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

back on the blog-wagon

so, it's been a year and a half since i have written anything. i didn't mean for it to be that long, but i guess i've been busy.

2010 was a big year for michael and me. we started january with a 21-day fast. our goal was to cleanse our bodies from sugar, caffeine, and other things that we don't need to live. at the same time, we were praying for some huge needs in our lives. michael had been out of a job for three months and his severance was quickly coming to an end. we had been trying for a baby since late july with no hope in sight. it was becoming clear that the youth department at our church was not big enough for two youth pastor positions, one of which michael had been filling part-time since april. there was much to pray about. the three week fast was difficult, but we did it, and i truly believe it set the stage for some great things to happen for the rest of the year. in april, we found out we were going to have a baby. after working a couple of small jobs, michael landed an excellent position at a successful communications company downtown in october. he was laid off from the part-time position at the church, but it didn't affect our family financially because of the new job with which God had blessed him. our baby boy was born healthy and whole in december.

now, here we stand, on the front edge of 2011. we began the year with a different fast. we each fasted for two weeks, but we fasted different things.

this year, michael is on a personal journey, seeking out who Jesus actually was and is. he feels like the Jesus we speak about today is often someone we have conjured up in our minds, one who fits our lifestyle and mold. he is spending a great deal of time studying and researching how the Jesus we read about in the bible did things, and is trying to pattern his life after that.

my goal is to spend more time in the word, finding out what the Lord wants my next steps to be. i feel like all the goals i had for my life have been achieved. i have graduated high school, earned a college degree, landed a job in a teaching position, completed courses in biblical studies, married the love of my life, and given birth to 9lb 3oz of perfection. and i can't help but wornder, "what now?" have i just been living for myself? were my goals truly HIS goals? what can i do to find His heart, his passion for my life?

so far this year, i've read about prayer, obedience, and courage in the bible. i feel like i'm becoming stronger with every line i read. i definitely still have my struggles, but i'm gaining strength.

i'm not sure how this year could be better than the last...maybe michael will be switched to the day shift... no matter what, i know the Lord has tremendous plans for me, for us.

"and as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. so we will not be afraid on the day of judgement, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world." i john 4:17