Operation: Fortitude Fitness Update (Month #1)

Happy February Folks!!

Hopefully this post finds you still moving strong towards your "Getting SMART with 2012" goals... We are heading into month #2 and I'm hopeful that you are still hanging on to your goals and have not already fallen off track like a 6-year-old trying to use their dog to pull their Red Rider Wagon. 

Source Here

Anywho... As promised, I am checking back in with you, updating all of you wonderful and faithful readers on my personal progress. I don't write these things to say "LOOK AT MEEEEEE!" but rather I am using this blog as my accountability partner. It would be pretty awkward to repost each month and say "Yeah, I didn't do anything productive with the last 30 days." 

It's been a good month... (To view the original "goal" post, click here. Get it? Goalpost? It's almost the Superbowl? Ok, I'm done.) 

Here we go: 

SMART Change #1: Operation Fort-itude Fitness. 

This was obviously month number one. In short, my goal was to log 98 miles per the month via biking, swimming, running, elliptical etc to begin my "travels" from Fort Benning, GA to Fort Riley, Kansas. Also, in order to stay on track with my strength training, I needed to do 2,500 various reps per month. 

RESULT: GOAL MET!!

I started out slow on this one since the first week of January was super busy for my ministry... but the last three weeks I have really picked it up. I logged 160.5 miles!! (62.5 miles over goal) This puts me at Forestdale, Alabama on my route! (For all of you non-southern readers, that is on the northwest side of Birmingham. Glad I made it through traffic in one piece.)  As for reps, I completed 2,811. Oh... and I added a new 5K time improvement running plan to keep my running accountable. Totally thrilled with meeting this goal! 

I made it from point A to point B... Very encouraging!
Next Stop: Mississippi! 

SMART Change #2: Spend at least one hour per day in the Lord's presence by using my new Jesus Calling Devotional and studying the accompanying Scripture. I will also continue to keep a prayer request list in a notebook and/or iPad.

RESULT: GOAL MET!!

I've been faithful to this goal... and man oh MAN has it been amazing!! God has done a HUGE work on my heart so far and I have fallen head over heels deeper in love with Jesus. (Side note: Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for some new, big, and exciting ministry changes coming!) Oh, and can I mention that He has already answered 27 prayers just in this month? 

SMART Change #3: Complete my 1000 Gift List (inspired by Ann Voskamp's book) by the end of 2012.

RESULT: ON GOING

I'm not at 1000 yet, but since  my first post, I have doubled the number of gifts on my list. As of today, I am at #422. I'm swimming in a sea of gratitude. Amazing. 

SMART Change #4: Memorize a book of the Bible, starting with 1 John. 

RESULT: ON GOING

Honestly, I am really excited and pleased how this goal is going. Out of all of them, I thought this would be the most challenging. Yes, it has been challenging as the NIV84 format of 1 John is what I have now deemed the book of "excessive pronouns and prepositions." I have learned a ton and made it all the way to 1 John 2:18. Very pleased with my progress. 

SMART Change #5: Ruthlessly Eliminate Hurry and submit to God DAILY in all areas of my life. 

RESULT: ON GOING

Again, it's kind of hard to measure this goal... It's probably something I am going to have to focus on the for the rest of my life. BUT... The extra time in prayer and reliance on Him has been evident that there is work being done in my heart. 

How is 2012 shaping up for you? I would love to hear about your progress. 

Oh, and thanks so much for the support and kind words. But remember, I really didn't have much to do with this list... "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

Stay SMART, 

SGK 

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back." --Philippians 4:12-14 (MSG)

Six-word living

Today we are going to talk about dying. Death. Kicking the bucket. Pushing up daisies. Walking the golden streets with Jesus. The eternal nap.

You get my drift. 

I know, I know, death can be a very dark, trying and sad subject, especially if it is unexpected or painful. But hey, life is short (pun intended) so why not look at this light-hearted. After all... I know where I am going and I hope you do too. (Gonna be knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door. Someday.) 

But in order to die, a person typically lives some type of life before that point. So maybe today's post isn't about the actual dying process, but rather the LIVING process. 

One of my favorite songs that got me through one of the roughest points of my life (when I didn't know if I could keep going) was a song called How You Live by Point of Grace. (Watch the video and listen here.)

The best part of that song is part of the chorus when it says "Cause it's not who you knew... it's not what you did... it's how you live." 

Can I get an AMEN?!?

Let's take it a step even further. It's not just how you live, but who you live FOR. Think about it. What or who are you living for right this moment? 

For more information go to
http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/

Earlier this week, I was introduced to the concept of Six-word Memoirs. I was surprised that I had never really heard about it, but I am hooked. I have been walking around all week thinking about different memoirs... and perhaps what mine would be. (To read the history of Six-Word Memoirs, check out this article. 

Six word memoirs can be funny, sad, moving or somewhere in between. The basic concept is to be able to write your "life story" in six words. Here are some examples. 

"Most creative when avoiding a deadline."

"Would've, Could've, should've, didn't, didn't, didn't." 

"Living the dream, don't wake me up." 

"Born bald. Grew hair. Bald again." 

"Battled cancer, richly blessed with friends." 

"Rock bottom became the solid foundation." 

You get the picture. Hopefully, you are already thinking about what your six-word memoir might look like... 

And I have started to think about mine. Fortunately/unfortunately, mine varies by the day. Some ideas might include: 

Army wife. Supporter of chocolate industry.

Puppy mama who trains with sarcasm. 

Woke up Monday. Back to bed. 

Playing sports equals consistently broken face. 

Great housekeeper when company is coming. 

Professional pep-talker, even when not wanted.  

(Hyphens count as one word, right?) 

Oh look, that is another one.

Used AMERICA as random multipurpose expression.

Starts focused. Sees shiny. Epic fail.

I could go on... but I want to give you the chance to think of your OWN six-word memoir. How are you living your life? If you died today, what legacy would you leave behind? Please feel free to comment here and share one (or more) of your own six-word memoirs. 

Think about this... mediate on it. What would GOD like your memoir to look like? Remember, it's not who you knew or what you did but how you lived. And WHO you lived FOR. 

Oh, and I have figured out my six-word memoir, at least for today: 

Jesus called. Slowly followed. Richly rewarded!

Gettin' creative with random blog topics, 

SGK

"To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life." --Romans 2:7

Getting SMART with 2012

Welp. It's a New Year, America. 

Sorry. That was kind of an obvious statement. But obvious or not, Happy 2012. I hope you are excited... because I am!! (After sitting in church yesterday morning, I have a feeling God has some BIG plans for us this year.) 

I used to be a person of big "resolutions." I would have all these grand plans of losing a bajillion pounds in a week and reading one letter of the encyclopedia per week. (Only a slight exaggeration.) Then of course, in about 3-5 wks  (if it lasted that long) I would lose steam and be back where I started... If not further off course. 

So. What's the key to setting successful goals? They have to be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Bound. 

It's okay if your resolution-ish statements don't lend themselves to all of these traits. But let's try to make it happen... Together... With God's help. 

I am going to make myself pretty vulnerable here. By sharing with you my SMART lifestyle changes (note: I did not say resolutions) I am calling you out as my accountability group. GULP. (That being said... I would LOVE if you would comment and share a 2012 lifestyle change of your own.) 

Here we go. Deep breath. Saying some prayers. Annnnddd... 

SMART Change #1: Operation Fort-itude Fitness. Let me explain. I had this idea during our time on leave in Kansas. I knew I needed a new workout routine... I have done Couch to 5K, P90X and even used a personal trainer. But I want something new. And free. Heres the idea... 

Over the next ten months from January 2nd to October 2nd I will "travel" from Fort Benning, Georgia to Fort Riley, Kansas (Fort-itude-- get it?) by walking, running, swimming, biking and elliptical. It is 980 miles total and breaks down to about 24 miles per wk. I will log my progress on a wall map to see where I am hypothetically "traveling." But Sharita? What about strength training? Never fear, that too shall be incorporated into my routine... I will log 25,000 reps of strength/core work by the time I "reach" Fort Riley. (Average: about 104 reps per day or I can do a couple hundred reps a few times a week.) 

WHEW. That was a big one. Here are some more, yet simpler SMART lifestyle changes that I will incorporate or continue to improve on. 

SMART Change #2: Spend at least one hour per day in the Lord's presence by using my new Jesus Calling Devotional and studying the accompanying Scripture. I will also continue to keep a prayer request list in a notebook and/or iPad. 

SMART Change #3: Complete my 1000 Gift List (inspired by Ann Voskamp's book) by the end of 2012 (although I believe it could be much sooner than that... if so... I will just keep adding to it!) 

SMART Change #4: Memorize a book of the Bible, starting with 1 John. 

SMART Change #5: Ruthlessly Eliminate Hurry and submit to God DAILY in all areas of my life. (Not super specific, I know. But I do know what I am supposed to be doing with it and have been working on it for a few months now anyways.) 

Some of these SMART changes will flex up and down throughout the year... some new goals may surface or God could lead me in a whole different direction. But now is the time for change. We worship a God of fresh starts. Ask Him to wipe the slate clean and join me in getting SMART with 2012. 

With a heart of anticipation, 

SGK 

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." --Roman 12:2


Share your SMART changes and leave a comment here.

Happy Dance Celebration

Cue the confetti! Crank up the dancing tunes! Get out the party hats! Release the balloons!

Uh huh, uh huh, uh-huh-uh-huh-UH-HUH!!

Why are we celebrating? A few reasons:

1. God loves me (and you) :-) We have a lot to be thankful for!

2. I FINISHED MY MASTERS DEGREE!!!! I hit the final "submit" button last Friday for my Masters of Arts in Christian Leadership... So excited, relieved and thankful that I no longer have to write research papers.  From start to finish, my masters degree took me 310 days. Yes, I was "booking" it (literally!) and the completion of this big life step is clearly an indication of God's power working in my life. I'm celebrating whatever He has in store for me next! 

3. Today is my 94th blog post... so I am rounding up and preparing for my 100th blog post, which according to my calculations will be next Tuesday. In honor of this upcoming milestone, I am doing a giveaway to YOU... 

ALL. THIS. WEEK. The winner of the "Leadership by Faith" prize package (that's what I am calling it) will be announced on the day of my 100th post (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)

The prize package will include: 

• Book: "Share Jesus without Fear" by William Fay
• Book: "Winning with People" by John Maxwell
• Book: Either "Wild at Heart" (for a guy )or "Captivating" (for a gal) by John and Stasi Eldredge 
• An "Easy" button (Staples) 
• A "Panic" Button (Hoops & Yo Yo) Note: both "buttons" are hilarious/fun... and productive-ish for home/office use. 

Sound good? AWESOME! Now, you might be asking: "Um, Sharita, how can I enter this awesome celebration giveaway?" Pick one of the following ways: 

1. Leave a comment on this blog or any of my daily blogs between today and next Monday.  

2. Spread the word about his giveaway via Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, email, etc. and let me know that you did that by leaving a comment so I can make sure you are included in our auto-generated number drawing. 

3. Follow me on Twitter (@SharitaKnobloch) If you are already a faithful follower, leave a comment and let me know :-) 

4. Follow this blog by either signing up for it via email, Google Reader, or Networked blogs. (You can do this all via the side bar.) And, as the pattern has shown... leave a comment to let me know you are a follower.

Folks, my heart is SO joyful right now!! God has brought me through some awesome (and challenging) life experiences... but through it all, He had (and still has) a plan for my life in ministry & leadership. I want to share that joy with you... This giveaway is not for my glory, nor is the request to share this blog/link to make my name "known..." Rather, it is an opportunity to share the gospel throughout the nations and for us to grow spiritually together as a family of Christ. The glory ALL goes to God. He called me to it... and is faith and continues to do it! 

Excited to share my joy with you! 100th blog post & masters diploma, here we come. 

Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go do a happy dance in my living room. 

God rocks my socks, 

SGK 

"For seven days celebrate the Feast to the LORD your God at the place the LORD will choose. For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." --Deuteronomy 16:15

Here's to Kicking the Bucket... list (Part 2)

We have all heard that with God, all things are possible. 

And while he certainly can do ANYTHING and achieve great miracles, sometimes we can rejoice in the small things... Like having faith to accomplish the potentially goofy things on our "Bucket List." 

If you missed yesterday's entry, you might want to get caught up and read "Part 1" of this mini-series at Kicking the Bucket... List (Part 1) to avoid any confusion. :-)

As promised, today I am sharing with you things that I have yet to accomplish on my Bucket List... Just writing down some these words fills me with such passion and excitement that I can't describe it! Praising God for the "little things!" 

One more thing to know-- there isn't a limit to how many things you can have... I still periodically add things as they come to me! 

Sharita Lo-Quita-Jo-Mama's Bucket list... Still "To do." 

• Go to Mardis Gras
• Write a "real" book
• Experience a Minnesota Winter
• Go to Alaska
• Donate a scholarship
• Speak at an important event
• Send my parents to Australia
• Take little brother Dal to Disney World
• Visit all 50 states
• Visit all 7 continents
• Own a house
• Get a masters (In progress) 
• Get a Ph D?? 
• Ice Fish
• Sing somewhere "Famous"
• Visit a tropical rainforest
• Invent/discover something 
• Do a Pull Up
• Have a personal library (in progress) 
• Go SCUBA diving/Snorkeling
• Be Certified in CPR
• Learn another language... fluently
• See the Northern Lights
• Host a Benefit event
• Ride a motorcycle
• Swim with dolphins
• Own a boat
• Pay off college (in progress... slowly) 
• Live in a foreign country
• Visit 7 wonders of the world (1 down, 6 to go) 
• Put handprints/initials in wet cement (Tried twice... and failed. I got caught and they erased it) 
• Write a song
• Go on a cruise
• Skydive
• Surf
• Learn to ice skate-- well
• Learn to juggle-- also well
• Go on a hot air balloon ride
• Whitewater rafting
• Be hynotized
• Drive coast to coast form Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon
• Break glass with a hammer (why? Because I can) 
• Give a homeless person all my cash
• Truly love someone who persecutes me
• Visit the Black Hills
• Be in a musical
• Run a 5K in under 30 minutes (in progress) 

Again, this list is not exhaustive-- I just picked some random ones off my list. 

I hope that after reading/marinating over this, that you might be motivated to start a bucket list too. It keeps me grounded and focused on the great gifts that God gives us an opportunity to experience. He empowers us to do these things.... So why not do it and Kick the bucket... list!!

One thing at a time, Sweet Jesus. 

SGK 

"He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights." --Psalm 18:33