Goodness, it really seems like Easter gets earlier and earlier! Honestly though, I don't mind. I truly enjoy the Lenten season. Our church kicks it off with an Ash Wednesday service. It is C's favorite service and one of mine too. Our ministers have us write what we are giving up for lent on a card. We then pass in our cards and a few of the members take all the cards outside and burn them, along with the palms from last year's Palm Sunday. The ashes are brought back inside and mixed with black paint. Then, each member gets to draw a cross with the paint on burlap. To me, it is so comforting to see our three crosses looking back at me during this season. Yes, even K gets a little cross! I do wish the service was in the morning so I could wear the cross on my forehead all day. To me, it is such a powerful reminder of the cross Jesus suffered on for little old me.
And, of course, C and I have to rack our brains to figure out what to give up for Lent. There are so many things that we have given up previously that just are not a part of our lives anymore, like TV. so, this year, we have decided that as a family, we are giving up on going out to eat, even if other people are paying. I really want to take this time to focus on how our family shares meals. Plus, I have totally missed cooking in my kitchen!! I do believe that the dinner table keeps the family together. We did not eat together as a family often when I was growing up since Dad worked and Mom had work to do at home. I'm not meaning this to dis my parents since I know they did it for me and my brother. But I cannot tell you the joy that my soul takes on when sharing meals with family and friends. I think it plays in part to our desire to have a large family. I always cook more than enough food so we have a pretty stocked freezer. I just want to be able to get my family into the habit of dinners together.
