For our regular readers, you will remember the 40 By 40 challenge that was issued by Amy. The challenge was, lose 40 pounds by my 40th birthday. That was in October. The challenge was to begin in November of 2014. My birthday is at the end of February 2015. That gives 4 months to lose 40 pounds by my 40th birthday.

I accepted the challenge.

Things started out great. November 1, came and by Thanksgiving, I was down almost 10 pounds. But then the holiday hit. Thanksgiving week was brutal. No weight lose. In fact I think I gained a couple pounds. Then December hit. Not a good month for weight loss.

So are we giving up? Calling it quits? No 40 By 40?

Not a chance! With 2 months left before my 40th birthday, I am even more committed to drop the weight! So it's on like Donkey Kong! We're doing this and it's going to be great! Why? Because our treadmill is getting fixed!

Yes, after 2 years of not working, we were finally able to order the parts to get it running again! That means excerise! And that means weight loss! And the timing couldn't be better. Snow is finally falling in Western PA. And with temps in the low teens and twenties, a working treadmill is a huge blessing!

So the 40 By 40 challenge is on! This week, I am trying to balance the intake and drink more water. The treadmill parts should be in by Friday. The plan is to make the repairs on Saturday. And with any luck, the treadmill will be in use come Monday!

So be sure to follow along as I weigh in each Wednesday from now till my birthday with updates and accomplishments! I will also update the weights since it's been a couple of weeks.

40 By 40. Let's do this!

- jay

I sometimes have a hard time trusting the weather guys. The only job where you can be wrong 80% of the time and still have a job. (You've heard that one before though, right?) But they said yesterday that by morning we would see snow. And sure enough, this morning we woke to snow. A blanket of white.

Of course the snow led to a 2-hr delay for the kids, which then turned into a snow day about an hour later.

But it's the first snow of the season. Which is a little crazy since it's Janaury and many have had or seen snow as early back as October.

The kids are happy. Not because of the snow day, though I'm sure that helps. The kids are happy because they will actually be able to play in the snow today. Last year, despite all the snow fall (and it wasn't much) most snow fell and disappeared before anyone could even get suited up. Bummer. I can only remember a few occassions where the kids played, at length, in the snow.

So good on ya, weather guys. You called it. It's a snow day! The first of the year! And while the rest of us try to get back and forth to work, I hope you enjoy today. If you're playing in it, make a couple snow balls for me. If you're driving in it, slow down and take your time. If you just sitting back watching it fall...well, enjoy that cup of hot cocco and remember the beauty of fresh fallen snow.

Happy Snow Day everyone!

- jay

I don't do resolutions. They don't work. Little promises made to ones self are as easy to break as hitting the snooze buttom when you've told yourself your getting up early to get in a quick workout. It just doesn't work. So instead of resolutions, I like the idea of setting yearly goals. Little things that I can do throughout the year without the let down that comes when you fail to keep your year-long resolution to loose weight after the second week of the new year.

Goals are things to work towards. Not expectation that we put on ourselves. So as we begin 2015, I have a few goals. Today I'm share three of them with you.

1. Date Amy More...
I love spending one on one time with Amy. But over the last couple of years, finding time to have dinner, catch a movie, do a little shopping, or just hang out together minus the kids. So this year, I am setting the goal of dating Amy a little more than last year. The goal? Well, honestly, I'd like to do it every week, but I know that that is not a reality yet. But twice a month sounds like a reasonable possibility. So here's to dating Amy more.

2. Date My  Kids More...
In recent years, Amy and I have tried to spend one on one time with each of our kids. When we were in Somerset we did this fairly well. However, like spending time just Amy and I, these last couple of years have been a littel more difficult. There is a huge blessing that comes from spending time with our kids in a one on one setting. It's valuable time used for connecting, laughing, and enjoying each one and their unique personalities. This year, I want to try to spend just a little more time with each one.

3. Spend More Time with God...
Over the years I have come to love my time with God. I was fortunate to have some time off between Christmas day and January 4th. While we were away, we had the opportunity to worship in an amazing church in Jacksonville, Florida. Being on the other side of the pulpit, I was reminded of just how important it is to have time with God. To be in his presence. To sit and dwell in his word. And that's what I hope to do this year, to spend more time in the presence of God.

That's it, three of my goals for 2015. Date Amy more. Date my kids more. And spend more time with God.

How about you? What are you hoping to accomplish this year? Do you set goals, write a resolution, or create a bucket list? Take a minute and share your 2015 hopes in the comments below!

Happy 2015!

- jay

It's one of my favorite books of the Bible, Genesis. This morning at Harvest Church, we started a new series the focuses on the book of Genesis. Over the next couple of weeks we will study, verse by verse, chapter by chapter all the exciting things that Genesis has to offer. Join us and discover the awesome God who goes demonstrates his amazing love for us as he carries out his purposes and plan for man!

Take a few minutes to watch the video from this Sunday!

Thanks for watching! Be sure to check in with us each week as we study the book of Genesis. If you would like to see the notes from the teaching, click on the link below that leads you to the website of Harvest Church. And if you are in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh, let me invite you to come and worship with us! You can find directions and details about Harvest Church on the website!

- jay

Harvest Church :: www.HarvestChurchToday.org