Happy March, Happy Lent

In like a lion, out like a lamb.   Boy do I hope that's true.  This March brought with it yet another snowstorm that had me stuck in Northern Virginia.  Not that I was complaining getting to spend an extra day with my boy, but I am sick of the snow.  Yep.  I said it.  SICK OF IT.  20 inches of it really did me in a couple weeks ago... I'm hoping we are done with the winter weather and heading towards spring.  My body needs some warm air & sunshine.  My body needs some short sleeve weather.  I'm tired of being cold & sleep.  Ya hear me?
Since it's March I am reflecting on my February goals & setting new ones for March.  Since it's Ash Wednesday, I am reflecting on the meaning and spirit of the Lenten season and what that means to me, and what I'm going to "do" for Lent.
{February Goals} 1. Update my computer. I updated to the next software pack that I had to order, BUT I also made a step in another direction and that is talking with my mom about getting a *NEW* Macbook! Stay tuned :) 2. Re-do my 101 in 1001 list. I finally thought of 101 things and here it is. 3. Run my 10-miler in under 1:45. Didn't happen because the race was postponed to last Sunday and I was out of town :( 4. Do something with my calligraphy. Didn't happen.  Life + school happened. 5. Label/bookplate my children's books. This one is mostly done. I used up all of the stickers that I had and they took care of my hardback books.  I'm thinking of getting a stamp (or just handwriting in them) but of course the OCD person inside of me is saying, "What about when you have a different last name??" So that makes me want to wait.  
{March Goals} My March goals will be centered around Lent.
{Lent} "We give up that which we do not need to live, to gain that which we cannot live without: more Jesus." That statement stuck with me today after reading day 1 of the Lenten plan with She Reads Truth.  They're doing a 4 part plan - fasting, repentance, meditation and confession - and I am committing myself to follow it.  That's one of my Lenten promises.  I will probably post thing here & on instagram if you want to follow along!

  Now, what am I "giving up" for Lent? Candy + Soda I'm guilty of having a big sweet tooth and a knack for grabbing a Coca Cola whenever one is available.  However, if I'm going to try and get/keep my body healthy, I need to be more conscientious about what I'm consuming.  Taking out candy & soda from my diet will definitely help reduce my sugar intake and will hopefully encourage me to drink more water, which will keep me better hydrated.  I'll still allow myself to have other drinks, just not straight up sodas.
What are some of your Lenten promises?
Happy Wednesday!

Sunday Verse

I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing Sunday!

I started The Hunger Games yesterday so I'm sure I'll be reading a bunch today. So far so good :)

I want to finish it so I can go see the movie!

Happy 4th Sunday of Lent! How is everyone doing with their promises/sacrifices?

 

xoxo,

Lent

Happy Ash Wednesday!

Today was a good day. I got some work done, went to a mini mass on campus to receive ashes, went to work & then got some pizza for dinner.

Now, I'm the type of person that doesn't mind what religion you are, I won't judge you, and I'm not going to shove my religion down your throat because I wouldn't want that to happen to me.

However, I do take pride in my faith and I definitely don't mind sharing it on my blog.

Today marks the beginning of Lent.

Here is what I am promising to do this season:

I am going to cut my "screen time" off at 10:00 pm every night. That means after 10:00 I won't be on Blogger, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, etc, I won't have the TV on and I'll only use my phone to answer text messages/phone calls that I may receive. I think I could be using this time much more wisely by reading, catching up on homework or catching up on sleep. Too often I find myself refreshing Twitter for an hour and wasting time that I could be finishing a good book!

The exceptions are: I will use my computer if it's for homework & if I start a movie earlier that isn't going to end until 10:30 for example, I am going to finish it and then turn it off!

I am going to work on being nicer to people I don't know. This means that person that cuts me off or decides to roll into my lane with no turn signal - I'm not going to curse them out. I'm going to assume that they "just didn't see me"...and that person who decides in a room with 500 seats to come and sit right next to me with their loud sandwich and bony elbows, I am going to try my very best not to get annoyed.

{the driving one is going to be the hardest!}

I am going to be more devoted to my faith and God. During the school year I find myself so exhausted and not willing to wake up for mass at 8:45 but I'm going to try and make it to more on campus or at the later 11:00. I know it will make me feel better. I am also going to try really hard to end each day with a prayer - something I used to do as a child (Now I lay me down to sleep...) but have slacked with the past several years.

Are you celebrating Lent? What have you decided to sacrifice?

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

xoxo,