Bluegrass

We took our friends the Walschs up to Blue Grass tonight. This was their very first time and although I tried to take a picture to capture the moment JW wouldn't comply and then my camera battery died. Bluegrass is something our family loves to do come fall and spring. For those unfamiliar with this activity this is not a Bluegrass Festival or concert really. The mayor whom Nate and I know from college runs and organizes this saturday night event that takes place in the smallest little town 15 miles of us. The local sheriff roasts the hot dogs, and the old ladies and sometimes us young ins bring some side dishes to go along with the dogs. You just throw your money in a jar and help yourself. They take donations for the food and drinks. Then you sit around in lawn chairs by the bonfire and listen to some good ole boys play and pick in a little opry house the size of an SUV. I can't say exactly what makes it so fun, but it feels like wholesome family fun, and the kids just run around and play games while adults chat. I treated J and M to some of my Bluegrass aprreciation sounds like the yiiippp yeeep yiheee ahhh. And of course the cacacacak caaaaawl.

Nothing New

Nothing new to report on the homefront although my mother comes home tomorrow from a missons trip to Belarus. She has never been outside the country and was very excited about her trip.

I am still dieting but have surrendered to the depravation and am no longer angry, just grieving my precious food. Grocery shopping is like withdrawl from crack, or so I imagine.

I've been spending way to much time in blog world and must break away. (not like Kelly Clarkson)

Oh, Oh maybe big news we sold the old house, no contract yet but it is a verbal go. To the original owners, I knew it was for them and I am happy even though we are taking our lowest price.

Fad Diet

I am on a fad diet that my friend AF did called the Mayo Clinic Diet. You have to eat the foods they tell you to for 2 weeks and you will lose 20 pounds. I only want to lose 15, but if I am so fortunate to lose all 20 I will not complain. I think she told me that she lost 16 pounds and have kept it off for 2 months. I also have an ulterior motive for dieting, for at least 6 yrs I have had a candida overgrowth which I think is largely responsible for my overall feeling of puny health. I pretty much kept a y infection when I was pregnant with Luey, and have some sort of flair up nearly every month. The interesting thing is that I have always felt called to have a more fasted lifestyle. I am convinced that the key to spiritual breakthrough is in fasting, but I have such an idol with food that I haven't been incredibly successful with my attempts to live a fasted lifestyle on a regular basis. I have been incredibly angry and irritable these last 2 days and I love it. I honestly like seeing how controlled I am by my circumstances and surroundings. I am still eating like a king compared to most of the world but my spoiled flesh is crying out for more. I am eating mostly eggs, a lot of eggs, lettuce, cucumber, tomatos, olives, black coffee or tea, chicken, pork chops, and steak. I had steak for dinner tonight so I felt happier, except I had to bypass the bread, broccoli with cheese sauce, and mashed potatos. I get to eat 3 times a day but I get no snacks and I am having no sugar and no carbs. I don't like denying myself the little treats throughout the day, and I certainly resent not having cream and sugar in my hot tea. However the Lord is always so gracious with me that I can honestly say that a part of me loves doing this becasue I know what my "character issues" are and I am able to see myself in a very clear light. I am not saying this arrogantly like I have it all figured out, I am merely stating how much of my flesh rises to the surface during times of fasting. I don't even consider this a spiritual fast just a diet, but it is turning into something more already after only 2 days. For some people food doesn't make them happy, and for others it is no biggy to deny themselves for months at a time. That is just not the case with me. I am really hoping that some chains will fall off of me during this 2 week diet so that I can continue in a denied state for the next 2 months in order to rid my body of candida and not be a slave to food. When I consider how difficult this is for me I am ashamed of myself for being such a wimp, but I know that there is a reason for everything and God is faithful and good to complete the work that he started. Anytime that something ugly in you is brought into the light I think that we ought to truly rejoice instead of feeling condemned. I mean God already knows how gross we are and he still loves us w/o measure so why can't a little light on the darkness of our lives be a happy time of house cleaning.