Days 9 and 10

Hope. 

Hope is a word that has been stirring in my heart for some time now. There's a phrase I love from a worship song that is now a few years old. The line says, "Let hope rise. Darkness trembles in Your holy light." Ever since the first time I heard that song, that has resonated with me. Let hope rise. Three simple words, but so powerful. No matter what we are going through, there is always hope. And, if we know Him, Jesus is the blessed hope for which we wait!

So when your boss comes down on you, let hope rise.

When you've got too much month left at the end of your money, let hope rise. 

When you've hit the bottom and there's nothing left to hold on to, let hope rise.

When your class of fifth graders is so far behind that you don't know how you'll ever catch them up, and state testing is coming and you feel like you're on a ship that you know is sinking but there's nothing you can do about it, let hope rise. 

Hope of tomorrow and hope of fresh starts. Hope of something better just beyond this current circumstance. 

There is always hope.

I began typing this last night and never had a chance to finish. Last night, before something I had been hoping for arrived. 

I told you that I am praying for financial miracles during this fast, (and this week has been as thin as wall paper around here...). Michael came home from running some errands with his dad to find a check in the mail. Not a check we were expecting, either. It was from the hospital, with "Overpayment" as the description. I just can't chock that up to coincidence, people! And while I was surprised by where it came from, I'm not surprised it came. God is faithful. When Michael sent me a text with a photo of the check sum, I just kind of thought, "Oh! There you are! I knew you would be here!" 

Trust me. God cares for His people. He sees our deepest needs and knows how to meet them at just the right time. Hold on to hope. Love you!!

-R

PS: My son was running a fever at daycare today, and baby girl is coughing quite a bit. Please remember them when you pray. 

Also, my friend at work has a brother who fell and broke his neck right before Christmas. He is partially paralyzed, but some of his feeling is coming back!! Please pray that his body is restored to health! He has been through a lot this year. 

Day 8

Today was a great day in church. Our pastor was out of town so my husband got the chance to preach. He did such a phenomenal job (and I'm not just saying that!). I am very proud of him. 

It's been over a week now since I've logged in to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter because of the social media portion of our fast. I've probably missed a lot from my friends, but it feels like I've gained a lot as well. I've gained some freedom from my phone, believe it or not. I don't have it glued to myself all the time. I've realized it's ok to leave it in the bedroom or in my purse or in the van. I've gained a week's worth of dinners at the table without scrolling my phone between bites or missing out on the funny things my kids are saying and doing. I've found time to do things I thought I couldn't fit in. Lastly, I've had more meaningful conversations with people than I ever could in a post or tweet. When the 21 days are over, I will go back to those social media sites, but even after just one week, I can see how easy it was for them to take over more of my life than I should've been willing to give. Social media is not bad or sinful or wrong in and of itself, but if we are not careful, we can wind up giving it more time than we give those we love. Time to prioritize. 

-R

PS: This weekend has been such a big one for baby girl!! She has been crawiling all over, practicing pulling up on everything, and she cut her first tooth!! It's so exciting to watch kids grow! Here are some photos from today. 

Sissy loves her American Girl doll, Saige.

Baby girl was creeping down the altar!

Sweet brother!!

Big, precious smile!

Days 6 and 7

Yesterday (Day 6) was a much better day for me. I'm still having many struggles at work with certain students, but they didn't affect me the same way yesterday. 

Yesterday was also my sweet husband's birthday. We broke our food fast to celebrate. The first two or three years we were married, we did first-of-the-year fasts and we were always fasting on his birthday. The last couple of years we have allowed ourselves to break the fast so we could celebrate. Last night we had our families over for a chicken dinner. It was a lot of fun. There are ten kids under the age of twelve between our two families right now, and eight of them are under seven! It was loud at our house last night. :) My husband hadn't asked for anything in particular for his birthday, but each gift he received was perfect for him! Our families know him well! Isn't he handsome??

In the beginning of the fast, I mentioned that I would reflect on the week before I decided whether to continue with the food portion of the fast or if I felt it was complete. I've decided to go on with part of it. I'm keeping away from candy/sweets. 

Today (Day 7) has been a gorgeous, sunny day. I'm so glad. The gray days are killer. I wouldn't survive in Alaska! 

I got a chance to meet up with an old friend today. We talked for a long time about some things that are very tragic and devastating, that seem to be epidemics: infidelity and failed/failing marriages. The longer I am married, the more I see them. Today I have been praying over my marriage and the marriages of my family members and friends. I want to be completely committed to my husband and I want to have faith to know for certain that he will be committed to me. I should NEVER have to call that into question, and neither should he. I think our kids deserve to have parents who are committed to one another through good times and bad. I know the bads can be REALLY bad, but I also know that we humans CAN do just about anything if it's for something we WANT. What's that quote...? "If you want to do something you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." I know there are circumstances that are beyond our control sometimes, and I don't claim to have a perfect marriage. I just think we need to work harder at guarding our marriages. No one goes into a marriage expecting to cheat, or be cheated on, or for it to end for any reason. If someone did, they'd be considered one messed up individual. People go into marriage with forever in mind, fully intending to be in love for life. We must protect that intention by sacrificing of ourselves for our spouses. I've heard it said that marriage is not 50/50...it's 100/100. Both spouses have to be 100% committed 100% of the time. 

I'd like to encourage you to help me pray for marriages all around us, for love and laughter and forgiveness, and understanding and wisdom and patience and all the things it takes to last for decades. Let's reverse the epidemic. 

Day 5

Feeling sad today. I'm overwhelmed and a little scared. I can't elaborate because I don't know who is actually reading this. I know, though, that fasting can bring about a great sense of mourning. Mourning over sins, mourning over disobedience, mourning over hurt. Perhaps it's the natural reaction of my spirit. Or perhaps it's my own natural reaction to three days of gray skies. Today I've been praying for God to show himself to me in a mighty, real way. I want to experience His provision in my life and His care for me. 

I'm exhausted and hungry today. I hope no one offers me Cinnaboli. 

More to come. 

-R

Days 3 and 4

If you're following, I must apologize for not posting yesterday. I laid down next to my sweet son last night at 8:45, thinking I would get up when he fell asleep, but it seems I fell asleep as well.
Yesterday (Day 3) was the first day back to school, and the first day of my fast away from home. I must admit, it's easier to fast at home. I had someone offer me pizza and Cinnaboli that they had ordered from Mazzio's for lunch. Let me just tell you: I. LOVE. CINNABOLI. But, I didn't even look at it. I ate my salad and my apple. I had a great first day back. All my classes were chill and we had a good day. 

Today (Day 4) was a little rougher. While most of my classes were good and focused, some kids in my homeroom started slipping back to old ways, and I got so frustrated. The stress is real, people. I don't know how to make them understand that education is important. But that's a different blog for a different day. ;) 

We are hungry. Both my husband and I have said it to each other. But I think that's when you're supposed to realize how hungry your soul becomes when it is starved of God. We're going to dig our heels in and continue to press on towards Christ. 

-R

Please pray for my Baby Girl. She started with a new babysitter yesterday, so she isn't quite adjusted, and today her ear has been hurting. Thank you!

Day 2

I cannot tell you how badly I want an Oreo. 

It is day two of our 21-day fast. As I posted yesterday, I had an extra day off today. I had hoped to be very productive, but I can't say that I have been. I ended up going to the dentist in the middle of the day and not getting much of anything accomplished (aside from snuggling the baby a little). 

This morning I prayed specifically for the adult leaders of our youth group. We get a lot of credit for being the "pastors", but we could not run our ministry without the adult team. They are our Sunday school teacher, our sound and media technician, our praise and worship team. They are our cheerleaders, our helpers, our friends. We are glad to work with such great people who give their time and effort each and every week. 

Tonight I'm praying for a financial miracle. One of my big, main goals for the year is to reduce debt. We will be able to pay off an auto loan this fall, and I am so excited! Today, however, I got some news that is going to result in an extra $300 monthly expense. If this were the fall and we had that loan paid off, it wouldn't be a big deal, but it's not fall and it is kind of a big deal. I don't know how God will do it, but there's nothing I can do. I know my salary won't be changing, and I'm not willing to get a second job and miss out on time with my kids, so He's going to have to do something. Money is a struggle for me lately...I don't understand sometimes. I want God to deliver me from the "debt pit", but I wonder if He honors that kind of request when I'M THE ONE WHO PUT MYSELF IN DEBT! I feel frustrated because, if I wasn't in debt, this new $300 monthly expense wouldn't be a problem. Besides this new expense, at the dentist I learned that I need two crowns. I don't know if you've ever had a crown, but those babies aren't cheap. I'm just struggling tonight. I know God's the biggest, and I'm trying to lean on Him. I need Him to help me believe and help me to trust Him. He can do anything. 

"With man this may seem impossible, but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE." Matthew 19:26

-R

21-Day Journey

I've had this blog for several years, but it's been 18 months or more since I've posted anything. I'm a busy, working momma...what can I say? I've decided to start blogging again, but this time I plan to be more intentional. In the past, I've posted random thoughts and ideas along the way, but now I want to write with purpose. 

2014 is just getting started, and like in many previous years, I am starting out with a fast. My husband and I are wanting this year to be a break-through year in our youth group and we have many family and personal goals as well. 

For the next 21 days, he and I will be fasting social media. (He told me blogging doesn't count because it's like writing a journal. ;D ) This is a big thing for both of us because we are very connected through social media. We put out updates and reminders to our students. To be honest, it's where I come across most of the news I know about! But we recognize that we need to unplug from it, even for just a little while. 

Another part of our fast is based around our diet. We will not be eating meat, dairy, grain, pasta, or sugar for the next 6 days. After 6 days, we are going to evaluate how far we've come and go from there. 

I will be blogging each day about my feelings/progress/epiphanies...whatever my heart is led to blog. You're welcome to come along with me for the next 21days. Who knows?? After that I might be a regular blogger! 

Above all else, I welcome your prayers. I'm believing for many things this year (hopefully things I will be able to share over the next 21 days..) and I know The Lord is strong enough. 

Rachel