Reflections

Some people take time to reflect on the past year as we enter a new one. Every year has 365 days, and yet only a few events will remain in the memory as time marches on.

For me, 2013 became a year of loss when my mom died, bringing me face to face with my own mortality. I have only one uncle and one aunt yet living from her generation. Now, I am "the older generation."

Does that fact frighten me? No. Gives me cause to think, but not fear. I love God and he loves me. Each passing day brings me closer to his absolute presence. In this I rejoice.

2013 also brought about my return to Germany after nine long years. God put a love of Germany in my heart when my first exchange student, Christina, came into my life in 1996. My second student, Steve, told me I would never understand his people until I visited. I listened and flew over the first time in 2000.

This year, I was able to visit 4 of my former German exchange students, and their chosen partners. My cousin, Valerie, and I stayed in Flo's parents' apartment most of the time. I got to meet his lovely girlfriend, Kate. We spent one night with Julian and Janine (she's precious!) near Basel, Switzerland. Two nights with Martina's mother below Munich. Spent a day in Munich and met Martina's young man, Stephan (He's funny and very tall! A genuine "gentle giant").

Valerie and I drove to the eastern part of Germany. Steve flew in from England to see us. We got to see Spreewald, Herrnhut and Dresden while staying with his family.

We had only two weeks, but packed so much into that short time. The only time we got lost was on the drive to the airport to fly home! Valerie calmed me down and later, when her luggage failed to come through to Atlanta, I calmed her. We made a good traveling team!

I wrote more stories for Good Catch this year than all the previous years combined. And I began writing for Patriotic Remnant, a non-profit organization that sends specific prayer needs and requests to one's cell phone every Sunday, free of charge. Contact me if you'd like to learn how to get these prayers to your phone!

I went to Ohio twice, once in April and again in November. My roots remain deep there and I want to write about my personal family history of that area in my next book.

I got to be the keynote speaker Friday night at the annual Salisbury Prison Symposium - a huge honor! (same prison I wrote about in Butternut Tears) Debi accompanied me on that jaunt and we met a kindred spirit, Mary Gorman of Boston.

Debi, Ayleen and I discovered a Bethel Church down in Brunswick, GA, that completely satisfies our need for soaking worship. It is a long jaunt and we don't go every Sunday, but believe with all our hearts that, like Lydia in the Bible, if we remain faithful, God will bring a worship leader TO US so we can burn in and with God's glory in Effingham County.

Bob and I remain committed to keeping each other entertained and on our toes.

The last milestone event of 2013 took place 5 days ago. We adopted Otis, a chocolate lab, from our local shelter.

I leave 2013 with smiles and a contented heart. 2014 will bring its share of tears and laughter, joy and sorrow, but in all ... HE will never leave or forsake me.

God Rox!

Why Fast?

It's been 8 years since Father God called me to fast. As 2014 approaches, I sense he wants me to join with thousands of other Christians in the Daniel Fast.

What is the purpose of fasting? To bring our triune being into alignment with our Creator, God. We are not humans having a spiritual experience, but rather spirit beings having a human experience. (Liberty Savard)

Fasting is very uncomfortable because it forces me to face how human I am and how much I coddle myself, consciously or unconsciously. Paul says he brings his body into submission and fasting does this. Fasting shows me just how selfish and self-centered I really am.

Fasting begins with God showing me my heart. Jesus is the light of the world and part of that light shines in my inward parts, creating necessary pain. I become keenly aware of my own un-holiness in the light of God's holiness. This is not to demean me. It is to purify me. "Our God is a consuming fire." The closer we move toward God, the more impurities he burns out of us.

After God has cleaned out my heart, he begins to share his. This makes the process completely worthwhile as he shares his desires and secrets with me.

Fasting is challenging because of our society. We are never supposed to suffer a moment of discomfort. We are encouraged to indulge in every desire and then medicate ourselves back to wellness.

I've never undergone a fast that I regretted. I don't look forward to the cleansing part of it, but understand it. Olympians become Olympians by strenuous exercise, not through self-gratification. Those who train the hardest usually receive the greatest awards.

I hope you will consider joining me on this adventure! May we all grow deeper into our Papa God!

Check out the website for the Daniel Fast: http://www.daniel-fast.com