Lent.

I have been a major slacker with updating this blog for Lent. I am still here, still taking pictures of things I am thankful for...at least most days.

Recently, I have been very thankful for my car. I know I've used that before, but I have a new found appreciation. Ben's car has been in the shop all week, and so he has been borrowing mine. Which, has been a challenge. I feel a bit of cabin fever, just being at home, and walking the just over a mile walk to work.

This morning, I decided I would get up super early and take him to work...therefore, I could have my car. Unfortunately, it also meant getting up very early and has led me to the Spotted Cow (Mill Creek Town Center) before 7am. It's going to be a long day. But, luckily for me, Ben is picking up his car today, so things should settle back into place.

Today, I hope to enjoy the day, run around to a variety of different place, eat delicious food, drink coffee and a little retail therapy. All the while being mindful of the budget and the waistline!

Lent.

Pinterest. It is a simple thing. Maybe a stupid thing to be thankful for, but today I am thankful for it. It isn't as exciting, motivating or priceless as some of my other posts. It would never take the place of people or relationships,

but...

It keeps me busy. It inspires me to be creative. It makes my soul happy.

So, today, I choose you pinterest! Thanks for making my inspired :)

Lent.

Today, I am thankful that Ben and I were able to buy him a bike. We went on a quick, wet ride, and I look forward to many more. It's nice to have a bike buddy in the area! I have started to fall in love with ridding again in my life, but it is ALWAYS more fun to exercise with other people. I really am so thankful to be in a financial place to be able to do this, it is an incredible blessing!

Lent.

I have learned a lot about myself though this journey. About a month left until Easter and this continues to be a struggle.

One thing I have learned thus far is just how important people are to me. I look forward to the different people I see each day. I am, by nature, an introvert. I like my own space and time to regroup. BUT, the people I come into community with, into fellowship with, are priceless.

Tonight, I went for a ~3 mile run with Kelly and Julie. I have always been nervous to do that...they are pretty hardcore. I am certainly not a runner. It was good though. I didn't totally keep up, but I finished, and I would love to...become a runner!?

Then, we had delicious dinner. Delicious, meat-free dinner (it is Friday!), wine and homemade cinnamon rolls (thanks Kelly!) and it was absolutely the best night. We talked about relationships, Jesus, Mark Driscoll, and so much more. It was a wonderful evening, certainly an evening to be thankful for!

Lent. Day 15?

Today is the kind of day I would prefer to just lay in bed. I woke up with the most awful headache and all I wanted was to just stay in bed.

My bed is nothing special. My linens don't match. I wish it were bigger sometimes. It's super old and very squeaky and overall not that exciting...but I love it.

I couldn't stay in bed all day. There isn't many days that I can...honestly not many days I want to. I went to work, had an awesomely productive day and now...finally, am home. and headed back into my lovely bed!

...Unfortunately, I still can't shake this headache...

Tonight, I am thankful for the Bachelor. Well I guess what I am really thankful for is fellowship, laughter, wine and just a grand time. Each week on Tuesdays (Well almost each week) Kelly and I get together and watch the Bachelor from Monday night via Hulu and it is never a dull moment. We enjoy watching the show, making fun of the "seriousness" of it, and coming to epiphanies such as, "it's not about winning...it's about falling in love"

It has become a great tradition, something I look forward to each week and I wouldn't be tell the truth if the show was only a part of it. Yes, delicious dinner, and fabulous dessert and wine is important, but The Bachelor is really what makes it a night! So, thank you ABC for providing endless amount of mind-numbing, meaningless television. It's just what I need after the craziness that is Sunday and Monday in ministry!

Lent. Day 13.

I dont' have a picture for today. It is almost 2 weeks into Lent and I need to pick this up again. Keep plugging away. Sometimes it is hard to think of things as the come, take a picture, and then remember to do something with the picture. I suppose it is not supposed to be easy. Last night, at high school youth group, I challenged my teens and their families that Lent is about leaning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Trying to find a new routine, or mix up the routine we have.

and so, that leads me to tonight. Today I am thankful for the other Catholic youth ministers in the area. Each month we have the opportunity to to get together. We spend time in community and support with each other, as well as collaboration on different events. I am very thankful to have such a community. Many people in ministry feel very isolated. It can be a rough gig because so many of us carry so much weight on our shoulders. I look forward to these meetings mainly for the support. It is oddly comforting to hear that people struggle with the same things at their parishes and feel the same strains and joys along the way.

My job is not without struggles, but it is the blessings, the people and ultimately Christ that keeps me coming back for me...and for that, I am grateful!

Lent. Day 11.

“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting." -Matthew 6:16

On Ash Wednesday just a *few* days ago, we read this reading at Mass. I have been thinking about it a lot lately since then. I find that it comes to my mind often. I gave up being messy for lent, and added these reflections. It has been going well I would say.

This morning I had a delicious breakfast, homemade by Ben, meat-free. No, it's not Friday, but Ben gave up meat for Lent. We don't seem to have a lot of time together these days. He works like a crazy person, and I work irregular hours...but it has become a bit of a tradition for us to have breakfast (usually out, but today in) on Saturday mornings. I look forward to this time. It is soul-restoriative and it is often what sustains me, and us, each week.

Even though I didn't give up meat, it was nice to have a meal of veggies for breakfast. It didn't seem like much of a sacrifice. Which, all things considered is strange, since Friday's still seem to be challenging...

Lent. Day 10.

Tonight, I am thankful for Kelly. How could you not me...look at that face!

This pictures is actually a few years old, but I didn't take one from tonight.

Kelly inspires me, she encourages me, she lets me word vomit the joys and frustrations of life. She truly makes me a better person.

I met Kelly my freshman year at Trinity and it was all I could do to hope and pray, she would attend school with me and we could become friends. I saw a spark in her from the beginning.

She was one of the first people to teach me to be vulnerable, to be transparent. I just love her so much. I would not be the person I am today without her friendship. I am so thankful we both ended up in ministry in Snohomish, so she could keep supporting me! I can only hope I am a support for her that she is of me!

Lent. Day Nine.

"Therefore,

If any man be in Christ Jesus He is a new creature.

Old things have passed away and behold,

He becomes New."

2 Cor. 5:17-19

Lent. Day Eight.

John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Today, I am thankful for friends. I took this photo an hour into our conversation that lasted a total of two and a half hours. I am so thankful for Rebecca. She has become a closer and closer friend throughout the years. We attended Trinity Lutheran College together. We traveled to Italy and Greece together and have had many other adventures.

Last year, she got married and moved away to Tennessee. We often play phone tag back and forth, BUT when we connect it is always long. We talk about everything under the sun. About God, relationships, marriage, work. We spend so much time talking about ourselves we hardly even have time to gossip about other people :)

I have many great friend, Rebecca is just one, but I don't think there has ever been anyone who I can connect with on the phone for so long. When I am feeling bored or lonely, she always lifts my spirit. I have never met anyone who verbally processes as much as I do.

I have seen Rebecca through challenges, and she me. Our friendship if life-giving, meaningful and how can I not be thankful for something like that!

Lent. Day Six.

Matthew 11: 28-30

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."

Everyone needs rest. Even God rested. It's why we have a sabbath. Because I work for the church, I can't take sabbath on Sunday. Unfortunately, I often forget about Sabbath all together. I have so little time off, it is easy to just run errands: go to the gym, the grocery store, target, etc and forget about rest. about prayer. about Sabbath.

BUT, today even though it was tempting to work or just go to target, I took Sabbath. Or a version, my version. I sat in an awesome coffee shop, sipped coffee, ate sweet crepes and read almost half of Lauren Winner's new book. (Which is FANTASTIC by the way!)

Today, I am thankful for Sabbath. For having a God who want's us to take Sabbath and rest in him.

Lent. Day Five.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

-Ecclesiastes 3

Today was long. These pictures are not from today..but from over the years of ministry. I felt like I was on a roller coaster today. One minute I was hearing stories about 1st Graders embracing the Holy Spirit teaching so much they were teaching younger siblings. The next I was looking over a budget that is short money but not time. The next moment I was laughing and joking with my Confirmation group. The next getting angry at the same group for joking about rape. Which is not funny. The next time I turned, Mass was in full swing being helped by all my teens without being asked. Next a parent, telling me that she cried with her son when he returned from the retreat...because it was an incredible experience, he learned, grew and found God. And finally, trying to talk to parents, talk them in to, mission trips.

Did I mention it was an exhausting day?!

I feel like Ministry always comes in waves and the only way to describe is to say, there is a season for everything AND if it doesn't work now, perhaps it's just not the right season.

Despite all of this, despite my having to crack down, and hold my kids responsible, I am thankful for them. Every week, they warm my heart, exceed my expectations, remind me that they need me, and that they crave, want and need Christ.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but pray about everything" -Philippians 4:6

Today I sent nearly eight hours trying to clean and organize my office. I had been waiting for months to do it, and finally just got it done. In addition to my daily photo of thankfulness, I have given up "being messy." So, this is just one step in that.

Today, day 4, I am thankful for clean spaces and the ability to clean them, and keep them clean.

Philippians 4:6 has long been my "token" scripture verse. As a Catholic, I didn't learn to memorize scripture. When I attend Trinity and throughout the years, people has asked with my favorite verse of scripture is, and I always tell them Philippians 4:6. Today, it became art work for my office. I daily reminder to pray instead of working myself into a panic.

Lent. Day Three.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

-Matthew 6:25-27

It is easy to get caught up in worry. I often think I worry to much..it is just so easy. In fact right now I am worried. Worried about work, about what time it is, about when I am going to do the dishes. It is quite, subtle worry, but nevertheless it is present. Nature though, is an incredible reminder of how precious life is, how sacred it is. Matthew's scripture (from above) is a reminder that God has us, holds us.

About a year and a half ago I took Desmond, my 3 year old doggie, into my home and my life. He is a handful most of the time but he is also such a blessings. Since Julie has moved in, he has been exceptionally anxious. He has had two different "potty-accidents" in the last 3 days...he barks and barks, stays up stirring all night. So today I took him and Ben's dog Zoey to the park.

Dog parks are a great idea. They provide puppy-socialization, but most importantly they provide relief for owners who are at their wits-end! When I arrived at the park it was under construction, so it was tricky to find. Which lead to a hike through the park woods. It was beautiful. The dogs LOVED it! They didn't' have a care in the world. They were frolicking about, finding sticks and birds to chase.

My soul is most as peace in nature. I should focus on that more.

So today, I am thankful for nature and dog parks. But mostly dog parks.

Lent. Day Two.

Yesterday's post was easy. Today's was a bit more of a challenge. I anticipate it will get more and more challenging as time progresses. Having good days and bad!

Today I am thankful for my car!

Today, I drove to Everett-back to Snohomish-Back to Everett-To Lake Stevens-To Monroe-Back home to Snohomish and then to the Dog park in Lake Stevens.

It was quite the day in my car!

As I was coming home from the dog park tonight, I felt, all of a sudden that I am so incredibly blessed to be able to travel all over the place.

I left this morning without my wallet. I had looked everywhere for it in my house, and realized it was probably in Ben's car, that I had driven last night. So I drove to get it. But it wasn't there, so back and forth I went. I was an incredible blessing to be able to do that! I often take my car for granted. It's easy to do with so many things in life.

This week I have a new roommate. She is moving the last of her stuff in right now and when we first chatted she noted that she see's all her stuff as "God's Stuff". It's rare to find someone who can be such an incredible example of this, and I look forward to learning from her and from my daily reflections.

Lent. Day One.

This is my dad.

I don't often talk about my parents. My family is far from perfect. We have our struggles and our differences. Our laughter and joy seems to come few and far between at times.

But, every now and again I have the opportunity to witness true bliss in the eyes of my father. He cares so deeply about his family. He has provided me with examples of what it means to be a caretaker and a parent.

I don't have the best memory. I don't think back on my childhood often..mostly because I don't remember a lot of it. I think the stress in my adolescence washed away easily recalled memories.

Today, I am thankful for my dad though. I am thankful that he taught me how to ride a bike, check my oil and save even a little of the money I earn. They are gifts many young adults were not blessed with.

As a child, I remember my dad calling me over to the computer each night to show me, update me, on how my stocks were doing. I wasn't sure then, and I'm still not convinced I know 100% what stocks are now. But, my dad does. He knew and invested my money wisely. A gift that I am so incredibly grateful for as I continue to grow. Each year as my friends took trips with their Permanent Fund Dividends my dad invested mine. Now, I have money that when I am ready, I can buy a house. Not many 24-year olds are in that position. It's an incredible gift.

As a child, I remember my dad taking us on crazy adventures. Mostly on our boat, but biking and camping too. I remember one time in particular that we were staying at a Forest Service cabin. We were interrupted by another family who, despite our hopes, showed up for there reservations. So, in the pitch black in the middle of nowhere Alaska, we had to leave. In addition, we have shrimp pots "set" (down in the ocean). So we loaded up, and went to pick up the pots. It was stormy and the boat started to overheat. An alarm was going off, my mom was freaked and I sat there, reading. Judy Blume. I'll never forget it. I trusted my dad in that moment. I was scared, knew we were in trouble, but even still was at ease. My dad had it all under control; and despite talk of not making it to shore, he navigated us back safely.

As a child, a high schooler, I took drivers education. Most teens did. My instructor sent us home with an assignment. Learn how to change a tire. The catch: it was winter and snowing. So, most parents just signed off, saying they would teach their child how to do such a task later, ultimately never at all. Not my dad though! He fetched a piece of cardboard from the garage, put it on the ground and taught me. Right then and there. He was determined. This is a skill that is practical and I appreciate it. I have changed many a tire, including one on a freeway on-ramp. I am proud to know something about my car. Changing a tire was added to my skill set. He taught me to check my oil, transmission fluid, tire pressures and...most importantly: keep track of my cars maintenance!

As a child, I remember my mom was always the compassionate one, and my Dad was the strong one. He pushed me. Often, his desire for me to achieve greatness was daunting, overwhelming, and would be so frustrating. It seemed, and sometimes still seems overwhelming. I am who I am though, professionally and otherwise, because of this push. Failure was not an option and I strived for that.

Tonight, as my Dad looked at Ben's car, took me to dinner, and talked about my life more than his own, he apologized. Apologized for my hardships in life. Taking them on as his own. I believe that part of growing up is realizing that your parents did the best they could with what they had-and my Dad, my parents did just that.

As a child, my father's daughter, I am thankful for him this Lenten season.

Blog.

My blog has quickly dissolved into nothingness. In fact, I couldn't even remember what it was called...and had to look it up. BUT alas, I have found it...and am resurrecting it.

This lent I will be taking time each day to photograph a blessing of my life, day, week, etc. Along side my photo, I am going to attempt a reflection. Some days I could be a sentence and others a paragraph and some may quickly become even longer.

My life goes in waves. When I was an adolescent I would write pages after pages of journals. I think I still have them somewhere. I would fill blank pages with words, pictures, tears and laughter. But then, I moved on, I stopped writing.

When I first considered this project, I thought I would just do a journal-for myself. But somewhere along the way I realized that my reflections could benefit you. Could and hopefully do inspire you to recognize all the things in your life you may just gloss over.

My life is nowhere perfect. It has it's moments. Good. Bad. and Otherwise.

Hope you enjoy the journey of Lent with me. I hope it to be a season of reflection, repentance and rest.