Strong Women Wednesday Featuring Mindy Young

KE: What book are you reading right now?
MY: I’m currently not reading right now, but last month I read Michael Hyatt’s “Platform: How to get noticed in a noisy world”

KE: Do you have a favorite song that has helped you through a tough time?
MY: Not really just one song. I can usually turn on the radio and find a song to listen to that fits my mood.

KE: How do you define strength, and what does it look like in your life?
MY: To me, strength comes from your mindset. Mental strength is tougher than physical strength. Strength feeds off of a positive mindset. Challenges can act as barriers to strength. But, the positive way to think about challenges are to think of them as opportunities. This thinking helps keep me positive and moving forward in my life. There are so many obstacles we can’t control each year on the farm. But, try as we might, we have to stay positive to be strong in the journey and live the life we want to live.

KE: As you know, strong faith is the focus of my ministry/website. But, it can be hard to maintain a strong faith when life gets real messy. What do you do to keep your relationship with Jesus as strong as possible?
MY: There’s been times I’ve asked for God’s help out loud. One time I was helping a mother goat during labor and one was stuck. I said “God, Please!” out loud and a few minutes later the baby came out. And all was well and fine. When there are obstacles I can’t control (Weather being the big one), I turn to prayer quite a bit. I realize it in myself that I’m not alone in this. And that this is happening for a reason to make me a stronger person.

KE: Managing a household is hard. Whether you work full-time, stay home, are single, married or have 8 kids; women often feel like they are just surviving each day. What advice would you give to women to help them strengthen their family?
MY: Prioritize home tasks that need to be accomplished, but don’t forget about family time because that is upmost important. One thing I love doing is setting a timer. When my two-year-old comes and wants me to play with her but I’m cleaning, I explain that when the timer goes off, I will. Then, I set a timer for play time with her. When it goes off, I go back to the task I was working on before play time. I will also ask her to help me with the task if she’s like. She loves to help with dishes so that usually works out.

KE: Do you have any stress management tips for us?
MY: My greatest stress management is a good workout. Whether I’m teaching a class or working out on my own, I always feel better. I also love my comfy sweatpants and lounging with my house dog. She’s such a snuggler.

KE: Depending on your definition of strength, “strong body” can mean something different to everyone. What healthy habits do you incorporate into your daily schedule to help keep your body strong?
MY: I make sure my nutritional intake is high quality. I do allow myself for cheat days (I love pizza). I supplement with Herbalife protein to help my body rebuild after a hard workout or job on the farm.

KE: What do you feel is the difference between relying on your own strength and relying on God’s strength?
MY: God is stronger than me as a person. I already gave the example of his help when my goat was having a difficult labor. I truly trusted in him. There’s been times when I was not thinking of God and asking him for help. Those events did not end as well. I think relying on God’s strength helps build my strength up.

KE: Would you mind sharing something you have struggled with and telling us how you used God’s strength to get you through?
MY: There was a time when I thought I was failing. I was having an abortion storm in my goat herd and didn’t know why. Babies were being born early and not surviving. It was awful to go out and find another doe aborting her babies. Instead of giving up, I asked God for help and started researching the issue. I talked with my veterinarian and the vet at the university. The problem was diagnosed as a Bacterial Infection that affects the placenta, thus causing the abortions. The vets gave me the proper treatment to control the problem and I treated the whole herd. Magically, the abortions stopped. It was awesome and it totally jump started my strength again. I felt God with me the whole time and that is what brought me back to life.

KE: Do you have any tips for us about successful ways to manage your time more effectively?
MY: I like using a timer. I’ve learned about completing a task before you start a new one and I like that concept. I am going to start trying that instead of multitasking on different projects.

KE: Do you have a favorite Bible verse you could share with us and could you explain what it means to you?
MY: I love the verses about lost sheep because there’s so much hope and joy when a lost one is found. Sometimes I am lost and Jesus has to find me. He always does. I need to remember to stick with him because that is how I find my strength.

 ^{“For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” 1 Peter 2:25}

KE: If you could share one message with every woman who is willing to listen, what would it be?
MY: Every single one of you have the strength inside of you. Find it in your mind and in your heart to stay true to yourself and what is the most important to you.

KE: Where do you feel like God is leading you next?
MY: I am excited for future opportunities as a farmer, mother, educator, and leader. It will never be easy, but that’s ok. I feel God is leading me to a successful life.

KE: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
MY: I blog about rural life and wellness at www.farmfitliving.com. Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly lessons from rural life. You can follow me on social media:
Facebook: Farm Fit Living – Mindy Young
Twitter: @FarmFitLiving
Instagram: @FarmFitLiving

Thanks for sharing your heart with us Mindy.  If you would like these posts in your inbox every week, sign up for my mailing list here. I would be grateful if you liked my Facebook page and helped to grow this community of strong women. 

In His Strength,

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