My nieces and I have this tradition of “Auntie Dates” that often consist of frozen yogurt and the park. One day I picked up my oldest niece Morgan, who was maybe just three at the time. As we were driving to Frogeez, the local frozen yogurt place, she looked up at me from her carseat and said “Auntie what are you going to get?” I explained my usual toppings; SnowCaps, Snickers pieces, brownie bits, and Strawberries (to balance it out of course). Then I asked her what she was going to get. I watched her in the rearview mirror as she was deep in thought. Then without any prompting she threw her hands up in the air and said with much anticipation…
“uh, uh, uhhh, marshmallows, and sprinkles, and CANDIESSS!!”
She’s a girl after my own heart. I told my team this story and so now whenever we are excited about something we shout "marshmallows, and sprinkles, and CANDIESS!"
About a year ago I read a book 7 An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker and it changed my life. It was one of the many catalysts to choosing the Race. In the book she takes seven months and chooses seven categories to fast. This quote sums it up well;
“I’m embarking on a journey of less. It’s time to purge the junk and pare down to what is necessary, what is noble. 7 will be an exercise in simplicity with one goal: to create space for God’s Kingdom to break through…A fast: an intentional reduction, a deliberate abstinence to summon God’s movement in my life. A fast creates margin for God to move.”
Not feeling like God was speaking to me last month I decided to fast something that I love and consumes a lot of my thoughts; sugar, in an attempt to hear His voice. After much deliberation I chose seven things specifically to fast for the month of May; chocolate, candy, cake, ice cream, cookies, soda, and sugary cereals.
Here are some excerpts from my journal as I entered down the road of detox with the Lord. They are my confessions as a sugar-aholic.
Day 1: I went to the grocery store. I tried to avoid the candy isle but I was just drawn to it. I gingerly walked down it breathing in the chocolately heaven scent. Who would’ve guessed Nepal would off so many amazing candy options; real Snickers, M&Ms, real Skittles, and Hersey’s chocolate bars?! Mmm. This month is going to be a bit tougher than I imagined. Especially since squadmates are loving me well by buying me gifts such as a king size bag of Peanut M&Ms, which I had to promptly hide in my pack. They’re taunting me right now as I write this.
Day 3: I sipped Chai tea that our gracious host gave us. It had sugar in it. My teammates decided it would be culturally rude not drink it. And technically it’s not on the list.
Day 4: We hiked five hours into the mountains of Nepal. We’re living among the “stone age” Khairang people for a week. We’re living primitively covered in dirt and sweat. Food is minimal. Snacks are non-existent, except for the ones we brought in our pack. At least I won’t be tempted to walk to the local grocery and wear my will down by perusing the candy isle.
Day 6: My dear friend Alison wrote me a note that read: “I’m praying you crave Jesus more than sugar.” Thank you Lord for friends who call you out.
Day 7: National Nurse’s Day is today. I got to play Dr. House today and care for the village people all day. We prayed healing for dozens of people. I didn’t even miss my sweets once. I mean, I didn’t have a lot of time to think about them but still.
Day 9: A goat jumped on top of the leaf shack squatty while I was using it this morning. That has nothing to do with sugar or spiritual growth but it was funny. Also, even out in the middle of nowhere you can get popcorn. It’s my favorite salty snack. The Lord is so good to me.
Day 10: A woman came to be seen. Her symptoms sound like mini strokes; weakness, high blood pressure, blurred vision, headaches, occasional chest pain, and right sided weakness. We gave her some aspirin, encouraged her to see a doctor (most likely won’t happen since she has to walk down the mountain), and laid hands on her. Frankly, without medical intervention I can’t do anything except pray and expect Him to show up. We prayed and then Pastor translated this simple message that was on my heart; “You are a beautiful woman and we believe God is going to heal you.” I felt silly but the truth is all I have to do is be open and obedient. The Lord works through that. I’m willing to try because I want more of Him and to bring more of His Kingdom here. I want to be a woman of blessing. I can honestly say I want those things more than that large bag of Peanut M&Ms that sits in my pack back in civilization, and I want that REAL bad.
Day 11: A teammate brought out her Oreos and offered them to everyone. These weren’t regular Oreos; they were Double Stuffed. I wanted so badly to pounce on one, even though my stomach was just starting to feel better from last night’s rejection of dinner. Stinkin’ Nepali “sharing is caring” mentality. To make matter’s worse tonight we celebrated Auntie Minu’s birthday (our host mama). They brought out this delicious looking cake and cut each of us a piece. It would have been a cultural faux pas not to eat it. It blessed her heart so much to see us enjoy it. I would not want to deny her that joy. I’m choosing to believe the Lord will still reveal truth to me. You better believe I savored every moment though.
Day 12: We’re back in civilization. The Peanut M&Ms are back taunting me. But as I reflect back on the mountain top experience I can’t help but stand amazed at the Lord.
Day 14: Today was epic fail day as far as logistics goes. Visa extensions decided not to cooperate. As I was in the long taxi ride back from the Department of Immigration I thought if I could eat sugar I would get myself a fat Snickers bar when I got back. Then it dawned on me; I reward myself with sugar quite often. I eat sugar if I’ve had a good day, if I’ve had a bad day (always makes me feel better), when I exercise (positive reinforcement), when I don’t exercise (I figure I’ve blown it, why not go all out), if I’m bored, when I watch a movie…..I think you get the point. I use sugar like it is a main food group. It’s a staple of my diet. I’m learning to retrain myself. It’s tough. And it’s only half way through the month!
