Catch Up

Tulips in Colonial Williamsburg

Today is a beautiful spring day and I'm sitting by the back door, which is opened with the sun pouring in and a beautiful, gentle breeze flowing through.  When I started "fasting from Facebook", it was cold and snowy outside. I love the seasons - and this is a very welcomed spring!

I've been "fasting from Facebook" for the season of Lent. However, I must admit, I have had to cheat a few times. I stay connected with family there, and there have been some family issues that I felt required me to check Facebook from time to time.

I also see that I have missed a lot from friends, when I log in for quick family updates. I have two friends that have lost loved ones since I have been "off" - two, that I know of, that is (from the quick log ins for family checks).

But, what I've learned from this experience is that I had been spending WAY too much time online. I love to read and one thing would lead to another. There are so many fun posts from a lot of different people and I love to read so many of them (even if I don't click "like"). Because of the time off, I have spent my time more productively - well, sometimes.

I missed my one game that I allow myself on Facebook, so I downloaded Candy Crush on my phone and that filled the game void. I completed the game as far as I could go without having to rely on friends. Once I got up to that level, I deleted it from my phone. I don't think anyone saw my request for "help". So, I now play Mahjonng all alone.

Another thing I have learned from my fast is that I prefer a phone call, letter or even an email for communication. I've been doing more texting than usual and I hate texting. What could be a two minute conversation over a phone call ends up being a forty-five minute text. Sigh. Just call. It's so much more efficient.

I've Skyped a bit more with some friends I haven't seen for awhile and that's been totally fun. I love Skype (or Google Hangout). It's fun to see someone's face and they are so gracious when they catch me without my make-up on or my hair fixed. We still have fun.

And, I think I will unsubscribe to a lot of the things I've subscribed. It will just make for a "cleaner" environment on my Facebook newsfeed. It will also keep me from reading too much online.

I've done more reading offline and have been enjoying old radio shows and audible books.

I've thought about breaking my fast early so that I can keep up better with family matters. I'm not sure just yet, but I'm thinking about it. So, stay tuned. It's almost over - one way or the other.

I miss you and will be glad to hear from you all when I return.

A Fabulous Concert AND I Cheated On My Facebook Fast

Last night we went to a concert and I just HAD to share with my Facebook friends, so I quickly posted from my phone. It was just too exciting not to share. So, I cheated on my Facebook fast.

As well, I've found myself sharing posts from other websites, when given the chance. However, I have done very well in that I have not logged onto Facebook and sat there and read absolutely everything that has posted to my wall, like I was doing before. Sometimes I'd sit there and read for over an hour. Well, I love to read. I see a link, click it and read that article. Then, I'll go back and do it over and over again. And, of course, I have to click on all the photos and recipes and look those over thoroughly.

I must say, that I am finding better use of my time, although sometimes I do miss the good little reads the Internet offers so freely. I think I'll be glad when my fast is over and I can go back to check what's up on Facebook and read my articles, see the photos of all the cute little kiddies and see what my friends and family are up to after all this time. I'm starting to miss it. It wasn't so hard, at first. But, I am beginning to feel a tug.

Hampton Coliseum

Our concert last night was a lot of fun. We went to the Third Day and Skillet concert presented by Food For the Hungry - a Christian concert to raise money for children in Africa. There were a lot of wonderful artists and it was great to be in the huge coliseum with all those other Christians.

The concert kicked off with We As Human. They were a little too hard rock for us, but they were very talented and had a lot of wonderful lyrics and great testimony.

They were followed by Brandisa - better known as Brandon Heath and Mandisa - both fabulous voices and they make a great duet; although we highly apprciate their solo voices just as much. Boy, did they have some energy up on that stage. And Mandisa was really going all over the place in those VERY high red heels. I think I would've toppled over doing most of the moves she was making! Lots of energy there. The guitarist from Skillet came out on stage to do a number with Brandon Heath and that was crazy.

Later, there was Peter Furler, who sang "He Reigns", which - of course - was awesome. That three person band can really put out a lot of good sound!

Third Day

They were all followed by Third Day, which I totally loved AND - be still my heart - Skillet!!! Wow - can those bands really put on a show! The light show was amazing. Skillet literally rocked the packed coliseum. I mean, my seat was actually shaking and I could feel the floor pounding under my feet!

What a night!

Next month, we are looking forward to seeing Aaron Shust in concert along with MIKESCHAIR, Johnny Diaz and Lauren Daigle. If you are in my area, you should check it out, grab some tickets and come on over.

(Be sure to click on all the links to listen to some awesome music. The link to Food for the Hungry will take you to their website for more information on their project. The link to Aaron Shust will take you to ticket information for his concert. Have fun and enjoy the music.)

Nature and Facebook Fast Update

Pine After Rain

It's been well over a week since my last blog and it was my intention to blog most days. However, just my mundane daily life was happening and there really wasn't anything of interest to share.

However, we've been having all sorts of different seasons in a short amount of time. It's raining today - a cold, blistery rain. Yesterday it was rain, sleet and SNOW on St. Patrick's Day! The day before that, it was 70 degrees and sunny outside and the backyard was full of very happy birds chirping loudly.

In spite of all the different seasons every day, they have all been beautiful one way or another - in their own ways.

I saw that my daffodils are blooming. I picked all the ones that had bloomed and brought them inside - just a few small ones. I was afraid the sleet and snow would kill them and thought I'd enjoy their beauty inside. My vinca is blooming and I love my vinca. My grandmother had some and it always reminds me of her when I look at it. The lilac bush that my husband gave to me for my birthday years ago has buds on it. There is hope and signs of a coming spring promised from nature.

I started this blog for Facebook friends who said they would miss me. I have been trying to fast from Facebook through Lent. However, Facebook seems to be everywhere, even when I'm not on Facebook. Things I see online all have that "share" button that links to Facebook, so I can post without really having to be on the site. I've done that a few times. I'm not sure if that qualifies for the fast or is that considered cheating? Hmmm.... I don't know.

I rather miss being on there, but I don't miss being on Facebook as often as I had been prior to this fast. I think I was getting on there too much, which is one of the reasons I decided to do this. I needed to pay attention to other things going on around me and since I've been off of Facebook, I've had some added blessings in my life. I'm not saying that they are related to Facebook, at all, but I think because I am using my time in a different way, it has led me down a different path to better experiences.

I've been keeping in touch with some via Google+, Twitter, emails and Skype. So, that has been fun.

However, I'll be glad when I can get back on and check up on what everyone has been doing. I miss seeing the photos - especially the children. I wonder if there have been any birthdays I've missed. And I wonder how tall the grass has grown on my game.

It's A Beautiful Day!

Ichibon's in New Towne

I love the cute little pink box.

After we went to get our worship on this morning, we headed off to Ichiban's in New Towne for lunch. They have great Chinese food and equally great service and atmosphere. We both got General Tso's chicken with fried rice and spring rolls. The salad had a wonderful carrot and ginger dressing. I'm going to have to search for a similar dressing recipe. It's was something different and we both love fresh homemade dressings.

We walked over to the Williamsburg Cupcake to grab a 24 carrot cupcake to share for dessert later. I just had a bite and that was enough sweet to last me for awhile. You could taste the butter in the cream cheese frosting. Delicious! For $2.75 for a regular sized cupcake, it's a pretty good cupcake. I think it's a bit pricey compared to other cupcake shops I've been to, but we had to try it. It was very sweet and very rich. Definitely worth the try. However, we both agreed we didn't think we'd go back. It was just a bit too rich and sweet for us and we thought it was just a bit too high for it's size.

I saw the Son Of God today! (Not everyone can say that.)

Then, we walked over to the movie theater to grab some tickets to see the Son Of God (the movie, not the person - lol!).

The movie was very good, but as always, the book is better. Some details were left out, added or re-arranged. I suggest reading the Gospel of John for all the true details. Other than that, it was an excellent film produced by Rona Downey (who also plays Mary, mother of Jesus during His adulthood).

And I ALWAYS love hearing the song they played during the credits, "Mary, Did You Know". Click here to hear the song and see some scenes from "Son Of God" (the video says it is from Rona Downey's movie last year, "The Bible". I didn't see that one, so I'm not sure, but they are the same scenes from "Son Of God'.)

If you get a chance, I highly recommend it, but read the book of John first. I'm just kind of a stickler for details.

The Farmer's Market is Open for the Season!

Off to the Farmer's Market

Spring is here - well, almost! It's a beautiful sunny day with spring like weather and we went out to enjoy it!

Our Farmer's Market opened today for the season and half the town - and their dogs - were there. One man said his dog was excited because the Farmer's Market was opened. (I wonder how his dog knew that because I don't think my dogs know it even exists.)

There were lots of good smells and wonderful things to see. We ended up buying some meat and I bought a little tiny jar of jam. (See in the picture below.) I loved the little jar because we don't eat too much jam, so it was a perfect find.

On our way back to the car, we decided to find a bench and sit and drink our coffee. (I had brought a thermos because the morning was still a bit cool.) We couldn't resist reaching into our bag of Farmer's Market finds and tearing off a piece of the delicious focaccia bread we had purchased from a bakery in Richmond.

Our Farmer's Market Finds

Going back home, we stopped at Moe's to share a plate of delicious nachos. Oooo, I can still taste that gooey, melted cheese.

After that, we ran some errands and came back home. It's been a beautiful Saturday.

Comment below and let me know what you were up to this weekend - or send me an email. I'd love to hear from you.

I Need To Use My Forces

Freedigitalphotos.com by Ambro

I was missing Facebook this morning, for the first time, while I was drinking my coffee. I wanted to log on and read my "paper" while I drank my coffee. It stayed on my mind, but the dogs were kind enough to divert my attention.

Later,while I was sitting in a waiting room today, waiting and waiting with nothing to read, I got out my cell phone to play with due to pure boredom. Without even thinking, I clicked on my Facebook icon and started reading a few things. But, then I caught myself and got off right away.

It reminded me how easily we can fall back and slip into an old habit without even realizing what we are doing unless we are on our toes and paying constant attention.

There's nothing wrong with Facebook, but what I'm trying accomplish is breaking a habit of spending too much time on there and being more productive. They say it takes three weeks to break an old habit, so I'll be glad when I hit that mark. Maybe it won't be so tempting.

I think today has been the hardest this week on my Facebook fast. I guess I didn't do so bad, but I need to think of something else to do to replace this habit. It seems when I'm bored, or tired and just want to sit, that is when I want to log on.

It's okay to mistakes. We just need to use our forces and stop when we realize that is what we are doing and just continue on our journey.

Here's a little motivational poem for you today.

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Your Forces and How to Use Them

by

Christian D. Larson

“Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.” 

Facebook Temptations

My new jacket

Have you ever been wrapped up by someone you love with a warm, cozy blanket; or someone has given you a soft, comfy robe or big, floppy sweater to envelop you with warmth?

That's what my new pink suede jacket is there - a covering of warm love. Someone dear to my heart has given me that soft, warm jacket. I wore it today and I felt covered in their love and thoughtfulness. Even though we are miles apart, I could feel that person with me the whole time I was wearing the jacket.

While I was in a Bible study today, I had lots of Facebook temptations come my way. I no longer carry a physical Bible with me because the weight of it is too much for my arms these days. Instead, I use a Bible app on my phone and use the hard copy at home for study. 

So, while I was listening to Bible study and using my phone for Bible references, I could see that I was getting lots of notifications from Facebook. Lots. 

I knew this would happen and I thought about stopping the notifications so that I wouldn't be tempted during Lent, but I chose to allow them to come through. I found it thought-provoking that the only time today I have had those notifications come through was during my one hour of Bible study. Was I tempted? Yes. I was tempted to see my cousin's pictures of her trip. I was tempted to read an email. But, I didn't. So far, I've kept my commitment and haven't given in.

I want to see where this fast from Facebook for Lent is taking me. I want to use it to concentrate more on God and less on Internet. I want to take this time to get closer to knowing who God really is. I want to know better how to feel the warmth and comfort of His loving kindness and mercy. I want to feel wrapped in His blanket of love. I want to be wrapped in Jesus and His love for me. And I want Him to know my love for Him. I want to give it all back, as best as I can.

When I have temptations, whether they are from my Facebook fast, or otherwise, I know God is there with me to pull me through.

This morning when I was getting dressed, I heard this song and thought of you. It's one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artist's.  Click here to listen. I hope you like it.

BTW - I know I have a lot readers. Let me hear from you by commenting below. If you comment on the Facebook post, I won't see it. More later. :-)

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Psalm 33:18-22

New English Translation (NET)

18 Look, the Lord takes notice of his loyal followers,
those who wait for him to demonstrate his faithfulness
19 by saving their lives from death
and sustaining them during times of famine.
20 We wait for the Lord;
he is our deliverer and shield.
21 For our hearts rejoice in him,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May we experience your faithfulness, O Lord,
for we wait for you.