10k. 6 miles. Let the Race Begin.

So, what do you do when you have homework and it's 12:30 in the morning and you should be in bed?
Write in your blog!
So maybe not procrastinating will have to be one of the values I work on...
Anywho, I discovered the coolest thing the other day. You can do your personal progress online! I guess I'm at the tail end of the generation that's still really impressed by The Internet and all Its capabilities. You may have to have an LDS account to be able to do that. But if you're not LDS and you want to do Personal Progress, just find an LDS Distribution Center and buy yourself a pink personal progress book. They're pretty cheap.

So I've decided on the next thing I want to work on. On March 15th I'm going down to Utah to run in a 10k. Now, you might be thinking that a 10k isn't that hard or that big of a deal. But it is. For me. :)

So I've already purchased the ticket to run in the race which includes a t-shirt and probably a water bottle or something cool. I really hope it does include a water bottle...

So in order to prepare for the 10k I'm going to run every morning. Since it's been about a week since I've run I'll probably start slower tomorrow. I won't time myself. Then I'll pick it up a little from there. This means I need o get to bed earlier...and eat healthier.

This is going to count for my value project in KNOWLEDGE. I only have it in Spanish so I'm going to translate it here as best I can. The recommendation for this value project says:

"Read Doctrine and Covenants 89. Think about what you can do to better your physical health. Develop and follow a regular exercise program and learn to cook and eat healthy foods contributing to a healthy diet"

So it starts tomorrow, everybody. The running and the healthy eating. I'll let you know how it goes!
Are any of you runners? What do you recommend in a runner's diet? How do you build up your endurance? How do you improve your time?
I'd love to hear any of your experiences in doing similar things!

I just completed Choice and Accountability #1!

But really, are you ever done with this one? ;)
Choice and Accountability #1

"A daughter of God can make wise decisions and solve problems. Read 1 Nephi 15:8; 2 Nephi 32:3; Alma 34:19–27; Ether 2–3; and Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9. Follow a pattern of regular scripture study and prayer to receive help in making personal decisions such as choosing good friends, being kind to others, getting up on time, or other decisions. Discuss with a parent or leader how regular scripture study and prayer helped you make correct decisions."

I've been working on this one since December. Right after my mission I was so good at reading my scriptures every day, but somewhere along the way I got busy, I got comfortable, I got distracted...who knows. Then it became a hit and miss practice and I missed the constant guidance of the Spirit.

Now I'm in school and I should be busier than ever to make time for scriptures, but I've noticed something amazing. Even when there's "no time" to read the scriptures, I do it anyway. I make time, I get up earlier, I bring my scriptures to school with me. I've learned that putting the scriptures first in my day is an act of faith. I have to trust that there will be enough time for everything else. And every time, without fail, there is not only enough time for everything else, but time to spare. 

So as far as making decisions goes, reading the scriptures and praying are VITAL!
I read one of my favorite scriptures today:
"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;" (2 Nephi 21:2)

If you have the spirit with you you have wisdom, understanding, counsel, might (power), knowledge, and fear of the Lord (humility). All of those things help in decision making! When I read the scriptures daily I naturally choose things that are better for me! 

Things I've chosen these past few weeks due to more scripture reading and prayer:
--healthier food
--less procrastinating
--good friends
--more creative and proactive choices at work
--waking up earlier
--going to the temple on a regular basis, etc.

When I read the scriptures daily and pray often my decisions are guided by the Lord  :)

What is Personal Progress?

           Personal Progress is a program designed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for young women. Anybody who wants to can do it though! Which is why I am still doing it, even though I'm technically out of the Young Women's organization.

           The Personal Progress program is based on 8 values in which young women complete small activities or projects. Each value has three "required" activities, a list of four additional activities from which young women choose three to complete, and a ten hour project of their choosing. Young women can work at their own pace and complete the program as many times as they choose. It is hoped that they finish it at least once during their time in the Young Women's program which lasts from ages 12 to 18. When a young woman completes her Personal Progress she is presented with a young women's medallion on a chain to wear as a necklace.

The values covered in the Personal Progress program are:
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity 
and Virtue

           I know this program is inspired. It helps focus our efforts to live the gospel. Personal Progress is designed in a way that you can do it over and over and grow from it every time. I hope to grow from this "journey" and I hope you'll join me by doing your Personal Progress, too!

Please share your own experiences and ideas with me!!