Day 3 of the challenge…

Well when I went to bed last night, I was actually pretty hungry.  This morning we had our cream of wheat, and I didn’t get lunch until 12:45 today, and my stomach was aching.  It didn’t feel like the typical growling/aching feeling you get when your hungry, it was deeper than that, much deeper, almost sick feeling.  Looking at the kids in South Africa, they always have smiles on their faces and don’t seem to complain about much at all.  Then I wonder, is it just because they don’t know any different or, do they know what “regular” food tastes like?  It is heartbreaking, and I know I’ve said that before, but really it is.  If I can barely eat what I prepare, how do they do it, and I’ll only be eating it for the next 2 days, it is just sickening, because of the bland taste.  I don’t see how they can eat like this.  I’m sure they probably have some kind of spices or seasonings, but I did prepare it bland.  I wasn’t sure how to prepare it.  Although, I am not liking what I am eating, I thank God at every meal that I have this food to keep me going and to keep opening my eyes to the rest of the world that is in poverty.

I’m going to go finish eating my beans and rice and spend time with God over this meal.  Have a wonderful day and keep pressing into Jesus!!!

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

Don’t sin by letting anger control you.     Think about it overnight and remain silent.Psalm 4:4

Encouragement for Today

What sage advice! If you’re angry about something, don’t react right away. You must face it, but don’t make matters worse with a knee-jerk response. Sleep on it; give yourself time to sort things out. As you do, you don’t necessarily need to say anything to anyone about it. True, there’s a time for processing things with others, but it’s often best to keep silent while you think (and pray) things through a little while. The point is to keep anger from controlling you.

Day 2 of the Challenge…

Brian and I are on day 2 and so far it amazes me to see what it is like to not have the “normal” nourishment that we are all so used to.  We are getting protien from the beans, grains, and veggies, but your energy levels are really low, especially when you are active.  I have been drinking a ton of water also, especially since that is all they drink.  Soda, tea, crystal light, etc., is all a luxury.  Here is what we ate yesterday:  for breakfast 1 cup cream of wheat (no sugar or milk), lunch brown rice and beans, & a tortilla (I actually couldn’t eat it all), dinner 1 cup rice , green beans, and 3/4 oz fish.  It is amazing how little 3/4 of an ounce is.  Right now I am a little hungry, but I’m not trying to think about the hunger.

I’ll let everyone know how I’m feeling tomorrow on day 3.

Take care and have a blessed day.  Keep pressing into Jesus.

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

David went out to meet them and said, “If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see it and punish you.” Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the leader of the Thirty, and he said,   ”We are yours, David!       We are on your side, son of Jesse.   Peace and prosperity be with you,       and success to all who help you,       for your God is the one who helps you.” So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops. 1 Chronicles 12:17–18

Encouragement for Today

David couldn’t know the true motives of the men when they approached him, so he trusted God and publicly acknowledged his faith in Godright away. Amasai spoke for the other men and also acknowledged their faith in David’s God. So we, too, shouldn’t be afraid to acknowledge the significance of our faith in what we do. And if we want to work closely with others on an important project, we may need to know their character and that they share a living faith in God.

Shoal Creek Challenge

Well today is the 1st day of the Shoal Creek Challenge.  Here is what the challenge consists of.

Hunger in South Africa:  Portion sizes are much smaller than a typical American meal.  One cup or eight ounces is a generous portion.  Meat is a luxury, with the average African consuming about 3/4 ounces per day – the size of a small chicken nugget.  Fresh fruit is rare, available only if locally grown, and in season.  While these meals seem meager by American standards, they actually represent diets in the broad middle of the world’s population.  Approximately 1 billion people live on even less – only $1 per day.

Meal Options:

Plain oatmeal or Cream of wheat

A tortilla, rice, and beans in one cup servings

Rice with small bits of fish or chicken and a vegetable

So far we’ve, eaten what we are allowed and honestly I’m not hungry, but it sure does give you a different perspective on the way us Americans eat.  It brings tears to my eyes thinking about those poor children that don’t have anything to eat.  I don’t care if they are in Africa or America, poverty is poverty and it hurts me to see anyone in that state, especially children.

I know this is only the 1st day, but I’m very anxious to see where this is going to go with God in the lead of everything.  What is He going to show me and my husband?  I have no idea, but I’m sure it is something big, it usually is.

Anyway, I’m going to go.  Have a great and blessed day, and keep pressing into Jesus!!!

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

My child, listen to what I say,     and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom,     and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight,     and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver;     seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,     and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1–5

Encouragement for Today

These verses beg us to seek the source of what we desire in life. Many people think money and the things it can buy will bring them happiness, peace, and security. But basic to true wealth is wisdom. When we have wisdom, we have the means to get what our heart truly desires. But wisdom needs to be sought diligently. It doesn’t just automatically appear. We should seek wisdom and focus on getting it, just as we would focus on finding lost money or hidden treasure.

I guess I didn’t realize how long it’s been…

I can’t believe it’s been since mid October since I last wrote something.  Things in life have just been a little crazy.  Anyway, things are going good with our group and we are getting ready to implement the weight loss program at Shoal Creek.  I really think that things will go well and with Brian and I leading, they are going to see that we are struggling right along with them.  It will probably begin in about 2 to 3 weeks.  We are going to have it on a Thursday evening at the church.  I’m going to get the mission statement, vision, scope, and duration ready for the beginning of this.  Brian and I are very excited about this.

Our Saturday evening group is going well and it is just getting so huge.  Right now, I think there are 25 to 28 people that come to our group.  I love the group.  Everyone is great and it is wonderful how the group just takes on and facilitates itself.  Brian and I are also counseling a couple of couples that are having issues in their marriage.  We are getting ready to start with them.  Right now we are kind of in an interview process to see if what we do is the right decision for all parties involved.

Well, not much else to say except, I love you all and keep pressing into Jesus!!!

Today’s Verse from the New Living Translation

Victory comes from you, O LORD.     May you bless your people.Psalm 3:8

Encouragement for Today

This short, sweet reminder calls us to look to God alone for victory. Is there some area of your life in which you long for victory? Victory over a certain sin, habit, or temptation? Are you truly looking to God alone for victory, or is it “God and …”? God and this technique; God and that approach. Not that God doesn’t use other things to help you. It’s more of a heart issue: In what or in whom is your ultimate faith for the victory?