Testing which blog site

Perfect Timing...

Two years ago a friend of mine knew I was having a difficult time with an upcoming event. She sent me a note card with three scriptures on it and a prayer on the back of encouragement. It blessed my heart so much; her small gesture made a big impact on me in my hardship.
Part two to that story was two years later I was yet again struggling and wouldn't you know it, I found that card in my bible on the exact day she wrote it two years before. Now, let's put this in perspective, I use this bible daily and did not see this card for two years, it was apparently stuck in some obscure place. As Beth Moore puts it, "I could have a garage sale out of my bible," I am one of those types. I was in shock that it was indeed the same day two years later and I needed to heed those same verses again. She empowered me with prayer and encouraged me with scriptures and for that I am grateful.

I have a friend struggling. As women we all know those times when we feel like we just can't get it right. I call it the "And Then Syndrome." You and your hubby have a fight, and then the vacuum breaks, and then your kid gets sick, and then you have a bad hair day, and then you eat a whole pie, and then... you get the picture.
This precious friend can do all things, but her character is being attacked. You can't do ____, you're too ___ to do that, no one cares about your opinions, you're ____, oh and while you're down, I throw a big heapa ____ on you.

The Lord spoke to my heart about you.
This is for you sweet friend. 25 things I love about you!

You are a great listener
You love your husband and children
You know your faults and work on them
You love God's Word
You serve at church
You are very funny
You have beautiful blue eyes
You are adventurous
You are a great role model
You have a gentle spirit
You think before you speak, even though you don't think so
You have a good haircut, haha
You do not let your past hold you back from your future
You are transparent
You are trustworthy with secrets
You stick with people through trials
You are respected by your family and friends
You are weak and know to depend on God
You journal for your children, what a gift
You are full of life and energy
You like a good bargain
You always make meals for others
You are not controlled by your shortcomings
You tell good stories
You comfort and encourage others

I love having you in my life!
NHP

Food "Issues" and recipes

While some posts are raves, this is a total rant. Prepare yourself.

I have been completely and totally disgusted by certain foods lately.
Specifically- Why does every single label I check have ingredients I cannot read or pronounce. Let alone "know" off the top of my head what those ingredients actually are. I mean I could be eating dog puke under the name hydrothrowupide. Mmm, yum. Add some of that to my yogurt ok?

At my house I try to stay away from three things. (And it is challenging at the store. This is why we have fallen in love with making food from scratch. Yes, we eat out and it is delish, but 75% of the time, I want it fresh with ingredients I can name. Breads, cookies, veggies, etc.)

1. No Partially hydrogenated oils- just google it, it will gross you out.
2. High Fructose Corn Syrup- I stick with good ol' sugar (or butter, cream or as natural as possible ingredients not Crisco or margarine)
3. Soy products. This one is the hard one. It IS IN everything. Go look at your Ranch, soybean oil- first ingredient, or your crackers, rices, cereal bars... soy lecithin or soy protein. Not the type of soy in Asia, minimally processed natural soybeans or soy flour. Were talking genetically engineered foods here people. We are only "supposed" to have 2 tsp a day of soy, yet it is in everything. The hard fact that hit home was my girlfriend diagnosed with breast cancer and the first thing they said, "NO SOY."

I am going more and more granola every day.
What is the world feeding us? What are we putting in our bodies? I am all about enjoying food and eating processed foods in moderation, (Um, yes, I say Bueno!) but day in and day out, what are we eating?
We all need to up the whole wheat, fruits, veggies and making things from scratch- not with the added dangers of over-processed, thick with preservatives, added oils, imitations sugars and in taking things we cannot even name! I am not even going into my thinking on meats. I only eat lean meats, such as chicken. I do not eat red meat. Not a vegetarian or vegan. And I have no "oh don't hurt the animal issues." This is about everything but the meat post.

I follow several blogs of healthy cooking, use allrecipes.com daily and get in the kitchen to make things from scratch- so fun and soooo yummy! What a sweet reward to make a meal or dessert and you know exactly what is in it!

This week my favorite was: Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal
I made it different each day, see what you like best. And Oh my, I cannot wait until the morning I will be having it again!

1 1/2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup brown sugar (or white, honey, guava juice, etc)
1 cup milk (organic cow, almond, rice, etc)
1 TB butter (or coconut, etc)
1 egg (or make a flax egg- 1 TB flaxseed to 3 TB water)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla (or oh yes try it with pure maple extract)
1/4 c peanut butter (or crunchie, almond butter, etc)
Add-on's
1 TB wheat germ
1 whole banana chopped and stirred in before baking
1/4 c barley quick oats

Bake in a 8 x 8 pan (or easily doubles in a 9 x 13) at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
Serve dry or over warm milk.
OR even better- omit sugars and make a maple glaze to go on top!
1 TB butter
1 1/4 c powered sugar
1 tsp maple extract
2 TB milk

You will thank me.

As for a Ranch-like dipping sauce, here is Natasha's twisted Greek sauce.
1 c plain Greek yogurt
1 TB garlic
1 tsp both sea salt and fresh ground pepper
1 peeled cucumber chopped
8 oz cream cheese
1 TB lemon juice
1 ripe avocado

Add everything to food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate and serve on a sandwich or with chips. I had it like prayer today, just about added it to everything! I love making up recipes!

My sugar cookies were a hit this week:
1 c sugar
1 c butter
3 egg yokes
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 c whole wheat flour
1 c unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
1/4 c apple sauce

350 for 10 minutes- they will not look done, pull them out anyway and let them cool.

I put homemade icing and sprinkles on them.

We all enjoy good food, right? Let's make it a mission to enjoy healthy foods more often and take a stand against mysterious ingredients!

What am I trying tomorrow?
SO EXCITED!!!

NHP

A new fishbowl.

Well, it has been over a month since my last post! Sometimes I can really get on a roll writing and other times, life just gets too busy and something just has to go.
Instead of keeping up with blogworld, I have been busy cleaning, painting, organizing, packing, and oh yea, being a good wife and mommy during the day to my two kiddos...
Why all this fuss??
We have been busy preparing our house to sell.
I have moved many times in my life. Off the top of my head, I counted 10 times. Born in St. Louis, twice in Dallas, four+ places in Tulsa, twice in college and twice in marriage. I am sure I have missed a few. The point is, I felt I was rather good at moving. Boy was I wrong.

When my hubby and I felt God was leading us to move (not a world away, in the same area) I broke down crying. I mean, I just could not let go of this house.

I attended a homeschooling conference recently and the speaker shared how we women can let our homes become an idol that we serve, over the Lord. Ouch- I felt like she said that just for me! I surrendered this to God, then surrendered it again and again. Eventually I went from crying, literally tears flowing every night, to embracing the feeling that the Lord has something really good in store for us and the message was clear: "Get Your House In Order. I have plans for you," declares the Lord.

We are now spending our free time looking at houses and continuing to make our own home, which is on the market now, look as best as possible. And if you ever wanted another full time job, try keeping the house perfect with a two and four year old in toe. But it's getting better and easier. My prayer is for the right family (who wants a garden!) to fall in love with this house and for us to find a place we love as well.

Today was a good house hunting day. We had driven to over 50 homes. We went inside about 10 of them and hated them. I mean like- never wanted to live there. Today we saw inside 5 more. Two of them we liked, realllly liked. It actually got me excited.
Did I review my list as I saw them? Yes. But ultimately I want what God has for us over my list.
Which, if you are curious, includes things (some silly) like: how far is Wal-Mart, how far to church, is there a park close by, 4 bedrooms, school district, etc... You know stay at home mom requirements.

And `sidenote. How come in all those other times of moving, I just moved. No list, no real preferences. The home we are in right now was the third house we saw. Walked in, yep, we'll take it. Oh.so.carefree. Sigh.

In January we posted this verse on our fridge-
Isaiah 43:19
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
It was in reference to my horrible season of unwanted fears and anxiety. The Lord holds me tight and is working on me in this area, but little did I know that so many new things would be springing up...

Getting close to a new kiddo joining our family
Adam's company moved locations this week
Baby explosion- all my family & friends are expecting new little ones
New adventure in homeschooling
New fuel efficient car for commute for Adam (on the back burner though)
New, New, New.
"He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!
And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:5
NHP

Day 21- THE END

Can you believe it?? I did it!
And I did not cheat- NOT EVEN ONCE!!! No licking of the fingers while I made my kids food or a even secret nibble. I really felt that I made a covenant with the Lord about the Daniel Fast and I wanted to honor Him in abstaining from certain foods in order to fully rely on Him.
Twenty-One days... no dairy or sugar of any kind, no meat, no fried foods, no white flour and nothing but water or 100% juice.
Sounds easy huh? Well, you go try it, it was hard! Of course it was harder on certain days/moments than others. Day 5 and 14 were especially tough, but each time, I had to die to what my body wanted and choose Christ.
On that note- My husband said that he learned that by focusing on God you can control anything in your life. The example he gave was his thoughts, emotions, food or any area of struggle seem to fade away when you are truly focusing and relying on Him. (I told him, I wished I would get this into my brain!)

What have I learned about food:
-I am a total dipper. I struggled with once I made my food, I wanted to dip it in ranch, ketchup or ANYTHING to make it creamy and yummier. Well, that was not an option here as everything seemed to have eggs or sugar.
-Food is a source of comfort. When I was emotional or mad at the kids, I would want to eat. Irritable, eat. Not hungry, but bored, eat. Well, there is only one true source of comfort and that is Christ Jesus.
- We needed to expand our food repertoire. Even in 21 days I did not have all the veggies/fruit. I did not have green beans or blueberries, there lots of things out there, most people just choose not to eat them or learn to prepare them. We need to keep breaking out. I tend to shy away from new foods or they make me nervous. The word adventurous needs to be my song in many areas, but being adventurous is so challenging!
- The foods we are SO keeping in our house that we did not buy/make before are: hummus, cutie oranges, smoothies, wheat wraps, almond milk, homemade pizza dough (recipe at bottom), Larabar's, fruit preserves, pistachios and all baked chips.
-What did I miss most?- one word- CHEESE!

What have I learned spiritually...Oh boy have I learned a lot!
I pretty much have summarized it daily in my readings. Putting the good stuff in, definitely brought the bad stuff out. I am dealing with some issues, but that is part of life, isn't it? Not going for perfection, but relying on the One who is.

Reading:
The book of Daniel. GO, read it! Cannot even begin to summarize. Read it and let God show you amazing things. It is 12 chapters, I rarely read a book straight through, I challenge you to do it, it helps make so many more connections!

Menu:
Homemade Pancakes w/ apricot preserves and grape juice
Pizza w/ Hummus
Green bell pepper wrap w/ guacamole (I am good at guac now!)
Cereal
Fruit smoothie (I feel good at those now too)

High/Low:
One in the same...
- Preparing our Easter meal for tomorrow, soooo rewarding, looking forward to that!
- Preparing the Easter meal, not licking the cheesecake spoon, icing, having bacon, chicken or anything else until tomorrow. Press on for the prize.

Funniest thing: My girlfriend said, well I guess I should say, "Happy Diarrhea" instead of "Happy Easter." SO true. I am not sure how my body will feel adding all this back in. BUT one thing I know, more than adding food back into my life, is the importance of adding time in with the Lord Jesus.

My Easter prayer is that you too will seek Him and have His peace, His presence and His Word flowing into your life. Amen.

RECIPE
Pizza- (this is my new all-the-time thin crust)
No yeast pizza dough:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup water
1 TB veggie oil

Kneed and quickly roll out a very thin layer on baking sheet.
Poke holes with a fork and drizzle additional veggie oil on top and rub in with fingers.

Sauce: (This is my Daniel Fast sauce, but also a new fav.)
1 can stewed tomatoes undrained
1 TB minced garlic
½ tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp onion flakes
½ fresh ground black pepper
Mix and put onto uncooked pizza dough

Topping: (Any you want, the simplicity of this was unbeatable)
Thaw spinach, wring out until dry, crumble on top
Add a healthy amount of fresh ground black pepper over whole pizza
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil
(I think the EVOO and fresh black pepper are the key at any pizza!)

Bake 425 for 20-25 minutes or until edges are crisp
AMAZING!

Thank you for following along!

Happy Diarrhea, I mean EASTER,
NHP

Day 20

Reading:
Luke 7:36-50 - Jesus anointed by a sinful woman. Just one of the most beautiful things ever. I read the version of this story in my daughters children's bible and it was soooo amazing- I cried. Then I read it in my NIV Bible and it was good, but the way they put the wording in her's was especially touching.

Jeremiah 39 and 40 -The Fall of Jerusalem. 39:17-18, "But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear. 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in Me, declares the LORD.' " AMAZING. Jeremiah had full favor of the Lord and was given freedom.

Romans 8- v. 4, Do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Spirit. This meant a lot to me today as I was very tempted and almost followed through with manipulation.

Luke 6:27-45, v. 36, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." v. 42,"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." v. 45, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

Menu:
Fruit smoothie
Apple w/ p.b.
Cutie orange
Pizza w/ hummus
Mixed nuts
Juice

High/Low:
- Huge lunches are my staple. I really enjoy getting full from a good meal at lunch time. Its probably the reward for a busy morning and the cause of not much energy in that afternoon- ha!
- Adam and I didn't really eat a good dinner. We, along with the kids, were in major moods in the morning because of our low blood sugar.

NHP

Day 19

Reading:
Psalm 19- I picked out my favorite verses:
1 and 3, 4: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Isn't that cool to think about? That in every language of the world the skies are proclaiming the glory of God...

8 "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart." Precept meaning- the rule, law, instruction and direction of the Lord is right and brings joy.

9 "The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever." Probably my favorite. It is amazing to me that 'fear and pure' can be used in the same sentence. Only the fear of the Lord is pure, all other fear is not of God.

10 "They (the ordinances of God) are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." This is for AB, we had talked about honey for the Daniel Fast. Here is a good reminder, God's ways are sweeter than honey- amen.

11 "By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." So true. Spend some time with the Word and God's ways and we are truly warned and rewarded- among many other things!

Menu:
Oatmeal cereal w/ strawberries and raisins w/ almond milk
Grapes and o.j.
Homemade pizza- to die for people, I'll share my recipe soon
Cantaloupe and peanut butter
Hummus, chips and cutie oranges

High/Low:
- For sure the crust on the pizza w/ homemade sauce. Ahhh-maze-zing!
- Mediating on Psalm 19 while playing with the kids. Realizing that He is my true honey, not earthly honey.

NHP

Day 18

Reading:
Nehemiah chapter 1-2, spurred on by the verses that kept coming to mind all day from Nehemiah 8:10, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." and Nehemiah 6:9, "But I prayed, now strengthen my hands."

Chapter 1- Nehemiah (great name by the way, that means "God's compassion") wept over Jerusalem, he fasted and prayed over the condition of the fallen city. V. 9 remembered the promises of God. V. 11, prayed that God be attentive to the prayer of His servant who delights in revering His Name. Asked for success and favor from the King. (King of the land)
Chapter 2- The King noticed his sadness and even though Nehemiah was afraid he told the King about wanting to go to Jerusalem. Verse 7, he made plans to go and men with with him. V. 12, didn't share too quickly what God planted in his heart about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. V. 17, he shared with them and then everyone began the good work.

We always loved the book of Nehemiah and the meaning of the name, which is why we named our son Nehemiah. When we came home from Vietnam a local Vietnamese pastor prayed for Nehemiah and he said, "May Nehemiah live up to his namesake and rebuild the walls of Vietnam as Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem." Talk about tears!!! Such a precious memory.

Menu:
Pear and o.j.
Coconut Larabar
Sweet potato w/ stir fry and rice
Cherry smoothie
P.B. and Triscuits
Pasta salad

High/Low:
- A super salty soy sauce lunch. Without sugars in my life, I can tell I have enjoyed salty more.
- Most of my food intake is before 3pm (a lot between 8-12pm, like 4 times). I will eat a mini snack about 5ish, but I am so hungry throughout the morning. My low is that I feel bad not eating big meals with family because I just cannot stuff it in. It makes me feel stuffed and frankly, anxious. Its an area to work on...

NHP

Day 17

Reading:
I had a question posed to me by a fellow participant in the Daniel Fast. She asked, "How is God leading you to the scriptures you are reading?" Thought about this question throughout the day... specifically the "how" part.

I think (more like I know) that I have to have God's Word in me daily to live in victory. I don't have to read the Bible, I want too. It is the only thing that keeps my head sane, my actions appropriate, my words gentle and keeps me focused on Christ instead of sin.
Every morning when I wake up, that is my first priority. I go to my closet. I pray outloud or on my face or on my knees or I write in my prayer journal. I want that intimate time with Him and He will never deny His children when they come to Him. On that note...
Every morning might not be THE BEST quiet time you have ever had, ever! Some day's you may read without thinking you got anything, but other days it is so meaty. Sometimes I want meat and cannot find it, sometimes I want to rush, but God is showing me something huge.

I have one book at a time that I read through and always come back to that when I don't know what my heart wants to read. I may want to read about Jesus' miracles one day, then about the fruit of the spirit the next day, I may need to go to the empowering verses of Romans 8 to conquer the day ahead or cry out to God along with the Psalms. Every day is different for me and I love the ebb and flow of God. I have tried many times to read through the bible in a year and it just does not work for me. Too ridged and structured. My personality is ridged and structured and I need my time with God, to be free and led by God, whatever He pops up into my heart. He is ALWAYS there to direct me into His Word.

Today when I woke up, I only heard one word: Josiah. So, I looked up all the verses about him. Here is what I learned.
Matt 1:11- Josiah is in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Prophetic word in 1 Kings 13:2, "A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you (the alter) he will sacrifice the priests of high places (those worshiping idols)..."
Love what is recorded about him in 2 kings 22:2, "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left."
Then chapter 23- JOSIAH CLEANS HOUSE! (Removing evil in the name of the Lord)
- Removed and burned articles made for Baal and Asherah
- Did away with pagan priests
- Tore down quarters of the male shrine prostitutes
- Broke the shrines at the gates
- Desecrated the alter to Molech so no one could sacrifice their children
- Demolished, cut down, burned, smashed, defiled all things that were against the Lord
- Rid of mediums, spiritists, household gods and all other idols in the whole town

23:25, "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him tho turned to the Lord as he did- with all his soul and with all this strength..."

Menu:
Oat cereal w/ walnuts and banana
Grape juice and 1/2 date muffin
Avocado, Rotel, black beans/rice w/ chips
Pear with peanut butter (together, yum!)
Noodles w/ broccoli in tomato sauce

High/Low:
- Today, EVERYTHING tasted good. My husband and I were talking the other day how neither of us wanted to eat anything the last few days. I didn't eat dinner one night because it was like I felt sick that I couldn't have something fattening, so my stomach went on strike. BUT today, everything I ate was like manna from heaven. Full of flavor, very satisfying and a gift from Him!
- Got a little too excited putting our Easter menu together. We are hosting a family lunch and that is when we are breaking our 21 day fast. Don't want to zoom by the good work that God is doing just to focus on eating "real" food in a few days.

NHP

Day 16

Reading:
Romans 2
Verse 16, "This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."
Verse 29, "No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God."

Menu:
Apple w/ p.b.
Orange, banana, pineapple smoothie
Date muffin
Black beans and rice w/ veggies
Chips, hummus and hot sauce
Grapes
Tomato wrap w/ sauce

High/Low:
-Choosing to feel energetic with strength from God instead of energy from food.
-Wanting to go to the store for new foods, but we have food here. It forced me to go through and see what we have and what I can fix.

A NOTE TO ERIN...
Thank for leaving a comment! I cannot figure out your blog or email or contact for you. I know you left a VN question once as well. Could you please leave your info... Thank you! ALSO I wish I was eating Vegan. Vegan's can have all the sugar they want. I ended up not being able to use many of those recipes because of the sugars, but other than that- yes it is close. I will check out those sites.

Day 15

Reading:
1 Peter 3:3-6, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." Amen.

John 5:22, Didn't know Jesus was the final judge in Revelation, "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son." (Rev 20)

1 Samuel 16:7, "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Menu:
Oatmeal w/ raisins
Lemon Larabar
Beans w/ corn chips (baked) and hot sauce
Date and Banana Muffins w/ raspberry puree
Tomato Pizza

High/Low:
- Having fun in the kitchen again baking Date Muffins
- Realizing how much comfort food really brings me, getting to that place each day saying things like- "Lord, You comfort me more than food. OR You, Jesus, sustain me more than bread."

NHP

Day 14

Reading:
Phil 4:4-9, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me— PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. And the God of peace will be with you."

Today was a "put it into practice" kind of day. It was hard spiritually and foodwise. What did I learn?
-There are moments when you feel like you are being stretched like a rubber band. Stretching it to its limits yet not breaking, but you can be used to the fullest in this way.
-If I was confident all the time and never anxious, I would not fully rely on Him. I have to be weak so I can be strong in Him. Or rather, let His strength burst forth in me. (2 Corin 12:10, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.")
-Don't want people to see the outside anyway, appearances are deceiving, see the dependence on God. Isn't that what I like to see in others? His light shining through them, nothing of their own merit but relying on His strength.
-The voice of the enemy is on repeat. He always uses deception and lies. Must only listen to the voice of my Shepherd and take captive every thought. (2 Corin 10:5, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.")

Menu:
Fruit smoothie
Avocado Tomato wrap w/ chips
Carrot muffin w/ p.b.
Apple w/ p.b.
Cereal w/ walnuts, dates and raisins w/ almond milk
Smoothie King

High/Low:
-Feeling great about packing a lunch today to head to OKC for an adoption party.
-Having to eat that lunch when they provided free donuts, pizza and pop for everyone at the party. I actually went to the car and shed a tear. I wanted pizza so bad. But God knows my heart and we are doing this fast to get closer to Him. (Heb 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.")

NHP

Day 13

Reading:
Luke 11- Jesus teaching us how to pray. Verse 9-10, Ask and receive, Seek and find, Knock and it will be opened to you. 13- Child asks for egg would give them a scorpion? How much more does your Father in Heaven know how to give you good gifts. Never noticed verse 19 before, " Now if i drive our demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out?" ouch- go JC! Also never noted how Jonah was a foreshadowing of Jesus. Three days then brought good news of repentance and a way to God. 46- the Pharisees were "clean" on the outside but really wicked on the inside. They loaded people down with burdens of the law yet they should have shared as teachers.

Titus
1:16- They claimed to know God but denied them with their actions.
2:5- Women be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind, subject to husbands and follow the Word of God 2:10- fully trust as to in every way make the teaching of God our savior attractive. 2:11- "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives."
3:3-6, "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Menu:
Carrot muffin w/ almond butter and kiwi
Hummus w/ Triscuits
Avocado & tomato Cajun wrap
Three pepper salad (WOW)
Apple w/ p.b.
Whole wheat pasta w/ tomato sauce

High/Low:
- Looking forward to sharing the Three Pepper Salad recipe- it was soooo good.
- Waiting too long to eat lunch and totally crashing with irritation. I guess it was a blood sugar dip or something. Even though I am fasting, I do need to eat every 3 hours on this deal. Trust me, the fast is still working, I go to God constantly with, "I love you more than this sausage patty," (as was the case today) or "You satisfy me more than raw cookie dough right now."

NHP

Day 12

Reading:
Jeremiah 37- Jeremiah thrown into a dungeon. The king comes to him to ask if he has heard a word from the Lord. He also begged the king to release him to the courtyard so he would live and survived the imprisonment.

Jeremiah 38- God sent a guy named Ebed-Melech to save Jeremiah from a muddy cistern. He continued to deliver the Word of the Lord even when it wasn't what people wanted to hear. Sounds like our present day...

Psalm 12- Verse 6, "And the Words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times."

Proverb 12- Good stuff about the consequences of the wicked and protection of the righteous. The righteous flourish, he escapes trouble, overlooks an insult and is truthful. Verse 28, "In the way of righteousness there is life." This can be compared with John 20:31, "Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name." Amen.

Meal:
Homemade Carrot Oat Muffins w/Raspberry puree
Avocado w/ sesame chips
Bean and lettuce wrap w/ hot sauce
Orange Strawberry Pineapple fruit smoothie
Carrot muffin w/ almond butter
Cajun sweet potato fries

High/Low:
-The muffins I made were amazing! Eating something breadish was great.
-I can only wake up so early (6am daily) but my daughter is so early to rise that she always comes in during my quiet time with God. I love her and want to teach her and let her have her own quiet time, but this morning she must have had coffee on the way to my closet (where I read) and I was more irritated than focused.

NHP

Day 11

Reading:
Community Bible Study on Rev ch. 20.
Wed night bible study with our small group talking about lifestories.
(Yes, the only bible studies I attend and they are both on Wed's! Ahhh)

We posted the following verse on the fridge in January, I have read it everyday for almost 3 months now and today saw a new word in the verse. How is that possible?!

"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:18-19

The word I had read over and over but just now noticed was the word "NOW". I felt in my spirit that "NOW" it springs up. That was a little precious anchor in my heart.

Menu:
Apple w/ p.b.
Orange and pineapple smoothie
Black bean and avocado wrap
Cherry Larabar
Triscruts and hummus
Veggie soup

High/Low:
-The hummus I made did not look good, but wow it tasted pretty good and was extremely filling! I was not hungry for over 3 hours.
-No one wants to hear a thin person talk about weight loss, I do not want to lose any more weight, but being on this type of fast it is bound to happen. So my low is looking too thin.

NHP

Day 10

Reading:
Meditating on the thought- Your sin nature vs. Christs Spirit inside you. How they are at war and we have to continually give ourselves over to Him.

Isaiah 2:3, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths."

Isaiah 11- Verse 5, "Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist." I also love a good descriptive sentence and thought verse 9 was beautiful, "For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

Thought- I do not have to be perfect. Struggling is normal and God loves my dependence on Him. Also the scripture 1 Peter 5:9 came to mind, "Resist the devil, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

Menu:
Banana and almond butter w/ cranberry juice
Grapes
Bean dip w/ chips and guac and cucumber
Cinnamon Larabar
Black bean burger w/ couscous

High's:
-My hubby started his Daniel Fast today so it is a bit easier to eat together and talk about food.
-The word I got from the Lord this morning was to trust Him like my kids trust me.

Low's:
-Really hit a wall with so many snackie foods and not any real hot downhome cooked meals.
-First thought this morning was, this is the longest 10 days ever (and it's out of 21!) Press ON!

NHP

Day 9

Reading:
Rev 20 and answered questions about the text in depth. Love that in v. 3 Satan is thrown into the abyss, locked and sealed inside - why?... to keep him from deceiving the nations.

Parable of the talents- Matthew 25:14-28. There are times in life when we are given much, and much is required. But I am noticing that there are also times when we are handed little and have to work really hard at just handling that. Once that is in order, God starts to multiply what He gives us.

Menu:
Orange
Apple w/ p.b.
Sauteed potatoes
Pickles and cranberry juice
Bean buritto w/ guac

High/Low:
-God's peace
-Missing chicken today

NHP

Day 8

Reading:
Acts Chapters 1-3. Wow are those jam packed with goodness! 1:8, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. 1:24, prayed for direction knowing that the Lord knows everyone's heart.
2:25-28, you will fill me with joy in Your presence. 2:38, repent, be baptized and receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. 2:42, devoted themselves to teachings, fellowship and prayer.
3:6, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the Name of Jesus Christ, 'walk'." 3:16, by faith in the Name of Jesus this man was made strong, it is in Jesus' Name and the faith that comes through Him that have given him complete healing.

Psalm 119:11, said as a prayer...
Hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Menu:
Strawberries, apple w/ peanut butter and o.j.
Guac and chips
Brown rice and veggie stir fry
Smoothie King

High/Low:
- I'm on repeat here, but my mind clarity when I read is superb
- Going to have to forgo as much free reading to play catch-up with my bible study on Revelation

NHP

Day 7

Reading:
Luke 21- Widow was giving out of her poverty. Verse 8, watch out that you are not deceived. V 14, make up your mind beforehand how you will handle yourself. Verse 15, love, "For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist." 33, His Words will never pass away. 34, do not let your heart be weighed down.

Prov 5 and 6- 5:3, Stay away from adultery. 15, drink from your own cistern, run water from your own well. Verse 21, "For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord and He examines all his paths."
6:3 Keep yourself humble with your neighbors. 8 Wisdom stores its provision in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 26, great simile, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, no one who touches adultery will go unpunished. 32, a man/woman who commits adultery lacks judgement, whoever does so destroys himself.

Menu:
Fruit smoothie
Banana w/ Peanut Butter
Ginger Larabar
Guacamole w/ chips
Pear
Veggie "chili"

High/Low
-Homemade guacamole w/ chips was to die for! I was praising the Lord for a good meal.
-My mind has energy too and I cannot fall asleep easily. And I still wake up early.

Day 6

Reading:
Psalm 51- So good! Verse 10, Create in me a pure heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 12- Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. 14- You are the God who saves. 16- You do not delight in sacrifice or I would bring it... the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.

Rev 20- Martyrs reign with God for 1,000 years then Satan comes yet again with deception to gather his army, but God sends them to the lake of burning sulfur and this begins the day of judgement and looking into the Book of Life.

James 1- Verse 2, you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance and it must finish it's work so you will be mature and complete. 20- For man's anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. 25- Look intently into the law of freedom. Look after orphans and widows and keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Amen.

Menu:
Apple w/ P.B. (#1 filler thus far)
Grapes
Two bean corn wrap w/ rice
Cherry Larabar
Cashews and orange juice
Hash browns and carrots

High/Low:
-Having great energy.
-Hitting a 5:30pm total food crash. Almost cried trying to cook dinner. Needed to eat and couldn't figure out what to have and trying to serve family other foods was hard.

NHP