We began this journey in February - food month. We had to cut down what we eat to 7, yes SEVEN foods. You are allowed a tablespoon of olive oil and some salt and pepper. My foods were: apples, bread, cheese, refried beans, peanut butter, cucumbers, and eggs. The first 2 weeks went off without a hitch. Not one thing "illegal" went into my mouth. We even hosted a SuperBowl party with tons of food and still did great!! (Shane had slightly different foods). Then we cracked. Went out to eat for Valentine's Dinner because we talked ourselves into it. We felt the stress of our current life situation...which I can go into later...allowed for us to "have a break". THIS WAS THE WORST DECISION WE COULD HAVE MADE! 'Cause let me tell ya something...ever heard that saying 'once a cheater, always a cheater'? I cheated a lot after that. I am horrible! I hated myself every time I did it. (btw: I need to insert that Shane was WAY better at staying on his 7 foods than I was.) I know hate is not of the Lord and that it was the devil making me feel bad (to put it simply). So, what did this month bring me? I never knew how much we wasted. How much food sits on our table every morning, noon, and evening to feed our family. And even more sickening, how much goes in the trash when we are done. This made me sick. To think of all those literally starving to death makes me broken inside. I yearn to help those that need it. Did you know that some kids in Haiti have to eat mudcakes that consist of mud, a little butter, and salt? That's what keeps them alive. Breaks your heart doesn't it? So how do we help? Well there are several ways. What do Shane and I do? We pray. We sponsor a Compassion child. (Shane has actually been doing this for several years now.) $38 a month gives a child food, clothing, clean water, an education, and hope! If you would like to learn more about compassion go here: http://www.compassion.com/about/about-us.htm. I hope in the days to come we will find more ways to help. Maybe sponsor another child, donate more to a local food bank, something, anything. I know our prayers have become pretty focused on the hungry. So, even if all a person gets out of the month of 7 foods is focused prayers for the hungry people of the world, then AMEN to that! Afterall, God answers prayers! :) Jaden wants to send her leftovers to Haiti. Such a sweet heart she has. Too bad it doesn't work that easy, huh!
We have now moved on to month 2. Clothes. We have to choose 7 articles of clothes to wear .) Undergarments are free.) I chose 2 pairs of jeans, 2 t-shirts, a hoodie, 1 pair of pajama pants, and tennis shoes. I allowed 1 workout outfit for the gym and my wedding band. But that's it. No earrings, no watch, no pretty shoes for church. EEK. The thought did cross my mind that this might be a pretty easy month. I won't have to worry about what I am going to wear. We will see if I still feel this way in 4 weeks!! Odds are that will be a big negative. I hope I can learn something from this, learn how there are so many right here in Northwest Arkansas that only own the clothes on their backs. I am already cleaning out the closet. I have a feeling that the majority of my possessions month (give away 7 items a day) will be focused on donating my clothes. Just an fyi: I feel completely naked without earrings and a watch...just sayin'
So to conclude this super long post I will say this...READ the book. Even if you don't attempt to do the complete journey, I promise it will change the way you look at yourself, your family, and all those people that God tells us to love and help! You can buy it on Amazon for like $10 I think.
love you all!
-Melissa
**and please, please, please let me know if you read or have read the book - I would love to hear what you think!
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