INSANE Results...in 30 MINUTES!

I'll just keep it short and sweet: Shaun T's new program, Insanity Max 30, has finally been released! Of course, it couldn't be more timely because the challenge pack (the program PLUS Shakeology) is deeply discounted for the month of December. So, whether you're buying it as a gift, or for yourself, this is the best time to get it! Shaun T's programs are very popular, so it's highly likely that it might sellout quickly. 

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Watch the short video below to see what you're in for! If you're familiar with (or have done) Insanity, you probably already have an idea. ;) One thing's for certain, Shaun T's programs GET RESULTS! I've done Hip Hop Abs, Rockin' Body, and Focus T25. I love those programs and I lost pounds and inches. I'm sure this program will be no exception! Intensity and results, and in only 30 minutes! Awesome! Be infused! God bless you! 

Bright Friday

You know, I'm not all that keen on all the Black Friday stuff. Therefore, I propose an alternative: Bright Friday! Isn't Christmas supposed to be positive and filled with good things? Isn't it supposed to be full of cheer and the spirit of generosity? Shouldn't the start of something good have a name that sounds positive rather than negative? "Black Friday" has always sounded a little gloomy and daunting to me; and for some people who have been trampled, injured, and killed in those crazy stampedes, it has definitely lived up to that title.  

I don't know about you, but standing in line to buy a bunch of stuff doesn't sound as fulfilling or appealing as standing at a kettle stand to ring the bell for charity. So, if you'd rather skip the shopping frenzy and put that generous/gifting spirit to better use, please, volunteer to bell-ring! In my county, we have very few people who have signed up for Friday. Maybe everyone is going to be too busy shopping or maybe they are just opting out of being around the chaos that day. Totally understandable. I get it. However, being that this IS a high trafficked day, it's a very CRUCIAL day to get volunteers. Filled shifts on big shopping days have a higher probability of raising more money to help local needy families; families who more than likely don't have enough money to shop on Black Friday (or even basic needs on ANY day, for that matter). Not only can they not afford gifts for under the Christmas tree, but probably not much food on their tables either.....UNLESS we can raise plenty of money to help. The many children who are hoping to receive clothing items, toys, etc. will only wake up to find those things on Christmas morning if we have the means to provide it for them. Hopefully, they'll even have more food to eat if our pantry shelves have more to offer as well. Please, ring the bell for at least an hour. Even if it's not on Friday, just pick at least ONE day! 

I know that no matter what I say, there's going to be a ton of people out shopping anyways; and that's ok. I'm not trying to condemn shopping (anyone that knows me knows that I could NEVER do that lol!). I'm just advocating a balance because even though we're all going to be shopping at some point, it's important not to lose sight of the bigger picture. I'm obviously going to have Christmas shopping to do too, though I have no "battle plan" for it. I'm just more determined than ever this year to stay focused on what matters. It's not just because I work for The Salvation Army now, but because each year I get more tired of the "hype" because I'm yearning for the "heart" of Christmas. Is it just me, or is there anyone else that feels that way too? I just want to give, not get. December the 25th is when we celebrate the birth of Christ and yet, we get all the presents? I'd rather just give to Him (and to others in TRUE need) in His name. I want to experience Christmas...for REAL! How about you? What's your reason to celebrate the season?

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I was going to take a moment to talk about the "special" Team Beachbody deals here at the end, but I really don't care anymore. You're welcome to visit www.infusion413.com to see, but if you only have time to visit just one link, pick www.registertoring.com . It's the BEST deal for you and for the people you would be helping! I truly mean that! Have a BRIGHT Friday! Be careful out there; whether you're shopping or volunteering (or both). Grab a friend (or a group of friends) and ring together! :) Be safe, stay warm, and take care of yourself! Be infused! God bless you! 

I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!

At this point in the year, I don't think it's uncommon to just stop and wonder where all the time went. Every year when it's about time for the holidays again, I think "is it that time again already? We just got done with that!" It just seems to get busier every year! Weren't the holidays so much simpler when we were kids and we just got to enjoy all the good stuff lol?!

The first week of November has already come and gone so quickly. Just a few more days and the month will already be half over. It's yet another one of those times where I'm like, "oh yeah, I forgot to mention this month's promos." The busier things get in my life, the less the Team Beachbody world seems to factor in for me (in more ways than one). I wish it weren't that way. I've been a coach for over four years and I'm not where I thought I'd be (again, in more ways than one). Though, as I always say, I'm not a quitter! I know I'm not the only one out there that is busy at this time of year, or with the regular stuff in life (as well as the unexpected surprises). I've never quite felt that I've had a long enough period of time to really get momentum and keep it going long-term. There have been far too many drastic life changes in my life in the time since I've started. I'm hopeful that things are finally stabilizing, but you never know lol. 

That's why I just want to encourage everyone out there to just keep enduring! Seriously! No matter what it is that you're doing, need to do, or are still AIMING to do, just be patient with yourself! No one does a perfect job at anything; and there's always the proper time and season. Even the best trainers and coaches have their slumps. No kidding! Sometimes, I see Shaun T on Facebook making the occasional post about how he's had moments of discouragement or days where he didn't "feel like it" either. We all get weary. The important thing is that we remember how to renew our strength and we do that by leaning on the Everlasting Arms! ;) Jesus is always there to INFUSE us with His strength! 

When I blog like this, I remember how much I miss blogging on a regular basis; and not particularly regarding the fitness stuff. Not that this blog doesn't matter to me (it does) but what has always mattered most was the spiritual aspect of things. I've always included in with the fitness stuff too, but even when all the fitness and Beachbody stuff goes on my back burner, my faith does not. So, it's more than likely that this blog (and my coaching in general) is just going to continue to be one of those facets of me that is going to be more in the background rather than the forefront (at least for a while). Right now, I'm still focused on continuing to adjust to all the new changes of the past few months (as well as getting through the holidays). So, my posts will be short and sweet for a while; unless they're on my other blog. My heart is with my family as well as the mission of my new job (which is focused on helping people in need and especially right now at Christmas). I hope you'll read my posts and support my efforts as I keep you updated on that! ;)

"I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!"
- from the movie "A Christmas Story"

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Watch the video below if you want to learn more about this month's Beachbody specials. It's Piyo (one of the programs I've ben "aiming to" do myself and haven't gotten around to). I hear nothing but good things about it; and I LOVE Chalene! I'll make my booty do it if yours does lol. If someone buys a Piyo Challenge Pack or a Piyo Kickstart and Shakeology Challenge Pack, I will too and I'll start gettin' r done again lol. And if Piyo isn't your thing, there's the Les Mills Combat, Pump, and Ultimate Reset Challenge Packs which are on special too. Actually, if I sell ANY challenge pack of any program this month, I'll do it lol! This is your chance to kind of coach your coach. ;) If not, well, I'll probably just keep putting it off until after the holidays. Can you MAKE ME workout?! ;) I'm curious and wondering if anyone will, but I'm betting that I'll probably be off the hook this time because no one will want to take the challenge with me and make me work my butt off (literally lol) before Christmas! Is someone going to prove me wrong? I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!!! ;) Be infused! God bless you! 

Our October Blessings!

There are only ten more days until Halloween. The kids' costumes have been picked out and ordered and we are looking forward to taking them out to get candy. I'm just hoping it won't be cold and/or rainy! It's been horrible weather for it the past few years! Irregardless, we'll still be going and making new family memories! This will be our first Halloween together!

Speaking of new things, there are a few other new things that are happening right now. It's been keeping me so preoccupied that I completely forgot to post this month's promotions (sorry about that!). Before I tell you what's going on with the fitness stuff, I'll just fill you in on the two big blessings that have been taking up my time.

The first one is the sale of my house (yes, finally!). It's very bittersweet. While we are very glad to finally get it sold (which will free up our budget, bless us with a profit, and take a load off of our minds) it's also sort of sad for me. As you might remember, I bought the house last year and my parents and I went to work on updating/improving the inside. The house not only reflects my personal taste, but it meant so much to me to be able to live close to my Dad and to have been able to get the house as a single mom. It was a milestone for me. I barely had any time to really savor it before God surprised me with Chris and things began moving me in a different direction (both literally and figuratively). The merging of our two lives meant trusting that God would provide for us as well as bring a new job opportunity my way. It's been a little unsettling to have to wait for the house to sell as well as a new job.

That's my other great news! :) It took three tries, but I finally ended up with the right job! It was almost like "The Three Bears" story in which the previous two jobs/interviews had a lot to offer, but only the third one was "just right" for me. God always knows best and I'm glad that He didn't allow me to have the jobs that I felt were right. He knew what the perfect fit would be for me (and when) and no matter how disappointed I felt in missing out on the first two, I knew that that only meant that God had something better. :) I am so thankful to God, and to The Salvation Army, for giving me the opportunity to work and serve the organization! It is an honor and a joy to be part of a team of people with big hearts and big faith! I am enjoying the learning process and looking forward to using my gifts and skills to help people!

Of course, one of my gifts is being able to connect with people, so I'm hoping that I will be able to enlist the help (as well as donations) from my big hearted family, friends, and readers of my blogs! ;) The organization can't exist without YOUR time and gifts. It is because of YOU that The Salvation Army can continue to have the means to feed, clothe, and give assistance to those that might otherwise not have basic needs. Please, prayerfully consider how you can get involved; whether it's through a donation of any amount or volunteering your time (we need individuals, families, groups, church congregations, etc. to start signing up for bell ringing! Click here to sign up to be a bell ringer!). These last few months of the year are busy for everyone. The holidays can be a hard time of year for various reasons. What better way to show your Christmas spirit and spread, peace, joy, and hope to others than by spending at least one hour of your time ringing that bell and encouraging people to donate their spare change for those in need?! C'mon, you can do it! One hour will bless you AND others. Get your spouse, kids, or church involved too! :) You'll be glad you did!

Ok, so I've been so busy talking about the Lord's business here that I nearly forgot about my own business. It pales in comparison, but since I need to finally clue you in, I'll throw it in here at the end lol. You've got a little over a week left to take advantage of the following deals: the new P90X challenge pack and the Ultimate Reset challenge pack. Additionally, they are offering up to 50% savings (yeah, I know, right?!) on Les Mills Pump and Les Mills Combat challenge packs, programs, and accessories! Now THAT'S a deal! I LOVED doing Les Mills Combat! I got three words for that: Fun. Fit. Fierce! It was enjoyable, got me results, and I felt super tough (how can you not when you're doing boxing and martial arts mooves?!). Get it while the getting is good! You won't regret it!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Thank you so much for reading! Also, a big thank you to all who have supported and prayed for my family and I. We couldn't have made it without you! We appreciate everyone's encouragement and prayers! Be infused! God bless you!

Helping a Wounded Warrior

I don't think there is a day that goes by that I don't remember how blessed I am to live in America. I may be very displeased with our government and various issues, but that doesn't change the fact that I live in the most wonderful, free, and AWESOME country in the world! People in other countries DREAM about living here and come here (whether legally or illegally) just so that they can have a
chance to live the American Dream and escape the oppression and restrictions in their own countries.

Our country wouldn't be as free or as great as it is without the valiant service of our service men and women. So many have fought and even DIED to maintain what we have. Words can't express my gratitude for all they have done and I'm even prouder still when I think of the family and friends that I personally know who have contributed their part to defending America. 

For all they have done, we should be giving whatever we can back to them! One way we can do that is through the Wounded Warrior Project where your donations go to support military members (and their families) as they face the physical, emotional, and mental challenges that they are burdened with as a result of their service and sacrifice. There are so many worthy causes out there to support, but this should be one that is high on the list! 

Here's how you can help: 1. You can donate to them directly by visiting their website. 2. You can purchase a brand new P90 Challenge Pack (a challenge pack is the program PLUS Shakeology at a discount!). P90 was just released TODAY and is for people of any age who want to do simple and doable workouts that will get you results! Team Beachbody will donate $5.00 on the first 50,000 challenge packs sold from now until October 31st. Wouldn't it be GREAT if these worthy warriors could receive the maximum $250,000? Think of how many that would help (and you would be helping yourself as well by getting fit)! :) 

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you will consider doing one or both of those options to help our veterans! Donate to the cause and be one of the 50,000 who buy a challenge pack to get fit AND help our vets! If P90 isn't your kind of program, the very popular 21 Day Fix challenge pack is still on sale until the end of this month as well (but there's no donation option from Beachbody on that one). Still, it's a great program; and 21 Day Fix EXTREME will be coming out in February (click here for a preview!). ;) Additionally, click here to sign up to be the FIRST to know when Shaun T's new Insanity Max 30 comes out in December so you can get it before it sells out! Finally, you can get insane results but in only 30 minutes (and with a modifier available if you need one!). Watch the videos below to see more about P90 and Insanity Max 30! Be infused! God bless you (and our troops!). 

Slow Cooker Tomato Soup!

It's hard to believe, but we're almost half way through September already! That means, Fall and cold weather are almost here....again. :/ Though, there ARE some perks to the cooler temperatures. While taking walks outside this week, I rather enjoyed the gentle rain and the fact that I wasn't overheating. Cloudy and cooler days aren't all that bad. In fact, that just means I can start wearing more layers again...and SCARVES! I sure do enjoy scarves; and am wearing one right now! I actually invested in a cheap scarf hanger a while back lol.

The other benefit to the chilly weather is the warm foods that we usually forget about in the Summer months. When I saw this recipe, I immediately started thinking of that wonderful feeling of being warmed from the inside out by a nice bowl of hot soup. Tomato soup has a lot of great nutrients in it too, so this is sure to be a great go-to for when you want something healthy and satisfying! I also like that it's a slow cooker recipe because you can just stick all the ingredients in the pot, turn it on, and come home to a welcoming and delicious aroma when you arrive home from work!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend; no matter what the weather! Be infused! God bless you!

Baked Oatmeal Casserole!

Love it or hate it, oatmeal is good for you! Fruit is also good for you. So, how can you combine the two in a way that's tasty and ISN'T a hot breakfast cereal? How about baked oatmeal casserole? Yep, here you go! Another recipe find from Pinterest that I thought looked healthy and awesome! Ok, chocolate chips aren't SUPER healthy or anything (nor is brown sugar) but it's not TOO bad! ;) Give this a try and let me know how it is!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Have a wonderful, fun, and safe weekend! Be infused! God bless you!

You're the Next 21 Day Fix Success Story!

Wow! A few months ago when 21 Day Fix was released, it sold out quickly!! It took a while before they could even get the program back in stock (there was a WAITING LIST!). In other words, it's super popular and wildly successful! Not only is it a great workout program, but it effectively teaches eating and portion control. I have had several customers do this program and I've been loving their "before" and "after" photos (don't forget to submit your photos to the Team Beachbody challenge when you finish a program for a FREE t-shirt of the program you completed!).

Anyways, yeah....Team Beachbody is fully stocked and ready to offer their awesome deal on the 21 Day Fix challenge pack again (which is the program PLUS Shakeology)! The deal also applies to the 21 Day Fix in Spanish! So, check out the short video below and order it before it sells out.....AGAIN! :) You won't regret it! You'll be the next 21 Day Fix success story; losing weight and INCHES!

On another note, if you're Canadian, the coaching opportunity is now available for you too! So, if you have ever wanted to be a Team Beachbody coach, now you CAN!! Visit my website and check out the coaching section or contact me if you have any questions or need help. I would LOVE to have you on my team and show you the ropes! :)

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I'll do my best to start getting back to blogging regularly again. Life is almost kinda sorta normal lol. We still have a little bit of transitioning to do (and still waiting on my house to sell as well as a good job for me up here). Prayers are appreciated! Thanks for your support and understanding! No matter what, I'm still here for you and am always ready and willing to help you with your health, nutrition, and fitness goals. Be infused! God bless you!

 

Tasty Energy Bars!

I'm not gonna lie. When I caught a glimpse of this picture on Pinterest, I thought they were doughnuts lol. Seriously! That's what made me do a double-take and say, "I wonder if those taste as good as they look?!" I clicked on it to see what all was in the blog and EVERYTHING looks great! I am definitely going to have to try some of these sometime because finding a fulfilling protein snack isn't always easy!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you have a great weekend! Be infused! God bless you!

August Update

It's been a month since Chris and I have been married. We often get asked the typical question of "how's married life?" Of course, we naturally say it's "wonderful" (because it is). In fact, compared to the previous marriages that we've both had (which were difficult and abusive) we are always amazed at just how wonderful and "normal" this marriage is and that we finally know what it's like to have a relationship that is centered around God's design/principles. It certainly is a blessing to have something real, genuine, and truly lasting! Sometimes, we are still stunned by our own love story lol. God is so good!

The fact that our faith has been our foundation is what continues to make our marriage and family stronger. If we didn't have that, we would have surely fallen apart a long time ago due to so much stress in the last 8 months. All the transitions have been tiring and tedious; plus we have had a lot of unexpected things happen as well (unexpected loss of a family member as well as a friend). These are some of the many things that have been weighing on us; most of which I cannot really list in a blog. It's because of this stuff that I have still been unable to get back into my blogging routine. I sure do long for the day where things are finally stabilized/normal and everything is more settled lol. Once everything is moved and my house is sold, that will probably make a lot of things better. I appreciate everyone's prayers about that!

Anyways, that's all I had to say on a personal note. The other thing I wanted to make sure to share was this month's promotions. The very popular and effective Focus T25 Challenge Pack is on sale once again (and for the last time this year!). This program is one of my personal favorites and is only 25 minutes a day! Yep, that's it! Combined with Shakeology, it's a sure fire way to achieve results and look/feel great! I should know because I did it! ;) The other program that is on sale is the 10 Minute Trainer Challenge pack. If 25 minutes a day is too much for you, how about just 10? Yes, 10!!! Surely you can do 10 minutes of working out each day! No problem! Watch the videos below to find out more! :)

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Thank you for understanding my scarceness in this time of transition. As always, I would like to reiterate the fact that while I may not have a lot of time for blogging, I will ALWAYS have time for YOU! Comment or email me with any questions you have or if you need help with anything. Coaching is and always will be something that I'm passionate about because I'm passionate about helping PEOPLE! I'm here for you! Be infused! God bless you!

Patriotic Fruit Skewers!

Independence Day is just a week away! That means fireworks, food, and fun!! Praise be to God for all the men and women who have made the celebration possible! May we always remember the sacrifices made and the lives given for our freedom!

If you are looking for ways to get into the patriotic spirit without consuming too many holiday calories, this might be a good and simple recipe for you! Check out these Patriotic Fruit Skewers! That's easy enough to do, right? All that for only 80 calories a serving! Can't beat that! Plus, you're getting those wonderful antioxidants in all those berries (which is always a good thing!).

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! It's going to be a bittersweet one for me! Tomorrow is my last day at my current job. Then, I'll be busy preparing for my wedding which is next weekend! Plus, I'll be packing up and moving things in the coming weeks as well. Prayers for strength, endurance, etc. (and to find a new job) would be appreciated! May we all be infused! God bless us and this great nation!!

New Life and New Programs!!

I can't believe that my wedding is less than two weeks away now! I am in a state of awe and excitement (as well as the typical fatigue and scatterbrained-ness lol). So many new changes and adventures to begin!

Speaking of new, I wanted to make sure I took a moment to make sure everyone was aware of the fantastic new programs and savings available! I may be a little busy, but I just had to spare some time to share the big new releases with you!

The first thing I need to announce is that PIYO IS FINALLY HERE!! That's right! Chalene Johnson's new program has officially been released! As predicted, it's a HOT SELLER so if you want to get Piyo before it sells out (and at the special deals offered) you'll have to act FAST!! Order the base kit and get FREE bonus DVDs and FREE SHIPPING! Upgrade to the deluxe package and get a FREE YOGA MAT in addition to the bonus DVDs and FREE SHIPPING! And, there is also the challenge pack too! Watch the video below for more details!

There are also two more programs that have just been released; 21 Day Fix (in Spanish) and the all new 3 Day Refresh program. If you have ever wanted a short, easy-to-follow, and a big jump start to weight-loss, THIS IS IT!! Lose a few pounds in a few days and be on your way to better health! These are also on sale for a limited time so check it out and order before time runs out (or they sell out!). DON'T WAIT!

Also, there are only a few days left to take advantage of this month's deals (the Insanity and Shaun T Dance pack deals). Shop my store to get one of these programs while they're still available and on sale! :)

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I'll be back to my regular blogging as soon as I can! Once the transitioning/moving is finished, I'll be able to resume life as normal (if there is such a thing lol). As always, I'm still here for you no matter what! Contact me if you have any questions and join my team if you haven't already! It's FREE and I would love to be your coach! Be infused! God bless you!

 

Fighting Weight-Loss? How to "Stay with the Fight"!

My wedding date is next month already (I know, right?!). I'm incredibly busy; and incredibly tired! However, no matter what is going on, I make sure that I continue to workout. :) Sometimes, it's a challenge to keep being consistent when all I want to do is pass out from exhaustion, but I know that the endorphins from exercising will help me manage all the stress and keep me in a good mood in the big picture of things! Plus, I've got some momentum going and there's no way I'm stopping now!! :)

I got my FREE t-shirt for
completing Les Mills Combat!

With that being said, I want to encourage you to keep on working out too; no matter what! Or, if you have stopped your workout routine (whether recently or maybe a long time ago) start it up again! Find something you enjoy and do it - for YOU! Do it for you body, your mind, and your spirit! You'll be glad you did! If you need help choosing something, let me know and I will suggest something that will be a great fit for you! That's what I'm here for, and like I have promised, I'm here for you no matter how "busy" I am! Helping people is my passion! Don't hesitate to comment or email me! 

Two exercises you might want to consider are the ones that are on special this month! If you workout regularly and are wanting to step up your game and REALLY get fit, now is the best time to buy Insanity because the challenge pack is $45.00 cheaper than it normally is! But, if that's not what you're looking for right now, how about the Shaun T Dance challenge pack? You get Hip Hop Abs AND Rockin' Body....AND Shakeology....all at one great price! I can personally vouch that all three of those things are AWESOME! :) I've been doing a little bit of everything right now, and those two programs usually end up being something that I end up doing! The exercises are effective and fun; and the music is great so you don't even think of it as a workout! 

"Stay with the Fight!"
You can do it!!

If neither of those options really appeal to you, I got even BETTER NEWS! From now until Sunday, many other Team Beachbody programs are discounted up to 50% OFF their normal prices! P90X and P90X2, for example, are only $59.90!! Or, maybe you'd like to get one of my other favorite programs, Les Mills Combat, for only $35.91?!! Yeah, really!! :) The prices on these programs are ONLY for a few days so DON'T WAIT! Shop the special summer selection now by clicking on this link to see everything that is available!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Check out the video clip below to learn more about the dance pack (click here to view the Insanity video because the embed code wasn't working). Again, if you have any questions, just ask! I'm here for you and we're all in this together! I know it's difficult, but "stay with the fight"! Don't get knocked out; just get back up no matter what! Find time for "you" and you'll get to where you need to be! It may take time, but you'll get there! I'm still on this journey too; and as you can see, I'm progressing! :) If I can do it, so can you! Be infused! God bless you! 

A Break from Blogging

If you read my most recent post (The Chrisliss Story) you've no doubt noticed that I have a LOT going on right now! So, for a month or two, I probably won't be as consistent with my blogging schedule. I thank you for your patience and understanding as I go through a fresh new batch of changes and transitions. I have more on my "to do" list than I can even think to write down lol!

One thing that is ALWAYS on my list no matter what is being here for all of you!! That's one thing that I have and WILL be consistent with because I keep that high on my list regardless! :) If you EVER need help, have questions, or just want to talk and get some prayer/motivation, I am ALWAYS here for that! NEVER hesitate to reach out to me! I mean it, peeps! This isn't a job to me, it's my PASSION and I WANT to be here for you! That's why I'm a coach and I will not abandon my team!

Additionally, workout consistency is going to continue to be a priority as always too! I'm still doing really well (click here to read about how I'm losing weight again!) and am still eagerly anticipating the arrival of Piyo in the very near future! Remember to get on the notification list for that if you haven't already! It's going to be awesome!!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you're having a good week! Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive through their comments and prayers! Once again, if you want to know more about what's going on and how you can pray/support Chris, the kids, and I, click here to read! Thank you so much! We appreciate your help more than you know! Be infused! God bless you!

The Chrisliss Story

"Well, didn't you just jump on out that boat, Peter. Congrats on the leap of faith!" 

Those were the exact words spoken in a Facebook comment by my friend, Shenora, after making it publicly known that Chris and I are going to get married. Those words have been ringing in my head ever since. They were a prophetic statement of confirmation and encouragement; as well as a foreshadowing of things to come. My heart was lifted and reassured to have such blessed words come out of the mouth of a godly woman. It cemented my confidence and strengthened my faith as I held tight to the image in my mind of walking on the water towards Jesus and His plan for my life (and all the lives involved).

In regards to the foreshadowing part, I knew that I would need to hold onto that courage and strength if I were to KEEP walking on the waters. We all know that Peter is often bold and full of faith, but that his tendency to be impulsive, second-guess, and worry were often his trouble spots. It's nothing I can fault him for, because I have the same tendencies. It hasn't been easy preparing to move and make a bunch of fresh new changes after finally getting settled down. I had bought a house, put a lot of time and money into fixing it up, and was very content in my new job and church home. I was perfectly happy with how things were going and was even at the point where I had become pretty indifferent to having a relationship. My promise to follow through on Gianna's request for a "new Daddy" wasn't forgotten, but my need for a man was no longer that high of a priority and I had become more patient and relaxed about when that part of the picture would be fulfilled. Therefore, that was obviously God's cue to surprise me and shake things up so I wouldn't get too comfortable lol!

So, here it is, peeps! This is for everyone who always loves to know a couple's "story" about how they met and all the "details" regarding the upcoming nuptials (though there isn't much to share regarding that part considering it's basically a private wedding). If nothing else, I hope and pray that all of you who have been so loving and supportive of the both of us will make sure to the read the part at the end about how you can pray for/support our upcoming marriage/blended family. Your prayers mean so much to us! Thank you!

Our Story

There was a moment in the infancy of our relationship where Chris stated: "It's so odd how we've followed similar but at the same time oddly different paths to arrive at the almost mirrored image of each other that we both are today." Indeed! Our life stories are very parallel to each other. We were raised in the Christian faith, grew up in blended families, and have always done our best to live the kind of lives that our faith has taught us to live. Yet, despite our best efforts, we both managed to find ourselves in marriages where those values weren't fully shared. We both tried our hardest to honor our commitments to our mates and to God. Unfortunately, sometimes, things still don't work out. Ultimately, in both of our cases, we were forced to make the painful decision to move on for the sake of our health, safety, and the well-being of ourselves and our children (those close to us know and understand the reasons why).

Chris started saying this early on so he was thrilled
to randomly find this picture one day
(which he immediately texted to my phone lol). 

Eventually, we both began to start over and move on. In that process, our paths finally crossed on Plenty of Fish (a free dating site). He was fresh to the dating game, but I had been on and off the site for a while. It had gotten to the point where I figured I had seen all the other "fish in the sea" and I was annoyed and tired of fishing. Not only did there seem to be no new fish, but there truly weren't any worth catching. I even had some that would message me and tell me that I was too good or too pretty for the site and that a nice girl like me wouldn't find the kind of guy I was looking for on a site like that. That's because my profile was very specific as to the kind of person I was looking for; faith and character were the top priorities. My best friend even told me that my standards were too high, but no matter what, I stuck to them. There was NO WAY I was going to compromise on those two things, but anything else was optional. I didn't have requirements as far as looks, income, ethnicity, etc. was concerned. All I cared about was the heart.

What nerd could
resist lol?

Imagine my surprise when I was using the "Meet Me" feature and a picture of a handsome guy popped up. "Do you want to meet him?" it asked. Before hitting "yes" or "no", I always check out the profile first because looks are secondary to substance. In my experience, it is very rare to find a guy who has both. Therefore, I was shocked to be proven wrong lol. I was amazed and refreshed to see almost a mirror image of my own profile as I began reading his lol! Every time I read something, it was just another new level of jaw dropping awesomeness and common ground as he showcased his heart, humor, interests, etc. Where had he been and why hadn't I seen him before now?! Oh well, at least I found him and I couldn't believe that I had probably just viewed the profile of the ideal guy for me! The best part was, the two things I always look at first (faith affiliation and kids) matched up with mine! So, I clicked "yes" to meeting him and promptly "favorited" him. Then, I waited to see how long it would take before he would contact me (call me old-fashioned, but I believe in finding out who the real men are and waiting for THEM to make the first move! The site does let you know when you've been viewed, faved, or if someone wants to meet you). Almost immediately, I got a message from him....and it made me laugh because he obviously had taken note of my picture in Jedi attire. He had said, "Hey, I saw that! Some sith in a jedi disguise trying to spy on me?? lol." I promptly responded with: "Sith?! Never!!! I would have used a Jedi hand wave to make you message me, but I see I didn't have to. ;) They only work on the weak minded anyways...so it would have been wasted on you. I LOVE your profile."

The pictures on the ends were our "main" photos when we met. :)

Long story short, the conversation continued via messages and then over the phone. We did a video call on Skype the same night and we have been inseparable ever since lol! Our lives for nearly six months (yeah, I know....but when you know, you KNOW!) have consisted of constant communication and connection via text/Facebook/Skype; and always looking forward to the weekends when we could finally get to see each other for a short time before resuming our daily work/life routines. This 75 minutes apart thing has been rather tiresome and taxing (but always worth it!).

We've also bonded easily and quickly with each other's family and friends and received their approval and blessings. We are so touched and amazed at how wonderful, loving, accepting, and encouraging everyone has been to us! The Vineyard Church has also been just as amazing and apparently, the family counselor had given Chris a prophetic word a few months before we had gotten together. He had said that God had showed him that there would be a lot of positive changes that would happen in the coming year and at a very rapid pace. Chris didn't know what that meant at the time, but it's definitely come to pass now lol!

The moments of affirmation just continue to come too! We have had our moments of doubt and struggle (particularly as we prepare for this upcoming transition and all that is on our "to do" list) but today's sermon was a big help to us. Kent was talking about the Lord's guidance and how it comes to us in many different forms. It comes through prayer and His Word, but also through godly counsel. Sometimes, we expect these big signs when all we need to do is line it up with God's Word and see if it fits with what's "in the book." Kent kept saying, "Well, it's in the book. Did you read the book?" Lol! He said that 9 times out of 10, the solution to our problem has been addressed "in the book." Want to know how to parent a child? It's in the book. Want to know how to treat people? It's in the book. Want to know how a marriage is supposed to function and look like? It's in the book.

He's right, it's "in the book" and if more people would pay attention to it, we would all function better! He pointed out that in his career as a pastor, he has seen so much pain (especially in regards to marriage and divorce) because people haven't heeded what's "in the book" or the godly counsel of others. He mentioned that so many "blew through stop signs" and failed to heed the warnings. All of this really hit home for Chris
and I (and I was wiping away tears) because we have experienced both situations. With our first marriages, we both ignored the "stop" signs and warnings from godly counsel. We went through so much unnecessary pain. Now, we have the reverse situation where everything is lining up with what's "in the book". Lots of good godly counsel is giving us prophetic words and tons of support, and yet we sometimes are LOOKING for the "stop" signs out of fear. I just couldn't help but cry because all of Kent's words were absolutely melting all that fear and reminding me WHY I jumped out of the boat. I need to keep walking on the water. God set this in motion and I don't have to keep looking for "stop" signs that don't exist this time just because I ignored the ones that DID exist last time. Everything is going to be alright!

How You Can Pray For/Support Us

We are so grateful for the prayers and support of our family and friends throughout our lives! We appreciate your prayers now as well because right now is a very high-stress time for us. I won't specify every little thing, but here is the gist of it:

• Our houses; refinancing his and selling mine. The good news is, I've added a lot of value to my house and I'll come out ahead once I DO get it sold. The bad news is, we don't know when that will be. Pray that the right buyers (and nice new neighbors for my Dad's sake) will come along soon. Paying for two houses isn't doable for us. Also, the refinancing that needs done on his is another catch-22. He's also going to get some money out of it (which will go for my ring and some car repairs he desperately needs to get done before it conks out or something) but coming up with the initial funds to get a foundation inspection done has us in a bind; especially when he was initially told he wasn't going to have any upfront costs. I told Chris that I would marry him with or without a ring. There are a lot of "traditions" that just haven't happened the "traditional" way, but that's ok lol. We're old enough to know what's really important, so that's why we aren't hung up on rings or the wedding itself (it's going to be private and small; just us, our kids, best man/matron of honor, and parents. His step-father will be officiating us in their backyard; sweet, intimate, and non-expensive lol. We HOPE to have some kind of a reception for our close family/friends at a later date, but we don't know when or how that will be possible yet). 

• My Job & the Kids' School: I'm sad about having to leave a job/people I love, to say the least. Pray that the right person will fill my shoes and that I will be able to find somewhere else to work and serve when the time comes. I'm working up until the wedding/move and then I'll be around to watch the kids so we don't have to worry about childcare for the rest of the summer. I hope to start a new job after we're settled and school starts again. That's another area too...getting all the school stuff figured out/transitioned for Casey and Gianna; especially Casey's special needs stuff. Good special help is rare and this is the part that concerns me a lot because I don't know how any other school could ever be as great as Casey's current one. 

• Faith, Wisdom, Provision, and Patience: There is a never-ending list of transitions, adjustments, and changes for all of us. Address/name changes, packing up and moving (and figuring out how to get all that done) and just so many phone calls and changeovers to make, things to do, pay for, etc. My brain is overloaded and I have been beyond exhausted trying to stay on top of things! I just keep praying for the wisdom, endurance, and patience to get through it and that my faith will build up as I trust that God's timing is going to be perfect and He will find a way to provide for us all. He led us out of Egypt to go to the promised land. I won't complain in the desert. He'll provide and He'll get us where He plans for us to be! It may not go the way we think or look the way we thought it would look, but we can deal with whatever happens because He's got a plan! 

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to read this! We hope it's given you a glimpse into our journey and we thank all of you for your prayers and support! We also realize that there are some people that have (or will ask) about wedding gifts and such. Obviously, we have enough stuff accumulated between the two of us over the years so we aren't the typical wedding couple that needs "stuff". I am not one that likes to ask for/accept help, but since I am always one that likes to give it, I have to be humble enough to receive it too. So, if anyone DOES feel led to support us monetarily so we can take care of the avalanche of urgent financial needs that we have, you can Paypal it to chrislisscunning@gmail.com (or if you'd like to hire Chris for computer work or me for some furniture project work, we will gladly take on the jobs; or maybe you'd like to sign up as a Team Beachbody coach through me and/or make a purchase for yourself? :) It all helps!). No matter what, as long as we're all praying, things will happen! We'll keep our eyes fixed on the big picture God has for us; we're not getting back in the boat! :) Be infused! God bless you! 

Very Vegan Video!

A while back, I shared the fact that not only does Shakeology have vegan options, but the flavors now taste better than ever! Though, you don't have to be vegan to appreciate it! Watch this short video for more information!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Sorry I'm so short with the blog today, but I'm absolutely overloaded with a lot right now! I'll be sure to update you more when I can! Thanks for your support and prayers! Be infused! God bless you!

Broccoli and Cheese Penne!

Pasta is awesome! Is there anyone that doesn't love pasta? Mmmm! So good! So, for your next pasta night, try this recipe for broccoli and cheese penne! Try some whole grain or rice pasta, low fat cheese, and add your healthy veggies and you got a great version of an old favorite!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you have a great extended weekend! Be infused! God bless you!

Why I'm Finally Losing More Weight

Drenched by rain and sweat
due to a refreshing Greenway run!

I mentioned a while back that I would be mixing up my workouts for a while. So far, so good! It's nice to have a break from a set schedule and just do whatever workout fits my mood for the day! One of the things I have been doing is walking and running outside; I even visited the Greenway (I used to blog about my special runs there, so I managed to post another entry!). Of course, I've also been doing a mix of my favorite Beachbody workouts too! My plan has been to get a MINIMUM of 45 minutes a day Monday - Friday, rest on Saturday, and do a stretch workout on Sunday (and drinking Shakeology every day too!). Thus far, it seems to be panning out quite nicely; and the scale has been moving down again!! I'm super happy about that! I'm looking and feeling better all the time!

It almost seems like VARIETY is sort of a weight-loss secret! We all know that once your body gets used to the SAME workouts, you plateau. You then have to up your intensity, change your workouts, or both. Because I'm varying things up pretty much EVERY DAY, I'm keeping my body guessing and the number on the scale falling!

I've also noticed that my heart rate monitor says that my percentage of fat burned is higher when my intensity is lower. I'm no expert as to why that is, but I've noticed over the years that working so hard that your heart is pounding doesn't always mean that you're burning the most fat. So, maybe the moderate range of exertion on some of these workout days (in addition to the high-intensity days) is what is making a difference for me! Music to my ears because I don't always want to work to the point of exhaustion lol.

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope everyone is enjoying the nicer weather and getting a chance to walk and run outside as well! Keep mixing it up! Stay in the air conditioning on the hotter days and do a favorite Beachbody workout; like Turbo Fire or P90X3 (the sale prices expire at the end of the month!). Or, maybe you're eagerly waiting to add Piyo to your workout routine (I know I am!). Don't forget to sign up to be the first to know so you can purchase it quickly before it sells out! Keep your routines fresh and your results will keep coming! Be infused! God bless you!

What Makes You a Woman?

If you're a woman, chances are you have lots of ideas in your mind about what femininity is (or isn't). We're taught by our Moms, family members, friends, and our culture about what it means to be a woman and are bombarded with so many different things that we don't always know who we really are. Often times, we end up with distorted views of who we are supposed to be; thinking that what makes us a woman is how we good we look, what we can do, etc.

There is no easy way to define what a woman is in today's world, but there are some things that never change and that is how God designed and fashioned a woman to be. There's no way I could describe it as eloquently as Kent did on Mother's Day, so you'll just have to watch it for yourself. Trust me, you'll love it! As always, he explains things in a style that is not only informative and thought provoking, but humorous as well! As a matter of fact, "It's not about the nail" is likely going to become a running joke between Chris and I. Kent shared a video of a woman talking to her husband about how much her head hurts and how tough things are and the husband is telling her that she has a big nail in her forehead (which she does; a big huge one lol). She yells at him that it's not about the nail and that he's not listening to her lol. I think we, as women, have those moments; where we just want to be listened to and all the guy wants to do is fix things. Though, as a lady in the service pointed out after the sermon, sometimes we have to allow our men to "fix" things and take out those nails. God has gifted us with special men in our lives that he put there to help mend and heal thing;s just as we help mend and heal them. Pride has to be laid down and we have to be open to accepting help and healing.

One of the main things I got out of this message was that Kent said that men (and society) has largely reduced women to being about their parts. The more he said it, the more I seen it in a fresh way. Yes, we see and hear the overly sexual images, songs, jokes, etc. that talk about women's "parts" in ways that are less than flattering. Though, we don't give much thought to it anymore and many buy into the lie that that's what women are all about. As a result, women buy into the lie that it's all about how those "parts" look and what they can do with those "parts". Ladies, that's not true! Men, that's not true! Who a woman (or any person) is, is determined by the parts you can't see: the heart and mind.

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Women (and men too, actually) really need to hear this message! I promise it will bless you in so many ways! I was beyond blessed to hear that message and to rethink what it means to be a woman! It was humorous as it was enlightening and inspiring, and I hope you'll take a minute to see it for yourself! Be infused! God bless you!


Mother's Day: Biblical Femininity from Vineyard Community Church on Vimeo.

Almond Paradise

Be honest. When you read the title, you thought of "Amish Paradise" by Weird Al, didn't you....or was it just me?! If you're like, "ohmigosh, yes!" that's great, because then I won't feel like such a dope lol. If not, then I guess I'm really losing it because that's what registered in my brain when I saw the title for this Shakeology recipe. I don't know if it was because I was tired or if I just caught the "A" and the "paradise" and it just made me do a double take or what. Who knows lol?! Anyways, I just had to laugh at myself a little bit because that's what I thought of when I first caught sight of the title. Just thought I'd share that blooper with you! ;)

Anyways, here is the recipe itself! It features the vegan tropical strawberry flavor (which I mentioned last week is now better than ever!).

Almond Paradise 

1 serving vegan tropical strawberry Shakeology
1 cup almond milk
1 tsp. all-natural almond butter

Mix all ingredients in a blender with desired amount of ice to suit your consistency preference. Enjoy!


Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you are having a great weekend! Ok...just for fun, here's the Weird Al video lol. You are welcome lol! Hey, "I don't care who ya are...that's funny right there!" (especially if you grew up around a lot of Amish like I did). Amish are cool people (and I mean no disrespect by posting this; it's all in good humor). Be infused! God bless you!

Cashew Chicken!

Are there any Chinese food fans out there? If so, here's a recipe you might like! It's always nice when you can make one of your favorite ethnic dishes for yourself (and maybe even make it healthier too!). You'll get a lot of veggies and protein in this one! That's always good!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you have a great weekend! Be infused! God bless you!

Workout Warnings

For the past week, I've been doing a little of this and a little of that. I'm not doing any set schedule program at the moment, so I've been doing whatever Beachbody program I've felt like doing! :) Additionally, I've also gone for a run outside (today was cool and a little rainy - felt nice!). I'm still burning up the calories and feeling good!

Last week, I was feeling a little rough after doing a Turbo Fire workout. Let's just say that I ignored my own advice of modification. I KNOW that my back and hips are in the kind of condition that do not support a lot of jumping and shock to my spine. Yet, I got a little too "fired" up and I was really feelin' it the next day! Not good! Doing that can really injure one's self! So, here is a friendly reminder that no matter what workout program you're doing, pay attention to your body and don't take workout warnings lightly. There is NO SHAME in modifying. In fact, sometimes you MUST in order to ensure that you don't hurt yourself and then prevent yourself from being able to workout at all! Sitting on the couch icing your back and putting yourself out of commission is never fun! It's not worth it!

I LOVE being able to workout and challenge myself! It's what keeps me going! However, I also know not to overextend my limits. I can't compromise my physical safety. Modifications get results too; they do! You aren't a wimp if you don't do it "exactly" the way everyone else does on the video. You are NOT "everyone else". Know yourself and do your best. If your best means that you have to take it down a notch, that is OK! It really is!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Remember, always pay attention to those workout warnings; whether they are literal ones before the DVD starts or the signals that your body gives you. Priority number one is always SAFETY! Be careful when you do Turbo Fire (or any other program - especially the high impact ones). Yes, it is STILL on sale until the end of this month so don't wait to buy your challenge pack! Click on the video below to preview what it's all about. You'll love it! Be infused! God bless you!

Don't Watch These Videos!

All three of the videos for "The Perfect Execution" series are NOW available! I know what you're thinking. There are all sorts of videos and sermons out there and everyone is saying, "Oh, you got to watch this one! It's so good!" I've had friends and family members recommend things to me in the past as well. Sometimes I get around to listening, reading, or watching it and sometimes I don't. Though, when I do, I'm usually pretty glad I did!

Below, you'll find the video for the last part of the series. Here are the videos for part one and two if you haven't seen them yet (be sure to subscribe to The Vineyard Community Church on Vimeo!). I won't say that you MUST watch them because maybe you aren't like me at all. Maybe you've never had a problem understanding God's grace or the fact that you don't have to earn your way into God's favor. Maybe it's all been easy for you to grasp and you've never felt (or been) legalistic, fearful, unsure, or had a hard time figuring out what it means to be forgiven and your sins paid in full. But, if you ARE like me, you HAVE had those moments of wondering if you're "enough" and if you're going to "make it" to heaven; wondering if your efforts will get you where you hope to be. If any of this sounds like you, watch this series! It has really been helpful in reaffirming to me what it means to be dependent on grace and not on myself. Chris had told me many times that Pastor Kent was good at explaining things in really relevant ways and is able to break things down to where people can understand. He's absolutely right! I love his preaching style and I am absolutely loving the Vineyard Church! Buuuuut...don't watch these videos. They're probably not for you. ;)

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I hope you had a blessed weekend! I sure did! It was busy and tiring, but full of family and good times (as well as those handmade Mother's Day cards lol). I'm so blessed! The Mother's Day sermon was outstanding too; can't wait for that to be uploaded because it talks about the femininity of a woman. Very interesting! Be infused! God bless you!



The Perfect Execution: Part 3 - Freedom from Vineyard Community Church on Vimeo.