Decaffienated Randomness

Scroll to the end to see if you won the book giveaway!!

Most normal bloggers can write and format a post in less than four hours. I, Sandy Cooper, cannot. I have a genetic mutation or a vitamin deficiency or something. I just can’t seem to put up a quick post, no matter how hard I try. Even if I’ve got very little to say, by the time I write it, rewrite it, proof it, format it, add pictures, proof it again, add funny things, change the wording, take out everything stupid…it’s been four hours.

So against all odds, I have exactly 40 minutes before I need to pick up my kids from school. And, by golly, I’m determined to get a post up today, even if it means leaving in the stupid stuff. It will be quick. It will be random. But here it goes.

1. This is the last day of my 40-day fast.

2. The first thing I’m going to have tomorrow is a cup of coffee. Then I’m making homemade lasagna for dinner. My favorite.

3. If all I fasted was coffee, I don’t think the fast would have been any more difficult for me. For some reason, I wanted coffee more than just about anything…even food.

4. If I drink one more cup of tea or eat one more bowl of soup, I might just puke.

5. I just had a bowl of soup.

6. Writing in list form makes me feel like I’m typing faster.

7. I also just had a cup of tea.

8. The last few days, I’ve been very tempted to become short-tempered with my sweet family. Today, as I was praying about it, Jesus reminded me how Satan came to tempt Him during His 40-day fast, too. Immediately, I felt empowered to speak directly to the Enemy and he fled.

9. In addition to the Enemy coming to tempt me, I may also be irritable because I haven’t had coffee, grains, meat, dairy or sugar in 40 days.

10. I would kill for a cup of coffee right now. Seriously, I could hurt someone. Clearly, I’m still a little irritable.

11. I normally don’t broadcast to the world when I’m on a fast, but since this blog is about hearing God’s voice, I thought I’d let you in on it. Fasting is a wonderful way to get your flesh out of the way, so you can focus on God.

12. Fitness Friday will be back this week! And I’m interviewing someone really awesome. You won’t want to miss it.

13. I’m reading a book entitled “The Hole in Our Gospel,” by Richard Sterns. Sterns is the President of World Vision and the book deals with poverty around the world. Every time I read a bit of it, I feel incredibly petty that I’m complaining about this fast, not having coffee, having to eat soup or salad or drink tea. I’m so blessed.

14. The little boy we sponsor through World Vision only eats potatoes and rice. For every meal, every day. His village just recently got drinking water. Can you imagine?

15. Right now I’m sitting in Panera, and the person to my right is eating chips louder than any human should be allowed. It’s like nails on a chalkboard.

16. I have been making room in my life for more relationships. It’s weird how I can become so isolated and not even realize it. Writing lends itself to that. So does parenting small children. Even sitting in a place like Panera, surrounded by people, I’m completely alone.

17. Today I had coffee–make that TEA–with my new friend Lisa. We had the best time. Lisa was drinking a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I was seriously coveting it. I almost hurt her. Which wouldn’t have been good for our blossoming friendship.

18. This Friday is my and Jon’s 16th Wedding Anniversary!!!!! The best 14 years of my life.

19. The first 2 years of our marriage were really hard, thus, the discrepancy in numbers.

20. That lady next to me is STILL eating chips. I so want to shoot her a dirty look. Lord, please help me be nice. crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch

And now, the winners of the book giveaway!

The Herd, Jottin Mama and Lisa from TN!!!!
Girls, I’ll contact you by e-mail and work out the details. Meanwhile, if any of you see them out and about, be sure and tell them they’ve won.

Here are your random numbers:15 14 19
Timestamp: 2009-09-30 17:35:11 UTC

I see other bloggers post the results of the random number generator, as if it keeps us contest-holders honest or something. Why would I make this number up? I suppose, since I’ve been a little irritable lately, I wouldn’t put is past me to choose number 11 when it told me to choose number 14. I’m just that crabby.

CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH….How many chips are IN that bag anyway???