I have a confession

I have a confession to make, I have NOT been running for almost two months! GASP! Due to my busy days, lazy days and back pain, I have not been working out for that long. See, running is my confidence, it is my happy time when I could just disappear and get lost in my own mind. When I run, I found myself all over again. I feel good about myself, my body gets stronger, it does not crave junk food and it boost my energy level (also my self confident). Working out is dope!

When I am in my lazy-injured-busy mode, I am unhappy. It actually led me to depression! I could not think clear, I craved junk food..constantly and my energy level dropped! I am officially tired at ALL times. Pretty crazy huh? that is what working out could do to your body, both mentally and physically. It affects your life more than you could imagine.

Today, I am proud to say that I am on my feet again, RUNNING and already happy about myself again!

Just a little tips to make you wanting to get back on doing what you LOVE to do, but have not been doing it due to some down days, time or you've lost that loving feeling moment ;)

1. When you feel down, unhealthy, unhappy and it disabled your ability to face everyday life, then there is something missing in your life. Something that isimportant, something that you must do in order to find yourself again. In my case, running and praying time :)

2. Once you found out what you really want to do in your life, then you should do it right away before it becomes one of those "unfinished business" again. Crossed it out of your to-do list. It will make you happier, feel the accomplishment/victorious moment and something to make you proud and happy.

3. Get something to make it happen. Something that you might need to buy, change, mix up or add to pumped you up doing your "thing" again (whatever your "thing" might be for you). Something to motivate yourself again, maybe set a new goal or visualized yourself doing it and reach your goal!

For me, this is what I get :
- Well, this is not what I actually get myself, but I got it on Christmas. My husband bought me this really awesome lululemon hoodies. Girls, this workout outfits is dope! Every girl should have at least one cute workout outfits.

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- I bought and mix a new playlist for my iPhone. In my playlist, you will find mostly hip hop, rap, and rock. That pumped me up!

4. Motivate yourself and find time to do it. ALWAYS prioritize what you need in life. If you neglect yourself, nobody will be able to save you, unless you want to be saved. It is always start with an "I" then the rest will do their own things.

I should obey, 

I should learn, 

I should change, 

I should share, 

I should do something, 

I should not blame others!

xoxo,

Lindsay

Quote of the day

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HAVE A GREAT SATURDAY

XOXO,

Lindsay

BE STRONG!

Tough year?! ..ALREADY?!


The year just started and you have been excited and optimistic about the whole NEW year, NEW start, NEW beginning, NEW visions, etc. But, reality hits your life..hard! Your personal life taking a downhill, work sucks, relationship issues, your sport teams lost (BOOO!!), etc. You have lost all the joy you had on New Year's eve. You started to think negative and hating your life. DON'T!!

Don't let anything or anyone brings you down. When life gets tougher, FIGHT BACK! Know who you are and your strength. Do not let other people cross your line for their own benefit.

via google search

Whoever and whatever that needed to stay in the past (that include one second ago), SHOULD be left behind, in the past, where they belong. Don't get lost in your own past, get out of there and move forward with your head up! I am a quiet, shy, introvert person. But, underneath all of that quietness, I have a powerful voice and I use that power when needed.

STAY STRONG! 

xoxo,

Lindsay

via google search

Happy 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

GOODBYE 2011 

AND

 HELLO 2012!!

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How was your new year's eve and day? Mine was relaxing, enjoyable and memorable. Having a nice homemade meals, clean house, church with family, did some shopping, get a late Christmas presents (YAY!), Chicago Bears/Chicago Bulls won the game..woot woot..could not get any better than that for me!

I am sure there are a lot of things that happened in 2011 that you would like to remember, forget, and replay. Some of the scenes were too much to handle, you just want to close your eyes and pretend it has never happened. Sometimes it is easier to forgive than to forget :)

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New Year's resolutions do not work for me! I just do what I can do, when I can do them. I am a believer in "JUST DO IT" instead of writing a whole bunch of great words on a paper and never do it. The lonely paper just sit nicely inside a beautiful wooden box or pinned perfectly on a wall. The more we look at our goals, its either pumped us up to do it or its making us lazier. "I will do it tomorrow", is the worst excuse for me LOL. Instead, I do not make it a burden for myself to fulfilled my own goals that I write on day 1 of the new year. I make myself available for goals as I live, everyday. I make it fun and free of burden. I just get up and do them with a grateful heart, peaceful mind, right attitude. It is good to have soemthing to remind us to do something in life. But, when it becomes a burden, it will not fulfilled its purpose. ACCOMPLISHMENT is an amazing feeling, victorious and proud in a way.

However, just because New Year's Resolutions don't work for me, it doesn't mean it won't work for you. So, if you are the kind of a person who MUST have it so that you will do it, then go for it! Whatever work for you, right?! ;)


- Let's start the year right with the right attitude and a light heart.
- Let's forgive so that we could make peace with ourselves.
- Let's move on so that we can arrive at the destination that God has prepared for us, instead of walking backward and get lost in our own past. Whatever and whoever that suppose to stay in 2011, let them stay in 2011.
- Let's set a new vision/goals that will benefit us and other people.
- Let's do what we have always wanted to do in our life.
- Let's make a good life so that we could enjoy living it up to the fullest!

Good luck, best wishes for you in 2012. 

My love and prayers! 

xoxo

Lindsay

Lets learn from our past, move on with our eyes set forward to a hopeful future. 

May God be with us, bless, help and keep us. 

Be strong, faithful and thankful. 

Happy New Year 

♥

"I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

-REST, RELAX and ENJOY-

Hello Readers,

How was your Christmas? I hope you had a great time with your loved ones and got to do some things that you could cherish and remember forever! Christmas is still my favorite holiday and I cannot wait til next year, LOL.

Anyway, on my previous post, I was talking about what I want for Christmas. I finally figure it out yesterday. Well, its a little too late for Christmas gift, but I got what I wanted, needed and loved for this Christmas. I got to REST, RELAX and ENJOY my life with my loved ones. No work, no stress, no waking up early, no workout, NOTHING! Just REST!

It sounds like I am the laziest human being on earth. But, I am not lazy and I deserve it all ;)

Sometimes we forgot what really important in life because we are too busy pursuing things that actually are not the most important in life.

Yes, we must work to provide and survive. Yes, we must workout to have a healthy body. Yes, we must be productive with our job and etc. But, it is also important to take a time off from all the craziness, ritual and robotic life we have. By robotic, I meant "an everyday the same routine" life. We wake up at certain time, dragged our feet to the bathroom, made/eat breakfast, go to work, on the same car/carpool/bus at the same time from Monday-Friday, work, lunch at certain time with certain people on the same spots, work, get off work, bus, home, dinner, shower and sleep.

Sometimes we are alive, but not living.

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We have to love our own body and give it the time to rest, relax, heal and restored. A tired body will triggered a lot of unintentional words and actions. Many of them leads to a useless conversation, confrontation, ideas and depressing moments.

Take some days off, not just a day, but SOME days off! It will benefits yourself, those around you and your work as well.

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I got to enjoy things that I have not been able to enjoy with my loved ones due to our workaholic syndrome, schedule and life. It is sad that we waste so much time for other people than with those that we love the most. I enjoy this Christmas so much because I found peace, healing, restoration, relaxing moments with my husband. I also got a lot of great gifts ;)

Well...take some days off...REST, RELAX and ENJOY! Put it in your 2012 resolution or bucket list :)

                                                                    

xoxo, Lindsay, Ryan and Luke

What Do You Want For Christmas?

Christmas is almost here! GASP! Yay or Nay for you?

I find it quite frustrating when we are not done with the Christmas cards, shopping, wrapping the gifts, to do lists that seems impossible to do it all (but it needed to be done), guest list, what to cook, what to wear, what to give, will they like my gift or not, how much money do I have in my account now? and the list goes on and on.

Christmas suppose to be fun and jolly and enjoyable. These days, our own "tradition" kills the joy of Christmas itself. Yes, it is ALL suppose to be about JESUS as the reason for the season! But, lets admit it that Christmas is also a time of the year when we want to see whats under the tree for me? or some homemade food? or family time? (the drama included)! We ALL want something in Christmas time. Its overwhelming when we make it that way. So I will try to share little things that I have learned over the years!

Here are some tips to make Christmas easier and simple for you:

1. Next year, make sure the Christmas cards are out by the second week of December. BUT, just in case you are extremely busy., we can always call them on Christmas day, email them or tagged a Christmas card/pictures on Facebook ;)

2. Start making a list of gifts since October/November. Who and what to buy. List their names and ideas. Buy them weekly, that way it wont be overwhelming if you buy them all at once (less stress on your body and bank account). Know the person's character, likes/dislikes and hobby to make it easier of what to buy them. Gifts Cards always an option!

3. Last minute shopping should always be the "not so important" gifts. In other word, this gift is not the star of the show, but the more the merrier (and it wont hurt your financial as well). If you make the last minute shopping as the star of the show, you will go crazy! You've been warned!

4. Decorating the house should start on the second week of December (or earlier if you LOVE Christmas time, like ME!). Clean up the house 2 days before Christmas, that way it will give you time to relax and enjoying your days off, family time, cooking, and church time without overwhelming with the cleaning, cooking, entertaining the guests ALL in the same day.

5. Make the list of what to cook (if you are planning on cooking), at least a week before Christmas. Start buying the groceries at least 2 days before Christmas. You do NOT wanna stand in line for hours with panic people in the grocery stores..on Christmas eve!

6. Cook it on Christmas eve or you can wake up early morning and cook. Depends on what type of food, time to eat and how many dishes you are planning to cook. Slow cooker is always a great option, no mess and yummy foods (google it online for recipes)! Dessert..hmm...you always have an option to simplify it by buying it from the bakery stores LOL!

7. Make sure you have enough time to rest! Enjoy your day off, food, family and remember Jesus Christ!

What do YOU want this Christmas? Make a wish and pray. Remember the first step is faith, hope will keep you going and love will help you embracing the life!

Images are taken from google.

Be Merry, Be Happy

XOXO,

Lindsay

Quote of the day

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XOXO,

Lindsay

The Tim Tebow's Factor

I am a proud CHICAGO BEARS fan, always will!

Since Jay Cutler's (Bears QB) injury, their games had been tough and really hard to watch. But, a true fan will always support their team through good times and bad times. Its a matter of loyalty and faith. The Bears is a strong team, their defense is one of the best in the country (then again, I am a die hard fan, so if you do not agree, it is your own opinion lol). The Bears had best years and it has been fun to watch them play.

The Bears have won nine (9) NFL Championships (eight pre-merger, and one Super Bowl). The Bears hold the NFL records for the most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with 27 members, and the most retired jersey numbers. The Bears have also recorded more regular season and overall victories than any other NFL franchise. The franchise recorded its 700th win on November 18, 2010. (Source: Wikipedia)

If you NEVER live in Chicago, then you will never understand why we love our sport teams so much. Chicagoan is a fanatic sport fans. They make their voices heard when it comes to CHICAGO BEARS, CHICAGO BULLS, CHICAGO CUBS and well..CHICAGO WHITE SOX!. Its a tradition to love the Chicago sport teams if you live in Chicago. Even when we move to another country, state, or city, we will ALWAYS support our teams. It is a fact that everywhere you go, you will notice a Chicago sport's team bar. We have our pride, love and support for our city!

Last Sunday, we watched the BEARS vs Broncos game. It was a slow game in the beginning since both teams were scoreless. Then, toward the end, things got better. Marion Barber scored a touchdown and add score for the Bears, and then he made a huge mistake that cost the Bears lost that game to the Broncos. Its actually a team's lost, not just Marion Barber's, but he happened to be the guy who scored for The Bears then caused The Bears to lose their game that day. He became the most loving player to the most hated player of the day for the Chicago's fans. Remember, we are fanatic sport fans. We love them then we grilled them when they caused our team to lose. Its the human side in each of us to love someone then hate them. We tend to see only the mistake and forget the goods that they did. Its hard to please people. It was a bad day for Marion Barber! He was one of the trend in Twitter and people saying really hurtful things toward him. I understand the pain of losing as a Bears fan, but to attack Marion Barber's personal life, including his faith to God, is just senseless and pathetic. Criticize his performance based on the game, but do not attack his personal life/faith because that is between him and God. As a true fan, we can criticize them, but we are not the one on the field. Everyone made mistake on their job, including Marion Barber. Just because he got paid a lot of money, does not mean, he must never made mistake. We got paid for our job and we made mistakes. In a perfect world, perfect would be the only option and result.

The fact that people attack Marion Barber's faith is because the Bears was playing against the Denver Broncos who have Tim Tebow as their quarterback. Readers, let me introduce you, Tim Tebow, the man who made highlights in every sport channel, magazines and social medias as "God's quarterback", "Saint Tebow", "God's favorite" and the list goes on.

Tim Tebow is an outspoken Christian and the Christian people loves him. The Broncos fans loves him because he brings his team to one victory to another. The media likes to talk about him because he is the All American Boy!. He is a young athlete, quarterback with good performances, a role model, humble, unashamed of his faith. He is the good guy :)

In 2010, a new rule for the next NCAA football season, dubbed "The Tebow Rule" by media because it would have affected him, banned messages on eye paint.During his college football career, Tebow frequently wore biblical verses on his eye black. In the 2009 BCS Championship Game, he wore John 3:16 on his eye paint, and as a result, 92 million people searched "John 3:16" on Google during or shortly after the game. Additionally, later, when Tebow switched to another verse, there were 3.43 million searches of "Tim Tebow" and "Proverbs 3:5-6" together. Tebow stated of the searches "It just goes to show you the influence and the platform that you have as a student-athlete and as a quarterback at Florida". (source: Wikipedia)

OK, so last Sunday, they were two men who made a huge trend on twitter. There was Marion Barber, the most hated man in Chicago and there was Tim Tebow, the most loved man in America (or so it seemed like on that Sunday Twitter's trend lol). People started to write things like, "God loves Tebow and hates Barber", "God hates the Chicago Bears", "Tim Tebow's God sucks", "God has a favorite" or "God is too busy taking care of Tebow and neglect the starving kids in Africa", or "Marion Barber is an atheist and that is why he screwed up" and the list goes on.

I am a Christian, proud and unashamed of my faith. I am also a Chicago Bears fan. I love Tim Tebow as a brother in Christ and proud of his unashamed faith. However, I am kinda annoyed by some Christians who made Tebow as the only athlete in the world and God is against everyone else. God only love and favor Tebow. It could be a very dangerous message to send to other believer and unbeliever as well. Because it caused people to think that God only help/love a "certain" people and hates the rest. It shows no compassion, no love, and against God's character as love himself. It is great to share your faith, it is even greater when people blessed by your everyday life's testimonies. Action will speak louder than just words. Of course God will help those who trust Him and obey His words. Don't get me wrong, God will never agree or help you doing some evil, wrong doing things that will caused hurt to others or yourself. It is time for us to take responsibility of our own actions and decisions in life. God helps us through it all, but He will never help you accomplish bad things.

This is another fact that I'd like to share of another Christian athlete. That athlete is Marion Barber (surprise..surprise..). He is also a strong Christian man, who is not ashamed of his faith. His twitter account shows how much he loves God and shows his personal relationship with Him. This is the link about Barber after the game. In fact, in Chicago Bears itself, there are a lot of very strong Christian athletes. Devin Hester, Anthony Adams, Matt Forte, Major Wright, Israel Idonije, Charles Tillman and the list goes on. There is a great article about them in this LINK.

My point is this, Tim Tebow is a great man of faith and he is also a great athlete. There are also a lot of other strong Christian in the NFL that most Christian don't know, because they might not show it the way Tebow does. Everyone has a different style of worship, minister and how they share their faith. God has given each one of us a unique ability, talent, creativity and ways to share our love, hope and faith in Jesus Christ. But, that doesnt give us the right to judge other people's faith, or to say that God favor/love Tebow more than He loves Marion Barber, for example. God has blessed each of us in different ways, times and favor. God is just and fair. All He ask from us is to love Him by being obedient to His words.

My point in this blog is that everyone has their own unique ability to share the gospel. Please do not make God seems like a mean, unjust and unfair one. Just because Tebow wins and the other lost, does not mean that God hates the other team LOL. It is a football game! Winning and losing is a part of the game. Some mistakes are worse than others and some winning are better than others. There is a time for EVERYTHING! Do not judge other people or comparing his faith to the other one when you do not even know the truth about any of them. Encourage them, pray for them and love them. Yes, they are professional athletes who got paid a lot of money. Yes, they are pro athletes who gets use with compliments and critics or even cursed. But, they are still HUMAN, just like you and I. Criticize them based on their performance as an athlete and stop making assumption as if you know God and this is God's will and that is it! Get to know the other athletes faith, and you will be amazed. God is in our lives, each of us. He works differently, He use different people, different way and time. God loves Marion Barber as much as He loves Tebow. Marion scored the ONLY touchdown for DaBears that day!

I do admire and love athletes like Tebow, Hester, Barber, Kurt Warner, Forte, etc, who glorify God in every aspect of their lives and unashamed of it.

Just to be clear though, as much as I love Tim Tebow, I still love my Chicago Bears more ;)

GO CHICAGO BEARS! BEARDOWN!

Images are from my own collection and www.google.com

xoxo,

Lindsay

Christmas is the merriest and loneliest time of the year

Christmas decorations is all over the city. Christmas carols is all I have been listening to lately. Christmas gifts' list is almost done. But somehow, I feel lonely and sad.

The Christmas season is killing me. I am not a Christmas hater, in fact I love Christmas with all my heart. Its just that I miss my family so much and they are all the way in Indonesia. I have nobody here and holiday season is starting to affected me in a negative way. You know when people says that Christmas can be a merry, happiest time of the year and also the most depressed, loneliest time of the year. I am one of those lonely and depressed person during Christmas time.

Christmas is still my favorite time of the year. I love the tradition, the decorations, snow, food and family time. I come from Manado, Indonesia, and in that city, Christmas is a HUGE deal.

We started baking our homemade Christmas cookies since October and Christmas carols is starting since October as well. On Christmas eve, people usually gathered with their family in their house, pray, eat and go to church. The 25th-26th are going to Church day as well. Then you can visit anyone's house in that city to wished them Merry Christmas, eat and just enjoying the holiday moment.

Christmas started on the 24th night and ended in January 2nd LOL.

Every household will have at least 4 kinds of cookies, all homemade. Each household will cook a lot of foods to entertained whoever visited their houses. Mostly families, friends, relatives, and neighbors. But, our doors always open for strangers as well.

When I got here, Christmas has become a "shopping" season and lost its meaning as a day of joy, hope and Christ as the King. It has become so commercial that people is more concerned about what to buy than the moment of hope itself. People dont even say MERRY CHRISTMAS anymore. It has becomes the day of gift exchange, santa, the day of sleep because work awaits on the 26th, the day to get drunk, a day of loneliness for some people. It is a totally different experience for me and it kills me, slowly :(

I do love the gift exchange and all, but I also want to go to Church and see some family members. Too bad for me, I don't have all of that in here. Now, I understand why some people chose to spend their Christmas working late or getting drunk.

The fact that you are alone while some people "seemed" happier than you with their loved ones. The fact that nobody care enough to wish you a merry Christmas or to invite you to their house, is not a fun feeling in holiday season. The fact that you have to work the next day is also not fun LOL.

I am still excited for Christmas even though it is not the same anymore. I keep my eyes on why we have Christmas itself. It is a day of celebration. Its the day to remember why Christ came to earth.

He came for us to receive Him, to get saved and to have hope in Him. It is more than just a day with family, friends, gifts and all that. It is a joyful occasion. Do not let anyone or anything take that hope away from your heart. I am talking to myself as well :)

I just want to remind all of you who have a family member in here to cherish the moment. Enjoy your time with your family and love ones, because for people like me, that is the most wonderful moment of Christmas that I will always remember forever. I wish my family lives closer to me, but since they are so far away, I can only close my eyes and remember every moment I have with them in Christmas time. It puts a smile on my face :)

via google 

xoxo,

Lindsay

Happy Thanksgiving

As much as we love the thanksgiving feast, the day off, family time (and the drama that comes within it), the black friday's sale, etc. We must not forget to give thanks for God's blessings in our lives. Sometimes, we are taking advantage of the everyday's blessings in life. Little things, everyday stuff that we enjoy, is also a blessing. Count your blessing and you will be amazed :)

Be thankful for your breath today, your children, food, house, clothes, family, friends, job, car, new project, creativity, pet, health, ideas, beauty, strength, wisdom, internet, fresh air, beautiful flowers, blue sky, and the list goes on and on. Notice that a lot of great, beautiful things are free (for example : the moon, stars, sun, sky, nature)

Give thanks for yesterday's lessons, bad or good. Give thanks for today's moment, bad or good. Give thanks for a hope to a better tomorrow. God might work in a mysterious way, the ways that we often do not understand, but He is still a great good God.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
From our family to yours..xoxo,

~Lindsay