips need to be less. Ok I'm done.

Mountaintop Shout Out: "Produced By Faith" by DeVon Franklin

What is a Mountain Shout Out?
If you've read the "About Me" section on this blog or if you know me well; then you know that when I'm blessed by something, I instantly want to share it with the whole wide world. When I discover blessings, I instantly want to shout about the blessing from the mountain tops. And if you are a loved one, there's a good chance you'll hear about the new blessing on repeat for a few weeks. My husband laughs about this trait of mine, and tells me, "you're my all or nothing girl". For better or worse, I can't help it, it's my personality.


This is why I must share the blessing that is "Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self" by DeVon Franklin.

How I Discovered The Book, God's Perfect Timing:
I spent last Friday doing Anatomy and Physiology labs nearly all day. The labs took much longer than I had expected. My plan was to go to the Library after I had completed the labs. My local library is closed on Fridays, and so I planned to go to the Downtown Chattanooga Library which is about 30 minutes away. I didn't finish my labs until 4pm. After completing the labs, I hopped on Facbeook as I headed out the door, (I find I get on Facebook more than I ever have since moving across the country away from my family and friends) and quickly scrolled through my feed and saw the following video posted by two different friends:




As the video is finishing up, I pull the piece of paper from my purse that has the list of books that I wanted to check out from the library, and I write, "Produced by Faith" by DeVon Franklin. 


I get to the library only to discover that it costs $50 for a library card for people who don't live within Chattanooga city limits. My reason for going to the library was to save money and not buy the seven books that I had listed.


Determined
Do you ever get a nudge to keep pressing on and you're not sure why at the time? Often times that's the Holy Spirit (at least that's been my experience). And this was also the case last Friday. So I quickly left the library and headed to a used book store that had been recommended to me. I decided that I would allow myself to purchase one book. No luck at the used book store. Next I tried the Christian book store. Only one of the seven books were there, but I felt like I could that one book at a better price elsewhere. Still determined, but even more in a hurry because I was hoping to be home before Sabbath, (for reasons Mr. Franklin so eloquently explains to Ms. Oprah in the video above) I went to a popular chain book store. All of the books were there, including Mr. Franklin's. And as it just so happened,  Mr. Franklin's "Produced by Faith" was the best deal out of the bunch, and so that's what I bought. It's the best $16.38 (which includes sales tax) I've spent in quite a while (you can get it cheaper online at Amazon). 


If the libraries would have worked out that day, I likely would not have brought home "Produced by Faith" and if I had, I likely wouldn't have read it first. Now that I've read "Produced by Faith", I know why I needed to read it before I read the others...


Timing
For the first time in years I have had time to read things besides textbooks, and my Bible. Because I just moved across the country, I don't have a job (despite my active searching), I'm not heavily involved in a church like I was back home(but I'm getting more involved each week), and I'm only taking one class online (which will increase at the end of this month). Most of my family and friends are across the country and so is my husband who is fighting wildland fires. So this time in my life is unique. And God has been working over time. It's amazing what He can do when a person is out of their comfort zone (can I get an "Amen")!!! 


What does this have to do with "Produced by Faith"?
I'm out of my comfort zone to chase dreams and degrees. Before we moved a month ago, I became conscientious to the learning and growing I would also likely experience outside of Southern Adventist University's campus. And I could already write several posts (and likely will) about the things I've learned while being on "my own" (which we're never on our own with God in our lives). 


I pick up momentum like a freight train, with each day I've been chasin' these dreams of mine, and that's why it's as if God was like "Woah, before you run yourself off the tracks, let me put this book in your life..." 


"Produced by Faith" teaches me how to keep God included in every single step of achieving dreams, of being the person that God created me to be. That's my ultimate dream you see, I want to be the person God created me to be, because I know that's what's best for not only me or my husband, but also for the entire universe. On page 4 of Mr. Franklin's book he says,

"If I have learned anything, it's this: To get where you want to go, you first have to become the person God wants you to be."

"Produced by Faith" answers the "How?" or  "How do I do that? How do I become the person God wants me to be?". Don't worry the book isn't about some get rich quick scheme. It's not about finding some secret "easy button". It's all about trusting the Lord with every detail of your life and what that looks like.


Mr. Franklin, a Man of the Word
"Produced by Faith" is jammed back with  gems of truth. Too many to write down, so I highlighted them. Powerful points in yellow and Bible references in red. I highlighted the book in red 45 times (yes I counted). It's always refreshing to me, to read an author who clearly loves the Word as much or more than I do.  Franklin's story is of someone whom has completely surrendered his life to the Lord and has reaped the benefits of doing so. I'm so thankful that he also shares blessings and choose to share the life lessons he's learned!


Now go get the book! You really must read it for yourself!!! 


Here is a link to: "Super Soul Sunday" Full Episode: Oprah and DeVon Franklin on Keeping the Faith in Hollywood"

I would really love to hear what y'all think about "Produced by Faith" and the interview with Ms. Oprah!!! Care to share a comment below?


God is love,
Vanessa


PS. ***Disclaimer: Please, when considering this book, realize that it was a (huge) blessing for me at this time in my life. We are all at different points in our walk with the Lord, so it may not be a perfect fit for you like it was for me. For this reason, I humbly ask you to please pray before you purchase this book or any other book for that matter. I have no concerns or red flags about the book, but again we are all different. Thank you and may God bless you as you fulfill your purpose in Him.***


PSS. Here is a video of Mr. Franklin summarizing the book:  

PSSS. :) Thank you for continuing to pray for Colton and the Bingham family. If you don't know what I'm talking about then please read this post.