Lent

Sorry it has been a while since I blogged. Dave has been on vacation and well I like spending time with him when he actually has a few days off. But I have kept him busy and I think he has a new appreciation for me and what I do all day long. But that is not the point of today's blog.

Before I get to the point I wanted to give an update here. I went to the doctor for my blood work on Wednesday. I finally had someone draw my blood there that wasn't a complete idiot and had to stick me 10 times. Sandee I miss you!! As usual I had to step on the scale. Last time i was there I wasn't feeling to good so I know I had on a pair of comfy pants and a t-shirt. This time I had on jeans and a heavier shirt and I still lost a pound! DO A LITTLE DANCE!!! needless to say I was happy. I went in expecting to gain because of the clothing and such but I lost and I was smiling from ear to ear. And that my friends is my update for the day!

Now onto the main portion of our program. Lent. At first I was going to be a smart ass and say I was giving up Lent for Lent. Or giving up complaining for Lent. But those who know me know I wouldn't be able to survive a day without complaining so I thought about it and I decided that I was going to give up pop for Lent. A while back I had cut pop out of my diet almost completely. A can or two here or there was it. But it has gotten out of control again. I have pop all the time. Two or three cans a day at the barn. I would find reasons to go to the store just to get a pop. I was addicted once again to the carbonated caffeinated sugar water. So on Fat Tuesday I decided that I was giving up pop for for Lent. 40 days of poplessness.

Dave, Alexis and I went out to eat on Wednesday. Dave and Lex ordered pop and I got water and lemon. I was a hair jealous. But I liked the crispness of the lemon and I drank two glasses. Friday Dave and I went out and once again it was a tall glass of water with lemon. The hard part is here at home. We have well water. I hate well water. I wont make ice cubes with it. I wont drink it. so I either have to remember to bring the water jugs to someone house and fill them from someones hose or take them to the store. But it never fails that in the end I am where I need to be and my water jugs are sitting on the floor wondering why it is I left them behind again.

I know it has only been a few days. But there have been a few times when I wanted to cheat. A sip here or a bottle when I was grocery shopping. But I thought about it. If Jesus could give up his life for me, well then I can give up pop for 40 days. I know as time goes by it will get easier. Just like cigarettes.  Its just the beginning I have to get past. Its the detox. Once I am detoxed it gets easier. I sit here and complain because of pop. But Jesus, did he complain. Did he walk around with his head hanging saying, "Man I'm gonna die in a couple days and no one appreciates it. My friends are going to turn their backs on me and I am going to suffer. This sucks. I don't want to do this any more. Can someone just do this for me? I just want to go to bed and forget that tomorrow is going to happen!" No, he didn't do that. He continued his mission. He lived his life and served his father to the end. So what right do I really have to sit here and complain because I want a pop.

In the end detoxing from all that pop will shave inches off my waist and will help me to shed pounds. There are so many benefits to water that most of you already know. But sometimes its just so bland. So I picked up a few lemons. Yummy. I am all for finding ways to get healthier. In the end my skin will be clearer. I will have lost some weight. I will be well hydrated. I will have energy because my body will not be sluggish from all the sugar and gunk weighing me down. So here is to Lent and being relentless.

I would like to take a minute and say a prayer.

Dear God, Thank you for today. Thank you for sending your Son to save me from my sins. I do not have the words to express my gratitude for this gift. Thank you for loving me, for taking care of me and for showing me that I am a good person, even when I feel like I am not. I have been listening God and I hear you message in places I wouldn't have heard it before because I had my mind closed. God I am still weak and I am still struggling. I know the path I should be taking and I find myself straying and being drawn by temptation away from you. God Please be with the people of Japan. I know we have different religious views but we all want the same thing. We all want to know that the ones we love are safe. We all want to cry when it hurts and come together to help each other. Please help them to find their missing loved ones and give peace to those who will never be found. Help them to come together at this time of pain and despair. In your name we pray. Amen