Over the weekend I did a lot of this....

Just looking at this picture makes my heart so stinkin happy and I sure do miss that baby a lot. I wish they lived in Greenville so badly. Last week was one of those weeks that just happen and you lay in bed on Sunday night and you aren’t sure how it went by so quickly? You find yourself dreading the Monday morning ahead more than normal because it’s the first full week of work in almost a month. Then you drag yourself out of bed so you can go to the early Hot Yoga class only to find that your mat that’s always left in your safely marked cubby is gone. Not just any mat… your favorite mat. The mat that cost you $80. So then you get stuck with a borrowed mat that needs a towel on top so you won’t slide but you still slide because it’s not your mat that never lets you slide which only makes you mad at yourself for leaving your favorite mat at the yoga studio in the first place. So there you are… lying on a borrowed mat with stinging hands that feel something like rug burn thanks to that stupid towel and you feel pretty dumb for putting your trust in a small wooden box that’s supposed to keep your yoga mat safe and sound. But really… who cares about stolen mats and burning hands when you look at that adorable picture of the cutest nephew in the whole world…? Am I right? I think I am.

So I am going to try my best to have a forgiving heart. Instead of being mad about a silly earthly item I want to be thankful for all that the Lord has given me. Thankful for the chance to wake up every morning and live a life for Him. I regret spending most of Monday morning in that hot room irritated and huffing when my hands or feet would slide. I wish I could take back the thoughts of anger and replace them with thoughts of forgiveness and love but I am thankful to serve a God that loves. A God that I can turn to and repent.

Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you

Acts 3:19 (MSG)

Glad to link up with the lovely Becky at Apples of Gold today!

One of my new favorite reads!!!

Love/Hate relationships.

Tomorrow is Turkey Day… aka eat way too much food day!
Every year it happens. We spend time with family, make excuses for stuffing ourselves and we enjoy the day. But regret it the next day.

This year is a little different for me. I’m in pain. Like, actual physical pain…

Typing this post is actually hurting my arm muscles and crossing my legs right now is causing some pain also. There is only one answer for this feeling……. YOGA.

Yoga and I have a true love/hate relationship.

I get to class and stand on my mat and I feel in control. I feel connected to myself. Connected to my heart that is yearning for an hour of peace with my heavenly Father. Connected to my breath that I use to push through the moves and not give up when I feel pain. Connected to everyone in the room that are moving and breathing with me. That's the love part.

Then the hate shows up....

The thoughts like, “I’m never going to do this again!”

“UGGGHHHH, I HATE THIS!”

“Why do I ever want to come here!?!”

“Just think of that WHITE dress, Cassie!!!”

“How is the instructor not sweating their face off?!?”

But somehow at the end of the class the love starts creeping in again…

I feel powerful and connected again and one of the most exciting parts of every class lately is noticing how much love is overpowering the hate. Some nights I hardly feel any hate at all which makes me want to give hot yoga a big sweaty hug and a peck on the cheek.

So tomorrow, on Thanksgiving, I’m going to allow myself to indulge a bit and not feel that bad about it because this little relationship I have with Hot Yoga will make up for that delicious broccoli casserole.

And peanut butter pie.

Mmmm, hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Yoga and God...?

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."Nelson Mandela

At the end of one of my yoga classes this week while lying down on my mat, soaking wet and with a cold lavender washcloth on my face the teacher read the quote above. I felt something move inside me. Something that wanted more. More of love, more of life, more giving for God and His people.

I’ve noticed that some people are a little negative about yoga because they believe it’s a type of religion. As far as I’m concerned I know where my heart is.

I begin each class with a silent prayer to God to put my heart in the right place. Using the hour I have in that class to grow closer to Him. Relying on His strength to push through the moves, using every breath that He has given me to inhale the love and exhale the bad.

When we are having the relaxation time at the end of class to meditate I spend that time lying on my back and talking to my Maker. Thanking Him for giving me a body that can endure the moves I have just completed. Giving me a heart that yearns to become closer to Him everyday.

For me yoga is more than just a workout. It is a spiritual experience however you want to use it. While I am in that HOT room I’m constantly working and talking to God so much that I feel like I am standing right in front of Him at times.

Once I FINALLY reach the end of the class and I lay down my body is so tired but I feel strength from inside. That quote truly hit me when I heard it. I’m so glad that I found this new love for Hot Yoga and I’m so excited about this new level of closeness to the Lord that I have also found… it’s such a blessing!! Now if I could talk the teachers into playing some Hillsong I would have an amazing experience! HA!

I truly hope everyone had an amazing week and hopefully you can make this Saturday beautiful!!! 

Midweek Randoms

Just a random post on a random humpday. Today has felt off all day long since I stayed home sick on Monday. I kept thinking it was Tuesday and to make things worse it was a completely SLOW day. I was most definitely busy but the day still dragged. BUT, I’m proud to say I made it though… I survived!

While I sit here completely worn out I thought I’d share a few randoms that made my heart happy today……

• I went to my second HOT Yoga class tonight. Explains the “worn out” comment above. I have a 2 week pass that was going to expire this weekend so there’s no better time than now to give it a whirl. I absolutely love it!!

• I had a delightful lunch date with the beautiful, Jocie Ashworth today. So incredibly thankful for her and our friendship!

• NEEDTOBREATHE is coming to Clemson University on April 29^th and I’m beyond pumped!!! So excited to see them live again, it’s been way too long.

• Thanks to that nasty bug I had over the weekend I’ve lost 3 lbs! Can’t complain too much about that…

• My mom and I are planning our yearly "Mom/Daughter Trip" to Boston in June!!! I've never been and I am so excited! Shopping, eating, enjoying wine, shopping, sightseeing and some shopping. 

So, right now I’m ready to relax… eat a couple Girl Scout cookies {Lemonades... eeek!} while I sip on some hot tea and watch Revenge. Yes, most definitely a perfect evening after some sweaty yoga! ;)