Twenty Seven....

Another beautiful day of paddle boarding, bible study in the morning and now home to rest before work.

What I ate, greek scramble, scone fruit, sonic for lunch: chicken sandwich and tots, rice with turkey burger.

What I read.... Genesis 27

So, a great deal of deception and lies and stealing go on in this chapter... Isaac is getting old and thinks he's going to die so he tells his son Esau to go kill him some tasty game and then he will give him his blessing. So Esau goes out, meanwhile, scheming Rebekah and Jacob come up with a plan to steal the blessing, the cook some goats to taste the way the Isaac likes, then dress him up and make him a hairy man and slather him him goat skins to make him hairy and smell like Esau... Isaac is not quite positive, but eventually falls to the deception and delivers the blessing to Jacob...

“Ah, the smell of my son
is like the smell of a field
that the LORD has blessed.
²⁸ May God give you heaven’s dew
and earth’s richness—
an abundance of grain and new wine.
²⁹ May nations serve you
and peoples bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.
May those who curse you be cursed
and those who bless you be blessed.”

So Jacob receives the blessing. It is slightly amazing to me how important the blessing is to his children, where the birthright meant nothing to Esau before, not it means everything. Where a blessing nowadays does not seem to pack the same punch that it did back them. I know that my parents pray for my siblings and me, however, I do not think at the time of their death they will call us to their bedside to deliver a blessing, nor do I think they would hold favoritism between us and deliver one child a more favorable blessing than the other. But than again, my father was not told by God that he would be the father of many nations. However, now that I've written this, if my parents do read this I would not put it past my father to give us blessings, if he can remember to his dying days, which I hope is many decades from now. I can see it now...

"ah the smell of my daughter

like lavender and rose oil

from a Fred meyer shelf

May God give you an abundance of rain

for your living in a Texas drought

May you serve many people

as your nursing skills improve.

Be charge nurse over others

and may you bow down to others in servanthood

May those who curse you be cursed

and those you bless you be blessed.

Ok so I totally made that up and my father would probably never say that... nor do I think servanthood is an actual word. But sometimes, it's interesting to think of your life in Bible times. As the story goes on Esau gets to his fathers bedside with the game and now the blessing is gone, he gets the crap blessing I guess you could say. He gets angry and vows to kill his brother, when Rebekah hears of this she sends him away. Now everyone is happy... try NOT! Isaac is dying and giving away blessings, Rebekah tells her favorite son to deceive his father and now for fear of losing him he has to run away. Esau, already sold his birthright for a cup of soup and now is wanting to kill his brother because he got the good blessing and Jacob- spineless Jacob, listens to his mother and deceives his father and runs away. I'm not really sure who is the most wrong in the picture, but I can tell you one thing. At least the Lord redeems us and are sins are forgiven and forgotten. I don't know how much I learned from this chapter. It is not good to have a favorite child, for it will tear apart the family, the couple, and in the end someone might end up dying and another in exile, while those remaining are left with bitterness, anger and rejection. But hey at least the Lord forgives!!

God Bless and Good Night!

Twenty Six...

Today was a lazy day, I sat around, watched movies, finished my puzzle and went to church. However, I did make some really awesome gluten free penne noodles and some amazing baked chicken, which tastes delicious!!

what I ate... greek scramble, clementines, ice cream left in the freezer, (trying to finish it up to get it out of here), chicken with noodles and cucumbers and feta cheese.

What I read... Genesis 26

I know a lot happens in this chapter as well, however, I kind of focused on this one area, because it appears that history seems to be repeating itself...

¹ Now there was a famine in the land—besides the previous famine in Abraham’s time—and Isaac went to Abimelek king of the Philistines in Gerar. ² The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. ³ Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. ⁴ I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, ⁵ because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.” ⁶ So Isaac stayed in Gerar.

⁷ When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.”

That is awesome that the Lord still loved Abraham even though, he did the same thing with Sarah, just as Isaac is now doing with Rebecca, well these must be some really good looking women, for they were both well advanced in age and still being sought after by other men.

In verse 5 The Lord says, "because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.” I know that I may be only reading a chapter a day, but Abraham messed up a lot like at least once every chapter. How awesome is it that the Lord keeps no record of wrongs, but sees his heart and his desire to follow the Lord and his faith was credited to him as righteousness and now the blessing is passing from Abraham to Isaac. So, cool. I am so glad that the Lord sees the good things we try to do and does not focus on the bad stuff that ends up happening most the time. How blessed we are that the Lord sees us through a rose colored glass that is called Jesus. Amazing!! How blessed we are to be part of the children of God. Thank you Lord for loving the world and me so much that you sent the Son and for giving all who accept it eternal life. Blessed is he whose sins are taken from us and are separated as far as the east is from the west and Blessed is he whose sins are no more, because they are not kept in a record log of things that we have done wrong. God is love and we learn in 1 Cor 13, that Love keeps no record of wrongs. How blessed are we.

Have a blessed night!

Twenty five...

So today was weigh in day, yet another disastrous week of no loss, but still down 2 lbs. Upping the ante again, maybe back to the first week hardcore scene again.

What I ate... breakfast shake, lunch- was a bit out of the ordinary it was a going away potluck- pizza and cupcakes, deviled eggs and other goodies. dinner- left over stirfry

What I read... Genesis 25

A lot happens in the chapter, Abraham marries another woman, they reproduce many more kids, We learn of Ishmael's growing family and how everyone is hostile towards them... And Jacob has some kids and the parents each favor one of the twins- not good between children or couples. However, the part I want to focus on is this.

²¹ Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. ²² The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.

²³ The LORD said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”

I love that Isaac prays to God to allow let Rebecca bear children. She doesn't send in the maid servant when she can't bear children. He doesn't argue or get upset with God that his wife can't bear children. He just prays that the Lord allows his wife to bear children. I love that. All we need do sometimes is ask and the Lord not only delivers but gives her 2 sons. Amazing!! It's so cool the way the Lord will provide if you only ask. Sometimes, prayers that are unanswered are still answered. It's like when making choices, you can do or not do, however, by not doing you are still making a choice. Thank you Lord for all the answered prayers you have given me, and all the unanswered prayers that I am far better without those. Blessed is your good and perfect will for me and help me to stay in it and glean and learn to be your child.

God Bless

Twenty-four

Day 2 of PALS course and I passed yay!! Another headache, super tired and obliterated from the week. At least there is only one more day of it. Yay for weekends and more paddle boarding.

What I ate... protein shake, clementines, sandwich and cottage cheese, Greek eggs for dinner.

What I read... Genesis 24

A love story...

I think there are definitely some interesting parts in here. So, Abraham makes his servant go back to his old home and fetch is son a wife. The servant does as is asked

¹² Then he prayed, “LORD, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. ¹³ See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. ¹⁴ May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

¹⁵ Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. ¹⁶ The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.

¹⁷ The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

¹⁸ “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

¹⁹ After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.”²⁰ So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. ²¹ Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful.

This shows that not only was Abraham a believer, but so was his servant and probably all the men in his household, not only does the Lord deliver him a young women, but she is delivered precisely how the servant has prayed. Talk about an answer to prayer.

This is also another of my favorite verses, because they didn't even know how true this prayer would be answered.

To end it all, Isaac, marries her the moment he gets her to a tent. What a whirlwind romance, what if we still had romance like that. My dad would send our non-existent servant back to Scotland to find me a man to marry.

Or more accurately, some man would show up at the park water fountain, ask for some water and I'd offer him water from my water bottle as well as continuously fill it till all of his maybe horses had enough as well. He'd give me some pretty jewelry, I take him back to meet my folks and leave the next morning for a long and tedious trip via horse (camel) to show up meet the guy I'm going to marry, get shy, hide my face behind a veil and tadaa he brings me to his dead mothers house (tent) and we get married. Well, what would you say to that Mom and Day? You're daughter has gone off to the man she is going to marry. I cannot even fathom what must have been going through Rebecca's mind. But how cool that she was picked while serving. Maybe I should start walking around with a water jug to try to catch me a guy. Haha Alright, maybe not, but it would be cool to meet while both serving for the Lord. If a servant of a man ever shows up for me to come back to marry his master, pray I have the discernment to know if it is of the Lord. hehe.... until then I guess I just stick to serving the Lord till a servant shows up.

Good Night and God Bless!

Twenty- three...

So today was PALS class... very long, had a headache, went to be early!! Yay for sleep.

What I ate... protein shake, banana, salad, oranges, leftover stir fry, banana and peanut butter

What I read... Genesis 23

In Genesis 23, it talks about the burial of Sarah and how Abraham buys a plot from the Hittites to bury his dead. I think it is interesting that Abraham does not just accept the land from the Hittites but he instead purchases the land for probably far more than it is worth. I think that the Lord probably have him discernment, to know not to trust the people of the land, that he should purchase it, because Ephron was wheeling and dealing with Abraham and was taking advantage of him. I don't know how much I truly gleamed from this. Maybe just that it is okay to mourn the death of someone you love. There is a time for everything, even Jesus wept with Lazarus died.

Twenty-two...

So, today was yet again a not very exciting day, but informative and learning a lot. I have PALS class tomorrow. Somewhat nervous but still excited for it!!

What I ate.... protein shake, banana and peanut butter,a piece of chocolate, oranges, pita chips with cheese and hummus, orange chicken stir fry.

What I read Genesis 22….

¹ Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

² Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

³ Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. ⁴ On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. ⁵ He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

· Why does God test Abraham? Because he wants to show him his love and his provision, God wants to know that Abraham is a man of faith above all. Because Abraham loved his son and would not have wanted to sacrifice him, but he probably prayed the whole way there for the Lord to provide.

⁶ Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, ⁷ Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

⁸ Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

· It’s cool, because this phrase is true of our own lives as well. We ourselves should be sacrificed because we have fallen guilty of sin, but the Lord provides his son as our sacrifice and all we have to do is accept his gift and choose eternal life.

⁹ When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. ¹¹ But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

· It’s interesting when I hear this, because Isaac, must have been terrified, but he too believed and had faith that the Lord would provide and deliver him. It does not say the Isaac struggled or fought or ran down the mountain before Abraham had to bring him back up. What amazing men of faith.

“Here I am,” he replied.

¹² “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

¹³ Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

¹⁵ The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time ¹⁶ and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, ¹⁷ I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, ¹⁸ and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

¹⁹ Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba.

· It amazing how the Lord provides in our own lives. You have to have faith and believe and pray and he will show his righteousness in your lives. Lord for those I am praying for this week. Please take care of them and bless them abundantly for I love them all so much!!

God Bless and Good Night!

Twenty-One

Well not much to report today a new day. Worked in a new area of PACU, let the fun begin. Got to see a beautiful smile, which made my day.

What I ate...

Protein shake, bagel, banana with peanut butter, coffee, turkey burger with an orange, pita chips dipped in tuna and pepper jack cheese.

What I read:

I want you to read it too....

Genesis 21

The Birth of Isaac

¹ Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. ² Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. ³ Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. ⁴ When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. ⁵ Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

⁶ Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” ⁷ And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

⁸ The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. ⁹ But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, ¹⁰ and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”

¹¹ The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. ¹² But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. ¹³ I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”

¹⁴ Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.

¹⁵ When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. ¹⁶ Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob.

¹⁷ God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. ¹⁸ Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

¹⁹ Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

²⁰ God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. ²¹ While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.

²² At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. ²³ Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.”

²⁴ Abraham said, “I swear it.”

²⁵ Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. ²⁶ But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.”

²⁷ So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. ²⁸ Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, ²⁹ and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?”

³⁰ He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.”

³¹ So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there.

³² After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. ³³ Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Eternal God. ³⁴ And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

I love that the promise is fulfilled a son is born... a son from the promise of the Lord, however, the Lord remembers Ishmael and because the Lord had blessed Abraham through the boy, he too would become a mighty nation and the Lord took care of Hagar and Ishmael in their time of need. Just as the Lord takes care of us and provides for us. I just love this chapter so much because Abraham turns to God this time when Sarah asks him to send Hagar away, and the Lord provided for his son. The Lord is good and loving and merciful. How blessed we are that he remembers us and fulfills his promises to us. Thank you Lord, for all you have provided in my life, love, family, friends, a roof, provisions, fellowship, laughter and joy. Help me to live a life that is worthy of all you have done for me. Loving kindness has been a difficult challenge, but when I read stuff like this I realize how lucky I am and how loving kindness is such a small thing for me to do.

Good Bless and Good Night!

Day Twenty...

Well, I went to church this morning and enjoyed a story of a missionary in Morocco. Amazing stuff!! Then I came home and got ready to go paddle boarding in Austin with my friend Caitlin. So much fun!! I love paddle boarding we had a really great chat and it was a pleasant girls day out.

What I ate

Breakfast fruit, coffee and scone

Lunch: chicken sandwich

after paddle boarding snack: scone and fruit smoothie

Dinner: scone and pita chips with hummus.... feeling lazy today

What I read... Genesis 20

Abraham falls into his old ways again calling Sarah his sister and not his wife and thus she gets taken by another King, however, the Lord protects Sarah as she has submitted to her husband of which subjects her to being pulled into another mans harem. Sarah has a lot more patience than I do. If it was me, I don't think I would want to go through with it again. However, the Lord protects her. and in the end he takes care of all of them and they are delivered and blessed.

• V.16 To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.”

I love that the Lord covers Sarah and takes care of her and in the end she is blessed. Beautiful Love from the Lord.

God Bless and Good Night!

Day Nineteen...

Well, it's been 19 days and I've lost a total of 2 lbs. So, I think I am going to be a little more intense come monday. Its been a nice relaxing saturday, cleaned the house, bought groceries, went to church. Not much to report, but I got to sleep in till about 10 and it felt amazing!

What I ate...

Breakfast: I slept in till 10, let's be honest I didn't eat till lunch

Lunch: ramen noodles with egg

Snack: peanut butter with an apple and a nonfat Chai from SB.

Dinner: a couple of scones I planned to make for church, but I burnt them and ended up taking them paddle boarding instead.

What I read... Genesis 19

Let's be honest this would be a great chapter to just skip over but the Lord wants us to learn and glean from it. So, it starts off all dandy, Lot brings the men into his home to share a meal. Then it goes bad.... All the men of the town come to rape the men, Lot offers his daughters instead, the men tell Lot that the Lord is going to destroy the city, but Lot and his family hesitate, the wife turns to dust because she turns around, the sons in law of Lot and future husbands for his daughters burn up with the city. Lot chooses not to go to the mountains but the small town of Zoar, and it ends with them in a cave in the mountains and his daughters have incestuous relations with their father... gross, Gross and GROSS!!

I guess when I read a chapter like this I can't help but think of all the sin that was surrounding Lot at the time, kind of sounds like cities today, incestuous relations, homosexual relations, people wanting to kill people, prostitution, offering his daughters. I guess the best I can glean from this passage is the Love of the Lord, he gave the people a chance and they turned against him, he took Lot and his family out when they hesitated and he delivered them to the mountains safely. Thank you Lord, for sparing the cities we live in today. For I know the times that we live in our not pleasant times, just watch the news. Thank you for the chance to live, the chance to share your love and spread the good news.

Good Night and God Bless

Day Eighteen...

It is the 18th day of my transformation, which is a slow but steady process, today was weigh in day. I did not gain or lose from last week, so perhaps I have been too steady, we're going to up the ante for next week I think and be alittle more hard core again like the 1st week. I had my ACLS refresher course today. I greatly enjoyed the Major that taught the class he was hilarious. I loved that he would tell us when you see V Tach or V Fib, I want you to hear, A little theme song start playing in your head, a little Dun, Dun Dun DaDah! I got this! His exact words, "I want you to see that rhythm and think I got this, I know how to handle this. Get excited when you see that rhythm." Well, I'm not sure I'll ever truly be glad to see that rhythm, but I do feel more prepared for it, then I would have the first time I took ACLS class. Overall, a very entertaining class. I also got to see some of my old coworkers from Big Willie, which was fun, they had a Surprise Baby shower for one of the Airmen, it was fun, because I got to come down on my break and join in a little of the fun. I had a very lovely chat with my sister and my niece on the phone and then on skype. They make me happy!! I love my family.

What did I eat today?

Breakfast: Smoothie

Lunch: Pizza and a slice of cake (what's a baby shower, without the cake)

Snack: Protein Shake

Dinner: I don't know if I ate dinner, because I took a nap, I was so tired after stressing over the ACLS class.

What I read... Genesis 18...

So, in the previous chapter the Lord renames Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah... I really like chapter 18, but there is so much good stuff. I'm just going to hit home the stuff that really touches me everytime I read this passage. First of all Abraham sees 3 men walking and immediately, he takes them into his home and shows them an abundance of hospitality. Did Abraham know that it was the Lord, when he first saw them, or was that just his nature to invite an weary travelers into his home. I think both are true. I believe that Abraham had a servants heart and embraced them into his home, but I also think he had some sort of discernment from the Spirit that these men were of the Lord. I love that his heart is just to serve, to bring out the best to present to the men, a feast they had that night.

In v.9-15,

The Lord repeats his promise that Sarah will bear him a son by this time next year. I love that the Lord continually reveals his promises telling us repeatedly even after we have sinned that he is still going to bless us and deliver on his promises for our lives. I love that he not only calls Sarah out when she says that she did not laugh, but that he does not condemn her for it, but just tells her yes you did laugh. Just as we mock the things the Lord has promised us, thinking that such things could never be possible, but anything is possible through the Lord and though we laugh and do not believe at times, still he is faithful and delivers. When Sarah says that she did not laugh, it is almost as if she is saying that she is not a sinner, but the Lord does not rebuke her, he is not offended he just states, yes you did laugh... Because yes we are sinners and fall short of the glory of God, end of discussion, but he still loves us and still reveals and delivers on his promises and even sent his only son to die for us.

In v. 16-33

The Lord reveals his plan to Abraham that he is planning to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. This passage I think is so brave and bold of Abraham. I love it and I wish that I would take such things to the Lord sometimes. Abraham has Lot on his heart when he takes this to the Lord, and the Lord knew that. He allowed Abraham that ability to plead for his nephew and he does.... He starts out slightly timid saying not to destroy the city if he finds 50 righteous, and then becomes bolder as he fights for those he loves. He eventually asks the Lord to spare the city if he only finds 10 righteous. How often do we petition the Lord for our friends and Loved ones, to spare their souls and to allow the Lord to work in our lives to show them the blessing of being a child of God. I wish I was bolder like Abraham and able to share my faith more openly. However, I am not one of many brilliant words or memorable stories. But I want to live a life that people can see there is something different about me. The best way to share the Lord is through love and I do believe that I am doing that daily, if not with words, than hopefully with my actions.

I want to challenge myself in my loving kindness not just at work, but to those who try to cut me off in traffic as well. Wish me luck... it's going to be hard.

God bless and Good Night!

Day Seventeen....

Well, it has been a long and eventful day of flutterings and joyful smiles and just happy moments of being alive. I had some fun patients today. I had one that was half out of his mind coming off anesthesia, telling me of the fishes in his room. I love the things that people say. But my favorite was when he told me that I was too beautiful I must be an angel. Not only has being a PACU nurse been awesome for my nursing skills, but I think that I am definitely enjoying the daily confidence boosts of being told I'm beautiful. Coming from a girl that has never had a real boyfriend and really only been told by family and friends that you are pretty, out of what I consider common courtesy. Not that any of my friends are ugly, they are all beautiful and stunning and so is my family, which I think why sometimes I feel like I pale in comparison to the beauty that surrounds me. So, I guess you could say this job has also been a significant boost to my self esteem, even if my patients are high on drugs.

What I ate....

Breakfast: Fruit smoothie

Snack: Coffee

Lunch: Salad and apple

Snack: a cookie from the volunteers at work

Dinner: Ramen noodles with egg.

What I read....

The circumcision.... Now I know what you're thinking... this is right up my alley, surgeries, cutting away of the flesh and all that Jazz, but sometimes all I can think of when I read this, is really Lord this is the best you could think of to make a promise between man and God, to cut away some flesh from the men's privates parts... Why did you even make that part if you planned to have them cut it off anyways... Gross...

So after a little growing up I still think this is an interesting way to make a covenant, I don't know how many men walked around naked, but I do know that Adam and Eve discovered their nakedness in seconds of eating the fruit, so I have to assume that the people of Abram's day still walked around in fig leaves, or were now able to fasten some sort of cloth like clothes together if this is the case... than the covenant was not quite the outward showing that one would think the original intent had been. Instead it was more of a physical way to show how one's insides were as we are baptized they were circumcised. They cut away the flesh that was not needed for life, that could cause infection if not properly taken care of... and forgive my frankness, but overall made it look better.

As we in our spiritual lives need to do with our own fleshly tendencies and our desires of the flesh, we need to cut them out of our minds and our lives and live earnestly for the Lord, because they are not beneficial to life, they do nothing to enhance our lives, but by cutting them out of our lives we make ourselves pure and more beautiful to God. I know that I am not perfect and am far from it. But I hope that when people look at me, no matter how drugged up they are they see God's love shinning through me and showing them love. May it be you they see Lord and not me, for without you I am just an empty vessel that is floating in sea of uncertainty, but with you I have purpose and desire and passion to live each day to fulfill your plan.

Blessed be your name, Lord!

Day Sixteen...

Oh my work... another crazy busy day. I had a patient today that told me I was in the right field of work. Apparently, I have a very soothing voice to wake up to. Who knew? Well, I guess praise be to God for my soothing voice and calling into the nursing career path. I love my job. I really do and having patients like that always brings a smile to my face. Well... it was a busy day but a good day. And today I am quite certain that Major has now recruited more people to her decision in trying to set me up with one of the guys from anesthesia at work. Lord help me... he's nice and I just feel awkward when everyone at the front desk is concerned about my current relationship status. oh my oh my.

Well... what did I eat

Breakfast coffee and fruit. (If I know it's going to be a busy day I like to get some coffee on board.)

Snack: haha there was no time to eat

Lunch salad with apple and peanut butter eaten at 3pm.

Dinner stirfry left overs

After dinner snack: protein shake

What I read: Genesis 16

Sarai relies on flesh, when she should have relied on the Lord and worse yet... Abram follows her lead. I don't know who to be more upset with in this chapter.... Sarai or Abram... neither one prays or calls on the Lord when they decide to use Hagar as a babymaker for the kingdom of God. The best part of it all. The Lord still took care of Hagar in her time of need, when Sarai had thrown her out. He sends to her an angel with a message

You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your mercy. He will be a wild donkey of aman, his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand will be against him, and he will live in hostility toward his brothers.....

Amazing right... through all that sin, lies, deceit, hatred, hostility, anger, intolerance, abuse, abandonment, adultery the list goes one. (Perhaps this is where soap writers get their material.) The Lord still kept his promise to Abram and blessed Ishmael to become a man with many decedents and though he would go through trials, he would still be the father of a large nation, granted it would always be at war with Israel... but the Lord still kept his promise. So, who shall we dislike more... Sarai for suggesting it, or Abram for going along with it.... decisions. I guess neither since I do stupid stuff that causes others pain. I am just as bad so to hate one of them would be to hate myself for I am just as guilty. I guess we can say I learned from such mistakes. For I don't think I would ever had a maid servant to offer to my husband if I become unable to bear children... however, I now know it's a bad choice... so thanks Sarai and Abram for life lessons from the Bible. On that happy note, let's just leave with the amount of love the Lord had for both of them to strike them both dead with a lightening bolt and he still chose to use them as the means to create the great nation of Israel.

Good news... when we sin, the Lord forgives and forgets and removes our transgressions from his memory as far as the east is from the west. (slightly paraphrased)

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS!

Day Fifteen....

So... I had a very long day and was too tired to write about it yesterday. In fact I am still fairly tired now and am not feeling much like writing. However, I do not plan to get more than 1 day behind. So. in brief...

what I ate:

Breakfast:Coffee and some fruit

Snack: no time for food

Lunch ate at 2pm a salad and an apple with peanut butter that was supposed to be my snack

late snack: blueberry muffin

Dinner:egg salad sandwich- with jalapenos, cucumbers, and sprouts... delish

After dinner snack: protein shake

what I read Genesis 15

God's covenant with Abram... soon to be Abraham.... I usually always get caught up in the fact that the Lord makes a covenant with Abram, but does not require him to walk through the halved pieces of the animals because the Lord planned to fulfill the promise without Abram doing anything. In fact, Abram just laid there and the Lord said he would make a covenant with him and a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared out of mid air from the Lord to pass through the halves of the animals. CRAZY right?!? No wonder I always get soo stuck on that.

Today however, I found myself more intrigued by v.1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, you very great reward." This really seemed to strike home to me today. The Lord is my shield, he protects me and loves me and cares for me and he is my reward. I sometimes don't always take these promises to heart, for though they were written to Abram I know they are also written to us, the children of God.

His promises keep abounding. It's amazing we're able to do anything without first thanking God for all he's done for us. Every good and perfect gift comes from above.

Day Fourteen....

What a day. Back to grind of work. Oh how I love my weekends... Sadly the work week reappears. At least I love what I do.

I really felt my nursing judgement being called into question today. I had a patient who had hypertension and I had to get it under control. The medication that was prescribed was working but only very briefly. I felt slightly frustrated with my inexperience on what to ask that would be more effective for my patient. However, even in my inexperience I used my experience of asking for a second opinion and thus was able to help my patient and in turn was able to get his blood pressure under control!! HOORAH!! I also talked today with a girl that is joining the Air Force and leaves for COT in august. It was funny because it was just about a year ago that I was feeling the same nervousness, fear and anxiety that she is feeling now. I know that we all deal with it differently, but I am so glad I always have my faith to lean on in times of trials and troubles. Thank you Lord, for being my rock. Not only that but delivering me into my land of milk and honey, working as a PACU nurse in a large hospital and allowing me to gain so much experience I feel so completely blessed.

What did I eat today.... I was again bad.

Breakfast: Krispy Kreme donut

Lunch: 6in subway sandwich, chips and a small piece of cake

Dinner: Stir fry= Delicious

Post Dinner snack... I shouldn't have but peanut butter icecream. (Oops :/....)

What did I read.... Genesis 14

The story unfolds as a battle with the 4 Kings that were allied against Sodom and Gomorrah... and thus the battle occurs and in the process when the 4 Kings when and take off the people and possessions, Lot gets pulled in with the loot and someone escapes to go tell Abram... this picture reminds me so much of Jesus..... First we fraternize with sin, then we start to play with it more, then we start living near it, allowing it into our lives to come and go as it so chooses and then when you least expect it, it steals you away and takes you prisoner. Then Jesus hear a prayer sent up from someone that we need help and in he dives to save us from our sins. He leaves the whole flock that has not gone astray to save us. Now why would He do that? Because He Loves us, because he loved us enough to die on the cross from us, he fought even through death to save us. He literally fought to the death, died and still won. Now who wouldn't want to be on the kind of winning team. I know I do, I know I never say it enough, I never think it enough, I never pray it enough, but thank you Lord for dieing so that I could join your team! Not only a winning team, but an eternal team. Join the team if you haven't yet!

God Bless and Good Night!

Day Thirteen....

So.... Today was a free day we will call it. I went paddleboarding today and absolutely loved it. Spent the day with 2 great gals and hung out in Austin enjoying the sights and fellowship of friends.

What I ate...

Breakfast: scrambled eggs

Late Brunch: Breakfast Quesadilla

After Paddleboadring snack: chocolate chip cookies

Early Dinner: Chicken Ceasar Salad and hummus dip

After Dinner Drink: Passion tea with apple juice (Surprisingly good)

What I read... Genesis 13

In v.10 Lot lift up his own eyes and sees the lush green plains of the Jordan

In v 14 The Lord tells Abram to lift up his eyes and and makes another promise to Abram

Lift up your Eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All that the land you see I will give to you and your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.

I love the promises that keep on flowing from the Lord. Earlier in the chapter Abram repents and calls on the name of the Lord. Just as we often mess up and turn away from him. He still hears us when we call. Some days He feels miles away, but He's always waiting patiently for us to open the door back up. Thank you for always being a perfect gentlemen, Lord, even when I sometimes need to you break down my stubborn door. I appreciate your Love so much when you unfold your promises to me and uplift me in your ways and word.

Praise be to Him.

Day Twelve

So , yesterday was one big conglomeration of a day. I woke up and was chilling in my apartment... then I got a call from my friend Caitlin saying that some friends are going to go boating, I'm invited want to come... So, I got off my lazy butt and went over and hung out at Caitlin place till we discovered we were not going to go boating. So, we hung out there for a while till our other friends showed up and we just chatted, which was nice. Catching up on everyone's week. Then they left, then I left to go clean my apartment. I considered taking a nap but I really needed to clean my apartment. I was much pleased that I had cleaned for what happened later that evening. So, I went to the dinner for the people leaving at Saltgrass steakhouse and I got a little lost on my way, but I still made it there. I had a lot of fun chatting and getting to know some of the people from my work. I was glad to go for I had actually gotten to know these people and I will be very sad to see them go. I spent time with Belinda after, one of the people that is leaving and we went up to San Marcos and did a little window shopping and got a few things. Then we left came back to my place (I was glad I had previously cleaned it) and we watched a movie. It was cool, because we drove together and chatted a lot about life, and love and God. She recently added me as a friend on facebook and said that she saw I was a christian. I thought it was really cool that it opened doors to chat. We discussed the Lord's plan for our love lives and how it is important to be equally yoked and how having similar values is important, and how we, as women, need to let the man pursue you and not the other way around. I even had my Bible in the car, because I was thinking about maybe going to church after the dinner, and was able to point out a few things that I had written in my margins to certain scriptures. I'm glad I didn't go to church or I would not have been able to share so openly. The Lord is truly awesome that way. The way he presents little openings and you just have to listen and respond.

What I ate (I was very bad today)

Breakfast:scrambled eggs with feta cheese

Lunch: Sloopy Joes at Caitlins

Dinner: Chicken sandwich

Desert: I split a apple cobbler with one of my work mates.

I guess I could have eaten worse.

What I read... Genesis 12

I love this passage... whether it is because it reminds me of the first time I studied it intensely back in high school or if it just because the Lord is so astounding that provides that I love it... whatever the case this is one of my many favorite chapters in the book of Genesis.

² “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
³ I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”

I LOVE THAT! It is such a beautiful promise that the Lord makes to Abram and as his decedents, though probably not biological we are spiritually his dependents it applies to us. I really don't have much more I can say about this verse. Other than that it is wonderful... It is sad that not but a few verses later, does Abram fall back into his own ways and stops trusting on the Lord. But how often do we do that too. Give God all the glory and all our problems and worries and then the next morning we put them all back on our shoulders. Help me to give it all to you. Living for an audience of One.

Lord to you be all the Glory and Honor Amen!

Day Eleven...

So , I apologize for the delayed response on day 11, It was a work day and then I went out with some friends that night and I didn't get home till 11 and went straight to bed.

It was weigh in day and dun dun dun, I am up 2 lbs, but down 2 lbs overall still. So, I am still happy!

What I ate:

Breakfast smoothie

Snack: a krispy Kreme donut that one of our previous patients brought in to say thanks. ( I felt obligated to take one, since I helped take care of her).

Lunch: Salad

Snack: turkey and cucumbers

Dinner: thin crust healthy choice pizza

What I read... Genesis 11:

So, this is where I camped out in this chapter...

• This is the account of Terah’s family line.
• Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. ²⁸ While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. ²⁹ Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milkah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milkah and Iskah. ³⁰ Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive.
• ³¹ Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they settled there.
• ³² Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Harran.

I am always finding things I didn't really see before. Now the family of Terah, was Abram, Nahor and Haran, Haran has Lot and dies so, Terah takes him as his own. Terah also takes his son Abram and his wife Sarai, but why did they leave behind Nahor? Didn't Nahor want to come? Perhaps he had cleaved to his wife and her family and thus did not desire to go with them. Why did Terah decided to leave Ur, in the history books, Ur was a hip and happening place, The Lake Oswego if you know what I mean and Canaan was like going to the farming lands of Molalla, not a lot out there. I think the Lord was using Terah to move his family out of Ur and into Canaan, that He might speak to Abram and make his nation. The Lord saw something in Abram a righteousness for he believed. I think it is possible that the reason he probably had such faith is because his father was a man that had faith. I know in my own experience I may have eventually come around to the Lord, but it was eternally easier being raised in a home that believed in him that I would come to believe in him at an early age and thus be saved the heartache and troubles that could have befallen me more had I not had faith in the Lord. I think the Lord does give us only what we can handle, but some days I feel so invincible, because I feel I can handle anything as long as I have him.

He is all you need.

Day Ten....

So, tomorrow is weigh in and I'm not feeling very optimistic. I've been feeling uber exhausted and just obliterated. So, I'm writing early tonight in hopes that I go to bed early tonight!

What I ate

Breakfast Smoothie

Lunch:Salad

Snack:cucumbers and turkey burger

Dinner: thin crust healthy choice pizza

Snack protein shake

Genesis 10....

The Nations: Japhethites- the Europeans?, Hamites- Arab nation?, and the Semites- The Hebrews. Maybe because I'm tried maybe because I am just not in the mood to study the bible... Here is what I am going to do. Let's instead look at what Matthew Henry had to say....

Commentary on Genesis 10:1-7

This chapter is concerning the three sons of Noah, that of them was the whole earth was overspread. No nation but that of the Jews can be sure from which of these seventy it has come. The lists of names of fathers and sons were preserved of the Jews alone, for the sake of the Messiah. Many learned men, however, have, with some probability, shown which of the nations of the earth descended from each of the sons of Noah To the posterity of Japheth were allotted the isles of the gentiles; probably, the island of Britain among the rest. All places beyond the sea from Judea are called isles, Jeremiah 25:22. That promise, Isaiah 42:4, The isles shall wait for his law, speaks of the conversion of the gentiles to the faith of Christ.

Commentary on Genesis 10:8-14

(Read Genesis 10:8-14)

Nimrod was a great man in his day; he began to be mighty in the earth, Those before him were content to be upon the same level with their neighbours, and though every man bare rule in his own house, yet no man pretended any further. Nimrod was resolved to lord it over his neighbours. The spirit of the giants before the flood, who became mighty men, and men of renown, Genesis 6:4, revived in him. Nimrod was a great hunter. Hunting then was the method of preventing the hurtful increase of wild beasts. This required great courage and address, and thus gave an opportunity for Nimrod to command others, and gradually attached a number of men to one leader. From such a beginning, it is likely, that Nimrod began to rule, and to force others to submit. He invaded his neighbours' rights and properties, and persecuted innocent men; endeavouring to make all his own by force and violence. He carried on his oppressions and violence in defiance of God himself. Nimrod was a great ruler. Some way or other, by arts or arms, he got into power, and so founded a monarchy, which was the terror of the mighty, and bid fair to rule all the world. Nimrod was a great builder. Observe in Nimrod the nature of ambition. It is boundless; much would have more, and still cries, Give, give. It is restless; Nimrod, when he had four cities under his command, could not be content till he had four more. It is expensive; Nimrod will rather be at the charge of rearing cities, than not have the honour of ruling them. It is daring, and will stick at nothing. Nimrod's name signifies rebellion; tyrants to men are rebels to God. The days are coming, when conquerors will no longer be spoken of with praise, as in man's partial histories, but be branded with infamy, as in the impartial records of the Bible.

Commentary on Genesis 10:15-32

(Read Genesis 10:15-32)

The posterity of Canaan were numerous, rich, and pleasantly seated; yet Canaan was under a Divine curse, and not a curse causeless. Those that are under the curse of God, may, perhaps, thrive and prosper in this world; for we cannot know love or hatred, the blessing or the curse, by what is before us, but by what is within us. The curse of God always works really, and always terribly. Perhaps it is a secret curse, a curse to the soul, and does not work so that others can see it; or a slow curse, and does not work soon; but sinners are reserved by it for a day of wrath Canaan here has a better land than either Shem or Japheth, and yet they have a better lot, for they inherit the blessing. Abram and his seed, God's covenant people, descended from Eber, and from him were called Hebrews. How much better it is to be like Eber, the father of a family of saints and honest men, than the father of a family of hunters after power, worldly wealth, or vanities. Goodness is true greatness.

Well... truth be told I think he probably has better insight than I do. I'm exhausted, but I hope you enjoyed learning something new as I did too.

Good night and God bless

Day Nine....

So, I realized something yesterday I said I failed... but in truth I did not because I never set stipulations about what my food consumption had to be... I am trying to make a habit of eating healthier and not trying to set myself up for failure by only allowing myself some foods.

What did I eat

Breakfast Protein Shake

Snack: peanut butter M&Ms ( I swear she made me eat them... well she told me she didn't want to eat them alone... So I consumed some)

Lunch: Salad and orange

Snack: turkey, and cucumbers

dinner: thin crust healthy choice pizza

snack: frozen mango

Genesis 9...

In this chapter God blesses Noah and and his sons... He instates capital punishment in v.6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God has God made man." God tells them to increase and multiply in all the earth and he makes a covenant with Noah, his sons and life of the earth. He makes a rainbow as his covenant that he will never flood the earth again. After all this great and amazing blessings and joy and peace... Then you get Ham, the youngest son of Noah who sees his Dad getting drunk and laying naked. Ham tells his brothers and they go and cover him up and then Canaan, Ham's son gets cursed. Thee end. Kind of a great story with an obliterating end. Why would God list all that great stuff and then tell of how Noah got drunk and naked... really what have we to learn from this? Perhaps it is not Noah's actions we should be focusing on. In truth Noah may have been celebrating or perhaps something else was going on... I guess I cannot say much because I too have been drunk before in my life. I think the Lord wants us to focus upon why Canaan was cursed and not Noah's sins. For we all fall short, and we all sin, and we all do things we are not proud of. However, it is how you react to another's sins that I think the Lord wants us to focus upon. Perhaps, if Ham (some say it was Canaan, I guess we'll never really know till we get to Heaven.) had not acknowledged his fathers sin in such a way they it may have ended differently for Canaan. We should act like the older sons and not cover up or ignore the sin, but take care of the person, in their time of need. Love the sinner not the sin. You cannot clean someone from the outside in, Jesus must wash them clean from the inside out. If they aren't changed on the inside, why would they want to change their outside. In my own transformation it came from within, my desire to be closer to God, to stop complaining and change my physical appearance. If you are joyful on the inside, happiness will bubble out. Who knew that when I first read this chapter I would end up talking about salvation and happiness. However, I guess that's the cool thing about the Bible you can see the salvation message in basically every chapter, maybe not literally, but at least figuratively because the Love of God is in every word.

Good Night and God Bless

Day Eight...

So today I cheated on my diet.... :( It was surprise drawer tuesday and they had chocolate there. Instead of denying myself it totally I indulged in 2 pieces and it tasted amazing. I also indulged in a couple spoonfuls of peanut butter when I got home from work... It was just one of those days.

So what did I eat...

Breakfast: poached eggs with frozen fruit

Snack: a piece of chocolate

Lunch: Salad with orange

Snack: Cucumbers and turkey

Later snack: spoonful of peanut butter

Dinner: Tuna melt without the bread aka tuna and melted pepperjack cheese= delicious way better than another salad.

After run snack: protein shake.

I did run today. Although, I internally fought myself... I ended up going for a 3 mile run in 100 degree weather = a very exhausted Chelle.

Today I read Genesis 8...

This whole chapter is amazing and shows of Gods faithfulness and provision and love of man and his sorrow over the people that were lost. When I was young, I used to think that when the rain came down it was God crying. If the rain was from God crying I am sure he would have cried much more than 40 days and nights. I love the beginning of this chapter... v.1 "But God remembered Noah"- God remembers us. Truth is he never forgot us. He has a plan for our lives and we need to trust in him that though our thoughts and ideas of what is a good life may be different than what the Lord intends for us. I cannot help but think some days what am I doing out here.... So, far away from home, family, friends, everything I've known everything I had grown to love and treasure in my life is nothing with the Lord. He goes with me where ever I go. At church this past week the pastor said something that really struck me and has stayed with me. He said, "are you blooming where you've been planted." He talked of Jeremiah 29:11, and how people love to take that verse out of context. They don't mention that God promised the people they would be in that land for many years before he would deliver them. In fact most of the people he made the promise to would not even see it fulfilled but generations to come would see the promise fulfilled. Yes, God remembers us. However, we can't forget God. He needs to be the center of our lives and some days he is the only reason you get out of the bed, because you need to be blooming where he planted you, before you can grow somewhere else.

Lord help me to bloom, when I feel like I can't get out of my bud.... I mean bed.

Good Night and God Bless!

Day Seven...

It has now been one week. I feel exhausted today. I have had a headache all day and I have felt crappy all day. I think this is the prelude week to another more eventful week. If you too are female you probably know what I am saying. I have been craving simple sugars all day long! This has to be the hardest day of being on my diet yet.

I worked in the trailer's today as I will be doing all week. I found that I don't mind the trailers. However, I am unable to take short breaks and get a wee snack when my snack times are due and thus was starving and famished all day. I don't think I realized just how much those little snacks help.

So... what did I eat today

Breakfast: 2 poached egg whites and 1/2 cup of mixed fruit.

Lunch: Salad with 2 cuties

Snack after work: cucumbers and turkey

Dinner: scrambled eggs with dill and feta cheese (the thought of eating salad again just increased the pressure of my headache.

Snack: protein shake

Today I read Genesis 7...

A really good book to read when you are feeling self pitying and not desiring to do anything but just be lazy. In Genesis 7, Noah and his 3 sons build the ark.... it takes them 1 whole year and in that time they were not lazy, they did not feel sorry for themselves and they continued to work as other's made fun of them for it. All the stinky smelly animals come and walk into the ark... I don't know about Noah, but having not heard the story yet of Daniel in the Lion's den, I would have been super nervous and scared. Not only for 40days and 40 nights did it flood, but the water didn't recede for many days after that. Being trapped on the ark with the same people and animals for all that time... might be where they got the term cabin fever. I love my family dearly, but sometimes I wonder if we could last that long with out wanting to throw someone into the Lion's den. It sure would keep me in check.... "If you keep arguing with your sister or will put in the Lion's den." A verse that truly touched me was v.22 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in it's nostril died. I am so glad that the Lord later promises to never do it again.... Because in the days we are living in now, I wouldn't blame him if he did. Please Lord take care of those in places where they do not feel safe to walk the streets. I pray of the chosen people of God that they might come to know his son Jesus and all that he has done for them.

On a happier note and with a skip to my step I am off to bed after taking a little Tylenol to help with my headache.

-Good Nigh!