Always Get Better

I have been training at the Valley Athletic Club off and on for the last two years and I absolutely love it! It’s been a challenge, its been full of learning experiences and it has been a joy to help as many people as I’ve had the opportunity to. I truly love my job being able to help so many people not only reach their own goals but also to just make a life style change and become better every day!

So with that, I’ve asked one of my clients Heather to share a little testimonial about her journey over the past seven months training with me. I have given Heather a list of questions she answered about her journey and the things that she has fought through thus far. So, here we go!

Question 1: What was the main reason for you to begin to commit to train weekly? And why?

– I wanted to get toned and build muscle, specifically in my left leg after having several knee surgeries. I knew that committing to a trainer would get me the focused attention and accountability that I needed (and hopefully help me lose a few lbs as an added bonus).

Question 2: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to overcome while chasing after your goal?

– My own health and fitness was definitely at the bottom of the to-do list. As a working mother of two young kids, there were always “more important” things that took precedence over working out. I realized that being strong and healthy would only benefit my family in the long run, and I needed to make my own well-being a priority (even if I had to work out at 5:30am).

Question 3: What specifically has been your favorite part of training and why?

– I absolutely love the variety of the workouts! Every day is different, so I never get bored or burnt out. I love the accountability that comes with being apart of group training, because if I don’t show up I not only have my trainer asking where I’m at, but also the other ladies in the group.

Question 4: What’s been on thing you’ve learned about yourself over the past five months of training?

– When I started training with the main goal of just being stronger (rather than way to lose weight), I found that I actually enjoyed working out when I wasn’t so focused on the scale! I am far more motivated by the idea of staying active, and losing weight just happened along the way.

Question 5: What’s one thing you would tell people who are reading this who might feel exactly how you felt in the beginning?

– There is nothing that feels better than having a strong, lean, body that is capable of life’s activities! Once training becomes your routine, it will no longer feel like a chore, but as something you actually look forward to each and everyday!

Heather is currently training in a group of four other ladies in the morning at 5:30am Monday – Thursday. She has currently lost 18lbs and 5 1/2% Body Fat! Way to go Heather and the rest of the ladies for choosing to conquer fears and chase after your goals and a better life! Heather is just one example of many clients who have decided to not let past circumstances dictate or allow her from becoming the best she can be! If you need help and want to start your journey today, I would love to begin that journey with you!

Advertisements

Trip of a LIFETIME

Tomorrow is the big day as myself and 16 others will get on a plane and fly half way around the world to go meet with the six others already in Cambodia as we are headed there to be with OUR orphans. And when I saw ‘our orphans’ my church Living Water supports four church orphan homes in Cambodia which is close to about 100 orphans that we support year round. I am going to share with you what it is on my heart for the trip and what I believe God is going to do in and through me.

This will be my first trip ever to Cambodia and the EXCITEMENT is rising. We will be venturing to all of our four homes and possibly a new home. We will be doing little projects for them including; building a playground for one of the homes, remodeling, building a security fence, roofing, games, VBS (Vacation Bible School), dental work and just having fun with our kids. I’ve been told by many people that this place/experience is going to change me, and my natural response is yes, yes it sure will. But to be completely honest, it already has. Thinking about going to be with orphans who have lost a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister or just about everything they could call their own has been taken from them. But to see them with JOY and SMILES on their face, breaks my heart but also gives me hope and reassurance that the only thing we truly need is JESUS. I can tell you that there are nerves rising inside of me of the unknowns, the new experience. But what is stronger and overcoming those nerves is the word that I received from The Lord about two years ago saying, GO! I know The Lord has called me to go and to be his hands and feet, and I’m not going to let fear keep me from obeying The Lord.

Here are a few things that I believe The Lord is going to do in and through me. First, I believe he has given me a verse for this trip and its out of Mark 2:1-5 and it says “And when He returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no room, not ever at the door. And He was preaching the word to them. And THEY came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, they let him down on a bed on which he lay. And when Jesus saw THEIR faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘son, your sins are forgiven.'” So basically to sum up this story, here is this paralytic man who is being carried by four men because they heard that Jesus was near and they had the faith to believe that Jesus could heal him. And as they arrive to the home the place is packed and there is no way for them to get to Jesus, except for them to go to the roof, make a hole and lower the paralytic down through it. The reason I believe that The Lord has given me this passage of scripture for this trip is because I believe he not only wants myself but the whole team to be vessels of healing. And that doesn’t mean that we have some special power to heal people, but what that does mean is for us to have the faith to believe that Jesus can heal whoever we come in contact with. Because just like the story, there is no way that the paralytic could have been healed if he didn’t have those four men carry him to Jesus. The only reason this paralytic was healed was because these four men had the faith to believe, and that’s what I am believing for this team and for myself. That we would be faith filled people that would believe that all we need to do is bring people to Jesus, and He will do the healing.
I also believe that Jesus is going to challenge me and stretch me in areas of my life where I’m to comfortable. Because Jesus hasn’t called me to live a comfortable life but a life that is on call and ready for any and everything he has for me. I believe that Jesus is whats going to change me, but I also believe that these kids are going to be a big part in that. Some people say that your impact on people won’t be as strong because of the language barrier, but what I can tell you is that LOVE breaks all language barriers. We are coming full of love and relying on God to strengthen us as we pour out on His kids.

So there it is, that’s what’s on my heart as the team and I prepare to take off tomorrow. I want to say thank you to every single donation that I received from so many family members and friends. And I want you to know that even though I am going physically, you’re going spiritually with the team. I am so blessed by the generous gifts my teammates and I have received and I would only ask that you would continue to pray for the team and I for protection, safety and our health. If you would like to follow us on our trip you can check out our blog as we will be posting along our trip.

Here is a song that I have been listening to on repeat as I have been preparing for this trip! I hope you enjoy and thanks for taking the time to read this! God Bless!

Unity of 5

The past few weeks I have had an overwhelming gratitude for my four brothers and the impact they have had and still are having in my life. I want to talk about each one and describe and explain this gratitude that I feel for each one not just one in particular but ALL of them. They are not going to be in order just cause I can mix them up, so if that bugs you I am sorry 🙂

Zachary David Wimberly: Man, you have blessed me more than words can say man. The way that you have walked out this relationship with Gabby has truly blessed me and has truly shown how maturity you have and the Man of God that you are. I want you to know that I believe in everything that you are doing and I am always here for you whenever you need to talk or laugh with someone. There are so many memories that I have with you: riding in our man wagon (there’s nothing like it), going to homecoming in the same group and greatest of them all is probably getting able to play football together my senior year. I have learned so many thing from you and the way that you choose to walk with God and I want you to know that the Lord is going to extend your tent pegs this next few years. I also believe that God wants you to begin to dream bigger because he is going to use you more than you could ever imagine. And I just want to let you know that I would not be who I am if it weren’t for you…I am excited for this next chapter in your life and I am believing that your best days are ahead 🙂 I LOVE YOU Z

Noah Michael Wimberly: Noah, first off I just want to say I don’t think there is any other drummer that I know of that gets me more excited and builds my passion to worship then YOU!!! There is no one like you and I am so grateful that I get to live life with you. I think of the greatest memories I have with you is when you were getting ready to head to the Dominican Republic for a year man that was so hard for me, cause you and I were very close at that time and I didn’t want you to leave (how selfish of me) and I started to throw a fit. Man I am sure glad that I didn’t keep you from going because I know God did some incredible work in your life and it is so evident in your life today and I have learned so much from you from the decisions you have made and the way you have decided to live your life completely surrendered to God. The way you have chosen to walk out certain experiences in life or circumstances even though they might be fair has taught me to have faith in the Lord in those times because he is faithful to take care of you. And to see the fruit from your faith in the Lord is so encouraging. I just want to let you know that I would not be who I am if it weren’t for you… I LOVE YOU NOAH!

Justin Timothy Wimberly: Justin, geeez where do I begin. The memory that comes to my memory is probably the most toughest period of time in your life when you broke your leg your third game into your senior year. I remember sitting up in the stands watching the game with my friends laughing and singing the fight song, wanting and lining to play football and then all of sudden it happened. Man was I terrified, scared and filled with tears immediately when I began to realize what had happened. During the period of time of recovery for you I had heard from multiple of people saying “dang, that’s a bummer that he will never play football again” or “he’s never gonna be the same.” And I can disagree with the first one and agree with the second one. Cause you did play football again and you are not the same because instead of letting this define you and slow you down in life you used it as a platform to shoot you farther into your dreams then you ever thought possible. The thing that I love about your journey on recovering from this tragedy was yes you recovered and from it you were forever changed but you changed so many other lives by the way you choose to walk this out. And I am one of those life that you touched deeply, I can say that I have learned to NGUNNGU in so many circumstances and mountains that I face in my walk with God but also in my routine day by day. There is no one like you and I am so glad in a way that tragedy did happen because I don’t think you would be the husband, brother, friend, employer and son of God that you are today. So I want you to know that I wouldn’t be who I am if it weren’t for you… I LOVE YOU J

Wesley James Wimberly: Last but not least Goose! Man first of all I just want to tell you what an experience I had tonight (April 29th, 2012) when you lead worship with authority. Man God has a calling on your life and it was sure evident in the way you led tonight. Wesley the way you live your life touches younger, older and everyone you come in contact with. I remember one time I gave you a word recently and it was about bearing fruit in the place God has you before he takes you somewhere greater. Just like David had to do, he had to tend to the sheep and bear fruit there before he could be taken to become king and I believe with all my heart Wesley that if you bear fruit and trust in God that he has called you and has equipped you to do the same works and even greater than what He did, He will take you farther than you ever thought possible. You have already begun to do this and I have been extremely blessed to see it happen, even though it is not easy you never let it stop you from drawing closer to your creator. I believe that your best days are ahead and I can’t imagine life without you. I just want you to know that I wouldn’t be who I am if it weren’t for you. I love you a lot Goose!

As I sit here writing these words about each of you, I begin to read over them again and correct my miss spelling. These words don’t compare to the thankfulness that is in my heart towards you guys and the impact you have had on my life. I just want you to know that there is nothing that can break the UNITY that the Lord has given us and I believe that each and every day that we live our Unity is only becoming that much stronger. I love each of you with all my heart and I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes you in the future. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Collide ’11 (Contagious Attitude)

Collide 2011 was AMAZING!!!!!!

I have to be honest, before camp started I wasn’t having the best attitude about camp because it was going to be so different from what I have been used too. I was excited for camp but at the same time I was looking at all the downsides to camp. When I got to camp a day early, the Lord immediately began to speak to me and I was feeling really convicted of my attitude and was really feeling heavy because of the way I was talking about camp. I went down by the water and I just began to repent and ask the Lord to forgive me. In the midst of talking and repenting too the Lord I began to feel that weight been lifted off and right away the Lord gave me a task. And right when I heard the Lord tell me what it was I wasn’t so excited at first.

The task that I was given was not only to have a good attitude but to have a CONTAGIOUS Attitude. This was a huge learning experience for me and at first I was like great thanks for choosing me, but then I started to change that perspective of the task into a love for the task I was given. I knew that this task was not going to be easy with all the different things going on, with all the other students already having a bad attitude and with new people I have never seen before.

But as the week went on, I began to hear the students attitudes and I’m like “come on guys, have a better attitude”, and right when I said that the Lord just reminded me that I was there not to long ago. So I just began to talk about all the wonderful things going on at camp instead of listing off all the things I don’t like. And as I and other leaders began to do this the whole camp caught on too it and I honestly believe that if all the leaders did not lead by changing our attitudes first the camp experience would not have been what it was for us but especially the students. And it was a camp that I will never forget. The Lord knew that if someone would change their attitude to not only have a good attitude but to have a CONTAGIOUS one, that would not only change us as leaders but it would change the camps attitude as well.

I know that before camp I would never say this but I honestly LOVED everything about it. Lord I thank you for changing my perspective and my attitude. Thank you for having your attitude always a CONTAGIOUS ONE.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

Here is a quote. Read it today and ask yourself if your attitude today is worth it.

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?
~Dennis and Wendy Mannering

Life

WOW!!!!!!

First of all I want to say that Anthem was AMAZING….I loved every part of it. It has altered my life and I’m running towards my heavenly father and the road that he has for me. Anthem was so much fun, learned how to live on my own, share an apartment with five other guys, do my own laundry, buy my own food, great memories, sad times, restoration, freedom, brokeness, family, best friends, adventures and Anthem.

What I was preparing for Anthem to do to me, was not the actual turn out. But I wouldn’t change a thing about my whole year, because I know the Lord shaped and molded me just the way I needed to be. One of the coolest things is I was changed forever but also there were 17 other AMAZING people getting rocked as well. Its amazing that we all got to walk with each other cause honestly there is no way that we could have done Anthem without having people around you to help and support you. I honestly have 17 new best friends, I love and appreciate ALL of you so much.

I am going to do a 2nd year of Anthem and oh my gosh I cannot wait until it starts…. I am so ready for this year to start cause I know I have so much to learn but at the same time I want to make the 1st years year amazing for them just as my 2nd years did for me. I love doing this kind of ministry, I know the Lord is calling me to do this and I dont know why he has choose me but his grace is the only way that I can fulfill his call on my life and I am giving my whole life for the sake of his name. I am so grateful for the opportunities the Lord has given me and I cant wait to see the Lord do amazing work through us all…

Hope y’all are having an amazing summer..

Love ya

25 DAYS

Play the video as you read this 🙂

I have 25 days until ANTHEM officially begins 🙂 I am so sticking excited because I know God is going to rock my world and tear me down to the lowest point so I can be humbled to my life and the life’s around me and then I can rise up and be  David for my generation. God is going to pull some stuff out of me and put in some stuff that I might be lacking but I am going to have to be ready for anything.

I have been praying the past two years about something the lord dropped into my heart at summer camp two years ago and that is I am called to be a pastor 🙂 What I am praying for this year during anthem is to hear from the lord where he would like me to pastor, I would like to grow in my knowledge of the bible and just become a better man of God knowing how to serve, lead and just be a good Man of God for myself but also for my future family 🙂 There are a few things I would ask you guys to pray for. First thing is just to have my heart open to everything that God has in store for me and too not hold onto to my past and stop thinking I can’t do it. Second thing is just for the whole class to be safe in everything we do and just to give us strength during the whole year as we change our lives during the year but as we also be living breathing sacrifices for the living God. I am so excited for this year I cant even put it into words how stoked I am for God to transform my life 🙂 By the way my verse for the year is James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when-ever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so hat you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” There it is, that is what I am going to live and become this next year. I am going to lay everything down and pick up everything up that God has for me. I appreciate all your prayers, you all mean a lot to me 🙂

YOUR BEAUTIFUL

What I would like you to do is go to the bottom of the page and press play on the video and let it play as you read this and if the song stops before you finish start it over…hope you enjoy 🙂

This is a saying that some people might here a lot or may never here. These 2 words are very powerful, they can make or break a person’s heart. The past few days I have just been doing my normal things and I heard this song called your beautiful by phil Wickham, and since then I would say I have listened to it about 50 or so times just because it has so MUCH POWER. Because he is declaring over us no matter what our past is or the choices we have made or the life you lived before he is your father and you are his son or daughter and he loves you JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. Some of us feel like we have to change or act a certain way to feel loved and fit into this category but we don’t God has given this gift have been in family and having a father there for you all the time. And when you feel like you are not wanted or you struggle with the way you look or the way you live, and you feel like no one cares about you. Well let me tell you there are people who care for you but just might not show it, but you don’t need to hear it from them you just need to know that your father in heaven declares and sings this song over you. singing your beautiful no matter, I still love you.

Now when you figure this out and really live out that you don’t care what people think about you and you know that no matter what your past is or the life you were living yesterday doesn’t matter because someone (your father) died for all of that and is here to tell you that its ok I took care of it and washed it clean and you are BEAUTIFUL. Once we grasp onto that we don’t need to just keep it to ourselves we need to be out there speaking the same truth that our father is speaking to us. Because if WE DON’T, then WHO WILL?????? God has called us to be his hands and feet, so why not start now.