Father in Heaven,
the light of your truth bestows sight
to the darkness of sinful eyes.
May this season of repentance
bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness
and the gift of Your light.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Plans for Lent
There has been so much going on in my neck of the woods lately that I'm just now slowing down enough to think about Lent. I'm so ready for this season! I have a longing to turn my focus inward. Dan and I got up early this morning (4:45am) to say our novena to St. Joseph and to pray the rosary. We then had a few minutes to drink our first cup of coffee and TALK without interruptions!
I was also able to do some blog reading (something I haven't had much time to do lately.....which is why I have over 700 posts unread in Google Reader!). In my reading this morning, I came across a wonderful post by Tiffany from Family at the Foot of the Cross. She has come up with a terrific way to countdown the days of Lent! This was very creative and I'm seriously thinking of doing this!
I had a 7 Quick Takes post in the works, but in a moment of "need more coffee" delirium, I clicked the wrong thing and it's gone! I'm not sure I have the energy to retype it.
On deck for the weekend....all three kids have dentist appointments tomorrow (Sat) at 8:00am! There should be some law about doctor/dentist appointments for that early in the morning...on a weekend (and no, I did NOT schedule these, my wonderful husband did)!
See you soon!
I was also able to do some blog reading (something I haven't had much time to do lately.....which is why I have over 700 posts unread in Google Reader!). In my reading this morning, I came across a wonderful post by Tiffany from Family at the Foot of the Cross. She has come up with a terrific way to countdown the days of Lent! This was very creative and I'm seriously thinking of doing this!
I had a 7 Quick Takes post in the works, but in a moment of "need more coffee" delirium, I clicked the wrong thing and it's gone! I'm not sure I have the energy to retype it.
On deck for the weekend....all three kids have dentist appointments tomorrow (Sat) at 8:00am! There should be some law about doctor/dentist appointments for that early in the morning...on a weekend (and no, I did NOT schedule these, my wonderful husband did)!
See you soon!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Oh my!
I'm up at 4:46am...couldn't sleep...had a bad dream. Can't remember it exactly, but, here I am. I wanted to check out some of my favorite blogs, but found my Google Reader at 1000+ entries to read! This might take me a month to get through! I might have to do one of those "mark all as read" maneuvers just so I don't go blind trying to read them all!
For whatever reason, this has not been a very productive Lent for me. I'm not sure why. I've not been very disciplined...at all. I never even made the effort to attend our Parish Mission this year. Because of that, I missed 4 nights of spiritual enrichment and 4 opportunities for confession. I also haven't done any of the activities I had planned to do with the kids. I think between Olivia's surgery and my back injury...I just haven't had any motivation.
On a positive note, our Parish has begun a new faith study called "Why Catholic? A Journey Through the Catechism". You can read more about it here. Our group will meet on Monday nights from 7:30pm until 9:00pm. Perhaps what I really need is an hour or two away from the craziness of life to focus on my faith. I am looking forward to it.
In the meantime, I guess I will pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again. There is still time to make this a special Lent. Oh, and I am planning a Novena to St. Joseph beginning on March 11 and ending on his feast day! Anyone want to join me?
Oh, one more thing.....I had my MRI on Friday. I was moving much better by then and so I felt a little silly having it done at all. It's an expensive test and I was thinking that it might not be necessary to do it. However, I realized while trying to get onto the table....there is definitely still something wrong with my back! I made it through the procedure without freaking out as they put me in feet first this time. In addition, my head was never fully covered! Getting off of the table proved trickier than getting on. I needed both techs to help....because of the pain, I could not pivot my hips the way you need to in order to get up and get off of the table! Hopefully, I will have the results by this afternoon.
Have a blessed week everybody!
For whatever reason, this has not been a very productive Lent for me. I'm not sure why. I've not been very disciplined...at all. I never even made the effort to attend our Parish Mission this year. Because of that, I missed 4 nights of spiritual enrichment and 4 opportunities for confession. I also haven't done any of the activities I had planned to do with the kids. I think between Olivia's surgery and my back injury...I just haven't had any motivation.
On a positive note, our Parish has begun a new faith study called "Why Catholic? A Journey Through the Catechism". You can read more about it here. Our group will meet on Monday nights from 7:30pm until 9:00pm. Perhaps what I really need is an hour or two away from the craziness of life to focus on my faith. I am looking forward to it.
In the meantime, I guess I will pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again. There is still time to make this a special Lent. Oh, and I am planning a Novena to St. Joseph beginning on March 11 and ending on his feast day! Anyone want to join me?
Oh, one more thing.....I had my MRI on Friday. I was moving much better by then and so I felt a little silly having it done at all. It's an expensive test and I was thinking that it might not be necessary to do it. However, I realized while trying to get onto the table....there is definitely still something wrong with my back! I made it through the procedure without freaking out as they put me in feet first this time. In addition, my head was never fully covered! Getting off of the table proved trickier than getting on. I needed both techs to help....because of the pain, I could not pivot my hips the way you need to in order to get up and get off of the table! Hopefully, I will have the results by this afternoon.
Have a blessed week everybody!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Ouch!
So, there I was, trying to get one more load of laundry in the washer before we left for mass this morning. As I bent down to pick up more clothes, it happened! I felt the absolute worst pain I've ever felt in my life! I'm not kidding! I screamed! Dan came running! I tried to walk out of the laundry room, but I couldn't put any weight on my left leg nor could I move my hips. It was a strange predicament for sure. I was lodged between the washer and dryer with a clothes basket between my legs. Something had happened in my lower back. Something bad.
Dan helped me get to a dining room chair. I couldn't do much else....so I cried. I told Dan to go ahead and take the kids to mass. Reluctantly, he did but made sure I had a phone right next to me. I sat there, in that dining room chair, for an hour and a half. On the way home, he stopped to buy a heating pad. It didn't help. Walking was (is) an effort at this point. I've decided that I've seriously pulled a muscle in my back. I'm not sure how this happened, I mean, I've been doing laundry now for about 30 years.
Dan's sister and her husband have a hot tub. I drove myself over there this afternoon to soak for awhile. I guess I was in there for about an hour. It definitely loosened things up. I can walk now! I can put weight on my left leg. However, I can't for the life of me, stand up straight.
I'm hoping that some stretching and resting will help because it really hurts a lot! I'm taking 800mg of Motrin every 6 hours and Dan is keeping me lubed up in Bengay.
The laundry didn't get finished. I didn't get to mass. We had take out Chinese for dinner.
It was suggested to me to "offer it up". I will. This is the season of Lent, after all.
Dan helped me get to a dining room chair. I couldn't do much else....so I cried. I told Dan to go ahead and take the kids to mass. Reluctantly, he did but made sure I had a phone right next to me. I sat there, in that dining room chair, for an hour and a half. On the way home, he stopped to buy a heating pad. It didn't help. Walking was (is) an effort at this point. I've decided that I've seriously pulled a muscle in my back. I'm not sure how this happened, I mean, I've been doing laundry now for about 30 years.
Dan's sister and her husband have a hot tub. I drove myself over there this afternoon to soak for awhile. I guess I was in there for about an hour. It definitely loosened things up. I can walk now! I can put weight on my left leg. However, I can't for the life of me, stand up straight.
I'm hoping that some stretching and resting will help because it really hurts a lot! I'm taking 800mg of Motrin every 6 hours and Dan is keeping me lubed up in Bengay.
The laundry didn't get finished. I didn't get to mass. We had take out Chinese for dinner.
It was suggested to me to "offer it up". I will. This is the season of Lent, after all.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Fast From....Feast On
Fast from judging others ~ Feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences ~ Feast on the unity of life.
Fast from apparent darkness ~ Feast on the reality of Light.
Fast from thoughts of illness ~ Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute ~ Feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent ~ Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger ~ Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism ~ Feast on optimism.
Fast from worry ~ Feast on Divine Order.
Fast from complaining ~ Feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives ~ Feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures ~ Feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility ~ Feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness ~ Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern ~ Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety ~ Feast on eternal Truth.
Fast from discouragement ~ Feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress ~ Feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from lethargy ~ Feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from thoughts that weaken ~ Feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow ~ Feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip ~ Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm ~ Feast on prayer that strengthens.
--William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921-1994)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Our journey begins
Although I am not as ready and prepared as I should be...I've managed to put a few things together for our family so that we can begin this Lenten season with a goal. Unfortunately, none of what I've done was my idea. Dawn from By Sun and Candlelight has been one of my most favorite Catholic blogging moms of all time! She was my inspiration for starting my own blog!
I found a piece of purple fabric that I had on hand for a Christmas project from 2 years ago. I used a small strip of it and after poking holes in the cards...strung them in chronological order...beginning with Ash Wednesday.
What I decided to do is similar to her Lenten post here. Please take a look at all of her Lenten ideas! I've taken major shortcuts but it was the simplest thing I could come up with that will still have significant meaning for our family. Here's what I did....
I had some purple index cards hanging around...so I cut them in half (trying to be more resourceful!)
I marked each index card with the dates for Lent (obviously beginning with Ash Wednesday). We received a Lenten Calendar in our bulletin this past weekend. I thought this would be a good way to get good use of that. On the back of each index card, I wrote down a different Lenten activity or sacrifice. Here is a more up close picture of what some of the calendar had to offer.
Since my children are only 8, 5 and 3...some of these had to be "toned down" to their level of understanding. These are very simple things that we can do individually or as a family to help prepare us for Good Friday...and eventually....Easter!
I found a piece of purple fabric that I had on hand for a Christmas project from 2 years ago. I used a small strip of it and after poking holes in the cards...strung them in chronological order...beginning with Ash Wednesday.
I am rarely able to use a table that the kids can reach just simply because, if they can reach it....then it probably won't last long. However, I'm going to trust them this year (please pray for us!)! I used that purple fabric for a table cloth and also used a crucifix that Nathan made at school a few years ago out of clothes pins. The only other thing on the table is our rosaries. I used a tack to hang up our daily devotionals. Each day, we'll tear one off (carefully!) read and spend the day thinking about it or doing it!I hope the simplicity of it will make it all doable and memorable for the kids.
For the last several years, we've been doing a children's stations of the cross outside in our backyard every Friday. The kids take turns holding the cross as we move along the fence where we have taped up the station meditations. Occasionally, another family will join us and then we have a simple meal.
I'm interested to see what your plans are. Please share!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Out of sorts
Surgery messes you up! I can't seem to get a handle on my days. I'm not really sure what day of the week it is...or what time of day it is. Everything just runs together in this endless stream of rest, pain medicine and navigating our house....hunched over. I can almost stand completely straight! I will go to the doctor's office tomorrow to have my staples removed.
I'm having some temperature issues...first I'm burning up and then I'm freezing. I'm not sure how long your body takes to get used to not having ovaries, but I wonder if the heat and sweating are related? Who knows! At this point, I'm just trying to go with the flow.
I just realized that Lent starts this week! Boy, where have I been? I am usually much more prepared for such a major liturgical season. Spiritually, I feel like I'm already experiencing Lent. I'm in a vast desert now, trying to feel my way around. I think it would be appropriate to say that part of me is dead. I am a caterpillar that has enveloped herself in the shell of a chrysalis...waiting to be born anew. Waiting for my wings.
I know that my female parts did not make up the whole of the woman that God made me to be.
But, I was not yet ready to let them go. And so, I mourn. I hurt. But I know that the butterfly awaits the hand of God. I will be patient and wait.
I'm changing the look of my blog for Lent...a few days early just in case by Wednesday, I've totally forgotten what month I'm in.
In this desert, I will pray. I will pray for all of you...and for myself. I know that many of you take blogging breaks during Lent...I respect that and will pray for your spiritual renewal. I, however, need to feel my way through Lent this year...a little differently than in years past.
Just in case you were all thinking that I'm speaking to you from a drug induced stupor.....not this time! I haven't taken anything stronger than ibuprofen in about 36 hours! I'm off the hard stuff!
I look forward to the Spring!
I'm having some temperature issues...first I'm burning up and then I'm freezing. I'm not sure how long your body takes to get used to not having ovaries, but I wonder if the heat and sweating are related? Who knows! At this point, I'm just trying to go with the flow.
I just realized that Lent starts this week! Boy, where have I been? I am usually much more prepared for such a major liturgical season. Spiritually, I feel like I'm already experiencing Lent. I'm in a vast desert now, trying to feel my way around. I think it would be appropriate to say that part of me is dead. I am a caterpillar that has enveloped herself in the shell of a chrysalis...waiting to be born anew. Waiting for my wings.
I know that my female parts did not make up the whole of the woman that God made me to be.
But, I was not yet ready to let them go. And so, I mourn. I hurt. But I know that the butterfly awaits the hand of God. I will be patient and wait.
I'm changing the look of my blog for Lent...a few days early just in case by Wednesday, I've totally forgotten what month I'm in.
In this desert, I will pray. I will pray for all of you...and for myself. I know that many of you take blogging breaks during Lent...I respect that and will pray for your spiritual renewal. I, however, need to feel my way through Lent this year...a little differently than in years past.
Just in case you were all thinking that I'm speaking to you from a drug induced stupor.....not this time! I haven't taken anything stronger than ibuprofen in about 36 hours! I'm off the hard stuff!
I look forward to the Spring!
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