An hour a day is all we ask.

“An hour a day is all we ask.”

This is the line that my husband, Kirby, repeats over and over as he encourages me to exercise every day.

Kirby started exercising about 18 months ago when he was evacuated from the embassy in Baghdad due to security concerns brought on by the increasing threat from ISIS in the area.  His trip home was delayed for some months last summer and his regular work routine interrupted by the increased security. Stuck in Bosra due to visa problems, he and some colleagues found themselves with time on their hands. They started spending several hours each day at the gym working out.  Kirby greatly increased his strength and fitness during this time, and he has continued to include exercise and fitness as an integral part of his schedule ever since.

During the same period, I was also working on improving my eating habits and counting calories.  We had both improved our health and fitness during this time—but I was struggling to achieve a pattern of regular exercise.

“An hour a day is all we ask.” Kirby would say, to encourage me to exercise daily.

With that phrase in mind, I started to work out.  Each day I would ride my elliptical and lift my hand weights and I would watch the clock on the wall.  After one hour, I would be done.  The result was that over time I got stronger and trimmer.

I began to include other things in my schedule as well--things that I could do daily to strengthen me in other ways.  During November of last year, I began posting a gospel thought to Facebook on a daily basis.  This required me to spend time each morning studying a gospel topic, so that I could find a thought to post.  This small habit has brought the spirit into my life in greater abundance and through it I have developed a love for studying the gospel.  Over the past year, I have developed a stronger desire to pray, to listen to hymns, to read gospel centered books, and to do service for others.  This has occurred because I feel the spirit as I start each day with gospel study, and being reluctant to lose the spirit that I have invited into my day, I then try to do other things that encourage it to stay with me.  I now feel the burning of the Holy Ghost in my heart most days, for a few hours a day, and I tend to recognize promptings and use them to guide my days--paying more attention to them than I once had done.

I have had music callings during the last year.  These callings have required me to practice the piano and organ more often.  One of the callings has been to play for the choir.  These songs are difficult for me to learn.  I have started to include daily practice of the piano into my routine.  I am increasing my proficiency in playing the piano, and developing a stronger love of gospel music at the same time.  I have found that hymns, and lyrics of hymns are in my mind much of the time.  This has been a great blessing to me.

I spend time talking to Kirby each day, generally an hour or more, and I often get the chance to talk to other family members or friends as well.  This is also uplifting to me.  I especially love sharing some of the things I am learning with them, and being inspired by them in return.

Now I find that my days are full of good things.  I am happy.  I enjoy time with my family, I learn, and I develop daily.  This is a good life.  I still struggle to accomplish all of my goals, and I pray for the energy to accomplish work and tasks that are mine to do.  I am trying to add regular writing time to my day, and I have been trying to add yard work, and house work to the daily routine in a way that will keep everything balanced and running well for our family and our home. 

I have not perfected my plan completely, but I have learned a lot. 

“An hour a day is all we ask, “ has served me well this year, and I expect it will continue to inspire me towards good works and positive outcomes for many years to come.

Thank you, Kirby.