21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

Friends!Most of you wont read this, because I am fasting! No, not from food (trust me, no one wants to see me when I'm hungry), from Social Media! I share all my posts on Facebook and Instagram, and for the next 21 days I wont be doing either, so, I guess you will be reading this in 3 weeks or so, unless you check in on me between shares. (HIII!!!!!) So, Derek and I went to church today with his parents. We go to Church of the Highlands which is non-denominational and we absolutely love it. It has blown my mind that for the past 4 weeks or so, every time we go to church, the message seems specifically tailored to our needs at the time. Today we both decided to really commit to God and put Him first in our lives. We have nothing else to lose and everything to gain.Today's lesson and the theme for the next few weeks, is Uphill Habits. Basically forming actual habits to become a better person and a better Christian. It was truly inspiring. Along with the lesson, the pastor spoke about 21 days of prayer and fasting which started today. A lot of people come together every day for 3 weeks to pray over the church and all the prayer requests members and non-members write down and leave for them. They also fast- but with anything, not just food. I am fasting from Social Media because I feel it has overtaken my life. I constantly check it, it's the first thing I look at when I wake up, and the last thing I look at when I go to bed. It's an addiction and I am ashamed of it. I hope this fast will help me learn to limit it's use in the future. Derek is fasting from League of Legends. It had become an obsession as well, and had become unhealthy. We are going to join the church starting the first Sunday of February, and hopefully join small groups around then as well! I am really excited about it.I have been applying to jobs every day for the past few days. Pretty much anything that might make a reasonable amount of money. I am determined to move on, and move out on our own. I've also been writing in my book. I'm not sure how long to make it. Or when I run out of content if it will even be long enough to call it a book. Or if it even makes sense. But it is definitely in the making. I love writing, but it's difficult to organize all my thoughts into a work that flows. I think that's why I love to blog. It's just blurbs of my thoughts, not in any particular order. I've also decided I will start adding pictures to these blogs. I want to become a better photographer. The science of a camera really fascinates me, and the thought of manipulating my shots into artwork via some sort of editing software really excites me. The first few will be utter garbage, so prepare. Also, literally ANY recommendations of what you want to look at pictures of would help. Or if you or your pet or your friend or your child or your grandma want some free pictures, hit me up. Just know they won't be any good. For now, I'll just have to take pictures of things I love.Side Notes: Remember to tell people you love them. Don't worry about if they don't say it back, or if you know they don't reciprocate your feelings. Tell them anyway. Get in contact with old friends, and then follow through on your plans to grab coffee or dinner. Ask people how they are doing, and mean it. Then listen to their response. Good relationships are as valuable as gold. Treat them as such. Don't just let people fall off your Earth because you "don't have time". Make time. Friends and family are who make you who you are. Get away from your screen. Go live, breathe, play. Find things that make you happy, and then do them often. You are never to old. You are strong. You are smart. You can do this. Love, Jess