At the beginning of this year, I did something called the Daniel Fast.  Its a 21 day diet where one eats only plant based foods or "pulse" food that comes from seed.  During this time, the idea is to empty the body of chemicals and such and focus on prayer.  My own personal reasons for fasting were to pray about a few very specific things.  One was my children and their need for the Lord.  One was my own battle with the idolotry/love of food.  And the last one was for my churches upcoming "Prayer Awakening".  Along with praying for my staff and the people around me, I was praying for a fresh new filling of the Holy Spirit in my life.  I wanted to know Jesus like I've never known him before. 

It is now the middle of March and I am still seeing the answers to those prayers come rolling in!  God is SO good!  Our prayer awakening is at the end of this month and I believe all 3 of my oldest children will be attending at least one of the sessions!  Along with this, my 13 year old daughter, has finally said yes to being on the worship team for the youth group.  I am praying that this will deepen her love for the Lord, by immersing her in 2 hour worship practices once a week!  I do not want this to be about her being on a platform, but rather about her growing deeper in Christ and learning something new about worshipping the Lord.  I have used this opportunity to pray more specifically now and have had a conversation with her about what leading worship really means.  Its been amazing and she even admitted to hoping that this would bring her into a deeper relationship with the Lord.  :)

God has been blessing me in ways I never thought possible!  I always thought that God would only provide for my needs, but lately He has gone beyond that and even given me little gifts that warm my heart the way a box of candy on Valentines Day does!  A few months ago, and this will seem silly to others most likely, but I ran out of the expensive powder my mother-in-law got me hooked on.  I cant afford to buy a 37 dollar container of powder when at times I barely have enough money for groceries.   So I began using some cheap powder that I had.  Not the right color, and well....I just hated it.  But I knew I could give up the "good stuff" and it wasnt a huge deal.  Then a couple weeks ago, my Pastors daughter hung out with my daughter and when she came home that night she had a box of make up with her.  She said "mom, Alea gave me some make up, and the powders and concealers are too dark for me.  Maybe you could use them".  I opened the box and found the exact concealer brand and color that I use!  I was almost completely out of it ...and also, the expensive powder in the exact shade that I use (if you know this brand there are a thousand shades)!  Is my God awesome or what??  He gave me a little treasure that wasnt a necessity, but rather something I had let go of, thinking I wouldnt  be able to indulge in such  trivial pleasures for a long while!  It felt like a little love letter from God. 

But the best thing yet came to me yesterday.  After dropping the kids at school, I began crying out to the Lord for more of Him.  I put on worship music and praised him while I sang a new song called "Awesome".  I cried most of the way home.  Then I got home and did my bible study homework in the book of Daniel. Heavy.  Eschatology.  Study of end times events.  Prophecy.  All difficult yet so intriguing! I just cant seem to learn fast enough these days.  I want more.  I put a load of laundry in and went back to my worship music, singing "awesome" about 50 more times. LOL  By the time I finished, I had so much excitement inside of me, I couldnt contain it!  So I went outside for a long walk. 

I walked for what seemed like forever and yet not long enough!  I had worship music in my ears and the snow was falling heavily around me.  It was the most beautiful walk I have ever taken in my life!Well, it may tie with the walk I took down the aisle when I married Kevin, the most amazing man on the Earth today.  :)   Anyway, as I walked and looked up to the skies woshiping the Almighty, I was overcome with the urge to dance right there on the streets of Kankakee! I assure you that would have been bad, as I cannot dance at ALL.....so I refrained.  But I felt a closeness with the Lord that I have been longing for since January! It was amazing!  But then.....I left to pick up my kids, and while worshiping again, this song came on that had me completely overwhelmed to the point I could not drive.  Listen to these words... "worthy is the Lamb, seated on the throne, we crown you now with many crowns, you reign victorious! High and lifted up, Jesus son of God, the treasure of Heaven crucified.....Worthy is the Lamb!" While listening to the words more intently than ever before, I had a vision of something that Beth Moore talked about in my bible study this week.  She spoke about Daniel chapter 7 vs 9-14.  I know this blog is long but i need to post this scripture.  I never want to forget this as long I live here on Earth.

Daniel 7 vs 9.... " As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.  His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.  His throne was flaming with fire and its wheels were all ablaze.  A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.  Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.  The court was seated, and the books were opened.  (skipping to vs 13 here...) In my vision at night, I looked and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

The image that came to me was one of the Ancient of Days, my Heavenly Father, in all His glory, seated on His throne, looking over to see the magnificent entrance of His spotless Son!  I can just imagine it....JESUS! FINALLY....all wrongs made right as He enters and ALL finally worship HIM!  All authority, glory and sovereign power given to HIM!  It struck me in that moment that all the glory I can muster up and try to give Him will pale in comparison to what He will recieve in the end, when ALL people will finally bow and glorify the one crucified for all! And I so BADLY want Him to get that NOW!! As a side note, i realized that I need to stop whining about how long I have to wait for things.  I complain about life being unfair or unjust and I get impatient waiting for God to make it right! Look how long our Savior has been waiting!  He sits in the throne room, interceding for us, while he waits for his second triumphal entry moment to come!  If that were me, I would be constantly nagging the Father..." is it time yet?  Is it time for me to finally get whats coming to me?"  But Jesus waits on the Fathers timing.  I will try to be more patient.  To be more like Him. 

I will never hear that song again, without visualizing my Savior in that way.  Thank you God, for answering my prayers to get to know you more intimately.  You have my love and devotion forever more! 

.....this is all just what I feel like God has shown me.  This blog is mostly for me.  If others read it and disagree with me on anything I have said, I am fine with that.  We must always search God for truth.  And that is all I have been doing these days.  My only hope is that my journey will help strengthen and encourage someone else.  All for Gods glory!!