Lenten Ideas

Ash Wednesday is almost upon us - are you ready? I've been thinking a lot lately about what I would like to do during this very special liturgical season. My energy levels have been very low, so a lot of what I plan in my head does not get implimented into our daily lives. (BTW - My doctor's office did call the other day w/ my Vitamin D test results. Yes, it is low so he wants me to take some extra Vit. D supplements for a month & see if it helps.)

Back to Lenten ideas: Every year, we participate in Operation Rice Bowl through our church. We set the bowl on the table or island & throw in any extra change. The munchkins really look forward to doing this. As soon as we bring the bowl home from church & put it together, they run to get their banks. 75% of the donations go to help Catholic Relief Services in their worldwide efforts & 25% goes to our local diocese.

For the past two years, I've taken The Prophet to our church's Stations of the Cross. He looks forward to this each year. Afterwards, we stop at Wendy's for fries & a frosty to spend some time together. I've not taken The Archangel & The Princess because I knew they wouldn't sit still long enough. Last year was extra special for The Prophet. My dad, the deacon at our church, didn't have any servers show up so he asked The Prophet (a first-grader) to assist. (In our parish, servers have to be in fifth grade.) He carried the crucifix to each station as it was prayed. It brought tears to my eyes to see him participating in such a mature manner. He's hoping Grandpa will ask him to help out again this year!

Last year, I found a recipe for Resurrection Rolls. Basically, it's taking a large marshmellow, wrapping it up in a crescent roll & baking it. The marshmallow disappears into the roll as it is baked, signifying the empty tomb of Jesus. They taste really good too!

One of the mothers in my homeschool group asked for some ideas & some of the other mothers gave some great suggestions. Some I'd like to do are:

1) Place a grapevine wreath in the center of the table w/ toothpicks sticking out of it to signify the crown of thorns. On Easter Sunday, replace the toothpicks w/ flowers.

2) Give each person a twisted pretzel at dinner each night. It shows the form of arms crossed in prayer to remind us that Lent is a time of prayer. More details can be found at www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities.

3) I also signed us up for Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure. They email activities to do throughout Lent w/ you children.

As to what I'm giving up for Lent this year, I've been reflecting on the things that take me away from my family & the computer is the first one that comes to mind. I spend far too much time reading blogs. Even though the ones I read have been a great inspiration to me, I'm going to give them up for Lent, including my own. I will still post my Small Successes each week because they really help me to focus on the things I'm doing good in my life (& I really need that reassurance.) Basically, I'm going to avoid the computer except for those few things I need to do - checking my email (but only a couple times a day as opposed to anytime I sit at the computer), preparing our church bulletin, & ebay stuff.

I'm also going to try to get up earlier & be better at starting my day w/ prayer & reflection. This has been a big struggle for me since The Saint has been waking up more often to nurse throughout the night. Growth spurt or teething? I'm not sure, but regardless, I've been losing a lot of sleep.

Well, the munchkins are getting restless - a sure sign that I've been on here too long already this morning! Have a very blessed Lenten season! My prayers are w/ you all, that God may grant your every need.

Peace & blessings,
Munchesmom