Help Wanted

I've gone back and forth on whether or not to blog on this.  The Bible says not to boast about fasting...it should be a private thing.  However, when a church is doing a fast together part of that silence is lifted. And believe me, this isn't boasting...this is begging for help! In this particular case, our church is getting prepared to start the Daniel Fast.  Brad and I are participating and I want you to help keep me accountable in this.  I am quite the carnivore. I drink coffe- with milk- every morning. Every. Single. Morning.  This is going to be a struggle.  The basics of the Daniel fast are to have a diet of fruit and vegetables.  We will omit meat, dairy, sugar, and heavily processed foods.  I say heavily processed because Brad and I have decided we will eat whole grain bread and some canned vegetables. Does that make us less holy? I actually don't think so. 

I'm going to be really honest here (when am I ever NOT really honest on here?) but I've never fully understood how a fast is helpful in seeking God because I would think one would be soooo totally focused on food that nothing else would consume their thoughts.  I am trusting to come out of this experience with new beliefs and knowledge in this area.

So, if you happen to be a blog reader that prays for us, please pray heavily from August 8th-August 21st. We start at 6pm on the 8th...so yes...you will see me with coffee at church Sunday morning.  Please don't think I have already fallen off the wagon by 10am!

If you have participated in the Daniel fast and have encouragement (AND RECIPES) to share...please send them our way.

No Mother, the kids aren't participating. They will still get all the milk and meat they need.  They might see a few new vegetables around here though.

Wondering

I was talking with a friend recently who was upset with herself for being annoyed about something that really shouldn't annoy her. Sadly I know all too well what she means. I've found myself angry or annoyed or even hurt by things that I really should have just let go of immediately. I do wonder why we are like that. Is it a girl thing? Guys don't seem to get annoyed nearly as often. Are they better at getting over things or are they simply better at pretending to?

The List

I have a mental list going of things I must get done over spring break. Things like getting ahead on the TWO grad school classes I'm taking this term, faxing the paperwork over before the kids dental appointments, getting Maci's bazillion pieces paperwork ready for cheer tryouts, planting sunflowers, placing a picture in the adorable empty red frame on the mantel, renting a carpet cleaner, and hitting the gym at least 3 times.

Sure all that is more than enough to keep me busy but still I don't feel like it is enough. I wish I was craftier like this mom and thriftier like this mom. I haven't even kept up with the blog lately.

It isn't for lack of material to write about. It's been crazy busy around here- but in a good way. There have been lots kids at the house round the clock. (just like we like it...having the hang out house) I'm packing boxes and preparing for a new school next year. Possibly new grade? And when I say *new school* I mean NEW SCHOOL! That is so very exciting!

We've had great game nights with friends, gotten involved in a new church (by involved I mean attended regularly and toyed with the idea of really getting involved) and we even pitched a tent and camped out last week. So there has been lots to write about. Why haven't I been writing? Maybe because it wasn't on the list. I'll add it. Keep checking back...I'll get back into the groove...for real.

Happy Birthday Grandmama. Love you. Miss you.

To Garden or Not to Garden

Brad and I have often talked about planting a vegetable garden. Last night the subject came up again. We both really like the idea and want to get started but quite honestly have no clue where or how to begin. Brad suggests we get some dirt, throw out some seeds, and see what happens. I have a feeling it isn't that easy.

I have this odd prairie like desire to spend time with the kids in a garden this summer. Then again, I could also spend time with them at one of the bazillion farmers markets around here. Same fresh veggies. Much less work. Possibly less satisfying.

So here I am. Online. Digging before we dig. If anyone can point me in the right direction...oh man...please do.

Not Much to Say

Not much to say, I just had to get rid of that snow picture being on top...I'm sooooo ready for summer and today's temps are perfect. I love love love this time of year. Don't you just feel better when the sunshine hits your face and the days are long and the weather is warm? Man I do.

Today was a teacher workday and it flew by. I got some planning done, had a long lunch with friends, packed a few boxes, and had a massage! God bless whoever came up with the idea of giving teachers massages on work days!!!

Ache

Every now and then I just get an ache to go home to Church on the Move. Today is a day like that. I have many of Pastor George's CDs. I listen to them. I have Andy Chrisman's CDs. I listen to them too. But there are days when I just ache to walk through that parking lot, in the door by the KOTM checkin, drop off the kids, and get into the auditorium early enough to watch all the announcements on the video before service begins. I ache to see Andy come out on that stage and lead the worship. I ache to hear Pastor George- in person. Maybe it is just the stage of my life right now but that fatherly voice preaching the Word to me is just what I long for. Yeah, I know I can feed myself. I know I can go to church here. I do those things. But today- right now- whether it's right, wrong, or indifferent- I need to hear Pastor George. Service starts there in under 2 hours. There is no earthly way for me to get there. But for some you reading this, you could get there. Go. Go for me. I know you may have never been there before and its big and you don't know where to park or sit or whatever. Who cares. Just go. Man I wish I could.