Days Four, Five, Six, Seven & Eight

So Saturday ended w/me taking the boys to bowling. It was so much fun, but hard at the same time. It happened to be dinner time b4 we got done so I had to buy dinner for the boys and my sister Charity who came along. And, as I watched them eat and listened to my stomach growl, I thought, I could just take one fry, no one would have to know. But, w/God's strength, I didn't. I will say that as soon as bowling was done, we went straight to Meijer to buy me something acceptable to eat :)








Sunday had it's own temptations. I always get a donut on the way to church especially on days like that when I had nursery so I'm there for two services. But, I drove right past Sweetwaters....very hard! Then at lunch w/the family, my mom made pork. Now, I don't like pork but I LOVE the gravy from it which smelled SO good...I know bc I smelled it 3 or 4 times before letting it pass...lol But I passed on it as well.

Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty much the same. No hunger pains, just cravings for bread, milk, chocolate. Anything and everything that wasn't allowed, I wanted it.

Thursday, today was the hardest yet, but not bc my cravings got worse but bc my days got worse in general. I had a break down today, literally. I had everyone I could think of praying for me. I'd go into details but it'd just make things worse. Today it was everything I could do NOT to call and order food, real food! I prayed and prayed today which didn't feel like it was working, but it must have bc I made it through. I have no promises that tomorrow will be better, but I do know that I have God on my side through prayer! OH, and lets not forget that I tried to make unleaved bread today. Wasn't the best..lol I'm trying again tomorrow!

Day Three

Yesterday went a little smoother. I made sure to bring more choices of stuff to eat for work which did help. Still took a few prayer sessions to get through the pains that I've been experiencing. And silly me left her stash of candy still at her desk, so every time I'd reach for something or open my one drawer, I'd see them and want them!
Today seems to be going a little smoother. I didn't wake up in so much pain which is always nice. I'm thinking of taking the boys out which I'm sure will bring along more temptations since by now I'm dieing for a fast food fix..lol, but I'll have to pray through that as well.
Hopefully, through this all, I will remember that when I'm facing a temptation that all I need to do is pray!

Day Two

All I can say is WOW. I was not expecting this fast to be as hard as it has been already. I mean, I knew it would be hard bc that's the whole part of a fast is dening yourself and relying on God. I just didn't think that Day One would be as hard as it was.
I think around 5pm yesterday, I was ready to call it quits. I had headaches and my stomach hurt bc it was hungry. Then I was reminded of the power of prayer, and I started praying. I can honestly say that I made it through yesterday ONLY by the power of prayer.
And if you think I'm exaggerating, I'm not! Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't eat healthy..lol I snack on chocolates all night at work, drink lots of pop, and very rarely eat my veggies for dinner. I love meat and pasta and milk. All of my "norms" are not allowed. After I'd prayed through the pain I was experiencing, my stomach was still making noises. Carol, one of the girls that I work with, was joking and said, "your stomach is saying, what am I supposed to do w/this healthy stuff?? it's a foreign object" LOL And, she's probably right.
Today, I woke up w/extreme hunger pains. The kind that make you not want to get out of bed bc they hurt so much, you're just praying the food is magically sitting in front of your face when you open you eyes. No such luck in my case. So, my day immediately started out in prayer.
I've always prayed, but I've never seen God answer so quickly. Usually I have to write my prayers down so I can go back and be like, God answered that this way. Or, I blog stuff on here, and it reminds me of how God answered a prayer. But when I pray about headaches and stomach aches and w/in seconds their gone....
God is great and greatly to be praised!

Day One

well, it's day one of the fast, and while i'm not too far into it, i thought i'd blog incase i just pass out tonight when i get home. i went grocery shopping today to get acceptable food which is a lot of healthy food. this will probably the healthiest 21days of eating i've ever done...lol
i'm tired, but i'm not sure if that's bc i haven't had sugar or caffiene, or if it's bc i had a sick child in bed w/me last night. asher was running a fever, so i brought him in w/me to keep an eye on him. his fever broke mid night but he doesn't lay still to save his life! :)
anyways, i'm starting on the daniel's fast so i do water, juice, fruits, veggies, nuts, and grains. i'm hoping since i have some food that i'll be able to make it the full 21days, but my goal is at least 10days on the daniel's fast. i might switch to the comfort fast for the last stretch...we'll see.
i have given up secular music during this time period, but not as a comfort fast. i think everything needs to be God centered right now, and i'm trying to have that affect every part of my daily life.
so, my main prayer for this time is just that God will give me direction. i'm praying for the man God has out there for me as a future husband that He will lead me to him. i'm praying in regards to what to do w/my work situation. i'm praying that a more affordable place to live will be found in the next 2mos. i'm praying that God's hand will just touch my life and that He will open my eyes to the plans He has for me. is that asking to much? i hope not bc that's my prayer!

fasting

I'm so bummed. Jaden is sick, so I'm missing the first service of the new year :( Our church is doing a 21 day fast on Thursday and going to the 28th of this month.

Beginning January 4, Pastor Lee will begin a new series entitled First: Positioning Yourself to Experience God’s Favor. This powerful teaching is something that Pastor Lee has felt impressed by the Lord to teach the church, and also to call the church into a new level of devotion and blessing. In our world, many people are experiencing economic crisis and questions about what tomorrow holds. In the midst of darkness though, God calls his people to arise and walk in the power of his favor and shine bright. As part of this new year, we will be calling Radiant Church to seek God together in a way we have never done before!

There are 3 parts: The fast which will be my first! Wednesday nights of prayer and worship which I won't be able to attend bc of work. And, then the final night of celebration to end the fast which I will probably try to get off work for.
There are four types of fasts:
water fast

This type of fast is abstaining from food and
only drinking water for a period of time. Drink
plenty of non-tap water, drinking at least
half of your body weight in ounces of water
per day (example: 150lbs=75oz./day).
Distilled water is most beneficial, but filtered
and purified water also works well. A
water-only fast is, by far, the most difficult
fast due to the detoxification process that
the body goes through and the lack of
energy that is experienced as a result of not
eating. Many people who are experienced
in fasting have fasted this way for 40 days or
more. Long-term water fasts are possible,
but definitely not comfortable. You may
choose to do a short-term water fast
sometime during the 21 days.

juice fast

In this fast, abstain from food and only drink
water and 100% juice for a period of time.
Drink mildly or non-acidic fruit juices such as
apple, grape, peach or pineapple, which
are excellent sources of necessary natural
sugar to stabilize blood sugar and keep
energy levels up. Raw vegetable juices
such as carrot, celery, beet or green
vegetable combinations are excellent as
well (not V8 – 100% vegetable juices only,
without added sugars, salt or preservatives).
You can do normal daily activities on a
juice fast.
For more detailed information on water
and juice fasting, visit freedomyou.com.

daniel fast

(Daniel 10:2-3) This is a partial fast that
provides many of the attributes of denying
self and seeking God, but with less discomfort
than a juice or water fast. Here are
some guidelines for a good Daniel Fast:
Foods included in a Daniel Fast: fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds,
legumes, 100% juice, natural oils, water.
Foods not included in a Daniel Fast: meat,
dairy, all natural and artificial sweeteners, all
leavened breads, refined and processed
foods, fried foods, solid fats, coffee, tea,
alcohol, carbonated beverages.
For more detailed information on Daniel
fasting, visit danielfast.wordpress.com.

comfort fast

Our lives are filled with endless amounts of
comforts and conveniences. Here are
some ideas of the things you might fast on
a comfort fast:
TV/movies, caffeine, video games, newspapers,
scrapbooking, sugary foods, online
social networks (facebook, myspace,
twitter, etc.), magazines, shopping, etc.
Take twenty-one days away from distractions
and time-consuming activities, and
use that time to draw near to God.

I'm going to try either the juice fast or the daniel fast. I've done a comfort fast, but I don't really count that as a fast. I really want to do something that will force me to really rely on God for strength. Pray for me starting Thursday that God will give me the strength to follow through and that God will lead me in where my life needs to be this new year!