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T-Tapp Tuesday–Workout Wear

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Before I go into today’s post, could I ask for prayer?   My husband’s step-mom, JoAnn, is very, very near Heaven right now.  We went to see her but I’m not sure if she was aware of us—she can’t respond.   We know where she is going and will have a joyous reunion someday, but it’s always hard letting go.  Please pray for her passing to be peaceful.

 

Thank you!

 

 

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

 

Ah, what to wear to work out!

 

I started out in my nightgown–that didn’t work out really well.  I kept getting caught up in it!

 

So I went to Goodwill and bought some pull on shorts and a tank top.  I worked out in my living room and pretty much banned the children–mainly because they liked to come ask me questions during balance moves and I didn’t want to fall on them! :p

 

After awhile I lost enough that those shorts were too loose, so I bought some stretchy shorts and nicer tank tops through Blair.  I don’t normally like to wear tank tops, but I would get nearly overheated in t-shirts.   I bought a very lightweight short sleeve shirt to wear over the tank for a little more coverage without making my temperature soar!

 

Then I found moisture wicking workout wear!  Ahhhh!   I bought some pants and one top from Lands End.  They don’t make the style of top I bought anymore, unfortunately.  It was a V-neck, but it didn’t fall away from your body, and it wasn’t terribly snug, yet it fit enough that at a clinic the trainer could see if I was curling my core or not.

 

I know some ladies have exercised in their skirts or loose fitting culottes, and that’s great!  But I will say, as a trainer-in-training, if you go to a clinic, have a private session or do a video review, it is important for trainers to be able to see your knees, that they are adequately bent, and that your core is curled (that your lower back is flattened as much as you can).  If your clothes are too loosely fitting, that can be hard to tell.  It’s the same for you watching yourself in a mirror.

 

For teaching, I bought a pair of looser fitting pants at Target (but they are not moisture-wicking–:(  )   and I wear my black T-Tapp t-shirt.  Although not moisture wicking, the t-shirt must be just the right thickness or fabric or something!

 

Target also has a pretty decent selection of tops, too (usually!).

 

Sometimes at Kohl’s they have some decent choices and often have sales or coupons that can help with the cost!

 

I have a friend who wore stretch pants and a t-shirt with a short jumper over it.  Not long enough to cause her to get hung up in it, but still covered pretty well.  The only thing is it was a bit harder for me to make sure she was curling her core.  I’ve told my friends that come to my classes, they can wear looser fitting workout clothing–as long as they don’t mind me touching them to make sure their form is okay!  LOL!

 

Some ladies like yoga pants, others just stretch pants.  Wal-Mart carries some Danskin workout wear, although you’re at the mercy of their stock as to style, color and sizes!  I do have a few shirts I bought there and they’re okay–not my favorites, but they’ll do when my others are dirty.

 

 

Under Armour also has some higher necked tops–the price is a bit higher, but sometimes a local sports shop will carry their clothing and you can catch sales or clearances.  (Be aware that the homepage has all kinds of workout gear, including sports br*s.  The link I posted will take you directly to the tops page.)

 

I recently found Hydrochic, which is sun-protective water sportswear, but most of their tops are very modest.  They are also pricey!  But if you only wear one for working out, or use it just for when you’re with a class or clinic, it will most likely last a long time.  I might try to combine some patterns to make something similar.

 

I’m kind of partial to this one:  Piper Short Sleeve Swim Shirt

 

They even have plus sizes

 

I’ve not actually ordered any of their products yet, but actually thought they were some of the nicest things I’ve found for more coverage.

 

(Again, the homepage has pics of their mastectomy sports br*s on models, just so you know.  The link above is to their tops.)

 

Of course, if cotton t-shirts or tank tops aren’t too hot for you, you can get them at a local thrift or GoodWill store!

 

Basically just make sure whatever you wear won’t overheat you, will move with you, and won’t get you hung up spending time getting things untwisted or out of the way, or anything that will restrict you–especially on moves like Plies and Lunges!

 

The bottom line is wear something that makes you feel like it’s your “workout wear” whatever you choose.  A nightgown or pajamas can sometimes be counterproductive! :)  It doesn’t have to be expensive or name brand, but wearing something more “official” helps you get a little more serious about it.  When it’s not something you’d just lounge around in, well, just like getting dressed in the morning vs. staying in your pj’s all day, it gives you a different perspective!

 

And please make sure your husband is happy with what you are wearing.    I don’t have a laptop with a working dvd player, so doing the workouts in my room is not an option.  I make sure my husband is okay with what I’m wearing out in the living room around the children.  Same thing when I got to go to Safety Harbor–I did a “fashion show” :D for him and he picked what he was okay with.   And that is my goal–to please him! ;)

 

Here is a KwikSew pattern I found that is somewhat like the Hydrochic tops.

 

Now for footwear–I can’t recommend the Skechers highly enough!   You need a good cross-trainer, with a good platform and a wide toebox–you should be able to flex your toes inside the shoes.  Common error is to “grip” your toes inside your shoes–that will cause pain AND inflammation, which is not what we want!

 

Here are the ones I use (and if you sign up for Shoebuy’s specials, you can get $10 off or 20% from time to time, and it’s always free shipping both ways!).

 

I use my shoes only for T-Tapp, and they last at least a year.   A lot depends on you and how often you wear them.  I recently bought a new pair but apparently have lost enough in my feet that now they are a bit sloppy! So I may need to buy the next size down next time!

 

I hope that gives you some ideas and places to look for workout wear.  If you have any questions, please let me know!

 

Until next week–keep on Tappin’!  :)

 

Please Pray!

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

The devastation in Japan is really beyond our ability to comprehend.   We have been praying for everyone over there, but especially for one family.

My friend Joni is on the T-Tapp forums and lives in the northern mountains of Japan, just 80 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake.  Thankfully she and her family are okay and all together!

But, before this all hit they were planning to come to the U.S. to see her parents, who aren’t doing well.  

They have received funds to be able to leave, but obviously that is not going to be an easy task, with roads buckled, no electricity, fuel rations, etc.

Would you please pray for my friend Joni and her family, that God would work out all the details for them to come?  

And please continue to pray for everyone in Japan….that the Lord would be  close to them and that many who don’t know Him would come to trust Him through this tragedy?   And of course, pray for the needed supplies to get to those who are in dire need of them.

Thank you!

( I will post more later about T-Tapp as promised!)

Prayer Watch 2010

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Starting tonight through Sunday morning, more than 80 leaders of major prayer organizations will be meeting at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO.   They are meeting specifically to fast, worship and pray for “preparation”.   Here is a quote from PrayerWatch2010.com:

“Sixty-Six (66) hours of teaching, prayer, praise, worship and fasting – sponsored by America’s National Prayer Committee. For the first time in history, the foremost teachers on prayer will be gathered at one place to unite the nations in Solemn Assembly for Prayer Watch 2010. Thousands will assemble from across the globe for this special event and millions more via Internet streaming video. Don’t miss it! Make plans now to be part of this mountain-moving prayer gathering.”

We have been blessed by IHOP’s ministry (Mike Bickle) as well as Every Home for Christ (Dick Eastman), and those are just two of the leaders who will be speaking throughout this time.  IHOP has had a 24/7/365 prayer room that has been going for TEN years!   Many of these other ministries have something similar, and this move to come together for specific prayer is a first.

It’s interesting because one of the things the Lord impressed upon me to pray for during my Daniel Fast last spring was unity among believers.  I’m not talking about a “let’s just overlook everything in the name of unity” type of thing, but putting aside minor issues to come together for prayer and evangelization.

I pray that you will consider praying along with these leaders and perhaps even participate via the livestreaming online.

May we realize what a great privilege we have to pray and intercede for others, and  to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

(Just to let you know, Kansas City, MO, is in Central Time Zone)

Adventures in Prayer

Monday, July 26th, 2010

I had said a few weeks ago that “next week” I would write about praying for our children….I’m a little behind!!! 

I actually am going to talk a lot about prayer this week. 

I have been a Christian for 31 years now.   Back in February, I asked the Lord to teach me to really pray.  Oh, I’ve prayed these 31 years, of course!  But I felt something was….missing. 

I had no doubt He would answer that prayer and teach me.   However–I had no idea how much He’d pour out on me in such a short time!  :)

 

 

 

You may remember that I had a miscarriage November 30 of 2008.  (I WILL Trust You Lord (Even When I Don’t Understand),  In the Bubble of Grace)  I had a real struggle over the ensuing months, especially as the Lord has not blessed us again since then.  In fact, for 15 months I wrestled with  Him over it.   I have had a hard time with my fertility since day 1.   Miscarriages, troubles conceiving, threatened miscarriages, secondary infertility….and more miscarriages.   Thirteen to be exact.  (Plus our precious stillborn, Noah Ross.)  I struggled to be having this “problem” at the end of my childbearing years as I did at the beginning….couldn’t I have a happy “ending”? 

In mid-February I finally gave it all to Him.  I still hope and pray He would bless us yet again, but I am also content to rest in His will, even if it means no more babies.  

I sensed He wanted me to fast.   I was praying about how when a friend sent me a link about the Daniel Fast.   I got the book and immediately felt this was it!   My friend was going to be fasting for 40 days, so I prayed and asked the Lord to show me how long He wanted me to fast–and make it very clear from His Word!

I was “behind” in my regular Bible reading plan for that Saturday (I jokingly say “behind”–I have learned you are never behind–God always meets you there, so you are always on time! ;) ).  I started in Mark 1.   I came to verse 13:  “And He was there in the wilderness forty days….”

I laughed right out loud!   I said, “Well, Lord, that was VERY clear!!!” :D

And so began a journey that has had all the markings of the best stories–romance, humor, adventure, sorrow, comfort and miracles–all right here in my home, within my own heart!

Even if you don’t want to necessarily do a Daniel Fast, may I gently suggest you read the book?  I loved Susan’s devotionals, and she has such a grace-based view on fasting, that I actually was looking forward to it!

I thought I had a plan that the Lord wanted me to do during this time of fasting and prayer (I had three specific things I was praying for daily), but as many have said, we need to hold our plans loosely.   And that is where the “adventure” part came in!

I started keeping a journal of prayers and what I believed the Lord was saying to me during this time.   I would highly suggest you do that, as well!   We are such a forgetful people! 

 

The “romance” part came in through a dear, dear friend’s daughter sharing Mike Bickle’s mp3s on The Song of Solomon.   Jessica started listening to them and would share tidbits now and then.   The Lord led for me to start listening to them, so I would download one or two to my phone and listen as I ran errands (I don’t have an mp3 player yet, so my phone works for now!). 

I have to say that I believe this is the most beautiful series on Song of Solomon I have ever heard!   Although Song of Solomon is obviously a book about the beauty of married love, it is also a picture of the Bride’s relationship to her Bridegroom–Jesus Christ.  

As I listened to this series, I was reminded of my “first love” relationship to my Beloved Jesus.  My heart has been stirred and I don’t want to go back to the barren wilderness of bitterness, wrestling with Him.  I want to be comforted in His arms, receive strength, direction and love from Him!  

I can’t remember exactly when, but sometime during the Daniel Fast I “refound” a book I had bought 28 years ago–in Strasbourg, France, of all places!    It is a book about our role and purpose through prayer.   I remembered it being a good book, and kept thinking I would reread it.   I finally pulled it off my shelf and started reading.   I was absorbed at once!  Mind you, the last time I read this book was in April of 1992!!!!  And this time I finished it in April of this year!  

The book is Destined for the Throne, by Paul Billheimer.    I’ve decided to buy my older girls each a copy, and we are going to read it together and discuss it!  

“Prayer is where the action is…Praise is the detergent which purifies faith and purges doubt from the heart.  The secret of answered prayer is faith without doubt (Mark 11:23).  and the secret of faith without doubt is praise, triumphant praise, continuous praise, praise that is a way of life.”

                                  ~Paul Billheimer, Destined for the Throne, p. 18

 

Mr. Billheimer marries prayer with praise so beautifully in this book!   I’ll have more to say about praise in another post (yes, yet this week, Lord willin’ an’ the creek don’t rise! ;) ), but suffice it to say this book should be required reading for every Christian–in fact, I think we need to reread it at least once a year (instead of only 4 times in 28 years!!!)!

After reading this book, I was struck at the awesome responsibility and privilege I have as a Christian to pray.   I am not a theologian or Bible scholar.   I am a woman of God who loves my Lord with all my heart, and what I share comes out of that relationship.  I can’t say I will never make a mistake, but my heart’s desire is to encourage other women, especially younger women, to love Him and seek Him and realize their heritage in Him.  I try to base my life on His Word.  I know how easy it is to err by following “feelings”!   HOWEVER— I also believe the enemy of our souls would like nothing better than to dissuade us from truly praying and listening for His voice because “we might deceive ourselves”. 

If there is one thing my Beloved Savior has shown me in these past 5 months, it is that as long as my heart’s desire is to please Him and know Him and seek Him, He will guide me, and if I get off track, He will be right there to guide me back onto His path for me!

He loves me too much to just let me go off on a bunny trail when I really want to be on His path!

“Perhaps some are wondering what is the relationship of the supreme rank of the redeemed to the subject of prayer and intercession.  The explanation is that prayer is not primarily God’s way of getting things done.  it is God’s way of giving the Church ‘on -the-job-‘ training in overcoming the forces hostile to God.   This world is a laboratory in which those destined for the throne are learning, by actual practice in the prayer closet, how to overcome Satan and his hierarchy.  God designed the program of prayer as an ‘apprenticeship’ for eternal sovereignty with Christ.   Here we are learning ‘the trick of the tools’–how to use the weapons of prayer and faith in overcoming and enforcing Christ’s victory so dearly bought….

 

The prayer closet is the arena which produces the overcomer.”

                                 ~ Paul Billheimer, Destined for the Throne p. 40

 

I hope you will continue to join me as I share my “Adventures in Prayer” this week!

(And for more encouragment, head on over to my daughters’ blog post about Answers to Prayer!)

 

 

Please Join Me In Prayer

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

Please join me in prayer for little Benjamin Ricketts.    He is a sweet little guy that got wrapped up in some blind cords.  His daddy found him unconscious and performed CPR (a good thing to know, by the way!), until EMTs were able to get there.

He has been unresponsive, but there is some hope that his brain stem is just in hibernation.   This precious family has 4 children, three boys and a new little baby girl.

Here is his Caring Bridge link–I’m sure Dave and Stephanie, his parents, would appreciate knowing that you are praying for their sweet boy.

Benjamin Ricketts Caring Bridge

Let’s all join together believing God for Benjamin’s complete recovery!

Prayer Helps

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

I still need to do a post about all God has shown me about prayer, especially during my Daniel Fast!

 

But I thought for today I would share a few resources that have blessed me incredibly in the area of prayer.  I have been a Christian for almost 31 years, and of course I’ve prayed, but I feel that since mid-February the Lord has really opened the "windows of Heaven", as it were, and is teaching me an advanced course!!!  Not that I mind!

 

 

I pray using this booklet every day–I divide up the portions for my husband, and I divide up the portions for the wife, praying them for myself (thanks to my pastor’s wife for sharing that with me!).   I also divide up the portions of praying for your children.   I pray the Bondage Breaking Prayer for situations and people in rebellion, and have seen answers!

 

 

This would be a good one for you busy mamas of littles!  You could even just pray one small section of a portion a day.  There’s no glory in praying the whole portion in one day!   I’ve been using mine for 9 years and it’s underlined, has dates in the margins, is finger stained…even has one slightly wrinkly area that got wet 5 years ago while we were camping! 

 

 

A lady in our church used the Prayer Portions (which is where many of the prayers in this booklet came from) and really likes it.  I am planning to purchase one for myself, soon!  There are also some wonderful books about Blessing–one is You Are Blessed in the Names of God.   I love anything that uses the names of God!   All of her resources look wonderful!  Here is the website if you just want to browse around:  The Father’s Business

 

 

Another wonderful book is Destined for the Throne by Paul Billheimer.

 

 

 

 

I actually bought my copy in Strasbourg, France in 1982!!!  I’ve read it four times now, and decided this should be a yearly read!   Mr. Billheimer really drives home our purpose as the Bride of Christ, and how prayer in this life is preparing us to be Christ’s Bride for Eternity.   I love how Mike Bickle says it in The Seven Longings of the Human Heart (another great book by the way–and available for free as a download!  It’s the fourth book down on the page I linked.):

 

 

"Think of this life as a seventy year internship for the next."

 

 

Every thought, every word, every action, every motive has an effect on our eternal future.   How many regrets will we have for not having prayed more, praised more, trusted more?!  

 

 

I am determined, by His grace, to not to waste any more of my life by focusing solely on the things of this world.  Oh, I’m not talking about great sins, obvious ones….I’m talking about……things like….worry.  

 

"What will we do if our insurance runs out?"

 

"What if my husband loses his job?"

 

"What if ______ happens?"

 

 

We can’t play the what if game–we don’t need to!   I’m not saying that life is easy and comfortable—sometimes the Lord "stirs up the nest" so we will seek Him.   But that’s just the point–prayer should not be my "last resort" nor should praise be only when things are going well for me!

 

 

I feel like a babbling toddler, just learning in my praying–but I know my Father is pleased!  

 

 

I’ll have more resources to share, as well as quotes and thoughts, but I wanted to share these wonderful resources with you, in case you struggle like I have for so long to know how/what to pray beyond, "God bless so-and-so.  Please work in this-and-that." !

 

 

May you be energized and revitalized as you seek Him and seek to commune with Him, bringing those you love before His Throne!

 

 

 

 

The Singing Heart

Monday, April 5th, 2010

 

Today’s reading in my "Come Away My Beloved" devotional is especially good!  I’d like to share it with you.

 

 

The Singing Heart

 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

Hebrews 11:1

 

 

Patience will manifest where hope is nurtured.  The singing heart is blind to obstacles and recognizes in all things the loving hand of an all-wise Father.  Delays are unnoticed, for the Spirit is not bound by the limitations of outer circumstances.  The power of evil to destroy joy is nullified when Christ Himself becomes the one point of attention. In Him all things are possessed now, for faith beholds that which is yet to be as though it were already a reality.

 

(from On the Highroad of Surrender )

 

 

I have been asking for (and receiving) passages of Scripture to pray praise to my Father.  Not that I am seeing the answer to all my prayers.   But truly your faith grows as you focus on  praying the positive qualities you want to see (through Scripture) and then praising Him for what you are seeing that person or situation to become.  Even if nothing is happening outwardly….but as this passage said, "the Spirit is not bound by the limitations of outer circumstances."  Amen!

 

 

May Christ become our one point of attention so the power of evil cannot destroy our joy in HIM!   He has it all in His hands, all things are His, and we just need to see it by faith and continue to pray His will as we discern it in Scripture.

 

I pray that encourages your heart today–so you, too, can have a singing heart!

 

The Aim of Intercession

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

One of the things I’ve been focusing on during the Daniel Fast is my prayer life.  The Lord has really shown me so much about prayer!

 

It has been hard, and it is work.  But I have found a delight in praying, and a renewed faith, that far surpasses all the toil!

 

One of the devotionals I am using is 31 Days of Prayer by Ruth and Warren Myers (I love all their books!)

 

Each day has a few pages of prayer with a focus, all based on Scripture.  I find this helps me to know how to also take the Scriptures and make my prayers from them.  Then she has a little "As You Have Time" section for each day with ideas and quotes from many prayer warrior authors of the past.  She also has some extra reading in the back she refers you to on certain days, titled "Ways to Grow in Prayer".

 

 

Things like, "Cultivate Faith Through Pursuing God" and "Count on the Truth of Instant Forgiveness" and "Abide in Christ" and "Depend on the Word, Not Feelings".

 

 

I know many people who feel inadequate at intercession.  It almost seems like you either have a gift for it or you don’t!  But, while some may have a calling to intercessory prayer, we all are to intercede.  And so often, if you’re like me, you think it to death and make it so much harder than it is!!!

 

A few days ago, Ruth quoted Andrew Murray (I love his books, too!), and this really riveted my attention:

 

 

"Be specific in your petitions, then you’ll know what answers to look for.  Intercession is not the breathing out of pious wishes; its aim is to bring down God’s blessing through believing, persevering prayer."

This part really spoke to me….

 

 

"…its aim is to bring down God’s blessing through believing, persevering prayer."

 

 

In our instant American society we want it yesterday.  If God doesn’t answer our prayers within 72 hours, we’re onto the next request.

 

 

There’s a reason we need to learn to "be still and know that He is God"!

 

 

George Mueller is considered a prayer warrior extraordinnaire.  Yet did you know he prayed for over 50 years for one man to come to the Lord, who didn’t accept Christ until after Mueller’s death?!   How many of us would even pray 50 days?!!!

 

 

Here is a beautiful quote by Mueller to chew on next to Murray’s quote above (this is also in 31 Days of Prayer):

 

 

"The great point is never to give up until the answer comes.  I have been praying for fifty-two years, every day, for two men, sons of a friend of my youth.  They are not converted yet, but they will be!…The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not go on praying; they do not persevere.  If they desire anything for God’s glory, they should pray until they get it."

 

 

Did you catch that phrase tucked in there?  "Every day"!

 

 

And how much more would Mr. Mueller reprove us today?!

 

 

I am convicted and have decided I will not give up on praying for certain ones.   I may not see the fruition of all my prayers…..but if I truly believe God, then I will not demand "signs and wonders" by answered prayers, nor will I dictate to Him how He should answer.

 

I have found that by asking Him for Scriptures to pray for people, situations, myself….I focus on what He wants for them, for me.  Not my ideas of how it should all go.   I’ll give you one example.

 

 

I have a dear friend who is struggling with totally realizing the Father’s love for her.  She is a Christian, but due to her upbringing and pain in her past, she struggles.  I don’t pray, "Lord, help her not to struggle with this," focusing on the negative.  Oh, I don’t act like it’s not there!  But I try to see her as Jesus does.  He loves her.  He died for her.  He hurts with her that others have so pained her, and that she can’t receive all He died to give her.   But He also has the answers.  He knows when and the best way to answer her cries.

 

So I asked Him for a Scripture for her.   He actually gave me several, but the one that really stood out was in 1 John 4:16 "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.  God is love;  and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

 

 

That is what my friend needs–to know and believe the love that God has for her.  And so that is what I pray.

 

 

This has opened up a new dimension to my praying–and I’ve been a Christian for nearly 31 years!  

 

 

I hope by giving you a glimpse of what the Lord is doing in my life, you will seek Him to help you in your prayer life and especially intercessory prayer.  It is hard work.  But neither is it as hard as we make it to be!

 

 

And if you’re already doing great in this department, say a prayer for me, that I will continue in prayer as Andrew Murray and George Mueller exhort us all to!

 

 

May The LORD Who Hears bless you with strength and determination to persevere for Him!

 

 

 

Great Homeschool Deal!

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Friends of the Estes Family are hosting a WONDERFUL package of homeschool deals to help the Estes.  

 

Here is the blog post where Donny explains why they are doing this:

 

 

Our Quiver Full

 

 

And here is the website with the GREAT DEAL!

 

 

Amazing Homeschool Deals

 

Please consider helping this wonderful family out!   And don’t forget to pray for Noah and the family.

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Please Pray for the Estes Family

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Noah had his broviac line removed a few days ago.  He has GREAT troubles keeping IVs in and it is traumatic for him.  It’s been a rough few days.  He must be fever free for 5 days before they can put in a new line, and this is essential for him to receive optimal nourishment.  He has already blown several IV lines, they just got another in less than an hour ago. PLEASE PRAY for this one to "hold" and for him to remain fever free (he spiked a fever earlier it sounds like, so the clock starts over   ).  Also pray that they find what is causing the fever.

 

 

The little guy just turned 3 on Monday, and Kate said they were told that he probably wouldn’t live to three.

 

 

Mamas, hug your little ones and please say a prayer for Noah and his very tired, emotionally drained mama.

 

 

You can click on the button on the side bar "Please Pray for Noah Estes".

 

 

Thank you SO much!