amy0b87982ac418
bluewatergigi
dbeville
Patrice Miles
Lenny
I was supposed to get up this morning at 5am and have my quiet time and then head to the gym …..that didn’t happen.
I was so tired last night that I went to bed at 8:30am and yet still couldn’t wake up to keep up with my new exercise regime. I want so badly to get this whole exercise and eating healthy routine down. It’s my constant battle and idol at times.
I love the way my body feels when I am in my routine of exercise and healthy eating. I have energy, my clothes fit great, I can eat what I want within reason and I am focused and alert. These things are all good but trying to do it all and shower before 8:30am when my first conference call with Nigeria starts, is taking away from my time with the Lord.
I need, crave, and must have this time with him. It’s where the legalism, stress and busyness all get put aside and the beautiful women he created comes out. I think, dwell, and hear so much during that time. It is so beautiful compared to my to do list and stress of diet and exercise.
I am reading Jackie Chan’s Crazy Love and Ecclesiastes right now. Both talk about how short life is and how we need to enjoy it more. So, when I stress over diet and exercise, I get mad because if I die tomorrow then what was all the restricting of delicious food and getting up early to work out worth. No, I don’t want to be miserable while I am on this earth. I don’t want to be uncomfortable in my clothes or tired and lethargic from eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts every day.
So where is the enjoyment of life but self-control of the flesh?
How do you complete the to do’s but not stress over the who, what , when and how so you sleep well?
How do you enjoy every person, place and thing you experience today whether it is good, bad, stressful, annoying or mediocre?
How do you say, “If I die tomorrow, I have no regrets?”
I think for some people it is easier than others.
An “S” on the DISC profile or a 9 on the Enneagram (Peacemaker). I am sure you find these things much easier as God created you with a must softer, sensitive, laid back personality.
But what about people like me? The “D” in DISC and 3 on Enneagram (Achiever). I naturally wake up early every morning needing to Dominate, Direct, Accomplish and Shine.
I would love to know how you have found the happy-medium ground in your life…….
How do you balance life on earth with an eternal focus?
How do you live life comfortably saying “If I die tomorrow, I have no regrets!”
I know none of us can honestly say we are 100% there but what have you done or are doing to get there? Please share with us all so we can learn from each other and grow!
Starting January 2020, our school started an after school reading program. Many of our children are behind in reading due to lack of an education or the quality of the education they were receiving before they came to us. A few days after starting the reading program we received a call from the hospital that we had boxes to pick up that had come on the last container shipped from the USA. We were so encouraged and surprised to find a large donation of children’s books!
The next day our staff went through all the books. There were so many that we are having more shelving built for the library. The icing on the cake was that there were multiples of the same books. This may not sound like anything special, but for us it was! Now, at the after school reading program, all the kids can have the same book and read along as others read. This will help speed up their reading and comprehension skills as they are able to follow along and not just have to listen or read on their own.
At this time in my life I have come to understand that following one’s dream and achieving it is never easy. 
That means that what they think or say about you is more important than your dream.
You don’t need anyone to approve your dreams.
Two years ago we were struggling with getting our kids to and from the C.A.R.E. Africa center for A.W.A.N.A. and other programs. We started a bus campaign and raised $10,000. It wasn’t enough to get a bus but it did get us a minivan. Our minivan has been a huge asset over the past two years. From bringing teams to and from Egbe from the airport, to transporting the kids all around town, to making needed shopping pickups in Ilorin and taking our secondary school kids to University visits. This vehicle has blessed us abundantly 
Miles In Missions 