And so God is the author and perfecter of our lives...

It all began with the fifth, maybe sixth, outfit I had tried on that morning. If only we could all wear yoga pants! I had come to the realization that I was sick of feeling like this day in and day out. "Ugh, nothing fits. Nothing looks right. Nothing feels comfortable. Nothing except yoga pants." As a fulltime teacher and mother of three young children, yoga pants are not an option as I fly out the door with a side of peanut butter toast for my frequent reservation with the mini-van and drive to school.

I felt out of balance with my weight, my relationships, and my time when I ran into a co-worker and friend and saw how great she looked. I was searching. Searching for something to grab onto when God had a divine plan for us to see each other at that exact moment. She told me about Grace and Strength and explained that it was really more than a "diet." I was interested in finding out what the "more" was. That night, I spent a couple hours on the Grace and Strength website reading testimonies, just like the one I now have the opportunity to write! After speaking with my husband about investing in my health and personal growth, we both decided I should begin this plan, and let me tell you, I couldn't start fast enough!

I started Grace and Strength to lose weight, but that goal soon became secondary to the transformation I was beginning to see in my heart. I wanted to become healthy, fit and strong physically, but I was also becoming much more healthy, fit and strong spiritually. I had been physically over-nourished and spiritually malnourished. The weekly Bible studies with Coach Monica are something I committed to each week, and they really became a source of learning and inspiration for my week. They allowed me to dig deep into the reasons I wasn't happy with the first outfit I tried on in the morning, felt rushed all the time, discontent and irritable.

Ongoing reflection has been important to my successes along the way. I say successes because I couldn't look at this as one big success, but many small victories along my path. Through the weekly challenges, I was able to reflect upon and evaluate my heart. Was I really living out my beliefs and values? Daily time in prayer and the word has allowed me to refocus and embrace each day as a gift with a grateful heart. Starting my day on this foundation has been critical to my mindset and peace that God will satisfy my every need.

Grace and Strength offered something to me that I didn't find with other programs. It was more than following a plan that was only about the food and fitness choices. I have tried those and been unsuccessful. Grace and Strength gets to the heart of who we are as people and who we are in Christ. Was this plan easy? No. But it was easier than I thought it would be, and only because Jesus has had my back through this whole journey. I stumbled. I fell on my face and was offered grace and strength, and I did it! This plan is not only a way to live life, but it will forever remain in the fabric of my being, and of course, the first and only outfit I try on in the morning because now I wear a different type of clothing that comes from a famous book:

"Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

Thank you, Coach Monica and the Grace and Strength Team for providing Biblical truth to get to the heart of my body, mind and spirit!

Forever Changed & Grateful

Amy

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* Individual results may vary.