Do you ever have times when things don’t turn out quite as expected? You thought it would be one way, but it turned out to be another way all together? I’ve had one of those experiences today.

I’m not as tired as I expected to be. It’s been a busy two weeks. Along with my 100 Day Strong goals, I have been a part of a large Christmas production at my church. We have had rehearsals almost every day for two weeks. We then had 8 shows over 5 days.

It was a wonderful success, but after all of the hard work, I expected to be exhausted. I am tired, but in a very content way. In some ways I am surprised. How did I get here and not be worn out?

I have made it through this time successfully for two reasons that I would like to share:

1. The work I have done over the last 91 days has given me more energy and more endurance and I have had many years. I can go longer and further than before. I can’t even begin to describe how thankful I am for this.

2. Being a part of some thing larger than yourself is an awesome experience. There is a certain high that comes after you finish the job that is very rewarding. I’ve had this feeling after running a half marathon, and also after performing and shows. I prefer performing in shows. My shins don’t hurt as bad.

There is also reflection that comes after participating in the show like that. You get the opportunity to be around amazing people, and to share one-of-a-kind experiences. I am thankful that I got to be a part of it all.

So, here at the end of the day, I am finishing up the last few things I need to do. I am tired. I am happy. The goals keep moving forward. The finish line is in sight. #finishstrong #keepmovingforward

Today is day 90. I am 10 days from completing my 100 Day Strong goal. I am so close I can taste it. Just a little further. I am almost there.

I wrote the above paragraph as a remind that now is not the time to quit. I have to push through. I have to keep going. Even though it is getting rough, I have to keep going.

Why is it rough? Our church musical is in full swing. We have run three shows today. Needless to say it has been a very long day. That does not give me permission to skip. We are still headed to 100 Days Strong.

My thought is if I can make it through this, I can keep my healthy choices up after the 100 days is over. That is the thing I am building through all of this. Consistency. This is becoming a habit that is worth keeping. So, we keep going.

Ten more days to go. It is time to finish strong.

There are times when I can barely contain the pride I have for my son. I have been proud of him all his life, but I can feel it so much stronger these days watching him become an exceptional young man.

I have numerous reasons, but there are three I want to share:

1. He is sweet on his mama. This is big to me. Their relationship has been awesome over the years, and it keeps getting better. He takes care of her. He looks out for her. He is sweet on her. It makes me very proud.

2. He loves being around kids younger than him. He doesn’t look down on littles. He is kind. He will play games with them. He looks after them like they were his siblings. He is kind. I love it.

3. He loves God. I could have put this one first, but chose to finish with it because this is so awesome. He does his best to make good decisions and honor the way God wants him to love. So proud.

I absolutely love being a dad. Even more than that, I love being his dad. I never expected it to be so good. I treasure it every day. I look forward to the man he is becoming. He makes me so proud.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. It is there in black and white. Just 5 words into the book of Genesis we see the first characteristics the Bible tells us about God: He existed before the beginning and He is the ultimate creative.

For all of known time and before our God has been creative. This excites me because just a few verses later in Genesis it says:

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27 NLT

We were made in God’s image. So, when we create we are reflecting the Father. When we act, sing, dance, etc. we are showing the world our God. When we lean into the way He made us, that creativity shines through for His glory.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16 NIV

God gives us gifts to use. If you have a talent, how are you using it? What awesome thing can you do? Are you doing it now?

It is day 87 and I am happy to report I am still going strong. I am tired. I am sore. BUT, I am still going.

No long post tonight. Just thankful for this journey. I am down 33 pounds at this point and feel better than I have in quite some time. I am glad I finally got moving. It is hard to believe I only have 13 days to go to hit my goal.

Time is going to pass. I might as well be moving toward my goals while it does.