Sunday Seven

 1. I love thanksgiving. It is my favorite American holiday. I think it is because we unashamedly thank God for all His blessings. We gather with family and we eat special food. Thanksgiving gives my heart a different sparkle if I can put it like that. A happy one. 

2. I'm glad most races are back in person. The running community is big, strong, and thriving. When we gather to run, I feel encouragement, strength, and joy. 

3. My husband's birthday is tomorrow. I adore Zeke, so celebrating him is a great joy. We met around his birthday 18 years ago so I actually threw a huge birthday party for him before we started dating. I know. Who does that? I do. I absolutely love celebrating birthdays because I believe that celebration is God's gift to be enjoyed. I'm looking forward to celebrating the most important person I will ever meet not only tomorrow but for the rest of my life. 

4. I watched a million cooking shows during the holiday. Most of them were America's Test Kitchen. If you never heard of them, you totally should. Other than family recipes, the only recipes I take seriously come from THE Test Kitchen.

5. Our family loves to travel. We were blessed to travel a few times this year. I recorded a podcast filled with travel tips I think you will enjoy. Subscribe to the Simply Cintia Podcast so you can be one of the first friends to listen!

6. I am thinking both about this year's goals as well as next year's. I believe that when I review my goals, I make peace with what is so I can press on to what's next. I found a good method to review my goals. I will explain it this week on the podcast as well. 

7. We decorated for Christmas before leaving home for the holiday. It was such a special time. Our family loves the Christmas season. We decorated the house, listened to Christmas music, ate cookies, and enjoyed dinner together. Our house looks happier at Christmas time. Thank God for Jesus. Without Him, none of this would be possible. 

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Memphis Hungry Turkey 5K Run Walk 2021 recap

Race Recap:

I enjoy exercising when I’m out of town. I looked for a race in north Mississippi and the Memphis Hungry Turkey 5K Run Walk was the nearest. This year, they supported the Mid-South Food Bank. The registration experience online was easy. 

The website gave me all the information I needed. I thought about registering my kids because they offer a kids race option. I ended up only registering myself. I was really interested in the race swag: a grey long sleeve shirt with the race logo. I picked up my packet the day before at Academy. The race organizers sent several emails ahead of time to be sure we were ready for race day. They get an A+ for communication. I picked up my bib and my shirt. I’m looking forward to wearing it for cold runs this winter! 

 The weather on the day of the race called for a 100% chance of rain. Another interesting thing was that I thought the location was around 1-hour drive but it was closer to 1 hour and a half. Still, I was determined to get to this 5K on Thanksgiving morning. I drank a cup of coffee, and off I went. It rained during most of the drive. I occasionally train in the rain. It is not my favorite thing to do but I know I need to know how to run in the rain in case it rains during race day.

The race started and ended at the Memphis Pyramid. There’s a Bass Pro Shop there now. I parked for free on the other side and walked to the start. I used my umbrella and wondered if I needed to park closer. The rain stopped 15 minutes before the race started. I took a photo with Hank the turkey, did my usual stretches and off we went. There was a huge incline at the beginning of the race. I decided to pace myself and run the entire thing. 

I kept telling myself “everything that goes up must go down.” Once we went down, the course was pretty flat. I had never been to Mud Island before and it is lovely. We had a great view of Harbor Town to our right and the Mississippi River to our left. We even saw some pretty big vessels transporting cargo during the race. The course was out and back so before I knew it, I was on my way back to that incline. Again, I thought about how I wanted to pace myself and not stop. I usually run intervals but I decided to run the entire thing for fun. 

My goal was to pace myself and enjoy my first live race experience since before the pandemic (I need to do a better job recapping my races as you can see and I will!). I encouraged the offegating runners around me. A lot were walking up and I don’t blame them. I encouraged them to go on as I was breathing hard and focusing on finishing strong. 

My official time was 32:38. My goal was to run the whole thing and enjoy it, which I did! You can see a video of me finishing here. 

 I went to get my medal, which came in a small cutesy plastic bag. There was a place where you could get your official time but I did it online. They also had donuts for the finishers but donuts are not my things so I passed. I took a few more photos and went on happily on my way. Check out this nice medal! One of the best 5K medals I've ever received.

I really enjoyed my race experience and I wholeheartedly recommend you to sign up if you are in the Memphis area. 

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Goal Analysis

I'm often ready to plan for the new year's goals by now. This year, I feel like I need to make peace with the year that is ending. Listen to this episode I call "Goal Analysis." The questions I mention can be found here. 

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Thanksgiving Service

Happy Thanksgiving!     

Listen to this encouraging episode. 

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2021 in Review

1. What did you do in 2021 that you’d never done before?

Learned to drive a jetski. It was epic, to say the least!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did keep up with my goals. I am writing 2022 goals as well. If you aim for nothing you will reach it every time. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I go to a large church so a few ladies I know gave birth.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. My cousin. A dear childhood friend. There were a lot of mentors who died. I lost my uncle Danny and close friends in Brasil. I'm encouraging myself with the thought that grief means I loved greatly as I was loved greatly. 

5. What countries did you visit?
Zero. Next year is the year to travel tough. 

6. What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021?
The resolve to accept circumstances I can't change with contentment and trust. 

7. What dates from 2021 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Each family birthday and my wedding anniversary. Family is what really matters.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Learning how to be grateful from the heart despite my circumstances. 

9. What was your biggest failure?
It depends on who you ask. I made a lot of mistakes. I think I failed when I thought that people think like God.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major, thank God.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
We traveled a few times. Experiences with family were worth the investment. 

12. Where did most of your money go?
Giving and debt reduction.

13. What did you get really excited about?
CrossFit.

14. What song will always remind you of 2021?
Zeke's new songs and arrangements for sure. 

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
• happier or sadder? Content.
• thinner or fatter?  Stronger
• richer or poorer? More Generous.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Slept more hours at night. Sleep is my superpower. 

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worry about what people will think of my obedience to God.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
. TBD

19. What was your favorite TV program?
I really enjoyed discovering shows on BritBox.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Other than the Bible: Reading while Black (Esau McCaulley), When to walk away (Gary Thomas), Culture Making (Andy Crouch), Finding God's Path through your trials (Elizabeth Geroge), The power of humility (R.T. Kendall).

21. What was your favorite music from this year?
Everything Zeke wrote and arranged for sure.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
I honestly haven't watched anything remarkable. I focused on easy movies just so my brain doesn't have to do a lot of work.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My sweet family and I went to get my birthday drink from Starbucks in Missouri for breakfast. We stopped in Little Rock for a delicious ArkMex lunch and we arrived back in TX in time to run errands at Target and go to sleep. It was a fun birthday for sure.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I believe that God was merciful and my satisfaction was directly connected to my attitude. 

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2021?
Well, I developed the habit of investing in accessories. It's been a fun hobby for sure. 

26. What kept you sane?
My husband, kids, running, and CrossFit.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021.
No one is responsible to cultivate my potential. Not even the God who gave it to me. 

Previously in this Series
• 2020
• 2019

• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014 
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010

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Reasons

 It is so easy to find reasons to complain. Life happens, right? What is the solution? We look for reasons to be thankful with trust that God is in control. Listen to today's podcast. 

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Habit Disrupted

Complaining is a habit. How do we disrupt it so thanksgiving can rise up?  Listen to today's podcast for inspiration

Click to listen!

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