First Donation!

Well, I obviously have a gut of steel.  Leftover frozen pizza, corn, and apple wedges for breakfast and...Long John Silver's for supper!  No problem.  Wow.

Okay, now I've got that craving out of the way.

The great news is that I received the first donation for the food packaging event in the mail today!  I couldn't have asked for a better way to start the second phase of this project.

Tonight my husband and oldest daughter went with me to workout. I'm determined that I will get my body back to a healthy state and maintain it.  (Yes, I know that deep-fried, battered chicken and onion rings are not part of the program.  Give me some grace here.)

I'm looking at April for the food packaging event.  Please keep praying for this project and specifically be praying for the people that will one day soon be receiving the food that is packaged through it.


Keep in mind that this is not just a "cause."  There are real people out there who need this food, who are PRAYING for this food.

Isn't it kind of cool that we can be praying for people who we don't even know and who don't even realize that this food will be coming...but who will soon be filling their bellies due to our combined efforts?

What a blessing it is to serve others!

Clean Water, Living Water

My posts have focused mostly on the hunger that is faced by those who live in areas that do not have access to food.  But it is important to realize that they also often don't have access to clean water.

I've mentioned before that I know my project doesn't duplicate the situation of those who are suffering due to starvation, because they are also living in conditions that we, as Americans, cannot fathom.

We take clean water for granted.  It is always there...to drink, to wash, to even flush away our waste.  In fact, bottled water (often packaged out of a tap in some unknown city) is big business here.  Apparently our clean water is not always clean enough for us (myself included).

A few years ago during Advent, my church decided to spend some of their Christmas shopping money on gifts that would make a difference in the lives of others.  We purchased two wells.

Well, they were not wells at that time.  But we paid to have wells dug so that people in two communities in Peru would finally have access to clean drinking water.

Can you imagine being that excited about water?

The organization is Living Water International.  According to their website, they can provide one person with clean water for a year for $.98...about the price of one cold bottled water at your nearest convenience store.

Their current promotion is called "With this Ring".  This started with a woman who sold her wedding ring because she felt that it was ridiculous to have that much money on her finger when she could be doing something to make a difference with it.  Awesome.

On this website, you can sell your extra jewelry (or even your precious jewelry) or you can purchase some of the donated jewelry.  All proceeds go to new wells.

Your gold and silver are corroded. 
Their corrosion will testify against you 
and eat your flesh like fire. 
You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
--James 5:3

What Does a Packaging Event Look Like?

It was time to go and have some blood drawn again.  I'm anxious to see how the numbers look.

I'm feeling a little guilty for not going to the gym tonight since I have time, but I'm tired.  Maybe getting to bed earlier would help.  With so much reading to do, going to bed now and reading for a while before falling asleep sounds like a good plan.

I wanted to share with you a video that shows a packaging event.  If you would like to participate in one in Salina, Kansas, once the project ends, complete the form (link on right) and let me know.

The food packaged here went to Kenya but this is only one location of many that need it.  In the past, food has been sent all over the world.  For more information, go to www.numanainc.com.

In order to make this happen, $23,000 needs to be raised in the next 10 months.  That's 100,000 meals at $.23 per meal.  Please consider making a pledge to help meet this goal.

You Are Needed!

You may be new to "One Daily Serving".  If you are, it's important that you get the back story behind the project.  This is a good place to start.  These posts are in backward chronological order.

Although this is a very personal journey for me in my own spiritual growth, I have also elected to make it public in that I want YOU to experience hunger through me.  I want YOU to gain some of the insights revealed to me over the months.  But mostly, through this public project, I want YOU to help me do something about hunger.

I pray that my family is able to take this trip next summer.  Click here to check out the video of Numana's current trip to Kenya.  Seems like a great family vacation to me!  My kids would certainly see the world in a different light.

The food provided in the video was packaged in Wichita.  A half a million meals!  Wow!  My goal for Salina is 100,000 meals.  The cost of the food for this project would be $23,000 and we would need help in packaging.  Hopefully YOUR help.

Please consider being a part of this project.  It doesn't have to be a large financial commitment.  Even $1 per month for the year (total of $12) would add up if enough people were willing to give to the cause.  ALL proceeds will go directly to Numana, Inc. for food.  There are no additional expenses associated with this project.  (The $.23 per meal would cover Numana's food costs, administration, shipping, etc.)

You need to know that Numana, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization...so your donation will be tax deductible!

In fact, your contribution doesn't have to be monetary at all!  Your prayers would be a welcome and much needed gift!  And, of course, I would love for you to join me and my friends (bring your whole family!) as we package food next August.

To make a pledge, just complete this form.  A certificate will be sent to you to remind you of your contribution.  Monetary donations will not be "due" until the end of the project--August 1, 2013.  However, your contribution of prayer starts today.

If you are able come help us package in August, please bring a covered dish.  Let's celebrate our accomplishment by sharing a meal together in our fellowship with one another.

More details of the event will continue to come as we get closer to the project's end.

By the way...it was a good day.  After at least of week of my hunger really feeling like a heavy burden, it was nice to have a day of respite.  Neither my head nor my stomach seemed to clamor for food today.  These days seem to be few and far between so I am grateful.

Thanks for reading!

Ups and Downs

Today had some ups and downs.

First, on my way to class this morning I noticed that I had a small bump (the size a pen tip) on my thumb.  It was kind of itchy and painful.  It reminded me of a festered sticker or something.  About halfway through the morning session, I realized that it had turned into a big blister.  What in the world?  I have no idea what that's about, but wonder if I was bitten by something again.

After class I ran to the store for bandages and then fell asleep as soon as I got in.  I was exhausted and achy.  I slept for three hours. 

After a full day of rest yesterday, I was surprised by my fatigue.  I am happy to report, however, that I feel much better tonight.

I let my water intake slip a bit yesterday and this morning so I'm going to chalk it up to that.

On a more exciting note, I started conversations with Numana on planning a packaging event next August 1!  Mark your calendars, people. 

When an event is hosted, the food that will be packaged must be purchased.  I expect that we will be able to put together 100,000 meals that day.  Yes, that's right...100,000!  In order to make this happen we will need $23,000 to buy the food itself.


This is just the beginning.  We have a long way to go to reach this goal.

If you haven't completed the form (also always available in the right column) to support this project (either through prayer, sharing the project with others, or by pledging a donation for the year, and/or each month, week, or day that I successfully abstain from food other than my one daily serving of Numana this year), please take the time to do it.  It doesn't matter how small the pledge may be, every little bit helps.

An easy way to support the project is simply by "liking" it on Facebook or following it on Twitter.  Both of these methods of support help spread the word.

Also, plan to join us on August 1in Salina if you can.

And, uhm...plan to bring a covered dish.  I'm going to be ready for your home-cookin'!

Physical Hunger or Heart Hunger?

Good news!  Today was easier.  I had energy and didn't struggle with food fantasies.

What made the difference?  Advice from a fellow student:

I just read through your blog. I once was in a bible study that focused on searching out "true hunger" (heart hunger vs physical hunger) by realizing signs of physical hunger (stomach growls, stomach pain, headache) instead of heart hunger (thoughts of food, thinking of desires, projecting our love for Christ on to other things). 

The solution the bible study offered was to feed yourself in the Word, write scripture, meditate on it, memorize it... And keep doing it until the temptation goes away. Sometimes temptation is short-lived sometimes long. Use the Word--as food, a weapon against the enemy, for comfort, etc. 

What amazing advice!  I have little experience with fasting and, although I've read lots on fasting, implementing the same concepts to this challenge had not yet entered my mind.  My last post on making sure my focus is on God (and not me) along with this advice on turning to Him (rather than turning inward and giving into fantasies or simply trying to use will-power) have worked together to give me a new outlook and a renewed excitement for the task at hand.

Other than scripture, there isn't much help greater than the counsel of other Christians.

Not to mention...one should never underestimate the power of prayer.

Final Countdown

I'll admit it.  I'm scared.

I know what I'm like when I'm hungry and it's not pretty.  Thankfully, I'll be leaving for 3 weeks of seminary on day 6 of this journey.  I hope that this will provide the adjustment time I need so that I'm not grouchy with my family when I get back.

On the up-side, I don't have to worry about spending lots of money buying expensive meals while I'm gone.  Right?

In preparation, one thing I've done is cut back my Diet Dr. Pepper intake so that I'm completely caffeine-free prior to Wednesday.  I decided the last thing I needed were caffeine withdrawals along with the hunger.

Another thing I've done is preparation is order my "I am Second" wristband.  Besides being a project that I've followed and appreciated for years, that black band will serve as my reminder that I am fortunate enough to GET to eat the Numana once each day.  I will try to look at this food as a precious gift rather than a sacrifice.  I want to get these things in the right perspective.  As I mentioned in my first blog post, this band represents life--grace!  Grace given to only some chosen ones.

I'm excited about this journey and the insight I will gain through the suffering.  But I am terrified.  Terrified that I can't do it.  Terrified that I won't handle hunger well emotionally. Terrified that physically I won't feel well while away from my family.

Please consider making a donation to Numana based on my perseverance.  For example, "I'll give $2 for each month that you can do it!"  This will encourage me to keep it up while also providing a nice donation to Numana at the end of this project (July 31, 2013) to help them continue their battle against hunger.  It's an honor system, drop me a message or leave a comment with your name and pledge.

And please remember to pray--for me, but even more so, for those who don't choose to live like this.

It Begins...

Although I've been talking about it for a while, today it became real.  Jay from Numana delivered enough food to provide me with one serving per day for a year.

Two boxes.  Enough food for one person for one year in two 33-pound boxes.  I'm sure that each week when I fill my grocery cart, it contains more food than this.  Yet for many people, this is the one meal they get each day.  This is the food that they thank God for and devour hungrily and gratefully.

John Gasangwa inspired me through this episode from Lifetree Café.  As a child he was taken to a hospital where he was given an armband.  This armband represented food...life.  Those with armbands received one bowl of porridge per day.  He survived.

As the week went on I found myself more aware of the quantity of food we consume and the reasons that we consume it.  We don't eat because we are hungry.  Our stomachs are like spoiled children--when they make a little noise we satisfy them.  It's not just our stomachs; it's also our emotions.  Whether we are happy, sad, lonely, getting together with friends, angry (the list goes on and on), we punctuate these emotions with food.

We don't see food as fuel for our bodies.  We view food as entertainment.  We can take it or leave it.  And most of us (including me) are taking more than our bodies need.  We are worried about taste, texture, and even presentation.  Ridiculous.

Although I don't have access to the porridge that John was given, I am familiar with Numana, Inc.  A few years ago I participated in one of their packaging events with my youngest children.  As we put together the ingredients and sealed the bags, I realized that this small bag would serve six meals.  Would I even eat this if it was offered to me...or would I turn up my nose and track down a Quarter Pounder?  I emailed them.

My idea?  Experience hunger.  Survive on one serving of Numana's product per day for a year.  An armband will serve as a reminder that not everyone gets to make the choice daily about what and how much they will eat.  Why would I do this?  One reason is completely selfish--I want to understand.  Similar to fasting, I believe the spiritual benefits will greatly outweigh the discomfort.  The other reason is to increase awareness of hunger and support for the organizations that are fighting it.  I'm challenging you to make a commitment to set aside a donation that you would be willing to repeat for every month I am successful.  It might be just $1 a month.  It doesn't have to be a huge commitment on your part.  But those dollars will add up to provide me an incentive when I want to give in to my spoiled appetite.

Just one daily serving of Numana for one daily serving Jesus Christ.

The project starts August 1, 2012.  What do you say?