Week 12 day 7!!!!!!!

We did it!!!! 

I can't believe it's over... well... NOT QUITE YET!

We are doing one more week of ALL THE WEEKLY (and daily) CHALLENGES IN ONE WEEK!

I can't wait to try this. It's gonna be extra hard because I will be in California for 3 of the 7 days. We'll see how that goes!

Before I finish 12 weeks I have to share what I have learned in the challenge and how it has blessed my life. There is no way to understate how much of a blessing this challenge has been to me. My sister passed away 5 months ago from suicide and I believe that if I hadn't been focused on this challenge and staying on top of my physical, spiritual and emotional health, with about 40 wonderful friends, I would not have come out of this phase of life feeling as peaceful and strong and focused as I feel right now. I have had so many wonderful experiences and have immensely enjoyed reading about all the incredible experiences of the others in this group. They have shared with all of us what they have learned, how they have grown, how their lives and the lives of others around them (both friends and strangers) have been blessed because they are more ready, willing and able to heed the call of the Lord to be his angels. The world needs more angels! Thanks to all who did this with me for your inspiration.

Here is a list of some of the practical things that I have learned about myself and how I work best:

What I have learned from More Fit For the Kingdom!

-       Getting up early and working out is the only way for me to be really happy.

-       I must get my prayers and scripture in the morning as early as possible

-       Taking a nap in the afternoon after I have done all my most important items, is FAR better than sleeping in.

-       Going to the temple once a week is essential.

-       Eating treats does not have to be a daily event and feel better and taste better when done once or twice a week. I CAN DO IT!

-       Exercise does NOT have to be in a gym, really long and difficult or boring.

-       Exercise is best for my overall health when it is outside or with other people.

-       I don’t have to be in exercise clothes to get some exercise!

-       Praying every day to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands brings to pass the greatest experiences and blessings. It is what I am here for- and those that need me as an instrument the most, are my own family. If my day feels disjointed and out of sync, it's because I forgot to pray in the morning. 

-       I CAN work out 6 days a week! (I only missed 2 days of exercise the whole 12 weeks and one day was because I was SICK!)

I CAN DO HARD THINGS because I AM WILLING TO LET THE LORD HELP ME!!!

Thanks to everyone for joinging me on this journey and let's rock this last crazy everything week!!!

Week 8: Day 7

ANGELS-

ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT! Does that make you happy or sad or scared? Don't worry, that is not a survey question!  Sorry this is so late tonight... I have been flitting around Gilbert being an angel (and playing games with my family which is my favorite thing)!

I would say I hope you had a great week but eating fruit and being an angel, I am pretty sure did lead to some pretty happy days - but still, I hope I am right! Before I give you the survey, I want to share with you the comments from last week's survey about Genealogy and Water. I am soooo happy with all that I read. You had some amazing experiences becoming closer to loved ones on the other side, or recording your own memories for your posterity and much more. That is so inspiring to see what is going on out there with our group. We have done soooo much over these last 9 weeks it really is fun to see and be a part of! Thank you!!

This next week's mystery challenge is in the survey- it is one where you will have to follow your own path, allowing the Spirit to guide you in exactly how to implement it. I really hope you do challenge yourself with this and reap the rewards!

This week's WEEKLY Challenge is to do 50 push ups a day! This can be done in smaller pieces and can be done with your hands on a bench or even against a wall if you have physical limitations that will cause injury or if you need to work into it. You can also do them on your knees for an easier version. If you don't have any physical limitations then GO FOR IT!!!!! My dad does 100 push ups every day and he's not even doing the challenge (he does them on a bench- he is 67!) If our cheerleader for this challenge is still with us and reading this email, will you please send me some info for the group? (I can't find my list).

Here are your responses- 

Thoughts on Genealogy Challenge-

I worked on my life history, by working on a time line of my life.

For the past 6 years I’ve wanted to learn more about my great-great-great-grandfather George Parker Dykes who was buried in the Mesa Cemetery in 1888.  (Almost all of my ancestors are in Utah.)  He served in the Mormon Battalion but was later excommunicated and moved to AZ with one of his wives. Sunday evening I finally called my grandfather’s 93-year-old cousin who is the family history expert.  I have been meaning to call her ever since moving to Mesa 6 years ago.  We spent 45 minutes talking about this specific family line, and she asked me to help her find out some additional information we need.  I emailed her several photos of family headstones at the Mesa Cemetery, which I know she will love.  I feel that one of the reasons I am living in Mesa right now is to help with this family history.  I am grateful for this specific challenge that encouraged me to finally make that phone call and hopefully help solve some family mysteries.  I’m so excited to see what I can find!

I have always wanted to prepare a name for the temple, but this was not the week to do it. Instead, I read the journal of an ancestor. I had a great experience as I participated in our stake youth trek and was able to reflect on the things I read in the journals. I also enjoyed watching my kids get interested in their heritage. Sunday night I found my son on the couch reading his great-great-grandfather's journal like a good novel you can't put down.

I am helping my daughter prepare to be married and sealed in the temple on July 16 the same day of the year her dad and I were married and sealed in the temple.  I guess I am working on the opposite end of genealogy right now.

Good to get back to that part of the gospel. Had fun finding a name for Rustin to do the baptism for! We have already done all the work for the wife and now they are on the road to being sealed!

I didn't get much done in this area other than a couple of discussions with family members and a friend at church...guess it has to start somewhere though!

i have been doing genealogy for my dad's side of the family for about a year now - and it is not easy at all!  with my dad being the only member of the church in his family, and not much information from relatives - it is hard, but very rewarding to make connections to the past!  to aid in the frustration that can come, i am reading the life story of my great-grandma heap, for the second time!  i love love love the stories of my family  -- it is so much more than names . . .it is life!  so grateful for life and its continuation and connection . . . .

Thoughts on Drinking 64 oz Water- week 8:

Drinking water helped me feel hydrated and healthy!

Better than soda!

I LOVE water!

Everything works better with water in the system!  Felt lighter in spite of drinking so much.

I loved the info from the water coach this week.  I learned more about water in one week than in my whole life.  Water is AWESOME!!!

Water has always been my favorite beverage!

I didn't really learn anything new because I've always been a believer in the importance of drinking enough water and why, but I did feel that those beliefs were even more reinforced!

I normally drink about that much water a day.

Being an Angel - Week 9: Day 3

Hello MFFTK angels-

Great job last week and congrats to the 30 people who still reported- 8 of you had perfect weeks!!! That's 26.6 % of us that got 63 points! And... 10 people were in the fifties! No matter what your scores are- I am so glad you are toughing it out to the end!  I hope you are feeling the blessings... I am! 

Are you remembering to pray to be an instrument in the Lord's hands and then watching for ways that the Spirit directs you to help others? Whenever you get a benevolent or charitable hunch or a thought - DO NOT DISMISS IT! Just assume with confidence that that is the Holy Ghost gently guiding you to those in need. "Angel-ing" comes in many forms... a phone call, a visit, a smile, an email, a shoulder to cry on, helping someone financially, praying for someone who is facing a trial, sharing your testimony with someone... or just being a loving person in whatever capacity you serve. Please check out this recent article from the AZ Republic about Ralph, an earthly angel who works at the drive-through at the McDonald's near my house. 4 months ago he made such an impact on me that I wrote about him in my journal and he was a total stranger!!! His simple and pure love of Christ and others has made him a bright and shining example of charity that many people besides myself have noticed. http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/05/23/20110523gilbert-mcdonalds-popular-drive-through-worker-ralph.html

Four days after my sister, Liza's, funeral, I was wearing one of her shirts my mother had given me and I had never worn it before. I drove through McDonald's to get my kids a snack and there was Ralph, he said "Wow, you are dressed for success!" and I told him thanks, it was my sister's shirt. Then he asked how my weekend was and he was so sweet I felt like telling him the truth, that we had actually just had the funeral of my little sister but that we were doing okay thanks to the prayers of so many people and a feeling of closeness to God. He was so tender in his response, and he said, "Keep being the wonderful you that you are. You radiate with light and it shows. When we lose loved ones we know that they are safe in God's arms. God bless you."  I was blown away. It was music to my ears and made me almost cry. When Liza was alive I worried about her safety almost constantly and it was nice to be reminded that now she was safe in God's arms. I knew that Ralph was being inspired by the Holy Ghost with what he said to me and it was incredibly comforting. He was my angel that day! This is what I want us to be!!!

I love you guys! Have a fantastically fruity week and we will talk again soon!

Sarah

MYSTERY CHALLENGE: Be an angel (Worth 3 points).
	YES! The Lord needs mortal angels and I will be one of them! 29 7% No, it's too much work. 0 0%

How did you feel about the GENEALOGY challenge this week?
	I enjoyed helping family members get one step closer to salvation 7 2% I don't have much experience in this area but took a step in the right direction 12 3% I don't know what I am doing and so I didn't try 1 0% I was too busy to help my ancestors 9 2%

Which daily challenge was the most difficult for you this week?
	Twice daily personal prayer 3 1% Daily personal scripture study 1 0% Not eating after 7:30 2 0% Exercise 6 1% No desserts 12 3% No Soda (or other personal nemesis) 3 1% Drinking 64 oz of water 2 0%

Are you going to incorperate last week's challenge (drink 64 oz WATER) into your daily routine now?
	Absolutely! Hydration feels amazing! 22 5% Somewhat, I will drink more water than I did before but probably not 64 oz each day! 7 2% No. Drinking soda is as close as I will get to drinking water! 0 0% No. I don't like the decor in my bathroom enough. 0 0%

Which of the WEEKLY challenges have improved your health the most?
	No Sweets 18 4% Food Journal- Count Calories 0 0% 7 hours of sleep per night 5 1% Eat Recommended Fiber 2 0% 100 Sit-ups per day 0 0% Write in Journal daily 1 0% 4 servings of veggies a day 3 1%

Rate yourself between 1 and 5 on your effort
	1- I didn't try at all 1 0% 2- I tried a little but can do much better 9 2% 3- I put a decent amount of effort into it 4 1% 4- I wasn't perfect but worked hard 10 2% 5- I gave it all I had this week! 5 1%

Would you be interested in a party at the end of this challenge?
	Yes 20 5% No 9 2%

--
Lots of love-

Sarah Crawford

480-236-2326

www.MoreSaviorLikeThee.blogspot.com