Preparing for Lent

One week from today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

In my life, Ash Wednesday and Lent have been very powerful
times of rededication and commitment. Coming from a traditional upbringing in the Episcopal Church, I can distinctly remember going to church on Ash Wednesday and wearing the ashes home. Back in those days, I would give up things like chocolate or one year, oh how I remember, I gave up Dr.Pepper. I can still remember how sweet it was on Easter morning to have that Dr.Pepper with my breakfast. Let me tell you - I was celebrating for sure!

But in my youth, I recognized the value of giving up, but didn't really use as anything more than self-denial. I've matured a bit in my celebration of Lent and am looking forward to sharing it with my family this year as a time of returning, renewing, and refreshing.

Since I'm rather new to the Reformed Church, I've been interested to learn how it handles Lent. Here is a great article from a Presbyterian pastor in New York about Lent in the PCA.

As he says, "The point of Lent is not to give up chocolate; it’s to give up sin!" Thus, "What we do physically has an effect on us spiritually—and we neglect this principle to our peril."

Some of my favorite books to pull out for Easter:
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Henri Nouwen's Show me the Way (Lenten Readings)

Here are some helpful links:
A script for explaining Lent to your children. (Here)
Here's a calendar with readings and practices (from the Book of Common Prayer (Episcopalian)
Here's some tips on fasting from the same website
CatholicMom has lots of ideas (lesson plans, links, etc)

Happy Candlemas!

Today is the celebration of Candlemas!

It also means that we are half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. After the winter that we have had here, I'm all for the news that Spring is on the way!

Tradition goes that on this day, Christians would take their candles to the priest and have them blessed for long life. It seems like a great reason to light a candle, pour some tea, and celebrate the Light of the World!

Celebrate Heart Month

In our house, we celebrate each month with a theme. For January, for example, is snow. Snowmen. Snowballs. Snowflakes, etc.

February moves us in to Valentine's Day. Hearts. Love. etc. We try to do crafts that will decorate our house with the theme all throughout the month. There are so many different ways to tie in each month's theme.

So, to help you get in the spirit, here are some of my favorite crafting websites ...

Kaboose - lots of fun crafts, food, games, etc. (my fav)

FamilyFun - the magazine, as well as the website, always have super ideas - almost too many to find time for.

Enchanted Learning - lots of printables as well as teaching materials for homeschoolers.

Michael's - Michael's has a special section for teachers, as well as ideas and supplies, and COUPONS!

And if your marriage is needing some lovin', check out FamilyLife and Focus on the Family ministries.