Fridays(ish) In The Desert - Acts

First and foremost, two moments of awesomeness from this weekend:

1) Hayden won this trophy in a debate tournament:

 For those of you who understand debate: Due to issues with his partner, Hayden switched from policy debate to Lincoln Douglas debate halfway through the season.  This was his second tournament doing LD and he was in 1st place right up until the final round when he lost to a girl he beat earlier in the season.  He is mostly proud that the judge in two of his rounds started their notes with, “I really didn’t want to vote for this case but … ” It brings delight to his soul to be right in such a wrong way.

For those you who do not understand debate:  How cool is that trophy?  It’s a bobble-head!  I think all trophies should be bobble-heads.

2) Our neighborhood association finally handed out prizes from the Christmas Lights contest and guess who won?

That’s right:  Rich did.

Which shall make him insufferable for several holiday seasons to come but since he did get the lights down in a reasonable time frame this year and since first prize came with a restaurant gift certificate for $50, I’m going to roll with it.

And now for my thoughts on the book of Acts:

Um … . I can’t really comment.  I only read the first three chapters which are action packed.  Like, if you made those three chapters into a movie it could be two hours long action packed.  My brain is too fried to pick it apart and comment.

Also?

I’m lazy.

BUT I am moving forward with my plan to give up/change 40 things in 40 days for Lent which starts this Wednesday.  Several Catholic readers pointed out that I stink at both theology and math and that there are actually 46 days in the Lenten season because Sundays don’t count. 

Apparently, Catholics take Sundays off from whatever they are fasting.  I’m afraid if I do this, I’ll go hog-wild over indulging so I’m just going to refrain from adding items on Sundays.

Here is my list of things to give up:

1. Coffee
2. Sugar
3. Snooze Alarm
4. facebook
5. Words with Friends
6. Television
7. Cheese
8. Secular music
9. Bread/tortillas
10. Electric Blanket
11. iPad
12. Changing into jammies/sweats when I get home
13. Evening shower
14. Cereal
15. Raising my voice
16. Gossip
17. Chocolate
18. Popcorn
19. Chips/crackers
20. Pop/Crystal Light/Juice
    
21. Worry
22. Complaining
23. Fast food
24. Close parking spaces - go to the end
25. Breakfast
26. Driving to work when it’s over 40 degrees out
27. Leaving laundry unfolded
28. Eggs
29. Between meal snacks
    

These are the things I will add in:

1. Donate blood
2. 1st 15 minutes of the day reading Bible
3. Last 15 minutes of the day reading Bible/prayer
4. Gratitude journal
5. 45 minutes of exercise every day
6. Daily random act of kindness
7. Memorize Sermon on the Mount
8. Take Reagan out
9. Take Faith out
10. Take Hayden out
11. Take Rich out

I’m going to print them out and cut them up and put them all in a bowl.  Starting Tuesday evening I’ll draw out an item and whatever is on it starts the next day and continues to the end.  On the days I blog, I’ll just put a little note at the end with what I have drawn since the last post.

I have strong feelings about what order I’m hoping everything comes in (please oh please may I not have to walk to work for 40 days) so I think it’s best if I give up the control of this and let it happen as it comes.  The whole point here is to create a “desert” for myself in the hopes that the discomfort makes me turn to God instead of to my usual crutches.

My guess is that this is going to be painful, unpleasant and in the end won’t turn out in any way I hope it will.  But nothing ventured, nothing gained I guess.

If you need me between now and Tuesday I’ll be sitting in front of the TV stuffing my face, playing in my iPad and complaining.

Also?  In case you missed it, I wrote a guest post for Sometimes I Veg on what I would feed a vegan foolish enough to come to my house for dinner.  You can read it here.

Comments

[Tabitha (From Single to Married)]

that's quite the list - good for you! And I agree, bobble heads make the best trophies!

[Sarah H.]

I agree with everything but breakfast...you can't give that up, it's the most important meal of the day!! I would pass out if I skipped breakfast.

[The Lumberjack's Wife]

the bobble head is awesome. Congrats to Rich and good luck with your list! I am impressed :)

[missy jill (What's Going On Here?!)]

Yay for Hayden and Rich, and Yay for you! I can't take the suspense.

[Christina]

I'm thinking you could coin a phrase...something like Fat-Caffeinated-Wired-Warm-Electronically Medicated-Comfy-In Control Tuesday? Please note: This made a LOT more sense in my head before I wrote it.
You are very brave. I believe deep down inside myself that "painful, unpleasant, and in the end won't turn out in any way I hope it will" is usually the part where we learn the most, grow the most, and are likely to find a way to greater and deeper joy. I usually don't like the way the path looks, though, and rarely take it. I am going to pray that this changes for me, because, honestly? The alternative hasn't really been all that delightful. :P You are quite inspirational, in the best way possible. Thank you for sharing this journey.

[Christina]

P.S. I totally vote for living on Cheerios. Or Life.

[Sherene]

Lol i should do this!! I'll start writing:))

[Megan (Best of Fates)]

That is the coolest trophy I've ever seen.

Ever.

[Leisa]

Great list, Mindee. If you text me the drawing of the day I will pray for you - and I might even join you if possible. The walking to work simply wouldn't work. Highly unproductive for me. But inspiring list! I'm still working on my preparation ideas. I'll let ya know.

I'm springing for a bobblehead trophy if you succeed.