So whatcha need?
Mini canvas (I got mine in a pack from Michael's)
Masking tape
Letter Block
Paint
Paint pen (not pictured)
Paint Brush
Surface to paint on, I used a plastic bag
A Helper to help get the tape off
So whatcha gotta do is...
1. Tape evenly spaced stripes on your canvas with the masking tape. Fold it all the way around the sides, so it stays down. I just eyeballed way the tape should go, but you could measure it out and mark them with a pencil or something.
2. Now paint the sucker!
3. Let them mostly dry and then peel off the tape. You may want someone to help.
And let them finish drying!
4. Then further personalize the gift...
5. Hot the letter block onto the canvas. I then added a little blue heart to put some more blue.
all nice and sweaty after a run... Carissa wants you to notice her running belt!!!!
Last Saturday I ran 8.5 miles in 85 minutes!! This is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I had never done that before!
But this great feat did not happen without adversity pressuring me to stop, to give up. There is no way I could have made it without my running buddy, Carissa.
Although the temperature was in the 50s, we still got out to run.
Though our faces and ears were frozen the first 25 minutes, we kept running.
I got tired, but we chugged that Cytomax and water and kept running.
From minutes 40-65, my right foot totally went numb. I seriously could only feel my ankle, but able to still run. Carissa encouraged (more like told) me to keep running.
At every hill, I met it with determination and defeated that sucker all the way to the top.
The last 20 minutes were so slow and exhausting, but I finished my run.
There is no where I could have fought through that run without Carissa. She was a great cheerleader and friend. These trials, some expected and others unexpected, that manifested during my run could have easily beat me. I could have quit. So. Easily.
This experience reminds me of our lives. In our races of life, we will meet adversity. Who will we turn to? Will you turn to the Savior to bear your burdens? Will you pray to your Heavenly Father to ask for help and guidance?
But most importantly, will you finish the run? Or will you give up?
Now some scripture candy. Sorry, the best scriptures I found are either from the Book of Mormon or the Doctrine and Covenants.
For as Alma tells his son Helaman: "for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in Godshall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 36:3)
D & C 50:5 "But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life."
D&C 58:2-4 "For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments... he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. "Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shallcome hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after tribulation. "For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand."
D&C 121:7-8 "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."
Our trials will not last for forever, but our blessings can be eternal. We may not understand the "why" of the trial at that small moment, but Heavenly Father has His divine purpose. We have come to this life to learn and grow within ourselves and strengthen our testimonies. The Savior suffered for our sins and afflictions, so He can help us. Lean on Him and trust Him. I promise He won't let you down. Envelope yourself in that comfort.
And remember, "Just keep running" or erhhh... "Swimming" haha
Dear lovely people of the world, Just because you didn't have a special someone to spend Valentine's day, doesn't mean you aren't loved. There are two beings who love you very much. Heavenly Father and Jesus the Christ truly love and care for you. So this week, look for their tender mercies and be happy. :)
Love, Savannah
P.S. Sorry all my school work kept me from giving you an awesome photo this week. :(
I am currently training for the Rodeo Run 10K race in downtown Houston this month.
Running has never been particularly my strong suit. I'm more into strength training
and cardio fitness classes. Oh ya, I'm into boxing and kickboxing, 3 hour volleyball practices,
lifting weights, step classes,...
but running?!
No one to yell at you? No changing up of a routine.
How monotonous!
Even in my buff volleyball player glory days I didn't really care for running.
Even my body doesn't like running. In track, I kept to the jumpers. (I did long and triple jump.) My body is built to do short burst of energy. It likes sprints and power reps. It's
just how I was made.
Well, my work out partner, Carissa, convinced to start running and training for the race with her. Check out her blog Endure to the End. (the link is in the sidebar)
Running is such a mental sport.
Your mind needs to be trained as well.
If you want to take up running, I highly suggest you find yourself a running partner.
Anyhoo, last week my running partner, Carissa, and I ran a loop around our school. The area is super hilly and such. It was so hard!! At 4 1/2 miles and 45 minutes of constant running up and down hills I totally pooped out.
I simply ran out of gas.
I was so disappointed in myself. My race of 6.2 miles is on February 25th!!! What was wrong with me?! Why was I running out of energy? Should I just quit? give up?
UHH....NO!
Nah-uh. Not this girly. No ma'am.
So increased my training. I bought protein shakes and Cliff bars...
so Drink it Up, ladies!! I'm not giving up on my goal. Are you?
And when you're shaking out those muscles and feelin' strong, just don't shake your protein shake too much...
Or this happens.
Oops.
Sticky stuff got everwhere!
So remember,
shake out those negative thoughts. Shake out those tired, sore muscles.
And enjoy the run. And the drink. :)
Is anyone else on a super Florence + the Machine kick?
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaaah
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah
I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah
And given half the chance would I take any of it back
It's a final mess but it's left me so empty
It's always darkest before the dawn
Now this was one special lady. She was a very devout Catholic who knew the meaning of love
and service. She knew how to be self-reliant, having her own chicken coop and making
most of her own clothes. The last great matriarch, family was very important to her.
She had seven children and over 40 descendants, including two great-great grandchildren.
Grandma and Grandpa Rivers
Their first picture together
At around age thirteen, Grandma paid to have her first ever picture taken with one live chicken.
Grandma knew hardship. She lived before cars, indoor plumbing, and electricity.
The lived through the Great Depression, war time, and other periods of hardships. She
was a widow the last 30 years of her life.
She lost her seventh child, Steve, when he was just a toddler.
My father was born at about the time Steve passed, so he and Grandma were always very close.
I think these two pictures are my favorites. Both were taken in the 1950s.
Here is my Grandpa Roy with Great Grandma. Got to love 1970s fashion. haha.
Family Portrait in the early 1980s.
Martha, Gary, my Grandpa Roy, Bub
my Great Grandparents Jake and Leatha, Betty,
Nancy
So that's where my cat eye glasses obsession came from!!!
Grandma meeting ME for the first time.
1991
April 27, 2002
Grandma's Birthday party
Grandma with my famfam
Daddy with his Grandma
Grandma made SO MANY hand sewn quilts. All of my baby blankets she made will
definitely be passed down generations.
Dear Grandma Rivers,
I will always love you and cherish my memories of you.
Of the chickens eating our leftovers. You being over 90 years old and still living on your own in your own trailer house. I remember waking up at 7 or 8 in the morning and
you had a huge Southern breakfast ready. MMMM.
I don't think anyone on this planet could beat your homemade
chicken and dumplings, greens, cornbread, fried chicken, and strawberry sugar cake.
I will never forget the 6 hour drive to Louisiana to visit listening to that
dag-gum George Strait album over and over again. haha.
Your sternness with that subtle hint of compassion will always be your trademark.
Here is my rose from her casket bouquet. I dried it to perserve it.
