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