Day 12

Hit the 19 pound mark today-- almost at 20! Very exciting. Also, I was able to fit into some pants that I haven't worn in a couple years. This is the stuff that keeps me going.
Today, I'm just feeling encouraged. I have so many good people around me, supporting me and holding me up. My wife is amazing- she is so sensitive to how I may be feeling and what I can handle as far as food being around me. I actually enjoy being around food just for the smell of it, though it always looks good and I always want to have some. I am enjoying the heightened sense of smell that fasting creates. When you are hungry for a long time, you are able to smell a lot more than you would think you could. My kids are all such a huge encouragement as well. Our oldest daughter is 10 today. I feel so fortunate to have two amazing kids, and beautiful daughters at that. This morning we woke up early and made crepes for Hailey for breakfast- a nice change from our normally hurried mornings.

I have to say that I am so amazed at God's provision... His blessing during my fast. I'm getting to the point where my routine is established, and I am not very uncomfortable any more. The hunger pangs have all but subsided. There is generally one time during each day when I'm feeling more hungry than normal, but altogether it isn't bad at all. But the fact that I have been able to go for 11 full days without a bite of food is nothing short of miraculous. I can seldom remember times when I've missed a meal- let alone 34 (plus snacks!). What this amounts to for me is grace.

Psalms 114:12-13 says:

The Lord has been mindful of us;
He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
Both small and great.

How true this has been in my life. When I consider my life a few years ago and compare it to the present time, I see God's constant outpouring of blessing over me, over my family. I can say with all honesty that there is no portion of my life that the Lord has not blessed and been mindful of. He has always provided, always protected, always sustained. Even though I have had great trials and huge uncomfortable learning experiences that have been at times extremely painful, the Lord is there, and He is faithful. He never keeps reaching for me, even when I stop reaching for Him at times in my thoughts, actions, and heart. What a loving Father I serve, and I am so encouraged to know that at the root of my long effort to shed this weight that I have suffered under for so long, God is there, and wanting to bless my efforts to make my body a temple to Him- healthy and balanced.

Today is a good day, and I am enjoying myself in it immensely. Thank you God for your unfaltering love and acceptance!


Until tomorrow~