I'm blogging right now from the mac store in downtown Chicago. I know. I am so cool.

Jared and I are enjoying our last day relaxing before the conference starts-we are going to P.F. Changs tonight-that was where Jared took me on our first date so it holds special meaning for us. What a great time this has been for us! Thanks Lord for a mini-vacation!

FROM CHICAGO

So Jared and I actually left for Chicago early-due to the ice/snow storm sweeping across the midwest. We ended up driving right through the middle of it for a little while-but thankfully made it here safely and have been able to spend some good times with Jared's best friend Jesse who is in Chicago for a trade show with his business. Our Willow Creek conference starts on Wednesday so until then we are just relaxing and enjoying a little mini-vacation.

So how to do a Daniel fast on vacation? We have found it to be more difficult then being at home, however we have stayed entirely with our Daniel Fast!

As my best friend Emily put it-it is amazing how much we think we NEED (food wise), and yet when we train our bodies like this, we realize we don't need most of them at all.

It hasn't even been a week yet and already the Lord is showing me things I would not have seen if I weren't taking the time and discipline to meet with Him and sacrifice for Him.

Thanks Jesus for making all things possible through You

PEAS AND CARROTS

That's my lunch today...the last few days have been tough but I am convinced it will get easier as time goes on. Last night at THE ELEMENT (Sr. High Youth Group), we sang a song called "Living Sacrifice"-which really helped me put things into perspective (it's crazy how quickly you lose perspective when all you eat is fruit and veggies).

Sometimes when I hear people and how shocked they are that I taking so much food out of my regular diet. Like I'm making some huge sacrifice. And then the worst of it is that I start to believe it! When we sang Living Sacrifice last night, I started thinking over and over about the sacrifice Christ made for me-wow-a perfect and blameless Son-killed as a sacrifice on my behalf-taking away my punishment and shame.

It makes me love eating these peas and carrots. Thanks Lord.

DAY 2

Well we made it through Day 1 which was actually a complete fast for Jared and I-I did decide to break it last night after church since I have a bladder infection and needed some nutrients. I've of course had cravings for different foods-but I am enjoying challenging my body, mind, and most of all-my faith as we start out this Daniel fast. It's not just "eating healthy"-which I already do-but it is about intentionally sacrificing so I remember Christ more. I even challenged the Jr. High students to choose something to sacrifice during this LENT season, and it turns out that several of the students are joining us!

For my devotions during this time I am reading through a book we received as a staff that centers our focus on Christ. The reading last night was from Matthew 26:1-12

Matthew 26:7-9, 13

"A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume which she poured on Jesus head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this they were indignant "Why the waste?! This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.!"

"I tell you the truth" said Jesus "wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done wil also be told in memory of her"

What a beautiful picture of a sacrifice for Christ.

Lord Jesus may I be ready to give freely for You-understanding that You gave everything for me-I desire to giev everything for you. Amen.

DANIEL FAST

Here we are at the Lenten Season-starting tomorrow. I'm really excited that the staff of CrossRoads and many of the church will be doing a Daniel Fast together. Unlike a fast from all foods-it's fasting from everything other then fruits, vegetables, and legumes/beans, and nuts. This will no doubt be difficult and will cause me to think a lot about what I'm doing and why. I'm sure Jared and I will be creating many interesting food dishes!

I will try to update on a regular basis all God teaches me during the fast as well as different food ideas for those of you who are joining us. There is a bunch of info at our church site-check it out!

All for Jesus because I am following Him-

Angela M. Amerine

YOUTH GROUP IS ON!

Although Bedford Public Schools closed today-we are siding with Toledo Public and Sylvania-

YES THERE IS YOUTH GROUP TONIGHT!

Can't wait to see you Sr. High students-I know you've been bored sitting at home all day!

6:45-8:30

DRIVE SAFE PLEASE:) Better yet-have your parents drop you off:)

The Four Troopers who went to both Jr. AND Sr. High Winter Camps!

WINTER CAMP 07

Well after 2 weekends of Jr. and Sr. High Winter Camp-I am still alive to tell the story. So that's what I'll do!

2 weeks ago we took 35 Jr. High students to Somerset Beach Campground-some serious good times-including bringing several new students with us and getting them plugged in-students tubing down the hill at full speed-students walking across the frozen lake-playing broom ball-and seeing students grow closer to God and each other.

I had to take the next weekend off (otherwise I would be hooked up to an IV)-this decision made by mistakes in the past-thank you Jesus!

This last weekend we took 37 High School students to SpringHill Camp in Evart MI-wow-wow-wow! Everything about the weekend was incredible-the tubing hill-the food-the unending flow of hot chocolate-the programming-and the...everything! Not only did everyone have an incredible time-but each and every student grew closer to Christ-they all had a story-were really affected by the Speaker Brett Ray-AND 2 students made 1st time commitments to Christ! YEA JESUS!

The leaders Jared, Paul, Ryan, Stephanie and Kim all went above and beyond the call of duty! Espcially those who pulled double duty on Jr. and Sr. High camps-Jared, Paul, and Steph!

Most of all-Props to God-who does what He does best-Changes lives.