Back to HAPPINESS

Dear Reader,

Not that Lent can't be full of happiness but I am done with those posts.  I still have some pictures from my project but this time I will let it rest.  I hope this isn't terribly detrimental to you and I hope it wasn't something you were waiting for with bated breathe.  I am tired.  I have moved on.  I need to stay relevent or as relevent as someone like me can be.  It is time to return to the HAPPINESS Challenge. 

I last left off on Challenge #14 which was fun but poorly planned.  Number fifteen is "Host a Dinner Party" but with my financial uncertainity problem I skipped this one for now.  Number sixteen "Go to your local farmer's market" is actually planned for this weekend- SQUEE!!! If you can't tell- I am EXCITED.  Number seventeen "Have a yard sale and earn some money" was also skipped this time around because there is no way I am having a yard sale with the current weather- it has barely stopped raining or snowing since Thanksgiving.

Challenge #18 "Take a bath" was very appealling.  Technically I have completed this challenge at least 10 times over this year but I took it a step further.  It was relaxing and I was so grateful for this time I was able to have.   

Here was my bath ready supplies.  Bubble bath- check, a book to read in the bath aka The Princess Bride- check, something to drink- check (I was debating between wine and kumbucha, you can see which was the clear winner that night), a treat- check (I ended up with two treats- chocolate mint cookies and my daughter's partially eaten muffin- hey- I'll take it), lotion for after- check and lighted scented candle- check.  I also splurged on new razors and underwear (not pictured). 

Taking time for yourself is important.  It helps you become a better version of you.  I was only interrupted once during this time and was particularly grateful that I could use this as a mini-celebration for finishing some applications that I was not particularly excited about but was glad to be done. 

When I write next I will have Farmer's Market pictures and maybe even "Surprise someone I love with a gift". 

Tell me what your favorite things to have when you indulge in a bath. 

Yours truly,

L.L.

He Is Risen!

Dear Reader,

Lent is over.  Easter Sunday is over, but for Catholics Easter is still in season (I probably won't be doing much about that as no one in my family seems to be very fond of celebrating the liturgical year as I am and I am not interested in doing it alone at this time).  For the first time and for the third year that I have been participating I was not able to finish my photo project!!  But that is okay because I found so many new things that happen during Lent.  I learned about my other Christian brothers and sisters in the faith.  I felt absolutely saturated with love for the church as a body so I know I got the point of Lent for sure! 

Here are some last reflections.

As I have said in the past, I am not Catholic but I observe some practices of the Lenten season.  It makes me a little sad to see the immaturity and snobbery of a handful of people on Facebook who are against the practice because "it isn't in the Bible."  It is true.  Lent is not a Biblically mandated practice.  There are actually no HOLIDAYS given to observe in the New Testament.  It is okay to not want to observe or practice any holiday traditions.  What I find annoying is the arrogance of the statement- "Let's give up Lent for Lent."  I think they are trying to be humorous, but I feel it comes from ignorance and fear.  The people who say this have most likely never observed Lent or even given much thought to self denial and fasting.  It bothers me.  It saddens me.  But I won't condemn or judge.  I don't know their hearts.  Only God knows.  I pray that their eyes and hearts may at least be sensitive to those who do observe this most glorious season.  My church (pictured above) is a small one but mighty in the LORD.  It is very Baptist, but not full on fundamental.  We have a lot of love and fellowship.  I praise God for His church. 

 I also learned about Letting it Go.  It isn't just a super popular Disney song.  Lent got pretty crazy this year with all I was doing and not doing.  Many times I let the laundry and dishes pile up (not that I am on top of  it most of the time but it got tremendously bad this time).  I spent extra time in prayer, the Word, and at Mass.  I had to let go of the guilt of being behind in chores.  I would only recommend this for a season as this could probably drive some people up the wall (myself included).  That is why Lent is only 40 days.

Gratitude Journaling as been an on again off again thing for me.  I do enjoy it when I do.  I have continued it through most of Lent but honestly it got away from me near the end.  So grateful for grace and will gladly start again tomorrow as I have finally caught up on my Bible reading. 

My awareness of Christians around the world has been open this year.  This was my first year totally committed to participating with CRS rice bowl.  They have links to videos of people around the world who are struggling but also learning to thrive with the help of Catholic Relief Services.  Plus during our annual Pastor's enrichment conference this year George Verwer was the speaker.  It was eye opening and convicting.  I am more aware then ever before about "the harvest". 

Lent has always been a healing time for what I believe is Seasonal Affective Disorder.  God's promise never to flood the earth again can be very comforting in Oregon where it never seems to stop raining.

 St. Patrick's Day is usually a nice feast day to break up any monotony you may feel during the Lenten season.  Unfortunately for us this year we were on a trip coming back from Seaside but stopping in Lincoln City for a wedding.  It was a great day but there was nothing Saint Patricky about it other then the fact that I wore my shamrock scarf and we watch Teen Titan's Go "Leprechaun Life".  Thankful I didn't have any expectations so I was happy to be in a fancy hotel with a fireplace drinking hot cider and writing and reading. 

One lesson I want to be better at learning during Lent is being welcoming and hospitable.  I struggle with this.  I am not social.  I am easily flustered and I guess I don't let the Spirit lead.  I rejoice that I have the ability to welcome people in my life, but I don't know when this will be bigger lesson for me. 






Thank you for being my ever patient reader.  It will take me about two more posts till I can wrap up Lent/Easter.  It has been a humbling and whirl wind time.  Praise Be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Reflections on Lent

Lent is almost over and I have had so little time to write but I do want to recap as far as I can what I have learned and how I have grown and what happened to Lent 2017- through pictures of course!

What I gave up for Lent this year:  coffee

Why do I give something up?:  As a reminder to depend on God and often to be reminded that I am giving up something in exchange for something much better.  It was kind of a last minute decision because I had actually wanted to give up laziness but I didn't really have a picture idea for it. 

Dhalma with spinach from India and a slice of bread

Ifisashi from Zambia

Pupusas de Queso with Curtido and Salsa Roja from El Salvador 

Meatless Meal(s)
I eat meatless meals on Friday.  This practice reminds of my many brothers and sisters around the world who can not afford meat also it is a reminder to discipline myself to fast from something even something as simple as meat. 

CRS Recipes are really helpful in not only giving you a meatless recipe but also in connecting you to different cultures and real people who are trying to improve their lives.  I always find it interesting, the recipes tasty and unique, and it helps connect me to others who are following along with the CRS calendar.

Giving Back

This year I have been giving blood.  Is it a good excuse for a busy mom to lay down for a good cause?  I think so.

Wilderness

During Lent we reflect on going into the wilderness for solitude and growth so here I am taking a quick walk in my backyard full of the dried pine needles of winter.

Favorite Verse
Hebrews 12:1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Solitude
It is important for me (and others I am sure) to be alone with Christ.  This is the chair I usually sit in to watch Mass and pray and read the Bible. 

Nurturing
One thing I am learning from this Lent is that I need to stop trying to do it alone.  Last year I did include my children but I felt like it was confusing or might cause confusion because we are not Catholic, but I want them to be able to at least have the opportunity to experience this spiritual practice.  I will include them next year for sure.  Just so you know I do have another daughter but she was at school when I took this picture.

Walk
I have tried to take some time for a few extra walks.  They didn't amount to much extra.  But I can't help but praise God for the weather changing to beautiful spring!  My husband took the girls on a walk around our capital city during cherry blossom time.  Praise be to God!

 #FishFriday
We had tuna fish sandwiches for lunch!  Ariana loves tuna sandwiches.

 

Mentor
I had very good intentions of visiting my mentor Pam Teschner- or at least someone I consider a mentor, but time slips by so quickly for me.  I took a picture of a book she authored and signed for me.  I am thankful for so many of the older ladies in my life. 

Well that was only 10 days worth of reflection....but I wanted to give you a taste of my experience so far and to give you a chance to respond with your experiences or to pray for you.

Lent: At the Half Way Point

Dearest Reader,

My brain is buzzing with so many things to write about- I do not know where to beginning.  Since I last wrote was shortly after I received the Ashes we are now already at the half way point of Lent.  I wanted to say and do so much more.  I always do.  I don't know how to calm my spirit and my ever growing list of personal expectations.  I have found so many Lenten resources.  I could barely contain myself!

First of all I have discovered Lent Madness.  I have always wanted a fun, simple, and interactive way to learn about the saints- men and women of extraordinary faith.  It is just like all the other madnesses (if that is a word) and it is educational and just plain fun.  I haven't filled out my own personal bracket and I don't have a prediction, but I would personally like to see Fanny Crosby or Scholastica with the golden halo.

Second I have been watching Daily Mass most days that I have been at home and if I wake up early enough.  I am falling in love the Mass more every day.  It scares me because the doctrine of the Catholic church isn't quite right but my heart won't stop being stirred within me.  I don't know who is doing the stirring- me? God? Satan?  I know I can not leave my current church, but I wonder how far I can be involved without feeling like I am betraying my Baptist upbringing.

Third, I have faithfully made the all the meals from this years CRS rice bowl so far.  I am really excited for today's meal- Pupusas de Queso with Curtido and Salsa Roja from El Salvador.  I will not be able to make the official curtido as I didn't realize until right now that it was suppose to soak but my kids would not have eaten it any way if I had.  I have been putting some money in the CRS Rice Bowl it almost every day..   

Lastly I have NOT been as faithful with my InstaLent Photo Challenge has I have been in the past.  I am going to say it is partially because I was waiting for my new camera and partially because I wanted to be more creative, but I have officially decided that daily life is creative and challenging enough.  So now I have a lot of catching up to do and now that we are at the half way point it is time to kick it up a notch.  I will be sharing my photos soon!

Please, tell me what you have been doing for Lent- big or little or nothing....I want to hear about you and your life.

Yours truly,

L.L.  

Lent: Why I Receive the Ashes

I am flustered and annoyed.  I can not focus.  The car is in the shop.  My oldest child is on an overnight trip I probably should have volunteered to go.  I haven't sat down with my other two to do school in so long that I can't remember.  They are wasting away watching TV as usual.  My husband has been sick all week.   I have slept in more days then have woken up on time for daily prayer and Bible reading this week.  Oh look- it is raining-again.  

I sit staring at the computer waiting for likes and comments to validate me as a person.  I don't go outside because what is the point- everyone is fake and no one REALLY cares about me.  Me- the one little insignificant in a world of billions of people.  I am not special.  I am not going to change the world.

Then I look at the calendar.  It is that time of year again.  It is later than previous years, but it is here!  It is NOT about me.  It is time for Lent.  The time where I can gather with fellow believers to accept the ashes and hear the priest say, "Repent and be faithful to the Gospel".

This season of 40(ish) days breathes new life into me.  Without the reminder of Lent, I feel I would continue to wallow in self pity and stumble through life in a meaningless haze.  This spiritual practice, though not prescribed in the Bible and not exactly recognize in my Baptist church, takes me in like a mother holding a newborn babe.  It refreshes, redirects, and corrects me.

What did Jesus do during those 40 days in the dessert being tempted?  All we know is what is recorded, and we know we could not endure it  But Lent can help us identify with our Savior.  Remind us we could never do it.  Just as the Old Testament Sacrifices reminded the Jews- they could never do it perfectly.

Why do I take the Ashes?  Repentance.  I don't hear this word often enough.  "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."  Acts 3:19.  I receive the ashes to symbolize on the outside my inward repentance.  I receive the ashes to feel the weight of my sin.  I receive the ashes to mourn my sin.  I receive the ashes so that I may be born anew.  I receive the ashes to mark the promises of God.

I don't do it to feel special.  I don't do it to be exclusively different.  I don't do it to start a conflict or confusion about my beliefs or denomination.

I receive the ashes as a symbol of my repentance to get on track every year.  It is a yearly reminder- the reminder I need to keep strong in the faith.  There may be a time I may no longer need the ashes to remind me.  There may be a time when I am reminded every day in a way I can not imagine but God only knows.  But for now- I need this weight, this mourning, this reminder, and this time.

God be with you.   

Challenge 14

Dear Reader,

It is confession time.  I love pop music- specifically top 40 and Britney Spears and Meghan Trainor and Katy Perry.  I probably shouldn't like it, but I do.  I wish I was more sophisticated and more of a snob.  But I am not.  As someone who struggles with what feels like intense sexual repression from the church and Christianity (that is a whole other bucket of worms that I do not wish to try to figure out here), I am so glad for this music.  It helps me loosen up without going absolutely crazy.  I get just enough movement and enough rhythm to get it out of my system to move on with my somewhat boring life.

Today's challenge was Dance Around the Living Room.  I had to do it quietly and quickly because it is Sunday.  Our house faces the church parking lot for goodness sake.  I don't need everyone looking in and wondering what craziness is going on in there.  Oops!  I already told you in this post- but who is even reading?  No one that I know, certainly.  I just youtubed a Britney Spears Mix and danced in the living room (with a little bit of shame but nevertheless)- I did it.  It is fun!  I usually try to pick a better time to do something like this- night time, everyone gone ect.- but I wasn't sure what I was going to check in with today so I went with the easiest one.  I only wish I had time to do a little Zumba and "Whip Whip Nae Nae". 

Looks like Challenge 18 is the most realistic "Take a Bath" but hopefully I can get the ball rolling on hosting a dinner party if I can get my courage up to do- never know.

What is your favorite music to dance to ?  Or do you not dance?  Let's all loosen up a little.  It keeps me sane. 

Yours Truly,
L.L.

 

Challenge 5 and 13 completed

Dear Reader,

I apologize for the lateness of this post.  We were out till nearly midnight on Saturday at a hockey game needless to say I did not wake up on time for my weekly check in.  Not only did I miss the weekly check in but I started to feel a cold coming on and sure enough this whole week has been me just trying to breath through stuffed up nostrils long enough to get seven hours of sleep.  But I digress, I did end up completing two challenges- though I completed them not in the way I wanted to.  Isn't that pretty much always the way?  At least it is for me.  So here is what happened last week:

#5 Bake a Cake

So my two younger children got in trouble for walking over to church without asking or telling us or anything- in the dark!  Thankfully I don't worry about those things so much- I am more of a free range parent, but my husband is most certainly NOT.  He called the house and had me pick those two little rascals up and they were punished with no TV for a week.  We had a refresher course on the rules and I had them bake a "I'm Sorry" cake for dad.  It ended up being a 3 layered carrot cake with homemade cream cheese frosting (so sad that I didn't get to bake my Harry Potter poke cake- oh well)

Ariana and the "Sorry" cake

 #13  Learn to cook a new dish

The same day we baked the cake Ariana and I learned how to make Egg Drop Soup- from our Raddish Subscription.  I had never made Egg Drop Soup before so I decided to count it learning to cook a new dish even though I was originally planning on doing something on my own.  But challenges can also be fun with the family if I have willing participants.  Some times I review the Raddish Subscription boxes on my other site Owlowiscious Girls  where I mostly write about the books and fun things I do with my girls.  This site is just for me- for the most part, but the two subjects sometimes overlap. 

Ariana and the Egg Drop Soup

There you have it.  I completed 2 challenges before I had to recover from illness so I think that I did pretty well considering how many things I probably should be doing instead.  I will not be getting any other Happiness Challenges done with the remainder of the week (almost 100 % sure about that).  I am just barely on track with my Reading Challenge and keeping up with my Bible Reading and Gratitude Journal entries.  Next week I will be # 14 Dancing around the living room- celebrating getting over this cold- so that is something to look forward to.

What have you been up to?  Please, share.

Regards,
L.L.