the Daniel Plan – six weeks in

fiji-1

Just thought I'd quickly update y'all on how it's going... It's going. Asher is hanging tough with me... I am so proud of that boy. He has been reading and researching the Daniel Plan website and has not only remembered what he learned, but is putting it into practice. Which is harder than it sounds. His biggest challenge? Staying away from white foods - white bread, white pasta and, his nemesis, white potatoes. But his fortitude is paying off. He's found a new friend in whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter and all-fruit jelly. He has lost 11 pounds … [Read more...]

the road to Tallula

ZJ

Tallula Mae. She came to us as a surprise. A big surprise. In mid-May of last year, we were still reeling from the passing of our beautiful Esther when our agency contacted us to broach an incredibly painful subject. What exactly did we want to do with our dossier for Esther? It took us days to even be able to consider *thinking* about it. How could we? All we wanted was Esther. Our hearts ached for her. Thinking of anything else seemed to minimize who Esther was to us. And the place she would always hold in our hearts. But we prayed for - more than … [Read more...]

the daniel fast

sandwich-1

Our Daniel Fast is now over. Actually, it was over at midnight on Saturday. And there has been much rejoicing and eating and celebrating and eating since then. Truth be told, I really did enjoy the last 21 days. Overall. There were moments. Some headaches. LOTS of headaches. And some tears. And some stomach upset, too. Fiber? What's fiber? My stomach had no idea what hit it. But God was so merciful and never once did I really, truly struggle enough to consider quitting. I have given up coffee in the past. But never, ever have I given up sodas. And … [Read more...]

the daniel fast: week two

Soooo? How's it going? I really do want to hear from y'all who are also fasting... I was thrilled when several of y'all commented that you'd be fasting as well. So please, comment below, email me or send a carrier pigeon my way, but fill me in on all the deets! Us? We're hanging in there. I gotta admit, last week was tough. I am going to spare you all the gory details, but let me just say... I knew I was nearing rock bottom when my husband's fruit flavored fiber tablets were starting to look tasty. I guess cutting sugar completely out of your diet will do … [Read more...]

day 2 of daniel

Daniel Fast-1

Oh my. Day 1 was easy breezy.. But today was Day 2. And before I even cracked my eyelids, my head reminded me that it has been well over 24 hours since I had consumed any form of caffeine. By 2:00, despite my ongoing headache, I could barely stay awake. Sleep. Must sleep. But sleep was not going to come. I had to make food, you see. Food. To eat. Something - besides raw fruit and vegetables - was calling me, nay, begging me, to eat it. But I'm on the Daniel Fast and well, that limits my options. So I did something I've never done … [Read more...]

tomorrow

the jar

Y'all. Tomorrow is day 1 of 21. 21 days of fasting. And self-deprivation? Is so not something I do well. Just ask my husband. But this is different. Because our church is calling the congregation to fast. And because, for one of the first times ever, I'm feeling led to fast. We were given a booklet at church, with ideas on all the different ways to fast. Asher decided that he wanted to participate, so I asked him to choose the way we - Chris, Asher and myself - would participate. And he thought about it for a while. He said he wanted to be … [Read more...]

remembering 2011

I have been wanting to do a 'year-in-review' of 2011 for a while. But it sounds sooo much easier than it is. Every time I would start thinking of every thing that transpired in 2011 - no matter where my thoughts would begin - they always took me to the same place. Esther. Man, that sadness just does not go away. But, I suppose, it shouldn't. And I'm not even sure I want it to go away, in a strange way. Sadness can break you... or sadness can grow you. And it is my hope that my sadness over losing sweet Esther will make me more into the person God wants me … [Read more...]

Sunday Snapshot: {home sweet home}

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Finally got around to sharing some pictures of our new place. The place that - to me - is so ridiculously dreamy, it has inspired some moments of feeling not-quite-worthy. I mean, we prayed to find the right house when we moved here. But I didn't even dare to dream this big. Sometimes it honestly takes my breath away... I just love it here so much. It is a daily reminder of God's goodness. The house is very old, and has all the trimmings: hardwoods, crown molding. Stunning workmanship everywhere. And window after window. After window. … [Read more...]

this place

house

Y'all might not know this. I'm a certifiable horse freak. But when we decided to bring home Isabelle, in 2005, I sold my horse that I'd bought as a 2 year old. He'd been my baby for 11 years. I cried for days. But God gave me such peace about it. I knew, beyond my sadness, it was the right thing to do. For Him. For me. And for our family. But now, y'all. Now, God has planted us here, smack dab in the middle of horse country. And on a beautiful piece of horse property, to boot. And it's way too long of a story to tell, but I didn't even want to get … [Read more...]

heaven

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Just finishing up Breaking Free by Beth Moore. It took my sister and I a bit *ahem* longer than the 10 weeks laid out in the book. But we did finish. And learned some liberating truths in the process. Beth? You are good. So what's next? I do love to have a study to work on, but always, always have my spot marked in my Bible. Studies are optional, the Bible is mandatory. I am in Isaiah now and will continue reading it through, again and again. Always a fresh, beautiful truth to uncover. But the other day I stumbled across this, really without even … [Read more...]