Hello, my friend!

I hope you’re doing great this fine Memorial Day weekend!

I started this post at 7:15 this morning and am just now finishing it up seven hours later because my son Isaiah has a stomach bug that has required numerous sprints to our trusty mixing-turned-vomit-catching bowl, plenty of snuggles and stories and potty breaks, and ice-chip runs (‘runs” as in trips to the fridge, not icy diarrhea…) We went to a play date earlier this week and, when two of the kiddos’ moms texted the following day that their littles were sick, we knew there was a good chance someone in our family would come down with it, too! We will see who, if anyone, is the next victim…

This week’s Top 6 features two free books from yours truly, a critical look at a secular quote, encouragement for hard times (one of my favorite topics to include!), as well as two tips for the ladies, one on pelvic organ health, and another on Christian women’s conferences and Bible studies. I hope you find it helpful!

Go on a Greek (Mythology…) Vacation!

Starting at midnight tonight (technically tomorrow, right?), my Young Adult Greek mythology series, The Petros Chronicles, will be free on Kindle! This includes the prequel, Moonbow, as well.

Re-Focus on Your Fitness 

Also free (until Tuesday, by the way!) will be my two-in-one workout/devotional book for women, Perfect Fit: Weekly Wisdom and Workouts for Women of Faith and Fitness.

Rethink Secular Advice

I have great respect for James Clear, author of the bestseller, Atomic Habits. I read this quote in his weekly newsletter and was struck by how far it falls short in its prescription for “changing the world.” I haven’t looked into Clear’s religious beliefs, but it seems clear (no pun intended) that he’s not a Christian, because one of the core principles within God’s Word is that true transformation and lasting impact do not start with the self, but the Savior.
Here’s the quote:

If written from a Christian perspective, the quote might read something like this:

When we come across wise-sounding, worldly quotes, it’s a good practice to compare them to what Scripture has to say, and to remember this verse from the book of Romans:

 

Learn the Value of Hard Places

“The pressure of hard places makes us value life. Every time our life is given back to us from such a trial, it is like a new beginning, and we learn better how much it is worth, and make more of it for God and man. The pressure helps us to understand the trials of others, and fits us to help and sympathize with them.” – Streams in the Desert

Prioritize Pelvic Health

Without “being TMI,” a few weeks after I had my daughter, Elliana, I noticed things didn’t feel quite right “down there”… I knew enough, from training women for over fifteen years, that I was experiencing symptoms of a pelvic floor prolapse. Even though there are TONS of YouTube videos from pelvic floor pros, I figured the best course of action would be for me to seek out a specialist I could see face to face (or face to pelvic floor? #TMI).

Anyway! I’m extremely glad I took the time and paid the money to see a physical therapist who specializes in women’s pelvic floor health. After a thorough (#TMI) exam, including half-naked kettlebell exercises (insert face palm emoticon), she gave me excellent, individualized homework to help strengthen my weaker pelvic floor muscles and relax the too-tight ones.

In case you aren’t yet aware (I wasn’t for the longest time!), here are a few signs that your pelvic floor could use some TLC:

• Bulge, fullness or pressure in your vagina.
• Fullness, pressure or aching in your pelvis.
• Aching or pain in your low back.
• Pressure, hitting sensation or pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).
• Bulge or pressure that worsens throughout the day.
• Bulge or pressure that worsens if you cough or if you’re on your feet too long.
• Having to shift protruding organs with your finger in order to pee or poop.
• Vaginal spotting.

 

Beware of Wolves

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I attended a women’s conference at my church recently, and that it was a bit, well, disappointing.

Without going into specifics, my overall issue with it was that it was extremely surface level and “me-centric.” This video, an interview between former New Ager Doreen Virtue and Bible teacher Susan Heck (who’s inspired me to memorize more – much more – Scripture), dives deep into many of the weaknesses of women-geared studies and conferences. I encourage you to give it a watch!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Top 6 and wish you a fantastic rest of your Memorial Day Weekend!