Today was the start of our church fast, and Madison wants to be in on it. Miss Halston was great as a teacher this morning, explaining to the kids what a fast is and why we should do it - and Madison was convinced. Daddy had suggested giving up sweets for twenty-one days, but Madison was the one who wanted to take it a step further: she is giving up television for the next twenty-one days. Sweets and television, she says. And, in place of those things, she's filling out her fasting devotional that Daddy wrote. This booklet is a great resource for a fasting journey, and it was written for families to do together, almost like "fasting homework." Madison is insistent on doing this for the next twenty-one days, which is just wonderful. She really gets it, and we're so incredibly proud of her.
This morning's service was fun at KidPak. Daddy was a shoulder angel - or at least a shoulder devil. We had Nerdo there in the middle, and two voices sort of giving advice, or temptation at least. It was a funny skit that had the kids laughing hard, but it also was pretty clear and to the point.
The rest of the day was spent in preparation. We went home afterwards, straight home. There, we got ready for the big plunge. The Polar Vortex is coming, arriving tonight, although Tuesday morning may be the worst of it. We'll see the coldest temperatures Madison has ever experienced, with a windchill well below zero here. Some interesting stats tonight: the temperature was actually warmer in Anchorage, Alaska than here in Atlanta, Georgia. Crazy weather!
As a precaution, we'll be leaving the faucets running a trickle all night. We also opened all the cabinet doors that had plumbing inside them - and we brought in the hoses from outside, of course. We also took the extra step of wrapping insulation around the outdoor faucets. Despite the furious cold that lurks outside, it was nice and warm inside for us.
Madison didn't quite have it in her to give up video games this month for the fast - and considering that we just got all those nifty Christmas games, I can see her point of view. She really wanted to play more Disney Infinity today, so back to it we went, creating this world which in essence was a ginormous trap for her cousins to fall into.
We spent a bit of time reading as well, covering some of those books we got for Christmas. Dinner was a potato soup that Mommy made - she's been making all kinds of new things that are fast-friendly. We had salad, and some deviled eggs as well. Today, Madison tried a deviled egg for the first time, and wanted to. She asked what it was, and initially thought it was some sort of dessert item. We warned her in advance: it's not a dessert. It's an egg. So she sampled it, and lo, she liked it. In fact, she's eaten a few today.
As we hunker down for the night, I've decided to post each day's fasting journal page. Madison is filling these out as she goes - so this is a book I'll probably keep forever! But as each day goes by, I'll end with a post from the journal. Perhaps you could use it as well!
This morning's service was fun at KidPak. Daddy was a shoulder angel - or at least a shoulder devil. We had Nerdo there in the middle, and two voices sort of giving advice, or temptation at least. It was a funny skit that had the kids laughing hard, but it also was pretty clear and to the point.
The rest of the day was spent in preparation. We went home afterwards, straight home. There, we got ready for the big plunge. The Polar Vortex is coming, arriving tonight, although Tuesday morning may be the worst of it. We'll see the coldest temperatures Madison has ever experienced, with a windchill well below zero here. Some interesting stats tonight: the temperature was actually warmer in Anchorage, Alaska than here in Atlanta, Georgia. Crazy weather!
As a precaution, we'll be leaving the faucets running a trickle all night. We also opened all the cabinet doors that had plumbing inside them - and we brought in the hoses from outside, of course. We also took the extra step of wrapping insulation around the outdoor faucets. Despite the furious cold that lurks outside, it was nice and warm inside for us.
Madison didn't quite have it in her to give up video games this month for the fast - and considering that we just got all those nifty Christmas games, I can see her point of view. She really wanted to play more Disney Infinity today, so back to it we went, creating this world which in essence was a ginormous trap for her cousins to fall into.
We spent a bit of time reading as well, covering some of those books we got for Christmas. Dinner was a potato soup that Mommy made - she's been making all kinds of new things that are fast-friendly. We had salad, and some deviled eggs as well. Today, Madison tried a deviled egg for the first time, and wanted to. She asked what it was, and initially thought it was some sort of dessert item. We warned her in advance: it's not a dessert. It's an egg. So she sampled it, and lo, she liked it. In fact, she's eaten a few today.
As we hunker down for the night, I've decided to post each day's fasting journal page. Madison is filling these out as she goes - so this is a book I'll probably keep forever! But as each day goes by, I'll end with a post from the journal. Perhaps you could use it as well!
DAY ONE
Psalm 100:4 tells us we should “enter His gates with thanksgiving.” As you fast, list below just a few things that you are thankful for in your life.
Psalm 100:4 tells us we should “enter His gates with thanksgiving.” As you fast, list below just a few things that you are thankful for in your life.
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Why are you fasting? Ezra fasted and prayed for guidance and protection. What are some
things you are fasting and praying for? List a few here.
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Read today’s Bible story in Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus was fasting, and was tempted by the
devil. What was Jesus’ response to the devil’s first temptation, and what do you think Jesus
meant in this response?
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