7 // CLOTHES // Day 7

Remember when I read Jen Hatmaker's book: "Seven: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess". And I was all fired up to fast throughout 2015. I did a media fast in January and it was AWESOME. Then February hit and I lost another baby. Grief took it's toll and then I decided to train for a run  ½ marathon instead. 

So here I am, (a little more than) halfway through the year and finally getting back to it. And it wasn't even really my idea. I was honestly okay with just putting the whole "Seven" concept on the back burner, but my friend Karla asked if I'd join her in only wearing 7 articles of clothing this month.

No makeup (though I did wear a little mascara to church on Sunday). No jewelry (except I did decide to keep wearing my wedding ring...maybe I shouldn't have...but I did). And aside from underwear, one set of pjs, and workout clothes I've been sticking to it.

1 dress

1 cardigan

2 pairs of shorts

3 tank tops

BAM!

And actually, it's way easier than I thought it'd be. I'm realizing that I think other people care way more about my appearance than they really do. I haven't mentioned it to Josh and he hasn't even noticed that I've been wearing the same items for the past week.

I think the no makeup piece is honestly the hardest for me. I really don't like my face without makeup. And aside from a few conversations with close friends, I've been trying not to mention it. I think it's good for me to become more comfortable in my own skin, without the need to explain to people why I'm not wearing any make-up. 

So here's a few pics from this round of 7 so far.

Not sure why my hand is on my stomach like that. No, I'm not pregnant. And photo credit goes to Harry. He's getting pretty good at taking pics with my phone.

My pjs have barely been worn because its SO HOT in the PNW this summer. But first thing in the morning I've been enjoying my coffee and journal in my pjs.

These jean shorts and I have become well acquainted ;) Also, yummy Fourth of July treat!

Here's one of my limited ensemble choices. Like I said...these shorts have become bff's.

I'll post more in a week or so when I'm farther along on this whole journey. Thanks Karla for encouraging me to give it a go with you. It helps knowing you're doing it too!

...Up Next

2 0 1 5    Y E A R    M A P

Month One:  M E D I A

Month Two:  P O S S E S S I O N S

Month Three:  F O O D

Month Four:  W A S T E

Month Five:  C L O T H E S

Month Six:  S P E N D I N G

Month Seven:  S T R E S S

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M O N T H    T W O   -   P O S E S S E S S I O N S

Josh and I are taking a vacation in EIGHT days.

Whew.

We seriously cannot wait.

This is our first vacation without Harry. We've left him overnight a couple of times, but never for a full-blown vacation. I know we'll miss him like crazy...but we really need this. After losing the baby this fall it's been a tough go. While I'm doing so much better mentally and emotionally, the loss really took a toll and life just hasn't slowed down. With work, the holidays, and Josh moving into a new detective position, we've found that our time together is limited and usually reserved for our most tired moments. Quality time just the two of us is practically a miracle.

So I figured it'd be best to start "month two" when we return. I should also probably reread this section of  Jen Hatmaker's book "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" before I launch in.

Maybe that'll be some of my vacation reading.

I'm actually JAZZED to be getting rid of possessions!

I've got a pile of clothing that I've already prepared to give away, but I anticipate that this will only be the tip of the iceberg. Coming out of a season of lots of giving/receiving, I'm excited to scour our belongings and find meaningful ways to give our stuff to people who need it much more than we do.

I just read this convicting portion of Mark today at church. When a rich man came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, this was Jesus' response:

"And Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.' Disheartened by the saying, he [the man] went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."  Mark 10:21-22 ESV

Oh, how I want to respond differently than this man. What a shame that he walked away. How sad that he turned from Jesus and chose his possessions over the only One who can bring us freedom, peace, and salvation.

I want to choose Jesus over my possessions. And I think that God has a lot to teach me in this area.

So when we return from vacation, I'll be back here to blog about this next area of fasting.

 Lord please humble me and show me how You long for me to change in this area of my life!

MEDIA :: Reflections

Well it's clearly February. I thought it might be a good idea to sit down and reflect a little on my blog about how the Media Fast went and what I learned.

Surprisingly, a month without media went pretty quickly. I missed TV the most at first, but now that I made it through the first month I hardly think about watching it. The only show I've watched in the past week was Parenthood. I missed the last four episodes of the series (as they aired during my fast) and since I've followed the whole series and loved all of the characters, I enjoyed seeing how they wrapped up the show. There were many tears as I said goodbye the the Braverman family; I'm not ashamed to admit it. I may go back and watch the final episode one more time. It was just so good!

Aside from Parenthood though, I have had no desire to watch TV. Netflix has remained untouched, and I still find myself listening to music or reading books which is a quieter and more fulfilling change.

On the other hand, I have been happily indulging in Instagram. It was the first thing I did on February 1st was redownload Instagram. And I don't regret getting back on. I did "unfollow" quite a few accounts that I used to follow. Not because they're not inspiring people (many Christian authors, and women who run businesses and/or fabulous blogs), but I find that with too many accounts to keep up with I was checking Instagram too frequently, or breezing through trying to "catch up" but rarely able to take the time to actually look at the photos in my feed.

With less photos to peruse, and less of a "pull" to my phone now that I broke my habit of constantly checking it...it feels good to be back on. I like seeing a few inspiring photos, and little peeks into the daily lives of my friends and family.

I took a month off. It was nice to have a breather, and now I can come back with a fresh perspective and a mind that's not compulsively opening the app whenever I grab my phone.

Overall, the fast slowed me down. It reminded me that I don't have to be "plugged in" to my technology all the time in order for my life to be meaningful. God spoke to me in various ways, and reminded me of the importance of relationship maintenance. The kind that takes intentionality and face-to-face quality time. Some positive changes have resulted and I'm looking forward to becoming a better friend in 2015.

I feel the beginning of a change that God has been working on in my heart. It's starting to take shape and so far it looks like a more "present" version of myself.

As I keep journeying through this year, I'm excited to see what God continues to do. He's nudging me to change. And He's equipping me to...with a tender and gentle grace that says "I am with you" and "I will never leave you" in the process.

Now I better go check back on my first blog to see what I had planned to fast from next. I wrote it in a blog post, but should probably write it out on paper ;) lol!

I May be Crazy, but Here Goes...

We started going to a new church in September. The idea was planted before we lost the baby, but when we actually took the plunge our baby was gone, making it a sweet and painful time to uproot and start fresh in a new community.

God clearly knew what He was doing. Doesn't He always?! You'd think after following Jesus for over a decade I would have learned by now that He, the Creator and Maker of the universe (not to mention my heart), would know what He was doing. 

Anyway, it was scary and a tad bit overwhelming. I have a hard time going in halfway. When it comes to community I tend to open up and bear my soul (which often involves tears), I wish I could hold back, but for some reason this is how God has created my messy heart. Literally on my sleeve. I've been told by others who have been witness to my tears and vulnerability in the context of community, that it's refreshing and frees them up to be vulnerable as well. I have also spent many years believing that I am too much. Too emotional. Too overwhelming for other people to handle. The darn devil literally wants to turn what God clearly intended for good into something I feel ashamed of.

Thankfully the Holy Spirit's voice is stronger. It may be softer...but it is certainly more powerful than the lies that so easily entangle.

I'm not in any way "there" yet, but I am learning to listen to the voice of the Lord, and nothing else. At least that's what my desire is. I am praying that 2015 changes my heart to be more in tune with my Maker.

Back to our new church, and the new study I began in the Fall.

As a small group we read the book "Interrupted" by Jen Hatmaker, and it literally: ROCKED. My. World.

I'm still reeling from it. I am not kidding. This book stirred up in me a desire for a different kind of life. A different kind of faith. One that looks nothing like the faith life I have known up until this point. But with this heart-shift comes a lot of questions. Practically speaking, how does this play out in my day-to-day life? If I knew the answer, I would be happy to share it here...but I am still trying to wrestle with it all.

I wasn't ready to set Jen's ideas on the shelf, so I decided to read another one of her books. She is one of the most honest, witty, encouraging, and challenging authors I have ever read.

Enter "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess". Also by Jen Hatmaker. Seriously, if you do one thing this week, go buy this book. Or check it out from the library. I've checked it out at least twice three times from the public library digital collection (sorry Jen, I'm cheap) ;) but seriously I keep reading and re-reading it.

Thank you Karla for recommending this book to me (oh, a year or two ago). I finally gathered enough courage to actually read it...and I am SO THANKFUL that I did!

So...after reading through Jen's journey, I've decided that it's time to embark on my own journey. I am excited and terrified at the same time. But I am pretty much certain that if I take a step GIANT leap of faith, Jesus is going to change my heart and life, to the degree that at the end of 2015 I will not be the same woman that I am today.

Here is my plan.

I am going to be fasting throughout the next year.

One month at a time.

One area of my life at a time.

I will fail many times I am sure. And I will also be covered in grace.

And that's pretty much all I know at this point.

I have a plan for the first month, and I have a "map" for the year as a whole, but beyond that I am going to figure it out one step at a time.

I may be crazy, literally, but I need to do something drastic to reset my habits, and jumpstart my heart. I want change desperately, and I know myself all too well (creature of habit that I am); unless I do something completely new and different I can already picture myself a year from now - pretty much the same person I am looking at in the mirror today.

So, here goes. 

Jesus, bring on 2015. I may not be ready, but I know You are!!!

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2 0 1 5    Y E A R    M A P

Month One:  M E D I A

Month Two:  P O S S E S S I O N S

Month Three:  F O O D

Month Four:  W A S T E

Month Five:  C L O T H E S

Month Six:  S P E N D I N G

Month Seven:  S T R E S S

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M O N T H    O N E   -   M E D I A

Lord help me. I think this may be the hardest for me, which is why it is most certainly up first in the line-up. For the next 30 days, I will be abstaining from media.

No TV (which includes TV watched online or on Netflix). No radio (unless it's classical music). No Instagram. No blog-reading. No phone games or random entertaining apps. Limited texting. Email only once per day. 

I am terrified. 

But I am also craving the quiet that will inevitably come along with this fast. Quiet to pray. To read God's Word. To read other books. To look into the eyes of the people I am with and live in the moment. To look around and behold the glory of God in the world around me.

Goodbye Media. 

I am sure I will miss you. 

But my hope is that I will gain so much more than I am missing.

[ more blogging to follow as I learn and grow over the next month ]