7 Experience :: Intro & Food Week 1

We [huband & I] are so excited to finally be taking the plunge and straight up doing the 7 Experience!  We have talked about it, prayed about the implications, mulled it over, and decided to jump in with both feet :)  We are doing it a little different than those in the book in that we are focusing on each of the seven areas for two weeks instead of the full month -- this was decided by the group that I'm tagging along with and also due to our sanity and braveness-level.  We feel that it will shape our life and have an impact in two weeks because we are doing it together and also have Jen's account to reflect on.  So, here it goes!

When I asked huband [yes, the no "s" is on purpose] why he decided to do this Experience with me, he said that he was hoping to "get rid of the junk."  I couldn't agree anymore!  Clearing out the junk means more room to hear from the Lord on how we get out of our rut and refill after this is all done.  I guess the main thing I want to get out of this fast from food, clothes, possessions, media, waste, spending, and stress is to free myself and my mind from the grasp I have on these things and that they, in turn, have on me.  I don't want to be like the Jones' -- and running a hundred miles an hour and getting nowhere fast.  I don't want to waste my life and my time and resources on things that don't matter.  Or, worse yet, waste my time on things that only benefit me.  I want to make a difference with my life and in my life and I feel like it's time to clear the slate.  Pare back.  Start from scratch and see what happens.  See what I'll learn.  Redefine our lives and how we're going to live them.  I know that my results will be different than my husband's, different than the others in the group, and different from yours.  But they will be what I need and I hope that my learnings will challenge you.  Maybe you need to redefine your life as well.  Or maybe you already have and you just need some encouragement.  Or maybe you think this is all completely wacko and you're reading this for a good laugh.  Regardless, thanks again for joining me on this adventure as we define how to be a steward over being a consumer :)

Spinach, avocado, chicken, period.

For our first fast the topic was food.  We all knew it would be the hardest and, therefore, could get us in the right mindset off the bat.  We each chose seven foods that we would be limited to over the next two weeks, so huband and I chose chicken, spinach, avocado, bananas, bread, rice, and nuts.  We chose these due to their protein levels, how much they fill us up, smooth vs. crunchy components, and carbs.  Yep, we could never be vegetarians or no-carbs in our house!  [A few things others in the group did different than us was substitute one of these with eggs, grapefruit, apples, coffee [yep, addict :)], green beans, sweet potatoes, yogurt, or black beans.]  We felt like we were off to a great start with things posted such as "Who knew the simplicity of spinach, chicken, and avocado would make such a great salad?!" and "Spiritual discipline, personal discipline, priorities, and sacrifice are the best ways that we can honor God. It is also the best way to hear from Him.".  We were super excited and adding foder to the #the7experience listings!

That lasted for about two days until we started texting things like, "I need food, I definitely don't have enough here" and "They went to Chipotle without me!!!".  Man, I never realized how dependent we are on food for social events.  Or how I eat whatever's around when I'm hungry (we're definitely getting rid of filler items around the house!).  I love eating only fresh and one-ingredient foods, but not a fan of no variety.  And poor huband -- he loves cooking and making up new recipes and there are only so many variations with only seven foods.  However, it is doing what we wanted.  It's clearing out the junk and making room for changes to come.  In those first few days when I was getting so many food headaches and couldn't figure out how much of what to eat, all I could do is pray that the Lord would grant me peace.  Pray that my life wouldn't just be about food and that food wouldn't be all I thought about.  Pray that I would be thankful that I have food when so many don't.  Excited to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children next week and that I can actually do something about others not having food.

So, what foods would you choose?  What seven foods do you think you could live off of?  What week are you most anticipating hearing about?  Pray for us as we wrap up week two and start to think of our seven clothes . . . after just buying some new summer clothes . . . 

Blessings on your week,
Marlana

Welcome!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog!  I have been an avid blog reader/stalker for many years now, perusing those on lifestyle, crafting, parenting, DIY -- you name it, I've probably visited.  I knew that if I ever joined this fantastic world of blogging that it would have to be for something that I was passionate about.  I also knew that the timing would have to be perfect because I didn't want to start and then not keep up.  Be excited -- I think now is that time ;)

There is much that I would love to share about myself but, for now, I'll start with the fact that my absolute favorite person right now is Jen Hatmaker!  

Me, my BFF Jen, Megan

Just kidding -- Jen and I are not BFF's, but she sure has had quite the influence on my life lately.  So, my Ladies Book Club picked Jen Hatmaker's book 7: A Mutiny Against Excess to read this past spring and, I am not kidding you, it has CHANGED.  MY.  LIFE.  There had already been something stirring in me -- a discontentment on how life was lived, if you will.  She helped put to words what I was feeling and, since then, the desire to live life differently has been on the forefront of my mind.

Flashforward to last week when my friend, Denae, sent me this text:

I'm meeting with a few girls from church to do the 7 book . . . like actually do the fast each month (but only for 2 weeks).  We're meeting this Thurs for the first time.  I thought of you . . . let me know if you'd want to do it with us.

Um, yes, please and thank you!  She had read my mind.  I had been wanting to talk to Denae about 7 because I could tell she was really wrestling with the topics in that book as well.  But I am beyond excited because I knew that this was the kick in the pants (and the accountability) that I needed.  It was all down hill from there . . . I'm starting this blog because I have some things I'd like to share with the world -- things I've discovered, things I've read, things I'm thinking, things others are doing, new ways to do things.  I am excited that you are joining me (or at least checking on what all the fuss is about)!  I know that I'll be talking about my 7 Experience, but also some other tidbits along the way and more to come.  I am excited for your feedback, your excitement, and our now-changing friendship :)

Blessings on your week,
Marlana