I am nothing special. Just an average girl desiring to share how Jesus has taken this mess and turned it into something beautiful!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Eye opener!

Well my eyes have been opened today!  A friend of mine, who is doing this same fast, told me I should get the book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast by Kristen Feola.  I got it today and am floored.  I thought I was doing this fast right but I see after reading the first 17 pages that I am missing a bit.  What a wonderful book.  She starts off by talking about Daniel and his story.  She points out that we don't want to duplicate Daniel's menu but his heart.  I do believe my intentions have been pure but I definitely haven't had a heart like Daniel.  Daniel's heart was mourning over what his people were going to have to endure.  The Bible says he ate no choice meat or wine for three weeks.  She goes on to say that probably meant meat and sweets.  Daniel wanted to deny himself any food that gave him pleasure.  I am not mourning for people but for my own spiritual life since I desire food over God many times. 
I was so excited yesterday because I figured out how to make no bakes with all natural ingredients.  I have had this recipe for some time now but it has butter in it.  I thought I couldn't have it but then yesterday figured out it would work if I substituted olive oil for butter.  I made them yesterday and was thrilled.  If I want to truly die to myself and food that gives me pleasure for 21 days I need to get rid of sugar all together during the fast.  Not to mention in the book she says no sugar at all. 
As I was reading all of this and letting it all soak in, I have to tell you, it made me cry.  I deeply desire to do this and give God complete control of every area of my life but food has such a hold on me that I know it will be painful.  I cherish all of your prayers that I will deny myself to draw closer to God.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Woo Hoo!

Two days down and I haven't been rude to any of my men.  That is amazing!  Today  I have been experimenting quite a bit.  For breakfast I had a banana with natural peanut butter on it.  It was so yummy!  For lunch I sliced a potato, layed them flat on a baking stone, sprinkled them with celtic sea salt and olive oil and baked them.  I wanted to try making my own potato chips, and it was very successful.  I had them with my homeade salsa that I made yesterday.  For dinner, I made quinoa which is like a rice substitute.  I had that with sauteed mushrooms and broccoli.  None of this is what I would have chosen three days ago.  It's not what I would choose tomorrow if I were done with my fast but that is what I am praying God changes in me over the next 19 days.  Let me say it again...two days down, thank you Jesus!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Day 1

I recently realized how deeply rooted my problem is.  About two weeks ago I decided to go on a diet.  Nothing new, just me doing what I do.  I wasn't even half way through the first day and I was angry that I couldn't eat what I wanted to eat and how much I wanted to eat.  Jeff had called to see how I was doing and by the end of the conversation I'm sure he wished he hadn't called...if you know what I mean!  That night Jeff was on his way home from a meeting and he called again.  He could tell by the way I answered the phone that it might be a long night.  He sweetly said, "You've done great today, why don't you just have one little sweet."  As I agreed with him my bad mood instantly turned into a good mood and it was at that moment that I knew I had a bigger problem than I had ever realized.  Joy, instantly, because I was going to shove some yummy sweet into my mouth.  I don't want food to bring me joy.  I want Jesus to bring me Joy.  He does, don't get me wrong, but food dictates my mood on most days.
Today I have been pleasantly surprised at how it has not affected my mood.  I am excited that I am not a grouch!  Maybe it's because I am doing this fast for the right reasons or maybe it's because my focus isn't on losing weight.  I don't know but I am joyful today!  I may not be in an hour...may not be tomorrow but I do know that when I am weak, He is strong!  I love it that Jesus can take me, a mess, and make the beautiful part of me, Jesus, shine!

So that's a little more background.  Thought I would share a blog that I found.  It has helped me to understand the Daniel Fast a little better and has recipes.  It is the Daniel Diet Fast Blog.  Anyway, today Zeke and I went to Wal-Mart to get what I needed.  So far I have had some fruit and I made some yummy salsa.  I found corn chips that have sea salt so I have munched on those with salsa.  I have to tell you that eating healthy has never been appealing to me.  Jeff will say, "I just want something healthy to eat.  We've been eating out too much."  Not me, when he says that my thoughts are, "Really, cuz I could go for a pizza for dinner."  My prayer through this fast is that my heart will change to want to be healthy.  To want to take care of the body God has given me.  Believe me when I say that has never been a concern of mine when it comes to food.  Just a little honesty!  My hope is that I will go from eating mostly junk and a little healthy to eating mostly healthy and a little junk.  I believe it's all good in moderation.


A beautiful mess!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Something new!

The boys are all in bed and actually asleep.  I have thought about starting a blog for several days now.  Not because I think I have anything profound to say or that I am something special but to have some accountability for a new journey I am starting.  So...here it goes! 

For many of us food has become something that provides us with more joy than it should.  I am going to start a journey that I feel might be more successful if I know people are reading to see how I do.  I desire to live for God in every area of my life not just the ones that are the easiest.  I am not addicted to alcohol, drugs, pornography, you fill in the blank, but I am addicted to food.  Changing my lifestyle to a healthy one will truly be very difficult for me.  I desire to share this journey with anyone who wants to read about it, in hopes of it motivating me and encouraging others who are in the same place as I am.

Tomorrow I am starting the Daniel Fast to ask God to go before me and help me in this area.  To change my desires and seek what His plans are for my life.  I usually do fasts and diets to lose weight but I am genuinly doing this to seek God.  What a concept, fasting to seek God!  It is a 21 day fast so I would love your prayers!

I will share a little more about the Daniel Fast tomorrow.  Now off to eat a brownie, I still have 1 hour and 45 minutes before it is Monday. : )