Ash Wednesday

     Today, March 1st, is the start of Lent! 40 days that we make a commitment to cut out the unhealthy and ungodly things in our lives, and replace them with ways to seek and honor God's presence. The last few days I have been praying and seeking what I need to fast. Early this morning it became clear to me what I should do for these forty days. My largest struggles in general are glutton and finances.
     I love food! I love it too much! I struggle with self control; I eat too much and don't pay attention to what I'm eating. So, I am going to basically start with a Daniel Fast and work backwards to what else I can have. For instance, I am going to allow meat and my diet coke for starters.
     Last Thursday I started Financial Peace University for the second time. Two things stood out to me in that first video. 1) Do I control my money or does it control me?  2) Dave Ramsey told the story that someone came to him and said that by they time they get to the end of their budget they have no money left to tithe, and Dave said to him that he had his budget upside down. I feel like my money controls me. Don't get me wrong, I am implementing FPU and huge changes have happened in our lives. But I still feel like I'm living around our finances and it sucks. Then, when he Dave told the guy he had his budget upside down I had shell shock. This morning I just knew in my heart that God is asking me to trust Him with my money! I have been making steps, but this morning I committed to tithe 10% for the duration of Lent. I know, it's only four Sundays but I have to start somewhere.
     I also set an alarm on my phone and pulled out a fresh journal that I will make purposeful, dedicated time to journal with God every day! I am excited about this! Two weeks ago I found my journal that I started after I was baptized full of my new spiritual discoveries and realizations. I missed that. I am going back to giving my hand to God. I am amazed at what he does with my open heart and a pen in my hand.

Tonight I also did something new:

I attended my first Ash Wednesday service!

     All things God always come full circle and this service finished what started this morning. Ash Wednesday kicks off the start of Lent, yes. Lent though is a 40 day walk with Christ. A walk that asks us to examine the sin we've accumulated in our lives. The whole purpose Christ went to the cross was to pay for our sins. We are to live as joyous, redeemed Christians, but we should take this time each year to truly examine what sin crept in to our habits/lives. I had yet to realize that depth of Lent. It is the time to realize what Christ died for.
     I felt harsh on myself this morning for using the term glutton, but in light of tonight's service I needed to take that serious step back and look at what has crept in.

Turning 6 and Shark Fun!

I can hardly believe it.

It's been six years since my son was born!

Where did all the time go?

     My big guy put in the request for a "Jaws" birthday party early this year! His love of sharks knows no bounds. Every year I enjoy putting together the best party I can for my Bubby. My crafty-pinterest-mom card comes out to make a super cool stuff. So he got his Jaws birthday cake and shark filled room.
     Since going through Financial Peace University and being diligent to God the last several months my husband and I had the greatest pleasure of being able to take our son to the aquarium for his birthday. After his party we drove down to spend the next day at the Newport Aquarium! It was amazing!!! We all got to pet sharks and penguins! Connor was the brave man and pet a starfish! (I pet the horseshoe crab.) The aquarium is just epic! I highly recommend it to everyone.
     They have 14 large sharks that you can watch at different places in the aquarium. Plus, they have about 15 sharks in the pet-the-shark area which is incredibly cool! Connor's favorites were the Shark Rays and the white alligator. Then to end it all best for him they had a stuffed alligator snapper turtle in the gift shop that he got with his birthday money in memory of his turtle (Toothless) that passed away.

 

 

 

Books to Start 2017

     So in case you didn't know, I am an avid book reader! My book passion started from a very early age, but in fifth grade my love for reading went to another level. That summer I read 100 books for our local library's reading challenge. Ever since then I have read hundreds of more books. Last year wasn't my best year for reading though. Lots of stuff was happening and I just "couldn't get my head in the game." So my TBR (to-be-read) pile is pretty big right now. I have some books goaled to get read by April. I have high hopes with my intentionality this year that I can do it!

Here are the six books I would like to get through in the next two months; titles are links to Amazon.com.

Unoffendable, by: Brant Hansen
  
     I listened to Brant Hansen on Air1 radio during his three year career there. I knew I had to read his book: the idea that "righteous anger" is a myth. Learning to give yourself peace by choosing to not be offended. Sounds very needed in the world today.













Dealing with Diabetes Burnout, by: Ginger Vieira

     This, of course, is not for everyone, but I am very excited about reading this! Encouragement is a hard thing to get when you're a diabetic. Staying on top of everything while doing everything else is such a challenge!











 


Girls with Swords, by: Lisa Bevere

     I love Lisa Bevere! She is a phenomenal evangelist! I have two other of her books, and I have been excited and waiting to read this one! Women need to arm themselves with the word of god! Going to be a review done on this one!












Life Together, by: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

     I have not heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer until recently, but this book was recommended to me and it sounded like an excellent try! Bonhoeffer lived in WWII and was a Pastor and conspirator against Hitler. This book is about the community of believers.













360° Preaching, by: Michael Quicke

     Title is pretty much self explanatory. This is for my personal development in preaching and exegesis. Several pastors in my CLI classes have recommended this to me, and I got it as a gift the end of last year. This talks a lot about approaching your sermon from all senses.












Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, by: Peter Scazzero

     So this as a recommendation from a Christian vlogger, and it looked good. Just the tagline of the book: "It's impossible to be spiritually mature, while remaining emotionally immature." Sounds like I may get prodded for some more growing!