The End

wow, awesome job you guys! I cant believe we are done. that was such a good experience for me and I hope it was for you as well, my relationship with God was strengthened incredibly and I hope all of you who participated had the same or similar results. I successfully completed all thirty days of the fast and had an amazing journey through it. thank you to everyone who helped me and kept me accountable on the way. im so proud of all you and cant wait to go on the mission trip to Globe, AZ with you guys!! love you!
Michaela Biggs!

The End

Well, it's April 3rd and the Media Fast has been over for almost 4 days now. I would say for my first media fast, it went pretty well. I successfully fasted for 30 days, but can't deny that I wasn't being tested the whole way through it. Even on Sunday my family wanted to go to the movies saying, "It's only a day away, who cares." I got a lot of that this month, and I'm extremely thankful to all of those who acutally respected and encouraged my fasting, because I think it was that encouragment that kept me going strong and enthusiastic throughout the month. Especially in these last 4 days being back in the media, I realized how much the fast really did pull me closer to God. Over this month I was more productive both in general and in my faith. I started up a couple different bible plans with my YouVersion bible app and I'm really taking from them. I was doing a lot more deep reading with my bible and I watched as God worked within my life in March and beyond. I would say that the most challenging thing for me this month ended up being the music part, I love Christian music, I listen to it regularly, but by the end of the month I really missed my music. It wasn't until the end of the fast; however, that I really realized how meaningless a lot of the stuff I was doing with media was. I mean, sharing a good moment on instagram every once in a while is nice, but checking up on my different social media apps after the fast (mostly just to remove the notifications), I was scrollingt through thinking about the fact that I didn't care much for the random pictures and statuses. Now when it comes to communication I think that's entirely different. Apps like kik or snapchat where people are talking specifically to me about something that actually matters- those were the apps I missed because I think it's important to socialize and have good realtionships or connections with people. Point is, I actually did take from the fast; I'm still staying involved with my bible, maintaining a strong relationship with God, and while I'm still on media occasionally, I'm limiting it. I want to give a huge thank you to my family, supporters, sponsors, and fellow fasters; you were all a huge help throughout the fast.

First day off

I went the whole month listening to christian music and listening to christian radio but now the media fast is over. After softball practice I was sitting in the car and I turned on the radio, I was flipping through the station I would normally listen to. I never really notice how meaningless and dumb normal teenage music is. After I told my dad this he pointed out how over time we become desensitized to it and how we don't even realize that they aren't even saying anything important.

oh wow

Honestly this media fast was amazing, throughout most of it I had felt that God wasn't showing up in this whole experience. In the final days though I felt this overwhelming source of joy sweep over my body. God is truly great to me, yes I made a few mistakes pertaining to checking sports scores, but for the whole 30 days I stayed off of social media! I was upset when I made these mistakes, but I remembered that God forgives so I should forgive myself! I love the worlds of a song by Phil Wickham that goes, "this is amazing grace, this is unfailing love. That you would take my place, that you would bear my cross" this reminds me of Gods grace and love towards us. I also loved reading the story of Joseph who through all these trials and triumphs (aka us and media fast) he stayed faithful to God, and God DEFINATLEY stayed faithful to him. Congrats everybody! Hopefully I will see all of you guys in Arizona!!!!

Only hours to go!

Who's excited?? I'm excited!!! The media fast is almost over and I couldn't have been happier by the way it went. I have been reading the bible this month more then I've ever read it my whole life (a little bit of an exaggeration). And I noticed that when I pay attention to it and don't have my phone as a distraction I can comprehend what the bible is telling me. I have learned a lot about myself and people around me and have had a lot of hard decisions to make. This has been a phenomenal experience and I am very thankful for Matt and that he gave us an opportunity to do this! I absolutely loved all of the support from my sponsors and friends, thank you all for praying for us. 

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40 

Last day!

This has been a really fun, yet hard experience for me. Through the month, I have been challenged at school more than I thought I would with people trying to get me to listen to certain songs or watch a cool video. You don't really know how things affect you until you stop doing them. It really makes you realize what God wants you to do. I can't explain how this changed how i am except that I feel more lead by God than by my own desires.

WHOOP

Seeing less than 8 hours on the countdown clock thingy is so exciting. I'm spending my final few hours on the media fast with Megan so that we can keep each other accountable as the clock counts down. Along with newfound Christian movies and music, my relationship with Christ has been rekindled. It is not quite at that "post-camp level," but it is pretty darn close. This month I've been able to take a breath of fresh air and appreciate how God works in my life.

The month kind of started of slow because going into my third year, the fast had become sort of a routine. The fast is meant to break routine, so that was not a good starting point. With the help of encouraging messages from my sponsors and constant texts from Matt with the Remind101 thing, I was able to dive into the month as if it was a brand new experience. My goal this month was to hear and see God in the little things. I spent time sitting outside in the sun with my bible. It was nice because it was just me and God- no distractions. By looking for God in the little things, I realized the magnitude of who really He is.

I hope to savor these last few hours of the fast. There's no doubt that tomorrow I will begin to catch up on my shows, but I pray that the things that I have learned this month will stick with me. I love all y'all.

-T

The Last Day

Ok, so I couldn't think of a song title that would fit the last day of the media fast (my last two posts followed this pattern : "Oh, We're Halfway There" and "The Final Countdown"). Is that so bad? :)
     Anyway, I have been thinking about this past month, and how much it has done for me. I can't believe it's already the last day! This month wasn't the dreaded, torturous month I thought it would be. No, it was instead an eye-opener, a blessing instead of a curse. I had more face-to-face conversations with people; I felt more comfortable openly sharing my faith with my nonbeliever friends. I also read a lot of inspiring Christian novels that taught me that God is in control of our lives, and he can do amazing things through what might seem to be tragedy. I spent more time with my family: laughing, playing games, riding bikes; things I wouldn't normally do but got to enjoy because I wasn't thinking about the next thing I would look for on Pinterest. I really did enjoy this time with my family, and it helped me realize these years with them are precious. This month I tried to focus on God and see Him in every part of my day. When things got though, either with temptations or just with everyday struggles, I prayed and was reminded that God is in control if my life; everything is a part of His plan.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
     I hope and pray that all of you have been able to see the wonders God is doing in your life this month. Thank you all for your prayers and support; I couldn't have done it without you!