Morning Jogs & Mile Markers

 

Since school started a month ago, staying in shape has taken a backseat to the piles of homework that I have accumulated. I'm trying to carve out some time for physical activity, though, because without it I have been feeling kind of sluggish. Anyway, when I woke up this morning, I decided that I just had to go jogging after breakfast, and I'm so glad I stuck to my resolve.

 

There is a trail behind the neighborhood I live in that goes through the woods on one side and comes out on the water. As I alternated between the gravel and paved roads, I realized for the umpteenth time how gorgeous this area is. Check out some of the pictures I took:

 

 

 

 

Once I was out of the woods, I arrived right at the waterfront. These are shots of some private piers.

 

... and this is the sidestreet that took me back home.

 

 

Even though I took these pictures just this morning, it blows my mind to think that they were all captured within a mile of each other. The landscapes are so beautiful and varied here, and I absolutely love it. My dad told me this morning that one of the reasons we moved to NC was so that I could take the beauty around me and do something with it. I'm not sure what means for me yet, but I know God has it all figured out. And that's enough for now.

 

 

xoxo,

Ireland

 

 

Thoughts on Strong.

A right sidekick

I have been involved in martial arts on-and-off for the last several years, and so far, it has not transformed me into a supremely disciplined, indefatigable version of my former self. In fact, sometimes I get to class and barely have the willpower to stand and say our pledges. But somehow, there hasn’t been a class yet where I had to bow out. There are times when I think I just can't do it, but I know deep inside (sometimes, I have to dig deeper than others) that I am not as fragile as I feel.

My first time using a bo staff



Sparring with my instructor

 

My New Blue Belt

 

I am strong. Not because I don’t have weaknesses, but because God is alive in me, and I have everything I need to pull from in Him.

I don’t want to be the kind of person who gives up when something bad happens. Because bad things will happen. Anyone can keep going when life is flowing smoothly… but what about when it’s not?

 

I cannot count the times I have failed to put forth my best in difficult situations, but I keep going. I keep trying. I keep seeking, even if I'm only inching my way forward. My progress is slower than I would like it to be, but sometimes I just have to relax and let it go.

 

I am not perfect. But I believe in a God who is. In Him I am strong, and through Him I am getting stronger.

 

Instead of letting my problems overtake me today, I am going to try to lean into God a little more, because He is all the strength that I need.

 

He's all that you need too. And that's a promise.

 

Love,

Ireland