Fasting Day 9

All goes well...mostly.

I have had horrible cravings for "normal" food. This week has been a little bit easier than last. I really want cheese. Why is that? Out of everything I have cut out of my diet, cheese is pretty much the only thing that is killing me not to have.

We did just water again on Sunday and it was also much easier than last week. One more day of just water and then the home stretch next week.

I do feel that I have gotten much, much closer to God through all of this. Even though some crap has happened, I haven't completely lost it cause I have my faith in God and am comforted by Him.

Hope all you other fasters are doing well.

P.S. I took pictures of the dogs last night but of course forgot to bring them in to post. Hopefully I'll get to that before the end of the week.

Peace.

God is a pretty cool guy..

Ben and I live out in the country and have a propane tank that we use for heating our house. Well it came time to fill it up for the rest of the winter so I called the company and since I know it could be pretty expensive, I asked if they did a budget billing where I could split the payments over 12 months instead of paying all together. The replied "Oh yes, when you get your bill just call the corporate office and they will set it up." I though that was awesome (since we didn't have the money to pay up front) and told them to come out and fill up the tank. They did.

I got the receipt a few days later and it was $776.07. Yeah that's a big number when you're broke but I didn't think much of it cause if I could pay over 12 months it would be around $65 a month which we could handle.

So the next day I called to set up the budget billing and she said they only set that up between March and September. I was stumped and furious. WHY WOULD THEY NOT TELL ME THAT WHEN I ASKED ABOUT IT?????? So she said we have 30 days to pay and if we didn't it would ruin our credit with them and we would have to pay before they brought it from then on and blah blah blah.

I can't even explain the anger I had. I had to just hang up because I knew I would say things I would regret.

How the heck was I going to pay $776 in a month???

That's when God stepped in.

Ben has a 4-wheeler that he has been trying to sell for about a year and a half with absolutely no luck. Well.....the day after I got the gas bill, Ben got a phone call from a guy wanting to buy it the next day. For how much you may ask???

$800.00

Ben hadn't prayed about selling his 4-wheeler until a couple of days before and I was praying for God to provide.

Kinda awesome that as soon as something hit us that we couldn't pay, God gave us the money to pay it. God is so cool.

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." (Psalm 55:22)

Lilly and fasting Day 2

I don't think I ever posted about my puppy that I got. I had been wanting another dog for Cyrus for a long time and I knew I wanted a boxer (cause that's what Cyrus is a mix with.) But we could never find a cheap pure bred boxer. That is until one day Ben found an ad for some very cheap ones. So I called and the next day we drove 2 hours to go pick her up. She was the runt and the only girl left so I just had to have her. My early Christmas present.

That was about 2 months ago. I would post pictures but I'm a slacker and forgot to bring them with me to work to upload them but believe me she is the cutest darn thing you will ever see. She is also the meanest. She is only about 20lbs right now but she has full authority and control over Cyrus (who is 80 lbs.) Don't get me wrong she loves to cuddle too but she is in full puppy mode still and full of spunk.

Tomorrow she gets fixed. I am sad that she has to go through it but I know it is necessary. Cyrus also gets to go to the vet to get his shots, so tomorrow morning should be interesting. I am making Ben go with me cause there is no way I could handle them on my own let alone if there are any other dogs there (Cyrus insists on being friends with every dog he sees)

As for fasting, well....I will be honest and say it is freaking hard. Ben got really sick last night and couldn't go to either of his jobs and I woke up this morning with a splitting headache and was incredibly shaky. Since Trin is doing this with me, we decided that since Pastor Aaron said we could split it up any way we want we decided it would be best to do one day of just water once a week. So I had an apple this morning and it was awesome. I feel 100% better. I will still be following the guidelines for the Daniel Fast for 21 days. I can honestly say that I can already feel God moving in my life. If it's only day 2, I can't wait to see where I'm at on day 21.

Daniel Fast- Day 1

Ben works third shift and last night was the first night be has worked in 2 weeks because he was on vacation. Since we started fasting today, he had to go all night without food. He came home this morning whining like a baby about how hungry he was. It had only been 8 hours. Something tells me he's not going to be a happy camper by Wednesday evening. But I suppose I too, will be pretty grumpy by the end of today so I can't really say anything.

I have many things to be praying about and can't wait to see what God is going to do.

To everyone else out there fasting, good luck and my prayers are with you!

Short update

In preparation for my upcoming Daniel Fast which starts on Monday....I have cut out soda's already from my diet. My last one was on Christmas day and let me tell you, it's been a rough week. I have had some pretty horrible headaches from lack of caffeine but that makes me realize more than anything that it needed to be done.

Also, Ben has decided to do the fast with me. You have no idea how excited this makes me. No idea. Not only is it going to make it easier for me to do, but for him I am deeply excited. I mentioned before that I had a pretty crap-o-la year and well Ben did to. I know he's been struggling big time and having a hard time getting over his past and putting faith in God but we had a long talk the other day and he is ready to be a warrior for God and put his past behind him. Am I am too! I am so anxious about what God is going to reveal to us during this fast and what plans He has for us this year.

The devil kicked us around pretty hard in 2008 but this year it's not going to be that easy for him.

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. " - Psalm 25:4-5

A blah year

For some reason this year, I have not been able to get into the Christmas spirit. In the past it has taken nothing; I hear one chord of a Christmas carol and my heart is overflowing with Christmas joy. Not this year.

I just now got my shopping done and it consists of mostly gift cards because I was in no mood to be creative or thoughtful.

I am so sick of Christmas music. I think it's making me grumpier.

I have yet to wish ANYONE a Merry Christmas.

I'm not sure why I'm such a Grinch. Maybe it's because it was a really crappy year and I'm just ready for it to be over.

On a completely different note, I'm going to be doing the 21-day Daniel fast along with many others at my church at the beginning of the year. Since my husband won't do it with me (because he thinks he will die) Trin is going to do it with me and we will support each other. I'm really looking forward to this because I know it will bring me closer to God and help me to rely on Him even more and become stronger in my walk with Christ. I'm ready for the challenge and the awesome experience and the deliverance it will surely bring.

Also at the beginning of the year I will be starting a ladies study of the book of Esther. I can't wait to start this either. To delve into the life and actions of this amazing woman will be pretty awesome.

Needless to say, I am determined to have a better year next year and there's no better way to do that than give the first fruits to God.

I'm still here

just don't have much to blog about. We are all moved in and have redone the bathroom that was done in what Andi called "awesomely tragic" golf and plaid wallpaper. There was nothing awesome about it. I had "before" pictures but I accidentally erased them. I really need to stop doing that. But I will have after pictures posted as soon as I get somewhere where I can upload them.

That's another thing. Still. No. Internet. Is sucks bad.

Ben and I got tattoos yesterday. I would post pictures but again, no internet at home and at work I'm not allowed. They are the same thing but different. Mine's a girly looking cross on my wrist that has "Matthew 19:6" going down it. Ben's is the same but with a more manly cross and it's up a little more on his arm. They are freaking awesome. Oh and so you don't have to look it up the verse is "So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has put together, let no man separate." It is perfect.

Hopefully my next post will have some pictures. Till then...

You'll Never know

just how much it means to me that I know I have SEVERAL people in my life who will do ANYTHING for me when I need. I have been going through a very difficult time in my life the past week or two and to know that I have some amazing people there, day or night, to be with me, talk with me, and pray with me, really is an awesome feeling. They know who they are so I don't need to mention names. But I love you and thank God for you. Even if it seems I didn't take up your offer of help, it means the world that you at least offered.


I know most of you don't know everything that is going on and that's a good thing (trust me) but I am definitely going through a time in my life where Satan has decided to attack and attack hard. I have stood my ground though and will NOT let him win. I have God on my side and therefore cannot lose. If I had not had my eyes on Him right now, I would have lost everything I have. But I was looking at Him and therefore what I have is only going to get better and stronger. Right now it's going to take lots of time to start moving forward and get past this huge bump but I have faith that God will be with me to the end.

My God can NEVER fail!

I'm still here...kinda

These are the lyrics to a song by Rachel Lampa. I think it fits me perfectly right now.



I'M FOLLOWING THE LINES LOOKING FOR THE ANSWERS TO A PRAYER
I'M LOOKING FOR THE SIGNS WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL THAT UR THERE
IF YOU ASK WHY I BELIEVE-
O THE ONLY THING THAT I COULD EVER SAY

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN LIFE WILL TURN AROUND
ONE DAY YOUR FAITH'S STRONG THE NEXT IT CAN'T BE FOUND
AND YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AND ALL I KNOW IT'S OUTTA MY CONTROL
AND YOU NEVER KNOW I TRY TO FIGURE IN THE TIME WHEN MIRACLES SHOULD HAPPEN TO APPEAR
AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THERE'S NOTHING MORE THAT I CAN DO DOWN HERE

I WANNA PLACE IT IN YOUR HANDS EVEN THOUGH
I WANNA UNDERSTANDYOU NEVER KNOW WHEN LIFE WILL TURN AROUND
ONE DAY YOUR FAITH'S STRONG THE NEXT IT CAN'T BE FOUND
AND YOU'RE NOT LOOKINGAND ALL I KNOW IT'S OUTTA MY CONTROL
AND YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOU WANNA SPEND YOUR LIFE IN YOUR DESIGN,
YOU'RE ONLY WASTING TIME

my prayer

Father God,

Lord I pray for strength. The strength to do Your will not matter what it costs me, for I look to you for my path and direction. I pray for comfort for everything that is to come, and for wisdom to see it through. Most importantly Lord, I ask for courage. It's not easy what is laid before me and I need all the courage in the world to do Your will, whatever that may be. Please Father I ask that I be strong enough to get through this so that I can go on sharing the love You have placed in me. In all Your grace and mercy I pray. Amen.

It's been awhile...

but I really haven't had much to blog about.

Trin and I had a great time in Florida last month but were glad to come home.

I go back to school in about a month. I'm excited yet not because I know I tend to get really stressed out really quick. Hopefully this semester will be better...

I am doing my first wedding photography in two weeks. It is my cousin's and am really excited. I also have one scheduled for October, some senior pictures to do, high school soccer team pictures and hopefully more. It's exciting that it is already starting to take off. What will it be like when I get my degree? :)

Ben and I have really been praying hard lately for God to show us where He wants us and what He wants us doing as our ministry. We are pretty sure we know what He wants us doing but it is going to take a lot to get there. All your prayers would be awesome.

I have a new obsession. It's called Twilight. It is a book series that is really quite good. It is more for young adults but I think lots of people would enjoy them. If you like vampires, werewolves and love stories, this is a series for you. There is also a movie coming out in December...

So that's what's been going on in my world. Sorry it's been so long. I promise to write more often!

I don't ask for much

but I am really desperate. I called Mary (the manager at Subway) and asked for a few days to think this whole thing over. I want to be sure this is what I want to do so I told her and she was very understanding. I was supposed to work tomorrow but I asked if I could just have a couple more days to be absolutely sure because to be honest, I have NO IDEA what I am supposed to do. I need a job and Subway is a sure bet but I don't wanna go back just because I can and in a couple of weeks or even months have another job come along and leave again. I don't wanna to that to Mary.

So I am asking for prayer. For guidance from God to let me know what He wants. I know I may not me thrilled with going back to Subway, but if it is what He wants, I'll do it. I have had a couple of other job offers so I'm going to check into them and see what happens.

On another note, Ben and I have been asked to help out with something that will use both our time and our ministy. I won't bore you with the details but we also need guidance from God here. When we were asked, it just kind of hit us and we think we know what we need to do but we want to be sure it's what God wants.

So next time you are talking to God it would be much appreciated if you would ask Him what the heck he wants Ben and Jada to do with their lives.

Father God, thank you for the life you have given us. I pray that you would give us the stength to do what you are calling us to do and Your knowledge to help guide us. I know you will provide. I love you.

Amen