I was driving to work yesterday (which is where I feel like I hear God the most) and He reiterated something that He told me when I woke up that morning. "I love you, my daughter, my princess. I'm making all things new!" I don't think I could ask for any better reassurance than when it comes straight from Jesus Himself! I am able to walk around confidently, knowing that He is constantly working in me. He is making me into the woman He has destined me to be. I am excited to see the things that are in store for this year. I believe this is a year of favor. I know I said that last year and the year before, but I believe it for this year too!
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My birthday weekend was filled with a lot of excitement. I was able to compete in a Crossfit competition hosted by the Charlotte Checkers. I competed in Time Warner Cable Arena, which was really cool. The competition benefitted the Wounded Warriors Project, which means a lot to me. I've always had a big heart and pride for our military (let's say this... you ever bash the military in front of me, it'll take everything in me not to punch you in the mouth).... (not that I would ever punch anyone in the mouth, it's very unlady like, but you better believe I'd want too).
Anyway, it was my gym's first appearance at a CrossFit competition (we had already done a powerlifting competition 2 months prior) and we all did much better than expected! We had a great time!
There were push presses... lots and lots of them.
There were slam balls...lots and lots of them.
There were kettlebell swings...LOTS and lots of them.
There was also rowing...but not lots and lots.
I love training with these people! I couldn't imagine training anywhere else!
Over the next few days I was able to spend time with family, friends and co-workers. God continued to remind me that I have all of these amazing people around me. He showed me that His favor is always with me, because I have people that love me and support me. I'm so grateful! I don't deserve all of this.
Then Saturday rolls around and I get to compete all over again. This competition was called "Sandy Sucks." It benefitted hurricane Sandy Relief. The best part was that it was a partner WOD (partner WODs are my favorite) If I had the option of choosing any partner in the entire world, I would choose this guy:
Have you ever found one of those people that you just work so well with that you wouldn't want to mess up the flow by working with someone else? Yeah, that's how I see this WOD partnership. We met by doing WODs at ECU and reunited last weekend after 9 months of no WODing together (he drove 4 hours for this)! I thought we did great!
Oh, and just so you know, that's not a puke bucket (it definitely could have been). That bucket was full of water and we had to run with it 400 meters...twice.
100 candlestick rolls. While one partner works, the other holds a gallon of water out straight. I can't decide what I hated more.
100 plyo lunges. While one partner works, the other holds the gallon of water in a v-sit.
100 burpees. While one does work, the other holds the gallon of water in the bottom of a squat.
Lastly we did a 400 meter bucket run.
We survived Sandy Sucks.
23:19. A great time if I do say so myself.
Needless to say after all of that, I tweaked my knee a little and my body was going "oh hey, Sarah, let's rest for a while." So I took a week off. I'm definitely ready to go back Monday. I miss my people!
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This week has been one of those intense weeks. Work was very busy and it was easy to get distracted and focus on doing nothing when I got home. I kind of pushed Jesus to the side and didn't spend as much time with Him as I normally would. I felt drained, exhausted and heavy. Which is expected when I fail to spend time with the One who fills me up. I know Jesus has some awesome things in store for me. Things that I may not even see coming. I know He's dealing with me on a few things now: the fear of not being able to be in control, the fear of getting hurt, the fear of failure. There are some days where I hear God almost desperately saying, "Sarah, you're strong, but you're not that strong. Stop trying to figure it all out and give it to Me." Handing things over to God is way easier said than done. I truly want to give Him everything and I think He is beginning to show me how. Okay, maybe I should re-word that. God has ALWAYS been teaching me how to give everything over to Him, but I'm finally listening to what He has to say.
In college, my favorite verse was Psalm 27:13-14:
"I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
I kind of stopped dwelling on that verse because I thought it was really meant for me right around graduation, but God spoke to me about this verse the other day. "My daughter, this verse wasn't just for then. It is for now. It is for what's to come. My goodness never stops. You never get to one point and not see My goodness again. Always wait for Me. You are seeing goodness now, but I also have good things to come!" It doesn't get much more encouraging than that.
I'm ready to see more of His goodness! Yes, this year is a year of favor. I'm God's daughter, His princess and He is making ALL things new :)
