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June's Blog
Who's Watching You? "The Day Spa"
Mar 5, 2010

Whos watching you, or better yet, who is listening to you? Recently I was at the hair salon (in Grand Junction they are known as Day Spas). I guess it makes them sound more glamorous even if you are just getting your toes painted.

While watching the nail technician carefully apply a coat of red paint to my little toes I overhead the stylist next to me talking to her client. Now, I was not trying to be nosy, its just that the client had her head in the shampoo bowl and she was practically shouting (note to selfnever talk while you are under the water hose at the Day Spa).

The stylist and the client were both very hip moms in their late twenties and apparently they had attended their daughters dance recital at the school the night before.

My daughter was so upset when she came home last night. Said the client. The little boy that she had to dance with was terrible and it was humiliating for her!

Yea, I saw them. said the stylist. What did you say to her?

I told her, he was terrible and that nobody thought it was her fault. Nobody would have wanted to dance with him. He was an embarrassment and she was wonderful."

After the towel was put on her head and she was lifted out of the sink she turned to the stylist to say, I want my daughter to have a good self esteem; I was not going to let her take any of the blame.

You have no idea how much I wanted to jump out of my chair and get into a girl fight right there in the Day Spa. I could envision grabbing this woman up by the collar and saying, Look Sparky, your daughters self confidence is not going to come by you being mean and putting down eight year-olds. I was fearless and had all the words ready to go and then reality set in how tough could I really be with purple separators between my toes?

While my flesh was fuming at the cruelty of these two moms, my spirit ached for this little boy that I didnt even know. Im thinking this little boy is created in the image and likeness of God. He has a mom that would be devastated to overhear this conversation. Hes one of Gods creations! So what if he cant dance? Dancing doesnt make him a great person or a bad one and its certainly not a good reason to be so negative towards him. How mean can woman be? Tears started welling up in my eyes as the enormity of my own sins surfaced. How many times had I said something bad about someone (Gods creation) in conversation? Or been critical? Judgmental? How hurt was God when I talked about His children?

I found myself in deep thought and no longer wanted to abuse these two young moms but desired to love them. I wanted to call everyone that Ive ever hurt with mean words and say Im sorry. But most of all I wanted to repent and ask for forgiveness.

The buzzer sounded and my toes were dry, the moms were long gone, but the fruit of their words were dripping with disaster.

Who is watching you? Who is listening to you? What kind of impact are you making on those around you?

Death and Life are in the power of your tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverb 18:21).

Id love to hear your stories about being watched or watching others.

Are You Dead, Alive, or Inactive?
Feb 15, 2010


Have you ever thought about what it would feel like to be laying in a casket? How would you feel when the casket lid begins to close?

Last night I had the awesome privilege of speaking to a group of college girls. They were so young, fresh, energetic, wrinkle free and alive or were they?

I began to tell them about my dreams as a little girl. More than anything else in the world I wanted to be a mom and wife to some drop-dead gorgeous husband. I wanted the perfect family, a family that would love each other and would make a difference in the world. However, the choices I was making were not leading me to this lifestyle.

At the age of 18 I found myself pregnant, then married, and living in a mortuary. The mortuary wasnt exactly my dream home. Sure it was a white three-story house with a fenced in backyard. But instead of grass in the yard there were headstones; instead of being warm and charming it was like the Amityville horror house.

I began to tell the girls about the chores that were expected of Jay and me at the mortuary. Every Thursday night, while Jay was away working another job, I was required to close the mortuary down for the night. The last two duties on the list were to close the casket (with the dead body in it) and turn off the lights. I remember the first time like it was yesterday. I slowly made my way down the aisle of the chapel, knowing that at the end waited a dead person who needed to be shut in for the night. I took a deep breath as I approached the casket. Quietly, slowly, I closed the upper half of the casket, hoping the body within it wouldnt suddenly open his eyes and spring back to life! Then, without taking my eyes off the casket, I reached for the lamp that illuminated the room. My fingers fumbled as they searched for the little black control. I took a deep breath and turned the switch; the room became black as a dungeon. I raced down the aisle, like an escaping prisoner. A sharp left turn at the end of the aisle and I was sprinting toward the stairs to the tower (our apartment). I leaped up the stairs, three at a time, darted through the living room and kitchen until I reached the sofa in the family room where our four-month-old daughter lay sleeping peacefully. I sat next to that sleeping baby, my heart pounding so loudly that my eardrums felt like they would explode. I waited, barely breathing, so I could hear every sound until my husband returned home at around midnight.

While speaking I noticed a beautiful young girl sitting in the front. She was fighting hard to keep the tears back. What was her story? What was impacting her?

As I ended my talk I told the girls about the greatness of God. I shared how He had moved mountains in my life and when I decided to obey Him instead of living my life according to the ways of the world that God transformed Jay and I physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.

I then brought the girls back to the memories of the mortuary. I asked them, Do you remember how I would close the dead person in for the night? How I feared that the dead person might open his eyes and come back to life? I said, You were probably thinking, thats scary, I would never live in a mortuary. But the truth of the matter is that according to the apostle Paul, you either are or have lived in the mortuary. You are dead in your sins because you have followed the ways of the prince of this world (Satan) (Eph. 2). Girls, Satans biggest fear is that you will receive True Loves Kiss from the Prince of Peace (Jesus Christ) and your eyes will be opened and you will learn Gods ways and obey Him and live your life full of blessings and not curses. Is there anyone in here that wants their eyes opened and live like God intends for you to live? Who wants to scare the hebe gebies out of Satan? Who wants Jesus? I said.

No longer could the girl in the front row hold her tears back. Jesus was wrapping His loving arms around her and drawing her to Himself. Its as if He was saying to her, May I kiss you, may I love you? This young single mom melted into His arms.

Yes, Jesus, yes! I said. Thank you God for allowing another person the option to leave the mortuary tonight.

Some of us have been kissed, we know Jesus, but weve never left the mortuary. Weve never resolved in our hearts to walk with him therefore we just waste our lives lying in the coffin in our inactive outfit. What lies are you falling for? Whats holding you back from livingI mean truly living? Hurry, its closing time open your eyes and scare the living snot out of the enemy start living your life with the intention of bringing God glory.

Fellhauer Claims World Title - Fowler, CO - Fowler Tribune
Feb 9, 2010


"Let those who boast, boast in the Lord"

I'm really proud of my niece, Tana



Fellhauer claims world title - Fowler, CO - Fowler Tribune

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You've Got the POWER
Jan 12, 2010

"Death and Life are in the POWER of the tongue and those who love it will eat it's fruit."
Proverbs 18:21

This year I didn't make a New Year's resolution but I decided to have a verse for the year. It's funny because now that I'm aware of what comes out of my mouth, I'm actually seeing how other people are using the power of their tongues as well.

Take a look at the power of Brit Humes tongue.

If Tiger Woods accepted Christ not only would his life be changed... but the fruit would be enormous and abundant.

When is the last time you challenged a friend with your faith? You've got the POWER...use it.

To Roam or Rome?
Dec 18, 2009



Continued from last blog....
OK so some of you have asked, "What was Jay's birthday surprise?" Let's just say is wasn't where the buffalo roam.
Jay and I had the privilege to follow the journey of the Apostle Paul. We started in Barcelona Spain and then sailed on to Malta. This is where Paul was ship wrecked and later became famous for healing the Governor of Malta (Act 27-28).
After leaving Malta we began our trip through Italy and headed to Pompeii; a village that was completely wiped out and then preserved by a volcano. What an oxymoron! In 79 AD the volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, erupted and completely cover the town of Pompeii. When archaeologists started uncovering the city years ago, the people and houses were mummified as if it happen yesterday. You could see the distress on the mummy's faces; there was no doubt that they knew their death was certain. Mosaics, pots, houses, streets and their amphitheatre still remained.

Rome was like unwrapping a new Christmas present; every time you went around a corner there was a jaw dropping moment. "How did they build this," you would think to yourself. I have to tell you that if you've ever studied the statue in Daniel, you will know why Rome is represented by iron. The coliseum is actually put together with huge iron staples. As Jay and I were in awe of the staples the man behind us said, "You know that Rome was known for it's iron, right." No, "I didn't know!" I also didn't know that the money to build the Coliseum came from the victory of the Judea war (the destroying of the Temple). Hum! About the time it was to be finished, Vesuvius erupts which was right up the road from Rome. Coincidence?
I could go on and on about God opening my eyes to His history but the truth of the matter is, He is still in control today and still leading His people if we will listen and obey. This was evident to Jay and I as we boarded a train in Italy. A man sitting in the train asked us, in his broken English, "Are you going to Pompeii? "Yes" Jay said. "Get off this train." He replied. We didn't have time to question him, we got off the train as the automatic doors were closing. Sure enough, we were on the wrong train. "What made this man ask us?" we wondered.

"Thank you God" was our response. Even in a foreign land and through broken English God still speaks to His people. Will you listen? Will you obey? Or will you roam in this New Year? Deuteronomy 28.
From our home to yours we pray for each of you to have a very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year.

Love,
June and Family


Do you hear from God?
Nov 5, 2009

Perhaps you are wondering where in the world is June, why hasn't she been blogging? Well, I've decided to take my own advice.... I'm trying to do only what the Lord tells me to do.

I know popular polls tell us that we need to constantly stay connected to our audience, and my blog says weekly updates. But all of that is man's doing (except for the words..weekly updates posted on my blog, sigh....that was my stupid idea...note to self, take that off the blog site). What I'm trying to say is we need to stop listening to society and start listening to God. If we keep hearing the words of man we are going to live in fear, guilt, and confusion. God has convicted me of not listening to Him. Where is He directing me? What is He doing in my life? When we stop and listen to the voice and the ways of God, then we can we live with great peace, joy, and confidence.

What I'm about to tell you might make you mad, possibly make you stand and cheer, or it could simply make you want to run for a bathroom and throw up. But stay with me until the end because God has something to tell you.

A couple of weeks ago I sat upon a mountain top with my husband of 29 years, Jay. I had been trying to find the right romantic moment to tell him about his birthday surprise. Now personally I would have picked a fancy restaurant to receive my great news, but guys are different, and I wanted this to be about Jay.

We were nestled together in our camo outfits that were accessorized with bright orange hats and vests (you won't find this outfit at forever 21). Ahh, there we were, in a place that Jay loved. In the quiet, surreal, fresh air of the mountains. "This is it, this is a romantic place to Jay (for me...not so lovely)."
While sitting next to him on a cold mountain I spilled his 50th birthday surprise like a kid knocking over his grape juice at the dinner table. OK, maybe it didn't have the best delivery but I could see in his eyes that Jay was truly surprised, grateful, and excited. It was a priceless moment...I leaned toward him with my eyes closed anticipating his tenderhearted kiss. But I almost lost my balance and fell flat on my face as he pulled away from me and said, "There they are!"

"There who are?" I said with a little attitude.
"The elk!" He exclaimed.

"Oh, could this event get any better?" I thought to myself. Two missions accomplished for the price of one.

Slowly, I put my gun into position and zeroed in on my target. "I think I can do it." I said with the confidence of a mighty hunter.

"They are too far, not yet." Jay whispered.

Of course I knew that 300 yards was too far away but..."I'm sure I can do this. I have her in my sights."

"OK," Jay said, almost smiling, knowing this was a long shot for a rookie. "Gently squeeze the trigger." he whispered.

The sound of the gun seemed like a cannon. My right shoulder flinched from the recoil of the rifle. My heart raced. "What had I done, what was I thinking!" The cow (female elk) just stood there as if someone had slapped her across the face.

"Did I get her?"

I watched her slowly disappear into the forest.

"We have to go get her." My husband exclaimed. "You shot her!"

I'm not going to lie, I felt like Anne Oakley. Although a little sad at the same time. I love elk meat, but was it worth this?

As we entered the forest there was no blood to be seen. "How, could we track her?"

Jay saw a heard of elk head up the mountain but as I surveyed the trees I saw her disappear into the black timber.

We searched high and low but still no sign of her. "Maybe I missed" I thought to myself after we searched for about an hour. As darkness was setting in Jay said, "We have to split up and go through the black timber (the deepest, scariest part of the Forrest)."

First of all I had no idea where we were, and second, the darkness of the black timber scared me with Jay by my side, much less by myself.
"June, it's are only hope to find her." he assured me.

With no gun, flashlight, or sense of direction I headed into the black timber. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil." My voice kept getting louder and louder as I recited the 23rd Psalms. I walked over fallen trees and heard noises that would make me jump. After what seamed like days I screamed for Jay but heard no answer. "Where are you?" I yelled with all of my might. I was half mad, half scared, and praying with all of my might that God wouldn't let this beautiful animal die in vain (that is if she was dead).
"I'm over here, you are to far right, start making your way left and I'll meet you at the top." he shouted. I took a deep breath, "Okay, at least I know Jay hasn't deserted me."

Psalms 23 kept comforting me, "He prepareth a banqueting table in the presence of mine enemies." I mumbled as I climbed up and over a fallen tree. As I began to take my next step I froze in my tracks, my heart began to race. "What is it?" I asked myself. "Was it a bear? Do I dare move? Should I scream?" "God help me!" was all that would come out of my mouth. I had stumbled onto a pile of fur but could not see any appendages.

I stood on my tippy toes to look over the log that hid the object. "It's her, it's her, I found her!" I screamed with all my might. I praised God that she didn't die in vain. I thanked God that I was still alive and not lost. But most of all I praised God that He had guided me and directed me through the darkest part of the Forrest.

I know this story seems a little odd for most of my readers but two days later one of my daughters dogs dissappeared while I was watching him. Jolene and her family had just moved to Grand Junction from Texas. I knew that this was terrible as the dog didn't know the neighborhood and it was night time. I jumped in my car to go looking for him. I prayed, "Lord you know where this dog is, please tell me." "Go back to Jolene's house and wait." was the voice in my soul.

As I stood at Jolene's back yard with a flashlight I could hear a faint bark that seemed to be blocks away. Sure enough, the dog had been guided back home.

As I was headed back home the Lord gently spoke to me, "I've shown you twice in the last two days that I will guide you. In these dark confusing times I will lead you, listen for my voice."
What peace to know that we don't have to do things the way the world would. And even when life seams dark or confusing we just have to listen for our Shepard's voice. "His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105).

What was Jay's birthday surprise...to be continued










"Just Do It"
Sep 3, 2009

"Do Whatever He Tells You To Do" (John 2:5)



Have you ever wanted something to be so perfect that you stressed over it, lost sleep over it, got cranky, or even worse, you let fear over take you?


I'm guilty! In fact right now it is 4:44 am and here I am blogging. Why? Because there is so much on my plate right now. i.e. The Wake Up Sleeping Beauty kick-off, Labor Day with family at the cabin, quarterly taxes, canning pickles, tomatoes, peaches, and whatever else comes out of a garden, and the list goes on. The problem is that they all have deadlines. People are counting on me and I can't wait until November to can peaches. It all seems a little over whelming.


I think Mary may have felt my stress when she was helping out at the wedding in Cana. They were having an amazing celebration and then the wine ran out... "Who ordered the wine? How could we be short? Why are we out?" I can imagine her saying as the last wine bottle was being poured.


But then she remembers, "Jesus, my Son, He's God, He can do anything!" "Ask Him to perform a miracle" She thinks to herself. But when she presents the wine problem He replies, "It's not My time."


"Yikes!" I think to myself. Is this what Jesus is going to say when I ask for help?


Only if we quit. You see, it was Mary's next move that proved her faith. "Do what ever He ask you to do" she told the servants. She knew her Son, her Savior, her Protector, her Deliverer, her Lord, was not about to let her down, and He didn't. He saved the best for last as He turned the water to wine.


I need a miracle right now... so I will "do what ever He ask me to do" and trust that He will come through with more than I expected.

Sex Sells
Aug 11, 2009



Sex sells. Which might explain Miley Cyrus, all of 16, jumping aboard an ice cream cart for a couple of suggestive dance moves and thrusts alongside a silver pole.
According to NewsDay.com Miley Cyrus is now pole dancing her way into the spot light with the help of her dad! I don't know about you but I'm sick of this kind of behavior and everybody just turning their heads and acting like it's no big deal.


Check out this article from NewsDay.com.


Who wears short shorts? Miley Cyrus does - and black leather boots, too.The 16-year-old Disney star, who sold out Nassau Coliseum in 2007 and is in line to do the same for her November show here, took another step along the Britney Spears career track this weekend with a pole-dancing performance at the Teen Choice Awards that some say sent the wrong message to her tween-age fans.Cyrus, who has been piping up about broadening her appeal, busted out the provocative get-up to sing her song "Party in the USA" for a segment of the teen awards fest taped Sunday and broadcast Monday night on Fox. Halfway through the song, Cyrus climbed atop an ice cream cart and shimmied alongside a pole protruding from its top. But if you were surprised, offended or shocked by the move, you really shouldn't be, say Miley-watchers - this has been coming for some time."She already has this risque image, so it really wasn't much of a stretch," says Us magazine senior editor Ian Drew. "That's how Britney took off. She was the good girl gone bad, and it looks to be working for Miley as well."


The article goes on to say, "Miley the Minor didn't do anything illegal, or against her will. According to an interview she gave MTV, Miley and her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, planned the not-so-slyly sexualized performance as part of an homage to the family's small-town, trailer-park, country roots. One minute, she's Hannah Montana, role model to legions of little girls. The next, it's Miley - a year after her father caught flak for sexually charged photographs of the kid in a magazine - dancing one more step toward goodness knows what."


Moms, please help me in fighting this. We have to teach our girls. If you haven't signed up to be a leader for this years Wake Up Sleeping Beauty kick-off please do it now. You can influence not only your daughter but her friends. Go now to http://www.wakeupsleepingbeauty.com/ and click on events and register as a leader.


We can be appalled at Billy Ray Cyrus for exposing his daughter to such scandalous behavior but we are no better if we don't become proactive with our own daughters.




Day 24-28 "Your Children Will Return"
Jun 28, 2009

"Your children will return" Jeremiah 31: 16-17



I apologize for not posting a blog every day this week. I want you to know that Jordan and I have been shredding and spending our time in the Word.


This past week I had the honor of going to Aspen, Colorado to do a Wake Up Sleeping Beauty kick-off. The moms and daughters captured my heart. I can't wait to see what God is up to in Aspen. Please be praying for them as they start their groups next week.


I also had the joy of preparing for all of our daughters and their spouses to come home. We are all getting ready to escape to Lake Powell. I can't remember the last time we were all together. Thank you Lord.


There was also break through this week. Jordan was anxious to get her ACT scores back because she wants to fast track into Mesa College her senior year. Now Jordan is a very smart girl but she struggles with test taking. While I was in Aspen she called, "Mom, I did it, I not only passed, I exceeded their standards!" Now that was amazing but her next words blew me out of the water. "Mom, I'm going to take the test again. I know that I can do better and get the scholarship that CCU offers." For a girl who stresses and cries on test days this was like the Red Sea parting and she was walking through. Like Jillian says, "If you want results you have to work hard, don't phone this one in."


Jordan and I have been continuing in our study of Jeremiah. Israel is engaged to God but she keeps finding other lovers. Jeremiah weeps over her unfaithfulness and keeps warning her that she is trading in God's glory for things that won't profit her.


There are many times in my ministry that I feel like the weeping prophet as I try to tell girls that their choices are going to lead to curses and not blessings. Time and time again I see girls fall into sexual impurity. They trade the Glory of God for things that won't profit them.



Last night I had the privilege of witnessing one of the most beautiful love stories of all times. A former Wake Up Sleeping Beauty student and her groom went to the marriage alter pure! Their wedding was a testimony to the glory of God. They shared their love for Christ with the guests as they wrote their own vows and washed each others feet. Tears stream down my face as I thought about Christ coming for a bride without blemish. The angles in heaven must have been rejoicing last night as two people came to the wedding chamber undefiled, and Holy unto God. Thank you, Wade and Chelsea for witnessing to so many last night!


This will be my final "Shred" blog as the next two days Jordan and I will be shredding in a remote spot. I feel like Jordan and I have made huge progress both mentally and physically. Jordan ran her three miles this week and I know that I will succeed soon. Spiritually I desire to look good for my Groom. I want to become the Bride that He longs for. I know that my job as His fiance is to learn and know all I can about Him while He's gone to the Father to prepare a place for me.



I want to encourage you to keep exercising your bodies and minds with your daughters this summer. Keep breaking thought barriers that have stopped you from succeeding in the past and get rid of things that steal God's glory and keep you from profiting.


I want to encourage you with a verse that God gave me when I started Wake Up Ministries, "Stop crying, stop weeping, your work shall be rewarded. Your children will return from the land of the enemy and into their own territory." Jeremiah 31: 16-17 Moms never give up. Girls never give in. When it comes to trading God's glory with the things that the world has to offer, it will never profit you.

Day 23 "Little Profit"
Jun 23, 2009

"But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit." (Jer. 2:11)

The Apostle, Paul, tells us that it doesn't really profit us that much to buff up our bodies. There are some health benefits, but it's not ever lasting. If we start admiring ourselves too much or long for the "Idol" body we will exchange our glory (being His temple) for that which does not profit.

Jordan and I spent quite a bit of time in the second chapter of Jeremiah today. God compliments Israel as He tells them, "I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, the love of your betrothals, your following after me in the wilderness."

We compared this scene with our first loves in High School. How cool it was to take new adventures in unknown territories with the man of our dreams. "Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley deep enough to keep us from them." but then they dumped us.

They changed the glory that we had for drinking, parties, and even other women. Oh, the hurt of our first love letting us down. We gave so much of ourselves. We had a right to be angry, bitter, mean, and vengeful. Yep, we were going to drink poison and hope that someone else (our boyfriends) would get sick and die.

How God must feel when we stop depending upon Him, stop trusting, loving, or spending our time with Him in order to please the world, how much it sickens Him knowing that it will not bring us profit.

God has the right to be bitter, mad, mean, and even hateful to us as we've all dumped Him in some sore of fashion. But when we come back He forgets, forgives, and adorns us with His glory and oh, how it profits us.

Day 22 "Workout Three, The Last Frontier"
Jun 22, 2009

"Before I formed you I knew you, before you were born I consecrated you." (Jer. 1:5).



We are on the last leg of the 30 day shred. Jordan and I are committed to doing workout 3 for the rest of the duration (that would be eight days for those of you just joining us).


I want you to know that I'm a full supporter of this Jillian (that is until she comes out with some outrageous hidden secret). I think she's changed my life and a few others along the way. I'm telling everyone about "The Shred." I also show them, "just feel my abs." It's sick and wrong but I'm every impressed that our bodies can change so much with a little effort. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. I'm pretty sure that before long Jillian's going to have to start paying me a commission for selling so many DVDs.


Jordan and I have have gone from Isaiah (the doom prophet) to Jeremiah (the weeping prophet). Now that's progress.


I've read Jeremiah a thousand times but this morning something hit me. God said, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." The word knew in Hebrew is "yada", it means to be one or intimate, it can go as far as sexual intimacy.

God is giving us a clue about His love for Jeremiah. As He knitted Jeremiah together He was putting all the right parts, pieces, temperments, looks, and love into him to do the job which he had created him to do.

"Before you were born I set you apart" He made Him unique and then gave Jeremiah his purpose..."prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah questioned the Lord. "I am a youth."

I often question my purpose, or better yet can I do it? I often think: I'm too old, not smart enough, not rich enough, or some other excuse but the fact is... God knitted me together with everything I need to do His good works. He knew me! He's crazy in love with me.


Jordan and I said maybe we weren't sent here to change nations (or maybe we were) but we are definetly created and equipped to do all that God asks us to do.

Day 21 "Father's Day Shred"
Jun 22, 2009

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3


My husband, Jay, dreamed about going to our cabin and fishing Father's Day weekend. It was the perfect weekend. The boat ran great, we caught our fishing limit in about an hour (my dream come true) and Saturday evening was quiet and peaceful as God painted us a beautiful picture in the mountain sky.


Jordan and Jay will tell you that all was calm until 8:00 am on Sunday morning. Yep, that's when the "Shred" Nazi began to shout, "Get up we're wasting daylight"

Jordan moaned, "Mom, we had a deal...we don't shred until 8:30." She wrapped the pillow securely over her head hoping that I would not bothered her again.

However, I'm smarter than the average bear so I waited a few moments and then set the only clock in the cabin up 20 minutes. "Jordan, it's 8:30!" I giggled.


"Mom, you're ridiculous." At least that's what I think she said under that muffled pillow.


While drinking his coffee, Jay, laughed as he's gotten quite use to "The Shred" routine. I took one look at him and said, "Soldier, down your coffee, you're "Shredding" too."


It was Father's day and since we have no TV at the cabin we needed Jay's stop watch. Yep, we were going to do three minutes of strength moves, two minutes of cardio, and one minute of abs (three times) while hiking straight up a mountain.


I have to say that it was one of the best times ever in the mountains. Jordan began to give her dad heck. "Dad, these are lunges, get your rear end down."


"I'm about to pull a hamstring" was his reply.


"Oh yea, your not either, you're just out of shape, I hear you breathing" She laughed.


I must tell you that at the end of our 20 minutes we were all dirty, sweating, and breathing like ninety year-old smokers. We were laughing at how crazy this all was. I can't think of a better Father's day. However, I'm not sure Jay sees it in the same way. He's walking with a limp. It must be that pulled hamstring!


While at the cabin I came across Proverbs 15:3. I smiled as it brought back memories of picking up Olivia from her Christian preschool. Olivia was a very quiet four year-old, an only child in a single parent home. I was trying to make her feel comfortable so I asked her, "Olivia what's your favorite song at school?" Before she could answer I said, "Jesus, loves me? The B-I-B-L-E? Zack, the wee little man?


"No, no, and no" was her answer. "I like...The Eyes of the Lord Go To and Fro."


"What!" I said. "I've never heard of that." Maybe it was the way she said, "Lord" rolling all the consonants together, but it was the cutest thing I'd ever heard.


In her cute little voice she said, "June, you know it, it's Problems 15:3!"


Trying to keep a straight face I said, "Olivia, do you mean Proverbs 15:3?"


"Yep, He's watching everything, His eyes go to and fro." melodically she sang.


The crackling of the fire brought me back to the present. "Oh, the eyes of the Lord watch it all. The good and the evil." I believe He smiles as He watches his children loving each other and having a good time. I believe He loves families more than anything in the world and desires for us to stay away from the evil and live the abundant life He came to give us. In the 15th chapter of "Problems" He shows us how to stay away from evil and live good.


Olivia had been through some really rough times but for her there was great comfort knowing that God sees it all, the evil and the good. My prayer for Olivia is , "God, show her how to live good, and keep Your eyes upon her." It's written in the Problems.


Day 18 "My Flesh Doesn't Control Me"
Jun 18, 2009

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh" (2 Cor. 10-3).


Jay left at 5:00 am this morning to go fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir and I did not want to get out of bed.


When Jordan and I first started the DVD I was dragging. "I hate this" I kept saying in my mind. But by the time we were into the second stage of exercise I was actually enjoying it (well, maybe "enjoying" is stretching the truth a bit) but we made it another day. Our flesh didn't control us... we controlled our flesh.


The apostle Paul tells us "for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."


What I believe Paul is telling us is that our minds are so powerful that if we stay focused and believe in Who God IS and Who we are in God then we are capable of accomplishing anything.


Another thing Paul is telling us is that the greatest thing we can do with our minds is to tear down fortresses (imaginations or lies the enemy has put in there).


I've been thinking about the exercise where Jillian has us squat and then punch as if we were hitting a punching bag. Well, I'm going to start having fun with this exercise because when the enemy puts a thought into my mind that isn't right...something like...I'm unsuccessful, stupid, something mean spirited, or perhaps a sexual thought that shouldn't be there, I'm simply going to take a punch at Satan. I'll do this by saying, "Shut up!" Then I'm going to give him the right hook by putting Scripture into my mind...something like... "I am Christ workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).


Last but not least I'm going to go for the Knock Out, I'm going to walk in obedience to Christ.


So tomorrow when the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy me, he's going to be a little beat up. He can take his little jabs but in the end I will win because my weapons are divinely powerful! While I walk in the flesh, my flesh will not control me, I will control it. AMEN!

Day 17 "No Kids for Jillian"
Jun 17, 2009

"Rise up, captains, oil the shields," (Isaiah 21:5).


I do not know this for a fact, but I'm pretty sure that Jillian doesn't have any kids. This would explain why she claims that everyone can do jumping jacks, even a 400 pound person; but has she tested the mother of four? Let's just say I have a new goal...


This is totally random but as I'm sitting here typing a deer just walked across my front pasture. How awesome is our God that He gives us natural parades every once in a while.


Jordan has really been battling a certain girl. Every time Jordan turns around it seems as though this girl has another fable to tell. She is always trying to cause division between people. Her stories usually have some truth to them but then are twisted and slanted to give her the benefit. Her new favorite ploy is to hit on boys with girlfriends and then put doubt into the minds of the girls.


Babylon's days were numbered. They were about to be destroyed and would no longer bring grief to Israel. God was telling Israel pay close attention, "raise up, captains, oil the shields." In other words.... get ready for the battle, keep a lookout, and get the reports. However, Israel was afraid of war. They were afraid to confront the enemy.


I told Jordan that there may come a time when she has to confront this girl. Not with anger but with truth. She needs to be ready and watch out for her. She needed to be obedient if the Lord told her to speak. But I also said, "don't be surprised if while you are on the lookout that God overcomes your enemy."


As Israel obeyed God and put watchman on the towers they saw the riders, horsemen in pairs coming. I imagine that they were scared to death knowing that the war was about to begin. But the watchman yelled out the report "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground" (Isaiah 21:9).


"Wouldn't it be awesome if this girl's gods were shattered on the ground and you had a change to bring her to Christ?"


"Yes!" was Jordan's reply.


"Rise up (change your posture), captain (leader of your own life) oil the shields (be prepared for battle)." While expecting a miracle.




Day 16 "I'm Starving"
Jun 17, 2009

"And the Lord was with him; wherever he went he prospered." 2 Kings 18:7


I keep thinking that I should be losing weight about now, but...I'm starving. Is there anyone out there that has noticed their appetite increasing? The more I exercise, the hungrier I get. I sort of feel like the chubby boy in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. I'm about to take a dive into the river of chocolate. Somebody stop me!

I think it's awesome how God shows us in the physical what is going on in the spiritual. The more I get into the Word, the hungrier I am to find the truth. I can't get enough, praise God!

At the age of 25 Hezekiah became Judah's new king. Now many of you might remember that Israel has been split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom is called Israel and the southern kingdom is call Judah.

When Hezekiah came into power he bucked the system. He rebelled against the ways of the culture. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. In our modern day terms he removed the sex billboards, cut away all the pornography, burned the Playboy mansion, and paid professional athletes minimum wages.


He took their gods away and He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. He clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, and kept His commandments.


I'm sure it wasn't easy for this young king to stay firm in his commitment but the pay off was huge. "The Lord was with him; wherever he went he prospered." Are we trusting in the Lord during this recession? Are we keeping His ways or trying to be politically correct?


I can almost see King Hezekiah exercising his power slowly and then the more he does the more he wants to do for the Lord. His appetite for justice and truth are insatiable. He's performed a triple gainer and is swimming in the Holy Spirit river. Somebody just try and stop him. AMEN!



Day 15 "Change Your Posture"
Jun 15, 2009

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1).

Have you noticed all the different posture positions that Jillian puts you in while doing "The Shred?" First you are standing up, then lying down, leaning to the left, and then leaning to the right. All in the name of looking fit and feeling good.

This morning Jordan and I realized that God is calling us to change our posture. He tell us to "arise" change our position, our posture, get up and get going. He then tells us to shine. This word shine means to display. Kind of like a diamond in a display window. We are to arise and shine because the glory of the Lord has risen upon us (this happened when you came to know Christ).

God is telling us that we Christians should stand out when we walk into a room. We should have such an appearance, confidence, and attitude that seas of people are drawn to us.

Moms, girls, it time to put a bounce in our step and a sparkle in our eyes. "Arise, shine for the light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen up on us." Think about it...what are some ways that could set you apart from the crowd?

Day 12 "It's Friday!"
Jun 12, 2009

June 12, 2009
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127)



I'm sure some of you are wondering why I haven't e-mailed you a blog every day this week. Well, it is because I didn't want to scare you (oh no, it's another blog from June). Well, rest assured that you can get on my blog everyday and see the daily post or you can wait until Friday and get the e-mail in your inbox.



I hope you are all moving forward with your "Shred' It's been great to get your e-mails and comments. For those of you who haven't read the comments on the blog we have a group in Canyon City doing "The Shred" as a group and then having their 20 minutes of Scripture. How awesome it that!! Go Canyon City!



Well, for some reason the workout seemed harder than usual today. I can't tell if it is because it's Friday and we are tired, or because we upped our weights to 3lbs (no laughing for you 5 pounders).



Today a dear friend of mine met with me to pray; the Lord gave her Psalm 127 for me. Jordan and I discussed it and realized how often we think everything is up to us. Most of the time we are running like chickens with our heads cut off.



This passage is timely for me as I get ready to start organizing and planning the fall kick-off for Wake Up Sleeping Beauty. The Wake Up Ministry prayer team believes that God is calling forth 72 moms to host small groups in their homes. The first thing I did was strategically plan how to get 72 moms (note to self, it's not up to me).



God is telling me and you to rest in Him. I have to be obedient when He tells me to do something, but the job is up to Him. Everything else I do is in vain because He gives to us even while we are sleeping (v2). How cool is that?



As we head for the Sabbath please remember to rest in Christ.

Day 11 "Energy and Burping Guppies"
Jun 11, 2009

June 11, 2009

"Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies" Isaiah 51:12



Okay, maybe I'm taking this a little to far but, My brother-in-law told me that the best thing I could do for my skin and brain is to take a little fish oil everyday. So... today I ingested a very large fish oil tablet and for several hours I burped guppies! So nasty! I think I will just stick to exercising my mind and body.



Mental anguish is the worst. When we worry, fret, and stew about our future, friends, financial situation, health, and things that will probably never come to pass, we waste a lot of time. If we were really honest with ourselves we would see that the root of all this worry is the that fact that we fear what others think. What if I score low on the ACT? My friends will think I'm dumb, colleges won't let me in and I will be less of a person than the smart girl going to an Ivy League school.



How about us moms? We think if our kids don't turn out perfect our peers will think we are terrible parents, lacking in our faith, or possibly full of sin ourselves. God asks us a question in Isaiah 51:12, He says, "Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies and of the son of man who is made like grass?"



When you think about pleasing man it is all vanity. Everyone on this earth will one day die and they will stand before God to be judge. So wouldn't it make sense to live our lives trying to please the One and Only Judge and King? Only then will we break the chains of our mental captivity.

Day 10 "It's All About the Delivery"
Jun 10, 2009

"Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?" (Isaiah 66:9)



This week Jordan and I decided that we would do workout 1 on Mon., workout 2, on Tue., and you guessed it workout 3 today. Oh baby, it was hard. I must admit that we had to resort to the modified version on several exercises, but we finished. It really inspired us to keep this up as we are determined to do it through workout 3 without modifying.



Once again, after our tough work out Jordan and I found ourselves on the sofa pondering over the captivity of Israel and how their captivity tied into our own lives. God reminded us that nothing is to hard for God. He restored Israel in one day. God asked the question, "Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? Well, you probably already know that Israel became a nation in one day back in 1948. God planned that amazing day for Israel years in advance.



We began to ask ourselves, what has God conceived in us that He has promised to bring forth. Can we rest in Him knowing that the final push will be from His strength and not our own? Will He bring us to the point of birth and not give delivery?

Job said, "No plan of God's can be stopped." So I've decided to live an obedient life to Christ and let God take care of the rest.

Day 9 "Breakthrough"
Jun 9, 2009


"The Fear of the Lord is his treasure" Isaiah 33:6



You are not going to believe it but Jordan actually set her alarm so that I wouldn't have to yell. She was up and ready to "Shred" this morning. Now that is breakthrough!



I hope you are all sticking with this. Jordan and I are a little sore and whining to each other but deep down we are loving the time together. I believe it's worth the time and struggle to motivate a teenager. AMEN?


It was back to Isaiah this morning. It seems like everything Jordan and I read this summer is about captivity. This morning Assyria was about to be crushed because it had oppressed God's people. Once again Jordan and I found ourselves excited knowing that God has and is delivering us from our captivities. We just have to know that "He shall be the stability of our times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure."



Who do you fear? Man or God?

Day 8 "Monday, Monday"
Jun 9, 2009

June 8 Isaiah 14:6

"How the oppressor has ceased, and how fury has ceased!" Isaiah 14:6.

I'm not going to lie to you, I didn't want to do "The Shred" Monday morning and neither did Jordan. However, after I yelled (and I mean yelled) up the stairs at Jordan for the umpteenth time I was about to lose my patients.

We persevered and were both very proud of ourselves after it was over.

Jordan said to me, "Mom have you ever had a book in the Bible become yours? You know like everything it says just jumps off the pages at you?"


"I guess I never thought of owning it, but yea, I know what you mean." I replied. "Why don't you pick the Scripture today" I suggested.


Jordan began to read Isaiah 14 and what was to take 20 minutes took an hour. "A day is coming when the captives will take their captors captive and will rule over them." Jordan and I started listing all the things that have taken us captive:


  • Things that others have said about us
  • Fear
  • People judging us
  • Rejection
  • Hurt
  • Bitterness
  • Believing who we are through the eyes of others rather than believing who God says we are

Our eyes began to fill with tears as we realized how this captivity keeps us from living the amazing free life that Christ died for.


I told Jordan, "We are going to take Communion and we are putting everyone of these captors on the body of Christ (the bread) then we are going to drink the wine (juice) knowing that as His blood washes over the bread, that we just ate, it is redeeming, cleaning, atoning, and making new all things." AMEN


"Jordan, today the oppressor has ceased, and how fury has ceased!" We are free! Just believe.

Day 6 "Rest" Day 7 "Simply"
Jun 9, 2009

June 6 Acts 8:16

"They had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16).



On our way home from the week-end I realized that you can exercise all you want but if you don't eat right you won't be able to get the full benefit of "The Shred."

We all over indulged at the wedding. Who wouldn't? We sat down to steak, chicken, potatoes, and veggies, with all the works. Then came the chocolate fountains with bananas, strawberries, brownies, and pound cake just waiting to be dipped. Across the room waited jars of malted milk balls, spree candies, M&Ms, and Gummie bears along with their little plastic bags and ties to make the perfect parting gift. And I can't forget the amazing wedding cake. But the next day...sugar overload!!! I wanted to be sick.

Yep, we must eat right and exercise if we want the full benefit of health.

We Christians sometimes forget that if we want the full benefit of our faith we must have both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John knew the power of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. "When they heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16).

Have you received Jesus? How about the Holy Spirit? Without both it is impossible to live the full abundant life that Jesus promised us. They go together like diet and exercise.

Day 5 "Shredding" in an Unusual Form
Jun 6, 2009

June 5, 1 Thes. 4:3-4


"For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor" (I Thes. 4:3-4).


We were up early to get our "Shred" in before our appointment with the College. We turned on the exercise TV only to find out that "The Shred" wasn't one of our options, but...there was a 20 minute cardio video so we went for it. Our new problem...no room in the room.

I've never been one for letting the kids jump on the bed but it was our only choice. So being dedicated we did it anyway. Jordan and I had a blast doing our workout while jumping on the hotel beds. One piece of advice...don't do jumping jacks unless you like your fingernails filed by the popcorn ceilings. OUCH!

Our twenty minutes of Scripture is continuing to be priceless to me. After our fun aerobic workout Jordan and I sat on those beds face to face and opened the Bible to I Thes. 4: 3-4. I asked her, "What does sanctification mean to you?"

I won't betray her confidence, but God is asking us (believers) to be set apart for Him and abstain from sexual immorality. I believe one reason He wants us to be sanctified is so we will be fearless. Fearless of abortions, STDs, awkward relationships, what people think, and guilt. When we learn to be fearless we will conquer new territories and set new standards.

Keep "Shredding" I'm praying for you.








Day 4 "The Shred " Must Travel
Jun 6, 2009


June 4, Proverbs 15:1


A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov. 15:1).


Things are not always as we think they should be. On day four of The Shred Jordan, Jay, and I left early in the morning for Denver to attend my nephews wedding, visit Colorado Christian College, a school that Jordan is interested in attending after graduation, and to attend a play, staring Barbra Andrews, a close family friend. Not exactly your boring week-end.

Our big problem....When and where will we perform The Shred (that I forgot to pack)? On the sidewalks of the 16th street mall, thats where (isnt that where all improv happens)! Oh, it didnt look like a typical Jillian workout but it was power walking and arm moving at its finest; I guarantee you that we shredded not only our bodies but our checkbook as well.

No, it wasnt the normal Shred, and you can judge me if you like, but I assure you our hearts were right. This was the environment that we were in and we had to make the most of our conditions. Speaking of environment, on our way over the beautiful Rocky Mountains I couldn't help but notice the pine trees that grew so mightily in their perfect climate. I flashed back to the peach orchards in Palisade, CO that we had passed earlier that day and said to myself, Those peach trees wouldnt survive in the Colorado Mountains. It wouldnt be a matter of good seed or good soil; it would simply be that the environment wasnt right for growing peach fruit.
Have you ever walked into a place that the spiritual climate was so stressful that you could cut the tension with a knife? While you didnt see it, you could feel it? So my question is can we change the climate of our environment (our homes, youth groups, schools, etc) so that healthy fruit trees grow?

I know that Im rambling but the Bible tells us that we can change our environment and the climate around us by speaking kind words (Prov. 15:1). We can actually change our surroundings so that people can grow and love one another by simply speaking kind words into their lives.

You know I could have cussed myself for forgetting The Shred, yelled at Jay when he was back seat driving (the whole way over the mountain), and freaked out when Jordan was driving down Vail pass, but instead I decide to speak positive to myself, June, you can get The Shred on free exercise TV tomorrow, then I decided to joke with Jay about the comments coming from the back seat, and I pressed hard on the floor board of the car as if that might slow the car down. Our environment stayed positive and we all learned and grew from the situations. So until tomorrow speak love into your surroundings and watch them grow.

Day 3 "The Shred"
Jun 3, 2009

June 3, 2 Kings 17:7


"They feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations."

It's easy to look at the girls on "The Shred" and desire to look like them; hard bodies, large breasts, long legs, etc... Jillian keeps reminding us to work hard to accomplish a body like this. Well, are their bodies a result of working out or have they conformed to the customs of the nations?

"Now this came about because the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord" 2 Kings 17:7.

"What came about?" I asked myself.
Captivity, slavery, and being carried away from the promised land came about as a result of their sin. What was the sin? Fearing other god's and walking in customs of the nations.

I realize that the modern day customs are to cosmetically change anything that you don't like about your body. God, however, says that your bodies are His temples. Stop fearing what men think about you and their plastic gods. Start being grateful for your natural beauty and health.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.


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