Renewal Challenge

I call this week's challenge Renewal because this past weekend, our son, Joshua (age 9) was baptized at our final retreat of the summer.  

It was appropriate that he chose to be baptized at this place as we all wanted Rusty (my boss, friend) to baptize him, a student Joshua feels has been guiding him spiritually (Billy - see guy looking at little boy) and to have our whole summer camp team around, as well as significant others (friends).  It was a great way to end our summer camp season and for Joshua to begin his new journey this year. 

This year, he'll begin school at a local university model private christian school and it is a huge leap of financial faith for us.  But we really heard Joshua this year as he was able to clearly articulate why he just couldn't be at the public school anymore - faith being a loud concern of his.  Art being another.  So, Joshua will begin his journey with his baptism - marking his outward sign of his faith and love of Jesus.  

So with that in mind, we probably all need some sense of renewal.  Most of America (if not all) is currently under one of the longest droughts, highest temps ever and who doesn't need a little renewal to survive the remaining summer months?  Some of us need a renewal in our workouts so our body doesn't become complacent.  Some of us need a renewal in our spirit as our kids have been home for a few weeks now and may be driving us crazy (not admitting to this one).  So here's your renewal challenge: 

Start with a 30 minute cardio workout (your choice - find something fun) and then: 

1:00 Wall Sit 


100 Jumping Jacks 


1:00 Plank 


100 Sumo Squats 


 
100 Push-Ups 


1:00 Wall Sit 


100 Crunches 


1:00 Plank

then with a 15 lb kettlebell: 

 100 Deadlifts with High Pull 


100 Around-the-Body 


100 Snatches 


100 Swings

5 minute planks: 1 min full plank, 30 sec each side plank, 1 min full plank with alternating leg lifts (held for 30 sec each), back to 30 sec side planks with dips, finish with 1 min full plank and 25 jumping jacks in plank position.  

When your done, you'll either feel renewed (or dead). 

Survivor & a Late Challenge

I have survived the final week of camp - but then again, I usually do.  Last week of camp is usually a bittersweet good bye - it's one of those things that as much as you love it, you are ready for it to be over and as much as you want to be somewhere else, you are torn about leaving the other.  It's as if, even though my heart is at home, pieces of my heart are torn away when saying good bye to our summer camp staff, and camp worship.

If you have never been blessed by a worship that gets you up out of your "pew", dancing in the aisles, jumping all around, swinging and raising your hands in the air, and connecting your body and soul with the Creator, then you haven't experienced our camp worships.  They leave you drained, refreshed, renewed and longing for more.  They fill you, make you empty and replenish you - all at the same time.  Our speaker nailed it this week (he usually does, and all our camp speakers are awesome) and made us think as well as confess and renew.  I think it is worship that I will miss the most of our camps.

But just because I was at camp this past week, doesn't mean I got to miss out on 4 days of training.  I got up early every day, ran my four miles and then grabbed a coffee before heading to our camp staff meetings. It's a great way to connect with Him before I get into the "business" of the camp.  It helps me focus and remember why I do what I do, what He wants me to do, and refills me with energy and grace - two things I need a lot of to survive camp.

You have probably been waiting on pins and needles for your weekly challenge so here it is:
This workout needs no equipment: 


Start with a pace 2 mile run.  
Then stop and do the following: 

50 SQUATS 


50 PUPs 


50 CRUNCHES 


50 BICYCLE 


50 STANDING 


50 STANDING SIDE CRUNCH

Go for another 1 mile pace run. And now onto a timed challenge

1:00 Wall Sit 


100 Jumping Jacks


1:00 Plank 


100 Squats

1:00 Jogging in Place 


100 Leg Lifts

1:00 Wall Sit 


100 Crunches


1:00 Plank

Finish it up with a simple 1 mile run. 

Good luck with that.  I'm off to ice some shins and prepare for my 11 mile run tomorrow!  What are your amazing plans for the weekend?