stronger.

i may have made a terrible mistake.

i signed up for a 5:15am boot camp 4 days a week for the entire month of april. (it was a groupon special for niki g fitness - so we got a killer deal.) oh- and it's outside at a park about 25 minutes away. so that means my alarm goes off at 4:30am. yup, FOUR-thirty.

fear and doubt and just plain exhaustion were the emotions running through my mind around 9pm last night when i set my alarm. what am i doing? it's hard enough for me to get to the gym in the 6 o'clock hour! {this sister loves herself some snooze button.} but, knowing that all across town 6 of my close friends were setting their alarms, too, gave me some encouragement.

i prayed for God to give me rest and energy in the morning, and closed my eyes.

we could do this thing.

and here i sit, boot camp class #1 complete. yes, it was early. yes, it was hard. (maybe i felt like i was going to puke.) but on my drive home i couldn't help but feel stronger. not because i am awesome. but God really met me this morning. He reminded me that He wants to make me stronger. He wants to develop discipline and self-control in me.

so i'm using this new morning schedule to be more diligent and disciplined all around. i'm making/eating a healthy breakfast (versus my usual throw-a-waffle-in-the-toaster and shove it down in the car on the way to work.) i'm taking time to read, pray, and be still each morning (which, sadly, a lot of mornings i skip because i "run out of time"..) i'm giving up some "treats" during the week to practice more self-control. (read: wine & chocolate - 2 of my favorite things - ouch!) i'm going to bed early (super weird for this night owl.)

i'm not expecting any miracle transformations, but if i walk away from april just the slightest bit stronger physically, emotionally, & spiritually... i will consider this month a victory.

i'll keep you posted...

{oh - and i can't stop singing "stronger" in my head...}