Making it Count July 22, 2010
Posted by karenesther in Life, Uncategorized.Tags: excitement, learning, Life, new years
add a comment
I’ve been giving deep thought to just how much I value my own life.
I’ve noticed how some people seem to love to share their life experiences and when you listen to them you are totally wrapped up in it. They give their life value and for that moment, you do too.
Then you come across people that when you ask them “so what’s your life story?” they answer with a shy, “Oh nothing major, just the same as everyone else…” How sad!
I can recall times in my life when I was experiencing very exciting things; a new job, a great friendship blossoming, a fun trip, etc. But I can also tell you of really dull moments in my life. When I was consumed with schoolwork, when my week consisted of the same activities over and over again, when I found myself sitting in my living room couch on a Saturday night with nothing to do.
But you know what I’ve come to realize? Excitement does NOT have to rely on outside circumstances. I’ve found that excitement has more to do with my outlook on life than on an actual series of events.
When I remind myself that I am blessed to be alive and to have found Truth, then my gratitude towards God overtakes any other attitude and whatever I come across in my life I take it as a learning experience, and THAT is exciting.
Failed training week! January 30, 2010
Posted by karenesther in 12 week Challenge 2010, Uncategorized.Tags: training, workout
add a comment
So last week I visited Honduras. Wonderful time, wonderful people, but not so wonderful workout. I arrived Sunday night; on Monday morning I did about 12 mins of jump rope and an a workout and about 30 pushups. I was planning to do that every day but instead slept in and hung out and stayed up too late every day! Oh well…
Im back now and ready to get back on track!
Circuit Workout January 14, 2010
Posted by karenesther in 12 week Challenge 2010.Tags: circuit training, excercise, fitness, health, trainer, training routine, workout
1 comment so far
Yesterday I met up with Becky and she gave me a great work out routine. I did it today and felt it just right! Let me share it with you.
Circuit (3 sets- do all of these excercises in this order 3 times!)
1) Place 4 cones ahead of you (you choose your distance). Run to the first one, squat, then run back to where you started. Next, run to the next cone that should be a little farther ahead than the first. Repeat what you did on the first and continue until you reach the forth. Do this 2 times.
2)On a medicine ball or at the edge of a chair (I used the chair), sit and grab a couple of dumbells (I’m using 5lbs for now) and do a bicep curl until you get to military position (forearms facing the front), then open your arms to have your forearms behind you, and lift your arms to meet your weights above your head, then bring arms down and do it all going backwards. 15 reps.
3)Lie on a mat or the floor stomach up. Lift your legs straight about 2 feet off the ground. Grab a dumbell and extend it over your head with your arms straight. Remaining as straight as possible, lift your arms up and your legs and meet above your stomach. Return to start position. Do it 25 times. This one was the hardest for me!
4)Place a step between your legs. Throwing your butt out behind you and keeping your back straight, put one foot on the step and then switch in a quick jump. Keep switching for 40 seconds.
5)Sideplank: Lie on one side. Place your elbow underneath you and hold yourself up with one foot only (the other foot is on top). Lift your body up and down without touching your legs or stomach on the floor. Do it 15 times on each side.
Try it if you’d like. I put some music on and it was challenging but I never got bored! Can’t wait until she tells me the next circuit training I have to do 🙂
Make sure you switch from one excercise to the other as quickly as possible. I set up everything in my back porch next to my pool. We don’t have a lot of room but it was just enough to get it done. No excuses!
Let me know if you do try it- how it went 🙂
I make my body my slave! January 12, 2010
Posted by karenesther in 12 week Challenge 2010.Tags: biggest loser, fitness, health, Life, martial arts, training
add a comment
Anybody home?
It’s been a while. I miss cross of gold! But I’m back 🙂
So last Sunday we had our kick-off event for the 12-week fitness challenge. Most of my family is participating, along with a few other friends. We are all putting in $40 into a pool, and the person with the most transformation over this 12 week period is getting the money!
So I will be monitoring my progress through this page. So far yesterday was a so-so day. No excercise but my meals were acceptable.
My great friend Becky Molina, personal trainer at Ballys fitness gyms, suggested me to focus on cardio (to get rid of the belly) and do resistance training. So on the days I do resistance training, about 3 times a week, I will do 30 mins of cardio. On the other 3 days, I will do 45 mins to an hour of cardio (mainly running and jump rope).
Today…!… I will run 30 mins and do my resistance training at the dojo (Rod’s Shim Myung Do martial arts center).
I know this is a challenge for all participants, but I consider it will be a real great challenge for me. 12 weeks is not too long of a time, but I usually find it hard to stick to something in a strict manner. But I want to win! Moreover, I want to get fit!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.26Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
I love the parallel of our Chritian life and training for a race or working to get fit. Here we go!
be October 23, 2009
Posted by karenesther in Life, poem.Tags: cool, friendship, Life, Love, nice, poem, sincerity
add a comment
be cool
but dont forget
how easily you can turn cruel
be in
but dont forget
popularity is always shedding skin
it does not forgive!
but always remember to
be nice,
avoid saying lies,
look at them in the eyes,
and dont put on a disguise;
that really isnt nice!
“dont judge me…” October 23, 2009
Posted by karenesther in Christianity, Life.Tags: actions speak louder than words, Christianity, church, Life, serving
add a comment
Ok I’ll try not to but what am I supposed to think when:
you give a million excuses for not staying an extra hour when asked?
What am I supposed to think when you come to my house, have fun, make a mess and not lift a finger to help clean it?
Or when you see me struggling trying to get something done, but don’t offer your help. Sure, I shouldve asked but many times I don’t just to see who’ll offer themselves. Is that wrong of me to do? Sorry.
Actions speak louder than words, but lack of actions I think are the loudest.
For all you Christian artists… September 30, 2009
Posted by karenesther in art, Christianity, Jesus.Tags: art, Art and the Bible, art history, artists, book, Francis Schaeffer
5 comments
I recently finished reading “Art and the Bible” by Francis Schaeffer. My recurring thought as I read it: Oh how I wish I had read this two years ago!
It is a small book, composed of two essays; Art in the Bible is the first one, and Some Perspectives on Art is the other essay. They are a great resource to the Christian artist that surrounds himself with many many humanist ideologies about art and its purpose.
In the second essay, he lays out some perspectives on art from a Christian point of view. The first one is:
The Art Work As An Art Work:
The first is the most important: A work of art has a value in itself… Art is not something we merely analyze or value for its intellectual content. It is something to be enjoyed.
He goes on to point out that the reason our work of art has value is that since a work of art is a work of creativity, we are reflecting a part of God’s nature; He is God the Creator. Isn’t that a freeing thought? God is pleased when we create art.
I see the fine balance that should exist between creating art that is well crafted , and art that delivers a message. He suggests an artist should dedicate himself to making a body of work and that this body of work reflect his worldview (wiki definition:refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world and interacts with it).
And to that I’ll add that if I want my worldview to capture the viewer’s attention, then I ought to make sure that my worldview is being shown through good art.
> than my life July 21, 2009
Posted by karenesther in Christian Missions, Jesus, Life.Tags: Gospel, Love, managua, mission trip, nicaragua, revolution, sandinismo, sandinista, traveling
3 comments
I’m writing this blog from Managua, Nicaragua. It’s hot, humid, and I haven’t showered after a long day of manual labor and walking through dirt roads.
I’d like to ask you something. Have you ever participated in a big event, like a social cause, a protest, or perhaps a political campaign? Have you ever had that experience of being part of something that is larger than your life? I sure hope you have, atleast once in your life.
Yesterday was the Sandinista Revolution’s 30th Anniversary here in Nicaragua. We got to drive close to where thousands of people were celebrating this historical event. Disregarding my personal views and opinions, I was glad to be able to see such an event with my own eyes. It’s such a beautiful feeling, to be part of something bigger, something “revolutionary”.
I feel like that right now. Today we visited some houses in a rural village called Masaya. Warm, friendly people. Sweet, smily kids. We gave out some food provisions and and sat down in their small homes to talk.
Saturday afternoon we walked around “El Periodista” neighborhood where one of our host families live. We handed out tracts that explain the Gospel and talked with those that wanted to.
Did I lead a mass of armed people, did I scream out my ’cause’? Did I wave flags all over a city, trying to make people join me? No.
Here is what I did: I got over myself, got ahold of God’s courage which He promises those who want to do His will, and simply WENT. I went to this girl’s house and patiently talked with her and her friend, listening and reasoning with them. By the end of our conversation, we were praying together, glory to God.
Here’s what I also did: I allowed God’s message of grace and forgiveness to fill me in such a way that I cannot help but share what I have with others.
I am glad to be part of something larger than myself, something larger than life.
This Summer June 23, 2009
Posted by karenesther in Christian Missions, Christianity, Jesus, Uncategorized.add a comment
Something really exciting happening this summer… Mission Trip to Nicaragua! www.gccmmissions.wordpress.com is our Mission Team’s Blog. Go check it out. My friend Eric just posted about our most recent fundraising event.
Short Note May 26, 2009
Posted by karenesther in Christianity, Jesus, Life, Love.Tags: advice, Christianity, complaining, gratitude, harmony, Love, short note
add a comment
Love. Gratitude. Less complaining. More harmony. God is glorified.
A short explanation. When we experience God’s love towards us on a daily basis, we become more thankful and show gratitude. When we show gratitude (to God and to others), we’ll find ourselves complaining less. And think of how our environment would be if we ALL complained less! It doesn’t have to be a voiced-out complaint, but we usually know when we have ungrateful hearts. When complaining is eliminated from our lives, we tend to cooperate more with God’s plan and with others. That is harmony! harmony means working alongside others, not competing against them. Harmony among believers is a powerful testimony of God’s hand, and His name is glorified.
Cross of Gold 