Fast: Complete!

So, before I start I want to apologize for the late and lacking post!!! I recently came down with the flu, and it was horrible. I pretty much abandoned my husband with no food, no sleep, and two children. Our house looked like a host home for a frat party. My kids lived in their pajamas, and my husband lived off of apples. Literally. I technically broke my fast earlier this week. I had a tough decision to make: Start putting electrolytes back into my body with fluids OR dehydrate myself and end up in the hospital. Gatorade is cheaper than the emergency room. It's all about choosing your battles. I'm very sad I missed our night of worship, but it was such a sweet reward for my husband. 

Looking past our bumpy ending, this fast was life changing for us. My husband and I both lost weight. He lost about 9 or 10 lbs and I lost 17 lbs. What an eye opener! We invited new foods into our home, and learned about them. We have added to our recipes and will enjoy them all year! We pushed our limits to a new high! 

We spent more time with God. To completely rely on Jesus Christ to lift you can carry you through this process is difficult, but more rewarding than anything I can put into words. I believe He has grounded us and pointed our focus into one direction. "Be still and know I am God." (Psalm 46:10) This was an important passage to me during this fast. Calming myself down and listening to what the Lord has to say is always going to be something I have to do diligently. My mind is like a speeding car, bobbing in and out of lanes. (And, we all know what can happen to those cars!) That is why I need to slow down. Be still. 

 7 So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. You are sinners, so clean sin out of your lives. You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. Make your thinking pure. 9 Be sad, be sorry, and cry! Change your laughter into crying. Change your joy into sadness. 10 Be humble before the Lord, and he will make you great. -James Chapter 4

I cannot wait to grow even closer to the Lord this year. I cannot wait for my husband to, also. There is no limit for our relationship with God. And I am excited to see where He leads us. 

--Ashley