Sad Goodbyes

Yesterday(Thursday, February 18) we buried my sweet grandmother.  I called her Granny, but Lane and others called her "Fat Mama."  She weighed in at a whopping 90 pounds and drank half and half at the Waffle House to maintain that weight. 

I remember most the time spent with my Granny when I was younger.  My dad would go bowling with his twin, Ronnie.  We all met at Granny's house and while they bowled, she kept me.  And by kept me, I don't mean watched after me to ensure that I didn't get hurt.  I mean, she let me do whatever I wanted.  She would play puzzles with me, read to me, let me sit in her chair and watch what I wanted; all without any complaints.  She was a great grandmother.

My dad spoke at the funeral yesterday and told his story of what a faithful, Godly, loving mom she was.  See, I only knew her as Granny, but he knew her as Mom.  She never raised her voice, cooked them three meals a day and cared for two rambunctious boys with little help from her 100% disabled husband.  I cannot imagine the strength that must have required.  She worked hard as a beautician to make sure Ronnie and Donnie had all that they needed for school.  My dad told a story yesterday.  Here is my best recap:

"When we were about to head off to college, my mom took us to a clothing store in downtown Gadsden.  We picked out a few things and she talked to the clerk.  I overheard her tell the clerk, "If you get these boys some nice clothes so they will look like the other boys at school, I promised I will pay you five dollars a week for the rest of my life."

That is a commitment only a mom would make. 

I cannot decide what I will miss most about Granny - the fried apple pies, grape jelly, her sweet soft voice, hosting every family get-together for as long as I can remember, or just quick little phone calls to check in. 

She will be missed but I am so happy to know she is joyful in heaven today.

Daniel Fast Day 6 of 21

I am rounding out the end of the first week of the Daniel Fast.  Last night was so tough.  I made a potato soup recipe from the Daniel Fast Cookbook, and I gagged when I tasted it.  I just didn't like it.  The fatigue from having no caffeine, no sweets, no Diet Cokes, has been excruciating.  And then, I didn't like my own dinner.  I paused, Lane prayed for me and my frustration.  And I ate some strawberries.

On a positive note... this has been great to discover what is in the foods that we typically eat.  For instance, I opened a can of kidney beans only to realize that they have high fructose corn syrup.  That was crazy to me, to think that something supposedly healthy had something so bad for you.  After the fast is complete, I will still stay in the habit of more closely checking the food labels. 

Tonight, we are having a Taco Salad - romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, seasoning, guacamole.  I think tonight will be a winner!

Daniel Fast

On Valentine's Day, Lane and I will not be sharing chocolates, but instead prayerfully embarking on a 21 Day Fast, called the Daniel Fast.   We have never fasted together before so we are expecting God to do incredible things. We are praying for three specific things during the 21 day fast.

In Daniel 1, it says that Daniel only ate vegetables (which also include fruit) and drank only water.  In Daniel 10, we read that Daniel had no meat nor any precious breads or foods and he drank no wine for 21 days.

The fast is a fast from all animal products (eggs, cheese, milk, meat, etc), sugar, caffeine, and processed foods.

We will eat fruits, vegetables and nuts. 

Please join us in prayer for the next 21 Days.

Expecting great things,
Payden

The Start of Something

I decided today that Iwill start blogging.  I have played with the idea for months, and without futher ado....

Here she is.