Just some pics...

I'll do a "real" post later :)  I have been pretty busy lately so I apologize for the lack of blogging for any of you who might be a reader!

 LOVED that we got some snow!!!

 Mama/Daughter date with Trinity....  Starbucks!

She was so excited that under all the whip cream in her sample cup there was actually "oooooo coffee, mommy!" haha  Thank you Starbucks for putting out the samples of the Skinny Caramel Macchiato!

 Love this new park!

 She climbed this all by herself!

 Another Mama/Daughter date with T.....Cold Stone!  

She had a child cup of coffee with chocolate chips.....and she ate the WHOLE thing.  I seriously got 2 tester spoon bites :-D  She had so much fun!  And when she was done, she showed me her cup and said in a bit of a questioning manner.."mommy, all gone."....like she needed more. ha!  me: "I think ur good, baby.  You had enough" lol  The next day she got her shoes and hat on after bath time and said "ready, mommy.  ready go get ice cream." oh dear, I've really started something here! lol

 more snow pics...

there was actually some depth this time!  About 5 inches!

And for any of you interested in Photography I have started a new 365 Photo blog.  I have never done a 365 before so we will see how it goes...and I did start late....so it's more like a 353 lol....enjoy

http://my365today.tumblr.com/

One week down, two to go!

Today marks the one week point in our Fast....and the start of week 2!  And I have to say that I am really feeling amazing.  Spiritually.  Physically.  Wonderful!  Now I would be lying if I told you it has come as no effort.  Eating only fruits, veggies, and rice....not to metion NO coffee has really made me aware of a lot of things.  Some of which are....

• I snack....a LOT.  
• I do a lot of impulse grocery buying.  There was at least a half a dozen things I almost put in my cart when I went shopping, but didn't because I wouldn't be able to eat them anyway. lol 
• I eat more meat than I thought I did
• I drink coffee.....everywhere.  Whenever I thought about getting something to drink from somewhere, the idea was squashed b/c if I take the time to go inside or through the drive thru and spend the money on a drink, it is certain to be some kind of latte, cappuccino, frapaccino....you get the point..it has espresso/coffee in it. 
• Again, as my last two major Fasts have pointed out....I have no idea what hunger is. Seriously.  I truthfully only know what cravings are, which brings me to my next point
• I have cravings all the time.  And that needs to stop or at least be better controlled.  And so far, it is getting much better.  Although on Sunday night I would have given almost anything to just lick the Subway sandwiches we provide at Starting Point. 

Spiritually I have been feeling so much more Alert and Aware.  I also have a renewed and stronger Fire for the ministries God has allowed Chris and I to lead.  My passion has seriously been rejuvenated and it feels A-MA-ZING!  I cannot wait to take this year head on.  God is already leading me into new challenges in my personal life and ministry alike.  Along with my daily Bible readings I have started reading the book Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick.  Pure Awesomeness.  I highly recommend it.  But only if you want your relationship and passion with God to explode and soar to new heights. 

So excited about what the next two weeks will bring!

21 Days

Every year our church goes on a 21 Day Fast.  This will be our 3rd year to participate in this.  I am so excited!  Each year God has really revealed Himself to me in general and in specific areas that I have prayed about in my life.  It's a time for humility, wisdom, clarity, understanding, to reignite passion, and to just get at His feet in prayer and in His Word to deepen my relationship with my Abba. 

Our 1st year we tried the no food fast.  This was our first long fast EVER.  we made it 12 days with no food at all....liquids only.  As of day 13 we only added a small amount of food, soup and rice and plain baked potatoes.  Then last year we did 21 days of 1 meal per day.

This year....Chris has been in prayer about doing a water only Fast for the entire 21 days.

Water only is not what God has spoke to me, but I will be doing a Fast where I eat only veggies, fruit and some rice.  And I am also Fasting coffee.....which is HUGE.  I drink coffee ALL day long.  ugh.  I will be obedient.  I will be obedient. I - WILL - BE - OBEDIENT. 

Our fast starts this Wed (Jan 5th).  To kick off the fast I will also be doing a sort of cleanse.....one a friend told me about where you take Pure Cranberry Juice that I got at our health food store (Ozrak Foods) and mix it with water and drink it (32oz water to 8oz PCJ).  It apparently works great so I will be drinking it up. She has also suggested an all natural sweetener to add to the drink, and I got it at walmart, called Truvia.  I am not usually down with any sweetener besides regular old sugar, but as this is nothing like aspartame or saccharine and is all Natural, I figured what the hey, right?! 

There are several things I will be praying about over the course of this Fast, but #1 is to just get at HIS feet and spend some good time in the Word and Prayer and asking Him to show Himself to me in ways I haven't seen before. 

I AM PUMPED to see what God is gong to do through everyone's acts of obedience!  I love hearing how lives have been changed, decisions made, priorities rearranged, answers revealed.  So encouraging.

I will journal my Fast at least weekly.  If you do not go to our church, but want to participate in the fast I would highly encourage you to!  It is an amazing time.  Just pray about what God is calling you to give up, then obey, spend time in prayer and in the Word and see how blessed your life will be because of it. I can't think of a better way to start the year!

Great resources for the Fast can be found at Youversion.com
Along with my One Year Bible I have, I am using two of the You Version resources....
1. 21 Day Fast devotional study....starting this one on day 1 of our Fast for extra encouragement.
2. Active Word Daily Devotional ....love this one as it is short and a great way to start my day with some encouraging words and study without needing 45min or more to do it!  I actually do this one from my phone before I even get out of bed!  p.s. if you don't have the BIBLE app by YouVersion for your iphone....Get it!