Empty... but Full

As part of learning more about the blessings of this life, and establishing a practice of introspection and prayer, our church here in San Diego designed a fast that could be used for this purpose. Through this exercise in self-deprivation, many people in the bible have asked for help during times of grief, confusion, depression, etc. It is thought that fasting can bring you closer to God.

When I first heard about it, I basically thought to myself, "there's no flippin' way I could go without food for an entire day -- much less several days!!" After all, I've been fortunate enough to have NEVER gone to bed hungry... and I can't imagine doing so ON PURPOSE!

I've never fasted in my entire life.

Over the course of the lesson in church that day,  I started to think - "Wait a minute. I could fast if I truly wanted to... I could do ANYTHING if I truly wanted to." After all, I thought, it would just be a lesson in self-discipline, a subject I harp on daily to Cameron.

If I can expect sacrifice and self-discipline from Cameron, then by golly I should be able to expect it from myself. 

Since this was basically a "juice" fast, I purchased a reconditioned juicer on Amazon (score! It was 1/3 of the price of new) and stocked up on various veggies to juice. I also "prepared" for the fast by eating only veggies and small amounts of salmon and chicken for three days. It wasn't that hard, actually, but I found that I started being a lot more thankful for the veggies and the chicken than I normally would have been. I kept thinking that shortly I would be only restricted to juice.

I think that was the first small, still voice that I heard.... a voice that kept talking to me during the entire experience. It started with an overwhelming feeling of thanksgiving.... for food, for nature, for the ability to feed my children and knowing how blessed I was to never have to choose whether to feed them or myself due to lack of food.

Moving into the actual fast was a little difficult. Eric arrived to surprise the entire family with an impromptu visit and I caught a cold. But I persevered... and moved on to a few days on just juice.

Other things that small, still voice said to be will remain private. Suffice it to say, that I came away from this experience... full.

Here's some of what I learned, if you're interested...

First, it's so very important never to forget the people, especially children, on this Earth who go to bed most nights hungry. World Vision (www.worldvision.org) is an amazing organization that can help you to be a part of the solution.

Second, God has never been -- and will never be -- about making you comfortable.

Third, through asking for His help, you can accomplish things you never though you could. Even though I went with Eric and a good friend to "lunch" on the second day of the fast, I WAS able to resist the pizza on the table. I was OK with just green tea. 

Even though I had been convinced I wouldn't be able to last on the fast, I did. And I believe that I am richer for the experience.

Finally, brussel sprouts are no good juiced. Yechk.

Stinky Feet

I debated on whether to write about this or not, but I can't stop giggling about it so I know it deserves to be remembered in perpetuity.

As many of you know, I've evolved into a San Diego Charger Fan (and, yes, that's with a CAPITAL "F" -- GO BOLTS!!) Anywhoooo, my great friend Karen and her husband Kerry invited the kids and I over for the playoff game last Sunday. They had invited many of their neighbors and hosted a lovely party... and the Bolts won, so it was a perfect afternoon....

Except that Cameron has stinky feet.

While the adults were cheering after every Charger score, the kids were playing video games, etc. ... and being kids, there was some interesting interaction (i.e., flirting) going on, I guess. And since flirting by pre-teens hasn't changed that much since time began, the girls decided to write a note to Cameron to advise him as to the putridness of his feet (I have to agree, actually.)

Since Cameron is Cameron, he basically looked at the note and said, "OK... now where's the popcorn?" But Karen being Karen, when she found out about the nasty (I'm GOING to get your attention, even if I have to be rude to do so) note, those girls got an earful... and Cameron received two very cute "I'm so sorry" notes.

When I presented the notes to Cam after school today, he looked completely blank for a moment... and then he said, "Mom, it was no big deal. I think one of the girls liked me, and now I feel really bad that THEY feel really bad... and my feet DO stink!"

Ah... the joys of growing up as a confident and caring (and a tad stinky) boy.

New Years Resolutions

As Mark Twain once said, "New Year's Day... now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual."

I'm hoping that my resolutions this year will have a little more staying power than Mr. Twain would have us believe... and one of these resolutions is to take more time to stop and see the wonderful growth of Cameron and Haley and to reflect more on the blessings in this life that I need to take the time to recognize and truly appreciate.

Life goes so fast, I think that many times I am simply missing it.

To this end, I gifted myself (Merry Christmas!) with a new digital camera and have created this "blog".  I still kind of goof around with the whole scrapbooking idea ... but to be honest, I think that endeavor is in the pavement of years past. 

Oh... and my other resolution is to eat healthier and to lose those extra jiggly parts that seem to have settled in places where they are truly not appreciated. I'll keep you posted on how that all goes.... :)