Working on me....

As I mentioned last week, my lenten challenges were a few items that I personally wanted to improve.

I am happy to report that one week into this Lenten season I'm doing great!  I have passed up on fried foods...though, it also makes me happy to report that outside of one meal dining out, I haven't really been tempted.  I think it is a good thing to realize that fried foods really aren't a big part of my diet (outside of french fries and chicken sandwiches).  Maybe this is something I can cut back on for good.  I will be challenged tomorrow - Payton and I have a date night at Chick fil A - luckily, they have several grilled options and I love their salads!

As for blogging, as you can see, I'm logging in every day and sharing a little bit more of me with each of you.  It has been rewarding for me to be able to sit and unwind by expressing my thoughts each day.  I hope I can spend a little more time updating on the kids and sharing updated pictures in the next few days.   It is taking time out of other things on my list - but, I've realized these other things are necessarily my priorities - specifically, I blog in the time that I usually spend "unwinding" on the couch in front of the television.  Yes, I still make time for my favorite shows (thank you DVR) but I'm also happy to see that I am able to make time for other things that are important to me....working out would be a little better for me but working out at 10 pm insn't my best solution.

Getting rid of one bag per day....yes, yes, yes, yes!  Some of the bags have been small - but, what I have noticed is that things that used to pile up (the mail, etc) aren't quite as high!  The past two days I spent 10 minutes cleaning out clutter in my office.  I had hoped to tackle some larger areas (closets, etc) but that hasn't happened yet.  I have made slow progress with several drawers and the area on the desk in our kitchen....the biggest mess in our house!  It is therapeutic to get rid of clutter and if I had a full, kid free day to do only this, I think I could fill a dumpster or a Goodwill store!!

Daily scripture reading - I'm most upset that this is the one category that I slipped in.  My Bible reading time is right before bed - this is the best time for me and the best to focus quietly.  This also comes with the risk of falling asleep before reading.  This Monday night I went to sleep before reading.  I picked right back up where I left off on Tuesday.  I am happy to report that I have read and studied Proverbs 1 - 6 and will be reading chapter 7 tonight.  We have also started our Lenton worship series and small group meetings.  Our sermons on Sundays will tie into our small group sessions - our small group is meeting on Wednesday.  Tonight was our first night meeting with our small group.  It was wonderful and I'm looking forward to growing with some of our closest friends in the way over the next few weeks.  I have been in Bible study with these women for almost 3 years but we have never included our husbands in a study. This small group experience has pulled many of us in together.  I know it will be a rewarding experience.

My pastor shared this about giving up things for lent in the newsletter today:

Giving something up for Lent has become “in vogue.”  People rush to give up chocolate, or a certain drink, or sweets for Lent, before taking the time to reflect more deeply on what comes between them and the life God wants for them? What fears or angers or disappointments or dashed hopes or insecurities keep them from living the abundant life God wants for them? 

I realize that I have given up some tangible "things" but I hope in doing each of these things I am able to grow a little in my spiritual journey and grow a little closer in my personal relationship with God.  I know our Lenten small group will help with this even in my own efforts do not. 

In sad news, a friend of a friend has experienced a great loss today and I would like to ask each of you to pray for comfort and peace for this family.  My friend introduced us to the story of baby Henry last year and my bible study group has remained up-to-date on his status and has prayed continuously for him and his family.  Henry's mom is a friend of my friend - she was pregnant with twins and knew that one twin had a heart defect that would require surgery.  They moved to Charleston to prepare for this. Henry and Loulie were born here; after Henry was born, he spent months in the PCICU at MUSC. When he was about 6 months old, he was given the blessing of a heart transplant and has been doing okay.  Today, they traveled to Charleston for a routine test - I don't know all the details, but I learned on Henry's CaringBridge site that his heart stopped beating during the test and they were not able to save sweet Henry.  He is in heaven now and his parents are left to deal with his loss while also attempting to deal with continuing on for his twin sister.  I can't imagine the pain they are facing - but, I do know that as I have followed along on this journey their faith has been amazing.  As I said, I do not know them personally but thanks to the modern world of social networking they have allowed me to share their journey with them.  My heart breaks for them as a parent and as a nurse.  There is nothing I can do for them other than pray...and pray....and pray...and pray.  I would like to ask each of you to pray for Henry's family along with me.  The power of prayer is amazing and hopefully they will be able to gain some peace knowing that they have prayer warriors continuing to pray for them.